dn't say where they went. at least he's taking precautions."

"why don't you all get some rest? you were up all night and it's nearly noon now. if we can't talk to ranier, we may as well take a break." ryland wanted lily to sleep. the bruises on her body were becoming more apparent with each passing hour.

"i can cook a meal for everyone," rosa offered, throwing her support fully behind them in the one way she knew. "and i'm a nurse. let me see this man who is ill."

"rosa"-lily slid deeper beneath the sheet-"make them do those exercises. i'm too tired to see that they do them."

"i thought we were taking the day off," gator protested. "kicking back, watching the old bondage films."

"you must never take a day off from the exercises," rosa scolded. "it's important to do them every day." she started herding the men from lily's bedroom, but suddenly turned back and marched stiffly to the bed. glaring at ryland she snatched up the handcuffs and took them with her.

arly, falling into step beside her, leaned down and whispered wickedly in her ear. it earned him a slap on the arm but rosa could be heard giggling as she closed the door behind them.

"did you see that?" ryland demanded. "she took the handcuffs."

lily wiggled out of the robe and let it fall to the floor. "so you wouldn't think about using them on me."

"i wasn't thinking about using them." ryland shoved a hand through his dark hair, tousling the curls more than usual. "why does everyone think i'd use metal cuffs? i'd use silk." he leaned over lily, pressed a kiss between her breasts. "i wouldn't mind tying you up but i'd use silk."

her laughter was smothered by the pillow when she buried her face in it. "poor baby, no one will believe you. rosa thinks you're kinky."

"well, i am," he admitted. "but just with you. and she took the cuffs and went giggling out of the room with that bondage freak arly. now that's scary stuff."

lily summoned enough strength to smack him with the pillow. "that's disgusting. don't even think about the two of them doing anything together. rosa is like my mother and arly... well... he's arly." she looked at ryland. shook her head. "no way. it isn't possible. they would never..." she trailed off again and shuddered.

ryland laughed at her. "yes they would. he looks at her with that look in his eye. men know these things." he dropped his clothes on the floor and slid beneath the sheet, wrapping his body around hers protectively.

"i don't want to know so don't let me in on it if you find out arly and rosa are seeing one another. do you think general ranier and delia are really okay?"

"i think ranier is a wily tiger and higgens grabbed the wrong tail. he's gone somewhere to stash his wife. that's what i'd do, and he'll come back prepared to fight a battle. he won't stop until he's dead or he's won." he circled her body with his arm, cupping her breast in his palm possessively. "i didn't much like having all those men in here knowing you were wearing nothing but a sheet. we're going to have some serious talks about underwear."

lily laughed and turned over to face him. her gaze drifted lovingly over his face. "you're the most beautiful man i've ever seen. when you're around, i can't see anyone else." her fingertips traced the contours of his face. found the rough-edged lines, the small scars, his stubborn jaw. all the while she looked at him with love.

"i'll have to make certain i'm always around, won't i?" he said.

"i think that would be a good idea," lily agreed.