The Ties That Bind

you. I realize it's very important."
    "Is it?" He bent his head and kissed the nape of her neck.
    "Well, yes. Garth, I'm interested in your work. I... I really know very little about you. I have a phone number for you in San Jose and that's about it. I don't even know your home address." She shivered slightly as his fingers stroked the curve of her shoulder just inside the blouse.
    "I'll make sure you have my address before I leave on Sunday. You can send me one of your handmade cards. Don't worry, Shannon. There's plenty of time to learn all you need to know about me. And as far as my life in San Jose goes, you don't have to worry about learning very much at all. That side of things doesn't have anything to do with us."
    It keeps you away from me five days a week, Shannon thought resentfully. But she forced a smile as she turned toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Hungry?"
    "Uh-huh. Very." Deliberately he kissed her, parting her lips with his own and amusing himself for a moment by chasing her tongue.
    "Then I'd better get dinner in the oven."
    "It can wait."
    Shannon heard the clink of the glass as he set it down on the dresser and then Garth's fingers were on the buttons she had just fastened. He undid each one and pushed the shirt off her shoulders.
    "I like the fact that you don't wear a bra," he said in satisfaction as he cupped her breasts. Then he kissed her slowly again, his thumbs gliding over her nipples. "I've been thinking about you all week, honey. I can't remember a time when a woman filled my thoughts during working hours the way you do. Very distracting."
    "I can't imagine anything distracting you."
    "Believe me, you've got the power." He pushed her gently toward the bed.
    "Garth, what about dinner?"
    "What about it? We'll eat it later. Right now I've got another hunger to satisfy. It's been a long week, sweetheart."
    She smiled lovingly, framing his face with her hands, "For me, too. Garth."
    "I'm glad," he growled as he eased her onto the bed and came down beside her. "I want you as hungry for me as I am for you." His fingers moved over her, seeking the secrets he had uncovered last weekend and glorying in their rediscovery.
    Shannon sighed softly, surrendering without further protest to the passion that was already flaring between them. Their time together was so limited, she thought fleetingly. They had to take advantage of every moment. Dinner could wait.

* * *
    THE WEEKEND SLIPPED PAST all too quickly, just as Shannon had feared. On Sunday morning she stood in the kitchen making coffee while she waited for Garth to get out of the shower and wondered where the time had gone. The week ahead seemed endless. She was going to have to get used to Sundays, she told herself bracingly.
    "Smells good," Garth remarked, sauntering into the kitchen and taking a whiff of the coffee. His presence seemed to dominate the cozy room, and Shannon was intensely aware of him. He was still buttoning his shirt, and his hair was damp from the shower. The scene was achingly familiar and yet still strangely alien to her.
    "When do you have to leave?" she tried to ask calmly as she poured the coffee. Normally she would have made tea for herself. But Garth preferred coffee.
    "I should try to get away around noon. I want to have time this evening to go over some things for my Monday morning meeting with my managers." Garth took a seat at the table and reached for a toast triangle.
    "We'll have time for a walk on the beach after breakfast." Determinedly Shannon sought a cheerful comment.
    "Sounds good." Garth picked up the coffee mug she set in front of him. "You know, Shannon, I've been thinking about the locks on your doors."
    She looked at him in astonishment. "My locks?"
    "Yeah. They're lousy. I think I'll get hold of a locksmith in Mendocino or Fort Bragg and have him come out here and secure this place a bit. I worry about you living here by yourself all week long. I'd feel more comfortable if I knew you had some decent locks in the doors and windows."
    "Garth, this is a very quiet, very peaceful community. We don't have much crime here. This isn't San Jose."
    "I know it isn't San Jose," he said patiently, "but I still don't like the idea of you being here alone."
    "I've lived here alone for nearly two years." She was beginning to sound hostile, Shannon realized in horror. She mustn't ruin things. She only had a few more hours with Garth. "I'm sure I'll be fine without new locks."
    "I'll phone someone