Magnificent Folly - Iris Johansen [25]
“There are already barriers between us.”
“It’s strange you never notice them when I’m making love to you,” Andrew said softly. “They just disappear then, don’t they?”
Lily could feel the warm color stain her cheeks. “Sex is a very basic pleasure and tends to make one forget everything … for an hour or so.”
“Making love.”
“What?”
“What we do isn’t sex, it’s making love.” Andrew lifted the cup to his lips and drained the coffee in two swallows. “Someday you’ll understand that.”
She gazed at him, startled. “I don’t know—”
“Yes, you do.” His hand crushed the cup with sudden violence. “You do care about me, dammit. You just won’t admit it.” He jumped to his feet and tossed the crushed cup aside. “I’m going down to play ball with Cassie.”
Lily watched him stride away from her and resisted the impulse to call him back. What was the matter with Andrew this afternoon? There was something brooding and violent about him; she had sensed those dark emotions in him the moment he had appeared on the beach with Gunner and Quenby two hours before.
“May I join you?” Gunner asked. “I must be getting more decrepit than I thought. Your daughter really put me through a workout.”
“You don’t look worn out.”
Gunner dropped down beside her. “I’m a fantastic actor. Do you think I’d let that little kid know the older generation can’t keep up with her? Now, though, I’m ready to let Andrew take the punishment for a while. Is there any coffee left?”
Lily poured him a cup from the thermos and held it out to him. “Black?”
He nodded as he took the cup. “I’ll have to make you some real coffee sometime.” He sipped the hot liquid gingerly. “I prefer it with cinnamon and ginger.”
“How exotic. Is that how they drink it in Sedikhan?”
He nodded. “Exotic is only how you perceive it. Once you get used to anything it becomes homey and comfortable.” He looked down into the depths of his coffee. “Sedikhan is a good place to live. You’d like it there.”
Lily stiffened. “Would I?”
“Quenby does. It took her a little while to get used to it, but she wouldn’t live anyplace else now.”
“I’m glad she has a happy life there.”
Gunner sipped his coffee. “So am I. My job is in Sedikhan, and I’d hate to have to leave it.”
Lily turned to look at him. “Would you really give up your career for her?”
“Of course. I couldn’t be happy if Quenby weren’t happy.”
“You must have an extraordinary relationship,” Lily said thoughtfully.
“Quenby is an extraordinary woman.” Gunner’s face softened as his gaze traveled to his wife. “She’s warm, loving, honest, and absolutely reliable.”
“I can see how she must have been a wonderful nanny for Andrew. Cassie’s already crazy about her.”
He nodded. “As I said, she’s extraordinary.” His gaze shifted to Lily’s face. “And so is Andrew.”
“Henry said he was remarkable.” Lily made a face. “But he’s certainly evasive. I don’t even know what he does for a living. He says he fixes things.”
Gunner smiled. “He certainly does.”
“But he has so much time off.”
“Actually, every day since he’s been here he’s worked all morning at that small hospital down the coast. Andrew usually tries to help out wherever he can, and heaven knows there are enough people who need him. Didn’t he tell you?”
“Hospital?” She frowned. “No, he didn’t.”
“I’m not surprised. Andrew doesn’t talk about his work.”
Lily threw up her hands. “Now you’re being as mysterious as Andrew. I’m beginning to think you’re both CIA or something.”
Gunner laughed in genuine amusement. “I guarantee you’re wrong on that score. Neither one of us has anything to do with an undercover agency.” His smile faded. “However, Andrew’s work can be very dangerous on occasion, and he needs all the support we can offer him.”
A chill gripped Lily. “What kind of danger are you talking about?”
“I shouldn’t be talking to you at all.” He drained his cup. “It’s Andrew’s place to tell you about his work.” He met her gaze directly. “But I’d like to say that there are a great many people who have put