Housebound by Anne Stuart Read Free Book Online

suddenly very close, and thecoffee on his breath mingled with hers. Unconsciously she leaned toward him, her lips parted breathlessly, once more falling under his spell.
    â€œNoah,” she murmured breathlessly, “don’t do this.”
    â€œDon’t do what?” he whispered, his lips brushing hers. “You’re feeling the same way I am—don’t deny it.” One hand reached out and deftly removed her half-full coffee mug from her hand, setting it down on the counter. “We’d better put this out of harms’ way. I didn’t mind brandy down my back, but I draw the line at hot coffee.” And his mouth caught hers again, tasting of the rich sweetness of creamed and sugared coffee. Anne made a little moaning sound in the back of her throat, and she raised her hands to push him away from her. A shared kiss by a fire was one thing, and she could always blame the brandy. Right now it was broad daylight, and she had absolutely no excuse, much as she wanted one. And she wanted him. The hands pushed for a moment against his chest, then curled around his shoulders, the fingers kneading the tightly muscled flesh, as she slowly, languorously tipped back her head beneath his searching mouth.
    The clatter of footsteps down the narrow kitchen steps pulled them apart, and a moment later, when a somewhat disheveled Holly appeared in the door, Anne was again staring down into her coffee, only the telltale flush on her usually pale face attesting to her recent activity.
    â€œGood morning!” Holly said cheerily. “This certainly is the most ghastly time of day to get out of bed.”
    â€œThen why did you? I don’t think you’ve gotten up before noon since you were eighteen,” Anne shot back, her smile taking the sting out of her words.
    â€œArtistic license, darling. We great talents have to have ourbeauty rest. But today I made the supreme sacrifice so that I wouldn’t miss a minute of Noah.” She peered around the kitchen. “Have you got any more coffee? Instant will do.”
    Despite herself Anne met Noah’s expressive grin, and she burst out laughing. “Holly, it’s a shame to waste good coffee on you. It’s on the stove.”
    â€œYou know, sis, there’s nothing worse than a coffee snob,” Holly rejoined cheerfully. “There are a great many things more important in life than a cup of coffee.”
    â€œName one,” Noah said promptly.
    â€œOh, not you, too.” Holly sighed, her blue eyes narrowing suddenly as she took in their proximity at the counter. “Well, you two are certainly getting along like a house on fire,” she murmured above her coffee. “I wouldn’t have thought you’d have much in common.”
    â€œApart from coffee and cognac we don’t,” he murmured, sliding down off the counter and strolling to the door to peer out at the snow-covered countryside. “I wonder if it’s snowing in Vermont.”
    Holly’s pout was attractive, but Noah missed it entirely. “Aren’t you enjoying your stay, Noah? I hadn’t realized we’d be boring you already.”
    â€œI’m enjoying it immensely.” His eyes met Anne’s for a brief pregnant moment before smiling blandly at Holly. “You have to realize that the sight of snow sends any skier’s blood racing.”
    â€œOh, is that what did it?” Anne murmured provocatively under her breath from her perch on the countertop, and he grinned at her.
    â€œWhat did you say, Anne?” A tiny bit of a whine was added to the dimpled pout, and her wide blue eyes slid from her sister to Noah with sudden suspicion.
    â€œNothing, darling. Are you ready for breakfast?” Anne stretched luxuriantly, yawning. “Excuse me, I’m not used to having company so early in the day.”
    â€œYou’d better complain to Wilson about that. It’s up to him to get you used to it,”