Read Online What the Waves Bring by Barbara Delinsky - Free Book Online

game?”
    â€œNo!” she cried out in instant horror.
    â€œThen why? I thought you wanted me as well.”
    â€œI did! I do!” Bolting up, she twisted to put her back to him.
    His approach grew newly mellow. “Then why? Why won’t you let me make love to you?”
    â€œI can’t. I just can’t.”

    â€œApril …”
    There was warning in his voice, forcing her on. She spoke in an agonized whisper. “I’m frightened.” Until she’d said it, she hadn’t even realized it. But, yes, she was frightened.
    â€œOf me?” he asked hesitantly.
    â€œNot really.” She shook her head in self-reproach.
    â€œMore of myself, I think.” It was as far as she could go at the moment. “I wouldn’t want to get … carried away …”
    â€œYou’re not making sense, April. A minute ago you responded to me with all of you. Are you saying that you’re afraid of lovemaking?”
    A tremulous hand ran through her hair as she sought the correct words. “Of the physical act, no.”
    Heath stood impatiently. “Then what is it you fear?” He loomed high above her, compounding her dilemma with his overwhelmingly powerful presence.
    Tucking her knees up to her chest, she buried her face. “I just can’t explain. I’m not even sure of it myself.”
    An interminable silence followed her half-whispered words. As he stood between the fire and her, his frame diverted its heat, leaving her chilled both in body and spirit. When with an oath he stalked from the room, a dry sob coursed through her, leaving her emotionally spent. Moments later the sound of the shower—the still cold shower—attested to Heath’s state of mind.
    April sighed in resignation, her own body reluctantly calming. Her fingers shook imperceptibly as she buttoned her shirt, then stood and walked to the window. The rain had let up to a light drizzle; the end was in sight.
    The end was in sight. It was those words so innocently passing through April’s mind that embodied the crux of her fear. In the instant she saw it clearly. To give herself to Heath would be to become more deeply involved in a relationship that was destined for destruction. Here,
alone, in this house at the far end of nowhere, Heath was a terribly appealing man. Yet what of reality? Once the storm ended the utilities would be repaired, reestablishing her link to a world of information that could, most probably, identify this man with the initials H.E.A. within days. If April allowed herself to become emotionally involved with him, only to discover a wife and children waiting for his return, she would be in for heartbreak. And Lord knew she had suffered enough of that in her short lifetime. Shane Michaels’s betrayal, though wiped now from her everyday awareness, had left its scar. Could she knowingly risk her peace of mind?
    The shower had been turned off; sounds from the bedroom kept April where she was until, after a few minutes, Heath came out to join her. He looked fresher than she felt, and she told him that.
    â€œI think I should take a shower, myself,” she murmured, looking anywhere but directly at the tall, handsome man.
    â€œIt’s cold …” he warned softly, his mood having improved with the invigorating shower.
    Her long, chestnut tresses fell forward as she lowered her head, shielding her from his gaze. “Look, Heath, I’m sorry—”
    â€œI’m sorry, April—”
    Their simultaneous apologies brought both heads up, both pairs of eyes into direct confrontation. After a long moment, both pairs of lips curved in smiles. When Heath approached her, she felt no longer frightened.
    â€œWhy don’t you go wash up, honey,” he suggested softly. “Shower if you must,” he teased, “but at your own risk. I won’t come running in to warm you up.”
    The allusion to their temporarily banked passion