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great qualities was the way he paid
attention to everything I said. We ordered dinner, and he continued to hold my
hand. He listened as I described my workday, interrupting only to feed me
choice bites of food. This time I included tidbits of personal news about my
coworkers and their families—people he recognized by name from previous
conversations. Then I described my afternoon with Chuck, though I left out the
details of our time in the bedroom. I was still a little worried about him.
Chuck wanted to be a father so badly, and I knew he’d make a great one.
    Chad returned a slow, understanding smile. “‘From fairest
creatures we desire increase.’”
    “What’s that?”
    He laughed. “Shakespeare, my love. You know how I enjoy the
sonnets. Chuck is looking for an heir to ‘bear his memory.’ He’s probably
hoping to have children who inherit their mother’s beauty and grace; ‘When your
sweet issue your sweet form should bear.’”
    I could tell by my warm cheeks I was blushing again. “Now
you’re just trying to flatter me.”
    “You think I’m insincere?” He clutched his chest as if I’d
wounded him.
    “No.” I gave him an honest answer. “I almost wish you were.
At least then I’d have a fighting chance against you. As it is, you’re
irresistible.”
    “I like being irresistible to you.” Chad leaned forward so
the glow of the flame outlined his handsome features. He reached out with his
free hand to trace my cheek in a slow, reverent caress that made me sigh. “‘I
love thee to the level of everyday’s / Most quiet need, by sun and
candlelight.’”
    I leaned into his touch. “More Shakespeare?”
    “Elizabeth Barrett Browning.” He ran his thumb across my
bottom lip. “From ‘How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.’”
    I was lost. He was a master of seduction, and I was putty in
his hands. A trickle of moisture spilled between my thighs, wetting my panties
when they’d only just dried after my escapade with Charles.
    Doing my best to match his flirtation, I angled my shoulders
enough to flash a bit more cleavage. “Poetry is nice, but why don’t you say
something original? Tell me a secret.”
    “A secret?” His eyes twinkled, owing nothing to the
candlelight. He always got excited when I engaged him like this. “How about a
secret and a surprise?”
    “Mmm. I like the sound of that. Will you whisper them to
me?”
    He feathered his fingers over my hand where he held it on
top of the table. “I’ll only whisper the secret, my darling. You’ll have to
wait for your surprise.”
    Without a bra, I felt my nipples rasp against the fabric of
my dress. This game was fun, though the hunger it inspired was intense.
    I deliberately licked my lips. “What if I tease it out of
you?”
    He leaned farther forward. “You can try, but I wouldn’t
recommend it. This surprise is for your pleasure.”
    If we huddled any closer together, we’d be burned by the
flame. My lips remained parted. I was breathing more heavily now, caught in a
cloud of sexual tension that turned the air thick and humid.
    “Keep your surprise, then, but spill your secret.”
    “Anything for a beautiful woman.” He lowered his voice. “The
secret is I plan to take you home and make love to you all night long.”
    Oh God. If I creamed any harder, I’d leave a puddle on the
chair. Still, he held me with his gaze.
    “That’s hardly a secret.” I responded to him in a sultry
tone that would have done a phone-sex operator proud. “I’m your wife. That
pretty much makes me a sure thing.”
    “A sure thing requires no effort,” he retorted. “You’re
worth a great deal of effort and should never be taken for granted.”
    Was it any wonder I loved him? His words inspired a feeling
so much more powerful than lust—a passion and devotion that further fueled my
attraction to him.
    No more words were exchanged as he paid the bill, though our
body language spoke volumes. I nearly shook with anticipation