cupboard. Was she going to collapse in a heap? She straightened her shoulders, then reached in and added several more items.
“I’m ready.” Thank goodness she was speaking, though her voice was a tight mimicry of her usual tones.
“Let’s go.” He took her hand and held it tightly all the way home. Her skin was cool and he could feel her pulse beating faster than normal.
Shock did odd things to people. Usually so full of life and energy, Amelie had closed down. Arne led her into his lounge and sat her on his white leather sofa. Reluctant to leave her for even a moment, he raced out of the room to grab a bottle of whisky with two glasses.
“Here.” He held up one of the glasses of whisky to her lips. She took it in both hands and sipped, sniffed the contents with a tiny frown of concentration and then sipped again.
“Lagavulin,” she muttered. “I like the peaty whiskies best.”
Surprised yet again by her, Arne nodded. It was his favorite whiskey.
Finally she looked up, focusing on him, and breathing deeply. “I was pretty shaken when you arrived. Now I’m angry.”
“That’s healthy. That’s good.”
Thank God!
She’d regained a little color in her cheeks and her gaze brightened as she looked up at him.
Reaching over to tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingered across her temple before trailing down her cheek. His gaze followed the movement of his hand until his fingers feathered over her ripe pink lips. Slowly the tip of her tongue moistened her lower lip. Arne rubbed his thumb softly across following in its path and forgot everything else. Hunger for her replaced his anxiety. He leaned toward her, and her lips parted.
What are you doing? She’s had a nasty shock and you’re thinking with–
He savagely cut off the thought. That part of his anatomy was uncomfortable enough already.
Try thinking with your brain, you idiot.
Sighing, he pulled back slightly. Reluctantly. Sliding his hand down her arm he drew her to her feet, carefully maintaining some distance. He’d come so close to overstepping the mark. Surely she had accurately interpreted his intention to kiss her. It was there in her eyes still. But he had pulled away. Could he make things worse?
Smooth move, Keloki!
“So, how about I make up a bed in the guest room? You can’t go back into that mess, and the duty sheriff will need to organize an investigation before you can move back. Forensics will have to dust for prints,” he said stiffly.
She looked into her drink before answering. “Thanks.”
“Will you be all right here while I make up a bed?” He tried for an upbeat tone to mask the churning in his stomach.
A half smile and a nod reassured him. He walked out to the bedroom, determined to do a better job of looking after her. After all, if he hadn’t gone to visit her straight from his boat last night, she might not have been burgled. He’d keep a much better eye on her from now on.
* * * *
She would find a way to keep an eye on him. Somehow, she’d convince him to take her on Leilani with him. She shivered, and thrust away thoughts of what lived in the reef, concentrating on studying his home.
Simple, uncluttered, and excellent taste seemed to be the hallmark of the furnishings. Three large earth-toned pots housed mature dracaenas of varying heights in the far corner of the lounge room. The raked roofline angled to a line of south facing windows that ran the entire width of the room.
She moved to the window and looked across the water, silvered in the moonlight. The spill of light from the large picture window revealed a low cliff overlooking the ocean and jungle nestling close. Only half appreciating the view, she wondered–had she overplayed her reaction to the break-in?
She was shaken; her stomach somersaulted and her jaw tightened again as she thought of the break-in. Honest himself, he’d accepted her shock as a natural reaction. Had he linked her home invasion to his own
“I’m ready.” Thank goodness she was speaking, though her voice was a tight mimicry of her usual tones.
“Let’s go.” He took her hand and held it tightly all the way home. Her skin was cool and he could feel her pulse beating faster than normal.
Shock did odd things to people. Usually so full of life and energy, Amelie had closed down. Arne led her into his lounge and sat her on his white leather sofa. Reluctant to leave her for even a moment, he raced out of the room to grab a bottle of whisky with two glasses.
“Here.” He held up one of the glasses of whisky to her lips. She took it in both hands and sipped, sniffed the contents with a tiny frown of concentration and then sipped again.
“Lagavulin,” she muttered. “I like the peaty whiskies best.”
Surprised yet again by her, Arne nodded. It was his favorite whiskey.
Finally she looked up, focusing on him, and breathing deeply. “I was pretty shaken when you arrived. Now I’m angry.”
“That’s healthy. That’s good.”
Thank God!
She’d regained a little color in her cheeks and her gaze brightened as she looked up at him.
Reaching over to tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingered across her temple before trailing down her cheek. His gaze followed the movement of his hand until his fingers feathered over her ripe pink lips. Slowly the tip of her tongue moistened her lower lip. Arne rubbed his thumb softly across following in its path and forgot everything else. Hunger for her replaced his anxiety. He leaned toward her, and her lips parted.
What are you doing? She’s had a nasty shock and you’re thinking with–
He savagely cut off the thought. That part of his anatomy was uncomfortable enough already.
Try thinking with your brain, you idiot.
Sighing, he pulled back slightly. Reluctantly. Sliding his hand down her arm he drew her to her feet, carefully maintaining some distance. He’d come so close to overstepping the mark. Surely she had accurately interpreted his intention to kiss her. It was there in her eyes still. But he had pulled away. Could he make things worse?
Smooth move, Keloki!
“So, how about I make up a bed in the guest room? You can’t go back into that mess, and the duty sheriff will need to organize an investigation before you can move back. Forensics will have to dust for prints,” he said stiffly.
She looked into her drink before answering. “Thanks.”
“Will you be all right here while I make up a bed?” He tried for an upbeat tone to mask the churning in his stomach.
A half smile and a nod reassured him. He walked out to the bedroom, determined to do a better job of looking after her. After all, if he hadn’t gone to visit her straight from his boat last night, she might not have been burgled. He’d keep a much better eye on her from now on.
* * * *
She would find a way to keep an eye on him. Somehow, she’d convince him to take her on Leilani with him. She shivered, and thrust away thoughts of what lived in the reef, concentrating on studying his home.
Simple, uncluttered, and excellent taste seemed to be the hallmark of the furnishings. Three large earth-toned pots housed mature dracaenas of varying heights in the far corner of the lounge room. The raked roofline angled to a line of south facing windows that ran the entire width of the room.
She moved to the window and looked across the water, silvered in the moonlight. The spill of light from the large picture window revealed a low cliff overlooking the ocean and jungle nestling close. Only half appreciating the view, she wondered–had she overplayed her reaction to the break-in?
She was shaken; her stomach somersaulted and her jaw tightened again as she thought of the break-in. Honest himself, he’d accepted her shock as a natural reaction. Had he linked her home invasion to his own
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