He grabbed the plates and followed her down the short hallway that led to her rooms. He hadn’t been inside since the day everyone had helped move her in.
Bright pillows and blankets matched her personality. Fritter rose from where he’d been snoozing in a sunbeam and stretched. The cat had filled out nicely with a regular, healthy diet.
Mara set the placemats and cutlery on a bistro table, then smiled at her cat. “Hey, Fritter. How’s your morning been? Have you spotted any birds?”
The cat wound around her ankles, and she reached down to stroke its back. Lucky bastard.
Mara smiled up at Seth, oblivious to his thoughts. “He must have been an indoor cat at one time. He loves watching the birds and butterflies out the windows, but never makes any motion to get out the door.”
“That’s a damn lucky cat.”
Mara looked up from where she’d squatted to play with Fritter. Whatever she saw in his eyes had heat flaring in hers.
Still, Seth didn’t move, didn’t push. It would be up to her to make the first move. Up to her to take the next step.
God, he hoped she was ready to do that particular dance.
While her hand continued to stroke the cat, Mara’s eyes searched his face. He didn’t try to hide the need, the desire. It took all his control to remain standing where he was, to keep his body relaxed. He wasn’t pushing her, not even subliminally.
But he couldn’t break eye contact. Couldn’t move toward the table and set down the plates.
He stood there, watching the woman who’d captivated him like no one else ever had. The woman he didn’t want to let out of his life. He wanted to cling to her, wanted her clinging to him.
He should yank his mind away from that direction, but his renowned control was nowhere to be found.
Mara rolled her lips together, still stroking the cat, still watching him.
Then she blinked slowly. When she opened her eyes, he saw the spark and the sparkle he wanted to see.
As she rose, her smile widened, and she eased closer to where he stood.
She reached out to take the plates from him.
His heart teetered as she set them on the table.
Instead of sitting, Mara snagged one of his hands. “We can eat later.”
Relief soared through him, then was shoved out by lust. And something more. Something he was pretty sure was love.
For now, he’d focus on the lust and pleasuring the woman in front of him until she could only think of him.
Chapter 18
All I Ask Of You
Mara’s heart trembled. Shivered with joy and hope, and more desire than she’d ever experienced.
Feeling bold, she led Seth back to her bedroom and closed the door behind him. She didn’t want anyone—not even Fritter—to interrupt them.
When the door clicked shut, Seth turned her into a spin, then brought them together, so their bodies brushed against each other.
He danced them in the small space at the end of her bed, bringing them closer together with each spin.
Need spiraled up from her toes until she wondered if her head might simply spin off.
Then he leaned down and licked the shell of her ear. Her moan sounded loud in the room.
Seth chuckled and repeated the move. Mara’s body leaned into him until there was no more space. No closer to get, not until they removed their clothes.
