Love, Lies & Blood Ties - Whitby Shadows Series Book 2

Chapter One

As Luke showered, I couldn't help but ponder over things. Last night had not ended how I expected. The fact I admitted my feelings about Marcus to myself hurt more than anything. I'd opened up the gates to hurt and emotional pain without even realising it. Now I understood why so many of my school friends spent days crying and moping around after boys.

Except Marcus had no resemblance to a boy. He owned the word man. Yet his actions, how he lied to me, they didn't reflect the actions of a man. Or did they? I guessed that would depend on an individual's perspective.

"You look deep in thought," Luke said, making me jump.

Standing at the window, gazing out over his land, caught up in nothing but my thoughts, I hadn't even heard him come down the stairs. "Yeah, away with the fairies, almost."

"Anything you want to share?"

I turned around and met his soft brown eyes, wonder flickering through them. "Nothing you'd want to hear."

He took a couple of steps towards me and then reached out, placing his hands on my upper arms. The fruity scent of oranges and pineapples circled around me making me crave something sweet to eat. His red and blue checked shirt and faded denim jeans brought images of cowboys to mind.

"Whatever you have to say I want to hear," he said.

"That is such a cheesy line," I replied, laughing.

"A line?" He frowned. "No, Cat. That's what friends do. Listen no matter what."

Friend. Right. I couldn't ignore the pang that hit my heart when he said that word. Ultimately though, he had a point. We were friends, nothing more.

"I keep thinking about last night. All these feelings I had...I just feel like such a fool. Why do men lie, Luke? Why?"

A slow smile spread over his face. "I would just like to point out here that women lie just as much as men."

I laughed. "Stop evading the question."

He shrugged his shoulders and dropped his hands from my arms. "I don't know. Personally, I can't say I've ever lied to anyone."

"Of course you haven't. Because you're so perfect."

He grinned. "I'm glad you've noticed that too."

I folded my arms over my chest and tried my hardest not to laugh. "That's not funny."

He narrowed his eyes at me and focused his attention on my mouth. "I'm sure I can see a smile trying to crack through there."

"Shut up," I said, giving him a playful shove in the chest. "You're not funny."

"Tell me that without smiling."

At that point I couldn't hold it in any longer. I burst out laughing. "Luke, stop it!"

"I'm not even sorry. At least you're laughing and not moping around anymore."

"What happened to wanting to hear whatever I had to say?"

"It still stands."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Well?" he said, tilting his head to one side. "I'm waiting."

I found myself laughing again for some reason. "I'm going to get changed. Then you can take me out for that breakfast you promised."

"I didn't promise anything. I just suggested it."

"Are you going to be this awkward all day?"

He pursed his lips and said, "I haven't decided yet."

Giggling to myself, I grabbed my bag of clothes and headed upstairs to change. Just as the thought of a shower crossed my mind, Luke shouted up after me, "Fresh towels in the bathroom if you want a shower."