Cautious Lover Read Free

womanly instinct told her that Jess Winter definitely was interested in women. So why hadn't he pushed her into bed by now? He certainly wouldn't have had to push very hard. The thought that he might not be attracted to her was terrifying. It also made no sense. Why would he want to marry her if he wasn't attracted to her?
    Her only hope had been the occasional glimpses of fire she thought she had detected on the few times when Jess had permitted a good-night embrace to stray beyond the bounds he usually imposed. She thought she had sensed something more in him on those infrequent occasions, something that meant he was capable of responding to her deeply. Those hints of passion, combined with her instinctive reading of his character, were all she had to go on tonight. If she couldn't find a way to test the sensual side of his nature, Elly knew she would be forced to decline Jess Winter's offer of marriage. It would be too big a risk.
    She might be thirty, but she hadn't reached the point of desperation and probably never would. She wasn't ready to commit herself to marriage simply to avoid spinsterhood. As a matter of fact, there was a lot to be said for living independently. She had grown quite fond of her freedom and her own company. Only love would coax her into marriage—fully reciprocated love. Elly had made that decision this morning.
    "How long will you be staying this time?" she asked as she carried the bowls over to the round wooden table by the window. She returned to the oven to collect the rest of the meal.
    Jess shook his head in mock wonder. "You're always so calm and serene about that particular question. A lot of women would have given me a great deal of static over the matter of my coming and going so frequently. But not you." He reached for a hot bowl. "You always smile and kiss me goodbye when I leave and invariably you're waiting right where I left you when I return."
    "I had no idea I was so convenient." Elly sat down and concentrated on tasting her casserole.
    "Ah, but you are convenient, Elly . Undemanding, good-natured, genuine, reliable, tolerant and you can cook. What more could a man ask?"
    She sighed, her mouth curving wryly. "You're teasing me."
    "You're asking for it." Jess's eyes gleamed. "But to tell you the truth, all those perfect female qualities I just listed aren't so far from reality. You do possess them."
    "And you're a man who appreciates them?"
    "You better believe it."
    The depressing thing was , he clearly meant it. The rather daunting list of dull virtues was exactly what Jess did seem to admire in her. After two months Elly believed him. The thought nearly panicked her.
    "What if I turned out to be not quite so, uh, comfortable?" she dared softly.
    Jess grinned. "It's really starting to get to you, isn't it?"
    "What?"
    "Bridal jitters."
    "I'm not a bride yet," she pointed out coolly.
    He leaned across the table and flicked the end of her short nose. It was a gesture of casual affection, just as all his other gestures were. "You're going to make a charming bride. Now stop worrying about it and pass me the salad."
    Without a word Elly obeyed. The time had come, she thought. It was now or never. She had to start focusing the evening toward her ultimate goal or the opportunity would be lost. Deliberately she summoned up a sweet smile. "You can't blame me for being nervous. I've never been married before."
    "You'll get the hang of it fast enough. All you have to do is keep living your life the way you normally live it. The only difference is that I'll be around to share it with you."
    "Sounds simple."
    "It will be. Want some more salad?" He dished out a large portion for her without bothering to wait for her response.
    "No, thank you."
    "Too late. It's already on your plate. That dressing's terrific, by the way. Invent it yourself?" "Um-hmm."
    "You know, I think that after we're married I'll move in here with you while we wait for the renovation work on the inn," he went on casually.