One Touch of Moondust by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online Page B

irritation flared in her eyes and something else, a surprising wistfulness. It confirmed his suspicion about the lack of stolen moments she’d captured for her own joy. He played to that tiny hint of vulnerability.
    â€œPlease,” he coaxed, “Gabrielle.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    D espite its brightness, the sun hadn’t taken the crystal sharp bite out of the fall air. Gabrielle shivered as they strolled toward the subway entrance at Paul’s favored leisurely pace. Seeking warmth, she poked her icy hands into the pockets of her denim jacket. She should have worn the fox coat, but it would have looked out of place with her jeans and sweater. It would also have underscored the vast differences between herself and Paul. His idea of style seemed to consist of clean jeans, an unrumpledshirt and a sheepskin jacket that was several years removed from the sheep.
    â€œCome on,” he said, apparently noticing the effect the brisk air was having on her. “It’s freezing out here. I’ll race you.”
    Gabrielle’s prompt protest was lost as he took off with the loping, natural stride of an athlete. She sputtered indignantly, but was too much of a competitor to ignore the challenge. By the end of the block, the cold air hurt her lungs and her side ached, but she was filled with the strangest sense of exhilaration. Her whole body felt alive with anticipation.
    Paul grinned at her and she found herself smiling back, suddenly more lighthearted than she’d felt in years. It was a beautiful day, her housing problem was temporarily resolved and until Monday there was not a thing in the world she could do about finding a new job. Paul was a handsome, sexy companion with a sense of humor. Why not enjoy this day, this moment?
    â€œThat run put some color in your cheeks,” he said approvingly.
    She shook her head with feigned impatience. “What is this fixation you have about my coloring? Did you have aspirations for being a doctor?”
    â€œNo medical hopes at all,” he said, taking a slow step toward her. Gabrielle’s breath caught in her throat as he reached over, caught a strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. The unexpected gesture startled her with its tenderness. His rough knuckles grazed her cheek and sent warmth flooding through her.
    â€œIt’s not your coloring,” he said, his intent gaze lingering. “It’s your health I’m worried about. You don’t take care of yourself properly.”
    â€œAnd you still want me to ride the subway?” she retorted. She was teasing, but she was unable to hide the slight catch in her voice.
    â€œNow, with me, you’re perfectly safe,” he promised in a voice that could have seduced a saint.
    Their gazes collided. Her pulse beat erratically and she wondered just how true his statement about her safety actually was. The instinct to run was powerful, the temptation to stay even stronger.
    They spent the rest of the day exploringPaul’s New York. It wasn’t the same part of the city Gabrielle had grown used to seeing. Instead of the elegance of Lincoln Center, they wandered through the colorful seediness of Chinatown. The narrow, crowded streets smelled of garlic and ginger and incense. Shop windows were jammed with displays of gaudy trinkets side by side with graceful Oriental antiques. In one, buried beneath worthless porcelain vases, Gabrielle spotted a small silk rug, its colors muted by age, its fringe tattered in spots. Despite its worn appearance, it appealed to her sense of proportion and color.
    â€œOh, Paul, it’s perfect,” she exclaimed.
    â€œFor what? A dust rag? It’s decrepit.”
    She glared at him. “No more than our apartment building.”
    Only after the words were out of her mouth did she realize that she’d actually sounded proudly possessive about the still shabby Brooklyn apartment they’d shared for less than twenty-four hours. From