Read Online Cinderella's Big Sky Groom by Christine Rimmer - Free Book Online Page B

ask you to quiet down.”
    Lynn smiled to herself, thinking of Sara, giggling so gaily—and promising to “zipper” her lip. “Maybe,” she allowed. “But it was a long time ago—and how did we get off on this subject, anyway?”
    â€œIt was a natural progression—from your favorite students, to why they’re your favorites.”
    â€œBut we weren’t even supposed to be talking about me.”
    â€œI was curious, that’s all.”
    â€œWell. Is your curiosity satisfied?”
    â€œAs much as it’s likely to be.”
    What did that mean? She felt it would be wiser not to ask. “Is there any more you need to know about Jenny?”
    â€œNo, I think you’ve about covered it. I wonder if you could write me up a brief report of what you’ve just told me? Only a page or two. To put in her file?”
    â€œSure. I’ll get it to you in a day or two. Will that do?”
    â€œThat will be fine.”
    She glanced at the big clock on the fireplace mantel. As she did, a single chime rang out. Eight-thirty. She untucked her legs. “I should go.”
    He said nothing.
    She bent down to pull on her shoes. When she straightened to a sitting position again, he was staring at her. She read the look in his eyes. And answered it as if he had actually spoken. “Ross. It is getting late.”
    â€œEight-thirty isn’t late.”
    â€œI won’t be home until nine, at least. And it’s a school night.”
    â€œSo what? Live dangerously.”
    Live dangerously. She wished he hadn’t said that. All at once those moments upstairs didn’t seem long ago at all. They came back to her vividly, stealing her breath: the two of them, standing by that claw-footed table, his hands cradling her chin, his lips brushing, only once, so sweetly, against her own.
    She ordered such thoughts away. “I think I’ve lived dangerously enough for one night.”
    He answered in a low voice, “No, you haven’t. You’ve flirted with danger. And that’s all.”
    â€œThat’s more than enough, I think,” she told him tartly. “It’s certainly more than I should have done.”
    â€œBut less than you wanted to do.”
    Another sharp remark rose to her lips. She held it back.
    Her silence seemed to anger him. “What? Say it.” His eyes were very dark. She saw heat in them. The heat of desire. Her body responded instantly, going weak. Pliant. Yearning toward him…
    â€œI have to go.” She said it firmly. In a tone any one of her young students would have recognized. The tone that said she would not be pushed one inch further.
    Ross got the message. “All right.” He watched her through unreadable eyes as she stood.
    â€œI’ll just get my coat and my—”
    He silenced her by rising himself, a swift, fierce movement, one that frightened and excited her at the same time.
    â€œDon’t—” she said, and that was all.
    He reached out, caught her hand and pulled her close. “One kiss,” he said.
    His heat and strength surrounded her. She put her hands on his chest to push him away—and felt his heart beating under her palm. “Your heart,” she heard herself whisper. “I can feel it….”
    He said her name, so softly. “Lynn…”
    In his eyes she saw promises. Promises she knew he didn’t think he was making. Promises he probably wasn’t making. Promises she only thought she saw. Because she dreamed the bright, hopeful dreams of the plain girl, the overweight, unpopular girl, the hardworking, quiet, dependable one…
    She said flatly, “You know very well it won’t just be one kiss.”
    â€œDo it anyway.”
    She stiffened her arms a little, to keep him at bay. “Don’t you… dare me, Ross. Not about this. This isn’t a bite of truffle cake we’re talking about now.”
    His