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Upon A Midnight Clear Page 47
Author: Linda Howard

"Then it's very kind of you to let me stay here and nibble on you," he said, his hand grazing her bare breast.

"I'm like that," she said, as his fingers found her nipple, tugging on it gently. "Very kind." She hugged him tightly, feeling the warmth of his body meld with hers. She slid her hands under his shirt and ran them up his muscled back.

Tony gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. "You're shaking," he said quietly. "Are you frightened--or cold?"

"I'm a... a little of both," she admitted.

He smiled a kind, sweet smile. "Don't worry. There's nothing to be frightened of," he said, brushing her hair back away from her face. "I really care about you--I mean that."

Kim closed her eyes as she ran her hand up his toned arm, holding it against her. She kissed his hand. "I care about you, too. I just--I didn't plan on this."

He lifted her hair and began kissing her softly on the back of her neck. "Being here with you... I can forget about everything else. It's just you and me. That's all that seems important."

All her fears melted away as a slow burning desire began to creep over her. It was enough to make her stop behaving like a frightened little gut

Kim pulled away from his arms and stood up, so that she was facing him with her back to the fire. He leaned up on one arm, watching her, curiously awaiting her next move. She slid out of her pants and shirt, standing in front of him wearing only her unsnapped bra and panties. She saw him inhale slightly with excitement as his eyes held her, encouraging her to continue. "I don't want to get cold," she said, teasing him.

"I promise that you'll never have to worry about that when I'm around," he said, enjoying the intimate banter.

Kim smiled slightly as she pulled off her bra, leaving on only her silky white panties.

Tony's eyes drifted over the curves of her pale form, drinking in each detail. "What kind of spell have you cast on me?" he murmured. He slid down onto the floor, kneeling in front of Kim as he pulled her to him, running his tongue lightly over her firm stomach.

"Tony," Kim teased as she glanced down at him, running her fingers through his thick, curly hair, "I'm curious. What's involved in this broken heart treatment of yours?"

He lay down on the soft white rug and pulled her on top of him. "I've already done the most difficult part."

"Oh?" she said curiously.

"I gave you my heart," he explained softly as he took her index finger and traced it around the right side of his chest. "But now, I have a very special recovery in mind for you."

"And what might that be?" Kim teased softly, enjoying the effect she was having on him.

Still holding on to her index finger, he brought it to his lips and kissed it gently. "It's very important that you close your eyes, relax... and let me love you," he said, his voice growing heavy with desire.

He gently pulled her down in front of him, so that her back was facing the fire. Shifting his weight so that he could lean on one arm, he stared intently into her eyes. He lifted her chin with his finger so that she was looking at him, and then he used that same finger to draw an imaginary tine down her body, starting with her shoulder and ending with her little toe. "You are perfect," he said, as his finger drifted back up her body, lightly brushing the tip of her nipple.

Kim smiled. "That's three," she said out loud. First the coat, then the flowers, and finally the sweet comment about her body.

"What?"

Kim leaned over and slid her hands around the inside of his jeans. "I think I'm ready for my treatment"

He grinned as he pulled her beside him. It was an offer he had no intention of refusing.

"I've decided to stay through the holidays," Kim announced.

Her father smiled. "But," he said, becoming concerned, "what about your show?"

"I called the gallery owner this morning. I explained what was going on, and he said he didn't think it was necessary for me to be there. He said it might even add to my allure if I wasn't there--make me seem more mysterious." "Mysterious?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I wasn't quite sure what he meant either. But I didn't want to push it. I was just happy I didn't have to go back."

He nodded, his face solemn.

Kim said, "I thought you'd be happy."

He took her hand. "I am. I just don't want you to harm your career because of your concern over me. I'll be just fine."

She glanced away. "Don't you want me to stay?"

"Of course," he said quietly, giving her a weak smile. "It'll be the first Christmas I've celebrated in quite a while."

Kim had often wondered what her father had done on the holidays. She just assumed he had spent them with friends. Or a new family. But from the lack of visitors in his hospital room, she was beginning to realize that had not been the case. "What do you usually do?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Work."

"Well, this year will be different. I'm going to get a tree later on today. This Christmas you're going to have atraditional Christmas dinner."

He nodded as a wave of sadness crossed his face.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "I just... I've missed so much. I... I just... well, I'm glad that you're here," he said, repeating her something he had told her many times already. "I've always tried to keep tabs on you, even when we weren't speaking. Many times I picked up the phone... but I just couldn't bring myself to dial the number." He shook his head. "I've been a lousy father. Stubborn pride."

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Linda Howard's Novels
» Kiss Me While I Sleep (CIA Spies #3)
» All the Queen's Men (CIA Spies #2)
» Kill and Tell (CIA Spies #1)
» Cry No More
» Dream Man
» Ice
» Mr. Perfect
» Now You See Her
» Open Season
» Troublemaker
» Up Close and Dangerous
» White Lies (Rescues #4)
» Heartbreaker (Rescues #3)
» Diamond Bay (Rescues #2)
» A Game of Chance (Mackenzie Family #5)
» Midnight Rainbow (Rescues #1)
» Mackenzie's Magic (Mackenzie Family #4)
» Shades of Twilight
» Mackenzie's Pleasure (Mackenzie Family #3)
» Son of the Morning