“You all right?" Diana let out a deep breath. "Ask me again when I'm not praying.”

“I'll walk you back,"he said with such apparently boundless amiability that Diana wanted to deck him."That isn't necessary," she began as her hand was clasped by his."I suppose I could walk ten paces behind or ten paces in front."As she let out a frustrated breath, Caine grinned down at her. "You're not angry because we exchanged a friendly kiss? After all, we're family.""There was nothing friendly or familial about it," Diana muttered."No," he lifted her hand to his lips, then lightly nipped at her knuckle. "Maybe we should try again.”

“I like it,"he said at length. "You're putting a lot of yourself into this place.""Shall I tell you just what your approval means to me?" Diana asked, not bothering to smother a yawn.”

“What the hell are you tryng to do?"She gave him an innocent stare. "Why, have a conversation. I suppose you're out of practice."He glared,narrow-eyed, then turned away. "I'm going for a walk," he muttered."Lovely." Gennie slipped her arm through his. "I'll go with you.""I didn't ask you," Grant said flatly, stopping again."Oh." Gennie batted her eyes. "You're trying to charm me by being rude again. It's so difficult to resist.”

“You're pretty sassy this morning, son. Is it all about Reingold's rulings?""That didn't suck, but I've got me a fascinating, beautiful woman I'm falling for. Falling hard.""Quick work.""In the blood. My mama and daddy barely did more than look at each other, and that was that. She's got me, Russ. Right here." He tapped a fist on his heart."Surely it's not considerably lower where she's got you?""There, too. But, Jesus, Russ, she does it for me. I just think about her, and... I swear I could look at her for hours. Days."Brooks let out a half-laugh, edged with a little surprise. "I'm done. I'm gone.”

“It's part of us," she said jerkily. "How could I not want part of us? It's your baby.I'm carrying your baby and I love it so much already it terrifies me.""Oh,Diana." He touched her then, gently, his hands on her face. "You've let two weeks go by when we could have been terrified together.”

“How are you holding up?""I'm good.And still untouched," she added. "Are you alone in that bed?""Except for the six members of the all-girl Swedish volleyball team.Helga's got a hell of a spike.Aren't you going to ask what I'm wearing?""Black Speedos,sweat,and a big smile.""How'd you guess?So,what are you wearing?"Slowly,she ran a tongue around her teeth. "Oh,just this little..very little..white lace teddy.""And stiletto heels.""Naturally.With a pair of sheer hose.They have little pink roses around the tops. It matches the one I'm tucking between my breasts right now. I should add I've just gotten out of the tub.I'm still a little..wet.""Jesus.You're too good at this.I'm hanging up."Her response was a long, throaty laugh."I'm going to love driving the Jag.let me know when to expect the shipment."When the phone clicked in her ear,she laughed again,turned, and found herself nearly face to face wth Kate. "how long have you been standing there?""Long enough to be confused.Were you just having [hone sex with Josh? Our Josh?"Carelessly,Margo brushed her hair behind her ear. "It was more foreplay really.”