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Her throat went tight and she took another sip of iced tea Now she had to find out if he felt the same way It sure seemed like he did And if he wasn’t ready to admit it yet, she had two ether if only he illing to take the chance

Cat peppered her with questions as they chopped vegetables, and she filled her friend in on their night at the carnival as well

"The Rafe I knoould’ve begged off instantly," she said "He must really like your co outside of the scene life"

The words gave Courtney oneto By the ti Cat about Gil, and the Ferris wheel, she was more sure than ever that she and Rafe had a real shot of enuinely liked each other’s co perilously closer to "love"

For her, at least

"Well, that sounds pretty frigging awesos between you guys again, but I actually did get called into work that night High-profile client had a last-ency In any case, I’ll tell you this, you’ve never looked better," Cat said with an approving s while Courtney washed off some radishes at the wide porcelain sink "You seem so confident and comfortable in your skin"

"Thanks" She wasn’t sure she looked any different, but she sure felt different Every new experience with Rafe lifted her up That she could have the kind of sex that her body clearly craved with ashe had never even drea to tell hi board and tipped its contents into a large wooden bowl "Toss those in here whenever you’re ready"

Courtney took the board and began to slice the radishes into neat discs "I don’t know," she said, te her exciteun"

"What do you think was the turning point?" Cat’s gaze was filled with curiosity as she nibbled on a piece of celery "Because I swear, you tere so stubborn I thought I’d never see the day…"

She thought about that question for a long tis The way he ith me, so sexy and creative in bed, and then so fun and easy to be around the rest of the time"

She set the knife down and clis shile she talked She glanced around tobefore she continued "Before all this, I let things with Wes colorto the point of abuse and I never saw it co, but she held up a hand to stop her

"I don’t want you to feel bad for me I kno that it wasn’t my fault, and I’et here and I know Rafe, and even the scenes in a way, are responsible for that I couldn’t get s with a person…let thes, andinto a door them with someone as no threat to "

She tipped her head consideringly "It hit ht at the hotel" The epiphany she’d had excited her even now and she rested her elbows on the granite island "Rafe is every bit as invested as I am Every bit as vulnerable I hold ashi out a punishment, but the power he has is a direct result of ether, and he accepts and takes the reins fro and sexy and beautiful"

And happy, she wanted to add, but Cat’s eyes had clouded orry

"Makes sense to me, but don’t underestis you described, I’d putin love with you He wouldn’t have slept over at your house if he wasn’t But he’s a tough nut," Cat said, bustling over to the double oven and taking out a pan of baked potatoes "He’s stuck to these ideas for five years now, and it’s not easy to convince asoht Iuntil we do the two other scenes Give him a chance for his brain to catch up with the rest of hio "But before this is over, I’ to tell him how I feel That I’ really special if he gave it a chance"

He’d done that for her Helped her get the confidence and build the strength to risk her heart again But it was still terrifying Another trickle of nerves skittered through her and she pushed herself to her feet

"Well, I’ll be thrilled for you both," Cat said, gathering up the salad dressing and toppings "And I’ot the job done when no one else could doesn’t hurt If I were you, I’d put a ring on it, lickety-split"

Courtney chuckled, following behind with the large wooden bowl full of greens She turned toward the door and froze in her steps when she saw Rafe standing there

"Ahter faded at the stark look on his face Her heart stuttered and she risked a glance at Cat, who cleared her throat

"I’ers" She scurried out the back door onto the porch without a backward glance and Courtney’s stoot the job done’?"

Chapter Thirteen

Rafe stood in the doorway between the dining roo She was crazy about hih to conquer the fear and denial But not quite

Courtney shifted restlessly under his gaze, and set the bowl she’d been holding on the granite island "How long were you standing there?"