Kane’s eyes agreed with her, although he cursed his frustration.

“Damn!” he spat. “You’re right,” he conceded, “but just how long do you expect me to keep my hands off you?”

“It’s not what I want, and you know it. But I think that we, both of us, need to give Krista some time for adjustment.”

“You’re right,” he sighed, and taking her hands in his, pulled the two of them upright. The passion in his eyes simmered for a minute, and he dropped her hands. “Thanks for staying with Krista. I’ll see you tomorrow at work.” He seemed calm, only his clenched fists gave any indication of the restraint he was placing upon himself. “I’ll be in late, because of Krista and the moving company, but when I get to the office, I…I think that we should have a talk.”

“Oh?”

“You and I have a lot to discuss.”

She smiled up at him and tried to ignore the unreadable expression in his eyes. “I’m glad you’re back,” she whispered. “I missed you.”

He started to respond, but stopped and closed his eyes for a second before rubbing his temple. “I’m glad to be back,” he admitted, trying to rub away the deep ridges of concern that were creasing his forehead. Erin thought that he had finished speaking.

“Good night,” she called over her shoulder, but his voice whispered to her and stopped her as she started to ascend the steps.

“Erin?” he beckoned.

“Yes?” Her face turned to him, and even in the semidarkness he knew it was the most beautiful face he had ever seen, the most incredible woman he had ever made love to.

“You would tell me, wouldn’t you? I mean, if you were in any trouble, you would tell me about it so that I could help you?”

“Of course I would. Honestly! Don’t you know that?” She couldn’t hide the smile that played on her lips.

“Sure,” he agreed absently, as if totally unconvinced.

“Good! Then trust me!” She laughed, and shook her hair loose from the ponytail as she sprinted up the two flights of stairs. What was Kane talking about so seriously? Sometimes, she admitted to herself, he was a bit overly dramatic.

As Kane closed the door to his apartment, he leaned heavily against the cool hard wood. Erin’s final words echoed and reechoed in his ears. “Then just trust me…trust me…”

Eleven

Several days had passed, and Erin found it nearly impossible to spend any time alone with Kane. Even the meeting at work had to be postponed indefinitely. During the days at work, whenever their paths would cross, it seemed that there wasn’t any time for the lengthy discussion that Kane had alluded to on Sunday evening. Most of the staff was still out with the flu, the computer was working erratically, and the general disorganization of the office kept Erin from seeing Kane. Also, Kane was in and out of the office, dividing his time between the office and home, hoping to get Krista settled. Fortunately for him, Mrs. Cavenaugh had been more than willing to be with his daughter when it was impossible for him to be at home. But the strain of the situation was wearing on him; Erin could see it in his eyes.