He held her parka and she pulled on her gloves as they went downstairs to the car. During the ride she looked at the charming snow-covered town, but her thoughts tumbled over the excitement of being here with Garrett and the worry of how important he was becoming in her life.
At the restaurant they sat close to a blazing fire while piano music played softly. They ordered cups of steaming cider and hors d’oeuvres. Garrett had been famished when he finished dressing, but now his appetite had dwindled. He longed to hold Sophia, to kiss her. He ached to just touch her, to physically keep contact. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders and around her face. Her luminous brown eyes were thickly lashed and captivating. And she looked happy.
Which made what he had to do even harder.
This withholding of information had gone on long enough. The closer they got, the more important it was to be honest with her. He had never been devious in his dealings before and he didn’t want to start now.
It was a miracle she hadn’t already discovered his connection with the Delaneys. But he was certain he would know when she had.
How he wished he didn’t have this big secret. If only he were free to pursue her honestly the way he wanted, in a manner he had never dreamed of before.
Candlelight on the table reflected in her dark eyes. Each day he had been amazed by how much he wanted to be with her. She was becoming more important to him by the minute. Which meant he needed to tell her.
“You’re an excellent skier,” she said.
“I was going to tell you the same.”
She smiled. “I think you held back to stay with me. It was invigorating, a real change from my regular life. You’ve turned my world topsy-turvy.”
And there it was—the perfect opening to tell her about the Delaneys.
But he couldn’t. He realized he didn’t want to tell her in public. He wanted to be alone with her. And he also realized that no matter how guilty he was feeling, he should wait until they returned to Houston. It would give him the weekend to get closer to her and hopefully create a stronger bond between them that would be harder for her to break.
A voice inside him told him that that was a cruel thing to do, but he ignored it.
He didn’t want to lose her. From the first moment he had seen her, he’d been drawn to her and the thought of losing her made his insides churn. He had never expected to find her fascinating, to want a relationship with her.
“Maybe you’ve turned mine topsy-turvy, too.”
“I seriously doubt that,” she said. “All of this is scrumptious,” she added, taking a bite of a mini-beef Wellington. I can see why this is your favorite restaurant.”
“Good—I’m so glad you like it. So tell me, do you go to your gallery every day?”
“Not at all. I have a competent manager and excellent staff. They run the business so I can stay at the studio and paint.”
“I don’t blame you. If I ever build furniture full-time, I’ll do the same.”
“Why do you stay in property management? With your talent for woodwork, you could build a following very quickly.”
“Blame my father for that one. I was raised to be in a productive, lucrative business. It was instilled in me as far back as I can remember.”
“But your father is gone now, and you’ve already proved yourself in that area. Your furniture would be productive and lucrative.”
“I’m wound up in obligations. Imagined or real, they are as much a part of me as my breathing. To Dad, who hasn’t been gone that long, my fascination with building was entertainment and silly.”
“Too bad,” she said, shaking her head. “What did your dad want for you in your personal life?”
“The usual. Marriage and kids. But I’ve watched too many people have miserable marriages, and I’m not ready to get tied down.”
“Tied down,” she repeated, smiling. “So no long relationships in your past?”
“None. And evidently, none in yours.”
“Absolutely not.”
When he had first met her, her answer would have pleased him—a woman who did not want any deep commitment. Why now did he feel jolted slightly by her answer? Was Sophia weaving a web around his heart—something no woman had ever done?
It was nine before they left the restaurant. When they stepped outside a light snow fell, big flakes drifting, glistening in the light.
“Look, Garrett, this is enchanting,” she said, spinning around with her arms spread wide. Her long hair flew out behind her, swirling around her face. He couldn’t resist wrapping his arms around her to kiss her, tasting a wet snowflake on her lips.
When he released her, she stepped away. “We’re in public.”
“I couldn’t resist,” he admitted, thinking he would always remember her spinning around in the snow, a beautiful woman whose exuberance and zest for life were contagious. He looked up at the falling flakes and took out his phone. “We weren’t supposed to have this kind of weather.”
“It’s gorgeous. I can’t keep from being glad we have it.”
“Even if you’re snowbound with me?” he asked.
“Even if. I’ll manage.”
“Chance of a trace of snow,” he read off his phone. “Clear Sunday.” On impulse he glanced up. “Do it again. Let me get your picture.”
Laughing but humoring him, she did and he took a picture that he expected to be a blur, a disappointment. Instead, the picture was clear with her dark hair swinging out behind her head. He had caught her big smile and the essence of the moment. It would have been a perfect moment if it weren’t for this big secret between them. He put away his phone, shaking off the thought. “A trace of snow tonight won’t make any difference except to please you.”
“It definitely does,” she said. “Hey, wait. You’re not the only one who wants a picture of this.” She yanked out her phone. “Smile, Garrett.”
He grinned while she took his picture and then flashed it briefly so he had a glimpse of himself. Linking his arm in hers, he waited for the valet to bring his car.
They stomped snow off their boots at his condo and he built another fire, which gave a low light. When he turned away from the hearth, he faced her.
Sophia stood at the window with the flickering orange flames playing over her. As his gaze drifted down over her lush curves and long legs, his heartbeat quickened. His longing was intense. He crossed the short distance to take her in his arms.
Sophia’s
