“Lily,” he said.
“What?” she whispered.
Her hormones raced out of control again. Blood rushed through her veins, heat enveloped her and the desire to reach out and touch him almost overwhelmed her. She craved the feel of his lips against hers. He stood barely a foot away. If he leaned down just a bit and she stretched up just a bit—
He closed his eyes and half turned.
“I’m so tired I can’t see straight anymore. I’ll walk you home.”
“No, I’ll dash through the shrubbery.”
Emma wrenched open the door and hurried down the walkway to the side of the yard.
He followed her and stopped at the edge of Lily’s yard, watching until Emma had the back door open. She waved and dashed inside, closing it behind her and leaning on it. Breathing as fast as if she’d run the entire way, she willed her senses to return to normal. He was her sister’s neighbor, for heaven’s sake. They’d had dinner and now they were home. End of a perfect day.
But she wished he’d taken her into his arms and held her as if he’d never let her go.
For one moment she’d thought he might do just that. Which would have been a major mistake. Until and unless she toldhim the truth about who she was, she couldn’t continue to play games, to pretend to be her sister. She liked him too much to keep up the pretense.
He’d probably be furious when he found out. And rightly so. She hadn’t meant to fool Lily’s friends, but it seemed easier than confessing in front of Logan and letting him discover her lie in a crowd of people. That could have been embarrassing for both of them.
And she’d wanted one day unlike anything she’d known. Sally had talked about her vacation in Cancún.
Emma had never met anyone before who so casually vacationed in Mexico.
Dolly’s advertising job sounded glamorous and exciting.
Not like hunting obscure facts for a university student’s research project.
They had invited her to join them dancing. The last time she and David had gone to the country club for a dance, she’d spent most of the evening listening to his discourse on a new methodology for tooth restorations.
If she’d gone tonight, would she have danced until her feet ached? She suspected it would have proved vastly different from the country club.
Pushing away from the door, Emma checked the lock and headed for bed. She was tired, not fully used to California time herself. Tonight she’d get a good night’s sleep and tomorrow avoid her next-door neighbor at all costs.
He didn’t like liars and cheats. One strike against her. He was not interested in marriage. Not that she was either at this point. She hadn’t even ended things with David—she couldn’t be interested in any other man so quickly. And Logan didn’t want children, which she did. So why were her thoughts a jumble?
Before getting ready for bed, Emma opened her sister’s closet and riffled through the racks of clothes. Discovering a leatherskirt and vest, she took them into the bedroom. Taking off the dress she’d worn to dinner, she pulled on the skirt. It was snug, but moved easily when she walked. The vest covered her—barely. She suspected Lily did not wear a blouse beneath it.
Studying herself in the mirror, Emma couldn’t help the flush of pleasure that stained her cheeks. She ruffled her hair, bit her lips to make them red, and then practiced a pouty, sultry smile. In front of her stood a woman men would want.
Until she opened her mouth and had nothing to say. Then they’d instantly know the difference.
Sighing, she turned away and began to unbutton her clothes. It was more than clothes, though. That loose and blousy dress tonight had given her a sense of adventure. And the confidence to bluff her way through the entire evening.
Was it only the clothes? Or was it a hidden desire to escape her quiet life in Virginia? Was she on a quest to find out who she was and what she wanted? It sounded like a lot for a vacation.
Logan stood beneath a hot shower, letting the water beat against his back. He braced his arms on the wall and shook his head to keep awake. Another five minutes and he’d be in bed and sound asleep. If he didn’t wake for two days, it was fine with him.
He’d forget the problems with the Italian deal, forget the office for a while. And forget Lily’s weird behavior. And his attraction to her. When he awoke in the morning, everything would be back to normal and the Alice-in-Wonderland sensation of everything being topsy-turvy would have vanished along with his fatigue.
But he wished he’d kissed her one more time.
She’d stood by the door and looked up to him as if she would have said yes. The expression in her eyes had been unexpected. The few times he’d been around his neighbor, she’d laughed and flirted, taking nothing seriously. But today she’d seemed quiet,almost pensive. And he found it intriguing. What thoughts ran around in her head? Did she have dreams that beckoned, regrets over her marriage?
Did she, too, feel that pull of attraction that had surprised him? Her kisses on the beach had been hot and exciting, just what he’d expect from her. But was there anything more than mutual gratification?
Shutting off the water, he stepped out and quickly dried. Tossing the towel over a rack, he entered the bedroom. But he didn’t head immediately for the bed. Instead, he veered to the window that looked out on Lily Rambeau’s house. A light burned in her bedroom. Was she going to bed now? Dressed in what? Not that terry robe. Did she sleep in the nude, or some frilly nothing of a nightgown? Or maybe a long, white cotton gown, sleeveless and loose, that found every curve and valley of her figure?
