“Can I help you, ma’am?” Jeez, when did I become a ma’am?

“I hope so. Luke Williams and I are having lunch here, and your staff has been interrupting us to ask him for autographs and to speak with him. I’d really appreciate it if you’d ask them to stop.”

She frowns as she listens to my complaint. “I’m sorry, they shouldn’t have approached you at all. That’s against policy. Can I comp your lunch?”

“It’s not about the money, it’s about the lack of privacy. I’m sure he’s not the first celebrity to come to your restaurant.”

“Of course not. I’ll take care of it. I apologize on behalf of the staff.”

I walk back to our table and overhear Hilary apologize to her boss.

There’s a bus-boy standing next to our table when I return and I tap him on the shoulder. “Your boss would like to see you.”

“Oh! Okay. Thanks for the autograph!” He grins and leaves.

“That won’t be happening again,” I inform Luke.

“What did you do?”

“I went to management. Other customers are one thing, but it’s not appropriate for the staff to interrupt us every five minutes.”

“Nat, this is just how it is sometimes.”

“Well,” I shrug. “They’ve had enough of you. This is my lunch date with my boyfriend, and I’m done sharing him.”

His eyes light up and the smile he gives me is even brighter than the drop-your-panties one he gave the waitress and I melt just a little inside.

“Your boyfriend is enjoying this lunch date with you.”

“I’m glad.” I smile shyly and take a sip of wine.

The rest of the meal is delicious and we aren’t bothered at all, unless it’s to ask if we want more wine or dessert.

Hilary places the leather check holder on the table and walks away.

Luke opens it and frowns, then smiles and passes it to me. Instead of a check, there is a note.

We appreciate your patience and generosity toward our staff. Today’s lunch is on the house, and please accept this $250 gift card to join us again, uninterrupted, soon.

—The Management “Oh my. I guess my chat with the manager worked.”

“Looks like a date night is in our future.” Luke grins and slips the card in his wallet.

***

“Natalie, I had such a good time tonight. I know my husband will love these photos.” Darla gives me a smile and a hug before leaving the studio.

“He’s going to swallow his tongue when he sees these, I guarantee it.”

“Maybe we can come in sometime before the holidays and do a couples session. It sounds like a lot of fun.”

Darla slings her black Coach handbag on her shoulder.

“I would love that! Just let me know when you’d like to set it up. I’ll walk you out.”

I wave goodbye to Darla and start cleaning up from our boudoir session.

Darla was a lot of fun; very pretty and flirty, and she had some great ideas too.

I gather some lingerie that will need to go to the cleaners and push furniture back in place, turning off the bright photography lights when my phone pings.

My heart leaps, and I can’t help but hope it’s Luke. He dropped me off at home after our lunch date and said he had some work to take care of at home, which was fine because I needed to do some laundry and work myself.

But I miss him, and the thought of not seeing him until tomorrow morning when I go to the gym with him – which still fills me with dread – is a depressing thought.

Are you finished with your session, baby?

I do love it when he calls me baby.

Just finished, going inside now.

What are you doing?

I lock up the studio and head into the house. Fall is in the air now, and after the sun sets it’s really chilly, so I hug my hoodie around me as I cross the back yard.

Jules left the kitchen light on for me, and I stop at the fridge to grab myself a bottle of water and a handful of grapes before heading up to my bedroom. As I climb the stairs, I hear Adele crooning, and wonder briefly if it’s coming from Jules’ bedroom.

I walk into my own room and stop.

Holy shit.

The music is coming from my room, and there’s Luke, sitting on my bed, barefoot, in black basketball shorts and a black t-shirt. He’s frowning at his laptop and biting his thumbnail.

“So this is what you’re doing.”

He smiles and looks up at the sound of my voice.

“I hope you don’t mind, Jules let me in. I thought I’d just wait for you here.”

I walk over to the bed and crawl up next to him, offering him my last grape.

“I don’t mind. I was just thinking about you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He closes his computer and sets it on the floor and when he sits back up I climb on his lap.

“I was afraid you’d think I was being presumptuous.” I hear the smile in his voice as he kisses my head, and I settle in and nuzzle his chest. It’s just so good to see him, to touch him.

“You are being presumptuous, but I don’t mind.”

“I missed you today.”

I pull back and run my fingers down his face. “You saw me at lunch.”

“So I did. But that was hours ago. I can’t seem to get enough of you, baby.”

“Are you staying the night?” I ask breathlessly.

“If you’ll let me, yes.”

“Good.”

I reach up and kiss the side of his mouth, his chin, his nose, while running my fingers through his soft hair. His beautiful eyes are watching mine, and he’s patiently letting me touch and kiss him. His hands are softly rubbing up and down my back and desire is lazily unfurling through me.

I grip the hem of his shirt in my hands and lean back so I can pull it up over his head.

“I love your body,” I murmur as I run my hands over his shoulders, his chest and down his arms and his hands tighten on my ass.

“Do you?”

“Hmmm…” I kiss his neck and nibble up to his ear. “You’re fucking hot.”

“Jesus, baby, I want you.” I feel powerful and sexy, knowing that I’m making him crazy with my touch, and I just want us both naked. Now.

“I’m yours, Luke.”

His eyes smolder. “Damn right you’re mine.”

He makes quick work of my hoodie, top and bra, and then pushes me back onto the bed so he can strip me out of my pants and underwear. His mouth is all over me now, on my breasts, my neck, my side. My hands are in his hair as he shimmies out of his shorts and boxers, discarding them onto the floor.