When Abby woke, she felt stiff and sore. She pulled away from Cole's embrace and sat straight. "I'm sorry," she breathed out.

"It has been a tough day," Cole told her, leaning against the log and stretching his arms in the air. "I'm tired too."

Staring sleepy-eyed at him, Abby leaned against the stump. How strange to know they would be home soon. She would miss him when they parted company. Popper's ranch and her home in South Carolina seemed far removed from this place and from her heart. She wanted to stay with Cole.

His hand came up and brushed a curl from her brow. "What are you thinking about?" He did not smile but his eyes held good humor. "You are too quiet."

"I'm thinking we'll be home soon."

Cole nodded slowly, thoughtfully. Then he brightened. "It's Friday. You can come over and watch the preseason game on television with me." He straightened his back against the log and pushed his legs out in front of him. "Tampa Bay at Miami." He laughed at the face she made.

"That's not romantic," she declared and then wanted to kick herself. What a stupid thing to say; she sounded too forward and too presumptuous.

Cole's dark brows shot straight up and he leaned close to her but did not touch her. His voice sounded low and husky when he said, "I thought we were going to be friends, hang out together, and cry over old movies. Now you want romance?"

Embarrassed, Abby shook her head. Romance she would take but Cole Hannible seemed way out of her league in that department. She had kissed a couple of boyfriends but she had never had a passionate love affair and feared suddenly that she lacked the womanly art of seducing a man--especially a man like Cole Hannible. His first kiss had been wild and exciting. What more would he demand of her? Passion, love, that's what he would demand, and as much as she wanted to give it, what about later when Cole learned her true identity?

He leaned in further, ready to capture her lips. She stopped him by placing her finger over his firm mouth. Cole seized her hand and his other hand reached for her waist. "Cole..." she got out before he kissed her, softly at first, and then his hand released hers to cup her chin and tilt her face toward his. With his hand around her waist, he dragged her down next to him. Enveloped in his big arms now, he pulled her closer to him and he pressed her body flush to his. As his kiss deepened, Abby's heart began to race. Her hands reached for him and she kissed him back. She forgot all about Popper and poker and all about Dealer's Heart. His arms were powerful, his kiss intoxicated her and he extracted the response she feared. She loved him, passionately. Abby did not want him to let her go, but he did, slowly, and it seemed with regret. He kissed her lightly several times before he drew back and pulled her up with him to stand.

"Sorry," he said with a lopsided grin. "Making love to you here in the mud is not romantic, is it?" He smiled down at her. He kissed her again before he tugged on her hand. "Not much farther now."