Worth the Risk_ A Contemporary - Megan Hart Page 0,33

over something on the floor, holding out his hands for balance. His glasses were steamed up.

Laila grabbed his hand to help him. "Don't fall. We don't want my family thinking that I'm beating you."

He only smiled at the joke she'd hoped might earn a laugh. Apparently he was really bothered everyone seemed to believe he hit her. Truthfully, it bothered Laila, too, but the thought of Hal raising a hand to her in anger was ridiculous.

"It's late," he said. "I guess we'd better get ready for bed."

Laila felt a little light-headed at the thought and she didn't even have the excuse of an overheated room to blame it on. The kiss they'd just shared had been sweet, but with undercurrents of passion she wasn't sure she was ready to explore. Or, for that matter, certain she could ignore.

"Another early morning tomorrow," she replied with forced lightness. She yawned and stretched, also forced.

Neither one of them moved. Hal took a halting step toward her, then snatched off his glasses and swiped them furiously with his shirt tail to clear them. Laila was in a fever of anticipation. He was going to kiss her again. Did she want him to? Could she stand it if he didn't?

The phone rang, startling both of them. Hal, who was closer, went to the jangling box and lifted the receiver. Laila's heart began beating again. She hadn't realized it had stopped.

"No, not really. Tomorrow morning? Okay." He hung up, turning to her. "Front desk wanting to be sure the radiator was fixed."

They stood where they were, but the hesitant mood had been broken. Laila lifted her chin, pretending she wasn't disappointed. It was just as well, really. There was no use in creating awkward entanglements.

By unspoken agreement, she used the bathroom first. As she brushed her teeth, her mouth filled with suds, she thought it was just one more thing in a very long list about Hal she was growing to like. He was considerate.

Laila washed her face carefully, scrubbing away the last remnants of the afternoon's makeover. She ran steaming hot water in the tub and washed herself. She even shaved her legs, telling herself it was only because she couldn't stand the stubble.

Finally, there were no more ablutions, no more preparations she could use to delay going back into the room and slipping beneath the covers on that big, lonely bed.

"It's all yours," she said as she came out. Her voice trailed away when she saw Hal. He'd turned the television so he could see it from his cramped bed on the loveseat. Fully dressed, but without his glasses, he lay curled up, eyes closed. He was asleep.

Laila shivered. The room was now even colder than it had been before the disaster with the radiator. The bed had a wonderfully thick down comforter and deliciously warm flannel sheets. She'd be fine. But Hal? Watching him, his face slack with sleep, Laila knew she couldn't leave him there to freeze all night.

"Wake up," she said gently, kneeling next to him.

Hal muttered and his eyelids fluttered, but he didn't wake. She tried again, running her fingers lightly across his forehead. "Wake up, Hal."

With a quick, soft intake of breath, Hal opened his eyes. She knew without his glasses he couldn't see more than a few inches in front of him, so she moved closer. His green eyes focused on her face and he smiled.

"Laila," he said, and she thought he must still be half asleep. He touched her cheek. "My Laila."

Her stomach turned over at his words. "Hal. Wake up!"

He blinked rapidly, then slid his tongue across his lips. It was a gesture so uncontrived, so natural, but at the same time incredibly sensual. Her stomach twisted again.

"Laila?" He sat up, stretching. "I must've dropped off."

"You were asleep," she said unnecessarily.

Hal scratched his head so the hair stood on end. "What time is it?"

The bedside clock said only ten pm. "It's pretty early."

He yawned jaw crackingly. "Man, I'm bushed." Then he shivered. "It's cold in here."

"You go get ready for bed," Laila said. She was glad of something practical to do, something to take her mind of her sudden confusing feelings. "I'll call the front desk and see if they can send someone to fix the radiator before tomorrow morning."

Hal went into the bathroom, and the front desk told her there wouldn't be anyone available until the morning. There was probably an extra blanket in the armoire, the apologetic desk clerk told her. Laila didn't want