Beyond the Misty Shore by Vicki Hinze

Author:Vicki Hinze
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Published: 2011-10-10T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“Finally.” T.J. clasped hands with Maggie at the boundary line. “I was beginning to think we’d never get out here.”

“Oh, chill out, MacGregor. So my timing was off a little. It’s not as if being punctual is critical, and I’m supposed to be on a resting vacation, remember?”

“Forty-five minutes—over and above the additional fifty minutes I’d allotted because I happen to know you—is a little more than not being punctual. It’s being late.”

She gave him a level look. “Too bad you didn’t use the time to work on improving your disposition.”

He returned the look with one of his own. “Sorry, too busy cooling my heels. I’ll just add this to the list.”

Cocking her head, she looked up at him. “What list?”

“The one of your debts.”

“What debts?” The collar on her royal blue blouse was stuck half-in, half-out of her jacket. She tugged at it. “I don’t have any debts.”

“Using my razor.” He ticked off items on his fingers. “Clipping coupons and ads out of my travel magazines. Promising to save me a little hot water then using it all anyway.” He swatted at an insect buzzing his neck. “Those are just a few.”

“I didn’t steal all the hot water.”

“You did. Three times, so far.”

Flustered and giving up on getting her shirt collar straightened, she jammed it down inside her jacket. “Is it my fault that the inn needs a bigger hot water tank?”

“It is when I’m still working at racking up redemption points.”

“Oh, I see what this is all about.” She let out a grunt. “You’re stacking the deck so you can use it against me, aren’t you?”

Quick on the uptake, as usual. He smiled to himself and feigned an innocence he didn’t dream for a second would fool her. “Would a gentleman do that?”

“You would.” She sidled up against him and drifted an errant fingertip down the slope of his nose, her tone turning whiskey-husky. “So tell me, MacGregor, what exactly do you plan to do with these redemption points, once you acquire them.”

“I’m shooting for a rendezvous with you in the bathroom’s garden tub.” A pang of longing slithered through him. “After that, well, it depends.”

Her cheeks flushed. “I... see.”

She lowered her lids, but too late. He glimpsed a flash of longing in her eyes, a flicker of curiosity. “Looks like you might be beginning to.” She wanted an explanation of that it depends but she’d cut out her tongue before asking for it. “Question is, what’s your opinion about that rendezvous?”

Silence.

“Opposed to baths?”

Still, no answer.

“Cleanliness is a noble aspiration, isn’t it?” Her pulse throbbed in her neck. She’d cut loose on him any second. Anticipation burned deeply, exciting him. When Maggie got fired up, few could match her spirit. That’s when he most wanted to paint her, rosy-skinned, eyes shining, nostrils flaring ever so softly. Breathtaking. Fantasy-making...

Still no answer.

He wouldn’t let her get away with it. Not this time. “Running, Maggie? Does the prospect of sharing a bathtub with me terrify you that much?”

“No. Nothing about you terrifies me, MacGregor.

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