Her incredulous question didn’t faze Parr a bit. Her eyes narrowed, searching his smug expression. How could he be doing this to her? He had to have some idea of how inadequate his revelation made her feel. Maybe he did know more than she’d ever wanted anyone to know about her.

Mary Beth was stunned. And seething with fury.

“I have a feeling there’s a hidden fire in you that my brother can’t find.”

God, how he wanted the words to be true. He wished he could be the only man to satisfy her, now and forever. But he had to forget about what he wanted. He had to remember and remind himself constantly that Mary Beth Caine did not belong to him.

“Shut up, Parr.”

“Don’t you want to find out what I’m talking about? I’m a man, honey, not a boy.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You’ve been playing around in the minor leagues with my little brother,” he taunted as he kept her within his arms, his head lowering to her neck. “Are you woman enough to play in the big leagues?”

“Don’t be ridiculous—oh.”

He feathered kisses along the slender column of her throat. Before she could protest again, he took her mouth in a kiss so hard and hot that her knees buckled beneath her. She had to cling to him for support. She tried not to respond but she couldn’t help herself. She had never been so consumed by passion, so completely overtaken by sexual need. The kiss seemed to go on forever as they made love with their mouths, in sensual imitation of stronger and deeper pleasures.

Finally he broke the kiss, struggling to gain control of his own body, knowing that he had to do it now or he would never be able to.

“I can’t believe a hot little honey like you hasn’t been able to satisfy Bobby Joe,” he growled.

She jerked abruptly out of his arms, her emerald eyes blazing with rage.

“How dare you say something like that?”

Parr gave an arrogant shrug. “It’s the truth, isn’t it? I know for a fact that he had you . . . and didn’t come back for more. Luellen takes care of his, um, needs.”

Her hand flew to his face, anguish powering her move. His big hand grasped her wrist, stopping the slap before it landed.

“Never hit me, honey. I’m no gentleman when you get right down to it. And if you intend to act like a brat, I just might turn you over my knee and spank that cute little backside of yours.”

Hurting inside as she had never hurt in her life, she lashed out verbally. “I wouldn’t waste my time touching you ever again.”