Part 24 (1/2)

There were knots of th.o.r.n.y vines ripping through his stomach, an anvil of need ringing frantically in his head. Though their lips were barely touching, her taste was drugging him, making ideas like restraint and control vague, unimportant concepts. He tried to draw back, but her arms wound silkily around him.

”Ana-”

”Shh.” She soothed and excited as her mouth played softly over his.

”Just kiss me.”

How could he not, when her lips were parting so softly beneath his? He brought his hands to her face, framing it with tensed fingers while he fought a vicious internal war to keep the embrace from going too far.

When the phone rang, he let out a groan that was both frustration and relief. ”I'd better go.”

”No.” She wanted to laugh, but only smiled as she drew out of his arms.

Never had she sampled a power more delicious than this. ”Please stay.

Why don't you pour the tea while I answer that?”

Pour tea, he thought. He'd be lucky if he could lift the pot. System jumbled, he turned blindly to the stove as she took the receiver from the wall phone.

”Mama!” Now she did laugh, and Boone heard the pure joy of it.

”Thank you. Thank all of you. Yes, I got it this morning. A wonderful surprise.” She laughed again, listening. ”Of course. Yes, I'm fine. I'm wonderful. I-Da.” She chuckled when her father broke in on the line.

”Yes, I know what the frog means. I love it. I love you, too. No, I much prefer it to a real one, thank you.” She smiled at Boone when he offered her a cup of tea. ”Aunt Bryna? It was a lovely story. Yes, I am.

Morgana's very well, so are the twins. Not very much longer now. Yes, you'll be here in time.”

Restless, Boone wandered the room, sipping the tea, which was surprisingly good. He wondered what the devil she'd put into it. What the devil she'd put into him. Just listening to her voice was making him ache.

He could handle it, he reminded himself. They'd have a very civilized cup of tea-while he kept his hands off her. Then he'd escape, bury himself in his work for the rest of the day to keep his mind off her, as well.

His story line was all but finished, and he was nearly ready to start on the ill.u.s.trations. He already knew just what he wanted.

Ana.

With a brisk shake of his head, he gulped more tea. It sounded as if she were going to carry on a conversation with every relative she had. That was fine, that was dandy. It would give him time to calm himself down.

”Yes, I miss you, too. All of you. I'll see you in a couple of weeks.

Blessed be.”

She was a little teary-eyed when she hung up, but she smiled at Boone.

”My family,” she explained.

”I gathered.”

”They sent me a chest of gifts this morning, and I hadn't gotten a chance to call and thank them.”

”That's nice. Look, I really-This morning?” he said with a slight frown.

”I didn't see any delivery truck.”

”It came early.” She looked away to set her cup down. ”Special delivery, you could say. They're all looking forward to visiting at the end of the month.”

”You'll be glad to see them.”

”Always. They were here briefly over the summer, but with all the excitement about Sebastian and Mel getting engaged and married so quickly, there wasn't much time to just be together.” She moved to the door to let Quigley out. ”Would you like more tea?”