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feminine need and unquenched desire, but she wouldn’t say it.
    She turned toward Daniel and made herself look at him, determined to do the right thing. “You tempt me, Daniel Pendleton. Yes,” she said, seeing the sensual recognition in his gaze, “you make me think about what I’m missing. You make me think about what it’s like to hold and be held. To spend a night so lost in pleasure that night turns to day and day turns to night.” She bit her lip, appalled at all she’d revealed, horrified at what she’d admitted. She shook her head. “But you’re a good man. And I’m not going to ruin any more good men. I’m not going to ruin you.”
    Several seconds passed in thoughtful silence. Daniel watched Sara and felt even more determined to have her. That she wanted to protect him was precious; ludicrous, but precious. That she thought he was an angel was a problem. “What if I’m not all that good?”
    Tension eased from Sara at his response. After her desperate confession, she’d expected something more condemning. “If being responsible were a crime, you’d get life in prison for it.”
    â€œDon’t rub it in.” He pushed his hands into his pockets and turned away in frustration. “Do you have any idea what it’s like being the oldest of eight? My father nearly lost it after my mother died. That was right around driving age for me. You know, the time when guys play on the football team, take the girls out on Saturday night, and see how far they’ll let you go in the backseat. Well, if you’re busy trying to cover your old man’s butt, then there’s no time for that stuff. Carly was little, and when she wasn’t crying, she was stuttering. Garth was always getting into trouble. I would have been raising a little hell myself, but—”
    Sara began to understand. “But you were too busy raising a family.” She sighed. “Did you ever get to choose, to do what you wanted?”
    He slowly turned and met her gaze. “Not until now.”
    Sara’s stomach tightened. “See,” she said in a softly accusing tone. “I told you you’re a good man.”
    Daniel shook his head. “I didn’t want to do the right things. I was angry and frustrated. I resented all that responsibility.”
    She felt an overwhelming need to convince him of his worth. It disturbed her that he didn’t seem to realize it. It made her wonder why his family had been so blind. “That’s not the point. You did what you had to, anyway.” She stepped forward, touching his arm when he looked skeptical. “You did your best. That’s what separates the good men from—” she smiled “—the not-so-good men.”
    He took her hand and twined his fingers through hers. “That still leaves me with the same problem. I never got to sow my oats. Never got to go parking on a Saturday night. I’m not without experience,” he confessed. “But I’ve always been discreet and respectable.” A dangerous light came into his eyes. Tugging her closer, he lifted her hand to his cheek. “Even if it ruins him, Sara, every man needs to have one forbidden affair with a wild woman.”
    He moved her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
    The warmth of his mouth kindled her nerve endings. Her heart beat unevenly. He darted his tongue out to taste the tender skin on the inside of her wrist, and Sara’s breath was squeezed from her lungs.
    â€œI can handle the risk, honey,” he said in a low, husky voice. “Ruin me.”

Chapter Four
    â€œOh, Daniel,” Sara whispered in a shaky voice.
    He watched the struggle play across her face. Her pupils dilated with arousal, and she bit her upper lip.
    Her desire lit a fire in his gut, and he pulled her closer as he placed her hand behind his neck. Slowly he trailed his fingers down her other arm to her hand and