~ None So Blind ~

by

Carol McPhee

Dayton stared at his guest huddled and shaking in spite of the heat from the hearth. He silenced a groan. Exasperated with himself, the last thing he intended was to make Kate more ill at ease in his home than she’d been in her smashed car. Did the thought of him touching her again repulse her, or was she merely shy? He thought he better reassure her. “Don’t worry. I’m not into attacking waifs who appear on my doorstep in a storm... or a runaway fiancée, either.”

She didn’t look the least bit cheered.

Spurred by his suspicion that she may have hypothermia, Dayton started to unbutton her sweater, swearing beneath his breath. Not much wonder she’d had trouble. The fasteners were so dainty his fingers could barely undo them. Worse still, she sat like a quivering lamb with a ringside seat at its own slaughter.

He deliberately kept his gaze pinned to her slender throat as he parted her cardigan and rolled it off her shoulders. In the fireplace, a log burst into flame. The increased firelight illuminated her freckled skin as if its intent was to mock his restraint. The smooth effusion of her well-molded breasts above the blue lace could not escape his eyes. Her bared flesh beckoned to the primeval male in him. He had refused to give her leeway to protest, but his body’s rebellion against his good behavior played heavily on his nerves.

Dayton clenched his teeth.

Without pausing to think and add to his stress, he laid her on the carpet and quickly unzipped her slacks. He tried to ignore the matching panties visible through the front opening. He was made of flesh and blood, not steel. And right now his blood was rushing through his veins in a beeline for his nether parts, igniting his emotions to a fevered pitch. He forced himself not to look at her face, but he could feel the anxiety in her eyes.

He grabbed the robe, helped her to a sitting position and gently poked her arms into the sleeves like a father would dress his child. He was feeling anything but fatherly.

Dayton saw Kate glance down at her exposed body and haphazardly gather the loose sides of the robe together. He quickly secured the belt around her waist with an overlapping twist. Tension rifled the air. “No point in taking off your underwear. You’re wearing so little, they’ll dry in minutes.” He winked, hoping to lighten the situation.

She reddened, then a quirky grin flashed a different aspect of her personality. When it left as fast as it came, Dayton regretted the loss because anguish and confusion took its place. He helped her to stand, praying the robe’s concealment of her erotic lower parts--even her toes--could no longer taunt his control.

Wobbling slightly, she tightened the belt and stared down at the flow of cloth. The sleeves drooped below her hands; the hem dragged the floor. Dayton held back a relieved smile. Her eyes enlarged when she looked up at his height. She must be about five-foot seven, but barely reached his chin. His hand gently at her back, he ushered her to the sofa.

“I c-can’t believe all that has happened t-tonight.”

She flopped down and he joined her, keeping a respectable distance between them. Her hands shook as she raised them to rub her cheeks. She glanced at Duke and shrank back against the sofa. The dog hadn’t been doing anything but watching. Dayton felt her fear like a living thing. “Duke, stop staring at our guest.”

Duke evidently considered his name as an invitation for closer inspection. He rose, nuzzled against her knees and laid his head in her lap. She couldn’t back farther.

Dayton cleared his throat, abashed at Duke’s unusual behavior. “I don’t know what’s got into him tonight. Must be keyed up because of the storm. Damn! The hot chocolate! I put the kettle on and forgot it.” He rushed for the kitchen, but turned at the threshold. “How’s your head? Want a Tylenol?”

“Not hurting as m-much.”

“Then you don’t need anything for it?”

“Don’t think s-so.”

“Good sign.”

The kettle hissed. Most of the water had evaporated. Dayton added more, set the kettle back on the heat and peeked around the kitchen door. “Ah... I’m sorry. The water boiled away. How about brandy to warm you quickly while we wait?” He hid a grin when he realized that instead of looking at him she kept her eyes focused on Duke, lovingly watching her from her lap.

“Maybe it’ll c-calm my n-nerves.”

Dayton poured brandy into two glasses and passed her one. She took a large gulp, then sputtered and choked.

“Excuse me; it went down the wrong way.”

Her quick smile returned, then she slowed her pace and drank sparingly until finished. “Mmm. I do feel warmer.” She placed her glass on the end table and timidly touched Duke’s head.

“I’ll be right back.” He returned with two mugs and the lamp on a tray. Their hands collided when she reached for her drink. The contact struck like lightning and snapped loud enough to hear. “The air in here is charged... ah... from the stormy weather.”

Kate gingerly sipped in a mouthful. “Is there liquor in this?”

“Oh, I forgot I added rum to the chocolate powder to make a paste. It sometimes turns lumpy when mixed directly with hot water. It should give you additional warmth. There’s more hot water in the kettle. I can make you another drink without the rum, if you prefer.”

“Don’t bother. I’m sure it’s not enough to do any harm.” She drank slowly at first, then picked up the pace as it cooled. Her eyes illuminated with obvious satisfaction.

Dayton moved the foyer’s coat rack near the fireplace and draped it with her discarded clothes. He turned up the brightness of the lamps, then sat on the corner of his large roll-top desk and watched her. He wondered if the fire had become extra hot or had a scantily dressed young woman in his home notched up the heat?