At Home in Stone Creek (Silhouette Special Edition) by Linda Lael Miller Page B

skewered him with a look that might have meant “Good riddance,’ though Jack couldn’t be sure.
    The back door opened, and Ashley blew in on a freezing wind. Hurrying to Tanner, she threw her arms around his waist and beamed up at him.
    â€œThe babies are beautiful! ” she cried, her eyes glistening with happy tears. “Congratulations, Tanner.”
    Tanner hugged her, kissed the top of her head. “Thanks,” he said gruffly. Then, with one more scathing glance at Jack, he put on his coat and left, though not before his gaze strayed to the Glock on top of the refrigerator.
    Fortunately, Ashley was too busy taking off her own coat to notice.
    Jack made a mental note to retrieve the weapon before she saw it.
    â€œYou’re up,” she told him cheerfully. “Feeling better?”
    He’d never left her willingly, but this time, the prospect nearly doubled him over. He sat up a little straighter. “I love you, Ashley,” he said.
    She’d been in the process of brewing coffee; at his words, she stopped, stiffened, stared at him. “What did you say?”
    â€œI love you. Always have, always will.”
    She sagged against the counter, all the joy gone from her eyes. “You have a strange way of showing it, Jack McCall,” she said, after a very long time.
    â€œI can’t stay, Ash,” he said hoarsely, wishing he could take her into his arms, make love to her just oncemore. But he’d done enough damage as it was. “And this time, I won’t be back. I promise.”
    â€œIs that supposed to make me feel better?”
    â€œIt would if you knew what it might mean if I stayed.”
    â€œWhat would it mean, Jack? If you stayed, that is.”
    â€œI told you about Lombard. He’s the vindictive type, and if he ever finds out about you—”
    â€œSuppose he does,” Ashley reasoned calmly, “and you’re not here to protect me. What then?”
    Jack closed his eyes. “Don’t say that.”
    â€œStone Creek isn’t a bad place to raise a family,” she forged on, with a dignity that broke Jack’s heart into two bleeding chunks. “We could be happy here, Jack. Together.”
    He got to his feet. “Are you saying you love me?”
    â€œAlways have,” she answered, “always will.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t work,” Jack said, wishing he hadn’t been such a hooligan back in his teens. None of this would be happening if he hadn’t ended up in military school and shown a distinct talent for covert action. He’d probably be a dentist in the Midwest, with a wife and kids and a dog, and his parents and his brothers would be dropping by for Sunday afternoon barbecues instead of visiting an empty grave.
    â€œWouldn’t it?” Ashley challenged. “Make love to me, Jack. And then tell me it wouldn’t work.”
    The temptation burned in his veins and hardened his groin until it hurt. “Ashley, don’t.”
    She began to unbutton her blue silk blouse.
    â€œAshley.”
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Jack? Are you chicken?”
    â€œAshley, stop it.” It wasn’t a command, it was a plea.
    â€œI’m not who you think I am. My name isn’t Jack McCall, and I—”
    Her blouse was open. Her lush breasts pushed against the lacy pink fabric of her bra. He could see the dark outline of her nipples.
    â€œI don’t care what your name is,” she said. “I love you. You love me. Whoever you are, take me to bed, unless you want to have me on the kitchen floor.”
    He couldn’t resist her any more than he’d been able to resist coming back every time he left. She was an addiction.
    He held out his hand, and she came to him.
    Somehow, they managed to get up the stairs, along the hallway, into her bedroom.
    He didn’t remember undressing her, or undressing himself.
    It was as though their clothes had burned away in