FromNewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorBrendaJackson—Thefirstof
anewtrilogystarringthreeWestmorelandswhoareimpossibletoresist:
Zane,CanyonandStern.

NowomanwalksawayfromZaneWestmoreland.ButwhenChanningHastingsdoesjustthat,itleavesthe
rancherreeling—andthenshereturnstotownengaged!Zanewilldowhateverittakestoshowherthat
thereisnomanforherbuthim.

PraiseforNewYorkTimesandUSATODAYbestsellingauthorBrenda

Jackson

“BrendaJacksonwritesromancethatsizzlesandcharactersyoufallinlovewith.”

—NewYorkTimesandUSATODAYbestsellingauthorLoriFoster

“Jackson’strademarkabilitytoweavemultiplecharactersandsidestoriestogethermakesshockingtruths

allthemoreexciting.”

—PublishersWeekly

“ThereisnogettingawayfromthesexappealandcharmofJackson’sWestmorelandfamily.”

—RTBookReviewsonFeelingtheHeat

“Jackson’scharactersarewonderful,strong,colorfulandhotenoughtoburnthepages.”

—RTBookReviewsonWestmoreland’sWay

“Thekindofsizzling,heart-tuggingstoryBrendaJacksonisfamousfor.”

—RTBookReviewsonSpencer’sForbiddenPassion

“Thisisentertainmentatitsbest.”

—RTBookReviewsonStarofHisHeart

DearReader,

IlovewritingabouttheWestmorelandsbecausetheyexemplifywhatastrongfamilyisallabout,mainly
thesharingofloveandsupport.Forthatreason,whenIwasgiventhechancetopresenttheminatrilogy,I
wasexcitedandreadytodiveintothelivesofZane,CanyonandSternWestmoreland.

ItishardtobelievethatZaneismytwenty-fourthWestmorelandnovel.Itseemedlikeitwasonly
yesterdaywhenIintroducedyoutoDelaneyandherfivebrothers.IknewbythetimeIwroteThorn’s
storythatIjusthadtotellyouabouttheircousinsthatwerespreadoutoverMontana,Texas,California
andColorado.

IthasbeenanadventureandIenjoyedsharingitwithyou.I’vegottenyouremailsandsnailmailsletting
meknowhowmuchyouadorethoseWestmorelandmen,andIappreciatehearingfromyou.Each
Westmoreland—maleorfemale—isuniqueandthewayloveconquerstheirheartsisheartwarming,
breathtakingandtotallysatisfying.

Inthisstory,Zane,whoisconsideredanexpertwhenitcomestowomen,discoversthatwhenitcomesto
hisownlovelife,heneedstorethinksomeofhisphilosophiesifhewantstocapturetheheartofthe
womanwhohascapturedhis.

IhopeyouenjoythisstoryaboutZaneandChanningHasting.

Happyreading!

BrendaJackson

SelectedBooksbyBrendaJackson

HarlequinDesire

*AWifeforaWestmoreland#2077
*TheProposal#2089
*FeelingtheHeat#2149
*TexasWild#2185
*OneWinter’sNight#2197
*Zane#2239

SilhouetteDesire

*Delaney’sDesertSheikh#1473
*ALittleDare#1533
*Thorn’sChallenge#1552
*StoneColdSurrender#1601
*RidingtheStorm#1625
*Jared’sCounterfeitFiancée#1654
*TheChaseIsOn#1690
*TheDurangoAffair#1727
*Ian’sUltimateGamble#1745
*Seduction,WestmorelandStyle#1778
*Spencer’sForbiddenPassion#1838
*TamingClintWestmoreland#1850
*Cole’sRed-HotPursuit#1874
*Quade’sBabies#1911
*Tall,Dark…Westmoreland!#1928
*Westmoreland’sWay#1975
*HotWestmorelandNights#2000
*WhataWestmorelandWants#2035

HarlequinKimaniArabesque

†WhisperedPromises
†EternallyYours
†OneSpecialMoment
†FireandDesire
†SecretLove
†TrueLove
†Surrender

†SensualConfessions
†Inseparable
†CourtingJustice

HarlequinKimaniRomance

**SolidSoul#1
**NightHeat#9
**BeyondTemptation#25
**RiskyPleasures#37
**IrresistibleForces#89
**IntimateSeduction#145
**HiddenPleasures#189
**ASteeleforChristmas#253
**PrivateArrangements#269

*TheWestmorelands
†MadarisFamilySaga
**SteeleFamilytitles

Othertitlesbythisauthorareavailableinebookformat.

BRENDAJACKSON

isadie“heart”romanticwhomarriedherchildhoodsweetheartandstillproudlywearsthe“going
steady”ringhegaveherwhenshewasfifteen.Becauseshebelievesinthepoweroflove,Brenda’s
storiesalwayshavehappyendings.Inherreal-lifelovestory,Brendaandherhusbandofmorethanforty
yearsliveinJacksonville,Florida,andhavetwosons.

ANewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorofmorethanseventy-fiveromancetitles,Brendaisarecentretiree
whonowdivideshertimebetweenfamily,writingandtravelingwithGerald.YoumaywriteBrendaat
P.O.Box28267,Jacksonville,Florida32226,byemailat

[e-mail]

orvisitherwebsite

at

www.brendajackson.net

.

Tomyhusband,theloveofmylifeandmybestfriend,GeraldJackson,Sr.

ToeveryonewhoenjoysreadingabouttheWestmorelandfamily,thisoneisforyou!

Happyisthemanthatfindethwisdom,andthemanthatgettethunderstanding.

—Proverbs3:13

Contents

ChapterOne

ChapterTwo

ChapterThree

ChapterFour

ChapterFive

ChapterSix

ChapterSeven

ChapterEight

ChapterNine

ChapterTen

ChapterEleven

ChapterTwelve

ChapterThirteen

ChapterFourteen

Excerpt

One

“W

hatdoyoumeanChanning’sbackinDenver?”ZaneWestmorelanddroppeddowninthechair

acrossfromhissister,adarkfrowncoveringhisface.

HefixedhisgazeonBailey,waitingonherresponse.BaileyknewthatanymentionofChanning

Hastingswouldmakehimmad,butitseemedshewasintentonignoringhimwhileshecontinuedtoeat
herbowloficecream.Anyoneelsewouldhavejumpedattheangerthatwasapparentinhisvoicebutnot
thisparticularsister.Shedidn’tdoanythinguntilshewasgoodandready.Whilehewaited,evenmore
irritationbubbledupinsideofhim.

Afterwhatseemedlikeanenormousperiodofsilence,Baileyfinallyangledherhead.“Imeantjust

whatIsaid.IsawChanningtodaywhenIhadlunchatthehospitalwithMegan.Iunderstandshearrived
intownlastweek.Shelooksgoodbytheway.”

Zanewasn’tsurprised.Asfarashewasconcerned,therewasneveratimewhenChanninghadn’t

lookedgood…evenafterasweatyworkoutsessionatthegym.

Suddenly,unbridledfuryworkeditswayalonghisstomachlining.Whyshouldhecarehowanex-

girlfriendlooked?Moreimportantly,whydidthethoughtofherbeingbackintowntriggersuchdeep-
seatedangerwithinhim?

Zanecouldanswerthatquestionwithoutmuchthought.Ithadn’tbeentheirbreakupthatstillpissedhim

offbutratherhowtheyhadbrokenup.Usuallyhewastheonewhodecidedwhenoneofhisrelationships
ended,butChanninghadsurprisedthehelloutofhimandendeditherself.

“IsChanning’sfiancéwithher?”Hecouldhavebittenoffhistongueforasking.
“No,she’sonlyhereforsixweeks,hostingamedicalsymposiumatthehospital.”Baileydidn’tsay

anythingforaminuteandthen,“Thatmangotundermyskin.”

Zaneliftedabrow.“Whatman?”
“Channing’sfiancé.HewascheckingoutthewomenatMegan’sweddingreception,evenwith

Channingstandingrightbesidehim.Hehadalotofnerve.”

Zanehadnoticedtheman’srovingeyes,aswell.Hereallyshouldn’tcare.IfChanningwasinclinedto

putupwiththatkindoffoolishness,thatwasherbusiness.Itshouldn’tconcernhim.Butitdid.

Heglancedoutthewindowwhilehismindwanderedbackintime.HehaddatedChanninglongerthan

he’ddatedanyotherwoman—ninemonthsexactly.Thingshadbeenalmostperfectbetweenthem.But
thenshe’dstartedhintingthatshewantedmorefromtheirrelationship.Thatwaswhenhe’dreiteratedthat
hewasnotthemarryingkindandneverintendedtobe.

Sheneverbroughtuptheissueagain,andZanehadassumedthingswerebacktonormal.Butlessthana

monthlater,outoftheclearbluesky,shetoldhimthatshehadacceptedajobatahospitalinAtlantaand
wouldbemovingaway.

Thathadannoyedthehelloutofhim.Shewastryingtoforcehishand,andhewouldn’tallowany

womantodothat.Sohe’dcalledherbluff,refusingtoofferaproposal.Butthenshe’dmovedtoAtlanta
asplanned.Thatwasalmosttwoyearsago,andhehadn’tseenorheardfromheruntilshe’dshownupat
hissister’sweddinglastmonthanengagedwoman.

Engaged.

Theverythoughtmadehimangry.She’dhadthenervetobringherfiancétotheweddingknowingfull

wellZanewouldbethere.AndlikeBaileyhadsaid,themanhadcheckedoutotherwomenevenwith
Channingbyhisside.Thatshewassodesperatetohavearingonherfingerthatshewouldsettleforsuch
aman—therealizationmadeZanemadder.

“Thisissimplydelicious.”
Bailey’swordsintrudedonhisthoughts.Heglancedoverathissister,andhisfrowndeepened.Hehad

comehometofindhersittingathiskitchentablelikeshelivedthere.Inhiscurrentmood,herpresence
aggravatedhim.“Andwhatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?”

Shesmiled.“Whatdoesitlooklike?I’meatingicecream.”
“Myicecream,”hemuttered.“Howdidyougetinhere,anyway?Ichangedthelocksonmydoor.”
Baileyleanedbackinherchairandchuckled.“Inoticed.DidyouforgetthatIknowhowtopickalock,

Zane?Banetaughtmeagesago.Andasfarastheicecream,youonlyboughtitbecauseyouknewI’deat
it.Youdon’tevenlikeicecream,andthisisoneofmyfavoriteflavors.”

“They’reallyourfavoriteflavors,”hesaid,forcinghimselfnottogrin.Thelastthingheneededwas

forhertothinkhewasgettingsoft.Andasfaraspickinglocks,hehadforgottenthattalenthadbeenjust
oneofthemanywayssheandtheircousinBaneusedtogetintotrouble.

Gettingupfromthetable,heheadedforthedoor.
“Hey,whereareyougoing?”Baileycalledafterhim.
“SinceIcan’tfindpeaceinmyownhome,I’mgoingtoridemyhorseaspell.I’llbegoneforanhour

orsoandhopefullythatwillgiveyoutimetofindsomeoneelsetovisit.”

Hethenwalkedoutthedoorandslammeditshutbehindhim.

***

“Channing,waitup!”

Channingstoppedandturnedaround.ShesmiledwhenshesawMeganClaibornewalkingbriskly

towardher.Meganhadbeenoneofthefirstdoctorsshe’dbecomegoodfriendswithwhileworkingatthe
hospitalfouryearsago,andtheirfriendshiphadremainedintact.Lastmonth,MeganmarriedRico
Claiborne,agorgeousBradleyCooperlook-alikewhoworkedasaprivateinvestigatorinPhilly.To
dividetheirtimebetweenPhiladelphiaandDenver,Meganworkedsixmonthsasadoctorof
anesthesiologyinDenverandtheothersixmonthsatahospitalinPhilly.

Meganlookeddifferent.“Marriageagreeswithyou,”ChanningsaidwhenMegancametoastopin

frontofher.

HercommentmadeaninfectioussmilesettleonMegan’slips.“Youthinkso?”
“Iknowso.There’saradiantglowaboutyou.Youseemhappy.Imeantrulyhappy,”Channingsaid.
Megan’ssmilewidened.“Iamhappy,andIhavetoconcurthatmarriagedoesagreewithme.Ricois

thebest.He’severythingIcouldeverwantinaman.”

“Thenyouhaveareasontosmileandlookradiant.”Channingwashappyforherfriendandshewanted

thatsamehappinessandradianceforherself.

LongmarriageswerecommoninChanning’sfamily.Herparentshadbeenmarriedformorethanthirty-

fiveyears,andhergrandparentswouldbecelebratingtheirsixtiethweddinganniversarynextyear.Her
auntsanduncleshadbeeninweddedblissformorethantwentyyears,andhercousinsandoldestbrother,
Juan,hadallbeenmarriedeightyearsormore.

WhenChanninghaddatedMegan’sbrotherZaneafewyearsback,shehadbelievedhewastheone.

Althoughhehadtoldhermorethanoncethatheneverintendedtomarry,she’dactuallythoughthe’d

changehismind.Overthecourseoftheirrelationship,althoughhe’dneverspokenanywordsoflove,his
actionshadconvincedherhehadfeelingsforher.He’dbeensoattentive,possessiveandprotective.She
wasthefirstwomanhe’dinvitedtohisfamily’sweeklydinnergatheringsandthefirstwomanhe’dgiven
akeytohisplace.So,quitenaturally,shehadassumedshemeantmoretohimthanallthewomenhe’d
datedinthepast.

Butastimewentby,itbecameobviousthathehadnointentionofmakingtheirrelationshipmorethan

theaffairthatitwas.Then,onedayafterthey’ddatedexclusivelyforalmostninemonths—she’dcome
outandaskedhimhowhesawtheirrelationshipevolving.He’dtoldhernothinghadchanged.Henever
intendedtomarry.He’dsaidthatalthoughhecaredforher,hedidn’tloveher—andneverwould.

She’dappreciatedhishonesty,buthiswordshadhurt.Toprotectherheartfromfurtherdamage,she’d

decidedtomoveon.Shewantedmore.

Aweeklater,she’dacceptedthepositionasaneurologistatEmoryHospitalinAtlanta.Shedidn’ttell

ZaneaboutherplansuntiltheweekbeforeshewasreadytoleaveDenver.SheknewZanewasstillangry
withheraboutthewayshe’dendedthings,butitwasn’tasifshe’dlefttownwithouttellinghim.

“Iwantedtoaskyoutocometomyfamily’sFridaynightchow-down,”Megansaid,intrudinginto

Channing’sthoughts.

Channingwinced.“YouknowIcan’tdothat.”
“Whynot?ThingsbetweenyouandZanedidn’tworkout,andyoumovedon.AsfarasI’mconcerned,

itwasmybrother’sloss.”

“ButIdon’twanttomakethingsuncomfortable,Megan.IsawthewayZanewasstaringmedownat

yourwedding.Hedidn’tlikethewayIendedthingsbetweenus.”

“ForgetZane.”Meganbristled.“Didhehonestlyexpectthingstocontinuebetweenthetwoofyou

withouthimevermakingaseriouscommitment?”

Channingshrugged,eventhoughsheknewZanehadexpectedthat.Theyhadbeendatingexclusively,

andtohimthatwasenough.“Iguesshedid,”Channingsaidsoftly,rememberinghowhardithadbeento
leavehim,tomoveforwardandnotlookback.

“Well,itservedhimrighttofindouthewaswrong.”Megantookamomentandseemedtochooseher

nextwordscarefully.“Channing,youweremyfriendlongbeforeyoubecameinvolvedwithZane.You
movedaway,andnowyou’rebackforashorttime.There’snothingwrongwithmeinvitingyoutodine
withmyfamily.”

Channingcouldseeplentywrongwithit.“Thanks,butIthinkit’sbestifIdon’tacceptyourinvitation.

I’llbeinDenverforatleastthreeweeks,sixweeksifIdecidetodoasecondsymposium.Considering
howZanefeelsaboutme,heandIshouldkeepourdistance.”

Megandidn’tpush…atleastnotrightnow.Channingknewherfriendwouldn’tletitdrop.“You’re

welcometocome.Ifyouchangeyourmind,letmeknow.”

Channingnodded,butshewouldn’tbechanginghermind.

***

BythetimeZanehadreturnedhome,Baileywasgone.Heheadedupthestairstoshower,refusingto
admithemissedhissisteralready.Shewasknownforherdrop-invisitsnotonlytohimbutalsotoher
otherbrothers,sistersandcousins.

Presently,therewerefifteenDenverWestmorelands.Hisparentshadhadeightchildren:fiveboys—

Ramsey,Zane,Derringerandthetwins,AidenandAdrian—andthreegirls—Megan,GemmaandBailey.
UncleAdamandAuntClarissehadhadsevensons:Dillon,Micah,Jason,Riley,Canyon,Sternand

Brisbane.Overthepastfewyears,nearlyeveryonehadgottenmarried.Meganhadmarriedlastmonth,
andRileywouldmarryinSeptember.Theonlyholdoutswerehim,thetwins,Bailey,Canyon,Sternand
Bane.

Hisparentsanduncleandaunthaddiedinaplanecrashnearlytwentyyearsago,leavingZane’s

brotherRamseyandhiscousinDilloninchargeofthefamily.Ithadn’tbeeneasy,especiallysinceseveral
oftheirsiblingsandcousinshadbeenundertheageofsixteen.Together,DillonandRamseyhadworked
hardandmadesacrificestokeeptheWestmorelandstogether.WhenthestateofColoradotriedforcing
Dillontoputtheyoungestfourinfosterhomes,hehadrefused.

Thedeathshadbeenthehardestonthoseyoungestfour—thetwins,AidenandAdrian,andBrisbane

andBailey.Everyonehadknownthattheiractsofrebellionweretheirwayofhandlingthegriefoflosing
theirparents.Now,thetwinshadfinishedcollegeandwereworkingintheirchosenprofessions:Aidenas
adoctorandAdrianasanengineer.BrisbanewasinthenavyandBailey…wasstillBailey.Considered
thebabyofthefamily,attwenty-sixsheworkedforSimplyIrresistible,amagazinefortoday’sup-and-
comingwomanthatwasownedbyRamsey’swife,Chloe.Butevenwithafull-timejob,Baileystill
managedtoremindeveryoneshecouldbeaforcetoreckonwithwhensheputhermindtoit.

WhenZanereachedhisbedroom,heglancedoutthewindowattheacresandacresoflandsurrounding

him.WestmorelandCountry.SinceDillonwastheoldest,hehadinheritedthemainhousealongwiththe
threehundredacresitsaton.Everyoneelse,uponreachingtheageoftwenty-five,receivedonehundred
acrestocalltheirown.ThankstoBailey’screativemind,eachoftheirspreadsweregivennames—
Ramsey’sWeb,Zane’sHideout,Derringer’sDungeon,Megan’sMeadows,Gemma’sGem,Jason’sPlace,
Stern’sStrongholdandCanyon’sBluff.Itwasbeautifullandthatencompassedmountains,valleys,lakes,
riversandstreams.

Zanelovedhishome,atwo-storystructurewithawraparoundporch.Hehadmorethanenoughspace

forhimselfandafamily—ifheeverchosetomarry.Butsincesettlingdownwithonewomanwasnotin
hisplans,hehadtheplacealltohimself.Somepeopledidbetterbythemselves,andhewasoneofthose
people.

Exceptwhenitcametobusiness.He,hisbrotherDerringerandhiscousinJasonwerepartnersina

lucrativehorsebreedingandtrainingbusinessalongwithseveralofhisWestmorelandcousinswholived
inMontanaandTexas.Thepartnershipwasdoingextremelywellfinancially,withhorsebuyersextending
allthewaytotheMiddleEast.Eversinceoneoftheirhorses,PrinceCharming,hadplacedinthe
KentuckyDerbyafewyearsago,potentialclientshadbeencontinuallycomingoutofthewoodwork.

Hewashappywithhiswork.Zanelikedtheoutdoors.Theonlythinghelikedbetterwaswomen.He

didn’thaveaproblemwiththerevolvingdoortohisbedroom,andhedidn’tintendforanywomantoget
itinherheadthatshecouldbetheone.Therewasn’tawomanalivewhocouldmakehimthinkabout
settlingdown.

Aquickflashofpainacrosshisgutlethimknowhewasn’tbeingtruthfulaboutthat.Therehadbeen

onewoman.Dr.ChanningHastings.

Zane’ssisterMeganhadintroducedthem,andhehadbeenattractedtoChanningfromthefirsttimehe’d

seenher.Inadditiontoherbeauty,shehadalusciousscentthatdrewhimlikeabeetohoney.Shewasthe
verythingeroticfantasiesweremadeof.He’donlyintendedtodateherforacoupleofmonths.Then,the
nextthingheknew,hewasinanexclusiverelationship.

Zanereachedunderhisbedforthelockedboxhe’dplacedthere.Usingthekeyhekeptonhiskeyring,

heopenedtheboxandpulledoutthecalendarthatwasinside.Itwasapersonalizedphotocalendarthat
Channinghadmadeforhimasagiftonhisthirty-fifthbirthday.Haditbeenalmosttwoyearsago?

Heflippedthroughthecalendar,beginningwithJanuary.Bythetimehe’dgottentoDecember,hehad

workedupasweat.SeeingChanningdressedinsuchscantyattire—adifferentoutfitforeverymonth—
hadsentmemoriessoaringthroughhismind.InJanuary,sheworeafloor-lengthredgown,thesameone
she’dworntoacharitybenefithe’dtakenhertoatthehospitalandthesameonehe’dlovedtakingoffof
herlaterthatnight.ByDecember,shewaswearingnothingatallwhilestretchedacrossherbedinone
damnhotposition,herbodybarelycoveredbyawhitebedspreaddeckedwithcolorfulChristmas
ornaments.ShehadoneofthoseIwantyounowlooksonherface.Thephotographerhadbeenanother
femaledoctorwhosehobbywasphotography,andshehadcapturedChanninginsomeunbelievable
poses.ChanningHastingswasdefinitelyabeautifulwoman.

Shehadskinthecolorofrichmocha,abeautifulpairofhazeleyes,highcheekbones,aperkynose,full

lipsandaluxuriousmaneofgolden-brownhair.Theoneconstantineachphotowasthenecklacearound
herneck.Itwasthegoldonehehadgivenher.Thesameoneshehadreturnedwhenshe’dtoldhimshe
wasleavingDenver.

Reachingintothebox,hepulledoutthatsamenecklace,rememberingthedayhe’dboughtit.He’dbeen

inMontanaatajewelrystorewithhiscousinDurango,who’dwantedtobuyabirthdaygiftforhiswife,
Savannah.ZanehadseenthecrescentmoonandimmediatelyknownhewanteditforChanning.Atthe
time,hehadrefusedtoquestionwhy,he’djustknownthatseeingitaroundherneckwasimportanttohim.

AfterChanningleft,he’dflippedthroughthecalendarandpulledoutthenecklacetoomanytimes,

whichwaswhyhe’dgiventhelockedboxtoMeganforsafekeeping.He’dbeentiredoftorturinghimself.
AlthoughMeganwouldhavebeencuriousaboutwhatwasinside,he’dtrustedherenoughtoknowshe
wouldnotopenthebox.Hecouldn’tsaythesameforBailey,who,asshe’dremindedhimtoday,hada
fondnessforpickinglocks.Meganhadkepttheboxforalmostayear,buthe’dgottenitbackfromher
whenshe’dtakenthattriptoTexaswithRicolastyear.

MeganhadinvitedChanningtotheweddinglastmonth,eventhoughhe’daskedhernotto.However,

likeBailey,Meganhadamindofherownanddidn’tlikeherbrotherstellingherwhattodo.Andwhat
teedhimoffmorethantheweddinginvitationwasthathe’dbeenovertoMegan’splaceafewnightsago
towelcomethenewlywedsbacktoDenver,andshehadn’tmentionedanythingaboutChanningreturning
totown.Hewasconvincedtherewasnowayshehadn’tknown.

Zaneplacedthecalendarandnecklacebackinthebox,lockeditshutandsliditbackunderhisbed.He

thenstrippedoffhisclothestotakeashower.HisandChanning’spathsprobablywouldn’tcrosswhile
shewasintown.

But…maybetheyshould.
Itwastimehelookedatthesituationdifferently,moreobjectively.HehadgottenoverChanningmonths

ago,andshehadevidentlygottenoverhim.Shewasanengagedwoman.Hewashappywithhislife.She
washappywithhers.

Hesteppedintheshowerwithhismindmadeup.Hefeltratherpleasedwiththedecisionandalready

heconsidereditdone.HewouldseekoutChanningandpayheravisit.

Therewasnothingwrongwithwelcomingherbacktotown.

Two

C

hanningbenttolowertheprojectorscreenwhenapairofdarkleatherbootscameintoview.Theboots

werefollowedbyarich,masculinearomathatshewouldrecognizeanytime,anyplace.Herstomach
knottedassheslowlystraightened.

Hereyesmoveduppastapairofjeans-cladthighs,aleanwaist,afirmstomachandmuscled

shoulders.Hergazeunerringlylandedonapairofgorgeousdarkbrowneyes,creamychestnut-brown
skin,anaquilinenose,sharpcheekbones,fulllipsandastrongchin.

ZaneWestmorelandwasalmosttoohandsometobereal.She’dthoughtthatverythingthefirsttime

she’dseenhimthreeyearsago,righthereatthisveryhospital.Hehadcometorepairhissister’sflattire,
andMeganhadintroducedthem.Channing’slifehadn’tbeenthesamesince.

Shedrewinalongbreathandslowlyreleasedit.“Zane.”
“Channing.Iheardyouwereintown,soIthoughtIwouldcomebyandwelcomeyouback.”
Channingleanedagainstthepodiumshe’dstoodbehindearlier.Therewereanynumberofplausible

reasonsforZanetoshowupatthehospital’slecturehall,butforthelifeofher,shecouldn’tthinkofa
validone.Heclaimedhewantedtowelcomeherbacktotown,butjustlastmonth,whenshe’dseenhim
atMegan’swedding,hehadrefusedtosayasinglewordtoher.

“Thanks,Zane.”Shecouldmentionthatshewasonlyintownforthreetosixweeksbutdecidedit

wasn’tanyofhisbusiness.TwoyearsagoshehadleftDenvertomoveon,andshehad.

“So,you’restillengagedIsee,”hesaidwhenshemovedtothedesktoplaceastackofhandoutsinher

briefcase.

Shefoughtbackascowl.“IsthereanyreasonwhyIwouldn’tbe?”
“Iguessnot.”
“Andwhataboutyou?”Channingasked,crossingherarmsoverherchest.“Itakeityou’restilleluding

seriouscommitments?”

Shenoticedthemusclethatflickedinhisjaw.“Ifyou’reaskingifI’mstillsingle,withnothoughtsof

settlingdown,thentheanswerisyes.Thatwon’teverchange.”Andwithoutmissingabeat,heasked,
“DidMarkcomewithyou?”

Shefrowned.Whywasheallupinherbusiness?“Myfiancé’snameisMack,andno,he’sstillin

Atlanta.”

“He’sabanker,right?”
Channingclickedherbriefcaseclosed,wonderingwhyZanefeltitnecessarytogooverinformationhe

alreadyknew.AlthoughhehadavoidedbothherandMackatthewedding,MeganhadsaidZanehad
questionedherattheweddingreception.

“Yes,Mack’sabanker.”TherewasnoneedtotellhimtheHammondfamilyownedseveralbanksthat

werespreadacrossGeorgia,TennesseeandFlorida.

SheturnedtoZaneandtriedtoignorehowtotally,utterlymalehelooked.Shefeltadeepflutteringin

herstomachwhenhereyesconnectedtohis.Hehadsoftbedroomeyes,eyesthatcouldeducateawoman
astowhattruedesirewasallabout.She,ofallpeople,shouldknow.Yes,somethingsinherlifehad
changed,butitseemedthechargeshegotoutofseeingZaneWestmorelandhadn’t.Whywasherbody

betrayingherthisway?

“Well,that’sitfortheday.Itwasgoodseeingyouagain,Zane.”
“Samehere.IfiguredsoonerorlaterI’drunintoyouatoneofthoseWestmorelandfamilydinners.I

thoughtweshouldcleartheairnowsoneitherofuswouldfeeluncomfortable.”

Sothat’swhatthislittlevisitwasabout?Channingthought.“I’msorryyouwastedyourtimecoming

herejustforthat.IthankedMeganfortheinviteyesterdaybuttoldheritwouldbebestifIdidn’tattend
anyofyourfamilyfunctions.”

“Why?Areyousayingtheonlyreasonyougottoknowmyfamilywasbecauseofme?”
“No,ifyou’llrecall,IknewMeganandyoursisterslongbeforeImetyou.However,consideringour

history,Ithoughtdistancewasbest.”

Zanestaredather.“Idon’tunderstandwhyyouwouldthinkthatnowwhenyouhadnoproblem

attendingMegan’sweddingandbringing‘RovingEyes’withyou.”

Channing’sfrowndeepened.“Firstofall,Meganisagoodfriendofmine,andIsawnothingwrong

withbeingtheretoshareinherhappiness.And,forthesecondtime,myfiancé’snameisMack.”

Zaneleanedbackagainstatableandkepthisgazefixedonhers.“Didn’titbotheryouthatMackwas

checkingoutotherwomenwithyourightbyhisside?Anddon’tsayyouweren’tawareofit,because
you’retooastutenottohavebeen.”

Sheshrugged.“Allmencheckoutotherwomen.Bigdeal.Areyousayingyouneverlookedtwiceat

anotherwomanwhileweweretogether?”

Hesputteredoutaharshlaugh.“Hell,yes,that’sexactlywhatI’msaying.Imightbeanasswhenit

comestosomethings,Channing,butIwouldneverhavedisrespectedyouthatway.Whilewewere
together,Ineveroncelookedatanotherwoman.YouwereeverythingIneeded.”

Thenextwordswereoutofhermouthbeforeshecouldcallthemback.“Evidentlynot,Zane.HadI

beeneverythingyouneededthenIwouldn’tbeengagedtomarryanotherman.”

Shesawtheangerthatflaredinhiseyesandknewshe’dmadeadirecthit.Shemighthavebeen

everythingheneededinthebedroom,butshehadn’tbeeninallthewaysthatmattered.

“Goodbye,Zane.”Shewalkedaroundhimassheheadedforthedoor.

***

Afewdayslater,ZanestoodontheporchofhiscousinDillon’shome.ItwasFridaynightchow-down,
whenalltheWestmorelandsinDenvergottogether.Thewomencooked,andthemencamehungry.
AlthoughtheyalllivedinwhatwasconsideredWestmorelandCountry,theydidn’tgettoseeeachother
everyday.Thechow-downwasawaytobringeveryoneuptodateonwhatwashappeningwitheach
familymember.

Seldomwasanyoneoutsideoffamilyinvited,butZanehadn’tthoughttwiceaboutmakingChanninga

regularduringtheninemonthsthey’ddated.Hisfamilylikedher,andshe’dgottenalongwitheveryone—
especiallythewomenfolk.Afterawhile,they’dbeguntoconsiderheroneofthem.Thatwaswhenhis
troublesbegan.

Channinghadgottenideasaboutthemsharingafuture.Somewherealongtheway,she’dfiguredhehad

falleninloveandwasrethinkinghispositiononmarriage.She’dfoundoutthehardwaythatZane
Westmorelanddidn’tchangeeasily.

“You’vebeenprettyquietallevening.”
ZaneglancedoverhisshoulderashisbrotherRamseysteppedoutsidetojoinhim.Afterdinner,the

womenretiredtothefamilyroomtowatchachickflick,and,likeusualaftersuchadeliciousmeal,the

mengatheredinthegameroomfordrinksandpoker.ButZanehadn’tbeeninthemood.Hehadcomeout
togetabreathoffreshair.

“I’vehadaroughweekwiththehorses,”hesaid,knowingthatwasonlypartofthereasonforhis

mood.“SugarPlumhadtobetransportedtoCasey,VisaGirlgotlooseandranwildforafewhours,and
BornFreehadadifficultdelivery.”

RamseychuckledashecametostandbesideZane.“That’sall?”
“Isn’tthatenough?”
Ramseydidn’tsayanythingforaminuteandthen,“NotforZaneWestmoreland,whothriveson

challengesanddifficulties.Whydon’tyoutellmetherealreasonforyoursurlymood?”

Zanedidn’tsayanythingforalongmoment.“Channing’sbackintown.”
“SoIheard.”
Zaneflashedanaccusinggazeathisbrother.“Andyoudidn’ttellme,either?”
“Ionlyheardshewasbackthismorning.Chloementioneditoverbreakfast.Iunderstandshewas

invitedtodinnertonightbutdeclined.”

“Nobodytoldmeshewasback.Ishouldhavebeenprepared,”Zanemuttered.
Ramseyliftedabrow.“Prepared?Why?YousawherlastmonthatMegan’swedding.”
“Thatwasthen.Thisisnow.”
“Whatmakes‘now’different,Zane?”Ramseyasked.“Iassumedyou’dprettymuchmadeupyourmind

twoyearsagowhenyoulethergo.Yousaidyoudidn’twantChanninginyourlife.”

“That’snottrue,”Zanesnapped.
Ramseyliftedabrow,notanticipatingsuchastrongresponse.“Thenwhatistrue?”
Zanepausedandthensaid,“ShewantedmorethanIcouldgive.”
Ramseyfrowned.“Didshewantmorethanyoucouldgive,orwasitthatyourefusedtogiveher

more?”

Zaneheavedoutadeep,frustratedbreath.“Channingknewthescore,Ram.Loveisnotinmy

vocabulary.Sheknewthatandacceptedmyterms.Then,monthslater,shetriedchangingthegame,but
therewasnowayIwasgoingalongwithit.”

“So,inotherwords,youwantedherasyourloverbuthadnointentionofeverallowinghertobemore

thanthat.Youwouldhavebeensatisfiedtokeepacasualarrangementforanothertwo,three,possibly
fouryears?Forever?Damnit,Zane,howwouldyoufeelifRicowouldhavewantedthatkindof
relationshipwithMegan,orCallumwithGemma?YetyouhadnoproblemwantingonewithChanning.”

“Idon’tloveherlikeRicolovesMeganandCallumlovesGemma,”Zanesaid,narrowinghiseyes.

“AndIwasn’tgoingtolietoherandsayIdid.”

Ramseyshookhishead.“ThenIdon’tblameChanningforleaving.Youletherknowshewasnothing

morethananothernotchonyourbedpost.”

“Sheacceptedmytermslikeallmyotherlovers,”Zanesnapped.“Sheknewthescore.Wecouldn’t

havethekindoffutureshewantedbecauseIdidn’tloveher.”

“Ifyoureallydidn’thavefeelingsforher,youwouldn’thavemopedaroundformonthsaftersheleft,

andyouwouldn’tbealltiedupinknotsaboutherbeinginDenvernow,”Ramseymuttered.Heshookhis
headandadded,“Well,itdoesn’tmatternowsinceshe’sengaged.”

“Hedoesn’tdeserveher,”Zanesaidinavoicesparkedwithanger.
“Atleastthemaniswillingtogivehersomethingyouwouldn’t—tomakeherapermanentpartofhis

life.”

“Damnit,Ramsey.YousawhowhewaslookingatotherwomenatMegan’swedding.He’sgoingto

enduphurtingher.”

“Andyoudidn’t?”WhenZanedidn’trespond,Ramseydidn’tsayanythingelseforaminuteandthen

said,“Iwasn’tgoingtomentionthistoyoubecauseit’sreallynoneofmybusiness,but…”

Zaneraisedabrow.“What’snoneofyourbusiness?”
“IoverheardaconversationbetweenMeganandChloeyesterday.”
“Aboutwhat?”
“Channing’sfiancé.TaracalledfromAtlantaandtoldMeganshesawthemanlastweekand

rememberedhimfromtheweddingasChanning’sfiancé.Hewasoutonthetownwithwomeninintimate
settingsontwoseparateoccasions.”TarawasmarriedtotheircousinThornandtheylivedinAtlanta.

Zanesworethroughgrittedteeth.Inaway,hewasn’tsurprisedaboutwhatTarahadseen.Butwhatdid

surprisehimwasthefactthatChanningrefusedtoacceptthatherfiancéwasawomanizer.

“LikeIsaid,hedoesn’tdeserveher,”Zanesaid.“Imightnothavelovedher,butIwouldneverhave

betrayedherthewayhe’sdoing.”

Ramseynodded.“I’mgoingbackinside.Areyoucoming?”
Zaneshookhishead.“No,I’mcallingitanight.ThinkImightevensleepinlatetomorrow.Ihaven’t

donethatonaSaturdayinalongtime.”

“Allright.Butyou’llbejoiningusforSunday’sdinner,right?Susan’sgoingtobeupsetifshedoesn’t

seeheruncleZanethere,”Ramseysaid,smiling.

Zanethoughtabouthisniece,whowouldbeturningfoursoon.Thenieceheadored.“Iwon’t

disappointher.I’llbethere,”hesaid,movingdownthesteps.“Telltheothersgood-nightforme.”

***

“Hey,babe,areyoumissingme?AllyouhavetodoissaythewordandI’llflyoutthereandgiveyouall
theattentionyoudeserve.”

Channingrolledhereyes,bristlingatMackHammond’swords.“Cutitout,Mack.NeedIremindyou

whathappenedlastmonthatMegan’swedding?Youcouldn’tkeepyoureyesoffthewomen.Nowyou
haveeveryonethinkingI’mengagedtoawomanizingjerk.”

“Hey,youdidn’twarnmetherewouldbesomanybeautifulwomenthere.Itwasquiteobviousyourex-

boyfrienddidn’tlikethefactthatyoureturnedtotownanengagedwoman.”

Mackwasright.Zanehadn’tbeenhappyaboutit.Iftheirconversationatthehospitalwasanythingto

goon,hestillwasn’t.“Butdidyouhavetocheckthemoutsoobviously?Youdon’tbelieveintheword
subtle,doyou?”sheasked,tryingnottosmile.

ShehadmetMackwithinweeksofarrivinginAtlantatwoyearsago.Theyhaddatedafewtimes,but

whenhesawshewouldnotputupwithhisplayboyfoolishness,theyhadbecomegoodfriendsinstead.A
fewmonthsago,whenhe’dbeeninvitedtoacousin’swedding,he’daskedhertopretendtobehis
fiancéetokeephismatchmakingparentsandgrandparentsoffhisback.Then,whenChanninghad
receivedtheinvitationtoMegan’swedding,Mackhadreturnedthefavor.Thelastthingshe’dwantedwas
toreturntoDenveraloneandlookingpathetic.

TheonlypersonwhoknewthetruthaboutherfakeengagementwasMegan,whohadfoundtheentire

ployhilarious.She’dsaidtherewasnoreasonforChanningtoendthecharadesinceitreallywasn’tany
ofZane’sbusiness.

“So,haveyouseenZaneWestmorelandyet?”Mackasked.
Catchingherlowerlipbetweenherteeth,Channingeaseddownontothesofaandcurledupina

comfortableposition.“Yes,hestoppedbythelecturehallafewdaysago.HefiguredIwouldbedropping
byhisfamily’splacefordinnerwhileIwasintown,andhesaidweneededtocleartheairsothings

wouldn’tbeuncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortableforwhom?Youorhim?”
“Both,Iimagine.ButItoldhimhedidn’thavetoworryaboutthat.Ihavenointentionofattendingany

ofhisfamily’sgatherings.”

“Washerelievedtohearit?”
Channingshrugged.“Notsure,butitreallydoesn’tmatter.He’smovedonandsohaveI.I’mover

Zane.”

“Areyou?”
Channingfrowned.“Yes.Whywouldyoudoubtit?”
“I’llgiveyoumyanswerthenexttimeIseeyou.Haveyoudecidedwhenthatwillbe?”
“Notyet.Classenrollmenthereishigh.I’vebeenherealmostthreeweeksalreadyandDr.Rowewants

metoconsiderdoinganotherthree-weekclass.Ihaven’tdecidedonanythingyet.”

“Well,Iknowwhateverdecisionyoumakewillbetherightone,”hesaid.“Takecareandbegood.”
“Samebackatyou,Mack.”
ChanningclickedoffthephoneandtriedtoforcetheconversationwithZaneoutofhermind.Nothing

abouthimhadchanged.Hestillwantedtobefootlooseandfancy-free,andshestillwantedthewhole
shebang—love,marriageandfamily.

ShehadliedjustnowtoMackwhensheclaimedthatshewasoverZane.She’dhonestlybelievedshe

was,butallithadtakenwasseeinghimagaintobeprovedwrong.Justbeinginthesameroomwithhim
hadstirredmemoriesandemotionssheknewwerebetterkeptundisturbed.

ThemostshecouldhopeforwasthatherpathandZane’swouldn’tcrossagain.

***

MegancaughtholdofChloeWestmoreland’sarmandpulledherintothekitchen.“DoyouthinkRamsey
tookthebaityesterday?”

AsmiletouchedChloe’slips.“I’msurehedid.YouandIweretalkingloudenough.Andtonightwas

theperfecttimeforhimtotellZanejustwhatheoverheard.Infact,Ramseyjustcamebackinsidefrom
beingoutontheporchwithZane,andwhenIaskedwhereZanehadgoneoffto,RamseysaidZanewent
home,callingitanearlynightbecausehe’dhadabadweek.”

“Ibet,”Megansaid,chuckling.“EspeciallysincehefoundoutChanningisbackintown.”
“Ihopeyou’rerightabouthowZanefeelsabouther,”Chloesaidinalowvoice.“Whatabout

Channing?Willshebeupsetwhenshefindsoutwestuckournosesintoheraffairs?”

“Intheend,bothZaneandChanningwillgetwhattheytrulywant,whichiseachother.Zanemoped

aroundlikeasickpuppywhenChanningleftforAtlanta,buthewastoodarnstubborntorecognizehis
truefeelings.IfhelovesChanninglikeIbelievehedoes,thentheonethinghewon’tstandforissomeone
hurtingher.Zaneisveryprotectiveofthosehecaresabout.He’sgoingtocomeupwithaplantosaveher
fromMack.”

“Whatdoyouthinkhe’lldo?”Chloeasked.
Nowthatwasagoodquestion,Meganthought.Zanewasthebrotherwhowasusuallytoologicalfor

hisowngood.Thesameonewhomadeithisbusinesstoknoweverythingtherewastoknowabout
women.ThefamilyshouldhaveknowntheywouldbeintroublewhenZanedecidedtomajorin
psychologyincollege.“I’mnotsure.We’lljusthavetowaitandsee.”

Three

T

henextmorning,Zanesatontheedgeofthebed,holdingthelockedbox.Afterlookingatitforalong

moment,hesliditbackunderneath.Hehadbeentemptedtogothroughitscontentsonceagain.

Herubbedhishandoverhisface,feelingtired,althoughhehadgottenintobedwaybeforemidnight.

Buthehadn’tgottenmuchsleep,anduponawakeningthismorning,hehadlainthere,gazingupatthe
ceilingandthinkingaboutChanning.

Thethoughtofanymanbetrayinghertwistedhisgutwithanger.Nowomandeservedthat,whichwas

whyhewasalwaysupfrontwithanywomanhewasinvolvedwith.Channinghadn’tbeenanexception.
Hehadsetthesamegroundruleswithherashehadwithotherwomen,and,likehe’dtoldRamsey,she
hadacceptedhisterms.

Hetrulyhadn’tmeantfortheirinvolvementtolastaslongasithad,andmorethanoncehe’d

consideredbreakingitoffsoonerinsteadoflater.Buteachtimehefeltpressedtodoso—wheneverhe
wasgettingtoocomfortableandrelaxed—hewouldchangehismind.

HeenjoyedChanningbothinandoutofthebedroom.Shehadbeenfuntobewith.Unlikeothershe’d

dated,shewasn’tahardwomantoplease,whichsomehowmadehimwanttopleasehermore.She’d
gottennexttohiminawaynootherfemalehad:thewayasmilecouldteaseacrossherlips,herspecial
scentthatcoulddrivehimwildwithlustorjustplainspendingtimewithher.She’dhadawayofmaking
himsmilewhenhedidn’twanttobeamused,awayofbringinghimout.Shewassomeonehecouldtalk
toforhours.Onethinghemissedmorethananythingelsewastheirlate-nightphoneconversations.

Onthosenightswhenshe’dstayedlateatthehospital,hewouldcomehome,showerandwaitonher

call.Whenitcame,theywouldchatwellintothenight.Shewouldtellhimhowherdaywent,andhe
wouldtellherabouthis.Thentheywouldmoveintoanumberofothertopics.Ithadbeenaspecial
connection,onehe’dhatedlosing.

Andthentherewerethosehotandsexytextmessagesshewouldsendhimduringtheday.Theyhad

comeupwiththeirowncode,andshewouldtellhimwhattoexpectnexttimehesawher.Andshewould
deliver.

Nowshewasengagedtomarrysomeoneelse.
Heshouldwishherwell.Shewasjustonewoman,andhehaddatedotherssinceher.Buthewouldbe

thefirsttoadmitthathistimewiththoseotherwomenjusthadn’tbeenthesame.Hehadbeenenchanted
byChanningfromthebeginning.Shewasasoftheartedandpassionatewomanwhobrightenedupany
room.Shewasinaclassbyherself,anditbotheredthehelloutofhimthatsheplannedtomarryaman
whothoughtnothingofbetrayingher.

Hestoodandheadedtowardthekitchen.“Leaveitalone,Zane.It’snotyourproblem,”hemutteredto

himself.He’dtriedconvincinghimselfofthatverythingonhisdrivehomefromthefamilydinnerlast
night.ButasmuchashetoldhimselfhewantedtowashhishandsofChanningbecauseshedidn’tmatter,
heknewshedid.

Seeingheragainafewdaysagohadreignitedfeelingshehadtriedtodeny.Hehadmissedher,and

damnitall,hestillwantedher.He’dneverinvadedanotherman’sterritorywhenitcametoawoman,but
thiswasdifferent.Likehe’dtoldRamsey,thebastarddidn’tdeserveher.

Ifheknewwhereshewasstaying,hewouldpayheravisitandtrytotalksomesenseintoher.Buthe

didn’tknow,andhewouldnotaskMegan.Thatmeanthehadtoshowupatthehospitalagain—witha
plan.

***

ChanningstoppedwhenshesawZanestandinginthehospitalparkinglot,leaningonalightpolewithhis
legscrossedattheanklesandhisStetsonpositionedlowonhishead.Whatwashedoinghere?Washe
waitingforher?Why?

Therehadbeenatimewhenthesightofhimwouldhavehadherheartjumpinginherchest,andshe

wasfeelingannoyedwiththefactthatnothinghadchangedasfarasthatwasconcerned.Shehadbeen
goneforalmosttwoyears,andatMegan’swedding,he’dgoneoutofhiswaytoignoreher.Nowshewas
backintown,andinonlyaweek’stimehehadsoughtherouttwice.Andeachtimehe’ddoneso,shewas
remindedjusthowdeeplyshehadfalleninlovewithZane.

Shewasfindingitharderandhardertoputasideheremotionswhendealingwithhim.Noonehadever

warnedherthatfallinginlovewouldbesopainstakinglycomplicated.

“Zane.”
Hestraightenedtohisfullsix-foot-three-inchheight.“Channing.I’vebeenwaitingforyou.”
Shestaredupathim.“Obviously.”
“Weneedtotalk.”Hepushedhishatbackfromhisface,fullyuncoveringhiseyes.
Shewishedhehadn’tdonethat.Nowshewasstaringintotheeyesthathadhauntedheronsomany

nights.Theeyesthatwoulddarkenwhenevertheymadelove.Theeyeswiththeintensitytoturnheron
withoneheatedglanced.

Channingdrewinadeepbreathwhenshefeltatinglingsensationstirinherstomach.“Wehavenothing

totalkabout,Zane.”

Hisbrowscreasedinathoughtfulexpressionashestareddownather.Shecouldn’thelpbutwonder

whathewasthinking.IthadbeenrumoredthatwhenitcametowomenthatZanewasallknowing,and
she’dprettymuchdiscoveredthattobetrue.Hecouldtelleachandeverytimeshe’dwantedhimtomake
lovetoher,sayinghecouldreadherlikeabook.Shewonderedifhewastryingtoreadhernow.Lord,
shehopednot.Thelastthingsheneededwasforhimtoknowthatjuststandingherewithhimmadeher
nippleshardenagainstherbraandthreadedatinglingsensationthroughherbloodstream.

“Ithinkwedo,”hesaidinadeep,huskytonethatsethernervesonedge.
Bitternesstightenedherlips.“Why?”
“Iprefertotalkoverameal.”
Hergazelifted.“Ameal?”
Hecockedhisheadtotheside.“Yes,ameal.Youhaven’thaddinneryetandneitherhaveI.There’sno

reasonwhywecan’tshareonetogether.Ifnothingelse,I’dliketothinkwe’restillfriends.”

Friends?Boywashewrong.“Look,Zane,Idon’tknowwhatthisisallabout,butthelastthingyouand

Ineedtodoisrekindleanyfriendship.”

Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischest.“Why?AreyouworriedwhatgoodoldMackwillsayifhefinds

outyouhaddinnerwithme?Seemstomethatheprobablytrustsyoualotmorethanyoushouldtrust
him.”

Shenarrowedhergazeathim.“I’mnotgoingtobotheraskingwhatyoumeanbythat.”
“No,youwon’t,butmaybeyoushould.”
Channingstareddownathershoes.Shedesperatelyneededtobreakeyecontactwithhim.Zanewas

startingtowearonherlastnerve.Thinkingshehadherselftogether,shereturnedhergazetohis.“Why
areyousoconcernedaboutmyrelationshipwithMack,Zane?Youhadyourchance.”

Zanesighedanddroppedhishandstohissides.“Look,willitkillyoutohavedinnerwithme?”
“Totalk?”
“Yes,totalk.”
Channingstudiedhershoesagain.Whatharmcouldcomeofherhavingdinnerwithhim?Althoughhe

mightnotlikeMack,theonethingZanewouldnotdowastrespassonanotherman’sterritory.Heassumed
shewasanengagedwoman,sothatwouldkeephiminline.Besides,shewascuriousaboutwhathe
wantedtodiscuss.

“Fine,we’lltalk,”shesaid,lookingbackupathim.Hestillcarriedachiponhisshoulderbecauseof

howshe’dleft.Maybeitwastimetheyhashedthingsoutonceandforall.

“Wecangoinmycar,andI’llbringyoubackhere,”Zanesaid.
Therewasnowayshewouldsayyestobeingalonewithhiminacarforanylengthoftime.“No

thanks,Icandrivemyowncarandfollowyou.”

Helookedasifhewantedtoargue,butshefiguredherexpressionmadehimthinktwice.“Fine,we’re

goingtoMcKays,”hesaid.

Shewentstill.McKayswasawell-knownrestaurantintown,andshehadonceconsideredittheir

placesincetheydinedthereoften.

Sheliftedherchin.“I’llfollow.”

***

ThemomenttheywalkedintoMcKays,Zaneknewheshouldhavesuggestedanotherplace.Denver
wasn’tasmallcitybyanystretchoftheword,butthepeoplewhofrequentedMcKayswereregulars,and
theWestmorelandswerewell-knownintheseparts.

ThemajorityofthesepeoplehadknownZane,hissiblingsandhiscousinsalltheirlives.AndZane

figuredmostrememberedhimandChanningcomingheretogetherquiteafewtimes.Thatwasprobably
thereasonthetwoofthemdrewsomuchattentionasthewaitressledthemtoatableinthemiddleofthe
restaurant.

“Weneedsomethingalittlemoreprivate,Tasha,”hetoldtheirwaitresswhenhesawtheywouldbe

sittingacrossfromawomanwhowasstraininghernecktostareatthem.

“Noproblem,”Tashasaid,smilingassheledtheminanotherdirection.“Ihavetheperfecttablefor

youtwo.”

Channingglancedoverathimandsaidnothing,althougthheknewwhatshewasprobablythinking.

Tashahadbeentheirregularwaitresstwoyearsago.NodoubtTashasawsomegreatsignificancewith
themeatingtogetheragainaftersolong.AndtheengagementringonChanning’sfingerwasprobably
givingTashafurthermisconceptions.

HesmiledhisapprovalwhenTashaledthemintoaprivateroomintheback.Althoughitwaslarger

thanwhattheyneeded,itwasperfect.HewouldbeabletoholdaconversationwithChanningwithout
fearofbeingoverheard.However,hecouldtellfromthelookonChanning’sfacethatshedidn’t
particularlyliketheintimatesetting.

“I’mnotgoingtobite,youknow,”hesaid,pullingoutthechairforherafterTashahadleftthemalone.
Sittingdown,sheglancedoverhershoulderathim,andhesawafragmentofasmiletouchherlips.

“Promise?”

Insteadofmovingaway,heleaneddownandwhisperedclosetoherear,“Um,Idon’tknownow.You

dolookgoodenoughtoeat.”

AshiverpassedthroughChanningwhenZanemovedawaytotakehisseat.Eroticimagesfloodedher

brain,andsheachinglyrememberedatimeortwowhenhe’ddoneexactlythat—practicallymadeameal
outofher.

Sheplacedhernapkininherlapandnoticedhimstaringather.Itdidn’thelpmattersthathehadthe

mostarrestingeyes,andatthatmoment,theywerefilledwithintensity.Zanewasapowerfullysensuous
man,andtherewasnodoubtinhermindthatheknewit.Mendidn’tdrawwomentothemindrovesthe
wayhedidandnotknowabouttheirownmagnetism.

Tashareturnedandplacedwater,abottleoftheirusualchoiceinwineandmenusinfrontofthem,said

somethingaboutcomingbacklatertotaketheirorderandthenleftthemaloneagain.Zanecontinuedto
stareasheopenedthewinebottleandpouredthemaglass,and—unabletodoanythingelse—Channing
staredbackathim.Shecouldfeeltheheatofhisgazetouchingeverypartofher,evenpartshecouldn’t
see.

Rawemotionsshe’dforcedawayfortwoyearsslowlyreturned.Shefeltherskingrowwarmunderthe

goosebumpsformingonherarms.Thentherewasthesmellofhiscologne.Sherecognizedthefragrance.
ItwasoneshehadpurchasedforhimasaChristmasgift.Themasculinescentdrovesensuousshiversup
herspine.

Whatwashetryingtodotoher?Whatwashetryingtomakeherfeel?Shewasassailedwith

sensationssheonlyfeltwhilearoundhim:thatsinfullyseductiveconsciousnesswashingpassionthrough
her,intensedegreesoflongingpulsatingthroughherbody.

Drawinginadeepbreath,shebrokeeyecontactwithhimandpickeduphermenu.Whateverittook,

shemustnotforgetthathewasZane,themanshehadfalleninlovewith,thesamemanwhohadtoldher
thatheenjoyedsleepingwithherbutdidn’tloveher.Hecouldneverloveher,andshewantedamanwho
could.

Whensheglancedbackupathim,hewasstillstaring,whichpromptedhertoignoretheracingofher

pulselongenoughtoask,“HaveyouforgottenthatI’mengagedtosomeone?”

Shewatchedashetookaslowswallowofhiswineandthenlickedhislipsbeforeansweringher.
“No,Ihaven’tforgotten.AlthoughIwouldliketo,”hesaidinadeep,huskyvoice.“Iwasjustsitting

hererememberingallthegoodtimeswehadtogether.”

Ashudderworkeditswaythroughherbodyassherememberedthosegoodtimes,aswell.Withina

weekofbeingintroduced,theyhadsharedabed.Thatwasunusualforherbecauseshewasn’tthetypeto
becomeinvolvedinmeaninglessrelationships.Butshe’dbeenlikemostwomenwho’dfoundhim
addictive:Zane’smasculinecharmhadluredherin,conjuringupillusionsthathewasfallinginlovewith
herasmuchasshewaswithhim.Attheend,she’dfoundoutthehardwayjusthowwrongshe’dbeen.
Twoyearslaterandshecouldstillfeeltheaftershocksofabrokenheart.

“Theyweregoodtimes,weren’tthey?”heaskedsoftly,breakingintoherthoughts.
Shegazedintodark,mesmerizingeyes.Whethershewantedtoadmititornot,thosehadbeengood

times.Candlelitdinners.Sexsohotitburnedthesheets.Andaclosenessshe’dneverfeltwithanyother
man.“Yes,Zane,theyweregood,butthosetimesareoveranddonewith.”

There,heneededtoknowshe’dmovedon.Buthadshereally?Shewantedtothinkshehad,even

thoughshehadn’tbeeninvolvedinanotheraffair—seriousorotherwise—sincehim.Butthatwasbeside
thepoint.ThemainpointwasthatZanehadneverlovedherandneverwould.

ShewassavedfromanyfurtherconversationbetweenthemwhenTashareturnedtotaketheirdinner

order.

***

Zanetookhistimeeating;hewasinnohurrytobroachthesubjecthehadbroughtChanninghereto
discuss.Atthemoment,hewassatisfiedjustindulginginsmalltalk.He’dtoldherhowthefamilywas
gearingupforhiscousinRiley’sweddinginSeptemberandhowthehorsebreedingandtrainingbusiness
wasgoing.HetalkedaboutBaileyandhowannoyinghiskidsistercouldstillbeattimes,andhebrought
heruptodateonBaneandhowproudtheywerethathiscousinwasofficiallyanavySEAL.

Everysooftenhecouldn’thelpbutstareather.Shewassoincrediblybeautiful.Howcouldanyman

notappreciatethewomanshewas?Now,twoyearstoolate,hehimselfcouldadmithehadnot
appreciatedher.Hehadenjoyedher,admiredherandlustedafterher.Buthehadn’tappreciatedher.He
wouldhavebeenhappyfortheirrelationshiptoremainthesame—withoutconsideringherwantsand
needs.Withoutconsideringwhatshedeserved.

Shedeservedamanwhoappreciatedher.Hehadn’tdoneso,anditlookedasthoughherfiancéwasn’t,

either.

“IunderstandfromMegantheremightbesomemoreWestmorelandsouttheresomewhere,”Channing

said,breakingintohisthoughts.

Helookedather,andanotherdoseofdesiretightenedhisgroin.Herhairwaspulledbackandpinned

ontopofherheadinaknot.Afewtendrilshadescapedconfinementandbrushedagainsthercheek.She
waswearingaskirtandblouse;thecolorofbothbroughtoutthehazelofhereyes.Therehadalwaysbeen
apowerfulattractionbetweenthem.Hewouldhavethoughtithaderodedbynow.Ithadn’t.

Shehadtobeawareofhowchargedtheairwas.Shewastryingtodownplayit,buthefeltthattugeach

andeverytimetheirgazesmet.Toknowtheattractionwasstillstrongengulfedhiminonehellofa
deliciousfeeling.Shemightbeengagedtomarryanotherman,buttherewasnodoubtinhismindshewas
stilldrawntohim.Howwashesupposedtoconcentrateonhismealwiththatkindofknowledgenudging
uphistestosterone?

“Yes,”hesaid,takingasipofwine.“DuringMeganandRico’striptoTexas,theyfoundevidenceofa

childmygreat-grandfatherRaphelneverknewhehad.Thatchildwasgivenuptoawomanrightbefore
themotherdiedinatrainwreck.TherewaslittleforRicotogoonsincefewrecordswerekeptduring
thattime.We’retalkingaboutmorethanseventyyearsago.ButRicowasabletogetalistingofevery
passengeronthetrain—thosewhosurvivedandthosewhodidn’t.He’sstillweedingthroughallofthat
informationnow.I’mtolditwasanextensivepassengerlist.”

Channingnodded.“Allofyoumustbepleasedwithhowtheinvestigationisgoing,though.”
“Yes,weare.I’mconfidentRicowilleventuallyfindourrelatives.He’sgoodatwhathedoes,butit

willtaketime.Andthere’sstillanotherwomanwhowasassumedtobeRaphel’sfourthwife,Isabelle
Connors.Ricoisinvestigatinganycluesassociatedwithher,aswell.”

Astheycontinuedtheirmeal,hebroughtheruptodateonallthebabieswhohadbeenborntohis

cousins,theAtlantaWestmorelands.Shehadmetmostofthemwhenthey’dcometotownforhissister
Gemma’swedding.

“How’syourfolks?”heaskedher.
He’dnevermetherparentsoranyofherfamilymemberssincetheHastingslivedinNewHampshire,

butshewouldspeakofthemoftenandfondly.“They’refine.Mybrother’semployermovedhimtoSan
Diegolastyear,andhelovesitthere.”

Channingfinishedhermealandpausedbeforeasking,“Sowhatdidyouwanttotalktomeabout?”
Shefelttheintensityofhisgazeonceagain.
“It’saboutthemistakeyou’remaking.”

Sheliftedabrow.“Whatmistake?”
Zanetookanothersipofhiswine.Forsomereason,shewaswillingtoacceptMackHammondandall

hisflaws,butZanerefusedtoletherbethatgenerous.Heplacedhisglassdownonthetable.“Marryinga
manyoudon’tlove,”hesaidcalmly.

Fireflashedinhereyes.“AndwhatmakesyouthinkIdon’tloveMack?”
Asmiletouchedhislipsasheleanedincloser.“BecauseIknowyou,Channing.Ifyoulovedhim,you

wouldnotbesittingovertheregettingasarousedasIam.”

Four

C

hanninggaped.“Aroused?”

“Yes.”
Shefrowned.“I’mnotaroused.”Thesuddenrushofheatbetweenherlegsmadealiaroutofher,but

shewouldneveradmitit.

“Yes,youare,”Zanesaidwithcertainty.“Doyouwantmetoproveit?”
“No,becauseyoucan’t.”
“Youthinknot?”heasked,slidinghischairbackandstandingup.
Channingrecognizedthatlookinhiseyesanddrewinasharpbreath.“Whatiswrongwithyou,Zane?”

Sheheldupherringedfinger,slowlywavingitforhimtosee.“Doesn’tthismeananythingtoyou?”

“Notadamnthing.”
Hereachedbehindhimtolockthedoorbeforemovingaroundthetable.Shequicklystoodandbacked

up.“Idon’tknowwhat’sgottenintoyou,butIrefusetoputupwiththisfoolishness.I’mleaving.”

Whenshemovedtowardthedoor,hegrabbedherhand.Themomenthetouchedher,shefroze,thena

floodofdesirerampagedthroughherbloodstream,makingmushofheralreadystretched-to-the-limit
senses.

“Youthinkyou’renotaroused,Channing,”hedrawled,leaninginclose.Histongueteasedherlips,and

sheknewshehadtostopthingsfromgoinganyfurther.

“I’manengagedwoman,”shetriedsayinginoutrage.
“You’reanengagedwomanwhowantsme,”hecountered.“Admitit.”
“Iwon’tadmitathing.”
Heshrugged.“Thenfeel,”hewhisperedashisfingerstracedupherarm.
Channingfoughtbackalustfulmoanaspleasuresweptacrosstheskinhetouched.“Idon’twantto

feel.”

“Yourbodyissayingotherwise.Whyisthat,Channing?”
Sheshookherhead,fightingoffthewayhiseyesweremesmerizingher.“You’rewrong.”
“No,sweetheart,I’mright,andIintendtoshowyoujusthowrightIam.”Hepulledherclose,leanedin

andswoopeddownonhermouth.

***

Pushhimaway,damnit,Channing’smindscreamed.

Butatthefirsttasteofhistonguehermindchangedcourseandbeganchanting,Devourhimlikehe’s

devouringyou,anddon’tletgo.

Soshedidn’t.
Momentslater,shewasn’texactlysurewhosetonguewasdominatingoratwhatpointtheyhadbegun

pullingoffeachother’sclothes.Whatwashappeninghere?Invadinganotherman’sterritorywasnot
Zane’sstyle.

Beforeshecouldquestionhisactionsanyfurther,airhitherskin,andsherealizedshewashalfway

nakedandsowashe.Shepulledhermouthfromhis.“Zane,you’renotthinkingstraight.Weneedto—”

Whatevershewasabouttosayvanishedfromherlipswhenhedroppedtohiskneesandlatchedhishot

mouthonher.BeforeZane,oralsexhadbeensomethingshereadaboutinromancenovels,butZanehad
broughtittolifeforher.Themanhadaskillfulmouth.

Sheclaspedherhandsonhisshoulders,intendingtoshovehimback,butatthefeelofhishungry

tongue,sheletoutalustymoan.Sheinstinctivelyarchedherbackandpushedherselfintohismouth.

Heknewalltheerogenousspotstoclaim,conquerandsatisfy.
“Zane!”
Assensationszappedher,hestrokedhistongueacrossher,slantinghismouthatdifferentangles.Each

strokehadhermoaningdeepinherthroatandwhisperinghisnamethroughherlips.Andthenithappened
—anavalancheofthekindofpleasureshefoundonlywithhimrippedthroughher.Insteadoflettingher
go,hegrabbedtightlytoherthighsandheldonasacavalcadeofspasmsovertookher.

Thenextthingsheknew,hewasliftingherandplacingherononeofthevacanttablesandspreading

herout.Whenshewatchedhimripopenacondompacketwithhisteeth,sheknewwhatheintendedtodo.
Insteadofstoppinghim,shereacheddownandgrabbedhisthrobbingerection.Itwasjustasshe
remembered—large,thickandnestinginathatchofdark,curlyhair.Anurgencyshehadn’tfeltintwo
yearscameoverher,andshewhisperedinaheatedbreath,“Ineedyouinsideme.Now!”

Hequicklyslidonthecondomandthen,whilestaringintohereyes,hethrustinsideofher,quickly

settingarhythmwithdeep,powerfulstrokes.Hewentdeep,thendeeperandtookhertothehilt.

Shemoanedasherbodybecamecarnallyreacquaintedwithhis.Zanewasamasteratgivingpleasure,

andhewasbequeathingagenerousdoseonher.Shefelthisswollenshafteachtimehemoved.Shefeltit
all:howherfemininemusclesclampedtightlyoneveryinchofhim,tryingtodrainhimofeverythinghe
had.

Then,suddenly,anexplosionofpleasurehither.Shewouldhaveletoutawailifhehadn’tfirmly

lockedhismouthonhers.Herresponsetriggeredhim,andhepoundedintoherharderanddeeperasher
powerfulorgasmrippedintoher,nearlyjerkingherbodyoffthetable.

Howcouldsomethingsowrongfeelsoright?Shepushedthequestionfromhermindashisclimax

beganandshewasgivenyetanotherorgasm.

Hesnatchedhismouthfromhersandthrewhisheadback,growlinghoarsely,asoundshewouldadmit

she’dmissed.Shecurvedherarmsaroundhisnecktobringhismouthbackdowntohers.Andthenshe
kissedhim—thewayawomanwassupposedtokissamanwhomeanttheworldtoher.

Whenshereleasedhim,hestareddownather,smiledandwhispered,“Damn,Imissedthis.Imissed

you.”

Shedidn’tsayanythingbutinsteadclosedhereyes.Hercommonsensecamereelingbackwitha

vengeanceasheeasedhimselfoutofherandthengentlyhelpedheroffthetable.They’dhadspontaneous
sexbeforebutneverinapublicplace.TheywereinarestaurantindowntownDenver,forheaven’ssake!
Shedidn’twanttothinkabouthowmanytimesTashamighthavetriedtoopenthelockeddoor.Had
anyoneheardthem?

“Doyouneedhelpgettingbackintoyourclothes?”
ShejerkedhergazeovertowhereZanestood.Hehadhisclothesbackonlikehehadnevertakenthem

off.“No,Icanhandleit,”shesaidsoftly,pickingupherpantiesfromthefloor.

Whenshebeganslidingtheundergarmentupherlegs,hisnextwordsstoppedher.“Howsoonwillyou

bebreakingyourengagementtoHammond?”

Therewassomethingaboutthewayhe’dasked,somethingaboutthetoneofhisvoicethatmadehergut

twistinaknot.Hespokeasifherengagementhadbeenaproblemhe’dsolved.Hadhe?Dreadconsumed
her.

“WhatmakesyouthinkI’mendingmyengagement?”sheasked,decidingtoplayherhunchandhope

likehellthatshewaswrong.Surelyhehadn’tseducedherjusttoforcehertobreakherengagement?

“Ofcourseyou’regoingtobreakit.You’renotthetypeofwomanwhowouldbeengagedtooneman

andmessaroundwithanother.”

No,shewasn’t.“Andyou’renotthetypeofmantomessaroundwithawomanwho’snotyours.A

womanwhobelongstoanotherman.Iguesswe’vebothactedoutofcharactertoday.”

Shewatchedhisfacetakeonaformidablelookwhenhesaid,“Ididn’tactoutofcharacter,sweetheart.

Iwasmerelyprovingapoint.”

Shehadfinisheddressingnow,andhiswordsgaveherpause.“Justwhatpointwereyoutryingto

prove?”

Heslowlycrossedtheroomandpinnedheragainstthetablebybracinghisarmsoneithersideofher.

Heleanedintogeteyelevelwithher.“ThepointIprovedisthatyou’remine.There’snoothermanfor
youbutme,andIdon’tintendtogiveyouup.”

Channingforcedherhearttonotleapwithjoy.Didthatmeanhelovedherafterall?Hehadyettosay

thewords.Shedecidedtoaskhimstraight-out.“Doesthatmeanyourealizedyouloveme?”

Heactuallyseemedshockedatherassumption.Hestraightened.“No.ItmeansIcareforyou,andI

don’twanttoseeyougethurt.Hammondwouldhavehurtyou.”

PainrippedthroughChanning,andherhearttwisted.Didhenotrealizehewashurtingher?“Letmeget

thisstraight,”shesaid,fightinganger.“Youdon’tlovemebutyoubroughtmeheretoseducemejustto
proveapoint?”

Zanefrowned.“Ibroughtyouheretotalksomesenseintoyou,butIendedupseducingsomesenseinto

youinstead.Doingsobroughtbacksomedamnpleasantmemories,don’tyouthink?”

Sheswallowed,suddenlyfeelinglikethebiggestfoolontheplanet.“Soyouonlyhadsexwithme

becauseyoufiguredIwouldhavenochoicebuttobreakoffmyengagement?”sheaskedsoftly.

Heshookhishead.“No,ImadelovetoyoubecauseIwantedyou,anditwasobviousyouwantedme,

aswell.Thatmademerealizeyoucouldn’tpossiblyloveHammondifyoudesiredme.Iwasright.Your
bodywantsme,sothewayIseeit,youbelongtome.”

Sheclosedhereyesasbloodrushedtoherhead.“NowthatIbelongtoyou,Zane,whatdoyouplanto

dowithme?Youjustadmittedonceagainthatyoudon’tloveme,whichmeansyoudon’tintendtomarry
me.Sowhatareyougoingtodowithme,Zane?”

Whenhedidn’tsayanything,whenhejuststoodtherestaringatherwithadeepscowlonhisface,her

angerexploded.“Youselfishjerk!Youdon’twanttogivemeallthethingsIwant—love,marriageanda
family—yetyoudon’twantanyothermantogivemethosethings,either!”

“Damnit,Channing!Hammondisfoolingaroundonyou.Ididn’twanthimtohurtyou.Youdon’tneed

tomarryamanlikethat.”

“You’retheonlywhohaseverhurtme,Zane,”shesaidaspainetcheditselfallthroughherbody.“You

don’tloveme,butyoudon’twantanyothermantoloveme.”

Zanegrittedhisteeth.“Didn’tyouhearwhatIsaid?Hammondisbeingunfaithfultoyou.”
“No,heisn’t,”shesaidsharply.“IwasneverengagedtoMack.Ionlypretendedtobe.Mackisagood

friendandnothingmore.Butyoudidn’tknowthat.Forallyouknew,hecouldhavebeenmyhappiness,
butyoustillwentsofarastotrytodestroythat.”

ShockshoneonZane’sface.“Whatdoyoumeanyouwereneverengagedtohim?”
Insteadofanswering,Channingmovedtowardthedoor.Fightingbacktears,sheunlockedit,snatchedit

openandquicklywalkedout.

Five

L

aterthatnight,ZaneflunghisfrontdooropentofindanangryMeganonhisdoorstep.“It’stoolatefor

visitors,Megan,andI’mnotinthemood,”hesaidinalowgrowl.

Hissisterpushedherwaypasthim,strodetothemiddleofhislivingroomandangrilywhirledtoface

him.“Ifyouweren’tmybrother,andifIhadagun,Iwouldshootyouintheballsrighthereandnow.”

Hefeltthepainofherwordsandhisballsachedinresponse.“Goaheadandsaywhatyouhavetosay

soIcangetsomesleep.”

“Sleep!HowcanyousleepafterwhatyoudidtoChanning?”
Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischest.“Shehadnoreasontocallyou.Sheliedaboutherengagement.She

wasnevergoingtomarrythatguywiththerovingeyes,butyouknewthatallalong,didn’tyou?Younot
onlyinvitedhertotheweddingwhenIpleadedwithyounottobutyoulethermakeafoolofme.”

Meganroundedonhim,andhehadthegoodsensetobackup.Anangry,out-of-controlGemmaor

BaileyhecoulddealwithbutanangryMeganhecouldnot.Everyoneknewaboutherpenchantforself-
control.Onthoseraretimeswhenshelostit,shewasaforcetoreckonwith.

“Firstofall,Channingdidn’tcallme.LouiseMitchelldid,”Megansnapped.
“LouiseMitchell?”
“Yes,aswellasEmmaFalkandMavisUpshaw.TheywerealldiningatMcKayswhenChanning

practicallyranoutoftheprivateroomintears.IimmediatelywenttoseeChanningwhenIgotoffwork
tonight.Thankstoyou,shewascompletelydevastated.Shetoldmeeverything,Zane.Everything.Andif
youweren’tmybrother,Iwouldshootyou.”

“NotifIshothimfirst.”
ZanelookedtowardhisfrontdoorwhereanangryBaileyhadletherselfin.Thehellion!Thatwasall

heneeded.“Youaresupposedtoknock,Bailey.”

“Kissit,Zane.”SheglancedoveratMegan.“Iheard.WandaGrunthall’sparentswerediningat

McKays.”

Zanerolledhiseyes.Wasthereanyonewhohadn’tbeendiningatMcKaystonight?“Ifthetwoofyou

wanttodiscussmybusinessamongyourselvesthengoahead.I’mgoingtobed.”

“Thehellyouwill,”Baileysaid,movingtowardhim.“You’regoingtositandlistentowhatwehave

tosay.Anddon’tbesurprisedifGemmacallsyoufromAustralia.WandaGrunthallisagoodfriendof
hers,aswell.”

Seeingthathewouldnevergettobeduntilheheardwhathissistershadtosay,hedroppeddownon

thesofa.“Okay,I’mgivingyoubothfiveminutes.Saywhatyouhavetosayandleave.”

Meganwentfirst.“HaveyoueventakenthetimetoconsiderwhysomeonelikeChanningwouldfakean

engagement?”

“Idon’thavetowonderwhy.Shedidittopissmeoff.”
“It’snotallaboutyou!”Baileyshouted.
Zaneflinched.Hewassickandtiredofbeingyelledat.“Ifyouusethattoneofvoiceagaininmy

presence,Bailey,I’mgoingtosnatchupyourlittlebutt,takeyoutothebathroomandwashyourmouthout
withsoaplikeIusedtodo.”

Baileyglaredathim.“Goto—”
“Bailey!”Meganinterrupted.“Pleaseletmefinish.Thenyoucangoforbloodifyouwant.”
Baileynodded.“Sorry.Pleasecontinue,Megan.”
Megansmiledathersister.“Thanks.”ShethennarrowedhergazeatZane.“No,Zane,that’snotthe

reason.Channingdidittokeepherdignityandprideincheckwhenshecametotownformywedding.
Twoyearsago,whenyouweredating,peopletalked,madebets,laughedatherbehindherbackand
figuredyouwouldeventuallykickhertothecurblikeyoudidalltheothers.”

Zane’sjawtightened.Hiseyessparkedfire.“Whotoldyouthat?”
“Doesn’tmatter.Everyonearoundthesepartsknowsyourreputationwhenitcomestowomen.But

Channinghungintherebecauseshethoughtshemeantmoretoyouthanthat.Mostpeopleknewbetter.
Theyknewshereallydidn’tmeanadamnthingtoyou,thateventuallyyouwoulddropherandmoveon.”

Meganpaused.“Shewasyoursteadygirlfriendforninemonths,Zane.AlthoughI’mcertainyougave

herthesamewarningthatyougaveallyourotherwomen,atsomepointshebeganthinkingshemightbe
different.Wealldid.Youtreatedherdifferentlyfromtherest.”

Zanedidn’tsayanythingforalongminuteandthensaidquietly,“Shewasdifferent.”
“Thenwhywouldyouhurther,Zane?Allyouwantedtodowasproveapoint?WhatifRicohaddone

somethinglikethattome?”

Beforehecouldanswer,Baileyspokeupandasked,“WhatdidZanedotoChanning?AllWandasaid

wasthattheyhadalittlespat.Istheremore?”

BothZaneandMegansaidsimultaneously,“No.”
Baileynarrowedhereyes.“Youtwoarelying.”
InsteadofrespondingtoBailey’saccusations,MeganreturnedherattentiontoZane.“Shetoldmethe

truthaboutthefakeengagement,andIfeelpartlytoblameforwhathappenedbecauseIdeliberatelylet
RamseyeavesdroponaconversationIhadwithChloe.IfiguredhewouldtellyouwhatMackHammond
wasdoingandthatyouwouldgetupsetaboutitandcomeupwithaplantosaveChanning.Lordknows,I
didn’tthinkyou’dgoasfarasyoudid.”

“Damn,whatdidhedo?”Baileyaskedagain.
Acollective“nothing”wastheresponsefromMeganandZane.
ThenZanesaidtoMegan,“Itwasn’tplanned.Itjusthappened.”
“Ahh,”Baileysaid,figuringoutwhatnobodywastellingher.Anangryfrownsettledonherface.“If

youweren’tmybrother,Iwouldcastrateyou.”

Zanerolledhiseyes,althoughhebelievedBaileywasmorelikelytocarryoutherthreatthanMegan

was.“Inevermeanttohurther,”hesaid,whenhebegantorealizejustwhathadhappened.Hehadtried
tostopHammondfromhurtingChanning,andhewastheoneguiltyofcausingherpain.

“Ineedtogoseeherandapologize,”hesaid,standing.
“Toolate,”Megansaidsoftly.“BythetimeI’dgottenovertoherplace,shehadalreadycanceledthe

restofhersymposiumandpackedherthings.Isatandtalkedtoheruntilitwastimeforhertoleavefor
theairport.”

Zanefeltagut-wrenchingsensationinthepitofhisstomach.“She’slefttown?”
“Doyoublameher,Zane?”Meganasked.
Hedrewinadeepbreath.No,hedidn’tblameher.“Doesn’tmatter.I’mleavingforAtlantatomorrow.”
Meganplacedherhandsonherhips.“Todowhat?Tellheryou’resorryforwhatyoudidbutthatyou

stilldon’tloveher?Justlethergo,Zane.You’vedoneenoughdamage.Besides,she’snotgoingto
Atlanta.”

Heliftedabrow.“Wheredidshego,Megan?”heaskedinaneargrowl.

“Don’ttellhim,”Baileypipedintosay.“Hewillonlyhurtheragain.Channingwantstobeloved,and

Zaneisn’tcapableoflovinganywoman.”

ZaneignoredBailey’swordsandcontinuedtoholdMegan’sgaze.“Didshegotoherparents’inNew

Hampshire?”heasked.

“Don’ttellhim,Megan!”
Megandrewinadeepbreath.“No,shedidn’tgothere,either.”
Zanefeltanintenseneedtoferretoutherlocation.AllofChanning’sfamilylivedinNewHampshire.

Hethenrememberedthatshe’dtoldhimherbrotherhadmovedtoSanDiego.“DidshegotoCalifornia?”

“No.”
“Thenwherethehelldidshego?”
Meganliftedherchin.“IfyoufindoutChanning’swhereabouts,itwon’tbewithmyhelp.Bailey’s

right.You’renotcapableoflovinganyonebutyourself,sojustleaveheralone.”

Sheturnedandheadedforthedoor.Aftergivinghimonehardglare,Baileyfollowedhersister.

***

Earlythenextmorning,afterasleeplessnight—andwhenhewascertainMeganhadleftforwork—Zane
gotinhistruckandheadedovertoMegan’sMeadowstoseeRico.Hisbrother-in-lawopenedthedoor
withasympatheticlookonhisface.“Iheardmywifetoreintoyouprettydamngoodlastnight.”

Zanegruntedashestrolledtowardthekitchen,followingthearomaofcoffee.Hewentstillwhenhe

sawhisbrotherDerringerandhiscousinsJason,Riley,CanyonandSternsittingatthekitchentable.
“Somebodygaveyouguysadayoffofworkorsomething?”heaskedRiley,CanyonandStern.Thethree
workedforthefamily-ownedbusiness,BlueRidgeLandManagement.

Rileychuckled.“It’sstillearlyyet.Besides,weheardbothMeganandBaileychewedyouout,andwe

wantedtobeherewhenyoucameandaskedRicoforabandage.”

Zanesethischininafrown.“Funny.”Afterhelpinghimselftoacupofcoffee,heslidintooneofthe

emptychairsatthetable.

“That’snotwhythey’rehere,Zane,”Ricosaid,grinning,leaningagainstthecounterwithhisowncup

ofcoffee.“Infact,RamseyandDillonareontheirwayover,aswell.Icalledyouearlierthismorningto
tellyouaboutthisimpromptumeeting,butyoudidn’tanswerthephone.”

Zaneshrugged.“IthoughtitwasMegancalling,andwedon’thaveanythingtosaytoeachotheruntil

shetellsmewhereChanningis.”

Derringersnorted.“Don’tholdyourbreathforthattohappen.Megan’sprettyangrywithyou.”
ZaneopenedhismouthtorespondtoDerringer’swordswhentherewasaknockatthedoor.“That’s

probablyRamseyandDillon,”Ricosaid,movingtowardthelivingroom.

Momentslater,RamseyandDillonWestmorelandwalkedinandglancedaround.Theirgazeslockedon

Zane.Dillonsmiledandsaid,“Gladtoseeyou’restillinonepiece.”

Zanecursedunderhisbreath.HadeverybodyheardaboutMegan’sandBailey’svisits?
Ricoproceededtogeteverybody’sattention.“IwantedtogiveyouguysanupdateonsomethingI

discoveredwithRaphel’sinvestigation.ItoldMeganlastnight,andnowIwanttosharetheinformation
withyou.”

“Whatdidyoufindout?”Dillonasked.Sincethereweren’tanymoreemptyseatsatthetable,heand

Ramseysettledtheirtallframesinstoolsatthebreakfastbar.

“ThewomanwhosurvivedthetrainwreckandwhoadoptedRaphel’ssonwasJeannetteOutlaw.She

namedhersonLevy—afterherhusbandwhowaskilledinthetrainaccident.ShemovedtoDetroitasa

singlemotherandeveryoneassumedthechildbelongedtoherdeceasedhusband.Shenevertoldanyone
anythingdifferent.”

Ricopausedandthencontinued,“LevyOutlawmarriedattwenty-five,andheandhiswifehadone

son,Javier.That’swherethetrailstops.ItseemsLevyOutlaw,hiswifeandsonmovedawayfrom
Detroit,butwe’renotsureoftheirfinaldestination.Mypeopleareworkingonit.”

Ricoleanedbackagainstthecounter.“TheothernewsIwantedtoshareisthatIfoundrecordsona

womanbythenameofIsabelleConnorswholivedinPercy,Nevada.Asyouallknow,Isabellewas
documentedasRaphelWestmoreland’sfourthwife.”

“Percy,Nevada?”Dillonasked,liftingabrow.“That’swhereourgreat-grandmotherGemmawasborn

andraised.Doyouthinkthere’sachancethatsheandIsabellekneweachother?”

“That’sapossibilityI’mcheckingout,”Ricosaid.Asmiletouchedhislips.“OfcourseMeganis

excitedabouttheinformationIwasabletofindonLevyOutlaw.”

Ramseygrinnedasheshookhishead.“Ibetshewas.She’sdeterminedtofindmorecousinstothe

Westmorelands.”

Ricochuckled.“Yes,anddon’tbesurprisedifIdo.”

***

“IwanttoknowwhereChanningis,Rico,”Zanesaidafterthemeetinghadendedandeveryonehadleft.
“I’msureMegantoldyou.”

Ricotookasipofhiscoffee.“Yes,butMegandoesn’tthinkyouneedtoknowwhereChanningis.Your

sisterbelievesallyou’regoingtodoishurtherfriendagain.”

Zanedidn’tsayanything.Meganhadprettymuchmadeherthoughtsdamnclear.Hehadstayedupmost

ofthenight,walkingthefloor.KnowinghehadhurtChanningtothepointthatshehadlefttownhadkept
himawake.Hissisterswereright.Hehadbeenwrong.

“Zane?”
HeglancedoveratRico.“Yes?”
“IfyoufoundChanning,whatwouldyoudo?”
Zaneloweredhisheadandgazeddownintohiscupofcoffee.Hehadaskedhimselfthatsamequestion

whilewalkingthefloorlastnight.Hewouldapologizeofcourse,butwouldthatbeenough?Liftinghis
head,hemetRico’sgaze.“I’mnotsure,”hesaidhonestly.

Riconodded.“Thenmaybeyoushouldbesurebeforeyougolookingforher.Whenamangoesaftera

woman,heneedstoknowwhyhe’sdoingit.Heneedstohaveagameplan.”

Zanedidn’tsayanything,mainlybecausehe’dneverneededagameplanwhenitcametowomen.
“DoyouknowatwhatpointIknewIlovedyoursister,Zane?”
Zaneshrugged.HefiguredtherewasareasonRicowantedtotellhimthis.“No.When?”
“IknewIlovedyoursisterwhenIrealizedIcouldn’tliveasingledaywithouther.”Ricotookasipof

hiscoffee.“Ifyoueverfeelanythingclosetothatkindofemotion,letmeknowandthenI’lltellyou
whereChanningis.”

***

“I’mfine,Megan,reallyIam.Don’tworry.Iloveithere,”Channingsaid,steppingoutontotheporchof
hergrandparents’oceansidevillainthebeautifulKindleShorescommunityofVirginiaBeach.Thehouse
andfiveotherswereonaprivatesectionoflandthatdevelopershadbeentryingtopurchaseforyears.
However,likehergrandparents,noneoftheownerswereinterestedinselling.

“It’sbeenawhilesinceI’vebeenhere,somaybeZanedidmeafavorafterall.Inadditionto

remindingmewhatjerkssomemencanbe,itmademerealizeIhadn’ttakentimeofffromworkina
whiletorest,relaxandregroup,”shesaid,slidingdownintotheporchswing.

Theoceanlookedbeautiful.Asachild,sheenjoyedspendinghersummersherewithhergrandparents.

AdeleHastingshadn’taskedanyquestionswhenhergranddaughterhadcalledsayingsheneededtocome
tothehouseandstayawhile.ButChanninghadstillheardtheconcerninhergrandmother’svoicewhen
she’dtoldChanningwheretofindthekey.

ThemomentChanningarrivedandopenedthedoorasenseofwelcomehadsettleduponher.The

memoriesofthesummersshe’dspentherewerespecial.Itwasthetimewhensheandallhercousins
wouldgettogethertosharetheirgrandparents’wisdomandlove.

She’dseenhowhergrandparentshadspruceduptheplacewithpaintedwalls,gleamingtilefloorsand

all-newfurniture.Shelikedthelookandallthevibrantcolors.Whenitcametodecorating,her
grandmotherstillhadstyle.

“Well,ifyouneedanything—andImeananythingatall—callme,Channing,”Megansaid,interrupting

Channing’sthoughts.“Again,I’msorryabouteverything.”

“Don’tbe.Zanewarnedmehowthingswouldbebetweenusintheverybeginning,butIletmyselffall

inlovewithhim,anyway.AsfarastheothernightatMcKays,thedesirewasmutual.Iwantedhim,
Megan.Yourbrotherprovedhe’sstillmyweakness.IthoughtIhadgottenoverhim,butevidentlyI
haven’t.He’snotamanawomancanforgeteasily,”Channingadmitted.“ButIwill,”sheaddedwith
strongconviction.

“Well,it’sgoingtobealongtimebeforehegetsbackinmygoodgraces.Atsomepoint,hehastocome

totermswiththefactthathe’sgoingtogrowoldalone,”Megansaidinatiff.

Afewmomentslater,afterendingherphonecall,Channingstoodtostretchandlookoutatthebeach.

Thebeautifulbluewaterwasinviting,andshedecidedshewouldtakeadiplater.Butfornow,shewould
makeasandwichandstartreadingthesuspensethrillershehadpickedupattheairport.

Butonceshesatbackdown,shecouldn’thelpthinkingaboutwhathadhappenedoverthepastcouple

ofdays.Hurtandheartbroken,shehadcanceledhersymposiumwithapologiesandplanstoreschedule
andhadflownfromDenvertohere.Uponarriving,shehadgoneshoppingforenoughfoodforthethree
weekssheintendedtostay.Onthefirstday,shehadcalledZaneeverygod-awfulnameinthebook.Then
she’dcalledherselfadamnfoolandindulgedinagoodcry.Thenextday,shehadgottenoutandgone
backintotowntoshop.

Herfirststophadbeenaboutiquewhereshe’dfoundthemostgorgeouspairofsandals.Decidingthat

shehadn’ttreatedherselftoadayofbeautyinawhile,she’dvisitedaspa.Acoupleofhourslater,with
severalnewbeachoutfits,newsandals,apedicureandmanicurednails,shehadreturnedtothebeach
housefeelingawholelotbetter.Painandangerwerenolongeratwarinsideofher.Shehadreachedthe
conclusionthatnomanwouldevertakeherjoy.

She’dalsofacedafewrealities.Itseemedherdreamoflove,marriageandfamilywasjustthat—a

dream.Somedreamsweren’tmeantforeveryone.Zanehadtaughtherthatlesson.Shecouldn’tputher
loveandtrustinamanwhodidn’tdeserveit,amanwhowasn’tcapableofloving,amanwhocouldn’t
makeherhappy.Shewantedamanwhosimplyadoredher—thewayshewouldadorehim—amanwho
wouldloveher,amanwhowantedthesamethingsshewanted,notbecauseshewantedthembutbecause
theywantedthem.

She’dmeantwhatshe’dtoldMegan.SheappreciatedZaneformakingherrealizejusthownaiveshe

hadbeen.Shethoughtshehadtakenofftherose-coloredglassesthelasttimeshe’dleftDenver,butthis
timenotonlyhadshetakenthemoffshe’dtossedthemintothesea.Thenextmanshedatedwouldhaveto

workhardforheraffections.

Atthatmoment,shedoubtedshewouldeverfallinloveagain.She’dtriedandlostherheart,andnow

itwastimeforhertogetoutofthegame.

***

Zaneturnedoverinbedandglancedattheclock.Itwastwointhemorning.Sittingup,heranafrustrated
handacrosshisface.OncethehazeofhisangeroverChanning’sengagementdeceptionhadshiftedaway,
allhecouldseeeverytimeheclosedhiseyeswasherstrickenface.Ithithimrightbelowtheguteach
andeverytimehethoughtabouthurtingher.

Unabletosleep,heeasedoutofbedandwentdownstairsforacolddrinkofwater.However,whenhe

openedtherefrigeratoritwasabottleofbeerthathepulledoutinstead.Leaningagainstthecountertop,he
twistedoffthebottlecapandtookahugeswig,likingthefeeloftheliquidmovingpasthisthroattohit
solidlyinhisstomach.

Hehadbuiltthishousesevenyearsago,butthiswasthefirsttimehe’drealizedjusthowlonelyitwas.

Hissiblingsandcousinsvisitedoften—andBaileytoomuch—butheneverallowedwomentoconsider
hisplaceastheirhome.

ExceptforChanning.
Hehadsurprisedevenhimselfwhenhe’dgivenherakey,buthehadneverquestionedwhyhe’ddone

so.Allhe’dknownwasthosedayswhenhewouldarrivehomeafterworkingwiththehorsesalldayand
seehercarparkedinhisyard,sensationshecouldn’tdescribetuggedathischest.Hismoodwould
brightenassoonasheopenedthedoorandsawher,andhewouldsweepherupinhisarmsandkissher
likehisentirelifedependedonit.

Hecouldrememberthelasttimeshe’dsatathiskitchentable.Ithadbeenonemorningaftershe’dspent

thenightandhadawakenedearlytopreparebreakfastforthebothofthem.Theyhadeatentogether,andit
hadbeenenjoyable,asusual.ButithadbeenthatsamemorningwhenChanninghadcomeoutandasked
wheretheirrelationshipwasheaded.

Thequestionhadannoyedhimbecausehe’dknownshewasabouttobringupsomethinghedidn’twant

todiscuss.Hehadtoldherhedidn’tloveherandthatnothinghadchanged.Afterward,hehadquicklyleft
forwork,notwantingtostickaroundtoseehowshehandledhisresponse.Afewweekslater,shehad
droppedthebombthatshewasleavingtown.HerdecisiontoleaveDenverhadmadehimbitter.He
hadn’tevenbotheredtoattendthegoing-awaypartyMeganhadthrownforher.

Takinganotherhugeswigofhisbeer,hepushedawayfromthecounterandwalkedovertothewindow

tolookoutinbroodingsilence.Mostpeoplewereinbedasleep,butherehewas,rightwherehehadbeen
forthepastthreedays,enduringsleeplessnightsduetoawomanheshouldhavegottenovertwoyears
ago.Shewastheonlywomanwhocouldmakeemotionstugathim…liketheyweredoingnow.Infact,
theyweren’tjusttugging;theywereeatingawayathimbig-time.

HewasstillonMegan’sandBailey’sbadsides.Thatmuchhadbeenevidentattonight’schow-down.

Hissisters-in-lawandhiscousins’wivesweresendinghimseethinglooks,aswell.EvenGemmahad
calledhimfromAustraliatogivehimablisteringearful,saying,“HowcouldyouhurtChanningagain,
Zane?Sheiswaytoogoodforyou.Sheislikedandwellrespectedbyallwhoknowher,andshehasa
heartofgold.Butthatisn’tenoughforyou,isit?Anyothermanwouldhaveappreciatedthebeautiful
andheartwarmingpersonthatsheis.Onedayyou’regoingtorealizejustwhatyoulost!”

Zanereleasedasighofpuredisgustwithhimself.Whileshavingthismorning,hehadlookedhimselfin

themirrorandhadn’tlikedthepersonstaringbackathim.Everyonewhohadbeenonhimforthepastfew

dayswasright.Channingdeservedabettermanthanhim.Shedeservedtherighttofindamanwhocould
loveher,makeherhappyandgiveherthemarriageandfamilyshewanted.Shedeservedamanwho
wouldcherishher,whowouldshowhereverydayhowmuchshewasadoredandhowproudhewould
betohaveherathisside.Somewhere,thatmanwasoutthere.ThethoughtmadeZane’sgutclench.He
wouldrathercutoffhisarmthanloseChanningtoanotherman.

Hefroze,stunnedbywhathewasthinking.Whatmanwouldwillinglylosealimbforawomanhe

didn’tlove?Zane’sthroatsuddenlywentdry,andhetiltedthebeerbottleuptohismouth,quickly
chuggingdownwhatwasleft.

ItwasthenthatRico’swordscamebacktohaunthim…IknewIlovedyoursisterwhenIrealizedI

couldn’tliveasingledaywithouther.

Zanedrewinadeepbreath.HecouldfinallyadmitthathefeltthingsforChanningthathe’dneverfelt

foranotherwoman.Hedidn’twanttoletheroutofhislife.Inotherwords…hecouldn’timaginelivinga
singledaywithouther.Hisheartbeganpoundinginhischestwhenheknewimmediatelywhatthatmeant.

“Ah,hell,”hemutteredtohimself,glancingdownathisemptybeerbottle.“Thatmeansyou’vefallen

forher,man.Andyou’vefallenhard.”

Everythingsuddenlymadesense.Whyhe’dfeltsodowninthedumpsaftersheleftDenverforAtlanta

andwhyeverywomanhe’ddatedafterherseemedlacking.Italsoansweredthequestionofwhythe
thoughtofherbeingwithanothermanconstantlyateathim.Moreimportantly,itexplainedwhyhe’dkept
thatlockedboxunderhisbedfortwoyears,unabletoletgo.

Forthefirsttimeinhislife,ZaneWestmorelandlovedawoman.

***

“Hello,Gramma,thisisChanning.”

“Hi,sweetie.Ihopeyougottothebeachhouseallrightandyou’regettingsettled.”
“Yes,I’vebeenhereforthreedaysnow,andI’mstartingtounwind.Ineededabreak,”Channingsaid,

pushinghairbackfromherface.

“Yes,abreakfromworkisalwaysnice,”AdeleHastingssaid.
Channingglancedoutthekitchenwindow.Shehadgottenupearlytogojoggingonthebeach.Then

she’dreturned,showeredandpreparedbreakfast,whichshe’denjoyedwhilecatchinguponthenewson
television.ThemeteorologisthadreportedaheatwavethatwasspreadingallthewayuptoNew
England.Thispromptedhertocheckonhergrandparentssincetheylikedspendingtimeoutdoors.Her
parents,wholivedwithinfivemilesofhergrandparents,wouldusuallycheckonthembuttheyhadleft
lastweekforatwo-weekcruisetoHawaii,leavingoutofSanDiegoaftervisitingwithherbrother.

“YouandGrampsokay?Iheardabouttheheatwave.”
“We’refine,butwhataboutyou?”
Sheknewhergrandmotherwassomeoneshecouldalwaystalkto,andshefeltblessedtohavetwo

confidantes,hermotherandgrandmother.“I’mthroughwithmen,Gramma,”shesaidhonestly.

Therewasapauseattheotherendoftheline,andthenAdeleasked,“Areyou?”
“Yes.Youlovethem,andtheydon’tloveyouback.Andthentherearethosewhoclaimtheydobut

don’tknowthemeaningoftheword—likeEmmitt.”

WhyshehadbroughtupEmmittSawyershewouldneverknow.Emmitthadbeenpartofhercollege

days.Thefirstguyshe’deversleptwithandthefirstguyshe’dgivenherheartto.She’dthoughtheloved
her;he’deventoldhersoanumberoftimes.She’dbelievedhimandhadtakenhimhomeonspringbreak
tomeetthefamily.Then,atthestartoftheirjunioryear,whenthey’dbeendatingforalmostayear,she’d

discoveredhe’dbeenmessingaroundwithagirlwhoworkedasawaitressatsomecaféintown…the
entiretimehe’dbeenspewingwordsoflovetoChanning.

Shehadreturnedhomebrokenhearted.Ithadbeenhermotherandgrandmotherwho’dconvincedher

thatnotallmenabusedawoman’slove.Thereweremenouttherewhowouldcherishit.Ithadtakenher
fiveyearsbeforeshe’dputherheartonthelineagainforZane.

Shehadmovedfromamanwhotoldherhelovedherallthetimetoamanwhodidn’thesitatetolether

knowhedidn’tloveheratall.Bothhadbeenheartbreakers.

“Soyouthinkmenaretheproblem,Channing?”
Hergrandmother’squestionslicedintoherthoughts.“No,I’mtheproblem.Iexpecttoomuchandtrust

toosoon.SoI’mquittingmen.”

“Um,thatsoundsinteresting,”Adelesaidcalmly.
Channingscowled.“Menaren’tgoodforanythingbutsex.”Shesuddenlysuckedinaquickbreath

whensherememberedwhoshewastalkingto.

Shecouldhearhergrandmother’schuckleontheotherendofthephone.“I’llremembertotellyour

grandfatherthat.”

Channingdroppeddownintoakitchenchair.“Oh,Gramma.GrampsislikeDad.Theyarethegreatest.

Theyjustdon’tmakemenlikethatanymore.”

“Don’tthey?”
“Ithoughttheydid,butnowI’mnotsure.I’mtiredofgettingmyheartbroken.I’mlockingupmyheart

andthrowingawaythekey.”

“Areyousureyouwanttodothat,sweetie?”
No,butshefeltshedidn’thaveachoice.Likeshe’dtoldhergrandmother,theproblemwasn’twiththe

menbutwithher.Shewastheonewhohadtomakechangesinthewayshethoughtaboutlove.Shecould
seenowthatherproblemwasthatshetookrelationshipstooseriouslybecauseshe’dalwayshadan
agenda.Maybeitwastimetoloosentheshacklesandbesetfree.Livealittleandhavefun.

“Channing?”
Sheblinkeduponrealizingshehadn’tansweredhergrandmother’squestion.“Yes,Gramma,that’swhat

Iwanttodo.That’swhatI’mgoingtodo.”

Knowingsheneededtogetoffthephonebeforehergrandmothertriedtotalkherintogivingmen

anotherchance,Channingstoodup.“Ineedtogetdressed.I’mgoingtospendthedayonthebeach.”

“Oh,allright.Ifyouwanttotalkagain,I’mhere.”
Channingtightenedthebeltonherrobe.Shehadthebestgrandmotherinthewholewideworld.

“Thanks,andIloveyou.”

“Iloveyouback.”

***

Zanefelttiredanddrained.Hedidn’thavetobetoldhewasn’tpullinghisshareoftheworktoday.It
disgustedhimevenmorewhenDerringerandJasongavehimpatheticgazes.

Whentheytookabreakforlunch,Jasonlefttomeethiswife,Bella.Theywereaddingmoreroomsto

hergrandfather’shome,whichthey’dturnedintoabed-and-breakfast,andtheyweremeetingwiththe
contractors.

ZaneglancedoveratDerringerastheysatacrossfromeachotheroutsideatapicnictableeatingthe

sandwichesanddrinkingtheteaDerringer’swife,Lucia,hadmadeforthem.“You’requiet,”Zanesaid.

DerringermetZane’sgaze.“Iwasjustthinking.Icouldn’tsleeplastnightandwokeuparoundtwo.

Aftercheckingonthebaby,Iwentdownstairstogetsomethingtodrink.”

Zanenodded.Thatwaswhathe’dbeendoingaroundthattime.
“DoyouknowwhathappenedwhenIwalkedintomykitchen,Zane?”
Zanefrowned.“No.”
“IswearIcouldsmellgingerbread.”
Zanedidn’tsayanything.Hedidn’thaveto.Allhehadtodowasrememberthedayswhenheandhis

siblingswouldwakeuptothearomaofgingerbread.Theirmotherlovedtobake,andgingerbread
cookieswereherfavoriteaswellastheirs.

“Thenithitmethatit’sbeenalmosttwentyyears,butdamnit,IstillmissMomlikeyesterday,”

Derringersaid,obviouslytryingtokeepthepainfromhisvoice.“BothherandDad…butespecially
Mom.Shehadawayofmakingallourwrongsright.”

Zanehadtoagree.Theirmotherhadbeenspecial,andSusanWestmorelandhadfosteredaclose

relationshipwithallherchildren.He’dbeeninhislateteenswhenhisparentshaddied—inhissecond
yearofcollege.Herecalledwhenhe’dbeenaroundsixteen.Atthepeakofhisdatingyearsinhigh
school,he’dthoughthewasaCasanova,theschool’sstud.Hismotherwouldwarnhimaboutbreaking
somegirl’sheartandclaimedthatifhewasn’tcarefulsomedayagirlwouldcomealongandbreakhis.

“I’vebeenthinkingofheralotlately,too,”Zaneconfessed.“Ioftenwonderhowdifferentthingswould

beifthatplanehadn’tcrashed.DillonwouldberetiringfromtheNBAaboutnow,andRamseywould
havecomeoutofcollegetobecomeasheeprancherandnothavegonetoworkatBlueRidge.And,”he
addedwithasmile,“wewouldn’thavehadthetroublethatwedidoutofthetwins,BaneandBailey.The
firsttimeBaileysaidacursewordaroundMomherasswouldhavebeengrass.”

“Yeah.”Derringerchuckled.“Momdidn’tplay.Butshealsohadasoftheart.Alltheneighborsloved

herandAuntClarisse.”

Zanehadafeelinghismotherwouldhavelikedthespouseshersonsanddaughtershadmarried.

RamseywashappywithChloe,DerringerwasheadoverheelsinlovewithLuciaandbothGemmaand
Meganhadmarriedgoodmenwhoworshippedthegroundtheywalkedon.Hedrewinadeepbreath,
suddenlyconvincedhismotherwouldhavelovedChanning,aswell.

NeitherDerringernorZanesaidanythingforaminute,andthenZaneasked,“Whendidyouknowyou

lovedLucia?”

IfDerringerfoundthequestionodd,hedidn’tsay.Instead,hetookasipofhisicedtea.“Firstofall,I

foughtitlikehell.ThereasonIneverletanywomangetclosetomewasbecausetheverythoughtof
fallinginloveandgettingattachedtosomeonesentchillsupmyspine.Thethoughtoflosingthemtheway
welostourfolksandUncleAdamandAuntClarissewasunacceptabletome.Ihadthisfearofloving
LuciaandthenlosingherthewaywelostMom.”

Zanestudiedhisbrother.HewonderedifDerringerknewthatZanehadsimilarfears.“Howdidyou

overcomethem?Thosefears.”

“Byrealizingthatlifeisfullofrisks.Thingshappen.Icouldn’tlivemylifewaitingforsomethingbad

tocomemyway.ThenIdecidedthatnothing,especiallynotmyfears,weighedmoreheavilythanmy
desiretobewithLucia,tobuildalifewithherandmakeafamily.That’swhenIadmittedtomyselfthatI
caredmoreforherthanforanyotherwomanbefore,thatIlovedher.Andwhenamanlovesawomanhe
willmoveheavenandhell,ifnecessary,tomakeherthemostimportantpersoninhislife,regardlessof
therisks.Sheisworththerisk.Shebecomesyourlife.”

Zanedidn’tsayanythingashecontinuedtosiphistea.HeknewinhisheartthatChanningwasworth

therisk.Shewasavitalpartofhislife,butuptonowhe’dbeentooafraidtoadmitit.

Thethoughtoflovingawomanwasscaryashell,butwhatwasevenscarierwasthepossibilitythat

he’dlostherandmightnoteverseeheragain.Orthethoughtthatwherevershewasshehatedhisguts.

“CanIaskyousomething,Zane?”
Zaneglancedoverathisbrother.“Yes.”
“DoyouloveChanning?”
Zanesuckedinaquickbreathathisbrother’squestion,butthenonlymomentslaterheansweredby

saying,“IbelieveIdo.”

Derringershookhishead.“That’snotgoodenough.Youneedtoknowforcertain.Youoweitto

yourself,aswellastoher,toknowwhatyourtruefeelingsare.DoyouknowwhatIthink,Zane?”

Zanepouredouttherestofhistea.“No,whatdoyouthink,Derringer?”
“You’reafraidtoadmittofallinginloveforthesamereasonIwas.Losingpeopleyouloveishard.

Butyouneedtoweighalltheoptions.Thinkofallthethingsthatmighthappenandthosethatmightnot.
ThenaskyourselfifspendingtimewithChanningeverydayfortherestofyourlifeisworththerisks.”

DerringerglancedathiswatchwhenhesawJasonreturning.“Iguessit’stimeforustogetbackto

work.”

ZanefoundithardtofocusonworkwithoutthoughtsofChanningandwhathisbrotherhadsaid

consuminghismind.Foryears,hisbrothersandcousinshadconsideredhimtheknow-it-allwhere
womenwereconcerned,andhedidknowalot.Buttheonethinghedidn’tknowwashowtoloveand
appreciatetheonewomanwhoshouldhavemattered.Theonewomanwhowasmeantforhim.

Channingwasmeantforhim.Hecouldseethatnow.
Afewhourslater,tellingDerringerandJasonthatheneededtoleaveforawhile,Zanegotinhistruck

anddroveovertoMegan’sMeadowsatbreakneckspeed.Hefiguredhissisterwasstillatworkandwas
gladitwasRicowhoopenedthedoor.BeforeRicocouldsayanything,Zanespokeupandsaid,“Iwant
toknowwhereChanningis.”

AtthefrownthatsettledonRico’sface,Zanehelduphishand.“Iloveher,man.”
RicostudiedZane,andthenhenoddedslowly.
“Ifiguredyouwouldcometoyoursensessoonerorlater.Butbeprepared.Loveornolove,Idon’t

thinkshe’sgoingtomakethingseasyforyou.Personally,Iwouldn’t.”

Zanewasn’tsurprisedbythat.“Yes,butthere’snowayI’mnotgoingtotry.”

Six

O

neofChanning’sfavoritespotsinhergrandmother’sbeachhousewasthewindowseat.She

rememberedwhenhergrandfatherhadknockeddownthewalltobuildit—ahugebaywindowwitha
paddedseatlongenoughtostretchouton.Onenightinherteenyearsshe’devenslepthere.She’dwoken
upstaringoutattheocean.

Sohereshesatwithherlegsstretchedoutinfrontofherwhilereadingabook.Thestoryhadheldher

attentionforthepasttwodays,andsheplannedtofinishitlatertonight.Afterreachingagoodstopping
place,sheplacedherbookaside,stoodtostretchanddecidedtogotothekitchentogetsomethingto
drink.

Herbrotherhadn’tcalled,whichmeanthergrandparentshadn’tmentionedanythingtohimandshe

appreciatedthat.ThelastthingsheneededwasforJuantocallwantingtoknowwhyshewasn’tin
Denverwhenshe’dtoldhimshewouldbethereawhile.Hewasfiveyearsolderandcouldbe
overprotectiveattimes.

AlthoughneitherherparentsnorJuanhadmetZane,shehadmentionedhimonanumberofoccasions,

sotherewasnodoubtinhermindthattheywereawareshe’dfalleninlove.Justliketherewasnodoubt
inhermindthattheyknewtherelationshiphadended.Noonehadasked,butherfamilywasastuteenough
toknowherdecisiontoleaveDenvertwoyearsagohadsomethingtodowithZane.

Shewasheadingbacktoherwindowseatwithacoldglassoflemonadewhentherewasaknockatthe

door.Shesmiled,figuringitwasthesix-year-oldgirlshe’dmetyesterdayonthebeach.Theyoungster,
SandyFarmer,wasanabsolutedoll.Sheandherparentsandheradorablenine-month-oldbabybrother
hadrentedthebeachhousenextdoorfortheentiresummer.Theparentswereprobablyintheirearly
thirties,anditwaseasytoseethattheywereinlove.

JenniferFarmerhadletChanningholdherson,andthemomentshehadheldthebabyinherarmsshe

recalledatimewhenshe’ddreamedofmarryingZaneandhavinghischild.Butthen,inthatsamedream,
shehadfooledherselfintothinkinghelovedher.TheFarmerfamilywasbeautiful,andseeingthem
togethermadeChanningrealizejustwhatshemightneverhave.

Butshe’ddecidednottotakemenorrelationshipsseriously,sheremindedherself,assheplacedthe

glassoflemonadeonthetableandmovedtowardthedoor.Sandyhadpaidheravisitafewhoursagoto
seeifChanningwantedtobuildsandcastlesonthebeach.

ReadytotellSandyshecouldn’tgooutonthebeachwithherjustyet,sheopenedthedoor.
“Hello,Channing.”

***

FromChanning’sexpression,Zaneknewhewasthelastpersonshe’dexpectedtosee.Shelooked
amazingwithbarefeetandwearingashortdenimskirtandalavenderT-shirt.Whileshewasstill
standinginthedoorway,stunned,hefiguredhewouldeaseinsidebeforetheshockworeoff.

Whenheclosedthedoorbehindhim,shockwasreplacedwithanger.“Hey,waitaminute!Ididn’t

inviteyouin.Whatareyoudoinghere,Zane?”

“Icametoapologize,Channing,”hesaid,leaningbackagainstthecloseddoor.“ThereasonIdidwhat

IdidthatnightatMcKayswasbecauseIthoughtyouwereengagedtoHammond,andIdidn’twanttosee
yougethurt.”

Shegapedathim.“Youdidn’twanttoseemehurt?Soseducingmejustforthehellofit,toprovea

point,wasn’tgoingtohurtme?”

Zanecrossedhisarmsoverhischest.“Ididnotseduceyouforthehellofit,Channing.Ididittomake

sureyouwouldbreakoffyourengagement.Atthetime,Ithoughtitwasagoodidea.Hammondwas
screwingaroundonyou.HowwasItoknowthetwoofyouweren’treallyengaged?”

Channingclenchedherjawbeforesaying.“That’sbesidethepoint!HowMackwastreatingmewasn’t

anyofyourbusiness.”

“Thehellitwasn’t.WasIsupposedtostandaroundandlethimmesswithyou?”
Shelookedlivid.“Yes,that’spreciselywhatyouweresupposedtodo.Itwasn’tyourbusiness,Zane.

I’mnotyourbusiness.Youdidn’twantme,remember?WhoIbecameinvolvedwithafterleavingDenver
wasn’tyourconcern.Youcan’thaveitbothways.Youdon’tlovemeyetyoudidn’tthinktwiceabout
sabotagingwhat,forallyouknew,wasmyhappinesswithanotherman.”

Zaneshookhisheadattheirsenselessargument.“Idoloveyou.”
Channingfroze.Andthensecondslater,whenheleanedincloser,sheblinked.Whenhegraspedher

chintotiltherfaceuptohis,theonlythingsheseemedabletodowasstareupathim.Didhereallythink
shewouldbelievethathelovedherafterallthetimeshe’ddeniedit?No,Zanedidn’tloveher.Hejust
didn’twantanyoneelsetohaveher.Hadn’theallbuttoldherthatverythingatMcKays?

“I’msorryImadeyoumadatme,butI’mherenow,andeverythingisgoingtobefine,baby.You’ll

see.”

Beforeshecouldrespond,helickedhistongueacrossherlipsslowlywithdeliberatestrokes.Hetoyed

withhermouthbyslidinghistongueinandoutbetweenherpartedlips.Hertraitorousbodyletouta
moan.

Thereweresomethingsawomancouldn’tgetover,andthatwashowskilledamancouldbeat

seduction.Zanewasanace.Hecouldkissthepantiesoffawoman,andsheofallpeopleshouldknow
sincehe’dprovedthatskillonheranumberoftimes.

Momentslater,heliftedhisheadfromhermouth,andshecouldhearhisheavybreathing.Butwhat

madeherbreathcatchwerethedarkbrowneyesfixedonhers.Hewasstaringatherinawaythatmade
herinsidesmelt.

“Iwantyou,”hewhisperedhuskilyagainstherlips.
Channingtriedtoignorehowquicklyhehadgonefromlovinghertowantingher.ItwasobviousZane

Westmorelanddidn’tknowthedifferencebetweenloveandlust.And,fornow,shedidn’twanttoknow,
either.Therewasnodenyingshewantedhim,andaslongassheknewthatlovewasn’tapartofthe
equationtherewasnoreasonshecouldn’tenjoyhim.

Hadn’tshetoldhergrandmotherafewdaysagoshewaslockingupherheartandthrowingawaythe

key?Zaneshowinguplikethisdidn’tchangeathing.Asfarasshewasconcerned,hisdeclarationoflove
wasnothingbutwords.Wordssherefusedtobelievein.

“Channing,sayyouwantme,too,”hesaidthroatily,holdinghergazewithhisdarkeyes.
Whathewasaskingofherwaseasy.“Iwantyou,too,Zane.”
Asmiletouchedhisface,andhedrewhercloser,puttinghishandsonherroundedbottom,cuppingher

inawaythatplacedanarchinherbackandmadeherpresstighttohismiddle.

Shefelthim,theheavybulgeofhiserectionthroughhisjeans.Eventhroughthedenimshecouldfeel

himthrobbing.Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck,andtheystaredateachotherassexualheat
surroundedthem,stimulatingthem,chargingtheair.Erotictensionvibratedbetweenthem,andagigantic

cravingrushedbloodthroughherveins.

Then,soundlessly,heloweredhismouthbackdowntohers.

***

Zanefelthisworldrockingthemomenttheirmouthslocked.Tonguestouched,entwined,twirledwitha
hungerthattuggedmercilesslyathisgroin.Damn,hehadmissedthis.Hehadlaininbedplentyofnights
remembering.Channinghadamouththatwasmadetobekissed,andhehadtakengreatjoyindoingso.
Shehadatastethatwasunique,andhistonguewasgreedyreadytomakeupforlosttime.

Shewaskissinghimback,tanglinghertonguewithhisinaheatedduel,asensuousmotionthatmade

hiserectionthrobharder.Therehadneverbeenatimewhenshehadn’tmethimonaprimallevel.There
hadneverbeenatimewhenshehadn’tbothfueledandsatisfiedaneedwithinhim.Evennow,his
stomachmusclesquiveredasrawdesiretookcontrolofhim.

Heshiftedhisstancesotheapexofherthighsmadebettercontactwithhiserection.Hewantedherto

feelit,toknowwhatshewasdoingtohim,toknowjusthowmuchhewantedher.

Zanedeepenedthekiss,andthemoanthatcamefromdeepwithinChanning’sthroattoldhimallhe

neededtoknow.Hewouldn’thavetogrovelashe’dthoughthewouldhavetodo.Likehe’dbeen
preparedtodo.Likehim,shewasreadyforthemtomoveintothefuturetogether.

Hepulledhismouthfromhersandstareddownintoeyesglazedoverinpassion.Howcouldhenot

haveknownhelovedher?Howcouldhehavemissedthetruthwhenallsignspointedtothoseemotions
hehadn’twantedtoacknowledge?Shehadbeentheoneevenwhenhe’dconvincedhimselfthatshewas
not.

Helovedher.Heneededher.Andheneverintendedtolethergoagain.Derringerwasright.The

thoughtofnothavingChanninginhislifefaroutweighedthefearoflosinghertosometragicevent.

Filledwithlovetoadepththatwasmind-boggling,hecuppedherfaceinhishands.Shelooked

absolutelybeautiful,staringupathimwithhazeleyes.Suddenly,somethingclenchedinhisgut.Hesaw
desireinhereyes,butwherewasthevibrancythatwasalwaystherewhenshelookedathim?He
recalledseeingitthatnightatMcKays.Perplexedastowhyhewouldimaginesuchathing,heasked
softly,“Youokay?”

Shenodded.“Yes,whywouldn’tIbe?”
Goodquestion.Zanegrewthoughtful.Butbeforehecoulddwellonherresponseanyfurther,Channing

placedherhandsonhisshoulders.Athertouch,hisheartpoundedfuriouslyinhischest.Needingtohave
hismouthconnectedtohersonceagain,heleaneddownandfeastedonitlikeadesperateman.Theonly
timeshe’deverbeenthishotforawomanhadalwaysbeenwithChanning.

Hemoaneddeepinhisthroatwhenhefeltherhipsgrindagainsthishardlength,sendingrapid

sensationsripplingthroughhim.Thesensualpullbetweenthemwastoostrong,moreoverpoweringthan
everbefore,andheneededhernow.

Shereleasedastartledgaspwhenhesweptheroffherfeetandintohisarms.Glancingdownather,he

asked,“Where’sthebedroom?”

“Straightaheadonyourright.”
Hewalkedatabriskpace,feelingtheurgencyineverystep.Whentheyreachedthebedroom,he

placedheronherfeetbesidethebed.“DoyouhaveanyideahowIfeel?”heasked,lettinghisfingers
tenderlystrokethesideofherface.

“No.”
Zanepaused.She’dgivenhimaquickandsimpleanswer.“Thenletmeshowyou.”

Theonethinghe’dalwaysenjoyedduringtheirtimetogetherwashisabilitytopleasureChanning.Her

bodywouldrespondtohiminthemostsensuousways.Shelovedthetasteandfeelofhimasmuchashe
didher.

Hemurmuredgently,tellingherinplaintermsjustwhatheplannedtodotoher.Heheardhow

breathlessshebecamewitheveryexplicitdetail.

Heremovedseveralcondompacketsfromhiswalletandtossedthemonthebed.Then,withoutwasting

anytime,hequicklyshedhisshoesandsocksbeforeyankinghisshirtfromhisjeansandremovingtherest
ofhisclothing.

“Nowforyoutojoinme,”hesaid,lavinghistongueacrossherjaw.HethenstrippedherofherT-shirt,

pullingitoverherheadandtossingitaside.Hecuppedherbreaststhroughherlacebra,andhisentire
bodyfeltanelectricalcharge.Then,withaflickofhiswrist,thefrontclaspwasundoneandgorgeous
twinglobeswerefree,makinghismouthwaterwithheatedmaleappreciationashegazedatthem.

“Beautiful,”hemurmured,heatstirringinhisgut.Herbreastswereperfectlyshaped,enticingtothe

eyesanddelicioustothemouth.Loweringhishead,heburiedhisfacebetweenthemandinhaledthe
lusciousscentofherflesh.

Breathingthickly,Zane’smouthlatchedontoaswollennippleandlickeditwiththetipofhistongue

beforesuckinggreedily.Hefeltandheardherbody’sresponsewhensheshiveredandmoaned,which
triggeredasimilarreactioninhim.Bloodpulsedthroughtheveinsofhisengorgedshaft,makingitache
thatmuchmore.

AthrillofintensepleasurerippedthroughChanning,andsheheldZane’sheadtoherbreastsashis

mouthhaditswaywiththem.Hernipplesthrobbedwhilebeingdevouredbyhistongue,andherbelly
quiveredwithintensearousalthatmovedlower,totheapexofherthighs.Itwasonlyamatteroftime
beforehetooknoteandgaveherthekindofattentionthatonlyhecouldgive.

Momentslater,heliftedhisheadandinhaleddeeply.Shewatchedhowhisnostrilsflaredasthey

pickedupherscent.Inanticipationofhisnextmove,thunderboltsofpleasureconsumedher.

“Ineedtogetinsideyou,bad,”hesaidsoftly,reachingbehindhertoeasedownthebackzipperofher

skirt.Hegaveitalittletug,andthedenimsliddownherthighstopoolatherbarefeet.Herheartpounded
furiouslyinherchestwhenheloweredtobendedkneesandremovedherpanties,easingthemdownher
legs.

Insteadofstandingbackup,heremainedonhisknees.Hetouchedthecurlyhaircoveringher

femininity.Hisfingersslidbackandforththroughthecurlsbeforepartingherfoldsandeasinginsideof
her.

DesireshiftedintoanurgencythatChanningfeltallthewaythroughherbones.Andwhenheadded

anotherfingerandbeganworkinginsideofher,strokingherwithmindlessprecision,shethrewherhead
backandmoaned.Shewasn’tjustwet;shewassoaked—exactlythewayZaneliked.

“Ican’twaittotasteyouagain,”hewhispered,hisvoicereachingherjustmomentsbeforehistongue

slidinsideofher.Then,withhisardentlyskillfulandproficientmouth,helicked,suckedandnibbledher
rightintoanexplosion.

Buthedidn’tletup.Allthroughherorgasm,heswirledhistongueinsideofher,lappinghergreedilyas

heheldontoherwithhismouth.

Shecriedout,screaminghisnamewhilebuckingherhips,holdingontohisfirm,broadshoulders.She

thoughtthesamethingnowthatshe’dthoughtthefirsttimehehadtakenherthisway.Zane
Westmoreland’stongueshouldbeoutlawedandhisfingersshackled.

Itwasonlywhenthelastspasmhadleftherbodythathegottohisfeet,cuppedherfaceinhishands

andheldhergaze.“Iloveyou.”

Channing’smindblockedouthiswords.Shedidn’twanttohearthembecausetheyweren’ttrue.He

didn’tloveher;helovedthis.Hewasn’tinlovewithher;hewasinlustwithher.

Hekissedher,andshetastedherselfonhislipswhilehisengorgedlengthpressedhardagainsther

stomach.Lickingherlips,shepushedZanedownonthebedwiththeintentionofsavoringeveryinchof
him.Ithadbeentwoyears,andshe’dmissedhistaste.

Helayflatonhisbackassheeasedoverhim,usinghertonguetolickallthewayfromhisanklesto

wherehisshaftlaythickandswolleninadensebedofcurlyhair.Sheusedherfingerstostrokehim
beforeloweringherlipstohisthrobbingerection.

Assoonashermouthtookhimin,heletoutagutturalgroan.Thesoundsentheatsurgingthroughher.

Hermouthtorturedhim,andsheenjoyedthefeelofhimpulsatingagainstherlips.Bloodracedthrough
herbodywhenshefelthimswellevenmore.Hejerked,buckedandarchedoffthebed,butsherefusedto
letgo.Thiswaswhatshewanted,whatshecraved,whatshe’dmissed.

“Channing!”
Hermouthstayedlockedonhimevenwhenhescreamedouthernameandhisreleasefloodedher

mouth.Shefelthishandsinherhair,tryingtopullhermouthaway,butsherefusedtoletgo.Histastewas
settingherentirebodyonfire,preparingherforwhatwascomingnext.

Sheslowlyeasedhermouthoffhim,andbeforeshecouldcatchherbreath,hehadpulledherupand

flippedhergentlyontoherback.Partingherlegswithhisknees,helookeddownatherbeforereaching
foroneofthecondomshe’dtossedonthebedearlier.Heopenedthepacketwithhisteethandquickly
sheathedhimself.

“Ineedthis,”hewhisperedbeforeeasingintoher.Hethenthrusthard,andshewrappedherlegs

aroundhim.Herodeher,movinginandout,usingpowerfulstrokes,sensuousthrustsandasteadypace
thathadheatdrummingthroughherateveryangle.

Theroomfilledwiththescentofhot,sweatybodies.Hard,grittysex.AndZanewasrelentless.She

respondedbyliftingherbodytomeethisdownwardspiraloverandoveragain.

Andthenshewentcrashingovertheedge,takinghimwithher.Hisbodycontinuedthesteadystrokes

untilthelastremnantsofclimaxhadleftherbody,leavinghertotallydrained.Shewasconvincedthat
whatthey’dsharedtodayfeltdifferentfromallthoseothertimes.She’dneverexperiencedanythinglike
it.

Momentslater,Zaneslowlypulledoutofherandtheneasedoutofthebedtogotothebathroom.When

hereturned,Channinglaystretchedacrossthebedwithherarmsthrownoverhereyes,pullingindeep
breaths.

Sheloweredherarmssoshecouldlookupathim.Hehadputonhisjeansbutnothisshirt.Thewoman

inhercouldn’thelpbutappreciatehismuscularchest.Whenhemadeamovetositontheedgeofthebed,
shesaid,“Youneedtoleave,Zane.”

Hisbrowsroseinsurprise.“Leave?”
“Yes.Ienjoyedthesexasmuchasyoudid.Webothgotwhatwewanted,sothere’snoreasonforyou

tostickaround.”

Adarkfrownsettledonhisface.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“I’mtalkingaboutthereasonyoucamehere.”
“ItoldyouwhyIcame.IwantedtoapologizeandtotellyouIloveyou.”
Sheshookherheadassheeasedoutofbedandbeganputtingonherclothes.Sheglancedoverathim

asshetossedherhairasidetoslideherT-shirtbackoverherhead.“Idon’tbelieveyou.”

Hewatchedhereverymove.“Whatdon’tyoubelieve?”
Sheeasedherskirtupoverherhips.“Thatyouloveme.”

Zanewastakenabackbywhatshesaid.“Andwhydon’tyoubelieveme?”
“Because,”shesaid,pullingherhairbackandfasteningitwithaclip.“Ifyoutellsomeonesomething

oftenenough,eventuallythey’llgetsmartandbelieveit.Youdidn’tlovemeafewdaysago.Igotthat
admissionfromyourownlips.SowhyonearthwouldIbelievethatyoulovemenow,Zane?”

Seven

Z

anestoodtherewithhisgazefixedonChanning.Hecouldnotbelieveshewasquestioningwhathe’d

toldher.Thefirsttimehe’deveradmittedhisloveforawomanandshedidn’tbelievehim?Whatkindof
crapwasthat?

Somewhereinthebackofhismind,hecouldhearBaileygloating.“Thekindofcrapyougotyourself

into.”

Drawinginafrustratedbreath,hesaid,“ThereasonyoushouldbelievemeisbecauseIdon’thavea

reasontolieaboutanythinglikethat.”

Shegaveashortlaugh.“Sureyoudo.You’vegotitinyourmindthatnobodycanhavemebutyou.”
Hetookitasanaffrontatwhatshesaid.“Idon’tthinkthat!”
“Don’tyou?”Hereyesturnedstormy.“DidyounotseducemeinMcKaystoproveapoint?”
“Yes,butI—”
“Doesn’tmatter,”shesaid,interrupting.“You’veexplainedyourself.Youcametoapologize,andyou

have.Butpleasedon’tgetloveconfusedwithlust,Zane.Youcanneverloveawoman.Igetit.”

No,shedidn’tgetit.Howcouldamantellawomanhelovedherandshenotbelievehim?Hedrewin

adeepbreathwhentheanswerslappedhimintheface.Easily,ifitwasthesamemanwho’dtoldher
overandoverthathedidn’tloveher.

Theystoodthere,eyeslocked,whilesecondstickedby.Heneededhertounderstand.“Iwasafraidto

loveyouuntilnow.”

Herbrowsrose.“Afraid?Please.Certainlyyoucandobetterthanthat.ZaneWestmorelandisn’tafraid

ofanything.”

Boy,wasshewrong.Herubbedhishanddownhisfaceinfrustration.“Look,Channing—”
“No,youlook,”shesaid,hertonehardeningasshetossedhimhisshirt.“Youmightnotknowwhat

loveis,butIdo.Ilovedyou,butyoucouldn’tlovemeback.Youwouldn’tlovemeback.SoIleftDenver,
andIstayedawayfortwoyears.Twoyears,Zane.Andyoudidn’tsomuchaspickupaphonetoseehow
Iwasdoing.”

Herhearttwisted,rememberingthenightswhenshefirstgottoAtlantawhen,forsomestupidreason,

sheactuallythoughthewouldcomeafterher.Shethoughtthathe’drealizehelovedher,hecouldn’tlive
withoutherandhewouldshowuponedaywithaconfessionofhisfeelings.Shehadbeensowrong,and
whenshe’dfinallyacceptedthatZanetrulydidn’tgiveadamnabouther,she’dtriedmovingon.

“Iwantedto,”Zanesaidandimmediatelyknewitsoundedlame.
Evidentlyshethoughtso,too.Hecouldtellwhenhesawfireflaringinhereyes.“Youwantedto?The

Zanewhodoeswhateverhewantstodowantedtocallmeandcouldn’t?Why?”Sheheldupherhand
beforehecouldanswer.“That’sright,youwereafraid,”shesaid,mockinghisearlierstatement.She
crossedherarmsoverherchest.“Andjustwhatwereyouwereafraidof,Zane?WereyouscaredthatI
wouldpressureyouintomarryingme?”

Zaneknewwomen,andheknewyoucouldn’tmakethemseereasonwhentheybelievedtherewas

none.Andyoudefinitelycouldn’tout-talkonewhothoughtshehadacasetomake.

“You’reupset,Channing.Maybeweshouldcontinuethisconversationtomorrow.”

“Don’tcountonit.Whydon’tyoujustheadbacktoDenver?Afterthatto-prove-a-pointstuntyou

pulledinMcKays,Idon’twantyouaround.”

Adarkscowlcoveredhisface.“Whatdoyoucallwhatwejustdidinthisbed,Channing?Wemade

love.”

Shegavehimasmirkinglook,onelikehe’dnevergottenfromherbefore.“No,wedidn’tmakelove.

Wehadsex.I’msureyou’reveryfamiliarwiththeact.”

“Damnit,Channing.Icouldneverhavejustsexwithyou!”hestormed.
“Thenletmeinformyouthatyoujustdid.”Sheslidherfeetintoapairofflatshoes.“Putyourshirton

soIcanwalkyoutothedoor.”

AnervetickedinZane’sjaw.Notonlydidshethinksolittleofwhatthey’djustsharedbutshewas

kickinghimout!Heopenedhismouthtosayafewwords,butwhenhesawtearswellinginhereyeshe
mutteredacurseunderhisbreathinstead.Tearsshewasfightinglikehellforhimnottosee.Atthat
moment,hewasfilledwithremorsethathehadhurttheonewomanheshouldhaveprotectedfromall
harm.

“Channing,Idolove—”
“No,”shelashedout,haltinghiswordsinmidsentence.“Justleave,Zane.Please,justleave.”
Feelinghelplessononehandandlikeatotalassontheother,Zanepushedoutadeepbreathandputon

hisshirt.HekepthisgazeonChanning.“You’rewrongaboutme,Channing,andIintendtoproveit.”

“Don’twasteyourtimetryingtoproveanotherpoint,Zane.I’vetakenofftherose-coloredglassesand

tossedthemaway.Ididthesamethingwiththekeytomyheart.”

Heshovedhishandsintohispockets,refusingtogodownindefeat.“ThenIguessmyjobistofind

bothandreturnthem.”

“LikeIsaid,don’twasteyourtime.”Shetossedthewordsoverhershoulderassheledhimoutofthe

roomtothedoor.

***

Zane’sguttightenedwhenheheardChanning’sdoorslamshutbehindhim.Hepausedwhenhereached
therentalcar.Hehadamindtogorightbackuptoherdooranddemandthatsheseereason,demandthat
shebelievehim.

Demand?Hell,heofallpeopleshouldknowyoucouldn’tdemandanythingfromawoman—especially

onewhofeltshe’dbeenwronged.Heswallowedadeeplumpinhisthroatattherealizationthatshehad
beenwronged.Sofarhehadn’thandledanythingrightwithChanning.Feelingtotallydisgustedwith
himself,heopenedthecardoorandslidinside,snappingtheseatbeltinplace.

Hishandsgrippedthesteeringwheelashelookedoverhisshoulderbeforebackingoutofheryard.He

wasinonehellofamessandhe—ZaneWestmorelandwhowasconsideredtheexpertonanyissues
dealingwithwomen—didn’tknowwhatheneededtodotofixthings.

He’dfiguredshowingupandconfessinghislovewoulddoit.He’dbeendeadwrong.Apartofhim

wasangrythatsheactuallythoughthewouldlieaboutsomethinglikethat.Hell,hetookthosethreewords
seriously.She’dsuggestedthathemightbegettingloveconfusedwithlust.Didshenotthinkheknewthe
difference?Hell,he’dlustedafterwomensincepuberty.Buthe’dneverfelttheneedtochasebehindone
andpourouthisheartandsoul.

Thenerveofher,questioninghiswordsoflove.Itwasalmostenoughtomakehimwanttodriveback

totheairportandcatchthenextplanetoDenver.Hedidn’tneedthis.

Buthedidneedher.Andregardlessofwhatshethought,hedidloveher.

Whenhecametoastopatatrafficlight,Zaneclosedhiseyesandconjureduptheimagehe’dseen

whenshe’dopenedthedoorforhimtoleave.Thelookonherfacewasthesameonehe’dseewhenhe’d
brokenthingsoffwithotherwomen.Buthe’dneverseenthatlookonher.

Somewomenjustcouldn’taccept,forwhateverreason,thattheirrelationshiphadcometotheend.

Seeingthatlookhadneverbotheredhimbeforebecausehe’dfeltitwasthewoman’sproblemandnothis.
Unfortunately,hecouldn’tthinkthatwaywithChanningbecausehelovedher.Itwashisproblem.

Heopenedhiseyeswhenacarbehindhimhonked,lettinghimknowthetrafficlighthadchanged.

Momentslater,hemadearightattheintersectionthatwouldtakehimtooneofthemanyhotelsinthe
area.IfChanningthoughtshe’dgottenridofhimthenshewassadlymistaken.

ItwasabeautifuldayinJuly,andtheoceanlookedmagnificent.Ashedrovealongthebeach’sscenic

route,hisgazetookinthebeautifullandscape.He’dbeentoVirginiabefore,withDerringerandJason,
whentheymetwitharancherinRichmondwho’dbeeninterestedinpurchasinganumberoftheirhorses.

Ashewasdriving,hiscellphonerang.ThinkingitmightbeChanningcallingtolethimknowshedid

believehisconfessionofloveafterall,hisheartpoundedinhischest.Enteringthehotel’sparkinglot,he
broughthiscartoastopinoneofthespacesandquicklyshiftedtopullhiscellphoneoutofhispocket.
HefrownedwhenhesawthecallerwasnotChanningbuthiscousinCanyon.

“What’sup,Canyon?”
“Wherethehellareyou,Zane?IdroppedbytheHideoutlastnightandagainthismorning,anditlooks

likeaghosttown.IaskedDerringerandJasonwhenIsawyouweren’tworkingwiththehorsestoday.
Theybothhadlockedlipsforsomereason.”

Goodforthem,Zanethought,turningoffthecar’signition.He’dtoldDerringerandJasonnotto

mentionwherehe’dgoneunlessanemergencycameup.ThelastthinghewantedwasforMegantoget
windofthefactthathe’dcomeafterChanning.Hedidn’twanthertotryandsabotagethingsforhim.He’d
gottenRico’swordthathewouldn’tmentionittoMeganforafewdays,togiveZanetimetomakehis
casewithChanning.

ZanefiguredCanyonmustbehuntinghimdownduetosomewomanissue.Hewastemptedtotell

Canyonthathehadhisownproblemstodealwith.“I’moutoftownonbusiness,Canyon.”Inaway,that
wastrue.Channingwashisbusiness.

“Well,Ineedtotalktoyouaboutsomething.”
Zanerolledhiseyes.“Somethingorsomeone?”
“Someone.ItoldyouKeishaAshfordwasbackintown.”
Keishawasawomanhiscousinhadbeeninvolvedwithafewyearsago.“Yes,youmentionedshe’d

returnedandhadgottenrehiredatthatlawfirmintown.”

“Well,I’vebeentryingtogethertotalktomesowecanclearupwhatdroveusapart,butshewon’t

givemethetimeofday.”

Welcometotheclub,Zanethought.“And?”
“AndIdon’tunderstandhowshecouldhavethoughtIbetrayedherwithanotherwoman.”
Zanegrittedhisteeth.HeunderstoodCanyon’sdilemmasincehecouldn’tunderstandwhyChanning

wouldthinkhedidn’tloveher.“Well,shedidwalkinonyouand—”

“BonitaandIhadn’tdoneanything,”Canyonsaid.
“Yes,butIcanunderstandwhyKeishahadahardtimebelievingthatsinceBonitaSimpkinswasnaked

andall…andifIrecallthestory,sowereyou.”

“IwaswearingatowelbecauseIhadjusttakenashower.”
“Oh.”HewonderedifCanyonfullyrealizedjusthowdamagingthatmusthavelooked.“Letmeaskyou

this,”Zanesaid.“WhenthetwoofyouweretogetherdidyouevertellKeishahowyoufeltabouther?”

“OfcourseIdid.Idon’thavecommitmentissueslikeyou.”
Zanefrowned.“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”
“WhatImeanisthatIhappennottoseefallinginloveassomesortofacurse.Myparents,aswellas

yours,hadgoodmarriages.Solidandstrong.That’sthereasonthethoughtofawifeandkidsneverthrew
meintoastateofpaniclikeitdidyou.”

Zanetookoffense.“Itneverthrewmeintoastateofpanic.Ijustwasn’treadytosettledown.”
“Andyouwon’teverbe.”
Zane’sfrowndeepened.“WhatifItoldyouthatIhadfalleninlove?”
Canyonlaughed.“ThenIwouldtellyoutogotellthatlietosomebodyelse.You’reincapableoffalling

inlove.NowbacktoKeisha.”

Zanetookthephonefromhisearandstaredatit.Ifhisownkindidn’tbelievehewascapableoffalling

inlove,thenhowcouldheexpectChanningtobelieveit?

HeputthephonebacktohiseartohearCanyonrambling.Hiscousinwasthirty-twoandanattorneyat

thefamilyfirm.He’dstartedoutasamedicalstudentatHowardUniversityandafterthesecondyear
decidedbecomingadoctorwasn’tforhim.He’dswitchedtoHoward’sSchoolofLawinstead.Nowhe
workedasanattorneyatBlueRidge.“RileysaidIshouldmakepeacewithher,”Canyonsaid.

“And?”
“Itried,butsherefusestogivemethetimeofday.Idon’tevenknowwhereshelives,man.Sherefuses

totellme.AndthefewtimesI’verunintoher,sheactedsecretive.Likeshe’shidingsomething.”

Zanedrewinadeepbreath.“Soexactlywhatdoyouwantfromme,Canyon?”
“You’retheexpertonwomen.WhatdoyouthinkIshoulddo?”
Zanesnorted.Yeah,hewasanexpertallright.Anexpertwhocouldn’thandlehisowndamnbusiness.

“Firstofall,she’sprobablynotactingsecretive,Canyon.She’sprobablybeingcoy.Keisha’ssizingyou
uptoseeifyoucanbetrustedagain.Trustisimportanttoawoman.”Soisbeingtoldshe’sloved,Zane
thought.

“Ididn’tbetrayher,”Canyonblasted.
“Doesn’tmatter.Shethinksshecaughtyoured-handed.You’regoingtohavetoproveBonitaSimpkins

setyouup.”

“WhyshouldIhavetoproveanything?Sheshouldhavetrustedme.Ididn’tdoanythingwrong,andI’m

sickandtiredofhertreatingmelikeIdid.Goodbye,Zane.I’llseeyouwhenyougetbacktoDenver.And
whereareyou,anyway?Youdidn’tsay.”

Andhedidn’tintendto.“Gottago,Canyon.I’vejustmadeittothehotel.”
“Oh,okay.Whenwillyoubeback?”
Nowthatwasagoodquestion.HeintendedtostayforaslongasittooktoconvinceChanningthathe

wasinlovewithher.“Notsure,butI’llkeepintouch.Talktoyoulater.”

Zaneendedthecallanddecidedheneededtocomeupwithasolidplan.He’dgottenhimselfintothis

mess,andhewouldfigureawayoutofit.

Whatwasthisnonsenseaboutthemjusthavingsex?Theirtimeinthebedroomhadalwayshadmore

meaningthanthat.Ithadneverbeenjustsexforhim.

Hewinceduponrealizingthathe’dnevertoldherthat.ButsomehowChanninghadfalleninlovewith

himanywaywiththehopethatonedayhewouldloveherback.Instead,hehadlookedherrightinthe
eyesandtoldher—onmorethanoneoccasion—thathedidn’tloveher,thathewasn’tcapableofloving
women.Andnowheexpectedhertobelieveotherwise.Today,angryandhurt,shehadshownhimthat
thingsdidn’tworkthatway.

Heopenedthecardoor,thinkingthatnomatterwhatittook,hewouldconvinceChanningthathedid

loveher.

***

Whenevershegotinatizzyaboutanything,Channinghadatendencytocook…andnotjustalittlebitof
food.Shereleasedasighassheglancedaroundthekitchenatherhandiwork.Ignoringthepotsandpans
stackedsky-highinherkitchensink,shestudiedallthecontainersthatlitteredhertable,countertopsand
island.Shehadfinishedeverythingdowntothechocolatechipcookiesthathadjustcomeoutoftheoven.

Shewalkedovertotherefrigeratortograbawinecooler,decidingtositoutsideontheporchawhile.

She’dcookedenoughfoodtolastherforthenexttwoandahalfweeks.Butshecouldn’thelpit.She
neededtokeepbusy,andcookinghadalwaysbeenhersolace.Thistimeshe’dendedupwithspaghetti,
twodifferentcasseroles,bakedchicken,fourkindsofveggies,rice,cornonthecobandgreenbeans.

Itwasmorethanenoughfoodtoshare.SheimmediatelythoughtoftheFarmers.Therewasnoreason

theycouldn’tbenefitfromhermadness.

Haditbeenonlyafewhoursagothatshe’dengagedinincrediblesex?Ifthetinglingsensationbetween

herlegswasanythingtogoby,shewouldadmitshecouldusesomemore.Thatwaswhattwoyears
withoutintimacycoulddotoawoman.She’dalwaysenjoyedsharingabedwithZane.Themanwas
walkingtestosteroneonlegs.Andinbedhewassimplyamazing.Trulyunbelievable.

Andyethewantedhertobelievethathelovedher.
Yeah,right.
Channingshookherheadassheopenedthedoorandsatdownontheporchswing.Zanemusthave

forgottenwhohewastryingtoconvince.Shehadbeentheone,liketheothers,who’dgottenhisspiel
whenthey’dfirststarteddatingandtheonewho’dalsohearditplentyoftimesinbetween.Iwillnever
loveanywoman.Idon’tloveyou.I’mnotcapableoffallinginlove.

Andthenhe’dstopreiteratingit,andshe’dmadethemistakeofthinkingshewasdifferent.She’d

wantedtomeanmorethantheothers.

Channingtookadeepswallowofherwinecooler,decidingnottorehashthemistakesshe’dmadewith

Zane.Shewastryingsohardtogetoverhim,butafterhe’dshownuphereandmadelovetoher,he’d
probablyonlymadethingsworse.Hehadstirredupwantsanddesiresshe’dconvincedherselfshedidn’t
have,butwhathadhappenedlastweekinMcKayshadprovedotherwise.Shehadlethimtakeherona
tableinarestaurantforheaven’ssake.Theonlyregretshehadwasthathe’donlydoneittoproveapoint.

Whatifhe’stellingyouthetruthaboutlovingyou?Whatif…
Channingpushedthepossibilityoutofherhead.Therewasnoway.Itwaslust,notlove.Shegotit

now.Shewouldneverbeconfusedagain.AndhopefullyZanewasonhiswaybacktoDenver.

Eight

T

henextmorning,ZanepulledupinfrontofChanning’sgrandparents’homewithapurposeandaplan.

He’dneverpursuedawomaninhislife,butgivingChanningupwasn’tanoption.Hehadn’tgonetobed
untilhe’dcomeupwiththisidea.Andnowhewasbackwithagamechanger.

Ifanyonehadpresentedthisproblemtohim,hewouldhavetoldthem,basedonwhatheknewabout

women,thatactionsspeaklouderthanwords.SinceChanningdidn’tbelieveawordhesaid,itwastime
toshowit.

Thenextthinghewoulddowasletherthinkshewasincontrol.Somewomenenjoyedhavingtheupper

handwhenamanfellinlovewiththem.Theyhadtoseeithappeningbeforebelievingitwasreal.
Especiallywhenitcametoadevoutbachelor.Thewomanhadtofeelshe’dsucceededintopushingthe
manintolovingher.Whensheassumedshe’dusedherfemininewilestoconquertheman’sheart,that
madevictorysomuchsweeter.

Ifthatwaswhatwasneeded,thenhewasgame.AndheplannedtoenjoyeverysingleminuteChanning

thoughtshewaswinninghimover,mainlybecausehewouldbewinningherover,aswell.Andheknew
justhowtodoitbecauseheknewChanning—herweaknessesandherstrengths.

Bythetimeitwasoveranddone,thehowofitwouldn’tmatterbecausehe’dlovedher,anyway.And

whenhewasthrough,therewouldbenodoubtinChanning’smindthatshewashiswomanandhewasher
man.

Herman.
Wherewastheshudderhewassupposedtofeelatbeinganywoman’sman?Infact,hefeltprettydamn

goodwhenheconsideredtheidea.AndhealsofeltgoodaboutthefactthatChanningstilllovedhim
althoughhewassureshewoulddenyitwithherlastbreath.Whathadhappenedyesterdayinthat
bedroomwasn’tjustaboutsexlikeshe’dclaimed.Ithadbeenaboutmakinglove.

ToChanning,passionandloveweresynonymous,andtherehadbeenalotofpassioninthatbed

yesterday.Buthewasn’tstupid.Althoughshemightstilllovehim,thatlovewasbeingheldhostagebyher
mistrust,andhe’dhavetoworkhardtoreleaseit.Morethananythinghehadtofindawaytorekindlethat
love.

Smiling,Zaneswiftlywalkedupthestepstotheporchandglancedattheswing.He’dseenityesterday

buthadbeentoofocusedonChanningtopaymuchattentiontoit.Hecouldseeherintheswing.Hewould
besittingtherewithher,hisarmsaroundherandherheadrestingonhischest.He’dwhisperthatheloved
herwhilethemotionoftheswingrockedthem.Shewouldbelievehimwhenhesaidthewords.Andthere
wouldbenodoubtinhermindofhissincerity.

Hewasabouttoknockonthedoorwhenheglancedthroughherlivingroomwindow.Hepaused,

anglinghisheadforabetterview.Whenhegotit,angershotthroughhim.Amanwasmovingaround
Channing’skitchen.Whatthehell!

Adeepscowlcoveredhisfaceashemovedtowardthedoor.Hedidn’tknowwhatwasgoingon,but

hewasabouttofindout.

***

“JenniferandIthankyoukindlyforallthisfood,Channing.”

Channingsmiledasshecontinuedpackingupthecontainers.“Noproblem,Ronald.You’reactually

doingmeafavor.Ihadn’tmeanttocooksomuch.”

RonaldFarmerglancedaroundthekitchen.“Yes,Iwouldsayyoudidgetabitcarriedaway.”
Channingthrewbackherheadandlaughed.Itwasthenthatsheheardtheknockatthedoor.“Wouldyou

getthedoorforme?That’sprobablyDanJoyner.Hisgrandfatherownsthehousewiththegatedownthe
road.I’veknownhimforyears,andhe’sstoppingbytogetsomeofthisfood,aswell.”

“Sure.”
Zanewasabouttoknockonthedooragainwhenitwasopenedbythemanhe’dviewedthroughthe

window.DressedinapairofshortsandaT-shirt,themanwasastallasZanebutwiththebodyof
someonewhoworkedoutoften.Themanhadthenervetobesmiling.

“Howareyoudoing?”themangreetedwithafriendlyair.“You’rehereforthefood?”
Zanefrowned.“No,I’mnothereforanyfood.I’mheretoseeChanning.”Andwithoutwaitingtobe

invitedinside,hemovedpastthemanbeforeturningbacktohim.“Whereisshe?”

Themanlookedathimcuriously,asiftosizehimup.Thenhesaid,“She’sinthekitchen.”
“Notanymore,”Channingsaid,frowningasshesteppedintothelivingroomcarryinganarmfuloffood

containers.ShehadheardZane’svoiceandcouldnotbelievehisaudacity.WhywashestillinVirginia?
Moreimportantly,whywashehere?

“Letmehelpyouwiththose,”Ronaldsaid,quicklymovingforwardtorelieveherofthestackshewas

carrying.

“Thanks.”
SheglancedoveratZaneandsawthedeephazeofangerinhiseyes.Whatwashisproblem?Deciding

towaituntilRonaldleftbeforeconfrontingZaneastowhyhewashere,shesaid,“Ronald,I’dlikeyouto
meetZane.Anoldfriend.”

Jugglingthecontainersinonehand,RonaldmovedtowardZanewiththeotherhandoutstretched.“Nice

meetingyou.”

Zaneacceptedtheman’shandshakegrudgingly.“Youstayaroundtheseparts,Ronald?”Zaneasked.
Channingfrowned.“Yes,Ronaldstaysnextdoor,”sheansweredforhim.“Hiswifeandkidsarehere

forthesummer.”

“Wife?”Zaneasked,shiftinghisgazefromRonaldtoChanning.
“Yes,wife,”Channinganswered,annoyed.
ShethensmiledatRonald.“Ihopeyou,Jenniferandthekidsenjoyeverything.”
Ronaldreturnedhersmile.“I’msurewewill,andagainweappreciateit.”Thenwithaconcernedlook

onhisface,heaskedChanning,“You’regoingtobeokay?”

Channingknewwhyhewasasking.Evidentlyhe’dpickeduponZane’sangerandfiguredZanemight

beanoldfriendbut,atthemoment,abad-temperedone.“Yes,I’llbefine.”

Satisfiedwithherresponse,RonaldglancedbackatZane.“Nicemeetingyou,Zane.”
“Yeah,samehere.”Zanequicklymovedtoopenthedoorfortheman.Whenthedoorclosedbehind

Ronald,heturnedtoChanning.Ignoringthescowlonherface,asmilecurvedhislips.“Heseemslikea
nicemarriedguy.”

HerfrownindicatedthatshehadnotappreciatedhisinitialchurlishattitudetowardRonald.“Whatare

youdoinghere,Zane?Ithoughtyou’dbebackinDenverbynow,”shesaid,turning.

Hefollowedherintothekitchen.
“Notsurewhyyouthoughtthat.Besides,I’vebeendoingalotofthinkingaboutourconver—”
Hestoppedtalkingashelookedaround,seeingherkitchentableandcounterlitteredwithfood

containers.“What’sgoingon?You’reopeningarestaurantontheside?”

Channingrolledhereyeswhenshebeganplacingsomeofthecontainersintherefrigerator.“No,Iwas

justinthemoodtocookyesterday.”

“Allofthis?”
Shefrownedoverhershoulder.“Yes,allofthis.IdecidedtosharesomewithRonaldandJennifer.

Theyhaveasweetlittlegirlandasonwhohasn’tstartedwalkingyet.They’reabeautifulfamily.”

Henodded,thinkingthosefolkswerenotasbeautifulashisandChanning’sfamilywouldbeoneday.

Lastnight,afterhe’dplannedhisstrategy,he’denvisionedthemmarriedwithacoupleofkidsandliving
happilyattheHideout.

“Sowhydidyoucomeback,Zane?”
Heleanedagainstthecounter.“Icouldn’thelpmyself.”
Channingdrewinadeepsigh.Shehopedhewasn’tbacktoconfusinglustwithloveagain.“Whatdo

youmeanyoucouldn’thelpyourself?”sheasked,liftingoneeyebrow.

Heshovedhishandsintothepocketsofhisjeans.“Igottothinkingaboutourconversationyesterday.”
“And?”
“ItoldyouIlovedyou,butyoudidn’tbelieveme.YousaidI’mconfusinglustwithlove.Forthesake

ofargument,let’ssayyou’rerightaboutthat.”

“Iamright,”shesaidwithabsolutecertainty.“Noman,orwomanforthatmatter,who’sbeenagainst

fallinginlovetothedepththatyouhavecanmiraculouslywakeuponemorninganddecidethey’rein
love.Fallinginlovedoesn’tworkthatway.”

Zanenodded.“Okay,let’ssayyou’reright.”
“And?”
Nowtothrowoutthehookandhopeshetakesthebait,Zanethoughtashemovedcloser.“Andifit’s

onlylust,likeyouclaim,becauseofthisstrongsexualchemistrybetweenus,thentheonlythingIhaveto
sayisthatIfeelthatI’mclose.”

Sheliftedabrow.“Closetowhat?”
“Fallinginlovewithyou.”
Channingclosedtherefrigerator,thinkingthatnowshe’dheardeverything.“Fallinginlovewithme?”
“Yes.Close.Accordingtoyou,Ican’tbeinlovewithyou.Ifyou’rerightaboutthat,thenhowcome

whenthatguyopenedthedoorIwasreadytohurthimwhenIthought—”

“Iknowwhatyouthought,Zane,”Channinginterruptedhimtosay.“Andevenifthatwasthecase,it

wasn’tanyofyourbusiness.”

Hestraightened,rollinghisheadaroundandworkinghisshoulderstoslogoutthekinks.“Itmightnot

bemybusiness,butit’sanexampleofoneofthosethingsthatIcan’thelpwhereyou’reconcerned.I’ve
nevergottenjealousoverawomanbefore,Channing,sothathastomeansomething.”

Shemethisgaze.“Itdoesmeansomething,andithasnothingtodowithlove.Itmeansyou’re

possessive.Youdon’twantme,butyoudon’twantanyoneelsetohaveme,either.”

“Youmakemesoundlikeaselfishbastard.”
“Well…it’sadescriptionthatfits,”shesaid,movingaroundhimtogointothelivingroom.Infact,she

wasleadinghimtothedoor.Shethoughtofaquestionshe’dmeanttoaskhimyesterday—somethingthat
hadnaggedatherallduringthenight.Sheturned,andhealmostbumpedintoher.Whenhereachedouthis
handtosteadyher,herbodytingledfromthecontact.Sheforcedherselftotakeastepbackwhenhe
droppedhishand.

“Ihaveaquestionforyou,”shesaid,tryingtodownplaythesensationsthatwerestillmovingthrough

herbody.

“What?”
Channingcaughtherlowerlipbetweenherteethasshethoughtaboutwhatshewantedtoaskhim.She

decidedtocomeoutanddoit.“Wouldithavemadeadifferenceifyouhadn’tthoughtMackwascheating
onme?”

“Whatdoyoumean?”heasked,leaningagainstawallinherlivingroom.
“Ifyouhadn’tassumedMackwascheatingonme,wouldyouhaveseducedme,anyway?”
Hedidn’thesitate.“Yes.”
Shestiffened.“Why?”
Itseemedasifseverallongsecondstickedbetweenthembeforeheresponded.“Iwantedyou,andI

couldtellyouwantedme.Iknowyourbody,Channing.Iknewthemomentyoubecamewetforme.The
momentyournippleshardened.Ididn’thavetowaitforyoutoasktoknowyouwantedmeinsideofyou.”

Channing’sstomachclenched.Thatwetnesshewastalkingabout,heavenhelpher.Hiswordshadit

flowingagain.ShefeltdisgustedwithherselfforlettingZanehavethiskindofpoweroverher.

Decidingsheneededtotakeastandagainstwhathe’dclaimedregardlessofwhetherithadmeritor

not,shesaid,“Soyoudecidedtoactonyourassumption?EvenwhilebelievingIwasengagedtomarry
anotherman?TheZaneWestmorelandIknowwouldnothavedonethat.”

Hemoved,comingwithininchesofher.“ThenmaybeI’mnottheZaneyouthoughtyouknew.”
Evidentlynot.
Duringthosemonthsthey’ddated,shehadbeensureofhimregardlessofwhathe’dsaidaboutlove.

Buthe’dprovedherwrong,whichwaswhyshecouldn’tbelievehisclaimoflove.Nowitseemedshe’d
beenrightnottobelievehim.Hewasonlyonthevergeoflove.

“Ithinkyoushouldleavenow,”shesaid,movingagaintowardthedoor.Whensheopenedit,he

reachedaroundherandshutit.Shesawamuscleworkinginhisjaw.

“Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?”sheasked.
“Icamebacktodayforareason,Channing.”
Shenarrowedhergazeathim.“Iknow,youcouldn’thelpyourselfbecausenowyouthinkthere’sa

chancethatyou’refallinginlovewithme.”Channingshookherhead.“Deliberateorotherwise,you’re
confusingtheheckoutofme.Maybeyou’reright,andyouaren’ttheZaneIthoughtIknew.Ifthat’strue,I
don’twanttoknowtheZanethatyouarenow.”

Shegaspedwhenhebracedstrongarmsagainstthedooroneithersideofher,effectivelytrappingher.

“Maybeyoushould.”

***

Zaneknewwhathe’dtoldherwastrue.Hewasn’tthesameZane.Firstofall,theoldZanewouldnever
havefalleninlove,andhelovedthiswomansomuchheachedallover.

“You’renotmakingmuchsense,Zane.”
Healmostagreedwithher,butheknewwhathewasdoingdidmakesense.Itwashisstrategytowin

herover,toproveonceandforallthatwhathefeltforherwasn’tlustbutlove.“Twoyearsagoyou
thoughtyouknewme,Channing.Ienjoyedyou,andyouenjoyedme.Inyourneatandtidyworld,you
figuredthingsshouldmovefrompointAtopointBbynobody’stimetablebutyourown.However,what
youfailedtofigureintotheequationisthattheworstthingawomancandoispushamanwhenheisn’t
ready.Youdidthat.Iwasn’treadythen.Iamnow.”

Hesawirritationspreadacrossherface.“Readyforwhat?”
“TobepushedintofeelingthingsIwasn’treadytofeelbefore.Infact,I’mopentoendless

possibilities.”

ChanningstaredatZaneashermindtrickledbackintime.TheZaneWestmorelandshe’dfalleninlove

withhadneverbeenatypicalguy.Therehadbeensomanyfacetstohimthatshe’dspentthefirstcouple
ofmonthsoftheirrelationshiptryingtounravelhim.TherehadbeenthereservedZane.Theforbidding
Zane.TheZanewhowasdevotedtohisfamily.TheZanewhosaidwhathemeantandmeantwhathe
said.Thosewerethequalitiesthathadfirstattractedhertohim,andthosesamequalitieswerewhathad
capturedherheartandmadeherfallinlovewithhim.

Sheknewhestillhadthosequalities,sowhowastheZaneshedidn’tknow?Asifthequestionwas

stampedonherforeheadforhimtoread,hesaid,“Younevergettoknowanyonecompletely,Channing,
andthereasonI’mwillingtobepushednowisbecauseIdon’twanttoloseyouagain.”Hepaused.“I
admitI’mclose.CloserthanI’veeverbeeninmyentirelife.LikeIsaid,allIneedisalittlepush.”

HehadtomakeChanningunderstand.Helovedher,andmaybeifshedidn’tbelievehewasthere

already,shewouldbuythathewasalmostthereandtakethechanceofproddinghimfurther.

“Iadmireyousodamnmuch,Channing,”hesaidhonestly.“MorethananyotherwomanI’vebeen

involvedwith.Iknewyouwantedmorefromme,morethanIcouldgive.Butthatdidn’tmeanIdidn’t
careforyou,becauseIdid.Ineverledyouon.Iwasalwayshonestwithyou.”

Channingsaidnothingasshethoughtaboutwhathesaid.Hewasright.Hehadalwaysbeenhonestwith

her.He’dnevertoldherhelovedher,andshecouldadmitthatitwasn’thisfaultthatshehadwantedhim
tofeeldifferently.

Nowheneedsalittlepush.WhatifIgivehimthatpushandnothingcomesofit?Doesn’the

understandhe’saskingmetoplayRussianroulettewithmyheart?

“Justwhatareyouaskingofme,Zane?”
“SomethingIprobablyhavenorightto,”hesaidgently.“ButI’maskinganywaybecauseIwantyou

morethanI’veeverwantedanywoman.Don’tgiveuponme.GettoknowtherealZane,anddon’tbe
afraidtopushmetothelimit.You’retheonlywomanwhocan.You’retheonlywomanIwilleverlove.”

ChanningdrewinadeepbreathassheabsorbedwhatZanewassaying.Althoughhedidn’tloveher,he

believedthatshehadthepowertomakehimloveher?Allheneededwasalittlepush.Ifthatwasthe
case,whyhadn’thefalleninlovewithherwhentheyweredating?Thingshadbeengoodbetweenthem—
thesex,thecommunication,theentirerelationship.Hehadn’tbeenreadythen.Whatwouldbedifferent
thistimearound?

Shedrewinanotherdeepbreath,decidingtocallhimoutonsomethinghe’dsaidyesterday.“Whenyou

saidyoulovedme,oneofthereasonsyouclaimedyoudidn’tactonitwasbecauseyouwereafraid.What
didyoumeanbythat?”

Zaneheldhergazeforalongtime,theninaquiettonehesaid,“Let’ssitdownwhileItrytoexplain

things.”

Shestaredathimasecondbeforenodding.Whathewasabouttotellherwasthecompletetruth.He

hopeditwouldhelpherunderstandhim.Whensheledhimintothelivingroom,hefollowed.Sheeased
downonthesofa,andhetookthechairacrossfromher.

ChanningsensedbythefirmsetofhischinthatwhateverZanewasabouttotellherwasaserious

matter.Hewassittinginthechair,stiffandstraight,whichindicatedthathewasnotcomfortablewith
whathewasabouttoshare.Gonewerehisfamiliarcoolness,relaxedairandarrogance.Instead,she
detectedasenseofvulnerabilityinhim—onethatwascontrolledandguarded.Thosewerethingsshe
hadn’tseeninhimbefore.

Hewastense,andshecouldfeelthetension,aswell.Why?“Zane?”
Hemethergaze,helditforalongmomentandthenheaskedsoftly,“Canyouimaginelosingbothyour

parentsatthesametime?”

Channing’spulsealmoststopped.Sheswalloweddeeplyasshetruthfullyansweredhisquestion.“No,I

can’t.”

Henoddedslowly.“Well,Idid.Iwasonlynineteenandinmysecondyearofcollegewhenit

happened.ButnotonlydidIlosemyparents.Ialsolostmyuncleandaunt,whowerelikeparentstome,
aswell.Fromthatdayforward,mylifehasn’tbeenthesame.”

Channingdidn’tsayanything.BecauseofherfriendshipwithMegan,sheknewthestoryofhowhis

parentsandhisauntandunclehadlosttheirlivesinaplanecrash.She’dalsoknowntherehadbeen
severalWestmorelandkidsundertheageofsixteenatthetimeandthatZane’sbrotherRamseyandhis
cousinDillonhadworkedhardandmadesacrificestokeepthefamilytogether.

“Therewasn’tawholelotoftimeforgrievingsincewehadtoallpitchintohelptheyoungerones

cope.Itwasn’teasy.Afewofthemworkedthroughtheirgriefbybeingrebellious,whichcaused
unnecessarydramaforallofus.ButtheonethingIdecidednevertodo,becauseofthatexperience,was
togetattachedtoanyonewhoIcouldloseinthatway.”

Afteradeepbreath,hecontinued.“Ilovedmyparents,andlosingthemwashardonme.Thepainwas

deep—almostunbearableattimes.Unlessyou’vebeenthroughsomethinglikethat,youcan’tbeginto
understand.”

Channingbelievedit.Shecouldhearthepaininhisvoiceandcouldalsoseeitinhiseyes.“Isthatthe

reasonyoucan’tfallinlove,Zane?Forfearoflosingthatperson?”

“Ithoughtso,butwhenIthoughtIhadlostyouafterthatnightinMcKays,forthefirsttimeIfeltlikeI

couldtaketherisk.Theriskoflovingyouwasgreaterthanthefear.”

Sohethoughthecouldbepushedintofallinginlovewithher,shesurmised,becauseshewasthefirst

womanhehadfeltsostronglyconnectedtothatthepositiveemotionsoverrodehisingrainedfear.Washis
admissionenoughforthemtomoveforwardandtryagain?

Couldsheactuallypushhimintolovingher?
Whathewasaskingwentagainsteverythingshe’deverreadinrelationshipbooks.Awomancouldn’t

seduceamanintolovingher.Ittookbothpeopletomakearelationshipwork.Wasshemissingsome
pointhere?Hadshefailedtotakeintoaccountthatallrelationshipsweren’tthesame?Hadshebeenso
focusedonwhatshe’dwantedoutoftherelationshipthatshe’drefusedtoseethathecouldn’tberushed?

Zanehadbeenapsychologymajorwhileincollegeandwasrumoredtohavetheabilitytogetintoa

woman’spsycheandfullyunderstandhowfemalesperceivedtheirworld.Ifthatwasthecase,maybeit
washightimeforawomantodeterminehowheperceivedhis.

Forninemonths,they’dsharedatraditionalrelationship.Theyhadmet,sharedgreatchemistry,enjoyed

mind-blowingsex,founditeasytocommunicatewitheachotherandhadagoodfriendship.Nogame-
playingandnopressure.Yetintheend,lovehadn’tblossomed…atleastnotonhisend.

Butwhatifhedoesn’tfallheadoverheelsinlovewithyou?Well,ifthathappens,atleastyou’ll

havenodoubtinyourmindthathehasissuesthatcan’tbesolved.Thereisaslimchancethatwhathe
saysistrue,thathe’scapableoffallinginlovewithyou.

Areyouwillingtodowhateverisnecessarytofindout?Evenifitmeansputtingonthoserose-

coloredglassesandunlockingyourheartagain?

Hestaredatherwithhismesmerizingeyes.Heatpooledbetweenherlegsbecauseofhisintensefocus.

Theideathathewasaskinghertohelphimfallinlovewastoomuchtotakeinatthemoment.Butifhe
hadn’tfalleninlovebeforebecausehe’dbeenafraidtolove,couldshehelperasehisfears?

“Gooutwithmetonight,Channing,”hesaid,hiswordsfloatingacrosstheroomandtouchingherskin

likeacaress.“Iunderstandthere’soneofthosedrive-intheatersaroundhere.”

Whenshepartedherlipstoturnhimdown,hehelduphishand.“Beforeyousayno,justthinkabout

whatfunitmightbe.Ihaven’tbeentooneinyears.Iremembermyfolkswouldpileusallintotheircar,
anditwasgreat.Andguesswhat?It’sJohnTravoltaNight.SaturdayNightFeverandGreaseareinthe
lineup.Iknowhowmuchyouliketheguy.”

Hewasright.ShewasabigJohnTravoltafan.Therewasn’tamoviehe’dmadethatshehadn’tseen.

“JohnTravoltaNight?”

“Yes.”
Sheknewthatacceptinghisinvitationtothemoviesmeantshewasacceptinghischallenge.Wasthat

somethingshewanted?Shouldsheturnhimdownandaskhimtoleaveandnotcomeback?

No,shecouldn’tdothat.Doingsowouldbegivinguponhim,andiftherewasapossibility—evena

slimone—thathewasonthevergeoffallinginlovewithher,thenshewantedtoseeitthrough.Whowas
itwhosaidifyouwantedsomethingbadlyenoughitwasworthfightingfor?

Butthistimeifshewantedtodothingsdifferently,shehadtoshakeuptheirroutine.
“Yes,I’llgotothedrive-intheaterwithyou,butyoucangetridofthecondoms.Iwon’tbehavingsex

withyou.”

“Youwon’t?”
“No.”
Zanedidn’tsayanythingwhilehethoughtaboutherrequest.Evidentlyshewasstilltryingtounderstand

thislust-versus-lovething.Thatwasfine,becausehewouldshowherthathisloveencompassed
everything—boththephysicalandtheemotional.Besides,theywouldn’tbehavingsexbecausethey’d
neverhadsexinthefirstplace.They’dalwaysmadelove,anditseemedheneededtoshowherthe
difference.

“Okay,Channing,wewon’thavesex.”
Assoonashesaidthewords,hesawwhatseemedtobeanxietyleavehergaze.Shestood.“I’llwalk

youtothedoornow.”

Hestood,too,andfollowedher.Whentheyreachedthedoor,theyfacedeachother.Zanestroked

Channing’shairwhilehergazelockedwithhis.Howcouldhenothaveknownthedepthofhislovefor
herbeforenow?Whyhadittakenlosingherasecondtimetomakehimrealizethathecouldnothandle
losingheragain?

“I’llbebackaroundsix.”Decidingtogivehersomethingtolookforwardto,heleanedtowardher,

placedhishandsatherwaistandsaidinasoft,huskytone,“Goaheadandtryitnow,Channing.Push.”

“Idon’tthink—”
“Push,”heencouragedagain.
Heheardhersoftsighandthenawhisperwhenshesaidhisname.“Zane.”
Whensheboldlylickedthetipofhertongueacrosshislipshisbreathcaughtandheatsettledinhis

groin.Heinhaleddeeplyanddiscoveredherscentwasaseroticandsensualasever.Channing’sunique
aromahadtheabilitytodrivehimcrazy…Itwasdoingsonow.

“Youwanttobepushed,”shewhisperedacrosshismoistlips.“Thenyou’regoingtogetjustwhatyou

askfor.WhenIfinishwithyou,yourheartwon’tbethesame,Zane.”

Hehadnewsforher.Itwasalreadydifferent,andhewouldtakegreatpleasureinprovingittoher.

Whenshetookastepbackandreachedouttoopenthedoor,heremindedher,“I’llbebackaroundsix.”

“Okay.”
Hewalkedoutofherdoorknowinganymoveshemadeonherwouldbethemostimportantonesofhis

life.

Hiscampaignwouldbegintonight.Alreadyhismindbuzzedwithideasforwayshecouldmakethe

eveningunforgettable.

Nine

C

hanningpickeduphercellphonewhenshesawthecallerwasMegan.“Hey,Megan,what’sup?”

“ThoughtI’daskyouthesamething.RicoconfessedthathetoldZanewhereyouwere.Sorryabout

that.”

Channingeaseddownonthesofa.“Noreasontoapologizeandyes,Zaneshoweduponmydoorstep

yesterday.”

“And?”
“Andheclaimedhelovedme.”
Therewasanundisputedgasp.“Zanetoldyouthat?”
“Yes.ButofcourseIdon’tbelievehim.”
“Youdon’t?”
“No.Itwaslessthanaweekagowhenhelookedmerightintheeyesandtoldmehedidn’tloveme,

thatwhathefeltformewasnothingmorethanpossession.Inotherwords,ZanethinksI’mhisanddoesn’t
wantmetobelongtoanotherman.Nowhewantsmetobelievehewokeuponemorningandmiraculously
realizedhelovesme.That’shogwash,andyouknowit.”

“Andyoutoldhimyoudidn’tbelievehim?”
“Yes,andIaskedthatheleave.”Channingdecidedtherewasnoreasontomentionshe’dhadsexwith

himbeforeheleft.

“Sonowhe’sonhiswaybacktoDenver?”
TherewasapausebeforeChanningsaid,“Notexactly.Heshoweduphereagainthismorning.”
“And?”
“Andhedidaflip-floponme.”
“Flip-flop?Nowhe’ssayingthathedoesn’tloveyou?”
ChanningheardconfusioninMegan’svoice,soshetriedtoexplain.“He’sadmittingtofeelingthings

formehehasn’tfeltforanyotherwoman.Iguessthoseemotionsareconfusinghim,andhebelievesthat
ifwhathe’sfeelingisn’tloveyetthenit’sclosetoit.Hesaysallheneedsisalittlepush.”

“Alittlepushbywhom?”
“Me.”
Meganfrowned.She’dneverheardanythingsoridiculousinherlife.
Butthemoreshethoughtaboutit,themoreshecouldseeZane’sployevenifChanningcouldn’t.First

ofall,therewasnodoubtinhermindthatZanelovedChanning.Hewouldnothavedroppedeverythingto
goafterherifhedidn’t.Thentherewashisadmissionoflove.Zanewouldneveradmitlovingsomeoneif
heactuallydidn’t.Andasfarashimmiraculouslywakinguponemorningandrealizinghowhefeltabout
Channing—wellChanningmightnotbelieveitcouldhappenthatway,butMegandid.

ChanningwasdealingwithaWestmorelandmale,andmostDenverWestmorelandmaleshadputup

roadblockswhenitcametofallinginlove.Ramsey,DerringerandRileyhadfoughttheideaoffallingin
lovetoothandnail.EvensheandhersisterGemmahadn’tgivenuptheirheartseasily.

KnowinghowthatanalyticalandpsychologicalmindofZane’stendedtowork,Meganknewhisplan.

HefiguredthatsinceChanningdidn’tbelievehim,hewouldshowhertheevolution.He’devengoneso

farastoencourageChanningtospearheadthetransformation.Meganhatedtoadmitit,butitwasa
brilliantstrategy—ifitworked.AndshehadafeelingitwouldworkbecauseZaneneverfailedat
anythingthatheputhismindto.Andhehadanadditionaladvantage.Hisheartwasinit,aswell.

“So,areyougoingtodoit?”Meganheardherselfasking.
TherewasamomentofsilenceandthenChanningsaid,“Yes.Ilovehimsomuch,Megan,eventhoughI

don’twantto.Zaneisacomplexman.”Shepausedthenadded,“Heexplainedhowyourparents’and
uncle’sandaunt’sdeathsaffectedhim.”

Megan’smouthdroppedopen.“Hetoldyouthat?”ShewasstunnedthatZanewouldbethat

forthcomingabouthisfears.Overtheyears,she’dsuspectedhefeltthatwaybuthadneverbeensure.

“Yes,hetoldme.Andifthat’sreallythereasonhe’sbeenholdingbackthenmaybeIcanhelphim

overcomethat.DoyouthinkI’mcrazyforthinkingthatway?”

Megandrewinadeepbreathandsmiled.“Iseenothingwrongwithawomanfightingfortheloveof

herman,Channing.”Justlikeshesawnothingwrongwithamanfightingfortheloveofhiswoman.Crazy
thingwas,ZaneandChanningwerefightingforthesamething,andneitherofthemknewityet.

“I’mgoingtokeepmyfingerscrossedthatthingsworkoutforyou,”Megansaidquietly.
“Thanks,Megan.Iappreciateit.”

***

TherestofthedaymovedprettyfastforZane.Sohedidn’tfeellikeaslackerwhilehewasinVirginia
BeachandJasonandDerringerwerebackinDenverhardatwork,thethreeofthemhadagreedthatZane
couldsortthroughtheonlinefilesthathadbeenpilingupformonths.Usinghistabletcomputer,hehad
gonethroughalltheemails,trashingalotofspamandmakingappointmentsforinterestedhorsebuyers.

Nowheglancedattheclock.HehadacoupleofhoursbeforehepickedupChanning,andhehada

numberofthingstodo.Thehotelwouldbepreparingabasketoffoodandwine.Andwhenhehad
stoppedatoneofthegiftshopsdownstairshe’dseentheperfectwineglassesandtoldthehotelhewanted
themincludedinthebasket,aswell.Whenhewasyounger,hisparentswouldtakehimandhissiblingsto
Denver’sonlydrive-intheater.Ithadclosedagesago,butthosetimeshaddefinitelybeenfunforthem.
Baileyhadbeenindiapersandthetwinswerebarelysayingwordsthatyoucouldunderstand.Toobad
Zanehadn’tknownthatmemoriessuchasthosewereoneshewouldhavetocherishforever.

Asheslidintohisjacket,herealizedhewantedtosharethatspecialdrive-inmagicwithChanning.He

knewshewasn’tkeenongoingtothemovieswithhim—ortoadrive-intheaterofallplaces.Buthe
thoughtthatwasjustthekindofplacetheyneeded.Atthedrive-in,theywouldn’thavetoworryabout
anyonesittingbesidethem,invadingtheirspace.Theywouldbeinthecarallalone.

Heshookhisheadathispredicament.HefiguredafteraweekorsoChanningwouldrealizeheloved

her.Ifnot,thenheintendedtositdownandtryagaintogiveittoherstraight.Regardlessofwhatshe
believed,hewasamanwhoknewhismindandhisheart.

Zanesmiledasheheadedforthedoor.Sheshouldhavegottentheflowersbynow.Itwasn’tthefirst

timehe’dsentawomanflowers,butitwasthefirsttimesendingthemhadeverreallymeantanythingto
him.

***

“Ma’am?Willyoubesigningfortheflowers?”

Channingblinked,butshestillsawthemanstandingonherporchholdingnotjustavaseofflowersbut

whatlookedlikeanentirefriggin’bush.Andtheywereroses.Redones.Themostbeautifulflowersshe’d

everseen.“Oh,yes,”shesaid,comingtohersenses.Shequicklyscribbledhernameonthepadhe’d
givenher.

“Wheredoyouwantmetoplacethese?Idoubtyoucancarrythem.”
Shedoubtedit,aswell.“Thisway,”shesaid,leadingthemiddle-agedmanintoherlivingroom.“Right

herewilldo.”

Shestaredashesetthepottedbushdownandsteppedback.“Whoeversenttheseprobablymeantfor

youtoplantthisoutside.I’veneverseenanythingsolarge.Hedidn’tjustsendyoulong-stemmedroses.
Hesentyoutheentirerosebush.”

Channingnodded.“WaitasecondsoIcangiveyouatip.”
“Noneed,”hesaid,headingtowardthedoor.“It’salreadybeentakencareof.Yourguythoughtof

everything.Nicefellow.”

Yeah,nicefellow,shethought,closingthedoorbehindthedeliverymanandturningtostareatthebush

again.She’dreadthecardalreadyandknewexactlywho’dsentthem,andshecouldn’tforgetwhatthe
cardhadsaid.

Iloveyou.
WhatintheworldwasgoingoninthatheadofZane’s?Whywashetryingtogetaheadstartonfalling

inlovewhenshehadn’tevenstartedpushinghimyet?

Sheglancedoverattheclockandthenhurriedtoherbedroom.Hewouldbehereinlessthanthirty

minutes,andshestillhadtoputonhermakeup.Goodthingsheneverusedawholelot.Justalittle
powderandlipstick.Zanehadoftencomplimentedheronhernaturalbeauty.

Shewaswearingapairofshortsandatanktop;shefiguredshe’dkeepthemon.Afterall,sheandZane

weregoingtoadrive-in.Iftheydecidedtograbsomethingtoeatlater,theycouldgotoafast-foodplace.
Ortheycouldcomebackheresinceshehadplentyoffoodintherefrigerator.

Shetossedherhairbackfromherfaceandtossedtheideafromherhead.Shedidn’tneedtogiveZane

anyencouragementbyinvitinghimtoherhouseafterthemovies.Shewouldpush,butitwouldbeonher
timeandinherownway.

Shedrewinadeepbreathwhensheheardhisknock.Givingherselfonelastcheckinthefull-length

mirror,sheleftherbedroomandheadedforthedoor.

***

WhenChanningopenedthedoor,Zaneshovedhishandsintothepocketsofhisslacksandlookeddownat
himself.Hethenglancedupatherandsmiled.“IthinkImightbealittleoverdressed.”

AsmiletouchedChanning’slipswhenshesteppedasidetolethimin.“Yes,Iwouldsayjustalittle.

We’rejustgoingtothedrive-in,Zane.Noneedforthejacket,shirtandslacks.Youcouldhaveworn
shortsorjeanswithaT-shirt.”

Heshrugged.“Idon’townapairofshorts.”
Sheliftedabrow.“You’rekidding.”
Hechuckled.“No,whywouldIkidaboutsomethinglikethat?HaveyouforgottenIliveinColorado?”
“No,buttherearewarmdaysthere.Infact,Irememberafewtimesduringthesummerwhenitgotupin

thenineties.”

“Possibly,butIfeelmorecomfortableinjeansorlongpants.Ifthere’saproblemwithwhatI’m

wearing,Icangobackbythehotelandchange.”

Shewavedoffhiswords.“Noproblem.I’mfinewithit.Ijustwantyoutobecomfortable.”
“Oh,Iplantobecomfortable.”

“Okay,then.Areyouready?AllIhavetodois—”
“Comehere,”heinterruptedinalow,huskytone,pullingherintohisarms.“Youlookgood,andyou

smellgood,too.”

Shewenttohimeasily,willingly.Doingsoremindedherofthetimewhenthingshadbeensogoodfor

them.Atimewhenshehadfeltsureofherselfwherehewasconcerned.“Thankyou.AndIshouldalsobe
thankingyoufortheflowers.OrshouldIsaytherosebush.It’sbeautiful.”

“Soareyou.”
“Thankyou.Nowasfarasthecardisconcerned…”
“Whataboutit?”Hecontinuedholdingherinhisarms.Itwasasthoughthiswaswhereshewasmeant

tobe.

“Gettingcarriedaway,don’tyouthink?Notgivingmemuchroomtopush.”
Hefeignedignorance.“Youthinkso?”
“Yes.”
“YouthinkI’mmovingtoofast?”
Channingsigheddeeplybeforepullingherselffromhisembraceandtakingastepback.Hecouldsee

theirritationinherexpression.“Whatyou’redoingissayingthingsyoudon’tmean.Sochill,okay?”

Hedidmeanthem,andheintendedforhertoknowit.Butfornow…“Okay.Areyoureadytogo?”
“Yes,letmegrabmytotebag.”
Assherushedtowardherbedroom,henoticedthehugeplantsittinginthecorner.Whenhe’dwalked

intothefloristshopafterleavingherhouseearliertoday,he’dseenitandwantedhertohaveit.Heknew
fromthemonthsthey’dbeentogetherthatshelikedroses,especiallyredones.Yethe’dneversentherany.
Onthoseoccasionswhenhehadsentherflowers,she’dgottenthepink-and-whitecarnationslikeallthe
otherwomenhe’ddated.Hehadbeenintentonnotchanginghiscourse.Thelastthinghe’dwantedwasto
fillhermindwiththehopethatthingsweremoreseriousbetweenthemthantheyactuallywere.Inaway,
thisrosebushrepresentedalltherosesheshouldhavegivenherandhadn’t.

“I’mready.”
Hesmiledather.“Okay,then.Let’sgo.”
Takingholdofherarm,heledhertowardthedoor.

***

“Itseemsyouthoughtofeverything,”Channingsaid,notingthelargebasketinthebackseat.Shewasn’t
surewhatwasinit,butshewasimpressedhe’dbroughtit.

“Itriedto.Wecaneatwheneveryougethungry.”
ShehadeatenanicelunchrightafterMegan’scall,andithadfilledherup.Butthatwasbeforeshe’d

gottenintoZane’srentalcarandthebaskethadsnaggedherattention.

Togethermindandherstomachoffthebasket,sheexaminedhersurroundings.Shesawallthecars

parkedfacingthehugescreen.Alittleexcitementranthroughherbody.Thiswassomethingnewforher.
“Thisisnice,”shesaid.“AndthisisthefirsttimeI’vebeentoadrive-in.”

Zanelethisseatbacktoaccommodatehislonglegs.HeglancedoveratChanning.“You’veneverbeen

toonebefore?”

“No.HowolddoyouthinkIam?Iunderstanddrive-intheatersarenearlyasextinctasdinosaurs.”
“Theyaren’tthatextinct,”hesaid,chuckling.“IusedtogotooneeverySaturdaynightwithmy

parents.Theywouldloadallofusintothevan.Itwasfun.Theonewewenttoevenhadaplayground.”

“Wow,yourememberallofthat?”

Henodded.“Yes.Thosewerespecialtimesforus,especiallyforme.Afterthefolksdied,that’sallI

hadleft.Thememories.MycounselorsuggestedIwriteitdown.”

Shearchedabrow.“Counselor?”
“Yes.Mrs.Harris.Shewasagriefcounselor.DillonandRamseythoughtitwouldbeagoodideaifwe

allwenttoseeher.Ithinkthat’swhenIdecidedIwantedtobecomeapsychologist.”

Shefollowedhisleadandpressedthelevertoletherseatback.Herlegsweren’taslongashis,butit

feltnicetostretchout.“Youhaveadegreeinpsychology,yetyou’veneveruseditinyourwork.Why?”

“BecausebythetimeIfinishedcollegeitwasallhandsondeckatBlueRidgeLandManagement,”he

said.BlueRidgewasthefamilyfirmthathisfatherandunclehadleftbehind.“DillonandRamseywere
doingalltheycouldtokeepthingsgoing,andIfeltmyrightfulplacewastobetheretohelpthem.Itwas
allaboutsacrifices.”

Heshiftedinhisseattofaceher.“Inaway,goingtoworkforBlueRidgewasablessing.”
“Inwhatway?”
“ItshowedmethatI’mnotsuitedforbeingindoorsbehindadesk.Afterawhile,Ifeltboxedin.Caged.

IknewthatIcouldn’tbeapsychologist.Ineededtoworkoutside.”

“Thenthatpartnershipwithyourcousinscameattherighttime.”
Hesmiled.“Yes.MainlybecauseDerringerandJasonwerereadytobailfromBlueRidge,aswell.

Thethreeofuslovehorses,andourfatherstaughtustoridewhenwewereknee-high.Sowhenour
cousinsinMontanadecidedtoexpandtheirhorsetrainingandbreedingbusiness,therewasnodoubtin
ourmindsthatwewereonboard.”

Shenodded.Oneofthethingsshe’dmissedafterleavingDenverwastalkingtoZane.Theyhada

rapportthathadmadeiteasytotalkaboutanything.Oralmostanything.She’djustrealizedhehadnever
beforesharedwithherwhyhe’dpursuedadegreeinpsychologyinsteadofadegreeinbusinesslikehis
brotherDerringerandseveralofhiscousins.SheknewhisbrotherRamseyhadgonetoschoolforsome
typeofagriculturaldegreesincehe’dalwayswantedtobeasheeprancher.

“WasDillonupsetbecausethethreeofyoudefectedatonce?”
Zanechuckled.“No,heunderstood.He’dknownBlueRidgewasn’tinourbloodanymorethanithad

beeninRamsey’s.Somepeopleareborntobecorporateleaders,andsomearenot.Besides,Rileyand
Sternwereeagertotaketheirplacesatthecompany.EvenCanyonwasgunghooncehedecidedbeinga
doctorwasn’tforhim.”

Thehugescreenflaredtolife.Whenitshowedvisualsofwhattheyhadforsaleatthesnackbar,

Channingheardherstomachgrowl.SheglancedoveratZane.“Sorry.”

“Noneedtoapologize.Ifyou’rehungry,justgrabsomethingoutofthatbasket.Ihavealotofgoodstuff

inthere.Betterstuffthanwhatyou’reseeingonthescreen.”

Ofcourseafterhe’dsaidthat,Channinghadtocheckitoutandmakesure.Takingoffherseatbelt,she

roseupintheseatonherkneesandreachedinthebackseattouncoverthebasket.Shewasimpressed.
Therewereseveralmeaty-lookingsubsandwiches,bagsofchips,anassortmentoffruitandabottleof
redwine.Herfavorite.Butwhatreallycaughthereyewerethetwowineglasses.Theywereengravedin
abeautifulgoldscript.Onehadhernameonit,andtheotherhadhis.

AdeepstirringspreadinthecenterofChanning’sstomach.Whywouldhegooutanddosomethinglike

that?Shegrabbedacoupleofsandwiches,thebottleofwineandbothglasses.Turningbackaround,she
straightenedinherseatbutdidn’tputtheseatbeltbackon.

Sheheldupherbounty.“Nicewineglasses.”
“Thanks.Ihappenedtoseetheminthehotel’sgiftshop.Ithought,wow,imaginethat.Ournames.”
Channingthrewherheadbackandlaughed.Hewaslyingthroughhisteeth.“Comeon.Nameslike

ChanningandZane?Youwantmetobelievethere’sanother…”Shestopped,comingshortofsayingthe
wordcouple.Theywerenolongeracouple.

Zanedidn’thaveanymisgivings.Hefinishedthesentenceforher.“Couplelikeus?Probablynot,since

we’reunique.”

Sheshruggedandhandedhimasandwich.Hetookit,andsheopenedthewineandpouredthemboth

glasses.Shehandedhistohimandsaid,“Um,smellthearoma.Isn’titwonderful?”

Hetookasip,methergazeandheldit.“Ilikeyouraromabetter.”
Channingswallowed,wishinghehadn’tsaidthat.Itwasbadenoughsharingsuchclosequarterswith

him,buttohavehimdrawanylevelofintimacyintotheirconversationwastoomuch.Tokeepthingssafe,
shedecidednottorespondtowhathe’dsaid.

He’dtoldheroftenhowhelovedherscent,howitwouldturnhimon.Well,shehopedheremembered

theiragreementaboutnosex.Shewasn’tsosurehedidremember—thecar’swindowsweretintedwhere
noonecouldseethem.Channingcouldn’thelpwonderingifthatwasbychoiceorcoincidence.

Beforeshecoulddwellonitanylonger,thescreenblaredtheannouncementthatthefirstmoviewas

abouttobegin.Sosheatehersandwichandsippedherwinewhilesilencereignedbetweenthem.She
refusedtoglanceoverathim.Instead,shestaredstraightaheadatthehugemoviescreen.

***

Zane’sbloodpressurehadspiked.Hetookasipofhiswinewhileeatinghissandwich.Reachingback
intothebasketforabagofchips,heatethem,aswell.HeenjoyedthemealallwhileinhalingChanning’s
scent.Howhadhegonetwoyearswithoutthearomahe’dbecomeaddictedto?

Heknewwomenprettydamnwell.Everywomanhadherownuniquescent.Heknewthepowerthat

pheromonescouldhaveonaman.Channinghadawayofluringhiminwithherscenteachandevery
time.

TryingtogethismindoffChanningforthetimebeing,hewonderedifthedrive-intheaterswould

becomeafadagain.Gonewerethedayswhenyouhadtoparknexttoaspeakerpoleandpullthespeaker
inthroughyourcar’swindow.Duetomoderntechnology,thesoundwasnowtransmittedthroughyour
car’sradio.Nice.

Becausethey’darrivedearly,thelineshadnotbeenlong,andtheyhadfoundagoodparkingspot.The

viewofthescreenwasspectacular.Hewasn’tabigJohnTravoltafan,butheknewChanningwas.When
he’dinquiredatthehotelaboutwheretotakehisladythatwascasual,differentandfun,theconciergehad
mentionedthisplace.Zanewasgladhehad.

Finally,hecouldn’thelphimself.HeglancedoveratChanning,onlytofindthatitseemedasthoughshe

wasreallyabsorbedinthemovie.HowmanytimeshadsheseenGrease?He’dgivenhertheDVD,and
whenithadcometoDenverasaplay,he’dtakenhertoseethat,aswell.

Shehadfinishedoffhersandwichandthelastofherwine.“Wantmorewine?”
Shegazedoverathim.“No,I’vehadenough.Thanks.”
Sheturnedbacktothemovie,buthecontinuedwatchingher.Damn,helovedher.Whethershebelieved

himornot,ithadhappenedjustthewayhe’dtoldher.Therealizationmighthavebeenlateincoming,but
ithadpunchedhimhard,firstintheheartandthenrightbetweentheeyes,makinghimseethingshehadn’t
seenbefore.

Ifsheneededtoseehistransformationtobelievehim,thenatransformationwaswhatshewouldget.

Tonight,hewasstartingoffslow,smoothandseductive.Hereachedacrosstheseatandtookherhandin
his.Theyusedtoholdhandsallthetime,buthecouldtellshewassomewhatsurprisedbyhisgesture.She

didn’tpullherhandaway,butitfeltstiffinhis.

“Relax,Channing.Ijustwanttoholdyourhand.”
“Why?”
Hecouldsayhewantedtodoitbecausehelovedherandheenjoyedtouchingher,buthefiguredshe

wasn’treadytobuythat.“Ijustdo,okay?”

Sheshruggedwithtenseshoulders.“Okay.”
“Andbeforeyougetrigidandunbending,Ihaven’tforgottenyour‘nosex’rule.”
Sherelaxedsomewhat.“Iwasbeginningtowonder.”
Hechuckled.“Why?”
“Becauseyou’retouchingme.”
Heliftedabrow.“WasInotsupposedto?”
Sheshookherhead.“Itbringsbackmemories.”
Hesmiled.“Butmemoriesaregood,right?”
Herchinlifted.“Someare.Somearen’t.”
Thelastthinghewantedwasforhertothinkaboutthebadmemorieshe’dcaused.“Slideoverherefor

aminute,”hesaid,tighteninghishandonhers.

Shehesitatedbutthenslidacrosstheseattowardhim.Hefoldedupthecenterconsoletomakeabench

seat.Hedidn’twantanythingseparatingthem.Satisfiedwiththeircloseness,hewrappedhisarmsaround
hershoulders.“That’sbetter.Ilikeyouplasteredagainstmelikethis.Imissedthis,Channing.The
closeness.Theintimacy,”hesaidtruthfully.Hehadn’trealizedjusthowmuchuntilnow.

“Itwasyourchoice,”shesaid,andheheardthebitternessinhertone.
“Iknow.Mymistake,”hecounteredsoftly.
Sheglancedoverathim,andhesawthereservationinhereyes.Heknewhewoulddoanythingto

removethatlook.“Itwashardformeafteryouleft,Channing.”

“Wasit?”
Sheaskedasifshedidn’tbelievehim.“Yes.IwasinabadwaymainlybecauseIcouldn’tbelieve

you’dleft.Yousaidyouwereleaving.Youevenwentthroughallthemotionsofleaving,butIjust
couldn’tgetitthroughmyheadthatyouwereactuallygoingtodoit.Foralongtime,Iwasinastateof
denial.”

Shefrowned,narrowinghereyes.“Why?Becauseyou’rethegreatZaneWestmoreland,andwomen

aren’tsupposedtoleaveyou?It’ssupposedtobetheotherwayaround?”

Hedidn’tsayanythingforaminute.“Ithoughtthatwasthereasonatfirst,”hesaidtruthfully.“But

then…”

Shelookedsearchinglyathim.“Butwhat?”
“Ifelttheloss,”hesaidhoarsely.“Iactuallyfeltit.Andwhenithitmethatyouwouldn’tbeback,I

developedabadattitude.Itwassoawfulthatnooneinmyfamilywantedtobearoundme.Dillonhadto
stepinafewtimestokeepmeandmyothercousinsorbrothersfromexchangingblows.Iwasfilledwith
somuchangerthatjustaboutanythingcouldsetmeoff.”

Channingstayedsilent.She’dtalkedtoMeganafewtimesaftermovingtoAtlanta,andhissisterhadn’t

mentionedanythingaboutZane’sbadtemperament.ButthensheandMeganhadagreednottobringhimup
inanyoftheirconversations.However,hearingwhathewassayingnowmadeherask,“Why,Zane?Why
didmyleavingupsetyouwhenyoutoldmetherecouldneverbeanythingpermanentbetweenus?”

Zanesigheddeeplyashethoughtaboutwhatshe’dasked.Howcouldhelinkthefearhe’dfeltather

departuretothesamefearhe’dfeltwhenhisparentshaddied?Aftershe’dleftDenver,hehadn’tbeen
abletohandlethelonelinessandemptinesswithinhim.Andwhenhehadcomparedthosefeelingstothe

voidhehadn’teverwantedtofeelagain,he’dwithdrawn.He’dresolvednevertoletdownhisguardwith
anywomanlikehe’ddonewithher.

“Zane?”
Hecouldhearimpatienceinhervoice.Shewantedananswer,andheknewshedeservedone.

However,howcouldheexplainitinawaythatshewouldunderstand?Awaywhereshecouldconnect
thedotsthewayhefinallyhad?

Zaneheldhergazeandforcedhimselfnottopullherintohisarmsandkissherinsteadofanswering

her.Hecouldn’tdothatthistime.Hehadtomakesurehelaidouteverythingsheneededtosee.

“Youleftme,Channing.Atfirst,Iconvincedmyselfthatitdidn’tmatter,thatyouweredoingtheright

thingbecauseIcouldn’tgiveyouwhatyouwanted.Butthen…”

Sheleanedtowardhim.“Yes?”
Hespoketruthfullywhenhesaid,“ThenIbegantofeellikeapieceofmewasgone.Ifeltempty.My

emptinessturnedtoangerbecauseIhadswornIwouldneverletmyselffeelsuchpainoveralossagain.”

AnuneasyfeelingracedupChanning’sspineasshestaredatZane,themovieforgotten.Hearinghim

saythosewordshadaninsurmountableeffectonher.Hadthatbeenwhenhe’drealizedhemightfeel
somethingforher?

Ifwhathesaidwastrue,thenshecouldseewhyhe’dgottenupsetwhenshe’dreturnedalmosttwo

yearslaterwithafiancé.Butitdidn’texplainorexcusehisbehavioratMcKays.Shehadgivenhima
chancetotellherhelovedher,buthehadn’t.Instead,he’dseducedhertoproveapoint.

“Ihadtoleave,”shesaidsoftly.“IcouldnotstayinDenverandpretendIwasokayinarelationship

thatwasn’tgoinganywhere.”Shereleasedadeepsigh.“Maybethiswhole‘pushing’thingisn’tagood
idea,Zane.”

“Whatmakesyousaythat?”
“Ifitdoesn’twork,I’mtheonlyonewho’llgethurt.AfterMcKays,IleftDenverinpainforthesecond

timewithnoplanstoeverreturnortoeverseeyouagain.Then,lowandbehold,youshowupyesterday
andthenextthingyouknowwe’rehavingsexforoldtime’ssake.Youcamebackagaintodayand
convincedmethatallitwilltakeisalittlepushtogetyoutofallinlove.ButifIcouldn’tdoitduringthe
ninemonthsweweretogether,whatdifferencewillitmakenow?”

Heheardthedoubtinhervoice.Thefrustration.Hewouldn’tbehappyuntilheheardcertainty.

Absoluteandcomplete.Whenallwassaidanddone,hewantedhermisgivingstobeputbehindthem…
mainlybecausehewantedhertoknowshehadhisheart.

Shepulledbackandlookedathimwithanarrowedgaze.“Isthisnothingbutagametoyou,Zane?A

gametoseehowfaryoucanmakemegowithoutgivingmeacommitment?Ormaybeit’srevenge.You’re
gettingbackatmeforhavingthenervetoleaveyouinthefirstplace.Youlikeprovingpoints.”

Heleanedforward.“AlthoughIknowit’shardforyou,I’maskingyoutotrustme.Iwouldn’tbehereif

Ididn’tcareaboutyou,Channing.”Heranhisfingersthroughherhair.“Youmeaneverythingtome.”

Channingdrewinadeepbreath.Zaneknewexactlywhathewasdoing.She’dalwayslovedthefeelof

hishandsinherhair.Therewassomethingaboutthewayhediditthatsenttinglingsensationsthroughher.

Thesilencebetweenthemlengthened.Sheclosedhereyes,wishingshecouldpretendthosetwoyears

withouthimhadneverhappenedandthingswereastheyusedtobe.MaybeifsheandZanehadstayed
together,ifshehadn’ttriedtorushthingsalong,theymightbemarriedbynow.Thatpossibilitywaswhy
shewasherenow.Takinganotherchanceonhim.

“Whatareyouthinkingabout?”heaskedherinalowvoice.
Sheopenedhereyesandlookedathim.Hisfacewasrightthere,inchesfromhers.“Itdoesn’tmatter.”
“Everythingaboutthismatters,Channing.”

Shewishedshecouldbelievethat.
“AskmewhatI’mthinking,”hesaidthroatily.
Theyshouldbewatchingthemovie.Wasn’tthatwhatthey’dcomeherefor?sheaskedherself.
No.Thereasontheywereheretogetherwastoseeiftheycouldrepairtheirdamagedrelationship.To

seeifhecouldloveherthewaysheneededtobeloved.Toseeifhecouldreallyloveherthewayhe
thoughthecould.“Okay.Whatareyouthinking,Zane?”

“Howbeautifulyouareforstarters.”
Hishandleftherhairandmovedtoherchin.Hetiltedherfaceuptohis.“Verybeautiful.”
“Youcan’tseeverywell,”shewhispered.Hislipswereclosetohers.Sheknewthoselipswell.Full

andinviting,theyhadtheabilitytomakeliquidheatfillher.Justthinkingabouthowwellsheknewthose
lips,herfirsthandknowledgeofhowtheytasted,hadherfemininemusclesclenching.

“Icanseejustfine,Channing.AndyouknowwhatelseIwasthinkingabout?”
Sheswallowedtightly,knowingitwasbestnottorespondbutunabletoholdback.“No,what?”
“This.”Andthenheleanedin,capturingherlipswithhis.

Ten

Z

aneknewthatChanningcouldn’tdenythatkissingwasonemeansofcommunicationtheybothenjoyed.

Andhewasn’tabouttomakeitaquickkiss.Onthecontrary.Heintendedtoplayitoutforaslongashe
couldandredefineinhermindjustwhataZaneWestmorelandkisswasallabout.Hewasfightingtokeep
control,butthematingoftheirtonguesmadeitdifficult.Nearlyimpossible.Hefeltweakintheknees
evenwhenhewasn’tstanding.

Heattorethroughhim.Hetightenedhisarmsaroundherashistonguedancedwithhers.Helovedher

tastealmostasmuchhelovedherscent,andhecravedherwithahungerhefeltallthewaytohisgroin.

Channing’smoansstirredsensualsensationsallthroughhim.Theyfedhim.Stimulatedhim.Wildly

intoxicatedhim.Nothing,andhemeantnothing,wasbetterthanthis—havingyourlipsheldcaptivebythe
womanyoubothlovedanddesired.

Hermoansturnedtowhimperswhenhedeepenedthekissevenmore.Everythingaboutherelectrified

him,madehimfeelwholeandcomplete.

Thesoundofacardoorslamminghadhimliftinghismouthoffofhers.Hestaredather,tryingtocome

totermswithemotionsthat,untilrecently,hadbeenforeigntohim.

“Whatareyoudoing,Zane?”sheaskedinaslurredtone,asifshe’dgottentipsyfromtheintensityof

thekiss.

“Iwaskissingyou,”hesaidsmoothly.“AndIwanttokissyousomemore.TheZaneWestmoreland

way.”

Heheldhergaze.Sawtheperceptiveglintinhereyes.Sheknewjustwhatakisshiswayentailed.Was

shegame?Hewasgoingtomakesurethatshewas.

Loweringhismouthtohers,hekissedheragainwhilewrappingherinhisarms.Thiskisswasjustas

hot,justasgreedyandjustasintense,butthistimeitheldmore:doggedness,urgency.

Thoughitwashardtodoso,hebrokeawayfromthekiss.Hehadtogiveherachoice.Shecouldtell

himtostoporgivehimthego-ahead.Hewatchedasherexpressiongotserious,herforeheadknottedin
deepconsideration.Hewentstill,notknowingwhatshe’ddecide,butknowingitwasherdecisionto
make.Hewouldrespectwhateveritwas.

Hereleasedasighofreliefwhenshewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck,pressedherbodyclosetohis

andtiltedhermouthuptohim.Grateful.Appreciative.Enthusiastic.Hefeltallofthosethings.Thenhe
gentlygatheredherclose,slidinghistonguebetweenherlips.

Heknewhowmuchthekissaffectedherwhenthearmsaroundhisnecktightenedandhermoans

deepenedandintensified.Hermouthwashotanddelicious,andhewasgivingitoneserioussensual
assault.Hewantedher.Withadeepgroan,heslowlyliftedhisheadandkissedhiswaydownherneckto
thepulsethrobbingatitsside.

Hepressedaleverthatmadeboththeirseatsglideback,andthen,withtheotherhand,headjustedthe

steeringwheeloutoftheirway.Hepulledherintohislap,facinghim.Hefelttheshiversthatpassed
throughherbodywhenhisteethgrazedacrossherskin.

Shesuckedinadeepbreathwhenhewhippedthetanktopoverherheadandundidthefrontclaspof

herbra.Theminutehesawherbreastsheloweredhislipstoanipple,greedilysuckingitintohismouth.

Hishandswerebusy,unzippinghershortsandinchingthem—aswellasherpanties—downherthighs.

Hismouthhungrilymovedtotheotherbreastwhileshemoanedhisnameoverandover.Heraisedher

upasheworkedhismouthdownhernakedbody,lickingherbelly,tonguinghernavelandthentiltinghis
seatbackinarecliningpositionsothatChanning’sfemininemoundstaredhimintheface.

Cravinghertasteinawayheneverhadbefore,hegraspedherthighsandslidhistongueinside.She

suckedinabreath,andhesuckedonher,fasteninghismouthtohermostsensitivespotwithnointention
oflettinggountilshescreamedhisname.

Heheldtight,needingthisasmuchshedid.

***

“Oh,”ChanningmoanedasZane’stonguemadethatswirlingmotionitcoulddosowell.Andthenthat
sametonguebeganflutteringlikecrazy,sendingallkindsofsensualvibrationsricochetingthroughher.
Didheknowhowmanynerveendingswerelocatedrighthere?Yes,oh,yes.Rightthere?Oh,yes,he
knew.Zaneknewjustabouteverythingwhenitcametoawoman.Andhewasdevouringherthewayonly
hecould.

Henibbleduntilshecouldn’ttakeanymore.Spasmsrippedintoherbody,makingherscream.She

trembledalloverfromheadtotoeandatthejunctureofherthighs.

Hewantedtobepushed,soshepushed.Boy,didshepush,andhedidn’tletgo.Didn’tletup.Andthen

sheclimaxedagain.Herbodybecameelectrifiedalloveragain.

Whenthelastsensationleftherbody,shemoanedouthisnameandcollapsedagainsthim.Hepulled

hismouthawayfromherandgentlyeasedherdownhisbody.Thentheirmouthsconnected,andshetasted
theessenceofherselfonhistongue.

Shegrippedhisbroadshouldersandfelthishardmuscles.Shepulledhermouthawayandheardhis

deepmasculinegrowlashegatheredhercloseandwhispered,“Mine.”Atthatmoment,thepossessive
worddidn’tbotherherlikeitshouldhave.

Withallthestrengthshecouldmuster,sheliftedherheadtomeethisgaze.Beforeshecouldsay

anything,hegaveatightyetgentlesqueezetoherbuttcheeksandsaid,“No.Wedidn’thavesex.We
sharedakiss.”

Physicallyexhausted,shedidn’thavethestrengthtoargue.Andwhenheshiftedtheirbodiessoshe

couldsitcurledinhisarms,shedid,droppingherheadonhischest,listeningtotherapidbeatofhisheart
againsthercheek.

Heheldherandranhishandalloverhernakedbodyasifstrokinghertosleep.Zane’skisseswere

whateroticfantasiesweremadeof,andhe’dgivenheradoublewhammy.Orgasmsliketheonesshe’d
justhadshouldbeoutlawed.

Sheyawned,feelingsleepy,andassheclosedhereyes,tootiredtokeepthemopen,sheheardhim

murmursomethingclosetoherear,butshewastoofargonetomakeoutthewords.

***

“Iloveyou,baby.”

ZanewhisperedthewordsalthoughhedoubtedChanningheardwhathesaid.She’ddriftedasleep

whilenakedinhisarms.

Hestudiedherfeatures.Theywerepeaceful,satisfied.Reachingintothebackseat,heretrievedhis

jacketandplaceditoverher.Asmiletouchedhislipsashethoughtabouthowshelookedmorehisthan
ever.

Hefelttheriseandfallofherchest.He’dmissedthis,herfallingasleepinhisarms.Butwhathe’d

reallymissedwaswakingupwithherdrapedoverhim,theirlegsentwinedonthosenightswhenhehad
stayedatherplaceorshehadstayedathis.Uponwaking,theywouldmakeloveagain.Andagain.His
bodyhardenedatthememories,andhiserectionpokedherinthebackside.

Zanenoticedthemoviescreen.Althoughtherewasonemoremovietobeshown,alotofpeoplehad

alreadyleft.Halfthenumberofcarsfilledthelotthantherehadbeenanhourago.Heglancedattheclock
onthecar’sdashboard.Wasitaftermidnightalready?Thiswasaweeknight.Anumberofpeoplewould
havetobeatworktomorrow.

Inhismind,hetossedaroundplansfortomorrow.Hedidn’tintendtoletasingledaygobywithout

spendingitwithChanning.HewouldaskhertoridewithhimtoRichmond.

Sheshiftedinsleep,andthejacketcoveringhersliddownaninch,exposingaplumpbreastandajuicy

nipple.Hismouthtwitched,andtheheatofdesirerippledthroughhimlikeawave.Thepositionwouldn’t
havebeensobadifhewasn’tinhalingherscenteachandeverytimehetookabreath.

Decidingheshouldtakeaquicknapaswell,heclosedhiseyesandrestedhischinonherforehead.

***

“Wakeup,sleepyhead.Timeformetotakeyouhome.”

Channingslowlyopenedhereyesandblinkedafewtimes.Zane’sfacecameintofocus.Shethen

gaspedwhensherealizedshewasnakedinhisarmswithonlyhisjacketcoveringher.Shescrambledto
movefromhislap,butZane’shandstightenedaroundher.

“Wheredoyouthinkyou’regoing?”heasked,hismouthquirkinginasmile.
“Ineedtoputonmyclothes.”Sheglancedoutthewindow.Thefirstthingshenoticedwasthatthe

moviescreenwasblack.Thenextwastheabsenceofothercars.“Pleasedon’ttellmewe’rethelastcar
here.”

Hechuckled.“Okay,Iwon’ttellyou.”
“Zane!”
“Okay,we’renotthelastbutprettyclose.Iwilladmitwe’retheonlyoneonthisrowandtheonly

vehiclethat’sstillparked.Everyoneelseisleaving.”

“Thengivememyclothes.”
“Hmm,theideaofdrivingyouhomewithyouwearingnothingistempting.”
Shefrowned.“Don’tplaywithme,Zane.Ineedtogetdressedbeforesomeonecomesoverhere.”
Hesmiledashereleasedherandwatchedhereaseherpantiesupherlegsandthighsbeforewiggling

intothem.Theshortswerenext.Thencamethebraandtanktop.Healwayslikedwatchingherget
dressed.Asadoctor,shehadtobepreparedforanyemergency,soshehadaknackfordressingquickly
whensheneededto.

ChanningglancedoveratZanewhilerunningherhandsthroughherhair.“Whatareyoulookingat?”
“You.”
“Shouldn’tyoustarttheignitionsowecanleave?”
“Inaminute.”Heleanedoverandkissedher.
Shefrownedwhenhestraightenedandthenstartedthecar.Hislipshadbeenwarm,andshecouldfeel

herbonesturningtomush.Tryingtoignorethewayherbellywasflippingallovertheplace,sheasked,
“Whatwasthatfor?”

“Iwantyoutodreamaboutmetonight.”
Shedrewinadeepbreath.Atleasthehadn’tsuggestedthathestaythenight.Zane’skisseswere

alwaysthepreludetosomethingelse.Specifically,thepreludetomoreintenselovemaking.

Shedidn’tsayanythingbecauseherheadwasalreadyfilledwithmemoriesofwhathadhappened

earlier.NosexbutadegreeofkissingonlyZanecoulddeliver.Asshefocusedstraightahead,theyleftthe
drive-intheater,andsherecalledhowhehadstrippedhernakedandfeastedonherbody.Whydidthe
manhavesuchaskillfulmouth?

“I’mdrivingtoRichmondthismorning.Youwanttogowithme?”
Channingglancedoverathim.“Richmond?”
“Yes.LastyearwesoldaclientinRichmondacoupleofourhorses,onesthatItrained.Ithoughtsince

IwasintheareaIwouldcheckonthem.Italkedtotheguyyesterday,andhe’sallforit.Infact,hewants
totalktomeaboutbuyingseveralmore.”

Channingstaredathim.Whenthey’dbeentogetherbefore,hewouldoftentellherabouthiswork,but

therehadneverbeenatimewhenhe’dinvitedhertogowithhimonanyofhisbusinesstrips.She’d
alwayshopedhewouldask.

“Sowillyougo?”
“Ihadplannedtospendtimeonthebeachtomorrow.”
“WecandothatonThursday.”
Herforeheadbunched.Hewasmakingplansforthemtospendevenmoretimetogether?“Whenare

yougoingbacktoDenver?”

Heshrugged.“Itdepends.”
Sheliftedabrow.“Onwhat?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Yes,you.ItoldyouwhyI’mhere.”
“Yes,butI’llbestayinginVirginiaforanothertwoweeks.Surelyyoudon’tplantohangaroundhere

allthattime.”

Hesmiledoveratherasheturnedthecornerintoherbeachcommunity.“Idon’tseewhynot.”
HerbellyflippedagainattheideaofhimwantingtostayhereinVirginiatobewithher.“Don’tyou

haveworktodobackinDenver?”

“Yes,butI’mdoingsomeofithereusingmylaptop.I’mgoingthroughfilesandpurginganumberof

accountswe’veclosedoverthepastyear.”

Sheknewhowmuchhedetestedanysortofadministrativework,yethewasdoingit.Sohecouldstay

herewithher.Zanepreferredworkingoutdoorswiththehorses.Didbeingwithhermeanthatmuchto
him?Sheshookherhead,rejectingthenotion.

“Channing?Readyformetowalkyoutothedoor?”
Sheblinkeduponrealizingshewashomealready.Whensheopenedthedoor,hegrabbedthebasketout

ofthebackseat.Theyhadfinishedoffallthefood,andtheonlythingsleftinthebasketwerethe
wineglassesandwinebottle.“Keeptheseforwheneverwefinishofftherestofthewine.”

Shedidn’tsayanythingasshetookthebasketfromhim.Hewasbeginningtosoundsureofhimself.

Toosureofhimself.

Channingwouldhavewalkedquicklytothedoor,butheheldherhand,deliberatelyslowingherpace.

Hedidn’tseeminanyhurry,butshealreadyhadthekeyinherhand.“Thanks.Tonightwasfun.”

“Gladyouenjoyedit,andaboutRichmond…Youwilltakethedrivewithme,won’tyou?”
Sheswallowedasshetriedtodecidewhatsheshoulddo.“Yes,I’llgo.”
Hesmiled.“Great.I’llbeheretopickyouuparoundnine.”
“Allright.”

Heleanedincloseandplacedagentlekissonhercheek.“Needmetocheckinsidebeforeleaving?”
Channingshookherheadassheopenedthedoor.“No.I’llbefine.”
“Okay.Buthowaboutgivingmeasignafteryougetinsidethateverything’sokay?I’mnotmovingthe

caruntilyoudo.”

“Okay.Goodnight.”
Hesmileddownather.“Goodnight,Channing.”
Sheclosedthedoor,andafterplacingthebasketinthekitchen,shewenttothelivingroomwindowand

lookedout.Zane’scarwasstillinthedriveway.Shewavedtohimandwatchedhimwavebackbeforehe
backedoutintothestreet.

Shewatcheduntilhewasnolongerinsight.Thenshewenttothekitchenandpulledthewinebottleout

ofthebasket,alongwithwineglasses.Shepouredwineintotheglassthatborehername,thinkinghow
prettytheglasseswereandhowthoughtfulandtouchingithadbeenforZanetobuythem.

Takingherglassintothelivingroom,sheeaseddownonthesofa,fullyawareofwhattonighthaddone

toher.IthadpulledZanedeeperintoherheart.Shecouldn’thelpbutwonderiftonighthadchanged
anythinginhisheart.

Probablynot.Shehadn’tbeenthepusherthistimebutinsteadhadbeenmainlyasatisfiedrecipient.He

hadbeenthedominatingmalewhotookcharge,andshehadlethim.

Heneededtochillandletherhandlethingsherway.Alreadyhe’dplannedtomorrowforher,andifshe

lethim,hewoulddominatetherestofhertimeinVirginia.

Channingsuddenlyrealizedthattheonethingshe’dneverdonebeforeintheirrelationshipwastotake

control.Wheneverthey’dmadelove,he’dbeentheonetoinitiateit.

Suddenlyshehadaplan.
“Notsofast,ZaneWestmoreland,”shemutteredtoherself.“Latertodaywillbemytime,andIintendto

pushyourightoffyourfeet.”

***

Zanetossedhiscarkeysonthetablethemomentheenteredhissuite,feelinggoodabouthisdatewith
Channing.Thelookonherfaceasshe’dstoodatthewindowandwavedgoodbyehadbeenpriceless.His
stomachhadclenchedtightlyatthethoughtofactuallydrivingawayfromherinsteadofstayingthenightto
finishwhatthey’dstartedatthedrive-in.

IthadbeenhardtokeepdrivingwithoutmakingaU-turnbacktoher.Butshehadsetthe“nosex”rule,

andhe’dgivenhiswordthathewouldadheretoherwishes.Butlikehehadshownhertonight,hehadno
qualmsaboutstretchingthelimitsofthatruletohisadvantagewheneverhecould.

Hewasabouttotosshisjacketacrossthechairwhenhiscellphonerang.Pullingitoutofhisjacket

pocket,hegrittedbackacurse.ItwasMegan.Apartofhimdidn’twanttoanswerit,butwithhisluck,
shewouldcallChanningnextandhedefinitelydidn’twantthat.Hedidn’tneedMeganstickinghernose
whereitdidn’tbelong.HowheandChanningdecidedtoworkthingsoutwasnobusinessofhissister’s.

Heclickedonthephone.“Whatdoyouwant,Megan?It’slate.”
“Iknowwhattimeitis,Zane.IhademergencysurgeryatthehospitalandI’monmywayhome.Ialso

knowwhereyouare.”

“And?”Hebracedhimselfforhissister’stirade.SincemarryingRico,hisemotionallydetachedsister

hadbeenshowingallkindsofemotion.She’dbecomeexpressiveashell,andforsomeonewho’donce
pridedherselfonhavingself-control,thenewMegantookalotofgettingusedto.

“I’mgladyou’vecometoyoursenses.”

Heraisedabrow.“Meaning?”
“Meaning,ItalkedtoChanningyesterday,andIbelieveit.”
Hepausedtoleaninthedoorwaythatseparatedthesittingareafromthebedroom.“Believewhat,

Megan?”

“Thatyoufinallyrealizeyouloveher.”
Zaneletoutarelievedbreath.Atleasthissisterbelievedhim.Toobadthewomanhelovedwasn’t

thereyet.“Whatmadeyouchangeyourmind?”

“YouwouldnothaveliedtoRico.Youhadnoreasontodoso.Andthenyoudroppedeverythingtofly

outtheretopleadyourcaseandsurrenderyourheart.”

“Yeah,forallthegoodit’sdoing,”hesaid,suddenlyfeelingfrustrated.Hewasgladhissisterdidn’t

considerhisactionssuspect,buthestillhadhisworkcutoutforhim.Channingwasn’tmakingthingseasy
forhim.

“Don’tgiveup,Zane.Youhurther,andshehastolearntotrustyouagain.Youhavetogivehera

reasontobelieveinyou.Shehastoknowthatshecanwinyourheartfairandsquare.”

“She’swonmyheartalready,Megan.Iloveher.Butshedoesn’tbelievemebecauseImadethemistake

oftellinghersomanytimesthatIdidn’tloveher.”

“Um,liketheboywhocriedwolf.Hecrieditsolongthatwhentherealwolfcamealong,noone

wantedtobelievehim.”

“Iknow,andIonlyhavemyselftoblame.”
“Well,we’reallrootingforyou.”
Hechuckled.“We?”
“Yes,theentireWestmorelandclan.Atleastthoseofuswhounderstandwhattrueloveisabout.After

lovingRico,Ican’timagineapersonnotbeingwiththeonepersonwhohastheirheart.Theoneperson
theyknowwillmakethemhappy.”

Lessthananhourlater,whenZaneeasedintobedandslidbetweenthesheets,hethoughtofhis

conversationwithMegan.Hewasgratefulthatshebelievedhim.NowhehadtomakeChanningbelieve.

Hesmiled,thinkingthatinafewhoursheintendedtoturnuptheheat.

Eleven

“R

eady?”

Channingblinkedatthesensationstwirlingaroundinherstomach.
Theycouldhavebeencausedbythedeep,huskytimbreofZane’svoiceorbythewayheleanedinher

doorway,dressedinapairofjeansandachambrayshirt,withhisStetsonridinglowonhishead.His
navigatorsunglassesfinishedoffthepackage,andshewasconvincedhewasthemosthandsomeman
she’deverseen.

Whydidhissmileseemsolusciousandsexythismorning?
“Yes,I’mready.Comeonin,”shesaid,steppingaside.“Ijustneedtograbmypurse.Ifigurewecan

comebackherelaterandeatdinner.Istillhavealotofleftovers.”

Hetookoffhissunglasses.Shecouldtellhewassurprisedbyherinvitation.“Allright.Soundslikea

plantome.”

Shewasabouttowalkofftogetherpursewhenhetouchedherarm.“Notsofast.”Hepulledherinto

hisarmsandlethisgazemoveupanddownherbody.“Youlookpretty.”

“Thanks.”Shehadtakengreatpainstolooknicetoday.Fromtheappreciativelookinhiseyes,she

knewitwasworthit.Hisdesirecausedgoosebumpstoformonherarms.“Andyoulookniceyourself.”

Theystoodforamoment,staringateachother.Channingcouldfeeltheheatandthechargedair

betweenthem.Shecouldn’thelpbutrememberwhathadhappenedlastnightatthedrive-in.Thosesame
memorieswerewhathadkeptherupmostofthenightasprimalneedsrippedthroughher.

SheabsentlylickedherlipsandheardZane’sbreathcatch.“What’swrong?”sheasked.
Insteadofanswering,heheldhergaze.Shefeltthefireineverypartofherbody.
“Nothing’swrong,baby.Infact,everythingisright.”Hedrewhercloseandloweredhismouthtohers.
Ifhethoughtshewouldresist,hewaswrong.Channingevenstretchedupontiptoetomeethismouth.

Hishandswentaroundherwaist,andshegrabbedhismassiveshoulders,pressingherbodyagainst
perfectabsandmuscularthighs.

Butwhatmadeherbreaststhrobwastheengorgedbulgepressinghardatthejunctureofherthighs.
Ifheneededtobepushed,thenshewouldpushwithallthestrengthshecouldmuster.
Shehopedshewasn’tmakingamistake.
Nothing,andshemeantnothing,wasbetterthanthewayZane’smouthmatedwithhers.Herelishedher

withahungerthatmadehermoandeepinherthroatandmadeherwetbetweenherlegssimultaneously.A
senseofintimacythatshe’dfoughtforthepastdayovertookher,hadherneedingsexualfulfillmentas
muchassheneededhernextbreath.

Whenherbodybegantoquiver,heslowlypulledhismouthawayandstoodholdingheruntilthelast

shiverleftherbody.Asiftosatisfyheronelasttime,helickedhistongueacrossherlipsbeforenibbling
thecornersofhermouthwithhisteeth.Tinglessweptthroughher.

“Ifwedon’tleavenow,we’llnevergetoutofhere,”hewhisperedagainstherlips.“Myself-controlis

slipping,andI’mtemptedtosaytohellwithyour‘nosex’rule,liftupthissundressandeaseinsideof
you.”

Shecouldimagineithappening.Herbodywasready,achingforthefeelofhisshaftthrustinginandout

ofher.Shewasintenselyarousedandknewtherewasnowayhehadn’trealizedit.Hewasveryacute
whenitcametothat.

“Um,”shesaid,backingoutofhisarms.Sheneededtoputsomespacebetweenthem.“Excusemefora

minute.”

“Takeyourtime.I’mnotgoinganywhere.”
Shemovedtowardherbedroom,butbeforeopeningthedoorandsteppinginside,shepausedand

glancedoverhershoulder.Hestoodthere,lookingsoincrediblysexythatthesightwasanassaultonher
sensesineveryway.

“Ifyoupreferthatwespendthedayheredoingnothing,ourplanscanbechanged,Channing.”
Shewastempted.Boy,wasshetempted.ButshewantedtogowithhimtoRichmondanddosomething

withhimshe’dneverdonebefore…Shewantedtoseeapartofhislifehe’dkeptfromher.“No.I’m
lookingforwardtogoingtoRichmondwithyou.”

“Allright.”
Lustsurroundedthem,butshewasdeterminedtochangeallthatlustintolove.Morethananything,she

wantedtobelievethatshecould.

“Needmyhelp,Channing?”
Sheblinkeduponrealizingthatshe’dbeenstandingtherestaringathimlikeadimwit.Shehadwanted

tochangeintonewunderwear,aspecialpairjustrightfortheheatbuildingbetweenthem.Suddenly,she
couldseehimkneelingbeforeherandeasingherpantiesdownherlegs,helpingherintoanew,lacypair.
Sheopenedhermouthtotellhimthatshedidn’tneedhishelpbutthendecideditwastimeshetestedhis
control.

“Ifyoulike.”
Shesawtheheatthatflaredinhiseyes.“Yes,Iwoulddefinitelylike.”
Channingnoddedbeforecontinuingtoherbedroom,andhefollowed.Shemovedtothedresserand

pulledoutapairofblacklacepanties.Sheheldupseveral.Sheknewthatwashispreference.

Asmilecurvedhislips.
Sheclosedthedrawerandbroughtthepairofundiestohim.Hetookthemfromherfingersandslowly

kneltdowninfrontofher.Reachingout,heranhiscallousedhandsupherdressandbetweenherlegs.
Thecontactwithherskinhadbloodrushingthroughherveins.

Channingmetthedark,heavy-liddedeyesgazingupather,sawhowhiscontrolwasbeingstretched.

Hisjawclenchedtight,andhisnostrilsflaredwhileheeasedherplainpantiesdownherlegs.Shecould
heartheintensityofhisbreathing,andherbreastsfelttight.Whenherpantiesweredowntoherknees,his
handpaused,andthenheatedfingersinchedbackupbetweenherlegstocaressthefoldsofher
womanhood.Shedrewinaquickbreathwhenheslidtwofingersinsideofher.

“Zane…”Hisnameeasedfromherlips.Anintensedesirestirredinthepitofherstomachwhenhe

strokedher.Automatically,herinnermusclesclenchedashisfingersgaveherasensuousworkout.Then,
asifhe’dmerelywantedtoremindherofwhatgiftedfingershehad,hewithdrewhistouch.Shewatched
ashetookthosesamefingers,wetwithhermoisturefromherbody,andinsertedthemintohismouth.He
suckedhard,asifrelishingthetasteofhernectar.

Watchinghimmadeherweakintheknees,butbeforeshecouldsinktothefloor,hereturnedhishandto

herthighstocompletethetaskofremovingherpanties.Hewasslow,takinghistime,andthefeelofthe
skimpyfabriceasingdownherlegssetoffprimitiveurgeswithinher.Theeyesstaringupatherheldsuch
afiercehungerintheirdarkdepthsthatshefeltdrawntohimmorethaneverbefore.

“Youcanstepoutofthemnow.”
Hiswordsfloateduptoher,andsheliftedherlegstostepoutofherpanties.Herbreathlodgedinher

throatwhenhetookthefreshpairfromherandslidthemupherlegs.Herubbedhisfaceagainstherthighs
beforeinhalingdeeply.

“I’mconvincedI’maddictedtothis,”hesaid.“Italwaysamazedmehowwetyoucangetforme,”he

said,hisdarkeyesglintingwithheatedlust.

Italwaysamazedher,aswell.Whenheliftedherdressandtookhishottongueanddrewacircle

aroundhernavelbeforepullingherpantiestherestofthewayup,shesworeshefeltthefloorshake
beneathherfeet.

Sensationsswampedher.Whenhestoodandgaveherbacksideaplayfulsmack,thosesensations

vibratedsomethingfierce,sendingtremorsrunningthroughher.

“Anythingelseyouneedhelpwithbeforeweleave?”
Shetookastepbackandeaseddownherdress.“No,that’sit.Iwouldnothavewantedtochangemy

underwearifyouhadn’tkissedmethewayyoudid.”

Hechuckled.“Doyouwantmetopromisenottokissyouagain?”
Shethoughtabouthisquestionandimmediatelyknewtheanswer.“No,that’snotwhatIwant.”
Zanestaredatherintently,andshefelthisuncensoredlook.“Good,becauseIdoubtIcoulddothat,

anyway.”Hereachedoutandtookherhand.“Comeon,baby,let’sgo.”

***

SippingthebeerMorrisHolderhadgivenhim,Zanethoughtthesamethingnowthathehadthoughtlast
yearwhenhe,DerringerandJasonhadmetwiththeman.Thiswasaprettynicespread.Butasfarashe
wasconcerned,nothingwasmorebeautifulthanWestmorelandland,andhehadaspecialaffectionfor
Zane’sHideout.Hisspreadwasthebestwiththelakeandthemountainssurroundingit.NowthatBailey’s
spreadwasnexttohis,hewonderedifRamseyandDillonmeanttopunishhimwhenthey’dgivenherthat
parcel.Lord,helphim.Atleastitwasstillundevelopedland,andBaileywasn’tshowinganyinterestin
buildinganythingonit.

Insteadoftakingtheinterstate,hehaddriventhescenicroutetoRichmond,makingvariousstopsalong

thewayandenjoyinglunchatacaféinJamestown.Whatwouldnormallyhavetakentwohourshadtaken
morethanthree,buthehadn’twantedtohurry.HepreferredspendingqualitytimewithChanning.

TurninghisthoughtsbacktoMorris,Zanetookanothersipofbeer.Aself-madebillionaireatfifty-

eight,Morriswasingreatphysicalshape.Hehadhisownworkoutroomwitheverypieceofexercise
equipmentimaginable.Andthentherewashisstableofhorses,whichZaneknewMorrisrodeoften.

Zanemovedhisgazetotheviewofthemeadows,andhisstomachclenchedwhenhesawChanning.

ShewaswalkingbesideMorris’swife,Lisa.Lisawasabeautyinherownright,butnoone,hethought,
wasmorebeautifulthanChanning.Helovedheryellowsundress.Itlookeddamngoodonher.Sexy.

“Channing’sanicewoman,Zane.”
HeglancedbackatMorris.“Thanks.”
“Anyplansforthefuture?”
Zanewasn’tsurprisedbytheman’squestion.Thelasttimehewashere,Morrishadbeenabachelorfor

morethantwentyyears,andLisahadbeenhislive-inlover.Nowthetwoweremarried.“Yes,Iplanto
marryherassoonasIcanconvinceherthatIloveher.”

Morrisnodded.“Goodluck,anddon’tgiveup.IwokeuponemorninganddecidedIhadbeenasingle

manlongenough.Overbreakfast,IaskedLisatomarryme.Forthelongesttime,shethoughtIwasn’t
seriousbecauseI’dnevermentionedmarriagebefore.Therewastheissueofthetwenty-five-year
differenceinourages.Thatissueusedtoconcernme,butonthatmorning,itnolongerdid.Ageisnothing

morethananumber,andIrefusedtogoanotherdaywithoutmakingplansforafuturewiththewomanI
lovedandcaredaboutmost.”

Zanenoddedandtookanothersipofbeer.“Shedidn’thaveaproblemwithyoursuddenchangeof

heart?”

Hechuckled.“Notsureshehadaproblemwithit,butshewasskepticalatfirst.Thesubjectof

marriagehadnevercomeupbetweenus,soIthinkshethoughtIwasdyingorsomething.Convincingher
thatIwasn’twashard,butIdidit.”

Morristookasipofhisownbeerandthenadded,“Womendon’tunderstandthatmenmightbeslow,

butwhenwemakeupourmindsaboutsomething,that’sit.”

Zanereleasedadeepbreath.“Yeah,that’sit.”
ButitseemedhewashavingahardertimeconvincingChanningthanMorrishadconvincingLisa.A

smallsmilestretchedacrosshismouth.Hewouldn’tgiveup.

Morrisstood.“LisaandIwouldcertainlyloveitifyouandChanningstayedandhaddinnerwithus.”
Zanestoodaswell,anappreciativesmiletouchedhislips.“Thanksfortheinvite,butChanningandI

havemadedinnerplansalready.”

Whathewasn’tsayingwasthathecouldn’twaittogetbacktoChanning’sgrandparents’hometobe

alonewithher.

***

“IlikeLisa.Didyouknowsheusedtobeapharmacist?That’showsheandMorrismet,”Channingsaid.
“Hehappenedtodropbythedrugstorewhereshewasworkingoneday.”

SheandZanehadleftRichmondandwereontheirwaybacktoVirginiaBeach.WhileZaneandMorris

hadtalkedbusiness,sheandLisahadgottentoknoweachother,andLisahadgivenChanningatourof
theirbeautifulranch.Lisahadalsotoldheraboutthetwenty-five-yearagedifferencebetweenherand
Morris.

ChanninghadbeensurprisedwhenLisahadsaidsheandMorrishadbeenmarriedonlyalittlemore

thanayearafterbeingloversforfiveyears.Fiveyears!ItwashardtobelievethatLisahadbeenwilling
towaitfiveyearsforMorris’saffections.ChanninghadboltedfromZaneafterninemonths,tellingherself
thathadbeenlongenough.

“Yes,Lisaisaniceperson,andMorrisdidmentionhowtheymet.”
Channing’sgazeshiftedtolookoutthecarwindow.LisaandMorris’sstorywassomethingChanning

couldn’tgetoutofhermind.SheshiftedhergazebacktoZane.Hewashot,andshecouldfeeltheheat
radiatingfromhisbodytohers.Hiseyes,hiddenbehindhissunglasses,wereontheroad,whichwasfine
sinceshewantedtowatchhim.

TherewasnowayshecouldhaveremainedZane’sloverforfiveyearswithoutknowingforcertain

howhefeltabouther.HermakeupwastotallydifferentfromLisa’s.Herparentsandgrandparentshad
alwaysclaimedshehadalowtoleranceforsomethings,thatshelackedpatience.Shewonderedifher
impatiencehadworkedagainstherwhereZanewasconcerned.

Theycametoastopatatrafficlight,andshecouldfeelthedarkdepthsofZane’seyesstaringbackat

herbehindhissunglasses.Herheartthumpedhardinherchest,andherbreathstoppedfromtheintensity
ofhisgaze.

“Isanythingwrong,Channing?”heaskedher.
“No,butIhaveaquestionforyou.LisaandMorriswereloversforfiveyearsbeforeMorrisaskedher

tomarryhim.HadInotleftDenverforAtlantawhenIdid…hadIremainedthereasyourlover,where

wouldwebenow?”

Shewatchedasafrownofconcentrationmarredhisforehead.“Ihonestlydon’tknow,”hesaidsoftly.

“IwanttothinkIwouldhavecometomysensesandyouandIwouldbemarried,oratleastengaged.But
Ican’trightlysay.Ittookyourleavingasecondtimetomakemerealizewhatyoumeanttome.”

Channingnodded.Whatshemeanttohim…Evennowshewasn’tsurewhatthatwasandhadonlya

limitedamountoftimetofindout.

Thecarmovedagain,andZaneshiftedhisgazebacktotheroad.Behindthesunglasses,hetriedto

keephiseyesfromblazinginfrustration.Whenwouldsheeverbelievethatheactuallylovedher?Whatif
sheneverbelievedit?

Forthefirsttimeinhislife,hewasdealingwiththefearoflosingthewomanheloved.Thethoughtthat

nomatterhowhardhetriedhecouldstillendupwithoutherashiswifesentarushofirritationflowing
allthroughhim.

Hey,don’teventhinkoflosingher,man.Yougotyourselfinthismess,andyoucangetyourselfout.

Yougottomakeherfeelasifshe’sthemostimportantpersonintheworldtoyou,becausesheis.

Hebroughtthecartoastopagainatanothertrafficlight.HeglancedoveratChanningtofindherstill

lookingathim,andhedrewinashakybreath.Theairbetweenthemwascharged.

Sheabsentlylickedherlipsandtuckedstrandsofherwindblownhairbehindherear.Atthatmoment,

allhecouldthinkaboutwasjusthowdelicioustheareaaroundhereartasted.He’dusedhistonguethere
anumberoftimes.

Hewasamanwithahealthysexualappetite,butheknewsheequatedhisdesirewithlust.Howcould

hegethertounderstandthathissexualneedforherwasanextensionofhislove?Hewasfullyawareshe
wasfightingherowndeepattractiontohim.

“Gotanyplanswhenwegetbacktoyourplace?”heaskedwhentrafficbeganmovingagain.
Sheshrugged.“IthoughtI’dgrabsomethingoutofthefreezerforaquickmealandthenI’llletyou

comeupwithideasforwaystospendtherestoftheday.”

Hewasn’tsosureshewouldwanttodothat.Ifsheleftituptohim,theywouldbemakingloveallover

theplacefortherestofthedayandwellintothenight.“Iguesswecanspendtimeonthebeach,”he
offered.

“Yes,Iguesswecandothat.”
Whentrafficslowedupagain,hegaveaquickglanceovertoher.Shehadn’tsoundedenthusedabout

doingthat.“Anyotherideas?”heaskedholdinghergaze.

“Anythingyouwanttodoisfinewithme,Zane.”
Hiserectionbeganthrobbingagain.Hequirkedaneyebrowathertomakesuretheywereonthesame

page.“Anything?”

“Yes,anything.”
Shiversofanticipationracedthroughhisbody,andhebrokeeyecontactwithhertoreturnhisgazeto

theroad.Ifshethoughthedidn’tintendtoholdhertowhatshe’djustsaid,shehadanotherthought
coming.

Heglancedattheclockonthecar’sconsole.Atthatmoment,hedecidedtodiscontinuedrivingthe

scenicrouteandhittheinterstate.Shehadbeensendingoutsomeprettystrongvibestoday,vibesthatall
butdeclaredthatshewasnowinthedriver’sseat.Andhecouldn’tgetbacktoKindleShoresquick
enoughtofindoutjusthowshewoulddrivehimovertheedge.

***

Channingwatchedtheendlessstretchoftwo-laneroadaheadofthem.She’dtoldZanewhatshewanted,
andknowinghimlikeshedid,hewouldtakefulladvantageofit.

Andshe’dbereadywhenhedid.
Herbodyhadbeenattunedtohimsincehe’dchangedherpantiesthatmorning.AttheHolders’ranch,

shehadcaughthimstaringathermorethanonce,pinningherwithhisdarkgaze.OtherthanwhenLisahad
invitedhertotakeatouroftheranchsoMorrisandZanecouldtalkbusiness,hehadbeenthereby
Channing’sside.

Shehadbeenfullyawareofhimeverytimehisarmhadsnakedaroundherwaist,everytimehe’dtaken

herhandinhis,everytimehe’dbrushedawaywardcurlbackfromherface.Thoselooksandimpromptu
toucheshadignitedaflameinsideher,oneshehadn’tbeenabletoputoutyet.Sohereshewas,probably
asarousedasZane,anditdidn’tmatterthatheknewit.

“Didskippingoutonthatsymposiumcauseproblemsforyouatthehospital,Channing?”
Shelookedathim,findingitoddlygratifyingthathecared.“No.Ihaveareallygoodrelationshipwith

Dr.Roweandtheothertophospitaladministrators.Ihadonlycommittedmyselfforthreeweeks,although
I’dtakenasix-weekleavefrommypositioninAtlanta.”

“Butyouwouldhaveconsideredstayingallsixweeks.”
Shenotedhesaiditasastatementmorethanaquestion.Shecouldtellhimthatshehadbeenleaning

towardnotdoingtheadditionalthreeweeksbecausebeingbackinthesametownwithhimhadn’tbeen
easy.ShehadevenconsideredvisitingherbrotherandhisfamilyinSanDiegoforaweekorso.ButZane
didn’tneedtoknowanyofthat.

“Maybe.Maybenot,”shesaid.“Ihadn’tmadeupmymindyet.”
“ButwhathappenedatMcKaysthatnightmadeyoudecidetoleave.”
Again,hehadpresenteditasastatement.“Yes,”shesaid.“Ithelpedmetodecide.”
“I’msorryIdroveyouawayfromDenver.ButI’mnotsorryforcomingafteryou,andI’lldosoagainif

Ihaveto,Channing.Tobequitehonest,myrealmistakewasnotcomingafteryouthatfirsttime.”

HiswordsgaveherpauseandremindedherthattheZaneshe’dknownhadbeenquitetheladies’man.

Hewouldhavenoreasontorunbehindanywoman,nomatterhowmuchshehadwantedtobehis
exception.

“JustthinkhowdifferentthingswouldbenowifIhadcomeafteryou,”headded.
Channingsmiledathim.“Andhowdifferentdoyouthinkthingswouldbe,Zane?”sheaskedand

noticedhewaspullingofftothesideoftheroad.

Zanebroughtthecartoastop,cuttheengineandturnedtoher.“Iwanttothinkwe’dbemarriedwitha

baby.”

“Ababy?”
Seeingthestartledlookonherface,asmilecurvedhislips.“Yes,Channing.Ababy.Mybaby.Don’t

youlikechildren?”

“Yes,but…”
“Butwhat?”
“Weneverdiscussedchildren,”shesaidsoftly.
No,hethought,theyhadn’t.Mainlybecausehe’dneverwantedtodiscussafuturewithher.“We’re

talkingaboutthemnow.”

“Arewe?”
“Yes.Ilikekids.Whataboutyou?”
Shenodded.“Yes,Ilikethem.”
“Howmanydoyouwantustohave?”heaskedher.“IwantseveralsinceI’musedtoabigfamily.Hey,

wecanbelikemycousinQuadeandhavethreeinoneday.”

Channing’smouthdroppedopen,andshesimplystaredathim.SheknewallaboutQuade’sbabies.

Triplets.“Areyoucrazy?”

Hechuckled.“Yes,Iam.I’mcrazyaboutyou.”Hebrushedakissacrossherlips.“Ifyoudon’twant

triplets,I’llsettlefortwins.”

Zanelaughedathershockedexpressionashestraightenedinhisseat.Turningthecar’signitionback

on,hemaneuveredthevehicleontotheroadknowinghe’dgivenChanningsomethingtothinkabout.

Channingdidn’tsayanythingasshewatchedZaneswitchfromthetwo-laneroadandtaketherampthat

ledtotheinterstate.Whatcouldshesaywhenhermindwasspinning?Zanehadjustimpliedtheyhada
future.Withchildren.Shewasn’tmistakenaboutthat.Sheknewhelikedchildren.She’dseenhimaround
hiscousinDillon’sson.ButZanehadneverbroughtupthesubjectofchildrentheywouldhavetogether.

Buttodayhehad.
ChanningstoleanotherglanceatZane.Shehadtoadmitthatoverthepasttwodaysshehaddetected

changesinhim.Positivechanges.Hewasn’tasinflexibleasheoncehadbeen,andhecameoffasless
guarded.Hewaslettingherintohisprivateworld.Asmallstirringofpleasurerippledthroughherand
warmedherinsides.Theyweremakingprogress.

Agoodtwentyminutesormorepassed.WhenshesawtheyweretakingtheexitforKindleShores,

anticipationnippedatherheels.AlthoughZane’sexpressionwaswellhiddenbythosenavigator
sunglasses,sheknewhewasjustaseagerasshewastogettotheirdestination.

Withinfiveminutes,Zanepulledthecarintoherdrivewayasallkindsofemotionschurnedinsideof

her.Ashecutofftheengine,shesawhisfingerstapthesteeringwheelwhilehefocuseddesire-drenched
eyesonher.

“Areyouhungry?”heaskedinalow,sensuoustone.
Hisquestionhadamouthwateringeffect…butitwasn’tforfood.“No.You?”Thesunwasshining

brightlyoverhead,butChanningknewthatwasn’tthereasontheinteriorofthecarfeltsohot.

“Amealisn’twhatIhaveanintensehungerfornow,Channing.”
Herbreathcaught.Hiswords,spokeninaquietvoice,compelledeverysinglecellinherbodytoignite

inanoverarousedstate.

Sheswallowed.“Andwhatisitthatyouwant?”
Hisfingersstoppedtappingthesteeringwheel.Instead,thosefingersbrushedacrossherwrist,making

everyerogenouszoneinherbodycomealivewithaneedshecouldn’tdeny.

Holdinghergaze,heleanedtowardherandwhispered,“IwantyoueverywayIcanhaveyou.”
Channingfeltasthougheverynerveinherbodywasonfire.Shedrewinadeepbreath.“Thenmaybe

weneedtotakethisinside.”

Asexysmiletouchedhislips.“Iagree.”

Twelve

N

osoonerhadthedoorclosedbehindthem,ZaneandChanningweretearingoffeachother’sclothes.

Zaneknewwantinganywomanthismuchhadtobeinsane,butthatthoughtwaswipedfromhisbrainwith
theeroticsweepofhertongueinhismouth.Wherehadthisintensehungercomefrom?Howwasit
drivinghimasmuchasitwasdrivingher?

Shehadhimpinnedagainstthedoorandwaspushinghimtodoanythingshewanted.Hewasdefinitely

gameaslongasshekeptkissinghimthisway,sodeeplyandcompletely.Whenshesuddenlyjerkedher
mouthfree,droppedtoherkneesinfrontofhimandtookhisengorgedsexintoherhands,hegroaned
deepinhisthroat.

“Ah,hell!”Hethrewhisheadbackasherheatedtongueswirledoverhisswollenshaftbeforeshe

hungrilymouthedthefulllengthofhim.Hegroanedwhensuddenlyitseemedasifshewouldswallow
himwhole.Shewasusinghermouthtoinfuseherownershiponthispartofhim.Andshewasdoingsoin
themostearth-shatteringwayknowntoman.

Pleasureshottoallpartsofhisbody.Shewasbuildingafirewithinhimandquenchingitatthesame

time.

Whileherfingertipsstrokedhisthatchofcurlyhair,hermouthsuckedharder.Thenherfingersshifted

lowertogentlysqueezehistesticles,causingajoltofpleasuretotearthroughhim.Didsheknowher
actionsweretheembodimentofhiswetdreams?Didsheknowshewasbondingherselftohim?

Hegrabbedherhead,twininghisfingersthroughthesilkystrandsofherhairbeforewrappingalock

aroundhisfisttoholdhermouthrightthere.Yes,oh,yes.Right.There.Andthenhefeltit,thefirst
vibrationsstirringinhisgroin.

“Channing,”hewhisperedassensationsfloodedthroughhim.Hisheartwasracing,andhecouldn’tget

hisbreathingregulated.Andthenwithonebrutalyeteroticsuckofhermouth,theintensityslammedinto
him.Hefeltthereleasegushintohermouth.

Thereweren’tanywordsthatcoulddefinewhathefeltatthatmoment.Thoughmind-blowingwas

close.Hegroanedhernameoverandoveruntilthelastsensationhadsweptthroughhisbody.

Hedidn’trecallwhensheletgoofhimorwhensheeasedtoherfeet.Allherememberedwasgazing

throughahazeofsensuouscontentmenttostareintothedepthsofhereyes.

“Channing—”
Hewantedtotellherhelovedher.Butbeforehecouldfixhismouthtosaythewords,hersoftlipstook

controlofhis,andshekissedhimwithsuchcompletenessithadhimgroaningoutloudagain.

Hecouldn’ttakeanymore.Hesweptheroffherfeet,intohisarms,andheadedforthebedroom.

***

WhenZaneplacedheronthebed,Channingstaredupathim,watchingtheintensityinhisfeatures.She
hadafeelingthislovemakingwouldbedifferentfromanyotherthey’dshared.Whenhejoinedherinbed,
herlegsautomaticallyopenedforhim.Withtheeaseofamanwhoknewjustwhathewanted,Zaneslid
betweenthem.

Theystaredateachotherforseveralheartbeatsbeforeshefelthimfillingherwithlong,powerful

thrusts,stretchingherandgoingdeep.Whenhecontinuedmovinginandoutinlong,languorousstrokes,
therhythmcausedelectrifyingsensationstoovertakeher.Hishandstightenedonherhips,holdingher
immobilewhilehetotallypossessedherfemininecore.

“Ah,”shegroanedwhileintensepleasureblazedthrougheverypartofher.
Thenhisstrokesbecameharderandharder,deeperanddeeper,completeandabsolute.Theresultwas

staggeringlypowerful.

Shemethisgaze,andthelookinhiseyestookherbreathaway.Forthefirsttimeinherlife,shefeltan

emotioncomingfromhimthatshe’dneverfeltbefore.Itmighthavebeenafigmentofherimaginationor
wishfulthinking,butshedecidedtotakethefeelingandrunwithit.

Themomentthatdecisionwasmade,herbodyseemedtosplinterintoathousandpieces.Shedugher

fingersintohisshoulders,anditwasonlythenthatheloweredhisheadandtookhermouthtodrownout
herscreams.

Whenhewithdrewfromthekiss,hewhisperedagainstherlips,“Thatwaslovemaking,notsex.It’s

neverbeenjustsexwithyou,Channing.Never.”

Thenhegraspedherfaceinbothhandsandloweredhismouthtokissheragain.Channingdoubtedshe

couldeverlovehimanymorethanshedidatthatmoment.

***

“I’mgladyouhaven’tlostyourtouchinthekitchen,Channing.”

ChanningsmiledatZanewhileplacingaplateofcookiesinfrontofhimashesatatthekitchentable.

Sheslidintothechairacrossfromhim.“AndI’mgladyouhaven’tlostyourtouchinthebedroom.”

Athisdeepchuckle,shegrabbedoneofthecookiesandbitintoit.Theyhadmadeloveseveraltimes

beforefinallygettingoutofbedandputtingonclothes…atleastsomeofthem.Hehadslidintohisjeans
andsheintohisshirt.Thentheyhadgoneintothekitchentogetsomethingtoeat.

Channinghadtakenafewthingsoutofthefreezerbeforethey’dleftforRichmond,andallshehadto

dowasplacetheminthemicrowave.NowsheandZaneweresittingatthetableenjoyingcookiesand
milkfordessert.Itseemedallthedishesshe’dpreparedduringhercookingfrenzywerehisfavorites.Go
figure.

Whenshesawthewayhewaslookingather,shetookadeep,quiveringbreath.Itdidn’thelpmatters

thathewasshirtlesswiththatpowerfulchestondisplay.Achestshehadlickedalloverhoursago.She
shiveredatthememory.Lord!Sheneededacoldglassofwater.Quick.Theglassofmilkjustwasn’t
doingit.

“Excuseme,”shesaid,gettingupfromthetable.Shestrolledovertotherefrigeratortogetachilled

bottleofwater.Shequicklyopenedtherefrigerator,grabbedone,unscrewedthetopandtookahugegulp,
appreciatinghowthecoldliquidfloweddownherthroat.Boy,she’dneededthat.

“Youwanttoshare?”
Shejumped.Shehadn’tknownZanehadgottenoutofhischairandwasstandingrightthereinfrontof

her.“Sure,”shesaid,reachingbehindhertoreopentherefrigerator.

“No,Iwanttoshareyours.”
“Oh.”Shehandedhimherbottleandwatchedhimfinishitoffbeforeheplaceditonthecounter.
Hethensmiledatherandsaid,“Youmakemehot,baby.”
Herinsidesstirred.Ifheonlyknewhowhothemadeher.Sheraisedherpalmtohisforehead.“Um,

youfeelnormal.”

Hislipscurvedinasmileashetookholdofherhandandloweredittohiszipper.“Canyousaythe

samehere?”heasked.

Sheswallowed.No,shecouldn’t.Hefelthuge,engorgedanderect.Youwouldthinkthatwithasmuch

actionasthey’dhadearlier,moresexwouldbethelastthingontheirminds.Evidentlynot.

“Well?”
Shecuppedhimthroughhisjeansandwatcheddesireflareinhiseyes.“Icanhandlethis.”
“You’retheonlywomanwhocan,”hesaidthroatily,reachinguptopeelhisshirtoffher.“Sotellme,

ChanningHastings,”hesaid,tuggingoutofhisjeans,“haveyoueverbeentakenagainstarefrigerator?”

“No.”Shebreathedthewords.Bloodrushedthicklythroughherveinsatthethoughtofsuchathing

happening.

Heliftedher,andherlegsautomaticallywrappedaroundhiswaist.“Thenconsiderthisyourfirst

time…butitwon’tbeyourlast,baby.”

***

Zanelayawake,staringattheceiling,whileanakedChanningsleptsoundlybesidehim.Somethingflared
deepwithinhimwhenhethoughtabouthowtheyhadspenttheirday,beginningwiththedriveto
Richmondandthenreturninghere.

Itremindedhimofhowthingsusedtobeonherfreedaysfromthehospital.Shewouldspendhertime

withhimattheHideout.Howcouldhenothaveseenthenjusthowgreattheyweretogether?Although
he’dknowntheirrelationshipwasgood,hehadn’tunderstoodthesignificanceofwhatthatmeantuntilit
wastoolate.Thatwaswhyhewasherebackpedaling,tryingtoconvinceherthathelovedher,doing
whateverittooktogetthatmessageacross.

Afterthey’dmadeloveinthekitchen,startingoutagainsttherefrigeratorandendinguponthecounter,

theyhaddressedandtakenawalkonthebeach.TheyhadrunintoRonaldandhisfamily.Zanehadbeen
introducedtoJenniferandtheirtwokids.SeeingRonaldwithhisfamilymadeZanelongforthatsame
thingwithChanning.He’dmeantwhathe’dtoldheryesterday.Hewantedkidsandlookedforwardtothe
childrentheywouldmaketogether.

Whenthey’dreturnedtohervilla,he’dhintedthatheneededtogobacktothehoteltochangeclothes.

Hehadhopedshewouldsuggesthecheckoutofthehotelaltogetherandspendtherestofhistimeatthe
beachhousewithher.Butshehadn’t.He’dbeendisappointed,buthehadn’tpushed.Herecalledoneof
hisfather’soldsayings:“Anythingworthgettingisworthwaitingfor….”Andheknewdeepinhisheart
thatChanningwasworthwaitingfor.Hewasdeterminedtoridherofanyandalldoubtabouthislovefor
her.

Sheshiftedherbodyinsleep,andimmediatelyhebecamearoused.Whenhefeltherhandonhisthigh,

everycellinhisbodybecameenergized.Sheslowlyopenedhereyes,andhisheartpoundedinhischest
whenshesmiledathim.

“Nowthatyou’reawake,”hesaidsoftly,brushinghairfromherface,“Ineedtoleave.”
“Togobacktothehotel?”sheaskedquietly.
“Yes.”
Hesawtheslightmarringofherforeheadandknewshewastryingtomakeadecision.Whenshe

shiftedcloserandeasedherthighbetweenhis,heknewshehadmadeit.

“Sinceyou’redeterminedformetopushyouintofallinginlovewithme,thenmaybeyoushouldstay

here.”

Hecuppedherchininhishand.“Yousure?WhetherIstayhereoratthehotel,I’mnotleavingVirginia

Beachuntilyoudo,Channing.”

Shenodded.“I’msure.Sounlessyou’redesperateforyourthings,youcanwaituntilthemorningtogo

getthem.”

Hishandleftherchintorubhisown.“Icanuseashave,butIcanwaituntiltomorrow.Ifyouwakeup

inthemorningandI’mnothere,that’swhereI’llbe…checkingoutofthehotel.”

“Allright.”
Hekissedherandfeltthatspecialconnectionbetweenthem.Theystillhadmoreroadtotravel,butat

thatmoment,hefeltthattheywereatleastmakingprogress.

***

TheringingofthetelephonewokeChanning.Shenoticedthespotbesideherinbedwasemptyasshe
reachedforhercellphoneonthenightstand.“Hello,”shesaidinasleepytone.

“Gracious.You’restillinbed?”
Channingcamewide-awakeuponhearinghergrandmother’svoice.Sheglancedoverattheclock.It

wasclosetoeleven.Typicallyshewasanearlyriser,butwhenyouspentmostofthenightmakinglove,
exhaustionhadatendencytocreepuponyou.

“Yes,I’mstillinbed.HowareyouGramma?”
“I’mfine,butIwantedtocheckonyou.Ourlastconversationhadmeworried.”
Channingtookadeepbreath.“Iknow,butI’mbetter.”
“Doesthatmeanyouropinionofmenisbetter?”
Channingthoughtofthepasttwodaysshe’dspentwithZaneandhowthoughtfulandconsideratehe’d

been.But,mostimportantly,shethoughtofhowhe’dincludedherinhisworld.“Yes,it’simproved
some.”

“Gladtohearit.”
Sheandhergrandmothertalkedforalittlewhilelongerbeforetheyendedtheircall.Channing

stretchedandtheneasedoutofbed.ThinkingofZanecheckingoutofthehotel,shenibbledherbottomlip.
Shewantedtobeoptimisticthatshewasn’tmakingamistake.

Shehopedshewasn’twrong,butshewasbeginningtofeelaspecialbondbetweenthem,anditwasn’t

justaboutsex…althoughshethoughtthatpartoftheirrelationshipwassuper,too.Shefeltmore.

Butthen,shequicklyremindedherself,shehadfeltmorethelasttimethey’dbeentogether,whenshe’d

assumedhehadfalleninlovewithher.Shecouldn’taffordtomakeanothermistakeaboutsomethinglike
that.Soshewouldtakeonedayatatime.Shewouldn’trush,butshewould,inherownway,continueto
pushhim.Yes,she’dpush,butshewouldn’tshove.Inhermind,therewasadifference.Ifhewasclose,
shewouldseetoitthathegotcloser.ShehadtobelievethatZanewasworthtakingachanceon.

Thesoundofacardoorclosinghadherlookingoutthewindow.Zanewasback,andshewatchedashe

wenttothetrunkofthecarandremovedhisluggageandlaptop.Asifhefeltherwatching,heglancedat
thewindow,tiltedhisStetsonbackandlookedstraightather.Whenhesmiled,sheactuallyfeltitradiate
fromhimtoherandshesmiledback.ThenhedidsomethingthattheZaneshe’dalwaysknownwould
neverhavedone.

Heblewherakiss.
Herbreathcaught,andhisgesturesentawarmrushofpleasureflowingthroughher.Thiswastheman

sheloved,themanshewantedtomarryandthemanshewantedasafatherforherchildren.

Suddenly,sherealizedthatshewaslookingattheworldthroughrose-coloredglassesagain,andZane

hadonceagainunlockedherheart.

Thirteen

“Z

ane,don’tyoudare!Putmedownthisinstant!”

“Okay.”
Andhedidso,unceremoniouslydumpingherintotheocean.Channingsurfaced,sputteringandpushing

wethairfromherface.“Howdareyou!”

“IdarebecauseIthoughtyouneededcoolingoff.Isawthewayyouwerelookingatme.Likeyou

wantedtojumpmybones.”

“Iwasnot,youarrogant,conceited…!”
Ignoringherravings,hecontinued.“NotthatI’mcomplainingaboutyouwantingalittlerollinthesand.

Butalthoughthisisconsideredaprivatebeach,thereareothersaround.WhatwouldtheFarmersthink?
Oryourgrandparents’neighborsforthatmatter?”

Insteadofanswering,sheshothimavenomouslookbeforeturningtoswimtheshortdistancebackto

shore.Helethergo.Therewasnodoubtinhismindthatshewasangrywithhim.Hesmiled,thinkinghe
wouldhavetomakeupwithher.Thethoughtfiredhisblood.MakingupwithChanningwasalwaysan
enjoyableexperience.

Sincehewasinthewater,hemightaswelltakealeisurelyswim.Becausethereweresomanylakes

onWestmorelandland,theonethinghisparentshadbeensuretoteachtheiroffspringwashowtoswim.
Heconsideredhimselfprettygoodatit…mainlybecauseoftheswimmingraceshe,hisbrothersandhis
cousinshadheldduringthesummermonthswhilegrowingup.He’dbeenthereigningchampforyears…
untilBaileyshowedhimup.Nowthelittlenymphstillheldthetitle.

HeglancedtowhereChanninglayonthetowelshehadstretchedoutonthesand.Itwashardtobelieve

ithadbeenaweeksincehe’dmovedoutofthehotel.Asfarashewasconcerned,everydayseemedlike
heaven.

Theywokeupmakingloveandwenttobedmakinglove.Inbetween,theyspentthedayonthebeach

or,likeyesterday,shopped.Shehadbeendeterminedthatheshouldpurchaseapairofshorts,and,to
satisfyher,hehad.Aftershehadwhistledoutrageouslyaboutwhatanicepairoflegshehad,he’dpoked
outhischestanddecidedwearingthedamnthingswouldn’tbesobad…especiallyifitmeantshewould
continuelookingathimwithallthatsexualhungerinhereyes.

Afterspendingenoughtimeinthewater,heswambacktoshore.Smiling,hesaunteredacrossthe

beautifulwhitesandtowardChanning.Sheopenedhereyesandeasedupwhensheheardhisapproach.

“Relax,I’mnotgoingtobotheryou,”hesaid,floppingdownonthetowelbesideher.
Shefrownedoverathim.“Youbetternot.”
Hepretendedtoshiver.“NowI’mscared,”heteased.
Sherolledhereyesandlaybackdown.“Yourcellphone’sbeenringing,”shesaidcasually,althoughhe

knewtherewasnothingcasualaboutit.Alotofwomenhadhisnumber,andbeingmissinginaction
probablyhadalotofthemworriedabouthim.Evidently,nooneinhisfamilywasgivingoutinformation
astohiswhereaboutssothewomenhadtakentocalling.Forthepastcoupleofdays,hehadturnedoffhis
phone.He’dcutitbackonthismorningtocheckwithhisfamilyandtocallthephonecompanytorequest
anewphonenumber.Thelatterwassomethinghehadn’ttoldheraboutyet.

“Itwassomeoneinmyfamily,”hesaid,lookingoverather.
Shefrowned.“Youhaveseveralmissedcalls,Zane.”
“LikeIsaid,it’ssomeoneinmyfamily,”hesaid,reachingoutandsweepingalockofdamphairfrom

herface.

“Howcanyoubesosure?”
Asmileruffledhismouth.“BecauseIhadmynumberchangedthismorning.Noonehasitbutmy

family,andtheywouldn’tshareitwithoutmypermission.”

Hesawthesurprisedlookonherface.“Youhadyournumberchanged?”
“Yes,andyou’retheonlywomanwho’snotrelatedtomewhohasit.”
Shegavehimanothersurprisedlook.“Ihaveit?”
Henodded.“Yes.Ikeyeditintoyourphonewhileyouwerewashingyourhairthismorning.”
“Oh.”Shedidn’tsayanythingforaminute,butheknewtheideaofhimhavinganew,privatephone

numberpleasedher.Hewasgladthatitdid.

“Andspeakingofmyhair,I’mgoingtohavetowashitagain,thankstoyou.”
“Noproblem,I’llhelp.”Hesawthewayhercheeksflushedathisoffer.Nodoubtshewas

rememberingwhathadhappenedwhenhe’dofferedtohelpwashherhairthelasttime,threedaysago.

Hereachedoverandpulledhiscellphoneoutoftheshortshehadleftonthechaiselonguewithhis

shirt.Hecheckedthemissedcalls.“Canyon.Canyon.Canyon.CanyonandCanyon,”hesaid,grinning.“I
toldyou.”

“Soundslikeheneedstotalktoyou,”Channingsaid.
Zaneshrugged.“Hehaswomanissues.”
“AndyoubeingDearZanelikeDearAbbywillhelphimsolvehisproblem,right?”
Hechuckled.“Kinda.Sorta.”Thenheheldhergazeandsaidinaserioustone,“Iknowaboutwomen,

yes.ButwiththeonewomanIshouldhaveknownaboutandshouldhavehandledwiththeloveand
respectshedeserved,Iblewit.”

Hewatchedashiswordsgaveherpause.Hisheartpoundedwhensheonlysmiled.Hedidn’tsay

anything,either.Hewantedtoletherthinkaboutwhathe’djustsaid.

“Youwanttogotothedrive-inmoviesagaintonight?”heaskedherashortwhilelater.
“Um,what’splaying?”
Hechuckled.“Doesitmatter?”Theyhadgonetothedrive-intwoothertimesandhadtotallyenjoyed

makingoutinthecar.

Shesmiledoverathim.“No,itdoesn’tmatter,andyes,I’dlovetogotothedrive-inwithyoutonight.”

***

“Whatdoyouwant,Canyon?”Zaneaskedhiscousinlaterthatevening.HeandChanninghadenjoyed
theirtimeonthebeach.Then,likehesaidhewould,hehadhelpedwashherhair…whichledtoother
things.Theyhadeatendinner,andChanninghadgonenextdoortogivetheFarmersabatchofthecookies
she’dbakedearlierthatday.

“Ican’tbelieveyou’rejustcallingmeback,Zane.Icouldhavebeendying,”Canyonsnapped.
Zanerolledhiseyes.“You’retalkingtomenowsoyou’renotdead.Whatdoyouwant?”
“Keisha.Itoldherweshouldtalk,butshesaysshedoesn’twanttohaveanythingtodowithme.”
Zaneglancedathiswatch.Hecouldn’twaittogotothemovieswithChanning.“Eithertakeherather

wordordosomethingaboutit.Actionspeakslouderthanwords.”

“Iguessyouwouldknow.Wordhasitthatyou’resomewheretryingtoconvinceChanningyou’re

fallinginlovewithher.”

ZaneheardthesmirkinCanyon’svoice.“Foryourdamninformation,Canyon,I’mnotfallinginlove

withChanning.Ijusttoldherthat.”

***

ChanninghadreturnedfromnextdoorandwalkedtowardthebedroomtoletZaneknowshewasback
whenthewordshe’dblaredouttohiscousinstoppedher.Herheadspuninshockatwhathe’djustsaid.

Hewasnotfallinginlovewithher?
Hehadliedtoher?
Herbodyquiveredinpain.Hehadbeenplayingagamewithherallalong.Agamewithherheart.
Notabletohandlewhatshewasfeeling,sheturned,nearlyblindedbyhertears,andrushedbackoutof

thehouse.

***

“Whatdoyoumeanyoujusttoldherthat?”Canyonasked.“MeganandBaileyareconvincedyou’recrazy
aboutChanningandtoldusnottobesurprisedifyoucamebackmarried.”

Notabadidea,Zanethought,andknewhewouldgiveitmoreconsiderationlater.“ThereasonI’mnot

fallinginlovewithChanningisbecauseI’malreadyinlovewithher.IrealizedjusthowmuchIlovedher
beforeIleftDenver.Butshedoesn’tbelieveme.AndI’mheretoproveotherwise.”

Canyondidn’tsayanythingforalongmoment.“Soit’strue.Somewomanhasfinallygottentoyou?”
Zanesmiled.“Yes.Thesamewayawomangottoyou,andoncetheygettoyou,Canyon,there’snota

damnthingyoucandoaboutit.IfyouwantKeisha,thenyouneedtogoafterher.”

“Damnit,Zane,shedoesn’ttrustme.Shebelievestheworstaboutme.”
“Getoverit,orlivetherestofyourlifewithouther.There’snothingyoushouldn’tbeabletoforgive

herfor,evenifitwasherlosingfaithinyou.FromwhatIgather,BonitaSimpkinssetyouupprettydamn
good,andIwouldn’tgiveherthesatisfactionofknowingherplanworked.”

Zaneglancedathiswatchagain.Themoviewouldstartinanhour.Channinghadsaidshewouldbe

rightback,andhecouldn’thelpbutwonderwhatwastakinghersolong.

“Maybeyou’reright,”Canyonsaid.“IwenttoBonitawhenithappenedandtriedtogethertotell

Keishathetruth,butsherefused.”

Zanelookedathiswatchagain.“Look,Canyon,Igottogo.I’vegivenyoualltheadviceI’mgoingto

giveonthisKeishamatter.You’reonyourownfromhereonout.Goodbye.”Hethenclickedoffthe
phone.

Movingoutofthebedroom,heheadedforthefrontdoor.EvidentlyChanninghadgottenintoa

conversationwithJenniferandforgottentheirdate.Hewouldjusthavetogonextdoorandremindher.

***

Channingwalkedthebeachassheswipedatthetearsthatcouldn’tseemtostopflowing.Whenwasshe
goingtostopbeingafool?Andforthesameman!

Hehadplayedherwell,andwhathurthermorethananythingelsewasthattherehadbeennoneedfor

himtodothat.Whycouldn’thejustlethergo?Whydidhehavetofollowherherewithlies,liesand
morelies?Therewasnowayhecouldrefutewhathe’dtoldCanyon.Wordsshe’dheardwithherown
ears.

“I’mnotfallinginlovewithChanning.Ijusttoldherthat.”
ThememorymadeChanningcryharder,madeherchestacheandherheadhurt.Itseemedshe’dbeen

walkingthebeachforhourswhensheknewithadonlybeenafewminutes.Clenchingherfistinanger,
sheturnedaround.ItwastimetogobackandconfrontZane,tellhimhehadplayedhislastgameonher…

Shegaspedwhensuddenlythesandbeneathherfeetgaveawayandshebegantosink.“Oh,God!”She

triedpullingherfeetout,butitonlymadehersinkdeeper.

Frantically,sheglancedaround.Itwaspitch-dark,andshecouldbarelyseethelightsfromthehomesat

KindleShores.Itoccurredtoherthenjusthowfarshehadwalked.Sheknewthearea.Itwasone
swimmersandsunbatherswerewarnedtoavoidforthisveryreason.Yearsago,shehadheardhowa
couplewhohadbeenstrollingalongthisparticularsectionofthebeachhadmettheirfatewhentheyboth
wentdowninquicksand.Theyhaddrownedfromthehightidebeforethesearchpartyhadfoundthem.

Channingwilledherselfnottopanic.Shehadtotryandremaincalm.Eachtimesheattemptedtopull

herfeetfree,shesanklower.Whatwasshegoingtodo?Shedidn’thavehercellphonewithherand
hadn’ttoldanyonewhereshewasgoing.Andwhyhadshewalkedsoclosetotheshoreline?

Whenshesanklowerstill,shefoughtbacktears.WouldZanecomelookingforher?Heshouldbethe

lastpersonshewantedtosee,butrightnowshewouldgiveanythingtoseehisface.Hehadnoidea
whereshewas,butshehadtobelievehewouldcome.

Shehadtobelievethat.

***

“Channinglefthereahalfhourago,”JennifersaidtoZane.“Iwasstandingontheporch,andIwatched
hergoinside.Afterthat,Icameinheretogivethekidstheirbaths.”

“Isawhergobackout,”Ronaldadded,comingtostandbesidehiswife.“Channinghadn’tbeeninside

herhousemorethanafewminutesbeforesheranbackout.Iwasstilloutsidepickingupthekids’toys
whenIsawher.Shewaswalkingquicklydownthebeach.”Hehesitatedandthenadded,“Sheseemed
upsetaboutsomething.”

Upset?Zanefrowned.WhywouldChanningbeupset?
“Iwouldn’tknowwhyshewouldbeupset,”hesaid.“Maybeshejustwantedtotakeawalkbeforewe

wentout.We’resupposedtobegoingtothemovies.”

Jennifernodded.“Shedidmentionthat.That’sthereasonshesaidshehadtorushback.Soit’sstrange

forhertowanderoffwhensheseemedsoeagertogooutwithyou.”

Zanehadtoagree.Thatwasstrange.“Well,thanks.Hopefullyshe’llbebacksoon,”hesaid,glancing

downthedarkstretchofbeach.Hecouldn’tseeathing.ThethoughtofChanningbeingouttheredidn’tsit
wellwithhim.Itmadehimfeeluneasy.

“Onsecondthought,IthinkI’llgolookforher,”hesaid,walkingofftheFarmers’porch.
“Needanyhelp?”Ronaldoffered.
“No,I’llprobablymeetheronherwayback,”Zanesaidhopefully.
“Ifyoudon’t,youhavemynumber,”Ronaldremindedhim.“Callme.”
“Iwill,”Zanesaidoverhisshoulder.RonaldhadgivenZanehisnumberwhenRonaldhadinquired

aboutthepurchaseofaponyforhisdaughter.Zanehadpromisedtocheckonitwhenhegotbackto
DenverandgivethemanacallastowhetherBornFree’sfoalwasforsale.

Zanebeganwalkingtowardthebeach,andthatuneasyfeelingjustwouldn’tgoaway.Ronaldhadsaid

Channingseemedupset,butZanedidn’thaveaclueastowhatcouldhaveupsether.Nothinghadbeen
awrywhenshe’dlefttotakethefoodovertotheFarmers.Shehadevengivenhimakissbeforeleaving.

Hedidrecallthatnotlongaftershe’dlefttogonextdoorhehadreturnedCanyon’scall.He’dtalkedto

hiscousinuntilrightbeforehe’dgonetotheFarmersforChanning.Thatmeantshereturnedduringthe
timehe’dbeenonthephonewithCanyon.

Zanesearchedhismindforwhyshewouldhavecomeinsidethehouseonlytoleaveafewmoments

later.CouldshehaveoverheardhisconversationwithCanyon?Ifshehad,therewasnothingsaidthat
wouldhaveupsether.Infact,he’dgivenhiscousinadviceaboutKeishaagain.

Zanestoppedwalkingwhenhesuddenlyrecalledsomething.ItwaswhenCanyonmentionedhim

fallinginlovewithChanning.Zane’sresponsehadbeen,“I’mnotfallinginlovewithChanning.Ijust
toldherthat.”

ButthenZanehadproceededtoclarifywhathe’dmeant.ButwhatifChanninghadheardthefirstpart

ofhisconversationwithCanyonandnotthesecond?Hisgutstwistedatthethoughtthatshemightbe
somewhereassuminghewasmakingafooloutofher,assuminghehadnointentionoffallinginlovewith
her.Hecouldseehowthatwouldtroubleher.

Zanepickeduphispaceashelookedupanddowntheshoreline.Itwasdark,sohepulledoutthe

miniatureflashlightonhiskeychain.

ThethoughtthatsomethinghadhappenedtoChanningprickedhisskin.Therewasnowayhewasgoing

toloseher.Noway.

***

Channingtriedfightingherfear,butitwasuseless.Fromthemoon’slight,shecouldseetheoceanandit
appearedtobecomingcloser,whichmeantthehightidehadstarted.Thewater’sspraywashittingherin
theface.Alreadyshehadsunkdowntoherwaistandwassinkingfasterbytheminute.Itwasasthough
thesandwaspullingherin.

Onceortwiceshethoughtshehadheardsomeonewalkingaround,butwhenshe’dcalledoutnoone

wasthere.Wasthishowherlifewastoend?Shefelttired,drained;shebeganimaginingallkindsof
crazystuff.Didn’therbrotheroncetellheraboutwilddogsthatroamedthebeachesatnight?Even
snakes.Andhereshewasbeingheldcaptivebytheearth.

No!Inprotest,shetriedmovingoneofherfeetandthencriedoutinfrustrationwhenitsankafoot

fartherintothesand.Thentheoceanwaterbeganhittingherinthechest.

Sheknewwithoutbeingtoldthatthetidewascomingcloser.

***

Zanestoppedwalkingandscannedhisflashlightaheadofhim.WouldChanninghavecomethisfar?What
ifshe’dtakenanotherpath,awayfromthebeach,andwaswalkingthroughoneofthetrailstoreturn
home?Hewasabouttoturnaround,hopingthatwaswhatshehaddone,whenheheardafaintsound.
AutomaticallyhemovedtowarditandbegancallingChanning’sname.

Channingtriedcallingoutseveraltimes.“Helpme!Somebodypleasehelpme.”Thesandhadcovered

heruptoherbreasts,andshewassinkingfaster.

Shewentstillwhenshethoughtsheheardhername.
Wassheimaginingthings?
Shelistenedandhearditagain.ItwasZane’svoice.Shewassureofit.
“Zane!I’moverhere.Inquicksand.Pleasehelpme!”
Afewmomentslater,shesawaflashoflight,andthenitwasaimedather.SheheardZane’scolorful

expletivesasheracedtowardher.

“No,Zane!”sheshouted.“Don’tcomeanycloser,oryoumightgetstuck,aswell.Youneedtogoget

help.”

Zanehadalreadyassessedthesituation.Therewasnotimetogethelp,buthedidpullouthiscell

phoneandcallRonaldtotellhimtocomequickwithropeandhistruck.Zaneglancedaround.Thetide
wascomingin,andalreadythesandhadcoveredChanningnearlytoherneck.

Heknewhehadtokeephercalm,buthecouldn’tjustwaitforhelptoarrive.Hemovedaround,

tentativelytestingtheareasurroundingherandwasgladthequicksandwasconfinedtothelittlearea
whereshewas.Thatmeanthecouldattempttopullheroutifsheheldontohim.

“Okay,Channing,listenup,baby.I’mgoingtoneedyoutoarchyourbodybackasfarasitwillgo.That

willhelpspreadoutyourweightandmakeitharderforyoutokeepsinking.I’llgetbehindyouonhard
sand.Extendyourarmsbacktome,andI’llpullyououtwhileyoutryworkingyourlegsfree.”

ChanningheardZane’sinstructions,buttheminuteshemovedherbodytoarchherbackshesank

deeper.“Zane!”

Zanetriedtostayincontrolofhisemotions,buthewastwosecondsfromjumpingintherewithher.

“Channing,don’trush.Takeyourtime.Archyourback,andextendyourarmsbackwardsoIcangrab
them,”hesaid,lyingflatonhisstomachascloseashecouldgettoher.

“No!Imightpullyouinandyou’lldiewithme.”
“I’dratherdiewithyouthanlivewithoutyou,damnit.Youaremylife,andIwon’tloseyou.Iwon’t.

Nowbendyourbackasfarasyoucan,andextendyourarmsoveryourheadtome.”

Heknewhewastakingachancebecausehewouldberelyingonhisstrengthtopullherout.“Nowdo

it!”

Thedemandinhisvoicewassharp.Shearchedherback,andhecouldseeherstruggling.“Don’tfight,

Channing.Justarchlikeyou’reinapooltryingtofloatonyourback.”

Channingfollowedhisdirectionsandfoundspreadingherweightwashelping.Shecouldeven

disentangleherlegsalittle.“Mylegsarelooseningupsome,”shesaidwithexcitementinhervoice.

“Archalittlebitmore,Channing.We’renotthereyet.Ineedtograbyourarms.Bringthembackover

yourheadasfarasyoucan.PretendI’mabouttomakelovetoyouandIneedyourbodyshapedlikea
bow,liftingupoffthebed.”

Hegaveadeepsighwhenheextendedhishandsoutasfarashecouldwithouttumblingintothe

quicksandwithher.Hecameclosetotouchingherfingertips.“That’sit,baby.Archyourbackjustalittle
more,andI’llpullyouout.”

“Ithurts,”shemoaned.
“Iknow,baby,butdoit.Doitforme.I’lldieifanythinghappenstoyou.Ican’tloseyou.”
Hesoundedalmostconvincing,Channingthoughtassheclosedhereyesandtriedarchingherback

somemore.Butsheknewthetruthabouthowhefelt.Still,shetriedmovingherlegs.“IthinkIlostmy
sandal.Itwasoneofmynewones.”

“I’llbuyyouanotherpair,”hesaid,knowingthatshewasexhausted.Buthecouldn’tlethergiveup.

Thetidewascominginfast.HealmostyelledforjoywhenhewasfinallyabletocatchChanning’shands
inatightgrip.

Nowcamethehardpart.
Placingallhisstrengthonhisshoulders,heclosedhiseyesandbeganhisattempttoextricateherfrom

thequicksand.Acoupleoftimeshealmostlosthisgrip,butherefusedtoletgo.

Hepulledwithallhismight,tryingtoignorethepressureonboththeirarms.Heknewhewasslowly

pullingherfree,andwhenhewasabletocatchheraroundherupperchest,hereachedoutandgrabbed
tight.That’swhentheheavybeamsofapickuptruckshoneonthembeforecomingtoastop.Severalmen

jumpedout.Zanedidn’ttakehisgazeoffChanning,butheknewitwasRonaldandhehadbroughtothers
tohelp.

ZanefelthisgriploosenonChanningandcursed.Ronaldandseveralguyssurroundedhimwithhuge

flatlumber,whichprovidedabridgelikesurfacethatletthemgetclosertoChanning.Whiletheyheldthe
bridgeinplace,Zanecrawledoveritandgrabbedherbythewaist.

Heknewsomeonehadtiedaropearoundhimandwaspullinghimback,andhewasbringingChanning

withhim.Ittookgreateffort,butwhenshewascompletelyfreefromthequicksand,themencheered.He
gatheredChanningclosewhileshecriedinhisarms.

Fourteen

Z

anesatinachairbesidethebedandwatchedasChanningslept.He’dheldherinhislapinRonald’s

truckallthewayhome.Thenhehadheldherwhiletheyshowered,washingoffenoughsandtostarttheir
ownbeach.He’devenwashedherhairbecauseshewastootiredtodoitherself.

Thenhehadtoweledherdryanddressedherinpj’sandplacedherbeneaththecovers.Thatwaswhen

thedoctorhadcome,anoldermanwholivedinthecommunityandstillmadehousecalls.Dr.Peterson
hadsaidthepillshe’dgivenherwouldmakehersleepforawhile.Alreadyshe’dbeensleepingforfour
hours,andZanewasstillhere,sittingbyherbedside.

He’dneverknownrealfearuntiltonight.Whenhethoughtabouthowclosehe’dcometolosingher.

Whatifhe’dgivenupsearchingearlierandturnedaround?Whatifhehadn’theardhercryforhelp?What
ifhehadn’ttakenthatfirst-aidtrainingyearsago,whichhadtaughthimwhattodoifyoubecomelodged
inquicksand?Whatif—

“Zane?”
HejerkedwhenheheardChanning’svoiceandwasoutofthebedinaflash.Hemovedtositnextto

her.“Yes,sweetheart?Howdoyoufeel?”

“Likehell.”
Henoddedinunderstanding.Dr.Petersonhadsaidshewouldbesoreforacoupleofdays.Shehad

strainedalotofmuscleswhilearchingherback.“Isthereanythingyouneed?Water?Juice?Milk?Sorry,
youcan’thaveanywine,thankstothemedicineyou’retaking.”

Shegentlygrabbedhiswristandsawthescratchesherhandshadmadetryingtoholdontohim.“Why,

Zane?Whywouldyouriskyourlifetosavemine?”

Zanesigheddeeply.Nowmorethaneverhehadtomakeherunderstand…andbelieve.“BecauseI

don’thavealifewithoutyou,Channing.Itoldyouwhileyouwereinthatquicksand,andImeantit.”

Shedidn’tsayanythingforaminuteandthenslowlyreleasedhishand.“ButIheardwhatyoutold

Canyon,Zane,”shesaidaccusingly.“Youtoldhimthatyouwerenotfallinginlovewithme.Thatyou’d
onlytoldmethat.”

Sohe’dbeenright.ShehadoverheardthefirstpartofhisconversationwithCanyon.“Yes,Itoldhim

that.”

Hesawthecrushedlookthatappearedonherface,andwhenshemadeamovetoturnherbacktohim,

hesaid,“Butyouranoffbeforeoverhearingtherestofourconversation,Channing.Hadyoustuckaround,
youwouldhaveheardmeclarifywhatImeant.ThereasonIcan’tfallinlovewithyouisbecauseI’m
alreadyinlovewithyou.”

Heshiftedtoliebesideherinthebed.Heneededtotouchher.Toholdher.
“IknewwhenIleftDenvertocomeherethatIlovedyou.AndithappenedjustlikeIsaid.Butyou

didn’tbelieveme,Channing.YouthoughtIwasconfusingloveandlust.ButIknewhowIfelt.Itwasyou
whohaddoubt.SoIcameupwithaplan.

“SinceyouthoughtIwasn’tinlovewithyou,IwantedtoletyouthinkIwasfallinginlovewithyou.If

youneededtoseethetransformation,thenIhadnoproblemshowingittoyou.ForIamachangedman,
Channing.I’veneverlovedanywomanbefore,butIdoloveyou.Iwanttogiveyoumylove.Iwantto

giveyoumyname,andIwanttogiveyoumybabies.”

Heeasedoffthebedandwenttothedrawerwherehe’dplacedtheitemshe’dtakenoutofhisluggage.

Hereachedinsideandpulledoutthelockedboxandcarrieditovertothebed.“Thisboxholdsallmy
treasures.Ipurchaseditthedayafteryoulefttown,”hesaid,takingthekeyoutofhispocket.

“Thisiswhatkeptmegoingafteryouleftme,Channing.AllIhadwerethememories.”
Channingslowlyeasedupinbed,fightingagainstthepainofdoingso.HereyeswidenedwhenZane

pulledoutthecalendarshe’dgivenhimafewyearsago.“Youkeptthat?”sheasked,surprised.

“Yes,anditwasmylifeline.Iwouldspendhoursandhourslookingthroughitandwastoostupidto

figureoutwhy.”Heplacedthecalendarasideandpulledoutanotheritem.Thegoldchain.

Channinggaspedagain,surprised.“Ithought…”
“Whatdidyouthink,Channing?ThatIwouldpawnit?Giveittoanotherwoman?Iboughtitforyou

andonlyyou,”hesaid,reachingoutandplacingitaroundherneckwhereitbelonged.“Ididn’twantit
back,butyouinsisted.SoIkeptitinhere,andthisiswhereit’sbeeneversince.”

Hedidn’tsayanythingforalongmoment.“Thelastiteminhereissomethingyouhaven’tseenbefore.

SomethingIpurchasedbeforeleavingDenvertocomehere.It’ssomethingIintendedtogiveyouwhenthe
timewasright.WhenIknewIhadconvincedyouthatIlovedyou.”

Hereachedinsideandpulledoutasmallwhitejeweler’sboxandhandedittoher.
ChanningheldZane’sgazeasshetooktheboxfromhim.Herheartbeganbeatingfastandfuriousinher

chest.Shebrokeeyecontactwithhimtoopenthelidandthengaspedatthebeautifuldiamondring.

“Channing,willyoumarryme?Iloveyousomuch,andIdon’twanttobeseparatedfromyoufora

singlenight.IfIhavetomovetoAtlanta,that’sfine.Ihavefamilytherealready.IfyouandIneedtosplit
ourtimeinDenverandAtlantainanarrangementlikeRicoandMegan’s,thenthat’sfine,too.”

TearsChanningcouldn’tholdbackanylongerfloweddownhercheeks.Amisunderstandinghadalmost

costherherlifetonight.Becauseshehadn’tbelievedZane’swordsoflove.He’dbeensayingit,but
tonight,insavingherlifethewayhehad,hehadshownit.

“So,doyouneedtothinkaboutmyproposal?”heasked,breakingintoherthoughts.
Sheswipedathertears.“No,Idon’tneedtothinkaboutit.Iloveyou,andIbelieveyouloveme.

Tonightyouprovedjusthowmuch.”

“Idoloveyou,”Zanesaid,slidingtheringonherfinger.“AndIwantashortengagement.”
“Iwantthat,too,”shesaid,smilingasshelookeddownatthering,thinkinghowbeautifulitwas.“I’ll

movefromAtlantato‘Zane’sHideout.’WhileinDenver,Dr.Rowe,thechiefofstaff,mademeanofferto
comebacktoworkatthehospital.Iturnedherdown,butshesaidshewouldkeeptheofferopenforsix
months.”

Zanegrinned,notbelievinghownicelythingswerefallingintoplace.“Riley’sgettingmarriedina

coupleofmonths,andIdon’twanttorainonhisparade,sowhataboutthemonthafter?Thatwouldbein
October.”

Shesmiled.“WhataboutaChristmaswedding?”
Heletoutadeepgroan.“Thewaitwillkillme.”
Shechuckled.“I’llbetheretohelpyoumanage.IfIstartthetransferpaperworknextweek,Icanmove

backtoDenverinanothermonth.”

“Ifyoudid,thatwouldmakemeahappyman,sweetheart.YouhaveahomealreadyattheHideout.”

Consciousofhersoremuscles,heshiftedhisbodysohecouldlowerhislipstohers.

Hethenkissedherwithallthelovehefeltinhisheart.
“Thenconsideritdone,”shewhisperedashortwhilelaterwhenhelethercomeupforair.
Andthentheysealedtheirengagementwithanotherkiss.

*****

Don’tmissthenexttwoWestmorelandnovelsbyBrendaJackson!

CANYON

AvailableAugust2013

Yearsago,CanyonWestmorelandletmisunderstandingsruinagoodthing.ButnowKeishaAshfordhas

returned—withatwo-year-oldson.Thistime,nothingwillstopCanyonfromclaimingwhatishis—his

womanandhischild!

STERN

AvailableSeptember2013

WhenSternWestmorelandhelpshisbestfriendwithamakeoverheneverexpectssizzlingattractionto

ignitebetweenthem.Nowthere’sonlyonewaytomakeherhis:haveonelong,steamynighttogether

asmuchmorethanfriends!

KeepreadingforanexcerptfromTemporarilyHisPrincessbyOliviaGates

WehopeyouenjoyedthisHarlequinDesirestory.

Youwanttoleavebehindtheeveryday!HarlequinDesirestoriesfeaturesexy,romanticheroeswhohave

itall:wealth,status,incrediblegoodlooks…everythingbuttherightwoman.

Addsomesecrets,maybeascandal,andstartturningpages!

EnjoysixnewstoriesfromHarlequinDesireeverymonth!

Visit

Harlequin.com

tofindyournextgreatread.

Welikeyou—whynotlikeusonFacebook:

Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

FollowusonTwitter:

Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

Readourblogforallthelatestnewsonourauthorsandbooks:

HarlequinBlog.com

Subscribetoournewsletterforspecialoffers,newreleases,andmore!

Harlequin.com/newsletters

One

Thepresent

V

incenzoArsenioD’Agostinostaredathiskingandreachedtheonlylogicalconclusion.

Themanhadlosthismind.
HemusthavebuckledunderthepressureofrulingCastaldiniwhilesteeringhismultibillion-dollar

businessempire.Andbeingthemostadoringandattentivehusbandandfatherwhowalkedtheplanet.No
mancouldpossiblyweatherallthatwithhismentalfacultiesintact.

Thatmustbetheexplanationforwhathe’djustsaid.
FerruccioSelvaggio-D’Agostino—thebastardking,ashisopponentscalledhim,relishingitbeinga

literalslur,sinceFerrucciowasanillegitimateD’Agostino—twistedhislips.“Dopickyourjawoffthe
floor,Vincenzo.Andno,I’mnotinsane.Get.A.Wife.ASAP.”

Dio.He’dsaiditagain.
ThistimeVincenzofoundhimselfechoingit.“Getawife.”
Ferruccionodded.“ASAP.”
“Stopsayingthat.”
MockerygleamedinFerruccio’ssteeleyes.“You’vegotonlyyourselftoblamefortherush.I’ve

neededyouonthisjobforyears,buteverytimeIbringyouuptothecounciltheygoapoplectic.Even
LeandroandDurantewincewhenyournameismentioned.Thatplayboyimageyou’vebeendiligently
cultivatingisnowsonotorious,evengossipcolumnsarebeginningtoplayitdown.Andthatimagewon’t
cutitintheleaguesIneedyoutoplayinnow.”

“Thatimageneverhurtyou.Justlookwhereyouaretoday.Thekingofoneofthemostconservative

kingdomsintheworld,withthepurestwomanonearthasyourqueen.”

Ferruccioshruggedamusedlyathissummation.“Iwasonlyknownasthe‘SavageIronman’in

referencetomynameandbusinessreputation,andmyreported…hazardtowomenwasbeyondwildly
exaggerated.IhadnotimeforwomenasIclawedmywayupfromtheguttertothetop,thenIwasinlove
withClarissaforsixyearsbeforeshebecamemine.Butyournotorietyasoneoftheworld’spremier
womanizerswon’tdowhenyou’reCastaldini’semissarytotheUnitedNations.You’vegottocleanup
youractandsprayonsomerespectabilitytoclearawaythestenchofthescandalsthathangaroundyou.”

Vincenzoscowledupathim.“Ifit’sdeprivingyouofsleep,I’lltonethingsdown.ButIcertainlywon’t

‘getawife’toappeasesomepoliticalfossils,akayourcouncil.AndIwon’tjoinyour,Leandro’sand
Durante’strioofhenpeckedhusbands.You’realljustjealousyoucan’thavemylifestyle.”

Ferrucciogavehimthatlook.TheonethatmadeVincenzofeelhollowinside,madehimfeellike

puttinghisfistthroughhisking’stoo-well-arrangedface.Itwasthepityingglanceofamanwhoknew
bone-deepcontentmentandfoundnothingmorepatheticthanVincenzo’ssaidlifestyle.

“Whenyou’rerepresentingCastaldini,Vincenzo,Iwantthemediaonlytocoveryourachievementson

behalfofthekingdom,notyourconquests’surgicalenhancementsortell-allsafteryouexchangethemfor
differentmodels.Idon’twantthesensitivediplomaticandeconomicagendasyou’llbenegotiatingtobe
overshadowedorevenderailedbythemediacircusyourlifestylegenerates.Awifewillshowtheworld
thatyou’vechangedyourwaysandwillkeepthenewsontherelevantworkyou’llbedoing.”

Vincenzoshookhisheadindisbelief.“Dio!Whendidyoubecomesuchastickinthemud,Ferruccio?”
“IfyoumeanwhendidIbecomeanadvocateformarriageandfamilylife,wherehaveyoubeenthelast

fouryears?I’mtheliving,breathingadforboth.Andit’stimeIdidyouthefavorofshovingyouontothat
path.”

“Whatpath?Theonetohappilyeverafter?Don’tyouknowthat’samiragemostmenpursuetono

avail?Don’tyourealizeyou’vebeatenimpossibleoddsinfindingClarissa?Thatnotamaninamillion
willfindafractionoftheperfectionyousharewithher?”

Ferrucciopursedhislips.“Idon’tknowaboutthoseodds,Vincenzo.DurantefoundGabrielle.Leandro

foundPhoebe.”

“Onlytwomoreflukes.Youallhadsuchterriblethingshappenduringyourchildhoodsandyouths,

unbelievablygoodstuffhasbeenhappeninglaterinlifeincompensation.Havinglivedablessedlife
earlyon,Iseemtobedestinedtohavenothinggoodfromnowon,toevenoutthecosmicbalance.Iwill
neverfindanythingliketheloveyouallhave.”

“You’redoingeverythinginyourpowernottofindlove,ortoletitfindyou—”
Vincenzointerruptedhim.“I’veonlyacceptedmyfate.Loveisnotinthecardsforme.”
“Andthat’sexactlywhyIwantyoutogetawife,”Ferrucciointerruptedback.“Idon’twantyouto

spendyourlifewithoutthewarmthandintimacy,theallegianceandcertaintyonlyagoodmarriagecan
bring.”

“Thanksforthesentiment.ButIcan’thaveanyofthat.”
“Becauseyouhaven’tfoundlove?Loveisaplus,butnotamust.Justlookatyourparents’example.

Theystartedoutsuitableintheoryandturnedoutrightforeachotherinpractice.Picksomeonecerebrally
andonceshe’syourwife,thequalitiesthatlogicallyappealedtoyouwillweaveabondbetweenyouthat
willstrengthenthelongeryouaretogether.”

“Isn’tthataninvertedwayofdoingthings?YoulovedClarissafirst.”
“IthoughtIdid,witheverythinginme.ButwhatIfeltforherwasafractionofwhatIfeelforhernow.

Goingbymyexample,ifyoustartoutbarelylikingyourwife,afterayearofmarriageyou’llbereadyto
dieforher.”

“Whydon’tyoujustacknowledgethatyou’retheluckiestbastardalive,Ferruccio?Youmaybemyking

andImayhaveswornallegiancetoyou,butit’snotgoodforyourhealthtokeepshovingyourhappiness
inmyfacewhenIalreadytoldyouthere’snochanceI’llfindanythinglikeit.”

“I,too,oncebelievedIhadnochanceathappiness,either,thatemotionally,spiritually,I’dremain

vacant,withtheonewomanIwantedforeveroutofreachwhileIwasincapableofsettlingforanother.”

WasFerrucciojustcounterarguingwithhisownexample?Orwasheputtingtwoandtwotogetherand

realizingwhyVincenzowassoadamantthathe’dneverfindlove?

Suddenly,bitternessanddejectionambushedhimasifthey’dneversubsided.
Ferrucciowenton,“Butyou’repushingforty…”
“I’mthirty-eight!”
“…andyou’vebeenalonesinceyourparentsdiedtwodecadesago…”
“I’mnotalone.Ihavefriends.”
“Whomyoudon’thavetimeforandwhodon’thavetimeforyou.”Ferruccioraisedhishand,aborting

Vincenzo’sinterjection.“Makeanewfamily,Vincenzo.It’sthebestthingyoucandoforyourself,and
incidentally,forthekingdom.”

“Nextyou’lldictatethewifeIshould‘get.’”
“Ifyoudon’tdecideononeonyourown,ASAP,Iwill.”
Vincenzosnorted.“Isthatcrownyou’vebeenwearingforthelastfouryearstootight?Orisyourhead

gettingbigger?Orisitthemind-scramblingdomesticbliss?”

Ferrucciojustsmiledthatinexorablesmileofhis.
KnowingthekindoflaserlikedeterminationFerrucciohad,Vincenzoknewtherewasnorefusinghim.
Mightaswellgivein.Toanextenthefoundacceptable.
Hesighed.“IfItaketheposition…”
“Ifimpliesthisisanegotiation,Vincenzo.Itisn’t.”
“…itwillbeonlyforayear…”
“ItwillbeuntilIsay.”
“Ayear.Thisisn’tupfornegotiation,either.Therewillbenomore‘scandals’intherags,sothiswife

thing…”

Ferrucciogavehimhissignaturediscussion-endingsmile.“Isalsononnegotiable.‘Getawife’wasn’ta

suggestionorarequest.It’saroyaldecree.”

***

Ferrucciohadeventuallybuckled.OnVincenzo’sone-yearproviso.ProvidedthatVincenzochoseand
trainedhisreplacementtohissatisfaction.

Hehadn’tbudgedonthe“getawife”stipulation.He’devenmadeitofficial.Vincenzostillcouldn’t

believewhathewaslookingat.AroyaledictrulingthatVincenzomustchooseasuitablewomanand
marryherwithintwomonths.

ThisdeservedanofficialletterfromhisowncorporationtellingFerruccionottoholdhisregalbreath.
Therewasnowayhe’dchoosea“suitablewoman.”Notintwomonthsortwodecades.Therewasno

suitablewomanforhim.LikeFerruccio,he’dbeenaone-womanman.Unlikehim,he’dblownhisone
shotonanillusion.Aftersixyearsofbeingunabletomustertheleastinterestinanyotherwomanhewas
resignedtohiscondition.

Thoughheknewresignedwasn’tthewordforit.Notwheneverytimehermemorysankitsinky

tentaclesintohismind,hismusclesfeltasifthey’dsnap.

Hebracedhimselfuntilthislatestattackpassed….
Arealizationwentoffinhisheadlikeasolarflare.
Alltheseyears…he’dbeengoingaboutitallwrong!
Fightingwhathefeltwitheverybreathhadbeentheworstthinghecouldhavedone.Afterhe’d

realizednoneofitwasgoingaway,heshouldhavedonetheopposite.Heshouldhaveletitrunitscourse,
untilitwaspurgedfromhissystem.

Butitdidn’tmatterthathehadn’tdonethatbefore.Nowwastheperfecttimetodoit.Andtoletall

thosestill-seethingemotionsworktohisadvantageforonce.

Asmiletuggedathislips,fueledbywhathehadn’tfeltinsixyears,whathe’dthoughthe’dneverfeel

again.Excitement.Anticipation.Drive.Challenge.

AllheneedednowweresomeupdatesonGlorytouseinthisacquisition.Healreadyhadenoughto

makeitahostiletakeover,butmoreleveragewouldn’thurt.

Wouldn’thurthim.
Now,her—thatwasatotallydifferentstory.

***

GloryMonaghanstareddazedlyatherlaptopscreen.

Shecouldn’tbeseeingthis.Anemailfromhim.

Shedrewashakyhandacrossnumblips,shockreverberatinginhereverynerve.
Slowdown.Think.Itmustbeanoldone….
No.Thiswasnew.She’ddeletedhisoldemails.Thoughshehadonlytwomonthsago.Andby

accident,too.

Yep,forsixyears,thoseemailshadmigratedfromonecomputertoanotherwithallofhervitaldata.

Shehadn’tclickedamousetoscrubherlifecleanofhisdegradingechoes.Shehadn’tgottenridofone
shredofhim.Nothisscribblednotes,voicemessagesoranythinghe’dgivenherorleftatherplace.

Ithadn’tbeenaspatheticasitsounded.Ithadbeentherapeutic.Educational.Toanalyzethemementos

andtheeventsassociatedwitheach,tofamiliarizeherselffurtherwiththeworkingsofthemindofa
uniquesonofabitch.

Thelessonsgainedfromsuchin-depthscrutinyhadbeeninvaluable.Noonehadevercomecloseto

foolingheragain.Noonehadcomecloseagain,period.Noonehadsurprisedher,letaloneshockedher,
since.

Leaveittothatroyalbastardtobetheonetodoit.
Sheresistedtheurgetoblinkinhopethathisemailwoulddisappear.Shedidsqueezehereyes,but

openedthemtofinditstillstaringbackather.Hisunreadmessage,somehowbolderandblackerthanthe
otherunreadones.Asiftauntingher.

ThesubjectlinereadAnOfferYouCan’tRefuse.
Incredulitysweptinsideherlikeatornado.
Butwait!WhywasshethinkingitwasanactualemailfromVincenzo?Somespammerwithsomelewd

scammusthavehackedintohisaccount.Yeah.Thatwasit.Withasubjectlinelikethat,thishadtobethe
onlyexplanation.

Still…itwasstrangethatVincenzohadn’tdeletedherfromhislistofcontacts.
Whatever.Thisemailbelongedinthetrash.
Butbeforesheemptiedit,herhandfrozeonthebutton,aninternalvoicewarning,Dothatandgonuts

wonderingwhatthatemailwasreallyallabout.

Okay.Shehadtoconcedethatpoint.Knowingherself,shewouldn’tbeabletofunctiontodayifshe

didn’tknowforsure.

Butwhatifsheopenedit,onlytofindsomenastysurprise?Inthenameofherquestforpeaceofmind,

sheshoulddeletethedamnthing.

God.Thatbastardwasreachingthroughtimeandspace,tuggingatherlikeamarionette.Justanemail

withaninflammatorysubjectlinehadherspiralingdownavortexofagitationasifshe’dneverexitedit.

Maybesheneverhad.Maybeshe’donlybeenbottlingitup,pretendingtobebacktonormal.Maybe

shedidneedsomeblowtojoltheroutofhersimulatedanimation.Maybeifthiswasanemailfromhim,it
wouldtriggersometrueresolutionsoshe’dburyhismemoryonceandforall.

Sheclickedopentheemail.
Hergazeflewtothebottom.Therewasasignature.His.Thiswasfromhim.
Allthebeatsherhearthadbeenholdingbackspilledoutinajumbledoutpour.Andthatwasbeforeshe

readthetwosentencesthatcomprisedthemessage.

Icansendyourfamilytoprisonforlife,butI’mwillingtonegotiate.Beatmypenthouseat5:00p.m.,orI’llturntheevidenceI

haveintotheauthorities.

***

Attentofive,GlorywasonherwayuptoVincenzo’spenthouse,déjàvusettlingonherlikeasuffocating
cloak.

Herdry-as-sandeyespannedaroundtheelevatorshe’doncetakenalmosteverydayforsixmonths.

Thememoriesfeltliketheybelongedtosomeoneelse’slife.

Whichwasn’ttoofar-fetched.She’dbeensomeoneelsethen.Afteralifetimeofdevotingherevery

wakinghourtoexcellinginherstudies,she’dreachedtheripeageoftwenty-threewithzerosocialskills
andtheemotionalmaturityofsomeoneadecadeyounger.She’dbeenawareofthat,buthadn’thadtimeto
workonanythingbutherintellectualgrowth.She’dbeendeterminedshewouldn’thavethelifeherfamily
had,oneofprecariousgamblesandfailedopportunityhunting.She’dwantedalifeofstability.

She’dworkedtothatendsinceshe’dbeenateenager,forgoingthetimedumpotherscalledasocial

life.Andshe’dbelievedshe’dbeenachievinghergoal,graduatingatthetopofherclassandobtaininga
master’sdegreewiththehighesthonors.Everyonehadprojectedshe’drisetothetopofherfield.

Butthoughshe’dbeenconfidentheroutstandingqualificationsandrecommendationswouldaffordhera

high-payingandprestigiousjob,she’dappliedforapositioninD’AgostinoDevelopmentsnotreally
expectingtogetit.Notaftershe’dheardsuchstoriesaboutthemanatthehelmofthemeteoricallyrising
enterprise.Inhiscorporation,VincenzoD’Agostinohadgruelingstandards.Heinterviewedandvetted
eventhemailroomstaff.Thenhehadvettedher.

Shestillrememberedeverysecondofthatfatefulmeetingthathadchangedherlife.
Hisscrutinyhadbeendenuding,hisfocusscorching,hisquestionsrapid-fireanddeconstructing.His

influencehadrockedhertohercore,makingherfeellikeaswooningmoronasshe’dsluggishlyanswered
hisbrusquequestions.Butafteronlytenminutes,he’drisen,shakenherhandandgivenheramuchmore
strategicpositionthanshe’ddaredhopefor,workingatthehighestlevel,directlywithhim.

She’dexitedhisofficereelingattheshockofitall.Shehadn’tknownitwaspossibleforahuman

beingtobesobeautiful,sooverpowering.Shehadn’tknownamancouldhaveherhotandwetjust
lookingatheracrossadesk.Shehadn’tevenbeeninterestedinamanbefore,sotheintensityofher
desireafteronemeetinghadhadherinafreefallofconfusion.

Butwhileshe’dgottenajobshe’dthoughtimpossible,she’dthoughttherealimpossibilitywouldbe

him.Evenifhehadn’thadanabsoluteruleagainstmixingworkandpleasure,shecouldn’timaginehe’d
beinterestedinsomeonelikeher.Cerebrally,sheknewshewaspretty,butamanlikehimhadstunning
andsophisticatedwomenswarmingalloverhim,andshe’dcertainlybeenneither.Somethinghe’d
confirmedwhenhekickedheroutofhislife.

She’dbeendeterminedtostifleherfantasiessoshewouldn’tcompromiseherfantasticposition.At

leastshehaduntilhe’dcalledanhourlater,invitingherouttodinner.

SilencinghermisgivingsabouthischangeofM.O.anditsprobablenegativeeffectsonhercareer,she

stumbledoverherselfsayingyes.She’dthrowndiscretiontothewindandhurtledfullforceintohisarms,
allowingherexistencetorevolvearoundhimoneverylevel,personalandprofessional.

Yeah,she’dhurtledallthewayoffthecliffofhiscrueltyandexploitation.Andshecouldonlyblame

herself.Nolaw,naturalorhuman-made,protectedfoolsfromtheirfolly.

Butthere’dbeenonethingshe’dlearnedfromthatordeal.Vincenzodidn’tjoke.Ever.Hewasas

seriousastheplague.

Inhereyes,ithadbeentheonethingmissingfromhischaracterbackthen.Ofcourse,hereyeshadbeen

sofilledwiththeplethoraofhisgodlikeattributes,she’dgiventhedeficiencynothingbutapassingregret.
Butthatfactforcedonebeliefonher.Hisemailhadbeennoprank.

She’dreachedthatconclusionminutesaftershe’dreadit.Afterthefirstshockhadpassed,she’dgone

throughtherangeofextremereactionsuntilonlyrageremained.

Apingyankedheroutofhermurderousmusings.
Forcingstifflegstomove,shesteppedoutintothehallleadingtothatroyalslimeball’sfloor-spanning

penthouse.

Nothinghadchanged.Whichwasweird.She’dthoughthewouldhaveremodeledthewholebuildingto

suitthechangingtrendsandhisinflatingstatusandwealth.

He’doncetoldherthisopulentedificeintheheartofNewYorkwasnothingcomparedtohisfamily

homeinCastaldini.He’dpretendedhecouldn’twaittotakeherthere.Hisdesiretotakeherthere,andthe
prospectofvisitinghishome,hadkeptherinastateofconstantanticipationandexcitement.

Butshehadn’tbeenabletoimagineanythingmorelavishthanthisplace.Hiswholeworldhadmade

herfeelwhatAlicemusthavefeltwhenshe’dfallenintoWonderland.Ithadalertedhertohowradically
differenttheywere,howitmadenosensethatthey’dcometogether.Butshe’dignoredreason.

Untilhe’dthrownheroutofhislifelikesomuchgarbage.
Anotherwaveoffurycrashedoverherasshestoppedathisdoor.
Hemustbewatchingherthroughthesecuritycamera.Healwayshad,barelylettingherenterbefore

sweepingherawayontherapidsofhiseagerness.Orsoshe’dthought.

Sheglaredupatwherethecamerawashidden.Shestillhadthekey.Anothermementoshehadn’t

thrownaway.Heprobablyhadn’tchangedthelock.Whyshouldhehave?Withenoughguardstostopan
army,shewouldn’thavegottenherewithouthispermission.

Heprobablyexpectedhertoringthebell.Yeah,right.Hemighthavedraggedherhere,butshewas

damnedifhe’dleaveherwaitinguntilhedeignedtoopenthedoor.

Shestabbedthekeyin,imaginingthelockwashiseye.
Herbreathstillhitchedasthedoorclickedopen,thenagainasshesteppedinside.
Hestoodfacingherattheendoftheexpansivesittingarea,infrontofthescreenwherehe’donce

displayedtheirvideotapedsessionsofsexualdeliriumashe’ddrownedherinmore.

Herheartclamoredoutofcontrolashissteel-huedeyesstruckherwithamillionvoltsofsexinessand

charismaacrossthedistance.

He’doncebeentheepitomeofmalebeauty.Nowhe’dbecomeimpossiblymore,hisinfluence

enhanced,hisassetsaugmented.

Dressedinallblack,heseemedtallerthanhissixfootfive,hisshouldersevenwider,hiswaistand

hipssparserincomparisontoatorsoandthighsthathadbulkedupwithmuscle.Hisfacewashewnto
sharperplanesandangles,hisskinadarker,silkiercopper,intensifyingtheluminescenceofhiseyes.The
discreetsilverbrushinghisluxuriousravenhairatthetemplesaddedthelasttouchofallure.

Butshewasn’tonlycheckingoffhisupgradesagainstwhatshe’dknown…toointimately.Shewas

reactingtohiminthesameway,withthesameintensityshehadwhenshe’dbeenyounger,inexperienced
andobliviousofhisreality.

Weird,thisdisconnectbetweenmentalaversionandphysicalaffinity.
Shecouldbarelybreathe,andthatwasbeforehespoke,hisvoicedeeper,strumminghiddenplaces

insideherwitheachinflection,withthattraceaccent,thoserollingr’s…

“Beforeyousayanything,yes,Idohaveevidencethatwouldsendyourfatherandbrothertoprison

fromfifteentolife.Butyoumustalreadybecertainofthat.That’swhyyou’rehere.”

Hermomentaryincapacitationcracked.
Shemovedsteadilytowardhim,roilingragefuelingeachstep.“Iknowyou’recapableofanything.

That’swhyI’mhere.”

Hiseyessmolderedastheydocumentedherstate.“I’lldispensewiththepreliminariesthenandgetto

thepointofmysummons.”

Shestoppedfeetaway,scoffing,“Summons?Wow.Your‘princehood’hasgonetoyourhead,hasn’tit?

Butthen,youmusthavealwaysbeenthispompousandloathsome,andIwastheonewhowastooblindto

notice.”

Thosesculptedlipsthathadoncedrivenhertoinsanitytwisted.“Idon’thavetimenowforyour

scorned-womanbarbs,Glory.Butoncemyobjectiveisfulfilled,Imightaccommodateyourneedtovent.
Itwillbe…amusing.”

Bringingherselfundercontrol,shematchedhiscoolness.“I’msureitwillbe.Sharksdorelishblood.

Andthat,alongwithanythingIsaytoyouoraboutyou,isn’tabarb.Justafact.Solet’sstopwasting
caloriesandgettothepointofyour‘summons.’Whatwillittakesoyouwon’tdestroymyfamily?Ifyou
wantmetostealsometopsecretinfofromyourrivals,Inolongerworkinyourfield,asI’msureyou
know.”

Animperiouseyebrowrose.“Wouldyouhave,ifyouwere?”
Heranswerwasunhesitating.“No.”
Somethingstreakedinhiseyes,somethingthatlookedlike…pain?Whatmadeitevenmoreconfusing

wasthatitwastingedwith…humor?Humor?Vincenzo?Andnowofalltimes?

“Noteventosaveyourbelovedfamily?”
Shewantedtogrowlthattheywerenosuchthing.
Oh,sure,shelovedthem.Buttheydroveherupthewallbeingsoirresponsible.Theywerewhyshe

wasnowatthisroyalscumbag’smercy.Hemusthaveacquiredsomedebtsoftheirs.Andifhecouldsend
themtoprisonusingthose,theymustbehuge.

“No,”shesaid,moreforcefullythistime.“IwasjustanalyzingtheonlythingyoumightthinkIhaveto

offerinreturnforyourgenerousamnesty.”

“That’snottheonlythingyouhavetooffer.”
Forheart-scrambledmomentsitfeltasifhemeant…
No.Noway.He’dtoldherinmutilatingdetailwhatanexchangeable“lay”she’dbeen.He’ddiscarded

herandmovedontoathousandothers.Andhewasknowntoneverreturntoanalreadypollinatedflower.
Hewouldn’tgototheselengths,orany,tohaveherinhisbedagain.

Herglaregrewharder.“Icanofferyouamuchdeservedskullfracture.Apartfromthat,Ican’tthinkof

athing.”

Thistime,thehumorfillinghiseyesandlipswasunmistakable,shakinghermorethananythingelse

had.

“I’llpassonthekindcranial-reconstructionoffer.ButthereisanotheralterationyoucanoffermethatI

vitallyneed.”Hislipsquirkedasifataprivatejoke.“ASAP.”

“Willyoustopwastingmytimeandjustspititout?Whatthehelldoyou‘need’?”
Unfazedbyherfury,hecalmlysaid,“Awife.”

ISBN:9781460315415

THEWESTMORELANDS:ZANE

Copyright©2013byBrendaStreaterJackson

Allrightsreserved.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenon-exclusive,non-
transferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybe
reproduced,transmitted,down-loaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedinto
anyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicor
mechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofpublisher,
HarlequinEnterprisesLimited,225DuncanMillRoad,DonMills,Ontario,CanadaM3B3K9.

Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’s
imaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,business
establishments,eventsorlocalesisentirelycoincidental.Thiseditionpublishedbyarrangementwith
HarlequinBooksS.A.

®and™aretrademarksofthepublisher.Trademarksindicatedwith®areregisteredintheUnitedStates
PatentandTrademarkOffice,theCanadianTradeMarksOfficeandinothercountries.

www.Harlequin.com