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  "Me, too," she said.

  They rode like that for a few more minutes, and the carriage finally returned to the driveway. "Thanks, folks," said the driver.

  Hal helped Laila down, and for just a moment, her body pressed against his as she stepped from the carriage. It was the perfect moment for a kiss. A real kiss this time. And to Hal's surprise, because things with him always had a way of going wrong, Laila met his mouth at the same time he bent to kiss her.

  They didn't clash teeth. There was no bloodshed. He didn't even step on her feet. Instead, there was just the sweet pressure of her lips on his, the faint smell of roses in the crisp fall hair, and the feeling of Laila's dark hair tickling his cheek.

  For once, Hal had done something right.

  "They fixed the radiator." It was the first thing Laila noticed when she walked in the room. Replacing the sweltering temperature of earlier was a chill burst of air nearly equaling that from outside. She couldn't quite see her breath--quite.

  "This afternoon." Hal stumbled over something on the floor, holding out his hands for balance. His glasses were steamed up.

  Laila grabbed his hand to help him. "Don't fall. We don't want my family thinking that I'm beating you."

  He only smiled at the joke she'd hoped might earn a laugh. Apparently he was really bothered everyone seemed to believe he hit her. Truthfully, it bothered Laila, too, but the thought of Hal raising a hand to her in anger was ridiculous.

  "It's late," he said. "I guess we'd better get ready for bed."

  Laila felt a little light-headed at the thought and she didn't even have the excuse of an overheated room to blame it on. The kiss they'd just shared had been sweet, but with undercurrents of passion she wasn't sure she was ready to explore. Or, for that matter, certain she could ignore.

  "Another early morning tomorrow," she replied with forced lightness. She yawned and stretched, also forced.

  Neither one of them moved. Hal took a halting step toward her, then snatched off his glasses and swiped them furiously with his shirt tail to clear them. Laila was in a fever of anticipation. He was going to kiss her again. Did she want him to? Could she stand it if he didn't?

  The phone rang, startling both of them. Hal, who was closer, went to the jangling box and lifted the receiver. Laila's heart began beating again. She hadn't realized it had stopped.

  "No, not really. Tomorrow morning? Okay." He hung up, turning to her. "Front desk wanting to be sure the radiator was fixed."

  They stood where they were, but the hesitant mood had been broken. Laila lifted her chin, pretending she wasn't disappointed. It was just as well, really. There was no use in creating awkward entanglements.

  By unspoken agreement, she used the bathroom first. As she brushed her teeth, her mouth filled with suds, she thought it was just one more thing in a very long list about Hal she was growing to like. He was considerate.

  Laila washed her face carefully, scrubbing away the last remnants of the afternoon's makeover. She ran steaming hot water in the tub and washed herself. She even shaved her legs, telling herself it was only because she couldn't stand the stubble.

  Finally, there were no more ablutions, no more preparations she could use to delay going back into the room and slipping beneath the covers on that big, lonely bed.

  "It's all yours," she said as she came out. Her voice trailed away when she saw Hal. He'd turned the television so he could see it from his cramped bed on the loveseat. Fully dressed, but without his glasses, he lay curled up, eyes closed. He was asleep.

  Laila shivered. The room was now even colder than it had been before the disaster with the radiator. The bed had a wonderfully thick down comforter and deliciously warm flannel sheets. She'd be fine. But Hal? Watching him, his face slack with sleep, Laila knew she couldn't leave him there to freeze all night.

  "Wake up," she said gently, kneeling next to him.

  Hal muttered and his eyelids fluttered, but he didn't wake. She tried again, running her fingers lightly across his forehead. "Wake up, Hal."

  With a quick, soft intake of breath, Hal opened his eyes. She knew without his glasses he couldn't see more than a few inches in front of him, so she moved closer. His green eyes focused on her face and he smiled.

  "Laila," he said, and she thought he must still be half asleep. He touched her cheek. "My Laila."

  Her stomach turned over at his words. "Hal. Wake up!"

  He blinked rapidly, then slid his tongue across his lips. It was a gesture so uncontrived, so natural, but at the same time incredibly sensual. Her stomach twisted again.

  "Laila?" He sat up, stretching. "I must've dropped off."

  "You were asleep," she said unnecessarily.

  Hal scratched his head so the hair stood on end. "What time is it?"

  The bedside clock said only ten pm. "It's pretty early."

  He yawned jaw crackingly. "Man, I'm bushed." Then he shivered. "It's cold in here."

  "You go get ready for bed," Laila said. She was glad of something practical to do, something to take her mind of her sudden confusing feelings. "I'll call the front desk and see if they can send someone to fix the radiator before tomorrow morning."

  Hal went into the bathroom, and the front desk told her there wouldn't be anyone available until the morning. There was probably an extra blanket in the armoire, the apologetic desk clerk told her. Laila didn't want to say they were already using it for the love seat.

  It didn't seem there'd be much choice. She wasn't going to let Hal freeze out here all night long, not when the bed was more than large enough for the two of them. Sharing the bed makes sense, Laila told herself. For warmth.

  When he emerged from the bathroom, Laila pointed to the bed. "I moved your stuff here."

  He didn't get it at first, she could tell by the look of confusion. "But..."

  She made it easier for both of them. "It's freezing in here, Hal. We can share the bed until they fix the radiator tomorrow. It'll be warmer."

  It certainly would, she thought, watching Hal's chest. Despite the chilly room, he'd forgotten his shirt again. She'd never thought much about male nipples before, but now, seeing them tight with cold, Lily kept imagining how they'd taste.

  He'd said something to her and she'd missed it. "Sorry?"

  "I said, how do you want to do it?"

  Was he asking her--what on earth was he asking her? "What?"

  Hal pointed. "Do you want to sleep on the side next to the window or the bathroom?"

  "Oh." She was too embarrassed to admit her mind had been in the gutter. "Bathroom side, I guess."

  They got into bed gingerly. Laila turned out the lights, settled back against her pillow, and tugged the heavy layers of blankets up around her chin. Hal's weight beside her was an unusual sensation, but not uncomfortable. Despite her heightened awareness, the stress of the past few days weighed her eyelids down. She felt herself drifting off to sleep.

  Someone dumped a bucket of ice onto her bare calves. Laila yelped and sat up. "What the hell?"

  Hal rolled away from her. "My feet. Sorry."

  "They're like ice!" Laila grumbled, all vestiges of sleep chased away. "Don't you wear socks to bed?"

  "Can't," Hal said matter-of-factly. "It gives me athlete's foot."

  Ew. Okay, if the icy feet hadn't banished romantic dreams from her mind, that little revelation sure had. Laila sighed, sinking back into her pillow.

  "Just keep them on your own side," she said.

  Hal rustled around, shifting the covers and rolling in the bed. Laila waited for him to finish before adjusting her own pillow and share of the blankets. By the time they were done, she was just beginning to feel her eyes slipping shut again.

  "Hal!" She shrieked. "Your feet!"

  "Sorry," Hal said. "But you're so warm."

  "Your own side," Laila warned.

  Hal stayed still for a moment before she heard the sound of snapping fingers. "I've got it."

  He got out of bed and fumbled around the fo