LITMIR.BIZ

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guess.” He was standing by the bed watching her, hands on his hips, jeans slung low, chest bare. She hugged herself more tightly, hoping she was covering her nipples adequately because they were reaching for him like baby birds for Mama.

      The silence stretched. She had a sudden fantasy of him lunging for her, dragging her down on the bed and covering her mouth with his, her breasts with his hands, her—

      “You want a beer or something?”

      “Yes.” Her breath rushed out in relief. “I would love a beer or something.”

      “Clarissa usually leaves some in the fridge downstairs. Let’s check it out.”

      Carrying the kerosene lamp, he led the way downstairs, accompanied by a distant growl of thunder and the now-gentle patter of rain.

      There was indeed beer in the refrigerator, plenty of it, plus wine, champagne, at least two kinds of cheeses, orange juice, limes and tonic. The cottage was clearly party central. Jonas opened two bottles of Bass Ale and offered Allie a glass, which she declined.

      They sat at the small pale yellow table in the kitchen area with the lamp between them spreading its light surprisingly far into the room.

      “Why isn’t there power in the cottage?” Allie took a sip of her beer. She generally preferred a lighter brew, but right now the Bass was seriously working for her. Probably the circumstances. Undoubtedly the man. “Wait, and if there’s no electricity, how is there a refrigerator?”

      “It runs on gas, like the stove and water heater. My great-grandfather wired the big house for electricity but was stubborn on keeping this place ‘pure.’ Grandma Bridget felt the same way when she inherited it, and it just stayed that way. I like it.”

      “I do, too. It’s sort of romantic.”

      He chose that moment to put down his beer and meet her eyes. “It is.”

      Allie had trouble breathing. What was it about him? The dim light, the smooth gold of his skin out of which his blue eyes blazed, the fact that he was incredibly handsome and hot and she’d just seen him naked? Yeah, that might be it.

      Ulp. She needed to break the silence, but her mind had gone blank. She could only sit there gawking stupidly at him.

      “So, are we okay with everything?”

      “Oh.” Allie brought herself out of her daze. “Well, sort of.”

      “I know.” He shook his head, looking perplexed. “I’m not straight on some of it, either. Where were you before you got into bed with me?”

      “Bathroom. Why didn’t you say something?”

      “I didn’t know you were there until the lightning showed you.”

      She narrowed her eyes skeptically over her beer, which was already half-gone. “I climbed into bed with you, and you didn’t notice?”

      “It was dark. The proverbial couldn’t-see-my-hand-in-front-of-my-face dark.”

      “The mattress must have bounced.”

      “I felt nothing.” He gestured toward her, up and down. “You’re a wee thing.”

      Allie snorted. “Come on.”

      “Okay.” Jonas pushed back his chair and stood. He narrowed his eyes, which made him look bad-boy fierce and even sexier. “You don’t believe me? Come on. We’ll reenact it.”

      “No, no...”

      “Look, my honor is on the line here.” He picked up the lamp and headed for the stairs.

      Allie hesitated a moment, then left with the choice of being abandoned in a dark, unfamiliar room versus being upstairs in a bedroom with a god among men, she followed him.

      She was not stupid.

      “Lie down.” He set the lamp on the bedside table and pointed to the bed. “Here, where I was.”

      “Fine.” Allie lay on the edge of the mattress.

      “Now close your eyes. I’ll lie on the other side. Bear in mind I’ve got at least sixty pounds on you.”

      “Okay.” She closed her eyes and waited. When he climbed on, the mattress tugged and dipped some, but nothing like the earthquake she’d expected.

      “Anything?”

      “Yes. But, okay, not that much.”

      “If I was as light as you, and you were changing position at the same time, you might not feel anything.”

      “Hmm.” She kept her eyes closed. “I guess I might not.”

      “Come on, victory is mine. Admit it.”

      She turned her head to scoff, trying not to let on that she was pretty fired up being this close to him. “I admit nothing.”

      “Coward.”

      “Okay, okay.” She held up her hands. “It’s plausible. I’ll give you that much.”

      “I even said your name. Twice.”

      “Oh.” Allie pointed to both sides of her head. “Earplugs.”

      “Ah. That explains that. I thought about tapping you on the shoulder but I was afraid I’d give you a coronary.”

      “You probably would have.”

      “Good thing I didn’t.” He stretched out his arms, folded them behind his head and settled himself comfortably, closing his eyes. “So with that cleared up, you want to go to sleep?”

      “What?”

      “Why not?” He peeked at her, and then closed his eyes again, smiling faintly. “I like being in bed with you.”

      Allie struggled up on her elbows, squinting down at him, grinning in spite of herself. “Oh, really.”

      “Yeah. I mean it’s a little weird, since we don’t know each other, but look, we’ve got it all here. Excitement, drama, intrigue, possible conspiracy.” He turned to look up at her, stubble darkening his jaw and highlighting his cheekbones. “Everything.”

      Allie’s smile faded. She swallowed awkwardly. Those eyes were dragging her into him. The attraction was so powerful she could barely maintain the contact. Her gaze flicked to his mouth before she could stop herself. A beautiful mouth, masculine and full. She’d like to—

      “I was kidding. I’ll walk you back to the house.”

      “Oh.” She jerked her gaze back to his. “Yes, sure. Thanks.”

      He didn’t move, didn’t look away. “Okay, mostly kidding.”

      Allie drew in a breath, face and body heating. “I see.”

      “I can’t, though. Erik.”

      Allie shook her head quickly. “I have no romantic feelings for Erik.”

      “None?” His intense gaze got more intense. She had a crazy feeling he was pleased. Was that ego or real interest? Erik talked about Jonas as if he were a straight arrow, not a player by any means.

      “No. He’s a great guy. But not for me.”

      “He has feelings for you.”

      She wanted to laugh. “He thinks he does.”

      “Maybe. But he’s my brother.” Jonas sat up, clutched his chest and gazed off into the distance with comic gravity. “Therefore we must venture out. Together...but alone.”

      Allie giggled. Erik hadn’t mentioned his brother had a playful side. “Yes, my liege. Through storm and peril we shall uh, whatever.”

      “Yeah, that.” He came around the bed and gave her a hand up. She came face-to-face with him, nearly chest-to-chest. Well,

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