The Dream (Crosslyn Rise Trilogy) by Delinsky Barbara

Author:Delinsky, Barbara [Delinsky, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2014-02-03T23:00:00+00:00

6

There was a fourth reason why Jessica agreed to have dinner with Carter. She wanted to show him that she could recover from his kiss, or was it herself that she wanted to show? It didn’t matter, she supposed, because the end result was the same. She couldn’t figure out why Carter had kissed her again, unless he’d seen in her eyes that she’d wanted him to, which she had. Since it wasn’t wise for her to reinforce that impression, she had to carry on as though the kiss didn’t matter.

It was easier said than done. Not only did the Pagoda have superb Chinese food, but it was elegantly served in a setting where the chairs were high backed and romantic, the drinks were fruity and potent, and the lights were low. None of that was conducive to remembering that she was there on business, that Carter’s kisses most surely stemmed from either professional elation or personal arrogance, and that she didn’t want or need anything from him but spectacular designs for Crosslyn Rise.

The atmosphere had date written all over it, and nothing Carter did dispelled that notion. He was a relaxed conversationalist, willing to talk about anything, from work to a television documentary they’d both seen, to the upcoming gubernatorial election. He drew her out in ways that she hadn’t expected, got her thinking and talking about things she’d normally have felt beyond her ken. If she had stopped to remember where he’d come from, she’d have been amazed at the breadth and depth of his knowledge. But she didn’t stop, because the man that he was obliterated images of the past. The man that he was held dominance over most everything, including, increasingly, her wariness of him as a man.

So her defenses were down by the time they returned to Crosslyn Rise. Darkness had fallen, lending an unreality to the scene, and while the drink had made her mellow, Carter had her intoxicated. That, added to her enjoyment of the evening, of the entire day, was why she gave no resistance when he slipped an arm around her as he walked her to the door. There, under the glow of the antique lamps, he took her chin again and tipped up her face.

“It’s been a nice day,” he told her in a voice that was low and male. “I’m glad you agreed to come with me, and not only to see the real estate. I’ve enjoyed the company.”

She wanted to believe him enough to indulge in the fantasy for a few last minutes. “It has been nice,” she agreed with a shy smile, feeling as though she could easily drown in the depths of his charcoal-brown eyes and be happy.

“The real estate? Or the company?”

“Both,” was her soft answer.

He lowered his head and kissed her, touching her lips, caressing them for an instant before lifting his head again. “Was that as nice?”

It was a minute before she opened her eyes. “Mmm.”

“I’d like to do it again.”

“You thought it

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