If You Believe

She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "It smells bad. "

"Tastes worse. "

Mad Dog plopped to a cross-legged sit in the spike-sharp grass. Then he patted the ground beside him. Come on, sit down. "

Slowly, stiffly, she knelt beside him. Staring down at the bottle, she tried to tell herself she was doing the right thing.

"Second thoughts?" he asked softly. "No " She tilted the bottle and brought it to her mouth. The thick glass felt cold and foreign against her lips. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a huge, dribbling gulp.

Tears sprang to her eyes. Fire burned down her throat and puddled, pulsing, in her stomach. She yanked the bottle from her mouth and wiped her sleeve across her lips. "Oh . . . my . - - God. "

Mad Dog grinned at her. "I told you youd cry. He reached out and took the bottle from her. Taking a big drink, he handed it back.

She frowned at him. "Another one?" "At least. "

"Maybe I should wait-----"

"Its not gonna digest, darlin. Take another drink. Grimacing, she took the bottle and wiped the mouth of it with her sleeve.

He laughed. "Whatcha doin that for? You know where my mouth has been. "

Mariah ignored him and took another burning drink. Mad Dog leaned back on his elbows and crossed his legs at the ankles, staring up at the endless, star-bright sky They sat that way for an eternity, with him sprawled casually in the grass, her kneeling primly alongside him.

The tequila passed back and forth, back and forth, until Mariah started actually liking the taste. It was like swallowing a starburst, and after each sip, she felt warmer.

The tension that had coiled around her spine for days melted into more manageable proportions.

"Come here," Mad Dog said after a while, patting the ground.

Mariah took another drink. "Huh-uh. " Then she handed him the bottle and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

He took a quick sip and handed it back.

She frowned heavily. For a second—just a second— the bottle went out of focus.

He wiggled it. The liquid sloshed against the glass.

She reached out with both hands, curling her fingers around the slim, cold neck.

"Gotcha. "

Was that her voice? It sounded . . . slurred.

"You got me," he said quietly.

Her head snapped up. She stared at him through watery, burning eyes. He swam in and out of focus for a moment. She narrowed her eyes, concentrating.

Gradually she could make him out. He lay in the shadowy grass, propped up on his elbows. Moonlight tangled in his too long hair, creating a halo of fire around his tanned, smiling face.

Her heart gave a tiny lurch. God, he was handsome. Shed almost forgotten. . . .

But she wanted to forget. Didnt she?

"I dont want you," she said primly, and took another sip.

He laughed, and in the quiet darkness it was a rich, rumbling sound that curled around her heart. "Yes, you do. "

For some absurd reason, her fingers started trem bling. She slammed down the bottle into the cold, hard ground. "No, I dont. "