ChapterOne

Itwasn'tthathemindedthedinnersomuch,orthebusinesstalkthatfollowedit.WhatbotheredEvan
TremaynewasthewayAnnasatandwatchedhim.

Shewasnineteen,blond,buxomandblue-eyed,astatuesqueyoungwomanwithlongtannedlegsthat
lookedincredibleinshorts.Evanhadtriedforthepastyearnottonoticeher,despitethefactthathe
andhermotherdidalotofbusinesstogether.Atthirty-four,hewastheeldestoffourbrothers,andhe
hadalmosttotalresponsibilityfortheirmother.Thefamilybusinesswasmostlyunderhiscontroland
hislifewasonelongtangleofcattle,personnelproblemsandfinancialheadaches.Annawasthelast
damnedstraw.

Especially,hethought,inthatpalebluedressthatshowedtoomuchofhergoldentanandherfull
breasts.Surelyhermothershouldhavesaidsomethingaboutthat.HewonderedifPollyCochran
noticedhowfastherdaughterwasgrowingup.Pollywasneverhome,though.Sheseemedalwaysto
bebusywithsomenewfacetofherrealestatebusiness.Anna'sfatherwasanairlinepilot,butheand
Pollyhadseparatedyearsago.HelivedinAtlanta,Georgia,whiletheylivedinTexas.Infact,Anna
hadbeengivenmostofherupbringingbyLori,thefamilyhousekeeper.Nobodyseemedtohavehad
muchtimeforher.

Pollyhadexcusedherselftotakeaphonecall,andEvanwasleftuncomfortablyalonewithAnna.

"Whyhaveyoubeengloweringatmeforthepasttenminutes?"Annaaskedsoftly.Herblondhair

waspiledontopofherhead,andshelookedsophisticatedandverymatureforachange.

"Becausethatdressshowstoomuchofyou,'Evanrepliedwithcustomarybluntness.Hisdarkeyes

glancedfromherfacetotheswellofherbreasts."Pollyshouldn'thaveboughtitforyou."

"Shedidn't,"Annasaidwithagrin."It'soneofhers.Iborroweditwhenshewasn'tlooking.She

hasn'tevennoticedthatI'mwearingit.Youknowhowunobservantsheis.EverythingwithMamais
business."

"Yourmother'sdressesaretoooldforyou,"hereplied,softeningthewordsalittlewithasmile.He

tendedtobemoreabrasivewithAnnathanwithanyoneelseinhislifebecauseofhisunwanted
attractiontoher."Youshouldwearsomethingmoreappropriateforyourownage."

Shetookaslowbreathandhereyesgentlyworshipedhimbeforetheydroppedtothetable."DoI
reallyseemsoyoungtoyou,Evan?"

"I'mthirty-four,littleone,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepandslowinthesilenceofthediningroom."Yes,
youseemyoung."

Herblueeyessettledonherfoldedhands."Mama'sgivingapartyFridaynighttocelebratethe
openingofthatnewmallinJacobsvillethatshesoldthepropertyfor,"shesaid."Areyoucoming?"

"HardenandMirandamight,"hemurmured."Istaybusy."

Shelookedup,hereyessearchinghisdark,broadfacerelentlessly."Youcoulddanceonedancewith
me.Itwouldn'tkillyou."

"Wouldn'tit?"heaskedwithgraveyardhumor.Hetouchedhislinennapkintohiswide,chiseled
mouthandlaiditdownbesidehisplate.Hegottohisfeet,toweringoverher.Hewasagiantofaman,
allmuscleandstreamlined,fromthebroadwedgeofhischesttohisnarrowhipsandlong,powerful
legs."Ihavetogo."

Shestoodup."Notyet,"shepleaded.

"I'vegotthingstodo,"hesaid.

"No,youhaven't,"shesaid,pouting."Youjustdon'twanttobealonewithme.Whatareyouafraidof,
Evan,thatI'llassaultyouonthetable?"

Heliftedaneyebrowovertwinklingbrowneyes."Andgetmashedpotatoesallovermyback?"

Sheletoutanirritatedbreath."Youwon'ttakemeseriously."

"Iwouldn'tdare,"hesaid,fendingheroffwiththeeaseofyearsofpractice.'TellPollyI'llseeher
tomorrowattheoffice."

"Icouldbedyingofloveforyou,"shesaidquietly."Andyoudon'tevencarethatyou'rebreaking

myheart."

Hegrinned."Heartsdon'tbreak,especiallyatyourage."

"Yes,theydo."Hereyesranupanddownhisbigbody,lingeringonhisbroadchest."Youmightat

leastkissmegoodbye."

"LetRandalldothat,"hereplied."He'sstillattheexperimentingage,likeyou."

"Andyou'reoverthehill,Iguess?"

Hechuckled."Feelslikeitsometimes,"heconfessed."Goodnight,littlegirl."

Shecoloreddelicately,whichheightenedtheblueofhereyes."I'mnotachild!"

"Youaretome."HepickeduphisStetsonfromthesideboardwithoutlookingather."Givemy

apologiestoyourmother.Ican'twaitforher.Thanksfordinner."

Beforeshecouldcomeupwithareply,hewasoutthedoorandgone,withoutevenseemingtohurry.

Thehellofitwasthathewasfiercelyattractedtoher.Infacthecouldprobablyfallheadoverheelsin
lovewithher.Butshewasmuchtooyoungforaseriousrelationship.Atherageshewaslikelytofall
inandoutofloveweekly.Besides,shewasalmostcertainlyavirgin.Evanwassix-fourandweighed
overtwohundredandthirtypounds.Abriefloveaffairhadendedinneartragedybecause,inhis
desireforthewomanheloved-aninnocentwoman,likeAnna-hehadn'tbeenabletocontrolhisgreat

strength.Louisahadrunfromhim,terrified.Ithadscarredhim,madehimhopelesslywaryof
innocentslikeAnna.Hissizehadbeenasorespotwithhimeversincechildhood,whenhewas
forevercomingtothedefenseofhisthreebrothers.He'dalwayshadtopullhispunches.He'deven
putamaninthehospitaloncewhenhe'dunderestimatedhisstrength.Theriskwithashelteredgirl
likeAnnawasjusttoogreat.No,hecouldn'taffordanotherepisodelikethat,hecouldn'ttakethe
chance.Bettertosticktoexperiencedwomenwhoweren'tafraidofhim.

Backatthebrickmansion,AnnawasragingoverthethingsEvanhadsaid.Hewastreatingherlikea
teenwithacrush,whenshewasdyingofunrequitedloveforhim!

"Where'sEvan?"hermotherasked,pausinginthedoorway.Shewastallandthinandfiftyish,dark,
whereAnnawasfairlikeherfather.

"Heleft,"Annasaidcurtly."HewasafraidImightbendhimoverthetableandseducehiminthe
greenbeansandmashedpotatoes."

"What?"Pollyasked,laughing.

"He'safraidtobealonewithme,"Annamuttered."IsupposehethinksI'llgethimpregnant"

"Child,dowatchyourlanguage,"Pollychided."NevermindEvan.You'vealreadygotabeau,much
closertoyourownage."

Annasighed."GoodoldRandall,"shemused."Withthewanderingeyes.Ilikehimalot,butheflirts
witheverywomanhesees.Ican'tbelievehe'sseriousaboutme."

"He'sonlyinhistwenties,"Pollysaid."Plentyoftimetogetseriouswhenyou'reolder.Marriageis

forthebirds,honey."

Annaglaredather."JustbecauseyouandDaddyweren'thappytogetherdoesn'tmeanthatIcan'thave
agoodmarriage."

Polly'seyesdarkenedandsheturnedawaytolightacigarette,ignoringAnna'sdisapprovingglance
asshereachedforanashtray."YourfatherandIwereveryhappyatfirst,"hermothercorrected.
"ThenhestartedflyingoverseasroutesandIgotintotherealestatebusiness.Weneversaweach
other."Sheshrugged."Justoneofthosethings."

"Doyoustilllovehim?"

Theolderwomancockedaperfectdarkeyebrow."Loveisamyth."

"Oh,Mama,"Annasighed.

Pollyjustlaughed."Dreamyourdreams,child.I'llsettleforCDsinthebankandplentyofstocksand
bondsinmysafetydepositbox.Wheredidyougetthatdress?"

Theyoungerwomangrinned."It'syours."

Hermothergaveheramockglare."HowmanytimeshaveItoldyoutostayoutofmycloset?"

"Onlytwenty.Youwon'tbuymeanythingthissexy."

"IsupposeyouworeittotemptEvan,"Pollymused."Well,youmightaswellgiveup.Evan'stooold
foryou,andheknowsit,evenifyoudon't.Goandchange.I'lltreatyoutoamovie."

"Okay."

Itwasnicetohaveamotherwhowasalsoagoodfriend,Annathoughtasshecompliedwiththe
request.ButnobodyseemedinclinedtotakeherfeelingsforEvanseriously.EspeciallyEvanhimself.

SometimesAnnathoughtitwouldbeniceifshehadajobthatwouldputherinconstantcontactwith
Evan.Butshecouldn'tworkcattleandsheknewnothingaboutbookkeepingorfinance.Thebestshe'd
beenabletomanagewassecretarialworkathermother'srealestateoffice.Thatdidbringherinto
fairlyfrequentcontactwithEvan,becausetheTremaynebrotherswerealwayslookingforinvestment
properties.SinceEvanwastheeldestandheadedthecompany,hewastheonehermothersawmost
frequently.ThatmeantAnnagottoseehim.Shewasworkingonthepremiseofwaterdrippingon
stone.Ifhewasaroundherenough,hemightnoticeher

more.

Therewere,ofcourse,betterwaysthanjustsittingaroundhoping.AnnahadthepursuitofEvandown
toascience.Shecouldwrangleinvitationstopartieshe'dattend,shefoundwaystotrackhimdownat
lunchandaccidentallyrunintohim.Sheoccasionallywaylaidhimatthepostofficeorthefeedstore.
Mostpeoplefoundherrelentlesschaseamusing,butmoreandmoreshesensedthatitwasaffecting
Evan.Ifonlyhe'djustlookather!

Itwasawell-knownfactthatEvanhatedalcohol.Hehadanintenseaversiontoitforreasons

nobodyunderstood.SoallAnnahadtodotoattracthisinterestathermother'sofficethenextdaywas
tosittwobottlesofunopenedwhiskeyonherdeskbeforehewasdueattherealtycompany.

Hestoppeddeadwhenhesawthem,hisdark

browsknittingoverdeep-setbrowneyesshadedby

thebrimoftheStetsonpulledlowoverhisforehead.

"Whatthehellisthatfor?"hedemanded,gesturingtowardthebottles.

"Medicinalpurposes,"Annasaidsmugly.Shewaswearingawhitelinensuitwithapinkblouse,her

hairinaplait,andshelookedbothbusinesslikeandfeminine.

Heglaredather."Tryagain."

Sheglancedaroundtomakesurenoneoftheotherwomenintheofficewerelistening,andshe

leanedforward."It'stotreatsnakebite."

Thescowlgotworse."Therearen'tanyrattlersinhere."

Shegrinned."Yes,thereare."Shepulledopenherbottomdrawertorevealtwohugeplasticsnakes

withrealisticfangs.

Evan'seyeswidened."GoodGod!"

"Theseareforpeoplewhoneedanexcusetodrinkthewhiskey."

"Areyououtofyourmind?"

"IfIwas,howcouldIbeusingittotalktoyou?"

Hegaveupandwentpasther,shakinghishead.Annawatchedhim,herblueeyeslazilyadoringon

histall,powerfulbody.Hewasperfectlybuilt,withbroadshoulderstaperingtoslenderhipsandlong
legs.Hehadarodeorider'sphysique,exceptforhisgreatsize.Evanhadhandsthesizeofplates.He
wasevenintimidatingtosomeofthewomenintheoffice,whomadeinnuendoesthatAnnawastoo
shelteredtounderstand.ButAnnafoundnothingfrighteningabouthimatall.Shelovedhim.

Hewasawareofthatsilentstare,buthedidn'treacttoit.Shewasplayinggamesagain,heknewit.She
hadtobeawarethatthewhiskeywoulddrawhisattention.Ithadworked.Hehadtobemorecareful
fromnowon,nottofallintoherlittletraps.

Butitwasn'tthateasy.WhenhecameoutofPolly'soffice,Annawasn'tatherdesk.Hefoundher
outsidenearhiscar,onherhandsandkneesbesidethesmallwhitePorschehermotherhadbought
her,lookingthroughasmalltoolbox.

"Lookingforsomething?"heasked.

"Yes.Formyleft-handedJohnsonwrench."

Hesighedimpatiently."There'snosuchthing."

"Thereisso.Johnsonisthelocalmechanicandhe'sleft-handed.IborrowedhiswrenchandnowI've
lostit."

Hethrewuphishands."What'sgottenintoyoutoday?"

"Maddenedpassion,"shesaid,standingup,hereyeswideandtheatrical,likeheraudiblebreathing.
"I'mdyingforyou!"Shethrewherarmswideandsprawledagainstthesideofthecar."Goahead,
ravishme!"

Hewashavingtochokebacklaughter."Where?"heasked,glancingaroundthebigcarpark.

"Onthehoodofthecar,inthetrunk,Idon'tcare!"Shewasstillholdingthepose,hereyesclosed.

"Thehoodwouldbreakunderyourweight,nevermindmine,andIdon'tthinkIcouldgetmyhead

andshouldersinthattinytrunk."

Sheopenedhereyesandglaredathim."Onthepavement?"

Heshookhishead."Toohard."

"Thegrass."

"Chiggersandfireants."Hefoldedhisarmsoverhischest,andhiseyesrandownherbodyslowly

andwithouthisusualdetachment.Infact,theboldgazeunnervedher.Noone,notevenRandall,had
everlookedatherinthatparticularglitteryway,asifheknewwhatshelookedlikewithherclothes
off.

Defensively,shefoldedherarmsacrossherjacket."Don'tdothat,"shesaidsoftly.

"Youstartedit,honey,"heremindedher,andmoveddeliberatelycloser,threateningherwithhis

sizeandstrength.Shelookednervousnow,whichwaswhatheintended.Playinggameswithgrown
mencouldbedangerous.Someoneneededtoproveittoher.

"Evan..."shesaiduneasily.

Thecarparkwasdeserted,andAnna'sbravadowasquicklydisappearing.Flirtingwasonething,

butshestillwasn'tquitesureofherselfinanyintimatesituation.ShecouldhandleRandall,butEvan
hadan

untamedlookabouthim.Hemightseemlikeabigteddybearattimes,buttheTremaynebrothers
wereafierybunchandhewastheeldest.ProbablyConnal,HardenandDonaldhadlearnedallthey
knewfromhisexample.

"What'sthematter?"heaskedwithamockingsmilewhenshebackedagainstthecarlikeakittenat
bay."Notassafeasyouthought?"

Shedidn'tknowwhatshethoughtanymore.Hesmelledofcologneandsoap,andhisheightandsize
wereintimidating.

"It'sbroaddaylight,"shepointedout.

"Iknowthat."Hepursedhiswidelipsandsmileddownather,butitwasn'tanykindofsmileshe'd
everseenonhislipsbefore.Oronanyotherman's,cometothinkofit.Itwassensuousandmasculine
andveryarrogant,asifheknewthatherkneeswereweakandherheartwasbeatinghertodeath.

"Ireallyhavetogo,Evan,"shesaid,soundingfrantic.

Hecouldhavepushedit.Healmostdid.Herveryvulnerabilityattractedhimasherblatantflirting
neverhad.Hiseyesfelltoherhigh,fullbreastsandnarrowed.Shewasvoluptuousintheverybest
way,well-endowedenoughtoalmostfillhandseventhesizeofhis.Hestartedatthedirectionhis
thoughtsweretaking.Annawasavirgin.Heremindedhimselfofthatsilentlyandforcedhiseyes
backuptoherflushed,stunnedface.

"Ithoughtyouwantedtogetravished,"hesaidsoftly,thevelvetydepthofhisvoiceathreatinitself.
"Runningawaybeforeweevengetstarted?"

Sheswalloweddownherfearandeasedawayfromhim,laughingnervously.Hemadeherfeel

youngandtotallygreen."I'llneedtotakealotofvitaminsfirst,togetinshape,"shesaid,glancingat
himassheopenedthedoorofhercarandclimbedin."Holdthatthought,though."

Helaughedgentlyathergrit.Shehadcourage,andshebouncedbackfast.Ifshe'dbeenafewyears

older,anythingmighthappen."Okay,rabbit,hittheroad.Butnexttime,besureyouknowwhatyou're
askingfor,"headded,andhiseyeswereserious."Amanwon'tusuallyturndownablatantinvitation,
evenifit'sagainsthisbetterjudgment."

"You'vebeenturningmedownforyears,"sheremindedhim,catchingherbreath."You're

experienced."

Hisdarkeyesnarrowedonherface."Yes,Iam,"hesaidquietly."Keepthatinmind.You'restillat

thestagewhereyouthinkaman'sappetitecanbesatisfiedbyafewsoftkisses.Minecan't."

Sheglaredathim."Iwasn'toffering...!"

"Weren'tyou?"

Sheavertedhergazetoherfingersonthekeyintheignition."No,Iwasn't,"shesaidcurtly."Iwas

onlyteasing."

"Thatkindofteasingcanbedangerous.PracticeonRandall.He'ssaferthanIam."

"Atleasthewantsme,"shemuttered,andsheabruptlystartedthecar.

"Goodforhim,"hereplied."Don'tspeedinthattoycar."

Shemovedthetoolboxfromthepassengerseattothefloorboard."Ineverspeed,"shelied.

Hewatchedherfastenherseatbelt."Throughforthedayalready?"hetauntedsoftly.

"I'mhavinglunchwithmybestfriend,"shesaidevasively.

Heliftedhiseyebrows."Ididn'tknowyouhadone."

Shedidn'tanswerhim.Shebackedoutoftheparkingspotandmanagedtotakeoffwithoutstripping
thegears.Tearsglitteredinhereyes,buthewouldn'tseethem.

Shestoppedatanearbyrestaurantandhadahamburger,allbyherself.Shehadnogirlfriends.She
likedRandallverywell.Hewasaresidentatthehospital,thesonofthelocaldoctor,andnotbad
looking.Ofcourse,hedidhaveawanderingeye,butAnnagotalongwithhimanddidn'tfeel
threatenedbyhim.HerheartwasEvan's,sadlyenough.Howterrible,toloveamanwhotreatedyou
likeachildandmadefunofyouwhenyouofferedyourselftohim.Shecouldhavebawled.Actually,
everythingwasbravadowithher,whereEvanwasconcerned.She'dteasedhimjusttogethis
attention.Buthavinggottenit,shedidn'tknowwhattodowithit.Hewasexperienced,andshewasn't.
Shedidn'tknowhowtohandleamanlikethat.She'djustbeenshowngraphicallythatshewastotally
outofherelementwithEvan.

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DIANAPALMER

215

Shewentbacktotheofficelate,andherheartwasn'tinherworkfortherestoftheday.Pollydidn't

evennotice.Annawonderedsometimesifhermotherpaidmuchattentiontoanythingthatshedidn't
wanttosee.

ThepartyhermothergavetocelebratetheopeningofthenewJacobsvillemallgaveAnnaan

excusetodresstothebackteeth.Not,shetoldherself,thatEvanwasgoingtonotice.He'dalreadysaid
heprobablywouldn'tcome.Randallwouldbethere,though.Shecouldcertainlydressupforhim.

Sheworeawitchy,silver,crystal-pleateddressthatfellinlayerstojustbelowherknees.Shelether

blondhairwaftlooselyaroundhershoulders,straightandheavy,andsheworesexylittlehigh-heeled
sandalsonherfeet.Sheknewshelookedgood,buttheeveningfeltflat.Sheaddedahintofpastel
lipsticktoherfulllipsandbrushedherhair,butherheartwasn'tinherpreparations.WithoutEvan,
herwholelifewasflatanduninteresting.

DownstairsRandallwaswaitingforher,lookingverytrendyinhissportscoatandneatlypressed

slacks.Heworewire-rimmedglasses,andhewasverydignified.Notahairoutofplace,although
whathehadwasthinningabovehisforehead.Hewasn'thandsome.Butwomenlovedhim.Hehada
gentle,caringdemeanorandhewasgoodcompany,evenifhedidhavetheworstkindofwandering
eye.Annalikedhim,andthefeelingwasmutual.

"Youlookverynice,"hetoldher,glancing

aroundattheveryelegantcrowdPollywasentertaining."Yourmotherknowseverybody,doesn't
she?"

"Everyonewhomovesinhercircles,"Annareplied.Randall'sinterestinthewealthysetdisturbedher.
Annahadnevermixedwithpeoplesimplybecauseoftheirwealthorsocialstatus.Neitherdidthe
Tremaynes.Randallwasthinkingaheadtothetimewhenhewouldbeinpractice,shewassure.His
preferenceforanuptownmedicalpracticewassomethinghemadenosecretof.

HetookAnna'sarmandguidedherthroughtothecanap6table,whererubypunchandsavorieswere
beingofferedtotheguests."I'mstarved.Ihadtoforegolunchforexams.Iwishthiswasasit-down
affair."

"Lorididhoneychickenandsalmoncroquettes,"shetoldhim,gesturingtowardplattersoffood.
"Andtherearelittleblueberrymuffins,too.Ifyouloadenoughonyourplate,you'llgetfull."

Hesmiledather."Iguessso."

Shenoticedthecouplesmovingtothesoftmusicoftheliveband.Shelovedtodance,butRandall
couldn't.Hehadnodesiretolearn,eventhoughshe'dofferedtoteachhim.

"Youwouldn'tliketoshufflearoundthefloor?"shetriedyetoncemore.

Heshookhishead."Sony.I'mtired.Iwanttogetoffmyfeet,notonthem!"

Sheliftedhershouldersasifshedidn'tcare.Shegotacupofpunch,lookingaroundforfamiliar
faces.

216

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DIANAPALMER

217

WhenshespottedHardenandMirandaTremayne,hereyeswenthelplesslypastthem,hopingfora
glimpseofEvan.Buthewasn'tthere.Herfacefell,evenasshesmiledagreetingatthecouple.

Mirandawaswearingablackmaternitydresswithflowinglace,andshehadaradiantHarden

besideher.AnnahadalwaysfeltalittlesorryforHarden,becausehe'dseemedsoalone.Butthese

days,hesmiledalot,andtheoldcoldnesswasgonefromhisblueeyes.

HehadapossessivearmaroundMiranda'sswollenwaist,andhelookeddevastatinginadinner

jacketAlmost,Annathought,asgoodasEvanlookedsimilarlyclothed.

"Niceturnout,"Hardenmurmureddryly."Yourmotheroutdidherself."

"Indeedshedid,"Annasaid,grinning."DoIgetintroduced?I'veseenMiranda,butI'venever

actuallygottentomeether."

"Miranda,thisisAnnaCochran,"Hardenobliged."YoumetPollyattheChamberofCommerce

banquetafewdaysago.Pollysoldthepropertyforthenewmallandhelpedcoaxinsomenew
businesses."

"I'mverygladtomeetyou,"Mirandasaid,smilingback,hersilveryeyesalmostthecolorof

Anna'sdress."I'veheardalotaboutyou."

Annasighed."AboutmyrelentlesspursuitofEvan,Iguess,"shemurmuredruefully."It'sa

hopelesscause,butIcan'tseemtogetoutofthehabit.

Onedayhe'llmanysomebodyandIcangiveupwithgoodgrace."

"Thatdoesn'tseemlikely,"Hardenrepliedonasigh."Evanissurehe'sdoomedtoperpetual
bachelorhood.He'sforevermoaningthatwomenwon'tgivehimthetimeofday."

"HisexcuseusedtobethattheytrampledhimtryingtogettoHarden."Mirandalaughed,swinging
herlong,darkhair."Nowadays,he'sconvincedthathe'stoooldtoappealtoanyone."

"Thirty-fourandreadyfor'thehome,'"Hardenagreed.Heshookhishead."Savehim,Anna."

"I'mtrying,"shelaughed."Buthewon'tletmeputawaymybabydollsandmyplayteaset.Hethinks
I'mamerechild."

"Hewouldn'tifhesawyouinthatdress,"Mirandasaidwithaconspiratorysmile."Youlookvery
elegant."

"AtleastRandallnoticed,"Annagrimaced."Wanttomeethim?"

SheturnedtodragRandalloverbyonearmwhilehenibbledonchickenwings."ThisisRandall
Wayne,"shetoldthem."He'samedicalstudent."

"I'maresident,thankyouverymuch,"Randallsaid,gloweringather."Onlyashortleapfrommy
ownpractice,whenIfinishmyresidencynextyear,"headded,grinningatthem."Remembermeif
youbreakanything."

"I'lldothat,"Hardenpromised.

"Oh,Randall,"Annasighed."You'rehopeless."

"Patientsarescarceforyoungdoctors,"here-

218

EVAN

mindedher."Can'tblameamanfortryingtodrumupbusinessinadvance?"

"Certainlynot,"Mirandasaidlaughing.

Annadidn'twanttoask,butshecouldn'tquitehelpit."Idon'tsupposeanyoftherestofthefamily

camewithyou?"sheasked.

"JustEvan,"Hardenmurmuredreluctantly,watchingthewayhereyesbrightened."He'sparkingthe

car."Hedidn'twanttotellhertherest.Anna'shelplessattractiontoEvanwassoobviousthathewas
alreadyhurtingforher.

"Hemaybeoutthereallnight,"Randallpointedout."Ittookmethirtyminutestofindsomeplaceto

leavemycar."

"Evan'sresourceful,"Hardensaid.HeglancedregretfullyatAnna.Shewasgoingtoneedtimeto

steelherselfbeforeEvancamein.Heowedherthat."AndNina'swithhim.She'sawhizatfindingthe
impossible."

ChapterTwo

Annadidn'tknowhowshemanagedtorespondtothatcasualcomment,butshesavedherpridewitha
smileandanoffhandremark.Evanhadmadeitabundantlyclearthathedidn'twantheradulation,now
hewaspushingtheknifehome.He'dbroughtNina,whomeveryoneknewwashisoldflame.The
womanwasnowasuccessfulfashionmodelinHouston,andshewasvisitinglocally.Probablyshe
wasdoingherbesttorekindlethoseembers.IfEvanhadbroughthertoPolly'sparty,hehadtobe
encouragingher.

"Mybrotherisanidiot,"HardentoldMirandaastheymovedaway,hisblueeyesglittering."MyGod,
didyouseewhatitdidtoher?Evanthinksshe'sachild,butthekindofhurtIsawinherfaceisn't
juvenile."

"Doesn'thefeelanythingatallforher?"Mirandaasked.

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221

"Idon'tknow.Ifhedoes,he'sburiedit.He'sstubborn,andhecanbecruelwhenhe'spushed.Anna's

madeagameofit,playingatflirtingandteasing.Hethinksthat'sallthereistoit.Hedoesn'tthink
she'sserious."

"Butsheis."

Henodded."I'msureofit.It'sacamouflage.Afterall,thesafestwaytohideyourfeelingsisto
exaggeratethem.Poorlittlething.Randallisn'tapatchonEvan,butshe'llwindupmarryinghimout
ofunrequitedloveformybrother."

"Suchawaste."Mirandasighed.

Hepulledhercloser."Indeeditis.ThankGod,we'repastallthatuncertainty."

Shesmiled,liftingradianteyestohis."Iloveyou."

Hisblueeyeskindled.Hebentandkissedhersoftly."Icansendthatback,multiplied."

"Yes,"shewhispered,pressingclose."Iknow.Wehavesomuch,Harden."

Hisleanhandlightlytouchedthesoftswellofherbellyandhiseyesblazedintohers."MorethanI
everdreamed,"hewhispered."DidIevertellyouthatyou'remylife?"

Mirandawastoochokedwithemotiontoevenanswer.Shepressedcloseagainsthissidewhilehis
lipsbrushedherforeheadwithexquisitetenderness.

Anna,watchingthemcovertly,wantedtocry.Whattheyfeltforeachotherwasalmosttangible.She'd
neverknownthatkindofintimatecaring.Sheprobablyneverwould.Randall'sideaofromance

wasafewkissespunctuatedwithgroping.Hemightmakeanexcellentdoctor,buthehadalongway
togoasevenalukewarmlover.Andhewasn't,couldneverbe,Evan.

ShesippedherpunchwhileRandallspoketosomeoneheknewfromthehospital.Shewouldn'tlook
atthedoor,sheabsolutelywouldn't.Shewasn'tgoingtogiveEvanthesatisfactionofknowingthathe
waskillingherwithhisindifference.

"Finally,somethingtodrink!"cameahusky,purringvoicefrombehindher."Hello,Anna!"NinaRay
said,smilingfaintly."Ihopethatpunchisspiked.Ireallyneedadrink.Evanhadtoparkalmostinthe
pond!Myfeetarekillingmefromsomuchwalking."

"That'snothingunusualisit,foramodel?"Evantaunted.

Annacouldn'tmeethiseyes.Sheglancedathiswhiteshirtandblacktieanddinnerjacketandaverted
hergazetogorgeouslydarkNinainawhiteandblackgownthatputeveryoneelse'sdressestoshame.

"Youlookgreat,"Annasaidsincerely."Iseeyouallthetimeinfashionmagazines.Forasmall-town
girl,yousurehititbig."

"Ihadalotofhelp,lovey,"Ninamused.SheglancedupatEvanwithaself-confidentsexinessthat
madeAnnagrindherteethinfrustration.She'dneverlearnhowtodothat.

"Where'sPolly?"EvanaskedashefilledpunchcupsforNinaandthenhimself.

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"Circulating,"Annasaid,smiling."She'sverymuchtheladyofthehour."

"Shedeservesit,"Evanreplied."Thatmallwillbringinalotofnewbusinesses,andplentyof

revenue."

"Everythinghelpstoswellthetaxbase,"Randallremarked,joiningthem.HesmiledatNina."You

looklovely!"heenthused,andAnnacouldhavehithim.Hehadn'tbeenhalfthatvocalaboutherown
appearance.

"Thankyou.Andwho'sthis?"Ninaasked,herdarkeyesflirtingwithRandall.

"RandallWayne,"hesaid,takingherslenderhandinhis.Heactuallykissedtheknuckles,justabove

thered-paintednails."Nicetomeetyou,MissRay."

Ninabeamed."YouknowwhoIam?"

"Everyonedoes.Yourfaceisunmistakable.Iseeitonmagazinecoversallthetime."

"Yes."Ninasighedcomplacently."MycareerhastakenoffsinceEvanhelpedmefindthatnew

agency."

"Anythingtohelp,"Evansaidsuavely.HewastryingnottonoticeAnnaandfailingmiserably.In

thatsilvergown,herexquisiteskinwasdisplayedalmosttooblatantly.Herhoney-browntanmadeher
complexionevenprettierandemphasizedherbigblueeyes.Itwasanefforttokeepawayfromher.

"Thebandisverygood,"Ninaremarked."Evan,dolet'sdance!"

Shetookhishandandheadedforthedancefloor

withoutgivinghimtimetospeaktoRandallorAnna.Notthathewouldhave,anyway,Annathought.
Hewasgivingherablatantmessage-handsoff.Sheliftedhercupofpunchtoherlipswithasigh.

"Thispunchneedshelp,"oneoftheguestsremarked,slippingabottleofwhiskeyfromunderhis
dinnerjacket."Heregoes!"

Annawatchedhimfillthebowlwithawrygrin.Sheknewoneoftheguestswouldhavehivesifhe
sawthat.Evandidn'tlikepunch,though,sotherewaslittlelikelihoodthathe'dimbibe.Hehated
alcohol.Annahadheardthatheactuallytookaglassofwinebacktothekitchenonenightwhenhe
washavingdinnerwithJustinandShelbyBallenger.

ShementionedthattoRandallafterthepunchspi-kerhadsampledhishandiworkandretiredtothe
dancefloorwithhispartner.

"Yes,Iheardaboutthat,"Randallremarked."JustinandShelbyhavethreeboysnow,haven'tthey?"

"Yes.They'reneckandneckwithCalhounandAbby."

"Theyhavetwoboysandagirl,"heremindedher."IheardHardenandEvan'sbrotherConnal
mentionitatapartyIattendedaweekago."

Shelaughedgently."ConnalinsistedthatCalhounandAbbyhadadaughterjustaftertheirsecond
childwasborn.Theydon'tTheyhaveasonnamedTerry,andwhenConnalheardthename,he
assumedthey'dgottenthedaughtertheywanted.Heknowsbetternow,ofcourse,butit'sbecome
somethingofafam-

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ilyjoke.NotthatanybodymentionsittoCalhounorAbby."

"Terryiskindofaunisexname,"Randallsaid.

"It'sshortforTerrance,whichisn't,"shecorrected."Imaginethat-twobrothersandsixsonsandnot

agirlinthebunch."Sheshookherhead.

"WhataboutShelby'sbrother,Tyler?"

"Heandhiswifecan'thavechildren,"Annasaidwithquietregret."Butthey'veadoptedfive!Nell

wasveryupset,butTylerinvolvedherinoneofthosefosterparentprograms.Innotime,shewas
knee-deepinkidswho'dhadnorealhomeatall.Theysaidthechildrenarethegreatestmiracleof
theirlives."

"Auniquesolution,"Randallagreed."Onecoupleinsevenisinfertile.Itmustbedifficult,although

theyseemtohavefoundawaytocopewiththeloss."

AnnaloweredhereyestothepunchtableandthoughtaboutneverhavingEvan'schildren.Notthat

shewould,becausehehadNina.Itwassadandsobering.

"Isupposeifyouloveeachother,noobstacleisinsurmountable,"shesaiddimly.

"Isuppose.Here.Trysomeofthis.It'srathergood-Hehandedheracupofspikedpunchandshe
sippedit,wincingatthestingofthealcoholonhertongue.Theicefruitringhadn'tdilutedthe

whiskeyverymuch,andAnnaseldomdrank.

"That'sstrongstuff,"sheremarked.

"Onlyifyouaren'tusedtoit."Hechuckled."You'rejustlikeEvanaboutalcohol,aren'tyou?"

Sheavertedherface.Heobviouslyhadnoideahowmuchthatremarkhurther."Idon'tlikealcohol,"
shesaidabsently.

"Yes,I'venoticed."

Shedidn'thearthefaintmockeryinhistone.HereyeshadbeendrawnagainstherwilltoEvan.He
wassotallandhuskythathedwarfedalmosteveryothermanintheroom.HehadthelovelyNina
closeinhisbigarmsandhewasholdingherwithcasualintimacy.Bothherslenderarmswerelooped
aroundhisneck;hishandsonherwaistheldhercarelesslyclose.He'dneverheldAnnalikethat.
Probablyheneverwould.

Hereyessoftenedandsaddenedatthesightofhim.Ineveningclothes,hewasdevastating.Hisdark
tanwasemphasizedbythewhiteshirthewore,andtheblacktie,dinnerjacketandslacksmadehim
looktallerandverydignified.JustlookingathimmadeAnnafeelwarmandsafe,likecominghome.
Ifonlyhefeltthatwayabouther.Itwouldbeheaven.

Evanfeltherraptgazeandmetitacrosstheroom.Itwaslikelightningstriking.Hisbodytautened
helplessly,andhiseyesnarrowed.Annaagain,hethoughtangrily,playingwithmatches.Shedidn't
knowwhatshewasdoing.Atnineteenshewasjustbeginningtofeelherpowerasawoman,andshe
wasusingitblatantlywitheverymanwhocameclosetoher.Thatwasallitwas,sohe'dbetter
remember.

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HetorehisgazeawayandbenttokissNinainfrontofthewholeassembly.Hediditthoroughly

andwithfierceneed,tobanishthesightofAnna'swoundedface.

Ninawasbreathlesswhenhelethergo,andAnnahadvanished.Atleasthe'daccomplishedthatmuch.

"Wanttotakemehomerightnow,bigman?"Ninaaskedhuskily."I'mwilling."

ButEvanwasn't.Heshookhishead."We'dbetternotvanishbeforePollymakesherspeech,"hesaid
withforcedhumor.

Ninasighed."Youstilldon'treallywantme,doyou?"sheaskedquietly."Ican'tgetyouwithina

mileofmyapartment."

"We'refriends,"heremindedher,smiling."Otherwise,whywouldIbegivingyourcareera

helpinghand?"

"Tomakesomeotherwomanjealous,I'mbeginningtothink,"shesaidcandidly,watchinghis

eyelidsflinch."Ortousemeascamouflage.Becauseyoucertainlydon'twantmejustformyself.You
hardlyevertakemeout."

Hesmiled."Ikeepbusy."

"Notthatbusy,andyoudon'tgooutwithmanywomen.That'sright,"shenoddedwhenshesawhis

puzzledexpression,"IstillhavefriendsinJacobsvillewhokeepmeup-to-dateonwho'sseeing
whom.Youdon'tdateanyoneregularly.ThegossipisthatAnnaCochranhasbeenseenpursuingyou
everywhereexceptupatree."

Hedrewinaheavybreath."That'spartiallytrue."

"Sothat'swhyyoubroughtmehere.Probablywhyyoukissedme,too."Shesmiledlazily."Okay,
lover.Ifyouneedprotection,hereIam.Doyourworst.We'llsayit'sforoldtimes'sake."

"You'reverygenerous,"hemused.

"You'vebeenthat,"sherepliedseriously."I'llhelpyouscrapethekidoff,noproblem."

Hedidn'tlikeitputthatway,asifAnnawasaleech.Hefrowned.

"She'sababeinthewoods,isn'tshe?"Ninawassaying,hereyesonAnnastandingatthepunchbowl
withRandall."Isshegoingtomarrythemedicalstudent,doyouthink?"

"HowshouldIknow?"heaskedirritably.He'dneverthoughtofRandallasmuchofathreattoAnna's
maidenhood,butshewasspendingalotoftimewiththeyoungermanlately.

"She'swell-to-do.Orhermotheris,"Ninamused,thinkingaloud."Ayoungdoctorgoinginto
practiceneedsarichwife."

Evanstiffened."Annaisn'tthatstupid."

"Darling,she'sateenager.Whatdoessheknowaboutmen?MyGod,I'llbetshe'sevenavirgin!"

Evandidn'twanttothinkaboutthat.Itmadehisbloodrunhot.HeturnedNinatotherhythm."Annais

Randall'sbusiness,notmine.Dance.Helpmegetheroffmyneck."

Ninasmiledwarmly."Mypleasure."

Annawatchedthemdanceandtookanothersipof

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herpunch,andthenanother."Iwishyoucoulddance,Randall,"shesaid,thewordssoundingalittle
slurred.Shefeltveryrelaxed.

"SodoI,sometimes.Wanttotryit?"heasked,puttingdownhiscup."Ifeelprettylooserightnow."

"Good."

Shewentintohisarmsandtaughthimthebasictwo-step.Hebegantogrin,andhishandsbrought

hergentlycloser.

"Thisisnice,"hesaidwonderingly.

"Soitis."Shelayhercheekonhischestandclosedhereyes,barelymovingasthemusic

continued.ThedevilwithEvan,shetoldherself.Shedidn'tcareifhemadelovetohisoldflameright
thereonthedancefloor.Shejustwouldn'tlook.

"Havingagoodtime,Anna?"oneofPolly'sfriendsaskedasshedancednearbywithherhusband.

"Oh,yes,"Annarepliedpolitely."Ihopeyouare."

"It'slovely.Evan'sbroughtsomeonewithhim,Isee,"thewomanaddedwithafaintlymocking

smile."Wardingyouoff,ishe?"

Annaflushed.Overtheyearsshe'dgottenusedtobeingteasedaboutherpursuitofEvan,but

tonightitstung."Nina'sanoldfriendofhis,"shepointedout

"Yes,buthedoesn'tusuallycometoPolly'spartieswithawomanintow.Infact,"shesaidcattily,

"hedoesn'tusuallycomeatallthesedays,doeshe?

Isupposehe'sreallydesperateifhehastolookupoldflamestodiscourageyou."

AnnapulledawayfromRandall,whowasopenlyscowling,andmovedbacktothepunchbowl,
leavingthewomanwithhermouthopen.

"Whatareyousoupsetabout?"Randallasked,joiningherthere."Everybodyknowsthatyouused

tochaseEvan.You'renotdoingitnow,sowhyletpeoplebotheryou?"Heslidanarmaroundher
waist."You'vegotme,now."

Hadshereally?Everytimeanewwomancameintotheroom,shecouldseeRandall'seyessizingher
up.Hewasabornflirt,anddespitehislackofconventionalgoodlooks,hecouldbeutterlycharming.

"IguessIdidn'trealizehowblatantImusthaveseemed,"Annasaidquietly,hereyesdowncast."Iwas
onlyplaying."Shehadn'tbeen,butitsalvagedsomeofherpridetopretendshewas.

"Iknowthat,"Randallsaid."Sodomostotherpeople.Don'tworryaboutgossip.I'vebeenignoringit
forweeks."

Herheadjerkedup."Whathaveyouheard?"

Heshruggedandsmiledalittle."Justthatyou'dbeenmadlypursuingEvanallovertown.Accidental
meetingsthatweren'taccidental,hangingaroundhimatpartiesandflirtingshamelessly,thatkindof
thing.TheysaidEvancouldn'tgoanywhereinJacobsvillewithoutyourturningupthere.Ithoughtit
wasfunny."

"Evandidn't,"shesaidmiserably."Iwentover-

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boardandhe'sfinallyreachedtheendofhisrope.IwishI'drealizedsoonerhowsillyIwas
behaving."

"Wasthatwomanright?DidhebringthelovelyNinatowardyouoff?"

Shenodded,feelingconspicuousnow."I'msureofit.PoorEvan."

"Idon'tknow,"Randallmurmured,smilingather."Itmustbeflatteringtobechasedbyapretty

youngwoman."

"Itmustbeexasperating,youmean,"shesaid,suddenlyunderstanding.Howcouldshehavelet

thingsgothatfarwithoutrealizingthepositionshewasputtingEvanin?She'dteasedandflirted,
hopingtomakehimnoticeher.Butallshe'daccomplishedwastoscarehimoff.Whatanidiotshe'd
been!

Asifrealizingthatwasn'tbadenough,shehadtofacethefactthateveryoneknewthathissquiring

ofNinawastokeepheratbay.Itwashumiliatingtohavehimpubliclyrejectherlikethis.Asshe
glancedaround,shecaughtpeoplelookingatherandbegantonoticethefaintpityintheireyes.

Shehadtofighttearsastheeveningworeon.EvandancedwithnooneexceptNinaandwasso

attentivetoherthatspeculationontherekindlingoftheoldrelationshipranrampant.Thewayhe
avoidedAnnaspokevolumes.NobodynoticedthatAnnawasdoingherbesttoavoidhimaswell.She
clungtoRandalllikealeech.

Pollygaveaspeechandintroducedtwoofthemall'smainbackers,alongwiththemerchantswho

werealreadycommittedtoopeningbusinessesinit.

Thespeechwaswellreceived,anditdiddivertAnnafromhermisery.

ButdespiteRandall'scompany,Annafeltdejectedandemptyinside.Sheputonagoodfront,laughing
andglittering,sothatnoonewouldguesshowbadlyhurtshewas.

Whenthecrowdstartedtodwindle,Pollypausedbesideherdaughterwithanaffectionatesmile."I
thoughtitwentratherwell.Howareyoudoing,darling?"

"Marvelous,thanks,"Annasaidairily,forcingasmile."It'sbeenlovely,hasn'tit,Randall?"

Randallwaswatchinghernarrowly."Howmanytimeshaveyouhitthatpunchbowl,Anna?"

"Onlythree,"shesaid,blinking."Why?"

HeexchangedaknowinglookwithPolly.

"Somebodyspikedthepunch,"Pollyguessed.

"Howdidyouknow?"

"Evansmelledhispunchandputitdownwithaviciousglareinmydirection,"Pollysaiddryly.

"Ishouldhaveknownhe'dnoticeitfirst,"Randalllaughed.Hecheckedhiswatch."Goodness,I'vegot
togo.I'moncallatthehospitalfrommidnight,andit'salmostthat.I'llbeintouchtomorroworthe
nextday,assoonasIgetsomefreetime.'Night,"hemurmured,brushingacarelesskissacross
Anna'sforehead.

Shewatchedhimgowithnorealinterest.Pollyputanaffectionatearmaroundhershoulders.

"It'skillingyou,isn'tit?"sheaskedwithunusualprotectiveness."You'llsurvive,mydarling.Weall

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do.Evanjustisn'tthetypetosettledown.You'vealwaysknownthat."

"Iwasonlyeverflirting,"Annasaidstubbornly."Itwasn'tforreal.Ithoughtheknewit."

Pollydidn'tcontradictherdaughter.Sherecognizedtheanguishinthoseblueeyes,though.Her

armcontracted."Let'sgoandlistentotheband.Randallwillphonetomorrow.Maybehe'lltakeyou
outtoeat.Youstayhometoomuch."

"IguessIdo.Randall'snice."

"You'lllearnonedaythatwehavetotakewhatwecangetoutoflifeandnotwishforthe

impossiblethingstoohard,"Pollysaidgently."Onedayatatime,pet."

Annasmiled."Yes."Butshewasthinkingofhowmanydaysitwasgoingtotaketogetovertonight.

EvanandNinagravitatedtowardthem,andAnnahadtofighttheurgetocutandrun.

"Itwasalovelyparty.Thankyouforaskingme,"NinasaidwithasmileinPolly'sdirection.

"Itwasmypleasure,"theolderwomanreplied."Evan,I'mgladyoucame,too.Ididn'treallyexpect

you.IfNinamanagedtopryyououtofyouroffice,goodforher."

"Iplantopryhimoutalotmoreoften,now,"Ninapurred,leaningagainstEvan'sshoulder.Anna

didn'tspeakorlookathim,andafteraminute,hestaredatheropenly.

"Howmuchofthatpunchhaveyouhad?"EvandemandedofAnna,hisdarkeyessparking.

Shedidn'tlookathim."Onlyalittle,"shelied."Iknowit'sspiked."

"Youshouldhavepoureditoutandmademore,"hetoldPollybluntly."Annaisn'tallowedtodrink
hardliquor,surely?"

Pollystarted."Evan,she'snineteen,goingontwenty,"shesaidwithurbaneamusement."Ofcourse
she'sallowedtodrink."

"Alcoholcankill,"hepersisted."Especiallyifsheevergetsinthehabitofdrivingunderthe
influence.Shecouldgotojail..."

"Idon'tdrinkanddrive,Evan,"Annasaidsolemnly."Ineverwould.Ifthealcoholbothersyouso
much,whydon'tyougohome?"

Shepouredherselfanothercup-herfourth,actually-andliftedittoherlips,drainingitwhileherblue
eyesdefiedtheangrydarkonesglaringather.

"Can'tyoudoanythingwithher?"hedemandedofPolly.

Anna'seyebrowsarched."Mymotherdoesn'ttellmewhattodoanymore."

Evan'sowneyebrowsarched.Thatdidn'tsoundlikeAnna.Notatall."You'renotusedtoliquor,"he
began.

Shesmiledcoldly."Watchmegetusedtoit,"shereplied,stillsmartingfromhispublichumiliationof
herandwantingtohurtback."NothingIdoisanyofyourdamnedbusiness.Yourememberthat."

Shewhirledonherheel,alittlewobbly,andwenttowardthestaircase.Thewhiskeyinthepunchwas
lyingheavilyonherstomachandshefeltnausearis-

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inginherthroat.Butshefeltasifshe'djustdeclaredindependence,anditwasn'tabadfeelingatall.
Evanwasn'tgoingtobeherfatalweaknessanymore.Evenifshe'ddeservedhisrejection,hecould
havesimplyspokentoherinprivate.Hedidn'thavetodoitlikethis.

Evanstaredafterher,scowling.ItwasthefirsttimeinmemorythatAnnahadtalkedbacktohim.

Hewasusedtoblindadorationfromher,oratworst,pert,flirtingcomments.Starkhostilitywasnew
andalltooexciting.Hisbodywasreactingtoherantagonisminwayshe'dneverexpected.

"She'sabittipsy,Ithink,Evan.Don'tmindanythingshesays,"Pollysaid,wavingitoff."Bythe

way,I'vegotanewinvestmentpropertythatyoumightbeinterestedin.Wanttostopbytheoffice
sometimenextweekandlookoveraprospectus?"

"Yes,I'dlikethat,"Evansaid,preoccupied.

"Let'sgo,"Ninacoaxed."I'msotired,andI'vegotashowinthemorning."

"Sure.Goodnight,Polly,"Evansaid.

Shenodded,smilingcuriouslyatthewayEvan'seyeskeptgoingtothestaircase.Hispossessive

attitudetowardAnnastartledandamusedher.Ofcourse,Evanwasthirty-four,toooldtobetaking
anyrealmasculineinterestinherpoor,lovesickdaughter.Sheturnedandwentbacktoherremaining
guests,thrustinghisoddbehaviortothebackofhermind.Annawouldgetoverhim.Itwasjusta
crush.

Annawassickmostofthenight,andnotjustfromthealcohol.Ithadbeenaneye-opening

experience

tohaveEvanflauntawomaninfrontofher.Forallofthetwoyears,she'dbeenmadlypursuinghim,
he'dneverusedthatcounterattackbefore.Probablynowthatheknewitbotheredher,itwouldn'tbethe
lasttimeheresortedtoit.

Well,shetoldherself,thatwasthat.Ifhewasdesperateenoughtothrowhimselfintothearmsofan
oldflametoescapeAnna,itwastimetoretreat.She'dalwaysknownsomehowthathewasnever
goingtotakeherseriously.Sheshouldhavegivenuplongago.

Thenextmorningshebraidedherlongblondhair,putonhershortsandhaltertopandwentouttoset
uphereaselinthegarden.Shelovedtopaint.Shewasquitegoodatlandscapes,havingevensolda
few.Itgavehersomethingtodowhenshewasn'tworking.

Pollywasattheofficetoday-shesometimesworkedsevendaysaweek.ButAnnaworkedfiveand
paintedtheothertwo.Nowshewastoyingseriouslywiththeideaofquittingtheoffice.Shelovedart
andshehadaneyeforinvestmentpaintings.Shecouldasktheownerofthelocalartgallery,whowas
afriendofthefamily,togiveherajob.Itwouldgetherawayfromtheoffice,whereshewasalltoo
likelytorunintoEvan.Hewantedheroutofhislife,soshedecidedthatshe'dgivehimahelping
hand.Itwastheleastshecoulddoafterhavingpesteredhimfortwoyears.Coldsober,shecouldeven
understandwhyhe'dbroughtNinatothepartylastnight.Poorman.Hemusthavebeenattheveryend
ofhisrope.

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Asshedabbedpaintonthecanvas,sheconsideredheroptions.Shedidn'treallywanttoleave

home,buteventhatmightbeagoodidea.Shewasgoingontwentyyearsold.Itwastimeshehada
lifeofherown,apartfromhermother's.Shehadtostartthinkingaboutherfuture.MarryingRandall
washardlyanoption,eventhoughhe'dbeenhintingthathewouldn'tbeaversetotheidea.
ConsideringPolly'swealth,itwouldbeastrategicmoveonhispart.Itwouldgivehimthefinancial
wherewithaltobuyintoanestablishedpractice,becausecertainlyPollywouldbewillingtohelpher
newson-in-law.

Thelandscapeshewasworkingonwasastudyofsunflowersagainstthesky.Shewasusingahuge

sunflowerinthegardenasamodel.Itwasalazysummerdaywithonlyaslightbreeze,andthesun
feltlikeheavenonherskin.

Acardoorslammed.Shedidn'tlookup.Itwasalmostlunchtimeandshewasexpectinghermother.

"I'moutback,"shecalled."Ifyou'reready,there'sapastasaladinthefridge.Iwanttofinishthis
beforeIcomein."

Footstepsansweredhershout,buttheydidn'tbelongtoawoman.Theyweretooheavy.

HerheadturnedjustasEvancamearoundthesideofthehouse.Hewaswearingworkclothes-jeans

andadust-stainedblueplaidshirt,withdisreputablebootsandaStetsonthatwasbatteredalmost
beyondrecognition.Shestiffenedwithhurtindignation,butshecouldn'taffordtoletitshow.She
turnedbacktoherpainting.

"Where'sPolly?"heaskedwithoutpreamble.

Somuchfortheforlornhopethathemighthavecometoseeher,toapologizefordraggingherpride
throughthedustthenightbefore.Shekepthereyesonthecanvas,sothathewouldn'tseethe
disappointmentinthem.

"Ifsheisn'tattheoffice,she'sonherwayhereforlunch,Iguess,"shesaid.

Hisdarkeyesslidoverherwithreluctantinterest."Shewassupposedtoleaveaprospectusformeon
anewpieceofland.Knowanythingaboutit?"

Sheshookherhead."Sorry."Shetracedasunflowerpetalwithmaniacalaccuracy,tokeephermind
offherbreakingheart."Ifyou'dliketowait,Loricanmakeyousomeicedtea."

Annawassounlikeherusualselfthathefeltoutofhiselement."What?Noinvitationtoravishyou
amongthesunflowers?"

"I'vedecidedtogrowup,"shesaidwithoutlookingathim."Chasingafterunwillingmenisfor
adolescents.Fromnowon,I'monlygoingaftermenIthinkIcancatch."

"LikeRandall?"heasked.

Sheshrugged."Whynot?"

Herattitudedisturbedhim.Heleanedagainstthefencethatsurroundedthesmallgarden."Ididn't
knowyoupainted."

"Atthespeedyoualwaysgoaroundme,I'mnotsurprised,"shesaidimperturbablyanddottedmore
yellowonthecanvas."Nomoregames,Evan,"shesaid,lookingupathimquietly."Igotthemessage

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lastnight.Ifyoureallycameheretomakeitclear,there'snoneed."Shemanagedasmile."I'msorryI
madeyourlifesodifficult.Iwon'tembarrassyouanymore,Ipromise."

Hefeltempty.Hiseyesnarrowedassheturnedbacktohercanvas.Shedidn'tsoundlikeherself.In

fact,hemused,shedidn'tlooklikethekidhe'dalwaysthoughther.Thoselong,tannedlegswerea
woman's,likethefullbreastsunderthatskimpyhalter.Shewasdelectable.

Hequietlywatchedher."AreyouandPollygoingtotheBallengerbarbecuenextweek?"

"Idon'tknow."Sheglancedathimshyly."Ifyou'regoingtobethere,probablynot.Idon'twantto

doyoursociallifeanymoredamagethanIalreadyhave.Nowonderyou'vebeenstayingawayfrom
localsocialoccasions.IhadnoideahowdifficultI'dmadethingsforyouuntilthegossipstartedto
getbacktome."

Hestarted.Thatdidn'tsoundlikeAnna.Heopenedhismouthtospeak,butbeforehecoulddenythe

insinuation,Polly'scarroaredupthedriveway.Secondslatershecamearoundthecorner,having
seenEvan'scar."Thereyouare!"shesaid,laughing."I'vebroughttheprospectus.Iwasgoingtorun
itouttoyou.Anna,islunchready?"

"Lorisaidit'sonthetable,"Annareplied."I'llbeinlater.Iwanttofinishthiswhilethelight'sright."

"Artists,"Pollysighed."Okay,honey.Evan,stay

andeatwithme,sinceAnna'sbentonbeingeccentric."

Evan'sdarkeyeslingeredonAnna'sprofile."Ihavetogetbacktoworkmyself,"hesaidhesitantly.
"We'removinginnewcattletoday,soeverybody'soutintheyardshelping-evenmother."

"Inafewyears,you'llhaveplentyofhelp,"Pollylaughed."Allthosebabiescomingalong."

"Yes."HeturnedandtooktheprospectusPollywasholdingout."I'llrunthroughthiswithHardenand
theothersandgiveyouacallwhenwedecide."

"Fine.Sureyouwon'tstayforlunch?"

HewaitedforAnnatosaysomething,tosecondhermother'sofferatleast.Butshedidn't.Shesaid
nothing.Shedidn'tlookup.Afteraminute,heshruggedandmadehisexcuses.

Whenhewasgone,Pollyconsideredherdaughterwithopencuriosity.

"HaveyouandEvanargued?"sheaskedsoftly.

"Ofcoursenot,"Annasaid.Sheturned,smiling,tohermother."I'vejustdecidedtostopmakinghis
lifemiserable.Havingmedoghimateverystepmusthavebeenwearing."

Pollyrelaxedalittle."I'msureherealizesit'sjustastageyou'regoingthrough,darling,"shereplied
gently."Evan'snotabadman.He'sjustacard-carryingbachelor.You'reamarryingtypeofgirl.Even
ifyouweren'tyearstooyoungforhimyourgoalsaretoodifferent."

"You'reright,ofcourse,"Annasaid,tryingnottochokeonthewords.

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EVAN

"Iimaginehe'llbepleasedtobeofftheendangeredlist,allthesame."Shelaughed."Youwere

gettingprettyrelentless.I,uh,heardaboutthewhiskeybottlesandtheplasticsnakes."

"Anotherployinmyrelentlesscampaignthatfailed."Annasighed,managingnottorevealhow

hurtshereallywas.Sheconcentratedonhercanvas."Well,it'sovernow.Hedidlookrelieved,didn't
he?"

Pollynodded,buthereyesweresayingsomethingelse.Shewasn'tsureexactlyhowEvanhad

looked,butreliefwasn'tthewordshewouldhavechosen.ShehadtheoddestfeelingthatAnnahad
shockedhim.

ChapterThree

Infact,perplexedwasmorethewayEvanfeltashedrovebacktotheTremayneranch.Hehadn'tslept
well,rememberingthewayAnnahadlookedwhenheandNinalefttheparty.He'dusedtheprospectus
asanexcusetocomeoverandseehowmuchdamagehe'ddone.

Whathe'dfoundhadsurprisedhim.Annawasapparentlyindifferenttohispresenceandnotatall
anxiousforhiscompany.Aftertwoyearsofbeingpursued,teased,flirtedwithandvamped,itwas
shockingtohaveAnnatreathimlikeastranger.

Hepulledupatthehouseandwentinside,scowling.

"Somethingbotheringyou?"Hardenaskedfromthestudydoorway.

Evanwentinandclosedthedoor.HecouldtalktoHardenashecouldtonooneelse,andheneededa
sympatheticearrightnow.

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"Anna'sbotheringme,"hesaidshortly.

"That'snothingnew,"Hardenreplied."You'vebeencomplainingaboutAnnaforaslongasIcan

remember."

Evanscowled,turning."No,"hesaid."Youdon'tunderstand.She'signoringme."

Harden'sblueeyestwinkled."Anewploy?"

Evansatperchedontheedgeofthedesk."Shehasn'tbeenthesamesincelastnight.She'sdecidedthat
she'sbeenruiningmylife,soshe'sgivingmeup."

"Niceofher,"Hardencommented.

"It'sthewayshe'sdoingitthatworriesme,"camethequietreply."She'stoocalm."

"Youdidn'tseethewayshelookedwhenshesawyouwithNina,"Hardenreplied."Itcutherup."

Evancursedunderhisbreath."IthoughtIwasdoingtherightthing.Ididn'twanttohurther.Ijust

wantedtogetheroffmyback."

"Youdid.Sowhat'stheproblem?"

Thebiggermansighedwearily."Ididn'tknowhowitwasgoingtofeel,havingherignoreme

completely."

"Quiteanadmissionfromyou,isn'tit?"

"Iguessitis."Hestudiedhiswornboot."ButIstillthinkIdidtherightthing.She'syearstoo

young."

"Soyoukeepsaying.Iguessshefinallylistened."

"Iguess."

"Ninaseemssmittenalloveragain.Isitserious?"

Evan'sdarkeyesmethisbrother'sblueones."I

don'twantNina.Thatwasoveryearsago.Ifinancedsomenewpublicityforherandshe'spayingme
back."

"Isee,"Hardenmurmured."She'shelpingyoufendoffAnna."

"Unnecessarily,asithappens.Anna'sdroppedhermadpursuit.Shesaidthegamewasover.Was

thatwhatitwasallalongtoher-agame?"

"Maybeyou'retheonewhowastakingittooseriously,"Hardensaidgently."Annaplayedwithyou,

broughtyououtofyourshell.Thereweretimeswhenyoualmostseemedtoenjoyit.Thenyou'dget
yourbackupandcomplainthatshewashoundingyou."

Trueenough,Evanthought,becausejustoccasionallyhefeltaragingdesireforAnnathathehadto
quell.Ithadbeenbuildingforalongtime,butlatelyitwasexplosive.Ninahadbeenanactof
desperation,asAnnahadsaid.Buttheactionseemedtobebackfiring.Hewastheonewho'dbeen
burned.

"Anna'savirgin,"Evansaidshortly."I'malmostcertainofit.Ihadaroughexperiencewithan
innocentwoman.Thesedays,Ilookforsophistication."

"Iknowthat,"Hardenrepliedkindly."Butthatwomanwasn'tAnna.Ifshelovedyou,reallyloved
you..."

"Annaisn'toldenoughtobethatseriousaboutaman."

"Ihopeyou'reright,"hemurmured."Becauseif

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shereallycared,andyou'vekilledit,youmayhavecostyourselfthebrighteststarinyoursky."

Evanscowled."Itoldyou,shesaiditwasonlyagame!"

"Wouldshebelikelytoconfessundyinglovewhenyou'djustthrownoneofyouroldconquestsin

herface?"

Ofcoursenot.Thiswasgettinghimnowhere."I'llgetbackouttothestockyard.Coming?"

"Inaminute.I'vegottodriveMirandaintothedoctor,"hesaid,grinning.

Evanshookhishead."FirstPepi,nowMirandaandJoAnne.I'msurroundedbypregnantwomen."

"UncleEvan,"Hardenmocked.

Thebigmansmiledgently."Ilovekids.Iguessit'sgoingtobeuptomotherandmetospoilthem
all."

"Youmighthavesomeofyourownoneday."

Evan'seyesgrewquietandsad."Thatisn'tonthebooks."

"Anna'snotafraidofyou,forGod'ssake!"Hardengrowled.

"Ofcoursesheisn't,I'venevermadeaheavypassather!"Evanrepliedlevelly,hisdarkeyes

unblinking."LouisawasfineuntilItriedtotakehertobed!"

Hardenstaredathim."Nothingventured,nothinggained."

"EvenifAnnawasoldenough,I'dneverhavethenerve,don'tyousee?"Hestuckhishandsinhis

pocketsandstaredoutthewindow."Thatoneex-

periencespoiledintimacyforme.IlostcontrolandhurtLouisa.I'vebeenafraideversincethatI'ddo
itagain.IputRandyHardyinthehospitalwhenwegotintothatbrawlafewyearsback,didn'tI?"he
addedtoemphasizehisconcern.

"Accidentally."

"Yes.Well,IcoulddothesamethingtoawomanifIlostmyhead,"Evanreturnedhotly."Mysizeis
nojoke."

"You'rebig,"Hardenagreed."Andstrongasabull.Nobody'sarguingwiththat.Butyou'regiving
yourselfacomplex,andit'snotnecessary.Justbecauseonehystericalwomanaccusedyouof
breakingherribs..."

"Ididbruisethemprettybadly,"Evansaidmiserably.

"Shebruisedthembytryingtofightyouandfallingoutofbed,"Hardenremindedhimharshly."She
washalfyoursizeandallbones,andaterrifiedvirginintothebargain.Annaisabiggirl,talland
sturdyandvoluptuous.She'smuchmoreyourtype."

"Idon'twantAnna!"Evanreturned.

"Suityourself.She'llprobablymarrythehonorablephysicianandhavetenkids."

"Ifthat'swhatshewants."HisbloodrancoldatthethoughtofRandallgivingherchildren.Hestuck
hishatoverhiseyesandwalkedoutoftheroom.

Harden,watchinghim,shookhishead.Hecouldn'ttalktoEvananymore.Theoldermanwasrunning
scared,evenifhewouldn'tadmitit.Ifhe

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wasn'tcareful,hewasgoingtomakeamessofnotonlyhislife,butAnna'saswell.

Inthedaysthatfollowed,Evannoticedadifferenceinhislife.Hewenttotown,andtherewasno

moreAnnapeeringoverhisshoulderinthehardwarestoreorpeekingoutofhermother'soffice
windowtogrinandwaveathim.Hewenttoalocalsocialgathering,andAnnahadn'tbeggedan

invitationsothatshecouldflirtwithhim.HetooktheprecautionoftakingNinawithhim,justincase,
butithadn'tbeennecessary.

Heshouldhavebeenjubilant,butsomehowitwoundedhimthatAnnadidn'twanthimanymore.All

hisargumentsagainsttherelationshipdidn'thelp.

Twoweeksaftertheparty,AnnawasshoppingatthelocalboutiquewhenNinadancedin,wafting
expensiveperfumeandlookingontopoftheworld.

"Well,hello!"shegreetedAnna,smiling."SoEvandidfinallybeatyouoff!Wedidn'tseeasignof

youattheAndersons'get-togethernightbeforelast!Hespentthefirstfewminutespeekingaround
cornersincaseyoushowedup.Youreallygavehimacomplex."

AnnafeltsickatthewayNinahadputit."Yes.Well,I'mdevotingmyselftoRandallthesedays."

"Thedoctorwiththewanderingeye,hmm?"Ninamused,fingeringoneofthemoreexpensive

dressesintheshop."Hewon'tbeeasytohold,I'mafraid.Idon'tsupposeyouknowhetookCindy
GraysontotheswimmingpartyattheFords'Monday?Orthatshedidn'tgethomeuntildaylight?"

Annaglaredattheolderwoman."Isallthismalicereallynecessary?You'vegotEvan.Whatmoredo
youwant?"

Nina'sdelicateeyebrowsleveredup."Ihaven't'got'Evanatall,"shesaid."Heonlyaskedmeoutto
keepyouawayfromhim.Hesaidhe'ddoanythingtoscrapeyouoff."Hereyesdarkenedasthey
studiedAnnahaughtily."Youshouldhaveknownthathistypeofmandoesn'tlikebeingchased.You
cutyourownthroat."

"Well,he'ssafenow,"Annasaid,almostchoking.

Ninashrugged."Idoubthe'llbelieveit.NotthatImind,"sheaddedcattily."Becausethelongerhe
feelsyou'reathreat,thelongerI'llhavewithhim.He'squitesomethinginbed,"shesaiddeliberately,
watchingAnnablush.

Annaleftthedressshewaslookingatandwentoutthedooroftheboutiqueasifherjeanswereon
fire.Ninawatchedherforaminuteandthenturnedbacktothedressracks.Thathadbeeneasy
enough.Shedidn'tlikethewayEvanwaspreoccupiedsinceAnna'sdefection.OnlyifAnnawaskept
awaywouldNinahaveaclearshotatEvan.Thefictionofsleepingwithhimseemedtodothetrick,
though.Shewasactuallyhummingbythetimeshelefttheshop.

FortherestoftheafternoonAnnabarelyknewwhatwasgoingonaroundher.Sheleftearlyandwent
totheTaylorGallery.

BrandTaylorwaselderly,withakeeneyeforart

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andathoroughknowledgeofthemarketforit.He'dknownAnnasinceshewasachild,andhe'd
followedherinterestinartwithpleasure.

"I'vebeenhopingyoumightapproachmeforajoboneday,"hetoldherhonestlywhensheasked

aboutit."I'mherealone,andit'sabitofagrindsometimes.Itwouldbenicetohaveanassistant.You
haveaneyefordetail,andIcanteachyouhowtoevaluatepaintings,howtopredictthemarket.Butit
willbehardwork.Nothinglikesittinginyourgardenandpainting."

Shesmiled."I'dliketotryit,nevertheless."

Henodded."Allright.Whencanyoustart?"

"Monday,"shesaid.Hermotherhadneverreallyneededher.Ajobhadbeencreatedforher,but

theybothknewshewasredundant.

"Won'tPollymind?"heasked.

Sheshookherhead."Onthecontrary,Iimagineshe'llbedelighted."

Pollywasdelightedandsurprised."Ididn'tthinkyou'dwanttoleavetheoffice,"sheadmitted.

"BecauseEvanspendsalotoftimethere,"Annamurmureddryly."That'stheveryreasonIwantto

leave.IfI'mgoingtoletgo,Ineedtodoitwholeheartedly.I'mveryfondofMr.Taylor,andIdolike
theideaofacareer."

"I'dhopedyoumightthinkofmarriageasone,"Pollysaidquietly."Godknows,I'dhavedonethat

ifyourfatherhadbeenabletosettledownwithme.Hewastoomuchawanderer,though.Hestillis."

"You'veneverreallydatedanyoneelse,"Annaventured.

"Neitherhashe,"Pollysaidwithasmile."Maybesomedayhe'llgetitoutofhissystemandcome

home.Ineverstophoping.Meanwhile,IhaveacareerIenjoyandI'mmakinggobsofmoney."

"That'swhatIwanttodo,"Annasaidseriously."Iwanttodosomethingusefulwithmylife.Marriage-
maybesomeday.Butnotyet"

"Goodgirl.You'reyoung.Youhaveplentyoftime."

"Plenty,"sheechoed.Hereyesweresad,butshewasn'tgoingtomoonaroundthehouse."How

aboutgoingouttoeattonight?"

"Delightful,"Pollyagreed."TheBeefPalace?"

Evan'sfavoritehangout.Annashookherhead."HowaboutthatnewChineserestaurant,fora
change?"

Pollysmiledherapproval."Nice.Verynice."

Astheywereleavingtherestaurantthatnight,talkinganimatedlyaboutAnna'supcomingnewjob,
EvanspottedthemashedrovepastwithNina.Odd,AnnaeatingChinesefood.Hewassureshedidn't
likeit.

"That'sPollyandAnna,isn'tit?"Ninamurmureddryly."IexpectedtohavetowardAnnaoffatthe

BeefPalacetonight.Theysaysheusuallytracksyouthere."

Evangloweredather."Itisn'tnecessarytoridiculeher,"hesaidquietly.

Shestaredathimblankly."Whynot?Everyone

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elsedoes.It'scommonknowledgethatshe'smadeanutterfoolofherselfoveryou.Sheknowsit,
too."

Hiseyesnarrowed."Youhaven'tsaidanythingtoher?"

Shecrossedherelegantlegs."Isimplytoldherthatyou'dhadenoughofher,"shereplied

carelessly."Sheknewthatalready."

Hewincedinwardly.HeknewNina,andhecouldn'timaginethatshe'dputitthatkindlytoAnna.

"ForGod'ssake,"hemuttered.

"Shewon'tfaremuchbetterwithherdoctorfriend,I'mafraid,"Ninaaddedwithfranknonchalance.

"He'sgotawanderingeye,andhe'llsleepwithanythinginskirts.Still,it'sherbusiness."

Evandidn'tsayanotherword.Hedidn'tevenwanttothinkaboutAnna.

Butthenextweek,whenhewenttotaketheprospectusbacktoPollyanddiscussthefamily'sdecision
withher,therewasnooneatAnna'sdesk.

Pollygreetedhim,gesturinghimintoachairassheclosedtheofficedoorandslippedintoher

ownchairbehindthedesk."Whatdidyoudecide?"sheaskedpleasantly.

Hescowled."Where'sAnna?Sheisn'tsickoranything?"

Pollystared.Heactuallysoundedasthoughhewasworried."Why,she'sgotanotherjob,Evan,"she
saidhaltingly."BrandTaylorhiredher."

"Attheartgallery?"Hesatbackinthechairwitharoughsigh."She'sgoingtotakethisthingtothe

limit,isn'tshe?"heaskedcurtly."ForGod'ssake,shedidn'thavetobanishherselfonmyaccount!"

Pollywiselydidn'tsayanything.Sheloweredhereyestotheprospectushe'dtossedonthedesk.He
didn'tknowthehalfofit.Annawasalsodiscussingmovingout.Alocalboardinghousehada
vacancyandshethoughtshemighttakeit,she'dtoldPollyovertheweekend.

"Thejobcameopenunexpectedly,"Pollymurmured.

"DidshementiontalkingtoNinalately?"hepersisted,leaningforward,hisdarkeyessteadyand
unblinkingonherface.

"No,"shereplied."Why?"

"ApparentlyNinasaidsomeharshthingstoheronmybehalf,"herepliedheavily."Ididn'tputherup
toit,butAnnawon'tknowthat."

"It'sjustaswell,Evan,"Pollysaidseriously."YouandIbothknowthatthere'snofutureinAnna
wearingoutherheartonyou.She'llgetoveryouandmarryRandall.Itwillbethebestthingall
around."

"Randallisaplayboy,"hesaidshortly.

"IfAnnaloveshim,itwon'tmatter,"shesaid,refusingtoadmitthatitmight."Ifhelovesher,he'llstop
chasingotherwomen."

"Menlikethatdon'tstop,ever,"hesaidwithnarroweyes."Andyouknowit."

Shesmiledsadly."Randallwouldn'tbemyfirstchoice,either,Evan,butit'sAnna'slife.Ihaveno
righttointerfere."

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Heleanedbackagainandscowled,hisexpressionpreoccupied.

"Whatdidyoudecideabouttheprospectus?"sheaskedagain,hopingtochangethesubject.

"We'regoingtoinvest,"hesaidabsently.HenamedafigureandabandonedhisfearsaboutAnna's

futuretemporarilytofinishdiscussingbusiness.

Butwhatshe'ddonebotheredhim.WhenheleftPolly'soffice,hefoundhimselfheadingstraight

forTaylor'sGallery.

BrandhadgonetoHoustonforashow,leavinganervousAnnaincharge.She'ddonewellsofar,

andshewasenjoyingherwork.Butitwasnerve-rackingtohavecompletechargeofthegalleryby
herself.

Shelookedlovely,Evanthought,watchingherthroughtheplate-glasswindowfrontbeforehe

enteredthestore.Shewaswearingabeigesilksuitwithadelicatelyembroideredwhiteblouse,and
herhairwasinaneatFrenchplaitbehindherhead.Sheworehighheelsthatemphasizedthegraceful
curveofheranklesandcalves,andthefitofhersuitmadeitapparentinthenicestofwaysthatshe
hadanexquisitefigure.

Heopenedthedoorandwalkedin,settingthebelltinkling.

Annaturned,asmileonherfacethatabruptlyvanishedwhenshesawhim.

Hefeltaterribleemptinessatherexpression.Alwaysbefore,hereyeshadbrightenedwithgladness
whenshelookedathim.Nowitwasmoredreadthandelightthatwasmirroredinherblueeyes.

"CanIhelpyou,Evan?"sheaskedwithformalcourtesy.

Hemovedintothegallery,glancingapprovinglyatthehugeNoSmokingsignonthewall.Hestuffed
hisbighandsintothepocketsofhisgrayslacksandstaredatherthroughnarroweddarkeyes.

"Wasitnecessarytoleaveyourmothershorthandedtoavoidme?"heaskedwithblatantsarcasm,
becausehernewattitudehurthim.

Sheliftedherdelicatelyroundedchintostareathim."SinceIdidn'tdomuchthereinthefirstplace
exceptwaitforyoutowalkin,I'dhardlycallher'leftshorthanded.'"

Hesmiledfaintly."Isthatwhyyou'rehere?Youdon'tthinkIhaveanyinterestinart?"

Shefinisheddustingtheframeshewasholdingandreturnedittoitspositionagainstthewall."Idon't
knowwhatyourinterestsareasidefrommakingmoney,Evan,"shereplied."Didyouwant
something?"

"IwantedtomakesureNinahadn'thurtyou."

Sheturned,hereyebrowsarching."Whatdifferencewouldthatmake?"sheasked.

Hedrewinaslowbreath."Ididn'tsendhertoyouwithanymessages,"hesaid.

"Itwouldhaveservedmerightifyouhad,Iguess,"sheconfessedquietly,droppinghergazetothe
floor."I'vegivenyouahardtime."

Thewayshespokemadehimuncomfortable.Hemovedcloser,sothathecouldlookdownonher
brighthead.Hishandscameoutofhispocketsand

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gentlyframedherfacetoliftittohis.God,shewaspretty,hethoughtreluctantly.Eyeslikea
Septembersky.Peachesandcreamcomplexion.Bowlips,verypinkandfullandmoist.Helplessly,
hiseyestracedthemwithsuchintensitythattheypartedabruptly.

"Anna,"hewhisperedgruffly.

Hereyeswidenedathistone.She'dneverheardhimspeakthatway.Hisgazewashotandglittery

onhermouth,andhisbig,warmhandshadcontractedaroundherface,tiltingituptohis.Withawe,
shewatchedhisheadbendandhismouthcomewithinawhisperofherlips.

"Comeclose,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepandrough.Hecouldhearherbreathingchange,andallhis

cautionvanishedinafiercerushofneed.Histhumbsforcedherchinupasyearsofhelplesslonging
knockedhimoffbalance."Damnit,comehere!"

Trembling,herlegsobeyedhimevenagainstherwill,sothatherslenderbodycouldfeelthe

strengthandheatofhim.Hissuitjacketwasopen.Hiscolognedriftedintohernostrilsevenasshe
felthischestquitesuddenlyagainstthethrustofherbreasts.Contactwithhimwasviolentlyarousing,
eventhroughallthelayersofcloth.

Herfingerspushednervouslyintothesoftfoldsofhiscottonshirtandtouchedhardmuscles.Her

eyessawnothingexceptthewide,hardcurveofhismouthasitpoisedjustoverhers,hiscoffee-
scentedbreathminglingwithherown.

"Doyouknowhowtokiss,Anna?"heasked,hisheadspinningwiththisnewexperienceofher,his

reasonabruptlygoneintheheatofhisneedforhermouth.

"Y-yes,"shebreathed.

"Showme."

Thewordswentintoherpartedlipsashismouthsuddenlycrusheddownoverhersandtook
possession.

Shetastedhiminthesuddensilenceofthegallery,herbodytensing,herbreathstillinginherthroat
asshefelthishardmouthonhersfortheveryfirsttimeandalmostfaintedfromtheshockof
pleasureitswarm,experttouchgaveher.Hewasbreathingroughly.Thesighofhisbreathbrushed
hercheek.Againstherbreasts,hisheartbeatwasirregularandveryhard.

Herfingerscurledintohischestasshemovedcloser.

"Anna,"hemoanedhungrily.

Hisarmsslidaroundherandbroughtherbreastscrushingagainsthim.Hewasverystrong,andthe
embracewasbruising.ButAnnahardlynoticedinthefeverhewaskindlingalongherveins.

Sheliftedcloser,herarmsslidingunderhis,underthejacket,tolieagainsthislongback.Hewas
warm,sowarm,andthefeelofhispowerfulbodywasnarcotic.Shefedonhismouth,moaningsoftly
asitshardcrushbecamemoreinsistent.Shepushedupward,openinghermouthforhim.Whenshe
felthistongueaccepttheblatantinvitation,arushofheatmadehershudderinhisarms.

Evancouldn'tthink,couldn'tbreathe.Thiswas

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Anna,hethoughtdazedly.Anna,whowastooyoungforhim.He'dpushedheraway,andnowhewas
encouragingherinthemostblatantway.Buthecouldn'tfighthisownhunger.Histonguethrust
fiercelyintohermouth,andwitheachintimatethrustheimaginedherbodyunderhisinbed,
acceptinghimwiththissameheadlongpassion,herfemininityyieldingitssecretstohimashe
initiatedherintolovemaking.

Withaharshgroan,heliftedheragainsthim,buildingthekissintoafrenzythathealmostcouldn't
stopintime.

Ageslaterheletherdownagain,andslowly,slowlyliftedhisheadtolookdownintowide,dazed

blueeyesbelowwhichherred,crushedmouthstilltrembledfromhishotpossession.

Shecouldbarelystand.Heheldherlightlyaroundthewaisttokeepherfromfalling,andallthe

timehisheartbeatsoundedlikeabassdraminhischest.

"Youkissedme,"shemanagedunsteadily.

"Youkissedmeback,"hereturned.Hisjawclenched.Helethiseyesrandownherbodytothe

openedjackettohersilksuit.Ruthlesslyhemovedonebighandforwardtopullitaside,revealingthe
thrustofherbreastandsomethingmore-thehard,tautnipplethatsignaledherarousal.

"Didyouneedtosee...thatIwantedyou?"sheaskedtearfully."Couldn'tyoutellwithoutlooking?"

"Yes,Icouldtell."Hecaughtherbythewaistandhishandscontractedwhilehefoughttogethim-

selfbackundercontrol."You'renineteen,"hebegan.

"Andyou'rethirty-four,"shesaid,swallowingasshemanagedtobreatheproperlyagain."You

don'tneedtoexplainanythingtome,Evan,Iknowhowyoufeel.Youwantme,butI'mnotinthe
running."

Hiseyesdarkened."Anna..."

"Nina'smoreyourstyle,"shesaidbitterly,pushingathischest."She'sexperiencedandsophisticated.
I'llbetsheknowsasmuchasyoudo!"

ShewasassumingthathewassleepingwithNina.Heletherkeepherillusions.Itwouldn'tdotostart
makingconfessionsnow.He'djustdoneenoughdamage.

"Haveyouhadamanyet?"heaskedhuskily.

Sheloweredhereyes,buthethrustahugefistunderherchinandmadeherlookathim."Isaid,"he
repeatedcurtly,"haveyouhadaman?"

Hiseyeswerealittlefrightening."Don'tyouknow?"sheaskedinawhisper.

Shewastrembling.Hisfistopenedandhedrewthebacksofhisfingersslowlydownherarched
throatandontohersoftbreast,lingeringwhileshetensedandstaredathim.

"Youhaven't,"hesaidwithcertainty.Hiseyesfelltohisknuckles.Heteasedaroundthehardnipple,
watchingherbodyshiverandthenslowly,helplessly,trytolifttowardhim.

"Ihateyou,"shewhimpered.

Hismoutheaseddowntobrashhersopen."Saymyname,"hebreathed.

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Thenearness,theteasing,wereimpossibletoresist,evenifshereallyhadhatedhim,andhishand
wasdrivinghercrazy."Evan,"shemoaned,lifting.

Hislipsopenedonhersevenashishandsuddenlyswallowedherbreast,roughlycaressingherina
silencethatmagnifiedherheartbeatandhisharshbreathing.

Hernailsbitintohisshoulders,andheshiveredwithpleasure.Hishandcontracted.Shemoanedinto
hismouth,andhewrappedonelong,powerfullegaroundherashemovedcloseenoughtolether
feeltheforceofhisdesire.

Shebithim,soarousedthatshehardlyrealizedwhatshewasdoinguntilshefelthimgroan.

Shocked,shedrewback,hereyeswideandstartled."I...Ididn'tmeantodothat,"shewhispered
brokenly.Shetriedtomoveaway,buthislegwaspreventingher.Shefelthisblatantarousaland
suckedherbreathinagain.

Hehadtofighttolethergo,tounwraphisbodyfromhers.Hisfacewashardandfaintlyflushed,but
hiseyeswereangry.

"What?"heaskedunsteadily.

"I...Ibityou."

"Andclawedme,"hemurmuredquietly.Hislipstwistedintoanoddsmile."You'dripmybackopen

inbedwiththosenails."

Shegasped,andhesuddenlyrealizednotonlywhathewassaying,buttowhomhewassayingit.

Heshookhishead,asiftoclearit,andhisbrowsjerkedtogether."Anna.ForGod'ssake...!"

"Yes,Anna,"shewhisperedbrokenly,backingawayfromhim.Shewasdisheveledandwide-eyed,
andshockedthatshecouldhaveallowedhimsuchlibertiesafterthewayhe'dtreatedher.Notonly
allowedthem,butencouragedandreturnedthem.Andintheshop,whereanyonecouldseethem!It
wasfortunatethattheshopfrontedasidestreetthatwasn'tmuchtraveledatthistimeofday.Itwas
evenmorefortunatethatahugepaintingofaTexaslandscapewaspositionedbetweenthemandthe
windowfront."IsNinastarvingyou,oristhissomekindofrevenge?"sheasked.

Hecouldhardlybreathe.She'dbeenwithhimalltheway,aspassionateandfieryashecouldhave
dreamedawomanwouldbe.Whateverhe'dkindledinherhadn'tbeenfear.Butshewasnineteen,and
itshouldneverhavehappened.

"Whatdoyouthink,honey?"heaskedwithfaintinsolence.

"Ithinkyoushouldgo,"shesaidquietly.

HepulledhisStetsondownoverhiseyes."SodoI.Goodluckwithyournewjob.I'llgiveNinayour
regards."

Shedidn'tanswer.Hewasoutofsightandgonebeforeshecouldstoptrembling.Ifhewantedherout
ofhislife,thiswashardlythewaytogoaboutit,shethoughtblankly.Shetouchedhermouthand
tastedhimthere,shiveringagainwiththeardorhe'daroused.Imaginebeingkissedlikethatinbroad
daylight,andbyEvan,whodidn'twanther.Sheremem-

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beredthefeelofhisbigbodyagainstherandflushed.Well,somuchforthatmyth.

Shewenttothebackoftheshoplongenoughtofixhermakeupandbrushherhair,wonderingif

she'devergetoverwhathe'ddone.Tryingtogetoverhimhadbeendifficultwithoutknowinghowit
felttobeheldandkissedbyhim.Fromnowon,itwouldbeimpossible.Hisbodymightwanther,but
itwaspatentlyobviousthathisminddidn't.He'dprobablyjustcometosaygoodbye,shekepttelling

herself.Butwhy,shewonderedfordaysafterward,hadhekissedher?

ChapterFour

AllthewaybacktotheranchEvan'sheadwasspinning.He'dneverfeltanythinglikethatinhislife,
andithadtobewithAnna,ofallpeople!Hegroanedinwardlyatthefeverofpassionhe'dkindledin
hersoeffortlessly;athersweet,headlongresponse.Inbedshewouldsatisfyhimsofullythathe'd
neverbeabletotouchanotherwomanaslongashelived.Andthatknowledgedrovehimcrazy.

Hehadtorememberthereasonshecouldn't-didn'tdare-lethimselfbecomeinvolvedwithher.She
wasnineteenandavirgin.Heknewinstinctivelythatuntiltodayshe'dneverletamantouchherashe
had.Ifshewasreallyasbesottedwithhimaseveryonesaidshewas,she'dprobablybeensavingitall
upforhim,waitingforhimtokissher,totouchher.Hehitthesteeringwheelwithfierceangeratthe
trickfatehadplayedonhim.Itwasimpossible!He

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wasfifteenyearsherseniorandamantowhominnocencewasakindofnightmare.Hewantedher
untilsheobsessedhim,buthecouldn'thaveher.Hecouldneverhaveher.

Innocencefrightenedhim.Louisa'sfacehadhauntedhimforyears,whiteandrigidashe'dturned
towardheraftersheddinghisclothes.He'dthoughtshelovedhim,butshe'dfoughthimlikeatigress,
screaminginterrorthathewastoobig,toostrong,hewashurtingher...

Hewentintothehousewithhisfacelikeathundercloud,hiseyesblazingatthememory.Louisahad
beensmallandthin,afragilegirl-womanwhomHardenhadalwaysswornhadonlytoleratedhis
ardorbecausehewasrich.Hehadn'tbelievedit.Louisahadlovedhim,ashe'dlovedher.Her
rejectionhaddamagedhim.Althoughhestillhadtheinfrequentlover,nowhiswomenwere
sophisticatedandexperienced.He'dneverdatedaninnocentsinceLouisa.

HardenhadremindedhimthatAnnawasabiggirl,andhehadtoadmitthatshewascertainlyequalto
hisardor.Hehadn'thurthertoday,andforafewsecondshisstrengthhadbeenunleashedwhenhe'd
forcedherbodyintothecurveofhis.Hecouldn'tbelievehe'ddonethat,goneagainstallhis
resolutionsandevenbeenobliviousenoughtoshowhergraphicallyhowmuchhewantedher.He
laughedbitterly,rememberingtheshockedlookonherface,inhereyes,whenhe'dlethergo.She'd
probablyneverfeltaman'sarousedbodyinherlife.Well,nowsheknew,hethought.Hecouldn't

reallyimag-

ineherlukewarmRandalleverdoinganythingasboldasthat.HewonderedabsentlyifRandallwas
evenarousedbyAnna,becauseheseemedoddlypassivearoundher,hardlynoticingher.Annamust
surelyknowthatallRandallwasinterestedinwashermother'smoney,butitdidn'tseemtomatter,
becauseshekeptseeingtheman.

Itwasnoneofhisbusiness,heremindedhimself.FromnowonhehadtokeepoutofAnna'sway.
He'dmadeaterribleerrorinjudgmenttoday,lettingherseethathefoundherphysicallyattractive.
He'dhavetofindawaytomakeherbelieveitwasafluke,orhe'dhaveherchasinghimallover
again.Hecouldn'taffordthat.Thetemptationtolethercatchhimwasmuchtooalluring.

TherewasaconferenceinDenveronanewcrossbreedingprogram,andhepackedabagandlefthis
brothersDonaldandHardenincharge.Thechangeofscenerymightdohimgood.Hemighteven
meetsomeclassyladyinDenverwhocouldtakehismindoffAnna.

Hedidn'tknowit,butAnnahadalreadydecidedthathewasgettingevenwithherforignoringhim,
playingonherweaknessforhim.Sheflushed,rememberinghowquicklyhisbodyhadrespondedto
hers.Itshouldhaveshockedher,butsherememberedonlythedelightofknowingsheaffectedhim.
Couldhehavefakedthat?Sheknewmencouldgetarousedbythinkingaboutwomentheydesired.
WhatifheldhadthedelectableNinaonhismindandhadusedAnnatoassuagehishungerforher?

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Shewassoconfusedthatshedidn'tknowhowtoreact.Shedidn'tdeludeherselfforaminutewith

thoughtsthatheravoidanceofhimhadtriggeredthoseardentkisses.He'dbeenso...sohateful,
mockingherreactions!Almostasifhewaspunishinghimselfandherforhisunexpectedbehavior.If
onlysheknewwhathadmotivatedhim.Ifonlyithadbeenbecausehemissedher,becausehecared.
Shecouldhavecriedatherownstupidity.Hehadn'teventreatedherasifherespectedher.Touching
herthatway,holdinghercloseenoughtobeshockedbythevividresponseofhisbody.Surelyaman
whocaredaboutawomanwouldn'ttreatherlike...that!

"You'reveryquietlately,"Pollyremarkedseveraleveningslaterwhentheyweresharingaquiet

supper."Wanttotalkaboutit?"

"There'snothing,really,"Annasaid,forcingasmile."I'vebeenworkingveryhard.Mr.Taylorsaid

thatifI'dliketodoacoupleoflandscapes,he'llevenputthemintheshop.HethinksIhaveatalent
worthdeveloping."

"I'vealwaysthoughtthatmyself,"Pollysaidencouragingly.Shegrimaced."AlthoughRandall

didn'tseemtooenthusiasticaboutyoursunflowers.Hebarelyevenlookedatthem,andafterallthe
troubleIwentto,havingthemproperlymattedandframed."

"Randallisn'tanartlover,"Annasaid,defendinghimwanly."Heisn'tmusical,either."

"Andyoudoloveyourclassics,don'tyou,darling?"Pollysighed,frowning."Anna,Idon'tlike

tointerfere,butyou'reseeingalotofRandalllately.Twodatesthisweek.Itisn'tbecauseofEvan,is
it?"

Annastarted,herfacecoloring."Whatdoyoumean?"

Polly'seyesnarrowedshrewdlyonherdaughter'sface."Evanmusthavehurtyouverybadlyatthat
party.Butdon'tlethurtpridesendyourunningtothefirstmanwhoshowsaninterest,willyou?
Randall'safineman,buthehasaneyetothemainchanceandhe'ssomethingofaplayboy."

"Hemightbe,buthe'snotinEvan'sleague,"Annasaidbitterly.

"Evanatleaststickstowomenwhoknowthescore,"camethedryreply."Hedoesn'tinvolvehimself
withinnocents."

Annakepthereyesdown.Itwouldn'tdototellhermotherjusthowinvolvedhe'dbeenwithherthat
dayintheartgallery."Evanispasthistory.I'mnotrunningafterhimindoggedpursuitanymore,and
heseemstofindthatarelief.Ihaven'tseenhimin...ages."

"He'sbeeninDenver,"Pollymentionedcarelessly."Someconferenceorother.Donaldwassupposed
togo,Hardentoldme,butEvanpackedabaglastThursdayandtookoffbeforehecouldargue.A
verysuddentrip."

Annahadtofightnottogiveherselfaway.LastThursdayhadbeenthedayhe'dkissedherso
hungrily.Hadhebeenobligedtorunforfearthatshemightcomehurryingafterhimformore?She

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flushed.Well,heneedn'tworry,shewasn'tabouttohasslehim.

"Areyoulistening,darling?"Pollyasked.

Annaliftedasereneface,smiling."Ofcourse."

"Youworrymelately.Youreallydo."

"Noneed.I'mjustenjoyingmynewjob,andgrowingup."

"You'vedonethat,withavengeance,"Pollyhadtoadmit,noticingtheeleganthairdo,thesleeksilk

pantsuitofabluethatmatchedAnna'seyes."You'vechangedbeforemyveryeyes."

"I'malmosttwenty,"sheremindedPolly.

"Yes.Youmakemefeelold.Isentyourfatheraphotoofyoujustlastmonth,toshowhimhow

elegantyoulook."Thesmilefadedandshetouchedherwaterglassabsently."He'sbasedinAtlanta
now.HesaidtheymightmovehimbacktoHouston.Iftheydo,he'llcomeandseeyou."

"Hedoesn'tdate,"Annamused."Youdon't,either.Butneitheroneofyouwillgiveaninch.Don't

youmisshim?"

"Morethanyouknow."Pollygotup,allbusiness."Butlifegoeson,mydarling.Ihavetogoover

somefiguresinthestudy."

Annawatchedhergowithsadeyes.Pollyhadnevergottenoverherhusbandandneverwould.There
wasthehopethattheymightsomedayreconcile,butAnnaknewitwasalongshot.Meanwhile,she
felthermother'spainkeenly.

Sheleftthegalleryafterworkthenextdayfeelingoddlyrestless.Randallwassupposedtotakeher
out

thatevening,buthe'dcalledtocanceltheirdatewithsomevaguementionofnightduty.Itdidn't
matter;shewasn'tinlovewithhim,butlatelyheseemedtomakeahabitofcancelingdatesatthelast
minute,andshewonderedifhewasreallyworkingthatmuch.

Hercarwouldn'tstart,forthefirsttimeinmemory.Shegotoutandglaredatit,angrilykickingatire.
Itwascloudyanddrizzlingrain,andnowshe'dhavetowalkallthewaybacktothegallerytousethe
phone.

Theroarofatruckcaughtherattention,andsheturnedjustintimetoseeEvanpullupbesideherin
oneoftheranchpickupswiththeTremaynecompany'semblemonthesideinboldredlettering.

"Gotproblems?"heaskedtersely,slamminghisblackStetsonoveroneeyeashejoinedher.He

wasinworkinggear,chambrayshirt,tightjeans,blackbootsandleatherbatwingchaps.Hisspurs
madeafaintjinglingsoundashepausedbesideher.

"No,"shelied,avoidinghiseyes."Ijustforgotsomethingintheoffice."

Hisdarkeyesnarrowed.Heknewshewaslying,hecouldseeitinthewayshehesitated.Incredible
thatshewasactuallytryingtoavoidhim.

"Yourcarwon'tstart,"hesaidflatly."Nouselyingaboutit.Iwaspassingwhenyougotoutand
kickedit."

Herfaceflamed.Shewouldn'tmeethiseyes."I'mgoingtocallthegarage.They'llgetitstarted."

"I'llrunyouoverthere.Getin."

"Idon'twant-!"

Hecaughtherarmroughlyanddrewheragainsthim,soclosethatshecouldfeelthepowerful

threatofhisbodyashelookeddownintohershockedeyes.

"Youwantme,"hesaidharshly."Iknowitandsodoyou.Avoidingmedoesn'tchangethat.Ican

feelittheminuteItouchyou."

Herlowerliptrembled"Can'tyoujustleavemealone?"sheaskedbrokenly."Iknowyoudon'twant
me!Doyouhavetomakeapointofiteverytimeyouseeme?"

Herpainmadehimfeelguilty.Hedidn'tunderstandhisownactions.Thelastthinghewantedtodo

wastohurtorhumiliateher.ButDenverhadn'tridhimofhisneedforher.Hehadn'tbeenableto
touchthewomanwho'dclungtohimthere.He'dintendedto.He'dtakenherbacktohisroom,fedher
drinks,flatteredher.Butwhenhe'dpulledherintohisarmsandstartedkissingher,nothinghappened.
Hisbody,forthefirsttime,hadfailedhim.He'dsentthewomanawayandcursedAnnauntilhisvoice
hadgonehoarse.Allhecouldthinkaboutwasthetasteofhermouth.Ithadenragedhimsomuchthat
hecouldhardlyfunctionfortherestoftheconference,andhe'dcomehomestillfuming.His
unfortunatepassionforAnnawascrampinghisstyleinanunbelievableway.

Hisdarkeyesfelltohermouthandlingeredthere,hisfingersgrippingherarmsotightlythatthey
leftbruises."You'dgivemeanythingIwanted,"hesaid

huskily."DoyouthinkIdon'tknowhowvulnerable

youare?"

Sheshivered.Thiswasn'ttheEvansheknew.Thismanwasastranger,sensual,domineering,
frightening."Thisisn'tfair,Evan,"shechoked.

"Iswhatyoudotomefair?"heaskedcoldly.

"I...haven'tdoneanythingtoyou,exceptavoidyou,"shesaidmiserably."Ithoughtthatwaswhatyou
wanted."

Hisotherhandmovedtoherwaistanddrewherslowlyagainstthepowerfullengthofhim,against
leanmusclethatrippledwhereshetouchedit.Shegaspedasherhandcaughtathisshirt,hereyes
goinginvoluntarilytothethickpeltofhairthatshowedintheopeningatthecollar.

"ThisiswhatIwant,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepandquiet,ashishandslidtothebaseofherspineand
movedherhipsgentlyagainsthis.Hecaughthisbreathaudiblyasthefeelofherkindledthekindof
arousalhehadn'tfeltsincehissixteenthbirthday.Helaughedbitterlyattheironyofit,becausehe
couldn'tseemtofeelthatwithanotherwoman,havinghadatasteofAnna.

"Itisn'tfunny,"shemoaned,pushingathischestwithherfacegonescarlet."Evan,stop!"

Hishandwithdrew,buthestillhadherbythearm."Funny,isn'tit?"heasked,hiseyesglittering."The
jokeofthecentury,thatavirginshouldhavethateffectonmewhenanexperiencedwomancan't
even..."Hebitoffthewords,suddenlypushingAnnaaway.Hewasbreathingroughly,andhis

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arousalwassoobviousthatAnnaavertedhereyesinsomethinglikepanic.Hesawher
embarrassment,anditangeredhim.

"Ihavetogo,"shesaidunsteadily.

"Stillseeingthebelovedphysician?"heasked.

Shewouldn'tlookathim."IfyoumeanRandall,yes."

"Whydon'tyoumarryhim?Itwouldgetyououtofmyhair,atleast."

Tearsstunghereyes."I'vebeenoutofyourhairforweeks,haven'tyounoticed?"sheasked,

glaringupathim.Hiseyeswereshadowed,butshethoughtshesawtheflickerofhiseyelashes."I
haven'tcomenearyou!It'syouwhoareharassingme!"

"Turnabout,"hesaidsoftly,hiseyesglittery."Howdoyoulikeit?"

"Ihateit!"sheraged.

"SodidI,baby,"herepliedcoldly."Everyminute,everydaythatyouhoundedme.ThankGodfor

Nina,shemusthavefinallyconvincedyouthatitwasnevergoingtowork.Evenamanwhocares
aboutawomancan'tstomachthatkindofharrassment."

Hereyesclosed,containingthetears."You'vemadeyourpoint,"shesaidinahauntedtone."MayIgo,
now?"

Hefeltsickalloverwhenhelookedatherface.Heshouldn'tbethiscrueltoher.Itwasn'therfault

thathewantedhertotheexclusionofotherwomen.Shewasjustachild,despiteherlovelycurves,
justalittlegirl.Andhewassavagingher.Hecametohissensesinapainfuljerk.

"Anna..."

Hereyesopened,blueasthesky,wetwithtearsandpain."I'msorry!"

Histeethgroundtogetherinagrimaceofanguish.Hemovedtowardher,butsheturnedandstartedto
runacrossthestreet,backtowardthegallery.

Evanwatchedheruntilshewasoutofsight,hisfacedrawnwithguiltandremorse.Hefeltasifhe'd
justtornthewingsfromabutterfly.

Annawaspaleandunnaturallyquietwhenshegothome,havingfoundamechanictofixhercar.But
Pollywasout,toAnna'srelief,andAnnamanagedtogettobedwithoutbeingseen.Nowthatshe
knewwhatEvanreallythoughtofher,shedidn'tknowhowshewasgoingtostayalive.Heseemedto
actuallyhateher.

Thenextfewweeksdraggedby,withEvantauntingherateverycorner.HebroughtNinaintobuy
paintingsatthegallery,makinghisattentivenesstohersoevidentthatAnnawantedtoscream.Hewas
seenaroundtownwithher,andseemedtogooutofhiswaytomakesurethatAnnasawthem.As
revengewent,itwaspuremastery.Annafeltasifshe'dbeencuttopieces,evenifshedidmanageto
salvagealittlepridebysteppingupherdateswithRandall.

AmonthafterEvanhadmadehislastcrueltaunt,shewenttoaconcertwithRandallandfoundEvan
andNinasittingonlythreeseatsawayfromthem.Ithurttoseethetwoofthemtogether,withEvanso
lovingandattentivetoNinathattheotherwomanseemedactuallytopurrwhenhetouchedher.

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Duringtheintermission,RandallwenttogetpunchforhimselfandAnna,andNinawenttothe
powderroom.Itwasalmostfate,Annathoughtmiserably,thatthrewherdirectlyinEvan'spathwhile
theirrespectivedatesweremissing.

"Enjoyingyourself,honey?"Evanaskedherwithasmilethatdidn'tbegintoreachhiseyes."Oris

thebelovedphysicianjustapoorsubstituteforme?"

Sheshivered,glaringathim."Randallisgoodcompany."

"Ishe?"hemused."Heseemstopaymoreattentiontothemusicthanhedoestoyou.Oristhatwhat

youlike?"

"Itbeatshavinghimalloverme,"sheblurtedout,andthenblushedfuriouslyatEvan'ssoft,

mockinglaughter.

"Ninalikesbeingtouched,"hesaid,hiseyesholdinghers."SheopenshermouthwhenIkissher,

andmeltsundermybody...."

"Damnyou,"Annachoked,tearsburninghereyes."I'veneverhatedanyoneinmylifeasmuchasI

hateyou!"

Itwouldhavehurtlessifshe'dslappedhim.Hisfacehardened."Itbeatshavingyourunafterme
beggingtobemadeloveto,"hereturnedhotly.

Shewhirled,shakingallover,andmadeherwaytoRandall.Sheheldontohissleeveasifshewas
afraidshe'ddrownifsheturneditloose.Behindheratallmanwithdarkeyesflinchedathisown
mercilessbehavior,wonderinghowhecouldhaveallowedittogothisfar.HishungerforAnnagrew

daily,untilitwasanachethatalmostbroughthimtohisknees.He'dbeenfightingalosingbattlefor
weeks,andtonight,helostit.Beingcrueltoherwastheonlyprotectionhehadleft,butthatwasno
longerbearable.Hesighedwearily,hiseyeslovinglytracingthelonglinesofherbody,adoringher
silently.Shewassolovely.Allhissweetestdreamsrolledtogether.

Itwasnogood,headmittedfinally.Hewasonlyfoolinghimselfthathecouldfightherholdonhim.
Hesmiledruefully.Tomorrow,he'dgobythegalleryandtakehertolunchandadmitdefeat.He
hopedshewouldn'tbetoounforgiving.HeturnedbacktofindNinaapproachinghim,hismouthset
inahard,uncompromisingline.

Annawassilentfortherestoftheconcert.Shedidn'tlooktowardEvanagain,refusingtoglanceat
himeventhoughheseemedtospendthebetterpartoftheeveningtryingtoforcehertolookhisway.

SheclungtoRandallandrushedhimoutsidewhentheconcertended,desperatenottohavetosee
EvanandNinatogetheragain.

SheandRandallwalkedhome,becausetheciviccenterwasjusttwoblocksawayfromAnna'shouse.

"I'llgointoprivatepracticenextyear,"Randallwastellingher,hiseyesdreamy."Iwanttosetupin
Houston.There'sanolder,establisheddoctorinoneoftheritzierpartsoftown.I'vealreadyinquired
aboutbuyingintohispractice."Heglanceddownather."Ifwegotmarried,sayaroundDecember,we
couldmoveinbylateJanuary."

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Shestoppedwalkingandlookedupathim."Youmean,youcouldbuyintothepracticeifmy

mothergaveusasubstantialcashweddingpresent,"shesaidmatter-of-factly.Whathewashintingat
wassuddenlywelcome.ShewantedsodesperatelytogetoutofEvan'sreachforever,toavoidany
moreheartbreakingtormentfromhim.

Hewastakenabackatthecalmwayshesaidit."Anna..."

"Iknowyou'renotdyingofloveforme,Randall,"shesaidquietly."Iknowthattherehavebeen

otherwomen.Itdoesn'tmatter.Imightaswellmarryyouasanybodyelse.Whynot?"

Hefeltguiltyforthefirsttimeashesawthedeadlookinhereyes.Hedidn'tloveher,buthewas

fondofher.Hefrowned."Youmakeitsoundlikeabusinessproposition."

"Itis.Mymotherwouldstakeus.You'reambitious,soyou'llworkhardandmakeanamefor

yourself.Icanentertain.I'llfindthingstokeepmebusy.MaybeI'llpaint."Sheputawayherdreamsof
Evanandahousefulofchildrenforthelasttime.Shehadtobepractical.

"You'llmarryme?"heasked.

Shenodded.

Hesighed,anddrewherintohisarms,holdingherlightly."Youdeservesomethingbetterthanthis,"
hesaidunexpectedly.

Shelaidhercheekagainsthischestandsmiled."Sometimes,Randall,you'reaveryniceman."

"Notoften.I'malltooawareofmylimitations.I

likewomen,andforsomereasontheylikeme,evenifI'mnothandsome."Hesmoothedherlong
hair."Ilikebeingwithyou,becauseIcanbemyself.I'lltakecareofyou,Anna.I'lltrytobediscreet..."

"Itwon'tmatter."Anditwouldn't.Hecouldn'ttouchherheart,soshewassafe."We'lltellMamawhen
wegethome."

Henodded.Hetookherhandandsmileddownatherastheywalkedbacktowardthehouse.Anna
smiledback,butnothinghelpedtheacheinsideher.

"You'regettingmarried?"Pollystammeredwhentheytoldherthenews,automaticallyregistering

thatneitherofthemseemedparticularlyecstaticoroverjoyedattheprospect.

"That'sright,"Randallsaidpleasantly."Ihopeyou'llwishuswell,Mrs.Cochran.I'lltakecareof
Anna."

ItwouldhavemadePollyalittlehappierifhe'dsaidhelovedAnna.Sheglancedatherdaughterand
wantedtoweepatthecomposedfeatures,thedulleyes.AnnawasonlydoingthisbecauseofEvan;
sheknewit.Butherdaughterwasoldenoughtomakeherowndecisions,howeverwrongtheymight
be.

"OfcourseI'llcongratulateyou,"Pollysaid,forcingasmile."Ihopeyou'llbeveryhappy.Nowwhen
areyouplanningtobemarried?"

"AtChristmas,"Annasaidquietly.

Randallnodded."Icantakeacoupleofdaysoffandwe'llhaveabriefhoneymoon."

"RandallwantstobuyintoapracticeinHouston,"Annaadded,thinkingthatHoustonwouldbe

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agoodplacetolive,becauseshewouldn'teverhavetoseeEvanagain.

"I'llhelpwiththat,ofcourse,"Pollysaidbrusquely,andwatchedreliefshadowRandall'seyes.

Damnhim!Shedidn'twanttobuyherdaughterahusband,butwhatcouldshesay?Annawasliving
onhernervesalready.Evanwasobviouslynotinterestedinher,either.Hewasbeingseeneverywhere
withNina,flauntinghisrelationship.He'devenbroughtthewomantoPolly'sofficewithhim,making
hisinterestinhersoevidentthathalfthestaffmusthavementionedittoAnna.Shewonderedifthat
hadbeenhisintention.HeseemedtogooutofhiswaylatelytotauntAnna,rightdowntoparading
Ninapasttheartgalleryatluncheveryday.

PollyhadneverthoughtofEvanasaparticularlycruelman,butAnnaseemedtotriggeritinhim.

Odd,whenAnnawasthetypeofwomanwhoparticularlyneededkindness.Shecertainlywouldn'tfind
anyinEvan.Pollypursedherlips.Thisengagementmightnotbeabadidea,afterall.Onceheknew
Annawasmarrying,hemightrelentandstophurtingher.

"We'llhavetogoshoppingforanengagementringtomorrow,"RandalltoldAnna,smiling."What

wouldyoulike?"

Shesmiledback.Hewasagoodfriend,evenifshecouldn'tworkupagrandpassionforhim."I'dlike
anemeraldsolitaire,"shesaid.

Randall'seyebrowsarched."Emerald?"

"Idon'tliketraditionalstones,"shesaidgently."Andasmallemeraldanddiamondweddingband.

Later,whenyou'rewildlysuccessful,youcanbuymesomethingbigandflashy,okay?"

Hegrimaced.Shemadehimfeelmeanandguilty."Anna,I'dbuyyouatrunkfulofdiamondsifIhad
themoney,"hesaid,andsuddenlymeantit."Godknows,you'reworththem."

Pollyraisedhereyebrowsandsmiled.Thatsoundedmorepromising.Randallmightturnouttobea
worthyson-in-lawafterall.IfonlyAnnalovedhim.

"Wecouldgofromthegallerytopickitup,"Annasuggested,"aboutnoon."

Noon.ThatwaswhenEvanusuallyescortedNinapastherwindow.Pollyturned,smotheringagrin.
GoodforAnna.Itwouldn'thurttoletEvanknowthatshewasn'tpiningawayforloveofhim
anymore."It'sadate,"Randallsaid,smiling."Now,you'dbetterwalkmetothedoor.I'vegotexams
therestoftheweek,soexceptforgettingthering,wewon'tseetoomuchofeachother."

"That'sokay,"Annasaiddemurely."We'llmakeupforitwhenwe'retogether.There'sanewexhibitat
thezoo,tropicalamphibians."

"Fantastic!"Randallenjoyedthestudyofherpe-tologyasahobby,andAnnasharedhisfascination
withexoticfrogsandlizards.Ithadbeensurprising,andpleasing,tofindthattheyhadafewthingsin
common.Hehatedartandmusic,althoughhehumoredAnnabyattendingconcerts.Buthereally
enjoyedgoingtothezoo,andsodidshe.Itwassomethingtobuildon,atleast.

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EVAN

Annawasthinkingthesamething.Shewouldn'thaveanecstaticmarriage,butshe'dsettlefora

littleharmony.Godknew,shecouldneverhavehadthatwithEvan.Forakind,pleasantman,he
seemedtogrowfangswhenhecamewithinafewfeetofher.Sheaffectedhiminaverynegativeway,
soitwasprobablyjustaswellthatshewasmarryingRandall.Butinsideher,dreamsdied.

ChapterFive

Annathoughtshe'dnevergetthroughthenextmorning.OnlythethoughtthatRandallwascomingfor
hermadeitbearable.IfshehadtowatchEvanwithNina,itwouldbeforthelasttime.Presumably
whenheheardaboutherengagement,he'drealizethatshe'dgivenuponhimandmaybethenhe'd
leaveheraloneandstoptauntingherwithwhatshecouldn'thave.Thehumiliationofknowingthat
Evanwastotallyawareofherhelplesspassionforhimwasunbearable.HavinghimflauntNinaather
wasworse.

Sureenough,attenminutesbeforenoon,Evancamepastthewindowashedidnoweveryday.But

hewasalonethistime.Ninawasn'twithhim.

Annaclenchedherhandstogetherinfrontofher,gratefulthatMr.Taylorwasinthegallery,going
overtheirframeinventory,whenEvanwalkedinthedoor.Atleastshewasn'tonherown.

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"Well,hello,Evan,"BrandTaylorsaidwithasmile."Nicetoseeyou.Anythinginparticularyou're

lookingfor?"

Evanwastakenaback.Hehadn'tplannedonTaylorbeingin.Mostdays,whenhewentpastthegallery
Annawasalone.Today,ofalldays,shewasn't.

"No,I'm...browsing,thanks,"Evansaid.

"Goahead,then.Annacanhelpyouwithprices,ifyouseesomethingyoulike."

Annawasn'tlookingathim,though.Hereyeswerealmostfrantic,rivetedtothefrontdoor.His

facehardened.Wasshehopingtoberescued?Rememberinghisrecenttreatmentofher,herealized
thathecouldn'tblameher.He'dtriedsohardtoresisthishungerforher,buthecouldn'tquitelive
withouther.He'dcopesomehowwithhisfears,he'dhaveto.Butherfacewasn'tencouraging,andhe
hadaflashofpanicasherealizedthathemightalreadybetoolate.Shelooked...

Hehesitated,hisdarkeyessweepingoverher.She'dlostweight.Thebeigesuitsheworedidn'tfitas
closelyasithad,andtherewerenewlinesinthatprettyface,newhollowsunderherhighcheekbones.

Shelookedelegantandbrittle.

Hemovedtowardher,hatingthewayshejerkedaroundandtookastepbackwardwhenshesawhim
coming.Hadhehurthersobadly?

HereyesglancedoffhisgraysuitandpearlyStetson.Hewasdressedfortravel,sheimagined,not
knowingthathe'dwornhisbestclothesjusttoseeher.

"Wastheresomethingyouwantedtoknow?"sheaskedinaforciblysteadytone,andmadeherself
lookathim.

Hereyesweredeepblueandfullofpain.Ithurthimtoseeitandknowthatitwasbecauseofhim.

"Yes,"hesaid,hisvoicealmosthesitant.Hiseyesfelltohersoftmouthandbackuptoholdhergaze.
"Anna,I..."

Thebellonthefrontdoordrewtheirattention.Randallcamein,smilingatMr.Taylorbeforehe
walkedtoAnna'sside.HeknewhowshefeltaboutEvanTremayne,andprotectiveinstinctshedidn't
evenknowhehadwelledupinsidehim.Heslidanarmaroundherwaistandkissedherforeheadwith
deliberatepossession,notmissingtheflashofEvan'sstormyeyesorthesurpriseonhisdarkface.

"Hello,darling,"hetoldAnnagently."Readytogo?"

"Yes,"Annachoked."I'lljustgetmypurse."

"We'repickingouttheringstoday,"RandalltoldEvanlevelly."AnnaandIaregettingmarriedat

Christmas."

Gettingmarried.Gettingmarried.Gettingmarried.Evanheardthewordsechoinhisminduntilhe

thoughthe'dgonemad.Annawasgoingtomarry,Randall.Theyweregoingtopickoutrings.He'd
comeheretodaytoapologizetoher,onhiskneesifnecessary,toaskheroutonwhatwouldhave
beentheirfirstrealdate.Hewasgoingtotrytobuildarelationshipwithher.ButRandallhadbeathim
toit.He'dhurther,tormentedherintoacceptingRandall's

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proposal.Fortherestofhislife,he'dhavetolivewiththat.Shedidn'tloveRandallorwanthim,but
shewasgoingtomarryhim.

"Youmightcongratulateus,"Randallprompted."I'mgoingtomakeherhappy.IswearIam."

Howcanyou,Evanwaswonderingbitterly,whenshelovesme?Buthedidn'tsayit.Herammedhis

handsintohispockets,drawingthefinefabricofhisslackstaut,overpowerfullymuscledlegs,and
hiseyessmolderedastheywenttoAnna'spaleface.

"I'mreadywhenyouare,Randall,"Annatoldhimquietly,andEvanhadtolookhardevento

recognizethatshewasthesamewomanhe'dknownonlyweeksago.Thebrightspark,theimpish
naturemightneverhavebeen.Annahadmaturedtomiddle-ageovernight,gonecalmandquietand
elegant.Atthatmomenthe'dhavegivenanythingtoseeherthewayshewas.

"I'mcoming.Seeyouaround,Evan,"hetoldtheolderman,smilingashewenttotakeAnna'sarm.

Evanwatchedthemgowithdeadeyes.ShewasgoingtomarryRandall.Andwhenshelookedup

andmethisgaze,heknewwhy.Shewasdoingittoshowhimthatshewasn'tchasinghimanymore,
thathewasfreeofher,becausethatwaswhatshethoughthewanted.Heavenknew,he'dgivenher
morethanenoughreasontothinkso.

"Oh,God,no!"hegroundoutinatorturedwhisperandstartedtowardthem.Hehadtostopher.

ButashenoddedtoTaylorandlefttheshop,Ninadroveuptothecurbandcalledtohim.

"Thereyouare!"shewavedgaily."Imissedyouattheoffice,soIthoughtI'dmeetyouhere!"

Annaheardher,butshedidn'tlookback.WhatagoodthingRandallhadcomeforher.She'dthought,
hoped,thatEvanmighthavecomejusttoseeher,buthe'dbeenmeetingNinathere,flauntingher
again.Nowonderhe'dbeeninsucharushtogetoutofthegallery,andshe'ddaredtodreamhewas
comingafterher!Well,somuchfordeadhopes.

SheslidherhandintoRandall'sandwalkedalongbesidehim,half-numb,listeningwhilehetoldher
whathe'dplannedfortheweekend.Hemightaswellhavebeengivingheraweatherreport,forallthe
interestsheshowed.

Thatafternoon,afterwork,shewenthomealone.Onanimpulse,shestoppedbytheciviccenterto
seewhatconcertswereplannedfortheweekend.Randall'semeraldsolitairewinkedinthesoftlight,
gracingherlong,slenderhand.Thesymbolofhisintentiontomarryher,anditdidn'teventouchher
heart.ShewassavingEvanfromherself,shethoughtbitterly,thatwasall.Shedidn'tdarethinkabout
whatmarriagetoRandallwouldbelike,orshe'dgomad.

Tearsstunghereyesandbegantorolldownhercheekswhileshestoodthere.Andshesuddenly
realized,horrified,thatMirandaTremaynewasstandingbesideher.

"Oh,Anna,"theolderwomansaid,grimacing.SheputherarmsaroundAnnawithouteventhinking,

comfortingher.

ItwassounexpectedthatAnnawastotallywithout

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adefense.Shecrieduntilherthroathurt,gratefulthatpedestriantrafficwasalmostnonexistentforthe
moment.Shepulledawayfinally,andMirandaproducedatissueoutofthepocketofhermaternity
dress.

"Feelbetter?"sheaskedgently."It'sEvan,isn'tit?"sheaddedwithresignation,noddingatAnna's

surprisedlook."Yes,Iknow.Weallknowwhathe'sbeendoing,throwingNinainyourface.Iusedto
thinkthatEvanwasabigteddybear,butHardenwasn'tkiddingwhenhetoldmeEvanhadfangs.I
neverdreamedhecouldbesocruel."

"Idrovehimtoit,"Annasniffed."It'smyownfault."

"Hecouldhavestoppeditanytimehewantedto,justbyhavingaquietwordwithyou,"Miranda

saidangrily."Thisisn'tlikehim.He'sbeenterribleathomeeversincehecamebackfromDenver."

"Hehatesme,"Annasaidunsteadily."I'mnotkidding.Imean,hereallyhatesme!Hemadefunof

thewayIfeltabouthimandlaughedatRandall...I'mmarryingRandall,"sheaddedweakly,showing
herring."Isn'titpretty?We'regoingtoliveinHouston."Sheburstintotearsagain."Oh,Iamsorry,"
sheapologized,redeyed."Ididn'trealizehowmuchhehatedme.Itmusthaveembarrassedhim
terriblywhenIranafterhim!"

MirandacouldhavebackedatruckoverEvanwithpuredelightatthemoment.ShepattedAnna's
shoulderawkwardly."Thatdoesn'tmeanhehasanyrighttohurtyoulikethis."

"Thisisjusttheaftershock,"Annasaidstub-

bornly,dabbingathereyes."OnceRandallandIaremarried,I'llbefine."

"NotifyouloveEvan,"Mirandasaidsadly.

Annagroundherteethtogether,butherlowerliptrembledominously."I'llstoplovinghim,"she
choked."I'llhaveto."

"Evankeepssecrets,"Mirandasaidslowly."Idon'tknowwhattheyareandHardenwon'ttellme.But
there'ssomereasonforthewayhetreatsyou."

"It'smyage,"Annareplied."HethinksI'machild."

"There'smoretoitthanthat,I'msureofit,"Mirandareplied."Anna,IwishtherewassomethingI
coulddo."

Annasmiledather."You'reverykind,"shesaid."Harden'ssolucky,tohavesomeonelikeyou.He
wasworsethanEvan,youknow.Mostwomenaroundherewerescaredtodeathofhim.Hecould
lookrightthroughyou."

"He'smellowed."Mirandagrinned,pattingherstomach."Notthathe'stame.NoneoftheTremayne
menare.Buthe'sallI'lleverwant."

"Ithinkthatwouldgodoubleforhim,"Annasaidsoftlyandsmiled."Ihavetogo.Youwon't...mention
thatIwasstandingoutherebawlingmyheadoff?"

"Iwon'ttellEvananything,Anna,"camethegentlereply."ButIdowishyou'dreconsiderwhatyou're
doing."

"I'mdoingtheonlythingIcan,shortofjoining

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theFrenchForeignLegion,"Annasighed."I'llbehappywithRandall."

Mirandawantedtoquestionthatcoolstatement,butshecouldn't.Annawasheadstrongandstubborn,
andsheseemedperfectlycapableofcuttingoffhernosetospiteherface.AsforEvan...

Shewenthomefuming.Hardenwassittinginthelivingroomwithhismother,Theodora,when
Mirandawalkedinandflungherpurseonachair.

"Areyouallright?"Hardenasked,immediatelyconcerned.

"Oh,youmeanthecheckup,"shesaid,preoccupied."Yes,I'mfine.ThedoctorsaysI'mprogressing

beautifully,"shesaidandbenttokisshimgently.Shesmileddownathim,herloveechoingback
fromhisglitteryblueeyes."Thebabyisjustfine."

"ThankGod,"hesighed."Thewayyoulookedwhenyoucameinspookedme."

"Iwanttokillyourbrother,"shetoldhim.

"Whichone?"hereturned.

Theodorachuckledassheworkedherembroiderythreadintoacomplicatedfloraldesign."Evan,"
sheguessed.

"Howdidyouknow?"hequeried.

"He'stheonlybachelorleft."

"Goodpoint,"Mirandaagreed,"andIhopehegetstostaythatwayforlife.Ifyoucouldhaveseen

Anna..."

"WhataboutAnna?"Hardenaskedsoftly.

"He'scuthertopieces.Shewasintears.And

that'snottheworstofit.She'sgoingtomarryRandall."

Harden'sfacewenttaut."Shedoesn'tlovehim."

"It'stoshowEvanthatshe'sthroughchasinghim,Iknowitis,"Mirandasaidmiserably."She's

running,andyouknowaswellasIdothathe'sgivenhereveryreasonintheworldtowanttoget
awayfromhim.She'sconvincedthathehatesher."

"Heactslikeitlately,"Hardenhadtoadmit.

Theodoralookedupfromherneedlework."Loveandhatearetwins,youknow.Youcan'thate
somebodyunlessyoucanlovethem."

"He'sneverbeeninlove,notreally,"Hardenreplied."Oh,hethoughthewas.Hehadabad
experience,andit'sblindedhimtoalotofthings.Anna'snothisproblem.It'sallinhismind."

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"Mirandachided.

"Ican'ttellyouwithoutbreakingaconfidence,"hesaid.Hesmiledather."Nosecrets,Iknow,butthis
isEvan's,notmine.You'llhavetolethimdealwithit."

"He'swaitedtoolate,"Theodorasaidsadly."I'msorry.Anna'sveryyoung,butshe'ssweetand

generousandloving.Hecoulddosomuchworse."

"IhopeRandallwillbekindtoher."Mirandasighed."ButI'mnotsorryforEvan,"sheaddedangrily.
"Hedidn'tdeserveherinthefirstplace.IhopehemarriesthatNinaofhis,andIhopeshegiveshim
helltwiceaday!"

Theodoralaughedatherrage,butHardendidn't.HeknewwhatEvanwasafraidof,whyhewasrun-

^r

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ningfromAnna.Whatapitythathecouldn'tfacethethreatofhisownstrengthanddealwithit.Now
he'dlosttheonewomanintheworldwho'deverreallylovedhim.Hardenfeltsorryforhim.

Fordaysafterthat,Evankepttohimself,noteventalkingtothepeoplearoundhim.Hethrew

himselfintoranchworkwithazestthatsurprisedandexhaustedhisownmen,becausewhilehewas
punishinghimself,theyhadtosufferwithhim.Hepushedthemduringthelatesummerroundupof
bullsuntiloneofthemquit,whichwaswhatfinallybroughthimtohissenses.

"I'veneverseensomanycowboysinchurchonSunday,"Theodoramusedwhentheyhadsupper

thatnight."Theyallseemtosaythesamething-please,God,saveusfromEvan."

"Cutitout,"Evanmuttered.Hedidn'tsmile.Hehadn'tforalongtime.Thelightheartedman

Mirandarememberedfromherfirstdaysattheranchmightneverhavebeen.

"God,youremindmeofmyself,"Hardenremarkeddryly,glancingdownthetableathim."All

bristlesandthornslately."

Evandidn'tanswerhim.Hefinishedhiscoffeeandgotup."I'llseeyoulater."

"TakingNinaoutagain?"

"Whoelse?"Evanrepliedwithoutlookingathim.Hekeptwalking.

Mirandajustshookherhead.Hegotworsebytheday.EvanhadtakenNinatoaplayinHouston,but

he

wassurprisedandinfuriatedtofindRandallthere-withawomanwhowasdefinitelynotAnna.This
onewastallandbrunetteandwearingadressthatleftnothingatalltotheimagination.

Hecorneredthemanatintermission,hisdarkeyesthreatening.

"Ithoughtyouwereengaged,"hesaidcurtly.

"Iam,"Randallreplied."ThisismycousinNell."

Evanglancedatthewomanandlaughedshortly."Suresheis."

"Listen,"Randallsaidcurtly,"AnnaandIhaveanarrangementwhichisnoneofyourbusiness."

"Doessheknowyou'reoutwithCousinNell?"Evanpersisted.

"No,butshewill,becauseIneverhadanyintentionofcoveringitup,"Randallrepliedhonestly."At
leastAnnawillbebetteroffwithmethanshewouldwithyou,"headdedcoldly."I'llnevercutherup
thewayyoudid."

Evanexploded.Heactuallyreachedtowardtheotherman,butacrowdofreturningpatrons
interruptedthemovementandheregainedhiscontrol.Heturnedonhisheel,rejoiningNina.

"Whatwasthatallabout?"Ninademandedpetulantly."TryingtoliveAnna'slifeforheragain?"

Helookeddownatherwitheyesthatthreatened.Sheactuallybackedaway.

"Annaismybusiness,notyours,"hesaid,everywordmeasuredanddangerous.

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Ninaswallowed."Don'tyoumean,she'sRandall's?Afterall,it'shimshe'sengagedto."

Hetookherarmandescortedherbacktotheirseats.Hedidn'tsayanotherwordtoherthenorlater.

ThenextdayhestoppedbyPolly'sofficeonthepretenseofbusiness.Butoncethedoorwasclosed
andhewassittingcomfortablyinoneofherwingchairs,hetossedhishatasideandleanedforward
intently.

"RandallwasoutonthetowninHoustonlastnightwithsomebrunette,"hesaidshortly."He's

alreadytwo-timingAnna,andtheyaren'tevenmarriedyet."

Pollywasshocked,notonlybytheinformation,butbytheangerinEvan'svoiceashetoldherabout
it.

"Whatkindofmarriageisitgoingtobe,forGod'ssake?"hegroundout."Herpridewon'tstand

thatkindoftreatment!"

"Evan,Iappreciateyourconcern,"Pollysaidquietly."Butit'sAnna'slife."

"MyGod,she'sruiningit!"heexclaimed,throwinguphishands."Don'tyoucare?"

Polly'seyebrowslifted."Aren'tyouthemanwho'sbeendoinghisbesttochaseherintoRandall's
armsforthepastfewmonths?"

Hegrimaced."Ithoughtitwouldbethebestthingforher,"hesaidshortly."Randall'sgoingtomakea
gooddoctor,agoodprovider.Ifiguredoncetheygotengaged,he'datleastbediscreetabouthis
affairs."

"Heis,"Pollyreplied."HoustonisalongwayfromJacobsville."

"IfIsawhim,otherpeoplefromherecould."

Pollyleanedbackinherchair,studyinghisangryface."Evan,howdoyouknowthewomanhewas
withwasn'thiscousin?"

Heletoutaroughsighandrestedhisforeheadonhisbunchedhands."MyGod,Idon't.Butyouknow
whathe'slike."

"Yes.AndsodoesAnna.She'llbeamplyprovidedfor,andshe'llkeepbusyinHouston.That'swhere
they'regoingtolivewhenthey'remarried."

Itwaskillinghim.Killinghim!Hegottohisfeetwithaharshgroan,grabbinguphisStetson.

"Annathinksyouhateher,"shesaid,noticingthathedidn'tfaceher,thathisbackwasrigid."Dohera
favorandletherkeeponthinkingit."

HetwistedtheStetsoninhishands."Whyshouldn'tI?"heaskedhuskily."It'sthetruth."

"Isit,really,Evan?"sheaskedsoftly.

Hedidn'tanswerher.HeslammedtheStetsonoveroneeyeandwentout,withouteverlookingback.

Pollywatchedhimleaveandfeltatwingeofsorrowforallofthem.EvanlovedAnna.Ifshe'dever
wonderedabouthisfeelings,sheknewnow.Itwasaraging,helplesskindoflovethathewasfighting
witheverythinginhim,tearinghertopiecestokeepherfromseeinghowvulnerablehereallywas.
AndAnnalovedhim,deathlessly.Butneitherofthemwasgoingtogivein,leastofallEvan,whofor
reasons

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ofhisownwantednopartofloving.Pollycouldhavewept.Shewishedshecouldtellherdaughter,
butitwouldservenopurpose.Evanwasn'tgoingtogiveintoit,sheknewthatinstinctively,butif
Annawenttooclosetohim,he'dsavageher.Hemighthavealreadydonethat.Pollyknewhe'dbeen
tauntingher.Shewassurehehatedher.Itwasjustaswell.ShecoulddoworsethanRandall,and
perhapssomeday,she'devengetoverEvan.

Sure,shethoughtbitterly,asshepulledouttheportraitofherhusband,Duke,thatshekeptinher

deskdrawer,justlikeI'vegottenoveryou.HelookedalotlikeAnna-blondandblue-eyed.Hewastall
andslender,andPollyhadlovedhimjustaspassionatelyasAnnalovedEvan.Butthey'dneverbeen
abletolivetogether,becausehehadwanderlust.Shedidn'tlikerememberinghowshe'dbeggedtogo
withhim,orhowhe'dtoldher,sogently,thathecouldn'tdragheraroundtheworldwithababyinher
arms.Slowlyshebroughtthepicturetoherlipsandkisseditbeforesheputitaway.Somuchfor
lookingback.Shehadworktodo.Shepushedtheintercombuttonandcalledhersecretaryinfor
dictation.

RandalltoldAnnaaboutthewomanhe'dtakentotheplay,becauseheknewEvanwouldmakesureshe
foundout.Ashe'dexpected,shedidn'tbataneyelash.

"Idon'tseeanythingsoterribleaboutit."Sheshrugged."Whydidyoufeelobligedtotellme?"

"BecauseEvanwasthereandwentcrazywhenhe

sawmewithanotherwoman,"hesaidshortly,ramminghishandsinhispockets."Heverynearly
threwapunchatme."

Anna'sheartjumped,butsheschooledherfacenottobetraytheshockofpleasureshefeltatEvan's
displeasure."He'sveryold-fashioned,"shebegan.

"LiketherestoftheTremaynes,Iknow,"hesighed."Well,I'mnevergoingtobeMr.Faithful,Anna,"
headdedwitharuefulsmile."I'msorry.It'snotinme."

"Iknowthat."Shechangedthesubjectabruptly,offeringhimcoffee.Hewatchedhermakeitandwas
suddenlygratefulthathedidn'tloveher.Ifhehad,seeinghowindifferentshewastohisamours
wouldkillhim.ShewasgoingtoliveanddieinlovewithEvanTremayne.Hepitiedher.Hepitied
Evanmore.Therewereworsethingsforamanthanmarryingawomanwholovedhimpassionately.
Evanhadthrownawayapreciousgiftanddidn'tevenknowit.

PollymentionedthatEvanhadbeenbytheofficeandhadtalkedaboutseeingRandallinHouston.It
amazedAnnathathe'dbeensopersistent.Butshewasevenmoresurprisedtofindhimwaitingforher
atthegallerywhenshewenttoopenitthenextmorninginMr.Taylor'sabsence.

"It'sabouttime,"Evansaidcurtly,glaringatherassheproducedthekey.

Herheartjumped,butsheschooledherfacenottoshowthedangerousexcitementhefosteredinher.

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She'dlearnedthehardwaytokeepapokerfacethesedays."Whatdoyouwant?"sheaskedquietly.

Hefollowedherintothegallery,formidableintandenimsandablue-checkedWesternshirt,his

oldblackStetsonslantedarrogantlyoveronedarkeye."YouknowwhatIwant.Howlongareyou
goingtoletRandalldragyourpridethroughthedirtbeforeyoudosomethingaboutit?Ordon'tyou
carethathe'shavingwomenontheside?"

Sheputherpursedownandturnedonthelights,veryelegantinhertailoredgraysuit,withherhair

inaneatchignon."Randallisagrownman.Idon'tmindifhetakesanotherwomantothetheater
whenI'mnotavailable."

"Whyweren'tyouavailable?"hedemanded."You'reengaged,aren'tyou?"

"Ihadaheadache,"shesaidinadequately.

"Already?"heaskedwithacoldmockingsmile."Ithoughtthatcameafteryourweddingnight."

Sheturnedonhimlikeawoundedthing."Getout!"shecried."Leavemealone!"

Hemovedcloser,theslownessofhismovementsimpartingasensualthreat."Thatisn'twhatyou
want,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepandslowandsoft.

Shebackedawayuntilthecounterstoppedher,hereyeswideandfrightenedastheymethis.

Heeasedhishandsontothecounteroneithersideofher,gentlypinninghertherewiththethreatof
hisbody.Hesmelledofspiceandleatherandshehadtoclosehereyestokeepherhandsawayfrom
theexpanseofbroad,hair-roughenedchestinfrontof

her,wherethesnapshadcomeapartathiscollarbone.

"Doesitbotheryoutolookatme?"heaskedquietly.

Hereyesopened,andhereadthevulnerabilityinthem,thehelplessattraction.Hergazewenttohis
chestandwasjerkedbacktohiseyes.

"Sothat'sit,"hesaid,almosttohimself.Hemovedonehandtohisshirtand,holdinghereyes,ripped
thesnapsopendownthefront,baringthebronze,muscularchestunderitsthickmatofdark,curling
hair."Touchme,"hesaidcurtly.

Herlipsparted.Shecouldn'tbelievethiswashappening,hereinthegallery,inbroaddaylight.

"It'sallright,"hesaidquietly.Hecaughtherhandsandputtheminsidehisshirt,pressingthemgently
intothethicknessofbodyhair.

"Evan!"shemoaned.

Hisbreathcaughtashepushedherhandscloser."Oh,God,"hemanagedashisbodysuddenlywent
tautwithviolentarousal."Pull,baby,"hebreathed,bendingtohermouth."Getahandfulofitand
pull...!"

Shedid,archinguptotheopenwarmthofhismouthevenasitmethers.Hegroanedasherhands
grewbolder,caressinghim,tuggingatthethickgrowthofhair,gloryinginhismasculinity,inhis
size,hisstrength.

Heliftedhersuddenlyontothecountersothathewasbetweenthefoldsofherfullskirt,betweenher
thighs.Hismouthbent,nuzzlingunderthejacketto

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findthesoftsilkofherblouseandthesofterwarmthofherbreast.Hismouthopenedonthehardtip,
takingitinsidehislipsalongwiththefabric.

"Ev...an,no!"shecried,shudderingatthesheerecstasyofhismouthonherbody.Butevenasshe

protested,herheadarchedbackandherhandswenttremblingintohisthickbrownhair,dislodging
hishat,toholdhimtoherbody.

"You'remine,"hewhispered,nibblingsoftlyathernipple."Youbelongtome.I'mnotgivingyou

toRandall."

Heliftedhisheadsuddenlyandmovedback,breathingunsteadily,hiseyesdarkandsmolderingas
theymethers.Helookeddownatthedampfabricoverherbreastwithpuremasculinetriumph."Do
youletRandalldothattoyou?"heaskedmockingly.

Shecouldbarelybreathe.Thesightofhimlikethat-hishairdisheveled,hisshirtopenandwrinkled

overhisbarechest,hismouthfaintlyswollenfromitshardpressureagainstherbodymadeherdizzy.
Whathewassayingfinallyregistered,though,andmadeherflushscarlet.She'dactuallylethimtouch
herinthatintimateway,giveninwithoutafight,andhewasmockingherforit.Shefeltawaveof
shame.

"No,youdon't,"heansweredhisownquestion,hiseyesblazingintohers."You'veneverlet

anybodydotoyouwhatyou'llletme.Youneverwill."

Shewastrembling,buttheboldstatementwoundedherpride.Hewastellingherthatheowned

her,andthatwasn'ttrue.Shecouldn'tlethimhumiliateheragain.

Heliftedherdownfromthecounter,kissingherwithcarelesstendernessbeforehelazilyresnapped
thepearlybuttonsofhisshirt."GiveRandallbackthering,"hesaidwithasatisfiedsmile.

Shepulledthejacketoverthewetspotonherblouse,red-faced.Shecouldstillfeelhismouthonher
there.Hemustthinkshewaseasy,totreatherlikethat,likesomeloosewoman."No,"shesaid
huskily.

Hishandspaused."What?"

Shemovedawayfromhimtothedoor,deliberatelyopeningit."YouwantedtoshowmethatIcan't
resistyou.Allright,you'vedoneit.NowyoucangoandlaughaboutitwithNina.ButI'mgoingto
marryRandall."

"ForGod'ssake,why?"heburstoutangrily,almostcrushingtheStetsoninhisbighand."Youdon't
lovehim!"

Sheliftedhereyestohiswithoutflinching."Thatiswhy,"shesaidhoarsely."BecauseIdon'tlove
him.Becausehecanneverhurtmethewayyouhave.Isyourpridesatisfiednow,Evan?"sheasked.
"Hashumiliatingmehealedit?"

Hedrewinasharpbreath."Anna,thatisn'twhyIcame,"hebegan.

"I'dlikeyoutogo,please."

"Youdon'tunderstand,"hesaidangrily,pausinginfrontofher."Icametoexplainsomethingtoyou."

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Sheclosedhereyes,tearsthreatening."Please,can'tyoustophurtingme?"shewhisperedbrokenly.
"I'mgettingmarried,I'mleavingJacobsvillebecauseofyou...isn'tthatenough?"

"Becauseofme?"Heaskedhesitantly,scowling.

Herfacelifted,hereyesopening,tormented."Ican'thelp...whatIfeel,"shesobbed."Whymustyou
keeppunishingmeforit?"

"Oh,baby,no,"hesaid,horrified."Anna,Ididn'tcomeheretohurtyou!"

"Idon'teverwanttoseeyouagain,Evan,"shewhispered."Ifyourfriendshipwithmymotherand

meevermeantanythingtoyou,then,pleasejustgoaway."

"Andletyoumakethebiggestmistakeofyourlifebymarryingthatpill-peddlingphilanderer?"

"Atleasthenevertreatedmelikeatramp!"sheallbutscreamedathim.

Evanstiffened."Ihaven't.Notever."

"Whatwouldyoucallwhatyoujustdidtome?"sheasked,clutchingthejacketcloser,horrifiedat

herownactions,atherresponse.

Hebegantorealizejusthowinnocentshewas,howuntouched.Heletoutaslowbreath."Anna,whatI
didtoyou...that'spartoflovemaking,"hesaidgently."It'snothingtobeashamedof."

Shewentscarlet."Ifyoudon'tleave,I'llscream,"shethreatened,hereyeswetnow.

Hethrewuphishands."Allright.Butthisisn'ttheendofit,"hesaidshortly.

"Yes,itis,"shecried."Goaway!"

Hewentoutthedoor,hismindalreadyspinningwithwaystopryheroutofRandall'sarms.ButAnna
closedthedoorandwept.Sheknewhedidn'tcareabouthernow.Hecouldn't,andtreatherlike-like
that!Andworstofallwasthememorythatshe'dlethim.Howcouldsheeverfaceherselfinthe
mirroragain?

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ChapterSix

PollynoticedhowupsetAnnawasatsupper.Shedidn'twanttopry,butshewasworriedabouttheway
herdaughterwaslosingweightandbrooding.

"CanIhelp?"sheaskedAnnagently.

Anna'sheadjerkedupandsheflushed."Uh,no,butthankyou."

"Something'swrong,"Pollysaid."DidRandalldosomethingtoupsetyou?"

Annashookherhead."Itwasn'tRandall."

"Evan?"

Annaflushed.

Pollysmiledgently."Ishouldhaveknown.Hewenttoseeyou,didn'the?Andhadplentytosayabout
Randalltakingthatwomantothetheater."

"Howdidyouknow?"Annaasked.

"Hecametoseeme,too,"Pollysaid,smilingruefully."He'dworkedhimselfintoareallather

overit.Amazinghowpossessiveheisaboutyou,foramanwhoprofessesnottobeinterestedin
you."HereyesnarrowedshrewdlywhenAnna'sflushgotworse."Hedidmorethanjusttalk,too,
didn'the?"

Anna'slowerliptrembledassheliftedhercoffeecuptoherlipsandtookasip."Hetreatedmelike

somewomanhe'dpickedupforthenight,"shesaidhuskily.

Polly'seyebrowsrose.Thatdidn'tsoundlikeEvan."Hekissedyou?"

"Yes,andthenheputhismouthonmy...my..."Shebrokeoff,unabletoputitintowords.

Pollyonlysmiled."Darling,I'veshelteredyoutoomuch,haven'tI?"ShetouchedAnna'scoldhand.
"Anna,nothingis,orshouldbe,tabooinlovemakingbetweenamanandawoman,aslongasthey
bothenjoyit,"shesaidgently."Becauseamantouchesyou,orkissesyou,inalessthanconventional
way,itdoesn'tmeanhehasalowopinionofyou.Wheredidyougetsuchideas?"

"Well,younevertalkaboutit,"Annamumbled.

"You'veneveraskedme."Shestudiedthetormentedyoungface."Didyouenjoywhathedid,

Anna?"

Theyoungerwoman'seyesclosed."Oh,yes,"shewhispered."ButIshouldn'thavelethim,andhe
shouldn'thavetouchedmelikethat.I'mengaged!"

"Toamanwhodoesn'tevenwantyou,"Pollysaidquietly."I'dratherseeyouhaveablazingaffair

withEvanthanmarryamanyoudon'tlove,Anna."

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"Mama!"

"Well,Iwould,"Pollysaidstubbornly."AtleastEvanwantsyou.Ican'timaginehimgoingoutwith

anotherwomanifitwashimyouwereengagedto.Canyou?"

"He'snotlikeRandall."

"No,heisn't.He'spassionateandstubbornandmoremanthanmostwomencouldeverhandle."She

searchedAnna'sface."He'saverybigman,Anna.Therewassometalkonceabouthishavinghurta
womanbadlyinbed."

Annaflushed,hereyesmeetingPolly's."Deliberately?"shewhispered.

"OfcoursenotButhe'suncommonlystrong,andamancan'talwayscontrolhispassionwhenhe's

aroused.Thewomanhewasdatingwashalfhissize,afragilelittlethingandveryinnocent.Idon't
knowifthathasanythingtodowithhisattitudetowardyou,butit'sapossibility."

"I'mnotsmallandfragile,"Annaremindedhermother.

"Iknow.Butyou'reveryinnocent.Virginitycanbeanimpossibleobstacleforsomemen,

especiallymenwhoarealreadyafraidoftheirstrength.It'ssomethingtothinkabout."

"Hedidn'tseemveryafraidofitthismorning,"Annarecalled.

"Kissingisonething.Sexisquiteanother."

Sheclearedherthroat."Iwon'thaveanaffairwithEvan."

"Ineverthoughtyouwould,"Pollyreplied

calmly."Butifhe'sreallyinterestedinyou,itwouldn'thurttoreconsidermarryingRandall.Evan's
twicethemanheis."

"Evanhatesme,"shesaidunsteadily."Helooksatmeasifhecouldtearmelimbfromlimbhalfthe

time."

"Hewantsyou,"Pollyclarified."Desireisviolent,especiallygreatdesirethat'sbeenrepressedtoo

long.I'veseenthewayEvanlooksatyou.Believeme,itisn'thatred."

"Heisn'tamarryingman,"Annasaidwearily."Evenifhedoeswantme,itisn'tforkeeps.Ican't

handlethatkindofrelationship.I'dhatemyself."

"Ismarryingamanyoudon'tloveanybetter?"

"Probablynot,"Annahadtoadmit.Sheputdownhercup."RandallandIaredrivingtoHouston

tomorrowforapartyhisparentsaregiving.We'llbelategettingback.Hewantstotellthemabout
ourengagement."

"Allright.It'syourlife,Anna.I'lladviseyou,butIwon'ttrytoswayyouagain.Youhavetolive

withyourowndecisions,notmine."

Annalookedattheolderwomanquietly."You'reaterrificmother,didIevertellyou?"

Pollysmiledgently."Frequently.ButInevertireofhearingit."

"IthinkI'llgettobedearlytonight,"Annasaid."Ihaven'tbeensleepingwelllately."

"Dothat,darling.Sleeptight."

"You,too."

Butshedidn'tsleep.Shelayawake,feelingover

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andoveragaintheheatofEvan'smouthonherbreast.Shetouchedherbodicewherethelacefell
awayandfeltherbodytautenatjustthememoryofhiswarmlipsthere.Sheshuddered,closingher
eyes.Shecouldhearhisvoice,whispering,seductive,teachingherhowtotouchhim,toexcitehim,
whilehemadeherbodysingwithhismouth.She'dneverdreamedshecouldfeelsohungry,so
wanton.Butithadbeennewandfrighteningandembarrassing,tobesointimatewithhim.She'd
reactedbadly.He'dgoneaway,asshe'dasked,andhehadn'tcalledorcomeback.Perhapsshe'dreally
drivenhimawaythistime,anditmightbeforthebest.WhateverherlifewaslikewithRandall,she
wouldn'tbeatthemercyofherbody,ofneedsshehadn'tknownshehad.

Evanwasn'tsleeping,either.Helaywideawakeonhisownbed,thinkingofAnna,rememberingthe
softnessofherunderhislips.Thathadbeenanerrorinjudgment.Heshouldhavetalkedtoherfirst,
beforehecameontoostrongandfrightenedher.Hehadn'tknownshewassoinnocentthatshefelt
insultedbythesoftloveplaythey'dshared.Underdifferentcircumstances,hecouldhavetakenherin
hisarmsandexplainedittoher,gentlycoaxedhertogiveintohim.Buthe'dchosenabadtime,an
impossibleplace.Nexttime,he'dhavetobemorecautious.Butsomehowhehadtogetherawayfrom
Randallbeforeshemarriedtheman.Thenwhat?WhatwouldhedoaboutAnna?Shewasveryin-

nocentandtheoldfearsstillhauntedhim.Whatifhehurther?Whatifhisstrengthsentherrunning,
asithadLouisa?Couldhebearthat?

Herolledover,closinghiseyes.Onestepatatime,hethoughtbitterly.He'ddoneenoughdamageto
herprideandherheart.Nowhehadtoputitright.Ifhecould.

Randall'sparentslivedinamiddle-classsuburbanhomeinHouston,nothingreallyfancy,butnice.
Theywerepleasantpeople.Hisfatherwasateacher,hismotheradietician,andtheywerekindto
Anna.Butshefeltverymuchondisplaywhentheirfriendsbegantoarrive,anditwasalmostarelief
whenRandallofferedtogoformoreliquorlaterintheevening.

Annawentwithhim,despitehisprotests.Theliquorstorewasinabadpartoftown,hetoldher,and
therewasnodrive-in.He'dhavetoleaveherinthecar.

Shecouldlockit,shetoldhim,laughing.Hehadnothingtoworryabout.

Hegaveinwithobviousreluctance.Annawaswearinganexpensivedressandadiamondpendantthat
Pollyhadboughtforher.Shelookedasthoughshehadmoney.Buthecouldn'ttalkheroutofgoing
withhim,sohemadeherpromisetostayinthecarandkeepthedoorslocked.

Ordinarilyshewouldhavedoneso.Butakittenwanderingonthesidestreetcaughtherattention.It
wassmallandpitifullooking,anditheadedrightfor

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thestreet.Therewasn'tasoulinsight,andtheparkinglotwaswelllighted.Shegotoutofthecarand
wentafterthekitten.

Unexpectedlyitdartedawayandshefollowed,callingit.Hersoftvoiceattractedtheattentionofa
vagrantontheothersideofthestreet.Hesawthewayshewasdressedandassessedtheshinypendant
aroundherneckandtheglitteryringonherhand.

Hewasonherbeforesheknewwhathadhither.Shefoughtlikeatigress,butherstrugglingonly
enragedhimandmadehimmuchmoredangerousthanhewouldhavebeenifshe'dlethimhavethe
diamondandtheemeraldring.

Shefeltstarkterrorashisbigfistconnectedwithherface,andshescreamed,buthekepthittingher.
Shecouldn'tevengetaway.Hewasanenormousman,heavysetandvicious,andbythetimeshe
finallyblackedout,shetastedbloodandfeltasthoughhe'dbrokenhertopieces...

Randallcamebacktothecarandwhenhefounditempty,hepanicked.Droppingthebagofliquoron
thehoodofthecar,herandownthestreet,callingher.Ashadowmoved,andhewenttowardit
hesitantly,justintimetoseeaman'sshapemovequicklyaway.Therewasadarkblobontheground,
andRandallknewalltoowellwhatithadtobe.

HerushedtoAnna'sside,groaningashesawherbleeding,bruisedface.Heexaminedherquickly,
professionally.Herdresswastornbut,thankGod,themanhadn'trapedher.Hemighthave,ifRandall
hadn'tcomealongwhenhehad.Asitwas,he'dleft

withherjewelry.Herpulsewasweak,butstillthere.Therewasbloodinherhairfromwhereshe'dhit
thepavementandshewasalmostsurelyconcussed.

"Anna,canyouhearme?"Randallaskedhuskily.

Shedidn'tanswer.Shewasunconscious.

Hepulledouthispenlightandexaminedhereyesquickly,gratefulforhismedicaltraining.Definitely
concussion,hethought,andthatcouldbeserious.Heliftedherandstruggledtogetherintothecar.
Thenhedrovelikeamadmantotheemergencyroomofthenearesthospital.

Hardenwastheonlyoneathomewhenthetelephonerang.Hepickedupthereceiver,expectinga
businesscall.ButitwasPollyCochranontheotherendoftheline,halfhystericalandallbut
incoherent.

"Slowdown,Polly,"hesaidcurtly."Whatisit?"

"It'sAnna!Oh,God,I'vegottogettoHouston,Harden.Ican't...Ican'tdrive.IsEvanthere?"

"No,he'sflowntoDallasforameeting."Hedidn'taddthatEvanhadraisedhellwhenhehadtogo,

becausehisplansforthedaywerefocusedonsomethingmuchmoreimportantthanbusiness,buthe
hadn'tsaidwhat.He'dgone,withfuriousreluctance."What'shappenedtoAnna?"

"She'sbeenmugged.She'sinthehospitalandbadlyhurt,"Pollysaidshakily."Ihaveto..."

"I'llgetMirandaandwe'llberightover.You'reathome?"

"Yes.Thankyou!"

"Noneed.You'ddoitforus."Hehungupand

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wenttofindMiranda.MinuteslatertheypickedPollyupatherhouseandheadedtowardHouston.

"She'llbeallright,Polly,"Mirandasaidgently,smilingreassuringlyather."She'sastronggirl."

"Oh,Ihopeso,"Pollysaidhuskily,fightingtears.

Annawasintheintensivecareunitwhentheygottothehospital,attachedtolifesupportsystems,her
breathinglabored,hereyesclosed.Herfacewasamassofbruisesandcuts,oneeyealmostswollen
shut.Randallcameoutoftheunittotalktotheminthehall.

"She'shadabadtimeofit,"hesaidquietly."Theconcussioniswhatworriesusmost.Fortherest,

it'sjustbruisesandcuts,andshe'llheal."

"Shewasn'traped?"Pollyaskedthroughherteeth.

Randallshookhishead."Igottoherintimetofrightenthemanoff."Hesighedwearily."Oh,God,
I'msosorry.It'smyfault.Wewentouttogetsomemoreliquorfortheparty,andItoldhertostayin
thecar,sothatshe'dbesafe.Istilldon'tunderstandwhatmadehergetoutofit."

"Whydidyoutakeherwithyou?"Pollywailed.

"Sheinsisted,"Randallsaidhelplessly.

IfithadbeenEvan,she'dhavestayedathome,Pollythoughtangrily.Evanwouldhaveprotectedher.
Butshedidn'tsayit.Randalllookedbrokenupenoughasitwas.

TheywentintotheintensivecareunitandPollysatbesideherdaughter,holdingherhand.Shehadto
getwell.Shehadto!

ItwasmorningbeforeHardenandMirandagothome.Pollyhadrefusedtoleave,soHardenhad
promisedtoreturnlaterinthedaywithsomethingssheneeded.HetoldDonaldandTheodorawhat
wasgoingon,thengrabbedafewhourssleep.Hegotupearlyanddidwhatheneededtodoonthe
ranchbeforehewenttoPolly'shouseandfilledanovernightcaseforher.Thenhedrovebackto
Houston.

Itwassuppertimewhenhereturned.Hewaswornandhaggard.Evanwashome,buthe'dbeenout
mostofthedayandhadjustjoinedthefamily.Nobodyhadtoldhimyet.

Hardendidn'tknowthat.HeclappedEvanontheshoulder."I'msorryaboutAnna,"hesaidquietly.

Evanshrugged."Oneofthosethings,"hesaidcurtlyandturnedaway.

HardenwasshockedbyEvan'slackoffeeling,butperhapshewasstillrawfromherengagementand
hidingit.

HardensatdownandwaitedforTheodoratosaygrace.Whiletheyate,Evantalkedaboutthemeeting
andwhathe'dlearned.

Mirandahadfeltnauseated,soshewaslategettingdownstairs.She'dbeenasleepwhenHardencame
home,sohehadn'twantedtowakeher.Hesmiledatherasshejoinedthem,liftinghisfaceforher
softkissbeforesheeasedintothechairbesidehim,herpregnancydelightfullyobvious.

"Howisshe?"sheaskedgently.

"There'snochange,"Hardensaidheavily."IpromisedPollyI'ddrivebackuptomorrow,sothat

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shewon'tbecompletelyalone.She'striedtocontactDuke,buthe'soutofthecountry.Theyexpect
himbacktomorrow.IhopetoGod..."

"Dotheyhaveanyideawhodidit?"Theodoraaskedquietly.

"Notyet,"Hardensaid."Theywon't,unlesshetriestofencethejewelry.That'salongshot,too."

"Maybenot,"Mirandainterrupted,awareofEvan'ssuddeninterest."Thatemeraldsolitairewould

standout,wouldn'tit?"

"Soitwould,"Hardenagreed.

"Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?"Evanasked."Annahasanemeraldsolitaire."

"Shedidhave,"Hardensaid."Itwasstolen."

"How?"

Hardensatverystill.Heglancedaroundthetable,fromDonaldandJoAnnetoTheodora."Hasn't
anybodytoldhimyet?"heaskedsoftly.

"Therewasn'ttime,"Theodorasaidgently.ShegrimacedasshelookedatEvan."AndIdidn'tquite

knowhow-"

"Tellmewhat?"Evangroundout.

"Anna'sinthehospitalinHouston,"Hardensaidquietly."Shewasattackedandbadlyhurt.She'sina

coma."

HehateddoingthattoEvaninfrontoftheothers.HealonehadagoodideaofhowEvanreallyfelt
aboutAnna,anditwaslikestrippinghispridenaked.

Evanhandleditwell,though.Exceptforhissuddenpallorandacertainawkwardnessabouthis

movementswhenhestoodup,helookedperfectlynormal.

"Let'sgo,"hetoldHarden.

Hardenknewwhennottoargue.HekissedMiranda."Don'twaitup.I'llbebackwhenIcan."

"Drivecarefully,"shesaid,smiling.

HenoddedtowardtheothersandfollowedEvanout.

"Givemeacigarette,"thebiggermansaidwhentheywereheadedtowardHoustoninHarden'scar.

"Youdon'tsmoke."

"Ijuststarted."

HehandedEvanhiscigarettesandmatches."Ihatecorruptingyou.Nextyou'llwantadrink."

"Ialreadydo.Tellmehowithappened."

"I'drathernot."

"Why?"

"Becauseyou'revolatileenoughalready."

"Itwasthatdamneddoctor,wasn'tit?Heletheroutofhissight."

"Inanutshell,yes,buthedidtellhertostayinthecar.Shegotout,Godknowswhy,andwas

attackedforherjewelry.Apparentlysheputupahellofafight,butjudgingfromthebeatingshe
took,hewasbigandmean."

Evancursedsolidlyforfiveminutes,goingfromangertoragetomurderousfury.Hardendidn'ttry
tostophim.Heknewexactlyhowhe'dfeelifitwasMirandainthathospitalroom.

"Whatareherchances?"heaskedfinally,almostchokingashedrewonthecigarette.

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"Fifty-fifty.We'llhavetowaitandsee."

"Doesshewanttolive,doyouthink?"heasked,hisvoicehaunted."I'vehurther,Harden.I'vereally

hurther."

"Itwasn'tyourfaultthatyouwantedheroutofyourlife,"heremindedtheotherman.

"ButIdidn't,"Evansaidmiserably."IwasafraidImighthurther.AfterLouisa..."

"We'vehadthisconversationbefore.Annaisn'tLouisa.Youmighthavegivenherachance."

"Yes.Iknow."Hetookanotherdrawfromthecigarette."Iwasplanningto.IthoughtIstillmightbe

abletotakeherawayfromRandall,ifItried."

"Glorybe!Yougotintelligent!"

"Igotdesperate,"hesaidhuskily."Ihadthesweetesttasteofheryoucouldimagineattheart

gallerytwodaysago.Ihaven'tsleptsince.Iwantheruntilmyheartaches."

Hardenglancedathishard,setface."Iknowhowthatfeels,"hesaidgently."Ihopeitworksoutfor
you."

"Ihopeshelives,"Evansaiddully."That'sallIwant,forthemoment.That,andtokillthemanwho

putherinthatbed."

Hardendidn'tsayaword.Heunderstood.

AnhourlaterEvanwasallowedintotheintensivecareunit.Hecursedsilentlyatthesightofherpoor,
hurtface.Heshouldhaveneverforcedheroutofhislife.He'dbroughtthisonher,bylettingRandall
takeherawaywithoutafight.Hecouldn'tbearitifshedied.

Hesatdownbythebedandslidherslender,coolhandbetweenhisbigwarmones.

"Anna,"hewhispered.

Shedidn'tstir,buthecouldhaveswornhesawhereyelashesflicker,justahair.

"Anna,it'sme.It'sEvan.Canyouhearme,baby?"

Theendearmentgotareaction.Herfingersmovedslightlyinthecradleofhishands.

"Yes,youcanhearme,can'tyou,littleone?"heaskedsoftly.Hegottohisfeetandbentdown,so

thattherewasnodangerthatanyonepassingbytheopendoorcouldhearhim."Doyouremember
whatwedidtogetherintheartgallery,Anna?"hewhispered,hiswarmbreathstirringthesoftblond
hairatherear."Doyourememberhow,andwhere,Ikissedyou?"

Shemadeasoftsoundandhereyebrowsjerked.

Hislipsbrushedherearlobe.Histeethgentlyclosedonit."Ilovedthefeelofyourbreastundermy
mouth,Anna,"hewhispered."Iwantitagain."

Shemoaned.Heliftedhishead,hiseyesglitteringwithtriumphasshebegantomoveherhead.

"That'sit,"hecoaxed."That'sit,littleone,comeback.Comebacktome."

Secondslaterhereyesopenedandfocusedonhim.Shegrimacedandtheyclosedagainandshe
shivered.

Hepushedthenurse'scallbutton.Whenthenursearrived,beforeshecouldspeak,hesaid,"She's
conscious."

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Thatwasallittook.Hewasescortedoutintothehallwhileateamofwhite-coatedpeoplemarched
intoherroom.

"Shecameto,"hetoldPolly,smiling."She'llbefine."

"But,how?"Pollyasked,hugginghim,laughing."Whatdidyousaytoher?"

Heclearedhisthroatandlookeduncomfortable."Ijusttalkedtoher,"hesaidevasively.Hescowled
suddenly,glancingaround."Where'sRandall?"heasked.

"He'sstayingwithhisparents,"Pollysaid."Hewastired,sohewenttogetsomesleep."

"Withherhere?"Evanasked,outraged.

HardencaughthisarmandpulledhimasidewhilethedoctorcameoutandspokewithPolly.

"You'rewavingaflag,"Hardencautioned.

"Ican'thelpit,"Evanraged."Damnit,doesn'thecare?"

"Notthewayyoudo,"theothermanrepliedquietly."Orisn'tthatalreadyobvious?"

Evanranaroughhandthroughhishair."Sheflinched.Shelookedatmeandflinched.Ifshedidn't
hateme,sheprobablydoesnow."

"She'sdisorientedandinpain,"Hardenreplied."Giveittime."

"Time,"Evansaidonaheavysigh."Yes."

Hepursedhislips."Whatdidyousaytoher?"

Evanactuallyflushed.HegaveHardenacoldglareandwenttolistentowhatthedoctorwassaying.

Annawasgoingtobeallright,thedoctortoldthem,buttherewouldmorethanlikelybesome
emotionaltraumaandshe'dneedcounseling.Beingoverpoweredandbeatenbythemancouldaffect
herdrastically.Hewasabigman,too,thedoctorhadadded,andverystrong.HeglancedatEvan
ruefullyandsaidflatlythatshemightfindEvan'spresencefrighteningandevenalittleintimidating
untilshehadtimetorecoverfromherordeal.

Evanlistened,buthedidn'tleave.IfRandallwasn'tgoingtoassumehisresponsibilityforAnna,Evan
certainlywas.Hewouldn'tgoawayandleaveher,andhesaidso.Thedoctoronlysmiled.

PollywasgratefulforEvan'scompanyinthedaysthatfollowed,becauseRandallhadtogobackto
work.HewalkedwidearoundEvan,feelingmoreguiltythaneverwhenthebigmanglaredathim.
AnnalovedEvan,andRandallhatedstandinginthewayofherhappiness.Hisoriginalreasonfor
wantingtomarryherhadbeguntodisturbhimmoreandmoreasherealizedhowunhappyAnnahad
been.They'dbeenfriends,andhemissedherold,bubblingpersonality.Now,morethanever,he
wantedhertobehappy.Heknewhecouldn'tgiveherthat.ButEvancould.Hewasleavingthefield
clearforthemanshereallyloved.Whenshewaswellagain,he'dbreakofftheengagement,asgently
ashecould,andhopethatthingswouldworkoutforher.

Evandidn'tknowabouttherationale,sohespentthebetterpartofthedaycursingRandallforallhe

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wasworth.HecursedevenmorewhenAnnasuddenlyrefusedtoseehim.

Hecouldn'tacceptthat.HewaiteduntilPollywenttogetherselfacupofcoffeeinthehospital
canteen,thenhecalmlywalkedintoAnna'sroomandsatdowninthechairbesideherbed.

Shestiffenedathisapproach,andhereyesgrewhuge.Heknewshemustbeconnectinghissize

withthatofherassailant,butitwasmorethanhecoulddotoleavehernow.

"Don'tbeafraidofme,"hesaidquietly,searchingherblackenedeyes."I'mnotgoingtohurtyou.

Notever."

Sheseemedtorelaxalittle,butherposturewasstillrigid,andshedidn'ttakehereyesoffhim.

"Where'sRandall?"sheasked,hervoiceslurredbecauseofthemedicinetheyweregivingher.

"YoucanforgetRandall,"hesaidshortly."Becausethelastthingintheworldyou'regoingtodois

marryhim."

ChapterSeven

Annawascertainthatshecouldn'tpossiblyhaveheardhimright."What?"shefaltered.

"Isaid,you'renotmarryingRandall,"herepliedmatter-of-factly.Heglancedatthetraythey'd
broughtherforlunch."Youaren'teating.Doyouwantthemtoputthosetubesbackinandfeedyou
intravenously?"

"I'mnothungry,"shesaid,dazed.

Hegotupanduncoveredthefooddishes,hisdarkeyesglaringather."You'velostenoughweight."

"I'mabiggirl,"shemuttered.

"Hmm,"heagreedabsently,lettinghiseyesfalltothethrustofherbreastsunderthethinhospital
gown.Hesmiledgently."Inplaces."

Sheflushedandherbreathdrewin.

Evancockedaneyebrow."Shocked?YourememberhowIpulledyouback,don'tyou,littleone?"he
askedsoftly."WhatIremindedyouof."

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Sheswallowed,feelingtrappedandnervousofhim,painfullyshy.Sheloweredhereyestothewhite
sheet.

Hewouldn'thavethat.Hetouchedherbruisedchinverygentlyandliftedherfacetohis,searching
hereyesinatensesilence.Herememberedthen,vividly,howshe'dreactedtotheintimatecaress,
whatshe'dthought.Hesmiledgently."Anna,whatIdidtoyouwasn'tmeanttomakeyoufeelcheap,"
hesaid,hisvoicedeepandtender.

"I...Iknow,now,"shesaidhesitantly,withoutaddingthatPollyhadexplainedittoher."Itfrightened

me,"shewhispered.

"Yes,andIthinkIknowwhy."Hebent,hiseyesfallingtohersoftlips.Hebrushedthemgentlywith

his."Desirecanbefrightening.ThewayIwantyouscaresthehelloutofme.Nowmorethanever."

Shetrembled,hereyesclosingashislipstouchedherswithlazyexpertise.Herhandwenttohisarm,
thenailsdiggingintothehugemuscle,scrapinggentlyasheplayedwithhermouth.

"Oh,Evan,youshouldn't,"shemoanedhelplesslyathislips."I'mengaged..."

Hismouthpresseddownonhershungrily,drivingallthoughtsofRandallandhonorrightoutofher
mind.Shecriedout,bothhandstremblingathisnape,curlingintoitwhileheforcedhermouthopen
andhistonguethrusthungrilyintoit.

Herhelplessshudderandthesoundsshemadeunderhismouthbroughthimbacktosanity.Shewas
weakandhurt.Hehadnorighttotormenther.

Heliftedhisheadslowly,hiseyesopeningtosearchhers."I'msorry,"hewhispered."ButIneeded
that.Here,stopshaking,littleone,orthey'llthinkI'mtorturingyou."

"Aren'tyou?"shewhisperedback,hervoiceshaken.

Hiseyesdarkened,hisjawwenttaut."Itfeltlikethat,didn'tit?"heaskedhuskily."Iwantedsomuch
morethanyourlips,Anna."Hiseyeswenttoherbreasts,wherehertautnipplesbetrayedtheemotion
he'dsummonedupinher."Dotheywantmymouthonthem?"hewhispered."Withnofabricinthe
waytodullthewarmthandmoistnesswhenItakeyouinsideit?"

Shemoanedhoarsely.

Hecaughthisbreath,standingupabruptly."God,I'msorry!"hegroundout.

Sheturnedherheadandfoundherselflookingdownthebroadsweepofhischestandshouldertothe
thickbeltthathelduphisjeans.Andthenattheevidenceofhisuncontrollableresponsetotheirquick
passion.

"Yes,Iwantyou,"hesaidcurtly,followinghereyestohisbody."Ican'thideit,canI?"

Shebitherlowerlip,strugglingforwords.

"Noneedtoagonizeoverit,"hemurmured,goingbacktotheplatesonhertrayashemovedit

acrossherlap."Itwillsubsideeventually,"headdedwithruefulhumor.

Hemadeitsoundmatter-of-fact,andhedidn'tseemtobeembarrassedthatshesawhimlikethat.

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Shewatchedhisfaceasheundidthelidsfromtheplates.

"Itdoesn'tembarrassyou?"sheaskedinawhisper.

"Notparticularly."Helaughedshortly,glancingdownather."Infact,it'sawelcomechange."

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Don'tyou?"Helaidthelidsaside."Itdoesn'thappenwithotherwomenlately,"hesaid,turningto

faceher."Infact,Ican'tmakeithappenwithanyoneelse.Onlyyou."

Hereyesspokevolumes,half-questioning,half-jealous.

Henodded."That'sright.Itried.IwenttoDenveronbusinessafterI'dkissedyouthatdayinthe

gallery.IdeliberatelycameontooneofthepartygirlsImetthereandtookherupstairswithme.We
drankandwatchedtelevision,andIsentheraway,becausedespiteherbeautyandherobvious
expertise,Icouldn'tevenpretendtobeinterested."

"You...were...?"

"Thewordisimpotent,"hesaidquietly."Ironic,isn'tit?AllIhavetodoislookatyou,andI'mso

arousedIcan'tevenholdafork."

Hedrewherattentiontoit,tothefinetremorofhisbighandashedippedtheforkintoacreamy

chickendish.Shehatedthethoughtofhimwithanotherwoman,evenifitdidmakeherfeelwarmall
overtorealizethatheonlywantedher.

"Openup,"hesaidgently,liftingthefoodtohermouth.

"But,youdon'thavetodothat,"sheprotested.Allthesame,sheopenedhermouthandlethimslide
theforkfulin.

"Yes,Ido,"herepliedgently,searchingherpoor,bruisedface."I'vehurtyoumorethanIever

meantto.Butthat'sover.I'mgoingtotakethemostexquisitecareofyoufromnowon,Anna."

Becausehefeltsorryforher.That,anddesire.Shecouldhavecried.

"But,Randall,"shewhispered.

Hiseyesflashedatherfromunderthickbrowneyebrows."Randallcangotohell.Henevershould

havetakenyoutothatliquorstore.Andyouhaven'tyetsaidwhyyougotoutofthecarinthefirst
place."

"Therewasakitten,"shesaid,hereyessofteningwiththememory."Itwaslostandheadingforthe

street."

Hisheartturnedover.Atthatmoment,helovedherwithsuchpassionthathisbodycouldbarely
containit.Hewantedtothrowthetrayasideandcomedownbesideheronthebed.

Sheliftedhereyes,puzzledbyhissilence,andsawtheviciousheatofhisgaze.Herfacefroze.

"Whatisit?"herasped.

"Thatlook,"shesaid,avertinghergaze."Youlookedasifyouhatedme."

Hereacheddownandturnedherfacebacktohis."ThatlookisaragingdesirethatIcanonlyjust

control,"hesaidtightly."Yes,"headdedwhenshestaredathim."It'severybitasviolentashatred,but
Iassureyou,itisn't.Andthere'snoneedtobeafraid

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ofit,orme.Nothingisgoingtohappen,Anna,leastofallwhileyou'relyingtherebruisedand
broken."

"I'mnotafraidofyou,"shesaidgently.

"Aren'tyou?"heaskedcurtly."Thedoctorsaidthatyouweregoingtohavesomeemotionaltrauma

becauseofwhathappened.Themanwasaboutmysize,hesaid."

Hereyessweptoverhimsoftly."Yes,"sheagreed."Buthewasacold,brutalstrangerwhowanted

myjewelry."

Hisheartleapt."Isee."

Heliftedanotherforkfulofchickentohermouth,takinghistime,feedingherasgentlyasifshe'd
beenachild.

"Myeyehurts,"shesaidwhenhefinishedandmovedthetrayaway.

"Idon'tdoubtit.You'vegotashiner."

Shemanagedasmile.Herfacehurtwhenitmoved."IcantellpeopleIwasinabrawl."

"Yougavehimafewbruises,Ihear,"hesaid,hatingthethoughtofsomemanbeatingher.

"Afewbites,too,"shemutteredangrily."Hecouldhavejusttakenthejewelry,hedidn'thaveto...to

hitmelikethat!"

Evanwasvibratingwithequalanger.Shelookedupandsawhisface.Itcalmedherdown.

Thepainkillersmadeheroddlycomfortablewithhim,asifshedidn'thavetofightherfeelingsor
avoidpersonalquestions.

"Evan,canIaskyousomethingverypersonal?"sheaskedafteraminute.

Hewaslightingacigarette.Heturnedbacktoher,hisdarkhairfallingroguishlyontohisbroad
forehead,hisjeanstautacrosshispowerfullegsasheleanedbackagainstthewallbesidethewindow
andcrossedthem.

"Shoot,"heinvited.

"You'resmoking!"sheexclaimed.

Hisbigshouldersroseandfell."JustaswellIcouldn'tleaveyoulongenoughtogotoabar,orI'd

bedrinking,too,"hesaid.

"Butwhy?"

"BecauseIwasworried,ofcourse,"hesaid,staringatherasifsheweredemented."Pollyspoketo

yourfatherthismorning,bytheway,"headded."HereturnedtotheStateslastnightandgotthe
messageshe'dleftforhimthenightyouwerebroughtin.He'sonhiswayoutfromAtlantanow."

"Daddy?"Shesmiled,delighted."Ihaven'tseenhimforyears."

"Iknow.Polly'sprettynervousherself."

"Iwishtheycouldmakeup,"shemurmured."Neitherofthemwantsanyoneelse,buttheycan'tlive

together."

"Yourfatherwillgettiredofwanderingsomedayandcomehome,"hetoldher."Polly,Iimagine,

willbewaiting."Hestaredather,curlsofsmokedriftingupfromhiscigarette."Whatdidyouwantto
askme?"

"Oh.That."Shestudiedhisdark,unsmilingface."You'vebeensodifferentlately,"shemurmured.

"Notthesamemanyouwere."

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"HowwasI?"

"Lighthearted,"sherecalled."Carefreeandplayful.You'vechanged.IsitbecauseofNina?"

"Whatdoyouthink,baby?"

Sheblushedattheendearment,rememberinghowandwhenhe'dsaidit.

"Wasthatwhatyouwantedtoknow?"

Shedrewinaslowbreath."No."Shestudiedherclaspedhands.Onewasscrapedrawwhereshe'd
fallentothepavementduringherstrugglewithherassailant.Theexperiencehadbeenterrifying,and
she'dhadnightmaressince,butwhenEvanwasaround,shedidn'tthinkaboutit.

"Well?"heaskedimpatiently.

"Idon'tthinkIcan."

Hemovedclosertothebed."Thereisnothing,absolutelynothing,youcan'taskme,"hetoldher
quietly.

"Evenabout...aboutthatgirlwhosaidyouhurther?"sheasked,repeatingthegossipPollyhadonce

toldher.

Hefroze.Hisfacestiffenedasallhisfearscamebacktotormenthim.

Shelookedupandwinced."I'msorry.Evan,I'msorry!"

Hemetherworriedeyesandtookadeepbreath."Itwasalongtimeago,"hesaiddully.

"Andyoudon'twanttotalkaboutit,"shesaid."Ishouldn'thavesaidanything."

Hisbrowsdrewtogether."Whatdidyouwanttoknowaboutit?HowIhurther?"

Shewentscarletanddroppedhereyes.

Helaughedbitterly."Isthatwhatyouthink,Anna?"heaskedonanexpelledbreath."ThatIgetmy
kicksfrombeingcruelinbed?"

Herhandstightenedtogetheruntiltheknuckleswentwhite."No!"

"WhatifIdo?"hepersisted,angrythatshecouldthinkofhimthatway.Herememberedhisown
roughnesswithherwhenhe'dkissedher,andrealizedthathemighthavegivenherafoundationfor
herassumptions.Hemovedclosertothebed,hiseyesglitterywithtemper."WhatifIlikeit?"

Shegroundherteethtogether."Iknowyou'renotlikethat,"shesaidstubbornly.

"Doyou?"heleaneddown,hiseyeslookingstraightintohers,makingherheartjumpandrun."Ibit
you,"hewhispered."Doyourememberwhere?"

Herbodytrembledwiththememory,herbreastsgoinghard-tipped,betrayingher."Yes,"she
whispered."Butit...didn'thurt."

"Itwasn'tsupposedto,"hesaidquietly.Hiseyessearchedhers."You'venevermadeloveatall,have
you?NotevenwithRandall."

"Italwaysseemedsointimate,"sherepliednervously."Almostdistasteful."

"Butnotwithme?"

Herlipspartedashergazefellhelplesslytohishardmouth,andsherememberedhowitfelttokiss
himwithherwholeheartandhavehimkissherbackinthathungry,expertway."Nothingcouldever

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seemdistastefulwithyou,"shemanagedweakly,tooshatteredtolie,eventosaveherpride.

Hishandpressedgentlyagainsthercheek,histhumbrubbingsoftlyoverherswollenlips.Hebent

andbrushedhisnoseagainsthers.

"Louisawasverysmall,"hewhispered."Andasinnocentasyouare.Weweregoingtobecome

engaged,andIwantedherverybadly.SoItookherbacktomyapartmentandundressedher.ThenI
pulledoffmyclothesandturnedaround...andshewentwhiteintheface."

Hereyesliftedtohis,startled.

Henoddedgrimly."Shewashalfyoursize.Sheknewnothingofsexexceptwhatshe'dgleaned

fromherromancenovels.IwascrazytohaveherandIdidn'trealizehowfrightenedshewas.I
thoughtIcouldcoaxherintomyarms.ForafewsecondsIthoughtshewasmine.ThenIlostcontrol,
andshecouldn'tgetfree.Shefoughtmeandscreamed.Icametomysensesjustasshefelloffthebed
andhurtherribs."Hestoodup,hisfacepale."Shesaidsomethings..."Heturnedaway,hidingthe
lookinhiseyes."Anyway,thatwasmyfirstandlastexperienceofvirgins.SincethenI'veavoided
themliketheplague."

"Ifyoulovedherenoughtomarryher,itmusthavebeenaterribleblowtoyourpride,"shesaid

quietly,understandingnowhisreluctancetobecomeinvolvedwithher.

"Itwas."Hesighedheavilyandglancedathergentleface,atitssoftflush."She'dneverseena

nakedmanbefore,muchlessoneasobviouslyarousedasIwas."Hiseyesnarrowedather
embarrassment."Youhaven'teither,haveyou,Anna?"

"No,"sheconfessedhuskily.

"SheleftJacobsvillesoonafterwards.ThelastIheardshewasmarriedtosomeinsuranceagentand
hadtwochildren."Helaughedbitterly."Maybehehadthegoodsensetogetherdrunkandturnthe
lightsoutfirst."

Hereyeswidened."Youdidn'thavethelightsout?"

Shelookedhorrified.Inspiteofhimself,hebegantolaugh."Oh,myGod,youdon'tthinkpeople
onlymakeloveatnight,inthedark?"

"Don'tthey?"sheasked,tryingtoimaginehowembarrassingitwouldbetoliedownwithamanlike
thatinbroaddaylight.

Hesatdownheavilyinthechairbesidethebed."RemindmetogiveyouacopyoftheKamasutrafor
Christmas,"hesaidruefully.

Sheknewwhatthebookwas,evenifshedidn'townone."Evan!"

"Allright,keepyourinhibitions."Hepursedhislipsasheflickedashesintotheashtrayonher
bedsidetable."Notthatyouhadmany,inthegallerythatday,"heremarkedsoftly."Oranyothertime
I'vetouchedyou."

Herheartwasgoingcrazy."Youshouldn'ttalktomelikethis,"shebegan.

"Becauseofthebelovedphysician?"heaskedsarcastically.

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"Because...it'snotdecent,"shesaiduneasily.

Hejustshookhishead."Baby,youareacase,"hemurmured."Somanyrepressions."

"Don'tmakefunofme,"shesaidcurtly."It'snosinnottosleeparound."

Hiseyebrowslifted."DidIsayitwas?"

"YousaidIwasrepressed,"shemuttered.

Hislipstuggedintoareluctantsmile."Repressed,butpassionate,"hereplied."Allyouneedisafew
lessons."

Sheswallowed."Randallcangivethemtome."

"That'llbetheday,"hesaidflatly."Itoldyou,consideryourengagementbroken.Randall'snotgetting
you.Anylessonsyougetfromnowonwillbefromme."

"Youdon'twantme!"sheburstout.

"Andyouknowbetter,"hesaidquietly.

Sheglaredathiminafrustratedfury."Youcan'tbuildarelationshipondesire."

"Iagree."Heleanedbackinthechair,hiseyesdarkandpossessive."Butyoucanbuildoneon

love."

"IloveRandall,"shechoked.

Heonlysmiled."No,you.don't,"hesaidsoftly."Youloveme."

"Youdon'twantmeto,"sherepliedmiserably,notbotheringtodenyit.Shelaybackagainstthe

pillowsandclosedhereyeswearily."I'msleepy."

"Restisthebestthingforyou.I'llgoandfindPolly."Heputouthiscigaretteandadjustedthe

pillowunderherhead,pullingthesheetuptoher

breasts.Thebackofhisknucklesbrushedthetipofoneanditwentimmediatelytaut.

Sheblushed,buthedidn'tteaseheraboutit.Ifanything,hisfacegrewmoresolemn.

"Whenyou'reoutofhere,"hesaid,"we'regoingtostartspendingsometimetogether."

"Youdon'thavetodothat,"shemurmured.

"Iknow.Iwantto."Hebentandbrushedhismouthgentlyacrossherforehead."Mypoorbruised
baby,"hewhispered."I'msorryhehurtyou."

Tearsthreatenedathistenderness.He'dbeeneverywaywithher,fromteasingtocoldtopassionate,
buthe'dneverbeentenderbefore.

"Ninawon'tlikeit,"shesaidunsteadily."AndneitherwillRandall,"sheadded.

"Neitherofthemmatters,"hesaid,dismissingthem.Hebrushedhislipssoftlyagainsthers."Goto
sleep.I'llbeherewhenyouwakeup."

"Butyoudon'twantmearound,"shewhisperedasshebegantodoze."YoukeepthrowingNinaatme
toproveit."

Hisfacewentrigidwithself-contempt."Everyman'sentitledtoonestupidmistake."

"She'sverypretty,"shesighed.

"Gotosleep,"hesaidgruffly.

Shedid,herlastconsciousthoughtthathesoundedangryaboutsomething,butshewastoosleepyto
wonderwhat.

Whenshewokeagain,atallmanwithgrayingblondhairandblueeyeswassittinginthechairwhere
Evanhadbeen,gravelyconcerned.

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"Papa!"sheexclaimed,andheldoutherarms.

Hewentintothemwithroughlaughter,huggingherwarmly."AndhereIsat,worriedtodeathabout
thekindofreceptionI'dget."

"Don'tbesilly.You'remydad.Iloveyou."

"I'msorryIwasn'theresooner,"hesaidbitterly."Iwasoutofthecountry.Ididn'tknowuntillast

night.Howareyou?"Hestoodup,studyingher."Theysaidyouwerebadlyconcussed."

"Iwas,butI'mmuchbetter.Justalittlebattered."

"SoIsee.Andtheman,theonewhodidit?"

"Theyhaven'tcaughthimyet,buttheymaybeabletotracehimthroughthejewelryhetook."

"Ifhewasajunkie,that'snotlikely,"hesaidheavily."Theyhaveanetworkalltheirownfor

fencinggoods.Mypoorlittlegirl!"

"I'llbeallright."

"Nothankstoyourso-calledfiancee,"hegrowled."Whatpossessedyoutoletyourselfbetalked

intomarryingthatwimp?"hedemanded."IthoughtyouwereheadoverheelsinlovewithEvan
Tremayne!"

"Sheis,"cameadeep,amuseddrawlfromthedoorwayasEvansaunteredin,carryingtwocupsof

coffee.Annaflushed,andhegrinned."Stilltakeitblack,Duke?"

DukeCochranchuckled,risingtotakethecupfromEvanandshakehands."Yes,Istilldo.Howare
you?"

"Tired."HeglancedpasthimatAnna,whowaspalebutlookedatleastalittlebetter."Weallare.It's

beenalongweek."

"Iknow.I'msorryIwasn'there."

"Couldn'tbehelped."

"Yes,itcould,"Dukesaidangrily,runningarestlesshandthroughhishair."I'mneveraroundwhen

I'mneeded.Polly'sright,myfamily'sonlybeenanafterthought,hasn'tit,sweetheart?"heaskedAnna.

"Ithasn't,"shedisagreed,hereyessoft."Youjustcan'tsettledown.Iunderstand.Mostmenlove

theirfreedom,"sheaddedwithoutdaringtolookatEvan.

"Freedomcancosttoomuchsometimes,"Dukerepliedtersely.

"Amen,"Evansaidunderhisbreath.

Pollycameinthedoorandstopped,herhandgoingtoherthroatasshelookedintoblueeyesshe
hadn'tseenfortwolongyears."Duke,"shewhispered.

"Hello,pumpkin,"hesaid,smilinghesitantly."Surprise,it'sreallyme."

"Youlook..."

"Ifyousaymarvelous,"Dukethreateneddryly,"I'llsmackyou.Comehere,woman,andgivemea

kiss.I'vegonehungrytoolongalready!"

"Oh,you!"

Pollyblushed,butshewenttohim,liftingherfaceforakissthat,whenitcame,madetheother
occupantsoftheroomfeelbrieflylikeintruders.PollywasbreathlesswhenDukelethergo.

Hechuckledhuskilyatherexpression."Worththewait,wasn'tit,pumpkin?"heasked."Gladtosee

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me?God,I'mgladtoseeyou!Youlookmorebeautifuleveryyear."

"Youflatterer,"Pollyfaltered."Youalwaysdidhavethedevil'sowncharm."

"Doesn'thelookgreat?"Annaaskedhermother.

"Yes,hedoes,"Pollyhadtoadmit.Hewastannedandslender,nobeerbellyorexcessweight.She

avertedhereyestoAnna."Butyoudon't.Howareyou,darling?"

"Better,"Annasaiddoggedly."WhencanIcomehome?"

"Yourdoctorsaidtomorrow,ifyoufeellikeit,"Pollysaid,beaming."You'llhavetotakeiteasy,of

course,andtheydowantyoutohavesomecounseling,"sheadded.

"WecantalkaboutthatwhenIgethome,"Annareplied."Ireallydon'tfeelthattraumatized."

"Yousavethatforwhenyou'reasleep,"Evansaidquietly."You'vebeenhavingnightmares.Painful

ones,judgingbythewayyouthrasharound."

"He'sright,"Pollyagreed."Maybethetraumaisburiedinyoursubconscious,butit'sstillthere."

Annagrimaced."IfI'donlystayedinthecarlikeRandalltoldmeto,"shesighed."Speakingof
Randall,hasanyoneseenhimtoday?"

"Hephoned,"Pollysaid."Buthe'sgotexamsandhecan'tcometoseeyou.Heaskedifyouneeded

anything."

"Whatalovingfiancee,"Evansaidwithbittermockery,hisdarkeyesnarrowandcruel.

"Youstopthat,"Annamuttered."Examsareveryimportanttohim."

"Moreimportantthanyouare,obviously,"heshotback.

Sheglaredathim."Mypersonallifeisnoneofyourbusiness!"

"Itis,whenyoudostupidthingslikeagreeingtomarryfools!"

"Now,now,"Pollychided,gettingbetweenthem."Annaneedsrest.Sodoyou,Evan.Youhaven't

sleptmorethananhourortwosincethedayafterithappened."

"Goodsuggestion,"Dukeseconded.HeclappedEvanontheshoulder."Thanksforthecoffee."

Evanwasreluctanttoleave,buthewasfeelingthestrain.HeglancedatAnna,grimacedandlet
himselfbepersuadedoutthedoorbyDuke.

Pollysmiledatherdaughter."He'sveryantagonisticaboutRandall,I'mafraid,"shemused."He'ssaid
somethingsIwon'tevenrepeattoyou."

"Randallisnoneofhisbusiness,"shesaiddoggedly.

"Hewon'tbelievethat.He'sverypossessive,isn'the?"sheaskedwithatwinkleinhereyes."He

hasn'tleftyousincetheybroughtyouin,excepttosleep."

Sheknewthat.Itwarmedher,somehow.Randall'sbehaviorwasunexpected.Hehadcompassion,

andsheknewhecaredabouther,buthewasdeliberatelystayingaway.Shecouldn'thelpbutwonder
why.

"EvanknowshowIfeel,"shetoldPolly."Do

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EVAN

youthinkit'ssomegamehe'splaying,tryingtoturnmeagainstRandall?Orisitacaseofdoginthe
manger?"Shesighedmiserably."Oh,Mama,hejustfeelssorryforme,that'sallitis.OnceI'mwell,
he'lltakeofflikearocket,youwaitandsee."

"Evanisdeep,"Pollysaid."Letthefuturetakecareofitself.Rightnow,youconcentrateongetting

well."

"Allright.It'snicetohavePapahome,isn'tit?"

Pollysighedwithmorefeelingthansherealized."Oh,yes.Itis,indeed."

Annadidn'tsayanotherword,butshesmiled.SherefusedtoletherselfthinkaboutEvan'sodd

behaviorandthehungrywayhe'dkissedher.Perhapsheenjoyedthefeelingofpoweritgavehimto
knowthatshecaredsodeeplyforhim.Abouthisownfeelings,he'dsaidnothing.Forallsheknew,he
couldbeplanningtomarryNina.Shedidn'trecognizethemanhe'dbecomelately.Ofcourse,she
thoughtdazedly,he'dnevertreatedherlikeawomanuntilveryrecently.Amanwasonewaywith
friendsandfamily,butatotallydifferentwaywithawomanhedesired.Sheflushedremembering
howhelplesslyhewantedher.

Coulditbejustdesiredrivinghim?Sheknewmencouldfoolthemselvesabouttheiremotionswhen
theirglandswereinvolved.Shedidn'tdaretrustanythingEvansaidordidrightnow,whileshewas
flatonherback.Ifitwasonlypity,orevenonlydesire,shecouldn'triskbreakingherheartonhim
again.

ChapterEight

RandallcametoseeAnnaanhourlater,lookingremorsefulandquiet.

"Ihopeyou'rebetter,"hesaid,sittingdownbesideher.Hesearchedherbruisedfaceandgrimaced.

"Ifeelterribleaboutwhathappened."

"Iknow.Butitreallywasn'tyourfault,"shesaidgently."Igotoutofthecar."

"Why?"

Shetoldhim,ruefully,andhejustshookhishead.

"Howdidexamsgo?"

"Well,Ihope,"hesaid,smilingjustfaintlyashelookedather."Myheartwasn'tinit.Iwasworried

aboutyou."

"I'llbeallright,"sheassuredhim.

Hecrossedhislegsandleanedback."IseethatEvan'sverymuchinresidence."

Sheflushedalittleandavertedhereyes."Yes."

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Hesmiled."Don'tbeembarrassed.I'vealwaysknownhowyoufeltabouthim.Thisengagementof
oursisn'tgoingtowork,Anna.Youcan'tmarrymewhenyou'reinlovewithsomeoneelse."

Hereyesweresadastheymethis."Iguessnot."

"Wewerefriends,"heremindedher."Ilikethegirlyouwere-theimpulsive,happy,bubblinggirl

whoplayedjokesandneverstoppedlaughing.Idon'tlikethemiddle-agedwomanI'vemadeyou
into."

"But,Randall,youhaven't!"sheprotested.

Heheldupahand,silencingher."ProbablysomeofitwasbecauseofEvan,butbeingengagedto

mehasn'timprovedyou.Iwantyoutobehappyagain.Iwantustobefriendsagain."Hegrimaced."I
don'tknowthatI'mreadytosettledownyet.Evanwasright.IfI'dcaredenough,Icouldn'thavegone
outwithanyoneexceptyou.Andifyoucaredenough,you'dhavebeenfurious."

Shecouldn'targue,becausehewasright.Shesatupagainstthepillows,drawingherkneesupsothat
shecouldrestherhandsonthem."Yes."

"Besides,"hesaidwithanamusedsmile,"EvanjustgotthroughtellingmeIcouldn'thaveyou."

Hereyesflashed."Hehasnoright...!"

"I'mafraidhethinkshedoes,"Randallmused."Youcanarguethepointwithhim."

"Hejustfeelssorryforme,"shesaidheavily,staringatherslenderhands."OnceI'mbackonmy

feetagain,he'llbelyingawakenightstryingtothinkofwaystodiscourageme,justthewayheused
to."

Randalldidn'tthinkso,buthedidn'targuewithher.

"I'msorryaboutmybeautifulengagementring,"shesaid.

"Itwasinsured,"hesaideasily."I'monlysorryaboutthewayyoulostit.Poorlittlething."

"I'mnotlittle,andI'mgettingstrongereveryday.WhenI'mwell,I'msigningupforkarate,"she

saidangrily."I'lllearntopulverizemuggers."

"That'sagoodidea,"heagreed."Self-defenseshouldbepartofeverywoman'srepertoire."

Theytalkedforalongtime,andwhenRandallleft,promisingtokeepintouch,itwasifaweighthad
beenliftedfromherhead.Theengagementhadbeenamistake,butshecouldn'tregretit.Randallhad
savedherprideafterEvan'sviciousrejection.

Evanhadgonehometochangehisclothes,simmeringwithfurybecausehe'dencounteredRandallin
thecorridor.He'dsentthemanoffwithacoldwarning,butitmightbetoolittletoolate.Hewassure
thatAnnalovedhim,buthe'dtreatedherprettybadly.ShemightverywellmarryRandalloutof
desperation.Hehadtostopher,buthow?

Hecould,ofcourse,marryherhimself.Hisfacewentblankasheconsideredthatpossibilityforthe
firsttime.Marriagehadneverbeenoneofhispersonalpriorities,buthewascrazyaboutAnnaandhe
wantedher.Theycouldhavechildren.Hedrewinaslowbreath.Thethoughtappealedtohim.Anna,
children,ahomeofhisown.Annainhisbed...Hisheartbegantothunderinhischestasheconsidered

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marriageandfoundthatitwasn'ttheterrorhe'doncethought.Hisfearofhurtingherwouldbean
obstacle,ofcourse,aswouldherfearofbigmen.Butintime,theycouldworkthatout.Ifshe'dhave
himnow.

Hegroanedinwardlyathisownstupidityinturningawayfromher.Shedidn'ttrusthimbecause

he'dhurthersobadly,rejectedhernotonlyfiercelybutinpublic.Hemusthavesavagedherpride.
Aftertheirargumentthenightbefore,hewasn'tsurehecouldevengetintoherroomwithouta
struggle.ShemightrushrightintoRandall'sarmsforprotection.Thethoughtmadehimmiserableall
thewaybacktoJacobsville.

"Howisshe?"HardenaskedalmostassoonasEvangotinthedooroftheTremaynehouse.

BecauseofEvan'sabsence,andthatofJoAnneandDonald,HardenandMirandawerestayingwith
Theodoratohelpwithranchbusiness.

"Better,"Evansaidtersely,tossinghishatonthehalltable."HerfianceeshowedupjustasIleft."

Hardenliftedaneyebrow."Ithoughtyouapprovedofherengagement."

"SodidI."

Hestaredattheoldermanquietly,hisblueeyesseeingthelinesinEvan'sface,thetautness."You.
looklikehell."

"It'sbeentouchandgoforawhile.She'sonlyjustbeginningtopickup.Howarethingshere?"

"We'rehandlingthemjustfine.Iassumeyou'regoingback?"

"I'llhaveto,"Evansaidcurtly,hisdarkeyes

stormy,"orshemayletherselfbetalkedintoahospitalweddingbythatpill-pushingwimp."

Hardenhadtobitebackagrin."He'snotbad."

"Notwhenhe'sahundredmilesawayfromAnna,"Evanagreed.

Harden'sblueeyessearchedtheotherman'sface."Yousaidthatshewastooyoung.Thatyoudidn't

wanther.ButIdon'tthinkyourealizehowyou'vechangedsinceAnnahasn'tbeenaround."Heshook
hisheadslowly."HonesttoGod,Ihardlyknowyouthesedays."

"Annasaidthat,"headmitted.Hejammedhisbighandsintohispocketswitharoughcurse."She'll

beevenmorefragileafterwhat'shappenedtoher,andIdon'tknowhowI'mgoingtohandlemyown
doubts.ButleavinghertothemerciesofyoungDr.Randallisn'tsomethingIcanlivewith.I'mnot
perfect,butshe'dbebetteroffwithme.AtleastIwon'tdriveheraroundstrangecitiesatnighthunting
muggers."

Hardenhadtobitebacklaughteratthedisgustinthatdeepvoice."Ithoughtyouwereafraidof

yourownstrength."

Evangazedathimevenly."Iwas.Iam.Idon'tknowhowI'llhandlethat,either."Hisbigshoulders
lifted."Shemakesmeshakelikeaboy.GodknowsI'llprobablysendherrunningwhenthingsheat
up,butIcan'tpushherawayagain.Notnow."

"YoumayunderestimateAnna'sfeelings,"Hardenremindedhim."AndAnna'snoshrinkingviolet.

Ifshelovesyou,everythingwillbeallright."

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"Shelovesme,allright,"Evansaidquietly."That'stheonlythingI'mstillsureof.ButshethinksI

justfeelsorryforher,andRandall'shandy."Helookedup."Itoldhimhecouldn'thaveher."

Hardensmiled."Goodforyou.ButhaveyoutoldAnna?"

"Iwill."Hemovedintothelivingroomandwenttospeaktohismotherbeforehecaughtupon

businessandstartedbacktoHouston.

ItwasalmostdarkwhenEvanreturnedtoAnna'shospitalroom.She'dbeensurehewasn'tcoming
back,butsurprisingly,heshowedupwithahugewhiteteddybearunderonearm.Heslungitbeside
heronthebed,hisdarkeyesaccusing.

"What...!"Annaexclaimed,hereyesbeamingassheliftedtheenormous,softbear.She'dbeenready

forafight,buthe'dstolenherthunder.Thebearwasbeautiful,andittouchedherthathe'dcaredeven
enoughtobringherapresent.

"Hisname'sHubert,"hetoldherirritably."Youcanbeengagedtohim."

Shelaughed,cuddlingthebearbesideher."He'sbeautiful,"shesaidshyly,knowingthatshe'dtreasure
itfortherestofherlife."Thankyou."

Heshrugged.Hiseyesnarrowed."WhatdidRandallwant?"

Hereyebrowsjerkedup."ToseehowIwas,ofcourse."

"Didyoubreaktheengagement?"hepersisted.

"No,Ididnot,"sheshotathim.Thatwastrue.

Randallhadbrokenit,butherpridewouldn'tlethertellEvan.

Hemovedtohersideandbentoverher,hisdarkfacethreateningashisgazefelltohermouth."What
wasthat?"

Theclosenessmadeherdizzy.Hewaswearingayellowknitshirtwithtight-fittingjeans.Hewas
enormous,leanandmuscularandhesmeltedofexpensivecologne.Hisheadwasbare,darkbrown
hairneatlycombed,hisfacefreshlyshaven.Hewassosensuousthathermouthachedforhis,butshe
wasn'tabouttobetakeninasecondtime.

"Myengagementisnoneofyourbusiness,"shesaidstubbornly.Hewastooclose.Sheclutchedthe

bearforprotection,knowingalltoowellthathecouldtouchherandknockeveryoneofherbarriers
spinning.Heprobablyknewit.Shewastoogreentohidetheeffecthehadonher.

"SupposeImakeitmybusiness?"heaskedquietly,holdingHergaze."SupposeItellyouthatI'm

jealousashellandIdon'twantanotherman'shandsonyou?"

Herheartranaway,butshewasn'tgoingtobetakenin."I'vebeenhurtandyoufeelsorryforme,"she
saidshortly."Youdon'thavetothrowoutyourarmsandprofessloveeternaljustbecauseIgot
mugged,Evan."

Hisfacecoloredangrily."Itisn'tpity."

"Whatelsecouldyoueverfeelforme?"sheaskedbitterly.

Hedrewinhisbreathsharplyandstoodup,his

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handsjammeddeepinhispockets.He'dbeenlivingonhisnervesfortoolong,hesupposed,because
herharshquestionmadehimsickinside.Hisself-confidencetookanosedive.Apparentlyshe'd
decidednottobelieveanythinghetoldherfromnowon.Howcouldheconvinceherthathe'dhada
sincerechangeofheartaboutherplaceinhislife?

"That'sright,"shemuttereddarkly,"standthereandglareatme.Atleastthatwouldbehonest."

"What'sgottenintoyou?"heaskedflatly.

"I'veseenthelight,dearman,"shereturned."MaybeI'veevengrownupalittleaswell.I'vejust

goneoffheroworship,Evan."

Hishandsclenchedinhispockets,buthisfacegavenothingaway."Isthatallitwas?"

"I'mnineteen,"sheremindedhim."Tooyoungforundyingloveandcommitment,isn'tthatwhat

youthought?"

Hisfacetautenedwithstrain."Itwasn'tjustyourage."

"Thenwhatwasit?"

"Louisa,"hesaidquietly.

Sherememberedwhathe'dtoldherabouttheotherwomanandherfacesoftened.Shecouldonly

imaginethescarsthattheexperiencehadleftonhim.Hereyesfelltothebearandshestrokedthesoft
fakefurgently.

"Ifshe'dreallylovedyou,Evan,nothingwouldhavefrightenedher,"shesaid,hervoicesubdued.

"Areyousure?"

Hesoundedmocking,cynical.Sheglancedathim,

hereyesfaintlyadoring.Helookedsotired."Iwouldhavebeengladtoproveittoyou,once,"she
said.

Hiseyesflashedinafacelikestone."Thinkso?"heaskedonahardlaugh."Youdon'tevenknow
whatit'sallabout.Thewayyoureacttome,IdoubtifRandall'severmadeyoufeeldesire."

Denyingthatwasbeyondher.Herfingernailscurledabsentlyintothebear."Nobodyeverdid,until

thatdayinthegallery,"sheconfessed.

Hisbreathcaughtaudibly,andhisteethgroundtogether."Ilieawakeatnight,rememberinghowyour

handsfeltonme,"hesaidhuskily.

Shecouldhavesaidthesamethingtohim.Itwouldhavebeenaperfectmemory,exceptforwhat

cameafterward.ThelightwentoutofhereyesassherememberedNina.

"Mine,orNina's?"sheaskeddully.

Hemovedclosertothebed,leaningoverherwithonebighandrestingbesideherheadonthethick
pillow."I'mnotsleepingwithNina,"hesaid,almostabletoreadthethoughtsastheypassedthrough
hermind.

"Ever?"sheaskedcynically.

Hiseyesfelltohersoftbodyandthentothebear."Iwon'ttalkaboutoldconqueststoyou,Anna,"he
saidfinally."Whathappenedinthepasthasnobearingonthepresent,orthefuture."

"Ninaisn'tinthepast,"shesaid,fightingnottoshowwhathisnearnesswasdoingtoherpulse.

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"You'vemadesurethateverybodyknewit,too,notjustme."

Hisgazepinnedhersandhelookedfaintlythreatening."I'vebeenrunningfromyouforalong

time,"hesaidshortly."Itgottobeahabit,butjustlately,Ilookatyouandgetsodamnedarousedthat
Icanhardlyfunction.Keepingawayfromyouwastheonlythingthatsavedyou."

Hereyebrowsarched."You'renotkeepingawaynow,"shebegan.

"You'reflatonyourbackinbed,"hesaidsimply."I'mnothreattoyounow."

"Oh.Isee,"shesaiddully.

"Youseenothing!"heraged."MyGod,ablindwoman...!"

"Iknowyouwantme,"sheburstout."Itwouldbehardtomiss.ButIwantmorethanfivefeverish

minutesinbedwithyou,Evan!"

"Fiveminutes?"heaskedsuggestively."Isthathowlongyouthinkittakes?"

Oneofherschoolfriendshadintimatedasmuch.Actually,shedidn'tknowhowlongittook,and

shedidn'twanthimtoknowthat.

Sheavertedhereyes."Nevermind."

Hecaughtherchinandtiltedherfaceuptohisdark,sensuouseyes."InfiveminutesIcouldsatisfy

myself,"hesaidsoftly."ButI'dneedanothertwentytosatisfyyouaswell."

ThecolorcameintohercheeksdespiteallherfranticeffortstostopitSheswallowed."That'snot

fair."

HedrewinaslowbreathashetriedtoimagineAnnainpassion.Hedrewhisthumbgentlyoverher
cheek."No,"heagreed."Itisn't.Anna...Iwishyouknewmoreaboutmen,"headdedheavily."I
wouldn'thaveyouexperienced,butitwouldmakethingseasier."

"YouthinkI'llbeafraidofyou,"shereplied."Evan,Ithinkeverywomanissecretlyafraidofthe

firsttime.It'slikesteppingintotheunknown,andallthereadingintheworlddoesn'treallyprepare
youforit.Butyou'veblownthatnaturalfearupinyourminduntilit'scompletelyoutofproportion."

"HaveI?"Hiseyesgrewhard."Youdon'tknowhowitwasformethatnight,"hesaidroughly."You

don'tknowwhatshesaid...!"

Hisanguishmadehersad.Shecaughtthebig,leanhandlyingbesideheronthebedanddrewitgently
toherbreast,catchingherbreathasshefeltitswarmweight.Hejerkedback,caughtoffguard,but
sheheldhishandthere,cradlingitwithbothofhers.

"Whatareyoudoing?"heaskedhuskily.

"LettingyoufeelhowfrightenedIam,"shewhispered,andpressedtheheelofhishandagainstthe

furiousthrobofherheart.

Hislipspartedashestruggledtobreathenormally.Helookeddownathishandandbegantomoveit,
verygently,againstherbreastthroughthethinfabricofthehospitalgown.Thenipplewenthardat
onceandshedrewinherbreathasshefeltitsinstantresponsetotheslowcaressofhisbigthumb.

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"Youreallyareabiggirl,"hewhisperedsensuously.

*'Do...youmind?"

"Youfillmyhands,"hesaidsoftly.Heleanedcloser,hisbreathonherlips."Wouldyouliketofill

mymouth,too?"

Herfingersbitintohisbroadshoulders."Yes!"

Hefelthisbodytighten,andhisbreathalmoststrangledhim.Hismouthbrushedsoftlyoverhers,

feelingitsexquisiteresponsewhilehishandsuddenlytightenedonherbreastandswallowedit.His
freehandwentunderhernapetoarchherthroat,andhismouthopenedonhersinakissthatwas
almostastatementofintent.

Hetorehismouthawaysecondslaterandstoodup,visiblyshudderingwithfrustrateddesire,his

facedarkwithit,hiseyesglitteringwithit.

Annastaredathimhungrily,withoutfear,helplesslypleasedattheevidenceofhisdesireforher.

"YoucanseehowterrifiedofyouIam,can'tyou?"shewhisperedunsteadily.Herhandsblatantly

drewthegowntautaroundherbreastssothathecouldseetheirhardtips.

Hehadtoswallowbeforehecouldevenspeak.Hisfacewasrigidashelookedatherbody."You

don'tunderstand,"hesaidshortly."There'smoretoitthanthis."

Shemovedherhandsbesideherheadandsighedasshelookedupathim."ButI'llneverknow,will

I,becauseyou'reafraidtomakelovetomecompletely."

Helaughedharshly,movingawayfromhertodragacigaretteoutofhispocketandlightit.He
fumbled,becausehishandswereshakingsobadly."Thisishardlythetimeorplace."

"Randallwantstomarryme,"shelied,becauseshehadn'ttoldhimyetthattheirengagementwas

off."He'snotafraidtobeintimatewithme!"

Hewhirled,hiseyesfrightening.

Shemethisfuriousgazeevenly."Ithoughtitwaswhatyouwanted,tohavemeoutofyourhairfor

good."

"SodidI,"hereturnedcurtly.

"Thenyoushouldn'tmindifIgetmarriedandhavechildren."

Hisjawwenttaut."Randallistheworstmistakeyou'veevermade,"hesaid."Hewon'tmakeyou

happy.Everytimeyouturnaround,he'llbeoutwithsomeotherwoman."

"Atleasthewon'tbeabletohurtme."

Hetookalongdrawfromthecigarette."Youdon'tlovehim.Youloveme."

"Isn'tthatjustalittleconceited?"sheaskedirritably.

"Probably,butit'strue,"hesaidquietly.Helookedatherhungrily."Idon'tknowhowI'mgoingto

cope,Anna.ButIcan'tletyoumarryRandall,feelingthewayyoudoaboutme."

"Youdon'twantties,"shecountered."Youdon'twantmarriageorchildren."

"Howdoyouknow?"

"Becauseyou'vesaidso,timeandtimeagain!"

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shecried,exasperated.Shelaybackheavilyagainstthepillows."Nina'sjustyourstyle.Good
companyandnobrokenheartafterward."

"Sheisn't,"hesaidsurprisingly."Goodcompany,Imean.Allshewantsistogotobedwithme."

"Thatmustbeanovelty."

Hepursedhislips,notoffended."Notreally.Youwanttogotobedwithme,too."

Sheglaredathim,butshedidn'tdenyit.

Hesighedwistfullyandsmiledather."You'renotfragile,"hesaid,thinkingaloud."AndifIwork

atit,maybeIcandosomethingaboutmyinhibitions.Godknows,Iwantyou,"hesaidhuskily,his
eyesrevealinghisdesire."AndI'mthirty-four,plentyoldenoughtobethinkingofsettlingdown."

Herheartjumped.Hesoundedserious."WhataboutNina?"

"Whatabouther?"heaskedflatly."That'sover.Finished.SoisRandall,"headded,histone

commanding."Youaren'tgoingtomarryhim."

"Havingfunarrangingmylifeforme?"sheaskedbreathlessly.

"IsthatwhatI'mdoing?"hemused.Hefinishedthecigaretteandputitout.Hepausedbesidethebed

andlookeddownatherquietly."Tellmeyoudon'twantme,Anna."

Shetried.Shereallydid,butthewordswouldn'tcome.Sheloweredhergaze.

Hebentandbrushedatenderkissagainstherforehead."I'llcomeandgetyouinthemorningand

driveyouhome.Pollysaiditwasallright.Shehasanearly-morningappointmentandIvolunteered."

"Evan..."

Hebrushedbackherdisheveledhair."What?"

Hereyeswerefullofdoubts,fears,insecurities."Pleasedon'tplaywithme,"shewhispered."Don't
sayanythingyoudon'treallymean,justbecauseIgothurtandyoufeelsorryforme."

"Idon'tblameyouforthatlackoftrust,littleone,"hereplied."Trynottobroodtoomuch.I

promiseyou,thisisnogame.Itisn'tpity,orguilt.Allright?"

Shesighed."Allright."

"Goodgirl."Hewinkedlazilyather."I'llseeyoutomorrow."

Evanleft,andashewalkedoutofthehospital,heseemedtorelivethepastfewdayswithavengeance.
Itwasallcatchingupwithhim.He'dbeenlivingonnervousenergysincehe'dwalkedintothehospital
withHarden.Onlytodaywasherestedenoughtoconsiderthepotentialconsequencesofwhathad
happenedtoAnna,torealizehowclosetodeathshe'dreallycome.Andherlastmemoryofhim
wouldhavebeenpainful,wounded.Hiseyesclosedandhegroanedsoftly.ThankGodithadworked
outlikethis.Hehadasecondchance.Nowhehadtomakesurehedidn'tblowit,evenifitmeant
comingtogripswithalifelongfearofhisownstrengthandsize.

ThenextmorningtheywheeledherouttoEvan'scarinawheelchair,andheliftedherfromitscon-

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fines,placinghergentlyinthepassengerseat.Itwasthefirsttimehe'devercarriedher,andthe
sensationwasodd,pleasant.

"You'reterriblystrong,"shesaidbreathlessly.

Hisjawtautened."Iknow."

Heputherdownandshelookedintohiseyes."Ilikeit,Evan,"shewhisperedsoftly,toreassurehim.

Hisfacechanged.Heseemeddisconcerted.Hefastenedherseatbeltandbusiedhimselfputtingher

flowersandHubertinthebackseatandsayinggoodbyetothenurseswho'daccompaniedthem.

TheywereonthewayhomebeforehespoketoAnnaagain.Hewassmokinglikeafurnace,

somethingshecouldhardlymiss.

"Youneverusedtosmoke,"sheremarked.

"I'vebeenlivingonmynervesforseveraldays,"herepliedwithoutlookingather."Whenyou're

backonyourfeet,I'llquit."

"I'msorryyou'vebeenworriedaboutme."

Hesmiled."Itisn'tjustworrythat'sdonethistome,Anna,"hesaidbluntly."It'sbeingnearyou."

Shedidn'tknowquitehowtoanswerthat,soshedidn'tsayanything.Shejuststaredathim,drinking

intheperfectionofhisprofile.

Heglancedatherandthenbackattheroad."Haven'tyoueverwonderedwhyIwenttosuchlengthsto
avoidyou?EventothepointofdraggingNinaeverywhere,likeashield?"

"Ithoughtyouweredrivinghomethepointthatyoudidn'twantmechasingyou,"shesaidmatter-

of-factly.

"Nothingquitesosimple."Heputoutthecigarette."Ihadtokeepyoufromgettingtooclose."

"Itworked,didn'tit?"sheaskeddully."Igotengagedtoanotherman...."

"AndIhatedit,"hesaidshortly,glaringather."ThethoughtofRandalltouchingyouthewayIhad

madememurderous.He'sdamnedluckyIdidn'thunthimdownandkillhim,especiallyafterhelet
yougethurt."

"Hedidn't..."

"Ifithadbeenme,youwouldn'thavebeeninthecarinthefirstplace,"hesaidshortly."Orifyou

were,Iwouldn'thaveletyououtofmysight.Butthen,IknowyoubetterthanRandalldoes.Iwould
haveanticipatedhoweasilyyoumightbetemptedtoleavethecar."

Sheknewthat,andithurt.Sheavertedhereyestothelandscape,watchingitflypastthewindow.

"Talkaboutit."

Sheshrugged."Thereisn'tmuchtotell.Hewasverybigandscary,andevenwhileIwasfightinghim,
IknewIcouldn'tstophim.ButIthoughtitwasmehewantedandnotthejewelry."

"Hemighthave,"hesaidcurtly."ButRandalldidcomealongintimetopreventthat,thankGod."

"Yes."

"Ithoughtyoumightbeafraidofmeatfirst,"hesaidoutoftheblue."ThedoctorsaidthatIwas

apparentlyaboutthesamesizeasthemanwhoattackedyou."

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Shelookedathimwryly."AsifIcouldeverbeafraidofyou,"shesaidwithresignation.

HethankedGodforthat.Heglancedather."AboutRandall..."

"Webroketheengagementyesterday,Evan,"sheadmittedfinally."HesaidthatI'dchangedsince

we'dbeengoingtogether,andhewantedmetobehappyagain.Heknewitwouldn'tworkout."

"Wiseman,"hesaid,morerelievedthanhecouldbelieve."Ididn'tthinkhe'dnoticedthedifference

inyou.Ihad,"headdeddarkly."ButIstillthoughtwhatIwasdoingwasinyourownbestinterest.
Thenyougothurt,andIrealizedhowemptymylifehadbeenwithoutyouinit.HardensaidI'd
changed,too."Heglancedatherhopefulexpression."IguessIhad.Hurtingyougavemeno
pleasure."

Shestaredoutthewindow."I'dhoundedyouprettybadly.Ifeltguiltyaboutthat."

"Hell,Ilovedit,"hesaidhuskily."ItwasmyownhangupsIwasfighting.Whenyoustopped

lookingforme,IthinkIstoppedliving."

Shesmiledgently."I'mglad."

"Yes.Butwe'renotoverthehurdlesyet,littleone,"hesaidgrimly."Infact,we'vehardlyfaced

them."

"Butwewill,"shesaid.

Hereachedoverandtouchedherhandlightly."Dowehaveachoice?"heaskedheavily.

Hedidn'tsoundterriblypleased,andsheworriedatthestrainedlookonhisface.

"Louisascarredyou,didn'tshe?"sheaskedunexpectedly.

Hehesitated."Isupposeso,"hesaidheavily."OneofthethingsIvividlyrememberhersayingis

thatawomanwouldhavetobesuicidaltotakemeoninbed."Hisjawtautenedashetoldher.He'd
nevertoldanyoneelse,notevenHarden.

Annasearchedhisrigidface."Surelyyou've...beenwithotherwomen?"

"Withexperiencedwomen,"hecorrectedcurtly.

"Butyoustillthinkyou'llscaremetodeath?"

Hestaredstraightahead."MaybeIwasafraidtotakethechance."Heglancedatherandhiseyes
softened."You'reveryyoung,Anna.You'vebeensheltered.Moresothanmostwomen."

"That'strue."Shesmiledgently."Butwhenyoutouchme,doesitshow?"

Hisheartbeatheavilyasherecalledhowithadbeenwhenheputhishandsonher,andhisbreath
drewinsharply.

"Itdoesn't,doesit,Evan?"sheaskedquietly,watchinghim."Infact,Iseemedtoshockyouinthe

gallery,whenyouopenedyourshirtandtaughtmehowtoexciteyou."

"ForGod'ssake!"hegroaned,andhishandsgrippedthesteeringwheelsohardthattheyturned

whiteasherememberedherardent,headlongresponse.

"Beinginnocentdoesn'tmakemetotallyhopeless,"shesaid,asshesatbackagainsttheseat.He

didn'tloveher,buthewantedherjustshortofmad-

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ness.Shefeltreborn,wholeagain.Sheshiveredinsidejustthinkingwhatitwouldbeliketoseduce
Evan,tolieinhisarmsandlethimloveher.

Atthesametimeshethoughtoftheconsequences,andthesmilefaded.Shebitherlowerliphard.

Shecouldn'thaveanaffairwithhim.Sureastheworld,she'dgetpregnant.

Shedidn'trealizeshe'dsaiditalouduntilthecarjerkedsidewaysandsheheardEvancurse.

"What?"sheaskeddazedly.

"Unlessyouwanttoendupinaditch,couldyoupleasestoptalkingaboutbabies?"heaskedshortly.

Thatcouldmeanhewantedthem,orthathedidn't.Shewasafraidtoaskwhich.Shestartedtalking
abouttheweatherinstead,delightedthathepickeduponitandbegantorelaxwithher.

Shecouldn'tknow,andhewasn'tgoingtotellher,thatthethoughtofachildmadehimgorigid

withakindofdesirehe'dneverfeltbefore.Hehadn'tallowedhimselftothinkaboutchildrenfor
years,becauseitwasonlyAnnawhomadehimwantthem.Butnowhewonderedhowshe'dlookwith
herbellyswollen,herfaceradiant,hereyesfullofdreams.Hewantedherinwaysshedidn'trealize,
tocomehometoafterahardday'swork,totalktoabouthisdreamsandfears,toholdinthedarkness
whenhefeltalone.Hewantedhersobadlythathisbodysuddenlywentrigidwiththeforceofit,and
hedidn'twanthertosee,toknowhowvulnerablehe'dbecome.Firsthehadtobesurethathecould
overcomehishangups.Ifhecouldn't,theymightnothaveafuture.

Theweatherwasthebestdiversionofall,becausehecouldconcentrateonitandhisbodywould
relax.HefocusedonitallthewaybacktoJacobsville,refusingtoallowhimselftoeventhinkabout
Annainmaternityclothes.

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ChapterNine

Lori,thesmall,grayinghousekeeper,waswaitingforthematthefrontdoorwhentheypulledup.
Evanhadforgottenthehousekeeper,buthewasgratefulthatshewasinresidence.Hehadn'tlikedthe
ideaofleavingAnnaalone,andbeingaroundhertestedhisself-controltothelimits.Onlyher
conditionkepthimfromgoingrightovertheedge,anditwasn't-asshethought-guiltandpitythat
drovehim.Hewantedherdesperately,ineverywaytherewas.

Heliftedhergentlyandcarriedherintothehouse,followingLoridownthehalltothebedroom.

"Lord,it'ssogoodtohaveyouhome!"sheenthused,smilingatAnna."We'veallbeensoworried.

AndtohaveMr.DukehomeagainandMissPollyfussingoverhim..."

"I'mgladtobeback,"Annaagreed.ShewastryingtohidewhatitwasdoingtohertohaveEvan

holdandcarryher.Shecouldfeeltheheavythumpofhisheartbeatagainstherbreasts,wherethey
pressedintohischest,andsheknewfromthehardnessofhisfacethatthefeelofhersoftbreastswas
arousinghim.Shewasshiveringbythetimehegotintoherbedroom,andgratefulforLori's
presence.

"Thatremindsme,I'vegottogettothestore,"Lorisaidsuddenly.

"No!"twovoicesechoed.

EvanandAnnastaredateachother,bothfaintlyflushed,beforetheyburstintolaughter.

Loristaredatthem."Mygoodness,whatwasthatallabout?"sheaskedabsently,frowningbecauseher
mindwasalreadyonwhatsheneededatthestore."Ifyou'llstaywithherjustafewminutes,whileI
rundowntothesupermarket,Mr.Evan?"Loriasked.

"I'llstay,"hesaidwithresignationashelaidAnnagentlyonthefloralcoverofhercanopiedbed.

"I'llberightback!"Lorigrinned."Anythingspecialyouwant,MissAnna?"

"Fish,"Annasaid."Andcheesecrackersandtomatojuice."

"I'llfetchthem.Iwon'tbelong."Shepulledthebedroomdoorshut,makingeverythingmuchworse,
andsecondslaterthebackdoorclosed.ThentheyheardLoristartPolly'scaranddriveoff.

EvanlookeddownatAnnaassheraiseduponherelbows,herblondhairaroundherfaceinbeautiful

silkyswirls,herblueeyeswideandsoft.

He'dlefthisStetsoninthecar.Hisheadwasbare.

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Hewaswearingablue-printedWesternshirtwithjeansandboots.Theshirtwastautacrossthe
musclesofhisbroadchest,andshewatcheditriseandfallwiththeroughunsteadinessofhis
breathing.

Hereyesslidfurtherdown,tohisbeltandtheunmistakablebulgebelowit.Sheflushedalittleas

hereyessliddownthepowerful,muscledlengthofhislegsandbackuptohisbroadshouldersand
darklytannedfaceandglitterydarkeyes.

Hisowngazehadgonetoherlegsandslowlyuptothehard-nippledthrustofherbreastsunderthe

thindress.Itlingeredtherewhilehisfacegrewvisiblytauterandpalerwiththestrainofstaying
wherehewas.

"You'rearoused,"hesaidhuskily.

"Soareyou,"sherepliedbreathlessly.

"Ihaven'tbeenanyotherwaysinceyougrewup,"hesaidsurprisingly."Itamazesmethatyou

nevernoticed."

"Inoticedthatyouavoidedme."

Henodded.

Shegnawedatherlowerlip,herheartshakingher."Whathappensnow?"shewhispered.

"WepraythatLorihurriesback,"hesaidwithicyhumor."BeforeIdowhatwebothwant."

Herbreathcameoutinjerkylittlespurts.Sheslowlylaybackonthebed,onthefloralpillowsham,

herarmsbesideherhead,herbodysoftlytrembling.

Hewastremblingaswell,hisbodyinanguish.Butheknewalltoovividlywhathewasgoingtodo

ifhedaredtotouchher.Theywerebothtooaroused

alreadytobeabletostop.Ifhesomuchaskissedher,he'dtakeher.

"Evan,"shewhispered,hervoice,likethesofteyesthatmethis,questioning.Shedrewuponelong

leg,deliberatelylettingtheskirtfalltoherupperthighsothathecouldseethepale,gracefullengthof
it.

Hisbreathingbecamemoreaudible."Stopit."

"Youwantto,"shewhispered.

"Yes.Morethanyouknow.Butitcan't...happenlikethis,"hesaidharshly,anddeliberatelyturned

away.

"Why?"

Heleanedagainstthecloseddoor,hisforeheadpressingthere,thecoolnesseasingthefevershe'd
aroused."BecauseI'mdesperateforyou,"hesaidhuskily."Itcan'tbelikethat...thefirsttime."

"I...wouldn'tmind,"shewhispered,onfiretohavehimsoothetheacheinherbody.

"Youwould,"hereplied,regaininghisalmost-lostcontrol.Heturned,leaninghisbackagainstthe

doorwhilehefumbledacigaretteintohismouthandlitit.Hiseyesmethers,solemnly."Closeyour
eyesandtrytorelaxuntilitpasses."

Shelethereyelidsfall,shiveringashertautbodyrippledwithunknownsensations,desires,tensions.

Hewatchedher,delightingintheknowledgethatshefeltexactlyashedid,thatherhungercould
matchhisdespitehernaivete.IfLouisa'sreactiontohimintotalintimacyhadn'tscarredhimsomuch,
he

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wonderedifhecouldhavekepthisdistancefromAnna.

Afteraminuteortwo,shesankintothemattresswithagentlesigh,andthetensionseemedtoease

fromher.

"Better?"heaskedquietly.

"Yes."Sheturnedherheadonthepillowandlookedathim."Isitusuallylikethis?"

Heshookhisheadslowly."I'veneverexperiencedanythinghalfaspowerfulinallmylife."

Thathadtobeapointinherfavor.Shesmiledathim.Afteraminutehesmiledback.

ThedooropenedsuddenlyathisbackandhemovedjustasPollycamein.ShelaughedatEvan's
surprisedface.

"Didn'tyouhearmedriveup?"sheasked,smiling."Howareyoufeeling,darling?"

Relieved,Annaalmostsaid,becauseifEvanhaddonewhatherbodyhadbeggedfor,avery

embarrassingconfrontationcouldhaveensued.

"I'mfeelingtired,"Annasaidevasively,smilingback."Butmuchbetter.Lorirantothestore.Evan

saidhe'dstaywithme."

"Niceofyou,Evan,"Pollysaidgently.

"Yes,"herepliedevenly."Ifyou'regoingtobehomeforawhile,Ineedtogetsomeworkdone."

HesmiledatAnna."I'veletthingsgolately."

"Iwonderwhy?"Pollymused."Thankyouforbringingherhome,"sheaddedseriously.

"Noproblem."HeglancedatAnna,tryingnottoshowhowmuchhehatedleavingher,evenfora

day.

"IpromisedtohelpHardenshiftsomecattlethisafternoon,butI'llbebacktomorrow.I'vegotsome
videosyoumightliketowatch."

Shemanagedasmile."Thatwouldbenice."

"Yes,itwould,"Pollysaid."Dukewantedtotakemeouttomorrow,butIhesitated,becauseIhated

leavingAnnaalone.We'regoingfishing,"sheadded."DukeandIwanttotalk."

Annabrightened."Really?"

"Don'tgetyourhopesuptoohigh,"Pollysaid."Butcrossyourfingers."

"I'lldothatlittlething,"shepromised.

"AndI'llbaby-sit,"Evansaidwithamockingsmile.

Annahadtofightnottoblushattheimageshewasconjuringupwiththatsensuoustone,butshe
remindedherselfthatshemustn'treadtoomuchintohisinnuendoes.Hewantedher.Maybeithad
blindedhimtoreality.

"ThenI'llbuythosenewjeansIsawtoday."Pollygrinned."Evan,you'resureyoudon'tmind?"

HelookedatAnnaandhadtofightdownanotherwaveofthrobbingheat."No,"hesaidhuskily."I
don'tmind."

Annawantedtobeghimtostay,becauseherscrupleswerebeginningtogiveundertheweightofher
desire.Butwhenhecametomorrow,hemightliebesideherwhiletheywatchedtelevision,andwith
nooneinthehouse-sincetomorrowwasLori'sdayoff-anythingmighthappen.Sheknewshecould
neversaynotoEvanifhereallywantedher.But

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givingintohimwouldbeabigmistake,sherealizedsadlyasrealitypuncturedherbrightdreams.
Hissenseofhonormightevenforcehimintomarriageifhecompromisedher.Shedidn'twanta
reluctantbridegroom.Loveononesidewouldneverbeenough.

Evansmiled,buthedidn'tlookatheragain.Heleft,andPollywentbacktoherdaydreams,unaware
ofAnna'srisingfears.

Thatnightshegotuplongenoughtohavesupperwithherparents,enjoyingthewaytheytalkedto
eachotherandtoher.Shefeltpartofafamilyforthefirsttimeinyears.AndPollywasactually
radiant.Latersheexcusedherselfandwenttoliedown,leavingDukeandPollyalonetogether.When
shefellasleepafterhoursofdaydreamingaboutthedayaheadandEvan,theywerestillsittinginthe
livingroomtalking.

Evanarrivedlatethenextmorningwithtwonewlyreleasedmovies.inhishand,lookingrakishand
barelyawakeindenimandacheckedWesternshirt.Healsolookedhalfoutofhumor.

"Iwasuplatedoingbookwork,"heexplainedtoPolly,forcingasmile.Infact,he'dlainawake

worryingaboutwhathewasgoingtodoifhelostcontrolwithAnnaandscaredherhalftodeath.He
knewhisfearswereirrational,buthe'dlivedwiththemfartoolongtobeabletodismissthemnow.

Dukehadstayedthenightatthehouse,buthewasdressedandreadytoleavebeforePollyawokeand

gotdressedherself.Lorihadservedbreakfastand

goneoutwithfriendstoseeamovie.

"How'smygirl?"DukeaskedAnna,ashejoined

hiswifeanddaughterandEvaninAnna'sbedroom

whereshelay,dressedinalongredskirtandared—

and-goldpatternedblouse,stretchedoutontopofher

coverswithherlongblondhairsoftaroundherface

andherprettyfeetbare.Annakissedhistancheekwhenhebentdown.

"Doingfine.IhopeyouandMomcatchalotof

fish."

"I'llsettleforoneprettyone,"Dukemurmured

dryly,andPollyactuallyblushed.

Annasmiledatthem."Goawayandenjoyyourselves."

Theyexchangedglances,buttheydidn'targue."Don'tworryabouther,"Evantoldthemsolemnly.
"I'lltakegoodcareofher."

Hewassayingmorethanthewordsimplied,andtheyknewit.PollysawDukerelaxvisibly,andafter
abriefconversation,theyleft.

EvanwalkedthemoutandthenreturnedtoAnna'sroom,pausinginthedoorwaytolookather.She
lookeddelicious.Hisheartbegantorunwild,justatthesightofher.

"Doyoufeellikewatchingthese?"heasked,holdinguptwotapesofjust-releasedmovies.

"Yes,"shesaidhuskily,thinkinghowsweetitwouldbeifhelaydownwithheronthebedandlet

herlieagainsthim.Herfaceflamedwithdesire.

Hehadtoturnawayfromthatexpression.Hewas

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gladthehousekeeperwasaround.Ifshehadn'tbeen,hewasn'tsurehecouldmanagetokeephishands
offAnna.

"Lori'shere,isn'tshe?"heaskedtautly,tomakesure,whileheloadedthefirstmovieintotheVCR

andturnedonthetelevisionbeforehestartedit.

"Well...no,"shesaid."It'sherdayoff."

Hisjawtautened.Heactuallyshivered.

"WillithelpifIpromisenottoseduceyou?"sheaskedwithalightnessshedidn'tfeel.Herheart

wasracing.

Hefelthisbodytautenashelookedatheracrosstheroom,hiseyesfallinghelplesslytoher

blouse."Youwouldn'thaveto,don'tyouknow?"heaskedonaharshlaugh."Allyouhavetodois
touchme."

Herheartranwild.Thetruthofitwasinhisface,andallherdreamsseemedtocometrueatonce.She
heldoutherarmstohim,burningupwithneed.

Hegroaned,buthecouldn'thelphimself.Hewenttoher,feelinghercoldhandscurvearoundhis

neckashebent,easingherbackonthebed.Itwaswrong,heshouldn't.Butherbodywasyieldingand
softandexquisitelyformed,andhefelthimselfgoingrigidlongbeforehismouthloweredtoher
partedlips.

Hisbodywentdownalongsidehersonthemattress,hismouthfittingoverherswithwarm,slow

masteryastheysankbackontothequiltedcoverlet.

Itwasheaven.Annanibbledeagerlyathislips,lovingthetasteofhim,thewarmthandstrengthofhis
bodyagainsthers.Butjustashedeepenedthe

kissandhisarmstightened,shegasped,andhedrewbackinstantly.

"DidIhurtyou?"heaskedcurtly,hiseyesworried."MyGod,sometimesIhatemyownsize!"

"Youdidn'thurtme,"shesaidandloweredhereyestohishardmouth."Igohotalloverwhenyou

kissmelikethat,"shewhisperedhuskily.

Herelaxed.Hisfingerstracedhercheek."Allthatworry,wasted,"hemusedwithforcedlightness.

"DoyoureallythinkIcouldeverbeafraidofyou,Evan?"sheaskedunsteadily."Don'tyouknow

alreadythatyoucoulddoanythingtomeandI'dletyou?"

Hiseyesflashed.Hebenthungrilytoherlipsasonebigarmslidunderherandliftedheragainsthim.
Hismouthcaressedandwithdrew,brushedandlifted,ashearousedherwithmaddeningskilluntilshe
wasclingingandfollowinghislipswithherown,tryingtomakehimendthetorment.

"Whatdoyouwant?"hewhispered.

"Kissme!"shemoaned.

Histeethnibbledlazilyatherlowerlip."Isn'tthatwhatI'mdoing?"

"Doitright.Openyourmouthanddoit...!"

Hedid,atthesametimeshiftinghisbigbodysothathishipsweresquarelyoverhers,hisarousalhot
andblatantasitrestedonhersoftbelly.

Shegaspedattheintimacy.

Heliftedhismouthfromhersandlookedintohershockedeyes.Hedidn'tmoveforalongmoment,

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butthatwasn'tfearinhereyes.Hemovedsoftlyandshegrimaced.

Herealizedthenthatitwasembarrassment,notdistaste,andhesmiledgentlyasheleveredhisbody

tooneside.Shesmiledback,herfacecoloringdelicately.

Heeasedonepowerfullegbetweenbothofhersandshestiffened.

Heshookhishead."No.Thisispartoflovemaking.Iwantyoutoknoweverythingthereistoknow

aboutmybody.Youhaveto,beforewegoanyfurther."

Shehadtofightherownshyness,butafteraminutesherelentedandlethimrestagainsther.

"Don'tbeafraid,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepandsensual."I'mlettingyoulearnme,that'sall."

Sherelaxedevenmore,andastheshockofintimacyslowlyworeoff,shebegantoenjoythefeel

ofhisbody.

Heknewthatshehadnoexperiencebywhichtojudgehim.Thatrelaxedhimalittle.Therewasso

muchthatshedidn'tknow,butatleast,thankGod,therewasnoapprehensioninherface.He'dnever
beenabletomakeLouisaliewithhimlikethisatall.Infact,she'dfoundintimacywithhimalmost
distasteful.Hestillrememberedhowshecringedwhenhetouchedherbreasts,andshe'dneverliked
hismouthonthem.

HedrewhisfingersslowlyoverAnna'sbreasts,thesoundoffleshagainstfabricloudinthetense
silenceashegentlyteasedaroundthenipplethat

suddenlybecametaut.Heheldhereyesthewholetime,heardherbreathingchangeevenasshe
allowedhimthecaresswithdamninggenerosity.

Shegaspedandarchedtowardhishand,tryingtomakehimendthetormentashetouchedeverywhere
exceptagainstthehardnessthatachedforhim.

"Gently,"hewhispered."I'mgoingtodowhatyouwantmeto,butletmemakeyouburnforit

first."

Shecolored,butshedidn'tprotesthistouch.Shelaybackagainstthepillows,herfaceflushed,
waiting,trembling,ashebuiltthetormentalmosttoanguishandshemoaned.

Hisbighandtensedunderher,andheleanedcloser,hisdarkeyesfillingtheworld."Isitbad?"he
whispered.

"Yes!"Hernailsbitintohisshouldersasshelethimseethehelplessreactionofhisbodytohis

caress."Evan,please!Oh,please!"

Hedrewhisnosesoftlyagainsthers,hisbreathonhercheek,herlips,andstillhisknucklesbrushed
withmaddeningslownessjustattheveryedgeofhertautnipple.

Then,verygently,hecaughtthehardnubinhisfingertips.Shefeltarushofheatinherbelly,anda
longshudderrippledthroughher.Shecouldbarelyseehimthroughablurofanguisheddesire,her
expressiononeoftautabandonasshearchedupwardandgaspedattheunbelievablepleasure.

Evanwatchedherwithindulgenttenderness."Sohungry,"hewhispered."Icouldalmostsatisfyyou

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justbyputtingmymouthonyou,couldn'tI,littleone?"

Theintimacyofthestatementmadeherflush,butshedidn'tprotestwhenhebegantoflickopenthe
buttonsofherblousewithcarelessdeftness.

"Liestill,"hesaidwhenshetouchedhiswristinafaintprotest."Letmelookatyou."

"I'venever,"shebeganshakily,hereyesenormous.

"MyGod,don'tyouthinkIknow?"heaskedhuskily.Hiseyesflashedashepulledtheblousegently

asideandthensnappedthefrontcatchofthebra.Hedrewitawayfromherswollenbreastsandcaught
hisbreathatthebeautyofhercreamybodywithitsmauvenipples.

"I'mso...big,"shewhispered,almostapologetic.

"You'reasself-consciousaboutyoursizeasIamaboutmine,"hesaidquietly.Hetouchedher,as

lightlyasabreath,watchingherfaceasshegaveherselfuptohishands."Youpleaseme,"hesaid,his
voicedeepandexquisitelytender."Youarousemeasnootherwomaneverhas,everwill.You're
delicious,Anna,"hebreathed,bendingtowardherbreastswithunbearableslowness."Iwanttoeat
youup..."

Hismouthsettledoverthehard-tippedmoundandbegantopullatit,nibbleatit,withtender

absorption.Annacriedout.Thepleasuresheexperiencedwassooverwhelmingthattearsstungher
eyes.Sheclungtohim,hershakinghandsgraspinghisthickhair,pullinghimcloser,closer...!

Onebighandwasunderherskirt.Dimlysheregistereditsprogress,felthistouchonherslenderlegs
andthenonherflatbelly.

"Anything,"shegaspedathisear."Anythingyouwant...Evan!"

Hishandcontractedonhersoftfleshandjustforaninstant,hegaveintotheneedthatwasconsuming
him.Hismouthgrewrough,likehisinsistenthands,andAnnayieldedcompletely.Hisstrength
delightedher,hisardormadeherweakallover.Shebithisshoulderinherownoblivion,hard.

Hecaughthisbreathandjerkedup,hisfaceunfamiliarinpassion.

"I...I'msorry,"shefaltered,embarrassedattheexpressioninhiseyes."Ibityou."

"Yes."Therewassomethingunfamiliarinthewayhewaslookingather,inthesetrigidityofhisface.

Hiseyesfelltoherbody,tothefaintrednesswherehishungrymouthhadtouchedit.Heactually
shuddered.

"Ithoughtyou'dbeafraidofmelikethis,"hesaidquietly.

"Why?"shewhispered.

"Icouldhurtyou,"hegroundout.Hegrimacedatthemarkshe'dleftonherbreastHetouchedit
softly."Ididn'tmeantolosemyheadlikethis!"

Thatshecouldmakehimloseitgaveherasenseofwildelation."Itdoesn'thurt,youknow,"shesaid
withagentlesmile."Infact,Ilikedit."

"Dangerous,tosaythattome,"hesaidhuskily.

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"I'mnotantiqueglass,Evan.Iwon'tbreakifyou'realittleroughwithme."

Shemovedclosertohim,hereyessearchinghisassheslidherleggentlyagainsthisandlaidher
handflatagainsthisshirt.

"Whatdoyouwant?"heaskedsoftly,delightedandoverwhelmedbyherdesireforhim.

"CanItouchyou,here?"shewhispered.

Hehesitatedforonlyaminutebeforehegaveintotheneedforherhandsonhim.Hesnappedopen

thepearlybuttonsandtuggedtheshirttailoutofhisjeans,holdinghereyeswhilehethrewtheshirt
ontothefloor.

Sherestedherforeheadagainstthebroad,hair-roughenedexpanseofmuscleandherhandscaught

inthehair,tuggingitsensuously."Likethis?"shewhispered,wantingnothingmorethantoplease
him."Isn'tthiswhatyoulike?"

"Yes,"hesaidinachokedtone.Hishandsslidintoherhair,movingherforeheadagainsthim.

"KissmethewayIkissedyou.Here,"heemphasized,guidinghermouthtoonesideofhischest.

Shecaughtherbreath.Ithadneveroccurredtoherthatmenhadnipplesorcouldbearousedby

havingthemtouched.Thepossibilitiesmadeherdizzy.Sheslidherlipsthroughthethickhairuntil
shefoundthehardthrustofaflatmalenipple.Shenuzzleditfirstwithhernose,thenwithherlips,
thenwithherteeth.Evan'sbigbodywentrigidandshudderedwhenshetookthenippleinherteeth.
Shelovedthewayherespondedtoher.Hermouthnuzzledallover

hischestasheeasedontohisbacktogiveherthetotalfreedomofhisbody.Hiseyesclosed,hischest
rippledasshetouchedit.Herlipspulledsoftlyattheothernippleandheactuallygroaned.Amazing,
shethought,delicious,tobeabletomakehimevenmomentarilyatthemercyofhisneedforher.She
drewherlipsdaringlydowntothewidebeltathishipsandbithimdelicatelyjustbelowhisnavel.

Heshudderedandarched,cryingout.Annaliftedherhead,shockedandalittlefrightenedbyhis
reactiontosogentleacaress.

Shedidn'trecognizehimwhenshesawhisface.Hiseyesweretormented,hisfacedarkwithpassion,
hismouthathinline.

"I'msorry,"shesaidquickly."Evan,I'msorry,didIhurtyou?"

"ForGod's...sake...Anna!"

Hewhippedheroverbesidehim,pausingjustlongenoughtostriptheopenblouseandbrafromher,
throwingthemcarelesslyonthefloor,andthenhearchedaboveherandlookeddown,hisbigbody
shiveringwithneed.

Herbreastswerebig;fullandfirmwithdarkmauvetipsthatquicklygrewhardashelookedatthem.

Instinctivelyherarmmovedtocoverherself,buthecaughtitandpulledherupintoasittingposition.

"No,"hesaidgruffly."Youbelongtome.Letmelook."

Afteraminute,shegaveinandsattrembling,

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flushingashestaredatherbreasts.Thiskindofintimacywasnew,andalittlescary.

"Onlyyou,"shewhisperedunsteadily.

"Onlyme,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepandslowandhusky.Hiseyesdarkened."God,you'rebeautiful,

Anna,"hesaidroughly."Absolutelybeautiful!"

Sheseemedtoblossomatthewords,herbackarchingunconsciously."Evan,"shewhispered,
shivering."Evan,I'lldieifyoudon'ttouchme...!"

Hefeltthesameway.Hereachedforherhungrily."Somuchforpatience,"hemanaged.Hisjaw
clenchedasheheldherupperarmstightlyandlethiseyesfeedonherbeauty."Thisiswherewe
couldgetinoverourheadsveryquickly,"hesaidthroughhisteeth,andhebroughtherbreasts
suddenlyagainstthethickraspingmatofhairthatcoveredhimfromthroattostomach."Idon'teven
knowifIcanstop,"hebitoffagainsthermouthashetookithungrily.

Annastiffenedandshiveredatthecontactofhertautbreastswithhisbarechest,themostintimate
she'deverexperienced.Evanheldherbytheribcageandslowly,torturouslybegantodragher
breastsagainstthatthicketofhairwithsensuousmovementsthatwerelikesettingamatchtodry
wood.

Shehadn'tknownthatherbodycouldshudderwithecstasyfromjustthefeelofaman'shairychest
againstherbarebreasts.ButhernailsbitintoEvan'sbigshouldersandshemovedwithhim,herbody
shiveringasthedeliciouscontactarousedhertofeverpitch.

"Doit...hard,"shewhisperedhoarsely,hereyes

closedassheswayedagainsthim."Rubmeagainstyou...veryhard!"

Hewasn'teventhinkingnow.Hisbodywasreactingpredictablytotheardorshearousedinhim.He

lookedwheretheytouched,watchingherhardnipplesdragagainsthiswarmchest,feelingthemlike
brandsonhisbody.Hebentheracrosshimandincreasedtheardentpressure,movingherfromside
tosidenow,hearinghershakymoans,feelingthebruisingbiteofherfingernails.Shesobbedandher
mouthpressedhardagainsthisbareshoulders.Shebithimagain,quitehard,hertonguedrawing
circlesonhisskininhelplesspassion.

Oneofhishandshadslidtoherlowerspineandwasgrindingherrhythmicallyintothetautheatof
himwhilehismouthsuddenlybenttohersandpossesseditfiercely.

Atthatmoment,shewouldhavelethimdoanythinghelikedtoher.Whenhismouthlifted,shelether
bodyarchbackward,herfirmbreastsjuttingtowardhislips,hereyesclosedassheyieldedherbody
tohimcompletely.

TheactionmadeEvanshiver.Heknewwhatshewassaying,withoutwords.Shewouldgivehim
anythinghewanted,doanythingheaskedofher.Hecouldlayherdownonthebedandstripherand
makeherhis,andshewouldallowhimto.

Thatsubmissionstoppedhim,whennothingelsewouldhave.Heliftedhisheadslowly,hiseyes
focusinghungrilyonherbreasts.Hewasfaintlyawareofthestabofhernailsintohisshoulders,but
itwas

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herflushed,hungryfacethatcaughthisattention.He'dneverseenherlookmorebeautiful.

Heeasedhercheekagainsttherecklessthrobofhisbarechestandgentlyheldherthere,fightingfor
sanity.

Sherubbedherbreastsagainsthimhelplessly,herlipspressingsoftkissesagainsthisthroat.

"Don't,"hewhispered,stillingher."Thefeelofyouisdrivingmeoutofmymind."

"Iknow."Shenibbledathischin."Wecouldmakelove,"shewhisperedunsteadily."Righthere."

Hisbighandsfirmedonhershoulders."No."

"Youwantme,"shesaid.

"Viciously,"heagreed."Butwecan'tmakeloveonyourbedinthemiddleoftheday,whenLorior

yourparentscouldcomehomeunexpectedlyandfindus."

"Wecouldlockthedoors,"shemoaned.

Heliftedhisheadandtiltedherchinuptohis."Takedeepbreaths,"hesaidquietly."Letyourself
relax.I'mnotgoingtouseyoulikeawomanI'veboughtforthenight,Anna.Cheapsexisn'twhatI'm
after,despitethefactthatourlovemakinggotalittleoutofhandjustnow."

Shelethereyesfalltohisbarechest."Alittle?"shewhisperedonanervouslaugh.

"Itoldyouhowitwouldbe,"heremindedher.Heheldhereyesandslidonebighandupherbody

tocupandcaressherfirmbreasts."Youreallyare

abiggirl,"hewhispered,smilinggently."Justmysize."

Sheblushed,butshesmiled,too,archingsothathishandmovedtoencompassherevenmorefully.

"Likeit?"heaskedhuskily.

"Don'tyouknow?"shecountered.

Hebenthisheadandthehandatherbackmovedhersothathecouldputhismouthoverthebreast

hewascupping.Hesuckledatitgently,nibbled,caressed,bit,untilshecurledintohimwithahelpless
moan.Shelovedthemoistheatofhismouthonherskin,rememberingthefirsttimehe'deverdoneit
withalayeroffabricintheway.

Sheheldhimwhenhestartedtolifthishead."Just...alittlemore,please,"shewhimpered."Bite...me...!"

Andhe'dbeenafraidoffrighteningher,hethoughtironicallyashegaveintoherpleas.Helaidher

backonthebedandfedonherbreastslikeastarvingman,delightinginhercriesofpleasure,the
claspofherarms,thetremblingvulnerabilityofheryieldedbody.

Hismouthslidbackuptoheropenlipsandwithoutthinkingoftheconsequences,hisbodyslowly
leveredoverher,onepowerfulleginsinuatingitselfbetweenherssothathecouldbringtheminto
totalintimacy.

Shecaughtherbreathandclutchedathim,shivering.Heliftedhisheadthenandlookedintohereyes.

"Itwillprobablyhurtlikehell,"hesaidflatly,

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oneleanhandgoingunderhertopressherhipsupintohis."Especiallyifyou'veneverevenplayedat
intimacybefore."

"Ihaven't.Butifitisn'tyou,"shewhispered,"itwon'tbeanybody,ever.Iloveyou!"

Hegroanedandhiseyesclosed.Shemadeallhisfearsseemgroundless.Shelovedhim.Hebegan

towonderifLouisaeverhad,orifshe'donlywantedhimforhisposition,hiswealth.Annahad
insinuatedasmuch,asHardenhadyearsago,andnowhehadtofacethefactthatitmighthavebeen
true.

Hebrushedhismouthgentlyoverherbareshoulders,herthroat,herlips."I'llberoughwithyou,"

hesaidinsomethinglikeanguish."Iwon'tbeabletohelpit,don'tyouunderstand?Ilosecontrolso
easilywithyou.Oh,God,I'veprobablyleftbruisesonyoualready...!"

Shekissedhimsoftly,rubbinghernoselovinglyagainsthis."Youhaven'tseenyourshoulderyet,

haveyou?"sheaskedtenderly,andsmiled.

Helaughedsoftly."Yes.Youbitme,didn'tyou?"

"Veryhard,"shewhisperedshakily."Ididn'tknowitwasgoingtofeellikethat,orthatyou'ddo

whatyoudidtome."Shedugherfingersintothethickhairthatcoveredhischest."IthoughtImight
faintwhenyoustartedrubbingyourchestagainstme."

"TherearetimeswhenI'mnotsorryaboutthisthicket,"headmittedagainstherlips."Youwerevery,
veryaroused."

"Istillam,"shesaidsoftly."Iwishwecouldmakelove."

"SodoI.Butwecan't,likethis."

"Youcouldundress,"shesuggestedhalf-humorously.

"Youdon'tunderstand."Hemovedtohersideandstretchedalittlejerkily,pullingherdownagainst

himwithhercheekpillowedonhischest."Whatwe'redoingissomethingthatbelongsintheconfines
ofmarriage."Hesearchedhereyesquietlywhilehisfingersgentledonherbreast."IfIgiveyoua
baby,it'sgoingtobeafterwe'remarried,notbefore."

Shedidn'tthinkshecouldhaveheardhimproperly."Youdon'twanttogetmarried,"shefaltered.

"Oh,butIdo,"hesaiddoggedly.Heloweredhismouthtohersandkisseditslowly,hotly."I'lltake

thechance,ifyouwill.Sayyes,Anna,"hebreathed.

"Yes!"ThewordburstfromherlikearainbowofsoundandEvantookalongbreathanddamned

theconsequences.

"Nolongengagement,either,"hewhispered."We'llgetthelicensetomorrow."

"Sosoon?"shegasped.

"Ican'tbeartobeawayfromyouforfiveminuteslately,"hesaid,hiseyesglitteringwithbarely

leashedpassion."Iwantyouwithmeallthetime,dayandnight.Iwantyouundermeinbed,Anna,"
hewhisperedsensually,nibblingherlowerlipwhileheplayedwithherlipsandstrokedherbreast."I
wantyournakedbodywrithingunderthehardnessofmine...!"

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Shemethismouthhalfway,herbodyturning,acceptingthecrushofhis,beggingformore.Itwasall
hecoulddotogetawayfromher.Herolledawayandgottohisfeet,keepinghisbacktoheruntilhe
couldstopshuddering.Hereachedforacigarette,buttheywereintheshirthedidn'tremember
discarding.Hereacheddownandretrieveditfromthefloor,alongwithherblouseandbra.

Annawassittingup,breathingraggedly,andhiseyeswentpointedlytothethrustofherprettybreasts.

"Exquisite,"hewhisperedbreathlessly."Icouldlookatyoulikethatfortherestofmylife.Butin

theinterestsofyourchastity,Ithinkyou'dbettercoverthemup.Quick."

Hetossedhergarmentstoher,watchingherflushandjerktryingtogetthembackonagain.

Thedrollhumorsoothedherembarrassment.Shewasalittleshyofhimnow.Heseemedtosenseit,
becausehepulledherupfromthebedandheldhergently."Youstilldon'tknowexactlywhatyou
couldbelettingyourselfinfor.Iwasincontrolmostofthetimetoday.ButwhenIlosecontrol,and
eventuallyIwill,youmightnotlikewhathappens."

"I'mstilltryingtofigureoutwhatitisthatI'msupposedtobesoafraidof."

"I'moversized,"hesaidquietly."I'vealwayshadtopullmypunches,eversinceIwasaboy.Even

now..."Hebrokeoff."IkeeprememberingLouisa,"headmittedfinally,andhewinced.

This,shethought,wasgoingtotaketimeandpatience.Butifshewascareful,maybeshecouldheal

thosescars."I'mnotfragile,"shesaid,hervoicesoftandhesitant."Iwantyouasmuchasyouwant
me.AndIloveyou."

Hishandtouchedherlipswithexquisitetenderness."Youmakeallmyworstfearssoundridiculous."

"Theyare,"shereplied.Sheclosedhereyeswhilehekissedherwithsomethinglikereverence."Are
yougoingtostaywithme?"

Helaughedsoftly."HowcanIstayaway?"hecountered."Therearen'tthatmanywomenin
JacobsvillewhoworshipthegroundIwalkon."

Sheglaredathim."Goahead,rubitin."

"Iwasn't.Ifeelprettyarrogantandsmugrightnow,ifyouwanttoknow."Henibbledathermouth.
"Nowlet'ssitdown,inthelivingroom,"heemphasized,"andwatchsomemovies,beforeweendup
inbedagain."

"Wewill,eventually,"shesaiddoggedly.

Hesighed."Eventually,"heagreed."FirstIhavetoworkupthenerve,"hesaidunderhisbreath.He
brushedacarelesskissagainstherforeheadand,minuteslater,startedtheVCRinthelivingroom.
Evansettledherinthecurveofhisarmandwonderedquietlyhowhewasgoingtogoonlivingifshe
everturnedawayfromhimoutoffear.

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ChapterTen

Evanwasn'twastingmuchtimearrangingthewedding,Annadiscoveredthenextmorning,whenhe
cametopickheruptoapplyforthelicense.They'dtoldPollyandDukethedaybeforeanddecidedto
waitovernightbeforetheystartedthepaperwork,butnobodywassurprisedbythenews.Theother
coupleonlygrinned.

Annawasasclosetoheavenasshe'dbeeninherlife.Evanwasopenlyaffectionatenow,kissingher
whenhecameintothehouse,wrappingherupagainsthimwhentheywalked.Ifhedidn'tcareabout
her,hewascertainlyagoodactor.

Aftertheyappliedforthelicenseandhadabloodtest,Evantookherouttolunchatarestaurant

downtown.

"Youaren'teatingmuch,"heobservedwhenshebarelytouchedherroastbeef.

Shelookedupathim,hereyessoftandloving."I'mstillinshock,"sheconfessed."Icanhardly
believeit,evennow."

Hisdarkeyesslidoverherfacepossessively."I'dneverthoughtaboutmarriagebefore,"he
confessed."Notseriously,atleast,evenifIdidlipservicetotheideaofwantingahomeanda
family."

"YouusedtosaythattheyalltrampledyoutryingtogettoHarden,"sherecalledwithasmile.

Hisbigshouldersroseandfell."Inaway,itwastrue.Hardenhatedwomen,sonaturallytheyallloved
him.EspeciallyMiranda,fortunatelyforhim,"headdedwithagrin.

"IusedtothinkthatifHardencouldgetmarried,anybodycould,"sheadmitted."Hewasarealwoman
hater."

"NolessthanConnal,untilPepicameuponhisblindside,"heagreed.Hecaughtherhandinhisand
turneditover,strokingherringfingerabsently."Ihaven'tevenboughtyouaring,"heremarked.

Thelicenseandthebloodtesthadconvincedherthathewasserious,butthementionofaringmade
herheartbeatfaster.Thatwascommitment.

Shelookedupintohiseyeswithpurejoy.

"Doyouwantadiamond,Anna?"heaskedgently.

"I'mnotsure..."

"Don't,forGod'ssake,tellmeyouwantanemerald,"hesaid,hisdarkeyesflashing."Iwon'tbuyyou
one."

HesoundedviciouslyjealousoftheemeraldRand—

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allhadgivenher.Shehadtohideasmile."No,Idon'twantanemerald,"sheadmitted."Idon'tsuppose
coloredstonesareaverygoodinvestment,arethey?"

Hescowled."Honey,I'mnotbuyingitforaninvestment,"hesaidgently."Thisisn'tabusinessdeal."

"I'msorry."Shecouldn'tverywelltellhimthatshedidn'tunderstandwhyhewasmarryingher.She

wassurethathecared,alittle.Itwasjustthatshewantedhimtobeinlove,asshewas.Hewas
attentiveandkindandevenaffectionate,butshewasn'tsureofhim.

Whatshedidn'tknowwasthathehadn'tabandonedhisfears.Hewasgoingaheadwiththewedding

despitethem,mostlyoutofworrythatshemightgobacktoRandall.Hewastakingaterriblechance
onherageandinnocence,despiteherconfessionofundyinglove.

Shesensedhisreservations.Ninastillbotheredher.Thatoldflamehadturnedintoaragingfire

justbeforeAnnawasattacked.HowcouldshebesurethatEvandidn'tfeelsomethingforNina?How
couldshebesurethathewasn'tmarryingheroutofpityandguiltandhelplessdesire?

Shesippedhercoffeeabsently,hereyesavoidinghis.

Inanswertoallherunspokenworries,Ninawalkedinthedooroftherestaurant,alone,andspotted
Evan.

Hesawthewomancomingandcursedviciously

tohimself.Hismannersoutweighedhisanger,sohepushedbackhischairandstoodup,buthiseyes
weren'twelcoming.

"Well,hello,"Ninagushed.ShewentuptoEvanandblatantlykissedhim,despitehisobvious

reticence."Howareyou,darling?Ihaven'tseenyouforages!Whathaveyoubeendoing?"

"Gettingengaged,"hesaidflatly."AnnaandIaregoingtobemarried."

Ninaactuallyfroze.Shedidn'tmoveorspeakforalongmoment,andthenshelaughedharshly.
"You'remarryingAnna?Afterallthetimeyouspentrunningfromher?Well,well,whatdidyoudo,
Evan,getherpregnant?"

"That'senough,"Evansaidcoldly.

NinastaredatAnnawithpurehatredinhereyes."Youaren'tstupidenoughtothinkhelovesyou?All
he'scapableofiswanting!Ishouldknow!"Shewasalmostshakingwithrage,andattractingthe
attentionofhalfadozenotherdinersaswell."IgavehimeverythingIhad,andIcouldn'tholdhim!"

"Nina,stopit,"Evansaidquietly."You'remakingaspectacleofyourself."

Herlowerliptrembledasshestaredathim.Despiteherembarrassment,Annafeltaterriblesympathy
forher.NinahadbeeninlovewithEvan.Itwaspainfullyobvious.

"Justmyluck...tobethewrongkindofwomantogetyoutothealtar,"NinasobbedatEvan.
"Everybodysaidexperienceappealedtoyou,butit

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wasn'ttrue,wasit?You'rerobbingthecradleatthat...!"

Shewhirledsuddenlyandranoutoftherestaurant,stillcrying.

Evansatbackdownheavily."I'msorryaboutthat,"hetoldAnna,hisvoicestrainedbuttender.

"Shelovedyou,"Annasaidsoftly.

"Yes,"heagreed."ButIdidn'tloveher.Youcan'tforceyourselftocareaboutsomebody,Anna.

That'slife."

Sheknewthat.ShelookedatEvanwithhorror.Shewasmarryinghim,andhedidn'tloveherany
morethanhelovedNina.Whatkindofrelationshipcouldtheybuildonaone-sidedattraction?

Eventuallyevendesirewouldwane,andwhatwouldbeleft?

Evancursedroundlywhenhegotagoodlookatherface.Hehelpedherupandwenttopaythecheck,
ignoringthecuriousstaresoftheotherpatrons.NinahaddestroyedAnna'sradiantmood,andhis
own.He'dthoughtthewomanrealizedwhenhedidn'tcallthathewasnolongerinterested.Itwashis
ownfault.He'dusedhertokeepAnnaatbayandshe'dmisunderstoodhiscontinuingattention.He
shouldhavehadalongtalkwithher,butAnna'ssituationhadclaimedallhisfaculties.

HeescortedAnnabacktothecar,hiswholedemeanorquietandpreoccupied.

"Ithinkwe'llwaitandgettheringsinthemorning,ifyoudon'tmind,"hetoldherwhenhepulled

upinfrontofherhouse."Ihavesomethingstotakecareof."

"It'sallrightwithme,"Annareplied."Theday'sbeenratherspoiledanyway."

Hecutofftheengineandturnedtowardher.Hewincedatherbleakexpression."I'msorry,"hesaid
huskily.

"Youcan'thelpitthatwomenfallalloverthemselvestryingtogettoyou."Shelaughedbitterly.

"Afterall,I'moneofthem,aren'tI?"

"No,"hesaidflatly."You'renotoneinacrowd.I'veaskedyoutomarryme,Anna,nottospenda

fewfeverishhoursinbedwithme!"

"Idorealizewhatagreathonoryou'redoingme."Shelookedathimwithsomething

approximatingpanic."Whatkindoflifewillwehave,fallingalloveryourdiscardedloversevery
timewegoouttoeat?Evan,Idon'twantthis,"shesaidwildly."Ican'tmarryyou...!"

Hishandshotoutandcaughtherarm,draggingheroveragainsthimsothatherheadfellback
againsthisshoulder.

"No,youdon't,"hesaidhuskily."You'renotbackingout."

"Yes,I-!"

Hestoppedthefranticwordswithhismouth.Shefoughthim,butonlyforafewseconds.Theheatand
masteryofhismouthslowlybegantoweakenherstruggles.Shecouldn'tresisthim.Herlipsparted
andherarmswentupandaroundhisneck,asshegavehimbackthelong,slowkiss.Herpulsesbegan
tothrobwiththesweetnessofbeinginhisarms.

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"Youaren'tplayingfair,"shewhispered,shaken,whenhefinallyliftedhishead.

"I'mnotplaying,period,"hereplied,hisdarkeyespiercing,steadyonhers."Ninaknewthescore

fromtheverybeginning.Imadenopromises,ever."

"Youusedher,"shewhisperedmiserably.

Hisfacetautened."Yes,"headmittedcurtly."Idid.Atthetime,IthoughtIwasprotectingyou.Iused
hershamefully.Shehadeveryrighttobeupsetaboutthat,butshecan'tpretendthatshedidn'tknow
whatIwasdoing.Shewaswilling."

Herlowerliptrembled."Yousleptwithher!"sheaccusedhuskily.

"Yearsago,ifyouhavetoknow,"herepliedflatly."Notsince.Certainlynotsinceshe'sbeenback

intown.Itoldyoubefore,Ican'tevengetarousedbyotherwomen,leastofallNina!"

Herbreastsroseandfellinaslow,heavysigh.Shelethercheekrestagainsthim.Shestaredpasthim
outthewindow.Itwasmistingrainandcloudy.Likeherlife,shethought.

"Whydoyouwanttomarryme,Evan?"sheaskedfinally.

Heliftedhishead,scowling."What?"

"Whydoyouwanttomarryme?"sherepeated."Isitpity,orguilt,ordesire,oralittleofallthree?"

"MyGod,youstilldon'ttrustme,doyou?"heasked.Hesoundedalmostdefeated."Ican'tblame

you,butifyouhavesolittlefaithinmymotives,whyareyouwillingtogothroughwithit?"

Shelookedupathim."BecauseIloveyou,"shesaidsimply.

Hetouchedherloosened,disheveledhair."Youaren'tsureofme,"hereplied."Ifyoulovedme,
wouldn'tyoube?"

Hereyesgrewsad."Notreally.It'shardtobesureofsomeonewhenyoudon'tknowhowtheyfeel."

Helethiseyesfalltohermouth."HowdoyouthinkIfeel?"hehedged.

"Idon'tknow.You'vebeenverydifferentsincetheaccident,"shereplied."Before,youmadeitclear

howyoufeltaboutme,thatyouwantedmeoutofyourlife.ThenIgothurtandallatonce,youwere
willingtomarryme."

"Youmakemesoundfickle,Anna,"hesaid,buthecouldn'tdenythetruthofwhatshewas

insinuating.

"Notfickle.Justuncertain.Youcan'tblamemeforfeelingthesameway.You'veneverreallytoldme
whatyoufelt."

Andhecouldn't.Notjustyet.Hestillhadtoomanymisgivings,toomanyfears.

Hetouchedhermouthlightlywithhisforefinger."Willwordsconvinceyou?"heaskedquietly.
"Somehow,Idon'tthinkso.You'vegotitfixedinyourmindthatI'monlysorryforyou.NothingIsay
isgoingtochangethat.You'rejustgoingtohavetowaitandsee."

Fearflickeredunderhereyelashes."You'dbetied

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tome,don'tyousee?"sheaskedgently."You'dhateit!"

Hismouthcoveredhers.Heliftedherintoawarmer,closerembrace,hislipsdrivingeveryworryout
ofhermind.Hishandslidinsideherblouse,underthebra,withblatantmastery.Shefelthisfingers
againsthersoft,bareflesh.Shestiffenedandgaspedatthesurgeofpleasureitgaveher.

Histeethcaughtatherlowerlip,gentlyteasingit."We'regoingtohavethemostunusualwedding
nightinhistory,"hesaidwithblackhumor."Itwillprobablybethefirsttimethatthegroomhas
jitters."

Shedrewbackalittle."Areyouafraidtomakelovetome?"sheaskedhesitantly.

"Isn'titobvious?"heaskeddarkly."MyGod,I'vefoughtthis.Andintheend,Icouldn'tgiveyouup,

notevenforyourowngood."

"Evan,it'snotgoingtobethatbad,"shesaid,tryingtoreassurehim.Helooked...shecouldn'tquite

decidehowhelooked."Icanseethedoctorbeforewe'remarried.Ifhethinksthere'sgoingtobeany,
well,anydifficulty,hecantakecareofitforme."

Hisjawtautened."Yourvirginityisn'twhatconcernsme."

"Thenwhat?"

Hedrewinaroughbreathandlookeddownatthebulgeofhishandunderherblouse.Absentlyhis
fingerscaressedher,lovingthesoftnessofherskin."Anna,Icouldhurtyousobadly,"hesaid
huskily."Itmightbringbackterriblememoriesofthenight

youwereattacked.Andquitefrankly,pastacertainpoint,amancan'tstop."

Shereachedupandnibbledathismouth."Thenyou'llhavetomakemecrazyfirst,won'tyou?"she
whispered."Likeyoudid...yesterdaywhenyouopenedyourshirtandheldmeagainstyou...Evan!"

Hismouthbitintohers.Shearchedcloser,herfingerspressinghisintrudinghandtoherbreast.Fora
fewseconds,heactuallyseemedblindanddeaf,hismouthdevouringandsweet.

Hegroanedandpulledheracrosshislap,turninghersothatherbellypressedagainsthishardness.
Hegroundherintohim,feelinghertremble.

"Yes,"shewhisperedintohismouth.Shemoveddeliberately,lovingthefeelofhim,theraging
arousalthatsheseemedtokindleinhimsoeffortlessly.

Hishandtangledpainfullyinherhairashistonguedroveintothesoftnessofhermouth.Hisfree
hand,atthebaseofherspine,rockedherrhythmicallyagainsthim,sendingripplesofpureecstasy
throughhisrigidbody.

Hefelthersofttremblingwithwonder,felthersubmission.Hisfingerswenttoherblouseandbegan
tounfastenit.ThankGodtheyardwasdesertedandPolly'scarwasgone.Theyweretotallyalone.

Heliftedhisheadlongenoughtogettheblouseoutofhiswayandunclaspherbra.

"Yes,"shemurmured.Shesatup,impatientlyhelpinghimridheroftheunwantedfabric.Butthen

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herhandswenttohisownshirtandunfastenedthepearlysnaps.

"Anna..."hebegan,fightingforcontrol.

"Iwanttofeelyouagainstme,"shewhisperedhungrily.Shelinkedherarmsaroundhisneckand

brushedthetipsofherbreastsagainsthishair-roughenedchest.

"Anna!"hegroanedharshly.

Shesawhisfacecontortandrecognizedtherigidmaskofpleasure.

"Isthishowtodoit?"shewhispered,movinghertorsoevenharderagainsthis."Teachme,Evan.

Showmehowtomakelove."

"My...God,youdon't...needlessons!"hemanaged.

"Here,"shesaid,tuggingathisheadasshearchedbackagainsthisarm,hereyeshalf-closed.

"Do...whatyoudidtomeyesterday.Doithard!"

Hewasoutofhismind.Hebarelyrealizeditashismouthsettledhelplesslyononeduskyhard-

tippedbreast.Hesuckledatit,feelingherbodyripplewithpleasureashefedonhersoftness.His
fingerscuppedher,caressedherwhilehediscoveredthehardtipwithhistongue,hislips.Andshelay
thereandlethim,vibratingwithpleasure,hersoftsighslostintheroughgroansthatburstfromhis
mouth.

"Evan,itfeelssogood,"shemoanedfeverishly.Herhandstangledinhisthickhair,holdinghimto

herhungrybody"Itfeelssogood,sogood!"

"Youtasteofrosepetals."Heliftedhisheadand

lookedather,atthesoftfleshwithitsdeepflushthathismouthhadcaused.Hetookaslowbreathand
lethishandslowlycaressher."Iwantyou."

"Iwantyou,too."Herbackarchedgently,hereyesglazedwithdesire."Can'twe...gosomewhere

andbealone?"

Hisjawtautened."Risky,"hemanaged.

"Idon'tcare.Iwantyoutolookatme,"shesaiddizzily."Iwanttolookatyou!"

Hewantedtoscream.Hehadtothink.Hehadtoprotecther.Shearchedherbackagainandrubbedher
breastsslowlyagainsthim.

"Allright,"hesaidshakily.

Hemadehersitup,helpingherintotheblouseagain.Hestartedthecarwithoutaword.Hedidn'tdare
lookatherorhe'dwreckit.

Hedrovequietly,andquickly,totheTremaynelake.Itwasdesertedduringtheweek,andnooneever
wentthere.Hestoppedthecar,turnedofftheignition,andgotout.

Annaliftedherarmsashebenttocarryherdowntothegrassybankofthelake.

"Thisisinsane,"hewhisperedashelaidherdowninthegrassandwentdownbesideher."We'llgo

toofar."

"It'sallright,"shesaidsoftly.Shepulledoffherblouseandlethimlookather,totallywithout

inhibitions.Hewasgoingtomarryher."Shelovedhim.Nowshehadtoconvincehimthatshewasn't
frightenedofhim.

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Evancouldhardlybreatheforthepoundingofhisheartashestaredathersoft,swollenbreasts.

"You'reavirgin,"hegroaned.

"WouldyouratherIletRandallseemelikethis?"shewhispered.

Hiseyesflashed."No.Iwouldnot."Hestrippedoffhisshirtandhisbeltbeforehelaidherbackonthe
grassandspreadhisbroad,darkchestoverherbreasts.Heheldhereyesashebegantomovehis
torsosensuallyoverhers,lettinghishair-roughenedmusclesdragarousinglyoverthehardtipsof
herbreasts.

Hernailsdugintohispowerfulupperarmsasthemotionkindledasudden,shockingdesire.She
gaspedjerkily.

"Andthisisonlythebeginning,Anna,"hesaidroughly."Itgetsworse.Muchworse."

Hebenttohermouth.He'dneverkissedherlikethis,insuchadeliberatelyarousingway.Heteased
andtormentedhersoftmouthuntilshewasopenlybeggingforhis,drivenhalfmadbythesensual
movementsofhisbodyagainstherbarebreasts.

Shewasalmostintearsbythetimehefinallyrelented,andhistonguepenetratedhermouthinone
deep,smoothmotion.Shewassoarousedthatsheactuallycriedoutandwentrigid,pulsatingwith
feverishneedasthekissshethoughtwouldsatisfyheronlyarousedadeeperhunger.

HerlegsmovedagainstEvan'shelplessly.Hefeltheranguishedneedandhisbigbodyleveredover

hers.Heeasedherlegsapartandslidslowlybetweenthem.

Heliftedhisdarkhead.Hiseyeswereblackwitharousal,hisswollenlipspartedonjerkybreaths.He
restedhisweightonhisforearmsandheldherdazed,hungryeyeswhilehedeliberatelypusheddown.

Shefelthiminanintimacythatshe'dneversharedwithanyonebefore.Hereyesdilatedandherlips
partedonagaspasshefeltthefullforceofhisdesire.

Hewatchedher,certainthatitwasgoingtobejustasithadbeenwithLouisa.Shewasgoingtorun...

Evenashethoughtit,herlonglegsbegantotangleshylywithhis.Herhipslifted,verygently.He
stiffenedandshuddered,eventhoughhiseyesneverlefthers.

Shediditagain,herfaceradiantasshe'watchedhishelplessreaction.

"Thisisvery,verydangerous,"hebitoff."Ifyouarousemeenough,Iwon'tbeabletostop."

"Idon'tmind."

Hisbighandcaughtherthighandstilledherunderhim."Youdon'tunderstand.Icouldmakeyou
pregnant."

Shesmiledgently."Youdon'tunderstand,"shereplied."Iwantababywithyou."

Heactuallyshuddered.Foronemadinstant,helookedintohereyesandgaveintoher.Hishand
movedfromherthightothebaseofherspineandhepushedherlegsfurtherapartashesettledcom-

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pletelybetweentheminablatanturgencythatmadehermoansharply.

"Thisiswhatyou'reinviting,"hesaidroughly,andpushed,hard."ItwillhurtlikehellifI'mthis

arousedwhenithappens!"

Thatwaswhenshefirstbegantomakesenseofallthewarnings,allthemisgivings.Sherelaxed

underhisweightandhereyesheldhisfierceblackones.

"Oh,"shewhispered.

Hewastrembling."Seenthelight,haveyou?"hechoked."IhopetoGodyouhaven'tseenittoolate.
Liestill!"hebitoff,anchoringherwithamercilesshand.Helookedather,shiveringwithreactionas
hefoughttocontrolhimself.

Shewatchedhim,shakenbyhisvulnerability,byherownabilitytoaffecthim.Sexhadbeenavaguely
frighteningmystery,butnowitwasawonderoussurprise.Shehadaprettygoodideaofwhatit
entailedandexactlywhyEvanwassoafraidofhisuncontrolledstrength.

Hewasbreathingunsteadily,hiseyesclosed,hisforeheadrestingagainsthers.

Shesmoothedthedarkhairathisnapegentlyandrelaxedcompletely,absorbinghisformidable
weight.Hewascalming.Therigidityofhismuscularbodywasslowlygivingway.

"Sothat'swhatit'slike,"shemurmured,awed.

Hertonedraggedastrainedlaughfromhisthroat."Didn'tyouknow?"

"Notreally,"sheconfessed.Hereyesclosed."Puzzles,"shesaid.

Hecaughthisbreathatthewordpicturesheevoked."Yes,"hemanaged."Exceptthatthisparticular
onecanbedifficulttofittogether,unlessit'sputintoplacewithexquisitetenderness."

Herarmslinkedaroundhisneck.Hischestwasdampandcoolagainsthersastheheatbegantodie
outofthem.

"AmItooheavy?"heasked.

"Oh,no.Ilikethewayitfeels."

Henuzzledhisfaceagainsthers."Howaboutaswim,whilewe'rehere?"

"Idon'thaveabathingsuit,"shesaidabsently.

Heliftedhishead."NeitherdoI.We'rebeingmarriedintwodays,Anna.Iwantyoutoknowitall
beforeIputmyringonyourfinger."

Thethoughtofseeinghimwithouthisclothesdisturbedher,butshesensedthatforhimthiswasan
obstaclethatfrightenedhim.Ashesaid,theyweregoingtobemarried.Manyengagedcouplesdid
muchmoretogetherthanjustswimwithouttheirclothes.

"Allright,"shesaidsoftly.

Evancaughthisbreath."Areyousure?"

"Yes."Shetouchedhismouthwithherfingertips."Iloveyou."

Soshesaid.Buthewantedproof.Ifshecouldlookathimwithoutfear,onehurdlewouldbeoutofthe
way.Louisa'sfacestillhauntedhim.

"Sobeit,"hesaidquietly.

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Hegottohisfeetandhelpedherup,noticinghershyreluctancetoundressinfrontofhim.He

smiledgently."I'llwalkdownthepathabit.Yellwhenyou'reinthewater."

Shesighed.'Thankyou,Evan."

"You'llgetusedtoit,"hereplied.Hebrushedakissacrosshermouthandmovedaway.

Shewasinthewaterwhenhecameback,andshekepthereyesavertedwhilehetookoffhisown

clothes.Secondslatertherewasasplashashelandedclosebesideher.

"Notsodifficult,wasit?"heaskedwithagrinasshetrodwaterbesidehim.

"Iguessthefirsttimeisthehardest,"shemused.

"Andthemostnecessary.Comeon,chicken.I'llraceyou."

Shelaughed,catchingupwithhim.Theyplayedlazily.Thefeelofthewateragainstherskinwas

exquisite.Sheclosedhereyesandfloated,gloryinginthesenseoffreedomshefelt.

Evanwatchedherwithhungryeyes,hisheartpoundingashegotfascinatingglimpsesofher

creamybodyunderthewater.Whenshearchedherbackandbegantofloat,hertautnipplesbreaking
thesurfaceofthelake,hewastotallylost.

"Oh,God,"hegroanedsoftly.

Hereachedforher,pullingherbodytotallyagainsthisashebenttoherlips.

Shelethimkissher,feelingforthefirsttimethetouchofhisbodywithnofabrictoconcealits

powerandstrength.Shehesitated,andheliftedhishead.

"Afraidofmelikethis?"hewhispered.

"Notafraid,really,"sheconfessed.Herblueeyessearchedhisdarkones."I'veneverbeenwithout

myclothesinfrontofanyonesinceIgrewup-notevenmymother."

Heheldherwaistinhisbighandsandsearchedhereyes."Iwon'thurtyou.Trytorememberthat."

Ashespoke,heliftedandturnedher,carryinghertowardthebank.Shegaspedandburiedher
embarrassedfaceinhiscoolthroat.

Hismouthslidacrosshercheektoherlipsandhebegantokissherwithexquisitetenderness.Aftera
minute,sheforgothernudityandgaveintothedeliciouspleasureofskinagainstskin.

Shefeltthejoltofhisbodyashewalked,thenthecoolaironherbodyandthesoftnessofthegrass
onherbackashelaidherdown.

Hekneltoverher,waitingforhereyestoopen.

Shelookedathim,flushedandlookedaway.

Hestiffened."Don'tyouwanttoscreamandrun?"heaskedtersely."Shedid."

Thebitternessinhisvoiceknockedtheshynessrightoutofher.Sheforcedherembarrassedeyes
backtohispowerfulbody,remindingherselfthatintwomoredayshewasgoingtobeherhusband.
Shehadtogrowup,veryfast.

Herlipspartedasshelookedathim,andherheartbegantorace.She'dneverseenacenterfold,but
shewascertainthathewouldhavemadeaperfectone.

Herraptstaredrainedsomeoftheapprehension

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fromhim.Hereyeswereshyandfranklyfascinated,butnotafraid.

Hewasdoingsomelookingofhisown.Awoman'sbodywasnomysterytohim,butAnna'swas

enoughtomakeahardenedwomanizercrazy.Hersoftcurveswereperfect,allofher,fromthethrust
ofherbreaststothesweepingcurveofherhipsandherlong,elegantlegs.

Thesightofherarousedhim,andhedidn'tturnawayortrytohidetheeffectshehadonhim.Shehad
tofacethataswell.

Herbreathcameunsteadilythroughherlips."Oh,my,"shewhispered.

Heliftedaneyebrow,waitingtoseeifshewasbluffing.

Afteraminute,hergazeliftedfromhisbodytohiseyes."YouthoughtI'dbeafraidifIsawyoulike
this,"shesaidsuddenly.

"Yes."

Shesmiledshyly."I'msorrytodisappointyou,"shesaid,watchingthewayhiseyesfollowed

hungrilythesensuouslinesofherbody."Whydon'tyoucomedownhereandkissme?"

Hecouldbarelybreathe,muchlessspeak."BecauseifIdo,Iwon'tbeabletostop."

"We'regoingtobemarrieddayaftertomorrow."

"Yes,"heagreed."Andwe'regoingtohaveaweddingnight.Aconventionalone,withallthe

trimmings."

Hemanagedtodraghimselftohisfeet.Hefished

acoupleoftowelsoutofthetrunkofhiscarandtossedonetoasubduedAnna.

"Spoilsport,"shemanagedwithashylaugh.

Withamutteredcurseofpurefrustratedanguish,hepulledonhisclothesandlitacigarettewhileshe
wasstillfumblingwithhooksandsnaps.

Shewatchedhimquietlywhenshehadfinished.Hewasrememberingthepast,sheknew.She'dalways
thoughtofhimasagentlegiant.TheideaofEvanhurtinganythingoranyonedeliberatelyhadnever
occurredtoher.

"Youcan'tbeafraidofpeopleyoulove,"shesaidgently.

Hegrimaced,glancingather."Can'tyou?Shewas."

Shewentclosetohim."There'ssomethingyoudon'tknowyet,Evan."

"What?"heaskedhuskily,rememberingtheincrediblebeautyofherbodyashelookeddownat

her.

"IfLouisahadlovedyou-reallylovedyou-shecouldn'thavebeenafraidofyouinbed."

Heflushed."Shelovedme,"hesaiddoggedly.

"Didshe?"Sheturnedandpickedupthetowels,foldingthemneatly.Hewaspreoccupiedallthe

waybacktothecar.

Heputherinthefrontseatandgotinbesideher.Therewasaterribletruthinwhatshe'dsaid.He
hatedtheimplicationsofit,thathe'dwastedyearsofhislife,yearsofhappinesshemighthavehad
withAnna,broodingoveraloveaffairthatmusthave

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beennothingmorethanabriefinfatuationforLouisa.Hisgreatloveaffairhadendedintragedy,only
becausehecouldn'trecognizewhatAnnaseemedtoknowinstinctively-thatLouisahadneverloved
himinthefirstplace.Itwasahardpilltoswallow.

ChapterEleven

TheyweremarriedonFridayafternoon,withEvan'sentirefamilyinattendance.Itwasabriefbut
beautifulceremony,andAnnacouldhardlybelieveshewasactuallymarryingEvan,evenafterhehad
slidthediamond-studdedgoldbandthatmatchedhersolitaireontoherfingerandkissedhertenderly.

Butdespitethattenderness,hewasworried.DuringthesmallreceptionattheTremaynehome,hewas
preoccupied.Annaaloneknewwhy.Hewasdreadinghisweddingnight,sohauntedbythepastthathe
wascertainhewasgoingtosendherscreamingfromhim.Sheknewbetter,butshehadtoconvince
Evanthathisgreatstrengthwasn'tdangerousinintimacy.

"Itwasabeautifulwedding,darling,"PollytoldherdaughterjustbeforeAnnaandEvanlefton

theirbriefhoneymoontoNewOrleans."Ihopeyou'llbehappy."

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"Iwillbe,"Annareplied.Shekissedandhuggedhermother,thenglancedtowardherfather,who

wastalkingtoEvanandHarden."HowaboutyouandDad?"

Pollygrinned."HehastoflybacktoAtlantatonight."

"Oh."Anna'sfacefell.

"I'mflyingbackwithhim,"Pollycontinued,laughingatAnna'sshockedface."He'sgoingtoask

foratransfertoHoustonsothathecanbehomenightswhenhe'snotscheduledonflights.We're
goingtobeafamilyagain,Anna.AndwhenDukeretires-whichhe'splanningtodonextyear-Imay
getoutoftherealestatebusinessandtravelaroundthecountrywithhim."

"It'salmosttoogoodtobetrue,"Annasighed,smilingthroughtears."I'msohappy!"

"SoamI,"Pollyreplied.ShedriedAnna'stears."Goandhaveanicehoneymoon.Whenyou're

back,withbothfeetontheground,we'lltalk.Takecareofyourself."

"You,too."

Minuteslater,AnnawassittingbesideEvanashedrovethemtotheairport.

"Happy?"heaskedgently,glancingather.

"Very.Areyou?"

"Askmeinthemorning,"hesaidwitharoughlaugh.

"Oh,Evan,"shesighed."AmIgoingtohavetogetyoudrunkandseduceyou?"

Hedidn'tlaugh.Hisfacehardened."Thatwasn'tfunny."

"I'mnotafraidofyou,"shesaidgently.

"Ihopenot.Becausetonight,you'llgettoproveit."

Shegaveuptryingtoreassurehimandstaredoutthewindow.Herweddingdayhadfallenflat,and
thehoneymoonhadbarelystarted.

NewOrleanswasbrassyandcolorful,andonceAnnahadrestedforafewminutes,sheandasubdued
EvanwentouttoexploretheFrenchQuarterandBourbonStreet.Itwaslateafternoonwhentheygot
backtothehotel,andEvanherdedherrightintotherestaurantforsupperbeforetheywentuptotheir
room.Duringthemealshetriedtomakeconversation,buthewasheavyweather.Andifshethought
thingscouldn'tbeworse,shewasmistaken.

Whentheygotuptotheirroom,sheturnedtokisshim,butheactuallybackedaway.

"No,"hesaidshortly,hisdarkeyesantagonistic."Notnow."

"We'remarried,Evan,"shesaidgently."It'sallright."

"Thehellitis."HegrabbeduphisStetsonandwenttowardthedoor."I'vegotabusinessmeeting.

I'llbelate,sodon'twaitup."

"Abusinessmeeting?Onourhoneymoon!"shewailed.

Hewouldn'tlookather.He'dlethisanxietybuilduntilhewasterrifiedtotouchher.Hecouldn'tadmit

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that.Thenextbestthingwastoinventanexcusetogetawayfromheruntilhecouldgetagripon
himself.

"Sorry,"hereplied."Itcouldn'tbehelped.I'llbebackwhenIcan.Goodnight."

Heclosedthedoor.Annasatdownonthebedwithathudandgapedafterhim.Shewonderedhowshe
wasgoingtosurvivemarriagewithamanwhowasafraidtotouchher.DamnLouisa!

Shefinallyslept,butnotuntiltheweehoursofthemorning.Whenshedriftedoff,Evanstillhadn't

cometobed,andshe'dcrieduntilhereyeswerered.

Meanwhile,Evanwassittinginabar,drinkingwhiskey,tryingtoconvincehimselfthathewasn't

KingKong.Annalovedhim.Shewasn'tLouisa.Butshewasinnocent,andheknewalltoowellhow
delicateaninnocentwoman'sbodywas.Hewashelplesswhenhestartedkissingher.Ifhelost
control,heknewhewasgoingtohurther.Helovedheruntilhethoughthisheartwouldbreak.He
tookanotherswallow,andanother,broodingoverallthetimeshisstrengthhadintimidatedmenand
womenalike.Beforeheknewit,thebarwasempty.Hepaidforhisdrinksandwentslowlyuptotheir
room,wonderingwhetherAnnawasasleepyet.

Thenextmorning,shewoke,vaguelyawarethatshewasn'taloneinthebed.Sherolledoverand

foundEvan.

Withafaintsigh,sheproppeduponherelbowandlookedathim.Asleep,heseemedyoungerand
muchlessdangerous.Poor,tormentedman.She

couldn'treallyblamehimforthosementalscars.Aman'segowashismostvulnerablespot,afterall.

Buttheyreallycouldn'tgoonlikethis.

Itseemedunderhandedsomehowtotakeadvantageofamaninhissleep,butAnnaknew

instinctivelythatEvan'sirrationalfearofhurtingherwasgoingtomakeanyothercourseofaction
impossible.

Shetuggedoffhernightgownandsmiledasshelookeddownonhissleepingface.Withanyluckat
allshecouldmakehimbelievehewasonlydreaming.Ofcourse,she'dhavetodoitjusttheright
way....

Dawnwasonlybeginningintheeasternsky,sothattherewasbarelyanylightintheroom.Carefully

shepulledthesheetdownandthrewitoffthebed,herbreathcatchingatthesightofEvan'sbody.He
wasalreadyaroused,andhebegantomoverestlessly,asifjustthebrushofthesheethadexcitedhim.

Sheeaseddown,hermouthslowlytouchinghisbroadchest,teasinghisnipples.Theywerealready
hard,andshefelthisbreathingchangeasshenibbledatthem.Herhandsslidoverthebroadexpanse
ofhishair-roughenedchestanddownhisflankstohishardthighs.Asherhandsmoved,sodidher
mouth.Shekissedhimtenderly,nippedathimwithherteeth,untilshereachedhisnavelandthe
suddenripplingofmusclesjustbeneathit.

Hisbackarchedsensuouslyandhemoaned.Sheturnedherface,sothatherlonghairbrushedacross
hishipsandthighs,andhewhisperedhername.

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Shenippedathiswaistwithherteethwhileherfingersslowly,torturouslymadetheirwayuphis

powerfullegstohisflatstomach.

Secondslater,shefeltherselfliftedandturned,felthismouthcatchandhalfswallowherbreast,his

tongueroughonthehardnippleashebegantosuckleher.

Sheshiveredwithdelight,holdinghisheadtoherbody.Hishandsweresmoothingoverher,

learningher.Oneslidbetweenherthighsandcoaxedherlegsapart.

Hetouchedhertheninawayheneverhadbefore,andshegaspedattheunexpectedsurgeof

pleasuretheexquisitelyslowmovementsofhisfingersaroused.Allthewhile,hismouthwaswarm
onhertautbreast,drawingthenippleintothemoistdarknesswithdevastatingexpertise.

Hereyesclosedassheletthepleasurewashoverher.Herbodytwistedsinuouslyunderhishands

andmouth,softmoanswhisperingoutofherthroatwhiletheminutesgrewhotterandmorefeverish.

Hismouthgentlycoveredherswhilehisfingerstrespassedinanewandfrighteningway.There

wasabriefflashofpainandshemoaned,buthismouthgentledher,movinglovinglyfromherlipsto
herclosedeyelidswhilehishandbegantorouseheralloveragain.Thepainwasquicklyforgottenas
herhipsbegantolifttowardthosetormentingfingers.

Shefelthisbreathonherlips,justbeforehewhisperedhername.Hereyesopenedslowly,half-

dazed,andmethis.

Holdingthem,hemovedslowlybetweenherlegs,leveringdowncarefully."No,don'tlookaway,"he
saidshakily.

Sheswallowed,becauseshecouldfeelhimnowinanintimacyunlikeanythingthey'devershared.

Hewasmuchmorepotentthansheremembered,powerfulandalittleintimidating.

"Holdon,"hemurmured."Digyournailsintome,ifithelps."

Shegaspedashishipsarcheddownintohers,verycarefully.Hepushed,softly,andshetensed

despiteherresolve.

"Shh,"hewhispered,hiseyestender."Youknewitwouldbedifficult.Butyoucantakeme.Tryto

relax.Trytoletyourbodyabsorbmine.Thinkofastonefallingintowater,"hesaidsoftlyashe
moved."Absorbme,littleone.Takeme...insideyou."

Theimagerywasarousing.Shedrewhereyesdowntotheirbodiesandcaughtherbreathatwhatshe
saw.

"No,don'tlookthere,"hesaidgently,convincedevennowthatshewasgoingtopanic."Lookat

me,Anna."

Sheliftedhereyesbackuptohis,buttherewasnofearinthem.Shearchedherback,herbreath

catching,hereyesmistynowwithdesire."Iwatched,"shesaidunsteadily."Evan,Isaw...!"

Shepushedharder,absorbinghim.Therewasaburningsensation,astabbingpain.Shecriedout,

butshepushedharder.Andthenitwaseasy.Slow.Soft.

Herbreathingbegantoquickenandshemanaged

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asmileasshesoughthiseyes."Oh...yes!"shemoaned,shakingassheexperiencedthefullpowerof

hismasculinity.

Heletoutaraggedbreath."Yes."Hebenttoherlipsashisbodybegantheslow,familiarrhythm.He
nibbledhermouthashismusclestautened,ashishipsliftedandfellwithexquisitetenderness.

Herfingersslidtothebaseofhisspineandlingered,strokinghim.Heshuddered.Shelikedthat,so

shediditagain.

"Stop,"hegroundout."You'llmakemelosecontrol."

"Iwantyouto,"shewhisperedwithatinysmile,archinghermouthuptohis."Letgo,"shebreathed

athislips."Letgo,Evan.It'sallright,darling,youwon'thurtme.It'sallright.Letgo,Evan...letgo...!"

"Anna!"Hernamewasatormentedgroanashegaveintohercoaxingandsuddenlydrove

feverishlyforfulfillment.Helosthisfearofhurtingherandeveryvestigeofcontrol,intheviolent
needtoexperienceecstasy,tosatisfythethrobbing,savageacheinhisloins.

Eventhroughherownbuildingpleasure,Annawatchedhimachieveit.Asshefeltthecrushofhis
armsandtheweightofhim,shesawhistorsolift,hisbackarchtautly,hisfacecontortasifwiththe
mostincrediblekindofagony.Hethrewbackhisheadandcriedout,shudderingagainstherso
violentlythatshethoughthemightactuallyloseconsciousness.

Whenhestiffenedandfellheavilyagainsther,shewasstillshiveringwithherownunsatisfiedneed.
Sheclutchedathisbroadshoulders,bitinghimhelplesslyasshemovedunderhisweight.Whenhe
startedtolifthiships,shecaughtthemwithhernailsandheldhimthere.

"No,please...!"shesobbed.

"Almost,butnotquite,isthatit,sweetheart?"hewhisperedhuskily."Givemeyourmouth,little

one,andholdontight.I'llsatisfyyoucompletely,now."

Sheturnedherfaceupandhekissedhergently,histonguesuddenlystabbingintohermouthashis
hipsroseandfellslowly.

Ittookonlyseconds.Shesobbedherpleasureunderhismouth,sorackedbyecstasythatshecould
onlyclingtohimwhiletherhythmwrungeverylastsilverybitofstrengthoutofher.

Hekissedthetearsaway,butshestillwouldn'tletgoofhim.

"Allright,"hewhispered,smilingthroughhisexhaustionashesettledbackoverher,hisforearms

catchinghisweight.Hekissedhergently,softkissesthatcalmedandsoothedandcomforted.Allthat
worry,hethoughtruefully,andfornothing!Hehadn'tkilledherafterall,evenif,forafewdelicious
seconds,shehadsoundedasthoughsheweredying.

"Don'tgoaway,"shewhispered."Holdme."

Hekissedherverygently."ItwasforyourownsakethatIwasmovingaway,notformine.Ithought
youmightbeuncomfortable.Itwasdifficultforyou."

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Herarmscontracted."Iloveyou,"shewhispered."Itwasheaven."

"Forme,too."Hesighedsoftlyandrestedhischeekagainsthers,hiseyesclosedashesavoredher

softnessunderhim."Areyouallright?Itdidn'thurttoomuch?"

"No."Shenibbledathisearlobe."Nowwillyoustoprunningfromme?"

"DoIhaveachoice?"Helookeddownathertenderly."Youtookmewithoutfear,"hesaid,his

voicecoloringwithprideandpleasure.

"Yes."Sheblushedalittleanddroppedhereyestohismouth.

"Noneofthat."Hetiltedherfaceupandsearchedhershyeyes."Ididn'tholdback.Icouldn't.We

neverdiscussedprecautions..."

Herfacebrightened."Icouldbepregnant."

Thewayshesaiditmadehisheartlift."Yes."Hesmoothedbackherlong,softblondhair."You're
veryyoung."

"Notthatyoung."Sheliftedherselftohismouthandbegantokisshim,slowly,seductively.

"It'stoosoon,"hesaidhuskily."Youneedtimetogetoverwhatwejustdid."

Shedid,butshehatedthethoughtofgivinguptheclosenesstheyweresharing.Hereyestoldhimso.

"Comehere."Hewrappedherupagainsthimandpulledthesheetoverthem,pausingtobrusha

kissacrosshernosebeforehisarmcontractedaroundher,bringingherevencloser."We'llsleepabit
longer."

"Andthen?"shewhispered.

Hesmiled."Andthen."

Sheclosedherowneyes,slidingintoadeepanddreamlesssleep.Whensheawoke,thesmellofbeig-
nets-littlesquaresugar-dusteddoughnuts-andjamandfreshcoffeefilledtheroom.

"Hungry?"Evanasked.Hewaswearinghisslacksandnothingelse,andhelookedyoungerand
lightheartedandtotallyloving.Thatcouldhavebeenatrickofthelight,ofcourse,shetoldherself.
Butshecoulddream.

"I'mstarved,"sheconfessed,sittingup.

Hepulledthesheetawayandlookedather,hiseyesdarkeningwithpossession."My,God,youareso
beautiful,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepanduneven.

"Flatterer,"shewhisperedsoftly.

Hesatdownbesideher,hiseyessearchingherswhilehishandsstrokedslowlydownherbody.She
caughtherbreathandstiffenedwithpleasureandhebenttokissthehardenedtipsofherbreasts.

Butwhenshetriedtotraphismouthagainsther,heshookhisheadandpulledaway."It'stoosoonfor
you,"hesaid,hiseyesfulloftenderwisdom."We'vegottherestofourlivestoloveeachotherin
bed."

"Itfeltlikethat,"shesaidsoftly."Like...loving,Imean."

"Shouldn'tit?"heasked,hiseyesholdinghers."Whentwopeopleloveeachotherasmuchaswedo?"

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Herheartstoppedbeating."You...don't,"shewhispered.

"ThenwhydidImarryyou,littleone?"heaskedquietly."IfsexwasallIwanted,anywomanwould

havedone."

Shethoughtshemightfaint.

"IwastryingtospareyouwhatLouisasufferedatmyhands."Hesmiledbitterly."Sheneverloved

me,Anna.AndIneverknewit.Untilyoutoldme."

Herbreathwastrappedsomewhereinherthroat.

Hetouchedherfacewithabig,gentlehand."IwassacrificingmyhappinessforwhatIthoughtwas

yours.AfterwhatLouisahadsaidtome,Iwasterrifiedofhurtingyoulikethat.Andyouwereso
young...ButwhenRandalltoldmeyouweremarryinghim,IthoughtI'dgomad,"hechoked."That
wasbadenough.Butyouweremugged,andIdidn'tevenknowituntilhourslater.Youcouldhave
died,andIwouldn'thavebeenthere,withyou.Yourlastmemoryofmewouldhavebeenoftheway
I'dhurtyou,"hesaidroughly.

Tearsstunghereyes.Whathefeltwasnakedinhisface,inhisvoice.Whyhadn'tsheseenit,known

it?"You...loveme!"sheexclaimed,awed.

"Love.Adore.Worship."Heframedherfaceinhishandsandkissedherwithachingtenderness.

"Oh,God,you'retheverybreathinmybody!"

Heboreherdownonthemattress,hismouthardentandfaintlyroughwithpassion,hishands

insistentonherbodyashekissedher.Shegaveunstint-ingly,lovinghimsodeeplythatithurt.

"Iloveyou,"hewhisperedfinally,hismouthagainstherthroat."I'lldielovingyou."

Sheheldhim,hereyesclosed,herheartoverflowing."Iloveyou,too,Evan,"shesaiddrowsily.
"Endlessly."

Hebentagaintohermouth,thelookinhiseyesbeforehekissedhersoadoringthatshemeltedunder
him.Thekisswentonandonandon,intolevelsthey'dnevertouchedbefore.

Finallyhemanagedtodraghimselfaway."You'dbettereatsomething,"hemurmured,hisvoice
faintlyunsteady."Ihavetobuildupyourstrengthforthenextfewdays,afteryou'vehadtimeto
recuperate."

Shelaughedandlookedupathim."Thatgoesdoubleforyou,"shemurmureddemurely."You'renot
theonlyonewithexpectations."

Heburstoutlaughing.Aminutelaterhepickedherupinhisbigarmsandcarriedhertothebreakfast
table.Forthefirsttimehegloriedinhisstrength,inhertrustingsubmissiontoit.Alltheghostswere
laidtorest,now.Helookeddownather,sosoftinhisarms,andfeltasifhehadeverything.Hesat
downatthetablewithAnnacuddledinhislap.Notcontentwiththat,hespoon-fedhereverysingle
bite.

Fromthatmomenton,theywereinseparable,andeverydaybroughtanewandardentmemory.
Anna'snightmaresfaded,andherpainfulexperiencewiththemuggerbecamenothingmorethana
baddream.Weekslater,abig,brutalmanwasfoundinabackalleydeadofadrugoverdose.Hewas
asuspectin

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severalviolentrobberiesinHouston,thepapersaid,andatleastonerape.Aviolentendforaviolent
man,buthisdeathgaveAnnapeace.

PollyandDukesettleddowntoahappylifetogether,whileAnnaandEvanmovedintoanewly

remodeledhouseontheTremayneranch,aweddingpresentfromEvan'sbrothers.Itincludedastudio
forAnna,andshewentbacktoherpaintingwithavengeance.Butinadditiontoherlandscapesshe
didoneportrait-ofhernewhusband.

"DoIreallylooklikethat?"heaskeddrylyasheclaspedherlooselybythewaistandlookedover

hershoulderattheveryflatteringpainting.

"Tome,youdo,"shesaid,hereyesfulloflove.

Hesmiledbeforehebenttokissher.Theoldspecterofhissizeandstrengthweregoneforever.

SecureinthewarmthofAnna'slove,hecouldn'thaveaskedforanothersinglething,asentimentshe
echoedwithherwholeheart.

TableofContents

ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven