Free Crimes of the Heart by Laurie LeClair

well-being. I don’t want him to go through what I did, at least not any more. All right, I admit, I’m joining the game a little behind schedule, but it’s not too late to fix things for him.”
    How can I argue with him when he’s only trying to help Sean? In the back of her mind, she allowed a doubt to form. Was he only concerned about Sean? Seeing the two of them together Jewel had witnessed the adoration beaming from both her son and her husband. There was no denying the instant bond they had formed.
    But there’s something else involved, his family’s redemption. Please don’t let Sean find out. Don’t let Devon hurt our son.
    Chasing the disturbing thought aside, she focused on the positive aspect of what he’d done. She’d deal with the rest if or when the time came.
    Tentatively, she reached over and touched the back of his hand as it rested on his thigh. “Thank you,” she choked out, feeling the huge burden of raising a child alone lifted from her spirit; she knew whatever happened between them, Devon would never abandon his own flesh and blood. Look what he was still trying to do for his dead father.
    Turning his large hand over, he clasped hers gently, engulfing hers in heat and tenderness. “He’s a great kid.”
    The wealth of emotion coloring his declaration told her more than his simple words did. She covered her own swell of overwhelming feelings, by saying, “Of course he is. He looks like you and acts like me, what’s not great about that?”
    He chuckled, long and hearty, warming the wintry regions in her core. Lacing his fingers through hers, he tightened his hold. Matching invisible pressure squeezed her heart. Don’t let me fall for this guy, she prayed while memorizing every endearing laugh line on his handsome face. Her fingers itched to touch the angles and planes of his forehead, high cheekbones, and firm jaw.
    Smiling fondly, Devon glanced at his bride. He lingered over the delicate features and porcelain complexion. Thankfully she’d finally got her color back.The frightened stony expression from earlier was absent. In its place he noted the soft feminine glow. And her violet eyes sparkled in mischievous delight.
    Her lush lips drew his attention now. Mentally berating himself for not taking advantage of sealing the vows with a full-blown kiss, he wondered how she’d taste.
    Dragging his thoughts away from that erotic dream and back to the road, he relished the easy silence. Up until they talked he’d endure the strained atmosphere, suffered the tantalizing wafts of her haunting rose perfume. In all that time he’d conjured up ways to diffuse the building tenseness.
    So what if she’d nearly made a fool out of me again, the point I have to remember is, for whatever reason, she didn’t turn her back on this poor boy a second time .
    With her soft hand still in his, she leaned her head back and sighed.
    “Tired?”
    From under her thick, dark lashes, her hooded eyes found his. A teasing smile played around her lips. “Now, what would make you think that? Some guy just happened to climb up my trellis and into my room in the middle of the night, then…” she trailed off.
    Curiosity tugged at him. “Then what?”
    She giggled. “You really can’t remember, can you?”
    Sheepishly, he shrugged. “I’m still trying. How ’bout you help me fill in a couple sketchy places?”
    Red crept into her cheeks. “No way. You figure it out for yourself.”
    His middle clenched at the potent desire swirling between them now. Lord, what did I do? She shifted her legs, drawing his attention downward. Sitting, her skirt was hiked up, revealing long, luscious expanses of her legs. Absently, he wondered if she wore stockings or pantyhose. Turning back to the highway, he tried to concentrate on the traffic. But his mind wandered. Please let it be stockings…and a garter belt. He groaned inwardly as a sexy picture of Jewel dressed in little bits of lingerie sprang before him.
    The