The Bare Facts (18 page)

In the midst of the flaming rising of the sun, she heard Dylan's husky whisper.

“I love you, Haley.”

She turned her face to his to receive his kiss, remembering the sudden wrenching pain of losing him, and she whispered against his mouth, “I love you, too.”

She turned her eyes back to the glorious sunrise. She had called Margo, apologizing profusely for ever doubting her friendship. Margo had cried over the phone, making Haley promise to come over the minute she got home.

She was content and happy that their friendship had been restored. Her heart was light and full of happiness. She'd confine the memories to the past where they belonged and where now they would stay.

“Now that we're baring our souls, let me ask you a question. What happened the night of our graduation party? Did we…did you…?” Haley looked at him helplessly.

“Did we make love?” Dylan asked.

“Yeah.”

“I haven't a clue. I do know that I held you all night long and I want to hold you for the rest of my life.” Dylan snuggled her closer and rubbed her arm.

“Is holding all you're interested in?” She turned in his arms, kissed his neck then grinned up at him.

Holding her gaze, he stared down at her, amusement glimmering in his eyes, and then he smiled that slow, sensual, intimate smile that made her go weak inside. “No. When two people are married there are certain obligations that have to be met.”

“I guess that means there will be sex involved.”

“I'm afraid that comes with the territory.”

She released a long-suffering sigh, “Ho-hum, what a hardship. I guess I can handle it.”

“I hope so. Can you reassure me that our sex life isn't going to be fodder for the masses?”

“I was thinking of giving you a byline. After all…” He grabbed her ribs and she let out a gust of laughter that scared some birds into flight. “Hey, no tickling,” she pleaded. “I was kidding.”

“You better be,” he said dryly. “My hands are lethal tickling weapons and I can tickle you at will.”

She crossed her heart and swiveled to look at him, holding her hand in the air. “Cross my heart and hope to die. What we do in our bedroom will be our business.”

“That's a relief.”

“Speaking of what we do in our bedroom and since the leather role-playing fantasy proves that you like that kind of thing, would you like to see my French
maid's costume?” She laughed wickedly in the pre-dawn chill.

Dylan groaned. “Haley, you're going to kill me.”

She grinned evilly as the sun burst like a golden crystal globe of molten glory, seeming to gently kiss the crater as it hovered above the flinty shadows safe in the crater's embrace.

It's exactly how she felt, safe, molten and content. Haley let him pull her close enough for their lips to almost meet. Brushing his lips, she responded softly, “Yeah, but what a way to go.” And then words were meaningless as they sealed their love with a kiss.