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"That sounds like a workable plan"

"Good grief," he chided, unwrapping the thick T-bones froo"

Lindy resisted the urge to swat his backside as he returned to the lanai, and turned her attention to the variety of fresh vegetables for the salad

She finished before Rush did, and taking her chalass with her, joined him outside It had rained for part of the week, but the sun was out this afternoon and the breeze was fresh and clean

"The coals aren’t quite hot enough yet," he told her, leaning against the wrought-iron railing, looking at ease with hine or the fact she’d stood too long in the sun Lindy wasn’t sure which to bla beside Rush she suddenly felt the overwhellide her ne on his tongue

"Lindy?" He was frowning at her, and for a hts "What is it?"

"Nothing" She shook her head for e down the i kept driving her Soeable Before she could change her lasses and set the

Rush watched her like a man in a trance

She leaned forward and planted her hands on his shoulders, her intense gaze holding his

At her touch, she felt a quiver work its way through his lean, hard body He stiffened, his shoulders at attention as though a visiting ad by for inspection But still he didn’t try to stop her, didn’t gently push her away as she thought he ht fists at his sides

Filled with purpose, andtime, Lindy stood on tiptoe and briefly touched her lips to his

It was better than she’d thought, better than she’d dreamed She cocked her head so their noses wouldn’t present a barrier and kissed hihtly Tentatively Shyly

Rush stood stiff and motionless, but a low moan slipped from deep within his throat His dark eyebrows cralared at her If he hoped to intimidate her with a look, he failed Lindy felt incredibly brave, ready to take on a fully ar one weary sailor wouldn’t be so difficult

Rush closed his eyes then opened the her face, his look tor her to move away from him because he hadn’t the will tohis silent demand

None Instead she smiled boldly up at him, her heart in her eyes

Rush clai her were the last thing in the world he wanted to do His ue plundered the dark, sweet secret of herall that she offered

His hands pulled her tight against hiain until she was flushed and tre and her blood felt as if it could boil

"Oh God, Lindy No No This isn’t right" His voice was tortured and barely audible But still he didn’t release her

Chapter Five

Rush’s face was hard Harder than at any time Lindy could remember His eyebroere pulled down over his eyes, which were busily searching her face, seeking answers she couldn’t give him

Gently, his hands at her waist, he broke her hold on him and turned away, but not too far, because she was able to view his profile in the afternoon sunlight He sucked in a giant breath and savagely jerked his fingers through his hair, his face dark and ravaged hat looked like guilt and regret

"Rush," she whispered "Listen – "

"No, you listen---"

The same mindless force that had driven her to kiss hi her ar his back She could feel the coiled resistance in him, but refused to release hi this easy" His hands moved to break her hold and release himself froht that was his intent But instead his fingers closed over her knuckles, squeezing her hands together with such force she nearly gasped with pain But when his hand touched hers so her to ainst hiood Rush’s body felt He was tall and lean and hard and he stirred some inherent need in her

An eternity passed before either moved They hardly seemed to breathe Lindy would have held onto Rush until the Second Co if he hadn’t broken free of her clasp and h it had cost hireat deal to leave her arms His intense blue eyes stubbornly avoided hers

"I think it would be best if we forget that ever happened," he said gruffly, and see the steaks on the barbecue

"I’et it" Lindy didn’t knohy she felt she had to argue with hiht you were the one as so keen on us being honest with each other"