Page 55 of Hot & Heavy

He tugged back.

She growled.

He growled back.

Ian realized suddenly that he enjoyed sparring with the shrew. She wore the same outfit she'd had on last night… not the usual bridal fare, but then, he wore a cammie uniform. She looked magnificent. He probably looked like a dork.

She thinks I'm handsome, he reminded himself. And smiled.

"Do not think you can melt me with a smile."

Melt ? Oh, my God! "It never occurred to me that I had the power to… melt you."

"Hah! You are a man. Men think with their dangly parts."

No way am I going to react to that. Dangly parts, indeed! "Listen, this is a scintillating conversation, but we have to talk. The shit is going to hit the fan any minute now, when CentCom hears what I've done.

I'm sorry if I've been rude, but I've got a lot on my mind."

She tilted her head and studied him. "Could you lose your command over this?"

Maybe. "Nah!"

"I am sorry, too, if I have been ungrateful. 'Tis just that I ne'er expected to wed again. I have been on my own these past thirteen years, with neither father nor husband to control me."

"I can't imagine any man being able to control you."

She shrugged. "Well, they tried." She gave him a slight smile then.

And his heart lurched. "We must come to an understanding here while we have this minute alone."

She nodded. Then sniffed first one arm, then the other. Apparently, she was still fascinated with scented soap. In fact, she looked as if she was considering sniffing him, as well.

Lordy, Lordy! Distracted for a moment, he shook his head to clear it. "There will be no sex between us."

He felt his face turn hot, but the words had to be said. An annulment will never be given if we do the deed.

"And you think that will disappoint me?" She glanced up from her sniffing. "Karl is the only man I have coupled with, and it is not an experience I yearn to repeat."

He should have been surprised, but he wasn't.

"And do not be trying to convince me that you would be more virile in the bed furs than Karl was. Better men than you have tried. I am not interested."

I could make you interested. He just stopped himself from speaking those words aloud. She would cut him off at the knees… or somewhere else. But he knew without a doubt that it was true. That hot kiss between them moments ago had convinced him if nothing else did that the two of them would make sparks in the hay. "Okay, that's settled. No sex. There are a couple other things. You can't be telling anyone that this is a temporary marriage. They'll make us stay and get it annulled here, meaning you won't be able to leave the country."

"What reason will we give for the quick marriage?"

His face flushed again. "Love. Red-hot passion. Whatever. Just don't act like you usually do."

"How do I usually act?"

"Like I repulse you."

"I only wish that were so."

Uh-oh. She's about to torpedo me, I just know it.

"If ever I were going to reverse my loathing for the bedsport, that kiss of yours would have convinced me. Glad I am that you do not want to mate with me. I am not sure I would be able to resist you."