Page 22 of Earl
“What if you are wherever you are and meet someone. I know they have very beautiful women in Europe. Where are you exactly?”
“Tuscany.”
“Ah, wine country.”
“Cathy, there is something…”
“No.” She shook her head, forgetting he could not see her. “I would like the mystery to remain, even for the week. No telling me anything I should not know yet. Let’s remain as we were, talking about life, about anything else, that will reveal who we really are.”
“Aren’t you just a little curious?”
Leaning back against the mounds of pillows, she closed her eyes.
“Of course, I am. I want to know what you do and what you look like. But I want to savor the intrigue a little bit longer. Please allow me that.”
“Okay.” He sighed. “How about flirting? Is that allowed?”
She laughed softly. “Haven’t we been doing that already?”
“Not quite. You see, I am afraid to say something which may turn you off.”
“You haven’t done that yet.
“I love the sound of your voice.”
“I love the sound of yours.” She murmured, heartrate picking up.
“Am I allowed to ask what you are wearing?”
“I love silk.”
He sighed raggedly. “What color?”
“Ruby red.” She glanced down at the pjs, she had designed herself. It was not just functional, but she had designed them to settle on lush curves. The bosom plunged almost to the navel, the lapels barely supporting her generous breasts.
The bottom was skimpy with red and blue piping around the legs. It was designed to seduce and arouse. “That’s all you are going to get.”
“It’s already too much.” He told her hoarsely. “Is it strange that we are feeling this way?”
“I don’t want to think about it.”
“Aren’t you already doing that?”
“Earl…”
“Dammit Cathy! I am tired of dancing around the subject. I am attracted to you.”
Her heart hammered, and she felt her palms sweating. “We don’t know each other, and I am afraid that when we do meet, when we get to know the real us – we are going to be disappointed.”
“Why are you so determined to think that?” He demanded.
“Because we have both been disappointed. I want to be practical about this. I have been hurt too many times to count and I have to be cautious.”
“I have been hurt too, but I am willing to throw caution to the winds.”
“Earl…”
“Okay fine. I don’t want to run the risk of you not talking to me. This party.”