Page 63 of Unexpected Union

Her eyes gazed into his, her heart caught inher throat. Could she suggest such a thing? Once voiced, there’d beno going back.

He watched her warily, as slowly hisexpression changed. Desire flared in his eyes. Maybe she didn’thave to say anything at all. Maybe he already knew.

“Audra?” he said softly.

“If you don’t want to go fishing, what doyou want to do?”

“This.”

He kissed her, drawing her against him as ifshe was the only thing in his world, and he had to hold on lest itbe wrest away.

Maybe Audra could show him how much he wasgoing to miss over the years when he chose work over play.

Her heart slammed into high gear as hedeepened the kiss. His hands moved across her back, lifting her torub against his chest. She could feel the strength of his muscles,of his desire.

“Come with me, Audra, and let’s explore whatwe have in common,” he said against her mouth, spinning slowly ashe eased them across the bedroom to the rumpled bed.

She tried to imprint every move, everytouch, every brush of his fingertips, so down through the years shewould be able to relive today’s perfection.

Slowly they sank onto the mattress, lockedin each other’s arms.

Eons later his eyes opened. She gazed up athim, imprinting every nuance on her mind.

“What will you do when I’m gone?” he asked,brushing back her hair again, letting his fingers linger.

A definite reminder they had only hours lefttogether. Pushing away the hurt, she shrugged.

“I’ll carry on like I planned to when Ifirst arrived. I expected to be alone on this vacation, you know.I’ll be fine. I only have a few more days.”

“Don’t go to the caves alone.”

“I’ll be fine, Mitch. Don’t worry aboutme.”

He closed his eyes and clamped down on theurge to argue with her.

She was right, he shouldn’t worry about her.But he would. Hadn’t these two weeks proved that she was not beyondtaking risks? She walked around the lake by herself. He hadn’tthought about how potentially dangerous it could be until he’d runinto difficulties on his own solo hike.

She could fall and no one would have a cluewhere she was. Or even know to look for her.

He’d speak to the Carmichaels, make surethey kept an eye on her until she left.

Would being on her own again give her timeto think about legally ending their marriage? He frowned. He didn’twant to think about that. Though what he thought she’d do wasbeyond him at the moment.

Truth to tell, he’d been a bit surprised shehadn’t already filed for divorce. Maybe she’d go ahead with herplans once he left. Nothing had changed, had it? He was who he wasand she wanted more than he could give. Right?

Not liking the trend of his thoughts, he satup and forced them away.

She looked at him. “Loving time over?”

“No, I’ll be back. Don’t move.”

She smiled at the comment and Mitch wantedto grab hold of the joy and hold on to it forever. He wanted tohear her laughter again to see the light sparkling in her eyes. Thesingle thing he missed most in his empty apartment was the echo ofher laughter.

Or maybe it was her scent.

Or was it the nights in bed, talking farinto the dark that he missed most?

Darn, he’d had months to get over her. Anddone fine. Work was demanding enough to take all his energy. Oncehe returned he’d make sure he was kept busy—to drive away theghosts of Audra again.

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