vehicle had better armor, you knew the bomb would explode when the column went past. You made a sacrifice, saved God knows how many lives by saving those medics. And some stupid woman makes a remark out of ignorance, and you throw away that heroism, that act of gutsy courage, like a used tissue. Well, I won’t let you do it! I won’t!”
He gaped at her through a drunken haze. He shook his head.
She started the truck going forward again. Her face felt hot.
“How do you know that, about me?”
“Tank told me,” she said gently. “The last time I had to go get you from a bar. He said it was tragic, not only what happened to you, but that you wanted to forget something that won you a silver star.”
“Oh.”
She drew in a long breath. “Why do you date women like that in the first place?”
“Most of the women around here are married or ugly.”
She glared at him. “Thanks, from the ugly brigade, I mean.”
“I didn’t mean you,” he said easily. He pursed his lips and studied her. “You’re not ugly, but your breasts are too small.”
The truck almost ran off the road. “Cane!” she exclaimed.
“Don’t worry about it, a lot of men like small breasts. I just like nice big ones. And a soft, sweet belly to sink against when I get inside all that delicate, wet…”
“Cane!” she exclaimed again, flushing.
“Oh, come on, you know about that,” he said, leaning his head back. “Nothing so cushy as a woman lifting to you on cool sheets, feeling you thrust into her, swelling and swelling until you burst and she cries out with the pleasure.”
“I get sex education in school!”
“Well, you get the basics, but they don’t tell you how good it feels, do they? Or that men come in different sizes and shapes. I’m well-endowed myself. Not too big, but I can…”
“Will you please stop?” she raged.
He glanced at her. “Getting aroused, are we?” He chuckled in a deep, soft, sensual tone. “You’re not really my type, kid, and you’re too young, but I could make you get off like a machine gun firing.”
She swallowed, stepping on the gas.
“But I don’t think your grandfather would ever forgive me. That’s probably why you go to college out of state, so he won’t know what you’re up to. How many lovers have you had?”
“Can’t we talk about the weather?” she asked, trying not to sound desperate. She was aroused, unbelievably aroused. He wouldn’t know it, but she was still a virgin. Despite that, the imagery was giving her real problems.
He stretched and grimaced. “Sure. It’s cold.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you like the man to get on top, or do you like to get on top? I can go deeper that way,” he said as easily as if he was discussing the weather.
She groaned.
“Real deep, in fact,” he murmured, getting drowsy. “I remember this one woman, she was small and I was afraid I’d hurt her. But she got on top and pumped me like a shotgun, screaming the whole time. We went all night long.” He grinned. “She liked to try new positions. So one time…”
“I don’t want to hear about your sexual acrobatics, Cane!” Her voice was high-pitched and desperate.
He rolled his head against the headrest so that he could see her face. “Jealous?”
“I am not jealous!”
He smiled. But the smile faded. “You’d have to get on top,” he said coldly. “I don’t have two arms to prop on anymore. I don’t even know if I could do it now. I wanted to find out. I wanted to see if I could still be a man....”
“Cane, there are men all over the world who have lost arms and legs and who can still have sex,” she pointed out, trying to restrain her embarrassment. “People find a way!”
He drew in a long breath. “I won’t have the nerve to try again,” he said in a haunted tone. “She said I was a cripple.” His eyes closed. “A cripple. She wanted a whole man....”
She pulled up at the front of the house and blew the horn. She almost jumped out when Tank came onto the front porch.
CHAPTER TWO
“DAMN IT, CANE,” TANK, aka Dalton, muttered under his breath as he helped Bodie get his brother out of the truck and up onto the porch. “Why do you do this to yourself?”
“He does share,” Bodie replied. “He did it to the bar also.”
Dalton groaned.
“I paid the bar tab, and extra.” Cane sighed. He pulled away from his brother. “I want her to take me upstairs.” He pointed to Bodie.
“No way. I have to go home. I’m studying for biology finals.”
“Won’t go if you don’t go with me,” Cane said obstinately.
Dalton grimaced. He looked at Bodie, pleadingly.
“Oh, all right. But then I have to go home, and somebody will have to drive me.”
“I’ll take you home,” Dalton promised. He smiled. “Thanks.”
She shrugged. “You’re welcome.”
She got under Cane’s good arm, shimmering all over at the feel of that powerful body so close to hers, and guided him up the steps.
“You owe me, pal,” she muttered.
His hand slid over her arm, his fingers accidentally brushing the rounded underside of her breast in the process, and dragging a helpless shock of pleasure that echoed from her throat.
“Mmm-hmm,” he murmured.
She got him into his room. He pushed the door closed behind them and let her guide him to the bed, but when he went down, he pulled her with him.
“Now,” he breathed, his hand under her back. “I want to find out something....”
She opened her mouth to ask what and his was suddenly teasing around it, nibbling at her upper lip, teasing the underside with his tongue. The mastery of the caress left her helpless. She just lay there, shocked, tempted…tingling all over with new sensations.
He unsnapped the bra and, leaning on the stump of his left arm, proceeded to unbutton his shirt while his lips were playing with hers. Seconds later, he’d pushed up her shirt and bra and his bare, hair-matted, muscular chest was pressing down against skin that had never been touched.
“Small,”
