“After kissing a few other smudgy spots, he turned her back to the car and while leaning over her to tighten the last connection, whispered in her ear, "You're exactly what I want.”

“Can you tell me why," he breathed into her neck, "when I'm holding you like this," he drew her closer, wrapping her snuggly against him, "and I'm kissing you like this," he devoured the tender spot along her jaw, brazenly making his way to the corner of her lips, "it's still never enough?”

“In my sleepiness I heard him whisper, "I'm in love with you.”

“What about our bet?” she teased. It was clear from the look in hiseyes that the bet was over, but she wanted to hear him say it. Brian let goof her arm and grabbed his wallet on the table. He counted out five onehundred dollar bills and slammed them on the table. Jeni laughed.“Fuck it,” he said, backing her against the wall. He placed hishands on either side of her shoulders, pinning her against the wall. Hischest and hips pressed against her body. “Enough is enough. Last nightwas enough torture to last me a while. I want to fuck you so damned badit hurts.” She saw the desire in his eyes as his breath fanned against hercheek. But he restrained from touching her, and it drove her crazy.”

“I need you to trust me.""Gennie." He took her hand and linked fingers. "I do.That's what I've been trying to tell you.""You haven't been doing a good job of it.""No." He drew her closer. "Let me try again." He kissed her, telling himself to be gentle and easy with her. But his arms locked and tightened, his mouth hungered. The spray shimmered over both of them as they stood entangled.”

“He’s been very distracted the last few days.”“Has he now?”“And short-tempered.” Brenna found her appetite coming back. I’m delighted to hear it. I hope he suffers, the donkey’s ass.”Brenna went through the rest of her workday whistling, her mood bright and her hands nimble. She supposed it wasn’t very charitable of her to take pleasure in the idea of another’s unhappiness, but she was human, after all.”

“Well,I appreciate the offer, Senator, but I'll drive myself.See you over the canapes.""Then, I'll ride with you," he said amiably. "We don't want to put any more carbon monoxide in the air than necessary. Shall I put that in the car for you?"Shelby took a firmer grip on the box as her hold in other areas started to slip. It was the damn serious smile and those thoughtful eyes,she decided. They made a woman feel as though she were the only one he'd ever looked at in quite that way."Alan," she began,a bit amused by his persistance. "What is this?""This..." He leaned over and captured her mouth with his, lingering until her fingers threatened to dig holes in the stif cardboard she held. "Is what our ancestors would have called a siege," he finished softly. "And MacGregors are notoriously successful at laying siege."Her breath shuddered out to merge with his. "You don't do badly at hand-to-hand combat either." He chuckled and would have kissed her again if she hadn't managed to step back. "All right." Shelby thrust the box into his arms, considering it a strategic move. "We'll carpool.I don't want to be condemned as an air-polluter.”