"Oh, wow, is it always this hot between us?" she murmured, her teasing tone bringing levity to the moment.

"Mmm," he replied noncommitally, because he couldn't bring himself to tell her it was their first time. "If it gets any hotter I think we'll spontaneously combust."

Her soft, appreciative laughter wrapped around him. "That doesn't sound like such a bad way to go."

Oh, he most definitely agreed, knowing he'd found heaven in her arms. And now that he'd had a taste of how good it was between them, physically and emotionally, he knew letting her go when all this was over wasn't an option.

Natalie leaned her head against the back of her leather seat and glanced out the passenger window of Noah's car. Absently, she took in the scenery as her mind wandered over the past two days. Ever since that evening in Noah's office when she'd seduced him, things had definitely changed between them, in a very good way. She felt closer to him, more intimately connected. He'd made love to her with his body and soul, fulfilling not only her wildest fantasies, but touching her with tenderness and the kind of intimacy she longed for, as well. And she had to admit that even he seemed more relaxed around her, less tense, and more affectionate.

They'd spent yesterday together on what felt like a date, and she'd enjoyed every bit of her time with Noah. When she'd insisted that she needed to get out of the house for fresh air and stimulating activity or she'd go mad, he'd hadn't refused her request or tried to tell her she needed more rest. He took her to a movie, a romantic comedy that made them both laugh out loud, and they'd grabbed an early dinner at a restaurant before returning home.

She'd gone upstairs to change for bed while Noah headed into his office to put together files and paperwork and make last-minute calls in preparation for his trip today. All she remembered was crawling beneath the covers, determined to wait for Noah so they could make love again, only to fall asleep and wake up in the middle of the night snuggled in his arms. She'd felt so content and secure, that just being cocooned in his warmth and scent had been enough for her. By the time she'd woken from a sound, dreamless sleep in the morning, Noah was already showered, changed and had breakfast waiting for her.

Now, the following morning, Natalie still wore a satisfied smile on her face as Noah drove her to Cole's to spend the day with Melodie while he was out of town until later that afternoon. When she'd casually asked him where, exactly, he was going, he'd evaded the issue with, "It's a private, confidential matter." She'd respected the answer as part of his job as a private investigator.

"Here we are," Noah said, his deep, smooth voice penetrating her thoughts.

She glanced out the windshield at Cole's residence, taking in the two-story house, circular drive and immaculate landscaping, none of which she recognized.

She sighed. "I hate to ask this, but have I been here before?"

He shut down the engine and hesitated, seemingly distracted, then replied, "A few times."

"I'm sure it'll come as no surprise to you that the place doesn't look at all familiar," she said wryly, and when he opened his mouth to reply, she beat him to the punch. "I know, I know, give it time and it'll come to me."

A sexy grin eased across his mouth. "It's good to know you're retaining some things, after all." He winked at her.

She made a face at him for his teasing remark. "Ha-ha. Very funny, wise guy."

They exited the car, and Noah tucked her hand in his as they headed up the walkway to the house. Her arm bumped against something solid at the waistband of his jeans beneath his untucked shirt, and she knew immediately what she'd discovered.

"You're wearing your gun." Her voice was as startled as she felt. "Is this a dangerous case you're investigating?"

He stopped under the awning covering the front porch and cupped her jaw in his big hands, his eyes warm and reassuring as they latched onto hers. "Every case is potentially dangerous. I always wear my gun when I'm out on assignment, and sometimes when instinct tells me to. I even wore the holster yesterday when we went to the movie and dinner."

Surprise curled through her. "You did?"

He nodded. "Yep. You were snuggling up to my right side, so that's probably why you didn't feel it, but it was definitely there." After letting go of her face, he rang the doorbell.

Seconds later, Melodie met them at the door, and as soon as they entered she immediately gathered Natalie in an enthusiastic hug. The embrace was warm and friendly and made Natalie feel welcome and part of the family. The sense of belonging was a novel feeling-another one she didn't remember, but one she liked a whole lot.

Melodie stepped back to give her a critical onceover. "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good." As they walked into the spacious living room, Natalie glanced at the man still beside her and smiled. "Noah's been taking good care of me. He's a little overbearing at times, but we're working on that."

Noah's soon-to-be sister-in-law laughed, her green eyes sparkling in pure delight. "He never used to be that way, but I guess it just takes the right woman to bring out the overprotective side in a Sommers' man." She leaned close to Natalie but didn't bother lowering her voice. "Take it from me and my experience with Cole, these boys like to be in control and tend to be a bit dominant at times. Then again, it's nice to see Noah so tied up in knots over a woman."

Noah sent a mock scowl Melodie's way. "That's enough, Mel," he warned lightly, then turned to Natalie with a charming grin. "Don't believe a word she says about me."

Before Natalie could reply, Cole walked into the room, his striking blue gaze checking her out in a reserved kind of way. There was no denying both brothers were incredibly handsome, but Cole was definitely the more serious of the two.

He smiled in greeting. "I was just getting ready to take off for the office. I'm glad I got the chance to see you before I left. You look great."

"Thanks." Absently, she touched the scab on her cheek from her cut, which she'd left uncovered for the day. "I still have a few bumps and bruises, and my memory is still fuzzy, but I can't complain because I know I could be in a lot worse shape."

"I know you're feeling much better," Noah cut in, his tone authoritative, "But take it easy and don't overdo today."

Natalie rolled her eyes. "Yes, sir."

"She'll be fine, Noah." Melodie waved away his concern. "Quit worrying. I'll take good care of her while you're gone."

Satisfied with her assurance, Noah glanced at his wristwatch. "I need to get going so I don't miss my flight. I'll be back around six tonight to pick you up." He leaned down and kissed Natalie softly on the lips, the fleeting contact over much too soon for her liking.

"Be safe," she said, the words slipping out automatically.

He stared at her for a long moment, his brow furrowed, then he said huskily, "You, too."

His response seemed to hold a deeper meaning she couldn't quite grasp, one that made an odd sense of foreboding settle over her. Ridiculous, she knew, and immediately pushed the disconcerting sensation aside.

"Come on, Cole. I'll walk you out," Noah said to his brother. "There are a few things I need to discuss with you regarding this case."

With one last goodbye, the men left.

"Are you ready to go?" Natalie asked Melodie.

The other woman nodded. "Just let me grab my purse from upstairs, and we can be on our way."

Half an hour later they were standing in a well-known bridal boutique in San Francisco, surrounded by row upon row of white, frothy gowns, pastel and jewel-toned bridesmaids dresses, and other wedding paraphernalia. The huge, one-stop store was divided into sections, covering everything from shoes, lingerie and accessories to casual and fancy evening wear.

A young saleswoman told Melodie that they'd pull her wedding dress and let her know when the seamstress was ready for her final fitting. While the two of them waited, they browsed through the various sections of the shop and wandered into the evening-wear department.

Melodie shuffled through a rack of outfits and pulled out a two-piece ensemble made up of black lace pants and a matching halter top. "What do you think of this?" she asked, holding it up to her curvaceous figure for Natalie to see. "I need a few new outfits for the honeymoon, and this might work for a night out on the town in the Bahamas."

Natalie grinned, seeing the glow on the other woman's face and knowing her soon-to-be husband put it there. "I like it, and I'm sure Cole will, too."

"I think you're right." She draped the outfit over her arm and continued looking through another rack. "Do you have something to wear to the wedding on Saturday?"

Natalie fingered the soft angora knit of an off-the-shoulder sweater dress that had captured her attention, liking the way the fabric felt against her skin. She considered Melodie's question, thinking of all her clothes hanging in Noah's closet. Most of her outfits and dresses were more suited to everyday wear, nothing that was appropriate for a fancy ceremony and reception. Nothing to turn a man's head the way she wanted to turn Noah's.

"I don't think I've bought anything for the wedding," she replied, and smiled impishly at Melodie. "This loss of memory really is the pits."

Understanding softened Melodie's gaze. "I'm sure it is, but look on the bright side. It's a great excuse to buy yourself something fun and new. Why don't you try on a few dresses and see if you find something you like?"

Natalie liked Melodie's way of thinking, which lightened her mood considerably. "I think I will." She plucked the sleek, sexy dress from the rack, certain the wine color would compliment her blond hair and skin tone.