Free This Love Will Go On by Shirley Larson

her arms. She lay back, stunned by his leaving…until she heard the soft tinkle of the bell on the front door.
    In an instant, Jade was on his feet, his body filling the doorway as it had before, but facing the office.  His bulk shielded her from the eyes of whoever had entered the print shop.
    “Jade?”  It was Harry's voice. “What are you doing here?”
    Raine huddled under the covers, barely breathing.  All she could think of was that her bra and sweater were laying on the floor in plain sight of Harry if he got past Jade.
    “Turning off lights the women left on,” Jade said without hesitation.
    There was a silence, as if Harry was mulling that over. Then he said, “You okay?”
    “Yeah, I'm okay.”
    “I was closing up and I saw your car.  You'd had a few and…where’s your jacket?”
    “I took it off.  I was feeling warm.  The effect of your good Scotch, I guess.”  He shrugged, sounded apologetic.  Then, a little more forcefully, “You go on home, Harry.  I’m fine.  I'll be leaving in a minute.”
    Harry's voice had a reluctant note.  “I can drive you home…”
    “In this storm?  Don't be a fool.  My pickup has chains.”  Another silence.  Then Jade's voice, cold and commanding.  “I'm okay, Harry. Go home.”
    Harry agreed reluctantly, and the bell tinkled again.
    Raine sat up, clutching the quilt around her, her blood pounding. On a nervous half-laugh, she murmured to the form in the shadows that had turned back to her, “Do you know what happens to little boys who tell lies?”
    He came and sat down on the bed beside her, smiling, his hands on her shoulders pressing her back. “There goes my fine Irish nose.”  His smile deepened and his eyes sparkled.  “Should I have told Harry the truth?”
    She could see him clearly in the light streaming from the other room.  He was smiling down at her, his attractive lips curved upward.  “No. Harry would have a heart attack.”
    Jade chuckled.  “Maybe not. Harry's lived a long time. It would take a lot to surprise him.” He leaned over and kissed the soft skin above her breast.
    “Jade, please. I…he might decide to come back in a minute to see why you're not leaving.”
    His warm mouth traveled over her avidly.  “Come home with me, Raine.”
    She fought the clamor in her body to say yes and said softly, “No, Jade.”
    He lifted his head. “Just no?”
    “Just no.”
    “Do you have a reason or is teasing men a hobby of yours?”
    Anger swept through her like a hurricane, but she tightened her control and said coolly, “You're a married man, Jade. And you're married to my sister.”
    His eyes swept over her naked shoulders. “That didn't seem to bother you a moment ago.”
    “A moment ago I wasn't thinking too clearly.  Besides, who do you have staying with Tate?”
    “Sandy and Marc.”
    “So I’m supposed to waltz into your house in front of them?”
    “You could wait in the car until they leave.”
    “Hide in the car, you mean.  Oh, that’s a jolly idea.  That would make me feel really good about going to bed with you.  Not to mention having to hide from Tate in the morning till he went to school and you could take me home.”
    “Don’t.”  He cursed softly, sprang off the bed and went out into the other room.
    She tried to dress quickly, but her hands were shaking and she had trouble fastening her bra.  At last, fully dressed, she left the darkness of the rear of the shop and walked into the light. He sat on the edge of the desk and stared out the window into the night storm, much as she had been doing minutes ago.
    He turned, his hooded eyes telling her nothing.  “I’ll take you home.  I think I can do that much without sullying your reputation.”
    “It isn't that far. I can walk.”
    Through gritted teeth, he said, “Don't push me, Raine.”
    He turned out the lights and, while she locked the door, he slid into the pickup and started the engine.
    The air was icy cold inside the truck