Desire After Dark: A Gansett Island Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

conclusion that it was because when they were photographed as children, Toby had usually beenon the left and she on the right. That was the best explanation she—and many therapists—had for the odd left-side fixation she’d developed after his death.
    Back in the truck, he blasted the heat and rubbed his frozen hands together. “This is going to be the coolest Christmas tree ever.”
    “It’ll certainly be the most unique.”
    “I just thought of something we need from the grocerystore,” he said as they drove away from the beach.
    “What’s that?”
    “Bleach. Unless we want your cute little lighthouse to smell like a bait shop tomorrow.”
    “Um, no bait shop, please.”
    “Not to worry. I gotcha covered.” He told her to stay warm in the car while he ran into the store, emerging ten minutes later with three big paper bags in his arms. “Saw a couple of otherthings we needed to get into the Christmas spirit.”
    “Like what?”
    “Hot chocolate, steak, baked potatoes and candles for the table. I’d rather make you dinner than take you out when it’s freezing.”
    “You might be the best houseguest I’ve ever had.”
    “You just found me out. My goal is to get invited back.”
    Erin could tell she surprised him when she reached for hishand. “You have a standing invite.”
    His smile lit up his eyes, and he leaned in to kiss her. “God, I’ve been dying to do that for hours now.”
    “So why didn’t you?”
    “Afraid to scare you off. You’re kind of skittish about all this, aren’t you?”
    “I guess you could say that.”
    “How come?”
    Erin drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. “It’s been a long time,a very long time, since I allowed anything like this to happen.”
    “And what exactly would you say is happening?”
    His intense gaze made it impossible for her to look away. “I don’t know yet, but today’s been fun so far.”
    He reached out to drag his fingertip over her cheek, which made her want to lean into his touch. “Best day I’ve had since the last time I saw you.” Keepinghis eyes open, he kissed her again, softly, fleetingly. Too fleetingly for her liking. It only left her wanting more, which was probably another one of his goals.
    After a quick stop at the liquor store, they headed to the lighthouse, where Slim wrestled the tree up the spiral staircase. “Whoever had the big idea to put spiral stairs in here wasn’t thinking about Christmas,” he muttered,holding the tree over his head as he navigated the tight curves.
    “And now you see why I didn’t bother with a tree.”
    “It’ll be worth it. You’ll see.”
    Thankfully, the tree came with a built-in cross stand that made it easy to position in a corner of the living room. Next, he saw to soaking their “ornaments” in bleach in a bucket he unearthed from the mudroom.
    Entertainedby his industriousness, Erin brewed a cup of tea and offered him some.
    “No tea for me, thanks. I’m a coffee guy, and only in the morning.”
    She filed away the information along with the other things she was learning about him as they spent more time together. Taking her tea to the sofa, she watched him string the lights until he was satisfied with the coverage.
    “Does it hurtto look at?” he asked.
    Smiling, she said, “Downright painful.”
    “Perfect.”
    Using fishing string and superglue he found in a kitchen drawer, Slim created hooks for their ornaments and handed them to her for placement, until the only thing left was the topper that was so ugly it was beautiful. Slim surprised her when he placed his hands at her hips and lifted her so she coulddo the honors.
    He brought her down slowly and gently and then turned her, his hands resting on her shoulders. “It’s beautiful,” he said of the tree, but he was looking at her.
    “Yes, it is. I love it. Thank you for talking me into getting a tree.”
    “Thank you for letting me talk you into it.”
    He stared down at her, and then raised his hands