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heading down the stairs. For a moment she contemplated ignoring it. Finally her customary even temper reasserted itself, and she headed for the door, still holding her plate.

Chapter Two
    A man was standing there in the doorway, a lean figure just under six feet tall, with a kind of wiry strength and casual grace that radiated from both his jeans-clad body and the slow smile that lit his face. He was very tanned for February in the Northeast, with thick, wildly curly black hair that fell across his forehead, high cheekbones, a slow, sensual smile, and blue eyes that would put Holly’s Noah to shame. The heavy wool sweater clinging to his narrow body couldn’t disguise the strength in his shoulders as he lounged against the door, and Anne swallowed once, twice, in sheer awe.
    â€œHi.” His voice was even worse—impossibly low and beguiling. A voice to charm the senses out of anyone, she thought dimly. “My name’s Grant. I believe I’m expected.” Those blue eyes caught the plate she was holding in one numbed hand, and the smile broadened self-deprecatingly. “And I’m late,” he added. “I’m sorry. I’ve interrupted your dinner. You must be Anne. I’ve heard a lot about you, but I can’t say you’re what I expected.”
    Grant, she thought numbly. He had to be the missing member of the party, Ashley’s current companion. Damn, double damn, she fumed silently. What a waste.
    But that smile was not to be resisted. She answered it, basking in its warmth. “You may be late, but everyone’s later. I finally gave up waiting for them. They’re next door skating, and God only knows when they’ll be back. If you like, I can give you directions.”
    â€œWould you mind if I waited here with you?” he questioned easily, and that voice was like silk running down her spine. “Unless you’d rather be alone.”
    Triple damn, Anne thought. He’s nice, too. She stepped back from the door. “Welcome, stranger. I’ll even feed you, if you’re hungry. Heaven only knows what shape the chicken will be in by the time the others return.”
    â€œThank you. I thought you’d never ask.” He followed her into the hallway, his magnetic presence seeming to fill the large hallway, making Anne far too aware of him and that easy, damnably sexy grace of his.
    â€œWhere would you like to eat?” Her voice came out admirably level, a fact that pleased her. Not a soul would be able to tell that half her mind was at the moment involved in the most convoluted sex fantasy of her life.
    â€œWhere were you going to eat?” he countered, that voice still melting her.
    Damn, the man was putting her hormones in an uproar, and it was all for nothing. Ashley was luckier than he knew. “I was heading down to the kitchen.”
    He raised his eyebrows over those searching blue eyes. “What are you, the scullery maid or something?” he drawled, but there was a curious light in those eyes.
    â€œHardly. I just love to cook.” Now why did she feel defensive? She was about to go on, explaining her familial situation, and then stopped short. There was no need to explain herlife story to a total stranger. As long as she didn’t feel ill-used, then she wasn’t. It was that simple, she had always told herself, and did so again. “But I’m willing to be flexible,” she added. “Kitchen, dining room or library?”
    â€œDoes my nose deceive me, or is there a fire in the library?”
    â€œThere is.”
    â€œAnd you’ll join me?” The eyes were intent on her upturned face, and Anne had the flashing feeling that Ashley might get very angry with her indeed.
    Smiling up at him, she nodded. “I will.” Let Ashley be jealous, she thought defiantly. When it comes right down to it, she was perfectly safe with this charming man. More’s the pity.
    Five minutes later they