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"No But I had every intention of having steak tonight--at my home Colorado," she said under her breath as if she couldn’t believe her predicaet you to Darien’s house, steak will be the first thing on the menu Guaranteed"

She sh any of this and that he couldn’t take her hoet her there He had no intention of her leaving hiain

She lifted her hands to his arers noarrin that spread across his face, even though he knew it didn’tother than that she needed to sleep

Tom carried Elizabeth into the ice-cold bedroom and set her on her feet beside the bed He pulled the flannel covers aside, then aided her in cli down, he covered her with all the blankets--a hodgepodge of colors, wool and warain in no tiht back"

Elizabeth closed her eyes, but she didn’t think that she could sleep orrying about who ht be outside

"Justthe covers on the other side of the queen-sized bed

"You don’t have a ht?" she asked, her eyes still closed

"Nope So you don’t have to worry about so with her mate"

Elizabeth couldn’t help the way her mouth curved up a bit

"That means I’m totally free and available," he added He leaned over her and gave her a sweet kiss on the et cold, just move closer to me I won’t touch you for fear I’d hurt you Do whatever is most comfortable for you"

That was the last she re as the hot tea, venison chili, warm covers, and heat radiated by Tom’s body worked miracles

Elizabeth half expected to wake and find that Tom had left the bed early to start a fire and ainst his naked chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, her legs straddling his--thankfully, he earing boxers--his arms wrapped loosely about her as if they were mates

She didn’t dare move She hoped he’d wake, release her, and leave the bed while she pretended to sleep, not wanting him to think she was that needy to have sprawled all over hi anyti, sray-wolf scent, and loved how he felt warm and protective of her She hadn’t felt that way since before her hue to stray

She tried to assess the way she felt physically and opened her eyes And took a soft breath of relief Her htly, but she felt so htly bruised, and her forehead still throbbed so her eyes, she couldn’t believe anyone as a ould help her this iven her history olves

Toe fro over on her back and was still asleep