She quickly asked, “Will you trust me to another to take me home?”

“I would have to have great trust in him to do that and there are few people who I trust that much. Besides, what belongs to me I take great care of and protect.”

She was getting used to seeing that wickedly teasing smile of his and smiling along with him. “And you take great care in reminding me that I belong to you.”

“Let me enjoy having a beautiful woman belong to me, if only for a while.” He didn’t like that her smile faltered. “It saddens you that you belong to me, since it certainly can’t be that you doubt your beauty.”

“You don’t have to lie to me. I am well aware that I have plain features.”

“Who told you such nonsense?” he demanded as if her words offended him.

“No one told me. I have eyes to see for myself. My two sisters got the beauty in the family, especially Snow,” Willow said with a soft smile.

Slatter rested his brow to hers. “You are beautiful whether you believe it or not. You have the most gorgeous green eyes I have ever seen. The color reminds me of the spring when the dormant grass bursts into a luscious green color. And your cheeks blush a rosy pink more often than not, highlighting your pale skin. Then there are your lips, rosy and plump and begging to be kissed.

He brushed his lips over hers and Willow didn’t move. His words alone had sent a rush of flutters in her stomach and flared a passion that was far too new to her to fully understand.

His lips brushed hers again, then whispered, “To me, Willow, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

This time he didn’t brush his lips across hers, he pressed them against hers, kissing her with an intensity she instinctively responded to. His hand went to the back of her head to rest their as he tempted and teased her into parting her lips and when his tongue slipped into her mouth, the flutters in her stomach went wild and her passion sparked to a flame.

“Good, he’s at it again. Now watch and learn, because I’m tired of your fumbling pokes.”

The woman’s voice ended their kiss, Slatter and Willow both looking up surprised to see that the grate had been removed. And even more surprised to see a woman and man looking down.

“A pleasant day to you, Maddie,” Slatter said, a smile spreading wide across his face as his arms hugged Willow protectively.

The short, thin, pretty woman with long dark hair grinned. “A pleasant day to you, Slatter, and I see that it is a very pleasant day for you.” She held up a stuffed sack. “I have some fine food for you, but only if you’ll let my husband here watch you poke the woman. I’m tired of his unsatisfying pokes and fumbling hands.”