Free Dark And Dangerous by Faye Sommer Page B

home with no love or warmth, and my father came from a very poor home
with a violent father. Both of them decided they wanted a different life for
themselves, and that is what they made." He looked at her deeply. "I
would never judge you based on where or what you came from, only on who you
are. And I very much like who you are."
      Timothy came back, started the car and slid
smoothly back into traffic.
    Unsure of how to react to
Nathan's words, she looked away from his deep blue eyes.
      That had him smiling, even as he decided it
was probably best to change the subject for now.
      "You know, my parents really liked
you."
    Relieved at the change of
topic, she looked back at him.
      "They did?"
      "Yeah. In fact my mother was talking
about inviting you over for a family dinner. But Yasmin told her to take it a
bit easy with you. Warned mom that otherwise she might scare you off."
      "Oh." Was all Kayley could think of
to say.
      "However, I told her I might be able to
convince you to come with me."
      "You did?" She felt a spurt of
panic run down her spine.
    Reading her reaction, he
smiled to himself. "Yes. Now, I was thinking about tomorrow night. We're
all having dinner together. Dad is probably going to grill and I think mom is
making her famous apple cobbler."
      "But I ..."
      "Mom is hoping you will come."
      "But I can't impose on a family
dinner."
      "It's not imposing when you're
invited," he said evenly.
    Before Kayley could think
of an answer, the limousine stopped and their door was opened.
      Embarrassed that she was still sitting on
Nathan's lap, Kayley hurried out of the car, doing her best to hide the blush
that crept up her cheeks at Timothy's smile.
    Nathan didn't seem the
least bit affected though as he followed her. He simply took the picnic basket
and a blanket and led her down a small overgrown path, like it was something he
did everyday .
    Maybe it was, Kayley
thought annoyed.
      "This is a beautiful place. I've never
been here before. Have you?" Nathan asked.
      "No." Kayley avoided the
considering look he sent her, and kept her eyes glued to the ground.
      "Something wrong, Kayley?"
      "No."
      "You sure about that?"
      "Positive," she lied through her
teeth and stubbornly avoided his eyes.
      "You know," he said almost
thoughtfully, "I wouldn't have pegged you for a liar."
      "I'm not a liar." Kayley's eyes
sparked fire. "I never lie."
      "Then tell me the truth," he dared
her.
      "I wasn't lying, because there is
nothing wrong. I was simply wondering how often you take women on
picnics." Her voice was icy with disdain.
      "You jealous, Kayley?" He grinned
at the shocked look on her face.
      "Certainly not," she said a little
too hotly.
      "Good." He took her hand and
grinned again, when she tried to jerk it away. He simply tightened his grip and
lifted it to his lips. "You know, if you try to pull away from me, I'm
just going to think I'm right."
      "You're insufferable."
    That made him laugh
outright and kiss her hand again. "But just so you know, the last time I
went on a picnic I was fifteen."
      "Oh." Kayley felt a blush climb her
cheeks.
      "How about you?"
      "Me?" she asked surprised.
      "Yeah. When's the last time you went on
a picnic," he linked fingers with her, "and should I be
jealous?"
      "I-" She looked up at him
exasperated. He just kept surprising her. "This looks like a nice spot to
eat." She said changing the subject quickly.
      "Now you're making me curious. Do I have
reason to be jealous?" Damned if his jealousy didn't already stir at her
evasion.
      "No, you don't." She could hear it
in his voice and felt better for it.
      "This looks like the right spot."
Nathan set down the picnic basket and spread the blanket over the ground.

 
                                                                    

 
 
 
 
      Chapter 8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      They
ate by the