LOVECLASH

TerriWhitehalllongedtoescapefromherhecticlifeasaNewYorkmodel,andasummerinthe
wildsofCanadawithherbestfriend'sfamilysoundedperfect.ButarrogantrancherKingston
Devereauxseemedintentonmakingherfeelanythingbutwelcome.

TerriknewKingwasconvincedshewasnothingbutaglamorousplaygirl.Shealsoknewthatthe
truthwasn'taboutto

changehismind.Sowhydidshefeelsoalivewhenhewasnear?

Givingherhearttoamanwhodespisedherwasbadenough.Butwhydidshehavetogoandfallin
lovewithherbestfriend'sbrother?

Prologue

"I'mNotMoneyCrazy,"TerriSaidProudly.

Shejerkedherhandoutofhisgrasp,andthistimeKinglethergo."IhaveeverythingIneed."

"Doyoureally?"heretorted."Thenwhydoyoulivewithyouraunt,whydoesshehavetokeepyou?"

"Thinkwhatyoulike,"shetoldhim."Youwillanyway."

Helookeddownatherquietly."Doesitbotheryou?"

Sheshruggedcarelessly."Youdon'treallyknowanythingaboutme."

Hiseyesdroppedtohersoft,fullmouth."Iknowthatunderneaththatperfectbonestructureand
bristlingpride,youburnwithsweetfireswhenyouwantamantokissyou....

DIANAPALMER

isaprolificromancewriterwhogotherstartasnewspaperreporter.Accustomedtothedaily

deadlinesofajournalist,shehasnoproblemiwriter'sblock.Infact,sheaveragesabook

everytwomonths.Motherofayoungson,Dianametandmarriedherhusbandwithinoneweek."It
wasjustlikesomethingfromoneofmybooks."

DearReader:

I'dliketotakethisopportunitytothankyouforallyoursupportandencouragementofSilhouette
Romances.

Manyofyouwriteinregularly,tellinguswhatyoulikebestaboutSilhouette,whichauthorsareyour
favorites.Thisisatremendoushelptousaswestrivetopublishthebestcontemporaryromances
possible.

AlltheromancesfromSilhouetteBooksareforyou,soenjoythisbookandthemanystoriesto
come.

DIANAPALMER

DarlingEnemy

ChapterOne

Itwasthemostgloriouskindofmorning,andTeddyWhitehallleaneddreamilyonthewindowsillof
thedormitoryroomoverlookingthecourtyardbelow,watchingthepigeonswaddlelikeoldmenhe
cobblestones.

Thebuildingsoncollegecampuswereromanticallygothic,Likesomethingoutofanothercentury.
ButitsgreenandfloweringgroundswerewhatTeddilikedmost.

TheywereawelcomechangefromthesophisticatedNewYorkapartmentwhereshehadtospendher
holidays,sheleanedherfaceonhercrossedarmswithadrankinthesmellsandsoundsoftheearly
morning.Shedreadedthetimewhenshe'dhavetoplanebacktoNewYork,awayfromtheexclusive
ConnecticutcollegeandherfriendandroommateJenna.TherewasachillintheJuneair.andthe
beigegownthatcomplementedTeddi'sshortdarkhairandhugebrowneyeswashardlyproofagainst
it.ItwasagoodthingthatJennahadalreadygonedownstairs,shethought,andcouldn'tchideher
aboutherimpulsivenessinthrowingopenthewindow.

Jennawasn'timpulsive.Inthat,shewaslikeherolderbrother.Teddishivereddelicately.Justthe
thoughtofKingstonDevereauxwasenoughtocausethatreaction.They'dclashedfromthevery
beginning.ThebigrancherwithhisAustraliandrawlandcuttingsmilemighthavesenttheothergirls
inthedormitoryintoswoons,butheonlymadeTeddiwanttoturnaway.He'dmadehiscontemptfor
hermorethanevidentduringtheyearsshe'dbeenfriendswithhissister.Anditwasallbecauseofa
falseimpressionhehad,whichnothingshesaidcouldchange.

HissnapjudgmentswereasunfairashistreatmentofTeddi,andshedreadedvisitstotheCanadian
ranchwithJenna.TeddihadanuncomfortablefeelingthatJennawasgettingreadytospringanother
invitationonher.sincetheywerebothfreeuntilfallquarterbegan.KingstonDevereauxwouldflyhis
planeoverfromCalgarytogetJenna,andTeddiwouldfindexcusestoavoidhim...asusual.

Sheshookherheadmiserably.AtleastJennahadamotherandbrothertogohometo.Teddihadno
one.Heraunt,whowasheronlylivingrelative,wassomewhereontheRivierawithherlatestlover.
TheNewYorkapartmentTeddisharedwithheronholidayswasgoingtobeparticularlyemptynow.
Atleasttherewouldbeplentyofmodelingshewasassuredofthat.She'dbeenmodelingsinceher
fifteenthbirthday.

Shewasblessedwithgoodbonestructureandeyessolargeandpoignantthatoneofherboyfriends
hadlinkedthemtoadoe's.Themodelingagencythathandledherwasproudofitsstarclient—ifthey
hadacomplaint,itwasthatshewasbeingwastedintheacademia.

Shefeltsuddenlychilledtotheboneanddrewbackintotheroom,closingthewindowwithnervous
hands.ModelingwasthesorespotwithKingstonwhohadtheimmutableopinionthatmodelsand
virtuedidn'tmix.Ithadn'thelpedthatTeddie'sauntwasnotoriousforheraffairs.Kingstonwasan
oldfashionedmanwithnarrow-mindedviewsonmodernpermissiveness.Hemighthaveanaffair
himself,buthehadnothingbutcontemptforwomenwhoindulged.AndhewascertainTeddidid.

She'dneverforgottenherintroductiontohim.She'dmeetJennaatboardingschoolwhenshewasjust

fifteen,andthetwogirlshadbecomefastfriends.She'dexpectedJenna'sfamilytobeequallyfriendly
andcaring,andhadreceivedtheshockofheryounglifewhenKingstonDevereauxhadshownupat
ChristmastoflyJennahometotheranchoutsideofCalgaryfortheholidays.

HisfirstreactiontoTeddihadbeenstrangelyhostile,lingeringappraisalthathadtouchedTeddilikea
coldfingeragainstherbareskin.

Jenna'sgayannouncementthatshe'dinvitedTeddifortheholidayshadbeenmetwithacold,gray
glareandareluctantacceptancethathadspoiledthetripforher.She'ddoneeverythingbutmove
outsidetokeepoutofthebigman'sway.Then,andsince.

Sheshookoffthememoriesalongwithhergown,andslippedintoasilkybeigepantsuitthatheraunt
hadmailedtoherforEaster—oneofanumberofpresentsthatweresupposedtotaketheplaceof
loveandaffection.Teddiranacombthroughhershort,thickhairanddecidedagainstmakeup.Her
complexionwasnaturallyolive,herlipshadacoloralltheirown,andherlong-lashedeyesnever
neededenhancing.Sheslippedintoapairoflow-heeledshoesandwentdownstairstofindJenna,idly
wonderingwhyherroommatehadrushedoutinthefirstplace.

Shestartedintothedormitoryloungeandstopped,frozen,inthedoorway.Jennawassittingstifflyon
thecouch,facingabig,elegantlydressedmanwithgold-streakedblondhair.

"...AndIsaidno,"KingstonDevereauxstatedflatly,hisbacktothedoorway,hisAustralianaccent
thick."She'snotgoingtoturnmydamnedcattlestationupsidedownagainthewayshedidatEaster.
Canyouseethemengettinganyworkdone?Hell,theydonothingbutstareather."

"Shewon'tcauseanytrouble,"Jennaretortedindefenseofherfriend,venominhernormallysweet
tone.Hergrayeyes,somuchlikeKingston's,wereflashingwithanger."King,she'snothinglikeher
aunt.she'snotwhatyouthink...!"

"Tooright,baby,sheisn'trich,andshe'snevergoingtobe,unlessshecangetherclawsintosome
poor,trustingmale."Herammedhisbighandsintothepocketsofhisslacks,stretchingtheexpensive
grayfabricacrosshisflatstomach,hispowerfulbroadthighs."Well,sheisn'tgoingtospendthis
summermakingcow'seyesatmymen—oratme."headdedwithabitterlaugh.

Teddi,listening,blushed.ThatEastervacationhadhauntedher.

King!"Jennagasped."YoumustknowthatTeddi'sfrightenedofyou,you'vemadesureofit.She'd
never..."

"Wouldn'tshe?"hegrowled."SurelyyounoticedthewayshestaredatmeduringEaster?AhEarter
I'dhavepreferredspendingalonewithmyfamiy.''headdedwithacruelsmile."Mothershouldhave
hadanotherdaughtertokeepyoucompany,thenmaybeyouwouldn'tspendyourlifepickingup
strays!"

Teddisfacewentwhite.Shestoodtherelikeawoundedlittleanimal,herhugeeyesmistywiththe
hart,andKingstonturnedatthatmomentandsawher.Theexpressiononhisbroad,hardfacewas
almostcomical.

"Oh.Teddi,"Jennawailed,grimacingasshe,nan.caughtsightofherandrealizedthatherfriendhad
heardeveryharshwordoftheconversation.

Teddistraightenedproudly,"Hello,Jenna,"shesaidsoftly."I—Ijustwonderedifyouwantedtohave
breakfastwithme.I'llbeatthedininghall."

"Kingcameearly,"Jennasaidhelplessly,withashrug."Weweretalkingaboutvacation."

"You'llenjoyyours,I'msure,"Teddisaid,forcingasmiletoherfull,faintlypoutinglips."I'llgo
ahead..."

"Iwantyoutocometotheranchforthesummer,"JennasaidwithadefiantglanceatKingston.

"No,thanks,"Teddisaidquietly.

"Kingwon'tevenbetherepartofthetime,"thesmallergirlsaidsharply,tossingherlong,pale-blond
hair.

Teddiglancedatthetaciturnrancher,whosejawwasclenchedtaut."I'vespentquiteenoughofmy
holidaysbeingtreatedlikeaninvadingdisease,"shesaiddeliberately."I'dratherspendthisonealone,
andI'msureyourbrotherwillbedelightedtohavehisfamilytohimself,"sheaddedvenomously.

"Teddi—"Jennabegan.

"I'vegotmodelingassignmentslinedupanyway,"Teddiaddedtruthfullywithalast,killingglareat
Kingstonassheturned."WhyspendmyvacationonaranchwhenIcanseducehalfthemeninNew
YorkwhileImakemyfortune?"Herlowerlipwastrembling,butnoonecouldseeitnow."Thanks
anyway,Jenna,thanksalot.

Youcan'thelpitthatyou'vegotaninsufferablesnobforabrother!"

Andonthatdefiantnote,shestormedoutofthedormitoryintothesunshine,herbackrigid,thetears
wellingupinhersmolderingeyes.

Shewalkedoverthecobblestonesnumbly,theleancominginhotabundance,tricklingdownintofear
mouth.Howcouldhebesocruel,howcouldhe?Theconceitedass!Asifanywomanwouldbe
enoughtogetherselfemotionallyinvolvedtitthatarrogantAustralian...thegallofhimaccuseher
ofmakingcow'seyesathim!Sheatthememory.He'dneverletherliveherfoolishbehaviorat
Easter;ifonlyshe'drealizedthathewasteasing....

Shefishedinherpocketforatissue.Asusual,therewasn'tone.Shebrushedthebackofherhand
angrilyacrosshercheeks,hatingherownweakness.She'dwritetoJenna,hecouldn'tstopherfaro
doingthat,andthey'dbetogetherwhenthefallquarterstarted.Kingstoncouldn'tkeepthemfaro
beingfriends,afterail.He'dneverhadachanceoncethey'denrolledatthesamecollege.

Shepassedacoupleofherclassmatesandtriedtosmileagreetingjustasalean,commandinghand
i^.iitherarmandjerkedheraround,marchinghertotheshadeofanearbyoak.

"Runningagain?"KingstonDevereauxaskedcurtly,hisglitteringeyesbitingintohers."You'vedone
alotofthat."

Self-preservation,Mr.Devereaux,"sherepliedcoldly,brushingwildlyatonestraytear."Youmake
meforgetthatI'malady."

Alady?"hedrawled."You?"Hiseyesrandownherslenderbody,overthehighyoungbreastsand
downthetinywaistandsweetlycurvinghipstoherlong,gracefullegsintheirclingingcover.

"Oh,excuseme;inyourexaltedopinion,that'satitleIdon'tdeserve,"sherepliedcoolly.

"Tooright,"hegroundout.Heliftedhisbroadshouldersrestlessly."Jenna'sbackatthedormitory
cryingherdamnedeyesout,"headdedroughly."Ididn'tcomeallthiswaytoupsether."

"Upsettingpeopleisoneofyourgreatesttalents,"Tedditoldhim,glaringback.

Oneeyebrowwentupashestudiedherface."Careful,tiger,"hedrawled."Ibiteback."

Teddiwrappedherarmsaroundherself,turningherattentiontopassingstudents.

"You'vedonenothingbutattackmeforthepastfiveyears,"sheremindedhim."Andforyour
information,Mr.Devereaux,"sheaddedhotly,"ifIstared,itwasoutofapprehension,wondering
whatminuteyouweregoingtostartsomething!"

"Youstarteditthelasttime,darling,"heremindedher,smilingcoldlyattheblushshecouldn't
prevent."Didn'tyou?"

Shedidn'tlikebeingremindedofthatfiasco,andhereyestoldhimso.Sheturnedaway.

"Howlongdidittakeyoutoperfectthatposeofinnocence?"heasked

"Oh,years,"sheassuredhim."Istartedwhileababy."

Helookeddownhisarrogantnoseather.Thesunlightmadegoldstreaksinhisdark-blondhair.

Youdidn'tgettoyourparticularrungonthemodelingladderwithoutgivingoutalittle,honey,never
convincemeotherwise.Whybothertotry?"shecountered.

"You'resooftheplaygirlimageyou'vefoistedonme.Andyou'reneverwrong,areyou?"

Notoften,"heagreed."Andneveraboutwomen"headded,withjustatraceofsensualityinhisdeep
drawl.

Shesupposedthathe'dhadhisshareofwomen.Herownsmallexperienceofhimhadbeen
devastating.Hehadaneye-catchingphysiqueandwhenliked,hecouldbecharming.Teddi,having
seenhimstrippedtothewaistmorethanonce,couldn'tfindafaultinhim.Apictureofhisbronzed,
hair-roughenedmusclesdancedinfrontofhereyes,andsheshookherheadtogetthatdisturbing
memoryoutofhermind.Kingstondisturbedherhealwayshad,andshedislikedthesensationsas

muchasshedislikedhim.Hewastheenemy,shemusn'teverlosesightofthatfact.

YouknowverylittleaboutthetypeofmodelingIdo,''shesaidnumbly.

t''Morethanyouthink,"hecorrected."Wehaveamutualacquaintance."

Sheletthatenigmaticremarkflyrightoverherheadasshestartedwalking.

Goingsomewhere?"hechallenged.

''Toinflictmyselfonsomeoneelseoverbreakfast,''sheagreedcheerfully.

"Strangelyenough,peoplewhodon'tthinkofmeasatalking8x10glossyphotograph."

"Fairdinkum?"hemurmured,fallingintostepbesideher.

Sheglaredathim."Believewhatyoulikeaboutme,Idon'tcare."Butofcourseshecared,shealways
had.She'dgoneoutofherwaytotrytomakeKingstonlikeher,toearneventhesmallestwordof
praisefromhim.Butshe'dneveraccomplishedthat,andsheneverwould.

"YoucanhavebreakfastwithJennaandme,"hesaidafteraminute,asifthewordschokedhim.They
probablyhad,shethoughtmiserably.

"No,thanks,"shesaidpolitely."Ican'teatWonderingifyou'vehadtimetosprinklearsenicovermy
baconandeggs."

Achucklecameoutofhisthroat,asurprisingsound."Youneverstopfightingme,doyou?"

Sheshiftedhershoulderslightly."I'vespentmostofmylifefighting."

"Poorlittleorphan,"hemurmuredcoldly.

Sheglaredathim."Ilovedmyparents,"shesaidcurtly."Shameonyouforthat."

Hehadthegracetolookuncomfortable,butonlyforaninstant."Hittingbelowthebelt?"heasked
withaliftedeyebrow.

"Justexactlythat."

"I'llpullmypunchesnexttime,"heassuredher."Youmakeitsoundlikeagame,"

shegrumbled.

"Oh,no,it'sstoppedbeingthat,"hereplied,hiseyesonthedininghallahead.

"ItstoppedbeingthatatEaster."

Shecoloreddelicately,hereyesclosingforaninstanttotrytoblotoutthememory.Shehatedfor

remindingherofwhathadalmosthappened.

''Ishouldhavetakenyourightthereinthatstallinsteadofpushingyouaway,"

hesaidinahusky,deepwhisper.

Shemovedjerkilyawayfromhim."Pleasedon'tmeofthefoolIwas,"shesaidtightly,hisglittering
eyes."Ihadyoumixedupsomeoneelseinmymind,"sheaddedtosalvagewhatshecouldofher
pride.

Hisfeaturesseemedtohardenevenmore."Andwebothknowwho,don'twe,honey?"

Shedidn'tunderstand,butshewastooangrytoaskquestions."Ifyou'requitethrough,I'mhungry'

Hisdarkeningeyestracedherface,theslenderlinesofherbody,asifthewordtriggeredahungerof
hisown.

Hemovedcloserandshestiffened,catchingtheamused.curiousglancesoftheotherstudentsontheir
waytoandfromthedininghall."Peoplearestaring,''shemurmurednervously.

Afraidthey'llthinkwe'relovers,honey?"heaskedwithmagnificentinsolence,hereactedwithout
thinking,herfingersflashinguptowardhishard,tannedcheek.

Buthecaughtorwristjustintimetoavoidtheblow,holdingitfirminasteely,warmgrip.''Temper,
temper,"hechided,asiftheflashoffuryamusedhim."Thinkofthegossipitwould

"Asifyou'deverworryaboutwhatpeoplethoughtofyou,"shereturnedhotly."Itmustbeniceto
haveenoughwealthandpowertobeabovecaring."

Hesearchedherdark,darkeyesforalongtime."Yourparentswerepoor,weren'tthey?"heaskedin
anuncommonlyquiettone.

Sheflushedviolently."Ilovedthem,"shemuttered."Itdidn'tmatter."

"Youpushyourselfwaytoohardforagirlyourage,"hesaid."Whoareyoutryingtoshow,Teddi?
Whatareyoutryingtoprove?Jennasaysyou'restudyingforamajorinEnglish—whatgoodisthat
goingtodoyouasamodel?"

Shetuggedathisimprisoninghand."Noneatall,"sheadmitted,grindingthewordsout,"butit'llbe
greatwhenIstartteaching."

"Teaching?"Hestoodverystill,staringdownatherasifhedoubtedtheevidenceofhisownears.
"You?"

"Pleaseletmego..."sheaskedcurtly,givinguptheunequalstruggle.

Hisfingersabruptlyentwinedwithhers,thesimpleactionknockingeverysmallprotest,evenspeech,
outofhermindashedrewheralongthecobblestonedpathbesidehim.Shewonderedatherown

uncharacteristicmeeknessastheunfamiliarcontactmademusicinherblood.

"You'llcomehomewithus,"hesaidquietly."Thelastthingyouneedistobealoneinthatdamned
apartmentwhileyourdizzyauntbedhopsacrossEurope,withnooneabouttolookafteryou.

SheknewhedislikedherAuntDilly,he'dmademosecretofthefact.She'doftenthoughtthathis
dislikeforheraunthadextendedautomaticallytoherself,eventhoughshewasnothinglikeher
father'ssister.

Youdon'thavetopretendthatyoucarewhathappenstome,"shesaidcoldly.

"You'vealreadymadeitquiteclearthatyoudon't."

Hisfingerstightened."Youweren'tmeanttohearthat."hesaid.Heglanceddownather."Isayahell
ofalotofthingstoJennatokeeptheissueclouded."

Sheblinkedupathim."Idon'tunderstand,"shemurmured.

Hereturnedhersearchinglookwithasmolderingfiredeepinhisgrayeyesthatmadeherfeel
trembly.

Hisjawtautened."Youneverhave,"hegroundout."You'retoodamnedafraidofmetotry.

I'mnotafraidofyou!"shesaid,eyesflashing."Youare,"hecorrected."BecauseI'dwantitallor
nothing,andyouknowthat,don'tyou?"

Shefeltherkneesgoingweakasshestaredupathim,thewordsonlyhalfmakingsenseinher
whirlingmind.OneofTeddi'sfriendswalkedpast,grinningatthebig,handsomemanholding
Teddi'shand,andKinggrinnedback.Womenlovedhim,theireyesopenlyinterested,covetous.But
thehastheywereattractingembarrassedTeddi,andshetriedtopullloose.

"Don't,"Kingmurmured,tighteninghiswarmfingerswithawickedsmile."Don'treadanythinginto
it,it'ssimpleself-preservation.IfIholdyourlittlehand,youcan'tslapmewithit,"headdedwitha
chuckle.

Itwasoneofthefewtimesshe'deverheardhimlaughwhentheyweretogether,andshestudiedhis
loftyface,fascinated.Shewasofaboveaverageheight,butKingtoweredoverher.Hewasn'tonly
tall,hewasbroad—likeafootballplayer.

"Likewhatyousee?"hechallenged.

"IwasjustthinkinghowbigtheygrowtheminAustralia,"shehedged.

"I'mCanadianborn,"heremindedher."Andyou'refromGeorgia,aren'tyou?Ilovethataccent...
earlyplantation?"

Shepouted."Ihaveaveryniceaccent;nothinglikethatlong,twangingdrawlofyours,"she
countered.

"AsouvenirfromQueensland,"heagreedwithoutrancor.

Shesearchedhiseyes."Youspentalotofyourlifethere,"sherecalled.

Henodded."Mothercouldn'thavesurvivedinthebush,"heexplained."Shewastoofrail.Butmy
fatherhadinheritedthestation,andhehadtomakeagoofitorlosetheCalgarylivestockfarmas
well.Sohewentwithouther,andsodidI.IneverreallyknewherwhileIwasgrowingup."

"Youdon'tletanyonegetclose,doyou?"

Hestoppedatthedoorofthedininghallandlookeddownather."Howclosedoyouwanttoget,
honey,withingrabbingdistanceofmywallet?"feeaskedwithacoldsmile.

Sheglaredupathim."I'mnotmoneycrazy,"shesaidproudly.Shejerkedherhandoutofhisgrasp,
andthistimeheletitgo."Ihaveeverythingneed."

Doyoureally?"heretorted."Thenwhydoyoulivewithyouraunt—whydoesshehavetokeepyou?

Shewantedtotellhimthatshemadequiteenoughmodelingtopayherschoolfeesandtosupport
herself.Butshehadn'tseenthesenseintryingtomaintainanapartmentofherownwhenshewasin
schoolninemonthsoutoftheyear.Besides,shethoughtbitterly,DillywasrarelyatNewYork
apartmentthesedays.Therewasalwaysaman....

"Thinkwhatyoulike,"shetoldhim."Youwillsay."

Helookeddownatherquietly."Doesitbotheryou?"

Sheshruggedcarelessly."Youdon'treallyknowanythingaboutme."

Heeyesdroppedtohersoft,fullmouth."Inowthatunderneaththatperfectbonestructureand
bristlingpride,youburnwithsweetfireswhenyouwantamantokissyou...."

Herfaceflamed.Shemovedawayasheopeneddoorforher,standinginsuchawaythatsheIto
brushagainsthispowerfulbodytoenterthehall.Sheglancedupathimassheeasedpast,hereyes
tellinghimreluctantlyhowmuchthecontactdisturbedher.

"Softlittlething,aren'tyou?"heaskedinadeep,lazydrawl,hiseyespointedlyonthehighthrustof
herbreastsastheyflattenedslightlyagainsthisbroadchestinpassing.

TeddiwasgratefulthatJennawasalreadyatatablewaitingforthem,sothatshedidn'twitnessthe
strangelittlescene.Jennatendedtocarryteasingtoanembarrassingdegree.

ChapterTwo

Breakfastwaspleasant.Itwasoneofthefewtimes"Teddicouldremembersittingdowntoeatwith
Kingwhenhedidn'tgooutofhiswaytoneedleher.Shehadthestrangestimpressionthattheirfiery
relationshiphadundergoneachangewhiletalkedearlier.Shelookedintohiseyesandblushed,and
thereactioncausedanamusedglintinhisowneyes.

"Howsooncanyougirlsgetpacked?"Kingaskedoverafinalcupofcoffee.Atanearbytable,
severalfemalestudentswereopenlywatchingKingwitheverybite,theireyesdreamy."Tmtakinga
flighttoNewYorklaterthisafternoon,"Teddisaidquickly.

Kingwatchedher,readingaccuratelythepanicinheryoungface."YouandIwillironoutour
differencesthissummer,"hesaidinatonethatmadehertingleallover."Inthemeantime,there'sno
excusefordenyingJennayourcompanyjusttospiteme."

Itwasthetruth,butpartofherwasafraidofwhatsettlingthosedifferencesmightleadto.Shewas
nervousofmeninanyphysicalsense,andespeciallyofKing

—therewerescarsonheremotionsthatshedidn'twantreopened.

"I'vegotmodelingjobs—"shebegan.

"Youcanlivewithoutthemforafewweeks,surely?"hetaunted."Twenty-four-hourdaysareonly
bearableforshortterms,"heremindedher."You'vebeenholdingdownanightjob,Jennatoldme,in
additiontoyourdaycourses.Quiteafeat,ifIremembercurfewregulations."

"Thegatescloseatmidnighthere,"Teddimurmured.SheglaredatJenna,whomanagedtolook
completelyinnocent.

"Allthesame,youcoulduseavacation.Aslongasyoudon'tspenditmooningoverme,"headded.

Hereyesjerkeduptofindhimsmilinginateasingway,hiseyeskindandglitteringwithgoodhumor.
Itsurprisedherintosmilingback,accentuatingherbeautytosuchadegreethatKingjustsatand
staredatheruntilshedroppedherowngaze,embarrassed.

"Besides,"Kingaddedtautly,"whereelsehaveyougottogo?Withthatnymphomaniacofanaunt,or
toanapartmentalone?"

"Ahalfhourago,youwouldn'thavecaredifI'dhadtoshackupwithabearatthelocalzoo,"she
remindedhimhotly.

Hecockedaneyebrow."AsIrecall,MissCoverGirl,"hemurmured,"thesubjectofbearsoncegotus
intoaninterestingsituation."

Shewentfieryred,avoidingJenna'ssmiling,cariousgaze."Anunbearablesituation,"shemurmured,
laughingwhenKinggotthepunandthrewhackhisownhead.

Pleasecome,"Jennaadded,pleading."Ifyou'rearoundtochaperoneme,Kingwillletmechase
Blakelyallovertheranch,"shelaughed.

"Blakely?"Kingfrowned."Youdon't,surely,meanmylivestockforeman?"

Jennapeekedathimthroughherlashes."I'minterestedinranching,"shemurmured.

'"Don'tgettoointerestedinBlakely,"hewarned."I'vegotbiggerplansforyou."

"Doyoualwaystrytorunpeople'slives?"Teddichallenged.

Helookeddeepintohereyes."Lookout,honey,Inightfancyrunningyoursifyouaren'tcareful."

I'mhardlyworthnotice,"sheremindedhim."Anorphanwithnoconnections,abackgroundof
poverty,asordidreputation..."

"Oh,hell,shutup,"hegrowled,gettingtohismsec."I'vegottohavetheplaneserviced.Youtwoget
packed."

Hestormedoff.Jennagiggledopenly,hereyesspeculative.

Justwhatisgoingon?"sheaskedTeddi."I've¦everseenhimoffbalancelikethat."

27

darlingenemy

"Ihavebeenpracticingsorcery,"Teddisaidinamenacingwhisper."Whilehewasn'tlooking,I
slippedapotioninhiscoffee.Anysecondnow,yourtallblondbrotherisgoingtoturnintoashort,
fatfrog."

Jennaburstoutlaughing,tearsrollingdownhercheeks."Oh,Ican'twaittoseehim,"shelaughed.
"King,withgreenwarts!"

Teddilaughed,too,attheabsurdityoffastidiousKingwithsuchanaffliction.Heneverseemedto
haveahairoutofplace,evenwhenhewasworkingwiththelivestock.

Hourslater,theywerewellonthewaytoCalgaryinKing'sprivatePiperNavajo.

"Ican'twaitforyoutomeetBlakely,"Jennatoldherfriend."Kingjusthiredhimacoupleofmonths
agoandIgottoknowhimwhenIwashomeforthatlongweekendinApril."

"Hemustbesomethingspecial,"Teddimurmured.

Jennasighed."Oh,heis.Browneyesandredhairandabuildlikeamoviestar.

Teddi,you'lllovehim...butnottoomuch,please,"sheadded,onlyhalfteasing."Icouldn'tbeginto
competewithyou,asfaraslooksgo."

"Don'tbesilly,"Teddichided."You'relovely."

"You'realiar,butIloveyoujustthesame,"camethelaughingreply.Jennaleanedbackintheplush
seat."Kingdidn'tchewyouuptoobadly,didhe?"sheaskedafteraminute.HergrayeyesmetTeddi's
apologetically."IcouldhavegonethroughthefloorwhenKingmadethatnastyremarkandImmyou
standinginthedoorwayandknewyou'dheard."

"KingandIhavebeenenemiesforyears,"Teddiremindedherfriend,herdarkeyeswistful."Idon't
knowwhatIdidtomakehimdislikemeso,buthealwayshas."

"Itpuzzlesme,"Jennamurmured,"thatKingactsalongsowellwitheveryoneelse.

Hehasthatarrogantstreak,ofcourse,buthe'sapussycatmostofthetime.He'sworkedtwenty-two-
hourdaystokeepussolventsinceDaddied.Withouthimthewholepropertywouldhavegonedown
thedrain."Sheeyedherfriend."Noneofwhichexplainshishostilitytowardyou.Icouldn'tbelieve
myeyeswhenhewentoutofthedormitoryafteryou."

"Thatmakestwoofus.Iverynearlyhithim."•Howexciting.Whatdidhedo?"

Teddireddened.ShewasnotabouttoadmitthatHoghadheldherhandallthewaytothedormitory.
"Heducked,"shelied.

Jennalaugheddelightedly."Justimagine,yourtryingtoplantoneonmybrother.

Doyouknow,youneverusedtostanduptohim.Whenwewereyounger,he'dsaysomethinghurtful
andyou'dgooffandcry,andKingwouldgooutandchewuponeortwoofhismen."Shelaughed.
"Itgottobealmostfunny.Themenwouldstartgettingnervoustheminuteyouwalkedontothe
property."

Teddishiftedrestlessly."Iknow.Tobehonest,I'vebeenturningdownyourinvitationslatelytoavoid
him.Iprobablywouldn'thavegonehomewithyouatEaster,ifIhadn'tbeentryingtoshakeoffthat
friendofDilly'swho'sbeenpursuingme."

"WouldyoumindverymuchtellingmewhathappenedatEaster?"

"Ithrewafeedbucketathim,"Teddiblurtedout.

Jenna'seyesopenedwide."You'rekidding!"

Teddi'sgazedroppedtoherlap."Itwasjustamilddisagreement,"shelied."Oh,look!"sheexclaimed
asshelookedoutthewindow."WemustbeoverAlberta,lookattheplains!"

Jennapeekedoverherfriend'sshoulderandlookeddownthroughthethickcloudcover."Couldbe,"
shemurmured,checkingherwatch,"butwehaven'tbeenintheairquitelongenough.Ibetitwas
Saskatchewan."Shegotup."I'llaskKing."

Teddi'seyesfollowedthesmallergirlwhilehermindwentlazilybacktothespringdaywhenKing

hadchidedheraboutherprivatelifejustonetimetoomany....

Jennahadsleptlatethatmorning,butthebrightsunandthesoundsofactivityoutatthestableshad
rousedTeddifromasoundsleep.She'dputonherridingoutfitandhurrieddowntogetHappyto
saddleahorseforher.Happy,oneoftheolderhandsonthehugeCanadianranch,hadbeenoneof
herstaunchestallies.He'dtaughthertoridewhenKinghadrefusedto.

ButHappyhadn'tbeenintheneatstablesthatmorning.Kinghad.Andtheminuteshesawhim,She
knewtherewasgoingtobetrouble.Hehadawayofcockinghisheadtoonesidewhenhewasangry
thatwarnedofstormsbrewinginhisbigbody,anarrowingofoneeyethatmeanthewas¦Dicing
himselfonatightrein.Teddihadbeentooangryherselftonoticethewarningsigns.

Iknowhowtoride,"sheargued."Happymightme."

Idon'tgiveadamn,"hegrowledback."The¦bobhaveseenbeartracksaroundthisspring.Youdon't
ridealoneontheranch,isthatclear?"

5refeltanunreasonablehatredofhim,rawbecausehehadn'tevennoticedherpainfullyshyJarring,
herextraattentiontoherappearance.Sheaadbeentryingtocatchhiseyeforthefirsttimein¦heir
turbulentacquaintanceandithadn'tworked.Hertemperhadexploded.

I'mnotafraidofbears!"sheallbutscreamed.Well,youshouldbe,"herepliedtightly,hiseyes
roamingoverher."Youdon'tknowwhatahearcoulddotothatperfectyoungbody."

Thewordshadshockedher.Amazingly,now¦bushehadhisattention,shewasfrightened.

Shebackedawayfromhim,andthathadcausedI--airingkindofangertochargeupinhisbigbody.
"Afraid?"hechided."YouprobablyknowmoreaboutsexthanIdo,sowhypretend?Justhowmany
menhavehadyou?"

Thathadbeenthefinalstraw.Therewasafeedbucketatherelbow,andshegrabbeditwithout
thinking,intendingtoflingitdirectlyathim.

Hehadn'tkepthishard-muscledbodyinshapebybeingcareless.Hesteppedoutofthewaygracefully
andbeforeshehadtimetobeshockedatherownbehavior,hesteppedforwardandcaughtherbythe
wrists,roughlyputtingherhandsbehindherandpinningheragainsthim.

"That,"hegrowled,"wasstupid.Whatwereyoutryingtoprove,thatyoudon'tlikewhatyouare?"

"Youdon'tknowwhatIam!"shecried,wounded.Herhugebrowneyeshadlookedupathimwith
apprehension.

"No?"Hisbighandshadpropelledherforwarduntilhersoft,highbreastswerecrushedagainstthe
frontofhisblue-patterned,cottonshirt.Shesmelledthefresh,launderedscentofitminglingwithhis
cologne.Itwastheclosestshe'deverbeentohim.

"You'vebehavedlikeahomelesskittenaroundmelately,"hesaidinadeep,sensuoustonethat

arousednewsensationsinTeddi'stautbody."Low-cutblouses,clingingdresses,makingeyesatme
everytimeIturnaround...."Hereleasedherwriststhen,andhiscallousedhandseasedunderthe
hemofherblouse,findingherbareback.Theylingeredonhersilkyskin,faintlyabrasive,
surprisinglygentle."Comecloser,littleone,"hemurmured,watchingherwithcalculatingeyes,
althoughshe'dbeentoolostinhisdarkeninggazetonoticethat.

Herlegshadtrembledagainsttheunfamiliarhardnessofhis,herbreastshadtingledfromacontact
thatburnedeventhroughthelayersoffabricthatseparatedherfromhisbroad,hair-coveredchest.

Hishandswerecausingwildtremorsalloverher„bodyashesavoredthesatinfleshofherbackand
arguedherslenderhipsagainsthis.

"Iwantyourmouth,Teddi,"hewhisperedhusk-m,bending,sothathissmokybreathcaressedher
tremblinglips."Andyouwantmine,don'tyou,love?You'vewanteditfordays,years...you'vebeen
awareofmesincethedaywemet."HismouthhadhoveredoverherstantalizinglywhileMshands
caressedherback,mademincemeatofherpride,herself-control."Youwanttofeelmyfingers
touchingyou,don'tyou,Teddi?"hetaunted,movinghisheadclose,sothathismouthbrushed
tormentinglyagainstherswhenhespoke.

King,"shemoaned,goingontiptoetotrytocatchhispoised,teasingmouthwithherown.He'ddrawn
backenoughtodenyherthekiss,

--ilehishandsslidinsolentlydownoverherbuttocksandbackupagain."Doyouwantmetokiss
you,Teddi?"he'daskedwithamockingcnile.

"Yes,"shewhisperedachingly,"yes,please...!"Anything,shewouldhaveagreed::anythingto
makehimkissher,tobringthedreamofyearstoreality,toletherknowthetouchandtasteand
achingpleasureofhishard,beautifulmouth.

Howmuchdoyouwantit?"hepersisted,bendingtobitesoftly,tenderlyathermouth,catchingher
upperlipdelicatelybetweenbothofhisinacaressthatwasblatantlyarousing."Doyouache,baby?"

"Yes,"shemoaned,hereyesslitted,herbodyliquidagainsthisasherkneesthreatenedtofoldunder
her."King,please,"shehalf-sobbed,"oh,please!"

Heliftedhishead,then,tostudyherhungryfaceandalookofpainhadcomeoverhisfeatures.He
turnedawaysothatsheneversawwhetherhehadtostruggletobringhimselfundercontrol.She
doubtedit.Certainlytherewasnosignofemotiononhisfacewhenheturnedbacktoher.

"Maybeforyourbirthday,"hesaidwithmagnificentarrogance."OrChristmas.Butnotnow,honey,
I'mabusyman."

Hegaveacurtlaughandshestoodthereliketheruinsofahouse—emptyandalone.

Hereyeshadaccused,hated,inthesecondsthattheyheldhis.

"You'renothuman,"shechoked."You'reascoldas..."

"Onlywithwomenwholeavemethatway,"heinterrupted."MyGod,you'devengiveintoamanyou
professtohate,youneeditsomuch!"

Shewatchedhimwalkawaywithherpridearoundherknees.She'dsworntoherselfthatdaythatshe
wouldtossherselfoveracliffbeforeshegavehimthechancetohumbleheragain.Sheavoidedhim
successfullyfortherestoftheEastervacation,andwhensheboardedtheplaneforConnecticutwith
Jenna,shehadn'tevenlookedathim.

Shesighed,watchingthecloudsdriftbyoutsidethewindow.Inhermindsherelivedthathumiliation
overandoveragain.Shewonderedsometimesishe'deverbeabletoforget.Theincidenthadrevived
other,oldermemoriesthathadbeentheoriginalcauseofherfrigidreactiontomostmen.Ironically,
Kinghadbeentheonlyonetoevergetsoclosetoher,toarousesuchadamningresponse.Andhe
didn'tevenknowthattoTeddi,mostmenwerepoison.

Saskatchewan,"Jennasaidsmugly,returningtoreseatherselfbesideherfriend.

"ButWesternSaskatchewan,soitwon'tbetoomuchlongerbeforewegethome."ShegaveTeddia
searchingappraisal.

"Lookingforhiddenbeauty?"Tedditeased.

"Actually,IaskedKingaboutthatbucketyouthrewathim,"sherepliedhesitantly.

Teddi'sheartdippedwildly."And?"sheprompted,tryingdesperatelyfornormalcy.

"IguessIshouldhavekeptmymouthshut,"Jennasaidwithasign,turningtowardthewindow.
"Honestly,sometimesIthinkheliesawakenights¦¦likingupnewwordstoshockmewith."

Teddifeltashiverasshefoldedherhandsinhertapandclosedhereyes.

ApparentlyKingdidn'twanttoberemindedanymorethanshedid.Itwasjustaswell,Kinghadmade
itperfectlyclearthathedespisedher.

TheDevereauxlivestockfarm,GrayStag,waslocatedinagreenvalleyinthefoothillsoftheRocky
Mountains,notfarfromCalgary.Ithaditsownprivatelandingstripandallthecreaturecomfortsany
familywouldeverwant.

ThehouseitselfwasacopyofaFrenchchateau,bigandsprawlingwithalong,windingdriveway
andtailfirsallaroundit.Fieldsofwildflowersbloomedprofuselyagainstthemajesticbackground
ofthesnow-cappedRockies.Therewasatenniscourt,aheatedswimmingpool,andformalgardens
whichweretheprideofthefamily'saginggardener.ItalwaysremindedTeddiofpicturesshe'dseen
ofruralFrance.

Kingtaxiedtheplanetowardthehangar,whereawhiteMercedeswasparked.Apetite,white-haired
womaninafashionablegraysuitwavedastheyclimbedoutoftheplaneandontotheapron.

"Mama!"Jennacried.Sheranintothewoman'soutstretchedarms,leavingKingandTedditofollow.

"MyGod,you'dthinkshe'dbeenawayfortwoyearsinsteadoftwomonths,"Kinggrowled.

Teddiglancedupathissetface,sodeeplytannedandmasculinethatherfingersitchedtotouchit.She
avertedhereyes.

"Itwouldbenicetohaveamothertorunto,"shesaidinatonethatachedwithmemories.

Shefeltalean,roughhandatthenapeofherneck,graspingitgentlyinagesturethatwasstrangely
compassionate.

"Youhaven'thadalotofloveinyouryounglife,haveyou?"heaskedquietly.

"It'ssomethingJennaneverlacked,wemadesureofthat."

Itshows,"sheagreed,watchingherfriend's¦arm,opensmile."She'sverymuchanextrovert."

"Myexactopposite."Hiseyesnarrowedonthe¦Etabeyondtheairport."Idon'tcareformostpeople."

Especiallyme,"shemurmured.Hisdarkgrayeyespinnedher."Don'tputwordsintomymouth.You
knowverylittleaboutme.You'venevercomecloseenoughtofindoutanything.

Shecouldn'tholdthatdarkgaze."Ididonce,"sheremindedhimbitterly.

"Yes,Iknow,"hereplied.Hiseyessketchedherprofilenarrowly."Ileftscars,didn'tI?"

Sheshiftedherthinshouldersuncomfortably,wishingshe'dneversaidanythinginthefirstplace.
""Everyone'sentitledtobefoolishonceortwice."

I'vewonderedalotsincethenwhatmighthavehappenedifI'dlaiddownwithyouinthatsoftlay."he
saidquietly,deliberatelyslowinghispaceattheyapproachedtherestofhisfamily.

Herheartpoundederratically."I'dhavefoughtyou,"shesaid,hertonesoftandchallenging.

Helookeddownatherandastrangesmileturneduphischiseledmouthatonecorner."Wouldyou?"
heaskedinadeep,silkyvoice."Dojobhaveenoughexperiencetoknowwhatitdoestoamanwhena
desirablewomanfightshim?"

"YouseemtothinkI'vesleptwithhalfthemenNewYork,soyoutellme,"sheshotback.

Hecockedaneyebrow."Idon'tknowwhattosankaboutyou,"headmitted."JustwhenIthinkI'vegot
youfiguredout,youthrowmeanothercurve.I'mbeginningtothinkIneedtotakeamuchcloserlook
atyou,Teddibear."

Sheglaredupathim."Don'tcallmethat."

"Don'tyoulikeit?"hetaunted."You'resmallandsoftandcuddly."

Sheblushedlikeateenager,andhatedherhelplessreactiontohisteasing.Itwasjustlikebefore.All

hewantedwastomakehercrawl.Well,hewasn'tgoingtodoitthistrip.

"Don'tthinkyou'llevergettocuddleme,"shesaidshortly.

"AndIwouldn'tbetonthat,ifIwereyou."Hepulledacigarettefromhisshirtpocketandlititwhile
hewatchedher."Youwerebeggingmeforitinthebarnthatmorning."

Sheshiveredatthememoryofherweaknessandhereyesclosedbriefly."Youknowalot,"she
countered.

"Whatdidyouexpect,thatIspentallmytimewiththecattle?"hetaunted."Iknowwhattodowitha
woman,youngTeddi,asyoudamnednearfoundout.Icanlosemyhead,ifI'mtemptedenough.You
broughtthatabout,andwebothknowit.Thoseeye-catchinglittleglances,thoselow-cutdresses,
thosecome-and-kiss-melooksyouweregivingme—"

"Ican'tpossiblytellyouhowsorryIamaboutthewholething,"shegroundout.

"Couldwepleasejustforgetit?You'resafefrommethistrip,Iwouldn'tflirtwithyouifmylife
dependedonit."

"Thatmightbebetter,"hemurmureddryly."IbVeinconstantfearofbeingseducedbyoneofyou
wildcitygirls."

Nowthatdidsoundlikeflirting,butbeforeshecouldbesure,theywerewithinearshotofthelathers.

"Theendoftheworldmustbenear,"MaryDevereauxlaughed."Aremyeyesgoingbad,orapeyou
twoactuallynotarguingforonce?"Sheeyedhersonclosely."AnddidIactuallyseeyousmileat
her?"

Kingcockedaneyebrowather."Musclespasm,"herepliedwithoutcrackingasmile.

Sure,"Marylaughed.ShereachedoutandTeddiaffectionately."It'ssogoodtohavehere,Teddi.
WhatwithKingawaymostofthetime,andJenna'ssuddeninterestinranchmanagement,"sheadded
withapointedglanceatherdaughter,"I'vebeenlookingforwardtoaverylonelysummer."She
staredattheyounggirl."Teddi,youaren'tsuddenlygoingtodevelopaninterestinranch
management,areyou?

Teddiburstoutlaughing."Oh,no,Idon'tthinkso."

"Thankgoodness,"Marysighed."Shallwego?Icoulduseacupofcoffee.King,Isupposeyou'll
drive?"

WhenwasthelasttimeIletyoudrivemeanywhere?"hemused,leadingthewaytothetothecar.

"Letmethink."Hisparentfrowned."YouweresixandIhadtotakeyoutothedentistwhenyougot
intoitwithlittleSammyBlain..."

Teddihidasmile.ShelinkedherarmwithJenna'sandbroughtuptherear.Itwasnicetobepartofa

family,evenforalittlewhile.

Teddi'sroomoverlookedtheRockies.Itwasdonehiblueandwhite,withlacyeyeletcurtainsatthe
windowsandacanopiedbed.ThiswaswhereshealwayssleptwhenshecametoGrayStag,herown
littlecorneroftheoldchateau.

ShewonderedwhohadoccupiedthematchingwornintheoriginalhomeinBurgundy.

OneofKing'sancestorshadcopiedthedesignofhiswife'sfamilyhometokeepthatgrievinglady
fromgettingattacksofhomesicknesswhenthey'dsettledinCalgary.Theoriginalchateaudatedtothe
eighteenthcentury.Thisonewasbarelyahundredpearsold,butithadacharmallitsown.

Sheopenedthewindowandbreathedtheflower-scentedair.Everythingseemedsomuchcleanerin
Canada,somuchbigger.DespiteKing'shostility,itwasnicetobehereagain.MaryandJennamore
thanmadeupforKing.

Hereyeswenttothesoftbed.King.Sherememberedanightshe'dspentatGrayStagwhenshewas
seventeen,duringsummervacation.

She'dbeenfairlyterrifiedofKingbackthen,nervousanduncertainwhenhecamenearwithhiscruel
taunts.She'dneverunderstoodhisdislike—she'ddonenothingtohimtoprovokeit.

Butthatnight,therewasathunderstorm,violentasonlymountainthunderstormscanbe.Teddi's
parentshadgonedowninacommercialairlineronanightlikethis,andinheryoungmindshestill
connecteddisasterwithviolentstorms.Shewascrying,softlittlewhimpersthatshouldn'thavebeen
audibleabovetheragingthunder.

ButKinghadsuddenlyopenedthedoorandcomein,stillfullydressedfromhelpingworkcattlein
theflashflooding.Hisshirtwasdamp,carelesslyunbuttonedtorevealamatofhairandbronzed
musclethathaddrawnTeddi'seyeslikeamagnet.

Heeaseddownontothebedandtookthefrightened,weepinggirlintohisbigarms.

Hemurmuredsoft,comfortingwordsthatshedidn'tunderstandwhilehecradledheragainsthis
warm,dampbody,hisheartbeatingheavilyunderthecheekthatlayonhisbroadchest.Heheldher
untilthetearsandthethunderpassed,andthenhelaidherbackdownonthepillowswithastrangely
tendersmile.

"Okay,now?"heaskedsoftly.

"Yes,thankyou,"shereplieduneasily.

Hestoodthere,lookingdownatherwithstrangedarkeyeswhileshestaredback,hereyesfixedon
thesighthemade,hisshirtunbuttonedtothewaist...itwasthefirsttimeshe'dbeenalonewithaman
inherbedroomatthathourofthemorning,andherfearmusthaveshown.Becausehesuddenly
turnedawaywithamuffledcurseandwasgone.Afterthatnight,hewasevencolder,andsheworked
evenharderatavoidinghim.Somethinghadhappenedwhiletheystaredateachothersointensely.

Shestillwasn'tsurewhatithadbeen,butsherememberedvividlythesensationsshefeltwhenhiseyes
haddroppedtotheuncoveredbodiceofhergownandtraceddeliberatelyeverysoftlineofheryoung
breastsunderthehalf-transparentmaterial.Thememorywaslikeadrawnswordbetweenthem,along
withallKing'simaginedgrievancesagainsther.

TherewasasharpknockatthedoorandJennapeekedherheadaroundit."Comedownandhave
somethingtoeat,"shesaid."Mother'scarvingupaham.

""Isn'tMissPeakehereanymore?"Teddiaskedasshejoinedherfriend,rememberingwarmlyMiss
Feake'slittlekindnessesovertheyears.

"Oursaintlyhousekeeperisvisitinghersisterforafewdays."Jennagrinned.

"She'djustdieifshewasheretoseethesizeoftheslicesmother'sgettingoffthatham.Mothereats
likeabird,youknow.PoorKing!"

Teddismiledinvoluntarily."There'salotofhimtofeed,"sheagreed.

"Hegetseven,"Jennaassuredher."Whenmother'shackisturned,he'llgointhekitchenandmake
himselfasandwichortwo.Hedoesn'tstarve."

"MissPeakewasforevercarryinghimtraysoffoodwhenheworkedinthestudy,"

Teddirecalled,rememberinghowshe'dstrainedforglimpsesofhimthroughthatdooratnight.

"Andhewasforevercomplainingthattherewasn'tenoughofit,"Jennaadded."Mybrotherhasa
tremendousappetite.Forfood,atleast.Motherwantstoseehimmarriedsobadly,buthehardlyever
takesanyoneout.You'dthinkhedoesn'tknowwhattodowithawoman,thewayheavoidsthem."

Oh,Jenna,ifyouonlyknew,Teddithoughtsilently,assherememberedherownvoicepleadingfor
thetouchofKing'spoised,tauntingmouth.Heknewfartoomuchaboutwomenforamonk.Even
Teddi,asinexperiencedasshewas,realizedthat.

Butshedidn'ttrytotellJenna.Itmightleadtosomeembarrassingquestions.

Teddifeltherpulsejumpastheystartedintothespaciousdiningroom,butifshe'dhopedtofindKing
there,shewasdoomedtodisappointment.OnlyMarywasatthetable,withcupsofsteamingcoffee
alreadypouredandthreeplacesset.

"Thereyouare."Shesmiledasthetwogirlsjoinedher."Isn'titadelightfullylazyday?Ihopeyou're
hungry,I'veputouthamandbreadandanicesaladforus."

Teddihadtomuffleagiggle.Therewereenoughpiecesofbreadforonesandwichapiece,andhardly
enoughhamtogoaround.Andthenicesaladwouldprovideeachofthemwithabouttwotablespoons.
FromherearliestacquaintancewithJenna,TeddihadbeenamusedbyMary'seatinghabits.The
fragilelittlewomanhadanappetitetomatchherstature,muchtothechagrinoftherestofthefamily,
andtherewasagooddealofmoaningoutofMary'searshot.Noneofthemwouldeverhavesaid

anythingtohurtherfeelings,buttheycouldn'tresistalittlegood-naturedjokingamongthemselves.

"Don'ttellmeKing'sgoneagain?"JennaaskedassheandTeddisatdown,oneoneithersideofMary.

"Yes,"Marysighed."ToseeaboutsomekindofauditonthatcorporationofhisinMontana.The
boardofdirectorsretainedanauditingfirmfromNewYorktodoit."

Teddididn'tliketohearauditorsmentioned.Someofhermostunpleasantmemorieswereduetoone
ofheraunt'slovers,whowasaverywellpaidmemberofanillustriousNewYorkfirm.

"Ishegoingtobegonelong?"Jennawondered.

Maryshrugged."Adayorso,hesaid.Butit'sjustthebeginning.Hemayhavetobringthedreadful
manhereaswell—youknow,tochecktherestofthebooks."ShecaughtthelookonJenna'sand
laughed."Yes,Iknow,thisisCanada,butKingreinvestssomeoftheprofitsfromtheMontana
operationintothelivestockoperationhere,and..."Sheshookherhead."It'sallveryconfusing.Ask
Kingtoexplainittoyousomeday,Ihavenoheadforbusinessmanagement."

"Blakelydoes,"Jennamurmuredwithawryglanceathermother."Icouldaskhim."

Marysmiledather."IlikeBlakelyverymuch.Ifyouneedanally,mydarling,youhaveoneinme."

"Thanks,Mom,"theyoungblondesaidwithabeamingsmile."Itwilltaketwoofustogetaround
King."

"GetaroundKing?"Marypausedwithherforkinmidairandstaredatherdaughter.

"NowJenna..."

"Everythingwillbeallright,Ipromise,"camethesmugreply."Let'shurryandeat,Teddi,Iwantto
introduceyoutoBlakely.You'lladorehim!"

Blakelywouldhavebeenadorableonlytoagirlwhowasinlovewithhim,buthewaspersonableand
seemedtoknowhisbusiness.TeddihadtosmotheragrinattheworshipfullookinJenna'snormally
sensibleeyesastheyfollowedthethin,dark-eyedmanaroundthepropertywhilethetwoyoung
womenwerebriefedonitsoperation.Blakelyhadredhair,sobrightthatitseemedcopperyinthe
sun,andTeddicouldn'thelpbutwonderwhatkindofchildrenJennaandthelivestockforemanwould
have—blondonesorredheads.Itwasn'tgoingtobeaneasythingiftheywereseriousabouteach
other.JennawouldnevermakeKingbelievethatitwasherselfBlakelywasinterestedin,notthe
millionsshestoodtoinherit.

King.Ifonlyshecouldstopthinkingabouthim!

Inviewofhiscontemptforher,sheshouldhavedetestedhiminreturn.Butshedidn't.Shecouldn't
stophereyesfromfollowinghimwheneverhewasnear.Shefeltanattractiontowardhimthat
nothingeverdaunted,andshewashelplesstopreventit.

SheshookherselfoutofhertroubledthoughtsasBlakelymumbledsomethingaboutthegrowthof
thelivestockfarm.

"Originally,"heinformedthegirls,"farmsinWesternCanadawerelaidoutin65-hectareparcels.
Andmostofthefarmsarescatteredwithina320-kilometerstripalongCanada'ssouthernborder.But
thesedaysonlyabout5percentoftheworkforceisemployedinagriculture,"headdedsadly.
"Althoughproductivityisincreasingamongthosewhoremain,andmechanizationhasaidedusquite
alot.

Didyouknow,"hecontinued,blossomingasheelaboratedonhisfavoritesubject,

"thattheaverageoutputofonefarmworkertodayprovidesfoodforoverfiftypeople?"

"I'dgivethatmanaraise,"Teddimurmured.

Blakelystaredatheruntilthewordspenetrated,thenhethrewbackhisheadandlaughed,delightedat
thelittlejoke.

"Forgiveme,"hetoldher,"Idotendtogetcarriedawayaboutfarming.Iloveit,yousee.Notjestthe
land,orworkingitandworkingwithcattleonit;butthehistoryandheritagebehinditall.Thiswas
oncepartoftheNorthwestTerritory,"

hesod,sweepinghisarmsaroundtoindicatethelushgreenvalleyinitssummersplendor,withthe
tall,sharppeaksoftheRockiesinthedistance."AlbertaandSaskatchewanwereorganizedoutofitin
1905,butFrenchfurtraderswereherelongbeforethensettlingthewilderness.It'sanexciting
history,thesettlingofthisterritory,oneInevertireofreadingabout.Or,"headdedsheepishly,

"talkingabout."

"Iliketotalkaboutmypartoftheworld,too,"Tedditoldhim,"andIlikelearningaboutyoursjustas
much.Pleasedon'tapologize.Thinkofitasculturalexchange,"sheaddedimpishly.

"Thankyou,Teddi,"herepliedwithasmile.

"Andnowthatwe'vegotthatsettled,"Jennaadded,linkingarmswiththetallman,

"let'sseetherestofit."

Teddifollowedalongbehindthem,hereyessweepingoverthewell-keptbarnandstables,thewhite
fencesthatkepttheanimalsin,thehugefieldsofgraingrowingtofeedtheanimalsthroughthe
winter.Itwasanimposingsight.NowonderKingloveditso.Thesceneryalonewaslovely.

Thenextmorning,TeddiwentridingwithJennaandBlakely,keepingtoherself,andeventually
ridingbackalonetotheranch.Itwasn'tkindtotagalongafterthemwhentheyweresoobviously
fallinginloveandwantedtobealone.

Shegavethehorsetotheranchhandatthestablesandwalkedaimlesslytowardthehouse.Maryhad

drivenintoCalgarytoshop,andtherewasnoonetotalkto.Shedidn'tmindbeingalonehere,though.
Itwasn'tlikebeingaloneinthatspotlessNewYorkhigh-riseapartmentwiththedoorsboltedand
chainedforsafety.Here,therewashelpwithinearshotallthetime.She'dneverfeltafraidatGrayStag
—

mainlybecauseitwasKing'sdomain,andshewasafraidofnothingwhenKingwasaround.

Shewalkedintothehouse,idlywonderinghowmuchlongerhe'dbeaway.Shewasabouttostartup
thestairswhenKingsuddenlycamedownthem,startlingher.

Hewaswearingworkclothes;ablue-patternedshirtopenatthethroatoverwornjeansanddusty
boots,andastrawWesternhatjammeddownoverhisblondhairatanarrogantangle.

"Wherearethey?"heaskedwithoutpreamble.

"Yourmother'sgoneshopping,"shesaiduneasily.

"AndJenna?"heprodded,narrow-eyed.Sheavertedhergaze."She's,uh,outriding.""WithBlakely?"

Sheglaredathim."What'swrongwithBlakely?"

Botheyebrowswentup."DidIsayanythingwas?"

Sheshifted,runningherhandalongthehighlypolishedbannister."Well,no,"sheadmittedreluctantly.

"You'realwaysreadytoexpecttheworstinme,aren'tyou?"heaskedashereachedher,hiseyes
darkeningastheyslidoverherface.Shecouldn'thaveimaginedthepictureshemade,withherabort,
darkhairframingherface,herbrowneyeslikecrystal,hercheeksjustfaintlyflushed."Yourmouth
isasredasacardinal'sbreast."

Shesearchedhisquieteyes,stunnedatthecompliment,somethingshe'dneverexpectedfromKing.
King—herenemy.

Hemoveddownanotherstep,easingherbackagainstthebannisterwiththethreatofhisbigbody.He
reacheddownandcuppedherchinwithalean,stronghand.Histhumbstrokedherlowerliplightly.

"Howoldareyounow?"heaskedinadeep,tautvoice.

Sheswallowed.Hewastooclose,toodisturbing,fartoomasculine.Hesmelledoftheoutdoors,ofa
woodsycologneandcigarettes."I'mtwenty,"shesaidunsteadily."I'llbetwenty-oneinfourmonths."

"Tooyoung,"hemurmured."Stillyearstooyoung.DoyouknowhowoldIam,Teddi?"

"You...you'rethirty-three,"shewhispered.

"Thirty-four,"hecorrected.Hiseyesfelltohermouthandstudieditforalongtime."God,whata
sweetmouth!"hegroundout.Then,asiftheadmissionhadannoyedhim,helethergoabruptlyand
movedawaytowardthefrontdoor.

Shestoodstaringhelplesslyafterhim,hereyesgluedtotheblue-patternedshirtstretchedacrosshis
broadshoulders,theblondheadthatseemedtothrowoffgoldenlightsashepassedunderthe
chandelier.Shelovedthewayhewalked,sotallandbronzedandregal.Shelovedeverythingabout
him.

Heturnedwiththedoorknobinhandandlookedbackathersuddenly,readingwithpinpointaccuracy
theachinghungershewastooyoungtodisguise.

Hisfacehardened.Hishandtightenedonthedoorknob.Heutteredasoftcurseandwhirled,slamming
thedoorshutwithabootedfootasheheadedstraightforher.

Shewatchedhimwitheyessofilledwithconfusiontheyseemedblack,herfaceliftingashecame
closer.

Shedidn'tevenprotestwhenhereachedforher,crushinghersoftbreastsagainsthischestashebent
tofindhermouthinonesmooth,expertmotion.

Shefelthishardlipsburrowintoherswithasenseofawe,hereyesclosingsothatshecouldsavor
theirwarmthandsensuality.Shestiffenedinvoluntarilyashetriedtodeepenthekiss,histongue
probingatherlips.

"Letme..."hegroundout,graspingthehairatthenapeofhernecktotuggently,surprisingagasp
fromherlips.Astheyparted,histongueshotpastthemintothesoft,darkwarmthofhermouth,
exploring,tasting,teasing,fencingwithherowntongueinanintimacyshe'dneverlikedwithother
men.ButKingmadeitapleasurebeyondbearing,acaresssosenuousthatherhandsreachedupto
grasphishardfacebetweenthemandurgehimevencloser.

Shemoanedachinglyatthepenetration,thesuggestiveintimacyashistonguethrustgentlyintoher
softmouth.

Hereacheddown,halfliftingherbodyagainsthissothatshecouldfeeleverywarm,hardlineofitin
totalcontactwithherown.

"King,"shewhisperedshakenly.

Hedrewbackforbreath,draggingairintohislungs.Hiseyesfairlyblazedastheysearchedhers.
"Witch,"hegroundout."Littledark-eyedwitch,stopcastingspellsonme,willyou?"

Evenashespoke,hefreedher,turnedonhisheelandstrodeoutthedoor.Heslammeditviolently
behindhim,whileTedditouchedherswollenmouthwithnervousfingersandtrembleddeliriously
withdelayedreaction.Yearsofwaiting,hoping,tofeelthathard,arrogantmouthonherown,andit
hadfinallyhappened.Kinghadkissedher.Thecrazythingwasthattherealityhadbeensomuchmore
wonderfulthanthedream....

ChapterFour

Teddiwalkedaroundinadazefortherestoftheday,absentlylisteningtoJennaraveaboutBlakely
whilehermindlingeredonthehard,possessivecrushofKing'smouth.

"Doyourealizewhatyoujustagreedtodo?"JennaaskedastheyhelpedMaryputsupperonthetable.

"Ummmm?"Teddiofferedwithanemptysmile.

Jennagrinned."Youagreedtohavecowhidebiscuitswithgrasssauceandrideasaddledchick-en.

TheflushappearedinstantlyinTeddi'scheeksandsheavertedhereyestotheplatterofbiscuitsshe
wasputtingonthetable."Sorryaboutthat,"shemurmured.

"Iguessmymindwasn'tonwhatyouweresaying."

"It'sbeenconspicuousbyitsabsenceallafternoon,"camethedryreply."Uh,thatwouldn'thave
anythingtodowithKingbeinghome?"

Theplatterlurchedprecariouslyasitmetthetabletop."Whyeverwouldyouthinkthat?"Teddiasked,
innocenteyesdarkandwide.

"Joeywalkedoutoftheofficecarryinghisduffelbaganhourago."

Teddiblinked.

Jennahidagigglebehindaslenderhand."EverytimeKinggoesbroody,hetakesastripoffJoey.
ThenJoeypackshisduffelbagandgivesnotice.Thelasttimehedidthat,"shecontinued,"wasat
Easter.Itoldyouthemenstartedgettingnervoustheminuteyousetfootontheplace."

Teddijuststared,herheartbeatingatattooasshesuddenlyheardthefrontdooropenandclosewitha
bang.

Mary'sclearvoicecouldbeheardinthehall,"Oh,thereyouare,dear,thegirlsareputtingthefood
onthetablenow."

"Thecomputerbrokedown,"cametheharshreply,accompaniedbythesoundofangryfootsteps,
"andwecan'tgetarepairmanherebeforemorning.ButIneedthoseherdrecordsnow!"

"Whatareyougoingtodo?"Marywasasking.

"Fixit,"hegrowled.Thereweresoundsofpaperrustling,drawersopeningandclosing."IfIcanfind
therepairmanual...there'sahomenumberforoneoftheservicetechniciansinit.Theydon'tgive
youschematicsortroubleshootinginfo,youhavetocallaservicetechnician!Beforelong,you'll
havetocallanumberinOntarioinordertoengagethegearsofyourautomobile...don'tkeep
supper,I'llbelate."Andthedoorslammedloudly.

"It'sSaturdaynight,"Teddimurmured."Surelytogoodnesshedoesn'texpectaservicetechnicianto
flyouthereonaSaturdaynight...?"

Jennaeyedherfriendpatiently."Wouldyousaynotohim?"sheasked.

Therewasabriefpause."IthinkI'dpackmyduffelbag,"sheadmittedwithagrin.

Marycamethroughthedoorjustthen,hereyeswideningattheamountoffoodonthetable.
"Gracious,whatarmyareyougirlsplanningtofeedtonight?"shegasped,hereyesgoingfromthe
platterofbiscuitsTeddihadmadetothehamcasserole,cottagefriedpotatoes,greenbeans,sliced
carrotsticksandceleryandtomatoeswithadip,andtheenormousbananapuddingontheelegant
tableunderthecrystalchandelier.

"It'llkeepuntiltomorrow,"Jennapromised,winkingatTeddi.

Marylaughed."WhatapityKing'sgoingtomissthis,"shemurmuredasshesatdownandunfolded
hernapkin."Allhisfavorites.Butteringhimup,Jenna?"shemused.

"Actually,itwasTeddi'sideatodothecasserole,"camethedryreply."Ican'tmakeone,youknow.
Andlookatthesebiscuits!"

"Nevermind,myfriend,"Teddimurmuredasshespoonedthecasseroleontoherplate."Iloveit,too,
asithappens."

Itwaslate,andthewomenwerewatchinganoldmovieonTVinthedenwhenKingcamein.He
lookedeveryyearofhisage.Histhickblondhairwasrumpled,andhisshirtwasopenatthethroat.
Hisfacewashard,buttherewasafaintsatisfactioninitashewentdirectlytothebarandpoured
himselfawhiskeybeforehedroppedintohisarmchairwithasheafofpapersinonehand.

"Iseeyougottherepairman,dear,"Maryremarked.

"Anobliginggentleman,"Kingagreed,fingeringtheglassashescannedanopenfolderinhislap.
"I'mgoingtocullafewcows,andIneededtheserecordsbeforeImadeadecisiononwhichonesto
sell."

"TomorrowisSunday,"Maryremindedhim.

"Ummm,"heagreed."ButJakeHarmoneisdrivingoverheretomorrowmorningbeforechurchto
makemeanoffer.Hencetheurgency."

"SellMahitabelandI'llneverspeaktoyouagain,"Jennapromisedhim.

Helookedupwiththeold,mischievouslightinhissilveryeyesashelockedglanceswithhissister.
"Mahitabelhasn'tcalvedinsixyears,"heremindedher.

"She'seatingmygrass,drinkingmyspringwater,andyieldingabsolutelynothing."

"She'stough,"Jennareplied.

"Sosheis,"Kingmurmuredthoughtfully."Butifweparboiledherfirst..."

"King!"Jennapositivelyshrieked."Youcan't,youwouldn't!"

Heburstoutlaughingatherhorrifiedexpression."Allright,calmdown.I'llputitoffanotheryear,as
I'vedoneforthepastsix."

Hissisterbreathedeasier."Whatascareyougaveme!"

"I'llremindyouagainthatsentimentalityandcattleraisingdon'tmix,"heremarked.

"AsIfoundoutatthetenderageoftwelve,"Jennasaid,pouting,"whenmypetbulldisappeared."

"HewasanAngus,"Kingremindedher."So?What'swrongwithblackAngus?"shechallenged.

"Nothing,exceptthatwerunHerefords,"hereplied."Yourpetgotinwithmyregisteredcowsand
theydroppedhalfAnguscalvesthenextspring."

"Ithoughttheywerecute,"Jennasaiddefensively."Littleblackcalveswithwhitefaces."

"Ifyouhadyourway,you'dmakepetsofeverycalfontheplace,"Kingmurmuredindulgently.His
eyesshiftedsuddenlyandmetTeddi's.Somethingflashedbrieflyinthegraydepthsandburnedso
brightlythatshedroppedherowngazeandtriedunsuccessfullytocalmherwildlybeatingheart.
Involuntarily,hermindcaughtandheldtheimageofKing'shardmouthtakinghers,andashimmer
ofpurepleasurewashedoverher.

"Well,theherogotthegirl.Asusual."Marygotupwithasighandturnedoffthetelevision."Ihateto
leavegoodcompany,butthatshoppingspree57

darlingenemy

leftmedragging.Goodnight,mydears,"shesaidwithamotherlysmile,bendingtokissJenna's
cheekasshewentoutthedoor.

"Doyoustilltype?"KingaskedTeddiunexpectedly.

"Uh...yes,"shestammered.

Hegotupfromthechairwiththefolderinonebighand."Comehelpmemakealist,then."

"Aren'tyougoingtohavesomethingtoeat?"Jennaaskedhim,glancingcuriouslyfromKing'sset
facetoTeddi'sflushedone.

"Later,honey,"hesaid,rufflingherhairashewentoutthedoor.

JennawinkedatTeddi,herwholefacebeamingwithmischiefasherfriendfollowedhim.

TeddiperchedherselfatonesideofthebigoakdeskinKing'spine-paneledstudyandtappedoutthe
cattlenamesandlineageandherdnumbersandpasturelocationswhileheleanedbackinhisbigchair
anddictatedthem,endingeachnotationwiththecow'sproductionrecord.Shebegantorealizethatthe
nameshewasgivingher—

orrather,thenumbersthatseemedtopassfornamesformostofthem—werethoseofcowsthat
didn'tproducecalvesthatwereuptohisexactingstandards.

"Animalslavery,"shemumbledashefinished,andshepausedtomakeacorrection.

Heraisedbothheavyblondeyebrowsandglancedather."Ibegyourpardon?"

"Sellingoffcows,"sheexplained,atinymischievouslightinherwidebrowneyes.

"Poorthings,whatifthatMr.Harmonebeatsthemordoesn'tfeedthemproperly?"

"Mr.Harmone,"heinformedher,"isgoingtousethemashostsforembryotransplants.They're
Herefords,butthey'llthrowpurebredblackAnguscalves."

Shestaredathim."Suretheywill,"sheagreed."Shouldn'tyoueatsomething?Lackoffood....''

Hegrimaced,gettinguptotosstherecordsonhisdesk."MyGod.don'tyouknowanythingabout
cattlebreeding?"

Shenodded."Firstyoutakeaboycow..."

Hechuckleddeeply,watchingthelightsplayinhershort,thickhair,almostblue-blackinitsdarkness.
"It'snotquitethatsimple,darling.Sufficeittosaythatthisnewtechniquehasalargefollowingand
Mr.Harmoneispartofit.Youtakepurebredembryosandtransplantthemintohostcattle—likethese
Herefords.Theresultisawell-cared-forpurebredcalfwithsuperiorbloodlinesoutofaless
expensivecow.

"Improvingonnature?"sheaskedwithliftedeyebrows.

"Don'twomendoitallthetime?"hefiredback,loomingoverher."Lipstick,eyeshadow,curlers...
noneofwhichappliestoyourightnow,however,"heconceded,studyingherimpossiblyclear,
creamycomplexion,thewide,black-lashedeyesthatstaredupathim.

"Idon'tusemakeupwhenI'mnotworking,"shemurmured.Hereyeswereasbusyashis,seekingout
thehardanglesofhisface,hisimposingnose,hisdeep-setgrayeyes,hischiseledmouthandsquare
chin.Hewassogoodtolookat.Herfirstsightofhim,allthoseyearsago,hadmadehimlikea
narcotictoher.Shecouldscarcelyexistwithoutthepictureofhiminhermind,herheart.Hereyes
fedonhim.

Thementionofhermodelinghadbeenenoughtobreakthefragilepeacebetweenthem.King'sface
hadgonehard;hiseyesglitteredlikesunonariflebarrel.

"Isawoneofthosetelevisedfashionshowsyouwerein,"heremarkedcurtly."Theyranitonthe
cablestation."

Hereyesavoidedhisprobingstare."Icanimaginewhatyouthoughtofit."

"Canyou?I'veseenbikinisthatshowedless.Oneoftheblousesyouworewasquitetransparent,and
youworenothingunderit!"

Herfaceflamed.Hewasright,agreatmanyofDavidSethwick'screativedesignsforVelvetMoth
werepracticallysheerandverysensuous.Workingarounddesignersandothermodels,shetendedto
forgetthatbodiesweremorethanjustmannequinstopeopleoutsidethebusiness.Kinghadsucha
lowopinionofTeddi,andallwithoutfoundation.Shewonderedhowhe'dreactifheknewhow
innocentshetrulywas,howafraidshewasofanythingphysical....

"Highfashionveryoftenis...risque,"shehadtoacknowledge,studyingherwell-keptnailswhere
theyrestedonthetypewriterkeys."AndIworkprimarilyfortwodesignersofeveningwear.It's
supposedtobesexy-looking."

"Youdamnedsurewouldn'tgoanywherewithmeinsomeofthosedresses,"hegrowled.

Thethoughtofitmadechillsgodownherspine.Itwasheadytothinkofspendinganeveningwith
King,beingescortedbyhimtosomegranddance.Shesighedunknowingly.Itwouldneverhappen.
NotaslongasKingfeltthewayhedidaboutherprofitablesideline.Whichsheoughttobepursuing
evennow,sheremindedherself,ifshewasgoingtomakeenoughtohandleherschoolfeesforthe
restoftheyear.VelvetMothwouldmakesureshehadworkwhileshewasinNewYork,andsowould
Lovewear—designersatbothhouses,fortunately,likedherstyleandherpunctuality.Andtherewas
alwaysthechanceofoneortwoTVcommercials.

"Youloveit,don'tyou?"heaskedsuddenly,perchinghimselfontheedgeofthedesktostudyher.He
wasfartooclose.Shecouldfeelthewarmthofhisbigbody,seethebuttonsstrainingattheopen
throatofhisshirtasheshifted,smelltheoutdoorsyscentofhim.Beingthisclosemadeherfeel
trembly,justasithadthisafternoonwhenhe'dreachedforher.

"Lovewhat?"sheaskedvaguely,lookingupintohissearchinggrayeyes.

Hedidn'tanswerforaminute,hisgazelingeringonherwide,mistyeyes,herfullpartedlips,asifhe
foundthesightofheratthisrangedisconcerting.

Thatwasridiculous,shetoldherself."Modeling,"hesaidafteratensepause.

"Theglitter,theglamour,thenightlights,themaleadulation.Youcouldn'tgiveitupifyoutried,
despiteallthatrotaboutbecomingateacher."

Hereyesflashed."Youdon'treallythinkI'mspendingsomuchtimeincollegejusttoimprovemy
modelingtechnique?"shechallenged.

"I'lladmityoubaffleme,"hesaidquietly."Whyteaching?"

"Whynot?It'sanhonorableprofession,"shesaidwithdeliberatenonchalance.

"Wherewouldyouteach?"hepersisted."College?"

"Grammarschool,"shecorrected,hereyeslightingupatthementalpictureshehadofguidingyoung
handstowardnewpursuits."Kindergarten,ifpossible."

Hisfaceunderwentaremarkablechange.Hetookadeepbreath."Youlikechildren?"

Herfacebeamed."Oh,yes,"shetoldhimgenuinely."Especiallywhenthey'rejustoldenoughtoreach
outandbegintoexperiencetheworldaroundthem."

Hischestroseandfellheavilyashestareddownintoherwide,darkeyes.Histannedhandmoved,
touchinghercheek,andshetrembledatthelighttouch.Itwasamazing,thesensationshecausedwhen
hetouchedher.Shewasn'tnervousofKinglikethis,althoughshestillhaddeepfearsofanymanin
anintimateway.Itwashighlyunlikely,ofcourse,thatKingwouldeverwanttobeintimatewithher,
butshecouldn'thelpbeingcuriousaboutherownresponses.Shelikedthefeelofhishard,warm
mouthagainsthers,sheevenlikedtheintimacyofhistongue.Buttofeelhishardfingersagainsther
bareskin...wouldshepanic,asshehadbeforewhenoneofherdatestriedtogofartherthankisses?
PartofherwasinsatiablycuriousaboutKinginthatway.

"Youfascinateme,"hemurmuredabsently.Histhumbbrushedacrossherfull,softlips,partingthem
whileheheldhereyeswithhis."Halfwoman,halfchild...

andsoexquisitelybeautiful."

"I'm...notbeautiful,"sheprotestedweakly.Herheartbeatviolentlyashisfacemovedcloser.

"Oh,butyouare,"hebreathed.Hismouthpoisedjustoverhers,hiswarm,whiskey-scentedbreath
minglingwithhers,hiseyesrivetedtothecurveofherlips."Iwasafraidthiswouldhappen.Once
wasn'tenough.Notnearlyenough."

Hisfingerstiltedherchinatjusttheanglehewanted,andshewatched,fascinated,ashishardmouth
partedjustbeforeittouchedhers.Shewaited,aching,withtimestretchedtothetautnessofaviolin
stringbetweenthem.

Thesuddenopeningofthedoorwasnolesscruelthantheflickofawhip.Kingliftedhisheadwitha
harshjerk,hiseyesalmostblackwithfrustrationashewatchedhissistercomeinwithaloadedtray.

Teddibithardonherliptokeepfromcryingout,sodesperatelyhadshewantedthatkiss.Butshehad
yearsofpracticeathidingherrealfeelings,andshelookedquitecalmwhenJennagottothedesk
withsandwichesandcoffee.

"Ithoughtyoumightbehungry,"Jennaexplainedwithagrinathertaciturnbrother."Slavedriver,
isn'the?"sheaskedTeddi.

"MyGod,realslicesofham,"Kingburstout,liftingtheedgeofoneofthesandwiches.

"Mamadoesskimp,doesn'tshe?"Jennalaughed."Thiswasallthehamthatwasleft.

Teddimadeahamcasserolefordinnertonightandthattooktherest."

King'spiercingeyesswungtoTeddi,lingeringonherflushedface."Hamcasserole?"hemurmured.

Sheliftedherchin."Ilikeit,"shesaiddefensively.

Onecornerofhischiseledmouthcurledsensuously."Doyou?"

Heknewshe'dmadeitespeciallyforhim,thebeast,butshewasn'tgoingtolethimseeanyreaction
fromher."Ifyou'rethrough,IthinkI'llturnin,"shesaidassherose,mufflingayawnshedidn'tfeel.

Hehesitatedjustaninstant,readingquiteaccuratelytheapprehensioninherwide,darkeyes."That's
allIneed,thanks.Fortonight,"headded,andsheknewhewasn'ttalkingaboutherdrecords.

"Comingup,Jenna?"Teddiaskedherfriendwithpracticedcarelessnessasshewenttowardthedoor.

"Rightbehindyou.Say,BlakelyandIaregoingintoCalgaryinthemorning.Wantto...?"

"She'sgoingtoBanffwithme,"Kingbrokein.

Startled,Teddi'sbrighteyesshottohisfaceandwerecapturedbyhishard,unblinkinggaze.

"I'vegottotalkbusinesswithamanuptheretomorrowafternoon.IthoughtTeddimightliketosee
thepark.Sincenoneofushaveeverthoughttotakeherthere,"

headdedcarelessly,althoughthelookinhiseyeswasanythingbutcareless.

"I...I'dlikethat,"Teddiheardherselfsaying.Itwaslikebeinghandedaspecialpresentwithout
askingforit.

"Youwon'tthrowheroffthemountainoranything?"Jennateasedwithliftedbrows.

Kingactuallylaughed."No,Iwon'tthrowheroffthemountain.Satisfied?"

"YoucantbesurprisedthatIasked,"Jennacountered,escortingherfriendtothedoor."Onlyafew
daysago,youhatedtheideaofhavingherhere."

KingstudiedTeddi'sslightfigure,lettinghisintentgazemovelazilyuptoherflushedfaceandthick,
shorthair."Thatwasafewdaysago,"hemurmured.

"It'soverwork,"Teddiassuredherpuzzledfriend."Toomanycomputerbreakdownsandskipped
meals."Sheleanedcloserandsaidinaloud,conspiratorialwhisper,

"JustaskMmabouthavingHereford'sproducepurebredblackAnguscattle."

Jennastared,gaping,atherolderbrother.

Hetossedhisthick,blondhairbackwithanimpatienthand."Don'task,"hewarned,"unlessyouwant
tospendthenextthirtyminuteshavingitexplainedtoyou."

Jennachuckled,pushingTeddioutthedoor."Ithinkyou'dbettereatyoursandwiches,brothermine,
andseeifitdoesn'thelp."Andsheclosedthedoorbehindherbeforehehadachancetoreply.

"King,takingyoutoBanff?"Jennalaughedwhentheywereupstairs."Mygosh,miracleshappen
everyday,don'tthey?"

"Youaren'thalfassurprisedasIwas,"Teddisaid,pausingatthedoortoherroom."AndI'mstillnot
surewhy.MaybehewantssomeprivacysohecangivemethedevilandIwon'thaveanyhopeof
rescue."

"Maybehe'smellowing,"Jennasuggested.

"Maybethechickenswillgivemilk."

"Well,hedidn'tsoundsarcasticoranything."

Teddismiledwistfully."Youdidn'thearhimbeforeyoucamein.Hewasgivingmeascoldingabout
thattelevisedfashionshowIwasin."

"Howinteresting,"cametheamusedreply."Becausewhenwewatchedit,hesattherestaringlikea
manpossessed.Hedidn'ttakehiseyesoffyou,andhedidn'tsayaword."

"Hewasprobablybusytryingtothinkupnastythingstosayaboutitthenexttimehesawme,"she
countered,flushing.

"Thatwasn'thowhelooked,"Jennamurmuredthoughtfully,recallingthestrange,intenselookinher
brother'seyesatthetime.

"Howdidhelook?"

JennametTeddi'scuriouseyeslevelly."Helookedlikeastarvingman."Tedditurnedawaybefore
Jennacouldseeandquestionthewildcolorinhercheeks."Itwastelevisedbeforedinner,wasn'tit?"
shemurmured."Well,goodnight.Seeyouinthemorning."

"Inevitably,"camethegleefulreply."AnotherfascinatingchapterofyourongoingwarwithKing.I
wishyoutwogotalongbetter,"sheadded,suddenlyserious."Ican'tunderstandwhyhe'ssodownon
you.Heisn'tlikethataboutanothersingleperson."

"MaybeIremindhimofawomanheusedtohate."

Jennashookherhead."Therearen'tthatmanywomeninhispast.Veryfewinhispresent,too."She
grinned."AndnooneatallsinceEaster,"sheadded."Iwonderwhy?"

"Goodnight!"Teddisaidquickly,dartingintoherroom.

Sheroseafterarestlessnight,hereyesfullofdreamsandhopes.Itwasthemostexcitingmorning
shecouldremember,becausethedaypromisedawholeafternooninKing'scompany.

Timeseemedtoflyastheyallwenttochurchtogether,andTeddistoodnexttoKing,listeningtohis
deep,pleasantvoiceastheysanghymnsinthesamePresbyterianchurchwherehisfatherandmother
hadmarriedyearsbefore.

Andthen,churchwasover,andTeddiwasfeelingasifshecouldconquertheworldasshesatbeside
KinginhislowslungblackFerrarionthewaytoBanff.Hereyeswanderedrestlesslyfromthe
windingroadbetweensky-highpinestothejaggedpeaksoftheRockyMountainsagainstanazure
sky.

"It'sasbigasthewholeworld,"shemurmured,spellbound."Everythingouthereseemsgigantic,and
theairissoclean."

Kingchuckledsoftly."Cleanerthanmostplaces,thankstoourprovincialgovernment.Wehave
stringentbasicenvironmentalstandardsthatnewdevelopersmustmeet,topreserveourcleanwater
andskies."

"Georgiahasafineenvironmentalprotectiondivision,too,"Teddireplied,"andequallystringentair
andwaterconservationrequirements.Weliketothinkthey'resomeofthebestinthenation."

Heglancedather."IalwaysassociateyouwithNewYork,"hemurmureddryly,

"despitethatsouthernaccent."

"Why,becauseImodel?"sheaskeddefensively."It'sjustajob,King."

"Ajobissomethingonedoesoutofnecessity,"hefiredbackwithoutlookingherway."Youmodel
becauseyouliketheglamourofitandtheexcitement."

Howwronghewas,shethoughtdejectedly.Shemodeledbecauseitwastheonlyprofessionshewas
suitedtothatwouldearnherenoughtostayinschool.Dillygavehernothingtowardhertuition.But,
ofcourse,Kingdidn'tknowthat,andprobablywouldn'tbelieveherifshetoldhimso.

"Justdon'tforget,"hecontinuedcoldly,"thattheexcitementwon'tlastforever.

Mendon'tnecessarilymarrytheirprettyplaymates,youknow."

"Now,justholditaminute,"sheflared,turninginthebucketseattoglareathim."I'mnotanyman's
playmate,andIwon'tbe."

"Holdingoutformarriage?"heaskedcontemptuously."Isupposeyoumightfindamansomewhere
who'dmarryagirllikeyou."

Hereyesblazedinafacethatwasflushedwithindignation."It'sveryeasytomakesnapjudgments
aboutpeople,"sheremindedhim."Youdoprizecircumstantialevidence,don'tyou?Althoughhow

youmanagetoconstruemodelingasprostitutionissomethingIcan'timagine!"

"It'sasmallworld,darling,"hereplied,makingamockeryoftheendearment."Ihaveanacquaintance
whoknowsagreatdealaboutyournightlife."

"Nightlife!"sheburstout."Mygosh,bythetimeIgetbackfromadayofassignmentsinNewYork,
thelastthingIwantorneedisalongsocialcalendar!

AllIdoatnightissoakmytiredfeetandgetreadyforthenextday'sassignments.TheonlytimeIgo
outisonweekends."

"Sure,"herepliedcurtly.

"Andjustwhoisyourmysteriousinformant?"sheaskedpointedly.

"I'llintroduceyouoneofthesedayssoon,"herepliedmysteriously.

"Ican'twait,"shereturnedsarcastically.Sheturnedaway,foldingherarmsacrossherchest.The
blousesheworewasacamisoletopthatcriss-crossedoverhersmallbreastsandtiedattheside.Its
palebluecolorcontrastedwiththewhiteslacksshewore,andemphasizedherdarkeyesandhair,her
exquisitecomplexion.ButKinghadn'tevennoticedhowshewasdressed.He'dbeentoobusydigging
upinsults.Andshe'dhadsuchhopesofmendingtheconflictbetweenthemtoday.

Whenhe'daskedher,toldher,aboutthetriptoBanff,shereallythoughthehadmorethaninsultsin
mind.

ShestaredoutthewindowattheincredibleheightoftheRockiesastheytraveleddownthevalleyand
acrosstheCanadianPacificRailwaytoenterBanff.

Banffwasashopper'sanddiner'sdelight,chockfullofinternationalshops,mallsandrestaurants.
Andallaroundweretheimpossiblyhigh,jaggedpeaksoftheRockyMountains,giantstonesentinels
castingtheirmajesticshadowsonthegreen,lushvalleywheretheBowRiverwoundlikeacrystal
ribbon.

"It'sawesome,"Teddiwhispered,hereyespeeringuptowardthecraggysummitsthatpractically
surroundedthevalley.

"Yes,itis,"Kingagreed."I'velivedhalfofmylifeintheshadowoftheRockies,buttheystilltakemy
breathaway.IcanimaginehowtheoldFrenchfurtradersfeltwhentheysawthemforthefirsttime."

Sheglancedathisprofile,thesetofhishead,thearroganttiltofit."Oneofyourancestorswasafur
trader,"sherecalled."Sowasyourfather'sfather."

"Icanseethequestioncoming,"hereplieddrily."No,Idon'tlookFrench,doI?"

Sheletherattentionwanderbacktothesharpedgesofthesummits,wherethetimberlinewasclearly
visible."Ididn'tsayanything,"sheprotested.

"MygrandfatherwasFrench,MissCuriosity,"hetoldher,"butmygrandmotherwasDutch.AndI
don'thavetotellyouwhichcharacteristicsIinherited."

"Wherearewegoing?"sheasked,watchingthesmallshopsandrestaurantswhizbyastheFerrariate
upthemiles.

"Ithoughtyoumightliketoseethegrandoldladyofthemountains,"hesaidobliquelyasthey
crossedthebridgeoverthemajesticBowRiver.

"Thewho?"sheasked.

"TheBanffSpringsHotel,"hereplied."Theoriginalhotelwasbuiltin1888,andmuchofthecredit
foritgoestoWilliamVanHomeoftheCanadianPacificRailway,whothoughtthataluxuryhotel
wouldincreasetourism.TheCPRexpandeditupuntil1910,whentheybegantorebuildit.
Unfortunatelyafiredestroyedpartoftheoldbuilding,butitwasscheduledfordemolitionanyway,
andthenewhotelwascompletedin1928.Ithinkyou'llfindthearchitectureunique,"headdedasthe
gigantichotelbegantoloomupinthedistance.Heglancedatherintriguedexpression."Three
architectsproducedwhatyousee,andbelieveme,theinteriorisjustasimpressive.Noexpensewas
sparedonmaterialsorworkmanship."

"Oh,it'sbeautiful!"sheburstoutenthusiastically,fascinatedatthetoweringstructure,whichreminded
herofacastle.

"Youshouldseeitatnight,"hereplied,"withallthewindowsblazingwithlight.It'squitelovely."He
pulledupintheparkinglotandcuttheengine."Ican'timaginewhynoneofuseverthoughttobring
youherebefore."

"Therewasnevertime."shesaid,reachingforthedoorhandle.

"Orwenevermadetime,"hereplied,somethingharshinhisdeepvoice.

Shelethimguideherintothelobbyofthemajestichotel,fascinatedbythefossilizedstone
throughoutandthebronzedoorstotheAl-hambraDiningRoom,wheretheyhadcoffeeandpie.She
feltasifherfeetwerebarelytouchingthegroundwhentheywalkedbacktothecar.Kinghadbeen
polite,evencourteous,andnotacrosswordhadmanagedtogetbetweenthem.

"Wheretonow?"sheaskedasshefastenedherseatbelt.

"Youtellme,"hecorrected."Wouldyouliketogothroughsomeoftheshopsintown?"

"It'sSunday,"sheremindedhim.

"Andyou'llfindanumberofthemopen,justthesame,"hepromised.

"Well?"

"I'dlikethat,"sheconfessed.

"Typicalwoman,"hemused,startingthecar.

"Isupposeyou'dratherbehuntingthosepoormooseandelk?"sheteased.

"Inseason,yes,ma'am,"helaughed.Heglancedather."Iliketoski,too.

Doyou?"

"I'veneverlearned."Hereyesflickeredawayfromhis."Well,Jennahasn't,either!"

"Ifyouspentmuchtimearoundme,you'dlearnplentyaboutskiing.Andotherthings,"headded,
glancingsidewayswithalookthatsaidmorethanwords.

Sheavoidedhiseyes."Accordingtoyou,thereisn'tanythingleftformetolearn."

"AndmaybeIneedtofindouthowmuch,"hesaidsoftly.

Sheswalloweddowntheurgetoleapoutofthecarandmakearunforit.

"Isn'tthevalleybeautiful?"sheaskedpolitely.

Hechuckled."Yes,itis.Whenwe'velookedthroughBanff,we'lldriveuptoLakeLouise."

Hepulledthecarbackoutintotheroad,turningoffpresentlytoshowherthemagnificentgondola
lift.

"Wewon'tstop,"hesaid,"butit'sopenyearround.There'sevenarestaurantandgiftshopupthere."

Uptherewasalongwayoff,andTeddihadnoheadforheights."Idon'tthinkI'devermakeaskierif
youhavetostartupthere,"shemurmured.

"You'llneverknowuntilyoutry,"hechuckled."Butwe'llsavethatforanothertime.Andthere's
alwayscrosscountryskiing,"headdedashepulledbackoutintothemainroad."We'llhavetodothat
onewinter."

ThestatementnaggedinthebackofhermindwhileKingescortedherthroughoneshopafter
another,showingherIndianhandicrafts,EskimocarvingsandartworkbynativeWesternCanadian
artists.Thefurshopfascinatedher,andsodidthetradingshop.Kingboughtherasmallcarvedtotem
thatsheknewshe'dtreasureaslongasshelived,andtwohourshadgonebybeforesherealizedit.

TheydroveuptoLakeLouise,travelingparalleltotheBowRiveronthelonghighway.Teddigazed
wide-eyedatthemountainscenery,drinkinginfleetingglimpsesofmoose,mountainsheep,and
craggypeaksthatseemedtotouchtheclouds.DrivingaroundLakeLouisewasfascinating,too,she
found.

"There,seethegondolas?"Kingnoddedtowardthelift.

"I'dratherlookatthelake,ifyoudon'tmind,"Teddilaughed,staringraptlyoutthewindowatit."I'll

betyoucanhearthefisheatingwormsifyoulistenclosely."

Hepulledofftheroadandcuttheengine."Let'ssee,"hetoldher,throwinghislonglegsoutofthe
streamlinedcar.

Shefollowedhimdowntothebanksofthesky-bluelake,andstoodlisteningtothefaintsloshingof
thewaterattheshoreline,tothesoundofthetalltreesbrushingeachotherinthebreeze,tothefar
awaybayingofahound.

Sheclosedhereyes,andshecouldalmostseemeninbuckskinscarryingflintlockrifles,ontheirway
tochecktheirtraplines.Theirsmelledoftreesandwaterandbarkandgrowingthings,andherheart
swelled."Daydreaming?"

Shesmiledassheopenedmistyeyes."Sortof,"sheconfessed.

"Picturingitasasiteforafashionshow?"hechided.

Shedrewinadeep,slowbreath,bendingdowntopickabladeofgrassandworryitwithherlong
fingers."Actually,Iwasthinkingaboutthemenwhosettledthiscountry,"shesaid,"andthehardships
theyhadtoendure.

There'ssomuchhistoryhere."

"Iknow.Iwasn'tawarethatyouknew,however."

Herdarkeyeswereaccusatoryastheymethis."Idooccasionallythinkofthingsotherthanexpensive
clothesandcameras.ThatpartofmylifeexistsonlyinNewYork.Oncampus,I'mastudentanda
restaurantemployee.Here,I'mjustme."

"Areyou?"Hewasn'twearinghisranchhat,andhisthick,blondhairwascaughtbythewind,falling
carelesslyontohisbroadforeheadashestareddownather.

Shemethispiercinggrayeyessquarelyandfeltthebreathpouroutofherattheimpact.

Theoldtensionwasbackbetweenthem,assuddenly,asunexpectedly,asithadbeenthenightbefore
whenJennaopenedthedoorofKing'sden.Herheartflutteredlikeawildbirdasshestoodthere,
feelingthenearnessofhisbigbodywitheverynerveinherown.

Hiseyesdroppedtohernecklinewherethepaleblueblousecrossedoverherbreasts.Becauseofthe
thincamisolestraps,shehadn'tbotheredwithabra,andshecouldseeKing'seyes,intentandcurious
onthethinfabric.

"Thisbloodythinghashauntedmeallafternoon,"hegroundout,movingastepcloser,hisvoicedeep
andslow."Areyouwearinganythingatallunderit?"

"King!"sheburstout,breathless.

"Justlikeawoman,"hegrumbled,reachingouttocatchhershouldersanddrawhercloser,"towear

somethingthatdrivesamanaroundthebend,andthenbeshockedwhenhenoticesit."

"Ididn't...didn'twearittodriveyouaroundanybends,"sheprotested.

"Didn'tyou,Teddibear?"hemurmured.Onebighandpressedagainstherback,urgingherclose,
whiletheothersliddeftly,expertly,underonestrapofthecamisoleblouse,makingexquisite
sensationswhereittouchedthesilkenfleshofhershoulder,hercollarbone.

"Yourskinfeelslikevelvet,"hewhispered.Hisfingersspreadout,warmandhardandfaintly
calloused,liftingsothattheblouseandherbarefleshpartedcompanyandthebreezetouchedherlike
alover'shand.

Shegasped,trembling,ashisfingersedgednearertoonesmall,tautbreast.

"Lookatme,"hebreathedgruffly,hisvoicesocommandingthatsheinstantlyobeyedit."Iwantto
watchyou."

"King..."shewhisperedhisname,notknowingifitwasaprotestoraplea.

"I'vewantedtotouchyoulikethisuntilIachewithit,"hewhispered,lettinghiseyesdroptothesilky
blouse,deliberatelyliftingtheedgetorevealthepale,hard-tippedbreaststohisfieryeyes.

Sheheardhisintakeofbreathandknewinthatinstantthatshewaslost,thathecouldtakeanythinghe
wantedandtherewasnowayonearthshecouldstophim....

Hershockedeyesmethis,herlipspartedunderarushofbreath.Hishandbegantomoveandhe
watchedthewildnessburninhereyesastheirgazeslocked.Shewasspellbound,herheartthrobbing
asshetensed,waitinghelplesslyfortheagonizinglyslowdescentofhishard,teasingfingers....

"Oh,gee,Mom,whatagreatspotforapicnic!"camethesudden,devastatingcryfromthecarneither
TeddinorKinghadheardpullofftheroadandstop.

Kingjerkedasifhe'dbeenhitintheback,bothhandsliftingtopullTeddi'sforeheadtohisdamp
chest,hisbroadbackprotectingherfrompryingeyesasshefoughtdowntearsofabsolute
frustration.

Shewastrembling,andhishandssoothedher,althoughtheyseemednonetoosteady.

Hisbreathingwasaserraticashers.

"It'sallright,darling,"hewhisperedoverherhead."It'sallright.Holdontome."

Sheclungtohisshirt,hatingherownweaknessandhisknowledgeofit.

Hishandsmoothedthehairfromherhotcheek."Iwanteditjustasmuchasyoudid,littleone,"he
whispered."Don'tbeembarrassed."

"Afternoon!"afriendlyvoicecalledfromnearby."Marvelousview,isn'tit?"

"Marvelous,"Kingrepliedpolitely."Havingapicnic?"

"Sureare!Uh,onyourhoneymoon?"thevoicemused.

Kingchuckled."Notquite,"hemurmured,leavingtheothermantodrawhisownconclusions.

"Lovelydayforsightseeing,isn'tit?"afemalevoicebrokein,followedbyseveralyoungervoices
thatseemedtosplittheairandthenfadedgraduallyaway.

"Youcancomeupforair,now,"Kingmurmured."They'reoutofsight."

Sheswallowednervouslyandliftedherhead,avoidinghisamusedeyesasshemovedawayfromhim.
"Couldwegetacupofcoffeesomewhere,doyousuppose?"sheaskedinanabnormallyhigh-pitched
tone.

"Icoulduseaneatwhiskeymyself,"hemurmured,"butIsupposecoffeewilldo.

Howaboutsomefondue?There'sarestaurantinBanffthatspecializesinit."

"I'denjoythat,"shesaid,followinghimbacktothecar."Butwhataboutthatmanyouweresupposed
toseeonbusiness?"sheasked,rememberinghisappointment.

Helookedpuzzledforaninstant."Man?Business?Oh,him,"hemuttered."Well,I'llseehimanother
day.It'stoobloodylatenow."

Whichmadeherfeelevenworse,asifshe'dcarriedhimoutofhiswayandwastedhistime.Hewas
tautasadrawncordallthewayintoBanffandthesoundoftheradiowaslikeawallbetweenthem.
Justforaninstantshewonderediffrustrationcouldbecausinghisstrangesilence.But,then,he'd
onlybeenteasing,hadn'the?

Asusual.

Hedidn'tsayaworduntiltheywereseatedinthefonduehousedrinkingcoffeeandenjoyingaspecial
Swisscheesefonduewhilemusicplayedsoftlyaroundthem.

Shedunkedherbreadintothefondue,almostlosingit,andnoticedKingwatchingherwithapeculiar
smile.

"You'dbetterbecareful,"hecautioned."Ordon'tyouknowthetraditionaboutfondue?"

Sheshookherhead,hereyesdarkandwideinthesoftlight.

"Ifawomandropssomethingintothepot,"hesaidsoftly,watchingher,"shehastosurrenderakissto
themenatthetable."

Hercheeksbegantocolordelicately."Andifamandoesthesame?"

"He'sobligedtobuyaround,"hereplied.Hiseyesstudiedherface,hersoft,redmouth."Weseem

fatedtobeinterruptedatallthewrongtimes."

Shaken,shetriedtodunkanotherbreadcube,butherhandtrembledsomuchassheliftedtheforkthat
shedroppedthecubesquarelyintothepot,whichembarrassedherevenmore.

"IfIwereconceited,"hemurmured,fishingitoutforherwithhisownfork,andofferingittoher,"I
mightthinkyoudidthatonpurpose."

Shetookthecubebetweenherlips,andsawhimwatchingthemovementwithanintensitythatwas
shattering.Sheavertedhereyes.

"I'mafraidIdon'thaveanyillusionsaboutthewayyouthinkofme,"shesaid,subdued,asshesipped
herhotcoffee.

Hefinishedhisownbreadcubesandsatback.Histhickblondhaircaughtthelightandturnedsilvery
init,matchingtheglitterofhiseyes."HowdoIthinkofyou,honey?"heasked."Asaflighty,money-
madtramp,"shereplied.Hefingeredhiscoffeecupthoughtfully."Youhaven'tdonemuchtosatisfy
mycuriosityaboutyou."

"Whybother?"sheasked."Youwouldn'tbelieveanythingIsaid,youneverhave.Youhatedmeon
sightfiveyearsago."

Onecornerofhisdisciplinedmouthliftedwryly."Notquite."

"Atanyrate,"shecontinued,"youdidn'twantmeontheplace,andIknewit.Iseemtohavespentmost
ofmyvacationsandholidayssinceImetJennadodgingeitherherinvitations,oryou."

"Wasthattheonlyreason—becauseyouthoughtIhaditinforyou?"

Shelookedintohercoffeecup."Ofcourse."

"Youlittleliar,"heaccusedsoftly.Shetookalargeswallowofcoffee.

"Shouldn'twegetbacktotheranchnow?"sheaskedquickly.

Hecaughthereyesandsearchedthemintently.Thesilencebetweenthemwasbrokenonlybythesoft
murmurofotherdiners'conversations.

"IthoughtyouweregoingtopassoutwhenIstartedtotouchyouearlier,"hesaidinadeep,hushed
tone."Whyareyouafraidofme?"

"I'mnot,"sherepliedfirmly,avoidinghiseyes."You...youcaughtmebysurprise,that'sall."

"IratherthinkIdid,"hemurmured.Hedidn'tpursueit,buthiseyeswerecalculating.

Allthewaydowntheroad,shefelthisgazeonherwhileatapeplayedsoft,soothingmusicthat
helpedtocalmhershatterednerves.Shedidn'tevenattemptconversation.Shewastooshakenbyher
ownphysicalreactionstohimtotry.

TheywerejustafewmilesdowntheroadfromGrayStagwhenathunderstormsplittheskiesopen,
andKingwasforcedtopulloverontotheshoulderbecausetherainobscuredtheroadcompletely.

FortunatelyforTeddi,therewasn'tmuchlightning.Andthesoundoftherainontheroofandhoodof
thesportscarwassoothing,oddlycomforting.Itmadetheinteriorofthecarcozyandwarmand
isolated.

Kingleanedonearmoverthebackofherseat,staringopenlyather,lettinghiseyestraceeverysoft
lineofherbodyinasilencethatwasintensifiedbythefuryoftherain.

"Notfrightened?"heaskedsoftly,fightingacigarettewithsteadyfingers.

"There'snolightning,"shemurmuredevasively.

"Irememberanightwhentherewasalotofit,"hesaidthoughtfully,openingawindowslightlytolet
thesmokeescape."Youweresixteenorseventeen,andIheardyoucryingbecauseofthestorm."

Shesearchedhisnarrowed,intenteyes."Whenyouopenedthedoor,itwasatossupastowhetherI
wasmoreafraidofthelightningoryou."

Hesmiledfaintly."Irealizedthat.ItwasagoodthingforyouthatIdid,"headded,thesmilefading.
Hiseyesdroppedtothefilmybodiceofherblouse,narrowing."Therewaspreciouslittletothegown
youwerewearingthatnight.Whenthelighthityouatacertainangle,itwastransparent."Hiseyes
liftedtocatchhershockedones."Youdidn'trealizethat,didyou?ThehardestthingI'vedoneinyears
wasopenthatdoorandwalkout.Ifeltasifawallhadfallenonme."

Sheavertedhergazetotherainsplatteringonthespotlesshood,silentlycountingthedrops.Herface
hadgoneredandshecouldn'tlookathim.Shehadn'tknownthegownwastransparent,she'dbeentoo
afraidofthestorm.

"Youhaven'tchanged,"hesaidabsently,watchingher."Yourbodyisasperfectnowasitwasthen.
Pinkandcreamy—"

Shecaughtherbreath,rememberinghiseyesonher."Don't,"shepleaded.

"Willyoustopthisprudishact?"hegrowledsuddenly,flingingthecigaretteoutthewindowbeforehe
turnedtocatchhershouldersanddragheracrosstheconsoleintohishard,warmarms.

Athissuddenproximity,hersensesexploded,andallshecoulddowasliestifflyagainsthiswarm
chestandstarehelplesslyintohisblazingeyes.

"Onething'sforcertain,"hebreathedroughlyashisarmstightened."Noone'sgoingtointerruptus
rightnow.Iachelikeaboyforyou!"

Hismouthcamedownonhersroughly,forcingherlipsapart.Shegasped,frightenedathispassion.
Herarmsstrainedagainsthim,buthewasfartoostrongtobemoved,andfartoohungry.She
couldn'ttearhermouthaway,shecouldn'tfreeherself.

Suddenly,itwaslikethatothernight,thenightwhenshewasfourteen,andoneofheraunt'slovers
Hadtriedtoseduceher.Shecouldstillfeelthethick,wetlipsonhers,theroughnessofhishands
touchingherwherenoneofherboyfriendshaddaredtotouch,hurtingher.She'dbeenhelplessthen,
too,terrifiedanddisgustedandsick.

Andifheraunthadn'tsuddenlycomehome,ifhehadn'theardherkeyinthelock,itmighthavebeen
worsethanitwas.Buthehadheard,andhadletTeddigo,daringhertotellheraunt.She'dgropedher
waytoherroom,herclothestorn,herbodybruisedandhurt,andcriedherselftosleep.Hatinghim.
Hatingallmen,fortheanimalstheybecamewhentheywerewomanhungry.

Andnowitwasthatnightalloveragain,andhewashurtingher,tryingtoforceher....

Thewildlittlescream,andtheviolentcryinggotthroughtoKing.Hereleasedher,drawingback
quicklytolookdownintoherpale,frightenedface."Teddi?"hemurmuredhuskily.Shewas
tremblingfromheadtotoe,hugetearsrollingsilentlydownhercheeks,hermouthtremblingfrom
thesobsthatshooktherestofher.

King'sdarkfacecontorted.Onebighandbrushedgentlyatthetears,thenathertousledhair,
soothing,comforting.

"It'sallright,"hesaidsoftly,inavoicefartootendertobeKing's."It'sallright,honey,it'sallright.
I'mnotgoingtohurtyou.Ishouldhaveknown,butyouwouldn'ttellme...here,now,stopcrying."

Shewasasstiffasarodwhilehewipedthetearsaway,andtherewasanewwarinessinherbigbrown
eyesastheymethis."I'm...I'mnotthatkind...

ofwoman,"shewhisperedbrokenly."You...treatedmelikeatramp...."

Hecaughthisbreath,hisfacehardeningevenasshewatched."Iknow."Shepushedathischest.
"Please...letmego."Hehesitatedforamoment,hiseyeswavering.Butthenheloosenedhistight
gripandshemovedbackagainstthedoor,likeasmallanimalatbay,feelingalloveragainthe
insolenceofhismouth,histongue,theroughcontemptofhishandsonherbody,burningeven
throughthefabric.

Hepulledacigarettefromhispocketandlitit.Shelickedhersuddenlydrylips.

"May...mayIhaveone,please?"sheasked.Helookedsurprised."Youdon'tsmoke."

"Youdon'tcarryabottleofliquoraroundwithyou,"shesaidsimply,tryingtosmile,butnot
succeeding.

Frowning,hepulledoutasecondcigaretteandlititforher.Shetookitwithoutmakingcontactwith
hishardfingersanddraggedonit,almostchokingherselfbeforeshegotthehangofit.

Hewatchedherintently,hiseyesrunningfromheruntidyhair,overherpalecheekstohermouthand
lower,toherrumpledblouse.

"Whydidn'tyoutellmeinthebeginningthatyouwereavirgin?"heaskedquietly,studyingher.

"BecauseIhadnoideayouweregoingtomakeapassatme,"shesaidweakly."Andyouwouldn't
havebelievedmeifI'dtoldyou."

Hesighed."Afterthewayyoulookedonthelakeshore,Ijustmighthave."Hestudiedherflushed
cheeks."DidIhurtyou?"

Theflushgotworse.Sheshookherherdjerkily."Please,canwegobacktoGrayStagnow?"

"Teddi..."Hemovedcloser,andshebackedagainstthedoor,hereyesimpossiblywide,herbody
rigidinhelplessreaction.

Hestoppedshortandsomethinglikeashadowpassedoverhisfacebeforeheturnedbacktothe
steeringwheelandstartedthecar.Heglancedatherashepulledbackintotheroad,sawherslight
figurerelaxvisibly,andfrownedthoughtfully.Thentheywereunderwayagain,withonlytheradioto
breakthesilencethatlasteduntiltheyreachedGrayStag.

"Didhestartonyouagain?"Jennaaskedastheywentupstairsthatnight.

Teddionlynodded,goingintoherroom,awarethatJennahadfollowed.

JennaclosedthedoorandsatdownonTeddi'sbluecoverlet,herhandsfolded,watchingherfriend
pausebythedarkenedwindowandstareblanklyoutofit.

"Andwhatelse?"Jennapursued."Youcomebackhomelookinglikeaghost,Kinggoesoutand
doesn'tcomeback...evenmother,blessher,noticedsomethingwaswrong."

"Ican'ttalkaboutit,"Teddiwhispered.Shesighed."Jenna,IthinkTdbettergobacktoNewYorkin
themorning."

"No!"JennajumpedtoherfeetandcaughtTeddi'shands.Therewassadnessinherwholelook.
"You'vegottotellmewhathappened.Didhemakeapassatyou?"

Tedditriednottoanswer,butherownhesitation,thefrightinhereyesgaveheraway.

"Younevertoldhimwhathappenedtoyou,didyou?"Jennaaskedknowingly,noddingwhensheread
theanswerTeddi'swide,hauntedbrowneyes.

"TellKing?Givehimasticktohitmeovertheheadwith?"Teddimoaned."Hewouldhaveaccused
meoftemptingtheman,andyouknowit!HethinksI'matramp,andthat'showhetreatedmetoday."

"Oh,Teddi,"Jennasaidsympathetically."IthinkyouunderestimateKingallthewayaround.

FranklyIcan'tseehimmakingapassatawomanhehates,itisn'tincharacter.

He'snotaplayboy,andhe'smuchtoointenseforlovegames."

Tedditurnedaway."No,he'snot,"shemumbleddarkly."Hehatesme,allright,he'sshownmethat.
AndnowI'vegottogoaway,don'tyousee?"

"Atleastwaituntilmorningbeforeyoumakeanydecisions,"Jennapleaded,herfaceworried."I
knowyou'reupset,butsleeponit,please?"

"Itwon'tchangeanything."Tedditoldher.

"Youdon'tknowthat."ShecaughtTeddibythearmsandshookhergently,smiling.

"MaybeKingwilldecidetospendtherestofhislifeinAustralia,haveyouconsideredthat?Maybe
he'spackingrightnow."

Teddicouldn'thelpsmiling,too."I'msureheis,"shemuttered."Icanjustseeyourbrotherrunning
fromawoman."

"Hasn'thebeenrunningfromyouforyears?"Jennaaskedsoftly."Sleepwell.

Thingswillworkthemselvesout,trulytheywill.Goodnight."

TeddipacedtheroomafterJennahadleft.Sleepingonitwouldn'thelp;shecouldn'tstayifKingwas
goingtotreathersoshabbily.She'dwonderedhowshe'dreacttohimifheevermadeapass,andnow
sheknew.She'dpanicked.But...

butshehadn'tdownbythelake,whenhe'dtouchedhersogently,caressedhersotenderly.Shehadn't
beenafraid,she'dwantedmore.Shefoldedherarmsacrossherchestandsighed.IfOnlyhehadn't
comeonsostrong,perhapsshecouldhavegivenhimtheresponsehewanted.Shewouldhaveheld
nothingfromhimifhe'djustbeengentle.

Nowshewasfacedwithgoingbacktothatemptyapartmentsoonerthansheplanned.

WhatifDillywasthere?Dillywasnobody'sideaofamother.Saddledwiththeresponsibilityof
caringforherbrother'schild,DillyhadneverlikedTeddi.Andwhenshe'dbrokenwithher
boyfriend,he'dtoldherallsortsofliesaboutTeddileadinghimon.Thathadplacedawallbetween
themthathadnevercomedown.Itneverwould,ifTeddiknewheraunt.She'dbesogladwhenher
educationwascompletedandshecouldstrikeoutonherown.

Sheputonhernightgownandgotintobed.Shewouldn'tthinkaboutit,notaboutDillyorKingorthe
future,shetoldherself.Butshedid.Andthenightwasthelongestshe'dspentinmanylongyears.

Shewasuplongbeforetherestofthemthenextmorning,findingthekitchendesertedwhenshewent
intoittomakecoffee.

NormallyMissPeakewouldhavebeenbusymakingbreakfast,buteveryonehadmanagedwithtoast
andcoffeeinherabsence.Upuntilnow,Teddithought,decidingthatmakingbreakfastmight,insome
magicalway,helphermakeuphermindwhattodo.

Shedugoutbacon,eggs,andbutterandtwofryingpansandgotbusy.Whilethebaconwasfrying,
shemadethehugecat'sheadbiscuitsthatKingliked,andhadthemreadytogointheovenwhenthe
baconwasdone.Whilethebiscuitscooked,shemadeahugeplatterofscrambledeggsandbythenthe
coffeewasreadyaswell.

ShewassettingthetablewhenKingwalkedinandstoppedshortinthedoorway.

Hewasdevastatinglymasculineinhisjeansanddenimshirt.Sheglancedathimquicklyandturned
herattentionbacktothetable,herheartbeatingmadly.

"Ifyouwouldn'tmindcallingtheothers,"shesaidquietly,"I'mjustputtingbreakfastonthetable."

"You'renotaservantinthishouse,"hesaidcurtly.

Sheglaredbackathim,andsuddenlyhermindwasmadeup."Iknowthat,butI'dlikeagood
breakfastbeforeIcatchmyflightandasI'msureyou'venoticed,MissPeakeisn'theretocookit."

"Whatflight?"Hestoodstock-still,watchingher.

"MyflighttoNewYork."Sheturnedtogobackintothekitchen.

Hefollowed,hisbootsmakingharshthudsashewalked."Cancelit,"hesaid.

Sheglancedathimfromthecoffeepot,whereshewasfillingcups."Iwillnot."

Howcouldshe,anyway,whenshehadn'tmadeareservationyet?

"ThenIwill."

Shesetthepotdown,hard."Iwon'tbeheldprisoner!""Iwantyoutostay,"hesaidquietly.Thefaint
emphasison"I"frozeher.Shelookedintoeyesthatstaredbackwithunnervingintensity,faintly
bloodshot,asifhehadn'tsleptanybetterthanshehad.

"Why?"sheaskedsoftly."Soyoucanstartonmealloveragain?Carryonwhereyouleftoff
yesterday?"

Hedrewinaslowbreath,ramminghishandsintohisjeanpocketsasheleanedbackagainstthewall
andstaredather."IfoundouteverythingIwantedtoknowaboutyouyesterday,"hesaid."Every
singlething,intheonewayIcouldwithouttheriskofbeingliedto.Ididn'tmeantofrightenyou
quitesobadly,butIwantedanswersyouwouldn'thavegivenmeanyotherway.".

Shestiffened."Youmeanyoudidthatonpurpose?"

Henoddedsolemnly,"Itwasarevelation.Ihadafeelingthatyouweren'thalfassophisticatedasI'd
givenyoucreditforbeing.ThefirsttimeIkissedyou,Ihadtoforceyoutoopenyourmouth—hardly
theresponseofawomanwhoknowsmuchaboutkissing,"headdedwithafaintsmile."Andyouwere
fartoodevastatedbywhathappenedatthelake,asifitwassomethingtotallynew.Italladdedupto
onething.WhenIkissedyouonthewayhome,thewayyoureactedclinchedit.WhatIdidn'tbargain

for,"headdedonawearysigh,"wasthefear.SurelytoGodyouknewIwouldn'tforceyou?"

"No,"sheadmitted,turningbacktothecoffeepot."Ididn'tknowthat.You...

youweresorough."

_"Somedayyoumightunderstandwhy,"hetoldher."ButIdon'tthinkI'lltrytoexplainitrightnow."

Hewasacrosstheroominthreelongstrides,hisnearnesssuddenenoughtobestartling.Shecould
feeltheheatfromhisbody,feelhiswarm,smokybreathstirringthehairathertemples,butstillhe
didn'ttouchher.

Shelookedupapprehensively,helplessinthepullofhissilveryeyes.

"Idon'twantyoutogo,"hesaidquietly."NowthatIknowthetruth,I'llneverhandleyousoroughly
again."

Kindnessfromhimwassonewthatitwasstartling."But,we'reenemies,"shewhispered.

Amuscleflinchedinhissquarejaw."Wewere,"heagreed.

"Youdon'tevenlikeme,"shepersisted."Whykeepmearoundtoirritateyouevenmore?"

Hisfacerelaxedalittle.Onebig,long-fingeredhandcameoutofhispockettotouch,gently,thesoft
lineofhercheek."Because,littleone,"hemurmured,"IlikethewayitmakesmefeelwhenItouch
you."

Hercheeksflamed.Herlipsparted."Don't..."

Hebent,brushinghislipsoverherforehead,hereyelids,hereyebrowsinasilentcaressthattingled
withsensation.Thewhisperytouchmadeherkneesfeelrubbery.

"Yousee?"heaskedsoftly,drawingbacktocatchherstunnedexpression."I'mnotalwaysrough."

Shegazedupathim,fascinated,hereyeswideandverydarkandcurious.

Hisbreathcameroughlyashemetthatlook,andlikeamaninatrance,hisbighandscameuptocup
herfaceandholdituptohis.

"Comeclose,"hebreathed,bendingtowardheragain."Iwon'thurtyou."

Sheobeyedhimbecausethetemptationwastoomuchtoresist.Shelovedthefeelofhisbigbody
againsthers,itsstrengthandwarmth;shelovedthetouchofhiscallousedhandsagainstthetender
skinofherface.Shelovedsomuchabouthim..

..

Hebrushedhismouthtenderlyoverhers,smoothingit,teasingit,andshecaughtherbreathatthe

exquisitesensationanddrewbackaninch.

"Don'tdrawaway,"hemurmured,histhumbscaressingthecornersofhermouth."Itwon'tbelike
yesterday.Comehere,darling."

Andthistime,hemadeitsoundlikeanendearment.Hismouthpressedsoftly,gentlyagainsthers,not
forcingitopen,notexertinganykindofpressureatall.

Itwasthegentlestkindofkiss,andeverythingwomanlyinherrespondedwildlytoit.

Sheeaseduponhertiptoes,herfingersrestingagainsthiswarmchest,feelingtheriseandfallofhis
heavybreathing.Hereyesclosedassheincreasedthepressureofherownmouth,wantingsomething
more,something...more!

"Please...please,"shebegged,uncertainherselfwhatshewasaskingofhim.

"Areyousure?"hewhisperedagainstherpleadingmouth."Itwon'tbethistenderifIkisstheway
you'reaskingtobekissed."

Hereyeslazilyslidopenandlookedupintohis."Oh,yes,"shebreathedshakily,

"I'msure..."

Hisfingerstightenedatthesidesofherhead,hisowneyesslittedandfairlyblazedwithhunger.
"Openyourmouthforme,darling,"hewhispered,andshefelthisownlipspartingevenashespoke,
feltthemoistinsistenceofthemonheryieldingmouth.Hereyesclosed.Theworldbegantospin
arounddeliciouslyasshefelthistonguecaressingtheinnersweetnessofherlips....

Thisslow,sweetardorwasaworldawayfromtheroughpassionofyesterday,eventhoughhewas
hungry,andthehardcrushofhismouthshowedhowhungry.Buttherewasenoughrestraintinhimto
makeherfeelprotected,secureinthewarmthofhisarmsasherockedhergentlyagainsthisbig
body.

Thesoundofadoorslammingbroughthisheadupwithagruffcurse.Hedrewinasteadyingbreath
andreluctantlylethergo."I'mbeginningtothinkthere'snoprivacyintheworldanymore,"he
muttereddarkly.

Rememberingtheirbadluckyesterdayandthedaybefore,shecouldn'tholdbackasmile.

Heshookhergentlybythewaist."Thinkit'sfunny?"Hiseyesgleamedwickedly.

"Comeridingwithme.Ifyoudare."

"Idon'tknow."shemurmuredthoughtfully,surprisedattheirsuddenlyeasyrelationship."Isn'tit
supposedtobeterriblydangerous,goingoffintothewoodswithmen?"Shepeekedupathim
throughimpossiblylong,thicklashes.

Hecaughthisbreathatthelook,hisfingerstightening."Onlyforwomenwholooklikeyoudo,"he

returnedcurtly."Teddi..."

"Teddi,areyouinthere?"Jennacalledsuddenly.

KingletgojustasthedooropenedandJennawalkedin,herfacebeaming,herlonghairswinging
gaily.Shestoppedshortatthesightofhertaciturnbrotherandherflushedfriend.

"Scrambledeggsattwentypaces?"Jennaguessed,lookingfromonetotheother."Orisitaduelwith
crossedforks?"

Kingsmiledfaintly."Notquite.Here,I'llcarrythisin."Hetookuptheplatterofeggsandwentinto
thediningroomwithit,leavingthegirlstobringthecoffee.

"Well?"Jennaproddedinanimpatientwhisper.

"We'regoingriding,"Teddisaid,shakingherhead."Idon'teverexpecttounderstandyourbrother."

"Oh,Ithinkyoumight,someday,"Jennarepliedknowinglyastheywentthroughintothedining
room,whereMaryandKingwerealreadyseated.

Allthroughbreakfast,Teddifelthisgaze.Once,shelookedupfromhercupofcoffeeandstared
straightintohissteadygrayeyes.Shedidn'tmoveandneitherdidhe,andtheairbetweenthemsizzled
withemotion.Hewas,shethoughtwildly,suchanimpossiblyattractiveman.Shewantedthewildest
things—tositdowninhislap,andtwineherfingersthroughthatthick,blondhair,totracehis
chiseledmouthandfeatherkissesalloverhisface.Herheartthuddedfuriouslyasshereadtheexact
samehungerinhiseyes,silvereyesthatseemedtoseerightintohermind.

"Teddi,thatwasjustdelicious,"Marysaid,bringingherbacktorealityasshelaidherforkdownwith
asmile."Ididn'trealizeuntilthisminutejusthowmuchImissMissPeake.Thankyou."

"You'reverywelcome,"Teddireplied,tryingnottolettheexplodingemotionsshewasfeelingshow
inhervoice.

"Atleastthebiscuitsdon'tbounce,"Kingobserved,leaningbackandcockinganamusedeyebrowat
her.

"King,whatathingtosay!"Marychided."Why,IthoughtTeddi'sfirsteffortswere...admirable,"
shesaid,searchingforapolitewaytodescribeTeddi'sattempttomakethesamebiscuitsseveral
yearsearlier.

"I'venoquarrelwiththat,"Kingreplied."Theywereadmirable,allright."Hestoodup,flexinghis
broadshouldersabsently."Butthebiscuitsstillbounced."

Teddicouldn'trepressasmile."Itwouldn'thavebeensobadifthatOklahomacattlemanhadn'tbeenat
thetable,"shemurmured.

"Andespecially,"Jennacouldn'tresistadding,"afterKinghadjustbeenbraggingaboutthedelicious

foodMissPeakewasknownfor,unawarethatTeddihadjusthadherfirstlessoninbiscuitmaking."

"Theylookedlovely,"Maryinterruptedloyally.

"Andnowthey'regoodenoughtoenterinbake-offs."Jennasmiled.

"Well,Igetlotsofpractice,"Teddiremindedher."Sincetherearen'tanymodelingjobstobehadnear
thecollege,Iworkasplit-shiftatarestaurant,"

shetoldMary."Myclassesdon'tbeginuntillatemorning,soI'mupbakingbiscuitsat5a.m.ThenI
gobackandworkanotherfourhoursafterclasses."

"Whatthedevilfor?"Kingdemanded."Yourauntsupportsyou,andpaysyourtuition.Doyouneedto
killyourselfforspendingmoney?"

"Whatdoyoumean,Dillypays—"Jennabeganhotly,untilTeddialmostknockedoverachairtrying
tosilenceher.

"Nevermind,Jenna,"shesaidfirmly,silentlydaringherfriendtosayanotherword.IfKingwantedto
believeshewasagirlwhohadtohavemoneyforfrivolities,andafreeloadertoboot,lethim,she
didn'tcare."Excuseme,"shesaidwithoutmeetinghiseyes,and,puttingdownhernapkin,leftthe
room.

Kingcaughtupwithheratthestaircase,reachingoutwithafirmbutgentlehandtocatchherasshe
startedupthestepstowardherroom."Ididn'tmeanthatthewayyoutookit,"hesaidbeforeshecould
speak.Hisfacelookedharderthanever,hisbigbodytautandpoised,onebootedfootonthestepshe
wasstandingon.

Shemethiseyes,herlookwaryanduncertain."Istillhavetohaveclothestoweartoclasses,"she
saidquietly."Andonsomemodelingassignments,Ihavetohavemyownwardrobe."

Hedrewinadeepbreath."Andyouraunt'sgenerositydoesn'textendthatfar?"

Hewouldn'thavebelievedtheextentofheraunt's"generosity,"shethoughtbitterly,rememberingthat
shehadtobuyherownclothes,payherowntuition,andmanagetransportationtoandfromcollege.
Shewaspracticallypennilessafterallthat.Butaneducationwouldgiveherthemeanstosupport
herself,andsheonlyhadanotheryeartogo.Justonemoreyear.Thenshe'dbetotallyindependentof
Dilly.

Thehandonherarmwassuddenlycaressing,drawingherbackdownbesidehim."Wehaveatruce,
remember?"heaskedinadeep,lazytone."Itshockedmetothinkofyourdoingsomethingless
glamorousthanmodeling.Italwayshas.Youdon'tlooklikeacook,darling."

"ThebiscuitsproveIamone,though"sheremindedhimwithafaintsmile."Theydon'tbounce
anymore."

Hewatchedthelightcomebackintoherwide,darkeyes,andnodded."Sotheydon't.Comeon.We'll

rideuptothegateandbackoverbytheJohnsonproperty."

"Whereallthosegorgeousbluesprucesare?"sheasked.

"Youalwayslovedbluespruce,didn'tyou?"helaughed.Shenodded.

Hesmiled."Stillanoutdoorgirl,aren'tyou?Doyoumissthecity?"

Shelookedupathisruggedfaceunderitsshockofblondstreakedhairandsawblatantcuriosityin
hiseyes."No,"shesaidtruthfully."Idon'tmissitatall."

Hestareddownathersointenselythatshefeltasthoughherheartwouldrunawaywithher.Buta
minutelater,hetorehiseyesawayfromhersandledheroutthedoor.

ChapterSix

RidingaroundGrayStagwasoneofTeddi'sfavoriterecreationsanytime,butridingwithKingbeside
herwasatasteofheaven.

Helookedmagnificentinthesaddle,shethoughtdreamily,glancingatthetall,broad-shoulderedman
besideher.Inhiswell-fittingjeansandshirt,withawide-brimmedhatcockedoveroneeye,shading
hishardface,hewashandsomeenoughtomakeanymoviecowboyenvious.

Hetookadrawfromhiscigaretteandturnedhishead,catchingherstaringathim.

Onecornerofhismouthcurledandhechuckledsoftlyatherembarrassment.

"The,uh,thesceneryislovelythroughhere,"shesaid,clearingherthroatnervously.

"Soareyou,littleone,"hemurmuredappreciatively."Idon'tmindifyoulookatme,Teddi.There's
nothingtobeembarrassedabout."

Heknewtoomuchaboutwomen,shethoughthalfangrily,tryingtoholdbackagrin.

Shelost,andlaughterburstoutofherlikethesunoutofathundercloud.

Hereinedinhishorseandjustlookedather,asifthegleeful,silverylaughterfascinatedhim.With
thesunglintingoffherdarkhair,andthelaughtermakinglightsinherwidebrowneyes,shewasa
sighttostoptraffic.

"Youmakemefeelaboutthirteen,"sheaccusedwhenshestoppedtocatchherbreath."AndIdowish
you'dstopmakingfunofme,it'snotfair."

"I'mnotmakingfunofyou,"hedenied,smilingfaintly."Ijustlikewatchingyoublush,darling."

"Beast,"shesaid,pouting.

Hechuckled,urginghismountintoatrotalongsideher."HaveyouseenmynewArabians?"heasked.

"No,westartedthatway,butJennaandBlakelygotside-tracked..."

Hisfacehardened."They'redoingalotofthatlately,"hemuttered."Blakely'sslackinguponthejob."

"King,he'saniceman,"shebeganhesitantly,waryofdisruptingtheuneasytrucebetweenthem.

Hiscoldgrayeyescutintohers."YouknowhowJennalikestospendmoney,"hesaidcurtly."How
longdoyouthinktheboycouldsupporthertastesonhissalary?

EvenifIgavehimatractintheValleyandhelpedhimgetstarted,itwouldbeahellofajobgettinga
foothold.He'dneedawifewhocouldworkalongsidehim,supporthim.Canyouseemysister
bucklingdowntothatkindofdrudgery,atherage?"

"IthinkJennaisalotlikeyou,"shesaidafteraminute,choosingherwordscarefully."Ithinkshe
coulddoanythingshewantedtodo.AndshelovesBlakely."

"She'sinfatuatedwithhim,"hecorrected."Girlsyouragedon'tknowwhatloveis."

Sheavertedhereyes."Don'twe?"sheaskedwithfaintbitterness,rememberingallthesleeplessnights
she'dhadbecauseoftheheartlessmanridingbesideher.

"Thefactis,Teddibear,"heconcluded,"Jennaismysister,andit'safamilyproblem."

Shefeltasifhe'dhither.Alwaysanoutsider,wasthattobeherdestiny?

"ThanksforremindingmethatI'mnotallowedavoiceinyourfamilymatters,"shesaidwithcold
dignity,refusingtolookathim."Ifyoudon'tmind,IthinkI'llgoonalone.Idon'tlikethecompany
I'mkeeping."Shewheeledherhorseandrodebackdownthewidetrailunderthemammothpinesand
spruces,alongthewidebendintheriver.

Kingcaughtupwithherthereandreachedouttocatchthereinsandjerkhermounttoahalt."Get
down,"hesaid.

Shedidn'tmove.Hedismountedgracefully,hiseyesblazing,andjerkedherdownfromthesaddle
intohishardarms.

"Iwanttogohome,"sheburstout,secondsawayfromtears.

"HomeiswhereIam,"hesaidinagoadingundertone."Orhaven'tyouworkedthatoutyet?"

Beforeshecouldcomeupwithanysanereply,hebenthisheadandtookhermouth.

Shebarelyfelthimliftherintohisarms.Hereyeswereclosed;herwholebeingwascenteredaround
thefeelofhiswarm,hardmouthstrokingbetweenherfulllips,preparingit,openingittothe
piercingintimacyofhistongue.

Shedrankinthescentofhim,thewoodsy,smokyminglingofsoapandcologneandtobacco,the
hardnessofhisbigbodywherehersoftbreastswerecrushedintoitashecarriedher.

Shefeltherselfbeinglowered,butshedidn'topenhereyes.Shewastoolostintheslow,tenderardor
ofhismouthtocarewheretheywere.Shefeltthepinestrawunderherback,heardthesoundsofwind
andbubblingriverwaterminglinginherdazedearsasshefeltthewarmthofhimallthewaydown
thelengthofhertinglingbody.

Itwasonlywhenshefelthisfingersbrushinglightlyoverherbreastthathereyesflewopenandshe
struggledbriefly.

Butheheldhertherewithgentlefirmness,controlledherwiththeweightofhisbody,onepowerful
legthrownacrossherstokeepherfrommovingaway.

"Letme,"hesaidsoftly,holdinghereyesassurelyasheheldherbody,hisfingerstrespassingover

hersmall,tautbreastsasiftheyhadeveryrightintheworldtobethere.

"Don't,"shepleadedinachokedwhisper.Herwide,darkeyespleadedwithhisblazinggrayonesina
silencethatmagnifiedthesoundofhisfingersbrushingoverthecottonofherblouse.

"Why?"heasked.

"It'ssointimate,"shemanaged,hatingthehelplessreactionofherbodythatwastellinghimblatantly
howmuchshewasenjoyingit.

Hebenthisblondheadandbrushedhismouthoverhereyelids,forcingthemshut.

"Don'tlookatmewiththoseaccusingeyes,"hewhispered."I'mnotgoingtohurtyou.Ionlywantthe
feelofyou,thesoftnessofyouundermyhands.Iwanttoshowyouhowitcanbebetweenamanand
awoman."

"You...youjustwanttohumiliatemeagain,thewayyoudidthatday...inthebarn,"shechoked.

Shefelthimgrowtautbeforehismouthtouchedhercheek,herneckjustbelowherear."That'snot
thereason,"hewhisperedgruffly."Ifyouneedone,it'sbecauseI'mstarvingforyou,isthatblunt
enough?"

Heliftedhisheadandsheopenedhereyes,watchingthehardmouthpoisedoverhers,feelingthe
bankedtensioninhisbody."Don't...don'tforceme,"shewhisperedapprehensively."Don't...be
rough."

darlingenemy

"I'llcherishyou,ifyou'llliestillandletme,"hebreathedagainsthermouth.

"Allyouhavetosayis'no,'darling."Hisheavyblondeyebrowsdrewtogetherashislipsfitted
themselvesexactlytohers,pressingthemgentlyapart.Hisbighandscuppedherface,holdingitjust
wherehewantedit,whilehekissedherasifhe'ddietryingtogetenoughofhersoft,tremulous
mouth.Shefoundherselfsoothedbyhiscontrolledardor.Sherelaxedagainsthim,lettingherself
sinkintothepinestraw.

"Yousee?"heasked,liftinghismouthtobrushitoverherfaceinslow,softkissesthatlitafireinher
blood."I'mnotgoingtopounceonyou."

"Youknowsomuchaboutwomen,"shemurmured,"andIknowsolittleaboutmen.

We'rehardlymatched."

Hislipstuggedintoafaintsmile.Herestedhisweightonhiselbowandstudiedherflushedface,her
lazy,sensuouseyes.Hisgazedroppedtoherblouseandheeasedonelongfingerundertheedgeof
thenecklinewhereitplungedintothenarrow-spacebetweenhersmallbreasts.

Hewatchedthehelplessreactioninhereyesashetouchedherbareflesh,easinghiswarm,faintly

callousedfingersontothesoft,whiteswellunderthewispylaceofherbra.

"Youfeelsoexquisitelysoft,"hewhispered,hisfingersslowandgentle,edgingtowardthetautpeak.

Hernailsbitintohisupperarmsandherbreathcaught.Nothinginherlifehadbeenlikethis,noman
hadevertouchedherthisway—itwassodifferentfromthatnightmareattackofheryouth,socaring
andtender.

Shefeltherselfgotaut,andstrangetinglingsmadeherbodytremblewithanticipation.

"Easy,darling,"hewhisperedsoftly,leaningclosertobrushhismouthlightlyagainsthersashis
fingersmovedagain,gentlingher."Thisispartofit.I'mnotgoingtohurtyou.Justrelaxagainstme
andletithappen."

Hereyeslookedstraightupintohis."King,thisis...thefirsttime..."

shewhisperedbrokenly,tryingtotellhim,tomakehimunderstandthedevastatingexperienceitwas.

Butheseemedtoknowitalready,smilingdownatherashemoved,placinghiswarmmouthoverher
lips,increasingthepressuregentlyashishandeaseddown,andthenup,swallowingher,andshe
criedoutinvoluntarilyattheunexpectedsurgeofpleasure.

Hecaughthisownbreathatthewildlittlesound,drawingbackawhispertolookather."Magic,"he
murmuredgruffly."Whatwedotoeachotherismagic.Budsopeninginthesun..."

Shefelttheviolentshudderofhisheartagainstherbody,theraspofhisbreath,ashekissedher
again,deeplythistime.Shefeltnewsensations,wild,delicioussurgesofpleasurethatworkedtheir
witchcraftoneverytinglingnerve.Herhandssliduphisarms,feelinghim,caressinghim.Theywent
aroundhisneckandburiedthemselvesinthethick,coolstrandsofhishair,tokeephimclose.

Shewasvaguelyawarethatbothhishandswereunderherblouse,butshewasn'tawareofwhatthey
weredoinguntilshefeltthemagainstherbareskin,cuppingher,moldingher,roughandtenderand
warm,andhereyesflewopenandlookedstraightupintohis.

Histannedfacelookedstrained,hiseyesnarrowandglitteringastheyreadhers.

"Youfitmyhandsasifyou'dbeencreatedforthem,"hesaidinavoiceshedidn'trecognize.

Sheflushed,herlipspartingonanunsteadybreath.

Helookeddownattheblouse,underwhichhishandswereoutlinedashetouchedher."Iwanttolook
atyou,Teddi,"hesaidquietly."Thisisn'tenough."

Thethoughtofhiseyesonherbarenesswasenoughtobringherheartintoherthroat.Shewanted
that.Thebreezeonherskin,hiseyesseeingher.Shewantedhimwithasuddennessthatstartledher,
allheruntouchedemotionsrousedtothepointofpainashecaressedher.

"Frightened,littlevirgin?"heaskedsoftly."YouknowIwon'thurtyou."

"Oh,yes,Iknow,"shesaid.Shereachedupandtouchedhisface,daringly,herfingertipstracingthe
hardlineofhismouth,hisstraight,arrogantnose,pushingbackashockofthick,sun-streakedhair
fromhisbroadforehead.

"Doyouwantit?"heaskedquietly.

Shetouchedhismouth,fascinatedwithit."IfIdon'tsaynorightnow,"sheconfessedhonestly,"I
won'tbeableto.YoumakemefeelasifI'mburningup,"

shewhispered.

"Youmakemefeelthesameway,"headmitted,yieldingreluctantlytothepleainhereyes.Hedrew
hishandsawayfromherbodywithaheavysigh,andleanedthemoneithersideofherhead.His
darkenedeyessearchedhers."Thisisthefirsttimeforme,too,didyouknow?"

Shesmiledlazily,breathingmoresteadilynow."Pulltheotherone,GreatWhiteRancher,"sheteased.

Hegrinnedback,tuggingatalockofhershorthair."I'mserious.You'rethefirstvirginI'vemade
lovetosinceIwassixteen.Andthis,"headdedwickedly,

"isthefirsttimeinyearsthatI'vehadtostop."

Shesearchedhiseyes,lovinghim,achingformorethanjustphysicalcontact.Shewouldhavegiven
anythingforhislove.Shesighed."I'msorry."

"There'snoneed."Hetracedoneofherthineyebrowswithalazyfinger."Teddi,haven'tyouever
wantedaman?"

Sheswallowed.Shewastemptedtotellhimallofit,nightmareandall,butthiswasn'tthetime.It
wouldspoilthingsbetweenthem."No,"shesaidafteraminute.

"Atleast,notbeforeyou."

Heleanedhisforeheadagainstherswitharoughsigh."Oh,honey,whatathingtoadmittoaman,"he
groundout."Can'tyoutellhowmuchIwantyou?"

Itwashardtomiss,ascloseashewas,andshe

feltfaintlyembarrassedbytheknowledge."I...don'timagineyouhavethisproblemtoooften,"she
murmured.

Hedrewawayandstareddownatherasifhehadimmediatefearsforhersanity,andsheflushedbeet-
red.

"Imean,"shecorrected,avoidinghisgaze,"Idon'timaginethatmanywomensay

'no'toyou."

"Wewon'ttalkaboutotherwomen,"hesaidfirmly."I'mnotaplayboy,ifthat'swhatyou're
insinuating."

"You'dhardlyhavetimetobe,thewayyoupushyourselfhereattheranch,"sheagreed,glancingup
athim."Youworkmuchtoohard."

Hetoyedwithastrandofherhair."Habit,darling,"headmitted,andtheendearmentsoundedgenuine.
"I'vealwayshadtoworkhard.Intheearlydays,ifI'dallowedmyselfmuchtimeforrecreation,
everythingwehadwouldhavegoneontheauctionblock.IhadmotherandJennatothinkaboutafter
myfatherdied,andthreepropertiestomanage.Ihadtokeepeverythinggoing."

"Andyou'vemadeasuccessofallofthem,"shesaid.Herfingerstouchedthesilkyhahathistemples.
"It'smadeyouhard,though."

"Businessisruthless,littleone,didn'tyouknow?"

"Yes,Iknow,"shemurmured,rememberingherownhardknocksintheworldofmodelingwhen
she'dfirstenteredit.

"Yourownlifehasn'tbeeneasy,"heremarked.

"Itwasn'tsobad,afterIgottoboardingschool,"shelied.Asmiletouchedhermouth."AndIhad
Jennatotalkto."

Hisfaceseemedtoharden."WhenIwasn'tmakingthingsdifficultforyou,youmean.I'vebeena
brutetoyouattimes.Butyoucan'tknowthepressuresIwasunder,thewayit'sbeenwithme."His
darkeningeyesmetherpuzzledonesanddroppedtohermouth."Kissme,"hesaidgruffly,bending.
"KissmethewayyouwantedtothatmorninginthestableswhenIteasedyou."

Withouteventhinking,shelockedherhandsbehindhisheadanddraggeditdowntohers,lettingher
mouthtellhimhowhungryshe'dbeen,andstillwas,holdinghimclose,close....

"Don'tyouliketotasteme?"hemurmuredagainsthermouth.

"Iam,"shemurmuredback.

Herubbedhisnoseagainsthers."I'mgoingtohavetoteachyouhowtokiss,Icanseethatrightnow."

"Iknowhow,"sheprotested.

"Littlegirlkisses,"hescoffedwithawickedgleaminhiseyes."Nothalfintimateenough.Ilikeitlike
this,Teddi..."Hecaughthercheeksandteasedherlipswithhisuntiltheypartedhungrily.Histongue
shotpastthem,andsheclutchedhimashetaughtherthingsshe'dneverknownaboutthewaypeople
kissed.

Hedidn'tjustusehislips;shefeltthegentlethrustofhistongue,thenibblingpressureoflipsand
teethashetormentedheruntilshethoughtshe'dgomad.

"Please,King,"shewhisperedbrokenly,hernailsbitingintohisback,hereyesrivetedtohismouth.
"Please,please

"Noholdingbackthistime,"hegrowledashismouthtookhersfully."Holdme."

Andshekissedhimbackashungrilyasanewwife,aspassionatelyasawomanwho'djustfoundthe
loveofherlife.Withasenseofawe,shefeltthefullweightofhisbigbodysettlingexactlyoverhers
untiltheywerelockedtogether,breasttobreast,thightothigh,hiptohip,andsheclungasthe
unfamiliarcontactburnedthemostexquisitesensationsintoherreelingmind.

"King,"shewhisperedintohisdevouringmouth.

"Darling,"hewhisperedbackonahardgroan,shiftingashefeltthesoft,involuntarymovementof
heryoungbody,surprisingasweetlittlecryfromherthroat.

Shefeltherselftrembling.Incredibly,sowashe,andevenasshefeltherbodyyieldingeverythinghe
wasdemanding,hesuddenlystiffenedandwithamuffledcurse,rolledawayfromher.Helay
breathingroughlyonhisback,onekneedrawnupbetweenthem,hisforearmsoverhisface.

"King...?"sheasked,concernedattherigidityofhisbigbody.

"Gowalkaroundforaminute,love,"hesaidinataut,achingtone,"andgivemealittlewhiletolie
hereandcursemyownstupidity.Goon,"headdedwhenshehesitated.

Shegotupshakilyandwalkedovertothebankoftheriver,watchingitrunlazilybetweenthebanks
whileherheartbeatslowlycalmed.Herbackagainstatreeattheedge,shetoreoffabitofbarkand
saileditdownintothewater,hereyesdriftingfromthemajesticpinestothemountainsbeyond.

Shefeltratherthansawhimbehindheralittlebitlater,andshedroppedhereyestotheground.

"Embarrassed?"heaskedgentlyashelitacigarette.

"Alittle,"sheadmittedquietly."I...didn'tknow,yousee."

Helaughedsoftly,drawingherclosebesidehimwithaprotectivearmaroundhershoulders."We're
bothhuman,"hemurmured."Andtogether,we'revolatile.Ishouldhaveexpectedit."

Shelookedupathimshyly."Iwasn'tteasing..."

"Don'tyouthinkIknowthat?"Hiseyessearchedhersquietly."Itwasbeautiful.

Notsomesordidrollinthehay,notlust.I'veneverbeenthatgentlewithawomaninmylife—orthat
intentonpleasingone.You're...veryspecial,littleone,"

headded,frowning."YoumakemevulnerableinwaysIcouldn'thaveimagined."

Shedroppedhereyestohischest,drinkinginthesoundofhisdeep,tendervoice,thewordsthat
revealedhehadsomekindoffeelingforher,afterall.

"Ithoughtitwastheotherwayaround,"shewhispered.

Hismouthbrushedagainstherforehead."Youcan'timaginewhatitdidtome,"hebreathed,"touching
youthatway,knowingthatnoothermaneverhad."Hecaughthisbreathandhuggedhercloseforan
instantbeforehelethergoandmovedawaytoretrievehishatfromtheground,whereithadfallen
aneternityago.

"AsmuchasIhatethethought,"hesaid,"I'maworkingman.Andtomakeitallworse,I'vegotthat
bloodyaccountantcomingthisafternoon."Hiseyesdartedtocatchhersandhelookedfaintly
irritated."There'ssomethingyouneedtoknowabouthimbeforehegetshere."

"What?"sheasked,smiling.

Hestaredather,captivatedbytheradianceofherface."No,"hesaid."Notyet.

I'lltellyoulater.Comeon,tiger,let'sgohome."

Theridebackwasquiet,andTeddididn'tadmittoherselfhowmuchshewashopingthatwhenhe
helpedherdowninthestables,he'dkissherjustoncemore.Butwhentheyreachedthehugebarn
wherethehorseswerequartered,BlakelyandJennawerejustcomingfromthehouse,andTeddifelt
herheartsink.

"Thereyouare,"Jennasaid,clingingtoBlakely'shandandlaughingasifshehadthesuncaptured
insideher."Somemanisheretoseeyou,King.MotherdroveintoCalgarytopickhimup,and
they'vejustcomeback."

Kingnodded."Theaccountant,"hesaidwithastrangelysecretiveglanceatTeddi.

"Well,let'sgoin.Youmightaswellallbeintroducedatonce.He'sgoingtobehereforafewdays."

TeddidismountedbyherselfandfellintostepwithJennaandBlakelywhileoneoftheranchhands
tookthehorsesaway.NoneofthemcouldkeepupwithKing'slongstrides;hewaswalkinglikea
manwithadistastefulgoalahead.

"Here'sKing,now,"Marywassayingastheywalkedintothelivingroom.

Thevisitorstoodup,leananddarkandbrown-haired,smilingcrookedlywhenhesawTeddi.Shegot
agoodlookathimatthesametime,andallthebadluckintheworldseemedtodescendonherat
once.Thiswasn'tjustanyaccountant.ThiswasBruceBillingsly,who'dhoundedhersosingle-
mindedlyatthebeginningoftheyearthatshe'devenriskedKing'scontemptandacceptedan
invitationfromJennaatEaster.Bruce,whowouldn'ttakenoforananswer.

SonowsheknewwhoKing'ssecretinformantwas,who'dbeentellinghimliesaboutherlife,her
work.Sheknewwho'dhelpedtopoisonhismindagainsther.Andherewastheculpritinperson,with
agleaminhiseyetellingherclearlythathehadmoremischiefinmind.

HerwaryeyesturnedtoKing,whowaswatchingthesilentexchangewithacoldscrutiny.

"Smallworld,Teddi,"Brucelaughed,movingclosetobendandkissheronthecheek,toheramazed
indignation."Howdoyoudo,MissDevereaux,Blakely?Goodtoseeyouagain,King,but,"headded,
witharaisedeyebrowashedrewarigidTedditohisside,"what'smygirldoinghere?"

ChapterSeven

TherewasasmallflashofemotioninKing'sgrayeyesthatnooneseemedtocatchexceptTeddi.
WhenheturnedtoBruceBillingsly,therewasnothinginhisexpressionexceptatraceofmockery.

"AsItoldyoubefore,"hetoldTeddioverBruce'sshoulder,"wehaveamutualacquaintance."

"Sure.Me,"Brucesaidwithagrin."Oh,I'vebeensingingyourpraisesforthepastseveralmonths,
honey.Kingdidntknowmuchaboutyourmodelingcareer,butIfilledhimin."

I'lljustbetyoudid,Teddithoughtmiserably,rememberinghowshe'dtriedtoeludeheraunt's
boyfriend.HewaslikesomanyofDilly'sotherpickups,arrogant,alittleconceited,andmoney
hungryaswell.Sincehecouldn'tlandDilly,he'dsethissightsonTeddi,withalotofenthusiasmand
nosuccessatall.

AndapparentlywhenherealizedthatKinghadapassingacquaintancewithher,hedecidedtomake
surethatnothingcoulddevelopinthatquarterwhilehewaspursuingher.He'devenshownupat
collegeonceortwice,andshe'dhadatimetryingtoshoohimaway.

Teddi'sapprehensiveeyeslookedupintoKing'sandreadthedisgustandcontemptthere.Bruce's
arrivalhadkilledthetrustthathadbeengrowingsodelicatelybetweenthem.Thebeautifulmorning
wouldbecomeamemory,therewouldneverbearepeatofit.ShesawthatinKing'shardface.Itwas
asifhe'dbeenlookingforanexcuse,aweapon.Andnowhehadit.

"Aren'tyougladtoseeme,Teddi?"Bruce,grinning,huggedher.

Kingstabbedhishandsintohisjeanpockets."Youdidn'ttellmeaboutyourbuddingromance,
darling,"hesaid,anditdidn'tsoundlikeanendearmentanymore.

"ButnowthatBillingslyishere,perhapsyou'llhavetimetopursueit.When,"headdedwithacold
smileforBruce,"he'sthroughgettingmybooksinorder.Andthere'snotimelikethepresent.Shall
wegettoit?"

"ButKing,he'sonlyjustarrived."Maryprotested,hersenseofhospitalityoutraged.

"Hedidn'tcomehereforasocialgathering,Mother,"heremindedher.

"Billingsly?"

Bruceknewthewhipinthatdeepvoice,apparently."I'mready,"helied,lettinggoofTeddi

darlingenemy

reluctantly."I'llseeyoulater,honey,we'vegotalottotalkabout."

"Indeedwehave,"Teddisaidwithavenomoussmile,herdarkeyesflashing.

Kingdidn'tevenlookherway,andhisbackwasarrow-straightasheledtheshortermanoutofthe
room.

"Whatwasthatallabout?"Jennaasked,whileBlakelyandhermotherdiscussedranchbusiness.

"Itoldyouabouthim,"Teddimoaned."TheonewhochasedmeuntilIcouldn'tstayinNewYorkat
allforbeinghounded?"

"That'shim?"Jennagasped."Here?"

"Here,thoughheavenonlyknowshow.HeworksforthefirmthatdoesKing'saccounting,Isuppose,"
shesaidmiserably."NowthatIthinkofit,hetoldmeheknewKingwhenhewasrunningafterme,
butIneverasked,how.Ishouldhaverealized..."

"That'sthemanwhocameuptocollegelookingforyou,"Jennaburstout,remembering."Holy
mackerel!"

"Hejustwouldn'ttakenoforananswer.IthoughtthatwhenIcameuphereatEasterI'dfinallygotten
ridofhim,"shesaidwithawansmile."Oh,Jenna,whatamIgoingtodo?Kingbelieveshim,he
reallybelievesthere'ssomethingbetweenus.Icouldn'tevenpushthesillymanaway,Iwastoo
shockedatseeinghimhere,andheavenonlyknowswhatlieshe'sbeentellingKingaboutme!And
Kingwillbelieveeveryword,"sheaddedmiserably.

Jennawasbeginningtoaddthingsup.ThelookonTeddi'sfacewhensheandKinghadriddenin,the
verytenderlightinherbrother'seyes,theslightswellofTeddi'slowerlip,thepinestrawinherhair
—itallbegantomakesense.

"JustwhatwereyouandKingdoinginthewoodsbesidesdiscussinginternationaleconomicsandthe
futureofdemocracy?"Jennaasked,tongueincheek.

Teddiblushed,andJennahadtheanswershewanted.Shelaugheddelightedly.

"NowIknowwhyKing'sbeensohardtolivewith,"shemurmured."Mothersaidhe'dbeenhorrible
sinceEaster.Somethinghappenedthen,too,didn'tit,afteryouthrewthatfeedbucketathim?Oh,my
friend,"hergrayeyeslitup,"ifyouknewhowI'vedreamedofhavingyouforasister-in-law...."

"Itisn'tlikethat,"Teddiprotested,embarrassed."Andyoumustn'tsayanything.

Oh,please,Jenna,youcan't!"

Therewasalong,heartfeltsigh."Allright,"camethegrudgingpromise,"I'llkeepquiet.Butyoudo
careforhim,don'tyou?"

Thedarkeyesfell."Yes,"sheadmittedquietly.Ifcaringcouldbedescribedasapassionateobsession
thathadn'twanedinalmostsixyears,then,yes,itwasdefinitelycaring.

"AndKing?"Jennaprodded.

Sheshrugged."Whoknowswhathethinks?Itdoesn'tmatternow,anyway.He'salwaysbelievedthe
worstofme,andnowhere'sBrucetofeedhimdarlingenemy

someofthemostdeliciouslieshe'severtasted.He'llbeoverjoyed."

"Stopthat,"Jennasaidsternly."IfKingfeelssomethingforyouhimself,whatmakesyouthinkhe's
goingtobelieveBruce?He'sintelligentenoughtoknowpiqueandhurtmasculinepridewhenhesees
them.IfBruceisjustoutforrevenge,he'llseethat,too."

"Willhe?"Teddisaidandshrugged."Let'sgoandmakesomesandwiches.Iimaginewe'llhave
hungrymouthstofeedanyminute."

"Mightaswell,Isuppose."JennalookedworriedlytowardBlakelyandhermother.

"Oh,Mother,we'regoingtomakelunch!""CanIhelp?"Maryoffered."No,dear,youtalktoBlakely,"
Jennaencouraged,withapointedlookatBlakely,whoreddenedslightly."Itwillonlytakeafew
minutes."

"What'sgoingonbackthere?"Teddiwhisperedwhentheywereoutofearshot.

Jennatookadeepbreath."Blakely'sgoingtoaskheradviceabouthowtodealwithKing.He...he
wantstomarryme,"sheadded,faltering.Hereyesclosedblissfully."Teddi,hewantstomarryme!"
Shelookedasifshehadeverysingleblessingintheworldasshesaidit.

IfTeddihadanydoubtsaboutherfriend'semotionalinvolvementwithBlakely,thatsettledthem."Can
Ihelp?"sheaskedherfriend."ImayhavetocalloneverysinglefriendIhaveintheworldandallmy
acquaintancestogetaroundKing,"

Jennasaidmiserably."He'llsayI'mtooyoung,thatBlakelywon'tbeabletogivemewhatIwant,thatI
won'tsettle..."

AllofwhichwasjustwhatKinghadtoldTeddi,andshehadtolookawaytokeepherbestfriendfrom
readingitinherexpressiveface.

"Ilovehim,"Jennasaidstubbornly."IfIhavetodrawwaterfromawellandmakemyownclothes,
I'lldoit,aslongasIcanlivewithhim.That'sallIwantintheworld.AndI'llgetit,"sheaddedwitha
stubbornsettoherjaw."Youjustwatchme!"

"Ibelieveyou,"Teddiassuredherwithalaugh.ShewasalotlikeKing,andifanybodyhadachance
ofholdingoutagainsthim,itwasJenna.

Themenatetheirsandwichesinthestudy,soTeddiwassparedaconfrontation.Butwhentheysat
downtodinnerthatnight,itwasasclosetocivilizedwarfareasTeddihadevercome.

Brucesatacrossfromher,hiseyesrestingappreciativelyonthesoftwhiteshirtwaistdressshe'd
donned.Kingglaredatherfromtheheadofthetable,hiseyesascoldaswinter.Shefeltlikeahuman
sacrifice,andJenna'sevidentamusementdidn'thelpabit.Mary,blissfullyobliviousofthe

undercurrentsaroundher,chattedenthusiasticallyaboutanupcomingartexhibitinCalgary.

"Ithoughtyou'dbeworkingthissummer,Teddi,"Brucemurmuredwhentherewasapauseinthe
conversation."IaskedforalocalassignmentinNewYorkforthatreason."

Teddimethiseyescoolly."Didyou?"shemut-darlingenemy

tered,hatinghimforwhathe'ddonetoherfragilerelationshipwithKing."IthoughtI'dmadeitquite
clearthatIdidn'thavetimeforalotofnightlife."

"Pulltheotherone,honey,"helaughed,hiseyescalculatingashemeasuredKing'sinterest."I'veseen
youinnightclubsalloverNewYork."

Teddi'seyesdilated."Youmostcertainlyhavenot!"shecried.

"Sure,ifthat'sthewayyouwantit,"heagreed,makingitsoundasifhewascoveringupforher."It
doesn'tmatter,youknow,"headdedinademoralizedtone.

"IknowIcouldn'tcompetewiththekindofmoneyyourescortshad.I'mjustaworkingman."

Teddi'sfingersclenchedonherfork,andjustforonewildsecond,shecontemplatedtheeffectof
throwingherplateacrossthetableathim.Hisgreeneyeswerelaughingather.Heknewwhathewas
doing,andsherealizedallatoncethatherfirstimpressionhadbeenright.Hewasgoingtocrucify
herfortheblowshe'ddealthismasculinepride.Ifhecouldn'thaveher,noothermanwasgoingto,
especiallynotKing.

"Idon'tneedtodaterichmen,"shebitoff."Youdon't?"Bruceaskedinnocently.

"But,sweet,Dillydoesn'tgiveyouapennytowardyoureducation.You'vegottogetmoney
somewhere."

HewasplantingdeadlyseedsandfindingfertilegroundinKing'salreadysuspiciousmind."Imake
enoughtosupportmyself,"Teddisaid."Youmust,ifyoucantakethewholesummerofffora
vacation,"BrucesaidwithaninsinuatinglooktowardKing."Orareyounphereona'fishing'trip?"

King'sexpressionwasoneofpurefury.

Withamightyeffort,Teddiliftedhercoffeecuptoherlipsandmanagednottoburstintotears.Itwas
likehavinganinvisibleknifetaketheskinoffaninchatatime,andnobodycouldseethewounds.
EspeciallynotKing,whogottohisfeetandtossedhisnapkindown.

"Ifyou'rethrough,Billingsly?"heaskedwithmaddeningcarelessness,leadingthewayoutofthe
diningroom.

Teddiwatchedhimgo,awareofBruce'striumphantsmileashefollowed.Thelightwentoutofher
eyes,hersoul,atthatmoment,becausesheknewKinghadbelievedBruce.Allthatshehadkeptfrom
himwassuddenlyoutintheopen.NowKingknewthatshewasresponsibleforherowneducational

expenses,herlivingexpenses,thatDillydidn'thelpout—andhebelievedonemorething,thatshe
neededmoney.

Hewouldinevitablycometotheconclusionthatshehadbeentryingtotraphim,especiallysince
she'dcometoGrayStaginsteadofgoingbacktoNewYorkduringsummervacation.Hewouldfit
thosepuzzlepiecestogether,alongwithwhatBrucehadletdropaboutherso-called"dates"with
wealthymen—alieifthereeverwasone—andherindifferencetoworkingmen.Andwhenheputall
thattogether,hewasgoingtohaveafalsepictureofapennilessyoungwomanouttocatchawealthy
mananywayshecould.ThefactthatsheflirtedwithhimatEasterwouldtakeonnewmeaning.And
therewasnothing,absolutelynothing,shecoulddotoconvincehimthathewaswrong,becausenow
he'dthinkshewasaliar.Chancesweregoodthathe'dalsodoubtherinnocence,thinkitwaspartof
theact,partofherplantotraphimintomarriage.Shefelttearswellingupinhereyes.

"Coffee'shot!"shesaidassheputhercupdownwithalaugh,hopingtoexplainhersuddentears.

"Supposewetakethepotinthere,"Jennasuggestedicily,"andpouritoverMr.

Billingsly'shead?Whatabunchofrot!Andmybig,dumbbrothersittingtherelookingasifhe
believedeveryword!Menarethestupidest...!"

"Whatanexcellentsuggestion,"Marysaid,herusuallykindfacedrawnintotautlines."AndI'llhave
thedailymaidputhiminthegreenguestroom.Ithasthelumpymattress,remember?"sheaddedwith
amalicioussmile."Mother,you'reajewel."Jennagrinned."IthinkI'llgolookforafewrockstotuck
inamongthelumps,"Teddisaidwithawansmile."Seeyoulater."

Shewalkedout,aslim,dejectedfigure,andtwopairsofpained,sympatheticeyesfollowedher.-She
wasexpectingKingtoconfrontherandminuteslaterhefoundherinthemoonlitgardenbehindthe
houseandpausedjustinfrontofher."Brucetoldmewhatgoodfriendsyoutwowere,"hemocked.
Hisdarkeninggrayeyescutatherashespoke."Ineverknewuntiltodaywhethertobelievehim."

"Butthisevening'sperformanceconvincedyou,"shereplied.

"Ibegyourpardon?"

"Nevermind,"shesaid,turningdejectedlyaway."Naturallyyoubelievedeverywordhesaid,itonly
confirmedyourownsterlingopinionofme."

"Aren'tyougoingtodenyit?"hechallenged.

"No,"sherepliedstiffly."Ican'tseethatitmakesthatmuchdifference."

Hestaredathersmall,stiffback,hiseyesdoubtful,uncertain.Butshedidn'tturn,andshemissedthe
expressionthatcrossedhishardface.

"Thinkhowfortunateyouweretohavebeensavedfrommeinthenickoftime,"shesaidoverher
shoulderasshestartedtowardthehouse."GoodoldBruce,he'saknight,heis."

"Howmuchofthatinnocencewasanact?"heaskedcoldly.

She'dknownthatquestionwouldcome,andshewasreadyforit.Ifhewantedtobelievelies,she'd
givehimsomemore,thebeast!"Allofit,darling,"shetaunted,battinghereyelashesathim,while
herheartsplinteredinherchest.

"That'swhatyoubelieve,isn'tit,andKingstonDevereauxnevermakesmistakesaboutwomen,"she
remindedhim,usinghisownwords.

Shewalkedawayandlefthimstandingthere.WhatgoodwouldithavedonetocontradictBruce
anyway?Sheconsoledherself.Themorninghadonlybeenadream.

Inthedaysthatfollowed,Brucedoggedhereverystep.TheonlygoodthingaboutitwasthatKing
kepthisnosetothegrindstone,withasingle-mindednessthatraisedJenna'spaleeyebrows.

ThetimeinevitablycamewhensheandBruceconfrontedeachother,unexpectedlyonemorningwhen
JennaandBlakelyhadinvitedTedditogoforaswim.She'drushedtogetawayfromBruce'shoteyes
andKing'scoldones,hurriedlydonningherpaleyellowtwo-piecesuitandthrowingasundressover
it.

AlongwhistlemetherasshecamedownthestaircasetofindBruceloungingagainstthestudydoor,
watchingher.

"Yougetlovelierbytheday,"hetoldher."Teddi,whenareyougoingtostopavoidingme?"

"Never,"shetoldhimbluntly."Look,Idon'twanttohurtyourfeelings,butI'vetoldyouuntilI'mblue
inthefacethatIdon'tfeelthatwayaboutyou!Whycan'tyoujustleavemealone?"

"BecauseIlearnedyoungthatamancangetanythinghewantsifhekeepsafteritlongenough,"he
repliedconfidently.

"Notpeople,"shereplied."Noteverpeople.Youcan'tforcepeopletolove,Bruce."

"Thegrinwidened."Who'stalkingaboutlove?"hemurmured,eyeingherbody.

Shestiffened."I'mnotreadyforthatkindofrelationshipwithanyman."

"Soyousaid,"hemurmured,"butthere'sfireunderallthatice,I'dbetmyrightarmonit.Icould
makeyouchangeyourmind.There'sneverbeenawomanIcouldn'tget,"headdedwithhateful
confidence.

"Meet.numberone,"shehurledback,tiredofarguing."Idon'twantyou,can'tyougetthatthrough
yourthickskull!"

"Whodoyouwant,thecattlebaron?"hegrowled."Itwon'twork,Teddi,I'mnothandingyouoverto
himwithoutafight.Isawyoufirst."

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"

"I'vetoldKingthingsaboutyou,"hesaidhuskily."Noneofitveryflattering,buthebelievedit.Ican
makeitevenworseifyoudon'tplayball.You'remygirl,andI'mnotgivingyouup."

"Look,willyoujustleavemealone?"sheburstout,feelinghercontrolsnap.

"Ican't,"hemurmured.Hiseyesleeredather."You'reaknockout,doyouknow?

Youdrivemewild,"heconcluded,andhisdesirefoundexpressioninhiseyesashemovedforward.
Hecaughtherbeforeshecouldreactanddraggedherintohisarms,emotioncloudinghiseyesashe
forcedhertobestill,despiteherstruggles.

"Turnmeloose,"shegroundout,tryingtofindenoughspacetokickhisshin.

"Notonyourlife,"hegrumbled,bruisingherwithhistighthold."YouthrewmeoveratEaster.You
toremypridetoshreds.Wouldn'tevenletmegetclose,givemeachancetogettoknowyou.Well,
hereIamandhereyouare,andthistimeyou'regoingtospendsometimewithmeorI'llruinyou
withyourrichfriends.Ididn'thaveoldMr.MurraysendmeoutheretodoKing'sbooksfornothing
..."

"Thinkso?"sheasked.Shedippedsuddenlyandbroughtherfootdownsharplyonhisinstep.

Hecriedoutandshetoreawayfromhim,breathinghard,herhairandeyeswild.

ItwasatthatmomentthatKingcameinthedoor.HissharpeyeswentfromTeddi'sdisheveled
appearancetohisaccountant'spainedexpression.Immediately,hejumpedtohisownconclusions.

"I'llremindyouthatyou'reworkingonmytime,"KingtoldBrucewithbarelycontrolledanger."That
doesn'tallowyoutheluxuryofflirtingwithTeddi.

Clear?"

Bruceshrugged,shootingalightningglanceatTeddi."Whateveryousay,Mr.

Devereaux.Myfault.Ishouldn'thaveletmyselfbetempted,"headdeddamninglyasheturnedand
wentbackintothestudy.

"Leavehimalone,"Kingtoldhercoldly,hiseyescontemptuousastheyranthelengthofherbody."I
shouldhavefollowedmyinstinctsandletyougotoNewYorkinthefirstplace.We'reasmall
communityhere,withold-fashionedmoralvalues.

IfIcatchyouplayingaroundwithyourboyfriendundermyroof,you'llbothgooutonyourears."

Andbeforeshecouldvoicethefuriousreplyhermindwasforming,hefollowedBruceintothestudy
andslammedthedoorinherface.

Minuteslater,shewasfuminginthecold,clearwateroftheriver.

"Kingagain?"JennaaskedassoonasBlakelyleftthemtodressinthesecludedshadeofsomenearby
bushes.

"Howeverdidyouguess?"Teddiaskedwithawearysigh.

"Oh,I'mgettingquitegoodatmindreading,"cametheamusedreply."He'sgivingyouaroughtime
aboutBruce,huh?Theidiot.He'sjustimpossiblelately.EversinceBrucecame,infact."Sheglanced
atTeddi."Doesn'theactjealous,though?"

shemused.

Teddi'sfacewassuffusedwithcolor."King?Jealousofme?"

"Whydon'tyoutellhimthetruth?"Jennaaskedastheyclimbedoutofthewater.

Shepausedandturnedtofaceherfriend."Teddi,whathaveyougottolose?"

"Myself-respect,mypride,my—"

"Youcandowithoutthose.ButcanyoudowithoutKing?"

Teddilethereyesdroptotheground,wherethesunshiningthroughtheleaveswasmakingshadow
patterns."I'vedoneverywellwithouthimforalmostsixyears,"shemurmured.

"Hefeelssomething,"Jennasaidquietly."Webothknowthat.Butunlessyoumakehimseethetruth,
he'sverylikelytowallhisemotionsupforgoodwhereyou'reconcerned."

Thatwaspossible.Andhehadfeltsomething,Teddiknewthatbetterthanherfrienddid,
rememberingthehungerofhishardmouth,theurgencyofhisbodyagainsthersthatmagicmorning
inthewoods.Kinghaddashedherpridetosliversonce—couldshetakeitifhedidthatagain?Onthe
otherhand,nooneachievedanythingworthwhilewithoutcourage.Therewerenogreatrewards
withoutgreatrisks.

Shetookadeepbreath."Well,Ican'tlookanyworseinhiseyesthanIalreadydo,canI?"sheasked
withawhimsicalsmile.

"HewasgoingouttocheckthestockthismorningafterhefinishedwithBruce,"

Jennamurmured."Youmightfindhiminthestables."

"Whatasmellyplacetochaseaman,"Teddigrumbled.

"Atleastit'sprivate,"Jennalaughed."Uh,BlakelyandIdiscoveredthatearlyon.Nowgetoutthere
andfight.Justrememberonething—youcatchmoreflieswithhoneythanyoucanwithvinegar."

Teddisighed."There'sjustonethingwrongwiththatphilosophy.""What'sthat?"

Teddigaveheramischievousglance."Who'sgoingtoholdKingwhileIsmearhoneyonhim?"

Jennasimplythrewupherhands.

ThewalktothestableswasthelongestTeddieverrememberedmaking.

Severaltimesshealmostdecidedtoturnandgobacktothehouse.The"whatifs"

droveherwild.Whatifhedidn'tbelieveher?Whatifshetoldhimhowmuchshelovedhim,andhe
laughedather?Whatifshethrewherarmsaroundhim,andhepushedheraway?Itwasinsane,this
ideaofJenna's.Shefeltasenseofforeboding.Therewasstilltime,shecouldturnback.Butwhatif
shedid,andKingturnedawayfromherforever?

Resolutelysheforcedherselfnottoworryaboutherstilldamphair,aboutherbarenessunderthe
sundress.Inherhaste,shehadthrownonthedress,leavingherwetbathingsuitwithJenna.

Sheenteredthedimlylitbarn,blinkinghereyestoadjustthemtothedarknessinside.Hergazeliton
ashadowthatmovedintoviewoutofoneoftheneathay-filledstalls.

ItwasKing,denim-cladandpowerfullooking,andasunyieldingasthewalls.

"Lookingforyourlover?"heaskedinamockingtone.

"No,actually,Iwaslookingforyou,"shesaidbeforehercouragedesertedher.

Heliftedhishead,lookingdownatherwithhislipsslightlypursed,studyingherslenderyoungbody,
whichwasonlybarelycoveredbytheyellowandwhiteginghamdress.Itwasaseductivelittle
coverup,heldoverherbreastsbyanarrowbandofelastic,elasticizedatthewaist,barelybrushing
herkneesatthehem.Herfeetwereencasedinstrappylittlewhitesandals.Thepictureshemadewas
oneofsunnyinnocence,joyfulyouth.

AglimmerofpassionappearedinKing'shardfaceashelookedather,andthattinychinkinhis
armorgaveherenoughnervetoapproachhim.Hewasn'tindifferenttoher,thatwascertainenough.
Andallhersmalldoubtswereinstantlyerasedwhenshepressedherhandsagainsthisdampshirt
frontandmovedclose.Hisheartwasbeatingtoohard,hisbroadchestrisingandfallingmuchtoo
rapidlyforacalmman.Thetautnessofhisbodygaveheranswerstoquestionsshewouldn'thave
daredask.

"Nowwillyoulistentome?"sheasked,lookingupintodarkening,stormyeyes.Herhandsflattened
againsthisshirt,faintlycaressing."Bruceisjustgettingevenwithme.Earlierthisyear,hewantedto
datemeandIwouldn'tgooutwithhim.Ithurthispride,andnowhe'soutforrevenge.Idon'twant
Bruce.I...Iwantyou,King,"shebreathed,goingontiptoetobrushherhpsagainsthisthroat,hischin,
thecornerofhismouth.Boldwithnewconfidence,feelingforthefirsttimelikeawholewoman
insteadofafrightenedgirl,shereacheduptolockherfingersinhisthickhairandpressedher
hungrylipsagainsthishard,unyieldingmouth.

"Oh,kissme,"shebreathedachingly,pressingclosertohishard,tautbodywithahungerthatflared
likeamatchthrownintodrywood."Kissme!"

Steelyfingerssuddenlybitintoherarmsandtoreloosehergriponhim.Hethrustherfromhimwith
aforcethatalmosttrippedher.Shecaughtherbalance,staringathimwithwide,apprehensiveeyes.

"Don'tyouever,"hesaidinavoicelikearazor'sedge,"trythatwithmeagain!

MyGod,everythinghesaidaboutyouwasthetruth,wasn'tit?"Hisaccusingeyessweptoverher.
"Thisistherealyou,isn'tit,darling?Eager,willing,wanton...andthereIwas,treatingyoulike
porcelainbecauseIdidn'twanttofrightenyou.Frightenyou!Howmuchdoyougetforanight,
Teddi?"heaskedwithahalfsmilethatsickenedher."Maybewecanworksomethingout."

Devastated,shewrappedherarmsaroundhertremblingbodyandturnedtoleave.

"Nocomeback?"hetaunted."What'sthematter,areyouholdingoutforaring?Nochance,honey.
You'llhavetoplyyourwilesonsomeotherrichrancher,Ijustwentoffthemarket!"

Sheturnedattheentrancetothebarnandlookedbackathim."Firstbloodtoyou,Mr.Devereaux,"
shesaidwithcoolpride."You'rewrongaboutme.Youalwayshavebeen.You'llbelieveanything
you'retold,aslongasit'ssomethingbad,won'tyou?Well,I'mnomoreahookerthanyouarea
gentleman,andsomedayyou'llfindthatout.Notthatitwillmakeanydifferencetome.Richornot,I
wantnopartofamanwho'smorallyblind."

Andsheturnedandwalkedaway.

Kingdidn'tcomeinfordinnerthatnight,andTeddipleadedasplittingheadacheandstayedinher
roomthatnight.

Theheadachewasrealenough,shetoldherself—sixfootthreewithblondhairandgrayeyesandthe
farsightednessofamole.

She'djustpulledonalongyellowcottonnightgownwhentherewasaknockatherdoor.

Shestaredatitblankly."Who'sthere?"

Therewasnoanswer.Maybe...shebrightened.MaybeitwasKing;maybehe'dhadsecondthoughts
andhadfinallydecidedtolisten.Shewenttothedoorandpulleditopen.Bruce,inhispajamasand
robe,stoodoutsidegrinningather.

Shetriedtoshutthedoor,buthewouldn'tlether.Heforcedherbackintotheroom,leavingthedoor
carefullyopen,likeamanwithamasterplanwhowouldn'tbrookinterference.

"Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?"shecried,strugglingwithhimasheforcedherbackagainstthe
bed.

"It'scalledthecoupdegrace,darling,"hesaidinanundertone,abruptlypushingherbackontothe
bedcoversjustbeforehethrewhimselfdownbesideherandburiedhisfaceinherthroat."Guess
who'scomingupthestairs?"

Shepushedfutilelyathim,barelyavoidinghishotmouthasitwentacrosshercheekandtriedto
catchherlips.

Shecringedwhensheheardthedoorsuddenlyopenevenfarther.Turningherhead,shesawKing
standinginthedoorway,watchingwithcondemningeyes.

Brucesatupandranahandthroughhisdisheveledhair,grinningatKing.

darlingenemy

"Sorryaboutthat,"hetoldhisemployer."Wegotcarriedawayandforgottoclosethedoor."

Kingglancedfromtheyoungerman,cladonlyinarobe,toTeddi,dressedinthesemisheercotton
nightgown.Thecontemptinhisfacewasunbearable.

"I'llexpectyoubothtobepackedandoutofherebytomorrowmorning,"Kingsaidinaquiet,very
controlledtone.

Brucegapedathim,asifhehadn'texpectedanythingsodrastic."But,King...

Mr.Devereaux...whatwillItellmyfirm?"

"That'syouraffair,"Kingsaidcoldly."I'llletyouexplainitafterI'vegiventhemthebarefactsand
requestedanotheraccountant.Iwarnedyouaboutplayingaroundundermyroof.Youmighthave
listened."

"But—!"Brucecutshorthisprotestwhenthedoorslammedshut.

Hestaredatit,bug-eyed."Hedidn'tmeanthat,surely!"

"Ofcoursehemeantit,"Teddisaidnumbly.Shegotoffthebedandtuggedonherthicktoweling
robe.Shefeltherworldendingwithasenseofquietinevitability.

"Ididn'tthinkhe'dreactlikethat,"Brucechokedout."Ijustwantedtomakesurehedidn'tsnapyouup
beforeIhadonemorechance,that'sall."

"Snapmeup."Teddilaughedbitterly,shovingherhandsinthedeeppocketsofherrobe."He'shated
meforfiveyears.He'salwaysbelievedIwassomesortofnymphomaniac.Youonlyconfirmedhis
darkestsuspicions.Butitbackfired,didn'tit?"

Hesighedwearily."Ifeelsick,"hemumbled."I'vegotcarpayments,myrent'sdue

...andwhenthefirmfindsoutI'vebeensentback,Imaylosemyjob."

"I'msorry,"shesaid,"butyoudidbringitonyourself.ItoldyouhowIfelt.

Youjustwouldn'tlisten.Wouldyoupleasego?"

Helookedup,noticingforthefirsttimethetearsrunningdownherpalecheeks,thehorrible
expressioninhereyes."Youlovehim,"hesaidwithdawningrealization.

Shehunchedherdroopedshoulders."Ihadatinychancebeforeyoucame.Nowthere'snochanceat
all.Ihopelifeisasemptyforyouasyou'vejustmadeitforme,"sheaddedwithaflashofspirit.

Heseemedtoshrinkbeforehereyes."Ifit'sanyconsolation,Ifeellikeaprizeidiot.Imeanttoupset
thecart,anywayIcould,becauseIwantedtomakeyounoticeme.Icouldn'tcompetewithKing—who
could?Andthewayhelookedatyou..

.well,IthoughtifIcouldgetthecompetitionoutoftheway,Imightstillhaveachance."Hemether
eyes,andtherewassadnessinhis."I'veneverfeltthiswayaboutawoman.Youwerelikean
obsession."Hesighed."Atanyrate,Iamsorry,forwhatgooditdoes."

"Notverymuch,I'mafraid,"shesaidhonestly.

"AsIthought.Well...goodnight.I'llseeyouinthemorning.PerhapsifIexplainedtoKing...?"

Shesmiledsadly."Hewouldn'tlisten,"shereplied."Whenhemakesuphismind,that'sit."

"Ireallyamsorry,"headdedjustbeforehelefttheroom.

Butshedidn'treply.Whatelsewastheretosay?

Itwaslatebeforeshefinallygottosleep,andshedraggedoutofbedthenextmorningwitheyesthat
wereredfromthecombinationoftearsandinsomnia.Shepackedbeforeshewentdownstairs,
knowingthatKinghadmeanteverywordofthattersecommandthenightbefore.

Shewentintothediningroomattheusualtimeforbreakfast,expectingandhopingtoseeKing
alreadygone.Buthewassittingatthetablebyhimself,acupofcoffeeinfrontofhim,andnothing
else.

Shemovedintotheroomwithabravadoshedidn'tfeel,elegantinherwhitepleatedskirt,whitegauze
blouse,andblackbolerojacket.

"CouldIhaveacupofcoffee?"sheasked,intimidatedbytheexpressiononhishardface,the
glitteringangerinhisdeep-seteyes.Hewaswearingbrowndenimswithapulloverbeigeshirt,and
despitehisfairhair,helookeddarkandforboding.

"Helpyourself,darling,"hesaidcoldly.

Shesatdownasfarawayfromhimasshecouldgetandpouredherselfacupofblackcoffeefromthe
potonthewarmer.Themahoganydiningtablewaslong,andshefeltuncomfortableseatedatoneend
inherbrocade-upholsteredchair.SheglancedfromthecrystalprismsofthechandeliertoKing,
silhouettedagainstthedrawnpalejadecurtainsatthewindowbehindhim.

"Is...isJennacomingdown?"sheaskedfal-teringly.

"Sheandmotherhavealreadybeendown,"hesaidcurtly."Iaskedthemtostayupstairsuntilyouleft.
I'vetoldmysisterthatifshecontinuesherfriendshipwithyou,I'llsendheryoungBlakelytothe
Australianpropertyforanindefinitestay."

Thepurechauvinismoftheremarkmadeherbristle."Inchains?"sheaskedwithacoolsmile."Or
perhapsyouthoughtyou'dmakehimswimthePacificwhileyourowedalongsideyelling
suggestions?"

Hisfacewentharder."Myfamily'sbusinessisnolongeranyofyourconcern,"hesaidremotely.
"Yourfriendshouldbedownanyminute.I'velenthimavehicletodriveyouintoCalgary.I'llhaveit
pickeduplater."

Shestaredintohercoffee,toodrainedofemotiontoevencry.NotonlywasshelosingKing,but
Jennawastobeforbiddenanycontactwithher.Heronlyfriend..

..

"DoyouhaveenoughmoneytogettoNewYork?"heaskedwithcasualpoliteness.

"Yes,"shebitoff.

Hefinishedhiscoffeeandsetthecupdownfirmly."Howisheinbed?"heasked,lashingout
unexpectedly.

Hereyesjerkedupandsheglaredathimwithpainandangerineverylineofherpaleface."Just
great,thanks!"shethrewathim."Hecouldgiveyoulessons!"

"Youlittletramp!"hebreathed.Hewasonhisfeetbeforeshecouldmove,reachingdowntodragher
outofthechairandupintohishardarms.

"Putmedown!"shecried,fighting.Buthewasstrong—muchstrongerthanBrucehadbeen.He
carriedher,squirming,intohisstudyandkickedthedoorshutbehindthemwithoutevenbreaking
stride.

Hethrewherdownontothelong,leathersofaandstoodoverher,breathingroughly,hisfacelivid
withbarelyleashedfury.

Hepausedjustlongenoughtoripofftheknitshirt,baringachestwithbronzedmusclesunderathick
wedgeofcurlingdarkblondhair,beforehecamedownbesideher.

"Goahead,darling,fightme,"hegroundout,controllingherstruggleseasilyashismouthcrushed
downonhers."It'lljustmakeitthatmuchmoreintensewhenImakeyousubmit."

Shefelthishandsonherbody,carelessofhurtingher,whileshetriedvainlytopushhimaway,to
freeherself.Shelovedhim,butwhathewasdoingtoherwasmonstrous.Hermindreeledbacktothat
long-agonight,tothefeelofthatdrunkenbeast'scruelhands,thehotsearchingofhismouth.She
criedout,butKingdidn'tseemtohear.

Hedraggedherblouseawayfromherskirt,and

hishandswentroughlyunderit,easilydisposingofthelacyobstacles,tofindherbare,softfleshwith
roughfingers.

Itwasjustlikethatlong-agonight,andshewasfightingsuddenlyforallshewasworth,mindlessly
fightinginablindfury,sobbing,crying,herfacecontortedintoamaskofpanic-strickenterror.

Hishandswerebusyagain,onthebuttonsofherblouse,andbeforeshecouldstophim,thefabric
wassuddenlyoutoftheway,andKingdrewback.Heheldherbythewrists,hiseyescloudyashe
studiedherwrithingbody,herwhiteface,herwide,frightenedeyes.

Hestoodpoisedthere,likeamanbarelyabletothinkatall,staringdownatherhalf-nudebody,bare
fromthewaistupwhereherblousewaspushedaside.Foraninstant,hisgazewasrivetedtothesoft,
moundsofherbreastsandhedraggedinbreathslikeamandyingofoxygendeprivation.Didshe
imagineit,orwasthereasofteninginhisface,didhissteelyfingersrelaxjustalittle'wherethey
werebitingintoherwrists?

"Please,"shewhisperedbrokenly."Please,King,don'thurtme!"

Somethingsnappedinhimatthehuskysobofhervoice.Helookedbackupatherface,andshe
watchedtheconflictingemotionswarinhiseyes.

"Teddi?"hemurmured,seemingtosnapbacktosanityasherealizedhowfrightenedshewas.

Helethergoallatonceandwatched,frozen,asshedraggedherblousearoundherselfandhuddled
intothecornerofthesofa,cryinglikeaterrifiedchildinthedark,inlittlebreathless,brokensobs
thatechoedthroughtheroom.

"Iwouldn'thaveforcedyou,"hemanagedtautly,hiseyesneverleavingher."Mustyouhavehysterics
everytimeItouchyou?"

"Iwasfourteen,"shesaidinastrangledvoice."Dillywasgoingwithadecoratorwho...whotooka
fancytome.Onenighttheyhadaterribleargumentandshe...shestormedoutoftheapartmentand
didn'tcomeback.He'dbeendrinking,andIthoughtI'dbesaferifIwenttomyroom."Shelaughed
brokenly,avoidinghiseyes."Ialmostmadeit.Hecaughtmeatthedooranddraggedmebacktothe
couchandtorehalfmyclothesoff."Hereyesclosedandshecringed."Hewaslikeawildanimal.He
hurtmeterriblyhandsalloverme,horriblewetkisses...andjustbeforehetriedtoforceme,he
heardDillyatthedoor."Sheshiveredatthememory.Shecouldn'tevenlookatKing.Itwouldhave
beenarevelationtoherifshehad,becausehisfeatureshadtakenonthelookofamanbeingdragged
apartbyateamofhorses.

Sheswallowed."Hethoughthewasirresistible,yousee,anditmadehimangrythatIfought.He
slappedmearoundquitealot,andthendaredmetotellDilly.Shedidn'tevenquestionthemarkson
me,"sheaddedwithabittersmile.

Shemanagedtofastenherblouseinthesilencethatfollowed."I'veneversleptwithBruce,"shesaid

finally."I'veneversleptwithanyman.Justthethoughtofit...terrifiesme.I...Ithoughtforalittle
whilethatImightbeabletoacceptmorethankisses...withyou,atleast,"shewhispered."Butnot
anymore."

Shestoodup,turningtowardthedoor.

"ThatwaswhyyouweresofrightenedofmeinthecaronthewaybackfromBanff,"

hesaidquietly.

"Yes,"shetoldhim."I...Isupposethescarsgoprettydeep.Hewas...quitebrutal.""Teddi!"

Shepausedwithherhandonthedoorknob,butshecouldn'tlookathim."I'llgowithBruce,"shesaid
withgentlepride."AndifyoustillwantmetokeepawayfromJenna,Iwill."

"Oh,God,don'tturntheknife!"hesaidinabarelyaudibletone.Hestartedtowardher,butsheopened
thedoorandmovedquicklyawayfromhim.

Heflinched."Iwon'thurtyou,"hesaid,hesitating.

"Soyoupromisedmeoncebefore,"sheremindedhim,chokingonthewords."IthinkI'ddieifyou
touchedmeagain.Please...allIwantistogetawayfromyou!"

Sheturned,obliviousofthelookonhisface,andranallthewayupstairstoherroom.Shedidn't
leaveituntilsheheardJenna'sconcernedvoiceontheotherside.Sheopenedthedoorandran
straightintoherfriend'soutstretchedarms.

Chaptereight

TheonlygoodthingaboutTeddi'sabruptarrivalinNewYorkwasthatDillywasstillaway.There
wasacurtlittlenoteonthecoffeetabletellingherthatherauntwouldmostlikelybeawayuntillate
September.

Teddicalledheragencyfirstthing,andwaspleasedtohearthattheyhadworkforherrightaway.

"VelvetMothishavingashowingSaturdayforbuyersandthepress,"Mandyburstout
enthusiastically."ItoldMr.Sethwickthatyouwereoutoftown,butheinsistedthatheonlywantedyou
todohisnewgown.Hecallsitthe'firemistspecial,'"sheadded,teasing."Ifyouaccept,you'llneeda
fittingatJomar'sinthemorningatten.AndLovewearwantsagirlforamillineryad,ifyou're
interested

142

inagosee.There'sanopencallThursdaymorningatnine,there.I'vegotaweatherpermittingfora
softdrinkcommercialaswell—you'dfittheclient'srequirementsverywell."

Aweatherpermittingassignmentwouldmeanacancellationfeeifitfellthrough,andTeddijumpedat
it.Itwouldmeanmoreexposure,too.Butshewascautious.

"Who'sshootingit?"sheaskedquicklybeforesheaccepted.

"Ronnie,rememberhim?"Camethelaughingreplyfromheragent.

"Aslongasit'snotthatcrazyIrishman,"Teddisaidwitharelievedsigh."Doyouremember,hemade
mejumpthewallinthathosierycommercialhewasshootingnolessthanfiftytimes?Iwasanervous
wreckwhenwefinished,anditcostmetwelvepairofhosebecauseofthesnags!"

"Ihearhe'sgivenupfashionphotographyandgoneintofilms,"Mandytoldher.

"Andnextthing,"Teddimurmured,"we'llhearaboutafilmproducergoingbankruptonretakes."

Mandygiggled."Nodoubt.Well,I'llgetbacktoyouonthecommercial,andkeepintouchtomorrow.
Welcomeback,bytheway.HowwasCanada?"

"Cold,"Teddisaidwithoutfurtherado,andhungup.

Thenextfewdayswentbyinaflash.Shemadesurethatshedidn'thavetimetothinkaboutKing.
Mandyoutdidherselfinbookings.Teddididtwocommercials,theVelvetMothfashionshow,a
photographysessionforthemillineryad,andthreephotographicsessionsforotherads.Bytheend
oftheweek,shewasexhausted.ShespentSundaywithherfeetinahottubofwaterandcountedher
blessings.She'dmadeenoughtopaynextsemester'sfeesandwouldhavejustenoughleftoverwhen
allthecheckscametopayherairfarebacktoschool.

Theslumpseasoninthefashionindustrywasjustdowntheroad,butifsheworkedalittleharder,she

mightsaveupanesteggtocarryherthroughtherestoftheyear.Andtherestaurantjobnearthe
collegewouldkeepherinclothesandincidentals.

Thatnight,herdreamswerewildanddisturbedandfullofKing.Shewokeupatfourinthemorning
crying,andgotuptomakecoffee.Wouldsheeverforgethiscrueltytoher,thecheapwayhe'dtreated
her?Wouldsheeverstopthinkingaboutthewayithadbeenthatmorningtheywentriding,when,for
thefirsttime,shewasn'tafraid,whenshewasabletogive,toopenherheart,tolovehim?

Shegotdressedinslacksandaloosewhiteblousewithhighheeledsandalsandwaitedimpatientlyfor
theagencytoopensothatshecouldcallMandyandseeiftherewereanyjobsforher.Shetooka
longtimeoverhermakeup,didhernailscarefully,packedhercarryallwiththeessentialsofhertrade
—brush,comb,makeup,tissues,shoes,hairpiecesandclothes,anythingshemightneedduringa
shooting—andwanderedaroundthelivingroomoftheapartmenttowatchthesunriseoverthe
sleepingcity.

Why,oh,whydidKingalwayshavetothinktheworstofher?Shestillcringedatthememoryofhis
handshurtingher,hiseyescontemptuousastheystareddownatherbareness.Ithadn'tallbeen
contempt,sheremindedherself.Foraninstanthehadseemedtobeawedbyher,savagelyhungryfor
thesightandfeelofher.Ofcourse,anymancouldfeeldesireinthosecircumstances,itmeant
nothing.ThethingthatpuzzledherwashisunreasonableangeraboutBruce.Jealousywouldexplain
suchfury,butKingwasn'tjealousofher,howcouldhebewhenhethoughtsolittleofher?But...
whyhadhefiredBruce?Sincehiscontemptwasmainlyforher,whypunishamanhethoughtshe'd
tempted?

Shesippedherlukewarmcoffeewithagrimaceofdistaste.Howharditwastokillhope,shethought
miserably.Allthewaytotheairport,withBrucecontriteandworriedbesideher,she'dhopedagainst
hopethatKingwouldcomeafterher.Buthehadn't.Shehadn'tseenhimagain,aftersheleftthestudy.
Whenshe'dgonedownstairs,leavingJennabehind,Brucehadbeenwaiting,quietandsubdued,and
Kinghadn'tevenstayedaroundlongenoughtosaygood-bye.

Eventhefirstfewdaysshe'dbeenhome,shewonderedifKingmightcall.Buthehadn't.Whyshould
he?sheaskedherself,laughingaloudatherownidiocy.Hedidn'tcare.Ifhefeltanythingnow,itwas
probablyguiltoverhistreatmentofher—ifhishatredwouldpermitthat.Atleastnowthatheknew
thetruth,perhapshethoughtlessharshlyofher.

King.Hereyespicturedhimandclosedonanewwaveoftears.Wouldsheevergetusedtobeing
apartfromhim?Everydayshelivedwasfilledwiththatkindoflonelinessthatonlythosewholove
invainunderstand.IthadalwaysbeenKing,fromthetimeshewasfifteenandgotherfirstlookat
him.There'dbeenboysshedated,butnoneofthemcouldholdherinterest.Kingwassomuchaman,
sofarremovedfromordinarymen.Nowshecouldn'tsettleforless.

Angrily,shedashedawaythetearsandgottoherfeet.Whatsheneeded,shedecided,wasanothercup
ofhotcoffee.

Mandycalledanhourlater,fullofenthusiasm."Lovewearwantsyouatnine,"shetoldTeddi."Can
youmakeit?It'sforaninterviewonthreecommercialsfortheirnewlineofjeans!"

"CanImakeit?Areyoukidding?"Teddilaughed."I'llcrawlthereonmykneesifIcan'tcatchacab.
Thanks,Mandy!"

Shesnatchedupherportfoliowiththecompositessafelytuckedawayinside,andpausedjustlong
enoughtograbhersmallshoulderbagbeforesherushedintotheelevator,cursingtheincredibly
highheelsthatshecouldn'ttaketimetochange.

Shedartedthroughthedoorandoutontothesidewalk,makingawilddashforthefirstcabshesaw
pullingupatthecurb.Shemisjudgedthestep,andinanincredibleseriesofstumbles,exacerbated

darlingenemy

bythehighheels,shemanagedtolandherselfjustpastthecab'sfrontbumper,rightinthepathofan
oncomingcar.

Wide-eyed,helpless,shecouldseethedisastercoming,buttherewasnothingintheworldshecould
dointhatsplitsecondtosaveherself.Likeaspectatorwatchingherownbody,sheobservedwithan
inhumancalmness.Thenshefeltasuddencoldemptiness,numbness,andscreamsfollowedherdown
intothedarkness.

ChapterNine

Thenextfewhourswentbyinahazeofterriblepain,urgentvoices,movementandsirens,followed
byvisionsofwhiteclothingandsilverymetaland,finally,completenumbness.

Whensheregainedfullconsciousness,shewasawareofpaininherfaceandherrightleganda
bruisedfeelingovermostofherbody.Addedtoitall,shehadasplittingheadache.

Hereyesopenedslowly,staringupatasmall,dark-eyednursewhowastakingherbloodpressure.
Therewasathermometerinhermouth,andshewatchedthenursetakeitoutandreadit.

"Hi,"thenursesaidgently."Feeluptoafewquestionsnow?"

"Ithink...so."Teddi'shandwenttoherface,148

andshefeltathickpaddingofbandagesfromhertempletoherchin.

"It'sallright,"thenursesaidquickly."Nothingthatwon'theal."

Teddiswallowed."Whatelse?"sheasked,turningtonoticeforthefirsttimethebandagesonherright
legwherethecoversweredisheveled.

"Dr.Forbeswilltellyouallaboutit,"shewasassured,"whenhemakeshisroundsinabout,"thenurse
checkedherwatch,"thirtyminutes.Butfornow,I'mgoingtosenddownsomeonefromadmissions
andletthemgettheirinformation,ifyou'resureyou'reuptoit?"

"Yes,I'm...I'mfine,"shesaidwithoutanyconviction.Herfaceandlegwereobviouslydamagedin
someway,andshecouldonlyguessattherestofherinjuries.Shefeltbruisedallover.

"Just...onething,"shesaidbeforethenurseleft."Iwasonmywaytoaninterview...Inevermadeit,
butcouldsomeonecalltheAmandaRomanTalentAgencyandtellthemwhereIam?I'mamodel."

"Sure,"thenurseassuredherwithagentlesmile."I'lldoitmyself.Whatisyourname,bytheway?
Didyouknow,youweren'tevencarryinganyidentificationonyou?"

"Leftmywalletathomeagain,"Teddigroaned."Weil,noharmdone.I'mTeddiWhitehall."

"I'llmakethecallrightnow,"thenursesaidandshewasgone.

TimedraggedhorriblyuntilDr.Forbes,akind,white-hairedgentlemen,walkedintotellherwhat
waswrong.

"Yourlegwasbadlylacerated,"hebeganquietly,seatinghimselfontheedgeofthebed."Wehadto
dosomecosmeticsurgeryaswerepairedthedamage.That'swhyyourthighmayfeelabit
uncomfortable.That'swherewetookapatchofskinforthegraft.Nottoworry,it'llgrowback
quicklyenough.Thesamecanbedoneforyourfacewhenthestitchescomeout,ifyouthinkyou
wantthat.Thescarwillhealcompletely,intime,withoutit,"headded,watchingherfacegrowwhite.

"My...myleg?"shewhispered.

Hedrewinaslowbreath."Mydear,there'sjustnosimplewaytoputit.Wecanrepairfleshandbone,
toadegree,andcosmeticsurgerywillputitnearlyrightagain.Butwecan'tmakeitasgoodasnew,
youunderstand.Thoseligamentsaregoingtotakealongtimetoheal.Youmaybeleftwithaslight
limp.Ofcourse,furthersurgerycanbeperformed,ifnecessary."

"Ofcourse,"shemurmured,barelyhearinghim.

"Andyouhaveaconcussion,"headdedwithafaintsmile,"asyou'veprobablysuspectedifyourhead
isthrobbingasmuchasIexpect."

"Itisuncomfortable,"sheagreed,touchingit.

"I'llhavethenursegiveyousomethingforit."Hepattedherhand."Don'tworryaboutittoday.Give
yourselftimetoadjusttotheshock.Irealizeitmustseemliketheendoftheworldtoabeautiful
womansuchasyourself,andamodelaswell.Butyouknow,inthelongrun,mostchangesare
beneficial,regardlessofthedisasterstheymightseematfirst.Thedifficultyisnotinsituations,my
dear,butinourattitudetowardthem.Yourscarswillfadebeforeyourealizeit.Afewweeksfrom
now,you'llbemovingaroundquitewell."

Shenodded,hermindwhirlingwithshock.Whatwasshegoingtodo?Thehospitalbillwouldbe
formidable,anditwasclearthatshe'dbeoutofworkforseveralweeksifnotlongerwiththese
disfiguringmarks.Howcouldshecope?

"BearinmindwhatIsaid,"hetoldher,rising."We'llkeepyouhereanotherdayorso,andthenyou'll
havetobecarefulaboutgettingaround,notputtingtoomuchpressureonthatleg.Onceyou'rehome,
you'lldoverywell,I'msure."

"Yes,"sheagreed."Thankyou."

Whenhewasgone,shehuddledunderthebedcovers,staringattheblanktelevisionsetandtheempty
bedinthesemiprivateroom.Teddicouldn'tremembereverfeelingsoalone.Shewashurt,deserted,
withnoonetocareabouther.They'daskedifshewantedthemtonotifyanyonebesidesMandy.But
she'dsaidno.Therewasnoonetotell.Dillywouldonlybeirritatedattheinterruption.Kingdidn't
care,andhe'dforbiddenhertocallJenna.Sheburstintotears,buryingherfaceinherhands.She'd
alwaysbeenstrong,becauseshe'dhadtobe.Butforamoment,shegaveintogrief.Everything
seemedsohopeless.

Thenextmorning,thingslookednobrighter,butTeddiwasbeginningtothinkshemightcopebetter
alittlefartherdowntheroad.Towardthatend,sheaskedaboutbeingreleasedfromthehospital.In
thefirstplace,sheexplainedtoDr.Forbes,shejustdidn'thavethefundstocoveralonghospitalstay,
andshehadnoinsurance.Inthesecondplace,she'dfeelmuchmorecomfortableinfamiliar
surroundings.

"Well,"hefrownedthoughtfully,staringatherwithhisthinlipspursed,"istheresomeonethereto
lookafteryou?Youwon'tbeabletodomuchwalking,youknow,andthosedressingswillneedtobe

changed."

"Oh,myauntwillbethere,"sheassuredhim,cringingmentallyatthedeliberatelie.

Heconsideredthematterforaminute."Allright,"heagreedfinally."Butyou'llneedtocometomy
officeinaweekandhavethosestitchesremoved."

"I'llbetherewithbellson,"shepromised.

"Justcallmyofficeandmakeanappointment,"headvised."Now,lookmestraightintheeyeand
promisemeyou'llstayinbedforatleastthreemoredaysbeforeyoutrytogetupandrunroad
races."

Shelookedhimintheeyeandpromised.Itwasashamethatsheburstintoagiggleonthelastword.

Itwashardgoingaloneintheapartment.Shecouldbarelyhobbletothekitchen,evenwiththeaidofa
walkingstick,andeverystephurtlikethedevil.Ifithadn'tbeenforafriendlyneighborhoodgrocery
thatdelivered,sheprobablywouldhavestarvedtodeath.Dillyhadn'tleftanyfoodintheplace,and
themeagersuppliesTeddihadgotteninwhenshearrivedhaddwindledtoacartonofspoiledmilk
andsomestalebread.

Despiteherdiminishedfinances,Teddigavethedeliveryboyalargetip,afterhewaskindenoughto
notonlyputthegroceriesawayforher,butfixhersomesoupandcoffeeaswell.

"Afterall,"shecoaxed,whenhetriedtogiveitback,"withoutyouI'dhavestarved."

"Oh,Idoubtthat,"herepliedwithagrin.

Shefinishedhercoffeeafterhe'dleftandleanedbackagainstthesofa.Asshethoughtofthe
assignmentsshewasprobablymissing,tearsmistedhereyes.Herfingerswenttothebandageonher
cheek.She'dmusteredenoughcouragethatmorningtochangeit,andhadcriedbitterlyatthesightof
theredantiseptic-smearedgasheswiththeiruglyblackstitches.Shelookedlikeanadvertisementfor
ahorrormovie.

Shewassowrappedupinhermorosereflectionsthatitwasseveralmomentsbeforesherealizedthe
phonewasringing.Shestretchedovertopickupthereceiver.

"Hello?"

"Teddi!"Jennacried,relieved."Mygosh,IthoughtI'dneverfindyou!I'vebeencallingtheapartment
everymorningfordayslookingforyou.Wherewereyou,what'sgoingon?"

"I'vebeen...working,"Teddimurmured."Howareyou?"sheasked,fightingdowntearsatthesound
ofherfriend'svoice.

"I'dbefineifIwereanonlychild,"camethegrumblingreply."King'sbeenjustawful.Oh,Teddi,
whatdidhesaytoyou?Doyouknowhegotstonedrunkthenightyouleftandcouldn'tlifthishead

thenextmorning?HeleftsuddenlyforAustraliathatafternoon...butnevermindthat,youragency
saidsomethingaboutanaccident.Icalledthereindesperation,yousee..."

"IflungmyselfunderaCadillac,"Teddimurmured,dryinghertearsonthehemofherblouse.

"Youwhat?"

"Istumbledoffthecurbinmymaddashforacab,"Teddisaidsheepishly."Iwasrushingtoan
interviewwhenIslippedanddidaballeticroutine—totallyimpromptu,youunderstand—underthe
wheelsofabrightyellowCaddie.Didn'tIhavegoodtaste?"

"Areyouallright?"Jennapersisted."Whywereyouinthehospital?"

"Imangledmylegandgotafewcutsandbruises.Otherthanthat,I'mmyusualself."

"Areyoutherealone?IsDillyhome?"

"Heavensno,thankgoodness,"sherepliedwithasigh."Gosh,it'sgoodtohearyourvoice.Iwas
gettingmaudlin,sittingherebymyself."

"Areyousureit'sonlysomecutsandbruises?"Jennaaskedshrewdly,knowingfromlong
acquaintancehowherfriendtendedtominimizethings.

"Only!"Teddilaughed."It'smyrightleg,youknow,theoneIkickpeoplewith!"

"YouknowwhatImean.Andwherearethe

darlingenemy

cuts?Andwhatdidyoumeanaboutyourlegbeingmangled?"

"Nothingmuch,"Teddilied."I'llbefineinafewdays."

"Comeuphereandstaywithme.I'lllookafteryou."

"No!"Teddisaidquickly,visionsofKingappearingbeforehereyes.

"He'sjustcomebackfromAustralia,"Jennasaid,readingtheothergirl'smind.

"Subdued,quiet,hardlythesamemanwholeftherethedayafteryoudid.Themenareshakingin
theirboots,waitingfortheexplosion.Whateverhedidorsaid,Teddi,it'shurthim,too."

"You'resweettooffer,"Teddisaid,"butIcan'tpossiblyleaverightnow.I'vegottobehereifmy
agencycalls.Icouldstillmodelhands,youknow,orhps."

"Oh,"murmuredherblissfullyignorantfriend."Areyoutellingmethetruth?"

"TrulyIam.Look,howareyouandBlakelygettingalong?"

"BlakelyhasdecidedthatIamworthfightingKingfor,"sheinformedTeddismugly.

"HehastoldKingthatheismarryingmeinDecember,whetherKinglikesitornot,andifhecan't
workonGrayStag,therearelotsofotherpropertiesaroundtheareathatwillhirehim.Howabout
that?"

"I'msohappyforyou,"shesaidgenuinely."CanIcometothewedding?"

"Silly,you'regoingtobemaidofhonor.Sodohurryupandheal,won'tyou?"

"Withallpossiblespeed,"Teddipromised.

Hourslater,reflectingonthatconversationwhileshecurleduponthesofainherfluffybluebathrobe
withherachinglegproppedonthecushions,shewonderedifJennahadswallowedtheexplanation.
Herfriendtendedtobesuspiciousevenatthebestoftimes.

Well,shethoughtmiserably,atleastJenna'scallhadbrightenedherdayalittle.

ShewonderedwhyKinghaddartedofftoAustralia—ofcourse,hewasabusyman,andtheranch
washislife.Ranches,shecorrectedherself.Hereyesclosed.Howwasshegoingtoavoidhimat
Jenna'swedding?Thatwasthinkingalongwayahead,ofcourse,andshe'dhadyearsofpracticeat
dodginghim.She'dthinkofsomething.

Nomatterhowmuchithurt,shewasgoingtohavetofindsomewayofneverseeinghimagain.It
wouldmakethelongyearsaheadalittlemorebearable,withoutthesightofhimtotauntherwith
thingsthatmighthavebeen.

Thedoorbellclangedloudlyandsheputdownthemagazineshewasleafingthroughandhobbledto
thedoorwiththehelpofthewalkingstick.She'dorderedsomemoregroceriesfromthestore.Itwas
probablythenicedeliveryboybackagain.

Sheopenedthedoorandstaredwide-eyedatthetall,gray-suitedmanscowlingdownather.

"Hello,Teddi,"KingstonDevereauxsaidquietly.

Shefeltherselffreezing,andallthehurtfulthingshe'dsaidanddonecamebackinarush.Shestared
upathimwithdarkeningeyes.

"I...I'mnotdressedforvisitors,"shesaid."Thankyouforstoppingby,but..."

Heeasedpasther,closedthedoor,andscoopedherupinhishardarms.Thewalkingstickfellfrom
herfingersashecarriedherbacktothesofa,andshesuccumbedforaninstanttotheneedtobeheld,
touchedbyhim.

"Onlyascratch,isthathowthesonggoes?"hegrowled,staringatthebandageonhercheekandthe
oneonherleg,thescratchesandbruisesvisiblewherethesleevesofhersilkygreengownfellaway
fromherforearms.

"Willyouputmedown?"sheasked,struggling.

Heeasedherdownontothesofaandlethergowithobviousreluctance,seatinghimselfclosebeside
her.

"Howbadisit?"heasked,indicatingthebandageonherleg.

Sheshrugged."I'llheal."

"Howbadisit?"herepeatedcurtly.

"Sometornligamentsandanastyscar,"shegrumbled.Herhandwenttothebandage,andherlips
trembledbetrayinglyashereyesfell."Thestitchescomeoutnextweek."

"Whatelse?"hepersisted,hiseyesdarkandstormy.

"Concussion.Somebruises."

Hedrewinadeep,slowbreath."Whythehelldidn'tyoucallme?"

Hereyebrowsarched,hereyeswidened."Wouldn'tthatbeabitlikehavingascratchedchickencall
thefoxforfirstaid?"sheburstout.

"Isupposeitmustseemthatway,afterwhatIdidtoyou,"heagreedgently.Hiseyessearchedhers,as
ifhewereinspectingabelovedpaintinghehadn'tseeninyears."ButIwouldhavecome,allthe
same."

"FromAustralia?"sheasked.

"Fromhell,"hereplied,"ifI'dbeenthere.AnditfeltasifIwere,ifyouwanttoknow.Ihaven'tslepta
fullnightsinceyouleft,rememberingthewayyoulooked....Teddi,fortheloveofheaven,why
didn'tyoutellmeyearsago?"

"HowwouldIhavegoneaboutit?"shehedged,lookingdownatthetinybuttonsonhersatingown.
"Wewereworldsapartallthoseyears,andyouwouldn'thavecaredanyway."Shelaughed."You'd
probablyhaveaccusedmeofleadingthemanoninthefirstplace—"

"Stopit,"hegroundout,runninganirritatedhandthroughhisthickhair."Don'tyouthinkIfeel
enoughlikeaheel,asitis?"

Hewasthepictureofamantormentedbyregreteatinghimalive,andTeddi'scompassionateheart
wastouched.Butshedidn'twanthisguilt.Sheonlywantedhislove,andthatwasoutofherreach
forever.

darlingenemy

"It'sallright,"shesaid"quietly,toyingwithabuttonontheflaredskirtofthegown.

"Haveyoubeenhereallalone,sincetheaccident?"heasked.

Shenodded.Atinysmiletouchedhermouth."Thedeliveryboybroughtmeafewgroceries,and
mademesomesoup."

Sheheardhisharshintakeofbreathandlookeduptoseetormentinhisgrayeyes.

"You'recominghomewithme,"hesaid."IfIhavetocarryyououtofherekickingandscreaming,
I'mtakingyouwhereyou'llbeproperlycaredfor."

"You'vemadeahabitofthatlately,"shesaidcoldly.

Henodded."I'llconcedethatpoint,I'vebeenunjustifiablycrueltoyou."Hestuckhishandsinhis
pockets,stretchingthematerialofhistrousersacrosshisflatbelly,hispowerfulthighs."Ihada
totallydistortedpictureofyoufromthebeginning.Icultivatedit,"headdedwithastrangehalfsmile.
"Itwasmylastlineofdefense.WhenIfinallyadmittedthetruthaboutyoutomyself,allthewalls
wentdown."Heglancedather."Ihaven'ttakenmorethanadrinkortwoinyears,butthedayyouleft,
ItookJoeyintoCalgarywithme,andwecamehomeatthreeinthemorningsinging'Waltzing
Matilda'atthetopofourlungs.Motherwasshocked.ThenextdayItookofffortheAustralian
propertyinadaze,andIfeelasifI'vestayediniteversince.Teddi,Iknowtherewasnothingbetween
youandBillingsly."

Shestaredquietlyintohiseyes."DidBrucecallyou?"sheasked.

Heshookhishead."Hedidn'thaveto.Jennatoldmeeverything.Notthatitwouldhavemattered,once
Icametomysenses.Youcouldn'thavebeenthewayyouwerewithmeinthewoodsthatdayifthere'd
beenanotherman.Andnomoney-hungrywomanworksthewayyouworktoearnyourkeep."

Itwasnicetobebelievedatlast,butwasitguiltmakinghimsaythesethings?

"It...itwaskindofyoutocomeallthiswaytotellme,"shemurmured,confused.

"Icameformorethanthat,"hesaid."Iwanttotouchyou.Areyougoingtoletme,andnotbackaway
thistime?"

Herbreathalmoststoppedasshelookedintothosesoft,quietgrayeyes,thefacethatshe'dlovedfor
aneternity.

"Notoutofguilt,King,"shepleadedunsteadily.

"Notoutofguilt,darling,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepeningwithemotion.Hisfingersbrushedherneck,
herchin,thesofthollowinherthroat.

"Yourheart'stryingtoclimbout,"hemurmured,watchingthewildpulsingunderhisfingers.His
eyesdroppedtothesilkoverhertautbreastsandhestaredatitwithaburninggaze.Asifhecouldn't
helphimself,hisfingersbegantotraildowntothattautness,hisknucklesbrushingoverhergently.

"No."Shecaughtherbreath,grippinghishair-coveredwristwithcold,nervousfingers.

"I'velainawakenightsremembering,"hegroundout,holdinghereyes."Thewayyoufelt,theway
youlooked....Idon'timagineit'sgoingtobeeasy,butfromnowon,I'mgoingtohandleyoulike
pricelessporcelain."

Herheartbegantothrobwildlyatthelightinhiseyes,thedeepeningtoneofhisvoice.Watchit,girl,
shetoldherself,he'samasteratteasingwomen.

"Youaren'tgoingtohandlemeatall,"shesaidwithawobbleinhervoice.

"You'regoingtowantme,"hewhispered,leaningoverherwithhisbighandsoneithersideofher
head."Youalreadydo,butyou'veputalltheoldwallsbackupbecauseofwhatIdidtoyou.I'mgoing
toknockthemdown,MissWhitehall,"hepromisedsoftly."Onebyone,daybyday,untilyou'reas
hungryformeasIamforyou."

Hercheeksflushed."Never,"shebreathed."Idon't...Idon'twantthatwithyou."

"Darling,"hemurmured,bending,"ofcourseyoudo."

Hismouthbrushedagainsthersteasingly,trac-.ingtheoutlineofherfull,softlips,lightlypressing,
nudging,untiltheypartedhelplessly.Shefelthisownlipspartingandtastedsmokeandcoffeeand
mintasshegaveintothelonghungerforhim,thelonelinessandheartacheandsleeplessnightswhen
shewouldhavegivenanythingtotouchhim.

Herfingerswenthesitantlytohisshirt,andhecaughtthem,liftingthemtohisface,movingthem
caressinglyagainsthischeek.

"Yes,"bewhisperedhuskily,"likethat.Softlittlefingers,IcouldfeelthemwhenIclosedmyeyes,
tracingpatternsacrossmyface...onmybody."

Shecaughtherbreathashismoutheasedbetweenherlipsintimately.

"You'venevertouchedme,"hewhisperedtor-mentingly."Don'tyouwanttofeelmyskin,totouchit
thewayI'vetouchedyours?"

Shemoaned,hatingwhathecoulddotoherwithwords,hatingtheimagesthatwereflashingthrough
hermind.

"Comehere,darling,"hewhispered,liftinghergentlyagainsthimtolieacrosshislegswhilehis
mouthtookmoreandmorefromhers.Herfingersdugintohisshouldersthroughtheexpensive
fabricofhisjacket,hermouthtryingtomatchtheexpertnessofhis,tryingtogivewhathewas
demanding.Whatshelackedinexperience,shemadeupforwithpurelove,butthatwassomething
he'dneverknow,becauseshe'dneverhavethecouragetotellhim.He'dthinkitwasdesire,likewhat
hewasfeelingforher,apurelyphysicalthing.

"Ilovethewayyoufeelinsatin,"hemurmuredgruffly,lettinghishandsmoldthesoftcurvesofher

body.

"Youshouldn't...touchmethatway,"shemanaged.

"Nothingwedotogetheriswrong,ifwebothwantit,"hesaid,liftinghisdisheveledblondheadto
lookdownather."Teddi,wouldyoueverlet162

anothermantouchyoulikethis?"heaskedsolemnly.

Shelookedfranklyhorrified,andhenodded,hiseyeswatchful."AndIknowthat,"

hecontinued."I'mnotgoingtoholdyouincontemptforwantingmyhandsonthissweetyoungbody,
forlettingmeseeit.Idon'tplaybedroomgameswithvirgins,surelytoGodyouknowthatbynow?"

Hereyeswidenedcuriously."Whatdoyouwant,then?"shewhispered.

Hedrewinasteadyingbreath."Honey,you'renotthatnaive,surely?"

"You...wantme?"sheaskedshyly.

"Desperately,"herepliedquietly.

"But—"

Hetouchedhermouthwithasilencingfinger."I'mnotgoingtoseduceyou.Icould,veryeasily.But
that'snotwhatIwant.I'mgoingtoteachyouhowtotrustmeagain.Then,"hemurmured,bendingto
kissherverygently,"I'mgoingtoteachyouhowtomakelove."

"Iwon'thaveanaffairwithyou,"shetoldhim.

Hesmiled."Won'tyou?"

"King

"Notnow."Hesmoothedthehairawayfromhercheeks,sketchingthesoftlinesofherfacewitheyes
thatblazedwithcurbedhunger."Stillnervousofme?"

"Alittle."Shelookedupathim,feelingasifallherdreamshadsuddenlycometrue.Itcouldn'tbe
real;hemustbetheproductofherinsanelongingforhim.

Shereacheduphesitantlytotouchhishardface."You'restrongerthanIam,andIknownowhowitis
whenyou...whenyouwantawoman."

"No,youdon't,"hereplied,holdingherhandagainsthischeek."Iwashalfoutofmymindwith
jealousy.Thatwasn'tlovemaking,itwaspurerevenge.Don'tconfusethetwo."Hesearchedhereyes
slowly."Teddi,mencanbeanimals,butIcouldneverbeonewithyoupastacertainpoint.Eventhat
dayintheden,whenIlookedatyou,Icouldfeelmyselfmeltinginside.Anotherminute,andyou
wouldhavehadnoreasontobeafraidofme.Notone."Hetouchedherhotcheekandsmiledfaintly.

"DespitewhatIdid,I'magentlelover,darling.I'dbeendlesslypatientwithyou."

Theflushgotworse,butshedidn'tdrophereyes,shecouldn'tseemtolookaway.

Shewasawareofthewarmthandscentofhim,thestrengthinhisarms,thesoftnessinhiseyesashe
lookedbackather.

"You'dhavetoteachme...howtopleaseyou,"sheheardherselfsay.

"Youalreadypleaseme,"hesaid,hisfingersmovinggentlyonhersoftness,thesoundofthem
strokingthesatinlikethewhisperofthewind."Whereareyoubruised?"hebreathed,lookingdown.
"Here?"heasked,lettinghishandlingeroverherheartashecaughthergaze.

"A...little,"shewhispered.

Asshewatched,hebenthisheadandshefeltthehotpressofhislipseventhroughthefabric,ina
caressshe'dneversharedwithaman.

Shemoaned,catchinghisheadwithhandsthatdidn'tseemtoknowwhethertopushorpull.

Beforethepleasurefullyregisteredonher,hesatup,pullingherwithhim.

"Someday,"hebreathedhuskily,"I'mgoingtodothatwhenthere'snomaterialinmyway."

Justthethoughtofitmadeherheartrunaway,herbreathcatchinherthroat.

Shelookedathim,herfingersonthebuttonsofthegown,andhergazewasfullofhungerforhis
eyes,hislips.

Hecaughttheexpressioninhereyesanddrewinasharpbreath."Don't,"hecautioned,gettingtohis
feet."Iwantyoutoomuchalready."

Shestared,puzzled,herhandsstilledasshetriedtounderstandwhathewanted.

"Teddi,Ihaven'tfeltlikethissinceIwassixteenyearsold,"hegroundout,ramminghishandsinto
hispocketsasheturnedawayfromher."Andthatbeingthecase,Ithinkyou'dbettergoandputon
somethingthat'salittlemoreconcealing.

Thewholeworldmayhavegonepermissive,butIhaveafewthingsincommonwithmyVictorian
ancestors,andIdon'twanttotakeyouintomybedonanimpulse."

"Idon'tunderstandwhatyouwant,"shemurmured,rising.

"Youwill."Heturned,movingclosetobrushatenderkissacrossherforehead.

"Nowgoanddressandthrowsomethingintoabag.Ididn'tcomeallthiswaytobeturneddown."

"DidanyoneevertellyouthatyouhaveaJuliusCaesarcomplex?"sheasked,holdingoutherhand

forthewalkingstickhe'dpickedupfromthefloor.

"Onlywhereyou'reconcerned,darling,"hedrawledwithawickedsmile."Idoadmit,inthatrespect,
toaninfatuationwiththeideaofconquest."

Shehurriedawaybeforehecouldseetherednessinhercheeks.

Teddicouldn'tremembereverbeingsomuchapartofafamily.MissPeake,thinandtartand
motherly,hoveredlikeagoodfairy,tryingtotemptTeddi'sappetitewithsoupsanddelicatelittle
pastries.

"ButI'mperfectlyabletogetup,"TeddihadprotestedthedayKingbroughtherhome.

MissPeakehadlookeddownherhatchetnosewithasniff."Afteraconcussion?"sheaskedhaughtily.
"Withthatleg?Bruisedfromheadtotoe?Yougetoutofthatbed,MissTeddi,andI'llcarryyouback
inheremyself!"

Andthathadbeentheendofit.TeddihadnodoubtatallthatMissPeakewascapableofmakinggood
onherthreat.

MaryandJennahadlaughedattheconfrontation,butnotinfrontoftheirformidablehousekeeper.

"Icanseehernow,"Jennawhisperedmerrily,"haulingyouoverhershoulder..."

"Shewouldn'thaveto,"Marylaughed."Kingwouldbeathertoit.No,mydear,"shetoldtheinvalid
withakindlypatonthehand,"youstaywhereyouareuntilKingandMissPeakefeelthatyou'reable
towanderaboutagain."

Sheleft,andJennastaredafterherwithbotheyebrowsraised."PoorMama."Sheshookherhead.
"Shehasn'tbeenabletochangethefurnitureormakeamajordecisionsinceKingandMissPeake
tookovertheproperty."

Teddilaughedinspiteofherself."Youmakethemsoundlikeaninvadingarmy."

Jennasmiled."Whatadelightfulanalogy!"

"Theydotendtosticktogether,"Teddisaid,grinning.-

"DidItellyouwhatKingsaidtoBlakely,whenBlakelytoldhimweweregettingmarriedandtodo
hisworst?"Jennaasked.

Teddishookherhead.

"Hecongratulatedhim.Notawordaboutanything.HeevenofferedtogiveusatractintheValley!"

"Thatwasnice."Teddismiled.

"Nice?Itwasincredible!Blakelycouldn'tbelievehisears."Jennastretchedlazily."Well,I'dbetterget

outofhereandletyourest.Ifyouneedanything,yell,okay?"

"Okay.Thanks,Jenna.You'reallsokind..."Teddifaltered,tryingtofindwords.

"You'refamily,"Jennasaidsimply.Shesmiled."Seeyoulater."

Kinglookedinonherfromtimetotime,friendly,caring,andTeddicouldn'thelpwonderingifshe
wasintherighthouse.Heseemedaltogetherdifferentnow,anddespiteherwarinessofhim,she
begantowarmtohisnewattitude.Shecouldrelax,listentohisplansforGrayStag,tohissometimes
amusingrevelationsaboutwhatwasgoingonaroundtheranchwhilesheconvalesced.Buthedidn't
touchher.Notatall,notonce.Itwasasifhewasintentonbuildingfriendshipbetweenthembeforehe
attemptedtomoveanycloserphysically.

Amongthem,thefamilymanagedtokeephermindoffherfuture.Butshestillfoundtimetobrood.
AndonedayKingcaughtheratit.

"Firstgetwell,"hechidedwhenhecameinunexpectedly,andhisgrayeyesdancedunderthefamiliar
wide-brimmedhat."Thenbrood.Onedayatatime,darling,that'showit'sdone."

"Changeplaceswithmeandtrythat,"Teddichallenged.

Heshookhishead,smilingwickedly."Iwon'tchangeplaces,butImightbetemptedtojoinyou."

Sheavertedhereyes.Ridiculoushowhecouldmakeherpulsejumpwithmerewords.

"It'satwinbed."

"Allthebetter,"hemurmureddryly.'nSheglaredathim."ItoldyouIdidn'twantanaffairwithyou."

"Soyoukeepsaying,"hesighed."I'lljusthavetopaymoreattentiontochangingyourmind."

"Nofair,"shemuttered.

Heonlylaughed."Everything'sfairnow,"hecorrected."Whatwouldyoulikeforasnack?"he

asked,movingcloser.Hewaswearingdenimjeansandashirtwithdustyboots,andhelookedlikea
workingman."Howaboutsomestrawberries?"Herbigeyeslitup.

"Strawberries?""I'mhavingMissPeakebringtheminafewminutes,alongwithsomewhipped
cream."

"Aweekago,I'dhaverefusedthewhippedcream,"shesighed."Butnow,Idon'tsupposeafewextra
poundswillmatter."

"Mythoughtsexactly."Hestareddownatherthinbodyunderthesheetswithconcern."You're
practicallyallbonesnow,"

Hesatdownbesideher,hishard,warmthightouchingherside.Heleanedforwardtobrushherhair

awayfromhercheek.

He'dalreadytakenoffthebandage,andheputthemedicineonhercheekandonherleg,everynight
himself,trustingittonooneelse.

Hereyeswenttohischiseledmouthandshestaredatitwithanintensityshewasn'tevenawareof.She
couldn'thelpherself.Ithadbeensolongsincehe'dkissedher,heldher.Shewantedhimto...

"Doyouwanttokissme?"hemurmuredsoftly.Heleaneddown,withintouchingdistance,holding
herstunnedeyes."Comeon,Teddi.Don'tholdback."

Herlowerliptrembled."Iwon'tbeg..."

"Oh,thedevilwithbegging,"hegrowled,partingherlipsexpertlywithhis."Whatdoesitmatterwho
startsitifwebothwantit?"Hisbreathsighedintohermouth,histeethnibbledatittenderlywhilehis
handstangledslowlyinherhair.Hisheartpoundedheavilyoverherbreastsasheeaseddownagainst
them.

"King..."Herhandsmovedup,dislodginghishat,tosmooththesilkyhairathistemples.Hereyes
closed,herbodylifted,grindingupagainsthis.Itwasheaven.Heaven!

"Touchme,"hewhispered,teasinghermouthwithkissesthatburnedlikefire.

"Iam,"shewhispered,nibblingbackathismouth,eagerlylearningallthesweetlessonshewas
teachingher.

"NotthewayIwantyouto,"hemurmured.Hefoundoneofherhandsandpressedithardagainstthe
dampfrontofhisdenimshirt,wherehisheartwasshudderinginhischest."Menarelikecats,darling,
theyliketobestroked,didn'tyouknow?"

hemurmured.

Herhandssmoothedthefabricinslow,hardstrokeswhilehekissedher.

"Teddi,"hegroaned.Heheldhimselfpoisedoverher,hisfingersgoingimpatientlytothebuttonsof
hisshirt,tearingthemopen."Now,"hegrowled,thrustingoneofherhandsinsideit,ontothewarm,
dampskinofhischest."Likethat."

Shestaredupathim,feelinganewkindofhunger,awareofexquisitesensationsasherfingers
tangledinthethick,crisphair.Helookedsensuouslymalelikethis,hisbodyhalfbare,hishair
ruffled,hismouthslightlyswollen,hiseyesnarrowwithundisguisedardor.

"Macho,"shebreathed,lookingstraightintohiseyes."Much,muchman..."

Hishandstightenedonhersleek,darkhead."You'renotbadyourself,kid,"hewhisperedwithfaint
humor."Harder,"headded,watchingherhandswithahalfsmile."Touch,don'ttickle."

"I'mtrying,"shemurmured,"butI'mhavingtofightmywaythroughtheunderbrush..."

"Youlittlevixen,"heaccused.Hismouthcrusheddownoverhers,partingherlipsalmostsavagelyas
hetookwhatheneededfromher.Shefeltthevelvetyhardnessofhistongueeasingintothesweet
softnessofhermouth,invading,taking,andasurgeofwildfeelingwelledupinher.Herlongnails
dugintohischestbeforesheliftedherarmstoclingtohim,raisingherbodyagainsthiswarmhands,
handsthatknewwheretotouch,howtotouch,tohold.Awildlittlemoanwhisperedfromhermouth
intohis,shockinghim.

Hedrewbackabreath,watchingher."Toohard?"hewhispered,hishandsgentlewheretheyrested
overthesoftupthrustofherbody.

"Oh,no,"shewhisperedback,tremblingunderhisexpertcaresses.

Histhumbsstrokedtenderlyandshegasped."Youfitmyhandssoperfectly...

woman,youfeellikesilkandsatin,andyoumakemyheadspinwhenItouchyoulikethis.You'renot
afraidofmeanymore,areyou?"

Sheshookherheadslowly,watchinghimwithherheartinhereyes.

Hishandsmovedagain,andshearchedhelplessly,dazedatthenewnessofwhathewasteachingher.
"Allwoman,"hebreathed."Softandwildandgiving.Thisiswhatawomanshouldfeelwhenherman
touchesher.Oh,yes,darling,"hewhispered,bendingslowly."Yes,justlikethat,comeuptowardme.
Darling,darling,movejust...like...that...."

Hismouthcaughthersagain,andwithasunburstofsensationshefelthisfingersopeninghergown
tothewaist,gentlehands,sogentle,touchingherinnewways,tenderlyawakingsensationsshehad
neverknownuntilnow.

Slowly,thewholewarmweightofhisbigbodyeasedontohers.Shefelteverysinewofhim,every
malecontour;shefelthisbreathingasifitwereherown.Sheseemedtohavebecomeapartofhim.

Herbodymeltedintohis,softnessgivingwaytohair-mattedhardness,herbodybaretothewaistas
hiswas,herfleshunderhis.Sheclung,unafraid,lovinghimuntilitwasliketorturetobesocloseand
yetstillnotcloseenough.

Trembling,shedrewherlipsjustawhisperawayfromhis,shiftingsensuouslyunderhimasshe
soughttogetevencloser,andhegroaned.

"Please,"shewhisperedachingly."Pleasehelpme."

Heheldherfacegentlyinhandsthattrembled,hisfacetense,hisbodystrungastautasaropeashe
stareddownatherwithtormentedeyes.

"Ican't,"hewhispered,easinghisweightfromher.Hesettledalongsidehertremblingbody,and

gentlydrewherclose,hishandssoothingnow,easingtheachefromherbody.

"King,"shewhisperedagainsthiswarmthroat."King."

"Nexttime,"hesaidatherear,"wewon'tstop.I'llfinishit."

"Icouldn'thavesaidno,"shemoaned.

Helaughedsoftly,tenderly."IwonderwhatMissPeakewouldhavesaidifshewalkedinandIhad
givenswaytomyinstincts'?"

"MissPeake?"sheechoed,dazed.

"YoudorememberIaskedhertobringyousomeberriesandcream?"heasked.

Shegasped,drawingbacktolookathim."Iforgot!"

Hecockedaneyebrow,lettinghiseyesdroptoheropengown.Shecaughttheedgestogether,
flushingashereyesmethis.

"Don'tbeshywithme,"hechided."You'relovely."

"Youmakemefeelthatway,"shecorrected,lookingathimquietly."King...

why?"

"Whywhat?"hemurmured,throwinghislonglegsoverthesideofthebed.Hesatupandlita
cigarettewhileshefumbledwithherbuttons."Whatdoyouwantfromme?"

shepersisted."Everything,"herepliedquietly,toweringoverherwithhisshirtstillunbuttoned.

Shesearchedhiseyes,confused."Forhowlong?"

Heshrugged."Whoknows?""AndhowaboutwhatIwant?"sherepliedsoftly.Hewasn'toffering
commitment.Hewasagreeingtonothingmorethanafewnightstogether,withnostringsoneither
side.

"Iknowwhatyouwant,darling,"hemurmuredwickedly."Youwantme."

"Andisdesireenoughtosatisfyyou?"shechallenged.

Hegaveherastrange,intentlook."Isupposeitwillhavetobe."

Atthatmoment,MissPeakecamein,carryingatraywithicedteaandabowloffreshstrawberries
andcream.

"Kingpickedtheseforyou,"MissPeaketoldherwithaquick,appraisingglanceatKing'sopenshirt.
"Thoughtyoumightlikesomewhippedcreamonthem,too."

Kingignoredthedisapprovingglanceandmovedtowardthedoor."I'vegotworktodo,"hesaid

withoutlookingbackatTeddi.

"Toobadthecattlewon'therdthemselves,"MissPeakeremarked.

Kingturned,glancingquietlyatTeddi."Isn'tit?"hemurmured.

Sheglancedupathim."Thanksforthetherapy,"shemurmuredwickedly.

Hecockedaneyebrow."Isthatwhatitfeltlike?"heasked.'Tilhavetoworkonmytechnique."Andhe
turnedandwentoutthedoor,leavingherpuzzledandbreathless.

Forthenextfewdays,Kingrevertedtobeingpolite,friendly,andnothingmore.

Itwasasifhewasgivingherbreathingspace,timetoconsiderthefinalstep,todecideifshecould
settlefortheonlyrelationshiphewaswillingtooffer.

Sheagonizedoverit.Lovinghimasshedid,shedidn'tknowifshecouldeveracceptanaffair.It
wouldbeevenhardertoletgoafterwardthanitwasnow.

Becauseshewouldhavehadthejoyofbelongingtohim.Andthatwouldbindhertohiminnew
ways,withstringsthatwereimpossibletobreak.

He'dpracticallyadmittedthatdesirewasallhefeltforher,whenhe'dsaidthatdesirewouldbe
enoughtosatisfyhim.Butwoulditbeenoughforher?Thephysicalrelationshipwouldbewonderful,
ofcourse,butwasitenough?Shelovedjustsittingwithhiminthelivingroom,watchingTV.She
lovedwatchinghimoverthedinnertable,ridingbesidehimandtalkingonlazysummermornings.
Sheenjoyedhiminwaysthathadnothingtodowithdesire.Thenewnessofphysicalpossession
wouldsoonwearoff,andwhatwouldtheyhaveleft?Teddiwouldfeellikeacast-offshoe,andshe
didn'tthinkshecouldbearit.

Shemadeuphermindslowly,butirrevocably.Andwhenshefeltwellenoughtopickupherlife,and
thestitcheshadbeenremovedbyalocaldoctor,shedecidedtogobacktoNewYork.Thescar,while
stillnoticeableonhercheek,couldbecoveredwithcosmetics,andshecouldwalkwellenoughto
work.Shewouldwork,shetoldherself,becauseshehadto.Andperhapshercareerwouldtakethe
placeofabriefaffairwithKing.Perhapsitwouldatleasthelpfilltheemptyspace.

Tearingoffahandwouldhavehurtless,butsheknewshehadtotellKingwhatshewasgoingtodo.

Shefollowedhimoutthedoorafterbreakfast,shehadmadeuphermind.Sheclosedthedoorbehind
them,leavingthefamilyatthebreakfasttable.

"Whatisit?"heaskedgently."Somethingimportant?"

"Yes,"Shelickedherdrylips,fascinatedbythewayhiseyesfollowedthemovementsointently.He
lookedsensuouslymasculinethismorning,inhistight-fittingjeansandbrown-patternedshirt,the
wide-brimmedhatcockedoveronebrow,hisfacefaintlysmilingashelookedather.

"Well?"heprodded.

Itwasallshecoulddotokeepfromthrowingherbodyagainsthisandbegginghimtocarryheroff
someplace.Sheshookherheadtodispelthatnotion.

"I'mgoinghometomorrow."Helookedasifsomebodyhadhithimontheheadwithalengthofsteel
pipe."What?"

"Isaid,I'mgoinghometomorrow,"sherepeated."Ineedtogetbacktowork,andthescarsarefading
fast,thankgoodness.Icancoverthemwithcosmetics

"You'releavingme?"heburstout."Justlikethat!"

Shefaltered,shockedatthefuryinhishardface."I..."shebegan.

"IsitthatLotharioaccountantafterall?"hegrowled."Orisitjustthatyoucan'tforceyourselfto
makeacommitment?"

"Lookwho'stalkingaboutcommitments!"shethrewback."OldFootlooseandFancy-Free!"

"Whatdidyouexpect,aninety-nineyearcontract,forGod'ssake?"hegrowled.

"No,thanks,"shereturned,"Icouldn'ttakeninety-nineyearsofyou!"

"Scared?"hechided.

"Notofyou,"sheretorted."Ijustwantmorethanyou'vegottooffer,that'sall."

"Likewhat?"hechallenged,hiseyesblazing."Flashyfashionshowsandleeringmen?"

"It'smycareer!"shecried.

Hisfacefrozeover."Thenifthat'swhatyouwant,gobacktoit,"hesaidwithiceinhisvoice."Go
today.I'llhavesomeonedriveyoutotheairportthisafternoon,infact."

Shegasped."What?"

Therewerestormsbrewinginhiscoldgrayeyes,andalividfurythatshedidn'tunderstand."You
heardme,"hegroundout."Getpacked!"Heturnedonhisheelandstompeddownthesteps.

Tearspoureddownhercheeksashiswordssankin.Hewasthrowingherofftheproperty!Shecould
barelybelieveherownears.Didhehatehersomuchthathecouldn'tbearthesightofheranymore?
Orwasitjusthismasculinepride,damagedbecauseshewasn'tthepushoverhe'dexpectedhertobe?

Shewentwobblingupthestairstoherroominadaze,andstartedpacking,wonderinghowshewas
goingtoexplainthistoJennaandMary.

Shegrimaced.Well,she'djustletKingexplainit.Hecouldtellthemwhateverheliked.She'dmakeup

somestoryaboutanassignment,orsomething,andlethimtakeitfromthere.Arrogantbeast!

Itonlytookafewminutestogetherthingstogether.Kingthoughtshepreferredmodelingtohim,and
perhapsitwasbetterthatway.Shedidn'twanthimtofindouthowdesperatelyshewasinlovewith
him.Herpridewouldbecrushedifheknew.

Sheclosedthebagandpickeditup,takingonelastlookaroundthebedroomtomakesureshehadn't
forgottenanything.Sheturned,closingthedoorquietlybehindher.Aboveall,shemustactasif
nothingwerewrong,shemustn'tlethimknowhowdevastatedshereallywas.

Shewalkeddownthestaircase,tofindKingindeepconversationwithJennaatthefrontdoor.He
lookedupwhenhesawTeddiinherwhitelinenpantsuitandthesamepalebluewrapblouseshe'd
wornthedayhetookhertoBanff.

Somethingflashedinhisgrayeyesatthesightofthatblouse,buthisfacegavenothingaway.

"IwasjusttellingJennaaboutyournewassignment,"hetoldTeddicurtly,daringhertodenyit.

Sheclearedherthroatandtriedtolookradiant,

darlingenemy

waryofJenna'ssharpeyesonherasshewenttherestofthewaydownthestaircase.

"Yes,I'msoexcitedIcanhardlystandit,"shetoldherbestfriendwithaforcedsmile."Imagine,two
commercials...!"

KinglookeduncomfortableandJennanarrowedhereyes."IthoughtitwasatrunkshowinMiami,"
shesaid.

Teddishiftedthesmallsuitcasefromonehandtotheother."Uh,yes,that'swhatitis...atrunkshow
andtwocommercialsinMiami,"shemurmured,hervoicefadingaway.

"What,"Jennaasked,lookingfromonetotheother,"isgoingon?"

KingtookTeddi'sarm."We'dbettergooryou'llmissyourflight,"hesaidgruffly,drawingher
quicklyoutthedoor."Jenna,I'llbebackinacoupleofhours,"hetoldhissisterandslammedthedoor
beforeshecouldaskanymorequestions.

"Youmighthavegivenmetimetosaygood-byetoJennaandyourmother,"Teddisaidangrilyashe
putherinthepassengerseatoftheFerrari.

"Youcanwaveatthem,can'tyou?"heaskedtautly.Hegotinandstartedtheenginewithanangry
motion,barelygivinghertimetowaveatthetwostunnedwomenstandingonthefrontstepsbefore
heroaredawaytowardCalgary.

Sheglancedathissetprofile.Hehadn'tevenbotheredtochangeoutofhisworkclothes.Hisboots
weredustyandhishatlookedasifithadseenbetterdays.

But,ofcoursenobodypaidanyattentiontoclothinginabusyairport.Hereyesunconsciously
worshippedhim.Itwasonlyjustdawningonherthatbysaying"no"

shewasbanishingherselffromhimforever.She'dneverseehimagainaftertoday.

Tearsformedinherbigbrowneyesandsheturnedherfaceawaybeforehecouldseethem.She'd
beenlonelybefore,andshe'dsurvived.Buthavingtastedhisardor,itwasgoingtobeworsenow.The
thoughtofthelonelyyearsaheadhurtterribly.

Shebrushedatatearinconspicuouslyandstraightenedinherseat.Thiswouldneverdo.She'dhaveto
getholdofherself.

Asifsensingheruneasiness,heturnedontheradio.Aconstantstreamofmusicandnewsfilledthe
silencebetweenthemashispowerfulFerrariateupthemiles.

Hewaspushingitevenharderthanusual,asifhecouldn'twaittoberidofher.

Hepulledupintheparkinglotatthebusyinternationalairportafewminuteslaterandcutoffthe
engine.Buthedidn'tmakeamovetogetoutofthecar.Hisbighandsgrippedthesteeringwheelhard
foraninstant,thenhesatbackinhisseatandlitacigarette.

"Didyouhavetowearthatparticularblouse?"heaskedinacoldvoice.

Sheavoidedhispiercinggaze."ItwastheonlycleanoneIhad,"shesaidquietly.

"Iwasgoingtowashtheothersthisafternoon."

"You'llhavetobuyaticket,"hesaid."Ididn'tstoptomakereservationsforyou."Hestudiedherwith
stormyeyes."Doyouhavethefare?"

180

Sheswallowed."Ofcourse,"shelied.ShehadplannedtoborrowmoneyfromJenna.

Hetookasharpdrawfromthecigarette."Ofcourse,"helaughedshortly,readingherlikeabook."I'll
putitonmychargecard.Youcanpaymebackwhenyoustartworkingagain."

Shecouldn'trefuse.Allshehadinherpursewasahundreddollars.She'dspenteveryotherpennyon
thehospitalbillandfood.Buthavingtoacceptcharityfromhimwasthehnalindignity.Asingletear
madeapathdownhercheek,butsheturnedawaybeforehesawit.

"Thankyou,"shesaid,composingherself.

Hetookanotherquick,jerkydrawfromthecigarette."Willyoubeabletowork?"

"Ithinkso,"shesaidproudly."I'llhaveto,ifIwanttoenrollforthenextsemester.Ishouldbeableto
dotrunkshowsatleast,thescarsdon'tshowatadistance.AndIcancoverthemnowwithcosmetics.

I'llbefine.Justfine."

Hemadeanimpatientsoundandturnedtostareoutthewindow.Hishatseemedtobotherhim.He
rippeditoffandtosseditontothebackseat,runningahandthroughhisthickblondhair.

"Itwasyouridea,"hesaidaccusingly,glaringacrosstheseatatherwithfiercegrayeyes.

Sheblinked."Whatwas?"

"GoingbacktoNewYork,"hegrowled."Backtoyourfabulouscareer,isn'tthathowthesonggoes?"

Shebitherlowerlip.Itwouldonlytakeaword,justoneword,togethisarmsaroundher.Butshe
couldn'tsayit.Shecouldn'tgiveinnow,shecouldn'tsacrificeherpride,herself-respect,forjusta
fewnightswithhim....

Shestaredoutthewindow,hatingthedepartingjets,hatingtheverysoundoftheenginesasthehuge
planessweptuptotouchtheclouds.OneofthosewouldtakeheroutofKing'slifeforever.

Asshebrooded,shefelthisfingerslightlytouchherhair.Sheturned,aching,andlookedupintohis
eyes.

Timeseemedtostretchlikeaviolinstringbetweenthemwhiletheysearchedeachother'sfaces.

"Comehereandkissmegood-bye,"hegrowledhuskilyandreachedouttodrawheragainsthim.

Withsomethingbetweenasobandamoan,sheletherselfbetuggedovertheconsoleandintohisbig
arms.Heleanedacrosshertoputouthiscigarettebeforehegatheredhercloseandbenttotouchher
mouthwithhis.

Breathingunevenly,shepartedherlips,givinghimbackthekissasgentlyashegaveit,tracinghis
hardfacewithfingersthattrembledandwentcoldastheyeasedoverhisskin,intothethick,cool
strandsofhairathistemples.

"Don'tnibbleme,"hewhisperedhuskily."Kissmeproperly."

"Ican't,"shemoaned,hidingherfaceinhiswarmthroat."Ican't.Oh,King!"Hisnamewasacryof
anguish,andhereactedtoitinanunexpectedway.

Hisarmscontracted,liftingherhigheragainsthisdarlingenemy

tautbody."Teddi,doyouwanttogo?"heaskedintently.

"Ihaveto,"shesaidsimply,hervoicemuffledagainsthiscollar."Why?"

"Youknowwhy,"shewhispered,closinghereyes.Itwasheaventobeheldlikethis,crushedagainst
hisbigbody,feelinghisbreath,hisheartbeat,asiftheywereherown.

"IthoughtIdid,"heagreed."Butyouaren'tanymoreanxioustogetoutofthiscarthanIamtolet

you.Itisn'tthephilanderingaccountant,itneverwas.Itisn'tyourdamnedcareer,either."

Heliftedherfaceandsearchedhereyesquietly."Ithinkyou'dbettertellmethetruth,littleone,"he
saidsoftly,"beforeyoudestroybothourlives."

Herheartjerkedinherchest."Both?"shewhisperedincredulously,awareofanewnoteinhisdeep
voice,anewlightinhiseyes.

Asobbrokefromherlips."Oh,King,Idon'twantanaffair,"shewailedbrokenly.

"NeitherdoI,"hesaidquietly.Hisbighandssmoothedtheblouseawayfromhercollarbone,easing
underthefabrictoalmost,butnotquite,touchherhigh,firmbreasts.Whenshetriedtopullaway,he
broughthergentlyback."Don'tfightme,darling,"hesaidsoftly."There'snoneedforitanymore.I'm
onlytouchingwhatbelongstome.Youdo.Youalwaysdid."

Hereyesclosedandshemoaned.Shewasgoingtogivein,sheknewit,andshewasgoingtohate
bothofthem.Tearswelledinhereyes."Ishouldgohome,"shebreathed.

"HomeiswhereIam,"hesaid.Hiseyessearchedhers."Itoldyouthatonce,andyouthoughtIwas
kidding.Iwasn't."

"King....?"shewhispered,achingformorethanthelight,teasingplayofhisfingersonherskin.

"Itookonelookatyouwhenyouwerefifteenyearsold,"hesaidinavoicetootendertobeKing's,
"andhatedyouonsightbecauseyouwereyearstooyoungforwhatIneededfromyou.Bythetime
youwereseventeen,Iwasintorment.Thatnightduringthestorm,whenIwalkedintocheckonyou
—Ifoundyoulyingthereinthattransparentgown,andIwantedyousomuchthatIachedlikeaboy.
ButIhadtowalkoutandleaveyou,becauseyouwereavirginandIwasafraidofwhatImightdo."
Hiseyessearchedhers."Iwantedyoutothepointofmadnessthatnight,andit'sonlybeenalittleless
consumingsince."Ashespoke,hishandseaseddownunderthelooseblouseandgentlytookthe
weightofhersoft,barebreasts,andshecriedoutwiththesuddenstabofpleasure.

"It'sallright,"hebreathed,bendingtokisshertremblingmouth."Ifeelthesamewaywhenyoutouch
me.Wavesofblindingpleasure,washingovermybodylikefire..."

Sheliftedherarmsaroundhisneck,yieldingherbodycompletelytohisslow,tormentinghands,
tremblingatthenewnessofallowinghimtotouchher,caressherthisway.Hereyeslookedstraight
intohis,herteethcatchingherlowerliptostiflethemoansthatwelledupbehindthem.

"IhadtoletyouthinkIhatedyou,"hewhisperedgruffly,watchingher."ItwastheonlyprotectionI
couldgiveyou.IfI'dtouchedyoulikethisevenonce,therewouldhavebeennostoppingme.Iwas
obsessedwithyou.Itwasagonytohaveyouattheranch,becauseIspentallthoselongdaysand
nightsforcingmyselfnottolookatyou,nottocometooclose."Heexpelledaharshbreath,andshe
readthetormentinhiseyeswithasenseofwonderatwhatheseemedtobesaying."Then,atEaster,
youstartedplayinguptome,andIallbutleftthecountry.Itauntedyou,butIhadto,canyou
understandthat?Ihadtorunyouoffbeforewegotinoverourheads,untilIcouldgetagripon
myself.AndBillingslyhadbeenfillingmyheadfulloflies...IwassojealousofyouthatIcouldhave

killedhim!"

Shesearchedhisdarkeningeyes.Shehadtoknow—shehadtoknow!

"King,doyoucare?"shewhisperedshyly.

"Care?"Hiseyesclosedandopenedagain,grayflamesrisinginthem.Hishandsmovedtoherface,
cuppingit,caressingit,andtheybegantotremble."Iloveyou,"hebreathed."Iloveyousomuchthat
IfeelasifI'mstarvingtodeathforyou.Iwanttohaveyouallmylife.Tosharewith.Tolaughand
crywith.Tolovewith.You'remywholeworld,littleone,didn'tyouknow?"

Tearspouredfromhereyeslikerainonthedesert.Shecouldn'tstop.Tremblingfingerstracedhis
face,hereyesopenlyadoringhim,lovinghim.

Hecaughthisbreathattheemotioninherface,andhisowneyesclosedforaninstant."MyGod,I've
beenblind,haven'tI?"heaskedhuskily."You'reinlovewithme,aren'tyou?"

Shenodded,herlowerliptrembling,hereyeswashedwithtearsasshetriedtosmile."Ican't
rememberwhenIdidn'tloveyou,"sheadmittedbrokenly."ButIthoughtyoujustwantedanaffair..."

"Ido,"heteasedgently,hiseyesdevouringher."Sixtyyearsworth,andafewsonsanddaughtersto
love,andyouinmybedeverynight,eventhenightswhenwe'retootiredtomakelove."Hiseyes
burnedwithemotionastheysearchedhers.

"Iwantyouinwaysthatgofarbeyondanythingstrictlyphysical,although,"headded,easingthe
blouseoffoneshouldertosmoothhislipsalonghersilkenflesh,"Icouldmakeamealofyouright
now."

Shenuzzledherfaceintohisthroatwithajoyfulsigh."Iloveyou,"shewhispered,"andIwantyou.
But,darling,allourchildrenwillbeillegitimate."

Helaughedsoftly."Thenperhapsyou'dbettermarrymebeforewediscusshowmanywe'regoingto
have."

"Didyousaymarry?"sheasked,drawingback,confidentenoughtotease,seeingeverythingshe
wouldeverwantorneedinhisworshippingeyes."OldFootlooseandFancy-FreeDevereauxactually
proposing?"

"DoIrecallyoursayingthatyoucouldn'ttakeninety-nineyearsofme?"hecountered.

"Wasthatbeforeorafteryouthrewmeoutofthehouse?"sheretorted.

"Icouldn'thelpmyself,"heconfessed."Havingyouaroundwouldhavedonemein,ifyouhadn't
cared.IthoughtyouweretellingmethatImatteredlessthanyourcareer,thatyoucouldn'tseeafuture
withme.Iwasdevastated."

"You'remycareer,"shesaidveryquietly."YouandthechildrenI'mgoingtogiveyou.That'sallI've

everwanted."

Heseemedtohaveahardtimegettinghisbreath.Hiseyesnarrowed."Andcollege?"

"There'sacollegeinCalgary,"sheremindedhim."AndI'vegotallthetimeintheworldtofinish
schoolnow."

Heleaneddownandkissedhersoftly."Inthatcase,you'dbettergoaheadandenroll,hadn'tyou,
beforewe'remarried.Thenmaybeyou'llhavetimetofinish.

AlthoughIdon'tknowwhattheirpolicyistowardpregnantstudents...."

Hereyesheldhis."Thatsoon?"shewhispered.

Hedrewherbackdown,easingherheadintothecrookofhisarm."Verysoon,"hebreathed,ashis
mouthopenedandpartedthesoftlineofherlips."Willyoumind?"

Heronlyresponsewasasoftcrythatwaslostinthehungerofhiskiss,andforalongtimetheonly
soundswereofheightenedbreathing,wild,sharpmoansandcries.Whenhefinallyletherdrawa
breath,hercheekswereflushedandhereyeswerebrightwithexcitement.

"We'dbettergohomebeforewegetarrested,"hesaidunsteadily."Youseewhatyoudotome?Itouch
youandlosewhatlittlemindIhaveleft."

Shetouchedhismouthwithsoft,lovingfingers."It'salwaysbeenthatwayforme."

Hepressedherfingerstohislipsandletthemgoreluctantly."We'regoingtohavealotofexplaining
todowhenwegetback,I'mafraid,"hesighedashelethereasebackintoherownseat.

Shelaughed."Iwon'tmind.Willyou?"

Heshookhishead."Fancyadoublewedding,doyou?"heaskedwithacockedeyebrow.

Herfacebrightened."Oh,King,couldwe?"

Hecaughtherhandashestartedthecarandputitingear."We'lltalktoJennaandBlakelyaboutit.
Let'sgohome,darling."

Sheclungtohishandastheylefttheairport,hereyesfullofdreams.Inthedistance,theRockieswere
welcoming,andthesunshonedowninaclearbluesky.

Teddismiledupatherfiancewithawarm,possessivegaze.Hewasright.Homewaswherehewas.
Sheleanedherheadonhisshoulderandclosedhereyes.