Cord gazed down into Ky's somber blue eyes. The kid looked so much like him it was like looking back in time.

You mad at me now, Daddy?

For being a kid? Not on your life. He kissed the top of his head. But I will be ticked if you beat me at cards, boy.

Ky giggled and wiggled to be let down.

Cord felt like one piece of his life clicked back in place. Oddly enough, he still felt like another piece was missing.

AJ's cell phone rang at nine o'clock and she knew it was Cord before she saw the caller ID. Hey. What's up?

Ky's in bed. And I haven't seen you in over a week.

No small talk. Not a surprise. You wanted this 'deal' to end when your son returned.

I know.

Silence.

So? Why'd you call me?

To see if you'd come over.

Why? Because you missed me? Or missed the sex?

Did it really matter? She was leaving in a couple of days. Hadn't she wished for a chance to be with him again?

AJ?.

Yeah. Give me half an hour.

A sense of displacement and sadness rolled over her as she looked at the empty walls. Nothing remained of the years the Foster family spent here besides memories and the boxes stacked in the kitchen. Where would Macie and Carter start making changes? Plenty of repairs and updates dogged this old ranch house repairs the Fosters hadn't the skill or the money to implement. She doubted Macie would see the charm in leaky faucets, drafty windows, doors that stuck, a cellar with an uneven floor and an unreliable heating system.

Speaking of she wiped her sweaty brow. Why was it so damn hot in here? She'd shut off the window air conditioner because it kept shorting out, and she'd closed the windows because of the bugs. But it shouldn't feel like the damn furnace was running. Stupid coal heater in the cellar was acting up again.

Nothing she could do about it now and it wouldn't be her problem much longer anyway. Day after tomorrow the movers would load up everything and take it to the storage facility in Billings. Then she'd make a final walk through with the McKays and the banker and be on her way to Denver to finish school.

It was weird to think she wouldn't see her mother until Christmas. Not as weird as imagining Christmas wouldn't be here, at home, in this house, ever again.

Pull up your bootstraps, girl. Life goes on.

That it did. AJ had cried at Liza and Noah's wedding ceremony as they'd begun their life together. As she'd cried for Dag West, his life cut short too soon. It'd served as a reminder that things could be much worse in her life than moving away from home and unrequited love.

She grabbed her purse and drove to Cord's. He waited for her on the front porch swing. After a prolonged kiss, without saying a word, he took her hand, led her upstairs straight to his bedroom and locked the door. He stripped her bare. The need on his face ripped straight into her soul.

His clever hands and hungry mouth were everywhere and attempted to set her skin on fire. He perched her on the edge of the bed and fell to his knees, nudged her thighs wide and bent to taste her. A few teasing swirls and he latched on to her clit and sucked.

The intense concentration on that bit of flesh and nowhere else launched her into orgasm like a rocket booster.

While she attempted to return to sanity, Cord kissed his way up the center of her torso, tickling her nipples with his lips. Roll over onto your stomach.

Cord's rough fingers caressed her arms, the sensitive backs of her thighs and calves as he placed her exactly how he wanted her butt in the air, arms stretched above her head. He lapped her spine from tailbone to the nape of her neck, sending another wave of shivers across her body.

He maneuvered his cock inside her on a slow smooth glide. Every bit as good as I remembered. So goddamn good. When he layered his muscled chest over her back to drag kisses over her shoulder, she arched, craving the contact of his warm male skin on hers. While he drove into her, he straightened up and curled his hands around her hips.

AJ looked over her shoulder at him and her heart nearly stopped. Her fantasies paled in reality to this man, so ruggedly beautiful lost in passion. Eyes squeezed shut, jaw clenched. Lips full and soft from kissing her. Sweat gleamed on his torso. The veins in his arms bulged.

Cord sensed her staring at him and opened his eyes.

AJ didn't say a thing. His restraint snapped. He slammed into her over and over. She half expected to feel the bite of his teeth on her throat like stallions did during mating.

A guttural groan burst forth from Cord as she felt the end of his cock twitching, and her interior muscles contracted around the rigid shaft and sent her flying into an orgasm that stole her wits.

AJ collapsed face first on the bed. Firm lips feathered up her calves. He used his tongue on the back of her knees. More lingering kisses up her thigh. Then the other leg. On her butt. Cord spent a lot of time kissing, licking and nuzzling her lower back. Equal treatment to her arms and shoulders and by the time he flipped her over, she was shaking.

Cord kissed her until she was dizzy. Until she was sopping wet with need.

He whispered, Again, and picked her up, carrying her to the rocking chair in the corner. He straddled her legs across the arms of the chair and sank inside her. Always so ready for me, baby doll.

You know how to touch me to make me that way.

You're so damn sexy I never know where I wanna touch you first. He lifted her breasts to his mouth level. How about I suck these while you're ridin' me, cowgirl? I wanna feel your nipples throbbin' on my tongue when you come.

This go round was slower, a solid, steady rocking of the chair and a longer climb to pleasure. In the aftermath, Cord kissed her like he couldn't bear to have their lips be apart.

They didn't talk. They returned to bed and touched and kissed and made love until they were exhausted.

Sleepy, AJ shivered beneath the covers.

You're always cold. Cord rummaged in the dresser alongside the bed. Here's a Tshirt.

She slipped it on. Pathetic, but she had every intention of stealing it so she'd have something to remember him by.

I've gotta check on Ky. I'll be right back.

When he returned, AJ noticed he'd left the door cracked open. Cord spooned against her and breathed in her hair. Stay. Just a little while. I'll wake you up before dawn.

Mmm. Okay. She knew he'd keep his word because he wouldn't want Ky to find them in bed together. She allowed herself to drift away.

Two sharp pokes on her arm startled her awake. Her gaze flew to the alarm clock. Five thirty.

Dammit. It had happened again.

Two more insistent pokes and AJ moved her head to see mini-Cord, aka Ky wearing Superman pajamas, peering at her suspiciously. Amy Jo? Hey, how come you're havin' a sleepover in my daddy's bed?

Crap. She elbowed Cord in the ribs.

You coulda had a sleepover in my room.

By Ky's petulant expression he was upset because he considered her his friend, not his father's friend. Her fingers automatically reached out to smooth Ky's dark sleeptousled hair. No way, Jose. You snore.

Ky smiled. Daddy snores louder.

No kidding.

So did you move back for good? I shore missed you. Ky hopped up on the bed, right next to her. Are you gonna babysit me today? We could bake some of them cookies. And ride horses. Hey, wanna see the pitchers of the ocean Hang on, sport, Cord said in a husky morning voice. Let's have breakfast before you go makin' any plans.

Are you stayin' for breakfast, Amy Jo?

I-I don't know Please? Two enthusiastic bounces. Pleeeeaaase?

She was such a sucker for this kid. Okie-dokie, artichokie, but you'd better have a coffee cup out for me by the time I get down there.

His face bloomed with a devilish grin that was pure bad-boy McKay. I knew you would. You can even sit by me. The look Ky sent his dad dared him to argue about seating arrangements.

Why don't you get dressed and we'll meetcha downstairs? Cord said.

Okay. Ky stood on the mattress and bounced twice before he hurled himself off the bed like a long jumper.

AJ gasped.

Cord sighed.

Better'n last time, huh, Dad? Ky's little chest puffed up. Pretty soon I'll be able to make it all the way to the door. He scampered out.

Before AJ could comment, Cord's mouth was on hers for a deep kiss. He broke away and smiled. Good mornin'. And before you worry about my son catchin' us in bed, let me say it ain't the end of the world. He nuzzled her neck. Makes me think maybe we oughta go public with this. Maybe we oughta get married.

A whack upside the head couldn't have stunned her more than a marriage proposal. From Cord McKay. First thing in the morning.

What say we get hitched? We're compatible in bed and out. You know what it takes to be a rancher's wife. You like my kid and he adores you. You'd be a great mother to him and any other kids we have.

And I have all my teeth and I can cook, too, AJ snapped and jumped out of bed to scramble for her clothes.

What?

I am not a goddamn broodmare, McKay.

Fine. Maybe the reasons don't sound romantic, but why ain't it a good idea? You love it here. This could be your new home. You already know the land and my family. You could stay right here and you wouldn't have to go back to Denver.

Have to go? I want to go to Denver. I want to finish school because it is the single thing in my life I'm doing for myself and no one else. She yanked on her jeans. In the last few weeks Cord hadn't listened to a damn thing she'd said. He wanted her simply because she suited him.

At one time that might've been enough for her, but not now. Marriage should start with a declaration of I-love-you-and-can't-live-without-you. Period. It didn't make her childish to expect love, not compatibility, as a reason to spend her life with him; it just made his reasons emotionless and selfish.

AJ, listen She whirled around. Do you love me, Cord? Is that why you're hinting you'd like my boots under your bed every night?

Cord averted his eyes. There are more important things in a relationship than love.

Not for me there isn't.

The front door slammed and voices echoed in the foyer. Before either of them knew what the ruckus was about, footsteps pounded up the stairs. The bedroom door was flung open and Carolyn McKay raced in, Carson and Ky on her heels.

Carolyn threw her arms around AJ. Thank God. Oh, thank God you're okay, Amy Jo. We thought AJ couldn't breathe, Carolyn was squeezing her so tight.

Ky announced, Amy Jo had an overnight with Daddy, Gran-gran.

Cord groaned. Carson cleared his throat. AJ felt her cheeks flame.

That's good. Real good that she was here and not there.

There? What is going on?

Carolyn eased back and tucked a strand of hair behind AJ's ear. Sweetheart, I don't know how to tell you this.

All the blood drained from her face. Did something happen to my mother?

No, but your house caught fire and burned to the ground.

AJ stared, in utter shock. What? When?

About two hours ago, near as they can figure.

You're sure?

Yes.

But how?

No one knows. It went so fast the volunteer firefighters didn't get there in time to save anything. And we thought you were inside Until I realized your Jeep wasn't there, Carson said. We called Keely when we couldn't get you on your cell and she told us to check here.

The house burned?

Yeah, honey, I'm sorry.

Is there anything left?

Didn't appear to be. Didn't spread to the barn or any of the outbuildings so they're assumin' it was just somethin' in the house that somehow ignited.

AJ nodded numbly. I know Ma told you we'd been having problems with both the propane and the old coal furnace. Some of the wiring was kinda iffy too. I can't believe it. If I would've been there, maybe Don't say it, don't even think it, AJ, Cord snapped.

Not your fault. Sweetheart, we're just so glad you weren't there.

But everything else was. All our family pictures and furniture and the movers were supposed to come and get it all tomorrow Tears broke free like a dam breach.

Carolyn wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her from the room. She offered to make coffee; all AJ wanted was to see the wreckage that used to be her home. Alone. But Carolyn insisted on coming along.

Pumper-trucks and pickups filled the yard. When AJ caught the glimpse of the smoking pile of rubble, she covered her face and sobbed. The only thing that remained was the foundation and the cement walkway.