Free A Summer Smile by Iris Johansen

that if I weren't along, you'd be taking your chances out here."
    He went still. "Worrying about me?"
    "Yes, worrying," she echoed softly. "I think I maybe worrying quite a bit about you from now on, Daniel." She sat down and leaned her back against the stony wall of the cliff. "If you'll sit down and get settled, we'll be able to turn out the lantern. For someone who is so concerned about Hassan discovering us, you're being very reckless."
    He dropped down beside her, still scowling.
    "Zilah, you're being—"
    She swiftly put her fingers over his lips. "Shall I tell you something David Bradford once told me when . I was going through a bad time? He said, 'I can't claim to understand your pain. We all experience sadness and pain in accordance with our own natures.
    But if you'll let me, I'll share it. Open to me, give to me, and we'll handle it together. That's how it should be between friends." " Her eyes were glowing softly. "And we are friends, Daniel. Despite what happened in that cave tonight, I know I don't have any right to expect more from you. I don't want you to feel pressured or harried. I realize that I'm nothing special in your life, that you probably would have reacted to any woman in the same way. Sex hasn't as much emotional significance to a man as it does to a woman." She smiled a little shakily. "But we do have friendship. We couldn't have gone through what we did today without jumping a few hundred boundaries or so." She nestled her head on his shoulder with the endearing confidence of a small child. "So, like it or not, we're in this together, Daniel."
    Daniel flipped off the lantern and was silent for a long moment. "I . . . do like it." His big hand gently began to stroke her hair. "Old friend."
    "Good." She was vaguely conscious of his tucking the silver sheet over both of them. "Now, go to sleep and we'll worry about Hassan tomorrow."
    "Yes, ma'am." There was a thread of amusement beneath the meekness in his voice.
    It didn't disturb the contentment she was experiencing. How lovely to be needed, she thought drowsily. For the past few years she had been the one in constant need. Everyone around her had treated her as if she were a piece of fine china that had been shattered, and though repaired, must always be given special care. But with Daniel she could give as well as take. How wonderful to know that no matter how dominant and aggressive he appeared, there would be moments when Daniel needed her.
    Zilah drifted off to sleep almost immediately but Daniel didn't even make the attempt. With the rifle within reach he felt fairly secure, but there was no way he would expose Zilah to additional risk. He would sit here until dawn and guard her while she slept. A slight smile touched his lips and he brushed a kiss on her temple. He would be careful to guard her very well.
    Nothing special. Those were the words she had used to describe an experience that had rocked him to his foundations. She had tried so hard to be understanding and sophisticated: he had been torn between tenderness and indignation as she'd told him so gravely she knew that the sexual experience they'd shared meant little to him. Perhaps it hadn't been more than physical gratification in the past, but that was before Zilah. Before he had looked into clear, grave eyes that asked and answered at the same time. Before he had seen a summer smile that he knew would now hold all the seasons of loving for him.
    Hell, he couldn't expect her to feel the same way. He had known that she was actually backing away from him when she'd been murmuring all that bull about how she didn't want him to feel harried. Who could blame her when he had just taken her with less ceremony and finesse than he usually spent on the most casual of bedmates? He had lost control and he'd been damned lucky she hadn't rejected him entirely. She needed breathing room, and if he wanted her to come to him willingly and joyfully, then he had to give it to her. Damn, it was going to