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Carl groaned out and glanced over his shoulder, wondering how long it would take to get her to his bed. The woman had been driving him crazy for weeks. He couldn’t wait. With her back braced against the wall and them both too mindless with need to think, clearly Carl breathlessly took what she offered.,
When they’d finished his breathing was harsh and heavy. He braced his forehead against hers. “Now you know,” he choked out between gasps for breath.
“Know?”
“Why we can’t be friends.”
His words were met with a shocked kind of silence. The next thing he knew, he was forcefully shoved away from her. They both would have fallen to the floor, if Carl hadn’t caught himself.
Before he could figure out what was wrong, Candy slammed her fist against his shoulder. She didn’t do him any harm, but she must have hurt her fist because she let out a yelp.
“What’s wrong now?” he demanded.
“Just leave me alone.” She twisted herself free of his embrace.
It took him longer than it should have to realize she was crying. It was much more than tears brightening her eyes. Full-scale sobs shook her shoulders and caused her to tremble so bad, she could barely stand upright. Her head hung low as she struggled to right her clothes.
“What did I say this time?” he asked.
She shook her head, her hands trembling so hard, she couldn’t fasten her clothes. Carl figured he didn’t have any choice but to help her, although heaven knew it wasn’t what he wanted. He cupped the side of her face. “Whatever I said that was so terrible, I’m sorry.”
She glanced up at him, and again he had the feeling she was afraid to trust him.
“You’re good, baby, real good.” His nose nuzzled her neck, and he planted a series of delicate kisses there. “I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a bout of sex more.”
“Sex!” She roared the one word at him, then plowed her fist into his stomach so hard, she knocked the breath clean out of him. He doubled over, more stunned than hurt, and watched helplessly as she raced out of his house, slamming the door in her wake.
* * *
The sailboat sliced through the deep green water of Lake Michigan. Lesley loved the feel of the swift breeze that whipped her hair about her face. She closed her eyes and turned her head skyward, soaking in the brilliant sunshine.
“This is fabulous,” she shouted to Zane, who manned the helm. He smiled back at her. It wasn’t a real smile, but as close as he got to revealing his pleasure.
When he stretched out his arm, in silent invitation for her to join him, Lesley supped naturally into his embrace. “It’s a perfect day for this.”
“My grandfather used to take me out with him,” Zane told her. “I loved it then—I’d forgotten how much.” His arm tightened around her shoulders.
He seemed unnaturally quiet after that. Once or twice Lesley attempted conversation, but it soon became evident that Zane had no interest in chitchat. His eyes remained dark and serious, and he had the look of a man who had something on his mind.
As if reading her thoughts, he spoke. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.”
She didn’t probe, knowing he’d reveal his thoughts when it suited him.
“Your comment about wanting children has stayed with me.”
She’d assumed this had something to do with the house. “Children?” Often in the past weeks, she’d wondered what madness had possessed her to mention her desire for a family. It left her feeling uncomfortable knowing she’d shared that part of herself with him.
“You’d be a good mother, Lesley.”
“I’d like to think so.” She knew she sounded breathless, but he’d taken her by surprise.
“You’re patient and gentle and you possess a kind heart.”
She thought of all the good qualities she’d seen in him, but knew he wasn’t interested in hearing about himself.
“There comes a time in a man’s life when he thinks about the future.”
He must have given the subject a good deal of thought following his injuries, she realized.
