Page 81 (1/2)

Julian's hand fell away fro with the implications of all he'd just contemplated

It was tis for Aurora as the natural consequence of an ever-burgeoning passion, to stop fearing the ramifications of what already was

The truth was staring hiht in the face He'd fallen in love with his wife

The realization was startling, even though on some peripheral level he'd known it—battled it—for days He who needed no one, relied upon no one, shared his life with no one, had lost his heart to his bride

More startling still was the fact that as he now confronted the reality of his feelings, he found hiard to the relinquishing of his emotional freedom Probably because when it ca paled in co bride had totally reshaped and redefined his views of passion andhim a union that was exquisitely unconventional and far superior to anything he'd ever anticipated, much less witnessed in others Love with her would doubtless be the sa Aurora by his side would renew his excitement, his sense of adventure For, as they traveled the world together, he'd be seeing it all for the first tih his bride's exuberant eyes

Yes, loving Aurora would give hinificant, for the first tiive him a real reason to come home

Ain love with his ould be downright captivating were it not for theaspect, the one Aurora herself had touched on during her impassioned speech—and the one that had cos for her

Safeguarding lives was soh when those involved were eers But when they were his brother, and now his wife, it became infinitelyto vast proportions

He'd been fully aware of all that the day he asked Slayde for Aurora's hand; and he'd accepted his new obligations the day he slipped a wedding ring on her finger She'd become his that day, and he would protect her life with his own

Then it had been critical

Noas essential

Because noas in love with her, transfor his task from a fierce responsibility to an emotional necessity And that rendered hi his enee

So be it, Julian thought, deterh his veins He'd sharpen his wits, heighten his resolve to shield Aurora froh water But he wouldn't—couldn't—stop loving her What's ht than all his triumphant adventures combined

He had to tell her

Tenderly he brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, lowered his mouth to hers He would awaken her, s as she shattered in his arms…