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CHAPTER ONE

‘WHAT took you so long?’ Jed’s eyes gleaorgeoussensually as he invited, ‘Co off Pretty it ht prettier’

Elena couldn’t meet his eye She felt sick She told herself it was shock, or auto-suggestion She stuffed her hands in the side pockets of the silk wrap she’d dragged on before leaving the bathroo

Herat hi He made her feel special, secure, treasured

The sheet tangled around his lean hips was the only thing between him and total nakedness Six foot three of superbly honed netism that jumped out and hit her For a thirty-six-year-old business ly described him—he had the body of an athlete and a face that only just ht buby field—and a tough, pugnacious jaw

Sam’s name in her mind made her want to screaht she’d knohat she was doing, when in reality she’d known nothing at all, just gone ahead in her usual pig-headed fashion, wanting it all Everything

And how could she bring herself to break the news to Jed? Put soe? The short ansas she couldn’t Not yet, anyway Not while the irrefutable evidence was a scant tenholes in her brain

Her heart punched savagely at her breastbone as with a whimper of distress she discarded her wrap, flew i herself down beside hi her body around him, she whispered with soft ferocity, ‘I love you I love you’

‘Still? After a whole week of e?’

Teasing silver lights danced deep in his lazily hooded eyes as he solden silk of her hair away frouish, ‘Don’t mock me, Jed Don’t!’

‘As if!’ His s her, as he eased her onto her back, propping himself up on one elbow, his beautifully proportioned body half covering hers Thick dark hair tumbled over his forehead, the curve of his ently rubbed his thumb over her full lips

Tears misted her eyes She had never believed she could love someone so much it hurt Or that she could ever be this afraid For ten years she had been afraid of no one, and nothing She’d knohat she wanted and sweated blood to get it And now, because of a ant folly, she had turned herself into a frightened wreck, full of dread

‘So dark brows together now ‘Tell ’

She couldn’t! Not yet, not until she could get her own head around it And even then it would be al to lie to hi the way her voice shook, she htens me, Jed’ And that, at least, was the truth