Compromising Positions by Kate Hoffmann

going to wait on that.”
    â€œIt’s nice,” he said. “Sarah made us some dinner. I’m sorry I’m so late.”
    â€œYou’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
    He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “I want to kiss you, but those people are watching.”
    â€œGo ahead,” she replied. “Give the crowd a thrill.”
    â€œAll right. I’ll do my best.” He slipped his arms around her waist and bent her back in dramatic fashion. Then he kissed her. The sensation of his lips on hers sent a rush of desire through his body.
    â€œHow was that?” he murmured.
    â€œPerfect,” Amelia replied.
    He pulled her upright, then grabbed the picnic basket and opened it. “I’m starved. Let’s have some dinner.”
    The moment he opened the basket, the smell of food wafted into the air. He handed her a series of containers and she took them over to the table and arranged them neatly. When he withdrew a bottle of wine, Amelia smiled. “Sarah thinks of everything.”
    He poured them both a glass of wine and handed her a goblet. Softly touching his glass to hers, he took a deep breath. “To tonight.”
    â€œTonight,” she said.
    He held out her chair for her. “Where did you find all of this?” Sam asked.
    â€œI went digging through Benny’s collection. He has two floors of antiques. He’s quite the collector. And he knows his stuff. Your chair is a Burton Sawyer ladder-back. Burton Sawyer made furniture in Albany right after the Revolutionary War. His pieces can be quite valuable. And I believe this table is a Francis Harrington. He’s famous for that slight curve cut in the feet.”
    â€œBenny isn’t the only one who knows his stuff.”
    â€œI’m good with the furniture and textiles, but I still have a lot to learn about silver.”
    They enjoyed their dinner, lingering over the wine. All the tensions of Sam’s day started to dissolve as he sat with her. For the first time he understood the pleasures of having a partner in life. He’d never given that aspect of a relationship much thought. His reluctance to tie another person to the anchor that was the Blackstone Inn had always been first in his mind.
    But with Amelia he felt he could talk to her about almost anything and she’d listen intently and know exactly how to reply. She really was an extraordinary woman, the kind of person who could fascinate him for many years to come.
    And yet it was impossible. She didn’t belong here, stuck in a small town, tied to responsibilities that weren’t her own. He could never do that to her.
    â€œSo what was going on at the inn this afternoon?” she asked.
    â€œMechanical meltdown and financial ruin,” Sam said. “Just when things start to look up, we get thrown a curveball and we’re back to square one. Actually, this time, we’re back to negative numbers.” He sighed. “The truth is I need some quick cash, so I’m willing to let you buy the bed. I have no idea what it’s worth. I trust you’ll give me a fair price.”
    She seemed surprised at his offer. “You’re ready to give up?”
    â€œFor a price. I have a plumber who has to be paid before the end of the day tomorrow.”
    â€œHow much do you need?”
    â€œAt least ten thousand. But twenty thousand would be better.”
    â€œI’m sorry but your bed isn’t worth more than three,” she said. “And I can’t buy it. We don’t have the budget for that. My job is to get people to gift pieces to the museum.”
    He sighed. “It was worth a try,” he said. Sam pushed back from the table. “So, what’s the plan with this window thing? How long are we supposed to sleep here?”
    â€œNot long,” she murmured. “You said you needed ten thousand?”
    Sam shook his head. He should never have