When Connor came dangerously close to losing control, he broke the kiss, straightened, and drew a rough breath.

Mary-Clair placed one hand on her racing heart, willing it to return to a normal tempo.

"I..." Connor started, then cleared his throat as he heard the gritty quality of his voice. "I rest my case. Test concluded and passed with flying colors." He paused. "Whew."

"Yes, well," Mary-Clair said, then blinked in an attempt to dispel the sensual mist still swirling around her. "I... My goodness."

"You can say that again," Connor said.

"My goodness."

"Let's sit down," Connor said.

They sank back onto their chairs at the table, then their gazes met.

"Mary-Clair," Connor said, "that was no ordinary kiss. Something very special happened between us just now. You won't deny that, will you? Remember that we put major emphasis on truth."

Mary-Clair wrapped her hands around her elbows. "Truth. Yes. Well, no, I can't deny that the kiss was... I've never experienced anything... What I mean is... I have no idea what I mean."

"We desire each other," Connor said, leaning toward her. "It wasn't lust. Desire means that emotions are involved and that was desire, Mary-Clair. Right?"

"Yes, I...but..." Mary-Clair shook her head. "There's no point in having this discussion, Connor."

"Why not?"

"Because it means we're attempting to discover what this is that's happening between us and that's foolish. You're here for a visit and... Besides, you're still six-foot-three."

"Darn it," Connor said, smacking the table with the palm of his hand and causing Mary-Clair to jerk in her chair. "I thought that kiss just proved that it doesn't matter how tall, or short, we are."

"Oh, Connor," Mary-Clair said, "one kiss doesn't erase what I've known for years. It would only be a matter of time before you went into your tall-man mode, with all the bells and whistles."

"No, I wouldn't," he said, none too quietly. "I don't see you as a short woman." His voice quieted. "I view you as a woman...period. A woman I desire more than any before. A woman who has knocked me for a loop. A woman who has become very important to me very, very quickly. Don't shut me out, please. Give us a chance to find out what this is."

Before Mary-Clair could reply, the doorbell rang.

"Saved by the bell?" she said, attempting to produce a smile that failed to appear.

"We're not finished talking about this," Connor said, getting to his feet. "I'll go see what kind of salesperson is at the door."

"I'll come with you," Mary-Clair said.

Anything would be better than being left at that table with her own thoughts, she decided, following Connor out of the kitchen. She was so muddled, so terribly confused, so aware of the heat of desire still glowing within her. Oh, dear heaven, what was Connor O'Shea doing to her?

To be continued...



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