He reached up and cupped her cheek, then drew his hand to the side, slipping his fingers through her curls.“I never expected to get over the anger.I never expected not to hate you.”He gave her a slight smile.“I never expected to see you again.”
He took her breath away.His gentleness, the scent of his body, his warmth surrounding her.Except where he wove his fingers through her hair, they didn’t touch.She wanted him with a fierceness that threatened to overwhelm her.This was more than a woman’s need for man.This was a lethal combination of past and present.She hated that it didn’t matter that he’d never loved her.She hated herself for being so weak where he was concerned.But she understood the phenomenon.He was her first love, heronly love.He could, with just a look, tap into a lifetime of memories.How could she resist him?
He placed his other hand on her shoulder.His skin felt warm against hers.His pinky slipped under the strap of her dress, his thumb traced a line from her jaw to the hollow of her throat.Slowly, he twisted his fingers in her hair, until she was forced to lean her head back, exposing more of herself to him.
Anger, disappointment, regret, guilt all faded under his sensual assault.She swayed toward him.Tomorrow, she thought vaguely.She’d tell him tomorrow.Please, God, let her have tonight with the man she had once loved with her entire being.Just one perfect night to remember.
The screen door slammed.“We’ve finished the dishes.Hey, where are you guys?”
Billie!
Adam instantly stepped back.Jane cleared her throat and turned to look out at the yard.
Billie walked over to them.“What are you guys doing over here?”
“Looking at stars,” Jane said, hoping her voice sounded normal.
“Why?”
“It’s fun.Can you find the Big Dipper?”
Billie came up to the rail and leaned out to look at the sky.“It’s there.”She pointed.
“Very good.”
Billie turned to Adam.“I’m very smart for my age.”
“So it would appear.”As always, she had the power to make him laugh and forget what was ailing him, Adam thought.This particular time, it was a case of misplaced passion.Jane wasn’t a woman for him to fool around with.She’d already wounded him big-time.Giving her a second chance to screw up his life would be idiotic.Telling himself it was strictly physical might sound good, but he knew better.The heart was a very physical organ and had a nasty habit of getting in the way.He didn’t want to risk that kind of involvement again.Caring meant losing.Jane was proof of that.So why had he almost kissed her again, and why was he frantically thinking up an excuse to see her?Wasn’the the one who had convinced them both that if they really made an effort, their paths didn’t have to cross?
“It’s late,” Jane said.“We should get this one home.She’s got a big day tomorrow.”
“Mo-om, it’s barely dark.My bedtime’s not for a couple of hours.”
“Your mother’s right,” he said, suddenly needing to be away from Jane before he said or did something he would regret.The control he’d prided himself on for so long seemed to be failing on a regular basis.
“Thank you, Adam.”She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, as if not sure what to do with herself.“We had a lovely time.Tell Charlene thank you as well.”
“I will.”
Billie held out her arms, and he obligingly picked her up and gave her a kiss on the cheek.“You’re the best,” she said as she leaned forward and rubbed her nose against his.“Too bad Atlanta lost.”
“Yeah, we’ll get you next time.”He squeezed her tight, then set her on the porch.“Oh, I almost forgot.”He hesitated, telling himself not to ask.Damn.“The triple-A team is going to be opening a home stand.Would you like to go next Saturday?”
“Sure!”Billie spun in a circle.“Can I, Mom?Can I?”
“Calm down.”Jane brushed her daughter’s hair out of her eyes.“Certainly, if Adam doesn’t mind.”
Billie rolled her eyes.“Heasked, didn’t he?Why would he mind?”
“You’re welcome to join us,” he said, then wondered why the hell he was playing this game.Did he want to see what else Jane could do to him?What exactly was his problem?
“I’m sure you’d rather spend the time alone with Billie.”
Billie jabbed him in the stomach.“She’s just saying that.She wants you toreallyask her.”
“Billie!”
Her daughter hunched her shoulders.“Sorry.I’m going to go to the house and wait for you, Mom.Maybe I’ll start my bath water.”
