An Unexpected Song by Iris Johansen Page B

appeal didn’t have totry, she thought ruefully. All he had to be was himself. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “I think you do.” His expression was no longer vulnerable but guarded once again. “I didn’t sweep you off your feet tonight, but
something
sure as hell did.”
    She stiffened, rolled away from him and sat up. “It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it?” she asked lightly. “You said yourself our chemistry was kinetic. You’re a very attractive man. I’m surprised I held out this long.”
    “Bull.” His answer was bluntly succinct. “Dammit, something’s wrong.”
    She stood up and began to dress. “Of course there was something wrong. I was upset about Charlie.”
    “Why?” His gaze searched her face. “You said yourself he’d be okay by the time he came home.”
    “Yes, he’ll be fine.” She pulled on her gown and quickly fastened the bodice before thrusting her feet into the black ballet slippers. She looked around on the ground, but she couldn’t find the combs Jason had taken from her hair so she ran her fingers through her hair to tidy it. “But it’s time I got back to him.”
    “Not yet.” He stayed where he was on the grass. “Talk to me.”
    “I told you—” She stopped and reached down to pick up her shawl from the grass. “Why are you interrogating me? You told me yourself that sex would be a form of therapy. What did you say? ‘Just a romp in the hay to get it out of our systems.’ No strings and—”
    “Dammit, those were your words and you know it’s not like that now.” His voice was harsh withexasperation. “I care about you. I want to help you. Why won’t you talk to me?”
    “There’s nothing to say.”
    His smile held a touch of bitterness. “You could tell me why you used me.”
    The word shocked her. “I didn’t use you.” She knew as soon as she said it that it wasn’t the truth. She had used him to hold away the pain, but she hadn’t meant to. “Perhaps I did. But no more than you used me.”
    He stood up and began to dress. “Did you feel used, Daisy?”
    She remembered that moment when he had touched her cheek with exquisite tenderness and the joy and wonder it had brought. She had felt swept away, treasured, possessed. Used? Never.
    “No.” The night chill was beginning to reach her now that she was no longer touching him. She took a step back and wrapped the fringed shawl around her. “Can we go back now?”
    For an instant she thought she saw a flicker of hurt in his expression, and then it was gone. “Sure.” He pulled his crew-necked sweater over his head and settled it about his hips. “Why not?” He gestured mockingly toward the path. “After you.”
    She opened her lips to speak and then closed them and started down the path.
    His soft words followed her. “But you should know this is the last time I let you lead the way. From now on I’m on the initiative.”
    She glanced at him warily over her shoulder. “What do you mean?”
    He smiled crookedly. “I mean, one time wasn’t enough. Not for either of us. It’s going to take more than once to do the job.” He paused. “Imean I’m going to get you into the sack at the earliest possible convenience and repeat the experience over and over and over.”
    She felt the breath leave her body. “I don’t think—”
    “Don’t worry, I have no intention of any major interference in your life. I’ll take what I can get. Now. All I ask is that you come to my room at the hotel every night after the performance. We can spend a few hours indulging ourselves in pleasure, and then I’ll take you home.” He lifted his brows quizzically. “I trust you’re in agreement?”
    She gazed at him uncertainly even as a reminiscent tingling started between her thighs. Their lovemaking had been so powerful, she was still trembling from it, and there was no question she wanted him again. What would it be like when they learned each other’s bodies and knew how to please each other? She