Out of Control (40 page)

She held out the check. “Don't you want this?”

He shook his head. “No. I'd rather dream about my kiss.”

She started down the steps toward him. The expression in his eyes changed. She stopped on the step above his, and he was still inches taller than her. “That's not good business,” she told him.

“I suppose not. I shouldn't have pressured you.”

“Shhh.” She put her finger against his lips. They were amazingly soft and warm. She felt the delicate contact throughout her whole body.

That light touch set her off, and there was no stopping the tears. She put her hands over her face. His arms circled her, and soon she was draped over him, leaning on his solid warmth.

She finally lifted her head, sniffling. “Sorry,” she said. “Bet this service isn't in your fee schedule.”

“I don't want a fee from you,” he said.

“Take this, then.” She took his face in her hands and kissed him.

It was a careful, tender kiss, charged with sweetness. She felt every detail so intensely; the warm fragrance of his breath, the different textures of his lips, the velvet softness of his full lower lip, the tiny moist sound as she pulled away, still hungry for another tiny touch.

She wanted to wrap her arms around him and just drink him in.

His head was tilted back, his eyes closed as if he'd received a divine benediction. His high cheekbones were stained with hot flags of color.

Her laughter came out a little soggy. “Zan? Hello?”

He smiled. “I'm in heaven.”

“Oh, please.” She swatted his shoulder. “Don't overdo it.”

He opened his eyes, and she was lost in their complex golden depths. “I tasted your tears on your lips. It made me blush.”

“Oh.” She wiped her eyes, her cheeks, and discreetly blew her nose again. “I'm, ah, glad you liked it.”

He took a step down the stairs. “I'd better go,” he said. “I can't keep up this perfect gentleman act any longer.”

So don't.
She swallowed the words back. “So it's an act, then?”

He backed down the rest of the steps, mouth twisted wryly. “Since the dawn of mankind,” he said. “Good night, Abby.”

He disappeared into the bushes. She listened to his vehicle pulling away. Headlights rounded the curve, and he was gone.