TALL DARK AND HUNGRY Page 0,91

Kate shook her head in exasperation. "He didn't even smile at her when we arrived today, he just nodded."

"So? That's all she did, too," Luc pointed out.

"Only because that's what he did. Terri wasn't sure how to greet him, and she waited for his greeting to see how she should act. He was cool, so she was cool."

"You've been reading her mind," he accused. There was amusement in his tone, however.

"You're darned right I have. Terri's as close-mouthed as a clam. If I didn't read her mind, I wouldn't have a clue of what was going on between those two." Kate watched her cousin and Bastien un-happily. "I don't know why he doesn't just grab her and kiss her. That's what she wants."

"He probably wants it, too, but I think Bastien thinks Terri wouldn't welcome it because of how she acted when she was with you yesterday," Lucern ex¬plained, finding himself also watching. The couple was studiously ignoring each other.

"What?" Kate glanced at him. "How did she act with me yesterday? And what has how she acts around me to do with Bastien thinking she doesn't want him to kiss her?"

"Well, she paid a lot of attention to you the mo¬ment we arrived, and pretty much ignored him."

"And he's jealous? Of me?" Kate asked with disbe¬lief.

"No. Not jealous. But Bastien said she hardly even looked at him. I think he's worried that maybe he was just... well, sort of fill-in entertainment while you were gone."

"Oh, for heaven's sake. Terri isn't like that."

"Perhaps not. But Bastien doesn't know that. Or at least, he can't be sure of it. They only met a little more than a week ago," Lucern pointed out, then his eyes narrowed. "Look. They're talking. Maybe they'll work it out now."

Across the room, Terri said, "I should thank you for allowing me to stay in the penthouse." She spoke the words almost desperately. The tension was just killing her. She and Kate had arrived at the church at the same time as the car had brought Bastien and Lucern. The men and women had met on the side¬walk, and Kate and Lucern had kissed and hugged each other as if they'd been apart forever. Terri had watched them with a small smile, then glanced to Bastien to see him watching too. Then, as if sensing her eyes on him, he'd turned her way, waited a mo¬ment as if expecting her to say something, then had nodded and murmured a polite hello.

Terri had felt disappointment drop over her, but had tried to hide it, merely nodding in return. And they had been like that ever since. All through the ceremony rehearsal, they'd been stiff and polite. Yet Terri had caught Bastien glancing at her a time or two, with a look of hunger he'd quickly veil when¬ever she caught his eye. Once, she'd caught him look¬ing at her with an expression she thought might be longing, but Terri couldn't be sure. He'd cloaked that as soon as she glanced his way, too.

"There's no need to thank me. You are more than welcome in my home. And I enjoy your company."

Terri considered his words: You are more than wel¬come. I enjoy your company. Both were in the present tense, not the past tense as if whatever they had were over. She wasn't sure what to make of it, or how Bastien was feeling. And all of it made her really wish they'd had the chance to talk. The uncertainty was killing her. Terri had no patience for games, no wish to waste time guessing at what people thought or felt. She had always preferred to have the cards on the table. It was better that way and, while it could be painful at times, at least it prevented misunderstand¬ings. Terri decided this case was no exception; she wanted to know where she stood. Last night she'd thought waiting to see what he did would be the smart move, but now that he was being so polite and she still didn't have a clue, Terri decided she was damned well going to find out.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to him and blurted, "I like you. I don't know how you feel about me, or what what we've done means to you, but I like you. If it was just good fun, and you don't want Kate and Lucern to know about it, or if it--"

Terri's opening gambit came to an abrupt halt as Bastien suddenly took her face in his