A Woman's Touch

his mouth lightly with her own. „That’s what Stockbridges in general have needed all along. They just didn’t know how to pick the right women to touch them.“
    Kyle stood very close, looking down at her with eyes that gleamed with warmth and an aching longing. „I had the sense to pick you, didn’t I?“
    „I suppose we’ll have to give you some credit, although you didn’t seem to know what to do with me after you picked me.“
    „Now that is an outright slander. I knew damned well what to do with you. I made love to you as often as possible, if you’ll recall.“
    Rebecca looked up at him. „And that’s what you’re going to do tonight?“
    „That’s what I’m going to do tonight,“ he vowed.
    „Good. If you want to know the truth, I was getting awfully tired of that hotel room.“
    Kyle laughed softly. „But you were too damned proud to admit it. That’s why I decided to take matters into my own hands tonight. I felt sorry for you.“
    „Sorry for me!“
    He smiled with slow promise. „Sure. Don’t you think I know what pride can do to a person? Hell, I’m an expert on the subject. You had yourself backed into a corner. I just reached over and hauled you out.“
    „Is that right? I’ve got news for you, cowboy – I was getting ready to tell you it was time to buy the ring and set the date.“
    „Too late, my managing little executive assistant. I’ve already taken care of both items.“ He reached into his chest pocket and took out a small package. „If you’d been in a more cooperative mood this past week, I’d have asked your opinion on the ring, at least. But since you were still having too much fun playing the lady-with-the-iron-fist-in-the-velvet-glove, I went ahead without you.“
    Rebecca smiled brilliantly as she opened the small box and peeked at the contents. „It’s beautiful,“ she said simply.
    „Thank you, Kyle. I love it.“
    „Just as well, since I’ve scheduled the wedding for next Thursday.“
    Rebecca’s mouth fell open. „Thursday! How in the world am I ever going to get ready by Thursday? Kyle, you can
    ’t rush something like a wedding. It takes time. We have to choose a caterer and flowers and a dress and send out invitations… mmph.“ The rest of her complaint was trapped behind her lips when Kyle bent down and kissed her into silence.
    „Everything’s been taken care of,“ he told her when he lifted his head.
    „Who took care of it?“ she demanded.
    „I did. You think you’re the only one capable of a little organization and efficiency?“
    Rebecca was torn between outrage and laughter. She finally settled on laughter. „You’re impossible.“ But she put down her glass and threw herself into his arms.
    „I’m a man in love,“ he corrected as he set down his own glass and gathered her close. „That makes me capable of impossible feats.“
    „You’ve even picked out a dress?“ she asked, awed.
    „All by myself.“
    „What about the size?“
    „Becky, honey, I lived with you for ten days, remember? I know your dress size. I also know your bra size and your shoe size. There is very little, in fact, that I don’t know about you.“
    She closed her eyes, leaning her head against his chest. „And you love everything you do know?“
    His arms tightened around her. „Everything. I fell in love with you on sight, you know.“
    „Let’s not get into that,“ Rebecca mumbled.
    He shook her gently. „It’s true. I was so busy trying to juggle all the problems I’d created for myself in the process of falling for you, that I didn’t stop to put a name on my emotions. But I know now that what I felt from the beginning was love. I just didn’t want to admit it. I think I was afraid to admit it.“
    „Afraid?“
    „The Stockbridge luck never holds with women,“ he said quietly.
    She raised her head and smiled up at him. „When it comes to love, Stockbridge, you’re not supposed to rely on luck.“
    „I think I’ve learned that lesson.“ He bent his head again and kissed her thoroughly.
    Rebecca relaxed against him, savoring the warm promise of his lips. It might have been luck that had brought them together, but she knew it wasn’t going to be the bond that held them. The road had been a rocky one, but at the end of it they had acknowledged what they wanted. Their commitment to each other would be unshakable.
    „I love you, Becky,“ Kyle said hoarsely. He sank down on the sofa, pulling her down on top of him. „God,