“Ireally appreciate this,” Jane said as she stuffed a few more papers into her briefcase.“I would have made other arrangements, but with Charlene gone this last week—”
“Hey.”Adam reached out and touched her arm.“It’s okay.You didn’t know the meeting was going to continue this evening.Billie’s my child, too.I’m happy to look after her for a few hours.We’ll be fine.”
She nodded.“I shouldn’t be too late.Nine o’clock.There’s just a couple more things that need to be discussed.”
He leaned back against the kitchen counter and grinned.“Stop explaining.I’ve said yes, I’ve said I understand.What else are you looking for?”
He’d meant the question teasingly, but Jane looked at him so seriously, he began to get uncomfortable.He held her gaze for a couple of seconds, then let it wander over her face and body.
She always wore dresses or skirts and blouses, so her outfit didn’t surprise him.She’d pulled a blue jacket over a white dress cinched at the waist with a belt the same shade of blue.Sensible low-heeled shoes gave her an extra inch or so, but she still stoodwell below his eye-level.Her hair—long and silky, smooth and perfect—had been pulled back in one of her fancy braids.If he concentrated, he could recall the feel of those strands in his hands, against his chest, stroking him as she had—He shook his head to dispel the thoughts.They weren’t productive.He shifted slightly to conceal the rapidly growing hardness between his thighs.All right, theywereslightly productive.
Her hazel eyes met and held his.What was she searching for as she looked so intently, he wondered.Her mouth, wide and soft, shaped to looked innocent, but designed for pleasure, trembled at one corner.
“What are you thinking about?”he asked softly, not wanting Billie to hear.The rain trapped the tomboy inside and she had reluctantly settled down in front of the TV.
Jane glanced down at the papers she was holding.“Nothing important.”She stuffed them into her briefcase.“Just remembering something Charlene told me about you.”
He grimaced.“I’m not sure I want to know.”
“It was all good.”
“I doubt that.”
She straightened and shoved her hands into her jacket pockets.“Adam, if your parents hadn’t died, would you have come back to Orchard after you graduated from college?”
“No.”
She smiled, but didn’t look especially happy.“Just like that?You don’t have to think about your answer?”
“Why would I?I’d already started making plans.”He shrugged.“I wanted to try a big city.New York, Chicago.Dallas.”
“Dallas?”She raised her perfect eyebrows.“Really?”
“Don’t you think I’d make a good cowboy?”
Her gaze swept his body.Her attention was as tangible as a touch, and heat flared inside.“You’d look great in jeans.”
“Thanks,” he said wryly.“That’s always been a priority in my life.”
“I’m serious,” she said, looking up and smiling.He saw the laughter lurking in her eyes.
“So am I.”He moved closer to her, stopping when he wasonly inches away.Her chest rose and fell in time with her breathing.“Why all the questions?”he asked.
“I only asked one.”
“Today.”A strand of hair had escaped the confines of her braid.He tucked it behind her ear.“Over the last few days, you’ve done nothingbutask questions.”
She stared at his shirt collar as if it were the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Liar.”He grinned.
She made a fist and tapped his arm.“Don’t call me names.”
“So why all the questions?”
“I’m taking Charlene’s advice.”
“Now we’re in trouble.”
