"Maybe it isn't logical or fair, he agreed in a tight voice. "But life isn't a game of checks and balances, Olivia. Love isn't always fair. I have my reasons to be suspicious of women's motives when it comes to romance. Excellent, logical reasons," he assured me, his tone rising slightly. I looked away. He'd already described Will's naivete and disillusioning love affairs. But Brian probably didn't realize that Will had told me all about his brother's unhappy love affair. Was he about to tell her about himself, right now? Suddenly,I didn't want him to dredge up these old memories. Memories of a heart that must have been painfully broken, I guessed. As much as I yearned to know the whole story behind his suspicions and fears, I decided to side-step this tender spot. Maybe someday he'd tell, I thought. Someday when it didn't matter so much anymore... Then I caught herself. When would that be, I wondered?
"You sound so convinced,'" I said finally. "I wouldn't dare try to change your mind. I pulled a throw pillow into my lap and smoothed out the silk covering. "Are you still determined to find them...Faith and Will, I mean?"
Brian looked surprised by my question. Then, suddenly, confused. He rubbed his face with his hand and sighed. "Yes, I do want to find them... though. I'm not sure what good it will do. From what you' ve said, I expect that they' re married by now."
"Most likely," I agreed with a secret, gleeful thrill. My sister had looked so divinely happy, just to hold Will's hand. And Will had looked the same, gazing lovingly at Faith. I knew they were made for each other. Even if Brian did catch up with them, I believed it would take a lot more than his formidable ire to diminish that kind of love by one single degree
"I guess it's partly just foolish pride," he admitted finally. "You see, I never thought my brother would go to such lengths to cut me out of his life this way."
I was shocked by the statement. He was the man bereft of absolutely all self-awareness? Still, I could see from his expression that he honestly loved his brother and truly did feel hurt. I wasn't sure what to say in reply.
"Well...when you find him, you ought to ask him about that, I guess," I advised. I sighed and stretched my arms overhead. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had such a long, personal conversation with anyone. Not even my best friend, Maria. "I think it's time for me to head upstairs."
"I'll l help you," Brian insisted, immediately rising from the couch. I knew I could make it on my own, in a slow, snail-like way, taking the stairs one at a time in a sitting position. But I thought I might as well accept his assIstance and get it over with. While the close contact of having he support me would be unnerving-to say the least-it would be far faster than the other method. And less embarrassing
"All right, let's go," I agreed
He carefully helped me up from the couch to a standing position. With one of his arms wrapped around my slender waist, and one of my wrapped around his back, we proceeded up the stairs, then down the hall to my bedroom, like contestants in a three-legged race.
"I really should have carried you down the hall, Olivia," he insisted. "You don't weigh much at all."
"Right. Tell me another one," I replied, embarrassed by his compliment.
When we reached my bedroom, I switched on a low lamp on a night table and then just about collapsed onto the bed.
"Do you need any help...getting undressed?" he offered. His tone was very quiet and mild, but there was no mistaking the gleam in his dark eyes.
I sat up abruptly. "Kind of you to offer, but I think I can take it from here."
He laughed at my dismay. You can't blame a guy for trying. I couldn't blame him, not one bit. The truth of the matter was that it was hard to have him in my bedroom like this and keep a grip on the romantic images that now raced through my brain. But the best defense was a good offense I'd always heard, and I proceeded to take that advice.
"I hope you didn't get the wrong impression when I agreed to let you stay here and help out, Brian I just want to make one thing clear, while you'e here. There won't be any more Incidents between Us."
"Incidents?" he asked innocently. The corner of his wide mouth rose in a sexy smile. Oh, like in the bathroom, you mean?"
"You l know exactly what I mean," I said firmly
"Olivia, while I must admit that at times I find you completely irresistible, we' re both old enough to know that it takes two to create an...incident. Frankly, I think that you enjoyed kissing me as much as I enjoyed kissing you."
I wanted to argue with him. I knew that if I wanted to hold my ground in this discussion, I had to. And yet, as he crouched down in front of me and stared deeply into my eyes, my just couldn't deny the truth of his accusation.
I had enjoyed kissing him. More than I wanted to admit And I would, if given half a chance, enjoy kissing him again. I didn't answer and merely stared down at my hands folded in her lap. I sensed his face moving closer, and my head snapped up again
"What's the matter, Olivia? Cat got your tongue? For a lady with all the answers, you see pretty quiet all of sudden."
"I think you ought to go downstairs now, Brian. Good night."
"Uh-uh."He shook his head in an emphatic no. He was kneeling next to the bed now, with his large hands planted on either side of my thigh Close enough to feel the heat of his body, seeming through the thin fabric of my clothing. Close enough to inhale his scent, his freshly washed hair, his warm skin. He was so tall that they were face-to-face, his lips just inches from my own.
"I want to give you a good-night kiss. I need to kiss you. The sooner the better," he implored in a husky voice laced with urgency. "I'll stop whenever you want me to," he promised.
"All you have to do is ask me to."
My mouth went suddenly dry. The problem was, once he got started, I wasn't sure I'd have the willpower to ask him to stop. I wasn't sure I'd even want him to.
Of course, he knew that as well as I did. How could he not? I stared deeply into his dark eyes and felt as if I'd gone head over heels, in a free fall, plummeting down a long, dark tunnel. Like Alice down the rabbit hole. When I finally landed, I'd be in another world, far different from the comfortable, well-ordered existence I'd always known.Then, without waiting for an answer, he cupped my face in his hands and kissed me firmly on the mouth, a kiss that said he wasn't the type who waited for permission.
I felt his fingers in my hair, his tongue twining with my own as my mouth opened under his. The assault on my senses was stunning and complete. I raised my hands and gripped his shoulders as a wave of pleasure rocked my body leaving me dazed and weak in its wake.
Then, just as quickly, he was up on his feet, gazing down at me. Olivia felt conlused-and ambushed as if a gift had been given, then stopped from my grasp.
"Good night, Olivia." He smiled, looking very smug and satished, I thought as he departed. "You call me if you need any help in the night."
"This kind of help I can really do without," I said quietly to his back.
Brian closed the door, and I heard his soft, deep chuckle. How was I going to manage having him in close quarters for the next few days? I dropped back on the bed and pulled a pillow over my face. Effectively muffled, my screamed in Silent frustration. I suddenly wished I'd never agreed to help Faith and Will with their little scheme If I didn't watch out, the last laugh was going to end up being on me. Especially if I didn't get Brian out of my house, pronto. While I felt relieved to have some help getting into town and taking care of the chores around the house, tomorrow I'd surprise everyone with a dramatic recovery. He'd have no excuse to stay longer. Just one more night of Brian Adams under my roof. I could last that long up in bed with him, I assured myself.
Couldn't.....I?