Free In Forbidden Territory by Shawna Delacorte

and now it’s too late to catch the six-forty-five ferry to Seattle.”
    â€œWe can catch the next one.”
    He pulled her into his arms, being careful not to hold her too tight but unable to resist taking the action. “I’m afraid by the time we do that we’ll end up being too late to attend the gallery opening.” He looked at her questioningly, as if he wasn’t sure what to say. “Maybe we can go tomorrow night instead? We’ll miss the opening festivities, champagne and hors d’oeuvres, but it won’t be as crowded.”
    She smiled in response to his obvious uncertainty. “I’d like that very much.”
    â€œIn the meantime, we can still go out and get something to eat. How about the pub at the waterfront where we first had lunch?” He glanced down at what he was wearing, then extended a sheepish smile. “I had to dress appropriately for my meeting. Since we aren’t going to the gallery opening, I’d really like to get out of this suit and tie and into something comfortable before we do anything else.”
    â€œSame here. If you give me a couple of minutes, I’d like to change clothes, too.”
    â€œI’ll wait right here.”
    Angie made a quick change from the dress she had been wearing to a pair of slacks and simple pullover top. They drove to Ty’s house where he excused himself and went to his bedroom to change clothes.
    His absence gave her an opportunity to study the surroundings he had chosen for himself, something she had not been able to do the previous night. The expensive furnishings and decoration reflected the good taste of the owner—elegant yet comfortable and inviting. She examined several porcelain objects inside a glass-fronted cabinet. From a distance they appeared to be delicate statuettes. Up close she discovered the whimsy and humor the figurines projected. Another indication of the fun-loving personality of the owner.
    She studied the titles of the books that filled several bookcases. They contained just about every genre of fiction, biographies and autobiographies, research books on various topics and general nonfiction. It was an impressive collection of reading material covering a wide range of topics.
    She wandered toward the large window that looked out to the deck, the private dock and the ocean beyond. She closed her eyes and allowed the tantalizing sensations of the previous night to wash through her body. Her nerve endings came alive, every desire she had experienced in the hot tub once again playing havoc with her senses. Her mind drifted to where things had been headed when she put a stop to it. A huff of regret spilled out from her throat. Chickened out was a more accurate description. She had allowed her insecurities to dictate her actions.
    Her thoughts came to a screeching halt when his arms slipped around her waist from behind and hepulled her to him until her back rested against his chest. His smooth masculine voice whispered in her ear, sending a tingle of excitement rippling across her skin.
    â€œA penny for your thoughts.” He leaned his head over her shoulder and placed a tender kiss on her cheek. “You looked like you were a million miles away. Anything you’d care to share?”
    She placed her hands on top of his, the physical contact completing the feeling of comfort and caring that radiated from him. “My mind was kind of wandering…just thinking about what might—” She cut off her own words. She had said more than she intended.
    â€œAbout what might…?” He turned her around until she faced him. He placed his fingertips under her chin and lifted until he could look into her eyes. The wariness and uncertainty of the night before had vanished. He tried to read her thoughts, determine what had been going through her mind. He didn’t want to make another mistake by taking too much for granted. But that did not stop the heated desire