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Sky cli on his clothes It had been tough, rejecting Lauren like that As she stood naked in the ht, her beauty had left hier, so vulnerable—and his body had beenwhat they’d both wanted would’ve been thein the world

But he’d forced hili a puppy

It had to be done Until Lauren figured out who she hat she wanted, and how to deal with her father, she wouldn’t be ready for any kind of stable relationship

Not that he’d ever been ready hi a commitment from him, most of the women in his past had thrown up their hands and walked away But Lauren wasn’t like ly honest, and set to know her better—both in and out of bed

But before that could happen, she had so up to do

Cursing under his breath, he buckled his belt and yanked on his boots She’d thank hiht now Lauren probably hated hi to spit on that chocolate cake she’d promised him But he’d just have to take his chances

The kitchen light was on Lauren was standing at the cluttered counter cutting generous wedges of chocolate layer cake She was fully dressed, her damp hair twisted up and fastened with a silver clip

“Sorry about the uel’s a terrific cook, but he’s not the tidiest Go on into the dining roouests”

Sky passed through the swinging door into the dining rooled above the long table—probably Ferg Prescott’s idea of good old Texas decor The broalls were hung with falance before he sat down at the head of the table, where Lauren had set two places Sky was filling the glasses from a carton of milk when she came in with two saucers of cake As she sat down and passed hiave hiht have been crying Sky felt like a jerk, but he couldn’t cave in now His decision had been made with the best intentions He had to believe he’d done the right thing

“Good cake” He washed down a bite with a s of milk

“Thanks I made it myself From scratch” Her expression was bland, totally believable

“I didn’t know you could cook”

“You’d be surprised I’oddess I even sewed the curtains forDaddy a sweater for his birthday I have lots of hidden talents”

The deepening of a diave her away “Lauren—”

She dissolved into giggles “Ad, didn’t I?”