Lorna was still riding her high from the night before when she and Norie entered Kennedy’s Grocery for ice cream and a copy of the weekly County Times. Clean up had gone well at the auditorium and Rachel’s check had made the Applettes a happy, albeit curious, little group.

"Hey Lorna, Norie. The usual?"

"Hi Kurt," she smiled at the clerk behind the counter of the old fashioned soda fountain. "The regular for me thanks. You know this one though." She plopped Norie onto a stool and retrieved a paper from the newsstand.

"Oh no," she mumbled. "’Local Man bought for 50G.’ Would you look at that?" Yeah, she’d expected the auction to make the paper, but she hadn’t figured on it being front-page news. Looking at it now though, she could see that the grainy black and white photo of THE kiss begged for a front page. The least they could’ve had done was stick a better headline on it.

She just hoped other papers didn’t pick up on the story. If anyone discovered the connection Carl and Rachel shared, then interest would skyrocket. When that happened, the peace they’d created here would be gone.

*(*

Peace was the last thing on Carl’s mind as he made his way to the ground-floor bathroom. Thoughts of Fate, destiny and a certain sexy woman filled his head.

"Rachel," he began as he entered the bathroom without knocking. "I’ve brought a change of…OOOFF!!" The air was knocked from his lungs as his back made hard contact with the solid wooden door. Insistent hands sprawled against his chest while a supple set of lips demanded his undivided attention. After long seconds, they pulled apart, both panting.

"Hi," Rachel whispered against his chest.

"I like the way you say hello. Perhaps I should go out and come back in again." He made to move only to find himself pressed back against the door once again.

"Not on your life. I have you where I want you." Rachel’s hands crawled under the hem of his T-shirt. "Does this door lock?"

"Of course. However, I’m afraid we’d have very little privacy." He just hated disappointing her. Especially when her nimble fingers kept tracing delicately erotic patterns across his chest.

"Why?"

He was about to explain when they were interrupted. Again. "Everything okay in there? I thought I heard a noise." The masculine voice was loud and brisk. Regrettably, Rachel moved away from him.

"We’re fine," Carl answered.

"Alright. Just checking." He waited until the footsteps retreated before speaking.

"That’s Page. Our over-protective housekeeper."

"A male housekeeper?"

"Don’t sound so surprised Rachel. I am an equal opportunity employer," he smiled. "Besides, would you rather I’d hired some nubile young temptress determined to have her way with me?"

"What do you think?" she asked, leaning in for a kiss. "I’d be forced to teach her a lesson."

The sparks of jealousy in Rachel’s eyes pleased him. He wanted nothing more than to allow her seduction of him to continue, but they had a more pressing issue. "I brought a change of clothing for after your shower. Just give your dress to Page when you’re finished."

"You’re not staying?"

"I would love to my darling, but I’m afraid we’d only attract the attention of my concerned housekeeper."

"Uh-huh."

Carl ran a long finger along her lower lip before weaving his hands through her hair. "I want to carry you to my bed," he began. "I want to kiss you long and deep until you go all soft and willing in my arms. I have a score of things I want to do to you Rachel. Meet me upstairs in a bit?"

Rachel stood before him transfixed. At her mute nod he gave her one last kiss before slipping from the room. Nice to know he could still leave her speechless.

*)*

There were times she would give anything to know what was going through Carl’s beautiful mind. Back in her life for less than twenty-four hours and he was slowly driving her mad with lust. All he had to do was look at her and she was ready to melt into a puddle at his feet. But lust was good. Lust was healthy. Right?

Rachel shut off the shower and reached for a big fluffy towel. They didn’t need to rush into anything. She could wait. She didn’t need to have him right here in the bathroom, lovely though it was. Really, she was acting a little desperate. And even if she was desperate, she didn’t have to show it.

Wrapping a towel around her head she stepped into the cotton tee and pj bottoms he’d left for her. Somewhere in this house he was waiting for her.

Rachel opened the door only to run into a solid wall of man and had to crane her neck considerably to get a look at his face. It was the man who’d given her the directions to find Carl. "Page?"

"Yeah."

"You’re the housekeeper?"

"I do a lot of other things too, but that’s me. You want me to take you to the boss."

"Would you?"

So she followed his admirable derriere—although it did little for her—down the corridor and through the kitchen.

"We were forced into painting the hallway. Not much to look at," he announced once they were in anther hallway that brought them to a set of stairs. "Just go up and to the right. Third door on your left."

She literally floated up the stairs to his door. Once there she crashed back to earth. What was she doing here in Carl’s home? That answer was pretty obvious. But what happened afterwards? Were they going to pick up where they left off? Way too much water had passed under the bridge, so that was somewhat up in the air.

Everything was so much more complicated now. Selfishly, she wished they could go back to when it all started. The man he was then was a man at loose ends. No permanent home with no one to answer to. He’d been eager to tie himself to her and create a home. This new Carl, well, he was a horse of different color, so to speak. Fundamentally he hadn’t changed. Rachel knew that. The fact he was now a settled man should comfort her, but it didn’t. Not really. He wanted her, but when it was all said and done, would he want her forever?

She had to quash the silly voice in her head. He loved her, had practically waited for her. He’d said as much back in the elevator at BCUH. There were no others and there was nothing to worry about—he was hers heartwhole.

So she swallowed the lump in her throat and entered his bedroom. It was nice, very elegant, a reflection of his style and taste. What truly caught her eye was the bed. A high four-poster, its presence demanded her full attention. With its pillows and comforter it looked quite comfortable. Suddenly she realized just how tired she felt. Maybe she could squeeze in a quick nap.

But as soon as she climbed onto the soft mattress the sound of Carl’s shower sputtered out. When she opened her eyes the sight of a damp Carl clad only in a towel greeted her.

Oh my.

Licking her lips, Rachel allowed her gaze to slide down his body. Her eyes flitted over his tanned shoulders, the fine hairs of his chest, right down to where the white terry of the towel began.

Oh my, my, my.

"Someone’s been sleeping in my bed," he said, "and lucky for me she’s still there."

He moved toward her and the already low slung towel threatened to slip. She itched to reach out and help it along by whipping it off his body and slinging it out the window. And when she unconsciously curled and uncurled her fingers, let them inch closer…

"Anxious darling? Or are you just wanting to pinch me?"

"At least you don’t have to carry me." There was that husky voice again. Her hand closed around his wrist, tugging him closer, pulling him off balance and onto the bed. The damn towel didn’t budge.

*)*

"Hi Page!"

Norie streaked by him. "Hi yourself kid. Hello Lorna. Long day?"

The screen door slammed shut behind his favorite red head. "I’m just really, really glad the auction is over." She slapped the paper with the picture on the front onto the table.

"Wow, that is one hot picture." He turned back to his lunch preparations. "I like her, she’s nice."

"Don’t tell me you’ve met her."

"She’s up in his room."

"She’s What?" All exhaustion drained from her. "She can’t be!"

"Well she is."

"No, no, no, no no! Rachel can’t be here!"

"Why not?"

"Norie went running through here didn’t she?’

"Well, yeah. So?"

"So? SO?" Lorna fell onto a chair. "Rachel doesn’t know, that’s why. Just wait and see."

*(*

They spent long blissful minutes engrossed in one another. Though frantic for more, Rachel held back the urge to rip the towel to shreds. Between his hands and his lips, she felt as though she was falling headfirst into an abyss of pleasure. Then she remembered an important detail.

"Mmm, Carl," she gasped. "The door. I forgot to lock the door."

"Can’t. Won’t lock. Lock broken."

She giggled at his lack of composure. So the lock didn’t work; surely they wouldn’t be disturbed in his room.

"Daddy!"

Carl’s body leapt away from her so quickly, she felt a cold gust of wind flash across her heated flesh. She just knew she couldn’t have heard that particular word.

"Daddy?"

The voice was that of a child. A little girl. Rachel raised up on her elbows and opened her eyes. The adorable little moppet from yesterday morning stood in the doorway. When she saw Rachel, she gasped.

"Daddy!"

"Elinor, I thought we agreed you would knock before entering?"

"Daddy! It’s your angel!"

Rachel couldn’t look at him. She just sank back on the mattress, the mood irrevocably shattered.

"Rachel," she heard him say, "this is my daughter Elinor, or as she prefers, Norie."

Rachel groaned and rolled onto her side. This was not happening.

…..to be continued….