Still, she would have given up Oreos for a year rather than admit she was dancing for Mitch, trying to tempt him out onto the floor with her. Laura Marie Applegate Sanders wouldn't stoop to such tactics.
The devil in her knew better.
***
Mitch's emotions simmered under the surface as he drove home from the party. Laura's display of sensual dancing, her quick laughter, her easy rapport with Carey didn't matter. Okay, she aroused him, nothing more. That condition wasn't fatal. As for Carey...
Jealousy was his middle name when it came to Carey. He'd been jealous of his brother's relationship with their father. He'd been hurt by it. But that was the past. And now? Carey would be gone as suddenly as he'd arrived, just like Laura. Life went on. There was no reason to get riled by either of them.
When they reached Ray's, Carey roared away on his motorcycle. Laura exited the car without saying good night to anyone. Puzzled, Mitch found her in the kitchen pouring herself a glass of milk. In some ways she was so damned wholesome. She hadn't looked wholesome when she was dancing! The memory brought an almost painful arousal.
She took a swallow of milk and set down the glass, a white mustache hanging on her upper lip. Then slowly and deliberately, she poured a second one. "Maybe a good night's sleep will sweeten your disposition," she said in a sugary tone, offering him the milk.
She was taunting him and he knew it. He should go into Ray's quarters and lock the door. He moved closer to her, removed the glass from her hand, and calmly set it aside. "You put on quite a show tonight. I don't think it's what Ray had in mind when he suggested you go."
Her cheeks grew rosy underneath the cat whiskers. "I was having fun. Something you apparently don't know how to do."
He took two steps closer until he stood in front of her. "Just like I don't know how to be human?" He hadn't realized how deep that jab had cut until this moment.
"Exactly." Her gray eyes dared him to react.
His restraint snapped. He didn't plan it; he didn't think about it. He pulled her to him and crushed his lips to hers. And in that instant he knew. This was what he'd wanted to do from the moment she'd opened her door. He'd kissed enough women in his life to know what he was doing. The problem was those women hadn't been Laura. They hadn't been fiery and passionate and totally captivating.
Bolts of heat shot through him like night lightning flashing across a humid August sky. His mouth twisted to take hers, then twisted to take more. The storm inside him thundered and threatened to erupt. He wanted to plunge into her, mold to her, until her joy and spontaneity became his. He needed that part of her to complete himself.
Laura's arms went around Mitch's neck as if they belonged there. She leaned into him, aware of his arousal, the dangerous thud of his heart and just let herself feel--his desire, her need, the hard power of his thighs, the strong tightness of his arms, the pads of his fingers on her neck, the exciting sensuality of his body pressed against hers.
Mitch's mouth was bold and demanding. He was so big and imposing. So male. The vibrations between them were pure electricity. Man meeting woman. Man wanting woman. Woman wanting man. He ground against her erotically. She'd pushed him too far, but she didn't care. This was what she wanted. His passion. His feelings. His strength.
But Mitch apparently had different ideas. Pushing her away, he dropped his arms as if she'd scorched him. He took a long, deep breath and closed his eyes. Opening them, he said, "I'm sorry."
Laura was stunned. "Sorry? What for?"
"I usually think before I act, especially about consequences. The consequences of this can only mean trouble."
The piercing intensity of his blue eyes pinned her to the spot. She could still feel the heat from his body. It beckoned to her as much as his expression told her not to get close. "Trouble isn't always something to avoid," she said, stepping closer.
He looked as if he wanted to reach for her again, as if trouble could be worth what they could find in each other's arms. But then he tensed, and whatever he used to protect himself took over.
"In your world, Laura. Not mine," he said grimly and with a last long look disappeared into Ray's quarters.
Tears flowed to Laura's eyes along with the emptiness his retreat caused. She brushed away a stray one and bit her lower lip.
Seeking refuge in the mundane, Laura carried her glass to the table and sat. Kissing Mitch was as glorious as she'd expected it to be. And yet there was something else her feelings and desire for him triggered. Suddenly, she realized what it was. Guilt.
Why? Because she still felt married to Doug? She'd always be connected to him. She'd never forget him. There was a special niche in her heart filled with him and pictures of their life together. During lonely nights, her heart had ached for him. But the aching was almost gone and in its place had come peace and the knowledge he'd want her to get on with her life. She knew that intellectually, and she'd never felt the need to test it emotionally. Until now. Until Mitch.
Even with Doug, the attraction hadn't been this strong. They'd started out as friends who'd shared dreams and a zest for living. With Mitch... Were they friends? Sometimes she thought so. Other times the attraction seemed to get in the way. It was weird. Mitch was fighting it. Until tonight, she'd been fighting it. Because of Doug? Because of her father? Because of the business? She'd always run towards life, not away from it. Maybe if she embraced what was happening, Mitch could do the same. Maybe that would relieve the tension between them.
Maybe it would make it worse.
She heard noise in the hall and wondered if Mandy had gotten awake and needed something. But it was Nora who came into the kitchen, not the four-year-old.
She pulled the belt on her chenille robe tighter. "Did you have a good time?"
"I danced quite a bit," Laura hedged.
"With Mitch?"
"Mostly with Carey."
"That boy knows how to have a good time. He learned early from his father. Sam was lots of fun when he was young and sober."
"Mitch needs to learn how to let go."
Nora pulled out a chair and sat down. "He never had the chance. Too much responsibility too soon because Carey didn't do his share. Truthfully, he made the burden worse. He was older and should have known better. But he learned Sam's tricks."
Carey was trying to change his life. He'd sounded desperate for Mitch's help. Laura hoped his desire to change could weather a refusal from his brother. Still, she was more concerned about Mitch than Carey.
"Mitch doesn't trust easily."
"No. But he trusts your father."
"He told me about Denise." Laura didn't feel guilty for fishing.
"She was too much like he is. You know, organized, settled. No zip between them. Now, you and Mitch..." Her voice faded.
"There is no me and Mitch. He doesn't want it. I'm not sure I do either. We'd be asking for complications."
"You can't always plan these things out with your head, can you?" Nora asked dejectedly.
Laura suspected Mitch's mother was talking about herself. "You and Dad seem to get along well."
Nora picked up her glasses lying next to the lead crystal salt and pepper shakers and toyed with the side piece.
"He likes your company," Laura added. "Last night he told me he's never met a better domino player."
"We come from different worlds. He's ten steps above me."
Laura patted Nora's hand. "That's not true. You're as good as he is."
"He's always had money. He's educated."
"Education doesn't always come from going to school. He'd be the first one to say hard work is more important. You've worked hard, Nora, and I'm sure he respects that."
"You're not against me and Ray being...friendly?"
"Of course not."
Nora put down the glasses and stood. "It would never work. I'm not good enough for him."
"Why do you think that?"
She sighed. "I just know I'm not."
"Nora--"
&nb
sp; "Don't you worry about me. You concentrate on teaching Mitch how to have a good time. I'm going to bed. Good night, child. I hope your dreams are pleasant."
Laura sat in the kitchen a while longer absently toying with Nora's glasses. Teach Mitch how to have a good time? Maybe if she bought Disneyworld and held him captive there for at least a month.
Putting Nora's glasses on for fun, she made a face at herself in the oven window, then noticed something odd. She was no optometrist but she'd swear Nora's lenses weren't prescription.
Why would Nora wear spectacles that were clear glass?
CHAPTER EIGHT
"I like flying in airplanes," Mandy concluded, popping a cracker into her mouth as she peered out the window.
"You're getting to be an experienced traveler." Laura uncrossed her legs, trying to stay closer to Mandy than Mitch. He took up his whole seat and then some. She was constantly bumping his arm or his foot and pulling back. She remembered their plane flight to York after they'd just met. The sizzle between them had gotten much worse!
Because he'd pulled back from their explosive kiss? The four days since Saturday night had dragged long and slow. It was evident he wanted nothing to do with her. He'd avoided her both at home and at the store. She thought she knew how much rejection hurt. After all, she'd had practice with her father. But Mitch's rejection took the pain to another level.
"Mommy, can we get a camera and take pictures of clouds when we come back?"
"Honey, we have a camera at home."
"But we need one here."
"She has a point," Mitch agreed.
"Excuse me? Did you say something?"
He misunderstood her irritation. "I understand you can't buy Mandy everything she wants, but pictures of the pueblo and the jewelry could be useful. Ray would be interested."
"I suppose it would be a good idea," she agreed grudgingly.
"Can I take pictures?" Mandy asked with hope in her eyes.
"Sure." Mitch smiled one of those smiles that turned Laura's heart upside down because they were so rare. "You can even help me pick out a camera. I could use a new digital with a better macro."
Laura felt her irritation subside. Mitch was trying to make her daughter happy.
Mandy's grin said she liked Mitch as much as Oreos. Stuffing the ziplock bag into her pocket for safe keeping, she plucked her favorite storybook from the pocket of the seat in front of her, leaned toward Mitch and asked, "Will you read this to me?"
Mitch didn't hesitate. "Sure."
He never refused Mandy anything and seemed to enjoy every minute he spent with her. He was a gentle man who chose the best way to talk to a child to be understood. He'd make a good father. Laura didn't need a genius IQ to realize where that thought was leading. She lifted Mandy onto her lap but Mandy insisted on settling in Mitch's. Laura watched her daughter curl into the crook of Mitch's arm and lay her head against his blazer. Mitch gave her a quick hug, opened the book and began to read.
Laura listened to The Velveteen Rabbit. Mandy knew the tale by heart. But Mitch's deep baritone gave the poignant story new meaning as he related the hopes and dreams of a velveteen bunny who was sad because he wasn't plush or furry. Mitch told how a stuffed bunny became "real" from a boy's love.
When Mitch finished the last sentence, Mandy turned to Laura and said, "The boy's love hurt the rabbit because he loved him so much he rubbed the bunny's fur off. George said Grandpa hurt you. Was that because he loved you so much?"
Laura blinked. And she thought Mandy had asked tough questions before. To give herself time to form an answer she asked, "When did George say that?"
"When you were packing. He told Anne he was afraid Grandpa would hurt you again. Will he hurt me, too?"
Mitch frowned, both of his arms sheltering Mandy. Instead of defending Ray as Laura thought he would, Mitch asked, "Is that why you're afraid to be alone with your grandpa?"
Mandy bobbed her head.
Laura leaned close to her daughter. "Grandpa would never hurt you, sweetheart. George meant..." She was still at a loss to explain something so complicated.
Mitch stepped in. "Grown ups argue sometimes. Their feelings get hurt. That's what George meant."
"Did Grampa's feelings get hurt too?"
Amazing how children could cut anything down to the bare essentials. Laura answered, "I guess they did."
Mandy absorbed that. So did Laura until she realized leaning closer to her daughter had moved her closer to Mitch. She could smell his aftershave, feel his intent gaze...
Squirming from Mitch's lap, Mandy asked, "Can I go to the bathroom?"
Laura smiled. The small cubicle had fascinated Mandy from the first time she'd visited it.
A flight attendant coming down the aisle must have overheard. She said, "I'll take you."
Laura checked with her daughter. "Would you rather I come?"
Mandy looked at the attendant and her friendly smile. "No. I'll go with her."
Laura watched her daughter sashay down the aisle, holding the attendant's hand.
Mitch said, "You're lucky. She's a wonderful child."
"I know. And you're perceptive. I hope Mandy won't be afraid of Dad now."
"I think she understood."
"George is usually more careful. He probably didn't know she was there."
"Probably."
The strained silence vibrated between them.
At the same time, they spoke each other's names. Laura waited for Mitch to go first.
"Do you think we can enjoy this trip?"
When she turned to face him more directly, her arm brushed his. But she didn't move it. "I'd like to. How can we?"
"By forgetting Saturday night happened."
His solution didn't seem workable to her. "You must have a short memory."
"Laura..."
She knew that exasperated warning. "Unless I pretend you didn't turn me inside out, we can't have a pleasant time."
"Can't you make anything easy?"
"Easy's a matter of perception." When he rolled his eyes, she asked, "What would make this trip easy for you?"
"If we could cooperate."
"We cooperated Saturday night," she said sweetly and earned a scowl. Did she taunt him on purpose because of some perverse streak, or to pull an impulsive reaction from him? She didn't know.
Taking pity on him, she agreed, "Okay. That means we don't fight and we don't kiss. Fine. I can do that. If I don't agree with you, I'll keep quiet. And if I feel like kissing you..."
His eyes darkened.
She shrugged. "I'll take three deep breaths."
His lips twitched and he gave into the smile. "You're impossible."
She straightened her skirt and folded her hands in her lap. "That's a matter of opinion."
When he chuckled and shook his head, the tension evaporated. She just hoped deep breathing was therapeutic because she might be doing a lot of it.
They arrived in Flagstaff in the early evening. Laura was transported back in time to another era. Although the city was the largest in northern Arizona, it had a rugged, western feel to it. It was a college town so had a diverse mixture of young and old.
She wholeheartedly approved of Mitch's choice of hotels. Simply put, it was comfortable and welcoming. She and Mandy explored the photographs of Indian festivals on the walls while Mitch checked in. They met him and the bellboy at the elevator. To Laura's surprise, the bellhop opened the door then proceeded to deposit all three suitcases inside the door.
Laura began, "One of those goes into the next room." When the bellboy looked confused, Mitch took Laura's arm and led her inside. "There is no other room. This is a suite with two bedrooms. Yours has two double beds. I thought this would be more convenient if we want to discuss business."
If she didn't know better, she'd think he had an ulterior motive. But he'd made it very clear kissing wasn't on the agenda so nothing else would be either. She walked into the living room. The decor was pleasing with burgundy,
dark green and navy in western motifs.
"Laura, is this all right?"
The bellboy waited for his tip and the okay to leave the luggage. The sudden concern in Mitch's eyes told her if she had reservations, he'd get another room for her.
"It's fine."
Mitch tipped the bellboy and closed the door. "I'm sorry if you're upset. I just thought since you live with George and since I've been staying in the same house with you, sharing a suite wouldn't be a problem."
Mandy was investigating the furniture, pulling out drawers. "Honey, you can take your bag of toys into the room with two beds, okay?"
Her daughter took her Barbie Doll canvas bag and ran off to find her room.
Laura faced Mitch. "Do I look upset? Did I say there was a problem? Do you have a guilty conscience maybe?"
His stance grew defensive as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Why should I?"
"Because you didn't consult me first."
Mitch uncrossed his arms and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "You could be right."
"Could be?"
He grimaced. "You are. I didn't think about the arrangements I made until we checked in. I assumed this was the best plan and I did it. You're not upset?"
One of the things she liked most about him was his strength never to shirk responsibility. "Of course not." She walked to the window and waved her arm to encompass the scenery outside. "We're here. That's all that matters. I wouldn't care if we had to camp out and sleep in the same tent." She grinned. No she wouldn't mind at all.
"Don't push it," he muttered, his eyes growing dangerous.
Letting the subject alone, she went to check out her room. Then she took three very deep breaths.
***
As Mitch drove the rental car toward the Navajo reservation, he appreciated Mandy's ooh's and aah's and Laura's fascination with the countryside. It was a far reaching, fenceless territory where shepherd families, according to the season, lived in mud chinked hogans or brush shelters.
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