“Yes—no.” Embarrassed, he cleared his throat. “No more than anyone’s, I imagine.”
She lifted a brow, but let it pass. “Well, you’re a big boy now.” In one of her casual moves, she slid her hair back, then studied his hand again. “Yes, see, this represents careers, and there’s a branch off this way. Things have been very comfortable for you professionally—you’ve hoed yourself a nice little rut—but this other line spears off. Could be that literary effort. You’ll have to make the choice.”
“I really don’t think—”
“Sure you do. You’ve been thinking about it for years. Now here’s the Mound of Venus. Hmm. You’re a very sensual man.” Her gaze flicked up to his again. “And a very thorough lover.”
He couldn’t take his eyes off her mouth. It was full, unpainted and curved teasingly. Kissing her would be like sinking into a dream—the dark and erotic kind. And if a man survived it, he would pray never to wake up.
She felt something creep in over her amusement. Something unexpected and arousing. It was the way he looked at her, she thought. With such complete absorption. As though she were the only woman in the world—certainly the only one who mattered.
There couldn’t be a female alive who wouldn’t weaken a bit under that look.
For the first time in her life she felt off balance with a man. She was used to having the controls, of setting the tone in her own unstudied way. From the time she’d understood that boys were different from girls, she had used the power she’d been born with to guide members of the opposite sex down a path of her own choosing.
Yet he was throwing her off with a look.
Struggling for a casualness that had always come easily, she started to release his hand. Max surprised them both by turning his over to grip hers.
“You are,” he said slowly, “the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
It was a standard line, even a cliché, and shouldn’t have had her heart leaping. She made herself smile as she drew away. “Don’t get out much, do you, Professor?”
There was a flicker of annoyance in his eyes before he made himself settle back. It was as much with himself as with her. He’d never been the hand-holding Casanova type. Nor had he ever been put so neatly back in his place.
“No, but that was a simple statement of fact. Now, I guess I’m supposed to cross your palm with silver, but I’m fresh out.”
“Palm reading’s on the house.” Because she was sorry she’d been so glib and abrupt, she smiled again. “When you’re feeling better, I’ll take you up for a tour of the haunted tower.”
“I can’t wait.”
His dry response had her laughing. “I have a feeling about you, Max. I think you could be a lot of fun when you forget to be intense and thoughtful. Now I’m going downstairs so you can have some quiet. Be a good boy and get some more rest.”
He might have been weak, but he wasn’t a boy. Max rose as she did. Though the move surprised her, she gave him one of her slow, languid smiles. His color was coming back, she noted. His eyes were clear and, because he was only an inch or so taller than she, nearly on level with hers.
“Is there something else I can get you, Max?”
He felt steadier and took a moment to be grateful. “Just an answer. Are you involved with anyone?”
Her brow lifted as she swept her hair over her shoulder. “In what way?”
“It’s a simple question, Lilah, and deserves a simple answer.”
The lecturing quality of his tone had her frowning at him. “If you mean am I emotionally or sexually involved with a man, the answer is no. At the moment.”
“Good.” The vague irritation in her eyes pleased him. He’d wanted a response, and he’d gotten one.
“Look, Professor, I pulled you out of the drink. You strike me as being too intelligent a man to fall for that gratitude transference.”
This time he smiled. “Transference to what?”
“Lust seems appropriate.”
“You’re right. I know the difference—especially when I’m feeling both at the same time.” His own words surprised him. Maybe the near-death experience had rattled his brains. For a moment she looked as though she would swipe at him. Then abruptly, and beautifully, she laughed.
“I guess that was another simple statement of fact. You’re an interesting man, Max.”
And, she told herself as she carried the tray inside, harmless.