"I can't say I have." Coin was impressed by her mood. She was relaxed and talkative. Very different from when she had first arrived at Ravencrest. It had taken him days before he could get her to look him directly in the eye after they had brought her back here.

"You're smiling," she said, tilting her head. "Why are you smiling?"

"You. I'm smiling because of you."

She reached out and touched his arm that lay on the back of the couch. "I missed you these past weeks," she said softly.

"I missed you, too."

Heather placed her glass on the table. When she sat back again, she was closer to him.

Colin could smell her perfume. It was heady, musky--alluring. He drew in a slow breath, trying not to let her notice how it affected him.

Heather rested her hand lightly on his thigh. "I really missed you, Colin." She shifted closer still, her shimmering dress sparkling in the light. "We're different, you and I, but sometimes ... differences make things ... more interesting." Her eyelashes fluttered down.

Colin fisted the hand that was parked on the back of the couch. "Yes," he said, his voice tight in his throat. "I have always found you very intriguing."

Her lips quirked up at the corners. "Intriguing. The word makes it sound like you might find me ... attractive." Her hand inched up his thigh.

Colin's muscles tensed. This was the closest she had ever been to him, other than a touch of the hand. He shifted on the couch, bringing his arm down from its perch. His hand brushed against her back. Colin sucked in a breath as his hand connected with her bare skin. He hadn't realized her dress was backless. As if by instinct, he splayed his hand across her back, smoothing it over her skin. She was so tiny at the waist. He ran his fingers from side to side, tracing the curve of it.

"Do you find me attractive, Colin?" she asked, arching her back. Her hand on his thigh tightened.

Colin cleared his throat. If she moved that small hand of hers one inch higher, she'd know just how attracted to her he was. "Heather, I think you are absolutely lovely."

One corner of her lips rose in a half smile. "You have no idea just how much I've missed you." Heather wiggled one shapely leg, dropping her shoe to the floor. "I dreamed about you, I missed you that much." The other shoe followed.

Colin, still holding his wine glass, took a sip, his throat suddenly dry.

Heather eyed him as he drank, her eyes flashing with interest. "The dreams I had were very ... warm." He noticed her watching him, as he lowered the glass from his lips. Her eyes followed his movement as he rested the glass on his other thigh.

"I'm glad you have warm thoughts about me," Colin said. "I feel the same way toward you."

"You do?" Her eyes moved to his lips. "I wonder..." Her voice trailed off.

Colin held his breath. In her eyes was the heat of passion, a swirling warmth that drew him in. His mind tried to warn him not to go too far, to remember what she had been through, but when she leaned forward and ran her tongue over his lips, slowly, sensuously like a cat, all thought left him.

"Mmm," she purred. "It does taste better on your lips." She reached for his glass and brought it to his mouth. "Drink."

Colin took a sip, his eyes focused on her face. She held the sleepy look of satisfaction in her eyes, a smile playing on her parted lips.

After he took the sip, she took the glass from him and stretched to place it on the table. Colin caught the barest glimpse of a rose hued nipple before she turned back to him.

The next thing Colin knew, Heather had swung one leg over his lap and straddled him, one of her hands on each side of his head on the back of the couch. "Heather..." Before he could say anything else, her mouth was on his, her kiss insistent, demanding. Colin groaned, his hands finding her waist, holding her.

Heather moaned, her tongue probing his lips for entrance. He opened to her, reveling in the feel of her against him.

She thrust her tongue into his mouth, tasting, testing. "Mmm," she crooned, slanting her mouth over his.

Finally she broke the kiss, her breath coming in short gasps. "Damn, Colin, you taste so good."