LITMIR.BIZ

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doing the Delaneys a favor. It’s free, gratis,” he said, feeling a faint degree better that he wasn’t taking money for keeping his purpose from Sophia. But he still hated being secretive.

      “I’m not going to argue with you. You’re a big boy now and if you don’t want money, okay. We can renegotiate your salary.”

      “Don’t push me, Will,” Garrett said. He knew Will was teasing and being flip, but he didn’t feel like horsing around.

      “Sorry, Garrett, if this has turned sour for you. Okay, no pay. We’re all grateful as hell, as usual. So it went well?”

      “Yes, it went well. I’ll call you when I have something solid to report. Night, Will.”

      He clicked off. His thoughts shifted to Edgar and then to Sophia. Tomorrow night he had to tell her the truth. Would the intimacy they had shared this weekend be a strong enough bond to keep her from despising him? He couldn’t answer his own question.

      Sleep eluded him again. He mulled over the fact that she had been a virgin. He was the first man in her life, which shook him. She had strong feelings about intimacy and had avoided it all these years. He hadn’t expected that and now, not telling her his connection to the Delaneys seemed even worse.

      Why had she changed her mind this weekend? How deep did feelings run between them? Were they deep enough to withstand the shock she was going to receive?

      Could she forgive him? If she did agree to meet the Delaneys and give them a chance, would it mean that she was willing to give her relationship with him a chance? Garrett clenched his fists. He was anxious to tell her while at the same time, he dreaded the moment. The fact that she had let him make love to her made him feel a bond with her that he hadn’t experienced before. Thinking about making love last night, his thoughts shifted and memories flooded him until he had to get out of bed and do something physical because he couldn’t sleep. The prospect of flying home and resigning still tempted him, yet he couldn’t do that either. Obligations to the Delaneys, to Will, to memories of his father’s wishes were all too strong. Now the Delaney legacy made him sink even deeper into his obligations to them.

      He had to stay and confess his ties to the Delaneys to Sophia.

      Not one thing about meeting Sophia had turned out the way he had expected. The most certain thing he knew, though, was that he wanted her with him. He missed her and wanted her in his arms and in his bed right now. He conjured up the memory of her spinning around in the snow, big flakes on her silky black hair and lashes and coat, her smile, her bubbling enthusiasm and zest for life. He ached to hold her again and he would remember the weekend all his life.

      Would the truth destroy his budding relationship with Sophia? Or could he make her see how much he wanted to be with her even though he had kept this secret from her?

      He had basically lied to her about who he was. How could he make it up to her? Would she even let him try?

      Sophia tossed restlessly in bed. She missed Garrett, but she was annoyed with herself for reacting in such a manner. The weekend still dazzled her, memories bubbling up constantly that enveloped her and carried her away. Garrett had changed her feelings about intimacy. Had her feelings for Garrett become so strong, she was changing her basic views of life?

      They would be together again in less than twenty-four hours. He would have stayed tonight if she had let him. Those two things made her wonder: Was she rushing headlong into a life like her mother’s? Had Garrett so easily demolished all the barriers she kept around her heart?

      Realizing that she needed a distraction from thinking about Garrett, she switched on a light and got up to paint, losing herself in her task and driving all thought of him away until morning came.

      Monday night she dressed eagerly, trying various outfits and finally selecting a red crepe blouse with a low-cut rounded neckline and straight skirt that had a slit on one side. She pinned the sides of her hair up, letting it fall in the back.

      Her pulse raced with anticipation and she was impatient to see him.

      When she greeted him, he stepped inside and swept her into his arms. Words were lost as he kissed her. She locked her arms around him and kissed him in return.

      Finally she stepped back. “Another minute and I won’t look presentable to go out to dinner.”

      “That’s impossible.” He held her waist and stepped back to look at her. “You’re beautiful, just perfect.”

      “I think you’re the perfect one,” she said, thinking his charcoal suit made his gray eyes appear darker. “I’m ready.”

      “So am I,” he said in a husky voice, referring to more than just dinner.

      “We’re going to dinner. You promised,” she reminded him.

      “Yes, I did. We’ll go eat and then we’re coming back here and I’m going to kiss you the way I want to.”

      His words made her tingle and she smiled at him.

      He took her arm to escort her to a sleek black sports car. She was surprised it wasn’t his chauffeur and his limousine, wondering why he preferred driving. Was it because he expected to stay at her house a long time tonight when he took her home?

      She wasn’t exactly sure how she felt about that, despite the desire for him that had been burning through her since they’d last made love.

      They drove through posts and a wrought-iron fence, winding up a drive past splashing fountains and tall pines with lights high in the branches. As they stopped in front of a canopied walk and he gave the keys to a valet, he took her arm. Lights twinkled in all the bushes and over the restaurant, creating a festive atmosphere.

      Inside, a large bouquet of four dozen red and yellow roses in a sparkling crystal vase on a marble table stood in the center of the entryway. A maître d’ met them, talked briefly to Garrett and led them to a table in a secluded corner that overlooked the dance floor on one side and a terrace on the other. Beyond the terrace were sloping grounds to a well-lit pond with more lights in the trees. Soft piano music played and a few couples were already on the small dance floor.

      “I’ve never eaten here before, Garrett. I’ve heard of this place, but just haven’t been here. It’s lovely.”

      “The food is great. I think you’ll like it.” A candle flickered in the center of the linen-covered table. Garrett reached across to take her hand. Candlelight was reflected in his gray eyes and her gaze dropped to his mouth. “The weekend was special,” he said in a husky voice.

      “It was for me, you know that,” she replied breathlessly, studying him as he watched her. He had one of the most interesting faces and she wished he would let her paint his portrait. The only problem was that she would want to keep it, and that was the last thing she needed in her house right now, especially if she was trying to slow things down.

      “I brought you something to remind you of the weekend and to let you know that it was special for me,” he said, handing her a small package.

      Surprised, she looked up and smiled. “How sweet you are. You know you didn’t need to do this.”

      She untied a silver ribbon and then unwrapped blue paper on a small box. When she opened it, another velvet box was inside. She removed it and took out a thin gold filigree bracelet.

      “Garrett, it’s beautiful,” she said, touched and surprised. She looked up at him and then took it out to slip it on, turning her wrist as the candlelight highlighted the gold. “Thank you. It’s lovely and I’ll treasure it.”

      “Enjoy it, Sophia, and remember the fun we had.”

      “Of course I will,” she said, picking up his hand and leaning forward to brush a light kiss across his knuckles. He inhaled, his chest expanding while desire burned in the depths of his eyes.

      All through dinner and later as they danced, desire kept her tingly. Dancing with him was as much fun as everything else. She enjoyed the fast dances;

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