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could see the intense, questioning expression in them as she gazed up at him. There was a small, uncertain smile playing about her mouth. He wanted to soothe her, gentle her, make her relax so that she could fully enjoy the passion that was about to blossom between them. He groped for unfamiliar words.
    "You looked good today," he said.
    "Thank you. So did you."
    So much for compliments. They obviously weren't his forte. He wondered what else a new bride might like to hear. Garrett rummaged around inside his head for something that would be reassuring and encouraging.
    "I forgot to ask if you might be hungry. You didn't eat much at the reception. There's fruit over there on the table."
    "I'm not hungry," she replied gently.
    So much for the topic of food. Maybe he shouldn't be worrying about making reassuring conversation now. After all, they weren't kids. He and Katy both knew what was supposed to happen next. But Garrett still felt an illogical need to wipe away some of the tension he sensed in his new bride. There was still something in her eyes that made him uneasy.
    "We could open the champagne," he suggested, glancing at the silver bucket. The ice inside had just about melted.
    "If that's what you want," Katy said politely.
    Garrett's mouth tightened. "No, I don't want any. Not now." Enough of this nonsense, he told himself. Maybe it would be easier to communicate in a more fundamental manner. Garrett stood up abruptly and let the pink towel drop to the plush carpet. Without a word he pulled back the covers and slid in beside Katy. He could feel the warmth of her slender, gently curved body immediately. His whole body ached to claim that warmth. Without any further hesitation he reached out to take his bride in his arms.
    "Katy, you feel good," he grated thickly as she came willingly to him.
    "So… so do you," she whispered against his shoulder.
    Garrett didn't see any further need for casual conversation. He wasn't much good at it, anyway. His body was throbbing with the force of his need, and he was sure now that Katy wanted him, too. She might be shy but she certainly wasn't fighting him. In fact, she snuggled close, responding to the pressure of his hand on the small of her back.
    Garrett fumbled for a few minutes with nightgown and then lost patience.
    "This is worse than trying to get a bridle on a saddle bronc. Why do women wear such complicated things to bed?" he asked as he finally grabbed the hem of the gown and swept the whole, frothy garment up toward Katy's head.
    "I thought it looked romantic," she mumbled through the folds of the material.
    "It's a nuisance."
    "What should I have worn? A horse blanket?"
    Garrett frowned in the darkness, wondering if she had taken offense. Instantly he was contrite. "The nightgown's pretty enough, I guess."
    "Like me?"
    That startled him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
    "Am I pretty enough for you?"
    "What a crazy thing to say! Of course you're pretty enough." This was getting outrageous. He didn't understand her peculiar mood. She had been acting strangely since the wedding. Garrett leaned over and kissed her, anxious to stop the odd words and the even stranger tone. "Katy, honey, you're all I want tonight. You're beautiful."
    As soon as his mouth covered hers, a part of him relaxed. She responded at once, her lips soft and pliant beneath his own. Garrett groaned as he deepened the kiss. His hand slipped eagerly over her nude body, finding and enjoying the sweet curves of hip and thigh.
    Katy's arms stole around his neck. He heard her whisper something against his mouth but he didn't catch the words. He urged her lips apart, eager to taste the exciting warmth of her. His body stirred, seeking hers with a swift, consuming hunger. Garrett knew that he wouldn't be able to wait very long before he slaked that hunger in Katy's soft warmth. He couldn't remember ever needing a woman as badly as he needed Katy tonight. Somewhere within him a dam that had been in place for months