Arianna observed how Christopher fit in—as if he’d known Maggie and Jason all his life. Everyone seemed happy to be there. And the food tasted delicious—higher priced than what Ari cared to pay, but Christopher insisted this was a date and it would be rude for her to look at the prices. What a perfect evening. Arianna sighed contentedly.
As the dishes were cleared, Christopher stood and held his hand out to her. “May I have this dance, Arianna?”
She had taken a ballroom dance class in college and was a pretty good dancer, but she never expected Christopher—a police officer, no less—to want to dance. “I’d be delighted.” She took his hand, which he tucked into the crook of his arm, and let him lead her onto the dance floor.
Ari was amazed at how ramrod straight Christopher stood, yet how gracefully he danced. “How is it that you are such a good dancer, Christopher? I really didn’t picture you as the dancing type.” She smiled up at his handsome face.
“Oh, I do believe there are many things you don’t know about me.” His eyes twinkled.
Electric currents pulsed through her. Dancing so close, she could smell his musky scent. She had to concentrate to get the steps right.
“Growing up in England, dancing was not optional. We all had to learn certain dances,” he said.
“Let me guess, like the quadrille, uh, minuet and the reel?” She teasingly recited most of the dances she’d read about in her romance books. By the surprised expression on Christopher’s face, she realized it was no joke.
“You know those dances?”
“As I said before, I read a lot of historical fiction.” Should she mention the romance part? Nah. He didn’t need to know that. “But surely you weren’t required to learn such archaic dances as those, were you?”
He looked thoughtful before speaking. “Let us just say that I attended an old-fashioned school.” He then cut the conversation short by dipping, then spinning her.
After dancing to a few songs and loving every minute in Christopher’s arms, Ari glanced around to see they were the only couple still on the once-crowded dance floor. Everyone else had moved to the perimeter and all eyes were on them. The temperature in the room kicked up a few degrees—or was it just her? “Look around,” she whispered to Christopher, nodding toward the crowd. His eyes widened, observing their growing audience. She thought he’d feel as embarrassed as she did, but he surprised her. When the dance ended, he stepped back and took Ari’s hand and kissed her fingers, then bowed to the on-lookers who were applauding his chivalry. “Show off,” she said as he gave her a sly wink and escorted her from the dance floor.
“I wonder if this is what it was like to dance at a ball in the nineteenth century.” Ari nodded shyly as couples continued to clap.
“No. This is much better. It would have caused a scandal to dance so long with the same partner back then.”
Ari arched her eyebrows, surprised.
“All part of British history,” he quickly added.
“You two were stunning out there,” Maggie said as they reclaimed their seats.
“Yeah, Christopher, you’re making me look bad,” said Jason. “I couldn’t even attempt to do what you just did. And Ari, my wife would slap me if I told you how good you looked out there. You’re a lucky man, Chris.” Jason gave Maggie a sidelong glance. Maggie nudged his shoulder playfully.
Christopher squeezed Ari’s hand, smiled, and accepted the praise graciously.
The conversation continued comfortably with all joining in. No one seemed to want to break the spell as they visited for hours around the restaurant table. Finally, Maggie yawned. “I guess I’m going to have to be the one who spoils the fun. I don’t think I can keep my eyes open any longer.”
“Come on, young lady,” Jason teased. “Let’s get you home.” He helped his pregnant wife to her feet, and the rest followed behind.
When they arrived at the home of Maggie and Jason, Christopher said his goodbyes and turned as if to leave. Maggie grabbed his arm. “Jason and I are headed to bed, but you are welcome to stay if you’d like.”
Arianna realized that, as often as she and Christopher had been together, until tonight it had never been in a “date” situation—unless she counted the picnic in the park. Her heartbeat quickened, and her nerves jangled. She doubted Christopher wanted to stay. She held her breath and tried unsuccessfully to make eye contact with Maggie.
But before anxiety completely took over, Christopher thanked Maggie for the offer, and she and Jason headed to bed. He took Ari by the arm, ushering her to the loveseat, where he sat close to her.
“If you are not too tired, Arianna, I would love to stay a while. After all, you’ve had Maggie to talk to all day, and I only have an apartment—a beautifully decorated apartment, I might add—to return to.” He gave her one of his heart-stopping winks.
“Of course,” she said, pretending to be nonchalant about the most gorgeous man in the world sitting so close to her. The smell of his spicy-fresh cologne awakened her senses, making it hard for her to think straight. He rested a hand on her leg, sending a heat wave through her body. Almost involuntarily she moved a little closer to breathe him in.
“I had nice time tonight.” He pulled her hand into his. “You are an excellent dancer.”
“Me? I think we can agree that you were the main attraction on the dance floor.”
He shrugged. “You were the only one I was looking at.” He moved his hand up her arm drawing little circles at the top. Heat followed his touch.
Her heart thudded erratically, making it difficult to converse. She focused on his tie, not wanting him to see the desire in her eyes.
He moved closer and ran feather-light fingers up her neck. “Arianna?” He gently lifted her face and gazed into her eyes. Tingles ran up and down her spine, warming her all over. His velvety-smooth voice gave her goosebumps.
She didn’t respond, just looked into his intense, blue eyes.
“Arianna,” he said again, in a near whisper. “You are so beautiful. How did I get so lucky to spend the evening with the prettiest girl in Colorado?” His gaze dropped to her lips.
He tilted her face gently toward his, and put an arm around her back, pulling her to him, lowering his head. His lips found hers and he gave her a slow kiss. Ari’s stomach flipped in rapid somersaults. She’d waited so long for this, and it was everything she’d imagined. His warm kiss stole her breath. His musky scent was heady.
As he pulled away, she snaked an arm around his neck, inviting him back for more. He accepted the invitation, deepening the kiss this time. Passion took over where good sense once resided.
After several minutes, a clock chimed, breaking the spell. Christopher drew back and held her gaze for just another moment, caressing her cheek, before he released her.
There were no words. Arianna could think of nothing to say after that, even if she dared try to speak—which she didn’t.
He stood and said in a husky voice, “I do believe I should take my leave now, before I am tempted to completely ravish you.” Longing lingered in his eyes.
Arianna walked him to the door, gave him one more sweet kiss, then whispered goodbye. She closed the door behind him and sank to the floor. Her fingers absently touched her lips as her heart continued to thud in her chest.
She’d see him tomorrow. Would there be another kiss? I think I’ll die if there isn’t.
Chapter Twenty-Five
It was difficult to think straight with Ari’s scent surrounding him. Christopher wished she was still with him, but that couldn’t happen. He wouldn’t risk ruining things with her—especially now that he knew with certainty where the device was hidden—somewhere at Ari’s jobsite. He heaved a heavy sigh. Still, leaving her had been unimaginably difficult. He congratulated himself for the restraint he’d shown. Walking away from her before things heated out of control was the right thing to do, he told himself. Why did he feel so lonely?
He lay in the queen-size bed at her apartment—her bed
, lost in thought. The day had been a roller coaster ride of emotions. First, he’d been elated to finally see his mother and siblings. He’d feared four years of absence might cause memories of him to fade—or worse, blacken, with Father brainwashing them. He’d been gratefully wrong, but also devastated to observe their situation. How did any father treat his family that way? Pent-up anger from earlier in the day began to creep back into his heart. Now the urgency and his determination to expose his father’s crimes and have him put away—away from his family and away from society—grew even greater. He just couldn’t work out how this could be done. He must find the device.
Then, seeing Arianna dressed for their dinner date—she had been a vision—served as an instant balm to his troubled heart. Even now, thoughts of her calmed his anger and soothed him once more. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever known. And those kisses. He blew out a breath. They were everything he’d imagined they would be and more. He’d wanted to kiss her for so long but had held back knowing once he started down that path it might end in heartache for both of them. But with Ari sitting so close and smelling so sweet, he’d no longer been able to restrain himself. If it was a mistake, it was a mistake he’d like to make again and again. He smiled as he drifted off to sleep.
The following morning, after many hugs and promises of a return visit as soon as Maggie’s labor began, Christopher helped Ari into the car and they headed back to Pueblo.
He glanced over at her several times, worried she might feel awkward about the intimacy of the previous evening, but she seemed radiantly happy. He felt the same exuberance. Appraising her, he thought she was every bit as desirable in a T-shirt and jeans as she’d been in her dress.
She looked at him with a question in her eyes. He patted the seat closer to him. She snuggled in.
With his arm around her shoulders, he fingered her golden curls, set free of the hairdo from their enchanted evening. Her scent tickled his nose, tempting him to pull the car over and have a repeat of the night before. He resisted but lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss on her fingers. Her full pink lips curved into a smile that melted his heart.
They traveled along in a companionable silence, only making idle chit chat when it suited. She laid her head on his shoulder and intertwined her fingers with his. He silently pledged to stay near her—protect her. After all, her safety was at risk because of his father. Only Christopher knew the dangers threatening to befall her. The device was at her worksite. Knowing this only intensified his urgency to save her from harm. She needed him. He glanced at her face, bathed in sunlight from morning rays penetrating the window—beautiful. Or, perhaps it was he who needed her.
The stakes had ratcheted up. He’d have to play his cards with care in order to find the device and guard this beautiful woman next to him.
****
Torrential rains hit the windshield as Christopher made his way to Ari’s apartment Monday morning. He pressed the gas a little harder. Ari couldn’t be late. She’d mentioned the numerous deliveries scheduled to arrive today. He could only imagine the trouble she’d go to, ensuring the floors stayed clean and damage-free on a day like this. Her attitude wouldn’t reflect it, though. The only time he’d seen her noticeably stressed about her work had been last Friday. And that was a direct result of his father’s presence.
He shuddered thinking about Father being in the home with her. He knew it couldn’t be prevented; she was his employee, at present. But without the exact knowledge of the machine’s whereabouts…Christopher couldn’t find it fast enough.
When Ari opened the door, he had an umbrella open wide to keep her dry. “You are the ultimate gentleman, sir.” She tucked her arm through his. “I hope my car is fixed soon so I won’t require a taxi—or, squad car—service much longer. Although I am developing a fondness for the devilishly handsome chauffeur.” Her twinkling eyes met his gaze. His heart thudded. Beautiful.
He’d take her to work every day if she needed it. “You should know by now, my dear, that I enjoy driving you to work. Would you like me call Dave’s to see if your car is repaired?”
She stared at him for a moment, as if contemplating. Her wide eyes, so trusting. He must protect her. She was fast becoming precious to him. “If you have time, that would be great. I didn’t know how I would call without cell phone service at work. How’d I get so lucky?” She raised up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek as she ran a hand along the dark scruff of his jaw, sending a jolt of electricity through his body. He caught her hand and pulled her in for a kiss.
Yes, her kisses were delicious. He hadn’t just dreamed it. The sparks igniting beneath her touch threatened to burn him. “We’d better get you to work, unless you’d rather do this all day,” he said against her lips.
“I choose this.” She kissed him once more. “Unfortunately, I have many men who want me today.” She held up a folder marked “Deliveries.” Her eyes sparkled. “And I’m sure you’d be missed, as well. Pueblo, Colorado, can’t do without one of its finest.”
When they arrived at the Somers’ house, Ari ordered him to stay put. “I’ve got my running shoes on and will make it to the door in seconds. Besides, I can hear on the police scanner that you are needed, so get to work.”
He squirmed. He’d heard the chatter on the radio as well, but sorely needed to search her worksite for a certain time-traveling machine. A machine, that if she found first, could get her into a lot of trouble. How could he leave when it meant she might be in danger?
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Wipe your feet!—please.” All morning Ari had been telling men with wet, muddy boots to take care not to bring it into the house with them, but they either didn’t listen, or didn’t care. She gave up and scribbled a frustrated note to tape on the front door, adding the “please” as an afterthought. Most likely, they weren’t intentionally messing up the floors. She sighed and ripped a piece of tape from the dispenser.
After attaching the note to the door, she hurried to readjust the plastic coverings on the floors before the next truck was due to arrive. Most of the floors were hardwood, or stone, but carpet lay here and there, and of course there was that expensive Persian rug in the study. The carpet would be difficult to clean; hardwood attracted sharp and jagged objects; and the stone, which had been polished to a brilliant shine, threatened to dull under the workmen’s boots. The Persian rug—well, Ari hated the thought of it even being walked on, let alone muddied. Therefore, plastic runners covered every surface the workmen could possibly access.
A knock at the door after everything had finally quieted down brought Arianna to the realization that her busy day had come to an end, and Christopher had arrived to collect her. Before she made it across the room to let him in, he’d already entered. A sight for very tired and sore eyes.
“Oh, Christopher. Thank you again for coming.” She walked into his open arms. “You are just what I need right now.”
He held her back to look at her. “Rough day?”
She nodded. “There should be a ‘no deliveries on rainy days’ rule somewhere.”
He chuckled and pulled her close again. She breathed in his musky cologne and sighed, relishing the moment. Being in his arms melted her cares away. He kissed her, and a few more muscle kinks smoothed out, leaving her relaxed but wanting more. She could get used to this.
Clearing her throat, she motioned to the open rooms behind her. “At least it has been productive. Do you want to see the progress we have made?”
“I would love to.”
She took him by the hand and led him from room to room, giving a commentary on each piece of new furniture or accessory.
“How much longer until the project is done?” he asked. She noticed genuine curiosity and concern in his eyes.
“It’s hard to say. I’ve only shown you four rooms, and they aren’t complete yet, and there are so many more rooms to fill. I’d guess at least a couple of months still. Why? Are you ready to be rid of me?” she tease
d.
“Of course not. I just really don’t like you working out here alone.”
“Oh, that again. Well, if you’d been here earlier, you would have noticed that I am anything but alone. Or did you think I carried all this furniture in by myself?” She flexed her biceps.
The crease in Christopher’s forehead flattened and his lips tugged into a smile. “I guess you’re right. May I walk around and check out the rest of the house?”
“Sure. I’ll start gathering my supplies while you wander.”
When Ari had finished organizing her belongings, she went in search of him. She was surprised to see him going through the rooms so thoroughly. Most people would just take a peek into an empty room, but he was inspecting every nook and cranny. She didn’t approach him, but rather observed him for some time before finally asking, “May I help you find something?”
Startled, he tried to act nonchalant, but still had a determined look in his eyes.
Something nagged at her. The house. It was this house again. It seemed to hold so many secrets for a home that had yet to be occupied. A chill made its way down her spine.
“Christopher.” She said it loudly enough to demand his full attention. And she got it. “Come sit down for a bit.”
He glanced back at the empty room as if he were reluctant to give up his self-guided tour but followed Arianna to the living room and sat next to her on one of the new, plastic-covered sofas.
Giving him an appraising look, she asked, “What is it about this house that interests you, and even seems to spook you so much?” She kept her voice gentle and earnest.
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