“Well,” she murmured at last; “I suppose we mustnt sit idle any longer. Come on, lazy; back to work.”
“Catty,” I whispered. “Catty.”
“What is it, Hodge?”
“Wait.”
Obediently she paused. I reached over and took her in my arms. She looked at me, not startled, but questioning. Just as my mouth reached hers she moved slightly so that I kissed her cheek instead of her lips. She did not struggle but lay passively, with the same questioning expression.
I held her, pressing her against the pine boughs, and found her mouth. I kissed her eyes and throat and mouth again. Her eyes stayed open and she did not respond. I undid the top of her dress and pressed my face between her breasts.
“Hodge.”
I paid no attention.
“Hodge, wait. Listen to me. If this is what you want you know I will not try to stop you. But Hodge, be sure. Be very sure.”
“I want you, Catty.”