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That was a scalp wound, Rourke replied, touching a faint scar above his temple. He glared at
the other man from a pale brown eye. And not from a bullet. It was from a knife.
Poor thing, Jillian murmured.
John choked on his steak.
Will you stop? Rourke muttered.
Sorry. John coughed. He sipped coffee.
Jillian wished she knew what they were talking about. But it was really none of her business, and
she had other worries.
The wedding gown was exquisite. She couldn t stop looking at it. She hung it on the door in the
guest bedroom and sighed over it at every opportunity.
Ted came by to visit frequently and they took long walks in the woods, to talk and to indulge in a
favorite of dating couples, the hot physical interludes that grew in intensity by the day.
He held her hand and walked with her down a long path through the snow, his fingers warm and
strong in hers.
I can t stand it if I go a whole day without seeing you, he said out of the bue.
She stopped walking and looked up at him with pure wonder. Really?
He pulled her into his arms. Really. He bent and kissed her slowly, feeling her respond, feeling
her warm lips open and move tenderly. She reached her arms up around his neck as if it was the most
natural thing in the world. He smiled against her lips. It was a delightful surprise, her easy response to
him.
Maybe I can get used to Sammy following me around, and you can get used to me shooting
targets off the front porch, he teased.
She grinned. Maybe you can teach me to shoot, too.
He looked shocked. I can?
We should share some interests, she said wisely. You always go to that shooting range and
practice. I could go with you sometimes.
He was surprised and couldn t hide it.
She toyed with a shirt button. I don t like being away from you, either, Ted, she confessed and
flushed a little. It s so sweet&
He pulled her close. One lean hand swept down her back, riveting her to his powerful body.
Sweeter than honey, he managed before he kissed her.
His hand pushed her hips against the sudden hardness of his own, eliciting a tiny sound from her
throat. But it wasn t protest. If anything, she moved closer.
He groaned out loud and ground her hips into his.
I can t wait until Saturday, he said in a husky tone, easing his hands under Jillian s blouse,
under the bra to caress her soft breasts. I m dying!
So am I, she whispered shakily. Oh, Ted! she gasped when he pulled the garments out of his
way and covered her breast with his mouth. It was so sweet. Too sweet for words!
He didn t realize what he was doing until they were lying on the cold ground, in the snow, while
he kissed her until she was breathless.
She was shaking when he lifted his head, but not from cold or fear. Her eyes held the same
frustrated desire that his held.
I want to, so much! she whispered.
So do I, he replied.
For one long instant, they clung together on the hard ground, with snow making damp splotches
all down Jillian s back and legs, while they both fought for control.
Ted clenched his hands beside her head and closed his eyes as he rested his forehead against
hers. He was rigid, helplessly aroused and unable to hide it.
She smoothed back his black hair and pressed soft, undemanding little kisses all over his taut
face, finally against the closed eyelids and short thick black lashes.
It s all right, she whispered. It s all right.
He was amazed at the effect those words, and the caresses, had on him. They eased the torment.
They calmed him, in the sweetest way he d ever imagined. He smiled against her soft throat.
Learning how to tame the beast, aren t you? he whispered in a teasing tone.
She looked up at him with soft, loving eyes. How to calm him down, anyway, she said with a
little laugh. I think marriage is going to be an adventure.
So do I.
He stood and tugged her up, too, helping to rearrange her disheveled clothing. He grinned at her.
We both love maps and the tango. We ll go dancing every week.
Her eyes brightened. I d like that.
He enveloped her against him and stood holding her, quietly, in the silence of the snow-covered
woods. Heaven, he whispered, must be very like this.
She smiled, hugging him. I could die of happiness.
His heart jumped. So could I, sweetheart.
The endearment made her own heart jump. She d never been so happy in her life.
Saturday can t come soon enough for me, he murmured.
Or for me. Ted, Sassy bought me the most beautiful wedding gown. I know you aren t supposed
to see it before the ceremony, but I just have to show it to you.
He drew back, smiling. I d like that.
They walked hand in hand back to the ranch house, easy and content with each other in a way
they d never been before. They looked as if they d always been together, and always would be.
Sassy, busy in the kitchen with the cook, grinned at them. Staying for lunch, Ted? We re having
chili and Mexican corn bread.
I d love to, if you have enough to share.
Plenty.
Then, thanks, I will. Jillian wants me to see the wedding gown.
Bad luck, Sassy teased.
We make our own luck, don t we, honey? he asked Jillian in a husky, loving tone.
She blushed at the second endearment in very few minutes and squeezed his hand. Yes, we do.
She opened her bedroom door and gasped, turning pale. There, on the floor, were the remains of
her wedding gown, her beautiful dress. It had been slashed to pieces.
Stop right there, Ted said curtly, his arm preventing Jillian from entering the room. This is
now a crime scene. I ll get the sheriff s department s investigator out here right now, and the state
crime-lab techs. I know who did this. I only want enough proof to have him arrested!
Jillian wrapped her arms around her chest and shivered. Davy had come right into the house and
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