Reasons Why

Chapter Six

After forty minutes of open road, Chloe had relaxed. There was a good selection of music on the radio what she could hear over the roar of the road. Luke was calm behind the wheel, using one arm to expertly negotiate any disruptions to his path.

They'd driven North, close to the coast for most of the journey, and as he pulled into a marina with a lush view of the sea, Chloe smiled, it was a beautiful place.

                "I love it here! It's quiet, quite exclusive, and..." he offered a smile, "no one knows me!"

She nodded, replying, "I can see that would be a problem!"

Luke turned and lifted his shades, noting the sarcasm in her voice, "excuse me Miss...? Shit, I don't know you last name!"

Chloe groaned, "Palmer, I'm Chloe Palmer."

Nodding, he extended a hand, "nice to meet you Miss Palmer, now less of the cheek and sarcasm. Are we walking? Eating? Or taking a drink?"

Chloe didn't think there was a great amount of choice, all options had connotations. "Walk?" she offered.

It was met by an enthusiastic nod as Luke rushed around to open her car door and lead her off to the coastal promenade. It was awkward for a moment, Chloe was determined not to start any conversation, and ignored his attempts initially. But it was such a lovely place, with motor boats, yachts, some huge. She couldn't resist commenting on them, and all too soon they were talking about neutral things. Chloe chose to also ignore the smug smile that seemed to permanently across his face.

Finally they sat at a bench a long way from the marina, and Luke couldn't help thinking about the previous night, or rather early this morning when he'd sat on a bench near her brother's and kissed her.

                "I maybe should've told you more about myself this morning, last night. I get that. And I'm sorry for that. But we were having fun, at no point was there a deep and meaningful chat about anything."

Chloe digested that for a moment, the sudden seriousness in the midst of light hearted conversation almost caught her out, "I was wrong to be so angry with you this morning, but I didn't think I'd ever see you again. And there you were in the midst of my world, my family...it threw me of kilter and I should never have been so angry."

He grinned, a real genuine grin or relief, "I’m glad to hear that. You're pretty scary when you're angry you know!"

Sighing she looked at him, "I meant what I said about not seeing you again. This isn't going anywhere Luke."

If she'd slapped him he'd have been a bit less speechless. "What do you mean? I don't get it!"

                "I've a lot going on; I'm not in the right place for a relationship..."

Groaning he took her hand, "I'm not suggesting marriage, just a few dates, some time together. I like you. There's no harm in that!"

Shaking her head, she couldn't meet his eyes, "I'm here for a few weeks, then I leave. There’s no point!"

                "Chloe, all I want is to take you out for dinner, can't we do that? Let's not over complicate things, this is what it is."

Chloe couldn't think that way, she was too worried about becoming attached, she'd never been good at compartmentalising things, her heart always ruled her head, she'd been in love, and heartbroken more often than anyone she knew. This man was dangerous...but so sexy.

                "Dinner Luke Petrakis, that is all I'm offering."

Shrugging he stood and offered her a hand, "and I'll take it!"