trip。 Okay?〃
She humored him。 〃Did you get everything at the market? All the
perishables? Plenty of wine?〃
〃Behind me!〃 he repeated。
〃Hot chocolate? And whipped cream?〃
He wiped the smile from her face with a hard; fast kiss; sucking her
lips to his for just an instant before straightening。 Shooting her a
watch…yourself…lady look; he returned to his own car and pulled out in
front。 He drove at a sedate thirty miles per hour。 It was deliberate;
and too slow for the road。 Anne smiled and simply adjusted her foot on
the gas。
Shortly; they reached the cottage。 When the cars were parked in a line
on the snow…packed drive; Mitch carried her luggage inside。 She took the
attic room without a word; because it hadnt been at all unfortable;
warmer if anything than the larger room downstairs。 And she didnt have
to listen to him over her head。 It was bad knowing that he had once
slept in this bed。 Hearing things would have driven her imagination
wild。
She was in the process of storing groceries when she felt him at the
kitchen door。 He looked her up and down。 She still wore the gray wool
pantsuit that had been warm and fortable for driving。 Bul its white
cowl…neck sweater was a switch from the somber navies and blacks hed
usually seen her in。 And then; her hair was loose。
〃Well?〃 she asked; growing self…conscious when he just kept looking。
〃e here;〃 he said in a low; deep voice。
She didnt hesitate。 Within seconds; she was across the room and in his
arms。 They were warm and intimate; very dear in a way that said friend
before lover。
〃You looked beautiful that night in the restaurant;〃 he said against her
hair; then drew back enough to smooth a loose strand from her cheek。
〃Did you enjoy yourself。?〃
She looked up; leaving her hands locked behind his back。 〃I didnt
realize it was you until I got the note。 Why didnt you e say hello?〃
〃Thats off limits; isnt it? Socializing in the real world?〃
In that instant; Anne sensed she didnt want it that way; not anymore。
But she needed to get used to the thought; so she blocked out words by
dropping her head to his chest。 Her arms told him that shed missed him。
The speed of his heartbeat said hed missed her; too。 Okay; so they
didnt use words。 That was fine for now。