l
nightgown。
〃You still sound lousy；〃 he informed her； as though that settled that；
but she was impatient。
〃If you don't want to hear my noise；〃 she croaked； 〃don't good me into
conversation。 Isn't it about time I went upstairs to the other bedroom？〃
He grinned。 〃You don't like sleeping with me？〃
〃I'm not 'sleeping' with you； as the expression goes。 It's more like
sleeping in spite of you。 You may think that I'm out of it； but I feel
you beside me。 I know you're there 。。。 all night！ You touch me just
enough to make sure I'm all right； but that's all。 What fun is that？〃
She broke into a fit of coughing from which only Mitch's firm slap on
the back saved her。 He stayed to gently rub her neck and shoulders； his
touch growing more seductive by the minute。 She hadn't been aware of his
other hand on her midriff until it moved upward。 Her breast tingled at
its touch。 She gasped； but couldn't pull away。 His palm passed around
and over her nipple； teasing it through the soft flannel。 She gripped
his arm； as much to hold it there as for support。
〃It isn't much tin； is it？〃 he said； 〃but you'll stay down here for now；
where I can keep an eye on you。 In a few days you can go back upstairs。〃
〃In a few days I'll be going home。〃 A sad thought； indeed。 At his urging
she lay back on the pillow。 Her eyes held his。 She waited。 〃Something
has t