All the Possibilities by Nora Roberts

too."
    "We're both used to crowds."
    On an impulse of mischief, she stopped in the center of the path to twine her arms around his neck. "In a manner of speaking, Senator."
    She expected him to laugh and pull her along again or perhaps to give an exasperated shake of his head before he disentangled himself. What she didn't expect was for him to hold her there, his lips close, hinting of promise. His eyes were level with hers, telling her very clearly where the promise would lead. There was a threat of passion, a promise of intimacy. No, she hadn't expected him to turn her own ploy against her so successfully. Perhaps for a moment Shelby had forgotten he was a man of fundamental strategies.
    Against his, her heart began to thud lightly. Though the moment was brief, it touched her in every way
    heart and mind and body. She couldn't hold back the regret for what
    —
    she felt could never be
    but she hadn't known it would be so sharp. When she drew
    —
    away, it echoed in her voice and mirrored in her eyes.
    "I think we'd better head back."
    He ached and nearly swore from the frustration of it. "It's too damn late for that," he muttered as he steered her in the direction of the parking lot.
    Shelby lifted a brow at the tone. Annoyance
    it was the first time she'd heard it from
    —
    him. She thought she'd caught a flicker or two in his eyes before, but it had been so quickly banked she couldn't be sure. Well then, she mused, perhaps that was the key. She would annoy him enough that he would go away.
    Her skin was still warm
    too warm and too tender. At the rate she was weakening, she
    —
    would find herself involved with him whether she wanted it or not. Perhaps the real problem was she already was involved. The fact that they weren't lovers didn't stop him from drawing on her thoughts and her feelings. A successful break was going to hurt, but it would hurt less if it was quick and soon.
    So, she would have to get under his skin. Shelby gave a smile that was more of a grimace as she stepped into his car. If there was one thing she could do well when she put her mind to it, it was to get under someone's skin.
    "Well, that was fun," she said lightly as he maneuvered out of the lot. "I'm really glad you talked me into going out. My day was a blank page until seven." That long, quiet moment lingered in his mind even as it lingered in Shelby's. Alan shifted, hoping to ease the thudding in the pit of his stomach. "Always happy to help someone fill in a few empty spaces." Alan controlled the speed of the car through force of will. Holding her hadn't soothed him but rather had only served to remind him how much time had passed since he had last held her.
    "Actually you're an easy man to be with, Alan, for a politician." Easy ? Shelby repeated to herself as she pressed the button to lower her window. Her blood was still throbbing from a meeting of eyes that had lasted less than ten seconds. If he was any easier , she'd be head over heels in love with him and headed for disaster. "I mean, you're not really pompous."
    He shot her a look, long and cool, that boosted her confidence. "No?" he murmured after a humming silence.
    "Hardly at all." Shelby sent him a smile. "Why, I'd probably vote for you myself." Alan paused at a red light, studying it thoughtfully before he turned to her. "Your insults aren't as subtle today, Shelby."
    "Insults?" She gave him a bland stare. "Odd, I thought it was more flattery. Isn't a vote what it all comes down to? Votes, and that all-encompassing need to win." The light stayed green for five full seconds before he cruised through it. "Be careful." A nerve, she thought, hating herself more than a little. "You're a little touchy. That's all right." She brushed at the thigh of her jeans. "I don't mind a little oversensitivity."
    "The subject of my sensitivity isn't the issue, but you're succeeding in being obnoxious."
    "My, my, aren't we all Capitol Hill all of a sudden." Deliberately she looked at her watch as