Ben stopped with a fork piled with meat hanging in the air. "Excuse me, did you just say the s.e.x was okay?"

Gina dipped her fork into the creamy looking stuff and lifted it to her lips, stuck the tines in her mouth, and sucked the contents off. She nodded and stifled a moan. This stuff, whatever it was, was fabulous. Oh G.o.d. The man was better in the kitchen than he was in bed, and that was saying something, especially since he was cooking on a wood stove and he was a virtual G.o.d in bed and hillbilly hot tubs. When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her.

"You have about five seconds to take that back."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Gina cut into the meat; it was done to perfection, nice and rare. She dipped it into the creamy stuff and slid it between her lips. Yup, definitely better in the kitchen. And she'd die before she'd admit he was the best lover she'd ever had. Lord, it would so suck if he was the best she'd ever have. The thought made her pause. Her life might very well be downhill from here-at least when it came to food and s.e.x.

Ben sat back in his chair and rocked it on two legs cradling his wine gla.s.s in his hand. "You haven't taken it back."

Gina took a bite of a carrot and chewed slowly while she stared at him. "I don't plan to. Lord only knows what would happen if your head got any bigger. Besides, it's not as if I said you were a bad lover."

"Yeah? Well, from the way you screamed at the country club, me and everyone in Three Wh.o.r.es Bend knows you're a liar."

Gina was just yanking his chain so he yanked back. Gina's face turned a lovely shade of red that matched the wine she gulped after she choked. He knew no one heard her, but she didn't. Still, it didn't affect her appet.i.te. At the rate she was eating, they'd never last the two weeks he'd planned to stay without going down for more supplies.

When Ben finished the food on his plate, he sat back to enjoy watching Gina. The puppy nudged his leg. He picked her up and held her against his chest. Her puppy breath fanned his neck as he rubbed her back. A moment later, Jasmine was asleep.

Jasmine was growing on him, just like Gina. It was a good thing she'd reminded him this was temporary. As difficult as the woman was, she was a lot of fun to f.u.c.k with-literally and figuratively-and he planned to take full advantage until it was over. He was sure he'd have her out of his system by then, and have no problem moving on. After all, most women were fun to have around for a week or two; it was at about the one-month anniversary he'd lose all interest. Since he and Gina had really only been together three days, there was still plenty of time to enjoy her. By the time they tired of each other, she'd be back in New York and he'd be back to doing the same thing he always did. He slid Jasmine down off his chest, held her like a baby in his arms, and ignored the fact his happily ever after didn't seem so attractive.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

Ben blinked. "Sorry, I was just thinking, I wasn't staring on purpose."

"Yeah?" She took his plate and piled it on her empty one. "You look like my sister did the first Christmas my parents didn't bother to buy presents. I had to tell Tina there was no Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy were all lies too." She tilted her head and kept up the pressure. "What were you thinking about?"

"How old were you?"

Gina shrugged, looked him square in the chest, and stuck her hands in her pants pockets. "I don't remember. But you didn't answer my question."

Gina rarely brought up her parents. The few things she did say left him wondering about all the things she didn't mention. He hoped she'd told him the worst of it, but he had a very strong feeling she hadn't. "Nothing so tragic. Jasmine is asleep and I don't know where to put her. I have dishes to do."

Gina hauled the plates to the counter and returned to take the serving plates. "I'm more than capable of doing dishes, especially since you wouldn't let me help cook. Stay with the puppy and let me handle it."

Ben stood and shoved the puppy at her. "I have a pot of water heating for the dishes. That thing is as big as you are. Let me take care of it and the dishes, you take baby duty." He picked up the meat and what little was left of the polenta. d.a.m.n, the woman could definitely pack the food away. He was surprised she could move. "I'll let you make it up to me later. We'll see if we can improve on the s.e.x. I'm a man who won't settle for just being okay."

Ben did the dishes while Gina sat on the couch holding the puppy and staring off into s.p.a.ce. There was something going through that amazing mind of hers, something she was nervous about. She set the puppy down to sleep on the couch, and paced back and forth across the front room.

"Want to talk about whatever it is that's bothering you?"

She shoved her hands in the pockets of her too tight jeans. "No, nothing's bothering me."

She was lying. He'd spent the last three days glued to her, on top of her, or inside her, and he'd learned a few things. Whenever she out-and-out lied, she couldn't look him in the eye and she always tried to find something to do with her hands-like shove them in her pockets. Still, there wasn't much he could do to help if she wasn't willing to talk to him. "If you change your mind, I'm here."

She threw herself on the couch. "I just need to make a phone call."

"So use my phone."

She dug a business card out of her pocket. "It's two hours later on the East Coast, after business hours."

"If something is worrying you, call tomorrow."

"I'm not worried."

Yeah, right. "I'm sure Rosalie has everything under control at the office."

"I know. Look, it's nothing. I guess I'll just call tomorrow and check in."

"Good." He folded the towel he'd used to dry the dishes, and tossed it on the counter. "Come on, let's take Jasmine for a walk and check out the stars; they're amazing here."

Gina allowed him to pull her off the couch. "Hate to disappoint you, but I've seen stars before. We do have them in New York too, you know."

"Not like this you don't."

Gina rolled her eyes as she slid the rope around Jasmine's neck. "Right, everything's bigger out West."

Ben just smiled, "Pretty much." He got one of her new jackets off the coat rack. "Here, put this on."

She looked at him as if he was nuts. "Why?"

Ben let out a slow breath, wondering why she insisted on questioning everything he said. "Because once the sun sets, it gets really cold at this elevation."

She shrugged the jacket on and took Jasmine's leash back from him. He grabbed his coat and followed her out.

"Wow!" Gina stood in front of the cabin with her mouth hanging open. The moon was full and the stars were about the size of dimes sparkling overhead.

"Told ya, everything's bigger out West."

Looking him up and down, she stopped at his fly. "Not everything."

"Very funny, I didn't hear you complaining earlier. You were too busy screaming in ecstasy."

She walked away laughing. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better."

Ben wrapped his arm around her as they strolled toward the back meadow. "Sweetheart, if I were any bigger it wouldn't fit. I think our sizes are d.a.m.n near perfect." He chose to ignore the fact that she'd yet to stop cutting him down and instead be thankful that s.e.x was never far from Gina's mind. It was comforting because whenever she was around, it was never far from his either. He had the perfect evening planned-a good meal, a moonlit stroll, making out in front of the fire, and then off to bed.

Jasmine did her thing, not that Gina noticed. She was too busy staring at the stars. She looked beautiful in candlelight; in moon and starlight, she was simply breathtaking. She was also shivering.

"Come on, let's put the baby to bed and curl up by the fire."

A picture of Rafael popped into Gina's mind. For the few days her parents had kept him, Gina would take him to bed with Tina and her so that she could care for him when he needed to be fed and changed. She'd heard her father complaining about having another mouth to feed and Rafael's crying. Gina thought as long as Rafael didn't bother him, he'd be safe, but she'd been too young and naive to ever see it coming.

Ben wiped a tear from her cheek she hadn't known was there. "Gina, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. When I get cold, my eyes water." She needed to get herself back under control. Ever since she hired that detective to find Rafael, memories she'd long since locked away came back full force. It had been ages since she'd allowed herself to revisit them. Still, she couldn't help but wonder if by doing so, she'd remember something else that would help in the search. Lord knows, a name wasn't much to go by.

Ben tipped her chin up with his warm hand and stared into her eyes. "I can help. Whatever you need, I can help."

He looked so sincere. For a moment, she almost let herself believe him. But then, what would he think of her? Shame she hadn't felt in years flooded her. No. Ben had no idea what he'd offered or even asked of her. His was a different world; it was nice and neat and so far away from hers. "I need you... to rub my calves. These boots you bought are killing me."

Gina let herself be pulled into Ben's arms. He felt so solid, and big, she leaned against him and allowed him to hold her and take care of her for a minute. She breathed him in, his familiar scent comforted as much as excited her.

"You can trust me with whatever it is, Gina. I promise."

No, she couldn't, but she could lose herself in him and the feelings he set off in her. She hugged his neck. He straightened to his full height and her feet swung more than a foot off the ground. She wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling the ever-present bulge in his jeans as she nuzzled his ear with her cold nose, raking her teeth over his earlobe. "It's too cold to make love under the stars, so you better take me home."

With every step Ben took, Gina's body ground against his erection making the trip, like Gina, both exhilarating and maddening. When he finally got the three of them hustled into the cabin, he dropped Jasmine's leash, kicked the door shut, and pinned Gina against it. Her eyes went wide as he took her mouth. He tasted emotion, the hidden vulnerability he'd come to recognize, and her need. He wanted it all, her att.i.tude, her energy, and her secrets. He wanted to possess her, and he would. He'd find the lock she had on her emotions, her past, and her heart, and pick it open. She wouldn't shut him out again. Gina tugged the zipper of his jacket down and off his shoulders. He freed one arm, wrapped it around her waist before releasing his other arm, letting the jacket drop to the floor.

"Let me down." Oh, so she thought she was running the show here. Of course, the last three times they'd made love, it had been on her terms, but not this time.

Ben carried her to the fireplace and laid her down on the rug beside it. He gripped the edge of her jacket and shirt, and without warning pulled them over her head leaving her looking stunned. He took full advantage and unb.u.t.toned and unzipped her jeans. As Gina arched her back to help remove them, he cupped her in his hand, sliding two fingers deep inside her as he sucked her breast into his mouth through her bra, and sent her over.

Watching Gina unravel in his arms had him groaning. Her physical need sated, he had plenty of time to work on her emotional ones. He'd attack her the way she did him, from all sides.

Ben took his time admiring the hot-pink bra that lovingly held her b.r.e.a.s.t.s out to him like a buffet, the peaks of her nipples darting the fabric. Ben traced the lace edge with the tip of his tongue before sliding the bra strap off her shoulder with his teeth. Kissing the path down to her taut nipple, he traced her areola while he released the front clasp, and sucked her breast deep into his mouth. She groaned as he pulled, flattening his tongue, drawing the nipple between it and the roof of his mouth. Her nails raked his scalp sending a shot of need right into his b.a.l.l.s, and his gut clenched. It was a d.a.m.n good thing he still had his pants on or he'd be lost. He dragged in a breath and dug deep for control, but all he got was the scent of clean mountain water, shampoo, and Gina; it was as intoxicating as any narcotic.

Gina reached for his pants and tugged on the b.u.t.ton and zipper. "I want you."

He smiled as he rose to take his pants off. "Sweetheart, I'm yours for the taking."

Before he could return, she was on her knees, her hand grasping his erection tight, and her hot wet mouth taking him in. Ben was sure he'd lose it right then and there. The sight of Gina on her knees coupled with the feeling of her sucking on him was the most erotic thing he'd ever experienced. His knees nearly buckled and his d.i.c.k throbbed.

"Oh, no. Not tonight." It almost killed him, but he stepped back, lowered himself onto the rug, and pulled her into his arms. He ravished her mouth, explored her skin, and laid her down beneath him. Everywhere he touched she trembled, the firelight danced over her naked body as his mouth stoked and chased other flames. Every time she got the chance, she tried to turn the tables and he blocked her advance. Finally as his lips and tongue trailed from her bellyb.u.t.ton down, he felt her release a breath, and finally surrender. She was his. He plunged his tongue inside her, tasting her, driving her up, and holding her there with his mouth and hands.

The tugging on his hair made him look into Gina's eyes. The promise he saw there had Ben kissing his way back up her body. Gina's mouth met his, her hand held him in place as her legs tightened around his waist. Without moving, he slid into her fist-tight sheath. Heaven, a rush of slick warmth surrounded his c.o.c.k and the first flutter of her o.r.g.a.s.m clamped down on him setting him off. Never had he felt such intense heat, friction, and the wetness.

Alarm bells rang through his muzzy brain. "Gina. No condom." f.u.c.k, he tried to pull out but her legs were snaked around him tight. With every movement, he ground against her.

"Don't leave. It's okay. Just love me."

"I do." The second he said the words it was as if time stood still. He couldn't call them back and realized that not only did she hear them, but scarier still, he'd meant them. He wasn't sure when it happened or how, but his wife had gone and wrapped him around her little finger. The worst thing was he'd said it aloud. He'd given her all the information she needed to destroy him. He waited like a man with his neck on the guillotine.

Her eyes went wide and then softened before she pulled him down and kissed him with such sweet tenderness, she stole what was left of his heart. She moved beneath him, urging him on, her nails digging into his shoulders, her heels pressing against his lower back, as she rocked against him, deepening their connection. Her o.r.g.a.s.m crashed though him, hot, hard, and insistent. She buried her face in his neck and cried out.

Caught in the swirl of emotion, he lost his fight for control as he came holding her tight never wanting to let her go.

s.h.i.t. He was so f.u.c.ked. He was also so spent he could hardly move. All he could do was roll over taking Gina along for the ride. He made it onto his back when she jumped off him and flew into the bathroom. "Gina?"

He hoped she remembered that the bathroom hadn't yet defrosted enough to use. He pulled on his jeans, took a deep breath, and went after her. He tried the door. It was locked so he knocked. No answer. "Gina, are you okay?"

"Just fine and dandy." She blew her nose and she didn't sound anywhere near fine. Then again, neither was he.

"Would you please come out?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Whatever happened to my right to privacy?"

"That goes right out the window when you make love to someone and then practically run away from him right after he tells you he loves you." The door opened a crack and all he saw was a part of her blotchy face. d.a.m.n, she was crying. He hated when women cried, he really, really hated it.

"You did not say you loved me. It was just..." A hand flew up in front of the crack in the door. "...one of those things people say when they're having s.e.x. Right?"

"Wrong. I've never said that to anyone before." And with the way this experience was going, he'd probably duct tape his mouth shut to make sure it never slipped out again. "Either you come out or I'm coming in."

Ben peeked through the crack and saw tears cascading down her face. She was not a pretty crier; she was red, swollen, and botchy. She blew her nose. "Gina?"

"What?" She wrapped a towel around her before opening the door. "You look yummy and I look like something Jasmine puked up."

Ben pushed through the door and took her in his arms. "No you don't. Now tell me what's wrong?"

She looked as flummoxed as he. "I... I... don't know."

"Shh. Come on. He pulled her along with him into the bedroom, turned down the bed, and lay beside her. Once he wrestled the towel out from around her, she pillowed her head on his shoulder and finally relaxed against him, but the waterworks still hadn't stopped. Good thing he wouldn't melt. "When Karma was a kid and started crying, I used to bribe her to get her to stop. I take it that won't work with you."

Gina sniffled and poked him in the ribs. "Don't you think I'd stop if I could? I'm mortified, and I'm ugly, and blotchy, and snotty."

"Well, sweetheart, if you're trying to scare me away, it's not working."

Chapter 13.

Gina couldn't stop crying, and for the life of her, she didn't know why she started in the first place. Right now, though, it was all she could do not to bust out in another torrent of tears. She was dying of embarra.s.sment.

Ben's hand ran up and down her back, just like he'd done to Jasmine earlier. "Feeling better?"

She cuddled closer to his side, trying to hide her blotchy face in his neck. "Why can't we just pretend this never happened?"

"Because there's obviously something bothering you, and if that something has anything to do with the fact that I love you, we have a problem."

"There's no problem. This crying jag is nothing. I have no idea why it started or why it won't end, so it has no place in my reality."

"I love you."

Why did he keep saying that? He was insane. Maybe it was mountain fever or it could be cabin fever, she'd heard of that somewhere. Maybe it was insanity caused by being in the middle of nowhere. Gina poked him in the ribs again. "No you don't. You might think you do, but you're wrong. Stop saying it, and sooner or later, you'll come to your senses."

Ben pulled her on top of him and kissed her through her tears. All she could think of was how gross she looked and felt. Her head ached, her eyes were puffy, her face felt tight and sticky from G.o.d only knows what, and she had turned into one big red blotch. She slid down his body to get away from his mouth only to encounter Mr. Happy. He stiffened even more and groaned. "You can't seriously be h.o.r.n.y again."

"You're naked and on top of me. That's about all it takes, but then just being in the same room with you usually does the trick."

His erection pressed incessantly against her. "I thought s.e.x started getting old once you got married. Not that this marriage is real or anything. But still, you'd think there'd be some carryover."