[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Drink in hand, she leaned back against the sink.“You’ve been really busy to get all this done in so short a time.”“The other rooms aren’t this far along.Most of the paint is done and some of the floors.There’s still plumbing and electrical.” He looked around.“I’d have probably come off cheaper if I’d started over building a new place from scratch.”“But that’s not the point.Those places wouldn’t have been your home.”He settled against the island, facing her.“No.I wanted to be here, even if I didn’t necessarily want it the same.”“Your parents would be proud.”A smile quirked the corners of his mouth.“It felt good coming back here.Right.” He raised his eyes to meet hers, his gaze searching.“I know what that word means to me, but what does it mean to you?”She set her glass aside and hugged her arms tight across her chest, digging deep for the right words.“I—I don’t know.I think home is a place I’m still looking for.”“Do you think you’ll find it in Oxford?”“Before tonight, I might have said yes, but now…” She shook her head.“No.I don’t think so.”“People meant what they said tonight about you.They respect you.They value your friendship.” He set his own drink aside.“And I meant what I said, too.I do love you.”She nodded, her heart racing, her throat squeezing around her words.“I know you do.” She sucked in a shaky breath.“And I think I love you, too.”He moved to her, wrapping his hands around her shoulders, pulling her close.She rested her forehead against his chest, trying to stop shaking.The words she’d said…the things she felt…why did they terrify her so? Was it because they seemed so fragile, something one wrong move would send shattering into dust?He slid his hands down her arms and twined his fingers in hers.“Isn’t that enough? Can’t we take that and make our own future together?”She looked up at him, into those brown eyes so full of trust.So full of faith in her.“I—I don’t know.So much has happened tonight.So much to think about…” She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his chin.“I’m tired.I don’t want to think anymore.I just want to…be.”He cradled her face in his hand and tipped her chin up until her mouth found his.The kiss was gentle, but insistent, demanding an intimacy that both thrilled and frightened her.He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes.“Stay here with me tonight.” His gaze searched her, probing deeper.“All night.”She nodded.“All right.” Maybe there was something to be learned from staying with him until the sun rose.Wordlessly, he took her hand and led her from the kitchen, down the hall to a large bedroom.In the dim glow of one bedside lamp, she had an impression of heavy mahogany furniture and a blue-and-white quilt in a Texas Star pattern.He shut the bedroom door behind them, then turned and unfastened the top button of her blouse.She reached up to help him, but he stilled her hand.“No.I want to undress you.All you have to do is relax…and be.”He worked swiftly, fingertips barely grazing her skin as he unfastened her blouse and skirt, letting the garments fall to the floor around her ankles.He undid the clasp of her bra and skimmed it back over her shoulder.She felt his gaze on her, as intense as any touch, and her nipples rose and tightened.He helped her step out of her panties and panty hose, and now she was naked in front of him.He stepped back and looked at her, not speaking or saying anything.She fought the urge to cover herself with her arms.“What is it?” she whispered, not wanting to break the silent spell that held them.He shook his head, his expression dark, unreadable.“I want to remember how you look, right now.”Then he began to undress himself.She watched, aroused by the play of light across muscle and skin.Every movement spoke of strength tempered by such tenderness.Her throat tightened and she had to look away.Naked now, he took her hand and led her to the bed
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]