Because then she’d lock herself away from all the feelings deep inside.
The ones that always attracted her to a guy and then blew up in her face.
She was older and smarter this time.
She could approach this maturely and keep her heart and emotions in check.
They were two people with a common goal and if blowing off some steam while they figured it out happened, she was going to be okay with it.
She was positive he’d be too.
“Sorry. I just don’t want to be taking time away from your career.”
“It’s my time to manage. I’m going to call my mother to set up dinner, then I’ll talk to you later or tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I know I’m saying that a lot, but I mean it. No one else has made me feel I was getting close.”
“Not even Rene?”
“You don’t want to know the dreams I’m having now.”
“Oh, I do,” she said, sitting up straighter. “Have you had one since you met me?”
He laughed and the sound sent waves of erotic sensations crashing in her body. She was sooo in trouble. Where did all her control go?
“Tuesday night I woke up in a sweat. Thought it had to do with that parting kiss, but it was Rene’s sign that I was hot. Like getting close. I know it. Every other time I wake up cold, but not now.”
“I feel it too, Rory. But I don’t want to get your hopes up. Maybe I don’t want to get my own up either.”
What a coup this would be if she could help solve this crime.
Not to be that way, but if she could do this, it’d prove to all those naysayers in this town that she had what it took.
That she wasn’t getting by on her looks. Or family connections.
That might be worse than the comments on how she looked.
“It’s not the first it’s happened to me,” he said. “I feel as if I’m immune to it now, but appreciate everything you’re doing.”
“Don’t be immune. Don’t do that. You have to feel. You are. Don’t block it.”
“You’re sounding like my sister now,” he said.
There was laughter in his voice, maybe even some hope.
“Good. Maybe you are here for more than one reason. You need closure, but you could need something else opened up.”
When there was silence to that statement, she wondered where all her measured responses went.
Right out the window since the day she met Rory Connors.
13
WHERE IT BELONGED
All night and most of the day, Rory was more focused on the parting words from Gale.
That maybe he was in Lake George for more than one reason.
