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In a raspy voice Tanner said, “When you stare at a , you should be prepared for what happens”

He grabbed her hand and jerked her down to him Whitney’s hands came to rest on the warm skin of his chest Tanner kissed her A now fa, she leaned in forhe’d pushed her away She quickly moved to sit on the end of the sofa where his feet were A foot brushed her back as he came to a seated position as well

Whitney blurted, “I was only trying to wake you It’s almost time for us to be downstairs”

He didn’t look at her as he snarled, “Then go get dressed I’ll do the same”

“Are you always this gru?” she asked

“No, just o”

Was he h she shouldn’t, she’d like one to bed that their kissing was done All he’d had to do was pull her against hiotten that promise What had happened to her self-respect?

She felt his gaze on her as she crossed the floor to the bathroom A few minutes later when she opened the door, Tanner stood there wearing only a pair of orn jeans He pushed past her, brushing her shoulder with his bare chest “I need to shave then we can go”

“I like the stubbly look on you”

Tanner stopped and turned to her as if she had said so of world importance “Then I’ll leave it” He went to a chair and snatched up a sky blue polo shirt, pulling it over his head She hated to see all that gorgeous physique disappear

“Ready?”

“Yes” He held the door as she entered the hall Thankfully his mood had improved since he’d woken

Minutes later they were joining the others as they cli in front of the hotel Whitney sat beside Tanner, close enough that she could feel the tension in his body She wasn’t vain enough to think it had anything to do with her, so rong? True, she had led hiain this iven her before they left their rooain

As she climbed out of the car, Tanner offered his hand and she accepted it He didn’t release it as they walked toward the six hot-air balloons waiting in a field

“They’re beautiful I love the colors against thesky” Whitney couldn’t contain her a within her When Tanner said nothing she glanced at hiaze was fixed on the balloons “Don’t you think so?”

“Uh, yeah”

A ave each couple instructions on which balloon basket to clietting in the basket but she didn’t need it Strong, sure hands ca behind her He seemed to lift her with no real effort He waited until she had swung her legs in and was standing before he climbed in himself

Minutes later the pilot released the tether and the balloon lifted She watched in fascination as the groundsky The other balloons slowly joined theht to see Two rainbow-colored balloons, two shaped like a sunflower, another like a bunch of grapes and theirs in a harlequin pattern all floated above the green valley lined with vineyards with mountains to one side Picture-perfect She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the fresh air This was turning into an a weekend

She turned slightly, wanting to get Tanner’s attention to point out sorip on a support while the other grasped the edge of the basket His body was rigid and his face was pale Coht away Tanner was afraid of heights Knowing how proud he was and not wanting to embarrass him in front of the pilot, she shifted toward him and whispered, “You okay?”

“I’m fine”

That was a lie “You don’t like heights?”

He glared at her as if she had discovered a shameful secret “No”

The word sounded forced She placed her hand over his on the basket edge “Do you mind if I stand close to you?”

Tanner barely nodded agreement

“Look at that winery over there” Whitney pointed to one in the distance, hoping that would take his mind off how far up in the air they were She continued to point out landmarks and Tanner slowly relaxed He even made a comment or two about different views

“Why didn’t you say so at him for an answer

“I thought I could handle it”

She chuckled “Stupid ht Tanner’s eyes held no terror He gave her a sickly grin but at least it was a step away fro

“I guess you’re right Thanks for helping o remain intact, at least where the others are concerned I h”