he added, “But if it will make you
feel any better, I’ll go up and see if I can rouse him. Then, mebbe
a bit of broth might do the man some good.”
* * *
Tally pushed the
half-opened door with her shoulder and held the tray of broth, bread
and tea in her hands. She had her head down and eyes on the soup to
ensure no spills. Just as well, or she might have dropped the tray at
the sight of the empty bed. By the time she noticed, she again had
both hands on the tray.
Her head spun around
the room looking for the intruder. Although she didn’t want to
treat the man like a prisoner, the way that Foster did, she wasn’t
about to lose sight of the fact that he’d entered their home
unannounced and uninvited.
Once again, she looked
behind the door. There he was. He must lead a dangerous life to think
of hiding behind the door whenever he heard a sound.
Of course, he led a
perilous existence! If climbing through a window into someone else’s
home wasn’t precarious, she didn’t know what was.
“What are you doing
there? You shouldn’t be out of bed yet,” she scolded. “But if
you do get up, at least, sit in the armchair.” No need to make him
think of her as his nanny by insisting he remain in bed. “I’ve
brought you some chicken broth to build up your strength. You must be
hungry.”
“Hmm… I didn’t
think I was, but the smell is making my stomach growl.”
Her heart skipped a few
beats. He looked rumpled and drowsy, yet no less of a threat to her
senses. How did he do that? She was certain she looked a veritable
frump when she awoke.
“Good. Shall I set it
up here on this little table or would you like to have it in bed?”
As she asked, she put the tray down on a side table and shook her
hands to get the circulation running.
“I’d like to say at
the table, but the truth is I’m feeling a little dizzy and was
holding onto the wall to stay upright.”
“Here, let me help
you.” She went to him. He slung his arm over her shoulders and she
put her arm around his waist, leaning in to lend him some support. He
was a lot taller than she was, so it was a bit awkward. They limped
across the room to the bed, where she expected him to sit once she
moved away. Instead, he turned her to face him. “Hello, wife.” He
leaned down as if it were the most natural thing in the world and
planted a kiss on her lips.
Shocked, she stood
motionless, not even thinking of backing up. His lips were soft and
gentle on hers. She’d always wondered what being kissed would feel
like. Now she knew.
Liked it!
Felt like saying,
‘More. Please.’
She recalled her
sisters discussing the merits of one man’s kiss over another’s.
What had they said? One gentleman’s kiss was too tight-lipped.
Another’s too sloppy.
Reed’s kiss hadn’t
been either. The warm, soft texture of his lips was pleasing. Very
pleasing.
Were most men’s
kisses very pleasing? Did one have to sample to know?
Deciding to get value
for her shock, she lifted her hand to curve around his neck and drew
him closer. This time she initiated the kiss. But she didn’t have
to do more than place her lips against his, before he wrapped his
arms around her and gave himself up to kissing her in earnest.
Help! She was getting a little more than she had bargained for. Don’t
be alarmed , she told herself. He’s ill, so he can’t
really overpower you if you push him hard or call for Foster.
Then they’d hang
Foster for shooting a man!
She eased back and
pressed lightly against his chest. Hmmm… she longed to smooth her
hands across that wide expanse. His chest was far better than those
of any of the foppish models her sculptor brothers paid to sit for
them.
She leaned in a little
closer. He slid his lips away from hers and followed a sensitive
chord down the side of her neck before stopping. He set his forehead
against hers and his multi-hued eyes gazed into hers. He crossed his
to indicate he was dazzled by their kiss.
She surprised
feel any better, I’ll go up and see if I can rouse him. Then, mebbe
a bit of broth might do the man some good.”
* * *
Tally pushed the
half-opened door with her shoulder and held the tray of broth, bread
and tea in her hands. She had her head down and eyes on the soup to
ensure no spills. Just as well, or she might have dropped the tray at
the sight of the empty bed. By the time she noticed, she again had
both hands on the tray.
Her head spun around
the room looking for the intruder. Although she didn’t want to
treat the man like a prisoner, the way that Foster did, she wasn’t
about to lose sight of the fact that he’d entered their home
unannounced and uninvited.
Once again, she looked
behind the door. There he was. He must lead a dangerous life to think
of hiding behind the door whenever he heard a sound.
Of course, he led a
perilous existence! If climbing through a window into someone else’s
home wasn’t precarious, she didn’t know what was.
“What are you doing
there? You shouldn’t be out of bed yet,” she scolded. “But if
you do get up, at least, sit in the armchair.” No need to make him
think of her as his nanny by insisting he remain in bed. “I’ve
brought you some chicken broth to build up your strength. You must be
hungry.”
“Hmm… I didn’t
think I was, but the smell is making my stomach growl.”
Her heart skipped a few
beats. He looked rumpled and drowsy, yet no less of a threat to her
senses. How did he do that? She was certain she looked a veritable
frump when she awoke.
“Good. Shall I set it
up here on this little table or would you like to have it in bed?”
As she asked, she put the tray down on a side table and shook her
hands to get the circulation running.
“I’d like to say at
the table, but the truth is I’m feeling a little dizzy and was
holding onto the wall to stay upright.”
“Here, let me help
you.” She went to him. He slung his arm over her shoulders and she
put her arm around his waist, leaning in to lend him some support. He
was a lot taller than she was, so it was a bit awkward. They limped
across the room to the bed, where she expected him to sit once she
moved away. Instead, he turned her to face him. “Hello, wife.” He
leaned down as if it were the most natural thing in the world and
planted a kiss on her lips.
Shocked, she stood
motionless, not even thinking of backing up. His lips were soft and
gentle on hers. She’d always wondered what being kissed would feel
like. Now she knew.
Liked it!
Felt like saying,
‘More. Please.’
She recalled her
sisters discussing the merits of one man’s kiss over another’s.
What had they said? One gentleman’s kiss was too tight-lipped.
Another’s too sloppy.
Reed’s kiss hadn’t
been either. The warm, soft texture of his lips was pleasing. Very
pleasing.
Were most men’s
kisses very pleasing? Did one have to sample to know?
Deciding to get value
for her shock, she lifted her hand to curve around his neck and drew
him closer. This time she initiated the kiss. But she didn’t have
to do more than place her lips against his, before he wrapped his
arms around her and gave himself up to kissing her in earnest.
Help! She was getting a little more than she had bargained for. Don’t
be alarmed , she told herself. He’s ill, so he can’t
really overpower you if you push him hard or call for Foster.
Then they’d hang
Foster for shooting a man!
She eased back and
pressed lightly against his chest. Hmmm… she longed to smooth her
hands across that wide expanse. His chest was far better than those
of any of the foppish models her sculptor brothers paid to sit for
them.
She leaned in a little
closer. He slid his lips away from hers and followed a sensitive
chord down the side of her neck before stopping. He set his forehead
against hers and his multi-hued eyes gazed into hers. He crossed his
to indicate he was dazzled by their kiss.
She surprised
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