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from her
    face and the nightgown tight against her body. Infrequent
    drops of rain pelted her uplifted cheeks, cooling her skin.
    A click sounded from the door further down the balcony.
    Clad only in jeans, Rene stepped out.
    He was pure temptation, from brawny chest to bare toes.
    “You shouldn’t be out here,” he said, his voice a grumpy,
    sexy rumble. “You set off the silent alarm.”
    With her heart thudding in her chest, she turned away. “I
    couldn’t sleep.”
    “Well, how ’bout not sleepin’ inside ?”
    His growling irritation made her smile. She felt the same
    way—bitchy, edgy, wonderfully horny.
    She noted the tight set of his jaw, the rapid rise and fall of
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    his chest, and felt an overwhelming urge to seduce him. And
    why shouldn’t she?
    The way she figured it, her days were numbered. The menace dogging her steps would eventually catch up. Why not
    grab for all the joy she could find in what was left of her life?
    She leaned back against the balustrade on her elbows, making sure the silky gown pulled tight across her breasts.
    His gaze lowered, lingering for a moment on her beaded
    nipples. “Cold?” he asked, his voice a rumbling, silky slide.
    “Not really.” She decided to make sure he didn’t misinterpret the invitation. She sauntered toward him, stopping
    inches away from his rigid body. This close, she breathed in
    his musky male scent. The breadth of his solid chest and his
    height overwhelmed her, made her feel small, vulnerable—
    and intensely feminine.
    He sucked in a deep breath. “Look, chère, whatever you’re
    thinkin’—it’s not gonna happen.”
    She cast him a challenging stare. “Because I’m not what
    you want?”
    He shook his head. “Damn, you’ve got to know that’s not
    it,” he said, his voice raw. “This just isn’t the right time.”
    She met his gaze, hoping she didn’t look too needy, but
    wanting him to know she could be his—if he’d just reach
    out. “What if there never is a right time?”
    His hands fisted at his sides. “I’m not lettin’ anything happen to you.”
    She lifted her chin. “You can guarantee that?”
    He glanced beyond her to the midnight sky, and he stayed
    silent.
    Stubborn man. He thought he could withstand this chem-into the darkness
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    istry of hormones and a waxing moon by sheer will. “Tell you
    what,” she said. “How about a kiss? And I’ll let it drop. It’ll
    be enough, I swear.” At his suspicious glare, she added, “Just
    a kiss.”
    He blew out a deep breath and rubbed the back of his neck.
    “Will you come inside then?”
    “Yes,” she said quickly. She’d promise anything just to draw
    him nearer. If he felt even a fraction of her need, he wouldn’t
    be able to resist for long.
    The muscles in his throat rippled, and he nodded. “All
    right. A kiss.”
    Shivering with excitement, she forced herself to keep her
    expression impassive.
    When she stepped closer, he wagged his finger in front of
    her face. “Inside.”
    Even better. She turned to head toward her bedroom.
    “Uh, uh.” A crooked smile curved one corner of his mouth,
    and he snagged her wrist. “I guess that’s not a good idea.”
    “Then here?” she asked, breathless at his first touch.
    The heavens opened, and the rain fell harder.
    He dropped her hand, shaking his head. “This is nuts.”
    As rain flattened her hair against her head, Natalie wanted
    to scream her frustration at his hesitation. Knowing her nightgown was soaked to transparency and hugged her curves, she
    leaned back against the iron balustrade on her elbows and
    stared, hoping he would make the first move to save her from
    making a worse fool of herself.
    He muttered a soft curse and brought up his hand to cup
    her cheek. His thumb wiped at the moisture gathering there.
    His palm was warm and a little rough.
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    She shivered at the delicious thought of that hand smoothing the soft, cooling rain down her naked