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Daniel watched the early evening news but barely listened to the anchor. From the corner of his eye, he saw a movement and looked to the side. Sabrina had finished her shower already, and through the open door to the bedroom he saw that she’d come out of the bathroom only dressed in a towel.

Damn, didn’t she know that the bedroom door was open? Seconds later, he panted heavily when as he saw her drop the towel and pick through her bag for some new clothes. Hell, didn’t she realize that he could see her from where he was? She was killing him. She literally would be the death of him.

Instead of being a gentlemen and looking the other way, he let his eyes glide over her naked body and watched her get dressed. First, she pulled up the tiny black panties, then she stepped into yet another thin summer dress, similar to the one she’d worn the night they’d gone to the cooking class. His hand instinctively went to his crotch, where he felt the familiar bulge that had become his constant companion since he’d met her.

Fuck, could this woman not wear a bra? Did she have to slip into the dress without it, knowing that with every step she’d make tonight, her gorgeous boobs would bounce suggestively?

As she bent down to put on her high heeled sandals, he admired her shapely legs and hallucinated about how he’d throw her over the dresser, rip her panties off and plunge himself into her.

Daniel jumped up from the couch and headed to the kitchen, ripped the freezer open and stuck his head into it. The cool air hurt, but he needed it. Slowly, his breathing returned to normal.

“What are you doing?” Sabrina’s voice startled him, and he hit his head on the freezer door as he pulled out.

“Ouch!” Great, how would he explain this? “Nothing. Just checking if we have ice cubes.”

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment any further. She looked stunning. Her skin glowed both from the sun she’d gotten in the afternoon and the oil he’d used on her during the massage. The scent of lavender was still all around her.

She wore practically no make-up. Not that she needed it. Her face was flawless, and her eyelashes so naturally think that no mascara would have added anything to her expressive eyes.

“I didn’t expect you to be done so quickly.” Daniel definitely hadn’t. None of his girlfriends had ever gotten showered and dressed in under an hour, let alone in under fifteen minutes.

Sabrina shrugged. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

“Come, we might as well drive into town early and do a little sightseeing before dinner.” Anything to get out of this cottage and the temptation to strip her naked.

The little town of Healdsburg was centrally located in between Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill and Dry Creek Valley. Daniel wasn’t disappointed in the restaurant Tim had recommended, and judging by Sabrina’s appetite, she loved the food too. When he’d massaged her, he’d noticed that her curves were fuller than those of any of his ex-girlfriends, who’d barely ever eaten more than a little salad or some sashimi for fear of gaining a pound or two.

He liked to feel the roundness of her hips and the fullness of her breasts, and it reminded him that he hadn’t touched her breasts in far too long. Severe withdrawal symptoms made themselves known in the form of uncomfortable pangs in his abdomen.

During dinner, their conversation centered around observations about the wine country. He avoided anything that could be construed in a sexual way, and Sabrina seemed to do the same. On the drive back to the cottage, they were both quiet. He knew what was on her mind, because it was also on his mind: they’d be sharing a bed tonight.

10

Sabrina had felt the tension all evening. There’d been an awkward silence between them on the way back in the car. As soon as they’d gotten to the cottage, Daniel had switched on the TV and installed himself on the couch.

She took her time in the bathroom, but at some point she couldn’t stall any longer and, dressed in a simple short cotton nightdress, she went into the bedroom. It was still empty. She slipped under the covers and wondered when he’d finally come to bed.

She’d missed his touch and his kisses more than she wanted to admit. There really was no way around it. She wanted him, and she didn’t want to deny herself anymore. To hell with the consequences. By now Holly had probably stocked up their freezer with enough ice cream to see her through the worst once Daniel was gone.

The sound of the TV ceased, and a few seconds later Daniel came into the bedroom and closed the door behind him. He went straight for the bathroom. Sabrina shook her head when she heard the shower again. This would have to stop. And she would make sure it did.