Free Steal My Breath (Elixir #1) by Nina Levine Page A

the intricacies of his journey through life. I have a feeling that when I delve into that journey and learn more, it might break my heart. I think that Luke Hardy is nothing like the man I imagined him to be based on what he’s shown me since I met him. First appearances are very seldom right, and people usually choose to present themselves the way they wish to be perceived rather than who they really are.
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    “ Y ou seriously want me to believe that?” Luke says with a disbelieving shake of his head.
    “What?” I fake outrage. “You don’t think I can cook a roast?”
    “It’s not that I don’t believe you can cook a roast, Callie. I struggle to believe you pulled off a dinner party for eight people.”
    Over lunch, we continued discussing family and friends and moved onto the topic of entertaining after I told him I figured his back deck was great for having friends over. When he said his friends pretty much stopped calling after Jolene was charged with murder, I wanted to change the subject, so I rambled on about my entertaining prowess. I don’t have any amazing skills in this area—I lied. But it made Luke smile again.
    I pout. “Why would you think that?”
    “It could have something to do with the fact I’ve heard the stories that Avery has told about your past attempts at having friends over for dinner.”
    My breathing slows. “You listened to her when she was telling everyone that?” Luke has never really engaged in any of the conversations we have at the bar.
    He doesn’t reply straight away, but rather leans forward in his seat and meets my gaze. When he speaks, his voice is low and deep. “Of course I listened.”
    My ears roar with the sound of my heart beating. Because I’m tongue-tied, and my brain isn’t thinking straight, I blurt out, “I’ll prove to you that I can cook a roast. You come for dinner, and I’ll blow your mind with my cooking skills.”
    His smile turns sexy as does his voice. “Callie, you’ve already blown my mind, but I won’t say no to another opportunity.”
    My excitement at his acceptance quickly fizzles. “Oh, but can you get a night off from the bar?”
    “Avery didn’t have any problems the other night without me, so I don’t see why not. Just tell me when and I’ll be there.”
    I want to tell him to book it in for one month’s time so I can practice the hell out of cooking a roast, but I can’t wait that long to have Luke all to myself in my home. “How about next Monday night? Is that your slowest night at the bar?”
    “Yeah. Sounds good. I’ll bring dessert.”
    “You don’t need to. I can make something.”
    Fuck, can you dig yourself any deeper?
    For the love of God, stop talking.
    He smirks. “I’m looking forward to this.”
    I reach across the table and smack him on the chest. “Smart ass. I’ll show you.”
    He breaks out in laughter, and I am mesmerised. I trace the lines of laughter on his face and commit the sound to my memory. I’ve dedicated a special place for Luke there, and I hope it won’t take long to be overflowing with these kinds of memories.

7
    Luke
    “ M um told me about Jolene ,” Tyler says as he helps me with my books. His accounting degree has come in handy because I have little patience for figures.
    “I swear that woman doesn’t understand the concept of ‘private’,” I mutter with a shake of my head.
    He looks up at me from across the desk. Frowning, he says, “You didn’t want me to know?” I understand his confusion. I’ve never hidden anything from him before, but this is different.
    “It’s not that, Ty. The police told me not to tell anyone. I only told Mum because I needed to ask her for help.”
    “Ah, and if she’s told me, who else has she told?” He grasps where I’m coming from. Our mother has loose lips a lot of the time, but I had hoped she would be more discerning with who she shared this information.
    I nod. “Yeah. Hopefully, she hasn’t spread this across