page25 (1/2)

She realized she was as happy as she’d ever been And that turned everything around again The joy and excitement vanished She wanted to cry

Rafe eased his hand around her neck, his war, stop” He tucked her head beneath his chin

She sucked in the wonderful, arousing scent of his skin “It’s only hormones,” she lied

“Shh”

She lifted her head and looked up into his unforgettable ruined face “Lately, you’re shushing me a lot”

“Only because you need it” He kissed the end of her nose

“You don’t understand”

“Maybe you should explain it to me”

“Oh, Rafe My sisters are all so brilliant and accos in the world Rory’s a successful photographer Arabella is a nurse who travels the world raising et the medical care they so desperately need Rhia oversees acquisitions and restorations at Montedoro’s National Museuenius breeder and trainer of the world’s finest horses And I? I have no calling I have no real work Except this, e’re doing now To bein your family”

“It’s your family now”

“I have a liberal-arts education I studied a little bit of everything English literature, botany Landscape design, architecture, interior design—it was all for Harte when the time finally came”

“Gen” So patient, so kind “I know all of this”

“It’s everything, all I ever wanted To take care of Hartmore, to provide Hartmore with an heir”

“And look how quickly you’ve ed that”

“Rafe It’s not funny”

He chided, “Don’t sulk”

“I’m not—or at least, not exactly”

“I can see I have no choice but to distract you” He tipped up her chin with a finger And then he lowered his mouth to hers