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watch it, she d start to feel& cherished.
Missed you, Stace, he murmured when they broke for air. So damn much. Promise me She
moaned and tried to draw him in. He evaded. Promise you ll never walk away from us again.
I promise Two words were all she managed, because he sent his lips trailing down her throat,
her chest, stopping to bestow one slow, deliberate kiss directly over her heart. The sweetness of the
gesture had her blinking back tears. Then his mouth was on the move again, placing soft kisses along
the edge of the shockingly white bandage affixed to her side. When he finished, he looked up at her,
and she saw all the raw fear and pain of the last twenty-four hours reflected in his unguarded
expression.
Ian
He shook his head and straightened her gown. I could have lost you last night. When I saw you
dangling from the light rig, I was so fucking scared. You can t possibly imagine.
Judging by the look on his face, she couldn t. I m fine, she whispered, and sank her fingers into
his hair, thanks to you. To lighten the mood, she fluttered her lashes and sighed. You re my
Halloween hero.
His eyes didn t quite lose their haunted look, but he flashed the cocky smile that had hooked her
right from the start.
She gave his hair a quick tug. Come here. I have to kiss that grin off your face.
He hit the remote control for the bed and raised her up until their lips were tantalizingly close.
Only if you say the magic words.
Magic words? She tried to lean in and close the distance, but he tapped the bed control and sent
her sinking backward.
Ian!
Magic words, he prompted, and stopped the bed.
She made a grab for the remote, but he pulled it out of her reach.
You can do it. Just repeat after me. I.
You really like that remote control, don t you?
It s a guy thing. I, he said again, his clear green eyes blazing with triumph.
She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed, I.
He hit the button and raised her a third of the way. Love.
Love.
The bed whirred again and she sat straighter.
You, he said quietly.
I love you. Ian, I love you. A dam broke inside her and she reached for him as the words poured
out. He wrapped his arm around her and brought her the rest of the way home. And then she was
there, snug against him, kissing his mouth, his chin, his jaw, anywhere she could reach while saying I
love you over and over again.
Every day, he said between kisses. I need to hear you say it every damn day for the rest of our
lives. Think you can handle me?
She eased back, put her hands on his cheeks, and stared into his eyes. I can handle you, Ian. It s
being without you that I can t handle.
He rested his forehead against hers. Good, because you re never going to get rid of me again.
Epilogue
You sure you re ready to do this?
Stacy met Kylie s eyes in the mirror. Hell yes. We ve rehearsed and everything. Aren t you?
Me? Yes. I can t wait. But I know this whole thing was kind of my idea. She bit her lip and gave
Stacy the big, blue-eyed Bambi stare. Now I m worried I ve rushed you. Maybe you need more
time.
Nope. For emphasis, she shook her head. I m good. Completely healed.
Physically, yes, Kylie quickly agreed. And you ve never looked more beautiful. Stacy watched
in the mirror as Kylie smoothed nervous fingers along the short, silky skirt of Stacy s dress. But are
you mentally prepared?
Was she? She frowned. I think I am. I mean, how hard can it be? One little strut down the line. All
eyes on us. Give em a show when we get to the end, then we re outta here. Easy.
Okaaaay. Just so you know, I think the plans leaked to the press. Doing this outdoors was probably
a mistake. I can t promise some paparazzi won t get a shot. This could be splattered all over the
tabloids come tomorrow.
Now she did feel some hesitation, only because that kind of publicity might not be what Kylie
wanted. I m sorry. If you want to pull out, I completely understand.
No, no. I want to go for it. I don t care who sees.
What a sister. If you re good to go, I m good to go.
Kylie smiled, and happiness radiated off her in waves. All right. I ll stop stressing.
About time. You also look amazing, by the way. Sweet, classy, and hot as hell, all at the same
time. It was true.
Kylie blushed. Thanks.
A rap sounded on the opposite side of the door, and then Vern came into the small room. You
he pointed at Kylie and you. He swung the finger toward Stacy. Let s go. The other girls got the
crowd warmed up. It s showtime.
Stacy glanced at Kylie and lifted a brow. Ready?
Kylie nodded.
Vern offered them each an arm. They linked up and walked through the door, down a short, marble-
floored hall and along a vine-covered pergola. She heard the music now and tried to pace herself
accordingly. They reached the lawn. Sunlight streamed over a runner of white carpet. The pristine
path bisected the assembly of guests standing in front of their white-slipcovered folding chairs, and
ended at a rose-covered lattice arbor where several people waited. Beyond the arbor stretched a
breathtaking view of the gleaming Pacific, but gorgeous as the ocean view was from the bluff-top
perch of the Malibu estate they d rented for this particular event, Stacy found her attention drawn to
the people gathered in front of the arbor.
Ginger, Ari, and Lee Ann stood on the left, uncharacteristically elegant in shimmering silver
sheaths. Opposite them stood the younger McCade brothers, two dark-haired, dangerously hot
specimens molded from the same formidable clay as Trevor Michael, the rough, tough, US Marine,
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