Free Temptation by Nora Roberts

But a ripple of fear—of anticipation—raced through her, because she knew he was right.
    â€œYeah, it’s my problem.” My God, how had he passed so quickly from curiosity to attraction to blazing need? “And because it is, I’ve got a question. I want to know why Eden Carlbough is playing at camp for the summer rather than cruising the Greek Isles. I want to know why she’s cleaning out stables instead of matching silver patterns and planning dinner parties as Mrs. Eric Keeton.”
    â€œMy business.” Her voice rose. The new Eden wasn’t as good as the old one at controlling emotion. “But if you’re so curious, why don’t you call one of your family connections? I’m sure any of them would be delighted to give you all the details.”
    â€œI’m asking you.”
    â€œI don’t owe you any explanations.” She jerked her arm away and stood trembling with rage. “I don’t owe you a damn thing.”
    â€œMaybe not.” His temper had cooled his passion and cleared his head. “But I want to know who I’m making love with.”
    â€œThat won’t be an issue, I promise you.”
    â€œWe’re going to finish what we started here, Eden.” Without stepping closer, he had her arm again. The touch was far from gentle, far from patient. “That I promise you.”
    â€œConsider it finished.”
    To her surprise and fury, he only smiled. His hand eased on her arm to one lingering caress. Helpless against her response, she shivered. “We both know better than that.” He touched a finger to her lips, as if reminding her the tastes he’d left there. “Think of me.”
    He slipped back into the shadows.

Chapter 4
    It was a perfect night for a bonfire. Only a few wispy clouds dragged across the moon, shadowing it, then freeing it. The heat of the day eased with sunset, and the air was balmy, freshened by a calm, steady breeze.
    The pile of twigs and sticks that had been gathered throughout the day had been stacked, tepeelike, in a field to the east of the main compound. In the clearing, it rose from a wide base to the height of a man. Every one of the girls had contributed to the making of it, just as every one of them circled around the bonfire now, waiting for the fire to catch and blaze. An army of hot dogs and marshmallows was laid out on a picnic table. Stacked like swords were dozens of cleaned and sharpened sticks. Nearby was the garden hose with a tub full of water, for safety’s sake.
    Candy held up a long kitchen match, drawing out the drama as the girls began to cheer. “The first annual bonfire at Camp Liberty is about to begin. Secure your hot dogs to your sticks, ladies, and prepare to roast.”
    Amid the giggles and gasps, Candy struck the match, then held it to the dry kindling at the base. Wood crackled. Flames licked, searched for more fuel, and spread around and around, following the circle of starter fluid. As they watched, fire began its journey up and up. Eden applauded with the rest.
    â€œFabulous!” Even as she watched, smoke began to billow. Its scent was the scent of autumn, and that was still a summer away. “I was terrified we wouldn’t get it started.”
    â€œYou’re looking at an expert.” Catching her tongue between her teeth, Candy speared a hot dog with a sharpened stick. Behind her, the bonfire glowed red at the center. “The only thing I was worried about was rain. But just look at those stars. It’s perfect.”
    Eden tilted her head back. Without effort, without thought, she found Pegasus. He was riding the night sky just as he’d been riding it twenty-four hours before. One day, one night. How could so much have happened? Standing with her face lifted to the breeze and her hands growing warm from the fire, she wondered if she had really experienced that wild, turbulent moment with Chase.
    She had. The memories were too