Tears Of Pride

“I told you…I don’t want to interfere in your private life.”

“I think it might be too late for that.”

Sheila swallowed, but the dryness in her throat remained. Noah looked into the farthest reaches of her eyes, as if he were searching for her soul. She felt strangely vulnerable and naked to his knowing gaze, but she didn’t shrink away from him. Instead she returned his unwavering stare. His fingers once again found her arms. She didn’t pull away, nor did she sway against him. Though she was drawn to his raw masculinity, she forced her body to remain rigid and aloof as his hands slid up her arms to rest at the base of her throat.

Raindrops moistened her cheeks as she lifted her face to meet his. She knew that he was going to kiss her and involuntarily her lips parted. His head lowered, and the pressure of his fingers against her throat moved in slow, seductive circles as his lips touched hers in a bittersweet kiss that asked questions she couldn’t hope to answer. She wasn’t conscious of accepting what he offered until she felt her arms circle his waist. It had been so long since she had wanted a man. Not since Jeff had she let a man close to her. Never had she felt so unguarded and passionate. Until now, when she stood in the early summer rain, kissing a man she couldn’t really trust. She felt a warm, traitorous glow begin to burn within her.

His hands shifted to the small of her back and pulled her against his hard, lean frame. She felt the rigid contours of his body, and the ache in hers began to spread. Lazily he brushed his lips over hers, and softly his tongue probed the warm recess of her mouth. All of her senses began to awaken and come alive. Feeling she had thought dead reappeared.

When he pulled away from her to look into her eyes, her rational thought came thundering back to her. She saw a smoldering passion in the smoky blue depths of his eyes, and she knew that her own eyes were inflamed with a desire that had no bounds.

“I’m sorry,” she swiftly apologized, trying to take a step backward. The hands on her waist held her firmly against him.

“For what?”

“Everything, I guess. I didn’t mean for things to get so out of hand.”

He cocked his head to one side in a pose of disbelief. “You must enjoy running out on me. Is that it? Are you just a tease?” Was he kidding? Couldn’t he feel her response?

“I meant that I hadn’t planned to become involved with you.”

“I know that.”

“Do you?”

“Of course. Neither of us planned any of this, but we can’t deny that we’re attracted to each other. We both felt it earlier in the study, and we’re feeling it now.” One of his fingers touched her swollen lips, challenging her to contradict him.

Her knees became weak as his head once again lowered and his lips, deliciously warm and sensitive, touched hers. She was drawn to him, but she fought the attraction. She pulled away. Her own lips were trembling and for an unguarded instant, fear lighted her eyes.

Noah was wary. “Is something wrong?”

She wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. “Is anything wrong?” she echoed. “Are you kidding? How about everything? The winery is in a shambles, so I came to Seattle hoping that you would help me. Instead, I end up here looking for your father because I couldn’t get through to you. On top of that I stumble onto your argument with your son, and finally, I fall neatly into your arms.”

Noah put a finger to her lips to silence her. “Shhh. All right, so we’ve got a few problems.”

“A few?”

“What I’m trying to tell you is that sometimes it’s best to get away and escape from those problems. It gives one a better perspective.”

“You’re sure?”

“What I’m sure of is that I find you incredibly attractive.” Noah’s voice was soothing, and Sheila felt her body lean more closely to his.

“This won’t work, you know,” she whispered breathlessly.

“Don’t worry about tomorrow.”

“Someone has to.” Reluctantly she wrenched herself free of his arms and straightened her coat. “I came here to find your father because you refused to see me.”

“My mistake,” he conceded wryly.

She ignored his insinuation. “That’s the only reason I’m here. I didn’t intend to overhear your argument with your son, nor did I expect to get this close to you. I hope you understand.”

The smile that slid across his face was seductively charming. “I understand perfectly,” he responded gently, and Sheila felt herself becoming mesmerized all over again. He was powerful and yet kind, bold without being brash, strong but not unyielding—the kind of man Sheila had thought didn’t exist. Her attraction to him was compelling, but her feelings were precarious.

“I have to go.”

“Stay.”

“I can’t.”

“Because of your daughter?”

“She’s one reason,” Sheila lied. “There are others.”

His smile broadened, and she saw the flash of his white teeth. “Come on, let’s go inside. You’re getting soaked.”

“At least I’m wearing a coat,” she taunted, noticing the way his wet shirt was molding to the muscular contours of his shoulders and chest.

“I didn’t expect you to run out into the rain.”

“It was a stupid thing to do,” she admitted. “It’s just that I didn’t want to intrude. I didn’t think you—”

“Have problems of my own?”

Embarrassment crept up her throat. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I should have been a little more discreet when Sean came home. I lost control when I saw him drunk again.” Noah wiped the rain from his forehead as if he were erasing an unpleasant thought. He touched her lightly on the elbow and guided her back into the house.

It was difficult for Noah to ignore any part of her; he couldn’t help but notice the quiet dignity with which she carried herself, the curve of her calf as she walked, or the shimmer of her chestnut hair, which had darkened into unruly curls in the rain.

“Thank you for seeing me,” she said softly. “I don’t suppose you would consider telling me how to reach your father?”

“I don’t think that would be wise.”

Sheila smiled sadly to herself. “Then I’ll be going. Thank you for your time.”

“You’re not really planning to drive back to the valley tonight?” he asked, studying the tired lines of her face. How far could he trust her? She seemed so open with him, and yet he felt as if she were hiding something, a secret she was afraid to share.

“No. I’ll drive back in the morning.”

He stood with his back to the fire, warming his palms on the rough stones. “But your daughter. I thought she was expecting you.”

“Not tonight. She’s probably having the time of her life. That grandmother of hers spoils her rotten.”

Noah rubbed his chin and his dark brows raised. “I didn’t realize your mother was still alive.”

A pensive expression clouded Sheila’s even features. “She’s not. Emily is staying with my ex-husband’s mother…. We’re still close.”