“But you're going to do what the doctor ordered.""And if I don't?"He gave her one of those dangerous, heart-stopping grins. "I'm thinking, if I really apply myself,I can probably find several clever ways to keep you in bed all day,Ms. Trainor."She was laughing as she allowed him to lead her to her bed.But as he lay beside her and drew her into his arms, her laughter faded,replaced by a series of soft,gentle sighs."All right.I'll let you persuade me. But only because the doctor ordered it."Her words were followed by muffled laughter as they found the perfect way to leave the cares of the world behind.”

“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.”

“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.”

“When the bullhorn signaled that he'd met the qualifying time,he struggled to gather his wits,waiting until Devil was right alongside the gate before he freed his hand,cutting himself loose. He flew through the air and over the corral fence,landing in the dirt at Marilee Trainor's feet."My God! Don't move." She was beside him in the blink of an eye,kneeling in the dirt,probing for broken bones.Wyatt lay perfectly still,enjoying the feel of those clever, practiced hands moving over him.When she moved from his legs to his torso and arms,he opened his eyes to narrow slits and watched her from beneath lowered lids.She was the perfect combination of beauty and brains.He could see the wheels turning as she did a thorough exam.Even her brow,furrowed in concentration,couldn't mar that flawless complexion. Her eyes, the color of the palest milk chocolate, were narrowed in thought.Strands of red hair dipped over one cheek, giving her a sultry look.Satisfied that nothing was broken, she sat back on her heels,feeling a moment of giddy relief. That was when she realized that he was staring.She waved a hand before his eyes. "How many fingers can you see?""Four fingers and a thumb. Or should I say four beautiful,long,slender fingers and one perfect thumb,connected to one perfect arm of one perfectly gorgeous female? And,I'm happy to add,there's no ring on the third finger of that hand."She caught the smug little grin on his lips. Her tone hardened. "I get it. A showboat.I should have known.I don't have time to waste on some silver-tongued actor.""Why,thank you.I had no idea you'd examined my tongue.Mind if I examine yours?"She started to stand,but his hand shot out,catching her by the wrist. "Sorry.That was really cheesy, but I couldn't resist teasing you."His tone altered,deepened,just enough to have her glancing over to see if he was still teasing.He met her look. "Are you always this serious?"Despite his apology,she wasn't about to let him off the hook,or change her mind about him.”

“They're playing my favorite song." He swept her into his arms and began to move with her around the floor.The honky-tonk music was something low and bluesy. Marilee looked up into his face. 'I don't recognize this song.What is it?"He gave her that soulful smile. "I don't know.But from now on it's going to be my favorite."She felt her heart stutter.He closed both arms around her, drawing her close.She knew that everyone in the saloon was watching. At the moment, she didn't care. She couldn't think about anything except the press of his body to hers.The feel of those strong, muscled arms around her.The warmth of his thighs molded to hers.The touch of his mouth against her temple,his warm breath feathering her hair."This is nice." His voice vibrated through her, sending a series of delicious tingles along her spine."Yeah." She looked up into his eyes and could feel herself drowning in them.She was melting all over him, with the entire town watching. She could actually feel her heart beginning to drum in her temples.She knew she ought to draw back, but she couldn't.She didn't want the song to end.Or this night.Oh,hell.Just look at her. She was falling for a footloose rebel with a smooth line who'd probably left a trail of broken hearts from Toledo to Timbuktu. The kind of guy she'd made a career of staying as far away from as possible. And here she was. Falling hard. Willingly. Right in front of the entire town.And loving every minute of it.”