Free From the Heart by Nora Roberts Page B

kangaroos.”
    â€œKasey.”
    â€œ Hmm? ” She looked down to find Alison’s solemn brown eyes on her.
    â€œI love you.”
    Here it was, Kasey realized. Without condition, without demand. Pure love. Until that moment she hadn’t known just how much she had needed it. “I love you, Alison. Close your eyes.”
    Jordan stood in the doorway and looked down on the two sleeping figures. Alison’s head rested in the crook of Kasey’s shoulder. He had lost track of the time as he stood there, captivated by the picture they made. Each was turned into the other as if they had found something they had been looking for.
    They both belong to me, he thought, surprised by the warmth that flooded through him. They had both loved him, and he had been blind to it. Now that he knew, what was his next move? Love wasn’t as simple as Kasey had told him. He thought about the way they had looked at him—Alison, stunned and hoping; Kasey, exposed and frightened. Walking over to the bed, he watched them sleep.
    Bending over, he moved Alison gently. She stirred once and then was still, deep in a child’s sleep. Carefully he lifted Kasey into his arms. She murmured something, wrapped her arms around his neck and settled into his shoulder. There was something in the trust of the gesture which aroused him more than a planned seduction. He turned to carry her through the connecting doors. Kasey’s eyes opened slowly to stare at him.
    â€œJordan?” She was disoriented, and her voice was thick with sleep.
    â€œKasey.” He kissed her brow. How could she go from innocent to striking by merely opening her eyes?
    â€œWhat are you doing?”
    â€œTrying to decide whether to take you to your room ormine.” He paused at the doorway of her room. “Why were you in Alison’s bed?”
    â€œSpiders.” Kasey remembered and tried to clear her head.
    â€œI beg your pardon?”
    â€œShe had a nightmare.” She sighed. Kasey had never been one to wake up on a bounce. “What were you doing in there?”
    â€œI’ve started to look in on her at night. Something I should have been doing long ago.”
    With a smile, Kasey touched his cheek. “You’re a nice man, Jordan. I wasn’t certain.” She yawned and rested against his shoulder again. “You can put me down anytime.” With barely any effort at all, she could have been fast asleep again.
    â€œKasey.” He noticed the pillow and blankets on the lounge chair. “Why don’t you sleep in the bed?”
    â€œClaustrophobia,” she told him drowsily. “Between the canopy and those bed curtains, I feel like I’m in a coffin. I’m going to be cremated.”
    â€œIt’s a simple matter to change your room.” She snuggled against him and sent a shaft of desire through him.
    â€œNo, it doesn’t matter. The lounge is fine, and the staff already think I’m eccentric.”
    â€œI can’t imagine why.” Jordan put her down on the lounge and sat beside her. “You always smell of violets,” he murmured. His mouth sought hers and found it soft and warm and giving. He knew the exact moment when sleep cleared from her brain.
    â€œJordan.” Kasey was wide awake and throbbing. “You have me at a disadvantage.” She put her hands to his chest and held them firm.
    â€œYes, I know. I wondered if I ever would.” He took one of her hands and pressed his lips to the palm. “I intend to take advantage of it, Kasey.” He trailed a finger over her shoulder, down her breast. He could feel the nipple strain against the thin material. “Tonight,” he murmured. “Now.”
    â€œJordan.” The needs were churning, demanding satisfaction. “I told you before, there’s a matter of choice.”
    â€œYou also told me, only a few hours ago, that you loved me.” He lowered his mouth to hers again. Good