He rose and walked around the desk.Her foolish heart fluttered slightly.He’d always been too damn good-looking, she thought, wishing it didn’t matter.Her lips tingled as if the closer proximity brought to life the remembered sensations of their kiss.Did he think about it, too?Did he lie awake at night and remember their lovemaking, all those years ago?Did he think about how different it would be now that she was grown and willing to take him on her own terms?
“Charlene said that she’d like to invite you and Billie to dinner on Sunday,” he said without meeting her eyes.“Four o’clock.Can you make it?”
The invitation surprised her, but not the way he distanced himself from it.“I…” She wasn’t sure she’d be ready to face Adam so soon after today.But she didn’t have a choice.She had Billie to consider.“We’d love to.”
Maybe another meeting with him would give her the courage to tell him the truth.
* * *
He nicked himself shaving.Adam stared in disbelief at his reflection in the mirror.Sure enough, a drop of blood formed just to the left of his chin.As he watched, it trickled down and dripped onto the bathroom counter.He hadn’t done that in years.Muttering a curse, he tore off a piece of tissue and stuck it on his cut, then finished shaving.He should have gotten out while he had the chance.An old friend had called to invite him to a play in Atlanta.The old friend—a woman—had included dinnerand breakfast in her invitation.He’d been tempted for less than a second.
Jane wasn’t the reason he’d said no, he told himself for the hundredth time as he pulled on twill trousers and a polo shirt.He didn’t give a damn if she was coming over for dinner.It was Charlene’s invitation, not his.Just because his aunt entertained all her friends—except for the truckers—in his house didn’t change anything.Hell, he didn’t even have to show up.He could work in his study, or watch the game on TV.
That’s what he’d do, he decided, as he brushed his hair, then straightened the collar on his shirt.He would watch the game.After slipping on his shoes, he started down the stairs.There was a knock.
“I’ll get it,” he called to Charlene who was already hard at work in the kitchen.
Just as he reached the front door, he remembered to brush the piece of tissue from his face.
“We’re here,” Billie said, walking in slowly, a pie balanced precariously in her hands.“Mom made fresh blueberry pie.Yum.I could smell it all morning, but she wouldn’t let me have none.”
“Any.”Jane came in behind her daughter and offered him a shy smile.
“Any,” Billie repeated.“Or none.It’s the same.”She thrust the pie at Adam.“Where’s Charlene?I want to say hello.Then can we watch the game?”
“Billie!I told you this was a visit.No sports.”
“But the Braves are playing San Francisco.That’s my team.I’lldieif I don’t watch.”
He took the pie.“In the kitchen,” he said, jerking his head in that direction.“Then go on into the study.The TV is already on the right channel.”
“Cool.”She dashed away.
He stared after her.“No softball, and she’s wearing a dress.I’m impressed.”
“Don’t be.She’s wearing shorts under the dress and is convinced you have a hardball somewhere she can play with.”Hazeleyes met and held his.“If you do, please don’t let her get her hands on it.I can’t make any promises about breakables.”
“I’ll keep it hidden.Please, come in.”
She stepped past him, into the foyer.Her perfume followed like a soft floral breeze, teasing his senses and making him wonder what the anger had been all about.Again she offered a tentative smile.This time he returned it.
“You look beautiful.”He spoke without thinking.
She blushed, but didn’t look away.“Thank you.”
A green-and-white dress hugged her curves from shoulder to hips, then flared out around her thighs.The off-the-shoulder sleeves left her neck bare.But it was her hair that captured his attention.For once, she’d left it long.Soft curls cascaded down her back.A small spray of tiny white flowers had been pinned over her right ear.Light makeup made her hazel eyes darken to green and her lips look full and kissable.
The kiss.He couldn’t forget it, wouldn’t repeat it.His gaze centered on her mouth.She’d tasted sweet, willing.Not the shy timid girl he’d remembered.He would have thought he’d miss that, when he’d kissed her.He’d been wrong.There was something to be said for experience, and a woman who wasn’t afraid of what she wanted.
“Adam!”Billie called from the back of the house.“The game’s already started.Andmyteam just scored a run.”
“I’d better go help Charlene,” Jane said, reaching out and taking the pie from his hands.Their fingers brushed.
Funny thing about the past, he thought, resisting the urge to touch her face.What they had shared years before made it so easy to forget the distance they’d traveled.He’d thought he’d have to fight hating her.Perhaps he still did.But he’d never imagined he’d have to fight wanting her.
“And I should check on your daughter before she destroys something valuable.”
Her tongue swept across her lower lip.His body vibrated with need.
