“No,” he said forcefully.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Lesley,” he pleaded and rubbed a weary hand over his face.“I can’t.I could be putting you...”He didn’t finish.Instead he took the shovel out of her hand.“Invite me in for coffee.”
“All right,” she agreed.
Stomping snow off her boots, Lesley led the way into the cozy, warm apartment.Cole followed her inside, sitting at the table while she placed the water on the stove to boil.For a second she stood, unsure, in the middle of her kitchen.She didn’t know whether she should remain by the stove and wait for the water or sit beside Cole.Her first instinct was to wrap her arms around him and seek the comfort of his embrace.
Hesitantly Lesley stood with her back to him, her hands gripping the oven door to keep from turning and letting him see the doubts and anxiety in her eyes.
The scraping sound of the chair told Lesley that Cole was standing.The noise was followed by gentle footsteps moving behind her.A rough, calloused hand cupped each shoulder, bringing her back to rest against his solid length.His mouth found the sensitive area behind her ear and spread teasing kisses there.Tingling sensations shot down her back and arms.
“Cole,” she moaned, close to tears, “don’t, please don’t.”
He turned her in his arms, and Lesley struggled against surrendering to his stronger, more dominant will.Was she just another woman he was manipulating?
Some of the hurtful skepticism must have shown in her eyes.
“Can you trust me?”Cole questioned softly.
It would be so easy to fall completely captive to the power of his magnetism.She tucked her chin down and a cloud of dark brown curls fell forward, wreathing her face.“I don’t know anymore.I don’t even know your name and...”
A finger lifted her chin so that their eyes could meet.“It’s Daniel Cole Engstrom.”Something flickered from his eyes...doubt, regret?
Was it a name she should recognize?Lesley didn’t.Her brow was marred with thick lines of concentration.“What should I call you?”
“Friend?”he murmured, then shook his head.“No, what I feel for you goes far beyond a simple friendship.”His mouth was drawing closer and closer.“Lover?”he continued.“No, that’s something for the future.Our future.”
Her heart was pounding against her ribs like a sledgehammer.His hand curved around the side of her neck.His fingers weaved into the dark strands of hair and raised her head a fraction of an inch to meet his descending mouth.
Wave after wave of heat flowed over her.For days she’d longed for the warmth, the feel, the wonder of Cole’s arms.His mouth moved over hers again and again, caressing her lips with persuasive mastery.And fool that she was, Lesley was a willing slave.Her arms circled his middle and she pressed herself to him, reveling in the scents of spicy after-shave and hard work.
When he buried his face in the side of her neck, it was all Lesley could do not to weep.Was she so spineless that Cole could wrap her around his finger with nothing more persuasive than a series of kisses?
The teakettle began to whistle, and reluctantly Cole released her, but his hands lingered on her shoulders for an extra moment.His thumb wiped aside a maverick tear and kissed her cheek.
Lesley’s hands were shaking when she brought down the mugs.Why did he have to be so gentle?If he had been the least bit rough, she could have resisted him.
“What should I call you?”she asked again, her voice slightly husky as she placed his mug on the table.He still hadn’t told her.Was this another game he was playing?
“Cole.”
She nodded and sat opposite him.Both hands surrounded the hot mug, burning the sensitive area of her palms.Lesley almost welcomed the pain.Her gaze was centered on the steaming liquid.
“Can you trust me a little longer?Then I’ll explain everything.”
“And if I can’t?”
His hand reached for hers, squeezing it.“I don’t know, but I know you, Lesley, and I’m asking you to trust me for just a little while longer.”
“Why should I trust you?Give me one good reason,” she demanded.
“There isn’t one.I know what you must be thinking.”
“You couldn’t possibly know.”
“I didn’t want to bring you into any of this.”
