“Exactly. Her friends, my friends, a bunch of strangers, and that damned photographer. But as soon as I got my lips unlocked, I pulled her aside, and we had a private chat about our lack of a relationship. I didn’t think any more about it until I saw the paper yesterday. I tried to call you, but…”

She regarded him searchingly, and then her expression went stony. “You didn’t finally fly down here because you thought I’d run away over something like that, did you?”

“I was kissing another woman!”

“You thought I’d run! You did! Over that stupid picture. After all I’ve gone through to prove myself!” Her eyes flashed grape-flavored thunderbolts. “You’re an idiot!” She stormed out of the bedroom.

He couldn’t believe this. If he’d seen a photo of Blue kissing another man, he’d have torn the world apart. He hurried into the hall after her, the clammy towel getting colder by the minute. “Are you telling me you weren’t worried—not for a minute—that I might be screwing around on you?”

“No!” She started down the steps, and then spun around. “Do you really expect me to fall apart every time another woman throws herself at you? Because, if that’s so, I’ll be a nervous wreck before the honeymoon’s over. Although, if they do it in front of me…”

He went still. “Did you just propose to me?”

She bristled. “Do you have a problem with that?”

The scoreboard lit up, and he gave the world a high five. “God, I love you.”

“I’m not impressed.” She stomped the rest of the way down the steps. “Why is it that I have faith in you, but—after everything I’ve gone through—changing my whole life for you!—you still don’t have any faith in me?”

Prudence suggested this wasn’t the best time to bring up her past history. Besides, she had a point. A really good point, and he’d have to tell her what he’d learned about himself, although not right now. He went after her. “Because…I’m an insecure jerk too good-looking for my own good?”

“Bingo.” She stopped next to the coatrack. “I’ve given you way too much power in this relationship. Obviously, it’s time for me to take over.”

“Could you start off by getting naked?” Her eyebrows shot together. She wasn’t letting him off that easily, and he quickly retrenched. “Where did those clothes come from?”

“April orders everything for me. She knows I can’t be bothered.” Her curls bobbed. “And I’m too mad—too furious!—to get naked.”

“I understand. You have to put up with a lot from me.” A sense of absolute peace stole through him, disturbed only by the powerful erection that even his chilly towel hadn’t been able to discourage. “Tell me about Atlanta, sweetheart.”