Page 36 of The Playboy and the Widow
“Lovemaking.” If she wouldn’t say the word, he would. He didn’t know what her problem was. The fact that she would deny what was happening between them surprised him, especially after all her talk about honesty. Their making love was inevitable. He’d known it almost from the first.
He wanted her desperately. Every time he closed his eyes, he pictured her in his bed, satin sheets wrapped around her, with her arms stretched toward him, inviting him to join her. She wouldn’t need to ask him twice. These past two days without her had been hell. He wanted her so much that he felt naked and vulnerable without her, and now he was determined to have her. It hadn’t felt right to walk away from her the other night. The memory of her kisses had returned to haunt him.
“All right, lovemaking,” Diana echoed, her voice firm but low. “After the other night, I’m afraid I’ve given you the wrong impression.”
Cliff reached over and squeezed her fingers. “Don’t worry, honey, we’re not going to do anything you don’t want.”
Diana should have felt better with his reassurance, but she didn’t. She’d dreaded this evening from the moment he’d left her, and yet the hours hadn’t gone by fast enough until she’d seen him again. She thought she knew what she wanted, but one look at Cliff and she was unsure of everything.
“You didn’t say where we were going for dinner,” she said, making conversation.
He smiled, and his face lit up with boyish charm. “It’s a surprise.”
He drove toward Des Moines and Diana was certain he was taking her to the fancy seafood restaurant the marina was famous for, but he drove past it and instead headed up the back roads to the cliff above the water.
“I didn’t know there was a restaurant up this way,” she confessed.
“There isn’t,” he told her with a wide grin. “We’re going to my condo. I’ve been cooking all day.”
“Your place,” Diana echoed, and the words seemed to bounce around the car like a ricocheting bullet. Her heart slammed against her breast with dread.
“I’m a fabulous chef... wait and see.”
Her responding smile was weak and filled with doubt.
Cliff parked his car in the garage and came around to help her out. He tucked his arm protectively around her waist as she climbed out of his car, then paused to gently kiss the side of her neck. His tender touch went a long way toward chasing away Diana’s fears, and she smiled up at him.
Cliff was eager to show her his home and proudly led her into his condominium. The first thing Diana noticed was the flickering flames of the fireplace. The table was set for two, with candles ready to be lighted. The room was dark, and music played softly from the expensive speakers.
As she surveyed the room, a chill shimmied up her spine. “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?”
Seven
“Of course I’ve been listening,” Cliff insisted. He didn’t know what was bothering Diana, but she’d been acting jumpy from the minute he’d picked her up.
“I told you, I’m not ready.”
“For dinner?” He couldn’t understand why she was so riled up all of a sudden. He’d been looking forward to this evening for days. The crab was cracked for their appetizers, hollandaise sauce simmered on top of the stove, ready to be poured over fresh broccoli. The thick T-bone steaks were in the refrigerator, just waiting to be charcoal grilled. He wanted everything perfect for tonight, for Diana. The wine was chilled—he’d seen to it all.
“In case you weren’t aware of it,” Diana cried, pointing a finger at her chest, “I live in this body!”
“What in the world are you talking about?”
“This.” She gestured wildly with her arm toward the open space of his living room. “Tell me, Cliff, exactly what have you planned for tonight?” She flopped down on his white leather couch, crossed her legs and glared at him with wide, accusing eyes.
“A leisurely candlelight dinner. Is that a crime, or did I miss something in law school?”
Diana ignored his sarcasm. “And that’s all? What about after dinner?”
He scooted the ottoman in front of the couch, sat down and leaned forward so his eyes were level with hers. “I thought we’d share a couple of glasses of wine in front of the fireplace.”
“And sample a few stolen kisses, as well?” she coaxed.
Cliff grinned, relaxing. “Yes.”
The lilting strains of the music from a hundred violins drifted through the room. She noticed the way the lights in the hallway that led to the master bedroom had been dimmed invitingly. The door to his room was cracked open, a ribbon of muted light beckoning to her. The romance in the condominium was so thick, Diana could hardly see the romancer.
“But you’re planning on something else happening, aren’t you?” she asked, her eyes effectively holding his.
