A Moment in Time Read Free Page B

lately she'd begun to think that it was vaguely suspicious
that he wouldn't be more forthcoming at this point in their
relationship.
    She sighed. I really don't want to think
about all that right now , she told herself.
    She kicked off her sandals, then walked over
to the windows that looked out on the terraces and swimming pool.
She could feel the wind coming through the screens. A storm is
coming, she thought.
    Stepping through the French doors, she walked
out onto the terrace and looked up at the sky. She stared at the
huge, shifting cloud formations that alternately revealed, then
concealed the brightness of the full moon. Gazing out toward the
pool, she could see that one moment it shimmered with the moonlight
and the next it was almost pitch-black.
    Music, a soft and sexy jazz tune she couldn't
name, drifted out through the French doors behind her. Then Teddy's
strong arms encircled her from behind, and she felt his lips
brushing her hair, searching out the nape of her neck.
    "Hmm," he murmured, "you look so beautiful
standing out here in the moonlight."
    She felt herself respond to his sensuous
touch. It was a kind of giving in that was pleasant, if not yet
passionate. Turning in his arms, she faced him with her eyes closed
and felt his lips instantly fall upon hers, kissing her with
urgency. She put her arms around him and let herself go, responding
to his kisses, enjoying his desire for her, taking pleasure in the
knowledge that this man wanted her so much.
    Teddy pulled her firmly against him, his
hands moving slowly up and down her back, down to her beautifully
rounded buttocks, one in each hand, massaging her gently, and
pressing her against his aroused manhood.
    Valerie moaned softly and put her head down
on his shoulder, clinging to him.
    "You're enjoying yourself," Teddy
murmured.
    She nodded her head on his shoulder.
    "The night's still young," he said quietly.
"Why don't we go have our coffee and drinks, then head upstairs?
Soon."
    Valerie nodded her assent again, but in
actuality she was enjoying the feel of his powerful body against
her own and didn't really care about anything else to drink. No,
she would have preferred to go straight up to the bedroom and crawl
under the covers with him, taking more pleasure in his body, in
their bodies together.
    Teddy drew back and took one of her hands in
his, then silently led her back into the conservatory. She saw a
big silver tray with china cups and saucers on the coffee table
and, alongside them, two crystal balloons of brandy.
    They settled down on the sofa, and Teddy
handed her a cup of coffee. "I put the cream and sugar in it the
way you like it."
    "Thanks, Teddy." She smiled and took a sip.
The coffee was exactly the way she liked it. Sweet and rich. Much
better than she ever made for herself at home. She glanced at him
and saw that he was looking at the ring on her finger.
    "It's so beautiful," she said. "Isn't
it?"
    "It really is," he replied. He put his coffee
down and slid an arm around her shoulders, looking into her eyes.
"When do you think we ought to set the date?" he asked.
    Valerie's mind was instantly set awhirl
again. Oh, no! What should I say?
    She looked down into her coffee cup as if it
held the answer to his question. She certainly hadn't anticipated
this, and she had given it no thought whatsoever. She knew that
Teddy eventually wanted to get married and have a family, but she'd
always managed to neatly tuck away any considerations of marriage
with him—or anybody else, for that matter.
    "Oh, Teddy," she said, struggling to keep her
voice even, "tonight's been so . . . well, it's already been so
much to absorb. Can't we wait to discuss it?" She smiled, and her
eyes searched his. "Please?" she added.
    "Sure, babe," he said, squeezing her
shoulder. He smiled brightly. "We'll wait to talk about it.
Anything for you." He kissed her lips. "Just not too long.
Okay?"
    She nodded in acquiescence. "I promise," she
said. "Not too long."
    "Good," he