Marrying Mary

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Marrying Mary by

Lori Foster Chapter One To Reed Darlin’s way of thinking, the most exciting thing the small town of Cooper, Ohio, had to offer was Miss Mary Drake. A modest town built around moderate pig farms, a small electric plant, and rows upon rows of corn, nothing it offered could begin to measure up to Mary. She was a lot more interesting than the rusted statue of the original mayor sitting plumb center in the Town Square, decorated by a bevy of pigeons and their abundant droppings. Reed watched with hungry eyes as she walked into his diner, her narrow nose in the air as she nodded to the other customers. No one swaggered the way Mary did. As the town’s only female construction worker — which effectively set her apart from the housewives, the shop workers, and the farmers’ daughters — she was beyond cocky. And he liked it. Oh yeah, he liked it a lot. In anticipation of her usual order, he poured a cup of coffee. Black, with a lot of sugar. Mary’s scuffed, concrete-coated boots thudded across the polished linoleum of Reed’s small, inherited restaurant. Her well-worn jeans had tears in both knees, showing smooth, tanned skin that drove him crazy. But it was nothing compared to his reaction to her tank top, now stuck to her breasts, drawn by her sweat as well as her curves. She’d removed the cotton pullover she usually wore while working with the crew, and had it dangling from her back pocket like a tail. Ever since Reed had realized that Mary was not only the perfect friend, just plain perfect, he’d been going crazy trying to think of ways to make her realize it, too. They’d been pals so long, he’d almost missed the obvious. And the fact that Mary had been so caught up in proving her independence, in snubbing her nose at everyone who tried to judge her, hadn’t helped. She deliberately set herself apart. But no more. Today was the day he would make his move. He patted the ring in his pocket and smiled. Her chocolate-brown eyes shone with frustration both from the heat of the summer day and the hard work of building a new library. "Reed Darlin, you’re a sight for sore eyes." She always said his two names together, making them sound like an endearment, to which he replied, "Mary, honey, I do try." Her frown lifted into a grin, so endearing and audacious he wanted to snatch her off the barstool and kiss her silly. Of course the regulars — customers who had been coming in every evening since back when his parents ran the place — might have something to say about that. The townspeople were conservative

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and had plenty to say about a woman in construction. He had to go slow. He had to break her in to his plans real easy like. To many, Mary was an enigma. But Reed understood her. She was as feminine and sexy as any woman could be. But because there were things her frail mama couldn’t do, and her lazy daddy wouldn’t, Mary had learned to do them. All of them. She was stubbornness personified, and Reed was crazy nuts about her. She was the woman of his dreams, the reason other women had never quite measured up. No one could compare with his Mary. She took a long, gulping drink of her coffee, smacked the cup back on the counter like an accomplished beer guzzler, and announced, "I want to be pleasured." Reed stared, trying to decipher what he’d heard and the sexual meaning his brain had automatically supplied. "Come again?" "You heard me right, Reed Darlin. It’s my birthday soon and I’m sick of not doing things I want to do. I’m sick of other women knowing things I don’t know." He glanced around, hopeful no one heard her. "You said you want to — " "Be pleasured. That’s right. You wanna give it a shot?" Slowly, using the time to get his bearings, Reed untied the apron strings at the back of his waist and tossed the apron onto the counter. "Come with me." He reached across the counter, caught her elbow, and high-stepped her to the end of the bar until he could swing her around the corner and into his office. Someone called his name just before he closed the door, but Reed ignored the summons. When he glanced down at Mary — his sweet, innocent, curious Mary — she was grinning with wicked delight. "What are you doing, talking like that?" She laughed outright. "You should see your face. You look like you swallowed a goat." "So you were teasing?" Relief warred with disappointment. "Nope." Her silky blond hair, straight as a bone and baby fine, swung over her shoulder as she shook her head. "I’m turning 21. Twenty-one, Reed Darlin! And yet I’ve never had an — " With a rush of heat racing up his neck, he clamped his hand over her mouth while his eyes widened and his face darkened. Surely she wasn’t about to say what he thought she was about to say. "You weren’t about to say — " "Yes I was, too. An orgasm. Isn’t that downright criminal?" She looked like she wanted an actual answer, so Reed gave her one. "I suppose." Then he thought about it and asked, "You’ve really never… at all?" "The local guys haven’t exactly been knocking my door down." Her eyes narrowed. "Not that I care, you understand. They can think what they like — since they will anyway."

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Reed ignored part of that. He didn’t like to think about her with any other man. It made him nuts. "Not even… you know. By yourself?" She punched him hard in the chest and her face looked scalded. "What kind of thing is that to be asking a lady?" Reed laughed as he rubbed away the sting of her small fist. "Mary, honey, you’re about as far from a ‘lady’ as I am. Maybe further, considering I at least know how to cook." She examined her nails, picking at one jagged edge. "You’re a domestic god. The diner is even more popular since your folks left town and you took over. Everyone loves your apple pie. But the million-dollar question is: do you know how to pleasure a woman? ‘Cuz I really am serious and I naturally thought of you first. Given the way all the women ogle you, I figured you could handle the job." "That is, unless you’re not interested." Her face pinkened as she sneaked a quick look at him. "I mean, we’ve been friends for like…forever, so I know I can trust you, right? And I figured if it didn’t work out, we’dstill be friends, so there’s no real risk. Right?" "If you’re looking to me to condone this nutty idea…" he grinned, "…I do." Then he remembered the ring in his pocket. One night of pleasure wasn’t all he wanted to give her. Nope. He wanted to have her with him every night, for the rest of his life. She belonged to him. From grade school on, he’d understood that he and Mary had a special bond, one he’d thought was mere friendship, but in the past few months he’d realized it was more than that. Mary was his better half. He enjoyed her company, and once he’d gotten past the idea of her being a pal, he’d understood just how innately sexy she was — though she sure tried to hide it. On some instinctive level, he figured Mary knew they were meant to be together too. The fact that she came to him for this was telling, and he wasn’t about to waste the opportunity. No sirree. But he had to take full advantage, had to convince her they were more than close friends, that he was good for more than one fast fling. He nodded as he said, "You know what I’m thinking?" She shrugged. "You’re male. I can likely imagine, given my offer." "I’m thinking there’s probably a lot of things you’ve never done." "Like what?" Then her brown eyes widened and she whispered in scandalized delight, "you mean like… sexual things?" His control was already stretched too thin, given her outrageous declaration. If she kept talking like that — in the intimate way he’d begun to dream of recently — he’d lose it for sure. And then people would no doubt notice. But he didn’t want anyone gossiping about Mary. At least, not any more than they already did. "We’ll get to that," he promised, sounding strangled. "But I was talking about other things. Like… I dunno. Isn’t there something you always wanted to do, but haven’t?"

Chapter One

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"Sure. I’ve considered a tattoo — " "No!" "Or maybe one of those really short, spiky hairdos — " "Mary," he threatened, weaving his fingers through her soft hair. "You cut off one single strand and I swear I’ll turn you over my knee — " Her grin was pure temptation. "So you like my hair?" "Yeah. I like your hair." He’d concocted quite a few fantasies over her long, pale hair. He gulped down a groan. "Now get serious. There must be something, besides this… thispleasure business , that you’ve always wanted to do and haven’t gotten around to." She scrunched up her face in thought. "Ride a horse." She glared, in case he decided to tease her. "You know I’m not crazy about the darn things." He did know. Everyone knew. And she hated that. Mary had gotten used to hiding any and all weaknesses from others. Except him, but then, he knew her better than anyone. In a lower voice, she grumbled, "What’s so great about riding a horse anyway?" "Ah Mary. It’s how you ride and who you ride with." Reed threw an arm around her shoulders and started her back toward the door. "Tonight. How about eight o’clock? Come to my place and I’ll teach you how to ride Biscuit." "Biscuit?" Her alarm was real. Biscuit, contrary to the cutesy name, was an enormous, powerful creature. But he loved Reed and he was very well trained, so he’d be perfect for tonight’s lesson. "I can control Biscuit, you know that." He leaned down and deliberately let his mouth brush her ear. "And I can promise you’ll enjoy this ride." She tried to whirl around and face him, but he held her shoulders and walked her through the door. "Eight o’clock," he reiterated. "And Mary?" Her eyes looked dazed and hot with curiosity. "Hmm?" "You might want to start thinking about what else you haven’t done. After all, this is your week." They’d always celebrated birthday weeks with a series of small silly gifts and gags. One day between friends, they’d reasoned, wasn’t near enough. He reached into his jeans pocket, felt the ring, and dug past it to the small plastic box. "Here you go. Day one." Mary looked at the plastic encased four-leaf clover and she grinned. Her small fist closed around it.

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"Sending me luck, huh?" Actually, he’d been trying to give himself some. And with what he planned for tonight, he figured it had worked. "Don’t be late." "Don’t disappoint me." With that command, she tossed some change on the counter to pay for her coffee before sauntering away. Reed watched the sway of her tight behind in the snug soft jeans and felt his heart give a heavy thump. Lord have mercy. He could use this week, combined with Mary’s new curiosity, to show her what an ideal mate he’d be. And once she understood that, she’d be his. Forever.

Chapter Two The horse whinnied softly as Mary approached. Normally she’d be too nervous to get near it, but with Reed standing next to the stallion, she was drawn closer and closer. Reed stood an even six feet, making her feel extra tiny at five feet, two inches. And though she was strong and toned from her physical labor on the job, Reed had her beat hands down in the muscle department. Today he wore a pair of old jeans, cowboy boots, and a snug white T-shirt with a hat pulled low, hiding his dark, straight hair. She wore similar clothes, only her T-shirt was yellow and she’d skipped the hat. The idea of being close to Reed had her heart racing. She’d been thinking more and more about him lately, in ways she’d never considered before. Maybe it was the fact that she finally had her life on an even keel. Her mother had mentioned remarrying, and her job had given her new security. She had plenty of money in the bank, the house was fixed up, and if the town still looked down on her, well, that couldn’t be helped.She knew she’d done all she could. But with some of those worries put to rest, her mind had taken the time to consider other things. Like how sexy Reed was, and how manly. Not many men could have worn an apron all day and still made the females giddy with just a look. It had been the idea of those other women chasing him that had put the bee in her bonnet. Since she’d started seeing him in a new light, she positively hated the idea of him with another woman. Worse than that, she hated her own jealousy. "The place looks good." Small talk between them had never been necessary, and Reed cocked a brow. "Thanks. I manage, and of course, with Mom and Dad retired to Florida, there’s no reason to keep a lot of farm animals. The horses keep me busy enough." Reed had inherited not only his parents’ small diner, but their home as well. What had once been a busy farm was now just a lot of beautiful wild land, filled with wildflowers and fruit trees and privacy.

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"You ready?" he asked, eyeing her up and down. Mary had the feeling he was figuring out just what he’d do to her and how he’d do it. Though why in heck they had to do it on a horse was beyond her. "Sure. Saddle him up and we’ll get this over with." "Not a very enthusiastic attitude. I don’t want to ‘get it over with,’ sweets. Nope. We’re gonna take this nice and slow and easy." Her breath caught. That was a sensual promise if ever she’d heard one. After several rapid heartbeats, she managed to ask, "The saddle, Reed Darlin?" "We don’t need one, Mary, honey." "We don’t… what do you mean, we don’t need a saddle?" She hated sounding alarmed, but the idea of climbing onto the big Graywithout a saddle left her paralyzed. Reed patted the horse’s shoulder and then strode toward her. The Gray never moved other than to twitch his ears in curiosity. Reed stopped only a few feet from her and held out his hand. "Come here." She trusted him, Mary reminded herself. And she wanted this. A lot. All her life, she’d considered Reed her very own. He was her best friend, her confidante, and more often than not, her partner in practical pranks. They’d grown up together, knew each other inside and out. If she hadn’t been so set on proving herself to the rest of the town, of trying to show that she was different from her parents, she’d probably have realized earlier that she wanted Reed to be hers inevery way. Mary put her hand in his. "Will you… kiss me?" She asked it shyly, but she needed him to do something to help her get over her nervousness. "And not a brotherly kiss like you usually do. I heard Rachel say you had a killer mouth. And Beth Sue agreed with her. I wantthat kind of kiss. Okay?" His jaw locked. "For God’s sake. I haven’t touched either of them since high school!" "They’re still talking about kisses they got inhigh school ?" Her stomach seemed to curl, and she murmured, "must’ve been one helluva kiss." Then: "Show me." His gaze dropped to her mouth. His own opened as he breathed deeply, his hand tightening on hers. And then she was against him, pulled to her tiptoes so that her body meshed with his from knees to chest and Mary could only thinkwow! as his hot mouth settled on her startled lips. Without reservation he kissed her deeply, his tongue — wicked and warm and oh-so-talented — tasted her, teased her. Mary clutched at him and when he finally lifted his head, she licked her lips, struggled for breath, and said, "Killer. Yep, that about describes it." Reed turned without saying a word and using a block, vaulted onto the horse. He held out his hand once again, and Mary, captured by the heat in his eyes and the intensity of his purpose, did the same. Reed settled her in front of him and with a slight nudge that had her grabbing the horse’s mane, started on an easy walk. "Move with the horse," he whispered right next to her ear, making goose bumps ride up and down her arms. Her thighs rested along the long hard length of his. His cheek against her own was tantalizing, his scent surrounding her. She’d always known how muscular his arms were; long years of hard work on the

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farm had built him into a female fantasy. But feeling those arms around her now had an all-new effect. This was Reed, she thought,so much more than just a friend! Slowly, Reed put both reins in one hand and curled his free arm around her waist. "You’re too tense, hon. Biscuit can feel your nervousness. Take some deep breaths. Relax." Was he out of his mind?"Okay." She tried, she really did, but this was all so different, so very nice. She could feel the acceleration of his breath, Reed’s heartbeat thundering against her back. "I’ve dreamed of being with you like this," he breathed against her ear, making her own heartbeat riot. "I’ve always loved the way you talk and walk and your attitude. So sexy." She laughed at that, the sound tinged with excitement. "Only you would think so, Reed Darlin. Everyone else in this town thinks I’m an oddity." "No, not odd, just intimidating. Most guys don’t like that." "But you do?" He kissed her neck, startling a gasp from deep in her throat. She’d had very few kisses since most of the folks in the town didn’t get within spitting distance of her. They disliked her folks and her by association. Not that she blamed them. Her parents, lazy and unkempt, had been the blot in an otherwise quaint community. A kiss on the neck… well, she’d never realized how sensitive that area was. "I like a woman with guts," Reed murmured, "a woman with her own mind." She hadn’t received that many compliments in her lifetime, and never one that touched her so deeply. "Oh, Reed…" She almost felt ready to cry — an aberration all in itself — then he said, "you have no idea of all the things I’d like to do to you." She snapped out of her melancholy real quick. "Tell me." "Everything a man does with a sexy woman, honey. That’s what I want to do." Sounding skeptical, because this was a whole lot more than she’d expected, Mary said, "Since when?" The fading sunshine warmed her skin. The only sounds were their breaths, the buzz of insects and the rustling of trees and shrubs as the horse continued to amble forward aimlessly. Reed nuzzled her nape, making her shiver despite the warmth of the day. "You’re so oblivious to your appeal." "Maybe that’s because I don’t have any. Appeal, I mean." He snorted. "You’re the sexiest thing around. And if no one in town has told you so, that’s your doing. You hold yourself back, and refuse to get to know anyone. You’ve got caution signs painted all over

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you. The way you stand, the way you look past people." "Granted," he said, when she started to refute him, "some of the older folks gave you a hard time when you were growing up. They didn’t understand your parents and when you took your own path, they didn’t understand you either. Here in Cooper, everyone expects everyone else to be average and mundane. Because you’re not, you scare them." "I stick out like a sore thumb." "Not exactly." He kissed her neck again, and Mary decided she liked that a lot. She hoped he’d continue putting the little pecks there. "You’re unique, special. I’ve seen plenty of the women look at you with admiration. It takes guts to be different, to do what you like best." Mary twisted to look at him. "And I’m good at what I do." Reed laughed. "There’s no doubt about that. Half the guys working with you are disgruntled because you outwork them. Maybe not in strength, but sure as certain in sheer doggedness." What should have sounded vaguely like an insult instead sounded like the sweetest compliment she’d ever received. "They hate having to work with me." "Ha! I’ve seen the way they look at you, and I can tell you it’s not with resentment. I’d bet my diner that they’re thinking about all your determination, your arrogance, and wondering if you’d be like that in bed." Mary blinked hard. "What the heck does one have to do with the other?" "Honey, where men are concerned, everything has to do with sex. Those guys are wondering if you always have that much energy, if you’re always that forward." "I think you’re teasing me." "Nope." His arms squeezed her closer still and his voice dropped to a rough growl. "I know, because I’ve been thinking the same things." Everything in Mary tightened. She twisted around to see his face, to try to determine if he was serious or not. But the second she did, Reed kissed her. And if his earlier kiss had been a scorcher, this one positively burned her up. She ended up tilted against his arm, her head ached back while he took her mouth and taught her a lot about the pleasures of a deep kiss. She eagerly accepted the lesson, but all too soon, Reed released her. Stunned, Mary slowly managed to open her eyes. She saw Reed’s house and realized the horse had merely circled his property. Off to the side, ducks glided across the small lake and a fish jumped. "You okay?" he asked, his voice gruff, his fingertips rough on her cheek. She sighed. Oh, she was fine. Real fine. She smiled. "You’re an incredible kisser." "You know what I think we should do now?" There was a wealth of suggestion in his tone, but Mary, now determined to prolong this new

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arrangement, said, "make out at the drive-in." "What?" Reed’s voice was so low and rough she barely recognized it. "Tomorrow night." She stroked his large, wonderful hands that now rested on her belly. She nuzzled her head against his hard, comforting chest. "I want to make out with you, Reed Darlin." He hesitated, then asked, "This is another thing you’ve never done?" "You know I haven’t. No guy wants to be seen at the Dirty Dent with the town oddball. It’s too public." The local drive-in had been dubbed the Dirty Dent because of its reputation for R-rated movies and privacy for making out. Mary wanted to find out more about both. Reed turned his face into her throat to kiss her. "I told you, you’re intimidating." "I don’t intimidate you," she pointed out. "No." He drew a deep breath and galloped the horse toward the barn. "I’ll pick you up at nine-thirty tomorrow." Mary smiled. "I can’t wait…"

Chapter Three Reed closed the diner up a few minutes early, rushing the last of his lingering customers out the door. Old man Neely, who liked to hang out until the very last minute, complained loudly. But when Reed proudly explained he had a date with Mary, Neely grinned real big and strolled out. Word of his date would be all over town by morning. Mary may not yet realize that he was staking a claim, but every other guy in town would — and that suited Reed just fine. They’d all be cursing themselves for hesitating too long and bemoaning what they’d missed out on. Reed’s hands shook as he drove home, and he almost missed the driveway to his farmhouse. His harebrained plan to throw Mary off balance by showing her how perfect they’d be together had backfired. He’d been aroused ever since their horseback ride. Yet she wanted tomake out at the drive-in . A cold shower did him no good at all, not with the promise of the coming night. Years ago, he’d considered taking Mary to the drive-in. His adolescent hormones had tried to insist that she was female, attractive, and therefore a good candidate to appease his lust. And his hormones had been dead on. At the time, however, Mary had needed a friend more than anything else, and Reed had cared enough about her to stop at friendship. Now he had to wonder if that had been a colossal mistake. He’d gotten so used to Mary being his best friend, he’d almost overlooked the discovery of his youth —

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that shewas attractive, sexy as hell, and too intelligent for her own good. She was everything he admired in a woman, and if he had his way, she’d behis woman before much longer. The tires on his truck complained when he braked too hard in front of her apartment that night. As he got out, she appeared on the front stoop. Reed’s eyes nearly fell from his head. Looking up and down the street to make sure no one else saw her, he darted forward, grabbed her arm, and hustled her sexy little butt into the truck. "What in heaven’s name are you wearing, girl?" Mary grinned as she seated herself, smoothing out her short denim skirt and twitching the skinny straps of her lacy camisole. "Just summer clothes, Reed Darlin." He frowned at her as he got behind the wheel and started the powerful engine. "Looks like lingerie if you ask me." She snapped her seat belt closed as she glared at his profile. "I saw you flirting with a group of women a few weeks ago in the diner, and half of them were wearing clothes just like this!" That did nothing to appease him. "Yeah, wellthey weren’tyou and I wasn’t flirting. I was just…being sociable to the customers. It’s how I keep my business, you know." She snorted, prompting him to smile. Mary sounded jealous, and he liked that a lot. She obviously didn’t know that in the last few months he’d done nothing but pine over her while trying to figure out how to convince her to move beyond friendship to intimacy. Since his mind-boggling revelation that he wanted to be Mary’s lover, other women didn’t interest him at all. He’d see Mary in her hard hat, and it did crazy things to him. Never mind what would happen if he caught her swinging a hammer! It was probably because he’d always known that deep down, despite the tough exterior she liked to show off to the rest of the town, she was a real softie. Unique, but still so feminine. She had a mind of her own, a healthy need for physical activity and the fresh outdoors, and a curiosity that had driven her to ask him for sexual pleasure. He loved her, plain and simple. A more perfect woman didn’t exist for him. "You got something to cover up with until after I’ve paid and gotten us parked?" "Afraid the attendant will get ideas?" "Iknow he’ll get ideas — " Reed reached across the seat and slid his hand over her knee. " — because I’m getting ideas. Real hot ones." Mary pulled on the cotton blouse she’d brought with her. She didn’t button it, but she did pull it closed in the front. "Happy now?" "I will be. After we’re sitting in the dark and I can get that damn shirt back off you again." He left his hand on her leg and explained softly, "I don’t want anyone else looking at you, sweets. At least, not like that."

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She appeared mollified. "As long as you look, that’s all I was after." Reed grinned. "Mission accomplished." The drive-in was crowded when they arrived. As soon as it was dark enough, probably in another 10 minutes, the movie would start. Reed maneuvered the truck to the back of the lot, up close to where a border of trees kept anyone from parking behind him. A station wagon was to his right about four rows down, and there was no one to his left. It wasn’t the best spot to see the screen, but then, he didn’t care about that. He hung the speaker on the window, turned to Mary, then barely caught her as she launched herself at him, kissing his face, his ear, his nose. He laughed. "Hey, calm down, honey." "I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you!" Now that was nice to hear. Especially after he’d been suffering the pain of unrequited lust for so long. But with the right incentive, Mary as his wife, he could bear up a bit longer. She already knew they were terrific together in just about any situation; he intended to show her they’d be even better together sexually. But he had to move slowly. Mary was very new to this and the last thing Reed wanted was for her to feel used. She had to know that he acted out of love. Just saying it wouldn’t be enough; her parents had sometimes said it, but damned if they’d ever shown it. Remembering her painful youth, Reed caught her face and held it still for his kiss, a long, deep, eating kiss that had the windows steaming up just minutes before the speaker came on and the screen lit up. He loved everything about her, even those traits she considered quirks, and he wanted her to know it. Ignoring the movie, Reed continued to kiss her, taking and giving pleasure until Mary was tense and panting in his arms. Taking his cues from the way she moved against him, he slowly dragged his fingers over her shoulder, down her chest, and across one stiffened nipple. Her loud gasp gave him pause, and he said, "Do you like this?" "Yes." He shifted a little, releasing her long enough to move his seat back, then pulled her over the gears and into his lap. Mary clutched his shoulders, her eyes wide as he started to kiss her again. A moan on the screen drew her attention. They both looked up. Mary straightened, causing Reed to moan, too, as her rounded behind pressed against him. "What are they doing?" She sounded breathless, fascinated, and Reed stifled his impatience. He tried to focus on the movie, then grinned. "I’d call it heavy petting." Looking at him again, her expression devoid of any guile, she asked, "Do you want to do that with me?" His breath caught. "Oh yeah. I want to touch you everywhere, Mary, honey."

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She considered that. "I didn’t know…" Reed stroked her mouth with a fingertip. "Neither did I for awhile. Being with you, hanging out and laughing and having fun… I thought that was enough for the longest time. Then I figured out that when I’m with you, I could be myself. With the guys, I’m expected to act like a guy, ya know?" "How so?" He shrugged, trying to figure out the right words to say. "We’re supposed to drink beer, talk sports, and tell crude jokes." "We do that sometimes." Mary carried on the not-so-casual conversation as if she wasn’t sitting in his lap. It was all Reed could do to keep from panting. "Yeah, but with you," he said, drawn by the sight of her pretty mouth and moist lips, "I do it when I want to, not because it’s expected." Her fingers spread on his chest and she gave him a small, curious caress, feeling his muscles, which Reed knew were rock-hard in anticipation. She seemed intrigued by that, then asked, "What about when you’re with other women? Can’t you be yourself then?" He snorted. "Truth is, they drive me nuts, constantly primping and talking about dumb stuff." "I don’t primp, but… Reed, we talk about dumb stuff sometimes, too." He cupped her face and drew her closer. "That’s just it. With you it doesn’t feel dumb." Mary drew a deep breath, then stated, "I want to touch you. I’ve never… you know. Touched a guy there." Reed gulped. With his heart pounding, he whispered, "Anything you want, Mary." And he meant it. She glanced back at the movie, watched intently for a moment, then with her bottom lip caught between her teeth she curled her hand around him through his jeans. His entire body tightened and he cursed low. "You like that?" "I like that." "And this?" She stroked tentatively, causing him to break out in a sweat. "I especially like that," he croaked. "I’d like it more if you’d kiss me." "Here?" Her fingers pressed against him. Reed almost lost it, because far from sounding shocked, she sounded interested. "I meant my… my mouth. While you’re touching me." "Oh." Disappointment?He’d never survive this. "Use your tongue."

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"Okay." She was a potent kisser, and the combination of her mouth, her soft breasts in his hands, and her gentle caress on his erection, nearly did him in. "Enough." "But I like touching you." She tried to take his mouth again and ended up kissing his ear when he turned his face away. Her tongue stroked there too, and her soft breath played havoc with his libido. The sound emerging from his throat was part groan, part laugh. "Believe me, I like it more." "Then…" "No, I can’t take it, sweetheart." He struggled for breath and added, "The last thing I want to do is make love to you at a damned drive-in, yet I’m real close to doing just that." Her dark eyes gleamed in the dim reflection of the big screen. "You really do want me that much?" "Haven’t you been listening?" Her smile was slow and blinding. "Yeah, but the whole idea is taking some getting used to." Reed knew that, which was why he wanted so badly to go slow with her. If he scared her off, if she misunderstood his intentions, he could blow the whole thing. But if he went too slow, he might lose her to another man. A couple of times in the past guys had tried to cozy up to her. He still broke out in a sweat when he thought of it. Luckily Mary had never taken them seriously. She was too used to disdain from the town to take any compliments to heart. Which was all the more reason for him to convince her how precious she was to him, how important. Mary had more pride than any person he knew. Growing up in one of the least respected families in the neighborhood had hardened her determination, and made her pride a solid, unwavering shield. He'd never dent her pride, but he wanted her to trust him enough, to want him enough, to lower her guard completely. For him, and only for him. He pulled her head down to his shoulder and kissed her temple. "What next, sweetheart?" She burrowed closer, filling his heart with emotion, his head with need. "The stars." Reed grinned. "You wanna explain that?" He smoothed his hands over her back, down to her softly rounded hips. "I want to sleep under the stars. With you. Tonight." "Hell of an idea," he muttered. He started the truck, then lifted her into her seat, arranging her skirt, hooking her seatbelt for her. She watched him with soft, velvet-brown eyes. "Do you think," she murmured, "we could go just a little further tonight?" Reed froze for an instant, then gulped. "Yes." Within 30 seconds he had the truck out of the lot. The

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stars were out and she was willing and he was a man who could only take so much!

Chapter Four "You picked the perfect night." Mary knew Reed was talking about the spectacular star-filled sky, but to her, any night with Reed would seem perfect. She was learning so much about him that she’d never known before — like what a great mouth he had. And how wonderful he could make her feel when he touched her. She'd hated hearing about his expertise with other women, how much they'd enjoyed him, how good he was. But she certainly loved experiencing it first hand. She was seeing Reed as a man in the most basic sense, not just as a friend, not just as a person she’d always admired above all others. All the things she’d ever felt for him were colliding in an interesting, if confusing way. She trusted Reed, she always had, but believing that he wanted her sexually was a pretty abstract notion for her. It was almost as hard to believe as him telling her that other men wanted her. Or that the women in the community admired her. Strange… but oh, she so desperately wanted to believe. All of it. Mary knelt down on the blanket he’d spread beneath a tall sheltering oak and watched Reed with new eyes. He was gentle as always, but now in a new and different way. When he touched her, it was with a near reverence that threatened to break her heart. No one had ever treated her that way. Not the townsfolk, not even her own parents. Shaking off that thought, she looked around at the shadowed land and said, "I love it here. I always have." Reed tossed a few pillows at the top of the blanket, his big body and endearing face visible in the moonlight and starshine. "From the time we were in junior high, you’ve always loved it here. Know what I think?" She hoped he was thinking about her and what she wanted to do to him. "What?" "I think you like it here because it’s so different from your home." That was certainly true enough. While he’d been raised on a sprawling farm that showed the pride of caring for that land, she’d grown up in a crowded bungalow that was forever in need of repair. Her mother, more inclined to weep over what needed to be done than to actually do it, had claimed there was no reason to pretty up the postage stamp-sized yard when the house looked so awful. And her father hadn’t cared two figs whether or not the plumbing leaked or the shingles blew off the roof.Or if the town disdained their disreputable presence.

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Mary cared. Even before her father passed away, she’d learned how to fix what her parents wouldn’t. And in the process, she’d alienated herself from the other kids, because none of them could understand her or her strange priorities. Rather than buy a new blouse, she’d worked hard at various odd jobs to buy new tools. While they went to dances, she’d worked on plumbing. Only Reed had ever understood what had driven her. Just as he understood her curiosity now. "Take off your shirt, Reed Darlin. I want to look at you." The night air was balmy and warm and Reed did as she asked without hesitation. "You too," he suggested roughly. Mary shook her head. "If I do, you’ll probably get distracted and I won’t get to do what I want." "What is it you want, honey?" "To touch you. To make you feel the same way you make me feel." His eyes were a dark glitter in the night, watching her, calculating. Finally, he nodded. "All right. But I will get my turn." "We’ll see." Crawling on her knees, Mary moved over his thighs with her back to him. "Let me get these boots off you." Reed braced himself with his hands behind him and lifted one foot. "I like having your sweet behind right there, Mary. I like it a lot." She grinned at him over her shoulder and managed to get his first boot pulled off. "I had no idea you were such a hound dog. When did you… you know. Have your first sexual thought about me?" "Ever since you got breasts." Mary laughed out loud, and almost landed on her face when the other boot slid free. "That was what?" she asked, "when I was about 13?" Reed’s hand slid up the outside of her thigh, making her gasp and go still. "Yeah," he growled. "About that." Moving before his fingers could make her forget her intent, Mary turned around to face him. She shoved him flat, then leaned over him until their noses almost touched. "You can’t tell me, Reed Darlin, that you’ve been thinking about me since I was a snot-nosed kid." His big hand cupped her cheek. "I have. And you were never snot-nosed. Ornery, yes, and pig-headed, but never — " Mary plopped down on his abdomen, making him grunt. "Bull." "It’s true." He caught her hips and held her still. "All my adolescent fantasies were over you, sweets. You kept me awake more nights than you’ll ever know. But after awhile I managed to convince myself that we were best at being friends. And that’s true. You’re the finest person I know, and I’d die rather than

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give you up. I recently figured out, though, that I want more than just friendship." His thumbs rubbed her waist, gently, convincingly. There was no apology in his tone when he admitted, "I want everything." "Oh, Reed." He said the most wonderful things. It had always been that way. Whenever she was feeling low, she could count on Reed to cheer her up. He either distracted her, or teased her, or talked with her until she could put things into perspective. When she’d wanted to fix up her family home, he’d helped teach her how to do plumbing, and he and his father had taught her some carpentry. She’d worked the farm with him on occasion, and even helped his mother remodel the family room. She’d always cherished her time with him and his parents. Reed had learned the handyman tools out of the necessity for keeping an old farmhouse in showcase form, but he had no real interest in the work, not the way Mary did. He much preferred running the diner and made no apologies to anyone for it. After her father had died, he’d held her hand through the funeral, then baked her the absolute best peach cobbler she’d ever tasted. That night, when her mother insisted on being alone, shutting out her only daughter, Reed had held Mary while she cried. No one else had ever seen her cry. Choked now with emotion, Mary leaned down and kissed him lightly. "What would I do without you?" Reed tucked her hair behind her ears and with absolute conviction, said, "whatever needed to be done." His faith in her was staggering. When he tried to bring her back for another kiss, Mary leaned away. "You say you want everything." Her fingers trailed over his cheek, down his throat to his chest. "Well so do I. And right now, I want to touch you." She scooted back to sit near his knees and looked him over from his abdomen to the top of his head.

Chapter Four Reed growled. "When you say things like that, Mary, it makes me hot." "Good." She was certainly hot, and she relished the idea of him being in the same shape. Somehow, it seemed less risky that way. "You’re a witch." He sounded hoarse and she could feel the tension in his muscles. "Relax, Reed Darlin. And tell me if I do anything wrong." The sounds of their combined breathing mixed with the quiet night sounds of the yard: the creaking of a branch, the chirp of insects, the quiet splash of a frog in the lake. Mary spread her hands on his chest, enjoying the feel of crisp hair, hot skin, and solid muscle. "I love how hairy you are." He sucked in a breath and held it.

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"And how strong. And how caring." She leaned down to kiss his collarbone, the hard rise of a pectoral muscle, one small brown nipple. "I can’t believe this." She couldn’t either. Nothing had ever felt so right as being with Reed this way. "Shhh," she told him. The sound he made was both humor and lust. "I always knew you were bossy, but I only suspected the kinky part." Her tongue glided over his nipple, earning her more gasps and the additional straining of his large frame. "Oh babe— " Nuzzling her face into the dark hair covering his chest, she inhaled, then had to admit, "you smell good enough to eat." Her own body throbbed with sharp awareness, with need. Reed’s hands, against her orders, tangled in her hair. He cradled her head, guiding her mouth over his flesh while murmuring what sounded like encouragement — and prayers. Inspired, Mary stroked him all over, from his rock-hard shoulders and taut abdomen, to his straining thighs — and then in-between. Reed’s hips lurched, his fingers tightened."Mary," he said, his voice shaking, "I’m on a hair-trigger here, babe. This isn’t wise — " Mary felt the length of him with wonder. "You’re so big." Reed jerked away from her. His chest heaved, his gasping breaths were ragged. He pulled her down beside him and squeezed her close, his face in her throat, his body trembling. Seeing him like this, knowing she was the cause, excited her unbearably. Mary crooned to him, kissing his shoulder lightly and rubbing her hands over his broad back. Somewhere off in the distance a dog howled. Above them, an owl took flight. Mary, overwhelmed with so many new feelings, shaken with new awareness, finally admitted that she was madly, irrevocably, insanely in love. It made sense; she’d always loved Reed, but she’d thought that love was only friendship. She’d never dreamed that he might want more from her so she hadn’t even allowed herself to admit to her own dreams. Now she had no choice because he’d made her keenly aware of things that she’d always believed were out of her reach. He wanted to make love to her, she knew that. She wanted it too. But would it be enough when she wanted Reed forever, when she wanted home and hearth and the happy-ever-after? Maybe, she thought, feeling the press of his warm mouth on her throat, tonight would be the best she’d ever get. Tonight would be all he could offer. She’d be a fool not to take what she could get…

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Chapter Five "I’m sorry." Reed loosened his death grip on Mary, struggling to regain his lost control. She was his; every amazing, enterprising, teasing little unique inch of her. "You almost sent me over the edge." She tipped her head back to smile up at him. "Another first." Reed managed to dredge up a laugh to cover his raging lust. He had to hold himself back from lunging at Mary and making love to her on a scratchy picnic blanket. He had to remember that he wanted Mary for much more than a one-night stand. "I love seeing your face when you’re excited," she said. She leveraged herself up to one elbow and smoothed her fingertips over his cheekbone, his temple, the bridge of his nose. "You are so beautiful." "I’m a man," Reed said, scoffing at her description. "Men aren’t beautiful." "You, Reed Darlin, are the most beautiful person I’ve ever known, inside and out." Her words touched his soul. Reed closed the scant inch separating them and kissed her gently on the mouth. Her lips trembled on a sighing breath. In a husky whisper that barely penetrated the humid night, he said, "You’re the beautiful one. Will you let me touch you?" "Yes." His heart punched into his ribs, then fell to his stomach when she added, "But not right now. Right now, I’m just enjoying how nice it is to be held by you with all the beautiful stars overhead and the air so sweet." Reed thought about that. Mary had never had much cuddling. Even when she’d been a little girl, her parents had been self-absorbed. It had always been Mary giving and them taking. Emotion caused his arms to tighten. He wanted, needed, to tell her how much he cared, how much he wanted her. Not just for sexual adventures, but for the intimate talk a man and woman shared. They’d always opened up to each other as friends, but this was different; for him and for her. He’d grown up knowing how much his parents adored him, while Mary had only known her parents’ indifference. She’d learned to depend only on herself. Now he wanted her to depend on him, as well. He wanted her to want to be with him, every night, for the rest of her life. If he could show her how enjoyable sharing a bed would be — not just the lovemaking, but also the talking and the sharing — she’d be less likely to turn him down for a permanent arrangement. "You," Reed whispered into her ear, "will like the cuddling more if you get rid of these distracting clothes. I want to feel you, all of you. If holding and sleeping is what you have in mind, that’s fine with me. But I don’t want any barriers between us." He could feel her thinking, considering, and then slowly she nodded. "All right." She sat up beside him and the skimpy, teasing camisole got tossed aside. Her breasts glowed pale in the moonlight, and Reed

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couldn’t quite stop himself from cupping her. "Reed…" He smiled at the warning. "You are about the sweetest sight I’ve ever seen, Mary honey." He released her and sat up, too. "Lay down." "You promised." "And I always keep my promises — for as long as you want me to. You know that. But undressing you is a particular fantasy of mine. Why not indulge me?" He felt her growing tension and was afraid he’d moved too fast. Then she said, "okay." Keeping his gaze off her naked chest was nearly impossible, but he forced himself. He flicked her small sandals off, putting them in the grass beside the blankets before rolling her onto her stomach. "Let me get this zipper." Mary crossed her arms under her head and giggled. "Go easy. My behind is sore from that horse ride yesterday." Reed paused. "Is that so?" He looked down at her upturned derrière and grinned. Mary was in such great shape, the thought that she might have overused a few muscles hadn’t occurred to him. In one quick tug, he pulled her skirt down her legs. She yelped, but subsided and hid her face in her arms when he pulled off her panties, too. "Damn," he said, his voice sounding strangled, "you look fine, Mary, honey." Her folded arms muffled her teasing words. "You sure are a sweet talker." Reed straddled her slim thighs and spread both hands over her cheeks, rubbing gently. "I’ll make you feel better," he explained, ready to use any excuse to touch her. "A naked massage." She groaned in blissful surrender. "Who’d have ever thought?" About every guy alive, Reed thought to himself, while he concentrated on keeping his hands impersonal, or at least as impersonal as they could be while filled with a sexy female tush. "Just be quiet and enjoy. After I rub the soreness out, we’ll get some sleep." "This is another first, you know." "I would certainly hope so!" Because she was so obviously delighting in his touch, Reed extended the massage to her whole body. She sighed in ecstasy. "This is heaven." "Yeah." His fingers stroked deeply over her stiff muscles, around her shoulders, down her spine, working out the tension, relaxing her. With each gentle breeze, he could smell her, the light, womanly fragrance of her body as the night dew settled on her heated skin. The sight of her moon-washed nudity, the feel of her silky flesh, made him

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want to be inside her, want to look into her face as he took her. Her body was sleek, firm, strong. Long limbed and sexy. He leaned down and kissed one shoulder blade, then the indentation of her spine, down to the dimple on the right side of her behind. Mary sighed, shifted slightly, then sighed again. Incredulous, Reed sat back to look at her — and realized that her breath had evened into the deep meter of sleep. A smile curled his mouth and an invisible fist squeezed his heart. She worked so hard, exhausting herself to prove — more to herself than anyone else — that she could do it all. She may not be as physically strong as most men, but she made up for that with sheer determination. Reed patted her bottom before reaching for the extra quilt and pulling it over her. He settled on his back beside her and eased her into his arms. The stars were accommodating tonight, a million of them lending light to show the perfection of her features, her tipped up nose, her pointed too-stubborn chin, the tiny scar above her right eyebrow that she’d gotten falling out of a tree. He visually traced every line of her face, though they were already imprinted in his memory, as much a part of him as his own features. A light breeze ruffled her pale hair and she shivered, then snuggled closer to his side, wanting his warmth. Her bare leg slid across his abdomen, her knee nudged his groin. Reed gritted his teeth and concentrated on the constellations. Mary murmured in her sleep, and her arm reached across him. Her hand landed on his mouth, her breath drifted over his nipple, her hair teased his skin. To hell with this, Reed decided, suddenly so aroused again he felt near the bursting point. A man could only take so much provocation before he totally lost his control. He looked down at Mary, ready to give in, ready to seduce her if necessary so that he could stake his claim and end his torment. Her soft snore brought him up short. He stared, disbelieving that a woman could so easily arouse him in her damn sleep! But there was no denying it, he was hard as iron, and she was out cold. Reed dropped his head back with a self-deprecating groan. Just as well, he decided, trying to see the upside to having a naked, desirable woman beside him while being relegated to mere sleep. He needed her to want him with the same fierceness that he felt. He wanted her to crave him, and only him — for a lifetime. For now, he’d give her anything and everything she wanted. And when her birthday ended, he wanted Mary towant to be his wife, with no regrets, no hesitation. He wanted to hear her tell him that she loved him, not that she was just curious about sex. Her snores grew louder, making him smile despite the insistent throbbing in his body. Mary liked this sex business; even in her sleep, she sought out a sexual connection. He could use that to make her see the emotional connection as well. Being her first in every way would prove to her what a special relationship they had. The next few days would be a hell of a lot fun — if he lived through them!

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Chapter Six Mary woke up disoriented. She sat up, the quilt sliding down her shoulders and she stared down at her naked breasts in the harsh morning sunlight. A squirrel chatted busily overhead and a bird flew from one tree to another. She looked around, and was caught by the sight of the lake. The surface glistened with an almost blinding reflection of the sun. Ducks glided forth, fish jumped. It was an astoundingly beautiful day — and she was so in love she hurt. Reed.Just the thought of his name made her smile. She’d been silly in love with the man for the longest time and was just too dense to realize it. But now, after kissing him and touching him and lying in his arms all night, she knew what she’d been missing. She was so curious about so many things, about what a man and a woman did together, but she only wanted to share them with Reed. No other man had ever really interested her. But then no other man could have compared with Reed. "Penny for your thoughts?" Snatching up the quilt, Mary turned to see a bare-footed Reed approaching from the house, wearing only his jeans and a wicked smile, carrying a tray of coffee and cookies. Her mouth watered. "I was thinking," she lied, "how refreshing that lake looks. Remember when we used to swim there?" "I’ll never forget. You damn near drowned me when I was 12." Laughing, Mary denied that. "It wasn’t my fault you tried to be a hot dog by doing that flip and ended up hitting your head on the bottom." "Mom wouldn’t let me swim for the rest of that summer." "Which effectively kept me out of the water, as well." Mary took the cup of coffee he offered and sniffed the wonderful aroma before taking a long drink. She squinted toward Reed as he sat crossed-legged beside her. "I’ve always thought your mom was the best." Reed hesitated, then said carefully, "My mother adores you, too. She’d have had you live with us if she could." Mary wished it had been possible. Her best childhood memories were the times spent in the Darlin house. Everything that had been missing in her own home could be found there. Fondness. Teasing. Pride. Commitment. Mary looked away, feeling a swell of sadness. She loved the Darlins, and because of them, she’d always been acutely aware of what a family should be, of what her own wasn’t. "My mom is planning to remarry." She glanced at Reed and caught him looking at her bare shoulders. The morning sun was already hot, warming her skin, her scalp. The town would just be waking up, with the early morning buzz of traffic and shop doors opening, people coming and going. But here, it was so peaceful. Thank goodness Reed had an assistant to open the diner for him twice a week. He wouldn’t have to be in today until the late

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afternoon. Deliberately, Mary stretched and let the quilt slip a bit. Reed drew a long, deep breath. "Your mom should remarry. She’s too young to expect you to take care of her." That was funny; Mary made a face. "She’salways — " "Expected it? Yeah, I know. That doesn’t make it right. And besides, it’s time you started living your own life." Although Reed threw the words out as a casual suggestion, something in his tone made her look at him, but he was busy staring at the lake. Not that she’d put too much stock in one very simple, brief observation, because when all was said and done, she was still the town oddball, and she couldn’t imagine Reed being truly interested in her. She discarded the fact of his sexual interest. She was inexperienced, not stupid. Just about any man alive, when given her proposition would have accepted. And Reed, according to the gossip and her most recent observations, was more sexual than most. Mary gave a halfhearted shrug and reached for her camisole. Casual as you please, she dropped the quilt and tugged on the shirt. She felt daring, and she wondered just how good Reed’s control really was. "I am in the process of getting on with my life. That’s what this is about," she said with feigned nonchalance, smoothed the shirt over her lap and heard Reed gulp. "This what?" "What we’ve been doing the past few days. All this experimenting and experiencing firsts?" Hoping she looked calm, cool, and collected when inside she felt giddy with her own boldness, Mary popped a cookie into her mouth. She made appropriately appreciative sounds at the taste, before adding, "Which brings to mind something I always wanted to do but was too chicken to mention." Reed froze in the act of eating his cookie, then rasped, "What would that be?" "Skinny dipping." She hoped to prolong her time with Reed any way she could. "All those times you stripped down to your shorts for us to swim, I used to imagine you naked." His brows rose. "You did?" "You betcha. You’re a heck of a good-looking guy, Reed." To Mary’s amusement, he looked equal parts pleased, surprised, and embarrassed. "Lots of manly muscles in manly places. I was always especially partial to your abdomen." Mary peered at his very sexy, muscled midsection with the downy line of dark hair and she sighed. "I’ve felt that part of you now —" she blinked up at him " — so I think I’d like to see the rest." "Mary," Reed warned, staring at her with hot eyes, "if you don’t mind your tongue, I’m going to lose it." "Lose what?" "My control. You’re this close —" He held up two fingers a hairsbreadth apart, " — to having me steal

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that damn quilt away from you." Mary sipped her coffee to hide her satisfaction. "And then what would you do?" "Kiss you. All over." The cup trembled in her grip. "All over, as in…?" Reed leaned forward and took the cup from her, setting it safely aside. He took her shoulders and slowly lowered her back to the quilt. Looming over her, he whispered, "All over, as in every place I’ve touched, every place you like to be touched." He kissed her, a gentle teasing brush of his mouth. Heat went over her in waves, as if he’d already done it. That thought brought a frown. "Exactly how many woman have gotten under your apron, anyway? You sound awfully experienced to me." "Jealous?" he teased. "More like curious. It’s occurred to me that you know your way around the female body pretty darn well." "You’re complaining about that?" Incredulous, he sat up and finished his coffee. Mary huffed. Before realizing she was in love with him, she’d never given Reed’s other women much thought. Oh sure, she often got that tight feeling in her throat and chest whenever she’d seen Reed with a date, but she’d assumed that was concern for him because the woman was never the right woman. Now she realized no woman other than herself would feel right. "I’m not complaining," she explained, "it’s just…" "Mary." Reed gave her a sensual, promising smile, then stood. "There’s never been a woman you need to be concerned about, okay?" Before she could figure out what he meant by that, or even think of a reply, he slid down the zipper on his jeans, pushed them down, then off, and turned away to head for the pond. "You coming swimming or not?" Mary watched, mesmerized by the sight of his muscled behind and tanned back as he walked away. He knew he looked good, she realized, and he’d used that against her. He’d distracted her with his naked butt, rather than answer her question about other women. Mary slipped silently off the blanket, looked around the grounds until she found several acorns, then took aim. Reed had just stopped to look at her over his shoulder when she let the first one fly. It hit his behind with near perfect precision. "Ouch! Hey…" Reed turned, saw her aiming again, and said, "Now you’re gonna get it!" He darted behind a tree so that her second missile hit the tree instead. He peeked out, looked her over from head to toes and grinned. "This ought to be fun." "What?" Mary kept her arm in the air, waiting for the right moment. From behind the tree, he said, "Being challenged by a mostly naked woman."

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Good grief! She was so comfortable with him, and he’d made her so annoyed, she’d almost forgotten that she wore only a camisole that didn’t cover any part of her lower body. She turned for the quilt — and he charged her. Mary only had time to yelp. She abandoned the idea of the quilt and ran. Reed laughed behind her. "A beautiful sight, Mary, honey!" She knew her bottom was bouncing and she ran that much faster. But there was no place to go. Reed was taller, stronger, his long legs covering twice as much distance in less time. Then his hand snagged in her shirt and she was jerked off her feet. She screamed more from excitement than anything else. She didn’t fall. Nope, she found herself tossed over Reed’s rock-solid shoulder with a bird’s-eye view of that muscular butt she’d admired only minutes earlier. "Put me down!" "Okay." He headed for the lake and she couldn’t stop laughing. "Don’t you dare, Reed Darlin!" He fondled her bottom with a large hand, then kissed her hip. "Skinny dipping, Mary, honey. It was your idea, not mine." "But I —" That was as far as she got before she found herself flying through the air. Seconds later, the icy cold water closed around her and she screamed again from the shock of it, swallowing a mouthful of water. The ducks protested loudly, taking flight to the shore and making a racket as she burst to the surface. Mary shoved wet hair out of her face, cursed as she whipped around, and found herself not more than a foot away from Reed. He laughed at her. The stone bottom of the pond was covered in moss and she barely held her footing as she took a swing at Reed. He ducked and she ended up turning full circle, only to find herself hauled up against his wonderfully hard, warm chest. He kissed her, and she could have sworn steam rose around them. "Don’t get riled, Mary, honey," he whispered against her lips. "If you’d rather not swim right now, I can think of other things to do." Since his erection nudged against her belly, not the least intimidated by the icy water, she could well imagine what ideas he had. In fact, she had them too. "Tell me." He caught her naked bottom and lifted her into him. "We could go to the house. Take a nice warm shower…" "A shower?" That wasn’t at all what she’d had in mind. "Mmm. And I’d make sure I got every little inch of you real clean." A shower!It was starting to sound like a heck of an idea. "And then?"

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"And then I’d dry you off nice and easy…" "I don’t like the sound ofnice and easy. I think I’d rather hurry things along a bit." The man had far more patience in sexual matters than she did. "Ah, but I’ll make certain you enjoy every second of it, and I promise to reward you for your patience." "How?" "By kissing you from your head all the way down to your toes, and some very tasty spots in between." Mary blinked at him, her heart lodged in her throat. Her legs felt rubbery and her pulse raced so hard it was a wonder she didn’t cause waves in the water. She stepped around him. "Where are you going?" Reed asked. Mary kept walking. Her heart thumped so hard, she was amazed Reed couldn’t hear it. "To the house, of course. You’ve made some pretty big promises there — now let’s see if you can keep them…"

Chapter Seven Reed held Mary’s hand tightly on the way through the house, hoping she couldn’t feel how he trembled like a schoolboy. He wanted her, had always wanted her. But it was so much more than physical, so much more than anything he’d ever dealt with before. Mary didn’t say a word, silently keeping up with his long-legged hurried stride. Even when he strode into the bathroom and turned on the water to adjust the temperature, she didn’t say a thing. But she did smile, a secret little smile of anticipation that drove Reed crazy. He pulled her into the shower, watching her, planning his every move as he sudsed up his hands. It wasn’t until the warm water washed over her and his hands stroked her breasts that she broke the silence. "Reed!" His heart thundered at the way she called his name. Damn, but he loved to hear Mary when she was excited. Her voice turned all throaty and demanding. "Relax against me, sweetheart." He had her back to his chest and the showerhead aimed at her body. His hands, slick with soap, moved from her thighs to her belly, to her breasts again. He said close to her ear, "We wasted a lot of time, you realize. I should’ve gotten you naked ages ago." Her thighs trembled and she pressed her shoulders hard against him. "You were too busy chasing other women." "I was only filling up the time until I could get to you." Mary froze for a heartbeat, obviously stunned by his words, then she moaned as he glided his hands lower, down, down, until the water sluiced over her and she was gasping.

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"Beautiful," he murmured. She reached back for him, her fingers digging into his hips, trying to pull him closer. He’d had just about all he could take. Reed held her upright with one arm when he bent to switch off the water. Dazed, Mary stared at him with dark, heated intensity. She licked her lips. "Are we… are we up to the kissing part?Kissing everywhere ?" Reed nodded slowly and allowed his gaze to coast over her."Everywhere." He pushed the shower curtain aside and quickly dried off. Mary stood there, waiting, her wet hair streaming over her shoulders, her body dripping, her skin rosy with excitement. Reed wrapped her in a towel, then grabbed another for her hair. He liked taking care of her, pampering her. She deserved to be treated special, and he was beyond pleased that she allowed him to do so. There was no working the tangles out of her hair, but she didn’t seem any more concerned with them than he did. He caught her hands together in one of his, holding them behind her back while he moved the fluffy towel over her body, concentrating on her breasts, using the terry cloth to rasp her nipples until she moaned. "Open your legs, Mary." Holding her gaze, he brushed the towel gently back and forth. "You like that, don’t you?" She nodded, breathed deeply. "I’d like it more if you touched me." He dropped the towel. "Like this?" Using only his fingertips, he teased her swollen flesh. Her eyes started to close as he made his touch more intimate. "Look at me, Mary." He wanted her to be as connected as he was. He wanted her to recognize him as her mate, not just for this, but for life. He still held her hands behind her and the position thrust her breasts out slightly. Reed bent and kissed one straining nipple. When she started to instinctively pull away from the sharp pleasure, he held her tighter and licked her, nibbled, then sucked. He could feel her contractions, feel the increasing tightness in her body. He straightened, holding himself still, not withdrawing from her yet, but also making no attempt to drive her higher. "Not yet, babe. Not yet." "Why?" Reed released her, then swept her up into his arms. "You’re an impatient little thing, you know that?" "I know you promised I’d enjoy this." "And you will." When she lifted her brow as if in challenge, he said, "The kissing, remember?" He brushed her mouth with his own on his way through the doorway and to the bed. "I can’t wait to taste you." She gripped him hard and made a strangled sound. Reed lowered her to the mattress. "Now don’t get riled with me." He could already tell she wanted to rush him, but Mary was a feast resting there in his bed where he’d always wanted her to be, and he damn well intended to take his time. "I promise I know what I'm doing."

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That had her frowning real quick. "I don’t want to think about how you learned!" "Then don’t." He lay down beside her, lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. "Think about how I’ve always wanted you, how no woman could ever measure up to you." He bit the tip of one finger and added in a rough voice, "How I’d walk through hell for you, Mary, honey." Not wanting to hear what she might say to his heartfelt declaration, Reed kissed her. His tongue slid into her mouth, stroking, teasing while his hand went back to her breasts. Lord, he could easily spend hours, maybe days, just loving Mary’s breasts. She gasped when he pulled his mouth away, then gasped again when he kissed her throat, her collarbone. "I want you to trust me, okay? Just take deep breaths and relax." "Yeah. Okay." She nudged his shoulders, getting him moving again. Reed smiled despite the lust pounding through him. Mary was in a hurry, anxious for him to get started, and he loved her all the more for her boldness. No feigned timidity for his Mary. She was curious, she was hot, and she wanted him to get on with it. He kissed each breast, taking his time there despite her not-so-subtle hints and obvious impatience. He also spent several pleasant minutes kissing her flat belly and her adorable navel. She was strung so tight, even her toes were curled. Finally he dipped lower, then using his fingers, stroked her deeply. Mary moaned and stiffened. "I love when you do that." "I can tell." Carefully, gauging her response, he explored her. Her hips lifted against him. He let her feel his breath first, then his gentle nuzzling, and before she could really prepare for it, the bold lash of his tongue. "Oh my, oh my," she repeated over and over again. He would have grinned at her words if he hadn’t been nearly incoherent with need. He was gentle, wanting to bring her slowly to her climax. She moaned, her hips twisting. He locked his arms around her hips and held her steady while he took his fill, while he indulged every wild fantasy he’d ever concocted about her. Reed felt so full, so ready to burst that he hurt. But he wouldn’t have stopped, wouldn’t have cheated Mary no matter what. He wanted to devastate her, wanted her to remember this and him for the rest of her life. He wanted her to accept him on every level. Mary kept arching against him, the hungry, raw sounds she made urging him on and finally it was too much for him. He found her most sensitive flesh and drew softly on her, treating her to acute, nearly overwhelming sensations. And with a wild cry, she climaxed. He felt the trembling of her body. It went on and on and he knew, not only wouldn’t she forget, but neither would he. She was better than any fantasy. She was his. When Mary finally quieted, Reed pressed one last, soft lingering kiss on her flesh and moved up beside her. Her mouth was lax, her lips open as she breathed deeply, tempting him. He bent and kissed her. Her

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heavy, deep brown eyes barely opened. Her gaze was slumberous, soft. Reed kissed her again, harder this time, cupping her jaw and thrusting his tongue in so that she tasted herself, so that she understood his possession. Mary gave a small, startled sound of surprise, and lifted limp hands to his shoulders. "You’re mine," he said, sounding savage when he didn’t mean to. Her eyes opened a little wider, staring. Reed knew he had to get a grip or he’d have her fighting him for no reason at all. Mary didn’t take orders well and never had. She tended to buck any type of authority. If he wanted her to marry him — and he did — then he needed to ask her with all of the fanfare she deserved. That would require a modicum of normal intelligence, but until he sated his own needs, he wouldn’t be able to think at all, much less intelligently. He shoved himself up to sit at the side of the bed and jerked open the nightstand drawer. Hesitantly, Mary asked, "What are you doing?" "Getting a condom." He turned back to her with the condom in his hand. "I’m staking a claim." Mary looked from his face to the small foil packet. An impish grin spread across her face. "Well! It’s about damn time, Reed Darlin!" And then she had hold of him and was pulling him back into the bed and all Reed could do was give her her way…

Chapter Eight "This is what I wanted all along," Mary told him, watching Reed approach the bed. This whole sex business was far more exciting than anyone had let on. She’d heard women talking about fireworks and explosions — but with Reed, it was so much more. It was… emotional. She loved how he made her feel, both in her body and in her heart. He made her feel special. That was actually nothing new, but now it was so much more intense. Loving Reed, and beingin love with him, were two very different things. "I don’t want to hurt you," he whispered as he moved between her thighs. "You’ll tell me if any of this is uncomfortable. I’ll try to go slow —" "You talk too much." Mary wrapped her legs around his waist and lifted against him. "And you’re a terrible tease. Do youwant me to beg?" "No." He groaned. "Not necessary, believe me." His broad, beautiful shoulders glistened with sweat as he slowly, so very slowly, pushed himself inside her.

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Mary groaned, too, not with pain but with incredible pleasure. "More." A growled laugh and two seconds later, Reed gave her what she wanted. She felt the pressure building as he pushed deeper and deeper, felt the stretching of her inner muscles, but she also felt Reed, solid and powerful over her. Her friend, and now her lover. His scent was especially strong right now, hitting her on a basic level, making her want to drink him up. And the tenderness in his eyes… "I love you," she whispered, then bit her lip in shock. She hadn’t meant to say such a thing! She wasn’t like other women, wasn’t seduced by circumstances into losing control of her tongue. She didn’t want him to feel pressured or uncomfortable by her excess of emotion. "I…" His eyes flared with incredible heat and his body grew rigid. "You can’t take it back," he rasped, then pushed completely into her with a harsh groan. Mary held on tight as he found a deep rhythm, accelerating it until she couldn’t catch her breath, couldn’t keep from crying out. Without meaning to, she dug her fingertips into his shoulders. When Reed shouted, holding her so tightly she felt a part of him, she melted. Oh, she didn’t see fireworks, but she felt the explosion in every limb, in every fingertip. And especially in her heart. "I can’t move," Reed said some minutes later. Mary tightened her arms around his back. "Then don’t." It was all she could do to keep from crying, and she had no idea why. But Reed evidently heard something in her voice, because he lifted his head and forced her to meet his gaze, even when she tried to duck her head against his chest. "Mary?" She swallowed hard and felt like a ninny when one tear escaped to roll down her cheek. She was not a weepy person. Her parents had neglected her but she hadn’t cried. The town had frowned at her and she’d hid her hurt deep. But now, after receiving such incredible pleasure, she felt her emotions spilling over. It was such a dumb,female thing to let happen. Another tear joined the first. Reed bent forward and very tenderly kissed it away. "Are you all right?" he asked. Mary nodded. "Yes. In fact, I’m wonderful.You’re wonderful." She sniffed, then offered him a watery smile. "Thank you." Reed didn’t answer. He continued to watch her, his gaze probing as if he could see into her mind, as if he knew her heart was breaking. He rested his cheek on her belly. In a whisper, he said, "I’ve always thought about this." Feeling very uncertain of herself, Mary smoothed his dark hair. "About what?" "Being with you this way." He sat up and smiled at her. "I have some things for you. I meant to dole them out little by little, but I’ve been… distracted." Taken off guard by his new enthusiasm, she turned to her side to face him. "What do you have for me?" He went to the closet and brought back several packages, handing her the largest box first. "Open it." Mary laughed as she sat up and cradled the box on her lap. No one else had remembered her birthday,

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not even her mother. In fact, her mother was so excited about the prospect of remarrying, she barely remembered that she had a daughter. Carefully, she opened the box and pulled out the bright yellow hard hat, decorated with daisies. Biting back a grin, she stuck it on her head and asked, "How does it look?" "Almost as cute as you." Reed’s hand on her knee tightened. "It makes me horny to see you in your hard hat." He startled the smile right off her face. "It does?" Reed slowly nodded, then handed her the next package. "I just recently decided to give you this one." The present was around five by seven inches and flat. Mary tore the silver paper away, then felt her heart melt when she saw the photo of Reed and his horse, Biscuit. He looked incredibly handsome without a shirt, holding a curry brush in his hand. "My dad took that a long time ago. I was going to tell you to put it by your bed, just to remember me by, but now I figure it might have new meaning." Mary pressed the photo against her breast. "It does." She laughed self-consciously as another silly tear went down her cheek. "And if I keep it by my bed, I’ll likely never get any sleep." Reed drew a deep breath. He still held one package, the smallest one and the most ornately wrapped. "Thing is," he told her, "I don’t even want you to put it by your bed anymore." "You don’t?" "I want to put it by my bed." Mary’s mouth opened, but he put one finger to her lips. "Because that’s where you should stay." Dumbfounded, Mary could only stare at him. His last gift fell to the floor when he grabbed her shoulders and pressed her flat, then came over the top of her, pinning her down with his weight. "Marry me." Her heart lurched and her eyes widened. "Marriage?" "Why the hell not?" He shouted the words, then shook his head and ran a hand roughly through his hair. "Damn it, I meant to do this real nice. On one knee, with flowers, the whole bit." He met her flustered gaze with a glare. "But it doesn’t change anything. You want me. You even said you love me." So, Mary thought. That’s what this was all about. Sadness welled up to choke her, but she squelched it. She loved Reed far too much to let him be noble. "Reed, you don’t really want to marry me. What would everyone say?" "I don’t give a good damn what anyone says! Besides, anyone smart would say I was a lucky bastard for getting you." She shook her head. "If I hadn’t come to you with this crazy plan to get pleasured, you never would have —"

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She gasped when he gently shook her. "It wasnot a crazy plan! And I would have, anyway. I’d decided to marry you long before you made me that offer." Skeptical, Mary watched him while trying to decide what to believe. She loved him; it was possible she’d always loved him, even if she was only now getting around to admitting it. But Reed was only person she’d ever had in her life that she could feel that way about. It was just the opposite for Reed. He’d had very supportive, caring parents, the respect of the whole town, and half the single women after him. Why would he want to tie himself to her? Reed took one look at her face and heaved a sigh. Counting off on his fingers with measured impatience, he said, "You’re beautiful and sexy. And smart. And independent. And funny." He paused to say, "You do make me laugh, sweetheart. And I love playing with you, like with the acorns today." Then, with fingers once again lifted, "And you’re strong, and unique. And determined. Did I say intelligent?" Mary covered her face with her hands, laughing in spite of herself. "You’re nuts! And yes, you already said I was smart. It’s the same thing." "And I love you." Her hands dropped away. She stared at him helplessly. "Mary, I don’t want anyone else." His gaze searched her face, intent and determined. "I’d be miserable with any other woman." She drew a deep breath, feeling some of the restriction in her lungs ease away. "Oh." "Haven’t the past couple of days shown you how good we are together, inevery way? Didn’t you feel how special it is when we make love?" Mary swallowed hard and nodded, almost afraid to believe this was happening. "Here, I have a last gift for you." Reed reached off the side of the bed, groped around on the floor until he found what he was after, then handed her the small box. "If you don’t like it, we can pick out another." Her heartbeat unsteady, her palms starting to sweat, Mary peeled away the tissue paper and opened the velvet box. Inside was an oval diamond surrounded by small rubies. This time the tears came in earnest and there was no way she could hold them back. "Oh my." She blinked hard and sniffled. "Isn’t it… isn’t it just the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen!" Reed, grinning like a fool, used his thumbs to brush away her tears. "You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Now please, honey, say yes." She wanted to, she was ready to, but first… "I told you I love you." Reed nodded. "Happiest moment of my life." "You really do love me, too?" He kissed her silly. "I love you, Mary, honey. I always have. I want you to be my wife, to help me make this house a home again, and to become a permanent part of my family. I want to go riding with you and

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skinny dipping and I want to make love to you every night for the rest of our lives. Sometimes under the stars, sometimes in this bed. Hell, sometimes even on the kitchen table." His hands shook as he gently cradled her face."Now tell me yes." Laughing and crying, Mary threw her arms around him and shouted, "Yes!" "Hallelujah!" Pressing her face to his neck, Mary whispered, "This the happiest birthday I’ve ever had." "From now on, I’m going to make all your days happy." Mary believed him.

The End

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