Read Online In Forbidden Territory by Shawna Delacorte - Free Book Online Page B

glass aside and rose to her feet.She picked up a large towel and began to pat the water from her skin. “It’s getting late. I think I’d better start for home. Between the champagne and the therapeutic effect of the hot tub, I’m so relaxed I can barely keep my eyes open.” She offered what she hoped was an engaging smile rather than one filled with anxiety.
    He climbed out of the hot tub and grabbed a towel. “Of course. I’ll change into some dry clothes and drive you back to Mac’s house.” He paused a moment, then pulled her gently into his arms. He held her tenderly in his embrace without being aggressive. He cradled her head against his shoulder. He searched for the proper words, something that would put her at ease yet allow him to know how things stood between them.
    His words were more hesitant than he wanted them to be. “I…I hope my actions haven’t put a strain on our seeing each other again.” He cupped her face in his hands and peered into the depths of her eyes. He placed a soft kiss on her lips, nothing too intimate and definitely not demanding. “I truly didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
    A shy smile turned the corners of her mouth. “Nothing has changed. I would be very disappointed if we didn’t continue to see each other.”
    Angie knew it was her fault. She had given him the green light with her actions, then changed her mind and pulled back. Yet he was the one accepting responsibility. It was certainly a gracious gesture, not that of a callous playboy. And it intensified the rapidly growing emotional attachment she felt for him. Did she dare allow the word love to once again be a part of her thoughts where Ty was concerned? A little shiver of anxiety made its way across her skin.
    She tried to lighten the moment. “The air is a littlechilly. We’d better get into some dry clothes before we both end up with a cold.”
    She retreated to the guest bathroom to change while he did the same in his bedroom. Then he drove her back to Mac’s house.
    Ty held her hand as they walked up the path toward the front door. “May I see you tomorrow night? Maybe dinner and a movie, or whatever you’d like to do? I know Mac will still be working on the design project. He’s not happy with the way it’s going and has redone some portions of it. That’s one of the reasons it’s taking him so long.”
    â€œI read in the newspaper this morning about a new art gallery in Seattle. There’s going to be a grand opening tomorrow night. Perhaps we could attend?”
    â€œThat sounds great. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock so that we can make the six forty-five ferry.”
    She gave his hand a little squeeze. “I’ll see you then.”
    She watched until his taillights disappeared around the corner, then went inside. It had been a profound evening, one that had helped crystallize some of her emotions but had left her very unsettled in other areas. His actions following her decision not to make love had been commendable and showed a great deal of consideration for her wishes regardless of his personal desires.
    And it made her feel that much closer to him on all levels.
    Pangs of regret over her decision to call a halt to things had already started to filter through to her conscious thoughts. Now she wondered what tomorrow night would bring. She slid into bed and closed hereyes. Vivid images of Tyler Farrell danced through her mind along with the heated desire that still coursed through her veins.
    Â 
    The next evening, Ty rang the bell and a moment later Angie opened the front door. He immediately stepped into the entryway. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
    â€œThat’s okay.”
    He glanced at his watch as he shook his head in irritation. “I got stuck at the office in a meeting. I didn’t call because I kept thinking I’d be able to leave any minute