Wild at Heart. Vicki Lewis Thompson

night air. He followed. As the door closed behind him, the music faded into background noise.

      She turned to him. “Luke, I’m glad you’re here tonight, because—”

      “No, wait. Let me say something first. I was off base today, and I apologize with all my heart. You’re not that kind of woman. I made a mistake and no doubt insulted you in the process.”

      Yikes, now what? Right when she’d decided to accept his outrageous proposal, he’d withdrawn it on the grounds that she wasn’t that kind of woman.

      She swallowed. “What kind of woman do you think I am?”

      “The kind who needs stability. You deserve someone who wants to become a permanent part of your life, and I’m not that guy.”

      “Luke, I don’t know what my life is going to be yet. You made me do some serious thinking today. I was shocked by your assumption that I’d want a fling, but—”

      “I know you were, and I feel pretty rotten about that.”

      “Yes, but you see, when it comes right down to it…” She placed both hands on his chest so she could feel his heart beating and know for sure that it was racing as fast as hers. This wasn’t a cold, calculated decision, after all. It was being made in the heat of the moment, and she was ready to dive headfirst into the flames.

      She looked into his beautiful eyes. “I do want a fling with you, Luke.” Heat sizzled through her as she plunged into the fire. “In fact, I can’t think of anything I want more.”