14 Valentine Place (23 page)

But instead of pulling her into his arms, he straightened, putting more distance between them. “I like you, Maddie. I like you a lot and while I’m here I want to spend as much time with you as possible.”

“But you’re not going to make any promises,” she finished for him.

“Do you want promises?” he asked.

“No.” There was no hesitation in her response. “I’m not ready for promises from any man.”

“You’re not.” He sounded skeptical.

She shook her head, then went on to explain that she was still trying to figure out what she should do with her life. “Until I have a career that I love, I’m not going to get seriously involved with a man.”

“You’re still looking for the right job?”

“Yes. I like teaching dance, and working at the co-op is fun, but I feel as if there’s something out there I should be doing and I can’t seem to find it. That’s why I keep taking continuing education classes,” she
told him, sharing with him feelings that, until now, she’d been reluctant to reveal.

“So you’re okay with us taking things as they come?” he asked.

“Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“It was just something my mom said this morning.”

“She’s not happy we went out tonight, is she?”

“She’s worried about you.”

“About me?”

He nodded. “Thinks you’re going to be hurt. That I’m going to break your heart.”

She closed the distance between them, sliding her arms around his neck. “Maybe I’m the one who’s going to break your heart.”

“The way it’s been acting lately, it wouldn’t surprise me,” he said, his breath warm on her face as he gazed at her. “I don’t know what’s in store for this heart of mine, but I’m looking forward to the ride.”

She placed her lips on his, moving them slowly and softly, inviting him to find out for himself just what dangers lay ahead. A groan came from deep in his throat as he pulled her against him. Gone was the sweet temptation of her kiss. Their mouths were demanding and determined, expressing the hunger they had for each other.

Maddie wasn’t sure what happened to her coat or how Dylan’s fingers found the warm flesh of her midriff. Lost in the sweet sensations his touch created, she whimpered as he worked his way beneath the satiny fabric of her bra.

As if it were the most natural thing to make out in the front seat of a car, he pulled her on top of him. With her body so close to his, she could feel his arousal and suddenly all she could think of was what it would be like to make love with him. Brazenly she inched her fingers inside the waistband of his jeans and his breathing became ragged.

“We’re going to be so good together, Maddie,” he said thickly as his hands explored her soft, heated flesh.

His words were an aphrodisiac, making her forget everything except the need he stirred inside her. She wanted him. He wanted her. Nothing else seemed to matter.

Except the bright spotlight illuminating the car. Stunned at first, Maddie didn’t move, but then Dylan gently pushed her away so he could sit up. He rolled down the window to see an officer standing outside his door. He squinted at the light shining in his face.

“Sorry. I thought you were a couple of kids,” the officer said in a voice that held a bit of admonition, too. “This isn’t a good place to park at this time of night.”

“We just stopped to get a look at the view,” Dylan told him while Maddie scrambled to rearrange her clothes.

They exchanged a few more words, then the squad car pulled away. Dylan turned to Maddie. “I guess he thought we were a couple of teenagers.”

Maddie felt like one. “At least he didn’t ask us for an ID.”

Dylan didn’t say another word, but started the car.
The ride home was accomplished in silence except for the music on the CD player. When they reached the house, he walked her to the side entrance that led to the rooms upstairs. When she unlocked the door, he stepped inside the entry with her.

“I had a great time tonight, Maddie.”

“Me, too.”

He reached for her hand. “I’d like to see you tomorrow.”

“I’d like that, too.”

“It’s a good thing that cop came when he did.” His eyes were dark as they stared into hers. “When we make love for the first time, I don’t want it to be in my dad’s car.” And with those last words, he kissed her lightly on the fingertips and said good-night.

D
YLAN ACHED SO BADLY
for Maddie he had a hard time falling asleep. He still couldn’t believe that he was thirty-one years old and he’d almost made love to a woman in a Chevy. Now he was one flight below her, taunted by thoughts of her lying in the bed above him, wondering how they were going to find the time and privacy to be together.

And that was definitely his plan. She’d made it perfectly clear that she wanted to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her. Now he had to figure out a way to make that happen without causing any friction in the family.

He hoped this Sunday wasn’t going to be like the last one when Maddie had been gone the entire day. He wanted to see her. To talk to her. To laugh with her. To make love with her.

It was that last sentiment that had him thinking of places they could be together. If Garret weren’t a friend of Jeffrey’s, he’d have asked his brother if he could use his apartment while he was on night duty at the hospital. The only other alternative seemed to be a hotel room. He wondered how Maddie would respond to such a suggestion.

It was the final thought on his mind before he fell asleep. He awoke the next morning to the sound of someone knocking on his door.

“Dylan, I need to talk to you. Could you open up, please?”

He heard his mother’s voice through the door. He glanced at the clock and groaned. Surely this couldn’t be about how late he’d been out with Maddie? He stumbled over to the door. “What is it, Mom?” he said on a low grumble as he propped himself against the jamb.

“I’m sorry to wake you, but you need to call Shane,” she told him. “Jennifer’s grandmother passed away last night and they’re going to have to go to Michigan for the funeral.”

So it wasn’t about Maddie. He immediately felt contrite. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll call and give them both my condolences. Is there anything I can do to help out?”

“As a matter of fact there is. That’s why I had to wake you. They need someone to take care of Cookie, their golden retriever. That’s why Shane wants to talk to you before he leaves.”

Dylan shrugged. “No problem. Is he going to bring the dog over here?”

“He’d rather have you stay there.”

Stay there?
Even in his sleepy state it didn’t take Dylan long to realize that was the perfect scenario. He’d have an entire house to himself. He wouldn’t have to worry about running into anybody in the kitchen. He’d be alone to do whatever he pleased whenever he wanted. He’d have a place where he and Maddie could—

“I’m on my way to church, but I wanted to let you know what had happened because Shane and Jennifer want to get on the road,” his mother interrupted his musing. “They’re making the trip by car.”

“I appreciate you telling me, Mom. I’ll call Shane right away.”

She nodded. “Leave me a note if you decide to go over there before I get back.”

“I will.” He closed the door and reached for the phone next to the bed.

“Shane, it’s me. I’m sorry about Jennifer’s grandmother. Mom said you’d like me to stay at the house while you’re gone?”

“I figured it would be a chance for you to get away from the women for a while. You like dogs, don’t you?” Shane asked.

“Of course I do. And you’re right—it’ll be nice not to have to worry about whether or not I’ve got my pants on when I run to the bathroom. When do you need me there and how long should I plan to stay?”

“We’ll probably be gone until next Saturday. Jennifer would like to leave as soon as possible, but if you have plans for today, Cookie can be on her own until this evening.”

“No, I’ve got nothing planned. I’m sure Mom won’t miss having to feed me,” he said, but it wasn’t his mother who was on his mind.

“There’s plenty of food in the house so feel free to help yourself. I’ll explain where everything is when you get here.”

“Sure. I’ll just take a shower and then I’ll be right over.”

M
ADDIE COULDN’T BELIEVE
what time it was when she awoke on Sunday. She knew she’d crawled into bed only a few hours before dawn, but she hadn’t expected to sleep so late. The sun shone brightly through her curtain as she stretched in bed.

She’d slept blissfully, but then there was no reason why she shouldn’t have. She’d had a wonderful time with Dylan and her body tingled at the memory of what had happened at the lookout. A delicious shiver of pleasure echoed through her. Just thinking about the man could cause her to body to ache with longing.

Never had she experienced such intense feelings for a man. She’d always taken pride in the fact that she’d been able to control her emotions, yet last night, had the police officer not interrupted them, she and Dylan might have…

Heat spread through her body at the thought. She needed to shower and get dressed so she would be ready for whatever today would bring. Anticipation churned inside her as she thought about seeing Dylan again.

As she climbed out of bed and reached for her robe,
she noticed a piece of paper had been shoved under her door.

“Maddie, thanks for last night,” the note said. “It was great, but today is going to be even better. I have a surprise for you. If you meet me at Shane’s, I’ll see that you get your surprise and breakfast. Dylan.” Beneath the message was a roughly drawn map with an
X
marking his brother’s house.

She wondered what were they going to do with the married couple? Not that it mattered. Sharing Dylan with Shane, Jennifer and Mickey would be better than not seeing him at all. But he hadn’t specified a time that she should be there…and she’d slept later than usual. Had she caused all of them to wait?

She quickly showered, then pulled on a purple sweater and a pair of black slacks. Not wanting to answer any questions about last night or today, she was grateful that Krystal’s door was still closed when she passed through the hallway.

She’d been over to Jennifer’s on several occasions and had no trouble remembering how to get there. That didn’t keep her from smiling as she glanced at Dylan’s crudely drawn map.

The closer she got to the house the more curious she became as to just what Dylan had planned with his brother and sister-in-law. When she pulled into the driveway, she didn’t see his car. Puzzled, she parked and then went to the front door.

Before she could even knock, it opened. It wasn’t Shane or Jennifer who greeted her, but Dylan. “I was beginning to worry that you weren’t coming.”

“I’m sorry. I slept late,” she said as she stepped inside.

He helped her out of her coat, eyeing the purple sweater appreciatively. “You look great.”

“Thanks. I hope I didn’t hold up breakfast.”

“I’m in no hurry.”

“What about the others?” She craned her neck, expecting to see either Jennifer or Shane in the living room, but all she saw was the golden retriever who moseyed over to Maddie to rub against her leg.

“That’s the surprise,” he answered, hanging her coat in the hall closet while she petted the dog. He put his arm around her waist and steered her into the kitchen. “The others have gone. There’s no one here except you and me…and Cookie.” The retriever nosed her way in between their legs, seeking affection.

“Where’s everyone?”

“They had to go to Michigan for Jennifer’s grandmother’s funeral. I’m taking care of the place for them while they’re gone.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear about her grandmother.” She glanced around and noticed that there were a couple of suitcases near the back door. “Does that mean you’re going to stay here instead of at your mom’s?”

“Not a bad arrangement, is it? Shane gets someone to take care of Cookie, I get a whole house to myself so I can do this—” he kissed her neck “—and this—” he slid a hand under the hem of her sweater and rested it on her waist, causing her to tremble.

“Definitely not things you’d want to do in your mother’s kitchen,” she said as exquisite sensations of
pleasure rippled through her. “How long are they going to be gone?”

“Until next Saturday.” She shivered as his hand began to slowly work its way across her back. His eyes held hers as he found the fastener on her bra.

“Six days,” she said, her voice sounding breathy.

“And nights,” he murmured, sliding a finger beneath the narrow band of fabric.

She held her breath as she waited for him to undo the hooks holding the garment together. He managed it using only his left hand.

“I promised you breakfast.” His breath was warm against her skin.

“It’s almost lunchtime.” She moaned when his hand cupped a breast.

“Does that mean you don’t want breakfast?”

“Not right now.”

It was all he needed to hear. He took her by the hand and led her up the stairs to the bedroom.

“T
OMORROW’S YOUR DAY OFF
. Where should we go? To a movie? To the mall?” Dylan asked Maddie as they lay wrapped in a blanket in front of the fireplace sipping hot chocolate.

She shrugged. “We can decide tomorrow. Tonight I just want to think about what a fabulous day it’s been.”

Dylan knew she was right. It had been an incredible day. Not even in his wildest fantasies had he expected that making love with her would leave him feeling as if all of his life he’d been waiting for her to come along and bring out the best in him.

And she did. Not only when it came to sex, but with everything else they’d done. She’d taught him how to make a French pastry he couldn’t even pronounce, how to do card tricks she’d learned from her grandfather, and how to two-step. Together they’d read the Sunday paper, worked the
New York Times
crossword puzzle and taken Cookie for a walk in the cold sunshine.

As he stared at her face in the firelight, he thought she must be a siren, for she certainly had cast a spell over him. When the grandfather clock in Shane’s living room struck midnight, Maddie groaned.