Part 36 (2/2)

care what...””I do. Go light a lamp.”Cynthie reluctantly moved out of Winn's arms. It felt cold and lonely just walking away from him, though the night was warm and he was only a few feet

away.

She hurried into the kitchen and found her hands trembled as she tried to strike a match. Winn wouldn't know if she lit the fool lamp or not, she decided, tossing the match on the table and heading back to him.

He was waiting where she had left him. Almost as

soon as she was through the kitchen door he spoke to her.

”Go back and light the lamp, Cynthie. I don't want people talking about you.”

”How did you know?”

' ”I would be able to smell the lamp if you had lit it,” he said. When he heard her steps retreating again, he added, ”Or at least I think I would.”

She joined him in a moment.”In other words, it was a good guess?””Well, I had my suspicions. I've got to protect you in more ways than one.”Cynthie slid her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest.”Don't carry your protection too far. I don't want to be protected from what I feel for you.”

Winn clutched her against him again.

”Sweet, sweet woman, I still can't believe you love me.”

”I can prove it, Winn,” she whispered.

He groaned, leading her into the bedroom and to the bed they had shared once

before. He held her in his arms again, not wanting to let her go even long enough to remove the clothes that had become a barrier between them.

”I kept telling myself I had no right to hold you,” he murmured.

Cynthie laughed.”I'm glad you didn't listen.” Her fingers made short work of the b.u.t.tons onhis s.h.i.+rt and in a few minutes they stood amid a pile of discarded clothes.Cynthie came back into his warm embrace and thrilled at the feel of his skinagainst hers. She took his bearded face in her hands and raised herself onher toes to bring their lips together. She had promised to prove she lovedhim and she intended to do just that.

Winn molded her body against his and stroked her silken hair. After a slow, deep kiss he scooped her into his arms and laid her on the bed,tumbling in after her when she refused to loosen her arms from around hisneck. He chuckled softly and drew her against him, seeking her lips with his own.

Cynthie knew this was how it was meant to be. The joy she felt at the sightof Winn always turned to desire at his touch. And now, when they cametogether, pa.s.sion erupted inside her, filling her body and her mind andfinally, it seemed, her soul. In the end she knew she belonged to Winnforever and he to her. The knowledge was almost unbearably sweet.

Winn awoke from a peaceful sleep to hear the clock strike four times.

He should get up and return to the bunkhouse, or at least the bench in frontof it, before the other men began their day. But Cynthie's soft bodysnuggled against him and her silky hair lying across his chest made it hardto leave. He wanted to lie here forever.

He was conscious of how much she meant to him, more than his sight,evidently, or he wouldn't be thin king of himself as the luckiest man in theworld. He had been lost and almost desperate the last time Cynthie had cometo this room with him. Now he felt as if, after years of wandering, he hadfound his home.

This generous, loving woman deserved to be happy. He may have had his doubtsearlier but now he was prepared to avow that he was the man she needed.

When the clock chimed again, he knew he had procrastinated long enough.

He tried to slip his arm from beneath her but she stirred.

”Go back to sleep,” he whispered.

Cynthie frowned when a cool sheet replaced the warm body. She came fully awake when she felt Winn leave the bed.”Where are you going?” She rubbed her eyes as she sat up.”It's still dark.””I have to go back,” he said softly. He found the pile of clothes and began separating his from Cynthie's.

”Wait, I want to talk to you.” Cynthie threw off the sheet and joined him.

She slipped on her gown and robe quickly and stopped him as he started to put

on his s.h.i.+rt.

”Cynthie,” he pleaded, knowing how easy it would be to crawl back into the bed with her.

Cynthie giggled.

”I should let you wear it and give us away.” She took it from his hand and

added, ”It's inside out.”

Winn laughed.

”The seams, of course. I was trying to hurry.”

”Maybe you were distracted,” Cynthie suggested, running her fingers down his

chest before placing the s.h.i.+rt in his outstretched hand.”You know I was distracted. Now let me get out of here.””Winn, I do need to talk to you,” Cynthie pleaded, trying to think fast.”About what Louie said.” She saw him hesitate and plunged on.”Can we sit on the swing and talk?”Winn grinned.”Not with you dressed like that.””They saw me dressed like this last night,” she teased.”What's the difference?”

”I wasn't sit ting beside you with a silly grin on my face.” Cynthie giggled. ”All right, I'll get dressed. Wait for me on the porch?” As Cynthie hurried away, Winn sighed. Peter or Jeremiah would come out of the bunkhouse early in the morning and find the two of them sit ting togetheron the porch and she was going to pretend they had been there all night. Or that she had just that minute joined him. She didn't seem to appreciate hisefforts to protect her reputation.

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