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couldn’t process the words he spoke. They made no sense. After almost three years of what she’d thought had been a blissful, loving relationship? How could that be?
    A girl giggled close to Caden, Regina could hear it perfectly through the phone. “Listen,” Caden said, “I’ve got to go. No hard feelings, right?”
    No hard feelings? “Caden,” Regina choked on her tears, “I love you.”
    He’d paused so long Regina thought he must have hung up. Finally he said, “I know. I’m sorry.”
    Just before the phone finally died, Regina heard the woman with Caden giggle, “Come on, lover. Let’s party.”
    Regina gaped at the phone. The pain and hurt boiled into hatred. How could he have led her on all this time? Convinced her so completely that he loved her? Screaming, she smashed the phone on the floor.
    She wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t, damn it! Regina gathered up the layers of her skirt and stomped out of the church. With no idea where she was going, she marched furiously into the night. Only when she’d tripped over a low headstone and broke the heel of her shoe did she realize she’d gone into the cemetery.
    Leaning against a statue of a weeping angel, Regina yanked off the shoes and hurled them as far as she could. She’d kill him. She’d hunt him down and claw out his heart until he hurt as much as he’d hurt her.
    “You’re beautiful when you’re angry.”
    The voice slithered over Regina like icy velvet. She spun. In the timid glow of the lights from the church, a tall man stalked out from behind a massive headstone. Weak wisps of ground fog stirred like a hint of mystery around him. The black slacks he wore accentuated the strong length of his legs and the incredible line of his hips and butt. Glistening like oil, his black silk shirt flowed over his wide shoulders and spilled down his body in a way that promised an incredible physique. His hands and face were ghostly white even in the darkness. He looked young, only in his early twenties. His high cheekbones, straight eyebrows and beautifully strong jaw could have been sculpted by Michelangelo himself. His marigold-colored hair, highlighted and styled attractively, and the white-blue of his eyes were the only things about him not either black or white.
    As the stranger’s gaze caressed over Regina, a slow, sexy smile emerged. Leaning against the monolithic headstone, he cocked his head and regarded her lazily. He was beautiful. “Let me guess. Left at the altar?”
    Regina glared at him. Gorgeous or not, she wanted nothing to do with this man. Or any man. Damn them all. “Leave me alone.”
    He straightened. “I’ll leave you alone.” He glided a step closer without a sound or even rustling the grass. “If I can kiss the bride first.”
    “Go away!” she screamed. Couldn’t she find a moment’s peace? Regina collected her gown and spun away from him, but when she looked up, he was in front of her.
    Regina blinked up at him. “How?”
    “Shhh.” He pressed a cold finger to her lips to silence her. “Don’t speak.”
    And she couldn’t. Regina breathed hard, pushing against the will she felt enfolding her with gentle persistence. Still she could not utter a sound.
    The man slipped his strong hands around her waist. Regina shoved against his arms as hard as she could. No scream escaped her throat, so she screamed her fury in her head.
    In a lover’s soft murmur, he said, “Don’t resist.”
    Regina’s body relaxed instantly. As he cuddled her into his chest, she melted into him. She didn’t want to, she really didn’t, but her body didn’t listen. Inside, Regina flailed against the control, but outwardly, she settled more snuggly into his embrace.
    He rested his cheek on top of her head and rocked her lovingly. Circling his arms around her more securely, he hugged her to him as if she were incredibly precious. “You want me,” he told her.
    She didn’t. She wanted Caden. She wanted him so badly and felt his betrayal so