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RYAN WAS FURIOUS He couldn't look at Zoe without wanting to strangle her Signing adoption papers was just a formality? Since when had she deleted hiht was the key to his anger Throughout this painful process, they'd developed a respect for one another that she'd completely trashed in one split second

He clenched his fists, then turned to his uncle "Excuse us for a rasped Zoe's hand and pulled her into the kitchen

The door swung shut behind the her toward the counter He stared into the green eyes capable of bringing him to his knees

He couldn't afford to lose focus now "Care to tell me what that was all about back there?"

"What hat all about?" She braced her hands against the Formica and leaned back Away from him

"That nonsense about Sa yourself from me When we need to help each other most"

She blinked "Are you for real? You show up on ht after I had to breakyour equally stuffy uncle in what has to be a show of power and— "

Ryan didn't knohat possessed hi accusations that clearly told him how scared and hurt she really was, and the nexther He watched those full, sensual lipsin his ears propelled by the desire coursing through his veins

He'd o corabbed her forearainst hers He was hard and de hi and open, all the pent-up passion and desire and need spilling forth

He tangled his hands in her hair and angled her head so he could get deeper access into the warm, wet recesses of her mouth She trembled under his assault and he turned his head so he could trailher fragrant scent

Zoe loved the taste and feel of him Sensually he lit her on fire, and emotionally he filled the cold, scared places The intensity between theer each tier could ree kiss was obviously meant to be a resolution of sorts She'd seen it with her parents too often to be wrong, and she reluctantly pulled out of his e, she rubbed her hands up and down her arms "Especially not now"

"Because?" He inclined his head, obviously confused

She co to smooth the messy strands "A kiss can't fix our problems There's too much between us"

A e to stroke his skin "It's a start"

"Sa hi way to palpable anger

He swung around and walked toward the kitchen sink Bracing his hands on the counter, he glanced out theoverlooking the yard "Because she found out the truth?"

"Yes She ca She stormed off to her room She was there at bedti she was gone"

"What about that state-of-the-art alarm system your htly when she really wanted to grab him and pound him for his innuendo