“I told you the other night. Because I’m just an ordinary girl.”
“I remember you saying that, and I also recall what my response was. I told you that there’s nothing ordinary about you. I think you’re beautiful, charming, and definitely in a league of your own. You’re special, and simply amazing.”
“Yes, I remember you saying that, but…”
“But what?”
She had been prepared to simply enjoy her time with him and find a way to hold herself together when it was time to say goodbye. But now that he was letting her know that he wanted to continue to see her… That changed things. “A couple of the other medical researchers - Janice and Carolyn - have appointed themselves my ‘big sisters.’ And they’ve warned me about you.”
“What? What did they say?”
“They said I shouldn’t expect to hear from you after our four-week stay here ends.”
He took her hand in his. “All I have to say is, although Janice and Carolyn’s intentions might be good in trying to look out for you, they are wrong. They don’t know me. The only way I won’t want to see you again is if you tell me that it’s over. And I am really hoping that you don’t want to do that.”
He took a deep breath. “I know what I want, Haven, and that is for us to continue to see each other, even after your stay here ends. I believe there’s a reason we felt a connection to each other so quickly and intensely. It’s as if we were meant to be. I believe it, and want you to believe it as well. It’s important to me that you believe that my intentions toward you are honorable.”
Skylar was letting her set the pace, and she appreciated that. Although the issue of her sexual experience never came up, she was certain he suspected she had never shared a man’s bed. In all her twenty-four years, she’d never been tempted. But she was now.
On Saturday night, when they danced to those slow songs, she knew he had been aroused. She had felt it. He had wanted her. And how easy would it have been for him to talk her into sleeping with him last night, when he had carried her to her hotel room? But he hadn’t. Nor had he tried to convince her to stay overnight at his home in San Francisco. There had been plenty of times when their kisses had almost surged out of control. He hadn’t let them. “I believe your intentions are honorable,Skylar.”
He nodded, and she saw the relief in his eyes. “I suggest the next time we’re together, we discuss what we want beyond our time here. You live in the Midwest, and I live on the West Coast, but I have no qualms about flying out to see you in Chicago or sending my jet to bring you to me. Does that sound okay to you?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m happy with that.”
“Good. Even here in Sedona, I want to spend time with you whenever I can. Although I’m leaving in the morning for San Francisco, I plan to return Friday night. I’d love to take you on a tour of the Grand Canyon on Saturday and Sunday. We can make a weekend of it.”
She couldn’t help her excitement. “I would love to do that.”
He stood and gently pulled her up with him. “Now that we have cleared the air, I’ll walk you to your room.”
“You don’t have to do that, Skylar.”
“Yes, I do, my golden girl. You are very important to me. I value you immensely.”
His words touched her. She blushed.
He reached out and caressed her chin. “I missed you last week, and I will miss you this coming week even more,” he said.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “And I will miss you even more, too.”
When he lowered his mouth toward hers, she leaned into him, eagerly accepting the kiss she so desperately wanted.
CHAPTER 18
Logan, Lyle, Lance, and Connor
“Before we start, I just want you guys to know I finished my investigation on Edwina,” Connor said. It was Sunday night, and they had agreed to hold another conference call.
“What investigation?” Lance asked.
“Carrie suspected Edwina of having an ulterior motive for sending those letters, that she might not even be dying.”
“I recall her saying something to that effect, among other things,” Logan said.
“Well, I was able to get a peek at Edwina’s medical records and spoke personally with her prison physician, since she had given her permission.”
“And?” Lance asked.
