Page 54 of Hot & Heavy

Boar! "If I could have found a way home without your help, I would not have… inconvenienced you."

"Inconvenienced! Lady, you are a huge boulder in my life."

Boar!

After that, JAM brought a document for them to sign. Ian scratched out some words with a most ingenious pen—it had ink in its body—then turned to her. "I cannot write," she confessed.

All of them looked on her first with surprise, then pity. Why? Few men and even fewer women learned to read in her land. They were too busy trying to survive. Chin lifted with pride, she put a mark where JAM

indicated, then led the way to the back of the rude metal building, where a small repast had been set out.

A sweet cake with frosted words on top. Small pieces of bread with meat in the center. That bitter brew known as cough-he. And a red liquid that resembled weak blood; 'twas called punch. She had no appetite, but tried each of them. It would have been impolite to Amber and Dough-lore-ass not to. The men had no such reservations, gobbling the food and drink as if they hadn't had a break in fast a mere two hours ago.

The man known as Cage came up to her then, took her by the waist and twirled her about. "Best wishes, chère. It's time to kiss the bride." And he did just that. On the mouth.

The rogue!

Next came the man named after one of the apostles, Luke, also called Slick. He was a serious man, and the look he gave her was somber. Kissing her on the cheek, he said, "Give it a chance, honey, and this marriage just might work."

Hah! When fjords turn to mead!

Pretty Boy smiled before he gave her a warm hug. "Are you sure you don't find me unresistible?"

She laughed. Not while the lout is in the room.

Omar of the dark coloring—part Arab, she would guess—gave her an odd message after his light kisses on both her cheeks: "May Allah bless your pillow tonight."

Nobody better be coming anywhere near my pillow.

JAM squeezed her hands. "God bless you, Mrs. MacLean."

I am to be called Miss-us MacLean now? Ah, in the seal world, women must take their husband's name, unlike my country, where the woman retains her mother's name.

"I would not have performed this ceremony if I didn't think it was the right thing," JAM continued.

She nodded. It felt right to her, too.

Sly the Black—or so she thought of the tall man in her mind—grinned and lifted her high in his arms.

"Make the sucker beg, sweetheart. Make him beg."

I have no idea what that means, nor do I want to know.

Geek, the young man of great intellect, pulled her into a hug and said into her ear, "Come to me when you're ready. I'll help you find your country."

That was the most hopeful thing she'd heard all day. She smiled her thanks.

Ian saw Maddie smile at Geek and gritted his teeth. She doesn't smile at me that way. And why should she? I've been a world-class horse's ass.

So, what did he do, bumbling idiot that he'd become? He said, "Are you done sucking tongues with my teammates?"

She gasped at his crudity, and several of the guys protested his words, including Cage, who suggested to him, "Lighten up, mon coeur. It's just a custom."

He knew that. Although Maddie had her nose pointing to the ceiling, he saw the hurt in her eyes. Or maybe it was fear. This had to stop. He had to stop.

Twining his fingers with hers, he pulled her over to two folding chairs at the side of the quonset hut which served as the chapel. She resisted, of course. He pushed her down into a chair and sat beside her, still holding her hand.

She tugged.