A Whisper of Eternity - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,37

best beloved one."

"Where are we?"

"This is my house."

"But where are we?"

"Ah. We are in a distant corner ofMaine ."

"So, I'm your prisoner now."

"You are my guest."

"A guest who can't leave.Sounds like prison to me."

"We need time to get to know each other again. I will not be shut out of your life this time. I will not share you with another. This time, you will believe. This time, you will be mine."

"So you're going to keep me locked up inside this house?" She stared down at her hands, noticing, for the first time, that she was holding the brush so tightly, her knuckles were white. "And what if I believe and I still don't want you? Still don't want to be what you say you are?"

"Then I will let you go."

"Why won't the doors or windows open?"

"Because I did not wish them to, but they will open for you now."

"Did you take my phone?"

"Yes."

There was no need to ask why.

She glared at him, angry and more than a little frightened.

Gently, he took the paint brush from her hand and dropped it into a can of turpentine. "Come," he said quietly, "walk with me."

Though it sounded like an invitation, she knew she had no choice. When he offered her his hand, she took it. Together, they walked down the stairs. The front door opened at a wave of his hand and they stepped outside.

The night was cool and clear. A full moon hung low in the sky, bathing the trees and flowers in a wash of silver. Electric lights illuminated a flagstone path that led around the side of the house and through a wrought iron gate that opened into an enormous yard. Tall trees grew in the distance. Closer at hand were flower beds filled with roses and shrubs. There were trees cut into a variety of shapes: a bear standing with one paw raised, a unicorn looking over its shoulder, an elephant standing on its hind legs, a giraffe, a whale, a seal, a dragon. There were a number of fruit trees and, further down the path, a small natural pond. A large gazebo stood in the middle of the yard, surrounded by rose bushes. A high wall surrounded the yard and the house. She made note of the trees that grew near the wall. It wouldn't be too difficult to shinny up one of the trees and climb over the wall.

Dominic's hand tightened on hers. "The wall is electrified.To discourage vandals."

Tracylooked at him sharply. Was he reading her mind?

"There is nothing beyond the wallsave a large forest," Dominic went on. "The nearest house is thirty miles away."

"If you live here, why were you staying at Nightingale House?"

"I did not say I lived here. Only that it belongs to me."

"And what am I supposed to do here? Oh! The seascape! I'm supposed to ship it to Mr. Petersen next week."

"I will take care of it."

"But..."

"I will take care of it."

"His address is in my book."

He nodded.

"How long are you going to keep me here?"

He shrugged. "That remains to be seen."

She looked up at him and their gazes met and locked. A shiver of anticipation ran down her spine as he moved toward her, one arm curling around her waist to draw her up against him. He was going to kiss her - she knew it. Well, she had no intention of kissing him, not while he was keeping her here against her will. No way!

She put her hands against his chest to push him away, but it was like trying to move a block of granite.

Gently, he caught both her hands in his, and then he placed one finger beneath her chin and tilted her head back to give him better access to her lips. She started to object but before she could form the words, he kissed her, driving all thought of protest from her mind.

Tracy's eyelids fluttered down as his mouth covered hers. Whatever else he might be, the man knew how to kiss. Had she always responded like this, always felt as if her bones were melting, as if her blood was on fire? She pressed herself against him, a sense of feminine satisfaction flowing through her when she felt his response to her nearness.

He broke the kiss briefly,then claimed her lips once again, more aggressively this time. His tongue teased the seam of her lips until, with a sigh, she opened for him.

She moaned softly, all thought fleeing her mind. There was only Dominic, his