Upon a Midnight Clear (Legend, Colorado 2)

Kim glanced at him, trying to determine the truthfulness of his reaction. He seemed to be sincere. "I was having a lot of trouble with this. When I decided to paint it for my father, it all came together."

"How so?"

"Purple represents my father. It's a strong, stubborn color, a lot like him. The red is a signal of love, the yellow… hope."

"And the green?"

"A good background color." She smiled. "I hope he likes it"

Tony nodded as he swirled his glass of wine. "You know, Kim," he said, hesitating. "I spoke with Harkavey today, and your father should be getting out of the hospital in a couple of weeks. I was just wondering… do you think you'll be staying in Ann Arbor when he gets out?"

She shook her head as she glanced back at the painting. "I don't know. I wasn't planning on it. But it depends on how my father is doing."

He took a step toward her and set down his glass. "Your father is going to be just fine. I was still hoping that you might stay, though," he said.

She sighed as she brought the conversation back to her father. "How do you know for certain hell be fine? How does anyone know?"

"Trust me," he said quietly, tracing the outline of her lips with his index finger.

She smiled as his lips drifted toward hers. "Sounds like you've said that before."

He took her hand and led her back into the living room. He sat down on the couch facing the fire and pulled her on top of him, so that she was straddling his lap. "I know you think you know all about me, but you may not be as perceptive as you think you are."

"I find that hard to believe," she said, her eyes twinkling playfully.

He took her in his arms and kissed her so deeply she heard herself sigh with desire. "If you just give me a chance," he whispered while she attempted to catch her breath, "you might find out that we're more suited for each other than you think."

"I should tell you now that doctors aren't my type," she said, as his lips wandered to her neck.

"Even ones that can fix broken hearts?" he asked, his hand slipping inside her shirt. His fingers swept over her chest, lightly massaging the area over her heart.

"Even ones that talk like they write for Hallmark," she murmured, closing her eyes as he skillfully unsnapped her bra.

"Then it's very kind of you to let me stay here and nibble on you," he said, his hand grazing her bare breast.

"I'm like that," she said, as his fingers found her nipple, tugging on it gently. "Very kind." She hugged him tightly, feeling the warmth of his body meld with hers. She slid her hands under his shirt and ran them up his muscled back.

Tony gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. "You're shaking," he said quietly. "Are you frightened—or cold?"

"I'm a… a little of both," she admitted.

He smiled a kind, sweet smile. "Don't worry. There's nothing to be frightened of," he said, brushing her hair back away from her face. "I really care about you—I mean that."

Kim closed her eyes as she ran her hand up his toned arm, holding it against her. She kissed his hand. "I care about you, too. I just—I didn't plan on this."

He lifted her hair and began kissing her softly on the back of her neck. "Being here with you… I can forget about everything else. It's just you and me. That's all that seems important."

All her fears melted away as a slow burning desire began to creep over her. It was enough to make her stop behaving like a frightened little gut

Kim pulled away from his arms and stood up, so that she was facing him with her back to the fire. He leaned up on one arm, watching her, curiously awaiting her next move. She slid out of her pants and shirt, standing in front of him wearing only her unsnapped bra and panties. She saw him inhale slightly with excitement as his eyes held her, encouraging her to continue. "I don't want to get cold," she said, teasing him.

"I promise that you'll never have to worry about that when I'm around," he said, enjoying the intimate banter.

Kim smiled slightly as she pulled off her bra, leaving on only her silky white panties.

Tony's eyes drifted over the curves of her pale form, drinking in each detail. "What kind of spell have you cast on me?" he murmured. He slid down onto the floor, kneeling in front of Kim as he pulled her to him, running his tongue lightly over her firm stomach.

"Tony," Kim teased as she glanced down at him, running her fingers through his thick, curly hair, "I'm curious. What's involved in this broken heart treatment of yours?"