Second-Time Lucky

“I’m very serious,” she explained. “I consider every aspect of a situation. I—I don’t go off the deep end like this. I’m not sure what we’re doing…”

His chuckle was wry, as if he laughed at all human foibles, not just theirs. “Comforting each other, I think.”

Put that way, it didn’t sound so awful. Everyone could use a little compassion at times.

She inhaled sharply when his lips sought hers again. She felt his tongue sweep over her lips and opened her mouth so they could explore each other more thoroughly.

It was the nicest sensation, a soft, moist coming together that seemed just right for this moment in time…a time out of time, really.

When she raised her arm to stroke his chest through the smooth cotton of his shirt, he shifted them so that he leaned into the corner of the sofa and she rested across his lap. The change in position gave them more intimate access to each other. She liked that.

As they kissed, she explored the breadth of his shoulders and the strength of his biceps. When she caressed along his torso, his muscles tensed so that she felt the ripple effect of his toned abs.

“You’re strong,” she said when they came up for breath, as if she’d just discovered this enchanting fact.

“It’s my work,” he murmured, placing tiny kisses all over her face. “And the sculptures. They’re heavy.”

“They’re lovely.” She kissed the heavily beating pulse in his throat. “I saw the statue of the maiden and the swan you made for the fountain in town. It was beautiful.”

“Leda and the Swan, from Greek mythology. Did you know the swan was Zeus in disguise?”

“No.”

“He changed form so he could seduce her.”

Caileen drew back enough to gaze into his eyes. “Is that what you’re doing to me?”

He shook his head, his gaze lambent, his smile oddly gentle. “I wouldn’t try to trick a woman.”

“Ah, an honest man.”

“I hope so.” His manner was rueful.

His voice dropped an octave, becoming deep and riveting with a rich sexual nuance. With something like shock, and yet she wasn’t altogether surprised, she responded to him with a need so strong she wondered why she hadn’t been aware of it in the past.

Because she hadn’t met this man before now?

A shaky sigh escaped her as she gave herself to the passion and the moment, knowing this was insane, knowing tomorrow would bring regret—knowing and not caring.

Jeff forced himself from the honey of her mouth and gazed into her eyes. The irises were huge, indicative of the passion that raged between them. He knew his were the same.

He also knew she wasn’t ready to follow the desire to its logical conclusion. He wasn’t sure he was, either. To get involved with the person who had ultimate control over his life with the children was just plain stupid.

Reluctantly he let the blood cool between them until they could both think clearly once more. When she sat up, her manner reflected the confusion and dismay she felt at their indiscretion.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m so very sorry…”

He forced a smile. “I think that’s where we were when this all started.”

She nodded, her eyes wide and serious, as if she were in shock that she could have acted so wantonly. For some reason, that made him angry.

“Don’t worry about it,” he advised. “Even the coolest head can become overheated in the right circumstances.”

“I’m not supposed to lose control,” she said. “I’m supposed to take charge.”

He rose, figuring he’d outstayed his welcome by a wide margin. “Look, this wasn’t a very good start to what promises to be a long relationship. Call it an aberration of the moment. Anyway, let’s put it behind us. Okay?”

She had to think this over for a long time, it seemed to him. “Yes. You’re right,” she said. “It was my fault. I’ve been worried…. But that isn’t your problem.” She shook her head slightly as if getting her mind on track once more. “Let me get those books.”

He was almost angry again at her evident relief at getting back to business. She hurried over to a tall bookcase and removed three volumes. “Has Krista read any of the Anne of Green Gables books?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh. Well, try these. I’ll write down some titles next week. You can take her to the library and get her a card so she can check them out on her own. That would be a good thing—”

She stopped abruptly. Her eyes went to the sofa behind him. He wondered if she was thinking their kisses had been a good thing. As far as he was concerned, they had been.

Damn good. And damn stupid on his part.

It was obvious by the way she wouldn’t quite meet his eyes that she felt the same. He heaved a weary sigh and bid her good night.

After taking the books and leaving the house, he drove home deep in thought. He couldn’t alienate the tempting social worker. She was far too important in the life of his newly acquired family.

He realized he’d never considered that she might have worries of her own. He could sympathize with her concern over her daughter. It was far easier to tell others how to manage their affairs than figure out how to handle your own problems.

The evening had slipped into dusk by the time he arrived at the house. The lights inside beckoned him.

Going to the door, he saw the kids were in the living room, all with books in their hands, their faces identical expressions of concentration.

A surge of warmth hit his heart as he went inside.

He had to be careful, he realized. He couldn’t do anything to jeopardize their right to live here, such as make a fool of himself over their counselor.

Caution was called for. He was good at strategy, he reminded himself sternly, and the best strategy was to keep his distance and maintain a grip on his libido.

Saturday morning, Caileen carried her coffee outside and sat under the vine-covered arbor. The sun was up, and the day was supposed to be warm. She basked in the peace and quiet. Her tenants—a young couple, both teachers—on the other side of the house usually slept late on the weekends, so she had the place to herself.

As soon as the neighbors were stirring, she would get the grass mowed and do some pruning of shrubs. She’d written up the reports she’d scheduled to do that morning, so she was caught up.

She’d also come to terms with her illogical behavior with Jeff. Worry. That’s what it was. The passion had been a release of her pent-up fears.

To err is human; to forgive, divine.

Around midnight she’d taken the old adage to heart and decided to forgive the loss of control that led to her inappropriate actions of the previous evening. Besides, going over and over the event hadn’t solved a thing.

Next, she’d determined to get some sleep. Amazingly, she’d fallen into bed and into a restful slumber. Although it was early, she felt as if she’d slept a solid eight hours and was ready for the new day.

An hour later, she pushed the reel-type mower through the grass and finished the backyard in record time. After mowing the tiny patch of lawn in front of the duplex, she worked the rest of the morning on pruning bushes and removing the mulch from flower beds so the sun could warm the ground and wake the plants from their winter’s rest.