Cally Hughes Innocent at Seduction (pdf)

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something to wear."
"No," he said adamantly.
So they went outside and strolled down the streets hand in hand. Eileen
longed to pass someone she knew so she could test the effectiveness of her
disguise. Talbot asked, "Do you ever meet anyone in public that you've
known in your business?"
"Rarely. They're a different bunch altogether." She glanced at their fellow
strollers and said, "We can count on one thing. With the way we look, no one
will bother us. We look so strange we'll just fade into the general run of
people." And she laughed, enjoying the idea.
But Talbot appeared uncomfortable on the street and peered into men's faces
as they passed as if he was searching for a reaction from them. He didn't
relax again fully until they were back inside his house. Eileen wondered if he
had a tendency toward reclusiveness. That could be a real problem, and she
should watch for signs of it. But he talked about football games and going to
the Superbowl. He asked if she'd like to go with him, which didn't sound the
least reclusive. He suggested other outings, too. Then she realized that
everything he was suggesting took place out of town.
She made some effort to leave after lunch on Sunday. He asked, "Why do
you want to go?"
"I have to wash my hair."
"I'll wash it for you."
"And I have to do my laundry."
"You can wear the Chinese robe." She put it on and walked around slowly,
flirting shyly with him, her face full of mischief. He sat watching her, his
interest making his eyes sparkle and his big hands spread out on his thighs.
"You're not to wear the robe for anyone else," he told her firmly.
"I wouldn't."
"You can only wear it when I'm with you," he insisted.
"Only for you," she agreed. His demand pleased her. It sounded so
possessive. "The silk feels marvelous on my skin," she added.
"You feel marvelous on my skin." He got up and opened the robe and held
her close to him.
They made pancakes for supper, and after they'd cleared away the dishes and
tidied up the kitchen, she said she really had to go home. "In the morning,"
he said, as if that decided the matter.
She laughed and scolded, "What would your housemates say if they came
home and found me here?"
"I have my own room. I pay my share. I don't object when their wives come
here." He looked at her. "They'd die of envy."
After they'd kissed for a time, she sighed. "I really must go now, but I don't
think I can face putting those lounging pajamas on one more time. I think I'll
give them to Goodwill."
"No. I want them to remember you by."
She looked up at him quickly. "Why do you need something to remember
me by?"
"To commemorate this fabulous weekend?" he amended. "You have the
robe. Can't I have your pajamas?"
"I have to wear them home," she reminded him.
"I'll allow that."
"How generous you are." And she grinned because she really thought he was
stingy.
After she called a cab, they waited for it in the foyer, clasped loosely in each
other's arms, not saying much. When the cab arrived, Talbot got in with her.
"You idiot," she said indulgently, but she was charmed.
They rode together to her apartment, where Talbot paid the cabdriver and
strolled with her up the four flights, holding hands, laughing softly, talking
of nothing at all important. He leaned next to her door with his hands in his
pockets and watched her insert the key When she opened the door, Farand
bounced out, but she scooped him up in her arms, where he curled,
stretching his neck to look around and moving impatiently when Eileen
continued to stand there. She wanted to say a nonchalant good-bye, but it
took all her willpower not to blurt that she wanted Talbot to come live with
her.
If she threw out half of her stuff, there'd be room for his things. He could live
and eat there and sleep in her bed. She kept her eyes on the cat so she
wouldn't see him and say all that and embarrass them both. It was too soon
for such a serious move. It had been too soon to even spend the weekend
with him, for Pete's sake.
But she couldn't resist asking him in. "For some coffee?" she suggested.
"No, thanks. I think I'll walk back."
"I have cocoa. Tea?" She knew it sounded as if she was coaxing him to stay,
and she blushed.
"How about a kiss? Do you have some of those?"
She cocked her head in a sassy way and said she didn't have even one left.
He'd used them all up. "I don't think I could pucker up to sip from a straw,"
she declared.
But he kissed her anyway, and she managed all right. He smoothed her hair
back and held her face in his hands. "Thank you for a lovely weekend," he [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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