In minutes they were in the air and the lights of the yacht sparkled below. She couldn’t keep from reaching over to take Will’s hand. Her life had changed—a minuscule change in a way, because she would go on with all her school plans. A monumental change in another because she was in love and that love had grown and solidified. She had given her body to Will along with her heart even though he knew nothing about it. And never would know. She didn’t want him to ever learn how she felt because there was no place in her future for him and he had no place in his for her.
Shortly, they were seated in his luxurious jet rushing back to Dallas. She glanced at her fancy new watch and saw they would probably get in at about four in the morning.
She wanted to look in on Caroline when she arrived, but Will would; it was his place to and not hers.
“Thinking about tonight, I hope?” he asked.
“Tonight, tomorrow, all that’s happened.”
“For a little while, just think about tonight and us. It was special, Ava. Really special. We’ll be back in our real worlds all too soon.” He took her hand, lacing his fingers in hers.
Her pulse speeded as it always did when they touched. Only now, the slightest contact was more of a fiery brand than ever. Memories were constant and vivid, making her want to be back in his arms. How difficult it was to remain cool, slightly distant while longing tormented her. With him, she felt alive, eager, wrapped in temptation that needed constant vigilance.
“I want you in my lap, but I know you’re safer buckled in your seat while we fly.”
“I’m definitely where I should be,” she answered. He leaned over to place his mouth on hers and in seconds her arms were around him.
As his fingers drifted down over her breast, she caught his hand in hers, holding him and ending the kiss. She was breathless, barely able to talk. “We have to go back where we were as employer and tutor, Will. This is crazy.”
“No, it’s not. And no, we can’t ever go back and forget what happened tonight. I don’t want to. I see it in your eyes, feel it in your pulse and know it in your kisses. You’re not going to forget what’s happened. Don’t even hint that you can.”
“One thing I can’t ever possibly forget—your stunning gifts to me. I still say the necklace and watch are breathtaking and you shouldn’t have done any such thing when you’re paying me a fortune to work for you. They’re beautiful, Will, just spectacular, both of them,” she said, looking at her watch and touching the necklace lightly.
“I will find another opera or take you to dinner again soon so you can show them off. By the way, I have a safe at home. If you want, I’ll put your necklace in there for you while you’re at my house.”
She smiled at him. “Yes, I’ve wondered about taking care of them.”
“I hope you’ll wear the watch.”
“Will, you’re generous. I’ve been doing what you hired me to do.”
“And succeeding where all others failed. That requires a big bonus. If you’ve freed Caroline from her grief, you’ve done the most wonderful thing possible for her and for me. I can’t even begin to convey my gratitude. I don’t know whether she’ll remember as she grows up—”
“She doesn’t need to remember. Let her forget. She’ll remember me because I hope to keep in touch with her, but she’s so young. Let her forget the hurt as much as she can. She can’t ever truly forget, but this world of silence she lived in, if she can forget that, let her.”
“Damn straight, I will. I hope you’re always in touch with her.”
Did he really mean that? In touch with Caroline meant in touch with Will. She suspected women he had made love to eventually went out of his life and he rarely gave them a thought once they were gone.
The pilot announced their approach to Dallas and soon they touched down in a smooth landing.
In a short time they climbed the stairs in his silent mansion. When they reached her door, he stepped inside and closed the door before drawing her into his embrace. The moment he kissed her, her heart thudded. Longing mushroomed while she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. Why did his kisses seem right, so necessary?
His tongue went deep, stroking hers. Pulling her up against him, he kissed her hard, possessively. While they kissed, he swept her into his arms to carry her across the room. When he stood her on her feet, she wriggled away.
Rampant desire tore at her. “Will, it’s time to say good-night. We’ve come back to life like it was. I’m committed to Caroline and then leaving for my teaching. I don’t want to complicate my life with an affair.”
“I’d say you already have,” he whispered, caressing her cheek. She caught his hand to kiss his palm, her actions denying her words.
“Good night,” she whispered and moved away from him. “You have to go now,” she said.
The force of the desire in his expression shook her. As they locked gazes, tension grew until he turned away. He closed the door quietly behind him.
She touched the necklace around her throat. “I love you, Will Delaney,” she whispered. She walked to the mirror to look at the magnificent necklace he had given her. She couldn’t imagine the cost of it. Touching it with awe as she stared at it, she found it impossible to realize it was actually hers.
Placing it carefully on the dresser, she looked at sparkling diamonds and the glittering emeralds that glowed in brilliant green. She unfastened the watch to place it beside the necklace. Both pieces of jewelry were gorgeous, lavish and breathtaking. It was impossible to grasp they were really hers, especially the fabulous necklace.
Keyed up, she crawled into bed to be enveloped in memories of hours earlier with Will and their lovemaking.
The room was growing light when Ava fell asleep and then she overslept. She rushed to get dressed and grabbed a hasty glass of orange juice with a piece of toast before she left to search for Caroline, expecting to find her with Rosalyn, who usually left Will’s mansion as soon as Ava took charge.
Ava hurried toward the playroom. Just outside the open door, she paused when she heard Will’s voice. Her heart skipped at the sound of Caroline’s laughter.
“Muffy’s cute, Uncle Will.” Caroline giggled. “Thank you for Muffy.” Ava started to enter, but stopped when Will spoke.
“Remember Miss Ava is the one who first thought you might like a puppy, so you should thank Miss Ava, too.”
“I will. Miss Ava is my friend,” came a childish voice Ava had rarely heard. Caroline’s statement gave Ava joy. “Is she your friend, Uncle Will?”
“Yes, she is, Caroline.”
“I don’t want her to leave,” Caroline said and then squealed. Ava heard Muffy’s growl and knew the pup was playing with either Caroline or Will.
Ava walked quietly into the room. Sitting cross-legged on the floor in chinos and a black knit shirt, Will pulled on a dog toy held by Muffy, who shook it. He was laughing along with Caroline. Suddenly he let go and Muffy
