If You Believe

He sat up.

Mariah felt his gaze on her, sliding down her exposed throat like a finger of fire. She shivered and tried to ignore the feeling.

Slowly he got to his feet.

She was acutely aware of his movements, the crick of his knees, the crunch of his heels in the frozen grass, the accelerated tenor of his breathing.

He took a step closer to her and stopped. His hand appeared be

fore her in the darkness. "Come on. "

She blinked up at him. "Where are we goin?"

"Does it matter?"

She reached for the tequila and started to take a drink.

He grabbed her hand. "I think youve had enough. "

She bristled. "You think Ive had enough? Who cares?" A defiant half smile pulled at her lips as she took one last drink.

"Come on. "

She ignored his hand and set the tequila down. The bottle fell with a thump and released the sharp scent of liquor. She giggled and tried to right it.

"Come on, Mariah. "

"Oh, all right. " She placed her hands in the grass and pushed awkwardly to her feet.

The moment she stood, a tidal wave of dizziness swept through her, turned her legs into warm pudding. She staggered sideways, arms flailing, then crumpled to the ground.

She giggled again. "I cant stand up. "

Laughing softly, Mad Dog swept her into his arms.

The sudden movement surprised her. Instinctively she wrapped her tingling arms around his neck and hung on.

He turned and started walking.

Mariah let out a deep breath. She had to admit, she felt pretty darn good. She tucked her face into the crook of his neck and closed her eyes. The steady movement of his body lulled her, relaxed her. She found herself drifting, drifting, not thinking about anything.

"Were here. " Mad Dog stopped.

Mariah lifted her head, blinked heavily, trying to see in the darkness around her.

A naked, shivering limb caught her eye.

She gasped, brought a hand to her mouth. No, she thought drunkenly, he wouldnt have brought her here. Not here . . .

His arms loosened. She slid down the long, hard length of him. Her feet hit the ground with a quiet thump, her knees immediately gave way, and she sank unsteadily onto the grass.

Everything about this place was painfully familiar. She didnt need to see it in the full light of day to recognize her surroundings.

The sharp tip of betrayal stung through her. "Why would you bring me here?"

He kneeled beside her, slipping his hand through hers. Their fingers curled together, formed a warm, tight-knit ball of flesh. "You need to say good-bye, Mariah. "

She turned to him. "I said good-bye at the damn funeral. "