“He said you were frigid?” She nodded. “Oh, honey, that word should be stricken from every dictionary in existence. There is no such thing. Just men who don’t know what they’re doing.” He leaned toward her, kissed her throat, and said, “I’m not one of them.”

“Grampa took Mary Ellen inside away from the crowd. "Now, child, I am going to show you what my father showed me, and his father before," he said quietly. He spooned the honey onto the cover of one of her books. "Taste," he said, almost in a whisper. . . . "There is such sweetness inside of that book too!" he said thoughtfully. "Such things...adventure, knowledge and wisdom. But these things do not come easily. You have to pursue them. Just like we ran after the bees to find their tree, so you must also chase these things through the pages of a book!”

“I don’t fool you, do I? Those others”—he waved a vague hand to indicate theirmissing comrades—“they think I’m all that—but you know better, don’t you.”“Know what?” she’d asked.He leaned forward, smelling of beer and cigarettes. “You know I’m a fraud. I canfeel the beast inside me, screaming to get out. And if I loose it, it will pull me up to greatness despite myself.”“So why not let it free?” She hadn’t been a werewolf then. The world had been a gentler place, the monsters safely in their closets, and she had been brave in her ignorance.His eyes were old and weary, his voice slurring a bit. “Because then everyone wouldsee,” he told her.“See what?”“Me.”

“And you're thinking I just tossed out some casual phrase that you've heard from dozens of guys? Or maybe one in particular,who mattered enough to turn you into a cynic?"At the intensity of his tone she looked up. "Yeah.Something like that.After all, McCord,your reputation precedes you. You're not exactly shy with women. I'm sure you've used plenty of lines like that to get what you want."His eyes,steady on hers,were hot and fierce.His voice was equally fierce. "I'll admit that when I first saw you, my initial reaction was purely physical. A healthy combination of testosterone and lust.What guy could look at you and not feel what I felt? You're beautiful, and bright and independent.And did I mention beautiful?"That brought a smile to her eyes."But the more I got to know you,the more I realized you weren't just a pretty package.I started learning that you were someone special.Someone I wanted to treat very carefully.""And now?""I'm still battling lust."There was that grin,sending an arrow straight through her heart."But there's more here.Much more." He stared at her mouth with naked hunger. "I've waited a long time for this,but now I'm going to have to kiss you.And when I do,I can't promise to stop."She stood very still,heart pounding. "How do you know I'll ask you to?""Careful.Because unless you tell me to stop,you have to know where this is heading..."In reply she stood on tiptoe to brush her mouth to his,stopping his words. Stopping his heart.He drew in a deep breath and drew her a little away to stare into her eyes. "I hope you meant that.""With all my heart.""Thank God." He dragged her against him and covered her lips with his.Inside her mouth he whispered, "Because, baby,I mean this."She'd waited so long.So long.And it was worth all the time she'd spent waiting and wondering.Here was a man who knew how to kiss a woman and make her feel like the only one in the universe.This kiss was so hot,so hungry, she felt the rush of desire from the top of her head all the way to her toes.And still it spun on and on until she became lost in it.He changed the angle of the kiss and took it deeper until Marilee could feel her flesh heating, her bones melting like hot wax.She wanted to be sensible,to move slowly, but her mind refused to cooperate. With a single kiss her brain had been wiped clear of every thought but one.She wanted this man.Wanted him now.Desperately.When at last they came up for air, she put a hand to his chest. "I need a minute to catch my breath.""Okay." A second later he dragged her close. "Time's up."Her laughter turned into a sigh as he ran nibbling kisses down her throat until the blood was drumming in her temples.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” Treston said. “I know where I work, I know what I do to make a living, and I know it’s not the most respectable place in Vegas. But frankly, Chad, if you don’t mind my saying so, I think you have a lot to learn about good manners.” Chad blinked. “What do you mean?” Treston reached for his wine glass, finished off what was left to wash down the last forkful of chewy escargot, and said, “All I’m saying is you haven’t stopped harping about that blond, and I have to tell you it’s getting a little tired now. Seriously, man. It’s a little insulting, too.” He leaned forward, looked into Chad’s eyes, and held his hand. “Look, I know how hard it is for selfish men like you to understand empathy. Lord knows I’ve been with enough of them.”

“Don't you dare cry. If you do, then I shall, and I refuse to allow it.”

“You had a right to vent. I was behaving like a mother hen.""A very sweet mother hen with too many chicks.""I promise to back off." He offered her another bite of pizza. "But I can't promise not to worry.""Fair enough." She kept her hand on his. "It's natural to worry.But you have to trust,too.""You know what I've decided?" He plumped up a pillow and stretched out beside her. "You're even more of a rebel than I am.""You think so?""Yeah.""Next you'll be loaning me your Harley.""I could be persuaded." He linked his fingers with hers.She stared at their joined hands and sighed. "This is nice.""Yeah.I was just thinking the same thing." He leaned his head back and began chuckling."What's so funny?""I've been a bear for the past week. I'd have happily snapped off anybody's head who dared to cross me.""I know what you mean.Fortunately, there was nobody around for me to snap at. I had to content myself with yelling at the talking heads on TV." She paused. "How're you feeling now?"He looked over at her. "What a difference a week makes. The thunderstorm's gone. The cloudy skies. The nasty rain. I'm all sunshine and blue skies and sweet-smelling flowers, thanks to you.""Me,too." She set her wine on the nightstand and leaned over to brush a kiss over his mouth. "I'm so glad you're here,Wyatt.This has been the longest week of my life."His arms came around her,gathering her close.Against her lips he whispered, "Speaking of which, you make me weak.""And you make me..."His kiss cut off her words.As they rolled together, one word played over and over in her mind.Content.Wyatt McCord made her feel content. And safe.And absolutely, completely, thoroughly loved.”