his hand between their bodies, seeking the bold little nubbin of desire that was the center of her sensation. When he discovered it, he was rewarded by Katy's sudden, delicate convulsion.
She seemed to explode beneath him as she found her release. Garrett was sucked into the vortex of passion that spiraled around them both. He felt Katy surge upward, instinctively seeking the fullness of him, and he gave himself to her with a husky shout of satisfaction.
Katy was stunned by the sensation of pleasure bursting deep within her. This was what her body had been seeking for the past few minutes. She had never experienced it before, and the full impact left her breathless. Unable to do anything else, she wrapped herself tightly around Garrett and rode the shifting currents of the storm with him.
It was a long time before she came completely back to reality. She was aware that Garrett hadn't left her body. He was still lying on top of her, the weight of him pushing her into the bedding. She could feel the sheen of dampness on his skin. He felt heavy and replete.
A physically satisfied male.
Well, she could hardly complain about that, she thought. In all honesty, she was forced to admit that physically, she, too, had found satisfaction. The difference was that for Garrett this kind of satisfaction was clearly sufficient.
But as she came slowly back to reality, Katy realized it was not enough for her.
Her own words, spoken in the most intimate moments of passion came back to haunt her. I love you .
There had been no answering response from Garrett. Even in the depths of desire he had been unable to speak of his love.
She could no longer tell herself that he was simply the strong, silent type. After all, he had been able to speak of such things as desire and his own need. He had said excitingly rough, urgent things to her that had increased her response to him. He had told her he wanted her.
But there had been no words of love.
Katy slowly opened her eyes and looked up into the dark mirror overhead. She had to accept the truth. Whatever Garrett felt for her, it didn't include love.
She had made a terrible mistake.
Garrett shifted finally. He exhaled deeply, a long, relaxed sigh of contentment and satisfaction and then he raised his head to look down at Katy. In the shadows she could see the possessive gleam in his mouth. He stroked her tangled hair back from her cheek with an absent gesture of affection.
It was the kind of gesture, Katy told herself grimly, that he might have used with a mare who had performed especially well for him.
"You're a little new at this, aren't you?" he asked equably.
In her overly sensitive state of mind, Katy wondered if the comment was meant as a mild insult. Perhaps she hadn't performed all that well. She stiffened slightly beneath him, but Garrett didn't seem to notice.
"A little," she said cautiously.
He nodded, apparently not too put out by the information. "I thought so."
"Was I that bad?"
He looked shocked at the question and at the underlying vehemence. His big hands cradled her face with unexpected urgency. "What the hell are you talking about now? It was great. All of it. I've never felt—" He broke off abruptly. "Forget it. I was completely satisfied and I had the impression you were, too. Don't try to deny it, honey."
"I'm not denying it."
"Good." He appeared relieved. He rolled onto his back, cradling her against him. "I guess a woman like you is bound to be somewhat high-strung on her wedding night."
"Is that right?"
"Sure, and I can understand it." He made a sweeping, magnanimous gesture with one hand. "You're kind of quiet by nature. You always were. You haven't exactly led a wild life since I last saw you, have you, honey?"
"No," she agreed coolly, "I haven't. Compared to your life, I imagine mine must seem rather dull."
"No, it doesn't. It seems warm and safe and comfortable. I'm glad you've been safe and secure all these years. You're not the type to try for the
Translated by George Fyler Townsend