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defenses came slamming down. She bolted upright.  What am I doing in your bed? How did I
get here? she demanded.
 You re in my bed because it s where you belong, he explained calmly.  And you got here
because I carried you here.
 Well, you can just carry me back, because I m not staying.
He toed off his shoes without saying a word. Then he proceeded to strip. He was one article of
clothing away from baring it all when she erupted off the bed.
 You re not listening, Gabe. I m not sleeping with you.
 Then don t sleep, he retorted mildly.  But when we go to bed, we ll be doing it together.
She shook her head, and her sleep-tangled curls danced in agitation.  You stood me up tonight.
You promised me this time would be different and then you stood me up. The vulnerability he d
seen earlier leaked through her defenses, nearly killing him.  You can t do that and then expect
me to  She waved a hand in the direction of the bed.
 Just for my own edification, is this how I m supposed to react when the shoe is on the other
foot? he asked.
That stopped her, if only for a moment.  What do you mean?
 I mean that your business is as demanding as mine. Most of your events take place in the
evening or on the weekend when I m off work. Having spent the past two years building up your
business, you know there are times when the unexpected arises and you have no choice but to
deal with it.
 Damn you! She glared at him in frustration.  I m not in the mood for your brand of logic. You
can t turn this back on me.
 I m not trying to. I m trying to make you see that every once in a while something like this is
going to happen. We d better learn to deal with it starting right here and right now. Tonight was
on me, and I m sorry, Cate. I m more sorry than you can possibly know. I wanted your
homecoming to be special, and instead it was a nightmare. But you tell me how to handle it the
next time or how I should react when you re the one calling with the last-minute emergency.
He could tell she was at a loss for words. The fire died, leaving behind pain and confusion.  I
was looking forward to tonight so much, she confessed.
The admission hit and hit hard.  So was I. He stripped off his shorts and tossed back the
bedcovers. Then he held out his hand.  Robe.
When she didn t immediately comply, he simply took matters into his own hands. He flicked
buttons through holes with ruthless efficiency before sweeping it from her shoulders.
 Don t, she whispered.  Please don t.
If she d used anger against him, or that ice-cold wall of defiance, he might have ignored her
request. But he couldn t resist her when every scrap of defensive armor lay shattered around her
and unhappiness coursed from her in palpable waves.
 Okay, sweetheart, he said in a husky voice.  It s okay. We ll just sleep.
He gathered her close, locking her against him, and his eyes shut at the feel of her body curving
into his. This time she didn t protest when he urged her toward the bed. How long had it been
since he d had her head pillowed on his shoulder and felt those crisp, wayward curls tickle his
jaw? How long had he waited to have that silken skin flowing over his, her small, perfect breasts
pressed against his side? He d craved this, just this, for endless, torturous months. Now that he
had her back in his arms he could afford to be patient. As much as he wanted to make love to
her, this would do until the time was right. He could give her some space while they worked
through their issues.
 Are you asleep? she asked.
 Not yet.
 Did you make the deal?
He smiled. It was a start. He could be satisfied with that.
Gabe woke at first light and realized that this time he wasn t dreaming. This time it was real. He
held Catherine safely tucked within his arms, tight against his side, the rhythm of her heart and
breath and sleep-laden movements perfectly synchronized with his. He d always considered her
an elegant woman, small and delicate. But not here. Not now. Not when she abandoned herself to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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