Free Crimes of the Heart by Laurie LeClair Page B

The steam from her bath had turned her cheeks a rosy hue. Wisps of her glossy, black hair caressed her neck and ears. And her eyes held a dark, sultry quality that made his blood burn with need.
    A deeper red invaded her features as she grabbed the two ends of her matching robe and tied it closed. If she thought it would adequately cover her, or even halt his potent desire, she was mistaken.
    Her gaze swept over him, scorching the bare skin on his chest with just one look. His grip on the small towel tightened.
    “Ah…did you say something a moment ago?”
    As if in a daze, he answered, “I was just talking to myself. God, you’re beautiful.” Even if he wanted to he couldn’t stop himself from saying it.
    A tremulous smile tugged on her lips and she refused to be captured by his stare. “Oh, it’s just the wedding gift Bree and Tessa gave me, that’s all?”
    Intrigued by this shy side of her, he probed further. “You’re business partners, right?” At her nod, he continued, “Remind me to thank them. But, I really did mean it when I said you’re beautiful.”
    “You don’t have to say things just to make me feel better about all this. I know why we’re here.”
    A knot in his middle clenched. He waved a hand to encompass the room. “Are you talking about the honeymoon or us?”
    Hugging herself, she said, “Both, I guess.”
    “Well, I’m glad you have the answers, because I sure the hell don’t. So, why don’t you let me in on it?” Devon berated himself for the sudden burst of temper, but sensed his anger had to do with a combination of frustration and her total lack of believing him.
    Slowly, she moved toward the sofa. Once there, she sank on to the flowered cushion as if her knees could no longer hold her. “Why are you mad at me?”
    Unable to keep still a moment more, he resumed pacing the room while clutching the small towel. “Call me crazy, but when I say something nice to you I’d like for it not to be thrown back at me.”
    She sighed, long and loud. “Oh, Devon, it’s me, not you.” Closing her eyes, she continued, “No one has said that to me in a very long time, if ever, without some kind of hidden agenda.”
    Halting, he twisted to her, his heart squeezing at the echo of sadness strumming in her voice. Gently, he pointed out, “I don’t say things I don’t mean. I never have and I never will.”
    Focusing on him once again, she gave him a weak smile. He noted the moisture clinging to her lashes. A dagger-like pain sliced through his core. “Oh, dollface.” I should have been here to protect you.
    Shaking her head, she said, “Never mind, all right? I’ll try to remember that you kept that part of who you were.”
    “I kept it all,” he said quietly.
    “You hide it well then.”
    Too well, he heard the unspoken words. Blowing out a hot breath, he made his way around the furniture, and then took a seat beside her. She withdrew, tucking herself in a corner of the sofa. But not before he caught a whiff of her perfumed body. A coil tightened low in his belly.
    Leaning forward, he nudged the present. “I got you a wedding gift. Would you like to open it?”
    Her whole face lit up, allowing him to recall how thrilled she’d always been at receiving surprises from him. Even the simplest tokens of affection, the only ones he’d been able to afford, had brought joy to her. “I’d love to.”
    In no time at all she’d ripped off the big silver bow and began tearing at the wrappings. The rustling sound of the paper sliced the air. When she lifted the lid to the deep white box and brushed aside the tissue, she gasped. “My mother’s hair brush, comb, and tray set.” Wonder colored her words.
    “I knew how much it meant to you. And you wouldn’t accept it otherwise.” He shrugged as emotion formed a lump in his throat.
    Lovingly, she traced the scrolled design on the back of the brush. “I used to sit for hours while she fixed her hair.” She chuckled, and then turned