CHAPTER ONE

While unseasonably icy rain pelted the windowpanes of the big bay window behind her overstuffed, floral velvet couch, Katherine Hurston lay snuggled warmly against Steve's sweat dampened side. The glow from the television lit the darkened room with shifting patterns of shadow and light. Neither of the lovers noticed or cared what was on the screen.

His warm hand caressed her arm gently as he spoke, his voice as soft and smooth as the velvety material under Kat's body. "You know, someday we'll look back on this and wonder how we managed to be so comfortable and content just spending days in this cottage. No restaurants, no clubs and no other people to distract us. Do you miss it? I mean, going out, seeing plays in the city or going to parties?"

She smiled up at the masculine cleft in his chin that never failed to produce a flood of passion within her. "No, I don't. I'm tired of pandering to people in order to make a corporate sale for a computer network that will be obsolete within a year. I got tired of all the commercial politics years ago. The only real peace I've felt in years is when I'm here with you." Kat reached up and gently ran her finger over his lips. "Truth is, I could gladly stay here like this for the rest of my life. I could stay here, alone with you, for the rest of my life. I don't want to live without you. I won't live without you.

She lifted her lips and ran them over his chin then eased back, nuzzling his neck as she went. His strong fingers ran up her arm, over her collarbone and then traced a warm pattern down between her full breasts. Kat sighed with contentment. "My life is yours, Steve. I could stay here forever." She returned the caress, lightly sweeping her fingertips over the dense blonde hair matting his naked chest.

            "I could too, love, but…" he sighed, his fingers gently teasing her taut, erect nipple.

            "I know, you have your practice and you can't let all those criminals down." She laughed up into his serious face.

            She sat up and took his hand gently in hers, lightly rubbing it while she spoke. "Steve, I've never felt this way about anybody before. She swallowed and continued, "I know it sounds corny but I'm in love for the first time in my life. I'm forty-eight years old and I've never been married for a good reason. All the men I've met are nothing compared to you." She lightly kissed the knuckles of his hand then held it tight against her cheek. "You're handsome." She caressed his face. "You're one of the most intelligent men I've ever met." She tapped his forehead and grinned. "You're loving and generous." She ran her fingers over his chest. "And, you're the sexiest man I've ever had the good fortune to be seduced by." She playfully ran her hands over his stiffening penis. A deep, throaty chuckle accompanied his groan of pleasure when she grasped him and gently began to rhythmically stroke the hard shaft.

            "We are good together." He ran his shaking fingers over her cheek, cupped the back of her head and gently pulled her toward him, his free hand seeking the warmth of her breast again.

Kat leaned toward him and lightly ran her tongue over the curve of his ear. He shuddered with pleasure and began to thrust his hips in rhythm with her hand. Kat whispered, "Why don't we live together, my love? Move in with me. It will be so good..."

Like quicksilver, his face darkened with anger, giving his clear blue eyes the look of hard gems. He grasped her shoulders and thrust her away. "How many times do I have to tell you I can't live here yet? Why won't you be patient? I thought you said you'd wait forever."

The sarcasm in his voice lashed her heart into ribbons. The old argument between them still had the power to wound her. Kat's response was immediate. Her back stiffened as she pulled her peach silk robe together. She grabbed the tortoise-shell hair combs off the coffee table and used them to anchor her long, red hair onto the top of her head. "We bought this cottage three months ago so we could be together but you still insist on keeping your apartment in the city. Why?" Her voice dripped hurt and anger.

            She watched in trepidation as he ran his hands through his thick blonde hair in agitation. He shook his head slowly from side to side and said, "I told you, honey. I have to be close to my office. I'm a lawyer and I never know when something's going to come up." When she made no remark, he continued, his voice tired and tinged with irritation. "Aw, come on, Kat, you know how it is...I know you're stuck here because of your work but I'm here almost every weekend, aren't I? You know I'd like nothing better than to live here with you but it has to wait. That's all." He leaned over and slid his hand into her robe. His fingers on her bare breast took her breath away.   He nuzzled her ear and whispered, "Be patient and when I can, I'll move out here and start a small country practice. Okay?"    

Leaning into his hand, she murmured, "Okay, I'll try to be understanding, my love. I don't want to pressure you. I'm just afraid that all this is too good to be true. I love you, Steve."

            As he pulled the combs from her hair and it tumbled down her back, his lips traced the contour of her ear and neck and he whispered, "I love you too, baby. You'll never lose me, I promise."

He held her tightly to his bare chest, devouring her neck and shoulders until she trembled against him. She shrugged out of the robe and leaned back, naked, onto the couch, his body following hers.

Rising up over her, he looked into her eyes, his blue ones dark with passion, and said, "Kat, you're the only woman for me. Someday I'll prove it to you."

"Prove it to me now," she whispered as he lowered his body to hers and she spread her dampened thighs to welcome him.