Nikolai Two Months Later That morning we wake up early. Autumn is in the air and it is still dark outside. Star stretches luxuriously. I pull back the sheets to look at her naked body. I’d punished myself for years but fate sent me Star. Made her so irresistible that it pulled me out ofmy self-imposed hell.In the gloom her pale skin glows. I reach out a hand and caress her smooth hip. She looks precious. Beyond anything I own or could want. I need her to know it. If I die tomorrow, I will only be at peace if she knows it.“I want to show you something,” I say. “What?”“Get dressed in your riding clothes. I want to show you my brother’s grave.”Her face changes. Fear flickers in her eyes. I kept her in a state of insecurity. That flash of fear. That is what I need to destroy.“Are you sure?” she whispers. I smile gently. “Yes. It’s time.”We go downstairs in the silence of the house. A

Four Months Later Marian Gaenor shut her office door. She was bone tired and wished she hadn’t promised Bob, the man she’d been dating casually these past three weeks, that she’d go out with him tonight. Maybe she’d call and cancel.She’d grab the subway home and curl up with a good book. But it was her thirty-first birthday. She should celebrate.All the way home she debated canceling or going. Her phone was ringing when she got to her door. Rushing inside, she picked up the receiver just in time.“Hi, girlfriend, have any pizza?”“Chelsea. It’s great to hear your voice. I have wine but no pizza. Wish you were here.”“I am. I’m at the airport. I’ll get the cabbie to stop for pizza and be there shortly. You don’t have other plans, do you? I should have checked, but I wanted to surprise you.”“No. Come on. I can’t wait to see you.” As soon as Marian hung up, she called and cancelled her date. Ah, that felt good

“They look a lot alike.”Chelsea nodded as she started cutting the chicken. “They all resemble each other. The sister is dainty and a blonde, and the younger brother has light-brown hair, but you’d still know they were all from the same family. You’ll see tomorrow. And,” Chelsea added, “I’ve heard Anna is actually going to be there. I haven’t met her yet. I’m glad to see you and Rand are getting along great.”“Don’t start putting us together. Remember there’s a third, his fiancée.”“Not for long. See if I’m not right. Here, whip up the potatoes. I’ll put the chicken on the table.”Dinner was delicious, and Marian enjoyed watching the camaraderie between the three others at the table. When Rand excused himself to leave, Marian said she’d go, too. “It’s been a long day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”“Wait, I’ll get my flashlight and walk you to the cabin.” Dirk started out of the kitchen.“I’ll drive her,” Rand said.“Good idea.” Chelsea put her arm around Dirk, who’d come back to her side.R

Rand seldom got mad, but fury swept through him. He took a deep breath before answering. “Sit down,” he ordered.“I’ll do as I want.”“Please sit down.” He kept his voice level but firm. Something in his tone must have got through to her. She sat. “First, I have no idea why you slapped me. If you do it again, this conversation is over before it starts. Second, we are hardly engaged. You wanted time and to end it yourself. I’ve given you months. I’m out of patience. Our engagement is ending now, today.”“Hah, because I saw what you really are and called you on it. You’ve been cheating on me this whole time.”“And what do you use as proof? The fact I talked with another woman.” “I saw the way you looked at her.”His harsh laugh had her looking at him, puzzled. “I’ve never even kissed her. I wanted to, but I remembered our agreement. I think you’re throwing these accusations around because of your guilt. I’d bet you’ve been hunting for another husband and cheated on me.”The quick flush

Visiting the Nettles had gone well. The pizza they bought scented the truck with the wonderful fragrance of warm bread and melted cheese. Marian called to reassure Chelsea that Rand was bringing her home and they were having dinner at the cabin.Marian opened the front door, and Rand followed, carrying the pizza. On the table was a chocolate cake, a tall pitcher of iced tea, and an unlit candle. A small note read, “Have Fun.”Rand put the pizza on the counter, and Marian stuck the tea in the fridge.They looked at each other. She wet her lips, and Rand’s eyes darkened.“I suppose we must be civilized and eat first. The pizza is hot. But then I’m not very hungry.” He walked toward her. “What do you think?” he asked as he reached her. “Shall we start with dessert?” His fingers undid her first button. “Perhaps if we took care of this other hunger first, we might be more ready to eat.”Rising on her tiptoes, Marian brushed her lips across his sensual mouth. Her breasts touched his hard ch