Page 119 of Hot & Heavy

"Well, then, I guess I'd better show you."

And he did.

Three times.

Then he died himself, so to speak.

Ian said the oddest thing to her a short time later, after he'd donned his garments. They were walking across the sand back toward the house when he stopped and looked her directly in the eyes. "Please don't ever leave me… no matter what."

It was odd because men left her, not the other way around.

The beginning of the end…

Maddie was leaving him.

Oh, she said she was going to Blue Dragon for a short visit with her family, but Ian just knew she would never come back. Every instinct in his body screamed, Make her stay! But he didn't, of course. Besides, the entire SEAL Team Thirteen, which also included Torolf, was leaving on Monday for San Clemente Island, where they would engage in extreme terrorist training.

"Why don't you come with us for a few days?" she asked. They were standing in a loose embrace at his open front door. Torolf was at the wheel of an Expedition van out front which would take Maddie, her father and the two uncles back to the vineyard today, where a massive family reunion was being planned for the weekend. The motor was running, and soon the horn would be blowing. Sam was rubbing her body against Maddie's jeans-clad leg, meowing in one long whine; the cat obviously sensed she was leaving.

"You know I can't. Today's Friday. We're leaving Monday for training. Just not enough time." That was a lie, actually. If he'd really wanted to, he could have gone by plane and spent a day there, even two. But this was her time with her family, and he didn't want to intrude. More important, he was scared spitless that someone would find out they weren't really married before he was ready to tell Maddie. He was going to see how they could straighten out this mess while she was gone.

She nodded. "I'm afraid. Don't look at me like that. I know I've said I have no fear, but I do where you're concerned. What if you find someone else while I'm gone? What if your former betrothed wants you back?"

Something must have shown on his face.

"She already has expressed such a wish?" Maddie bristled. "When did you see her last?"

"The day you were taken, actually."

Maddie tried to pull out of his arms, but he wouldn't let her go. "While I was here waiting with Geek…

while those brutes kidnapped me, you were off cavorting with your betrothed? And she told you she wants you back?"

He nodded. "I told her I'm not interested. I told her I am married."

"Oh," she said and ceased her struggles. "I miss you already."

He kissed her softly. Stay. Please stay. Feel how much I want you to stay. I'm selfish. I know I am.

But stay.

She didn't read his mind.

Ian hated the fact that he was keeping a secret from Maddie… that they were not really married.

The truth shall set you free, he told himself.

Then immediately answered, Bullshit!

Surely Maddie would understand when he finally told her… say, a year or five from now. "Maddie, what would you think about us going to Las Vegas when you get back and getting married again?"

She cocked her head to the side, studying him. "Why?"

He wet his lips nervously. "It seems like maybe we should start this marriage over in the right way, instead of our being forced into it."

"What a romantic idea!"

I am such an ass.