Page 32 of The Rancher's Jilted Bride

"Damn right, you don't."

Dismay flashed in her eyes. "I didn't mean it that way—-"

"I know."

And he truly did.

She was different, after all.

"But it doesn't make my words any less true," he said grimly.

"Oh, Hale—-"

"I hurt you too many damn times—-"

"Because you werehurting—-"

"And you weren't?"

Tears shimmered in her eyes. "Not as much as you."

Fuck.

"Don't fucking take pity on—-"

"I'm not," she denied in a rush. "I swear I'm not! But..."

She suddenly took a step back, and his whole body turned cold when he saw her reach for her clothes.

Fuck.

Was she leaving him?

"There's something I have to tell you," Heaven was saying as she hurriedly tugged the cups of her bra over her breasts. "But it won't feel right to say it when I'm naked."

A shudder of relief rocked his body.

She wasn't leaving.

Whatever it was she had to say—-

He was fine with it.

As long as she stayed.

Heaven glanced back at him when she was finally dressed, and the smile on her lips was so damn sweet it had him clenching his fists against the urge to haul her back into his arms and have his way with her again.

"Are you ready to hear what I have to say?"

"Why do I feel like I'm suddenly in one of yourAnimal Weekpresentations?"

Her blue eyes sparkled in mischief. "Who says you're not? But the question is,hmm..."

He watched her adopt a posture of introspection as she thoughtfully tapped her chin, and he had to swiftly press his lips together to keep himself from smiling.

"Are you my audience or exhibit?"

He couldn't remember having this fun withanyone.

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