She paused, her feelings undecided. One half of her was demanding that she run the other way. Avoid him as much as possible, cast his curiosity and pity aside. But the other half of her was yearning the the comfort and understanding that could only come from another facing like circumstances.

With L.J. hobbling behind her, Anna slowly sauntered toward Brian.

"How's you get out here?" She questioned when they met. Her eyes refusing to meet his.

"You're a smart girl. Figure it out."

Hoping to display a lack of concern, she lightly shrugged her shoulders.

"Is it so dark and horrible that you can't tell me?" The question was issued so softly that for a moment Anna wasn't sure he'd spoken.

"It happened a long time ago. Some things are best forgotten."

"What you mean is the painful memories."

"I'm not going to argue, if that's what you want."

"It's not."

She stood stiffly at his side.

"Show me what you found?" He requested gently

When she didn't respond, Brian took the basket out of her hand and fingered the assortment of shells and rocks she'd collected. He lifted his eyes and his frowning gaze studied her. "You didn't want me to know, did you?"

"No," she whispered.

"You would have never told me if it hadn't been for my fight with my father."

Anna's eyes met his. Was that pain she heard in his voice? "Probably not."

"Why?"

"Why?" She repeated. "You like perfection, especially in your women. I saw Leigh. The china-doll face, the figure a woman like me would die for. She's perfect right down to the mascara on the tips of her lashes and the uniformly shaped fingernails."

Her words seemed to anger him. "You're not like Leigh."

"That's what I just said," she shouted.

"Not in the ways that matter."

Her voice quivered as she struggled not to reveal the hurt his words inflicted. "I can't tell you how many times kind-hearted people with good intentions told me it didn't matter if I was scarred because it was what was on the inside that counted. I don't need to hear it from you."

"Now you're twisting my words."

She shook her head and pinched her lips together.

"You are the most incredibly beautiful woman I know."

Anna released a short, disgusted sound and stormed away. His rolling laughter stopped her. "What's so funny?" She demanded, turning around, hands on her hips, feet spread in a defensive stance.

"You are!" He shouted. "Don't you remember how you said it is a sad commentary on my life if I needed you to rescue me from beautiful women?"

"I remember." She didn't lessen the distance between them.

"I tell you how beautiful you are and immediately you act like I've given you the biggest insult of your life."

"I am not beautiful," she shouted back.

"Then why do I have to struggle not to kiss you? Why do I lay in awake at night and wish you were in bed with me?" The violence in his voice stunned her.

Anna flinched at his words. "You don't know what you're saying."

"You're right. Not only am I a cripple, but I'm weak in the head."

"I won't argue with you about that." A gust of wind nearly lifted the hat from her head. Anna caught it just before it flew off.

Anna looked at Brian, who had his back to her, as he was slowly progressing down the beach.

Unwilling to join him, but equally unwilling to leave him on his own, Anna sat and waited. She lay back in the sand and rested her eyes. Was Brian attracted to her? The thought was heady enough to cause her heart to beat wildly. Brian Littrell was more tempting that any man she had ever known. But she would never fit into his world. Brian was best left in the hands of women like Leigh. The two of them belonged together. She was only a therapist that would pass in and out of his life in short order. A year from now he'd have trouble remembering her name. Anna couldn't afford to lose sight of that.

She must have drifted into sleep. The next thing Anna knew Brian let out an angry curse, and she sat up, surprised.

"You can call off your attack bird."

"Long John," she yelled. Brian was sucking the side of his index finger.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"And you always suck your finger?"

"I do when it's bleeding."

"Let me see."

"No."

"My, my, aren't we brave," she murmured, coolly aloof.

"If you saw this cut you'd think so in earnest."

"Brian, please. Did L.J. hurt you?"

"Only my pride. It seems your feathered creature doesn't make friends easily."

Anna gave a frustrated sound and fell to her knees at his side. "For heavens sake, quit acting like a child and let me have a look at it."

His hand cupped the side of her face raising her eyes to meet his. A heavy sensual awareness rippled through her and it was all Anna could do not to place her hand over his and close her eyes. She was tampering with fire, and she knew it.

"It..it doesn't look bad."

"I told you it was only a scratch."

"I wouldn't want..."

"What wouldn't you want?" His voice was at a whisper as his hand cupped her other cheek. "I can't help this," he whispered, breathlessly. "Hate me later." His mouth gently kissed her chin, her eyes, the end of her nose, and caressed her cheek before softly parting her lips.

She should have stopped him. It wasn't him she'd hate later, but herself. Her arms slid around his neck, her fingers stroking the hair that grew thick there.

Brian's mouth sought hers, and she moved her face against his until finally, when their lips met, Anna was beyond coherent thought.

The kiss was hard and demanding and showed an expertise she hadn't known from others. The tip of his tongue outlined her lips. Anna thought she would die from the pure pleasure as his mouth crashed down over hers.

His hand slid down her nape, his thumb moving a slow rhythmic circle against her sensitized skin. He pushed the neckline of her dress off one smooth shoulder his mouth blazing a trail of soft kisses that led to the scented hollow between her breasts. When Anna emitted a small protesting sound, Brian tightened his hold and raised his mouth to the nape of her neck.

"Don't say it," he pleaded. "I know what you are thinking."

"You couldn't possibly know."

"For once in your life, don't think. Feel." His mouth was on hers, hard with a hungry demand. The kisses became longer, more languorous, as he pressed their upper bodies as close together as possible.

"No...no..." She dragged her mouth from his. Stiffening as she pulled away. At first Brian didn't want to let her go; Anna could sense as much as he tightened his grip. But after the first sign of struggle, he released her.

Anna slumped on the sand beside him.

"Don't say it." The command was whispered harshly.

"I won't," she returned unsteadily. "I...I think we should get back to the house."

"Not yet." His voice was softer. "Sit with me for a while."

She brought her knees up and circled them with her arms. For a long time they sat in silence.

When she felt Brian's gaze on her she turned to face him. Their eyes met. Hers soft, lambent, the effect of his kisses evident; his tired, strained.

Anna looked away. "I was only sixteen." Her voice was barely above a weak whisper. "I was a cheerleader on the way home from a Friday night game when the bus was hit by a train. I..I don't remember much of the accident. Only the sound of screams and realizing they were my friends' and my own. My father told me I was trapped inside. Everyone told me how lucky I was to be alive." She gave a sad laugh. "For a long time, I didn't think so. At least if I was dead the pain would go away."

"I thought the same thing," Brian added in a gruff whisper. His hand rested on her shoulder as if some contact with her, even the light touch of his hand against her bare skin, was necessary.

"The doctors assured my family I'd never walk again. The damage was too extensive, multiple. My father wouldn't accept that. He insisted on a therapist." She paused and bit into her bottom lip. "It hurt so much I though I'd die."

"And I once asked what you could possible know about pain." His voice was filled with self-directed anger.

"You didn't know. My mother couldn't stand to see me suffer like that. I know it wasn't any easier on Dad, but he was there very session encouraging me, loving me, helping in any way he could. I'd be in a wheelchair today if it wasn't for my father."

"You told me once the only man you'd ever made cry was your father."

Anna nodded. "With the therapist's help, Dad learned the manipulations and assumed some of the exercises. I wanted to give up so many times. But Dad wouldn't let me. He prodded, pried, bribed, and when the pain was the worst he cried with me. But not once in the next two years would he let me quit."

"It took two years for you to walk again?"

"Two of the longest years of my life."

"I can imagine."

"If it weren't for the scars I don't think anyone would guess."

"No. Have you ever considered plastic surgery?"

Anna stiffened defensively. "My medical bills were staggering. My family gave me back my life. This disfigurement can be hidden. No, the thought has never entered my mind."

"I've offended you and I didn't mean to. I'd like to do that for you, Anna. My gift to you for everything you've done for me."

"I haven't done anything."

"How can you say that?"

"Easy. Want me to do it again?"

"Anna." He said her name in anger and frustration. "Why is it every time I try with you it backfires? I think you're wonderful just the way you are. The scars don't bother me, keep them if you'd like."

"I like." She stood and brushed the sand from her dress. "Dennis and Charity will be worried. We should head back. Do you want me to push you?"

"No."

Anna had gone several feet, but Brian didn't follow. When she glanced back expectantly, she saw that he hadn't moved his gaze resting on the rough ocean. "You coming?" She called.

He turned toward her and nodded, but it was several long moments before he did so.