“Sorry,” he said, his voice thick and gruff. “It’s morning and you’re sitting on me. That’s a combination meant to bring any man down.”

“How do you feel?” I asked, trying to bring my heart rate down. It wasn’t having any of it. “How’s your head?”“My head’s fine,” he said, winding his arms around my back. “It’s my goddamn heart that’s about ready to bust something.”

“It’s the person you are inside that counts and you’re beautiful. You’re beautiful outside, too, but that’s not what’s got to me.” He put his hand over my heart, “This has.”

“I get to keep you,” he said, staring at me with anintensity that made me shiver.“Keep me?” I asked, reaching up to kiss his chin and trailkisses down his perfect neck.“Not here. I can’t take much more, Pagan. I’m only sostrong,” he said in a husky voice as he pulled me against hischest. “You’re mine now. While you walk the Earth youbelong to me. Nothing can hurt you.” I heard a touch ofhumor in his voice. “It’s pretty impossible to hurt what Deathprotects.”

“Uncle Jeb," we croaked in surprise. "You found us.""Well, now," he said, and his gruff voice brought back a hundred memories. "Well, now, here's a pickle.”

“What?" his gruff voice scolded. "You were expecting to see Drake Junior?"He clucked his tongue at her."You have'nt even bought me dinner yet."~Drake”