First Impressions Read Online Free PDF Page B

death!” she accused.
    “Don’t you know better than to use a chair like that?” He kept his hands firmly at her waist as he lifted her down. Then, though he’d had every intention of doing so, he didn’t release her. There was a smudge of dust on her cheek, and her hair was tousled. Her small, narrow hands rested on his arms while she smiled up at him. Without thinking, Vance lowered his mouth to hers.
    Shane didn’t struggle, but felt a jolt of surprise. Then she relaxed. Though she hadn’t expected the kiss then, she had known the time would come. She let the first stream of pure pleasure run its course.
    His mouth was hard on hers, with no gentleness, no trace of what kissing meant to her—a gesture of affection, love or comfort. Yet instinct told her he was capable of tenderness. Lifting a hand to his cheek, Shane sought to soothe the turbulence she sensed. Immediately, he released her. The touch of her hand had been too intimate.
    Something told Shane to treat it lightly no matter how her body ached to be held again. Tilting her head, she gave him a mischievous smile. “Good morning.”
    “Good morning,” he said carefully.
    “I’m taking inventory,” she told him with a sweeping gesture of the room. “I want to list everything before I haul it upstairs for storage. I plan to use this room for the museum and the rest of the first floor for the shop. Could you get those things off the top shelf for me?” she asked, looking around for her clipboard.
    In silence, Vance moved the ladder and complied. The fact that she’d made no mention of the turbulent kiss disconcerted him.
    “Most of the work will be gutting the kitchen and putting one in upstairs,” Shane went on, giving her lists another glance. She knew Vance was watching her for some sort of reaction. She was just as determined to give him none. “Of course, some walls will have to be taken out, doorways widened. But I don’t want to lose the flavor of the house in the remodeling.”
    “You seem to have it all plotted out.” Was she really so cool? he wondered.
    “I hope so.” Shane pressed the clipboard to her breasts as she looked around the room. “I’ve applied for all the necessary permits. What a headache. I don’t have any natural business sense, so I’ll have to work twice as hard learning. It’s a big chance.” Then her voice changed, became firm and determined. “I’m going to make it work.”
    “When do you plan to open?”
    “I’m shooting for the first part of December, but . . .” Shane shrugged. “It depends on how the work goes and how soon I can beef up my inventory. I’ll show you the rest of the place. Then you can decide if you want to take it on.”
    Without waiting for his consent, Shane walked to the rear of the house. “The kitchen’s a fairly good size, particularly if you include the pantry.” Opening a door, she revealed a large shelved closet. “Taking out the counters and appliances should give me plenty of room. Then if this doorway is widened,” she continued as she pushed open a swinging door, “and left as an archway, it would give more space in the main showroom.”
    They entered the dining room with its long diamond-paned windows. She moved quickly, he noted, and knew precisely what she wanted.
    “The fireplace hasn’t been used in years. I don’t know whether it still works.” Walking over, Shane ran a finger down the surface of the dining table. “This was my grandmother’s prize. It was brought over from England more than a hundred years ago.” The cherrywood, stroked by sunlight, gleamed under her fingers. “The chairs are from the original set. Hepplewhite.” Shane caressed the heart-shaped back of one of the remaining six chairs. “I hate to sell this, she loved it so, but . . .” Her voice was wistful as she unnecessarily straightened a chair. “I won’t have anywhere to keep it, and I can’t afford the luxury of storing it for myself.” Shane turned away.