Free On Love's Own Terms by Fran Baker

the strong drum of his heartbeat against hers as they swayed in smooth, sensuous harmony.
    “Luke,” she whispered hesitantly, “I was jealous that night—insanely so.” Bonnie tipped her head back. Expecting to see triumph in his eyes, she marveled at finding something like pain clouding their depths.
    “If it makes you feel any better, I got dead drunk after you threw your ring in my face. I passed out on her sofa before anything happened, and she took her scissors to my clothes.” He grimaced comically. “I woke up the next morning sicker than sin and had to drive home in my birthday suit.”
    She looked at him, her lips softly parted, and smiled. “You deserved it.”
    “I did,” he agreed softly, nuzzling her ear.
    Their steps grew smaller as they drew closer. Bonnie wrapped her arms tightly around his neck while Luke’s hands caressed her bare back, spreading a slow, honeyed heat. She whispered his name when his mouth brushed her temple, and they sealed their exquisite awareness of each other with a kiss that didn’t end with the music.
    The sound of shuffling feet and a mild cough broke them apart. Dave’s embarrassment shone bright as a beacon on his freckled face, despite the dim lighting. “I hate to interrupt your, ah, discussion, but Darlene and I are going to a party.”
    Luke traced the angle of Bonnie’s cheek with his forefinger. “Sounds like fun.”
    Dave reached into his jeans pocket, fished out the keys to his van and handed them over. “You can take my wheels whenever you’re ready to leave here. We’ve already got a ride to and from the party.”
    “Fine.” Luke waited until Dave was gone, then dangled the keys in her face. “It’s your decision, babe. Do we hit the road or do we dance till dawn?”
    Bonnie’s heart made up her mind. If it was wrong to need him, she didn’t want to be right. Not tonight She leaned against his chest, almost purring with anticipation. “Frankly, my feet are killing me.”
     

Chapter 5
     
    Their haste to leave the Hickory Tavern bordered on the indecent. While Bonnie grabbed her purse off the table, Luke shoved a twenty-dollar bill at the waitress and told her to keep the change. Before the happily surprised woman finished sputtering her thanks, they were halfway to the door.
    They rode home wrapped in a silken web of silence. A white chocolate moon chased them every mile along the rural backroad.
    Curled up in the captain’s seat on the passenger side, Bonnie captured Luke’s bold male profile on her heart’s canvas. She memorized each detail—the sexy slant of his deep-set eyes, the sharply sculptured nose and full mouth.
    He swung the van into the driveway and parked beside a lush bank of lilacs. A fragile urgency quickened their steps as they walked hand-in-hand toward the wide-planked porch. He opened the front door, then slowed the tempo when he turned and took her in his warm embrace.
    “Welcome home,” he murmured.
    “I’ve missed you,” she admitted.
    Luke tipped her chin and traced the outline of her lips with his thumb. “Show me. Show me what we have together.”
    It was more than an invitation of the flesh. It was a beautiful lie that bound them again, but only for a little while.
    Bonnie raised her hand and touched his mouth, relearning its texture. A soft cry escaped her when his tongue touched the sensitive pads of her fingertips.
    “God, you feel good.” He crushed her to him, molding her legs, her hips, her breasts to the burning length of his body.
    A terrible ache filled her heart. This week was all they had before they went their separate ways. Bonnie closed her eyes to the future, blotting out everything but the present.
    “Let’s go inside.” Luke scooped her into his arms and carried her over the threshold, toward the stairway. “Otherwise, the neighbors across the road will have one hell of a tale to tell tomorrow.”
    “Modesty certainly becomes you,” she teased, wrapping her arms around his neck