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“Do you know you snore?” Benteen teased

“I don’t!” She was aghast at the thought, her fingers tightly clutching the bedcovers to her breastbone

“Yes, you do And very prettily, too” He leaned over and rubbed his mouth over her lips Their instinctive response ally he drew back His control was tested when he saw the hesitant desire flicker in her eyes He had to turn away or give in to the urge to erase the hesitancy “It’s tiet up, so we can be on our way”

When he swung out of bed, Lorna’s head turned on the pillow so she could look at him, a little disappointed that he hadn’t wanted to otten Benteen was as naked as he was, but the sight of him was a sharp reminder Her first impulse was to look quickly in the opposite direction, but her curiosity was stronger It aze over his tapered back and the hard, lean flanks of his hips Benteen didn’t bother with the privacies of the dressing rooht there in the bedrooh, durable workclothes

Benteen turned to glance at the bed as he tucked his shirt inside the close-fitting deniet dressed” It wasthan an order

“Do we have to leave this ?” Lorna asked “Can’t ait one more day?”

He came back to the bed and leaned down to place a hand on either side of her “If I thought we could wait one more day, I’d be in bed with you now” His look seemed able to see her body beneath the covers, and Lorna felt that stirring of passion within her “But we can’t hold the herd on that ground any longer They’re out of graze, and they have to be moved”

“But just one day …” she began, so her that he could be tempted the way Adam had been in the Bible

“No” It was a decisive answer, followed by decisive action as Benteen slipped his hands under her shoulders and lifted her out of bed “The plans are set and the boys have their orders to have the cattle ready tonaked in front of him, his hands wandered absently over her ribs and waist “I’ll be leaving as soon as I’ve shaved and cleaned up If you’re coet a move on”

One look at the interest flickering in his otherwise determined features, and Lorna wasn’t at all inti her behind Before it could take hold, he was letting her go, to turn abruptly away

“Get your clothes on,” Benteen ordered gruffly

And Lorna had her first hint of how easily aroused a ht barely had tiister before it was crowded out bypacked and dressed for the journey

After a quick breakfast in the hotel’s dining room, they went by the Pearce home so Lorna could see her parents one last time before they left A restless part of Benteen made him impatient at the delay, but for Lorna’s sake he controlled it, aware that he couldn’t expect her to leave ho frothy and painful good-bye, he stepped in

“Lorna, we have to go” His hand gripped her elbow, his voice firm

“Can’t we stay a little longer?” She turned to hi to fall steadily