out a vase as she talked, and began to unwrap the flowers.
“It’s great the way you’re able to tailor a photograph like that to the people in it. Sherry loved what you did with hers.”
“That was easy. A couple of people madly in love snuggling on the couch.”
“It’s only easy if you’ve got the instincts to know Sherry and Nick wouldn’t sit in a sophisticated bistro drinking wine, or sit on the floor surrounded by books—and a very big cat.
“The Mason-Collari engagement. That ran today, didn’t it? Do you always check on the wedding and engagement section of the paper?”
“Only since I met you again.”
“Aren’t you the smooth one?”
As no one had ever applied that adjective to him, he couldn’t think of anything to say.
She set the vase in the center of her kitchen counter. “Those will perk me up in the morning, even before coffee.”
“The cashier at the market said you’d like them. I had a small crisis; she got me through it.”
Amusement made the dimples flicker in her cheeks. “You can always count on the cashier at the market.”
“That’s what I thought.”
She walked out, and over to the couch to pick up the coat draped over the arm. “I’m ready if you are.”
“Sure.” He crossed to her to take the coat. As he helped her into it, she glanced back over her shoulder. “Every time you do this I wish I had longer hair, so you’d have to pull it out of the collar.”
“I like your hair short. It shows off your neck. You have a very nice neck.”
She turned, stared at him. “We’re going out to dinner.”
“Yes. I made reservations. Seven thirty at—”
“No, no, I mean we’re going out to dinner, so this is not to be interpreted as let’s stay in. But I think I really need to get this out of the way, so I can enjoy the meal without thinking about it.”
She rose on her toes, linked her hands behind his head. And laid her mouth, soft and inviting, on his. The jolt of pleasure shot straight through him. He had to fight the urge to grab her as he had before, to release even a portion of that pent-up lust. He ran his hands up her body, regrettably shielded by the coat, then down it again until the jolt mellowed to a shimmer.
She drew back, and a pretty flush warmed that milk porcelain skin. “You have a real talent for that, Professor.”
“I spent a lot of time thinking about kissing you back—way back. I’ve recently revisited that thinking. That might be why.”
“Or, you’re just a natural. We’d better go, or I’m going to talk myself out of dinner.”
“I don’t expect you to—”
“I might.”
Because he was, again, momentarily stunned, she beat him to the door, and opened it herself.
She filled the car. It’s how he thought of it. Her scent, her voice, her laugh. The simple reality of her. As strange as it was, his nerves calmed.
“Do you always drive the exact speed limit?” she asked.
“It’s irritating, isn’t it?” He glanced her way, and when he saw her eyes laughing at him, he had to grin. “If I go over by more than a couple miles an hour, I feel like a criminal. Corrine used to . . .”
“Corrine?” she said when he trailed off.
“Just someone I annoyed with my driving.” And everything else, apparently.
“An old girlfriend.”
“Nothing, really.” Why hadn’t he turned on the radio?
“See, now it’s a mystery, and I’m more curious. I’ll tell you about one of my exes first—to prime the pump.” She turned her face to him until he could feel those green eyes laughing again. “How about the fledgling rock star, the one who resembled Jon Bon Jovi through the filter of infatuation. In looks, not talent. His name was Greg, but he liked to be called Rock. He actually did.”
“Rock what?”
“Ah, just Rock. Like Prince, or Madonna. Anyway, at twenty, he seemed incredibly hot and cool, and in my sexual delirium I spent a lot of time, talent, and money taking head shots of him and his band, group shots, shots for their self-produced CD. I drove their van, played groupie and roadie. For over two months. Until I caught him sucking face with his bass player. A guy named Dirk.”
“Oh. Well, that’s very sad.”
“I heard the amusement in that.”
“Not if you were really hurt.”
“I was crushed. For at least five minutes. Then I was pissed for weeks. I’d been his beard, the bastard. My satisfaction comes from