Kora opened her eyes to blackness, suddenly afraid. A root almost made her fall. A dead branch scraped along her arm, pulling at her sleeve.

The perfume of the blossoms robbed her breath. Twisted branches seemed to reach toward her from all directions. A fallen trunk blocked her path.

‘‘Win!’’ she cried.

Before she could call again, he was there, pushing the branches aside, enfolding her in his arms.

Kora clung to him tightly, loving the way she could huddle against him and feel cocooned by his warmth. For a long while she didn’t say anything, but simply held him, letting her breathing slow to normal.

‘‘Are you all right?’’ he whispered against her hair.

‘‘Yes,’’ she answered. ‘‘I got turned around. Suddenly it seemed like the trees were closing in around me.’’

‘‘What are you doing out here? You could have gotten hurt stumbling through this place in the dark.’’ As always his voice was low, angry.

‘‘I came to look for you.’’ Kora raised her head, trying to see his face, but the shadows made it impossible.

‘‘Why?’’ he asked. ‘‘You seemed to be having a grand time with the doc.’’

‘‘I was.’’ Kora pulled an inch away. ‘‘He’s becoming a great friend.’’

She felt his body stiffen, but Win didn’t say a word.

‘‘He was waiting for his buggy. Wyatt and Jamie took it for a little ride after supper.’’ Kora wasn’t sure why she was explaining. Gage sitting in her kitchen didn’t seem anything unusual. And everyone, including Kora, had given up on trying to discourage Jamie from her rides with the gambler.

Winter was silent for so long, she didn’t know if he was going to say anything. Finally he let out a long breath. ‘‘I never heard you laugh like that.’’

In the darkness Kora felt like a light flashed on in her mind. Suddenly she knew what she’d never thought to guess. Win was jealous.

The knowledge made her feel powerful and cherished for the first time in her life. He wasn’t angry about the ranch, or at anyone.

It was time to put her shyness aside. The darkness became her ally, allowing her to do what she might never do in the light. She’d been the outsider, looking in all her life, and she couldn’t stand the thought that Win felt like that now.

She slid her fingers down his arm and closed her hand around his. ‘‘We need to talk,’’ she whispered as she led him the few feet to a fallen tree trunk.

Win was silent, but she could feel his body tensing for a fight.

‘‘Sit,’’ she ordered as she put her hands on his shoulders.

Slowly he lowered to the log. Now she was almost a head taller than him. Kora moved between his knees, trapping him. She pulled off his hat and laid it beside him.

‘‘Steven is a friend, but you are my husband. That night we talked on the porch, the morning you washed my hair, when I rode with you-all those were times I let you closer than I’ve ever allowed another person. And I did it not because I signed some paper and made an agreement for six months, but because I wanted to.’’

Kora rested her hands on his shoulders. ‘‘I could never feel about him the way I feel about you.’’ How could she explain that laughter was shallow compared to the way Winter made her whole body react just by being in the same room? Could he really have been so close and not know what he did to her? ‘‘I did those things and more. Every night I kiss you when you’re asleep. Not because I’m playing the part of your wife, but because I want you.’’ Kora surprised herself with her boldness.

She lowered her lips to his and lightly kissed him. He pulled away at the unexpected act, so she repeated her action more slowly.

‘‘And you,’’ she whispered against his mouth, ‘‘want me.’’

He returned her kiss, but didn’t respond otherwise, leaving Kora to wonder if she’d been wrong. He was the first man she’d ever wanted to touch her. Could it be possible that he didn’t feel the same?

Moving her fingers into his hair, Kora held his head in her hands as she lowered her lips once more for a longer kiss. She had to make him believe how much his nearness meant to her. She didn’t want him to feel like an outsider any longer.

When she straightened, he moaned slightly, but didn’t reach for her.

‘‘You know I was never in mourning, but I still needed time. But since that night you held me all the way back from the settlement, I thought you’d come up to our room if only to sleep beside me. It’s the way of husbands and wives. But you haven’t.’’

‘‘I was waiting to be invited.’’ Winter moved his hands gently around her waist. ‘‘Is that what you’re offering now?’’

‘‘You’re my husband, if only for a while,’’ she whispered against his hair. ‘‘You don’t need an invitation to your own bedroom. How can I get used to you if I only see you a few minutes at breakfast each morning? If you don’t climb the stairs, how would we ever find a minute alone together?’’

‘‘I have a lot on my mind.’’ Win moved his hands along her sides. ‘‘Though I’m having trouble remembering any of it at the moment.’’

Kora moved closer until his head rested against her chest. ‘‘We don’t need much time, only a little to get to know each other.’’

She knew she was being bold. He might shove her away and think her foolish. Except for a few times when he’d kissed her, Win had shown little interest in wanting her. But she’d seen the way he looked at her and was willing to bet a desire was building in him as it had been in her since that first night.

Running her fingers deep into his hair, she tugged until he leaned his head back. She kissed him lightly on his mouth and stepped a few inches away. ‘‘I’m not sure how this works since my first husband was dead on arrival, but I think I want you to touch me.’’

Win couldn’t believe what she was saying. This shy mouse of a woman he’d married was starting to roar. ‘‘Where?’’ he asked.

‘‘All over,’’ she answered. ‘‘I’ll not undress outside my bedroom, but I’d like not to jump when you touch me. So I think it would be a good place to start if you put your hands on me.’’ She swallowed. ‘‘Anywhere you like.’’

Placing her fingers on his shoulders, she straightened in front of him. ‘‘Isn’t that how people who want to know each other better start getting used to each other?’’

Win laughed. ‘‘Not in any civilization I know of. But I’m not about to ask Logan or argue with your plan. Are you sure you want me to touch you, really touch you?’’

Kora lifted her chin. ‘‘Yes.’’

‘‘Why?’’ he whispered as his large hands moved to her waist.

‘‘Because…’’ She swallowed. How could she put it into words? She admired him more than she had any man. Not because he owned this ranch, or was strong and honest. Not because he’d stayed with their bargain when any other man would have thrown her out. Not because, despite all his armor, he was as lonely as she. She wanted him to touch her because he made her feel like she belonged in the circle of his arms. He was gentle and kind and tender beyond anything she’d ever dreamed a man could be. ‘‘When I’m gone,’’ she whispered, ‘‘I want to remember your touch.’’

For a long while he didn’t move. Kora could feel her heart trying to break through her chest, but she couldn’t say more. She’d made the offer; now she’d wait.

Finally he raised his hand to her throat. Slowly he moved his fingers over the material of her cotton blouse. She could feel him hesitate as if he thought she might pull away. But she didn’t move.

His hands glided along her arms, then to her waist. The layers of material kept her from feeling the warmth of his touch as his fingers moved lower over her hips. Then slowly he slid his hands back to her middle and up until he passed over her breasts. The action was slow, calculated, almost impersonal.

He repeated the action.

Kora let out a sound as she felt the weight of his palms over her breasts. The cotton barred his warmth. She hoped he couldn’t feel her trembling, but she wanted to grow accustomed to his touch… anywhere on her body. It seemed only reasonable if she was planning to sleep beside him. And sleep with him she would before she left for California. Jamie might be destined to have many lovers in her life, but Kora would have only one. This one.

But the feel of a man’s hand was something she never thought she’d experience. For some reason fate had given her this one good chance, and she planned to play it out.

‘‘Again, please,’’ she whispered, knowing that in the years to come she’d need this memory.

‘‘Are you sure, Kora?’’

‘‘I’m sure,’’ she answered. ‘‘Move your hands over me once more.’’ She thought she’d find the action unpleasant, but she didn’t in the least.

He slid his hands into her hair and pulled the strands free of pins. He watched her hair fall, then brushed over it lightly as it fell over her shoulders and back.

‘‘More?’’ he questioned, his voice now very low.

‘‘Please,’’ she answered.

With a sudden impatience he pulled her mouth down to his. The kiss was warm, hungry. He pushed her mouth open and tasted her, shocking her with his boldness.

When she shook with near panic, he held her head with one hand and stroked her back with the other. But he didn’t lighten the kiss. He seemed starved for the taste of her, and now that she offered, no reins would be pulled. He was free to let her see just how deeply he longed to touch her.

As she finally relaxed and accepted his kiss, he moved his hand through her hair, gently turning her head to fill his desire. The strokes along her back grew longer until he covered her hips with each passing. When his hands formed over her hips, his kiss grew bold and fiery with need, taking his pleasure, giving her a hunger for more.

Kora felt herself shake with sudden passion. She’d never dreamed a kiss could be so consuming. He moved his fingers along her jaw and tugged her mouth open wider. The more he tasted, the more his longing seemed to grow.