the glow, then floated down into weightless wonder.
He pressed his face into her hair, and let himself follow.
he was so quiet it worried her. He held her, but he would have known
she'd need him to. Still he didn't speak, and the longer the silence
stretched the more she feared what he would say when he broke it.
So she broke it first.
"Don't tell me you're sorry. I don't think I could stand it if you told
me you were sorry."
"I wasn't going to. I promised myself I'd never touch you like this, but
I'm not sorry I did."
She rested her head on his shoulder, just under his chin. "Will you
touch me like this again?"
"Right this minute?"
Because she caught the lazy amusement in his voice, she relaxed and
smiled. "I know better than to rush you on anything." She lifted her
head because it was vital that she know. "Will you, Ethan? Will you be
with me again?"
He traced a finger through her hair. "I don't see talking either one of
us out of it after tonight."
"If you started to, I'd have to try to seduce you again."
"Yeah?" A smile crept over his face. "Then maybe I should start
talking."
Thrilled, she rolled over him and hugged hard. "I'd be better at it the
next time, too, because I wouldn't be so damned nervous."
"Nerves didn't seem to get in your way. I nearly swallowed my tongue
when you walked to the door in that pink dress." He started to nuzzle
her hair, stopped, narrowed his eyes. "What were you doing wearing a
dress to sit around at home?"
"I don't knowa I just was." She turned her head, ran kisses along his
throat.
"Hold on." Knowing just how quickly she could distract him, he took her
shoulders and lifted her up. "A pretty dress, candlelighta it's almost
like you were expecting me to come along."
"I'm always hoping you will," she said and tried to kiss him again.
"Sending me off with a recipe, for Christ's sake." In a smooth and easy
move he plopped her on her butt beside him, then sat up. "You and Anna
got your heads together on this, didn't you? Set me up."
"What a ridiculous thing to say." She tried for indignant, but could
only manage guilty. "I don't know where you get these ideas."
"You never could lie worth spit." Firmly, he took her chin in one hand,
holding it until her eyes shifted to his. "It took me a while to figure
it, but I've got it now, don't I?"
"She was only trying to help. She knew I was upset about the way things
were between us. You've got a right to be mad, but don't take it out on
her. She was only--"
"Did I say I was mad?" he interrupted.
"No, buta" She trailed off, drew in a careful breath. "You're not
mad?"
"I'm grateful." His grin was slow and wicked. "But maybe you ought to
try to seduce me again. Just in case."