Born Again by Rena Marks

baffling feeling, for she hadn’t known either man very long. It was so
horrific that she actually didn’t really want to know where it came from and
pushed it as far as she could from her mind.
    She was caught between two men who obviously wanted her to
choose. And it felt like a familiar trap, although she’d never been in this
situation.
    The car rolled to a stop and Beau came around to open her door.
Tall and broad-shouldered, so much larger than her, he seemed so powerful, like
he’d protect her no matter what. His hot blue gaze looked directly into hers
and what he saw made his eyelids grow sultry at the sight. Her hand slipped
naturally into his and he placed his other hand on the small of her back. It
was warm and possessive, making her feel so well cared for.
    It should slip naturally, she realized. They’d been about as
intimate as possible, having explored every single inch of each other’s bodies.
Was it too soon for that? It was too late now to worry about it, but did she
make a mistake in jumping in with both feet? Would the relationship fizzle out
uncontrollably?
    “You’re thinking a lot,” Beau commented, leaning down to
lightly kiss her frowning brow.
    It cleared and she smiled slightly, exposing dimples. “I do
seem to have thoughts running together in my head,” she agreed.
    “Are they of me?” he whispered, his breath hot and sweet
near her ear.
    “You are in them.” Her smile was full-on now.
    “Stay with me tonight?”
    Her smile dropped. “I can’t, Beau. I promised Aric,
remember?”
    “I don’t want you with him, Sara. He’s dangerous.”
    She raised a brow at his imperious tone. “That’s competition
talking. He hasn’t been dangerous to me.”
    He inhaled sharply and there was silence for a brief moment.
Sara waited. If he pushed, he’d lose. Their relationship was too new for trust.
    “Tomorrow, then?” Beau asked.
    “Yes, tomorrow.”
    “You promise?”
    “I do.”
    He led her into the restaurant and they were escorted
directly into a private room to a tiny table in the center.
    “Special treatment?” she asked teasingly as they sat.
    Beau grinned, the look so devastating it made her catch her
breath. “I’m rich, baby. Also handsome and fit, no mother-in-law to deal with…”
    “Stop,” she laughingly protested. “I believe you. You’re a
catch.”
    “Yeah, you caught me. Now what you gonna do with me?” He
stroked her hand with his and she shivered at the feel of the warmth of his
skin.
    Sara marveled that Beau’s body temperature seemed hotter
than hers. He was so attractive, his blue eyes laughing into hers, slightly
crinkled at the corners.
    “I’m going to keep you a while,” she said. “If, and that’s a
big if, you’re good.”
    He leaned into her. “I can be good,” he said eagerly.
    “No fighting?”
    His hand stilled. “With Aric, you mean?”
    “Exactly.”
    “What if he starts it?”
    She smiled. “Then he goes to time-out and I get to spend the
day with you.”
    “I see how this works,” Beau said, smiling. “But if I won’t
play?”
    “I’ll have to pass you off to someone else who wants you
then. I don’t want to, you understand, but you’ll give me no choice.”
    “Who is this someone else?” he asked, teasing still. “Is she
as attractive as you?”
    “Oh, I don’t know about that, but this someone loves you and
loved you first.”
    Although they were teasing, it was scary to say the “L”
word. Beau’s eyes darkened with an emotion she couldn’t define.
    “Maybe you ought to give me her name and number, just in
case,” he said.
    “Mike Johnson. At the shop.”
    His jaw dropped. “You have got to be kidding me.”
    She grinned and then kissed his mouth in apology. “Sorry,
sugar. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow night, okay?”
    “I’ll hold you to that. And next time I call in a food
order, I’m requesting someone else represent me.”
    Sara winced. “He’s not going to like that.”
    Beau winked