“Ah—that’s part of the problem.” Bobby Joe rubbed the sparse, light-colored stubble on his chin, his milk-chocolate eyes thoughtful. “Mary Beth doesn’t satisfy me . . . I mean, sexually. She’s a different sort of woman entirely from Lue. But in every other way, she’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Parr barely believed what he was hearing. His brother couldn’t possibly be talking about the woman Parr had encountered last night. That woman had clung to him, had responded passionately to his advances, and had clearly craved more.

Maybe foreplay was what got her going. Parr knew well enough that some women preferred that to actual sex, per se. He couldn’t blame them. So many men rushed the whole business and didn’t care if their women froze up during the act of making love, as long as they got their jollies. He took his time. A skilled buildup to a sensual explosion was worth it.

His body began to react against his will to the thought of her naked body moving seductively under his in the throes of ecstasy. Parr distracted himself by focusing on the calendar, a tractor company handout. The photo for the month had monster wheels and a bright green paint job. He calmed down again.

Bobby Joe was pouring sugar in his coffee and stirring it rapidly.

“Tell me something,” Parr asked. “Why do you want to marry her then?”

“Like I said, I love her. She’ll be a perfect wife, a perfect mother.”

“Listen to yourself, Bobby Joe. A perfect wife everywhere except in the bedroom? That’s not going to get you bouncing babies.”

“All it takes is one time per baby,” Bobby Joe cracked. “And besides, sex isn’t everything.” He gulped down his sugared coffee.

“Maybe you’re the wrong man for her,” Parr suggested. If he could make his brother see reason, Mary Beth just might see the light as well. Parr would be honored to be the man for her. But as long as Bobby Joe claimed to love the woman, Parr knew he could never make her his.

He was a proud man, loyal to friends and family. He would never betray his brother, even after what Bobby Joe had done, not even to satisfy a need so overwhelming that it scared him.

“Look, Parr. I admit I made a big mistake, but I honestly do love Mary Beth and I still intend to marry her. Luellen had her chance and she blew it last year. I can’t forgive her for jilting me to marry that big dumb jock.”

“And now that she’s been dumped, you look good again. So was it payback for you? Or are you really hot for her?”

“Maybe both.”

Parr heaved an angry sigh and finished his coffee, which had cooled to lukewarm. “You’re a piece of work. Sometimes I can’t believe we’re brothers.”

“Me neither.”