Home Fires by Barbara Delinsky Page B

escape, but he refused to release her. “This hotel is yours, as is that shiny limousine outside, not to mention the corporation your husband founded.”
    The voice that had been so close by her ear grew silent until Deanna could hear nothing but the guilty thud of her heart. When he spoke again she caught a touch of humor. “Did you really hope to remain anonymous?” He paused, then gently squeezed her. “Hmmm?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she whispered at last.

    With a pained moan Mark shifted her until she sat sideways in his embrace. “Would you like to know what else I’ve learned about you?” he asked in that deep tone she found so soothing.
    Was there more? Were there to be no secrets from this man? But then, he had the ability to read her soul and she seemed either unable or unwilling to do anything about it “If you’re going to tell me that I’m a very wealthy widow, please don’t.”
    â€œI wasn’t”
    She glanced up skeptically. “No?”
    His eyes gleamed. “No.”
    Deanna waited for him to elaborate. When he didn’t, she grew impatient. “What have you learned about me?”
    â€œYou’re curious?” His lips twitched at their corners, but having looked back down, she missed the move.
    Contrary to her better judgment, Deanna found a demure smile emerging. “I’m a woman. Isn’t that one of my prerogatives?”
    â€œ That’s what I’ve learned.”
    â€œWhat?” She frowned, puzzled.
    Mark grew even more tender, if that were possible, and lifted a hand to press her ear to his heart. “I’ve learned that you’re a woman. Through and through. For every bit of the poise and composure that shields Mrs. Lawrence Hunt from the world, deep down Deanna is a very passionate woman.”
    She blushed, but he couldn’t see that. There was an advantage to sitting this way, she reflected. At least he couldn’t see everything!
    â€œWell … ?” he prodded.
    â€œWell what?”
    â€œHaven’t you got anything to say?” She remained silent, feeling almost childish and absurd in light of the very mature experience she and this man had shared. “Nothing?”

    â€œI’m sorry,” she finally murmured. “I’m not much of a talker.”
    Mark was unfazed. “So I gather. And that ’s what I intend to change.”
    Tilting her head away from his chest, Deanna looked up in good-humored skepticism. “Really?”
    â€œReally.” His smile was smug.
    â€œThat’s very interesting. I’ve spent nearly thirty years as my own best friend. What makes you think you can change me now?”
    He touched her lips with the tip of his finger. “You’ve been a virgin all that time … .” At her cutting glance, he amended his words. “Well … almost. Let’s say that, for all practical purposes, you were innocent in the ways of passion … and I’ve changed that.”
    Deanna felt the urge to squirm, but couldn’t turn from his riveting warmth. “Was it … that obvious?” she asked haltingly.
    â€œOnly because I wanted to see it. It was in your eyes and on your lips. When you cried out to me there was an element of … I guess you’d call it astonishment”
    This time she couldn’t hide her blush. “I didn’t realize,” she breathed self-consciously.
    But Mark wasn’t finished. His eyes caressed her and she began to tingle with renewed awareness of the hard strength of his body against hers. “You haven’t any idea what it meant to me to see that kind of wonder on your face and to know that I’d been able to put it there.”
    â€œYou’re very sure of yourself.” She sighed, wishing she possessed even a modicum of that same self-confidence in this very new situation.
    â€œAm I wrong? Have you felt those things