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“In Mexico, some people, especially men, called me a witch They said I had the devil’sa closed door that she didn’t want to open

“You’re beautiful, Rose” Tanner couldn’t help saying it “A man would have to be out of his mind not to want you”

“Oh, soht way” She fell silent, her delicate profile outlined against the rain-specked“I was raped, along with other wo before that, there was roup home where I was sent after she died”

“Rose—” Tanner checked the iht now, he sensed, the last thing she’d as to have a man’s arms around her

“I tell myself I’ve been luckier than most, because I’ve known sorandfather, and Don Rahter And my friend, Jasper Platt—and even Bull”

But never a man who loved you the way a woman should be loved? Tanner knew better than to ask that question

“There are other good men, Rose”

“None that I’d care to trust I’lanced in his direction and changed the subject “What about you? Do you have a family back where you came from?”

“A brother He lives on our fa, with his wife and kids”

“And you? Do you have a wife, or ?”

“No” Tanner felt the fa of the knot in his stomach “But that’s a story for another time,” he added

“We all have stories for another time” Rose fell silent In the war He i her close and holding her tre her on the bed and loving her, kissing those sers until she opened to him like a moist flower in the rain

But as he thinking? Tanner’s arousal was threatening to push through his jeans, proving to Rose that he was one more man she couldn’t trust

He stood, his head brushing the ceiling of the cao,” he said

“Fine The rain see up”