Read Online The Ties That Bind by Jayne Ann Krentz - Free Book Online Page B

bags?"
    Shannon glanced over at the pile. "That's right. I wanted to have a variety to show the buyer when she gets here this week."
    Garth fingered one of the squares, a brilliantly hued letter A decorated with jewel-toned dragons and intricate scrollwork. There was a thoughtful expression on his face. "Will this buyer give you a contract to sign if she decides to buy your totes?"
    "Probably," Shannon said carelessly. "I'm sure there will be something in writing about deliveries and prices. Around here I don't worry too much about formal contracts, but I imagine a professional buyer will be used to dealing in a more businesslike manner."
    "I'm sure she will. She'll probably also be more accustomed to taking advantage of craftspeople who don't know much about the business world." Garth dropped the canvas he had been holding. "Don't sign anything until I've had a chance to look at it, Shannon."
    Shannon looked up in surprise. "But, Garth, that's not necessary. Besides, if she's interested, I'll want to get the deal settled as quickly as possible. This is the first really big buyer I've had. I don't want to do anything to wreck the deal."
    "She can wait a few days for the contract. If she were dealing with a large-scale operation, she'd expect to wait awhile. I don't want you signing anything I haven't checked out, honey."
    Dismayed, Shannon opened her mouth to argue and then promptly closed it again. Garth was here for such a short time. She didn't want to ruin even a moment of that time by arguing. It occurred to her that this was going to be one of the difficulties with a weekend affair. Problems would be glossed over or ignored because their time together was so limited.
    "How was your week?" Shannon asked with what she hoped was a comfortable amount of interest as she finished her cleanup work.
    "Long and hectic. I could use a drink. Are you done there?"
    She nodded. "I'll change my shirt while you pour us a drink. I've got some wine on the counter."
    Garth's mouth crooked as he walked out into the hall and headed for the kitchen. "I brought my own whiskey. Figured you wouldn't have any."
    Shannon winced. Next weekend she would be sure to buy some whiskey. She had a lot to learn about Garth, she thought as she went into her bedroom to change into a clean white shirt.
    Ice clinked in his whiskey glass as Garth came to stand in her doorway and watch her button her blouse.
    Shannon flushed a little under his intent regard. She wasn't accustomed to changing her clothes in front of a man, and the procedure was obviously going to take some getting used to before she could do it nonchalantly. Unobtrusively she turned her back to him and fumbled quickly with the buttons. "How's the bid package going?"
    "It'll be ready on time." He sounded totally disinterested in the topic.
    Shannon went still as she sensed him moving up behind her. When his hand came down on her shoulder, her fingers came to a halt on one of the buttons. "I see. That... that must be a relief to you. I realize it's very important."
    "Is it?" He bent his head and kissed the nape of her neck.
    "Well, yes. Garth, I'm interested in your work. I... I really know very little about you. I have a phone number for you in San Jose and that's about it. I don't even know your home address." She shivered slightly as his fingers stroked the curve of her shoulder just inside the blouse.
    "I'll make sure you have my address before I leave on Sunday. You can send me one of your handmade cards. Don't worry, Shannon. There's plenty of time to learn all you need to know about me. And as far as my life in San Jose goes, you don't have to worry about learning very much at all. That side of things doesn't have anything to do with us."
    It keeps you away from me five days a week, Shannon thought resentfully. But she forced a smile as she turned toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Hungry?"
    "Uh-huh. Very." Deliberately he kissed her, parting her lips with his own and amusing