“Hello?” she answered in a strangled voice.
He couldn’t tear his eyes from her, and thankfully, her gaze was locked with his.
“Oh. Hi, Sally.” Her chest heaved as she leaned against the wall.
He waited for her to tell him with her eyes that the kiss was over for the night, but so far, he hadn’t received that silent message. Would she get upset if he slowly stepped toward her and wrapped her in his arms once again?
“What?” Rayne’s voice grew louder as she turned away from him and walked into the living room.
Groaning, he pressed his head against the wall. There was the message he’d hoped she wouldn’t give him. But at least she’d kissed him. She had made the first move, even if it was to kiss his cheek. Since they had gone this far tonight, what would tomorrow night be like?
He’d have to somehow keep her from feeling guilty. As long as that feeling didn’t enter her mind, Calvin Gates just might have a chance at winning his wife’s affections.
* * * *
RAYNE SAT BEHIND THEcounter as she stared out the large picture window of her shop. The early afternoon sun was almost too bright, so she’d kept her sunglasses on. Dusti and Lacey made jokes about hertying one onlast night, but Rayne wouldn’t tell her friends what had really happened last night to make her lose sleep and wake up with a dull headache.
Kissing Calvin hadn’t been planned, but when it finally happened, it was like a dream come true. And yet, she wondered why she’d been having dreams of kissing him in the first place. Every second of their passionate moment had been wonderful. She hadn’t wanted it to end.
When Sally had called, Rayne had known her cousin needed her undivided attention since she was going through a divorce. Sally was the closest relative Rayne had and she didn’t want to lose that bond, even if it meant stopping the most passionate kiss she’d ever had.
One of the reasons she hadn’t slept last night was because she felt guilty for not remembering Eddie’s passionate kisses. Had he kissed her to the point that she’d lost contact with everything around her and only focused on the man holding her? She couldn’t recall feeling like that with Eddie. Calvin had somehow erased her memory of other men.
“Hey, why don’t you take your lunch now?” Lacey asked as she stopped in front of a wall mirror and rearranged the blue streak of hair on her head. “I’m sure you’ll want to see if your yummy husband would like to take a lunch with you. Right?” Through the mirror Lacey met Rayne’s gaze and she waggled her eyebrows.
“If you must know,” Rayne moved away from the counter, “my husband’s firm is working on a big case. He won’t have time to take an hour out of his day to have lunch with me.”
Lacey shrugged and moved toward the front counter. “Well, then just take an hour and enjoy the pretty day.”
“I guess I can do that.” Rayne grabbed her purse. “See you later.”
She walked out of the shop and inhaled the fresh air. Somewhere nearby there was a lilac bush, because she could smell the lovely scent. She couldn’t remember being aware of smells in the air while walking to her car. Of course, being around an incredibly handsome man who smelled so good, she was bound to find those things in life that were pleasing.
She walked to the parking lot and clicked on her remote to unlock the doors. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a man rushing toward her. She jumped and focused on him just as he reached her and took her in his arms.
She gasped and pressed her hands against his chest, stopping him from getting any closer. Her heartbeat thudded faster as adrenaline shot through her. “Eddie? What are you doing out here? You scared me to death rushing up like that.”
“Sorry. I wanted to surprise you.” He bent his head and snuggled his face in the crook of her neck. She hitched a breath. Slowly anger filled her. She shoved him back and glared. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He arched an eyebrow in question. “Kissing the woman I love.”
She shook her head. “Eddie, I’m married – and not to you. Have you forgotten that we can’t dothisuntil after I’m divorced?” For some reason, saying the worddivorcedmade her heart wrench as if she had just lost her best friend.
“I’m sorry.” He dropped his hands to his sides. “I’ve missed you so much.”
She exhaled slowly. “I know, Eddie. I’ve missed you, but we can’t have an affair.”
“You mean I can’t even hold you?”
“No.”
“I can’t take you out to lunch, or spend time with you after work?”
“No, Eddie. Not until I’m... not married anymore.”
He frowned and folded his arms. “Can I at least call you?”
“Yes, of course. I want to keep in contact with you. Twelve months is a long time.”
