Duel lifted his hat from the nail and twisted it around and around. “Suppose I’d better head for the barn.”

For the space of several heartbeats he stared at her. It was as if he wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. Jessie wished for courage to speak her thoughts—to tell him how she felt—that she’d changed her mind about their sleeping arrangement.

“Duel, I didn’t thank you properly for the bonnet.” She strode across the room. “I’ve never seen a lovelier hat.” Those weren’t the words she wanted to say. That his kiss stole her breath and melted her inside—that his courting art touched her in places no one ever had—that she loved being his wife. Those were things she wished she could tell him.

“I’m proud you like it, Jess.”

He held her spellbound in his gaze. Time stood still while the smell of all that was Duel circled her head. An honest smell of a good man who was willing to work his fingers to the bone for a woman in trouble.

Before she could back out, she stood on tiptoe to kiss his deeply lined cheek. “I’m a very lucky woman.” Her voice came out husky and soft. “Shoot, we can do better than that.” He swept her up in his arms and lowered his head.

A current surged through her when his full, sensual lips met hers. And when her mouth parted softly in surprise, his tongue dipped inside.

“Oh, my,” she managed after he let her go. Inside, she was a red-hot, sizzling mess. When she came to her senses, she realized she’d shamefully flung her arms around his neck. Hastily, she dropped them. “I’m not apologizing for that, Jess.” An obstinate glint lodged in his stare. “Not asking you to.” She felt equally determined. “You’re a beautiful woman and…” He left the rest unsaid as he reached for the knob. “Please.” She touched his arm. “Don’t sleep to the barn.”