Family Man

being cautious?” She fumbled with her shoes. “I am not interested in having an affair with you, Luke.”
    “Why not? Because I can't cook?”
    “Among other things.” Katy stood up quickly.
    Luke sprawled back against the cushions, one leg drawn up, his hands behind his head. He eyed her broodingly. She looked flushed and warm and aroused. And he wanted her. He decided to try a different tactic.
    “Katy,” he said in a soft, coaxing tone, “let's talk about this.”
    “Stop looking at me like that.” She picked up her purse. “We both know you're not really interested in me, Luke. You're annoyed with me because I talked you into coming here to help your family. You're feeling resentful and angry because I made you accept your responsibilities to the other Gilchrists. You decided to get even tonight by asserting yourself over me in a sexual way.”
    He blinked in amazement at her idiotic logic. “Bullshit.”
    “It's true, and you know it.” She smiled wearily. “I can understand your reaction. Seducing me probably seems like a way of paying me back for interfering in your life. But I don't want to be seduced for that reason, Luke. You'll have to get your vengeance by bullying me in the office, just like all the other Gilchrists do. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to be on my way.”
    She turned and headed for the door. Luke experienced a few seconds of some indefinable panic. He came up off the sofa in a swift rush. He was right behind her when her hand closed around the doorknob.
    He put his palm flat against the door and held it shut as she started to open it. “I'll take you home.”
    “I can walk that far by myself.”
    “I said I'll take you home, goddammit. I told your brother I'd take care of you tonight, and I intend to do just that.” Luke turned and grabbed a black windbreaker out of the closet. Then he pulled her coat off the hanger.
    “Thank you,” Katy said quietly as he helped her into the coat with short, brusque movements.
    He swung her around and caught her face between his palms. She stared up at him with troubled eyes. “You're going to regret this, Katy Wade.”
    “Why? Because you're going to make life hell for me at work? I can handle Gilchrists. I've been doing it for years.”
    “What happens between us at work has nothing to do with this,” he ground out. “The reason you're going to regret walking out of here tonight is because you're going to spend the rest of your life wondering what it would have been like between us.”
    She blinked, and then, to Luke's amazement, she seemed to relax. “Good heavens, Luke, where on earth did you get that idea?” Her mouth curved softly. She reached up to pat his cheek gently. “I already know what it would have been like to go to bed with you.”
    “You think so?” he demanded, goaded.
    “Of course. I've got a very good imagination, and I'm sure it would have been quite exciting. Hot, seething, and tempestuous. I would expect nothing less of a Gilchrist.”
    He set his teeth but decided to ignore the fact that she was still generalizing about Gilchrists. “So what the hell is wrong with hot, seething, and tempestuous?”
    “Nothing, if you're the type. I'm not, and we both know it.”
    “Hell, maybe you could learn to be the type,” he growled. “Maybe I could teach you.” The image that came into his head at that thought made his whole body clench with desire.
    “No.” Her eyes were clear and solemn. “I'm not going to learn it from you.”
    “Why not?”
    “The last thing I want to do is get involved with you, Luke.” She opened the door.
    Luke did not try to stop her this time. He glanced back at Zeke. “Come on, boy. You might as well come with us.”
    Zeke picked up his bowl and followed Luke and Katy out into the night.
    The chilled night air hit Luke like a dash of cold water. He began to think more clearly. His body calmed somewhat. It was all right, he told himself. He had six months ahead of him. Six months in which to convince Katy that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
    He did not bother to break the silence that hung between Katy and himself during the short walk to her cottage. When they reached her front door he stood waiting patiently until she had it unlocked. The lights were on in the living room, but the rest of the house was in darkness. Matt had apparently gone to bed.
    Katy smiled apologetically as she stepped over the threshold and started to close the door in Luke's face.