“I thought it wasn’t formal,” she said, covering her torso with a bath towel.
“It’s not, but a dress has other benefits.”
Chapter Nineteen
“So are you sure you can’t squeeze a round of golf in tomorrow afternoon before your flight?”
Jack was definitely living it up while vacationing without his wife.
Lucas shuddered as Jack flagged down the waiter for another glass of Stranahan’s on the rocks. “As much as I’d love to play a round, we have a couple things to finish up before we leave.”
Jack shook his head before draining the last drops of amber whiskey from his glass. “You should live life to the fullest before you settle down and get married. God knows, once you get married you might as well hand your man card over to your wife. You’ll only get to do it if she agrees to release you from the marital prison.”
Regan held her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh.
Jack’s eyes focused in on her. “Sorry, no offense.”
“Not taken,” she responded.
“See, even Regan knows it’s true. She’s not even going to bother arguing otherwise.” Jack slammed his glass down on the table, and Lucas cringed fearing it would shatter. “So, now that I have a captive audience and I’m being double billed for the pleasure of your company, why don’t you update me on the case.”
Lucas picked up his glass and took a drink of water, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. Drinks, salad, appetizers, and a main course and now Jack wanted to discuss the case. They’d already done that this afternoon and at least twice this week.
Briefly, he glanced at Regan, who was sitting in the booth next to him. She didn’t look the least bit annoyed that Jack wanted to draw out this dinner for another hour. In fact, she appeared mildly amused the entire course of dinner and that made him absolutely crazy. He made damn sure she wasn’t aroused and unfocused the entire dinner. Maybe he shouldn’t be so considerate next time.
Lucas launched into a long-winded explanation that was nearly identical to the one he’d recited that afternoon.
Jack nodded, more interested in his fourth or fifth drink than the conversation.
“Regan is investigating any social connections between Jennings and any principles at North Relief.” Lucas moved his hand from his lap to her bare thigh, his fingertips moving in a circular pattern. “Have you made any progress?”
“Progress?” she asked, turning to look at him, her eyes wide.
He cocked his head to the side, a hint of amusement in his smile, as he moved his fingers under the hem of her dress. “With your investigation of potential personal relationships between Jennings and anyone at North Relief.” Regan didn’t respond, and he liked that he finally had her attention again. He was becoming addicted to the way she looked at him. “Are you feeling okay? Your cheeks are a little flushed.”
“Right,” she responded, clamping her hand around his wrist while keeping her face completely neutral. “I haven’t found anything concrete, but I think it’s only a matter of time.”
“Exactly,” Jack added. “There’s always something happening behind closed doors or under the table, hidden from view.”
Regan choked on her water and then her fingernails dug into Lucas’s wrist. He tried to pull his hand back, but she held it there for a minute as she lifted her napkin to her face with her free hand. “Jennings definitely seems like the type for backroom deals,” Regan answered.
“You’re telling me. I know exactly how he works. I was his partner for way too long. Last week, my son asked me about a real estate development deal and I told him, partners are for dancing not business.”
A half an hour later, Jack climbed into a shuttle as Lucas and Regan watched from a bench near the covered bridge in Vail Village.
Regan turned to Lucas. “I can’t believe you did that to me in the middle of the restaurant with Jack sitting three feet away. I thought I was going to die of embarrassment.”
“I gave you fair warning when I told you to wear a dress,” Lucas said laughing at the blush that stained her cheeks.
“I thought you wanted to see my legs, nothing more.”
Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulder pulling her closer to him. “Then you don’t know me very well.”
She frowned trying to stand up, but he wouldn’t let her. “Apparently not. What would you have said if Jack noticed? What were you thinking?”
Touching her at dinner was risky and completely out of character, but he couldn’t stop himself. After six years of telling himself he had to forget her, she was finally back in his life, and he wanted to take advantage of every moment because, quite frankly, he was afraid it wouldn’t last. They had enough emotional baggage to fill an eighteen wheeler so the odds were against them, but that didn’t mean he’d give up easily. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. Forgive me?” Not knowing what else to say, he cupped her face with both hands and kissed her softly on the cheek and then brushed a gentle kiss across her lips, hoping the gesture conveyed what he couldn’t say. He thought time was against them.