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She fought back the urge to throw her arms around his neck and scream like a ni
He chuckled deep and low and ran his finger down the side of her face. "You're right. Let's deny everything."
Qui
"What's your schedule today?"
Audie shrugged. "The usual. I've got a National Public Radio spot at noon. I'm going ru
"I'll change over with Tinley at the TV studio and we'll get some di
She gri
"At my house."
"Sounds real good."
He leaned closer to her, and she had to close her eyes because he had so much power over her. He whispered roughly in her ear, "Do you think you'll have time in your schedule to be thoroughly ravaged this evening?"
She produced a tiny squeaking sound and turned her face away.
"I'll take that as a yes."
With Audie safely on her way, Qui
"'Lassie'?" he inquired, slowly stroking his goatee and gri
He stood in the shadows of the WBBS studio and watched her. Her head was tilted demurely and she glowed in the perfect pink jacket, discussing the secret to keeping a kitchen garbage disposal smelling clean and fresh.
It was something Qui
He chuckled quietly, shoved his hands in his pants pockets, and wondered if he was already totally, irrevocably, in love with Autumn Adams.
There she was under the studio lights-everything he needed and nothing he'd ever imagined, all rolled up into one gorgeous package.
He could see the peek of her sweat socks and ru
"And as always, thank you, viewers, for another wonderful week of handy comments and suggestions," she said.
Kyle Singer shot a dazzling smile into the camera. "And thank you, Homey Helen-we'll see you again next Monday. In the meantime, don't go away, Chicago -we'll be back with more news right after these messages."
Qui
Qui
In his reverie, he was nearly lulled into thinking Audie would make it across the studio without tripping. Then she turned abruptly, smashed into a production assistant, and grunted in surprise as they both went sprawling.
Qui
"If you keep this up, you're going to end up in a body cast."
"That ought to make things challenging for you."
"That's one challenge I don't think I want," he said.
"I warned you I was a spaz." She turned toward him as heopened the front door and smiled down at her. He was one fine-looking man, this Stacey Qui
She'd felt it.
"Whaddya say we go home and freshen up my garbage disposal, sweet thing?"
Audie laughed hard and swung her arm lazily around his waist, feeling her stride match his down the sidewalk. He squeezed her shoulders.
"Wa
"You pla
"Nope. I can wait until we get to your place."
When they got to his place, Qui
The next thing she knew, Qui
"What?" She bolted to attention.
"Di
"Oh." She blinked, trying to focus on Qui
"Di
"Nice apron."
"Thanks."
He went around to the back of her chair and pushed her closer to the table, then pointed to the serving dishes.
"Grilled salmon with a warm dill sauce. Saffron basmati rice. Mixed green salad with blue cheese, pears, and caramelized almond vinaigrette. I hope you like it."
Audie was quiet for a long moment, trying to keep her mouth from hanging open. Then she looked at him casually spread out in his chair right next to her, in his apron, a satisfied grin on his face.
"You're incredible, Qui
He chuckled and began to help himself to large amounts of food. "I seem to be a lot of firsts for you, Audie." He didn't look at her. "I hope you're OK with that."
She just stared at him, still trying to wake up, still trying to put all this in perspective. He had no idea how true that statement was.
She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, Stacey."
One corner of his mouth curled up in delight. "It's my pleasure."
Audie served herself some of everything and thought about that statement. "It really is, isn't it? You get pleasure out of cooking and doing things around the house, don't you?"
"Yes." Qui
Audie closed her eyes in pure bliss. "My God, Qui
"Thank you."
"So." She took a sip of white wine. "Hypothetical situation here. Let's say we're done having this delicious meal and we go into your messy kitchen, but I start taking off my clothes right in front of the dishwasher."
Qui
"Of course. So, would you just walk around me to load the dirty dishes or could you let everything sit while you make wild passionate love to me?"
Qui
"So it would bug you."
"Yes, it would bug me." He took another mouthful. "I take it that kind of thing wouldn't bother you much."