Rick drew in a breath, overcome with the power of that image. He wanted babies with Josie. He wanted a family. He wanted to try. And Josie was at the center of all that longing, all the dreams hed barely admitted to himself.

With a kind of deadweight clarity, right down in his gut, he knew the only problem with loving someone was fearing youd lose them.

Rick gently tucked the towel around her, pondering the physics of his challenge. He didnt think he could lift her up from that angle. Hed have to get her to her feet first.

Stand up, Josie. Ill tuck you in.

She didnt stir.

Everything okay in there? Teeny called from the living room. Rick stuck his head out the bathroom door. She fell asleep in the tub. Want to help me lift her out so I can carry her to bed?

Teeny shoved his gun back in his waistband, laughing softly. You dont pay me enough, Rousseau.

By the time Teeny had entered the bathroom, Rick had completely wrapped Josie in the towel, snugly overlapping the corners at her chest.

Ill get her upper body, Teeny said, slipping a big arm under her back.

You get her legs.

The two of them gently lifted Josie from the tub, Teeny transferring her full weight to Ricks arms the instant he could turn her. /Thank you,/ Rick mouthed to his friend, heading for the doorway and turning sideways to get through.

You sure got your hands full with this one, Teeny whispered. Good thing Ive been kicking your ass in the barn.

Rick smiled at him.

Page me in the A.M.

He nodded good night to Teeny and carried Josie to the bed. He laid her down and grabbed another towel from the hall closet. Carefully, he tried to dry her curly hair, so thick and heavy that his effort seemed pointless. So he just wrapped the towel around her head as snugly as possible, and removed the damp towel from her body. He tucked the sheets and comforter under her chin.

He kissed her on the mouth.

Suddenly, her arms were around his neck and she was kissing him back. I want you, Josie whispered, taking her lips away long enough to speak the words. I want you so bad.

Rick began taking off his clothes, hoping Josie hadnt just invited Lloyd into her bed.

I love you, Rick, she said, her eyes now open. I think I fell asleep in the shower.

You did, but I got you now.

She yanked the towel from her hair and pulled back the covers. Yes, you do.

Rick dove into her. She was warm and damp and eager. He let himself disappear in her heat and her moans, rolling with her, laughing, kissing, sucking and licking her soft body. At some point, he found himself with a handful of her wet curls in his hand as he took her from behind, wild with his need, his hand cupping her belly.

He drove himself to an orgasm, feeling Josie pulse and tug on him from inside her body. This was heaven. She was his heaven, and his love. He would never let anything happen to her, ever.

Gwen refused to come to the office, and instead asked Rick to meet her for a cup of coffee. Teeny drove him to the Market District cafй and, after checking the inside of the restaurant, took up residence on the bench out front.

Do you ever get tired of being followed? Gwen asked, nodding her head toward the windows.

Someday it wont be necessary, but right now, it is.

Gwen nodded, looking down into her espresso. I probably owe you an explanation.

Id rather you just retract your resignation.

She smiled slightly and shook her head. I need to move on. Its time.

There was something different about Gwen today. She was more relaxed than hed ever seen her. Her edges were softer. He studied her face, and saw an openness there hed never noticed. This isnt about the financial losses, is it?

No, though I truly believe I failed you on that count. She took a sip from her tiny cup. Its about me, Rick. You cant be oblivious to the fact thatsince I laid eyes on youIve wanted you to want /me/.

Rick was surprised. After five years of innuendo, he wasnt prepared for a direct hit like that. Yes, Im aware of that.

But you never did want me, did you? She asked it without anger and waited patiently for him to answer.

No. I didnt.

Why? Gwen entwined her hands into a tight ball and tapped the table. Id like to know.

Rick pondered that for a moment, then said, I saw everything you were, Gwena beautiful, accomplished, brilliant woman. But none of it appealed to me.

She laughed hard, pointing her chin to the ceiling as she howled.

Im being honest with you, Rick said, admitting that what hed just said did sound pretty ridiculous. I wanted nothing to do with womennot after what Id done to Margot. It took me a long time to trust myself again, to trust myself with a woman.

Gwen sat with that information, looking down at her hands, then all around the cafй. Eventually her gaze returned to Rick. Theres something Ive wanted to ask you for years.

Nows the time, he said, giving her a friendly smile.

She didnt smile back. Do I remind you of Margot? Is that why you had no interest in me?

Rick fell back against the cafй chair, raising his eyebrows in consideration. It was true that both women were elegant, tall, slim, blue-eyed blondes. But Gwen was far more reserved in her personality, while Margot had been a party girl. Yet, Gwen had a point.

Maybe a little, he conceded.

She nodded. So tell me about her.

Rick frowned, not following the conversation. Margot?

No, silly, Gwen said, playfully slapping Ricks forearm. Josie. Your girlfriend. Tell mewhy her and why now?

He got goose bumps. Gwen had no way of knowing about Josie.

Fine, I admit it, she said with a shrug. When I left my resignation on your desk I saw her background file lying right there on top of everythingcolor photo and all. Gwen gave him a smile. So fire me.

Rick was angryat himself. It had been an oversight to leave that out for anyone to see, but as he recalled, his thoughts Friday afternoon had been on how to get Josie to the ranch for the weekend, not on tidying up his workspace.

Im all ears, Rick, she continued. If beauty, brains, and success didnt do it for you, Id sure like to know what did.

Rick shut his eyes for an instant, drudging up patience he didnt feel.

What was the best way to tell Gwen that hed found a woman who surpassed her on all those counts, and more?

Come on, please explain it to me, Gwen said. I am dying to know what kind of key it took to unlock the virtuous Rick Rousseau. Her smile did nothing to hide her angry sarcasm.

She fits me, Gwen. Rick wanted this to be quick and kind, but stern. He wanted to put an end to this conversation. We chose one another. Why is a private matter between Josie and me. Im in love with her. I know you will find a way to respect that.

After a flash of bewilderment, Gwens expression returned to the blank pleasantness she usually displayed. She reached for her bag.

I wish you nothing but happiness, she said. If you need my assistance finding a replacement, Id be happy to help.

Thank you. Rick stood up when Gwen did. Good luck to you, Gwen. He held out his hand.

She took it. She kept her hand linked to his for just a second longer than she should have. Rick ended the contact.

Looking slightly embarrassed, she asked, I can still count on you for a recommendation?

Anytime.

Good-bye, Rick.

She walked through the cafй, out the door, and past Teeny without acknowledging his presence. When Rick arrived on the sidewalk a moment later, Teeny was laughing.

Whats so funny?

Oh, you know, he said, letting go with a great sigh. I was just thinking what excellent taste you have in women.

Rick felt his face expand in a smile. Will you be my best man?

Teeny looked down at him, his eyebrows arched high on his forehead. On your wedding day and every other day, he said.