matter?
Guiltily she dropped her hand. She'd been massaging her temple again.
Nothing.
With an impatient oath, he turned her fully to face him, looked into her eyes.
Headache, huh? Bad one?
No, it's-Yes,
she admitted.
Vicious.
You're all tensed up.
He began to knead her shoulders.
Tight as a spring.
Don't.
This is purely therapeutic.
He rubbed his thumbs in gentle circles over her collarbone.
Any pleasure either of us gets out of it is incidental. Have you always been prone to headaches?
His fingers were strong and male and magical. It was impossible not to stretch under them.
I'm not prone to headaches.
Too much stress.
His hands skimmed lightly up to her temples. She closed her eyes with a sigh.
You bottle too much up, Meg. Your body makes you pay for it.
Turn around, let me work on those shoulders.
It's not
But the protest died away when his hands began to knead at the knots.
Relax. Pretty night, isn't it? Moon's full, stars are out. Ever walk up on the cliffs in the moonlight, Megan?
No.
Wildflowers growing right out of the rock, the water thundering. You can imagine those ghosts Kevin's so fond of strolling hand in hand. Some people think it's a lonely place, but it's not.
His voice and his hands were so soothing. She could almost believe there was nothing to worry about. '
There's a painting at Suzanna's of the cliffs in moonlight, Megan offered, trying to focus on the conversation.
Christian Bradford's work I've seen it. He had a feel for that spot. But there's nothing like the real thing. You could walk with me there after dinner. I'll show you.
This isn't the time to fool around with the girl.
Colleen's voice cut through the
evening air, and she stamped her cane in the doorway.
Though Megan tensed again, Nathaniel kept his hands where they were and grinned.
Seems like a fine time to me, Miss Colleen.
Ha! Scoundrel.
Colleen's lips twitched. Nothing she liked better than a handsome scoundrel.
Always were. I remember you, running wild through the village. Looks like the sea made a man of you, all right. Stop fidgeting, girl. He's not going to let loose of you. If you're lucky.
Nathaniel kissed the top of Megan's head.
She's shy.
Well, she'll have to get over it, won't she? Cordelia's finally going to feed us. I want you to sit with me, talk about boats.
It would be a pleasure.
Well, come on, bring her. Lived on cruise ships half my life or more, Colleen
began.
I'll wager I've seen more of the sea than you, boy.
I wouldn't doubt it, ma'am.
Nathaniel kept one hand on Megan and offered Colleen his arm.
With a trail of broken hearts in your wake.
She gave a hoot of laughter.
Damn right.