No Crystal Stair by Eva Rutland Page A

just what I wanted? We used to make hot cocoa in the dorm. I remember before my graduation—it was a surprise party...” She spoke rapidly as she always did when she was nervous. As she had done tonight, making sure he wouldn’t attempt to go into that diner. Trying to distract them.
    How I love her. He stood up, took the empty mug from her and placed it on the tray with his. Then he turned and pulled her to her feet. One feathered slipper fell from her foot as he
lifted her. Returning to his chair, he cradled her in his lap and kissed the top of her head.
    â€œTell me about it.”
    â€œAbout what?” Her voice was a small whisper against his chest.
    â€œAbout the surprise party,” he said, trying to quell the passion rising within him at the feel of her firm body under the thin silk.
    â€œOh,” She sounded relieved. “It was Doris, Millie, and Jennie Lou. And Etta May. They surprised me. I’d been in this play.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œAbout this silly woman who wanted to stay young forever. It was nice, though.”
    â€œThe play?”
    â€œNo. The surprise party. I was feeling kind of sad that night.”
    â€œWhy”
    â€œI don’t know exactly. I told Dan—”
    â€œMy competition.”
    â€œOh no!” she said quickly, and looked earnestly at him. “It was never Dan.” She hesitated. “He was my friend... is my friend. But I love you.”
    He found himself wondering how Dan would have handled this night.
    â€œGo on,” he prompted. “You told Dan . . .”
    â€œWell... that it felt like something was ending.”
    â€œAnd like the lady in the play, you wanted things to stay as they were forever?”
    She laughed. “Funny. That’s exactly what Dan asked. I told him it was more like everything was ending and nothing was beginning. And then...” She fingered a button on his pajama jacket. “Then I met you.”
    He could hardly restrain himself. To ease the tension he began to croon the lovely and romantic lyrics of “Blue Moon.” Then he said softly, “You are my dream, Ann Elizabeth. You are my love.”

    She straightened his collar, and the touch of her fingers against his neck sent a wave of excitement through him.
    â€œYou have a beautiful voice, Rob. And I love that song. Sing it all,” she urged, settling herself in his lap.
    He swallowed hard and began again. “Blue moon, you saw me . . .”
    He finished the last stanza and looked down at her. Her eyes were closed and her breath came softly, regularly. He watched her for a long time. Then resignedly, he untied the robe and let it slip to the floor. His breath caught as he gazed at the delicate curves of her slender body revealed so tantalizingly in the sheer low-cut negligee.
    All the youthful energy of his twenty-two years welled up, combining with the love and desire, gripping him in an almost uncontrollable passion. He caressed one small breast through the silk. She stirred, trying to find a more comfortable resting place on his shoulder. He sighed heavily. Hopelessly. Then lifted her and tucked her tenderly into bed.
    He frowned at his pajamas, stiff in their newness. Brought especially for tonight.
    Hell, she was asleep. He might was well be comfortable. He shed the offending pajamas, switched off the light and climbed into bed beside his sleeping bride.
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    Ann Elizabeth stirred in her sleep, moving closer to the warmth. Basking in the rare peace and comfort, she almost drifted into sleep again. Then, startled by a movement beside her, she was instantly awake.
    Rob!
    It struck like a bolt of lighting. She’d fallen asleep on their wedding night! What must he think of her?
    Stealthily she looked at the face on the pillow beside her. She had never noticed how long his lashes were. But then she’d
never before seen him asleep. The chiseled features, the full lips, seemed even more handsome in