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KIM BALDWIN. Erin had started toward the kitchen but she froze at Gable’s words and looked at her
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Erin had started toward the kitchen but she froze at Gable’s words and looked at her. The smile disappeared. “Why? Do you have plans?”
I don’t want to hurt you anymore. And I don’t think I can lie toyour face. “Nope. No plans. I only meant you shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.”
Erin’s face brightened. “No trouble. I missed you!” She continued on to the kitchen. “Go on and change,” she called out over her shoulder,
“and I’ll get dinner started.”
“ God, I missed you too,” Gable whispered, watching her go.
She decided then and there that it was useless to try to distance herself from Erin. It would do nothing to change the way she felt about her. It would only hurt Erin, and that was simply unacceptable.
v
Gable couldn’t decide what to change into for dinner. She’d tried on half her wardrobe. In my own home, for Pete’s sake. And for whatis probably a hamburger and fries from a fast-food joint. She’d paid no attention to the bag Erin had been carrying, having been too busy admiring how well Erin’s rust-colored blouse complemented the color of her hair. Not to mention how nicely it hugged every contour of that beautiful body.
Gable herself would never wear a form-F tting blouse or a tank top like Erin had worn at the picnic. But Erin was more comfortable with her body than she was—that was obvious not only in what she wore, but in the way she carried herself. She certainly wasn’t self-consciouswhen she was trying on clothes.
Gable closed her eyes and swallowed hard, remembering the way the dressing room mirror had gifted her with three Erins, in cream satin bra and panties, all smiling at her. Oh yeah.
There was a soft knock at her bedroom door. “Gable? Everything’s ready.”
“Be right there.” The navy button-down shirt and faded jeans would have to do. Gable ran her hands through her hair, took a deep breath, and steeled herself for an evening of impossible temptation.
It was immediately apparent it was going to be far worse than she imagined. A spicy aroma F lled her nostrils as soon as she opened the door. She couldn’t identify it, but it sure as hell wasn’t burgers and
• 108 •
FORCE OF NATURE
fries.
Erin had set the round oak table with Gable’s best plates and china.
Two wineglasses held a burgundy liquid. Merlot, she guessed. They had discussed their favorite wines the night of the tornado. Daisies overf owed a petite crystal vase that Erin had tracked down from under the sink. Brass candlesticks taken from the mantel had new red tapers in them, which cast the table in a soft, hazy light.
Erin sat waiting for her. Watching her. Smiling at her.
You look so wonderful by candlelight. Gable wanted to freeze that moment in her mind’s eye, so she could replay it over and over. It would be fodder for dreams to come, she was certain. There was such joy in Erin’s face, and such open affection… and she looks so damnirresistible …that Gable—just for a moment—considered telling her everything.
Her indecision must have been written on her face, for Erin’s smile faded.
“Gable? Is something wrong?”
She pasted a smile on her face. “No, not at all. I’m just surprised.
You really shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.”
“It’s not much. Come sit.”
Gable took a chair next to Erin and watched her ladle up two big bowls of chili, thick with chunks of tomato and beef and garnished with cheddar cheese and red onions. Her breadbasket was F lled with slices of a crusty French baguette, and there was a small mixed-greens salad with mandarin orange segments and glazed almonds, dressed in a sweet-and-sour vinaigrette.
“This is quite a spread,” Gable said.
“I just warmed up some chili I made last night,” Erin said. “It’s better the second day too.” She smiled as she said it, but she looked at Gable as if hoping she would comment on the reference; would somehow explain why she was so busy she couldn’t see her all week.
It wasn’t a hard push, more of a nudge, but it was a sure sign that Erin knew she wasn’t hearing the whole story.
Gable dug into the chili, grateful for the distraction. She didn’t know what to say.
Erin wasn’t going to let it go. Her voice was subdued. “Gable, did I do or say something to upset you?”
Gable took a sip of wine and tried to show no reaction at all to the question. “No, why would you say that?” Just because I’ve been acting
• 109 •
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