Free To Love and Cherish by Diana Palmer Page A

building the pressure until she moaned with hunger, until she went up on tiptoe to tempt him into increasing it even more, her body arching, aching, as it sought his, her mouth hungry and trembling, her voice breaking on a sobbing moan as it echoed the deep pleasure he was giving her.
    King tore away abruptly and lifted an eyebrow as he looked over her head. His face was as hard as ever, completely unmoved by the hunger in the kiss they’d shared. That registered somewhere in the back of Shelby’s whirling mind even as she heard his voice as if through a great distance.
    â€œDid you want something?” he asked conversationally.
    Danny’s smooth voice replied, “Only my fiancee.”
    Shelby felt her heart stop. She pulled shakily out of King’s embrace and turned, darting a shy glance at Danny, who looked for all the world as if he was trying to keep from laughing. But he composed himself quickly and moved closer.
    â€œAre you sure she wants to go with you?” King asked arrogantly.
    Everything began to make terrifying sense as she saw the glitter of triumph in King’s dark eyes. All of this was for Danny’s benefit. It was hitting below the belt, but it seemed he’d go to any lengths to keep her from marrying his brother, even if it meant making her fall headlong in love with him. And she’d done exactly that, she realized with a coldchill. She’d fallen into a carefully baited trap before she ever realized it.
    Gathering the shreds of her pride, she lifted her head proudly. “Tell him, Danny,” she said gently. “If you don’t, I will,” she threatened when he hesitated.
    Danny sighed heavily, as if the timing didn’t suit him. “All right.” He met his brother’s puzzled eyes. “Shelby and I aren’t engaged, King.”
    King’s hard face grew even harder. His eyes narrowed. “You’re what?”
    â€œNot engaged.” Danny stuck his hands in his pockets, looking faintly sheepish. “I engineered it to keep you people from flinging Mary Kate at my head. I thought that if you thought I was already engaged, you’d get off my back. Mary Kate’s okay, but I’m not ready to get married yet.”
    King looked as if he wanted to hit something. His eyes flashed fire.“Why the hell didn’t you say so, then?” he demanded fiercely.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, brother mine?” Danny taunted. “Frustrated because I didn’t throw a punch at you for kissing my girl?”
    â€œFrom where I was standing,” King said tightly, “It looked as if she was doing the kissing.”
    A muffled sob broke from Shelby’s lips. “Oh, you beast,” she whispered achingly, her eyes accusing and hurt as they met King’s.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, honey, does the truth hurt?” he asked mockingly, his smile more an insult than the words.
    â€œKing!” Danny growled.
    â€œStay out of it,” the older man said curtly. His eyes pinned Shelby. “Why don’t you go the hell back to the city where you belong? The joke’s over, and it’s on you, honey. I’m just grateful I don’t have to wasteany more time on you to make Danny come to his senses!”
    With a gasp of shame, she turned and ran into the house. Danny glared at his brother.
    â€œWas that really necessary?” he asked gruffly.
    â€œWhat the hell were you trying to do, Danny?” King demanded, ignoring the question. “You’ve been halfway in love with Mary Kate for years. What was this charade in aid of, to draw my attention to Shelby? I don’t want her! I never did! So why the hell don’t you mind your own damned business, and keep your nose out of mine!”
    â€œKing, let me explain…” Danny began.
    â€œGo to hell,” was the cold reply. King turned on his heel and stalked off.

Six
    I t was Saturday afternoon when Shelby walked into the