A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 13



to be mostly dark and dreary.

He turned as she entered the room and placed a crystal vase on the mantel. The scent of roses filled the air.

"They're beautiful," she said again.

"They pale next to you," he replied, and meant it.

The flush that rose in her cheeks at his compliment was most becoming.

She was exquisitely lovely in a lavender sweater and white slacks. Her hair was again in a long braid down her back, which afforded him a delicious view of her slender neck.

The blush in her cheeks deepened under his warm regard. "Shall we go?" she asked.

With a nod, he moved to the front door and opened it for her, then followed her out of the house. Tracy's eyes widened when she saw the sleek black convertible parked in the driveway. "This is yours?"
He glanced at the car. "Is it not to your liking?"

"No, no, it's… it's gorgeous."

"I have another if you don't care for the color, or the make."

She looked up at him, wondering if he was serious. His face gave nothing away.
"What color is the other one?"

"Red."

"This one is fine."

He opened the door for her, closed it when she was comfortably seated, and walked around to the driver's side.

Tracywatched him slide behind the wheel. He moved like no other man she had ever seen, his every movement fluid.

He slid the key in the ignition and the engine came to life with a low purr, like that of a jungle cat.

Tracylooked out the window.Small talk. She had never been any good at it. She glanced at Dominic out of the corner of her eye. He was not a handsome man, at least not in theHollywood pretty-boy sort of way, but he was still gorgeous, with his long black hair, finely sculpted features, and intense gray eyes. He wore a black sweater that emphasized the width of his shoulders and a pair of black jeans that accented his long legs. He exuded an aura of strength that she found both comforting and intimidating.

"You said you were an artist," he remarked. "Are you working on anything now?"