Lies of the Heart by Laurie LeClair Page B

stupid feud and only cared about what we wanted.” Each other.
    For long, silent moments she stared at him. He hoped she could see the sincerity. A tear glistened on her lashes, hanging there. She blinked and it dropped onto his thumb. “I hated the secrets and lies, still do, but I wouldn’t have given those times up for anything. It was like we could finally be ourselves.”
    Growing uncomfortable with exposing so much of himself, Chance pulled back slightly. His heart ached at the loss of contact, but he pressed onward, knowing the more he said the more buried emotions came to the surface. And right now he couldn’t deal with them.
    He waved a hand in front of her and asked, “So which finger?” When she wrinkled her brow, he explained, “So I can prick it and sign my oath in blood.”
    That got a giggle and a jab in his ribs. “Cut it out, will ya? This is serious stuff.”
    Rubbing his side, he said, “You’ve still got quite a right hook there, sunshine. Remind me to wear a bullet proof vest or something next time.”
    When she briefly stuck out her tongue at him he chuckled, and then centered his attention back on her mouth. Suddenly the laughter died and a charge ignited in the tiny space of the truck cab. His breathing became shallow and labored as if he’d run a race.
    “Do you feel it?” she asked softly, her gaze locking with his now. Her eyes turned to liquid emerald green and he groaned out loud.
    “Yes,” he choked out. Slowly, he leaned in toward her, inch by inch, measuring her reaction. The pulse at the base of her throat throbbed wildly and a flush crept into her cheeks. Her quick, hot breaths fanned his face, stirring his growing passion. And she parted her full peach-colored lips. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to kiss you again?” he asked, his voice rough and husky.
    “Forever,” she answered in a breathy tone that sent shivers down his spine.
    “And then some.”
    Closing her eyes, her lashes cast dusky shadows on her alabaster skin. Chance’s middle tightened and heat blazed through his bloodstream. Only a few inches separated him from her now. Just a little more and I can taste those sweet lips of hers.
    Suddenly the door behind Tessa was yanked open and she nearly tumbled out. He jumped in alarm at the unwelcome intrusion and grabbed for her as she fell backward yelling. Her friend Jewel swiftly caught her. Between his pulling and Jewel’s pushing they got Tessa back in the truck safely.
    “Geez, are you trying to kill me?” Tessa asked, twisting to look at her friend.
    “Scoot over,” Jewel commanded. Turning, she said, “Bree, you go around to the other side, okay.”
    A minute later Chance was cramped in his truck cab. Bree sat beside him while he held Tessa flush to his side with Jewel stuffed into the passenger seat. Mentally he swore, thinking by marrying Tessa he not only took on her granny but these two as well.
    “What in the world is going on?” Tessa asked, glancing around him to blink wide-eyed at Bree. The warmth of her body pressed against his stole through him and her lavender scent lingered all around him. He swallowed a groan, thinking he’d been so close to her soft, full lips. Just another minute and I’d have tasted her.
    He intervened, saying, “They’re going to put their two cents in, sunshine.” Weary acceptance colored his words; he knew there wasn’t any way out of this one either. He rubbed her tense shoulder to give her his support.
    “Well, at least he’s smart,” Jewel said with an edge to her tone. “We don’t approve, but we talked to your granny and she seemed resigned to the fact.”
    “You mean, condemned to the fact,” Chance muttered under his breath.
    The ladies must have heard him; they all burst out laughing. With that the two women flanking Tessa and him appeared to relax, the aggression leaking out of them.
    “You’re right about that,” Bree said. “Listen, we of all people know what it’s like to be