Chapter Fifteen

"Sleepy?"

"Yes. Can you bring me down here tomorrow to get my car?"

"Sure. Hop in."

He waited while she buckled her seat belt and stashed her things. Then he pulled back out onto the road. She sank into the luxurious seat, enjoying the smooth ride and the smell of leather. "I love this car."

"Me too."

Sleep came slowly, but waking up was instant. Yancey's face was over hers. "Do you want me to carry you inside?"

The idea was so romantically ludicrous that she giggled. "You'll strain your back." She shifted in the seat. "I don't know why I'm so tired."

His chuckle was soft. "I don't either. You've only been strangled nearly to death and gone through a terrible scare."

The silence was uncomfortable until he leaned down to kiss her. The moment his lips touched hers, she was wide awake. Her pulse pounded like a drum in her ears. She leaned into his kiss, completely surrendering to the arms that surrounded her. A microscopic voice inside warned her to stop, but desire put uncontrolled passion into her response. Fortunately, a cool console managed to keep them in separate seats. When he finally broke away, the words escaped her mouth.

"I love you . . ." She clamped a hand over her mouth and gasped in horror. But the sudden intake of air didn't recapture the words. His lack of response sent a painful flush into her neck. It was the last thing he would want. He liked things the way they were. She sat up and grabbed her purse. "We better go in." Hopefully her voice didn't sound as unsteady to him as it did to her. She opened the door and scrambled out, shutting it without another word. Without looking back, she dashed to the house, past a startled Sarah, and then to her room. There she collapsed on the bed and started to cry - quietly this time. Let him explain all of it to his mother. One thing was sure. She couldn't. It was a total mystery to her why Len and Howard couldn't light a fire in her the way Yancey did. Never in her life had she been so attracted to a man - so totally out of control in his presence. Maybe she should pack her things tomorrow, and leave. Facing him again was an unbearable though. Those eyes would be mocking her, or maybe filled with fear. No, not Yancey. He might feel fear or express it verbally, but it would never be in his eyes.