But it sure as hell was going to make it all that much more difficult to walk away. And she would walk away. Grunberg was her heart, her home, her life.

And she was going back tomorrow morning.


THE RECEPTION was loud, boisterous and joyful. But Annie had trouble putting a smile on her face. Around her people were cheering as the newly married couple walked around arm in arm greeting their guests.

Annie sighed and wished she was home. Or that Nat had made it. Wished she could find that distance again so she didn’t feel the ache in her chest that she couldn’t-or wouldn’t-explain to herself.

It’s not like you to accept defeat, lovely.

Annie whirled around, but Amelia wasn’t behind her.

She was hearing things again. Telling herself the melancholy was normal-after all, she’d been through a lot in just a few days-she moved outside, desperate for air.

She’d be happy to go home, but…

No. No buts. She was a grown woman who’d chosen to scratch an itch, that’s all. And the itch had definitely been scratched.

Only she still itched…

She heard someone walking toward her. Now she was going to have to smile. Make nice. The reception was in a fancy place made for such events, and Annie had moved as far away as she could, standing just outside a set of glass French doors. She leaned over the balcony and studied the glorious New Mexico landscape and willed whoever it was to keep walking.

But it wasn’t just anyone. It was Kyle.

She didn’t feel like smiling and making nice for him. She felt like slugging him because…she didn’t even know. He’d been a temporary diversion. A very nice temporary diversion, and she’d never forget that he’d not only saved her life but taught her that sex wasn’t overrated.

Not overrated at all.

In fact, just thinking about it, how his hard, hot body had fit to hers, how he’d-

“Whatever you’re thinking,” he murmured when he came close enough, “you’re turning me on with just the look on your face.”

“I’m thinking about the buffet table,” she lied. “All that food.”

“And that’s arousing you?”

“How do you know I’m aroused?”

He looked down.

So did she, and then groaned. Having sensed the man who’d sent them into ecstasy the night before was close by, her nipples had thrust themselves against the restraints of the pink satin.

She crossed her arms. “I’m cold.”

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Liar.”

Just his touch made her want to lean into him and bite his chin. “I’m not a liar.”

He gave her a half-closed, incredibly sexy look. “Uh-huh.”

“I’m not,” she said, much weaker now. Damn him. He did that to her, and he knew it. He liked it!

His body brushed hers, and if she’d thought she couldn’t breathe inside during the wedding, she was in big trouble now.

“You’re turned on,” he insisted, running a finger down her jaw and her throat, then down farther to play with the locket resting between her breasts, which tingled from the backs of his fingers.

Traitors. She tightened her arms over her chest.

He didn’t look bothered. “And you’re pissed. Incredibly sexy combination, Princess.”

“You’re sick.”

“Yes,” he agreed, then looked right into her eyes again. “I’m sick that this is it.”

Panic welled, but she beat it back. He couldn’t know. He wasn’t a mind reader and she sure hadn’t given him any indication of her feelings. Mostly because she herself didn’t understand them. “Wh-what are you talking about?”

“You’ll miss me,” he said, holding her gaze with his. “Why don’t you just tell me you’ll miss me?”

The big, bossy jerk. “Why should I?”

“Because I’m going to miss you. Every ornery, stubborn inch.”

13

“LET’S TRY THIS,” Kyle suggested, and went to pull something out of his tux pocket.

“Wait!” Annie covered his hand with hers, looking frantically over her shoulder, but they were still alone. Or as alone as they could be at a huge wedding reception surrounded by hundreds. “Oh my God. What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to tell you. I’m-”

“You can’t pull a gun here! It’s a wedding reception.”

He let out a sound of disbelief. “What makes you think I have a gun in my pocket?”

She was nose to nose with him. She had her hand on his at his hip. Her chest was mashed into his chest, and suddenly Annie realized that this might be the last time they touched. “You’re a cop.”

“Was.”

“You…what?”

He looked off into the distance, at the mountain peaks, at the sky, an inexplicable yearning on his face. “I wanted a leave of absence but I couldn’t get one.”

“You wanted a leave? But…why?”

“I told you that day we were held up by Jimmy. I need a break. A change of scenery.”

“You’re burned out?” she asked, softening, feeling her heart break a little for the man who’d given so much and needed something back in return.

He shrugged. “I suppose burned out is a good an explanation as any other.”

“So you…”

“Quit.”

Her heart started a heavy pounding. She didn’t know why. “Which doesn’t explain the gun in your pocket.”

He turned his head from the view and pierced her with those amazing eyes. “I told you it wasn’t a gun. But somehow, I think you’d be less terrified of a gun than what I do have.”

“Then maybe you should keep it to yourself.” Her pulse was definitely off the scale. And she didn’t want to see what was burning a hole in his pocket. Not one little bit.

“You are going to be kind, aren’t you?” he whispered.

“Kyle.” She backed up a step. “You’re scaring me.”

“Yeah. Good. I’m scaring myself.” He drew a deep breath. “Here goes. Annie…do you think you could rescue me one more time?”

“I haven’t rescued you, you’ve rescued me. Several times now.”

“No,” he said quietly, stepping back to her side, solemn and breathtaking. “You’ve got it backward. From the moment you came into my life, wearing that horrendous dress-”

She put one hand over her chest and the pink satin she’d nearly forgotten she was wearing. “You told me it wasn’t that bad.”

“I lied. It’s bad.”

“Well, thanks a lot.”

“I have something much more important to talk to you about than the dress, Annie.”

“Oh.” Her hand was still on his, and she prevented him from pulling it free of the pocket because…well, she wasn’t sure exactly. All she knew was that she could scarcely draw in a breath and she was fairly certain it was all his fault, but then he shifted and tried to free his hand. “Kyle…what are you doing?”

“He’s trying to propose, dearness.” Amelia appeared at their side. “Only you won’t be quiet long enough for the poor man to get his words out. Isn’t that right, Mr. Kyle Moore?”

“Uh…” He stared down at the slightly plump, undoubtedly regal Amelia Grundy. “Do I know you?”

“No, but you will. You’re the man who’s going to make my Annie happy forever after or I’ll beat you senseless with my umbrella.” She hoisted it out of her satchel and waved it for effect.

Kyle lifted his eyebrows, then looked to Annie, who felt sorry for him even if he was a big stupid lug. “This is Amelia Grundy,” she said. “My ex-nanny and current…”

“Keeper,” Amelia provided helpfully.

“Hey! You mean pain in my-”

“Annie!”

Annie smiled and hugged Amelia tight. “I love you, Amelia. And I’m happier than I can say to see you, but I need a moment of privacy here.”

“With this man?” Amelia eyeballed Kyle, who, though fearless in the face of the most ruthless of criminals, looked a little wary. A little unnerved.

A little…hers.

“Yes, with this man.” Annie smiled at him even as she spoke to Amelia. “Amelia, it’s quite possible I’m about to make a fool of myself.”

“No, actually, the big guy here is going to do that.” Amelia smiled up at a very confused Kyle with fondness and patted his back. “Make her answer your question, good man.”

“Yes. The question.” Kyle opened his mouth, then with an oath shut it again. “I’ve lost my place.”

“You wanted to know if she’d rescue you one more time.” Amelia smiled. “She hasn’t yet answered you.”

“That’s because the question didn’t make any sense,” Annie pointed out. Oh, yes, definitely her heart was going to burst right out of her chest, because suddenly she knew. She couldn’t just walk away. Couldn’t just go back to her life without doing the one thing she’d never really done before.

Risk her heart. Oh, sure, she’d told herself she’d risked plenty of times, and that no man had ever really been interested.

A big fat lie.

She’d never risked at all. She’d always simply sabotaged any kindling relationship before she could get hurt.

No longer. She was going to leave, she was going back to her life, but she wasn’t running away, and she wasn’t going to always wonder. She was going to tell Kyle the truth.

That she’d fallen in love with him.

That he was the best thing that had ever happened to her.

That she hoped he came and visited her sometime, not only so she could feel whole again, but so that she could have another heart-stopping, screaming orgasm like only he’d given her.

Well, she thought with a guilty glance at Amelia, maybe she’d keep that last part to herself.

Amelia lifted a brow.

Definitely, she’d keep that last part to herself. “Kyle.” Oh, man, she was starting to sweat. Who would have thought opening her heart would be harder than putting on pink satin? “I-”

“No, I’ve got to go first,” he said. “I-”

“Wait. Why do you get to go first?”

“Because I started first,” he said, not so reasonably. “Annie, don’t take this wrong, but I’m trying to do something here.”