Passion by Lisa Valdez

Author:Lisa Valdez [Valdez, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Historical
ISBN: 9780425203972
Google: -qyL2oyIyUYC
Amazon: 0425203972
Barnesnoble: 0425203972
Goodreads: 80760
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2005-07-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Waltzes and Wounds

Passion barely heard Aunt Matty's protestations as she fled. After she was out of the pavilion, she turned in the opposite direction of the crowd, which was converging to watch the fireworks. Picking up her skirts, she hurried down one of the statuary-lined paths. She didn't look back, but kept hurrying farther and farther away.

Did he follow? She hoped he did.

But then why did she run?

She was the only one on the path. The music from the pavilion was distant. She threw herself behind a huge statue of a lion.

Why did she hide?

She pressed her palms and her forehead against the smooth marble base of the statue. It was cool and soothing against her warm skin.

After a moment, a shadow moved around the corner of the statue. She closed her eyes as the faintest hint of lemon verbena touched her senses.

"I've been longing for you all evening," she said softly.

"And I for you," he replied.

Her body hummed. She pushed away from the statue.

He closed the distance between them. He was so amazingly handsome.

"You didn't tell me you were coming out of mourning," he said.

"No."

He paused before her. "You should have told me."

"Why?"

He traced her collarbone with his finger. "Because I want to know such things."

A shiver shimmied beneath her skin.

"Because I want to know you," he said quietly.

Passion gazed up at him. What were they embarking upon? Another level of intimacy would only make it more difficult to part.

I don't believe in lasting relationships, he'd said.

She shouldn't allow it.

But how could she resist what she wanted so desperately herself?

She shut out cold logic and followed her heart. "I want to know you, too."

She leaned into him, and he took her in his arms. Why was his embrace such heaven?

"I was so tired before," she said. "I haven't danced in a long time. 1 enjoyed myself. But after a while, 1

got tired of wishing my dance partner were you. I wanted to leave." She slipped her hand around his nape and looked up at him. "I was thinking of you and then there you were."

He held her in his intense gaze. The heavy lock of his hair had fallen forward. He shook his head. "You're unlike any woman I've ever known."

"I think that must be good."

His head lowered. "It is."

He kissed her tenderly and deeply.

And when he began to yield, she took the lead, luxuriating in his responses—the press of his body, the tightening of his arms, the deep moan he breathed into her mouth.

The strains of another waltz lilted through the air.

"Dance with me," he murmured against her lips. "Dance with me."

They started slowly, but as the distant music swelled, he whirled and turned her over the dampened grass.

Her heart raced exuberantly.

His white collar glowed in the moonlight. His body pressed against her. His smile flashed.

She laughed, and her skirt flew out behind her.

A great explosion burst above them. Sparkling fire rained from the night sky.

Still, they waltzed, on and on, as boom after boom of colored light illuminated the heavens.

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