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possessive. She gave a small, shocked moan when his tongue breached the barrier of her lips, but she adjusted quickly to the deepening quality of his kiss.
    Reluctantly, Steve eased his mouth from hers. For a long moment, Dianne didn’t open her eyes. When she finally did, she found Steve staring down at her.
    He blinked.
    She blinked.
    Then, in the space of a heartbeat, he lowered his mouth back to hers.
    Unable to stop, Dianne sighed deeply and leaned into his strength. Her legs felt like mush and her head was spinning with confusion. Her hands crept up and closed around the folds of his collar.
    This kiss was long and thorough. It was the sweetest kiss Dianne had ever known—and the most passionate.
    When he lifted his mouth from hers, he smiled tenderly. “I don’t believe I’ll have any problem looking besotted,” he whispered.

Five
    â€œS teve’s here!” Jason called, releasing the living-room curtain. “He just pulled into the driveway.”
    Jill’s high-pitched voice echoed her brother’s. “He brought his truck. It’s red and—”
    â€œâ€”wicked,” Jason said, paying Steve’s choice of vehicles the highest form of teenage compliment.
    â€œWhat did I tell you,” Dianne’s mother said, as she briskly stirred the stroganoff sauce. “He’s driving a truck that’s red and wicked.” Her voice rose hysterically. “The man’s probably a spawn of the devil!”
    â€œMother, ‘wicked’ means ‘wonderful’ to Jason.”
    â€œI’ve never heard anything so absurd in my life.”
    The doorbell chimed just then. Unfastening the apron from around her waist and tossing it aside, Dianne straightened and walked into the wide entryway. Jason, Jill and her mother followed closely, crowding her.
    â€œMom, please,” Dianne pleaded, “give me some room here. Jason. Jill. Back up a little would you?”
    All three moved several paces back, allowing Dianne some space. But the moment her hand went for the doorknob, they crowded forward again.
    â€œChildren, Ma, please!” she whispered frantically. The three were so close to her she could barely breathe.
    Reluctantly Jason and Jill shuffled into the living room and slumped onto the sofa near the television set. Martha, however, refused to budge.
    The bell chimed a second time, and after glaring at her mother and receiving no response, Dianne opened the door. On the other side of the screen door stood Steve, a huge bouquet of red roses in one hand and a large stuffed bear tucked under his other arm.
    Dianne stared as she calculated the cost of long-stemmed roses, and a stuffed animal. She couldn’t even afford carnations. And if he felt it necessary to bring along a stuffed bear, why hadn’t he chosen a smaller, less costly one?
    â€œMay I come in?” he asked after a lengthy pause.
    Her mother elbowed Dianne in the ribs and smiled serenely as she unlatched the lock on the screen door.
    â€œYou must be Steve. How lovely to meet you,” Martha said as graciously as if she’d always thought the world of truck drivers.
    Holding the outer door for him, Dianne managed to produce a weak smile as Steve entered her home. Jason and Jill had come back into the hallway to stand next to their grandmother, eyeing Dianne’s newfound date with open curiosity. For all her son’s concern that Steve might turn out to be an ax-murderer, one look at the bright red tow truck and he’d been won over.
    â€œSteve, I’d like you to meet my family,” Dianne said, gesturing toward the three.
    â€œSo, you’re Jason,” Steve said, holding out his hand. The two exchanged a hearty handshake. “I’m pleased to meet you. Your mother speaks highly of you.”
    Jason beamed.
    Turning his attention to Jill, Steve held out the oversize teddy bear. “This is for you,” he said, giving her the stuffed