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she explained unnecessarily.
    “Stay,” Rand murmured. “I’ll take you home.”
    “Fine, fine.” Evan gave Karen a boyish wink. “I’m pleased you two are enjoying yourselves.”
    Slowly, Karen led the way off the dance floor, giving Rand time to reorient himself.
    “I’ll only be a minute.” She left Rand beside the chairs they’d shared before dancing and hurried to meet Matthew. Without bothering to explain, she gave her father a peck on the cheek and told him she had a ride home and would talk to him in the morning. Leaving Matthew looking slightly perplexed, Karen rushed to the main part of the reception hall and Rand.
    But Rand was nowhere to be seen. For an instant, panic filled her until comprehension came. This time she was wise enough to seek her coat before venturing into the cold.
    Opening the glass door of the balcony, she saw him standing at the railing as before. He didn’t turn toward her, although she was sure he’d heard the door open.
    “Rand,” she whispered, suddenly nervous.
    He turned to her then, his face a mask of indecision and inner turmoil. Karen yearned to run to his arms and kiss away his misgivings, to assure him that this unfathomable feeling between them was right and good. But she was frozen, overcome by her own apprehensions.
    “Rand, please,” she pleaded, “don’t shut me out.”
    At the sound of her trembling voice, Rand’s hard features softened, and he opened his arms to her.
    Hesitatingly, she came, sliding her hands around his middle. “I know it’s crazy. I don’t understand it, either,” she admitted, her voice low and faltering.
    “I’ve never experienced anything like this.” His voice was a strange mixture of anger and wonder.
    Karen wanted to assure him this phenomenon was as much a mystery to her. “Me either, never.”
    “Oh, what the hell,” he groaned out before his mouth crushed down upon hers in a kiss that was both fierce and hungry. His arms, folded tightly around her, relaxed as the kiss continued. Their reaction shocked them both. It was as if a charge of lightning had arced between them, jolting them. They broke apart abruptly, and Karen’s breath came in uneven gasps. Had she been less unnerved, she might have noticed Rand’s breathing was just as uneven.
    Gently, Rand pulled her back into his arms, as if he needed to further test this sensation. This time, his kiss was tender and sweet, his mouth settling firmly over hers, drawing from Karen her very soul. When he finished, she was trembling and weak.
    “Dear heaven,” he moaned into her hair, “what’s happening?”
    Karen laid her head against his shoulder. “It’s an enchanted evening, and you’re the gallant Perseus,” she whispered a little breathlessly, still caught in the wonder of his kiss.
    “I’m hardly the gallant one,” Rand said with a hint of sarcasm. “It’s more like a bewitched Perseus held captive by the charms of the Lady Andromeda.” His finger and thumb stroked her chin sensuously.
    Mentally, Karen recalled the mythological tale. “Perseus rescued Andromeda, remember? She was doomed without him.” Breaking from his hold, Karen examined the sky. “Rand, Andromeda’s there.” Excitement crept into her voice as she needlessly pointed to the heavens.
    Rand’s arms surrounded her again. “Of course Andromeda’s there. Perseus needs her,” he murmured, as if admitting to his own lacking. “It’s been said she’s verybeautiful. May I examine her?”
    Karen didn’t understand his meaning until his fingertips began gently caressing the contours of her face, causing her to blush. Her eyelashes fluttered downward in confusion.
    “Not only soft and delicate but very, very lovely.” His husky voice was filled with reverence. Tucking a hand beneath her chin, he lifted her face while his mouth made an unhurried descent to claim her lips. Again, Karen’s mind whirled to a new height of sensual awareness.
    “I can see a distinct advantage to your