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  She shoved the door inward and rushed past Kasey into the house. Skyler was standing in the kitchen in jeans and no shirt, drinking from a coffee mug.

  “Nice of you to visit, Kira,” he smiled.

  “And you can go to hell, too,” she raged, stamping around the room.

  “Kira?”

  She heard Kasey’s voice behind her. “I’ll kill him. I’ll dismember him. Piece by piece. Oh, damn it all to hell, anyway.”

  “Sit.” Skyler pushed her into a chair at the table and Kasey set a mug of coffee in front of her. “Drink. Then talk coherently.”

  She didn’t want to talk. She wanted to scream and shout and break things. But obediently she sipped the hot liquid while Kasey sat across from her and Skyler leaned against the counter.

  “Now,” he said. “Would you care to explain what’s going on?”

  “He walked out on me, that asshole cousin of yours. Left me sleeping in his bed, if you can believe it. With this stupid, insulting note.” She thrust the piece of paper at Kasey who read it and passed it to Skyler. “He’s just like all the others. No, worse.” Inexplicably she felt tears crowding in her eyes. “All I wanted was a nice, stable man who wanted to get married. Is that asking so much?”

  “We have to tell her,” Kasey said. “It’s not fair. And I might just kill him myself.”

  “Tell me what?” Kira looked from one to the other as the couple exchanged a silent communication. “What exactly is going on?”

  “I’m going to tell you what Grant should have told you himself,” Skyler said, “and explain why he ran the way he did. Kira, he’s not your typical love ’em and leave ’em jerk.”

  So he told her. About the heart attack at thirty-eight. The open-heart surgery. Having to step back from his company because of the stress factor, the long hours and demanding travel schedule.

  “My guess,” Kasey said after Kira pried the rest of the details out of her, “is he’s afraid. He wouldn’t let you see him naked because of the scar. Men can be just as vain as women, you know.” She sent a wink Sky’s way then continued. “He’s worried he might have another heart attack and die on top of you. He doesn’t want you to think he’s an invalid but he hasn’t figured out quite how to adjust his life yet, either.”

  “He was pretty miserable when he came by here earlier,” Skyler added.

  Kira stared at him stunned. “He came here?”

  “Uh-huh. And if ever I saw a guy in love, it’s Grant Havers. In love and scared to death,” he informed her casually, like they’d been discussing the chances of rain instead of the possibility of her future happiness.

  “So…he’s not an unemployed asshole?”

  Skyler laughed and sipped his coffee. “Maybe an asshole but he won’t be getting unemployment any time soon.”

  “I have to talk to him.” She turned to her sister. “Please. You have to tell me where he is.”

  Kasey gave her that no-bullshit look. “Are you sure he’s what you want? Regardless?” Her sister stepped closer to her. “The guy’s been through a lot this past year and as much as I love you, I don’t want him hurt either. Kira, you have to mean it if you go after him.”

  Maybe she hadn’t been before, but waking up this morning with Grant gone had clarified her feelings. She’d fallen in love with the sexy man. No way would she let a small thing like a scar keep them apart. Kira fought for what she wanted and what she wanted most was Grant. “Yes, yes, yes. Where is he?”

  “Okay. How well can you follow directions?”

  * * * * *

  Kira sighed and ran her fingers through Grant’s mussed hair. They were on the porch of the cabin owned by the Brody brothers, on the big double swing. Grant lying with his head in her lap. She had made him open his shirt earlier and now she reached down and traced his scar with the tip of a finger.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t think you could tell me about this. What kind of women did you hang around with, anyway?”

  He laughed, a soft rumbling sound. “Apparently the wrong kind.”

  “That’s why you’ve been so careful with sex, making sure you didn’t overdo.” She stroked his cheek. “Grant, what did your doctor tell you?”

  He sighed. “Both my doctors told me I could resume normal sexual activities. But…”

  “But you didn’t believe them? You, what, thought you’d expire on top of me?”

  “Something like that.” He reached up for her hand and twined his fingers through hers. “It’s a scary thing, Kira. Believe me.”

  “Oh, I do,” she assured him. “But if Kasey and Skyler hadn’t given me the scoop, you wouldn’t have had to worry about another heart attack. After your disappearing act and that note I’d have killed you with the handiest instrument I could find.”

  He kissed her fingers. “I’m sorry. I’ll apologize for the rest of my life, if it will help.”

  “Groveling is always good. So.” She let out a slow breath. “What happens now?”

  “I’d say that’s pretty much up to you. For myself, I want a stable relationship with a future. With you. And I need to start looking around for something to do besides counting my money.”

  Kira laughed. “I think there are plenty of options open to you.” Then she sobered. “Do you mean it? About us?”

  He sat up, swung his legs down and pulled her against him. “More than I’ve ever meant anything in my life.”

  She smiled at him, even as tears trickled down her cheeks. “That’s all I want, too, Grant.”

  He drew her head close to his. “Then I guess we’ve got a future to plan.”

  When he kissed her, she wondered if it was possible to be any happier than she was at that moment. Finally, she was going to get her happy ever after. Finally. With the man she least expected, but now couldn’t imagine another day without.

  Grant was everything she never knew she was looking for, but everything she needed.

  As their lips parted Kira whispered, “Here’s to a long, long future filled with surprises, love and lots of sex.”

  Grant pulled away to laugh, his bright eyes gleaming with happiness. “I love you, sugar, with every beat of my newly repaired heart.”

  “And I love you.” She pressed a quick kiss to his delicious lips then tugged him up. “Now, it’s my turn to play a little bondage.”

  Heat filled his blue eyes as they walked into the cabin. “Sugar, I thought you’d never ask.”

  About the Authors

  Desiree Holt: I always wonder what readers really want to know when I write one of these things. Getting to this point in my career has been an interesting journey. I’ve managed rock and roll bands and organized concerts. Been the only female on the sports staff of a university newspaper. Immersed myself in Nashville peddling a country singer. Lived in five different states. Married two very interesting but totally different men.

  I think I must have lived in Texas in another life, because the minute I set foot on Texas soil I knew I was home. Living in Texas Hill Country gives me inspiration for more stories than I’ll probably ever be able to tell, what with all the sexy cowboys who surround me and the gorgeous scenery that provides a great setting.

  Each day is a new adventure for me, as my characters come to life on the pages of my current work in progress. I’m absolutely compulsive about it when I’m writing and thank all the gods and goddesses that I have such a terrific husband who encourages my writing and puts up with my obsession. As a multi-published author, I love to hear from my readers. Their input keeps my mind fresh and always hunting for new ideas.

  Allie Standifer has lived in various places around the world. The gift of travel enables her to create the rhythm and feel of far-off places and feed an overactive imagination. Her life has been one of constant adventure, including growing up in Saudi Arabia, where her brother tried to sell her to Bedouins (for what amounts to less than $1.50). It’s been nonstop; she loves every minute of it.

  Ideas, plots, characters and conversations k
eep her company inside her head and fuel her need to write. And no, they don’t tell her to start fires. :) Tired of everyday stories, Allie adds paranormal twists to her tales. They’re filled with past lives, chain-email-sending oracles, mythical creatures, magic, sexy gods, and heroines who know exactly what they want—and aren’t afraid to go get it.

  Free time is spent spoiling two nieces and two nephews, pumping them up on sugar and caffeine and buying very loud toys then sending them back to their parents. The perfect revenge for all the slights of being the youngest child. When not writing or contributing to the delinquency of minors, or trying to outsmart her psycho cat, she spends time with her wonderful and supportive family.

  Desiree and Allie welcome comments from readers. You can find their websites and email addresses on their author bio pages at www.ellorascave.com.

  Tell Us What You Think

  We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at [email protected].

  Also by Desiree Holt & Allie Standifer

  Kidnapping the Groom

  Turn up the Heat 1: Scorched

  Turn up the Heat 2: Scalded

  Turn up the Heat 3: Singed

  Seductive Illusion

  Also by Allie Standifer

  Erotic Escapes 1: Tease Me in Tunisia

  Erotic Escapes 2: Pleasure Me in Petra

  Erotic Escapes 3: Snared in Siberia

  Twenty-Four Hours

  Also by Desiree Holt

  Cougar Challenge: Hot to Trot

  Cupid’s Shaft

  Dancing With Danger

  Diamond Lady

  Double Entry

  Driven by Hunger

  Eagle’s Run

  Ellora’s Cavemen: Flavors of Ecstasy I anthology

  Mistletoe Magic: Elven Magic with Regina Carlysle & Cindy Spencer Pape

  Mistletoe Magic: Touch of Magic

  Emerald Green

  Escape the Night

  Hot Moon Rising

  Hot, Wicked and Wild

  I Dare You

  Journey to the Pearl

  Just Say Yes

  Letting Go

  Line of Sight

  Lust Unleashed

  Night Heat

  Once Burned

  Once Upon a Wedding

  Riding Out the Storm

  Rodeo Heat

  Switched

  Teaching Molly

  Trouble in Cowboy Boots

  Until the Dawn with Cerise DeLand

  Where Danger Hides

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer ebooks or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

  www.ellorascave.com