l

nightgown。

〃You　still　sound　lousy；〃　he　informed　her；　as　though　that　settled　that；

but　she　was　impatient。

〃If　you　don't　want　to　hear　my　noise；〃　she　croaked；　〃don't　good　me　into

conversation。　Isn't　it　about　time　I　went　upstairs　to　the　other　bedroom？〃

He　grinned。　〃You　don't　like　sleeping　with　me？〃

〃I'm　not　'sleeping'　with　you；　as　the　expression　goes。　It's　more　like

sleeping　in　spite　of　you。　You　may　think　that　I'm　out　of　it；　but　I　feel

you　beside　me。　I　know　you're　there　。。。　all　night！　You　touch　me　just

enough　to　make　sure　I'm　all　right；　but　that's　all。　What　fun　is　that？〃

She　broke　into　a　fit　of　coughing　from　which　only　Mitch's　firm　slap　on

the　back　saved　her。　He　stayed　to　gently　rub　her　neck　and　shoulders；　his

touch　growing　more　seductive　by　the　minute。　She　hadn't　been　aware　of　his

other　hand　on　her　midriff　until　it　moved　upward。　Her　breast　tingled　at

its　touch。　She　gasped；　but　couldn't　pull　away。　His　palm　passed　around

and　over　her　nipple；　teasing　it　through　the　soft　flannel。　She　gripped

his　arm；　as　much　to　hold　it　there　as　for　support。

〃It　isn't　much　tin；　is　it？〃　he　said；　〃but　you'll　stay　down　here　for　now；

where　I　can　keep　an　eye　on　you。　In　a　few　days　you　can　go　back　upstairs。〃

〃In　a　few　days　I'll　be　going　home。〃　A　sad　thought；　indeed。　At　his　urging

she　lay　back　on　the　pillow。　Her　eyes　held　his。　She　waited。　〃Something

has　to　give；〃　he　said。　〃You　know　that；　don't　you；　Annie？〃

She　nodded。　They　were　nearing　the　point　where　a　kiss　alone　wasn't

enough。　Same　with　the　occasional　week　together。

〃Are　you　ready　for　more？〃　he　asked。

〃Are　you？〃

〃I　asked　first。〃

〃I　can't　answer　until　I　kno