One Night with the Doctor. Cindy Kirk

a fantasyland. If I got in there to play, you’d never get me out.”

      His gaze slid slowly over her and she got the distinct feeling he was imagining her inside those glass walls...naked.

      Her skin prickled. She wondered if he suspected she’d been envisioning him in there with her, also sans clothes.

      Turning back to the sitting area with its arched window and massive stone fireplace, Poppy stepped toward the warmth and held out her hands.

      Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Groucho bound into the room and make a beeline for a dog pillow next to the desk, a tiny green bone sticking out of his mouth.

      Ben gestured toward a long sofa in muted peach. “Would you like some wine?”

      Though a nice glass of red sounded good, more alcohol was the last thing Poppy needed. If she was going to have sex, she’d at least like to remember it. With more than a little regret, she shook her head.

      Ben moved close, his hand cupping the back of her neck. “You’re right. We have something more pressing on the agenda.”

      His mouth closed over hers with a hunger that made her heart stutter. Still, he didn’t rush. As if they had all the time in the world, he continued to kiss her, slow, leisurely kisses that stoked the fire in her belly.

      “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his lips against her hair, his arms strong around her.

      Breathing in the spicy scent of him, Poppy reveled in the warmth of his embrace. She raked her fingers through his thick dark strands and found them soft as silk. “You’re kind of pretty yourself.”

      The corner of his mouth twitched. He laughed softly, a deep rumbling sound that pleased her.

      “I’m not exactly sure what I’m doing,” she whispered, then paused, not sure what else to say.

      “Tonight we’ll be lovers.” With one finger he gently brushed back a lock of her hair that had tumbled from its glittery clip.

      “Yes,” she answered, her voice as unsteady as her heartbeat. “Yes, we will.”

      “It’s been a while for you.” He spoke softly.

      “After my divorce I swore off men.” Poppy stepped from his arms and took a seat on the sofa, smoothing her skirt with a sweaty palm.

      “What made you change your mind?” Ben took a seat next to her.

      “You.”