Mrs. Miracle Page 0,59

the first time her plans had clashed with those of her sister. Nor was it uncommon for her mother to take her sister's side.

He led her into the study and sat her down on the high-backed leather chair. Sitting on the ottoman directly in front of her, he reached forward and tenderly brushed the short curls away from her temple. His gentle touch sent shivers of awareness shooting down her spine.

"I thought you were having dinner with your mother."

"I did, but we got into a terrible argument." She bit down on her lower lip to keep from spilling out all the sorry details.

Seth leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, scooting her forward enough to bring her into his arms.

"What happened?"

"It doesn't matter."

"You're shaking like a leaf," he countered.

She didn't want him to know that part of that was due to the thrill of being in his arms. They'd known each other such a short while, and they hadn't been able to see much of each other, what with his work schedule and hers, visiting relatives, the church Christmas program, and the busyness of the season. Still, they talked every day, often two and three times....

"Would you mind kissing me?" she asked suddenly. It was a dangerous request with his mother-in-law due to walk in at any moment, but she didn't want to wait.

In response, he captured her face between his hands and smiled softly as his eyes met hers. "What do you think?" He leaned forward and tenderly placed his mouth over hers.

The kiss was long and sweet. Involved. One kiss wasn't enough for either of them, and soon the kisses deepened.

His touch was like a healing balm, a soothing astringent after the pain her mother's words and actions had inflicted. With Seth she was safe. With Seth she was cherished. With Seth she was wanted.

He groaned, and she opened her mouth to the probing tip of his tongue. By the time Sharon knocked and proceeded into the room, carrying the tray of coffee, Reba was clinging mindlessly to Seth.

"I'll put this down right here," his mother-in-law announced cheerfully.

"Is Dad kissing Miss Maxwell again?" Reba heard one of the kids ask in a loud whisper.

"There's not any mistletoe in Dad's study, is there?" the other twin demanded. "I didn't think he'd do it without the mistletoe, did you?" The question was apparently directed at his brother. "Right on the lips, too." The comment was followed by a sound of disgust.

"Come along, children."

Reba hid her face in Seth's shoulder rather than meet the inquisitive stares of the children. "Seth, I'm sorry," she murmured.

"I'm not. Not in the least."

Reba remained embarrassed by how needy she'd been. She'd hurried to Seth, knowing he would lend her the comfort she needed without lengthy explanations.

His hands roved up and down her back, his touch gentle and caring. Gradually his fingers worked around to her front, capturing her breasts. Her own soft sigh of pleasure mingled with his, and his lips found hers once more for a second, even deeper exchange. Reba's nipples hardened and tingled as she repeatedly skimmed her moist lips across his.

"This worries me," Seth whispered on the tail end of a husky sigh.

"What does?"

"Touching you like this." But his hands stayed exactly where they were, kneading her breasts through the thin material of her sweater. She hadn't realized how much she'd wanted him to feel her breasts.

"Oh, Seth, I want it, too."

"That's what I was afraid you'd say." With what seemed to demand a colossal effort, he pulled his hands away and braced his forehead against hers, his breathing as deep and shaky as her own. "Tell me what happened with your mother."

"No," she said, and shook her head. "I'm better now, thanks to you. Much better."

"It has to do with your sister, doesn't it?"

"Seth, please. I don't want to talk about Vicki." She kissed him, using her tongue to outline the shape of his mouth, teasing him with short, nibbling kisses, darting her tongue in and out of his mouth.

"If you're trying to distract me, it's working."

"Good." She smiled softly to herself. "Now pour me some coffee and tell me what's going on between your in-laws."

Her words appeared to sober him. He took a moment to straighten, then did as she requested. After he'd brought her a cup of coffee, he sat on the leather chair next to hers.

"Something's happened between those two."

"Good or bad?"

He frowned. "I don't know, but I suspect it's bad. Jerry arrived, and the