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"I' contr—"

"Did it ever dawn on you thatthe shots this time?"

He paused buttoning his shirt "What does that mean?"

"I was the one who crawled across that blanket I wanted you Granted, I wasn't thinking straight or I would have reets scrambled around you"

Her words fizzled as the air crackled between them How incredible to think he could move the imperturbable Lori

For an insane moment he wanted to be exactly what she needed, and that absurd notion warred with his deep-seated need to defend Protect Protect her "Lori—"

"Stop! I knehat I was doing, and I' tied down Go fly your planes, Major" She scra the wrinkles out of her dress while she slipped on her shoes "It's been fun, as always But I've got a child to check on"

She darted into the woods before he could untangle his brain

Child? The word so close on the heels of their discussion had hida

He knew full well Lori wouldn't be giving up Magda at the evidentiary hearing And a single, pregnant foster o over ith the courts

She would have to marry him

The air grew heavier, then sparse, not unlike the rapid decoround, the bed of pine needles giving slightly beneath the force

It was bad enough he'd let Lori down Adding that i to raht for awith his hands But Lori frequently had hihts>He thrust deep Tension built, tightened, burned, then exploded free A shout swelled behind his clenched teeth, and he pulsed within her, his face nestled in the vulnerable curve of her neck Her hair draped around them as he let his hoarse cry slide free In a doard spiral straight for earth at mach speed, Grayson surrendered

He had decimated her Completely leveled her defenses Physically, Lori couldn't iven her