“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.”

“In a hurry to escape he let himself out of the house and walked to the truck. Before he could climb inside Marilee raced down the steps.Breathless,she came to a sudden halt in front of him.At the dark look in his eyes she swallowed. "Please don't go,Wyatt. I've been such a fool.""You aren't the only one." He studied her with a look that had her heart stuttering.A look so intense, she couldn't look away. "I've been neating myself up for days,because I wanted things to go my way or no way.""There's no need.You're not the only one." Her voice was soft,throaty. "You've always respected my need to be independent.But I guess I fought the battle so long,I forgot how to stop fighting even after I'd won the war.""You can fight me all you want. You know Superman is indestructable." Again that long,speculative look. "I know I caught you off guard with that proposal. It won't happen again. Even when I understood your fear of commitment, I had to push to have things my way.And even though I still want more, I'm willing to settle for what you're willing to give,as long as we can be together."She gave a deep sigh. "You mean it?""I do.""Oh,Wyatt.I was so afraid I'd driven you away forever."He continued studying her. "Does this mean you're suffering another change of heart?""My heart doesn't need to change. In my heart,I've always known how very special you are.It's my head that can't seem to catch up." She gave a shake of her head,as though to clear it. "I'm so glad you understand me. I've spent so many years fighting to be my own person, it seems I can't bear to give up the battle."A slow smile spread across his face, changing it from darkness to light. "Marilee,if it's a sparring partner you want,I'm happy to sigh on. And if,in time,you ever decide you want more, I'm your man."He framed her face with his hands and lowered his head,kissing her long and slow and deep until they were both sighing with pleasure.Her tears started again,but this time they were tears of joy.Wyatt brushed them away with his thumbs and traced the tracks with his lips. Marilee sighed at the tenderness. It was one of the things she most loved about this man.Loved.Why did she find it so hard to say what she was feeling? Because,her heart whispered, love meant commitment and promises and forever after,and that was more than she was willing to consider. At least for now.After a moment he caught her hand."Where are we going?""Your place.It's closer than the ranch, and we've wasted too much time already.""i can't leave the ambulance...""All right." He turned away from the ranch truck and led her toward her vehicle. "See how easy I am?"At her little laugh he added, "I'm desperate for some time alone with you."Alone.She thought about that word. She'd been alone for so long.What he was offering had her heart working overtime. He was willing to compromise in order to be with her.She was laughing through her tears as she turned the key in the ignition. The key that had saved his life."Wyatt McCord,I can't think of anything I'd rather be than alone with you.”

“Marilee lay perfectly still,waiting for her world to settle.She had to fight the unreasonable urge to weep.Wyatt's face was pressed to the hollow of her throat,his breathing rough, his damp body plastered to hers.He nuzzled her neck. "Am I too heavy?""Umm." It was all she could manage."You all right?""Umm.""Did anybody ever tell you that you talk too much?""Umm."He brushed his mouth over hers. "If you hum a bit more,I might be able to name that tune."That broke the spell of tears that had been threatening and caused her to laugh.She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. "Have I told you how much I like your silly sense of humor?""No,you haven't." He rolled to his side and gathered her into his arms,nuzzling her cheek,while his big hands moved over her hip,her back,her waist, as though measuring every inch of her. "What else do you like about me?""You fishing for compliments?""Of course I am.""Glutton. Your sense of humor isn't enough?""Not nearly enough.How about my looks?""They're okay,for a footloose rebel.""Stop.All these mushy remarks will inflate my ego." He gave a mock frown. "How about the way I kiss?""You're not bad.""Not bad?" His hands stopped their movement. He drew a little away. "That's all you can say?""If you recall,tonight was the first time we've kissed.I haven't had nearly enough practice to be a really good judge of your talent.""Then we'd better take care of that right now." He framed her face. With his eyes steady on hers, he lowered his mouth to claim her lips.Marilee's eyelids fluttered and she felt an explosion of color behind them. As though the moon and stars had collided while she rocketed through space. It was the most amazing sensation, and, as his lips continued moving over hers,she found herself wishing it could go on forever.When at last they came up for air, she took in a long,deep breath before opening her eyes. "Oh,yes,rebel.I have to say,I do like the way you kiss.""That's good,because I intend to do a whole lot more of it." He lay back in the grass,one hand beneath his head. "Now it's my turn.Want to know all the things I like about you?""I'm afraid to hear it." Marilee lay on her side,her hand splayed across his chest."Besides your freckles,which I've already mentioned,the thing about you I like best is your take-charge attitude."She chuckled. "A lot of guys feel intimidated by that.""They're idiots.Don't they know there's something sexy about a woman who knows what to do and how to do it? I've watched you as a medic and as a pilot, and I haven't decided which one turns me on more.""Really?" She sat up. "Want me to fetch my first-aid kit from the plane? I could always splint your arm or leg and really turn you on."He dragged her down into his arms and growled against her mouth, "You don't need to do a single thing to turn me on. All I need to do is look at you and I want you.""You mean now? Again? So soon?""Oh,yeah.""Liar.I don't believe it's possible.""You ought to know by now that I never say anything I can't back up with action.""Prove it,rebel.""My pleasure."There was a wicked smile on his lips as he rolled over her and began to kiss her breathless,all the while taking her on a slow,delicious ride to paradise.”

“Wyatt." She tore it open and stood there, drinking him in.Just the sight of him had her heart doing a happy dance in her chest."Don't throw me out." He lifted a hand. "I come in peace.With food."When she didn't say a word he added, "Pizza.With all your favorite toppings.Sausage, mushrooms, green...""Well,then." To hide the unexpected tears that sprang to her eyes,she turned away quickly. "Since you went to so much trouble,you may as well come in.""It was no trouble.I just rode a hundred miles on my Harley,fought my way through the smoke screen at the Fortune Saloon,had to fend off Daffy's attempts to have her way with me, and discovered that I'd left my wallet back at the ranch,which meant I had to sign away my life before Vi would turn over this pizza,wine,and dessert. But hey, no trouble at all.It's the sort of thing I do nearly every day."He followed her to the kitchen, where he set down the pizza box and a brown bag.He glanced over at the stove. "Are you going to lift that kettle, or did I interrupt you making a recording of you whistling along with it in harmony?"Despite her tears,she found herself laughing hysterically at his silly banter.Oh,how she'd missed it.He set the kettle aside.The sudden silence was shocking.Because she had her back to him, he fought the urge to touch her.Instead he studied the way her shoulders were shaking. Troubled,he realized he'd made her cry."Sorry." Deflated,his tone lowered. "I guess this was a bad idea.""Wyatt."He paused."It was a good idea.A very good idea."She turned,and he saw the tears coursing down her cheeks."Oh,God,Marilee,I'm sorry.I didn't mean to make you...""I'm not crying." She brushed furiously at the tears. "I mean I was,but then you made me laugh and...""This is how you laugh?" He caught her by the shoulders and held her a little away. "Woman,I didn't realize just how weird you are. Wait a minute.Do you think being weird might be contagious? Maybe I ought to get out of here before I turn weird,too."The more she laughed,the harder the tears fell.Through a torrent of tears she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on, burying her face in his neck. "You can't leave.I won't let you."He tipped up her face,wiping her tears with his thumbs. "You mean that? You really don't want me to go?""I don't.I really want you to stay, Wyatt.""For dinner?""And more.""Dessert?""And more."His smile was quick and dangerous. "I'm beginning to like the 'and more.'"She smiled through her tears. "Me,too.""Maybe we could have the 'and more' as an appetizer, before the pizza."Her laughter bubbled up and over, wrapping itself around his heart. "Oh, how I've missed your silly sense of humor.""You have?""I have.I've missed everything about you.""Everything?" He leaned close to nibble her ear,sending a series of delicious shivers along her spine."Everything."Catching his hand,she led him to the bedroom. "I worked very hard today making up the bed with fresh linens. Want to be the first to mess it up?"He looked from the bed to her and then back again. "Oh,yeah."He drew her close and brushed her mouth with his. Just a soft,butterfly kiss, but she felt it all the way to her toes. "I mean I want to really, really mess it up.""Me,t..."And then there was no need for words.”

“In case you haven't noticed,rodeos are a serious business.Careless cowboys tend to break bones,or even their skulls,as hard as that may be to believe."She stared down at the hand holding her wrist. Despite his smile,she could feel the strength in his grip. If he wanted to,he could no doubt break her bone with a single snap. But she wasn't concerned with his strength,only with the heat his touch was generating. She felt the tingle of warmth all the way up her arm.It alarmed her more than she cared to admit."My job is to minimize damage to anyone who is actually hurt.""I'm grateful." He sat up so his laughing blue eyes were even with hers. If possible,his were even bluer than the perfect Montana sky above them. "What do you think? Any damage from that fall?"Her instinct was to move back,but his fingers were still around her wrist,holding her close. "I'm beginning to wonder if you were actually tossed from that bull or deliberately fell.""I'd have to be a little bit crazy to deliberately fell.""I'd have to be a little bit crazy to deliberately jump from the back of a raging bull just to get your attention, wouldn't I?""Yeah." She felt the pull of that magnetic smile that had so many of the local females lusting after Wyatt McCord. Now she knew why he'd gained such a reputation in such a short time. "I'm beginning to think maybe you are. In fact,more than a little.A whole lot crazy.""I figured it was the best possible way to get you to actually talk to me. You couldn't ignore me as long as there was even the slightest chance that I might be hurt."There was enough romance in her nature to feel flattered that he'd go to so much trouble to arrange to meet her. At least,she thought,it was original. And just dangerous enough to appeal to a certain wild-and-free spirit that dominated her own life.Then her practical side kicked in, and she felt an irrational sense of annoyance that he'd wasted so much of her time and energy on his weird idea of a joke."Oh,brother." She scrambled to her feet and dusted off her backside."Want me to do that for you?"She paused and shot him a look guaranteed to freeze most men.He merely kept that charming smile in place. "Mind if we start over?" He held out his hand. "Wyatt McCord.""I know who you are.""Okay.I'll handle both introductions. Nice to meet you,Marilee Trainor. Now that we have that out of the way,when do you get off work?""Not until the last bull rider has finished.""Want to grab a bite to eat? When the last rider is done,of course.""Sorry.I'll be heading home.""Why,thanks for the invitation.I'd be happy to join you.We could take along some pizza from one of the vendors."She looked him up and down. "I go home alone.""Sorry to hear that." There was that grin again,doing strange things to her heart. "You're missing out on a really fun evening.""You have a high opinion of yourself, McCord."He chuckled.Without warning he touched a finger to her lips. "Trust me.I'd do my best to turn that pretty little frown into an even prettier smile."Marilee couldn't believe the feelings that collided along her spine. Splinters of fire and ice had her fighting to keep from shivering despite the broiling sun.Because she didn't trust her voice, she merely turned on her heel and walked away from him.It was harder to do than she'd expected. And though she kept her spine rigid and her head high, she swore she could feel the heat of that gaze burning right through her flesh.It sent one more furnace blast rushing through her system. A system already overheated by her encounter with the bold, brash,irritatingly charming Wyatt McCord.”

“Looks like everybody's asleep. Don't they keep a light on for you?""They probably figured I wouldn't be needing it.""Sorry to disappoint your cousins.""Not to mention me.I'm gravely disappointed at the way this evening has ended.You're going to ruin my reputation as a lady-killer." He flashed her one of his famous smiles.He opened the door and climbed down.When he rounded the front of the truck, he paused beside her open window. "Good night,Marilee. I appreciate the ride home. I just wish you didn't have to make that long drive back to town all alone.""I'll be fine.I've got my radio to keep me company.""You could always coe inside and bunk in my room.""What a generous offer.But once again, I'm afraid I'll have to decline,though I have to admit that I've had more fun in a few hours with you than I've had in years."The minute the words were out of her mouth,she wanted to call them back. What was it about Wyatt that had her trusting him enough to reveal such a thing?Though she barely knew him,he'd uncovered an inherent goodness in him that was rare and wonderful.This had been one of the best nights of her life.Still,he'd gone very quiet.As though digesting her words and searching for hidden meanings.As he turned away she called boldly, "What? No kiss good night? Just because I refused to spend the night with you?"He turned back with a smile, but it wasn't his usual silly grin.Instead, she noted,there was a hint of danger in that smile.He studied her intently before reaching out as though to touch her face. Then he seemed to think better of it and withdrew his hand as if he'd been burned.His eyes locked on hers. "I've already decided that I'll never be able to just kiss you and walk away.So a word of warning,pretty little Marilee. When I kiss you,and I fully intend to kiss you breathless,be prepared to go the distance. There's a powerful storm building up inside me,and when it's unleashed,it's going to be one hell of an earth-shattering explosion.For both of us."He walked away then and didn't look back until he'd reached the back door.Startled by the unexpected intensity of his words,Marilee put the truck in gear and started along the gravel lane.As her vehicle ate up the miles back to town,she couldn't put aside the look she'd seen in his eyes.The carefully banked passion she'd taken such pains to hide had left her more shaken than she cared to admit.In truth,she was still trembling.And he hadn't even touched her.”

“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.”