Give Me Tonight(23)

Addie stared at him in wonder. He sounds as if he's in love with me, she thought in alarm. Just how close have I been with him? . . . I mean, how intimate have he and Adeline been? Oh, I wish he wouldn't look at me that way!

"Let's go to our place," he said, his blue eyes seeming to swallow her whole, and she nodded slowly, drawing her hand away from his.

"Their place" turned out to be a secluded spot near a gently rushing stream that just bordered the Sunrise Ranch. While the horses drank downstream, Addie al­lowed Jeff to seat her in the shade of a hardy tree.

"I was afraid you wouldn't be here this morning," he said, sitting beside her and slipping his arm around her back. Her spine stiffened at the familiar gesture, but he seemed not to notice.

"What would you have done if I hadn't been?"

"I would have ridden to the ranch and gotten you myself." Jeff smiled crookedly. "I couldn't have let another day go by without seein' you."

"Exactly how long has it been?"

"An eternity. Seven days, two hours, thirty-seven minutes. "

Addie laughed, and he bent to kiss the tip of her nose. Surprised, she jerked her head back. "Are you turnin' shy on me?" he asked tenderly. "You've never been shy with me before, sweetheart." As he bent over and pressed his lips against the side of her throat, she colored and pulled away from him. For heaven's sake, what was the matter with these men? She'd been manhandled more in the past twenty-four hours than she had ever been in her life! "I should've expected you to turn skittish on me," Jeff grumbled. "You know it only makes me want you more."

"Maybe I just want to talk a little."

Immediately his blue eyes were grave. "'Bout what? The stuff I told you about the other night?"

"I . . . I don't remember what that was."

"You Oh, God's sake, Adeline. Isn't there anything you won't tease me about? If you don't want to talk about it, there won't ever have to be another word. It's enough for me to know you won't stand in the way. "

Addie frowned, staring at him curiously. Was he re­ferring to a marriage proposal? Or some kind of plan they had hatched up?

"No, I won't stand in the way," she said, hoping that would encourage him to drop some more clues.

"You think Leah understood what she heard?"

"I . . . I don't know."

"Just keep an eye on her, that's all."

"I w-will-"

"Aw, honey, don't look so worried. It's all gonna work out fine. We'll get it done in time. You trust me, don't you?"

"Yes, I . . . Jeff!"

He had taken her by the shoulders and pulled her halfway across his lap. "Enough talkin', Adeline. I'm gonna die if I wait one more second."

His mouth covered hers in a kiss that lasted for a long time. After her initial surprise, Addie lay pas­sively in his arms, answering the pressure of his lips. My Lord, I never dreamed I'd be kissing 0l' Man John­son, she thought nervously, and suddenly it was hard not to giggle. His hand slid to her breast, cupping lightly, and she tensed at the intimate touch, finding it anything but arousing. They were supposed to be fa­miliar with each other-but she didn't know him at all, and she couldn't pretend to enjoy his roving hands. It was difficult to hide a sigh of relief when his hand slid to her waist and stayed there. At last he lifted his head and smiled down at her, apparently satisfied with her response, lackluster though it had been.

"I love you," he whispered, causing her to cringe inside. She couldn't make herself say it back. She had never told any man that she loved him, and she didn't want the first time to be a lie. Feeling horribly guilty, she tried to look at him as he looked at her.

"Oh, Jeff," she said, her voice trembling, and he didn't notice that the betraying quiver was caused by agitation, not love.

He held her silently, clasping her against his chest, and she discovered with some surprise that it was rather soothing to be held by him. How different this was from the torment and excitement she had found in Ben's arms. The hair on the back of her neck rose as she remembered Ben's mouth so close to her ear, his hand resting lightly on her body . . . Oh, how could she have let him? Now he'd never allow her to forget it.

The rest of the morning was strangely relaxing. They were quiet for long stretches of time, curled up to­gether as they watched the gurgling stream. Although Jeff seemed to feel she belonged to him, he didn't paw her, and he wasn't heavy-handed. He kissed her often, but he was gentle with her, as if he were afraid she might break. Many times Addie would tum her face to find him staring at her raptly, apparently mesmer­ized. What had Adeline Warner done to cause this ob­session?

"Adeline Johnson," he murmured as he held her, and she jumped slightly.

"What?"

"That's who you'll be, pretty soon. Adeline John­son. Sounds good, doesn't it?"

"It sounds different," she said cautiously.

He drew his knuckles down the side of her face. "Witch," he whispered. "You have the face of an an­gel. And the heart of a witch. I'll never be free of you-I couldn't be if I wanted to. You own my soul, Adeline. "

"I don't want to own anyone."