The Ties That Bind by Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

the patterns higher now, very near the place that sheltered her feminine secrets.
    "I think I'm ready for the reward."
    "Convince me." o
    "Let go of my hands and I will," she promised, her voice growing husky with her rising passion. She broke off to gasp as he did something very special and a little mind-shattering with his fingers. "Garth!"
    "I'm not convinced."
    He continued to hold her wrists gently captive while she began to writhe beneath him. His hand moved more boldly on her until she was begging him to take her again. He listened to her soft pleas, all the while tormenting her so deliciously that Shannon began to think she would go crazy.
    "Garth, I... Oh, my God, Garth!" Her eyes widened in astonishment as he deftly brought her to another nerve-thrilling sense of fulfillment. Only then did he release her wrists, and Shannon instantly wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly as she trembled beneath him. When a moment had passed, she turned her head and kissed the skin on his shoulder. "Definitely cruel and unusual punishment. I must remember to try teasing you again sometime."
    He grinned, his expression relaxed and unabashedly satisfied. "Anytime, honey. I'll look forward to it every weekend."

* * *

    THE NEXT FEW DAYS passed in a haze of happiness for Shannon. She continued with her work during the hours when Garth disappeared inside his own cottage to pore over his bid proposal papers, but every free moment for both of them was spent together. They took long walks on the beach, walked into town for groceries and Shannon's mail and ate dinner in Shannon's cottage. After dinner Shannon served brandy and turned on the stereo. When Garth reached for her, she went into his arms with the eagerness of a homing pigeon.
    When the morning arrived that Garth was due to leave for San Jose, Shannon stood beside the Porsche to say goodbye. Her eyes were suspiciously bright, although she kept her smile very much in place. Garth took her in his arms.
    "I'll call you tonight," he said into her hair.
    "Good." She sniffed.
    "Hey, don't cry," he murmured. "I'm going to be back next weekend, remember?"
    "Please don't forget to come back, Garth," she said very seriously.
    "I couldn't forget," he replied simply. "I need you too much." He kissed her once more and then he got into the Porsche. "I'll leave work early Friday afternoon."
    "It's a long drive," Shannon pointed out, thinking how easy it would be for him to change his mind about making such a long trip after a busy week.
    "I don't mind. You'll be waiting at the end of it, won't you?" It wasn't so much a question as a statement of fact.
    Shannon nodded. "I'll be waiting."
    "That's all I need to know." He glanced across the driveway to where her little red Fiat sat. Garth's brows came together in a thoughtful frown. "I'm not sure I like the idea of your running around in such a small car. You'd be safer in a bigger vehicle."

    "Are all Porsche drivers so condescending toward other sports cars?" Shannon teased.
    "It's not a question of being condescending," Garth began firmly. "It's just that I think you'd be better protected in a larger car." His expression cleared. "Never mind. We'll talk about it later. Take care, Shannon. I'll be back soon. Be here for me."
    Shannon smiled mistily and waved as the Porsche roared out of the driveway. She would be waiting. For a brief, unhappy moment she wondered again about what it was going to be like conducting a weekend affair. She knew she was falling in love with Garth Sheridan.
    Shannon had always imagined that love would be a sharing kind of emotion and would of necessity involve a sharing of day-to-day lives as well as the sharing of passion.
    She turned back to her cottage, telling herself that it would all work out in the end. Her relationship with Garth was at the very beginning stages. There was plenty of time to hammer out the logistical details. In the meantime she had her work. The buyer from the San Francisco boutique