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The question hit her like a slap She bit down on her lower lip and stared up at hi why he didn't look at her, why he stared, unseeing, at the bed behind her It had never actually occurred to her, this question, so stark and ugly and terrifying, but she saw in an instant that it should have It was the truth she'd failed to understand I feel like spun glass in your hands, Selena

Yes, she understood it now Understood his devastating fear It was not merely that a husband was out there, it was not even that he would come for Selena It was the choice that she would have to make

She wished that she could lie Slowly, feeling sick and uncertain, she looked up at Ian Leaning closer, she touched a hand to his cheek and forced his gaze down to hers "If I understand this word honor, and the word e, I would be forced to return to this husband"

Pain glazed his eyes, gave his strong mouth a twist "Yes"

"But I do not believe I have a husband out there, Ian My heart is too certain of itself God would not test me in so cruel and unjust a way"

Ian laughed harshly "Ha Such sacrifices are God's raison d'etre"

"All right Let us suppose I do own a husband, and he is searching for me even now"

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"Yes" It was a whisper of an answer

She leaned closer, her mouth a heartbeat from his She was so close, she could smell the bourbon on his breath, could feel the whisper of his breathing against her lips "Then we should love each other as best we can now"

He slipped his aro to that bed over there, Selena, it will hurt even more if your husband comes for you"

She laughed quietly For once, he was the innocent, and she saw the truth "Not more," she whispered

He leaned down to her, kissing her lightly at first, then ue One hand slid up from her waist, curled around her neck, anchored her to him His kisses trailed away from her lips, rained across her cheek, to her ear, down the sensitive curve of her neck There he paused, rested his lips against her throat "I love you, Selena No matter what happensI love you"

She heard the thickness in his voice, the rusty tone of the words, and wondered if he'd ever said thee How a simple trio of words could make you want to cry "I love you, too, Ian," she whispered

He stood up and swept her into his arh slipped from her lowed like sunlight in the candle's glow