Page 29 of An Accidental Love Affair

“Why is that?”

She shrugged a little. “It’s where my heart is, I suppose. I write historical romances, and most of them are based in England, Scotland, France, or Ireland.”

“In which century?”

“It doesn’t matter as long as it’s based in one of those four countries. The Regency period is the most popular. Every woman in the world would love to have their very own Mr. Darcy.”

“What about the Americas?”

“The Wild West used to be big, but it dwindled off. Civil War stories are taboo, and unless you’re Diana Gabaldon with a hot-blooded Scotsman in tow, no one is going to be interested in Revolutionary War stories.” Her lips twisted. “It sucks sometimes, being a new writer. You have all these incredible ideas but get shot down because they don’t fit into a certain ideal.”

“You could always self-publish.”

“With what, my looks? You need money for that. If I had fifty dollars in my wallet, I’d sit up and watch it all night.” She squirmed when he hit a sensitive spot behind her knee. “My turn again. Are we near the ocean? I keep hearing a distant roaring, like waves hitting a beach.”

“We’re not far. If you feel up to it tomorrow, we’ll drive to the Cliff House.”

“The Cliff House?”

He nodded absently. “It’s a small house on the edge of the estate. It overlooks the ocean. It’s beautiful at sunset.”

She smiled. “I can’t wait to see it.”

Reece tucked her right leg back under the covers, moving around the bed to the opposite side. He reached under the blankets, taking out her left leg. “You have lovely legs. They’re long and fine, and I’ve noticed they go

on for days.”

“Thank you,” she said, determined not to have her head turned by the compliment, “but I still have one more question.”

“Fire when ready.”

She turned her head on the pillow, her eyelids growing heavy. His massage was working. She was more relaxed than she’d ever felt before. “What’s happening between us, Colin?”

He lifted her leg a bit, kissing her calf and not stopping the massage. “Hell if I know. I wasn’t expecting you to happen, that’s for damn sure.”

“Are you going to break my heart?”

“I’ll try not to.”

She flashed him a sleepy smile. “I guess I’ll have to live with that.”

He chuckled, finishing with her leg and tucking it up as safely as the other. “How do you feel now?”

She moaned quietly. “This is what every woman wants; her own personal, sexy masseuse. Are you available for weddings and bar mitzvahs too?”

He leaned over, kissing her forehead. “Goodnight, Nicole.”

“Goodnight, Colin. Sleep well.” Dream of me.

Reece moved toward the bedroom door, turning out the light and wiping his hands on the cloth of his slacks. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You’ve been in my dreams for over a week now.”

~ ~ ~

Nicole woke early the next morning, feeling stiff but not sore. And she stunk to high heaven. The first thing she did was take a long hot shower to wash the sweat and tar smell away. After she dressed, she wandered down to the kitchen. She was famished from yesterday’s exertions. Who knew whetting a sexual appetite could stir other appetites as well?

She found a basket of muffins on the table, so she helped herself to a few, munching on them while she waited for her coffee to finish brewing. She was eager to return to the library to resume her work. A lot of plot twists and turns had come to her in her sleep. She wanted to jot them down before she lost them for good.

As she was washing down the last bit of muffin, Maggie came in from outside.

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