Mercy

in Bowen. Forever.

Well, hell, how had that happened? How could she have been so stupid? Hadn't counting up all the reasons why she shouldn't

fall for him meant anything? Evidently not. She'd been too naive to pay attention to her own cautions. She was a strong woman,

so why hadn't she been able to protect herself from him? Did she love him? Oh, Lord, what if she did?

Not possible, she decided. Love couldn't happen this quickly… could it?

Michelle was so busy worrying she didn't notice him coming toward her.

'You look like you lost your best friend. Come on. Dance with me.'

Go away and let me wallow in self-pity. 'Okay.'

Theo dug a quarter out of his pocket, dropped it in the jukebox, told her to choose, and she promptly punched A-1.

The music started, but it wasn't until he had taken her into his arms that she realized that she'd made a big mistake. The last

thing she needed now, in her vulnerable, feeling-sorry-for-herself state, was to be touched by him.

'You're as stiff as a board. Relax,' he whispered against her ear.

'I am relaxed.'

He gently shoved her head down and pulled her closer until their bodies were pressed together. Oh, boy. Big, big mistake. Too

late now, she thought as she snuggled against him and curled her fingers around his neck. 'I love this song.'

'It sounds familiar, but that doesn't make any sense. I don't usually listen to country western music.'

'It's Willie Nelson singing 'Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain.' '

He was nuzzling her cheek, driving her to distraction. 'It's a nice song. I like it,' he said.

She tried to pull back; he wouldn't let her. 'It's a sad song,' she said, cringing over how antagonistic she sounded.

They swayed slowly to the rhythm of the music.

'It's an old story,' she explained.

'What's that?'

He kissed the sensitive spot just below her ear, giving her goose bumps. She trembled. He had to know what he was doing to

her. Oh, God, she really was putty in his hands.

'It's about a woman who falls in love with a man and then he leaves her and she's…'

'Let me guess… crying in the rain?'

She could hear the laughter in his voice. His hand was gently stroking her back.

'How come he leaves her?'

'Because he's a big jerk.' Too late she realized she'd said the thought out loud. She quickly added, 'It's just a song. I'm only guessing. Maybe she actually left him, and she's so happy to be rid of him she's crying in the rain.'

'Uh-huh.'

She moved closer, her fingers softly rubbing the back of his neck in tiny circles.

'You should probably stop doing that.'

'You don't like it?' She ran her fingertips through his hair as she asked the question.

'Yes, I do like it. That's why I want you to stop.'

'Oh.' So she could make him nuts too. That wonderful realization made her feel a little reckless.

'So, you probably don't want me to do this,' she whispered, and kissed the pulse at the base of his neck.

'Michelle, I'm warning you. Two can play this game.'

'What game?' she asked innocently, and then she kissed his neck again, tickling him with her tongue. She felt a bit daring.

Daddy was in the kitchen, and no one was paying them any attention. Besides, Theo's big body pretty much concealed hers.

That made her even more reckless, and she pressed even closer to him. 'If you don't like what I'm doing…'

The challenge didn't go unanswered. 'You're bad,' he told her.

She sighed. 'Thank you.'

'You know what I like?'

'What's that?' A breathless whisper.

'I like the way you smell. When I get close to you,

your scent drives me crazy and makes me think about all sorts of things I'd like to do.'

She closed her eyes. Don't ask. For the love of God, don't ask. 'What kinds of things?'

Until that moment, she had foolishly believed she'd been holding her own against a master. She had been the one to start the

erotic conversation, and she knew from the way he was holding her that she'd definitely shaken him.

But then he began whispering in her ear, and she realized she was in way over her head. In a low, husky voice he told her

exactly what he'd like to do to her. In his fantasies, she was, of course, the star, and every part of her body, including her toes, were featured players. The man had an active imagination, and he certainly wasn't shy about sharing. Michelle had no one to blame but herself. She had asked. But that didn't matter. By the time he finished describing several creative ways he would

make love to her, the blood was roaring in her ears, her bones felt as if they'd turned into mush, and she had melted against him.

The song ended. He kissed her cheek, straightened, and let go of her. 'Thanks for the dance. You want a beer or something?

You look kind of flushed.'

Kind of flushed? She felt as if it was a hundred fifty degrees inside the bar. When she looked into his eyes, she could tell that he knew exactly what he had just done to her.

'It's kind of stuffy in here. I think I'm gonna go outside and get some fresh air,' he casually announced.

She watched him walk away. He had just pushed the door open and stepped outside when she went running after him.

'That's it.'

She caught up with him outside, standing in the moonlight. She poked him between his shoulder blades and said it again, much louder this time. 'That's it. You win.'

He turned around. 'Excuse me?'

She was so angry she poked him in the chest. 'I said you win.'

'Okay,' he said calmly. 'What did I win?'

'You know what I'm talking about, but since we're alone, why don't I spell it out? This game we've been playing. You win.

I honestly thought I was holding my own, but obviously I was wrong. I'm just not good at it. Okay? So you win.'

'What exactly do I win?'

'Sex.'

He raised an eyebrow. 'What?'

'You heard me. We're going to have sex, Theo Buchanan. Oops, I mean we're going to have great sex. Got that?'

A devilish smile crossed Theo's face, and then he seemed to stare off into space. Was he already thinking about making love,

or couldn't he pay attention long enough to listen to her concede?