When Next We Love by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online

to light like the fire of the candle before them that he had construed her comment as further criticism of her dead husband. His next words verified her apprehension.
    “We were both captivated by you, Mrs. Tremayne,” he said coldly. “I, like Richard, believed you to be refreshingly guileless and innocent. I even believed you had no idea who we were.”
    “I didn’t know who you were!” Leigh exclaimed indignantly. “I had heard of the London Company, of course; your first album came out when I was in third grade! But how on earth would I have recognized you? I’d never been to a concert! And you always wore some sort of costume on your album covers! And anyway, Mr. Mallory, I might remind you that not everyone is impressed by members of the music world!”
    “Possibly,” Derek acknowledged. “But most people are impressed by money.”
    Leigh inhaled sharply and tossed her napkin on the table before rising. “I never wanted Richard’s money!” she declared hotly. “Nor his ‘impressive’ name nor ‘impressive’ companions! If you care to do some research into my finances, you’ll find I’ve not run wild on anything of his! I live in a home which I helped finance and create, I give large sums to the children’s care centers and—”
    “Richard wanted a child of his own,” Derek interrupted rudely.
    “Then he should have stayed home to have one!” Leigh retorted. “Excuse me,” she added with regal cool. “This conversation has gone far enough. I don’t care to discuss my personal life with Richard with anyone, especially you.” She was dangerously close to tears. “Thank you for the gown, thank you for dinner and your hospitality. If my car is ready, I’ll probably be gone before you rise. Good luck with whatever.”
    “Leigh!” Derek’s commanding voice stopped her as she reached the door. She turned back to him expressionlessly.
    “Where were you when Richard died?”
    “I was at home, in Key West. Richard, as you know, was on the West Coast. I hadn’t seen him in two months. You must have known that too.”
    “No, I didn’t,” Derek said softly.
    She didn’t quite understand the agony that bared for a brief moment in his eyes. “It doesn’t really make any difference.”
    “No, it doesn’t.”
    For a reason she couldn’t define, Leigh hesitated. “Derek?”
    “Yes?”
    “Do you know exactly what happened?”
    “He went off a cliff.”
    “I know … but …”
    “Cut and dried. No drugs involved. He probably had a few drinks, but he wasn’t stoned, if that’s what you’re referring to.” Derek dropped his own napkin on the mahogany table and walked to join her at the door. He very lightly cupped her chin in his hands, and she could feel a tingle that seemed to shoot straight through her as his fingers brushed her temples. For a moment, as his eyes searched hers in an unaccustomed tenderness, the months rolled away and she was frighteningly reminded of that one long-ago night. With painful recall she remembered the feel of his strong arms, the taste of his lips, the wonderful harmony of his sinewed body with hers. With precision she knew the touch of his skin, the shape of his magnificent form, the perfection of his lovemaking …
    “Derek, please,” she murmured weakly. “I have a terrible headache. I need to get to sleep and your date …”
    He kissed her, silencing her effectively. She stiffened at first and attempted to push away from him. But she was caught between the wall and his steellike strength; her attempt to budge him was futile and then feeble. His lips, like his eyes, were magnetic. They claimed hers with a firm tenderness, neither forcing nor allowing for escape. And as her resistance failed her, his tongue feathered along her teeth until it probed and found access to her warm, sweet moistness, to demand in earnest. That which had been gentle became passionate and demanding, urgent and hungry. The warnings in Leigh’s mind went unheeded as her