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she smiled up at him. "There are over six hundred muscles in the body,
all attached to the two hundred and six bones that make up the skeleton."
"Fascinating. I'm wondering how many of mine you might point out."
"We could start with the muscles of the lower limbs. I admire your
walk."
"Do you?"
"Yes, it's very firm and arrogant, but not quite a swagger. This,
naturally, has something to do with your personality, but you also need
your antigravity muscles, such as the soleus& " She bent down just
enough to run a finger up his calf. Water poured over her hair. "The
vasti," she continued, running a finger up his thigh, "and& " With a
sound of approval, she slid her hands around to his bottom.
He grinned and let himself enjoy. He'd never had a woman give him
quite so interesting a lesson. "I thought that muscle had more to do with
sitting. The things you learn in anatomy class."
He switched off the water then reached for a towel to cover both of
them.
"The gluteus maximus " with an approving murmur, she ran her hands
over him again " has to stretch sufficiently or else you'd have a
tendency to jackknife forward as you walk."
"Can't have that," he murmured as he gathered her up in his arms.
"Especially when you're carrying precious cargo."
"And this is one of your most attractive muscles."
"Thank you." Flinging the towel aside, he lay with her on the bed. Warm
night air played over damp skin.
"Now the adductors, the muscles on the inside of the thighs& "
"Show me."
"Just here." Her fingers reached down and skimmed over him just as his
mouth closed over hers.
With her eyes half shut, she sighed and nuzzled into him. "I don't think
you're paying attention."
"Oh, but I am. The adductors. Just here." Strong fingers pressed into
firm thighs. "Just here," he repeated, "where your skin's like silk and
already warm for me. And here." His hand journeyed up to tease the
sensitive area where hip and thigh joined. "What are these muscles
here?"
"They're " But she could only moan and arch against him.
He caught the lobe of her ear in his teeth. "Have you forgotten?"
"Just touch me," she whispered. "It doesn't matter where."
With a sound of triumph, he took his hands over her, skimming,
caressing, kneading, arousing. Like putty, she seemed willing to be
molded. Like fire, she tempted and dared. Like a woman, she softened
and tensed and gave. Her hands were as eager as his, her lips as hungry.
Their skin dried in the warm summer air, then became damp again with
excitement.
Each time, she thought hazily, each time they made love, it was more
thrilling, more beautiful. The first time, the hundredth time, the edge of
desire was never dulled. In a field of grass, on feather pillows it was just
as volatile. In the bright light of day, in the dark secret night it was just
as frenzied. She'd never stop wanting him. Of all the questions she'd
asked herself, she was sure of that answer. Need for him would never
fade.
They rolled over the big bed, frantic for each other, lost in each other.
Trapped in pleasure, she rose up, back arched, eyes closed, her hair a
wild, wet tangle. The sliver of light from the next room shot a nimbus
around her that seemed to shiver with her ecstasy. Half-mad he came to
her, so that kneeling on the bed they could pour pleasures over each
other. Weak, vibrating, they tumbled down again and took the last step
into passion.
Her limbs were wrapped around him. Her face was buried against his
throat as her breath heaved in and out. Her fingers dug into his back and
felt hard flesh and sweat. And as he moved into her, moved with her, she
rode on the carousel, flew on the roller coaster and lost herself in the
maze.
"You're stunning." Daniel stared at her as she studied herself in the
mirror. "Absolutely stunning."
It pleased her to hear it, though she'd never thought much of
compliments. The dress left her shoulders bare and fell in a loose
sweeping line to just above her ankles. Pearls crusted the bodice and
danced along the skirt. Myra had talked her into it, though she'd needed
little persuasion. True, it had taken a healthy chunk out of the money
she'd put aside for board during the fall, but she was confident she'd find
a way to balance her books. The look on Daniel's face, and the
satisfaction she felt seeing her own reflection made it worthwhile.
"You like it?"
How could he explain that, though he knew every intimate inch of her,
just looking at her could still take his breath away? She'd been right
when she'd thought he wanted to show her off. When a man had
something exquisite, he needed to share it. No, he couldn't explain. "I
like it so well I'm wishing the evening was already over."
She gave a last swirl, as much for herself as for him. "You look
wonderful in a dinner jacket. Elegantly barbarian."
His brow lifted. "Barbarian?"
"Never change that." She held out both hands and took his. "No matter
what else has to change, don't change that."
He brought her hands to his lips, kissed one, then the other. "I doubt I
could, any more than you could change being a lady even after too
much wine and peach pie."
She tried to look stern but laughed. "You'll never let me forget that."
"God, no. It was one of the most fascinating evenings of my life. I'm
crazy about you, Anna."
"So you've said." She lifted their joined hands to her cheek. "That's
something else I don't want you to change."
"I won't. I like seeing you wear the cameo." He brushed a finger over it
as was his habit.
"It means a great deal to me."
"You wouldn't take my ring."
"Daniel "
"You wouldn't take my ring," he continued, "but you took the cameo. I'd
like you to take this." Drawing a box out of his pocket, he waited.
Anna folded her hands together. "Daniel, you don't have to buy me
presents."
"I think I've figured that out." But he'd yet to figure out how to accept
that fact. "It might be why I want to. Humor me," he said, and made her
smile.
"You've said that before." Because he smiled back, she accepted the box.
"Thank you." Then she opened the box and found she could say nothing.
"Is something wrong with them?"
She managed to shake her head. Pearls and diamonds, pure in simplicity,
arrogant in beauty, the earrings lay against black velvet and nearly
breathed with life. From the simple orbs of milky white pearls dripped
the tear-shaped glamour of diamonds. One gleamed, the other flashed
and together they made a stunning unit.
"Daniel, they're& " She shook her head and looked back up at him.
"They're absolutely beautiful. I don't know what to say."
"You just said it." Relieved, he took the box and removed the earrings.
"I suppose you'll have to thank Myra. I asked her advice. She said
something about class and flash making the best team."
"Did she?" Anna murmured as Daniel fastened the earrings on her
himself.
"There now." Pleased, he stepped back to inspect. "Yes, they'll do
nicely. Now maybe they'll draw the attention and keep men's eyes off all
that beautiful skin you've exposed."
Laughing again, Anna lifted a hand to her ear. "Ah, an ulterior motive."
"It's hard not to worry that you'll take a good look around and see
someone who appeals to you more."
"Don't be silly." Taking it as a joke, she linked arms with him. "I
suppose we'd better go down or the guests will be arriving. Then McGee
will scowl at us for being late and unpardonably rude."
"Hah." As they walked through the door, Daniel found her hand with
his. "As if you hadn't twisted him around your finger already."
Anna gave him an innocent look as they started downstairs. "I don't
know what you mean."
"Fixes scones for you in the middle of the week. Never did that for me."
"Ah, there's the door now." She paused on the bottom landing. "Promise
not to glare even at Councilman Steers."
"I never glare," he lied easily, and led her down the hall to greet the first
guests.
In less than twenty minutes the big parlor was crowded with bodies and
buzzing with conversation. Though Anna was perfectly aware that she
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