“I don’t suppose there is any point in arguing with you about moving upstairs.”
“No, there isn’t,” he said. “That’s what you’re going to do.”
“When did you get so take-charge?”
“When someone threatened you. You’re on that troll’s hit list, and until he or she is caught, don’t forget that for a moment. You’ve crossed someone in some way and they want to get even. It could be me they’re after, but if it is, that’s a damn roundabout way to get at me. Just remember someone wants to hurt you.”
“I don’t think you’re going to let me forget it.”
They walked around to the back door and entered the dark house. Night had fallen and there was no moon. She realized he hadn’t left any lights on in the back hall entrance.
Tom took her arm and, again, the minute his fingers touched her, she had the usual tingles from head to toe. How would she live with him in the same house, work with him to restore it? How would she get through this one night? She was always attracted to him, but she needed to resist him now. She couldn’t bear to go through all the emotional upheaval she had in the past. There were no solutions to their problems, and their divorce would be finalized as soon as this threat from Maverick ended.
“Tom—”
In little more than a whisper, his breath warm on her ear, he said, “Wait until we’re upstairs.”
Four
They moved silently in the dark through the back hall into the breakfast room and then the main hall. When they stopped for a second, Emily collided with him.
Tom slipped his arm around her waist. The minute he did, everything changed. He became aware of her softness, the faint trace of perfume, her hair spilling across his hand. He held her lightly. Her soft blue sweater fit snugly and he could feel her warmth, her lush curves, her soft breasts pressing against his arm. Desire was sudden and intense.
Off balance, she grabbed his arm, but he held her and she wasn’t going to fall. It took an effort to hold her lightly, to keep from wrapping his arms around her and kissing her until she responded. She was soft, alluring, warm.
Time disappeared and took along with it memories of the bad times and the loss. At the moment memories of holding her and kissing her consumed him, making his heart race. He tightened his arms to pull her close, feeling her slender arm slide around his neck.
“Some things between us haven’t changed,” he said quietly. He shifted, fitting her against him, still holding her close. The pounding beat of his heart was loud and he fought to keep control. Even though he knew the trouble it would cause, he wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to make love to her all night long.
“We can’t do this, Tom,” she whispered.
He couldn’t answer. He was hot, hard and he wanted her. It was physical, a hungry need because he had been alone so long. He had to let her go and get upstairs, but he didn’t want to release her. It had been so damned long since he had held her, kissed her or even just touched her.
He released her slightly, still holding her arm. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I just stumbled,” she answered. She sounded breathless and tense, and that just added to his desire. He tried to focus on the situation and stop thinking about kissing her.
“I don’t want to turn on a light. You have all these damn windows. With your sunroom, you have thirty-two windows downstairs that are not covered, and anyone looking in can see what you’re doing. Let’s take this gear upstairs.”
“I know this house even in the dark,” she said. They talked in quieter tones, but he wasn’t sure he was making sense, because all he could think about was kissing her. He was already tied in knots over her. Even while they talked, he continued to hold her arm and she had hers on his shoulder.
“I’m glad you know this house. We won’t have to turn on lights until we’re upstairs. Can you get up the steps in the dark?” he asked.
She leaned closer to his ear, her breath warm on his neck. “How many times do you think I turned out all the lights downstairs and tiptoed upstairs in total darkness after you brought me home from a date later than I was supposed to stay out? I can’t recall you worrying then whether I could get up the steps in the dark.”
Her words eased some of his tension and he chuckled softly. “Okay, you go ahead and I’ll follow.”
Reluctantly, he released her. Today, there had been moments when tension fell away. It was the way things used to be. This was a bubble in their lives—when they could live together again while Nathan and others tried to discover Maverick’s identity.
Tom stayed right behind her as she silently went up the steps in the dark, leading him to a large bedroom at the back of the house. “We’re in my room, Tom. I’m going to turn a light on now.”
“Go ahead. I’ve checked out the house and we’re the only ones in it. I’ve been in the attic and basement. No wonder these old houses are in scary movies. Plunk one of these in a scene and you already have atmosphere before you even start.”
“I love this old house and there isn’t anything scary about it, including the basement.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. Let’s start hanging sheets and get you some privacy. Tomorrow you buy whatever you want—shutters, shades, curtains. Get something that will be easier to deal with than sheets on the windows for these upstairs rooms. Downstairs we can hang sheets and leave them.”
Lost in thoughts about Emily, Tom worked fast. He was tall enough to hang sheets in front of a lot of windows without getting on a ladder, but he needed a stepladder for others.