Temptation by Nora Roberts

as he described, and had to smile again. For her, Halloween had been tidy costume parties where she’d dressed as a princess or ballerina. Though the memories were still lovely, she couldn’t help wishing she’d seen one of the bonfires and the Headless Horseman.
    â€œWhen we were planning tonight, I was as excited as any of the girls. I guess that sounds foolish.”
    â€œNo, it sounds promising.” He put a hand to her cheek, turning her slightly toward him. Though she stiffened, her skin was warm and soft. “Did you think of me?”
    There it was again—that feeling of drowning, of floating, of going under for the third time. “I’ve been busy.” She told herself to move away, but her legs didn’t respond. The sound of singing and strumming seemed to be coming from off in the distance, with melody and lyrics she couldn’t quite remember. The only thing that was close and real was his hand on her cheek.
    â€œI-it was nice of you to drop by,” she began, struggling to find solid ground again.
    â€œAm I being dismissed?” He moved his hand casually from her cheek to her hair.
    â€œI’m sure you have better things to do.” His fingertip skimmed the back of her neck and set every nerve end trembling. “Stop.”
    The smoke billowed up over her head. Light and shadow created by the fire danced over her face and in her eyes. He’d thought of her, Chase reminded himself. Too much. Now he could only think what it would be like to make love with her near the heat of the fire, with the scent of smoke, and night closing in.
    â€œYou haven’t walked by the lake.”
    â€œI told you, I’ve been busy.” Why couldn’t she make her voice firm and cool? “I have a responsibility to the girls, and the camp, and—”
    â€œYourself?” How badly he wanted to walk with her again, to study the stars and talk. How badly he wanted to taste that passion and that innocence again. “I’m a very patient man, Eden. You can only avoid me for so long.”
    â€œLonger than you think,” she murmured, letting out a sigh of relief as she spotted Roberta making a beeline for them.
    â€œHi!” Delighted with the quick fluttering of her heart, Roberta beamed up at Chase.
    â€œHi, Roberta,” he said. She was thrilled that he’d remembered her name. He gave her a smile, and his attention, without releasing Eden’s hair. “You’re taking better care of your cap, I see.”
    She laughed and pushed up the brim. “Miss Carlbough said if I wandered into your orchard again, she’d hold my cap for ransom. But if you invited us to come on a tour, that would be educational, wouldn’t it?”
    â€œRoberta.” Why was it the child was always one step ahead of everyone else? Eden lifted her brow in a quelling look.
    â€œWell, Miss Bartholomew said we should think of interesting things.” Roberta put her most innocent look to good use. “And I think the apple trees are interesting.”
    â€œThanks.” Chase thought he heard Eden’s teeth clench. “We’ll give it some thought.”
    â€œOkay.” Satisfied, Roberta stuck out a wrinkled black tube. “I made you a hot dog. You have to have a hot dog at a bonfire.”
    â€œLooks terrific.” Accepting it, he pleased Roberta by taking a generous bite. “Thanks.” Only Chase and his stomach knew that the meat was still cold on the inside.
    â€œI got some marshmallows and sticks, too.” She handed them over. “It’s more fun to do it yourself, I guess.” Because she was on the border between childhood and womanhood, Roberta picked up easily on the vibrations around her. “If you two want to be alone, you know, to kiss and stuff, no one’s in the stables.”
    â€œRoberta!” Eden pulled out her best camp director’s voice. “That will do.”
    â€œWell, my