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The parking lot was dark, only fitfully illu her car, keys in hand, Rachel stopped abruptly when a tall, lean man came out of the shadows Terrified, she couldn’t move

Until the man spoke

"Rachel, it’s Nate"

She felt instantly weak until the anger kicked in, rescuing her "You scared me out of ten years ofin the shadows like that?"

"Sorry"

"You should be!"

He held up both hands "All I wanted to do was talk I wasn’t interested in starting World War Three"

"You should’ve thought of that before you ca up on me" Just then, Jane drove by and slowed down as if to check out the situation As soon as she recognized Nate, a gigantic smile formed and with a wave, she drove off

Undeterred, Rachel went on "You’re lucky I didn’t gouge out your eyes with er concealed her elation Rachel didn’t want to be this happy, and thatto him "Further in the shadows like…like some stalker?" She inserted her key in the lock and yanked open the door

"Like I said, I came to talk to you" He didn’t back down They stood several feet apart--which was too close Far too close

"I love you, Rachel I can’t help it I was going to let you have your oay, but I couldn’t do it"

She wished he hadn’t said that Every time he opened his ood idea"

"I happen to think it’s an excellent idea" He advanced one s, Rachel held out her arht where you are"

"No"

"I’ll call for a security guard"

Still he caently took her by the shoulders and brought her toward hiht him Instead, the minute he touched her, she swayed into his arrab his shirt collar just to reht

"Rachel, Rachel," heand breathless "Why did you shut ht have forgotten, at least for the length of another kiss But, no, he had to go and remind her why a relationship was ied in a deep breath and prayed she could get enough oxygen into her brain to think clearly

"Oh, no, you don’t," he protested "I’o that easily"

"Nate--it won’t work"

"Who says?"

"I do"

"Then you’re wrong I love you"

"You don’t even knowthis more difficult than it had to be "I’m just another way to thumb your nose at your faht went out of her as hisand each seemed more potent than the one before Her knees wobbled and her heart fluttered and if she didn’t do so soon, they’d end up at her house, in her bed…

"Let’s get out of here," Nate said, his breathing uneven

"No" Where she found the strength to deny hi, she didn’t know "I told you, this won’t work"

He gripped her shoulders and his eyes bore into hers "I’ to say this once, so listen carefully"

At his touch she was dued to nod

"Good Rachel Pendergast, I love you I am my own person I always have been I love my parents, but I won’t allow theressman I’m a Warrant Officer in the United States Navy It’s a job I enjoy and a rank I earned by ain she nodded

"My father doesn’t tell me what to do--or who to love I make my own decisions Got it?"

"Yes, but--"

"No buts I love you"

Rachel hung her head "Don’t love me Please, don’t love aze "Sorry, it’s too late"

"But…"