Love Songs by Barbara Delinsky Read Free Book Online

onto the table beside her. What had Ellen said about self-help and learning to relax? Mustering her imagination, she rested her head on her arm and concentrated her gaze on the beige carpet, determinedly forcing all thoughts from mind. Inhaling deeply, she focussed her attention on this mental void, willing her limbs to languor, her pulse to steadiness. It worked. Like the slow breakup of clouds on a rain-misted morning, a tentative peace seeped through her. With each deep breath her tension eased until she felt, at last, sleepy. Her lids drooped, yet she was reluctant to move.
    Aware of the world now only through the thick shade of her blond lashes, she found the intrusion of human flesh almost surreal. Only vaguely did the image register; as she slowly opened her eyes it sharpened. Human flesh—a pair of feet—masculine and tanned—connected to legs that were strong and roughened by light brown hairs. As she struggled to assimilate the presence it lowered itself calmly before her.
    “Hi, pretty lady,” a voice crooned with a deep resonance she would have recognized even had it not been imprinted on her memory so recently. In shock, she brought herself to full awareness. Her brown eyes widened to encompass the thick head of hair, sleep-mussed as was hers, the deep gray orbs which reflected her own image, the lips that were sensual and alive.
    Forgetful of both the time and the surroundings, she cried in astonishment, “Alex!” Any further exclamation was drowned as his lips covered hers in a gentle greeting. She gasped, yet was, once again, powerless against his spell, savoring the sweet story his lips told so briefly. When she could breathe again she simply stared at him in amazement as he continued to kneel before her.
    “What are you doing here at this hour?”
    Amusement flitted dangerously in the gaze that swept her semiprone form. “The same thing you are.”
    “ You’re part of the study?” Was that possible? Was that why he had been here earlier? Was that the coincidence that had brought them together?
    “Is that so hard to believe? I mean,” he teased her wickedly, “I know that I may be handsome and witty and utterly irresistible during the day,” he counted off the points, “but is it inconceivable that we share this problem as well?”
    What else was it he had said they shared—their sense of challenge? It was a reminder that buoyed her through her confusion now. “You have insomnia?”
    He nodded.
    “No wonder you knew something about the study.” Her thoughts were growing more lucid. “I more or less assumed that it was your family’s role…”
    Alex’s expression tensed noticeably. “My family’s position in this community, any power they may wield, is only incidental to my participation in the study.”
    It was, ironically, his vehemence that convinced her. Earlier he had been in full command of his charm. Now, in the middle of the night, when they both should have been sleeping like so many of their peers, his shortened fuse was obvious. And she understood the feeling.
    “I’m sorry. That came out the wrong way. I’m just so … surprised to see you here.”
    “Didn’t I imply that we’d meet again?” He seemed to regain his humor as his gaze held hers steadily.
    “You implied a lot more than that! I’d pretty much written you off as a crackpot!”
    His grin was slow and enticing. “I do like your humor.” He paused. “Couldn’t sleep either?”
    “Afraid not. I’ve been up for a while.”
    “Reading anything good?” His attention shifted momentarily to the now-forgotten magazine by her side.
    “Very boring.”
    Without quite standing, he moved forward. “Move over. You’ve got the best spot.” He took her shoulders to shift her before she could reposition herself. As he slithered into the corner where she had been she looked at him in alarm.
    “Now you’ve got it. That wasn’t very fair. I was there first.”
    “But you’ve got something even better.”