Waking Up by Amanda Carpenter Read Free Book Online Page B

to which he laughed also.
    “I don’t care. As dirty as you and I have been on occasion, this is nothing.” His hands were at her naked back, and she felt his fingers slip down her ribs to her waist. Something tightened in her, an unfathomable response. She leaned back as he lifted his head, and she realized that he, too, was tense for some reason.
    His light gray eyes flickered. Her own large brown orbs were plainly bewildered. He bent his head and pressed his well-shaped lips against hers briefly. It was a light kiss, full of affection and practically nothing else. She couldn’t think why a shiver ran down her spine, to weaken the backs of her knees. He was firm and controlled, very controlled, as he lifted his head and smiled easily down into her eyes. His arms loosened casually and she stepped back. Then he half-turned to take up his tea again, so easy, so utterly natural.
    But when she turned back for her own glass, she was shaking, in a state of incomprehension, wondering what had been touched to life inside her at the feel of those cool, masculine lips. Wondering what he had felt, and why the tiny, betraying muscle in his jaw was ticking spasmodically under that calm façade.
    She drank her tea and then winced. She’d taken far too big a gulp, and it hurt all the way down, exploding coolly into her stomach. “Would you like to come back over for supper, after you’ve changed?” she threw over her shoulder. Then she turned to look at him, trying to read his expression. There was nothing unusual in his countenance. “It isn’t much,” she felt bound to continue. “Just salad and sandwiches.”
    “Anything would be great, if I didn’t have to make it,” he told her drily. Startled, she threw back her head and laughed at him. “Yes, I would, thanks. When should I be back? Will I have time for a quick shower?”
    “Sure, we can start whenever you get over here. I have to take one, too, anyway,” she assured him.
    With that, he left, after putting his glass in the sink. Though she knew she should get moving also, needing not only to shower but to prepare the supper she’d offered him, she didn’t stir for several long, thought-filled moments. She was trying to establish just what she had felt during those brief moments when Jason had held her. It was a great pity that she could come to no real conclusion.
    When Robbie finally ducked into the shower cubicle, she had been indoors long enough to have cooled sufficiently to prevent her being unduly shocked by using lukewarm water. She washed her hair quickly and afterwards put it into a toweled turban while she dressed in a sleeveless white blouse with cherry-red dress shorts. The vibrancy of the colors brought out her tan nicely, attractive hues for the browns in her hair and eyes. Then she emphasized her facial features with makeup, though why she bothered when she was only going to be with Jason and her father, she didn’t know. Only then did she let her hair fall, already partially dry, and after brushing it vigorously so that it fell in soft bouncy waves to her shoulders, she ran down the stairs again, barefoot, and briskly set to work.
    Herb had come home while she had been busy dressing in her room, and he had rapped on her door lightly to let her know of his arrival. He was soon downstairs in a casual change of clothes and looked over her shoulder enquiringly. “I’m starved,” he said, giving her a pat for a greeting. “Is there anything I can do?”
    “Yes, why don’t you set the table?” she told him, shifting her foot away as the toe of his shoe had caught her on the heel. “Jason’s coming over, so there’ll be three of us.”
    Soon everything was ready, the chicken sandwiches made and nicely arranged on a central serving platter, with the lush, crispy salad nearby, drinks poured, and dressings set handily on the table. Jason rapped on the sliding glass door, and Herb let him in, while Robbie peered into the freezer to see if they still