Temptation by Nora Roberts Page A

parents like to be alone sometimes.” Undaunted, she grinned at Chase. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”
    â€œYou can count on it, kid.” As Roberta danced off toward a group of girls, Chase turned back. The moment he took a step toward her, Eden extended her skewered marshmallow toward the fire. “Want to go kiss and stuff?”
    It was the heat of the fire that stung her cheeks with color, Eden assured herself. “I suppose you think it would be terribly amusing for Roberta to go home and report that one of the camp directors spent her time in the stables with a man. That would do a lot for Camp Liberty’s reputation.”
    â€œYou’re right. You should come to my place.”
    â€œGo away, Chase.”
    â€œI haven’t finished my hot dog. Have dinner with me.”
    â€œI’ve had a hot dog already, thank you.”
    â€œI’ll make sure hot dogs aren’t on the menu. We can talk about it tomorrow.”
    â€œWe will not talk about it tomorrow.” It was anger that made her breathless, just as it was anger that made her unwise enough to turn toward him. “We will not talk about anything tomorrow.”
    â€œOkay. We won’t talk.” To show how reasonable he was, he bent down and closed the conversation, his mouth covering hers. He wasn’t holding her, but it took her brain several long, lazy seconds before it accepted the order to back away.
    â€œDon’t you have any sense of propriety?” she managed in a strangled voice.
    â€œNot much.” He made up his mind, looking down at her eyes, dazed and as blue as his lake, that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer—to any question, “We’ll make it about nine tomorrow morning at the entrance to the orchard.”
    â€œMake what?”
    â€œThe tour.” He grinned and handed her his stick. “It’ll be educational.”
    Though she was in an open field, Eden felt her back press into a corner. “We have no intention of disrupting your routine.”
    â€œNo problem. I’ll pass it on to your co-director before I go back. That way, you’ll be sure to be coordinated.”
    Eden took a long breath. “You think you’re very clever, don’t you?”
    â€œThorough, just thorough, Eden. By the way, your marshmallow’s on fire.”
    With his hands in his pockets, he strolled off while she blew furiously on the flaming ball.
    ***
    She’d hoped for rain but was disappointed. The morning dawned warm and sunny. She’d hoped for support but was faced with Candy’s enthusiasm for a field trip through one of the most prestigious apple orchards in the country. The girls were naturally delighted with any shift in schedule, so as they walked as a group the short distance to the Elliot farm, Eden found herself separated from the excitement.
    â€œYou could try not to look as though you’re walking to the guillotine.” Candy plucked a scrawny blue flower from the side of the road and stuck it in her hair. “This is a wonderful opportunity—for the girls,” she added quickly.
    â€œYou managed to convince me of that, or else I wouldn’t be here.”
    â€œGrumpy.”
    â€œI’m not grumpy,” Eden countered. “I’m annoyed at being manipulated.”
    â€œJust a small piece of advice.” Picking another flower, Candy twirled it. “If I’d been manipulated by a man, I’d make certain he believed it was my idea in the first place. Don’t you think it would throw him off if you walked up to the gates with a cheery smile and boundless enthusiasm?”
    â€œMaybe.” Eden mulled the idea over until her lips began to curve. “Yes, maybe.”
    â€œThere now. With a little practice, you’ll find out that deviousness is much better in some cases than dignity.”
    â€œI wouldn’t have needed either if you’d let me stay