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“Where have you been?” he called into the darkness.
“Town.” They remained on opposite sides of the barn, and neither one seemed pleased to happen upon the other.
“Who’s with you?” The question came from Carl.
“Lesley Walker.”
“Who?”
Zane heard Lesley’s light laugh.
“Lesley Walker,” she called out herself. “The architect.”
“Is everything all right with the horses?”
“Yes,” Zane snapped, wishing his friend would leave.
“All right, all right,” Carl muttered. Zane heard the door open and close and heaved a sigh of relief. He’d been angry and impatient with Carl when he should be grateful his friend had intervened when he had. He didn’t know how much longer he would have been able to hold on to his control. He’d sensed from the first that Lesley had the power to make him weak, but he hadn’t realized just how compelling she was.
“Let’s get inside the house,” he said, taking her by the hand. Guided by the candle Mrs. Applegate had left burning in the kitchen window, they raced into the night. The distance wasn’t great, but by the time they reached the back steps, Zane’s thigh felt as if it were on fire. He made it up three steps before his leg gave out on him.
“Zane,” Lesley cried, coming back for him.
“I’m all right,” he snapped, not wanting her help. With difficulty, he righted himself, using the railing for leverage.
Lesley stood in the pounding rain, ready to assist should he need her. He bit back the words to tell her to stay away from him and would have uttered them had he found the strength.
Blinded by pain, he stumbled onto the back porch. Moisture fell in droplets down his neck. The water ran like cold fingers down his back.
He made it to the kitchen and into a chair before he collapsed, his shoulders heaving with the effort. Lesley was there in an instant with a towel. That she would be witness to this weakness deeply upset him.
The kitchen door swung open and the housekeeper stepped inside. “You’re back,” she said cheerfully. “I was beginning to wonder what was taking so long.” It was then that she noticed Lesley was soaked to the skin. “Oh, dear, look at you two. You’ll catch your death of cold.”
“I’m fine,” Lesley insisted.
“I insist you get out of those wet things this instant,” his housekeeper continued. “Mr. Zane must have something that will fit you, dear. And don’t you dare think about driving back to the city on a night like this. I’ll have a bed made up for you in a jiffy. We absolutely insist that you spend the night. Isn’t that right, Mr. Zane?”
He glared at the older woman and noticed that her mouth was wreathed in the biggest smile he’d ever seen. This was exactly what she wanted. Exactly what she’d planned from the first.
CHAPTER THREE
LESLEY WOKE WITH A START, ANDsat up in bed. Her heart pounded solidly against her chest as she surveyed her surroundings. She remembered immediately that she was in Zane’s home, and that Mrs. Applegate had insisted she spend the night because of the storm. Lesley hadn’t needed a crystal ball to realize that Zane wasn’t nearly as eager as his housekeeper for her company.
Lying back, her head nestled against the feather pillow, Lesley reviewed the events of the evening. Zane had approved of her remodeling ideas. They’d pored over the plans for two hours without either one of them aware of the time. Zane had asked her to stay for dinner and then the storm had struck with a vengeance. Because of the thunder and lightning, they’d gone out to the barn to quiet the horses. That was when Zane had kissed her.
Lesley closed her eyes at the memory, longing to recapture the incredible sensation his kisses had aroused. She doubted that she would ever fully understand her immediate and intimate response to this man. Logically, she reminded herself she knew little more than the bare facts about Zane. He knew nothing more of her, either. They were strangers, fighting an attraction as powerful as the strongest magnets. It seemed that a force greater than either one of them was pulling them toward each other. For what purpose, Lesley could only speculate.
A glance at the illuminated dial of her cell phone told her it was ten minutes after three. It would be hours yet before anyone was up and about. Yet, Lesley doubted she would be able to sleep any longer.
She slipped out of bed, and as quietly as possible opened her bedroom door. Briefly she wondered if the electricity had come back on. The question was answered for her. The soft glow of a gentle light showed below, coming from the library.
Lesley donned the housecoat Mrs. Applegate had left for her. It nearly went around her twice. Looping the sash closed, she padded barefoot down the stairs.
Standing in the library doorway, Lesley realized the dancing flames of the fire provided what light was available. Flickering shadows danced against the walls. A moan captured her attention before she noticed Zane. He sat in the chair with his head tossed back. He gritted his teeth as he rubbed his hand down his injured thigh.
Had she given any thought to what she should do, Lesley realized later, it would have been exactly the opposite of what she did, which was to rush to his side.
“Zane.” She knelt on the floor, next to him. “What’s wrong? Can I get you anything?”
