engaged in much conversation since getting off the trolley a few blocks back. Instead they walked to her car in intimate silence. Even now she could feel tremors spreading low in her belly with every step she took beside him.
He was holding her hand as they walked. He’d done the same while sitting beside her in the movies. There had been something about their fingers entwined that made every nerve ending in her body ripe with passion. The man was temptation, walking or sitting.
“Nice night,” he finally said.
She glanced around. “Yes, it is, isn’t it?”
Other people were walking about, taking advantage of the beauty of the night. Pools of light from the street lamps shone on various car tops, while the intense glow from a full moon illuminated their paths. The scent of some flowering plant floated in the air, and the low hum of insects invaded the night.
“This is my car,” she said, coming to a stop in front of the white Lexus two-seater.
He studied the car appreciatively, then smiled at her. “This looks like you.”
She chuckled. “Does it?”
“Yes. Sleek, stylish and seductive. I like it.”
Randi couldn’t help but smile, pleased he thought she was those things. “Thanks, and I’m glad you like my car.”
“I like you even more.”
A part of her wished she could dismiss his charm. “Do you?”
“Yes. And I enjoyed my time with you today, Randi.”
She decided to be honest. “I enjoyed my time with you today, too.”
He stared down at her with an intense expression, then reached out and touched her cheek, caressed it. “I want to see you again.”
She shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. It was either do that or be tempted to reach up and wrap her arms around his neck. “Why?” She needed him to tell her the reason.
“Because after spending time with you today, I’m not ready to let you drive away with the thought of not seeing you again. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you cast a spell on me.”
Her lips tightened. “I don’t have the ability to cast spells, Quasar. Nor do I predict lotto numbers or forecast the outcome of elections.”
Evidently something in her tone alerted him that she hadn’t found his statement amusing. He touched her arm. “Hey, I was just joking,” he said softly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
She drew in a deep breath and shook her head. “No, I’m the one who should apologize,” she said softly. “Your words reminded me of the ridicule I got when certain people, those I considered friends, found out about my psychic abilities. I heard the jokes about casting spells, sharing winning lotto numbers and forecasting elections. It made perfect sense to them that if I had these psychic abilities, I should be able to do all those things and more. If I couldn’t, that meant I was a fake.”
He was quiet for a moment and then said, “Again, I apologize for the thoughtless tease, Randi. I want to see you again. It has nothing to do with any spell. I find you desirable. More desirable than any woman I’ve known. So if you’re okay with it, I’d like to visit you next weekend.”
“You live in Charlottesville, and I live in Richmond.”
He nodded. “You’re talking about an hour’s drive. You would be worth it.”
“Would I?” She wished he wouldn’t stroke her cheek like that or look at her with those dark eyes that could spin her body into a mass of sexual need, something she wasn’t used to experiencing.
“Most definitely.”
Was she imagining it or had he shifted his stance, leaning in a bit closer to her? Needing to keep her sanity, she said, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you tell me earlier today that you didn’t do long-term relationships?”
He held her gaze. “Yes, I did say that.”
“In that case, why are you suggesting that we see each other again?”
He slowly dropped his hand and shoved both in the pockets of his jeans, like she’d done with hers. His gaze held hers, as if her absolute attention was totally and completely necessary. As if he’d given what he was about to say some serious thought. “The reason I want to see you again is that the thought of not doing so is something I can’t handle right now.”
He paused a moment and then continued, “Don’t ask me to explain, because I can’t make you understand when I don’t fully understand myself. All I know is that since that night we saw each other in Charlottesville, you’ve constantly been on my mind, even when I didn’t want you to be. I’ve thought about you more than any woman I’ve ever met. I know I’ve told you all this before, and I was hoping that today would...”
Quasar went quiet. His words had been drawing her in, and she didn’t intend for him to leave her hanging now. “Would what?”
He drew in a deep breath. “Purge you from my system. Help me see that what I thought was real was nothing but a fluke. That there was no way I could have met a woman who would make me consider something more than a toss between the sheets at night and a don’t-call-me, I’ll-call-you in the morning.”
Randi tried controlling the beat of her heart. She knew the stipulations regarding her and Quasar about earning the other’s love. Was this their first step in achieving those goals? What if the time was right for them to meet but not for them to do anything else, like move forward? What if the latter was supposed to take place at another time, or in another place? For the first time, she regretted not being able to know his inner thoughts.
She swallowed. “I told you why I’m not seriously involved with anyone.”
He nodded. “Yes, and I told you I don’t have a hang-up about your psychic abilities, and what I thought of the men who did. And as far as your work interfering, I understand, because I’m in a similar predicament. My work can take my anywhere at any time.”
Quasar took a step closer. “Can you look into my eyes, Randi, and tell me that we don’t need to explore what’s happening between us further? That you don’t agree that today wasn’t enough time?”
She knew there was no way she could do that. “But what if things don’t work out?” Especially if our timing is wrong.
“Then we will know.”
Will we? she wondered. Rushing into things now would be a mistake if this wasn’t the right time for them. She knew they were sexually attracted to each other, but they also had to earn each other’s love. What if they got caught up in the sex and didn’t focus on the love?
“When are you returning to Richmond?”
His question made her blink. She was finding it difficult to concentrate around him. “Excuse me?”
“Home? When will you return home?”
“Tomorrow. In the afternoon. After I attend church
