A MATTER OF CHOICE Prologue

James Sladerman frowned at the toe of his shoe. He'd been frowning since the summons from Commissioner Dodson had reached him in the squad room that morning. After blowing out a long stream of smoke, Slade crushed out the cigarette in the mosaic ashtra to his left. He barel shifted his bod . Slade knew how to wait.

!nl the night before he had waited for more than fi"e hours in a dark, chill car in a neighborhood where it #aid to watch our back as well as our wallet. $t had been a tedious, fruitless fi"e hours, as the stakeout had #roduced nothing. %ut then, Slade knew from long e&#erience that #olice work consisted of hours of endless legwork, im#ossible boredom, and #a#erwork, #unctuated b moments of stark "iolence. Still he #referred the fi"e'hour wait to the twent minutes he had s#ent in the commissioner's car#eted, beige'walled outer office. $t smelled of lemon #olish and now, his own (irginia tobacco. )he ke s of a t #ewriter clattered with monotonous efficienc as the commissioner's secretar transcribed.

*hat the hell does he want+ Slade wondered again. )hroughout his career Slade had studiousl a"oided the #olitics of #olice work because of an

inherent dislike of bureaucrac . $n his climb from cadet to detecti"e sergeant, there had been little o##ortunit for his #ath to cross Dodson's.

Slade had had brief #ersonal contact with Dodson at his father's funeral. Ca#tain )homas C. Sladerman had been buried with all the glor and honor that comes from ser"ing on the force for twent 'eight ears. And d ing in the line of dut . ,ulling o"er it, Slade recalled that the commissioner had been s m#athetic to the widow and the oung daughter. He'd said the right things to the son. Perha#s on some le"el he had been #ersonall grie"ed. -arl in their careers Dodson and Sladerman had been #artners. )he had still been oung men when their #aths had se#arated''one finding a niche in #olitics and administration, the other cra"ing the action of the streets.

!n onl one other occasion had Slade had one'to'one contact with Dodson. )hen Slade had been in the hos#ital, reco"ering from a gunshot wound. )he "isit of the commissioner of #olice to a mere detecti"e had resulted in talk and s#eculation that had embarrassed Slade as much as anno ed him.

.ow, he reali/ed, it would be all o"er the station house that the old man had called him in. His frown became a scowl. 0or a moment he

wondered if he had committed some breach in #rocedure, then became furious with himself for beha"ing like a kid hauled before the school #rinci#al.

)he hell with it, he decided, forcing himself to rela&. )he chair was soft''too soft, and too short. )o com#ensate, Slade cur"ed his s#ine into the back and stretched out his long legs. His e es half closed. *hen the inter"iew was o"er, he had the stakeout to look forward to again. $f it went down tonight, he'd ha"e a few e"enings free to s#end at the t #ewriter. *ith an luck''and a solid month without interru#tions''he could finish the no"el. %locking out his surroundings, he mentall re"iewed the cha#ter he was working on.

1Sergeant Sladerman+1

Anno ed b the distraction, Slade lifted his e es. Slowl his e&#ression cleared. He reali/ed he'd wasted his time staring at the floor when the commissioner's secretar #ro"ided a far more a##ealing "iew. His smile was at once a##raising and charming.

1)he commissioner will see ou now.1 )he secretar answered the smile, wishing he'd looked at her like that before, rather than sitting in sullen silence. He had a face an female would res#ond to''a bit narrow,

angular, with dark coloring that came from $talian ancestors on his mother's side. )he mouth had been hard in re#ose, but now, cur"ed, it showed both #romise and #assion. %lack hair and gra e es were an irresistible combination, es#eciall , she thought, when the hair was thick and a bit unrul and the e es were smok and m sterious. He was an interesting #ros#ect, she thought as she watched Slade unfold his long, rang frame from the chair.

As he followed her to the oak door he noted that the ring finger of her left hand was bare. $dl , he considered getting her #hone number on the wa out. )he thought sli##ed to the back of his mind as she ushered him into the commissioner's office.

)here was a Perillo lithogra#h on the right wall''a lone cowbo astride a #aint #on . )he left wall was crowded with framed #hotos, commendations, di#lomas. $f Slade found it an odd combination, he ga"e no sign. )he desk, with its back to the window, was dark oak. !n it were #a#ers in tid stacks, a gold #en and #encil set, and a tri#le #icture frame. Seated behind them was Dodson, a dark, tid little man who had alwa s reminded Slade more of a #arish #riest than .ew 2ork's commissioner of #olice. His e es were a calm, #ale blue, his cheeks healthil rudd . )hin wis#s of white wo"e through his hair. All in all, Dodson was the #icture of a"uncular gentleness. %ut the lines in his

face hadn't been etched b good humor.

1Sergeant Sladerman.1 Dodson motioned Slade to a chair with a gesture and a smile. %uilt like his father, he thought briefl as he watched Slade take his seat. 1Did $ kee# ou waiting+1

1A bit.1

3ike his father, Dodson thought again, managing not to smile. -&ce#t that there'd been talk that the son's real interest la in writing, not in #olice work. )om had alwa s brushed that aside, Dodson remembered. , bo 's a co#, 4ust like his old man. A damn good co#. At the moment Dodson was banking on it.

1How's the famil +1 he asked casuall while kee#ing those dece#ti"e blue e es direct.

10ine. )hank ou, sir.1

1Janice is en4o ing college+1 He offered Slade a cigar. *hen it was refused, Dodson lit one for himself. Slade waited until the smoke stung the air before answering. Just how, he wondered, did Dodson know his sister was in college+

12es, she likes it.1

1How's the writing+1

He had to call on all of his training not to re"eal sur#rise at the question. His e es remained as clear and stead as his "oice. 1Struggling.1

.o time for small talk, Dodson thought, ta##ing off cigar ash. )he bo 's alread itching to be gone. %ut being commissioner ga"e him an ad"antage. He took another slow drag of the cigar, watching the smoke curl la/il toward the ceiling. 1$ read that short stor of ours in ,irror,1 Dodson went on. 1$t was "er good.1

1)hank ou.1 *hat the hell's the #oint+ Slade wondered im#atientl .

1.o luck with the no"el+1

%riefl , almost im#erce#ti"el , Slade's e es narrowed. 1.ot et.1

Sitting back, Dodson chewed on his cigar as he studied the man across from him. Had the look of his father, too, he mused. Slade had the same

narrow face that was both intelligent and tough. He wondered if the son could smile with the same disarming charm as the father. 2et the e es were like his mother's''dark gra and thoughtful, skilled at kee#ing emotions hidden. )hen there was his record, Dodson mused. He might not be the flash co# his father had been, but he was thorough. And, thank 5od, less im#ulsi"e. After his ears on the force, the last three in homicide, Slade could be considered seasoned. $f an underco"er co# wasn't seasoned b thirt 'two, he was dead. Slade had a re#utation for being cool, #erha#s a shade too cool, but his arrests were clean. Dodson didn't need a man who looked for trouble, but one who knew what to do once he found it.

1Slade...1 He allowed a small smile to esca#e. 1)hat's what ou're called, isn't it+1

12es, sir.1 )he familiarit made him uncomfortable6 the smile made him sus#icious.

1$'m sure ou'"e heard of Justice 3awrence *inslow.1

Curiosit came first, then a quick search through his mental file. 1Presided o"er the .ew 2ork A##ellate Court before he was elected chief 4ustice of the Connecticut Su#reme Court about fifteen ears ago. Died

of a heart attack four, ma be fi"e ears ago.1

0acts and figures, Dodson mused. )he bo didn't waste words. 1He was also a damn fine law er, a 4udge who understood the full meaning of 4ustice. A good man. His wife remarried two ears ago and li"es in southern 0rance.1

So what+ Slade thought with fresh im#atience as Dodson ga/ed broodingl o"er his shoulder.

1$'m godfather to his daughter, Jessica.1 )he same question /i##ed through Slade's mind as Dodson focused on him again. 1She li"es in the famil home near *est#ort. %eautiful #lace''a stone's throw from the beach. $t's quiet, #eaceful.1 He drummed his fingers against the desk. 1$ imagine a writer would find it "er a##ealing.1

)here was an uncomfortable #remonition which Slade #ushed aside. 1Possibl .1 *as the old man matchmaking+ Slade almost laughed out loud. .o, that was too ridiculous.

1!"er the last nine months there has been a rash of thefts throughout -uro#e.1

)he abru#t change of sub4ect startled Slade so much that the sur#rise showed clearl on his face. 7uickl he controlled it and lifted a brow, sa ing nothing.

1$m#ortant thefts,1 Dodson continued. 1,ainl from museums''gems, coins, stam#s. 0rance, -ngland, S#ain, and $tal ha"e all been hit. )he in"estigation has led the res#ecti"e authorities to belie"e the stolen articles ha"e been smuggled into the States.1

1Smuggling's federal,1 Slade said briefl . And, he thought silentl , has nothing to do with a homicide detecti"e''or some 4ustice's s#oiled daughter. Another uncomfortable thought came to him which he ignored.

1Smuggling's federal,1 Dodson re#eated, a bit too amiabl for Slade's taste. He #laced the ti#s of his neat fingers together, watching the ounger man o"er them. 1$ ha"e a few connections in the %ureau. %ecause of this case's... delicate nature, $'"e been consulted.1 He #aused a beat, long enough for Slade to comment if he chose to, then went on. 1Some substantial leads in the in"estigation #oint to a small, well'res#ected antique sho#. )he %ureau knows there's an o#erator. 0rom the information $ ha"e, the '"e narrowed down the #ossibilities for dum# sites, and this sho# is one of the... chosen few,1 he decided dr l . 1$t's belie"ed someone on the inside is on the take.1 Pausing, he

ad4usted the #icture frame on his desk. 1)he want to #ut an o#erati"e on it, inside, so that the head of the organi/ation won't sli# awa from them this time. He's cle"er,1 Dodson mused, half to himself.

Again Dodson ga"e Slade a moment to question or comment, and again he went on as the other man remained silent. 1Allegedl , the goods are hidden''cle"erl hidden''in an antique, then e&#orted to this sho#, retrie"ed, and ultimatel dis#osed of.1

1$t seems the 0eds ha"e things under control.1 %arel masking his im#atience, Slade reached for a cigarette.

1)here's one or two com#lications.1 Dodson waited for the hiss and flare of the match. 1)here's no concrete e"idence, nor is the identit of the head of the organi/ation known. A handful of accom#lices, es, but we want him... or her,1 he added softl .

)he tone had Slade's e es shar#ening. Don't get interested, he warned himself. $t has nothing to do with ou. Swallowing the questions that had #o##ed into his head, he drew on his cigarette and waited.

1)here's also a more delicate #roblem.1 0or the first time since Slade had walked into the room, he noticed Dodson's ner"es. )he commissioner

#icked u# his gold #en, ran it through his fingers, then stuck it back in its slot. 1)he antique sho# alleged to be in"ol"ed is owned and o#erated b m goddaughter.1

Dark brows lifted, but the e es beneath them betra ed nothing. 1Justice *inslow's daughter.1

1$t's generall belie"ed that Jessica knows nothing of the illegal use of her sho#''if indeed there is illegal use.1 Dodson reached for the #en again, this time holding it lengthwise between both hands. 1$ know she's com#letel innocent. .ot onl because she's m goddaughter,1 he went on, antici#ating Slade's thoughts, 1but because $ know her. She's e"er bit as honest as her father was. Jessica cherishes 3arr 's memor . And,1 he added, carefull setting down the #en, 1she hardl needs the mone .1

1Hardl ,1 Slade muttered, #icturing a s#oiled heiress with too much time and mone on her hands. Smuggling for kicks, he mused. A change of #ace from sho##ing and #arties and 4et'setting.

1)he %ureau's closing in,1 Dodson stated. 1)he ne&t few weeks could bring the whole mess down around her ears. $t might be dangerous for her.1 Slade controlled the snort of derision. 1-"en the shield of ignorance isn't going to #rotect her once things come to a head if her

sho#'s in"ol"ed. $'"e tried to con"ince her to come to .ew 2ork for a "isit, but...1 His "oice trailed off. Amused e&as#eration mo"ed o"er his face. 1Jessica's stubborn. Claims she's too bus . She tells me $ should come "isit her.1 *ith a shake of his head, Dodson let out what #assed for a sigh. 1$ considered it, but m #resence at this #oint could 4eo#ardi/e the in"estigation. Howe"er, $ feel Jessica needs #rotection. Discreet #rotection. Someone trained to deal with the situation, who can sta close to her without causing s#eculation.1 A smile touched his e es. 1Someone who could assist the in"estigation from the inside.1

Slade frowned. He liked the con"ersation less and less. )aking his time, he stubbed out his cigarette. 1And how do ou e&#ect me to do that+1

Dodson smiled full . He liked the irritation in Slade's "oice as much as the directness. 1Jessica will do what $ want''to a #oint.1 3eaning back in the o"erstuffed leather chair, he rela&ed again. 1She's been com#laining latel about the mess her librar 's in, about not ha"ing enough time to sort through and catalog. $'m going to call her, tell her $'m sending the son of an old friend of mine and her father's. )hat's true, b the wa ,1 he added. 1)om and 3arr knew each other some ears back. 2our co"er's sim#le enough. 2ou're a writer who needs a quiet refuge for a few weeks, and in turn, ou'll sort out her librar .1

Slade's e es had darkened during Dodson's casual rundown. 1Jurisdiction''1 he began.

1Some #a#erwork,1 Dodson interru#ted easil . 1$t can be taken care of. After all, it's the bo s from the %ureau who'll make the collar when it's time.1

1$'m su##osed to #la librarian and bab sitter.1 Slade ga"e a snort of disgust. 13ook, Commissioner, $'m that close to wra##ing u# the %itronelli murder.1 He brought his thumb and forefinger together. 1$f''1

12ou'd better be,1 Dodson interru#ted again, but with a hint of steel in his "oice. 1)he #ress is ha"ing a great time making the .2PD look like fools on that one. And if ou're so close,1 he added before Slade could toss back a furious retort, 1 ou should be able to lea"e for Connecticut in a cou#le of da s. )he %ureau is interested in ha"ing a co# on the inside. A co# who knows how to kee# his e es and ears o#en. )he '"e checked ou out and agree with m choice.1

1)errific,1 Slade muttered. Standing, he #rowled the room. 1$'m homicide, not robber .1

12ou're a co#,1 Dodson said shortl .

12eah.1 %ab 'sitting for some snobb little heiress, Slade thought darkl , who was either smuggling for thrills or too di// to see what was going on under her nose. 1)errific,1 he muttered again.

!nce Janice was out of college, he thought, he could quit the force and concentrate on his writing. He was tired of it. )ired of the miser he came in contact with almost e"er da of his life. )ired of the dirt, the futilit , tired of the nast little #ieces of humanit his 4ob forced him to deal with. And tired too of seeing the look of relief in his mother's e es each time he came home. *ith a sigh, he resigned himself. ,a be a cou#le of weeks in Connecticut would be a nice change. A change an wa .

1*hen+1 he demanded as he turned back to face Dodson.

1Da after tomorrow,1 Dodson said smoothl . 1$'ll gi"e ou a com#lete briefing, then $'ll call Jessica and tell her to e&#ect ou.1

*ith a shrug, Slade went back to his chair to listen.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter 8 ''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

0all touched the trees and stung the air. Against a hard blue sk , the colors were "ibrant, #assionate. )he ribbon of road cut through the hills and wound eastward toward the Atlantic. *hi##ing through the o#en car windows, the wind was chilled and fragrant. Slade wondered how long it had been since he had smelled that kind of freshness. .o cit smells of sweat and e&haust. *hen his book was acce#ted, #erha#s he could mo"e his mother and Janice out of the cit ''a home in the countr ma be, or near the shore. $t was alwa s when or as soon as. He couldn't afford to think if.

Another ear on the force''another ear of scra#ing u# tuition mone ''and then... Shaking his head, Slade turned u# the radio. $t wasn't an good thinking of ne&t ear. He wasn't in Connecticut to a##reciate the scener . $t was 4ust another 4ob''and one he resented.

Jessica *inslow, he mused, age twent 'se"en. )he onl child of Justice 3awrence *inslow and 3orraine .ordan *inslow. 5raduate of :adcliffe, senior class #resident. She'd #robabl been head cheerleader, too, he thought with a sneer. All button'downed and #on 'tailed. :al#h 3auren

sweaters and 5ucci loafers.

Struggling to be o#en minded, he continued his catalog. !#ened the House of *inslow four ears ago. ;# until two ears ago she did the ma4orit of bu ing herself. 5ood e&cuse to #la around in -uro#e, he thought as he #unched in the car lighter.

,ichael Adams, Jessica *inslow's assistant and current bu er. )hirt 'two, 2ale graduate. 0igures, Slade reflected, e&haling smoke that rushed out of the o#en window. Son of :obert and ,arion Adams, another #rominent Connecticut famil . .o firm e"idence, but someone Slade was instructed to kee# his e e on. He leaned his elbow on the window as he considered. As chief bu er, Adams would be in a #erfect #osition to handle the o#eration from o"erseas.

Da"id : ce, sho# assistant for eighteen months. )went 'three. Son of -li/abeth : ce, the *inslow housekee#er. Dodson had said he was often trusted with running the sho# alone. )hat would gi"e him the o##ortunit to handle the local o#eration.

S stematicall , Slade ran through the list of the *inslow staff. 5ardener, cook, housekee#er, dail maid. 5ood 5od, he thought in disgust. All that for one #erson. She #robabl wouldn't know how to boil

an egg if her life de#ended on it.

)he gates to the *inslow estate stood o#en, with room enough for two cars to #ass easil . Slade turned into the long, macadam dri"e, lined with bush , bloomless a/aleas. )here was a burst of birdsong, then silence. He dro"e nearl a quarter of a mile before #ulling u# in front of the house.

$t was large but, he had to admit, not o##ressi"el so. )he brick was old, mellowed b sun and sea air. Smoke rose from one of the chimne s on the hi##ed roof. )he gra shutters weren't 4ust decorati"e, he noted, but could be used for #ractical #ur#oses if a storm rose u# off the Sound. He smelled the chr santhemums before he saw them.

)he blossoms were huge, growing near the base of the house. )he were rust, gold, and co##er, com#limenting the "iolent red of bushes. $t charmed him, as did the la/ odor of wood'smoke. )his wasn't indolence but #eace. He'd had too little of that. Shaking off the mood, Slade walked u# the ste#s to the front door. He lifted a fist and knocked, hard. He hated doorbells.

$n less than a minute the door o#ened. He had to look down, quite a distance down, to see a tin , middle'aged woman with a #leasantl ugl

face and gra 'streaked hair. He caught a whiff of a #ine'scented cleaner that reminded him of his mother's kitchen.

1,a $ hel# ou+1 )he accent was broad .ew -ngland.

1$'m James Sladerman. ,iss *inslow's e&#ecting me.1

)he woman scrutini/ed him with cautious black e es. 12ou'd be the writer,1 she stated, ob"iousl not o"erl im#ressed. Ste##ing back, she allowed him to enter.

As the door closed behind him, Slade glanced around the hall. )he floor was uncar#eted, a gleaming blond oak that showed some wear under the careful #olishing. A few #aintings hung on the i"or 'toned wall#a#er. A #ale green glass bowl sat on a high round table and o"erflowed with fall flowers. )here were no o"ert dis#la s of wealth, but wealth was there. He'd seen a #rint of the #ainting to his right in an art book. )he blue scarf that hung negligentl o"er the railing of the ste#s was silk.

Slade started to turn back to the housekee#er when a clatter at the to# of the ste#s distracted him.

She came barrelling down the cur"ed staircase in a flurr of swirling

blond hair and fl ing skirts. )he hammer of heels on wood disru#ted the quiet of the house. Slade had a quick im#ression of s#eed, motion, and energ .

1%ets , ou make Da"id sta in bed until that fe"er's broken. Don't ou dare let him get u#. Damn, damn, damn, $'m going to be late< *here are m ke s+1

)hree inches awa from Slade, she came to a screeching halt, almost o"erbalancing. Automaticall he reached for her arm to stead her. %reathless, she brought her e es from his shirt front to stare at him.

$t was an e&quisite face''fair skinned, o"al, delicate, with 4ust a hint of cheekbone that added a rather #rimiti"e strength. $ndian+ (iking+ he wondered. Celtic+ Her e es were large, the color of aged whiske , set below brows that were lowered in curiosit . )he faintest line a##eared between them. A stubborn line, Slade reflected. His sister had one. She was small, he noted. )he to# of her head barel skimmed his shoulder. Her scent was reminiscent of fall''something musk ''blossoms and smoke. )he arm beneath his hand was slender under a thin wool bla/er. He felt the stir inside him''man for woman''and hastil dro##ed his hand.

1)his is ,r. Sladerman,1 %ets announced. 1)hat writer.1

1!h es.1 )he smile cleared awa the faint line between her brows. 1;ncle Charlie told me ou were coming.1

$t took Slade a moment to connect ;ncle Charlie with Dodson. .ot knowing if he was smothering an oath or a laugh, he acce#ted her e&tended hand. 1Charlie told me ou could use some hel#, ,iss *inslow.1

1Hel#.1 She rolled her e es and cleared her throat. 12es, ou could call it that. )he librar ... 3ook, $'m sorr to rush off the minute ou get here, but m assistant's ill and m bu er's in 0rance.1 )ilting her wrist, she grimaced at her watch. 1$ ha"e a client coming to the sho# ten minutes ago.1

1Don't worr about it.1 $f this fra//led lad can run a business, $'ll "olunteer to walk a beat, he decided, but ga"e her an eas smile. 1$t'll gi"e me a chance to get settled in.1

10ine. $'ll see ou at dinner then.1 5lancing around, she muttered again about ke s.

1$n our hand,1 Slade told her.

1Stu#id.1 *ith a sigh, Jessica uncurled her fingers and stared at the ke s in her #alm. 1)he more $ ha"e to rush, the worse it gets.1 3ifting amused e es to his, she brushed her hair from her shoulders. 1Please don't bother with the librar toda . $t ma shock ou so much that ou'll run awa before $ can smooth things o"er. %ets ...1 As she dashed for the door Jessica looked o"er her shoulder. 1)ell Da"id he's fired if he gets out of bed. '% e.1

)he door slammed behind her. %ets clucked her tongue.

)en minutes later Slade ins#ected his suite of rooms. )he were nearl as large as the a#artment he had grown u# in. )here was a faded car#et on the bedroom floor that he recogni/ed was not old but antique. $n a small, black marble fire#lace, wood was neatl laid for burning. Crossing to the sitting room, he saw a sturd desk to##ed with a "ase of the chr santhemums, a brass #a#erweight, and a feather quill. *ithout hesitation, he cleared it off to make room for his t #ewriter.

$f he had his wa , his writing would be more than a co"er. *hen he wasn't bab 'sitting, he'd get some work done. !f course, there was the librar to fool with. !n an e&as#erated sigh, Slade turned his back on his t #ewriter and went back downstairs. He roamed, filing the #osition and la out of rooms in the co#'s #art of his mind, their descri#tions in

the writer's.

$n his tour of the first floor, Slade could find no fault with Jessica's taste. $t was onl the nou"eau riche who went in for ostentation. )he *inslow woman #referred muted colors and clean lines. $n her clothes, too, he mused, remembering how she had looked in the dun'colored bla/er and skirt. Still, the blouse she'd worn had been a dee#, almost "iolent green. )hat 4ust might indicate something else.

Slade sto##ed to run his fingers o"er the surface of a rosewood #iano. Com#ared to this, he mused, the battered u#right his mother treasured was so much kindling. *ith a shrug, he wandered to the ne&t door.

)he librar . He caught the scent of old leather and dust as he looked on the largest #ri"ate collection of books he'd e"er seen. 0or the first time since he had walked into Dodson's office, Slade felt a stir of #leasure. A quick stud told him that the books were well read as well as carelessl filed. He crossed the room and mounted the two stairs to the second le"el. .ot filed at all, he corrected, but sim#l 4umbled. He ran a long finger along a row of "olumes. :obert %urns tilted onto a co# of =urt (onnegut.

A big 4ob, he concluded. !ne he might ha"e en4o ed if it had been his

onl #ur#ose. He took one long look around before absentl #ulling out a book. )here was nothing he could do about Jessica *inslow at the moment, he thought as he settled down to read.

Jessica swer"ed into the #arking area beside her sho#, relie"ed to see it em#t . She was late, but her client was later. !r, she thought with a frown, he'd grown tired of waiting and left. *ith a half'hearted oath, she hurried to unlock the front door. 7uickl she went from window to window, letting the shades sna# u#. *ithout slackening #ace, she headed for the back room, tossed her #urse aside, then filled a small kettle with water. She ga"e the struggling i" in the rear window a quick douse before setting the kettle on the sto"e. Halfwa out of the room, she went back to turn the burner on underneath it. Satisfied, she wandered into the main sho#.

$t wasn't large''but then Jessica had ne"er intended it to be. $ntimate, #ersonal. 2es, it was that, she thought, with her signature on it. )he sho# was more than a business to her6 it was an accom#lishment, and a lo"e. )he business end''in"oices, filing, books''she ran meticulousl . All of her organi/ational efforts went into the sho#, which #erha#s was the reason for her lack of order elsewhere.

)he sho# was the focus of her life, and had been since she'd concei"ed

of it. $nitiall she'd needed something to gi"e some #ur#ose to her life after college was behind her. )he idea for the sho# had germinated slowl , then had grown and de"elo#ed. Jessica had too much dri"e, too much energ , to drift. !nce she had decided to start a business, she'd mo"ed quickl . )hen that same dri"e and energ had made it work. $t turned a #rofit. )he mone itself meant little, but the fact that her sho# made it, meant e"er thing.

She'd s#ent si& months scouring .ew -ngland, then -uro#e, for the right #ieces. A large in"entor hadn't been her goal, but an e&clusi"e one. After her o#ening the res#onse had begun as a small trickle, mostl friends and friends of friends. Justice *inslow's daughter running a sho# had brought out the curiosit seekers as well. Jessica hadn't minded. A client was a client, and a satisfied one, the best ad"ertising.

0or the first two ears she'd run the sho# alone. $ndeed, she had ne"er considered that her business would outgrow her. *hen it had, she'd hired ,ichael Adams to handle the o"erseas bu ing. He was charming, ca#able, and knowledgeable. )he women customers adored him. 5raduall their relationshi# had mellowed from business to friendshi# to eas affection.

As business had continued to thri"e, Jessica had hired Da"id : ce. He'd

been hardl more than a bo , at loose ends, bored enough to find trouble if it got in the wa . Jessica had hired him because the 'd grown u# together6 then she had come to de#end on him. He was quick with figures and tireless with details. He had a streak of street sense that made him a good man to ha"e in business.

Street sense, Jessica mused. James Sladerman. !dd that the term would bring him back to her mind. -"en in that quick e&change at the foot of the stairs, she'd felt something in him. $t told her he was a man who would know how to handle himself''in business, ma be. $n an alle , definitel . *ith a half laugh, she stuck her hands in her #ockets. .ow wh should she think that+

)he fingers that had gri##ed her arm had been strong. His build had been wir . %ut no, it had been his e es, she thought. )here was something... hard in his e es. 2et she hadn't been re#elled or frightened, but drawn. -"en when he'd looked at her for those first three or four seconds, with that intensit that seemed to cree# beneath her skin, she hadn't been afraid. Safe, she reali/ed. He'd made her feel safe. )hat was odd, Jessica decided, catching her bottom li# between her teeth. *h should she suddenl feel safe when she had no need for #rotection+

)he door of the sho# 4ingled o#en. Pushing s#eculation aside, Jessica

turned.

1,iss *inslow, $ a#ologi/e. $'m "er late.1

1Don't gi"e it a thought, ,r. Chambers.1 Jessica considered telling him that she'd also been late, then decided against it. *hat he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. %ehind her, the kettle whistled. 1$'m 4ust making tea. *h don't ou 4oin me before we look o"er the new snuffbo&es+1

Chambers remo"ed a rather fuss hat from a balding head. 1*onderful. $ do a##reciate ou calling me when ou get a new shi#ment in.1 He smiled, re"ealing good dentures.

12ou don't think $'d let an one see the snuffbo&es before ou.1 $n the kitchen Jessica #oured boiling water into cu#s. 1,ichael found these in 0rance. )here are two $ think ou'll be #articularl interested in.1

He #referred the ornate, Jessica thought with a smile as she lifted the tra . He lo"ed the foolishl gaud little bo&es that men with lace cuffs used to carr . She glanced at Chambers' stubb form and wondered if he #ictured himself as a ca"alier or #erha#s a :egenc buck. Still, his fascination with snuffbo&es had made him a regular customer who had more than once recommended her sho# to other #eo#le. And he was rather sweet

in his fuss little wa , she thought as she #laced the tea tra on a table.

1Sugar+1 she asked him.

1Ah, $ shouldn't.1 Chambers #atted his am#le middle. 1%ut #erha#s one cube.1 His glance flicked briefl down to her legs as Jessica crossed them. A #it , he thought with an inward sigh, that he wasn't twent ears ounger.

3ater he left ha##il with two eighteenth'centur snuffbo&es. %efore Jessica could file the in"oice, she heard the grumble of an engine. 5lancing u#, she saw the large deli"er truck #ull in front of the sho#. She read the com#an logo on the side of the steel doors and frowned a bit. She could ha"e sworn the deli"er that ,ichael was shi##ing wasn't due until the following da .

*hen she recogni/ed the dri"er, Jessica wa"ed, then walked to the front door to meet him.

1Hi, ,iss *inslow.1

1Hello, Don.1 She acce#ted the itemi/ed list he handed her, muttering

about not e&#ecting him until tomorrow. He shrugged.

1,r. Adams #ut a rush on it.1

1,mm.1 She 4iggled the ke s in her #ocket as she scanned the list. 1*ell, he seems to ha"e outdone himself this time. And another deli"er on Saturda . $ don't... oh<1 Her e es lit u# with #leasure as the fi&ed on one item. 1)he writing desk. )he 7ueen Anne. $ meant to tell ,ichael to kee# his e es o#en for one, then forgot. $t must be fate.1 !f course, she should uncart it first, at least take a look. .o, im#ulses were the best, Jessica decided. Smiling, she looked back u# at the dri"er. 1)he rest comes in here, but that goes to m home. *ould ou mind+1

1*ell...1

$t was eas to 4ustif using the smile. Jessica could alread see the desk in the front #arlor. 1$f it's not too much trouble,1 she added.

)he dri"er shifted to his other foot. 1$ guess it'll be all right. Joe won't mind.1 He 4erked his thumb at his #artner, who had o#ened the wide double doors of the truck.

1)hanks. $ reall a##reciate it. )hat desk is 4ust what $'"e been

looking for.1

0eeling trium#hant, Jessica went to the back room for more tea.

As she had burst out hours before, Jessica burst in through the front door of the house. 1%ets <1 She slung her #urse o"er the newel #ost. 1Did it come+1 *ithout waiting for an answer, she dashed toward the front #arlor.

1Since ou were si&, $'"e been telling ou to slow down.1 %ets came through the #arlor doors, interce#ting her. 1At least then ou wore sensible shoes.1

1%ets .1 Jessica ga"e her a quick, hard squee/e that held as much im#atience as affection. 1Did it come+1

12es, of course it came.1 )he housekee#er straightened her a#ron with a tug. 1And it's sitting in the #arlor 4ust like ou told me. $t'll be there whether ou walk sensibl or run like a fool.1 )he last of the sentence was wasted, as Jessica was alread rushing b her.

1!h, it's lo"el <1 5entl , she ran a finger o"er the wood, then quickl began to e&amine it on all sides. $t was a delicate, air little #iece.

A woman's desk. Jessica o#ened the slant to#, then sighed at the unmarred interior. 1:eall lo"el . *ait until Da"id sees it.1 She o#ened one of the inner drawers. $t slid out smoothl . 1$t's e&actl what $'"e been looking for. *hat luck that ,ichael came across it.1 Crouching, she ran a hand down one of its slender legs.

1$t's #rett ,1 %ets admitted, thinking that the car"ing would be one more thing to kee# dust out of. 1$ bet ou could ha"e sold it for a #rett #enn too.1

1)he ad"antage of owning a sho# is being able to co# some of the merchandise for ourself.1 :ising, Jessica shut the lid again. .ow all she needed was a fri"olous little inkwell, or #erha#s a #orcelain bo& to set on to# of it.

1Su##er's nearl read .1

1!h, su##er.1 Shaking her head, Jessica brought herself back to the moment. 1,r. Sladerman, $'"e neglected him all da . $s he u#stairs+1

1$n the librar ,1 %ets announced griml . 1All da . *ouldn't e"en come out for lunch.1

1!h bo .1 Jessica combed a hand through her hair. He hadn't looked like a man who would ha"e much #atience with disorgani/ation. 1$ reall wanted to ease him into that. *ell, $'m going to go be charming so we don't lose him. *hat's for su##er+1 she asked o"er her shoulder.

1Stuffed #ork cho#s and mashed #otatoes.1

1)hat should hel#,1 Jessica muttered as she headed for the librar door.

She o#ened it slowl , enough to stick her head inside. Some things, she decided, ou don't rush into. He was sitting at a long work table, surrounded b #illars and #iles of books. A thick #ad was in front of him, and the #encil in his hand was worked halfwa down. His hair fell o"er his forehead, but she could see his brows drawn together in concentration. !r anno ance, she mused. She #ut on her best smile.

1Hi.1

He looked u#, e es #inning her. Jessica could feel the little #rickles of #ower all o"er her skin. She absorbed it, intrigued b the sensation. *ithout being aware of it, her smile had faded into a look of #u//lement.

*ho is this man+ she wondered. $t was curiosit as much as courage that had her coming all the wa into the room. )he lam# on the desk slanted across his face, highlighting his mouth and #utting his e es in shadow. She didn't feel safe with him this time, but unsettled. She continued toward him.

12ou'"e got a hell of a mess here,1 Slade said shortl , tossing his #encil aside. $t was better to attack than let himself dwell on how beautiful she was. 1$f ou run our sho# like this1''he gestured widel ''1it's a miracle ou're not bankru#t.1

)he s#ecific com#laint eased the tension in her shoulders. )here'd been nothing #ersonal in that look, she assured herself. She'd been foolish to think there had been. 1$ know it's terrible,1 Jessica admitted, smiling again. 1$ ho#e ou're not going to do the sensible thing and walk out.1 5ingerl , she lowered a hi# to the table before lifting a book at random. 1Do ou like challenges, ,r. Sladerman+1

She was laughing, he noted. !r her e es were. %ut he sensed "er clearl that she laughed at herself. A reluctant smile tugged at his mouth as he struggled to stud her ob4ecti"el . ,a be she was innocent''ma be not. He didn't ha"e the same blind faith as the commissioner. %ut she was beautiful, and he was attracted. Slade decided the attraction was going

to be difficult to work around.

3etting out a long breath, he ga/ed around the room. How much choice did he ha"e+ 1$'m going to take #it on ou, ,iss *inslow... $ ha"e a fondness for books.1

1So do $,1 she began, then had to deal with another of his cool, direct looks. 1:eall ,1 she claimed with a laugh. 1$'m 4ust not neat. Do we ha"e a deal, ,r. Sladerman+1 Solemnl , she offered her hand.

He glanced at it first. Soft and elegant, he thought, like her name and her "oice. *ith a quick curse at fate for making the commissioner her godfather, Slade took her hand in his. 1*e ha"e a deal, ,iss *inslow.1

Jessica slid from the table, kee#ing his hand in hers when he would ha"e drawn awa . Somehow she'd known it would be hard and strong. 1How do ou feel about stuffed #ork cho#s+1

)he were tender and delicious. Slade ate three after his stomach remembered the lack of lunch. And, he thought after a slice of cheesecake, this case had some ad"antages o"er the one he'd 4ust wra##ed u#. 0or two weeks he'd made do on cold coffee and stale sandwiches. And his #artner hadn't been as eas to look at as Jessica *inslow. She'd

guided the con"ersation e&#ertl during the meal and had ended b tucking her arm through his to lead him back to the #arlor.

1Ha"e a seat,1 she in"ited. 1$'ll #our ou a brand .1

As he started to cross the room the desk caught his e e. 1)hat wasn't here this morning.1

1*hat+1 *ith a decanter in her hand, she glanced o"er her shoulder. 1!h no, it 4ust came this afternoon. Do ou know an thing about antiques+1

1.o.1 He ga"e the desk a cursor stud before taking a chair. 1$'ll lea"e that to ou, ,iss *inslow.1

1Jessica.1 She #oured a second brand before crossing to him. 1Do $ call ou James or Jim+1

1Slade,1 he told her as he took a snifter. 1-"en m mother sto##ed calling me Jim when $ was ten.1

12ou ha"e a mother+1

)he quick, unconscious sur#rise in her "oice had him grinning.

1-"er bod 's entitled to one.1

0eeling foolish, Jessica sat across from him. 12ou 4ust seem to be ca#able of arranging the whole business without one.1

%oth si##ed brand , and their e es met o"er the snifters. Jessica felt the moment free/e, out of time, out of #lace. Do minds touch+ she thought numbl . *asn't she sensing at that moment the turbulent s#in of his thoughts+ !r were the hers+ %rand sli##ed, hot and strong down her throat, sna##ing her back. )alk, she ordered herself. Sa something. 1Do ou ha"e an other famil +1 she managed.

Slade stared at her, wondering if he had imagined that instant of stunning intimac . He'd ne"er felt that with an woman before, an lo"er. $t was ridiculous to imagine that he'd felt it with one he barel knew. 1A sister,1 he said at length. 1She's in college.1

1A sister.1 Jessica rela&ed again and sli##ed out of her shoes. 1)hat's nice. $ alwa s wanted a brother or sister when $ was growing u#.1

1,one can't bu e"er thing.1 Slade shrugged with the words. Seeing the #u//led hurt on her face, he cursed himself. $f she was getting to him alread , what would it be like in a week+

12ou're quick with clich>s,1 Jessica obser"ed. 1$ su##ose that's because ou're a writer.1 After another si# of brand , she set the glass aside. 1*hat do ou write+1

1;n#ublished no"els.1

She laughed as she had in the librar , drawing another smile from him. 1$t must be frustrating.1

1!nl dail ,1 he agreed.

1*h do ou do it+1

1*h do ou eat+1

Jessica considered for a moment, then nodded. 12es, $ su##ose it's like that, isn't it+ Ha"e ou alwa s wanted to write+1

He thought of his father, how he had bragged that his son would be the ne&t Sladerman on the force. He thought of his teenage ears, when he had written his stories in longhand in s#iral notebooks late into the night. He thought of his father's e es the first time he had seen his

son in uniform. And he thought of the first time he'd had a short stor acce#ted.

12es.1 Perha#s it was easier to admit to her what he had ne"er been able to e&#lain to his famil . 1Alwa s.1

1*hen ou want something badl enough, and ou don't gi"e u#,1 Jessica began slowl , 1 ou get it.1

Slade ga"e a short laugh before he drank. 1Alwa s+1

She touched the ti# of her tongue to her to# li#. 1Almost alwa s. $t's all a gamble, isn't it+1

13ong odds,1 he murmured, frowning into his glass. 1$ usuall #la long odds.1 He studied the amber liquor, which was almost e&actl the shade of her e es. She shouldn't be so eas to talk to, he mused. He'd find himself sa ing too much.

1Ah, ;l sses, $ wondered where ou were.1

3ifting his e es, Slade stared at a large, lo#ing mo# of fur. $t lunged, unerringl , into Jessica's la#. He heard her groan, then giggle.

1Damn it< How man times do $ ha"e to tell ou ou're not a la# dog. 2ou're breaking m ribs.1 She twisted her head, but the wet, #ink tongue found her cheek. 1Sto#<1 she s#uttered, #ushing im#otentl . 15et down,1 she ordered. 15et down right this minute.1 ;l sses barked twice, then continued to la# his tongue all o"er her face.

1*hat,1 Slade asked slowl , 1is that+1

Jessica ga"e another might sho"e, but ;l sses onl rested his head on her shoulder. 1A dog, of course.1

1)here's no 'of course' about that dog.1

1He's a 5reat P renees,1 she retorted, quickl running out of breath. 1And he flunked obedience school three times. 2ou mang , soft'headed mutt, get down.1 ;l sses let out a long, contented breath and didn't budge. 15i"e me a hand, will ou+1 she demanded of Slade. 1$'ll ha"e internal in4uries this time. !nce before $ was stuck for two hours until %ets got home.1

:ising, Slade a##roached the dog with a frown. 1Does he bite+1

15od, $'m suffocating and the man asks if he bites.1

A grin s#lit Slade's face as he looked down at her. 1Can't be too careful about these things. He might be "icious.1

Jessica narrowed her e es. 1Sic 'em, ;l sses<1 Hearing his name, the dog roused himself to lick her face again, 4o full . 1Satisfied+1 Jessica demanded. 1.ow grab him somewhere and get me out.1

%ending, Slade wra##ed his arms around the bulk of fur.

)he back of his hand brushed Jessica's breast as he shifted his gri#. 1Sorr ,1 he muttered, dragging at the dog. 15ood 5od, what does he weigh+1

1About one twent 'fi"e, $ think.1

*ith a shake of his head, Slade #ut his back into it. ;l sses slid to the floor to la adoringl at Jessica's feet. )aking a dee# gul# of air, Jessica closed her e es.

She was co"ered with loose white hair. Her own was dishe"eled and curled around her shoulders, the color, Slade obser"ed, of sun'bleached wheat.

*ith her face in re#ose, the slant of her cheekbones was more #ronounced. Her li#s were 4ust #arted. )heir sha#e was utterl feminine''the classic cu#id's bow but for the fullness in the lower li#. $t s#oke of #assion''hidden, quietl simmering #assion. )he mouth and the cheekbones added something to the tearoom looks that had Slade's #ulse res#onding. He couldn't want her, he told himself. )hat wasn't 4ust irres#onsible, it was stu#id. He stared down at the dog again.

12ou should do something about training him,1 he said shortl .

1$ know.1 *ith a sigh, Jessica o#ened her brand 'colored e es. Her affection for ;l sses made her forget the discomfort and the mess he usuall created. 1He's "er sensiti"e reall . $ 4ust ha"en't got the heart to sub4ect him to obedience school again.1

1)hat's incredibl stu#id,1 Slade tossed back. 1He's too big not to be trained.1

1*ant the 4ob+1 Jessica retorted. Straightening in the chair, she began to brush at stra dog hair.

1$'"e got one, thanks.1

*h should it anno her that he hadn't once used her name+ she asked herself as she rose. Dignit had to be sacrificed as she ste##ed o"er the now slee#ing dog. 1$ a##reciate the hel#,1 she said stiffl . 1And the ad"ice is dul noted.1

Slade shrugged off the sarcasm. 1.o #roblem. 2ou struck me as more the #oodle t #e, though.1

1:eall +1 0or a moment Jessica merel studied his e es. 2es, the were hard, she decided. Hard and cool and c nical. 1And $ ha"e the im#ression ou don't think much of the #oodle t #e. Hel# ourself to the brand . $'m going u#.1

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter ? ''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

0or the ne&t two da s there was an uneas truce. Perha#s it lasted that long because Jessica made a #oint of sta ing out of Slade's wa . He in turn sta ed out of hers while #atientl noting her routine''which, he disco"ered, was no routine at all. She sim#l ne"er sto##ed. She didn't

take time for the social rigamarole he had e&#ected''luncheons, clubs, committees''but worked, a##arentl ine&haustibl . ,ost of her time was s#ent at the sho#. At the rate he was going, he knew he would find out little in the house. His ne&t mo"e was the House of *inslow. $t followed that he needed to make #eace with Jessica to get there.

0rom his bedroom window, he watched her dri"e awa . $t was barel eight o'clock, a full hour before she normall left. Slade swore in frustration. How did the commissioner e&#ect him to watch her''or #rotect her if that's what she needed''if she was alwa s in one #lace while he was in another+ $t was time to im#ro"ise an e&cuse to #a her a "isit at her #lace of business.

5rabbing a 4acket on the wa , Slade headed for the stairs. He could alwa s claim that he wanted to do a bit of research on antique furniture for his no"el. )hat would bu him a few hours, as well as gi"e him a reason to #oke around. %efore he'd rounded the last cur"e in the ste#s he heard %ets 's "oice.

1...nothing but trouble.1

1Don't fuss.1

Slade sto##ed, waiting as the footste#s came his wa . )here was a tall, gangl man walking down the hall. His mo# of dark blond hair was long and straight, cut rather ha#ha/ardl 4ust below the collar of a chambra workshirt. He wore 4eans and wire'rim glasses and stood hunched o"er a bit''either from habit or fatigue. %ecause he was staring down at his sneakers, he didn't see Slade. His face was #ale and the e es behind the lenses were shadowed. Da"id : ce, Slade concluded, and ke#t silent.

1$ told ou she said ou weren't to come in toda .1 %ets bustled after him, a feather duster gri##ed in her hand.

1$'m fine. $f $ lie around in bed another da , $'m going to mold.1 He coughed "iolentl .

10ine, fine indeed.1 %ets clucked her tongue, swinging the duster at his back.

1,om, la off.1 -&as#erated, Da"id started to turn back to her when he s#otted Slade. He frowned, choking back another cough. 1!h, ou must be the writer.1

1)hat's right.1 Slade came down the last two ste#s. Just a bo , he thought, taking Da"id's measure quickl . *ho hasn't com#letel thrown

off the outhful defiance.

1Jessie and $ figured ou'd be a short, stoo#ed little gu with glasses. $ don't know wh .1 He grinned, but Slade noted that he #laced a hand on the newel #ost for su##ort. 15etting an where with the librar +1

1Slowl .1

1%etter ou than me,1 Da"id murmured, wishing for a chair. 1Has Jessica come down et+1

1She's alread gone,1 Slade told him.

1)here, ou see.1 %ets folded her arms o"er her chest. 1And if ou go in, she'll 4ust send ou right back home. )hunder at ou too.1

%ecause his legs threatened to buckle, Da"id gri##ed the newel #ost harder. 1She's going to need hel# with the new shi#ment. Another's due in toda .1

13otta good ou'd do,1 %ets began. Catching the look in Da"id's e e, Slade cut in.

1$ was thinking about running down there m self. $'d like to see the #lace, ma be do a little research. $ could gi"e her a hand.1 He watched Da"id struggle, caught between his desire to go to the sho# and his need to lie down.

1She'll tr to mo"e e"er thing herself,1 he muttered.

1)hat's the truth,1 %ets agreed, a##arentl switching her anno ance from her son to her em#lo er. 1.othing sto#s that one.1

1$t's m 4ob to mo"e in the new stock, check it off. $ don't''1

1,o"ing furniture around shouldn't require an great knowledge of antiques,1 Slade #ut in casuall . =nowing it was too #erfect to let #ass, he sli##ed into his 4acket. 1And since $ was heading that wa an wa ...1

1)here, it's settled,1 %ets announced. She had her son b the elbow before he could #rotest. 1,r. Sladerman will go look out for ,iss Jessica. 2ou go back to bed.1

1$'m not going back to bed. A chair, all $ want's a chair.1 He sent Slade a weak smile. 1He , thanks. )ell Jessie $'m coming back on ,onda .

)he #a#erwork oh the new stock can wait o"er the weekend. )ell her to humor the in"alid and lea"e it for me.1

Slade nodded slowl . 1Sure, $'ll tell her.1 )urning, he started out, deciding that the new stock interested him "er much.

0ifteen minutes later Slade #arked in the small gra"eled lot beside Jessica's sho#. $t was a small, framed building, fronted with se"eral narrow windows. )he shades were u#. )hrough the glass, he could see her tugging on a large and ob"iousl hea" #iece of furniture. Cursing women in general, he walked to the front door and #ulled it o#en.

At the 4ingle of bells she s#un around. )hat an one would be b the sho# at that hour sur#rised her''that Slade stood inside the door frowning at her sur#rised Jessica more. 1*ell...1 )he #h sical e&ertion had winded her so that she struggled to e"en her breathing. 1$ didn't e&#ect to see ou here.1 She didn't add that she wasn't #articularl #leased either.

She'd stri##ed off her 4acket and #ushed u# the slee"es of her cashmere sweater. %eneath it, small high breasts rose and fell agitatedl . Slade remembered their softness against the back of his hand "er clearl . He forgot he'd come to make #eace with her.

1Don't ou ha"e more sense than to #ush this stuff around ourself+1 he demanded. *ith a quick oath, he #ulled off his 4acket and tossed it o"er a chair. Jessica stiffened her back as well as her tone.

1*ell, good morning to ou too.1

Her anno ance rolled off of him. After crossing to her, Slade leaned against the large #iece she'd been struggling with. 1*here do ou want it+1 he asked shortl . 1And $ ho#e to 5od ou're not one of those women who changes her mind a half do/en times.1

He watched her e es narrow and darken as the had that night in the #arlor. !ddl , he found her onl more attracti"e when she was agitated. $f it hadn't been for that, the wa her chin 4utted out might ha"e amused him. 1$ don't belie"e an one asked for our assistance.1 0or the first time he was treated to the ice in her tone. 1$'m ca#able of arranging m stock m self.1

1Don't be an more stu#id than necessar ,1 he shot back. 12ou're 4ust going to hurt ourself. .ow where do ou want this thing+1

1)his thing,1 she began heatedl , 1is a nineteenth'centur 0rench secretaire.1

He ga"e it a negligent glance. 12eah, so+ *here do ou want me to #ut it+1

1$'ll tell ou where ou can #ut it''1

His laughter cut her off. $t was "er male and full of fun. $t wasn't a sound she had e&#ected from him. *ith an effort, she swallowed a chuckle of her own as she ste##ed back from him. )he last thing she wanted was to find an thing a##ealing about James Sladerman. 1!"er there,1 she said cooll , #ointing. )urning awa , Jessica #icked u# a washstand to carr it in the o##osite direction. *hen the sounds of wood sliding o"er wood had sto##ed, she turned back to him.

1)hank ou.1 )he gratitude was short and cold. 1.ow, what can $ do for ou+1

He treated himself to a length look at her. She stood "er straight, her hands folded loosel , her e es still dangerous. )wo mother'of'#earl combs swe#t her hair back from her face. He allowed his ga/e to swee# down briefl . She was "er slender, with a hand's#anable waist and barel an hi#s. )he trim flannel skirt hid most of her legs, but Slade could a##reciate what was "isible from the knees down. Her feet were

"er small. !ne of them ta##ed the floor im#atientl .

1$'"e thought about that from time to time,1 he commented as his e es roamed back to hers. 1%ut $ came b to see what $ could do for ou. : ce was worried that ou might do 4ust what ou were tr ing to do a few minutes ago.1

12ou'"e seen Da"id+1 Her cool im#atience e"a#orated. Swiftl , Jessica crossed the room to take Slade's arm. 1*as he u#+ How is he+1

Suddenl he wanted to touch her''her hair, her face. She'd be soft. He felt an almost des#erate need for something soft and ielding. Her e es were on his, wide with concern. 1He was u#,1 he said briefl . 1And not as well as he wanted to be.1

1He shouldn't ha"e been out of bed.1

1.o, #robabl not.1 Did her hair carr that scent+ he wondered. )hat autumn'woods fragrance that was dri"ing him mad+ 1He wanted to come in this morning.1

1Come in+1 Jessica #ounced on the two words. 1$ ga"e s#ecific orders for him to sta home. *h can't he do as he's told+1

Slade's e es were suddenl keen on her face. 1Does e"er one do what ou tell them+1

1He's m em#lo ee,1 she retorted, dro##ing her hand from his arm. 1He damn well better do what $ tell him.1 As quickl as she had flared u#, her mood shifted and she smiled. 1He's hardl more than a bo reall , and %ets nags at him. $t's 4ust her wa . )hough $ a##reciate his dedication to the business, he's got to get well.1 Her e es drifted to the #hone on the counter. 1$f $ call, he'll 4ust get defensi"e.1

1He said he wouldn't come in until ,onda .1 Slade leaned against the secretaire. 1He wanted ou to lea"e the #a#erwork on the new shi#ments for him.1

Jessica stuck her hands in her #ockets, ob"iousl still to ing with the idea of #honing to lecture Da"id. 12es, all right. $f he's going to come in on ,onda , at least he'll be sitting down. $'ll get the new stock situated in the meantime so he's not tem#ted.1 She smiled again. 1He's nearl as obsessed with this #lace as $ am. $f $ so much as mo"e a candlestick, Da"id knows it. %efore he got sick, he was tr ing to talk me into a "acation.1 She laughed, tossing her head so that her hair swung behind her. 1He 4ust wanted the #lace to himself for a week or

two.1

1A "er dedicated assistant,1 Slade murmured.

1!h, Da"id's that,1 Jessica agreed. 1*hat are ou doing here, Slade+ $ thought ou'd be buried in books.1

Half glad, half war that the reser"e of the last few da s had "anished, he ga"e her a cautious smile. 1$ told Da"id $'d gi"e ou a hand.1

1)hat was "er nice.1 )he sur#rise in her "oice had his smile widening.

1$ can be nice occasionall ,1 he returned. 1%esides, $ thought $ might be able to get some information on antiques. :esearch.1

1!h.1 She acce#ted this with a nod. 1All right. $ wouldn't mind ha"ing some hel# with the hea"ier things. *hat #eriod were ou interested in+1

1Period+1

10urniture,1 Jessica e&#lained as she walked to a long, low chest. 1$s there a #articular centur or st le+ :enaissance, -arl American, $talian Pro"incial+1

1Just a general sort of lesson toda to gi"e me the feel of it,1 Slade im#ro"ised as he nudged Jessica awa from the chest. 1*here do ou want this+1

He lifted and carried. Jessica arranged the lighter #ieces while kee#ing u# a running dialog on the furniture the mo"ed. )his chair was Chi##endale''see the square, ta#ered seat and cabriole leg. )his cabinet was 0rench %aroque''in satinwood, gilded and car"ed. She ran o"er a little table with a #olishing cloth, e&#laining about Chinese influences and tea ser"ices.

During the morning the were interru#ted half a do/en times b customers. Jessica turned from antique lo"er to sales#erson. Slade watched her show #ieces, e&#lain their background, then dicker o"er #rices. $f he hadn't been sure before, he was certain now. Her sho# was no to to her. She not onl knew how to manage it, but worked harder than he'd gi"en her credit for. .ot onl did she handle #eo#le with a deft skill he was forced to admire, but she made mone ''if the discreet #rice tags he'd come across were an indication.

So wh , he wondered, if she was dedicated to her sho#, if she turned a #rofit, would she risk using her business for smuggling+ .ow that he'd

met her and s#ent some time with her, it wasn't as eas for Slade to dismiss it as kicks or thrills. 2et she wasn't lacking in brains. *as it #lausible that an o#eration was going on under her nose without her knowledge+

1Slade, $ hate to ask.1 Jessica ke#t her "oice lowered as she came close to his side. )ouching came naturall to her, it seemed, for her hand was alread on his arm. $rres#onsible or not, he disco"ered that he wanted her. )urning, he tra##ed her effecti"el between the chest and himself. Her hand remained on his arm, 4ust below the elbow. )hough the touched in no other wa , he suddenl had a "er clear sensation of how her bod would feel #ressed against his. His e es brushed o"er her mouth, then came to hers.

1Ask what+1

Her mind went blank. Some sound filled her head, like an echo of surf #ounding on the shore. She could ha"e ste##ed back an inch and broken the contact''ste##ed forward an inch to consummate it. Jessica did neither. Diml , she was aware of a #ressure in her chest, as though someone were #ressing hard against it to cut off her air. $n that instant the both knew he had onl to touch her for e"er thing to change.

1Slade,1 she murmured. Half question, half in"itation.

He sna##ed back, retreating from the edge, from an in"ol"ement he couldn't afford. 1Did ou want me to mo"e something else+1 His "oice was cool as he ste##ed awa from her.

Shaken, Jessica backed toward the chest. She needed distance. 1,rs. ,ac=en/ie wants to take the chifforobe with her. She's gone out to #ull her car to the front. *ould ou mind #utting it in the back of her station wagon+1

1All right.1

She indicated the #iece with a silent gesture, not mo"ing until he was out the front door with it. Alone, Jessica allowed herself a long, uneas breath. )hat was not a man a woman should lose control with, she warned herself. He wouldn't be gentle, or #articularl kind. She #laced the flat of her #alm on her chest as if to relie"e the #ressure that lingered there. Don't o"erreact the ne&t time, she ad"ised herself.

$t's the wa he looks at me, Jessica decided, as if he could see what $'m thinking. She ran an unstead hand through her hair. $ don't e"en

know what $'m thinking when he looks at me, so how could he+ And et... and et her #ulse was still racing.

*hen the door 4ingled o#en again, she hadn't budged from her s#ot in front of the chest of drawers.

1$'m star"ed,1 she im#ro"ised swiftl , then started to mo"e. As Slade watched she hurried from window to window, lowering shades. She hung a sign on the door and then locked it. 12ou must be too,1 she said when he remained silent. 1$t's after one, and $'"e had ou dragging furniture around all morning. How about a sandwich and some tea+1

Slade managed to smile and sneer at the same time. 1)ea+1

Her laughter eased her own tension. 1.o, $ su##ose not. *ell, Da"id kee#s some beer.1 She hustled to the back of the sho# and #ulled o#en the door of a small refrigerator. She crouched, then rummaged. 1Here. $ knew $'d seen some.1 Straightening, Jessica turned and collided with his chest. He took her arms briefl in refle&, then as quickl dro##ed them. Heart hammering, she ste##ed awa . 1Sorr , $ didn't know ou were behind me. *ill this do+1 Safel at arm's length, she offered the bottle.

10ine.1 His e&#ression was bland as he took it and sat at the table. )he

tension had settled at the base of his neck. He'd ha"e to be careful not to touch her again. !r to gi"e in to the urge to taste that subtl #assionate mouth of hers. !nce he did, he'd ne"er sto# there. Desire tightened, a hard ball in the #it of his stomach. Almost "iolentl , Slade twisted the ca# from the beer.

1$'ll fi& some sandwiches.1 Jessica became "er bus in the refrigerator. 1:oast beef all right+1

12eah, that's fine.1

*hat goes on in his mind+ she wondered as she ke#t her hands bus . $t's 4ust not #ossible to tell what he's thinking. She sliced neatl through bread and meat, #rudentl kee#ing her back to him. 3ooking down at her own hands, she thought of Slade's. He had such long, lean fingers. Strong. She'd liked the look of them. .ow, she caught herself wondering how the would feel on her bod . Com#etent, e&#erienced, demanding. )he flare of desire was quick, but not une&#ected this time. 0ighting it, she sliced the second sandwich a bit sa"agel .

He watched the sunlight stream through the window onto her hair. $t fell softl on the "aried hues of blue in her sweater. He liked the wa the material clung to her, enhancing the straight, slender back and narrow

waist. %ut he noted too the tension in her shoulders. He wasn't going to get "er far if the were both #reoccu#ied with an attraction neither wanted. He had to make her rela& and talk. Slade knew one certain wa of accom#lishing that.

12ou'"e got quite a #lace here, Jessica.1

He wasn't aware that it was the first time he'd said her name, but she was. )hat #leased her as much as the careful com#liment.

1)hank ou.1 %elatedl she remembered to turn the burner on under the kettle as she brought his sandwich to the table. 1Peo#le ha"e finall sto##ed calling it Jessica's 3ittle Hobb .1

1$s that what it started out to be+1

1.ot to me.1 She stretched on ti#toe to reach a cu#. Slade watched the hem of her skirt sneak u#. 1%ut to a lot of #eo#le it was 4ust Justice *inslow's daughter ha"ing a fling at business. Did ou want a glass for that+1

1.o.1 Slade brought the bottle to his li#s and drank. 1*h antiques+1

1$t was something $ knew... something $ lo"ed. $t's sensible to make a career out of something ou know and a##reciate, don't ou think+1

He thought of the standard #olice'issue re"ol"er hidden in his bedroom. 1*hen it's #ossible. How'd ou get started+1

1$ was luck enough to ha"e the funds to back me u# the first ear while $ gathered stock and reno"ated this #lace.1 )he kettle shrilled, then s#uttered when she switched off the heat. 1-"en with that, it was hard enough. Setting u# books, getting licenses, learning about ta&es.1 She wrinkled her nose as she brought her #late and cu# to the table. 1%ut that's a necessar #art of the whole. *ith that, the tra"eling, and the selling, the first cou#le of ears were killers.1 She bit into her sandwich. 1$ lo"ed it.1

She would ha"e, he mused. He could sense the #ent'u# energ e"en as she sat there calml drinking tea. 1Da"id : ce work for ou long+1

1About a ear and a half. He was at that undecided #oint of his life $ su##ose we all go through when we'"e finished being teenagers but ha"en't quite gras#ed adulthood.1 She smiled across the table at Slade. 1Do ou know what $ mean+1

1,ore or less.1

12ou #robabl less than most,1 she commented easil . 1As it turned out, he resented the offer of a 4ob and the fact that he needed one. Da"id and $ grew u# together. )here's nothing harder on the ego than ha"ing big sister gi"e ou a break.1 She sighed a bit, remembering his moodiness, his grudging acce#tance, his initial lack of interest. 1An wa , within si& months he sto##ed being resentful and became indis#ensable. He's "er quick, #articularl with figures. Da"id considers the books his #ro"ince now. And he's better with them than the selling angle.1

1!h+1

Her e es danced. 1He isn't alwa s... di#lomatic with customers. He's much better with bookkee#ing and in"entor . ,ichael and $ can handle the bu ing and selling.1

1,ichael.1 %efore he drank again, Slade re#eated the name as though it meant nothing.

1,ichael does almost all m bu ing, all the im#orts at an rate.1

12ou don't bu the stock ourself+1

1.ot from o"erseas, not an more.1 Jessica to ed with the last half of her sandwich. 1$f $'d tried to kee# u# with it, $ wouldn't ha"e been able to kee# the sho# o#en ear round. *atching out for estate sales and auctions 4ust in the .ew -ngland area takes me awa from the sho# enough as it is. And ,ichael... ,ichael has a real genius for finding gems.1

He wondered if her analog was fact. *as ,ichael Adams shi##ing gems as well as He##lewhites across the Atlantic+

1,ichael's been handling that #art of the business for nearl three ears,1 Jessica went on. 1And he's not onl a good bu er, but a terrific salesman. Particularl with m female clientele.1 She laughed as she lifted her cu#. 1He's "er smooth''both looks and manner.1

Slade noted the affection in her "oice and s#eculated. Just how much was between owner and bu er+ he wondered. $f Adams was in"ol"ed in smuggling, and Jessica's lo"er... His thoughts trailed off as he looked down at her hands. She wore a thin, twisted band of gold on her right hand and a star'sha#ed grou# of o#als on her left. )he sun hit the stones, shooting little flames of red into the delicate blue. $t suited her, he thought, taking another swig of beer.

1$n an case, $'"e gotten s#oiled.1 Jessica stretched her shoulders with a sigh. 1$t's been a long time since $'"e had to run the sho# alone. $'ll be glad to ha"e both ,ichael and Da"id back ne&t week. $ might e"en take ;ncle Charlie u# on his in"itation.1

1;ncle Charlie+1

Her cu# #aused halfwa to her li#s. 1;ncle Charlie,1 Jessica re#eated, #u//led. 1He sent ou.1

Slade ga"e a quick silent oath as he shrugged. 1)he commissioner,1 he said blandl . 1$ don't think of him as ;ncle Charlie.1

1)he commissioner's awfull formal.1 Still frowning at him, Jessica set down her cu#.

She's not a fool, Slade concluded as he swung an arm o"er the back of his chair. 1$ alwa s call him that. Habit. Don't ou like to tra"el+1 He changed the sub4ect neatl , adding a quick, disarming smile. 1$'d think the bu ing end would be half the fun.1

1$t can be. $t can also be a giant headache. Air#orts and auctions and

customs.1 )he line between her brows "anished. 1$ ha"e been thinking about combining a business and #leasure tri# ne&t s#ring. $ want to "isit m mother and her husband in 0rance.1

12our mother remarried+1

12es, it's been wonderful for her. After m father died, she was so lost. *e both were,1 she murmured. And after nearl fi"e ears, she mused, there was still an ache. $t was dull with time, but it was still there.

1)here's nothing harder than to lose someone ou lo"ed and li"ed with and de#ended on. -s#eciall when ou think that #erson is indestructible6 then he's taken awa with no warning.1

Her "oice had thickened, touching off a chord of res#onse in him. 1$ know,1 he answered before he thought.

Her e es came u# and fi&ed on his. 1Do ou+1

He didn't like the emotion she stirred u# in him. 1, father was a co#,1 he answered curtl . 1He was killed in action fi"e ears ago.1

1!h, Slade.1 Jessica reached for his hand. 1How terrible''how terrible for our mother.1

1*i"es of co#s learn to li"e with the risk.1 He mo"ed his hand back to his beer.

Sensing withdrawal, Jessica said nothing. He wasn't a man to share emotion of an kind easil . She rose, stacking #lates. 1Do ou want something else+ $ imagine there're cookies stashed around here somewhere.1

She wouldn't #robe, he reali/ed, wouldn't eulogi/e. She'd offered him her s m#ath , then had backed off when she'd seen that it wasn't wanted. Slade sighed. $t was difficult enough to deal with his attraction to her without starting to like her as well.

1.o.1 He rose to hel# her clear the table.

*hen the entered the sho#, Jessica went straight to the door to sna# u# the shade on the glass. Slade whirled shar#l as he heard her quick cr of alarm. $t was immediatel followed b a laugh. 1,r. 3a ton.1 Jessica fli##ed the lock to admit him. 12ou scared the wits out of me.1

He was tall, well dressed, and fift ish. His bankerish suit was offset b a gra silk tie the same color as his hair. )he rather thin, stern face lightened with a smile as he took Jessica's hand. 1Sorr , dear, but then, ou did the same to me.1 5lancing #ast her, he ga"e Slade an inquiring look.

1)his is James Sladerman, ,r. 3a ton. He's sta ing with us for a while. Da"id's been ill.1

1!h, nothing serious, $ ho#e.1

1Just the flu,1 Jessica told him. 1%ut a hea" dose of it.1

She ga"e him a sudden shrewd smile. 12ou alwa s manage to #o# in on me when $'"e 4ust gotten in a shi#ment. $'"e 4ust managed to get this one arranged, and another's on its wa .1

He chuckled, a hoarse sound due to his fondness for Cuban cigars. 1$t's more our #redictabilit than chance, ,iss *inslow. 2our ,ichael's been in -uro#e for three weeks. $'d asked him to kee# an e e out for a #iece or two for me before he left.1

1!h, well''1 )he 4ingle of the door interru#ted her. 1,r. Chambers, $

didn't e&#ect ou back so soon.1

Chambers ga"e her a rather shee#ish smile as he remo"ed his hat. 1)he bo& with the #earl inla ,1 he began. 1$ can't resist it.1

15o on ahead, m dear.1 3a ton ga"e Jessica's shoulder a #at. 1$'ll 4ust browse for the moment.1

Pretending an interest in a collection of #ewter, Slade watched both men. 3a ton browsed, lingering here and there to e&amine a #iece. !nce he drew out a #air of half glasses and crouched down to stud the car"ing on a table. Slade could hear Jessica's quiet "oice as she discussed a snuffbo& with Chambers. He choked back a snort of derision at the idea of a rational man bu ing an thing as ridiculous as a snuffbo&. After telling Jessica to wra# the bo&, Chambers turned to fuss o"er a curio cabinet.

$t was a sim#le matter for Slade to mentall note both men's descri#tions and names. 3ater he would commit them to #a#er and call them in. *hoe"er the were, the a##eared to ha"e at least a basic knowledge of antiques''at least from what he could glean from their con"ersation as the both discussed the cabinet. *andering to the counter, Slade glanced down at the ticket Jessica was writing u#. Her

handwriting was neat, feminine, and legible.

!ne eighteenth'centur snuffbo&. 0rench with #earl inla .

$t was the #rice that had him doing a double take. 1Are ou kidding+1 he asked aloud.

1Ssh<1 She glanced o"er at her customers, saw that the were occu#ied, then sent Slade a wicked grin. 1Don't ou ha"e an "ices, Slade+1

1$mmoral, not insane,1 he retorted, but the grin had a##ealed to him. He leaned a bit closer. 1Do ou+1

She let the look hold, en4o ing the eas humor in his e es. $t was the first time she'd seen it. 1.o.1 She ga"e a low laugh. 1Absolutel none.1

0or the first time he reached out to touch her "oluntaril ''4ust the ti# of her hair with the ti# of his finger. )he #en sli##ed out of Jessica's hand. 1Are ou corru#tible+1 he murmured. He was still smiling, but she no longer felt eas . Jessica found herself grateful that the counter was between them and there were customers in the sho#.

1$ wouldn't ha"e thought so,1 she managed. 3a ton's hoarse chuckle

distracted her. Coming around the counter, Jessica walked toward her customers, gi"ing Slade a wide berth.

Dangerous cur"es ahead, her mind warned. !ne wrong turn with this man and ou'd be through the guardrail and o"er the cliff. She'd been too cautious for too long to be reckless now.

1$t's a lo"el little #iece,1 she said to both men. 1$t arri"ed right after ou'd left the other da , ,r. Chambers.1 She was aware, though he made no sound, when Slade turned his attention from her and wandered to the far end of the room.

$n the end Chambers bought the cabinet, while 3a ton chose what Jessica referred to as a fauteuil and a console from the 3ouis @( #eriod. Slade saw them as a chair and a table, too ornate for the a"erage taste. %ut elegant names, he imagined, equaled elegant #rices.

1*ith customers like that,1 he commented when the sho# was em#t , 1 ou could o#en a #lace twice this si/e.1

1$ could,1 she agreed as she filed the sli#s. 1%ut it's not what $ want. And, of course, not e"er one bu s as freel . )hose are men who know what the like and can afford to ha"e it. $t's m good fortune that the '"e

taken to bu ing it here for the #ast ear or so.1

She watched him #oke around, o#ening a drawer here and there until he settled in front of a corner cabinet. $nside was a collection of #orcelain figures.

13o"el , aren't the +1 she commented as she 4oined him.

He ke#t his back to her, though that didn't #re"ent her scent from cree#ing into his senses. 12eah, the 're nice.1 She caught her bottom li# between her teeth. $t wasn't often

Dresden was described as nice. 1, mother likes things like this.1

1$'"e alwa s thought this was the best in the collection.1 Jessica o#ened the door and drew out a small, delicate she#herdess. 1$ nearl whisked her awa for m self.1

Slade frowned at it. 1She does ha"e a birthda .1

1And a thoughtful son.1 Her e es were dancing when he lifted his to them.

1How much+1 he said flatl .

Jessica ran her tongue o"er her teeth. $t was bargaining time. )here was nothing she liked better. 1)went dollars,1 she said im#ulsi"el .

He laughed shortl . 1$'m not stu#id, Jessica. How much+1

*hen she tilted her head, the stubborn line a##eared between her brows. 1)went 'two fift . )hat's m last offer.1

:eluctantl , he smiled. 12ou're cra/ .1

1)ake it or lea"e it,1 she said with a shrug. 1$t's our mother's birthda after all.1

1$t's worth a hell of a lot more than that.1

1$t certainl would be to her,1 Jessica agreed.

0rustrated, Slade stuck his hands in his #ockets and frowned at the figurine again. 1)went 'fi"e,1 he said.

1Sold.1 %efore he could change his mind, Jessica hustled o"er to the

counter and began to bo& it. *ith a deft mo"e, she #eeled the #rice tag from the bottom and dro##ed it in the trash. 1$ can gift'wra# if ou like,1 she said. 1.o charge.1

Slowl he walked o"er to the counter, watching as she laid the #orcelain in a bed of tissue #a#er. 1*h +1

1%ecause it's her birthda . %irthda #resents should be wra##ed.1

1)hat's not what $ mean.1 He #ut a hand on the bo& to sto# her mo"ements. 1*h +1 he re#eated.

Jessica ga"e him a long, considering look. He didn't like fa"ors, she concluded, and onl took this one because it was for someone he cared for. 1%ecause $ want to.1

His brow lifted and his e es were suddenl "er intense. 1Do ou alwa s do what ou want+1

1$ gi"e it m best shot. Doesn't e"er one+1

%efore he could answer, the door o#ened again. 1Deli"er for ou, ,iss *inslow.1

Slade felt a stir of e&citement as the deli"er was offloaded. ,a be, 4ust ma be, there'd be something. He wanted to tie this case u# quickl , neatl , and be gone... while he still had some ob4ecti"it . Jessica *inslow had a wa of smearing the issue. )he weren't a man and woman, and he couldn't forget it. He was a co#, she was a sus#ect. His 4ob was to find out what he could, e"en if it meant turning e"idence on her. 3istening to her stead stream of e&citement as he uncarted bo&es, Slade thought he'd ne"er known an one who a##eared less ca#able of dishonest . %ut that was a feeling, a hunch. He needed facts.

$n his tem#orar #osition as mo"er and hauler, he was able to e&amine each #iece carefull . He caught no uneasiness from Jessica, but rather her a##reciation for hel#ing her check for damage during shi##ing. )he twinge of conscience infuriated him. He was doing his 4ob, he reminded himself. And it was her damn ;ncle Charlie that had #ut him there. Another ear, Slade told himself again. Another ear and there'd be no commissioner to hand him s#ecial assignments as a bab sitter cum s# for goddaughters with amber e es.

He found nothing. His instinct had told him he wouldn't but Slade could ha"e used e"en a crumb to 4ustif his #resence. She ne"er sto##ed mo"ing. 0or the two hours it took to unload the shi#ment, Jessica was

e"er where, #olishing, arranging, dragging out em#t crates. *hen there was nothing more to do, she looked around for more.

1)hat's it,1 Slade told her before she could decide that something might be shown to a better ad"antage somewhere else.

1$ guess ou're right.1 Absentl , she rubbed at the small of her back. 1$t's a good thing those three #ieces are being shi##ed out ,onda . $t's a bit crowded. He , $'m star"ing.1 She turned to him with an a#ologetic smile. 1$ didn't mean to kee# ou so long, Slade. $t's after fi"e.1 *ithout gi"ing him a chance to comment, she dashed to the back room for their 4ackets. 1Here, $'ll close u#.1

1How about a hamburger and a mo"ie+1 he said im#ulsi"el . $'m 4ust kee#ing an e e on her, he told himself. )hat's what $'m here to do.

Sur#rised, Jessica glanced around as she #ulled down the last shade. 0rom the look on his face, she thought, amused, he was alread half regretting ha"ing asked. %ut that was no reason to let him off the hook. 1*hat a romantic in"itation. How can $ refuse+1

12ou want romance+1 he countered. 1*e'll go to a dri"e'in mo"ie.1

He heard her quick gurgle of laughter as he grabbed her hand and #ulled her outside.

$t was late when the #hone rang. )he seated figure reached for it and a cigarette simultaneousl . 1Hello.1

1*here's the desk+1

1)he desk+1 0rowning, he brought the flame to the ti# and drew. 1$t's with the rest of the shi#ment, of course.1

12ou're mistaken.1 )he "oice was soft and cold. 1$'"e been to the sho# m self.1

1$t has to be there.1 A flutter of #anic rose in his throat. 1Jessica 4ust hasn't un#acked it et.1

1Possibl . 2ou'll clear this u# immediatel . $ want the desk and its contents b *ednesda .1 )he #ause was slight. 12ou understand the #enalt for mistakes.1

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter A ''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

Jessica woke thinking of him. She took time on the la/ Sunda morning to #onder the "er odd Saturda she had s#ent''most of it with Slade. A mood man, she mused, stretching her arms toward the ceiling. % turns she had been comfortable with him, e&as#erated b him, and attracted to him. .o, that wasn't quite true, she amended. -"en when she'd been comfortable or e&as#erated, she'd been attracted. )here was something remote about him that made her want to #r him o#en a bit. She'd #ut quite a lot of effort into that the e"ening before and had come u# with nothing. He wasn't a man for di"ulging secrets or bothering with small talk. He was an odd combination of the direct and the aloof.

He didn't flatter''not b looks or words. And et she felt certain that he wasn't indifferent to her. $t wasn't #ossible that she'd imagined those moments of #h sical #ull. )he 'd been there, for him as well as for her. %ut he had guards, she thought with quick frustration. She'd ne"er known a man with such guards. )hose dark, intense e es of his clearl said 1=ee# back6 arm's length.1 *hile the challenge of #iercing his armor a##ealed to her, her own instincti"e awareness of what the consequences would be held her back. Jessica en4o ed a dare, but she

usuall figured the odds first. $n this case, she decided, the were stacked against her.

A nice, cautious friendshi# was in order, she concluded. An thing else s#elled trouble. :ising, she #icked u# her robe and headed for the shower. %ut wouldn't it be nice, she thought, to feel that rather hard mouth on hers. Just once.

Downstairs, Slade was closeted in the librar . He'd been u# since dawn''she was crowding his mind. *hat cra/ im#ulse had #rom#ted him to ask her out the night before+ After downing his fourth cu# of coffee, Slade lit a cigarette. 0or 5od's sake, he didn't ha"e to date the woman to do his 4ob. She was getting to him, he admitted as he #ushed a #ile of books aside. )hat low, musical laugh and all that soft blond hair. $t was more than that, he thought ruefull . $t was her. She was too close to #ossessing all the things he'd e"er wanted in a woman''warmth, generosit , intelligence. And that steam , almost #rimiti"e se&ualit ou could sense 4ust under the surface. $f he ke#t thinking of her that wa , it was going to cloud his ob4ecti"it . -"en now he was finding himself tr ing to work out a wa to kee# her out of the middle.

*hen Slade drew on the cigarette, his e es were hard and o#aque. He'd #rotect her when the time came, e&#ose her if it came to that. %ut there

was no wa to kee# her out of it. Still, o"er the mi& of leather and dust and smoke, he thought he caught a lingering trace of her scent.

After e"ading the cook's admonishment to #ut something in her stomach, Jessica drank a hurried cu# of coffee. 1*here's Da"id+1 she called out when she s#otted %ets , armed with a rag and a bottle of sil"er #olish.

1He took a walk down to the beach.1 His mother harrum#hed a bit, but added, 1He looks better. $ guess the air'll do him good.1

1$'ll grab a 4acket and check on him.1

13ong as he doesn't know that's what ou're u# to.1

1%ets <1 Jessica feigned offense. 1$'m much too good for that.1 As the housekee#er snorted, the doorbell sounded. 15o ahead,1 Jessica told her. 1$'ll get it.1 She made a dash for the door. 1,ichael<1 *ith #leasure, she threw her arms around his neck. 1$t's good to ha"e ou back.1

Slade came into the hall in time to see Jessica embraced and kissed. *ith that low #romising laugh, she #ressed her cheek against the cheek of a slender, dark'haired man with smooth features and light green e es. ,ichael Adams, Slade concluded, after conquering the urge to stride u#

to the cou#le and ank them a#art. )he descri#tion fit. He caught the gleam of a diamond on the man's #ink as he ran his hand through Jessica's hair. Soft hands and a sunlam# tan, Slade thought instantl .

1$'"e missed ou, darling.1 ,ichael drew Jessica back far enough to smile into her face.

She laughed again, touching a hand to his cheek before she ste##ed out of his arms. 1=nowing ou, ,ichael, ou were too bus with business and... other things to miss an one. How man broken hearts did ou lea"e in -uro#e+1

1$ ne"er break them,1 ,ichael claimed before brushing her li#s again. 1And $ did miss ou.1

1Come inside and tell me e"er thing,1 she ordered while tucking her arm through his. 1)he stock ou sent back is wonderful, as alwa s. $'"e alread sold... oh, hello, Slade.1 )he moment Jessica turned, she saw him. 7uickl , #otentl , his e es locked on hers. She had to use all of her strength of will not to draw in her breath. *as there a demand in them+ she wondered. A question+ Confused, she ga"e a slight shake of her head. *hat was it he wanted from her+ And wh was she read to gi"e it without e"en knowing what it was+

1Jessica.1 )here was a faint smile on his face as he waited.

1,ichael, this is James Sladerman. He's sta ing with us for a while and tr ing to make some order out of the librar .1

1.o small 4ob from what $'"e seen of it,1 ,ichael commented. 1$ ho#e ou'"e got #lent of time.1

1-nough.1

=nowing the housekee#er would be close enough to ea"esdro#, Jessica ste##ed awa from ,ichael and called her. 1%ets , could we ha"e coffee in the #arlor+ Slade, ou'll 4oin us+1

She had e&#ected him to refuse, but he ga"e her a slow smile. 1Sure.1 He didn't ha"e to look at ,ichael to see the anno ance before the walked into the #arlor.

1*h , Jessica, what's the 7ueen Anne doing here+1

10ate,1 she told him, then laughed as she sat on the sofa. 1$'d meant to ask ou to find one for me. *hen $ saw it on the shi##ing list, $

wondered if ou were #s chic.1

After stud ing it for a moment, he nodded. 1$t certainl suits this room.1 He sat ne&t to Jessica as Slade settled in an armchair. 1.o #roblem with the shi#ments+1

1.o, the 're alread un#acked. As a matter of fact, three #ieces go out tomorrow. Da"id's been ill this #ast week. Slade hel#ed me get things in order esterda .1

1:eall +1 ,ichael took out a wafer'thin gold case, then offered Slade a cigarette. :efusing with a shake of his head, Slade #ulled out his own #ack, 1Do ou know antiques, ,r. Sladerman+1

1.o.1 Slade struck a match, watching ,ichael o"er the flame. 1;nless we count the lesson Jessica ga"e me esterda .1

,ichael sat back, tossing an arm casuall o"er the back of the sofa. 1*hat do ou do+1 His smooth, neat fingers to ed absentl with Jessica's hair. Slade took a hard drag on his cigarette.

1$'m a writer.1

10ascinating. *ould $ ha"e read an of our work+1

He ga"e ,ichael a long, stead stare. 1$ wouldn't think so.1

1Slade is working on a no"el,1 Jessica inter"ened. )here were undercurrents that made her uncomfortable. 12ou ha"en't told me et what it's about.1

He caught the look in her e e, recogni/ing it as a #lea for #eace. .ot et, he decided. *e'll 4ust see what we can stir u#. 1Smuggling,1 he said flatl . )here was a loud clatter of china from the doorwa .

1Damn<1 Da"id took a firmer gri# on the tra , then ga"e Jessica a shee#ish smile. 1$ almost dro##ed the whole works.1

1Da"id<1 She s#rang u# to take the coffee tra from him. 12ou can hardl carr ourself, much less all this.1 Slade watched him gi"e her a

disgruntled look before he flo##ed into a chair.

Da"id was still #ale''or had the loss of color come when smuggling had been mentioned+ Slade wondered. )here was a faint line of sweat on his brow between his mo# of hair and his glasses. After setting down the tra , Jessica turned back to him.

1How do ou feel+1

Da"id scowled at her. 1Don't fuss.1

1All right.1 She leaned o"er until her face was le"el with his. 1$f $'d known ou were going to be such a bad #atient, $'d ha"e brought ou some cra ons and colored #a#er.1

)hough he ga"e her hair a hard tug, he grinned. 15et me some coffee and shut u#.1

1!h, es, sir,1 she said meekl .

*hen she turned, Da"id sent Slade a quick wink. 15otta know how to handle these societ t #es. Hi, ,ichael. *elcome back.1 :eaching in his #ocket, he found a crum#led #ack of cigarettes. As he searched for matches, his e es lit on the desk. 1He , what's this+1

1!ne of ,ichael's finds $'"e alread laid claim to,1 Jessica told him as she brought him his coffee. 12ou can take care of the #a#erwork ne&t week.1

1,onda ,1 he said firml , e eing the desk. 17ueen Anne.1

1$t's lo"el , isn't it+1 She handed Slade a cu# before crossing to it. !#ening the lid, she showed off the inside.

Slade felt the back of his neck #rickle. )here was a rise in tension, he felt it''could nearl smell it. Shifting his e es from Jessica, he studied both men. ,ichael added cream to his coffee. Da"id found his match. *ith a half shrug, Slade told himself he was getting 4um# .

1And wait until ou see the rest of the stock,1 Jessica told Da"id as she came back to the sofa. 1,ichael outdid himself.1

Slade let the con"ersation hum around him, answering briefl if he was asked a direct question. She was cra/ about the kid, he concluded. $t showed in the wa she teased, lightl bullied, and catered to him. Slade remembered her comment about ha"ing wanted a brother or sister. Da"id was ob"iousl her substitute. How far would she go to #rotect him+ he wondered. All the wa flashed through his mind. $f there was one firm im#ression he'd gotten from Jessica *inslow, it was lo alt .

Her relationshi# with ,ichael was less defined. $f the were lo"ers, Slade concluded that she was "er casual about it. Somehow he didn't

feel Jessica would be casual about intimac . Passion, he thought again. )here was hot, "ibrant #assion smoldering in that slender little bod . $f ,ichael was her lo"er, Slade would ha"e seen some sign of it in the kiss the had e&changed at the door.

$f she had been in his arms, it would ha"e been there, he thought as his ga/e drifted to her mouth. $t was soft and un#ainted. 0rom ten feet awa he could all but taste it. Slowl , irresistibl , desire cre#t into him, and with it an ache''a dull, throbbing ache he'd ne"er felt before. $f he could ha"e her, e"en once, the ache would go. Slade could almost con"ince himself of that. He needed to touch that butter'soft skin, e&#erience that #romise of #assion, then he'd be free of her. He had to be free of her.

5lancing u#, Jessica found herself tra##ed again. His e es im#risoned her. She could feel herself being #ulled''as #h sical a sensation as if he had taken her hand. She resisted. He's quicksand, her mind flashed. 2ou'll ne"er get awa if ou take that final ste#. And et the risk tem#ted her.

1Jessica.1

,ichael took her hand, scattering her thoughts. 1Hmm, es+1

1How about dinner tonight+ )he little #lace u# the coast ou like.1

His calm, familiar green e es smiled at her. Jessica felt her #ulses le"el. )his was a man she understood. 1$'d lo"e to.1

1And don't worr about getting home earl ,1 Da"id #ut in. 1$'m minding the sho# tomorrow6 ou sta home.1

Jessica lifted her brow at the order. 1!h, reall +1

Da"id snorted at the dr tone. 1)here goes ,iss :adcliffe,1 he told Slade. 1She forgets $ was around when she was twel"e and had braces on her teeth.1

1How would ou like to be flat on our back again+1 she in"ited sweetl . 1$'ll be read at se"en,1 she told ,ichael, ignoring Da"id's grin.

10ine.1 5i"ing her a quick kiss, ,ichael rose. 1See ou tomorrow, Da"id. .ice to meet ou, ,r. Sladerman.1

As he left, Jessica set down her cu# and s#rang u#, as if she had been in one #lace too long. 1$'m going to take ;l sses for a walk on the

beach.1

1Don't look at me,1 Da"id drawled. 1$ ha"e to conser"e m energ .1

1$ wasn't going to ask ou. Slade+1

He would ha"e liked to steer clear of her for a while. :esigned, he rose. 1Sure. $'ll get a 4acket.1

)he beach was long and rock . 0rom off the ba , the bree/e was keen and tinged with salt. Jessica was laughing, stoo#ing to #ick u# driftwood and toss it for the dog to chase. ;l sses bounded u# the beach and back again, running energetic circles around them until Jessica flung another stick. )o the right, water hurled itself on rocks, then rose in a mist s#ra . Slade watched Jessica run to another #iece of driftwood.

Doesn't she e"er walk+ he wondered. She laughed again, holding the stick o"er her head as the dog lea#ed clumsil at it. Don't contact us unless ou ha"e something useful. Slade 4ammed his hands in his #ockets as he remembered his orders. *atch the woman. He was watching the woman, damn it. And she was getting to him. *atch what the sunlight does to her hair. *atch how a #air of faded 4eans cling to narrow hi#s. *atch how her mouth cur"es when she smiles... *atch Detecti"e Sladerman blow

e"er thing because he can't kee# his mind off a skinn woman with brand 'colored e es.

1*hat are ou thinking+1

He sna##ed back to find Jessica a ste# in front of him searching his face. Cursing himself, he reali/ed he was going to blow more than his co"er if he wasn't careful. 1)hat $ ha"en't been to the beach in a long time,1 he im#ro"ised.

Jessica narrowed her e es. 1.o, $ don't think so,1 she murmured. 1$ wonder what it is about ou that makes ou so secreti"e.1 *ith an im#atient gesture, she #ushed back her hair. )he wind immediatel blew it back in her face. 1%ut it's our business, $ su##ose.1

Anno ed, he #icked u# a rock and hurled it into the breakers. 1$ wonder what it is about ou that makes ou so sus#icious.1

1Curious,1 she corrected, a bit #u//led b his choice of word. 12ou're an interesting man, Slade, #erha#s because there's so much ou don't sa .1

1*hat do ou want, a biogra#h +1

12ou anno easil ,1 she murmured.

He whirled to her. 1Don't #ush it, Jess.1

)he nickname #leased her''no one but her father had e"er used it. )he fur on his face #leased her too. She'd #oked the first hole in his shield. 1And if $ do+1 she challenged.

12ou'll get #ushed back. $'m not #olite.1

She laughed. 1.o, ou damn well aren't. Should that scare me+1

She was baiting him. -"en knowing it didn't hel#. Slim and strong, she stood in front of him, her hair whi##ed around her face b the wind. Her e es were gold and insolent. .o, she wouldn't scare easil . Slade told himself it was to #ro"e a #oint. -"en as he anked her into his arms, he told himself it was to #ro"e a #oint. He saw it on her faceB antici#ation, acce#tance. .o fear. Cursing her, he brought his mouth down hard on hers.

$t was as he thought it would be. Soft, fragrant, #liant. She melted like wa& in his arms e"en as his li#s bruised hers. A man could drown in

her. )he #ounding of the surf seemed to echo in his head. )here was a sensation of standing in the surf, ha"ing it ebb and suck the sand from under him. He dragged her closer.

Her breasts ielded against the hard line of his chest, tem#ting him to e&#lore their sha#e with his hands. %ut all his #ower, all his concentration, was bound u# in the #ressure of mouth to mouth. Her hands slid under his 4acket, u# his back, #ressing, urging him to take more. Head swimming, he drew awa , struggling to se#arate himself. *ith a long, shak breath, Jessica dro##ed her head on his shoulder.

1$ nearl suffocated.1

His arms were still around her. He'd meant to dro# them. .ow, with her snuggled close, her hair brushing his cheek, he wasn't certain he could. )hen she tilted her face to his''she was smiling.

12ou're su##osed to breathe through our nose,1 he told her.

1$ think $ forgot.1

So did $, he mused. 1)hen take a dee# breath,1 Slade suggested. 1$'m not nearl finished et.1

*ith no less force, with no less turbulence, his mouth returned to hers. )his time she was #re#ared. .o longer #assi"e, Jessica made demands of her own. Her li#s #arted and her tongue met his, searching, teasing, tasting. His fla"or was as dark and unsettling as she had imagined. 5reed , she do"e dee#er. She heard his moan, felt the sudden race of his heart against her own. An urgenc filled her so quickl that it took total command. )here was nothing but him''his arms, his li#s. He was all she wanted.

She had ne"er felt this kind of need or this kind of #ower. -"en when his li#s were brutal, she returned the same aggression. Arousal was too tame a word, e&citement too bland. Jessica felt a fren/ , a burst of energ that could onl be tamed b #ossession.

)ouch me< she wanted to scream as her fingers gri##ed his hair des#eratel . )ake me< $t's ne"er been like this and $ can't bear to lose it. She strained against him, her gesture as much a demand as an offering. He was stronger, she knew''the sleek, hard muscles warned her''but his need could be no greater. .o need could be greater than the one that throbbed in her, #ounded in her. Her bod felt assaulted, both hel#less and in"ulnerable.

!h show me, she thought di//il . $'"e waited so long to reall know.

A gull screamed o"erhead. 3ike a s#ra of ice water, it 4olted Slade back. *hat the hell was he doing+ he demanded as he #ushed Jessica awa . !r more to the #oint, what was she doing to him+ He'd lost e"er thing''his #ur#ose, his identit , his sanit ''in one head taste of her. .ow she stared at him, cheeks flushed with #assion, e es dark with it. Her mouth was moist and swollen from his, #arted, with her breath coming ra#idl .

1Slade.1 *ith his name husk on her li#s, she reached for him.

:oughl , he caught her wrist before she could touch him. 12ou'd better go in.1

)here was nothing in his e es now. )he were o#aque again, unreadable. He stared down at her with a com#lete lack of interest. 0or an instant she was too confused to understand. He'd taken her to the edge, to that thin, tenuous border, then had rudel sho"ed her back as though she hadn't mo"ed him in the least. Shame flooded her face with color. Anger stole in again.

1Damn ou,1 she whis#ered. )urning, she dashed for the beach ste#s and

took them two at a time.

Jessica dressed with care. )here was nothing like the feel of silk against the skin to sal"e wounded #ride. )urning sidewa s in front of the full'length mirror, she ga"e a nod of a##ro"al. )he lines of the dress were sim#le, e&ce#t for the sur#rising #lunge in the back that di##ed 4ust below the waist. $t didn't bother her conscience that she had chosen the dress more with Slade in mind than ,ichael. And the color suited her mood''a dee#, im#erial #ur#le. She swe#t her hair back from her face with two diamond'crusted #ins, then let it fall as it chose. Satisfied, Jessica grabbed her e"ening bag and started downstairs.

She found Slade in the #arlor, tightening a screw in a Chi##endale commode. His hands were lean and com#etent. She remembered the feel of them when the 'd run o"er her bod in a quick, des#erate search. 1*ell, aren't ou hand ,1 Jessica stated.

He glanced u#, frowned, and tightened his gri# on the screwdri"er. Did she ha"e to look like that+ he thought darkl . )he dress clung e"er where, and from the wa she walked b him, he knew she was aware of it. Slade turned the screw sa"agel . 1%ets com#lained that the handle was loose,1 he muttered.

1Jack of all trades,1 she said lightl . 1Drink+ $'m fi&ing martinis.1

He started to refuse, then made the mistake of looking o"er at her. Her back was naked and slim and smooth. )he silk shifted enticingl as she reached for a bottle of "ermouth. Desire was as breathtaking as a #unch in the solar #le&us.

1Scotch,1 he sna##ed.

She smiled o"er her shoulder. 1:ocks+1

1Straight u#.1

1Drink like a man, do ou, Slade+1 !h, she'd get through that damned indifference, Jessica "owed. And en4o e"er minute of it. After #ouring him three fingers, she brought the glass to him. He sli##ed the screwdri"er into the back #ocket of his 4eans and rose. =ee#ing his e es on hers, Slade took a long, slow si# of Scotch.

1Dress like a woman, do ou, Jess+1

Determined to rattle him, she turned a circle. 13ike it+1

1Did ou wear it to stir u# Adams' 4uices or mine+1 he countered.

*ith a #ro"ocati"e smile, she turned awa to finish the martinis. 1Do ou think women alwa s dress to stir men u#+1

1Don't the +1

1.ormall $ dress for m self.1 After #ouring a drink, she turned back to regard him o"er the rim. 1)onight $ thought $'d test a theor .1

He went to her. )he challenge in her e es and his own ego made it im#erati"e, 4ust as she had antici#ated. 1*hat theor +1

Jessica met his angr ga/e without faltering. 1Do ou ha"e an weaknesses, Slade+ An Achilles' heel+1

Deliberatel he set down his own glass, then took hers. He felt her stiffen, though she didn't back awa . His fingers circled her neck, coa&ing her li#s to within an inch of his. She felt the warm rush of his breath on her skin.

12ou could regret finding out, Jess. $ won't treat ou like a lad .1

She tossed her head back. )hough her heart was hammering, she met his e es with an angr dare. 1*ho asked ou to+1

His fingers tightened6 her lashes lowered. )he doorbell rang. Slade #icked u# his drink and downed the rest of it. 12our date,1 he said shortl , then stalked out of the room.

Slade #ulled his car to a halt a short distance awa from the restaurant, switched off the engine, #ulled out a cigarette, then waited. ,ichael's Daimler was 4ust being #arked b the "alet. Slade would ha"e been more comfortable if he could ha"e sli##ed inside to kee# a closer e e on Jessica, but that was too risk .

He saw the car #ull u# behind him. )ension #ricked at the back of his neck as the dri"er climbed out to a##roach his car. Slade sli##ed a hand inside his 4acket and gri##ed the butt of his gun. A badge was #ressed against the window glass. Slade rela&ed as the man rounded the hood to enter b the #assenger side.

1Sladerman.1 Agent %rewster ga"e a quick nod of greeting. 12ou follow the lad , $ follow the man. Commissioner Dodson told ou $'d be in touch+1

12eah.1

15reenhart's looking after : ce. .ot a lot of action there6 the gu 's been laid u# for more than a week. 2ou'"e got nothing et, $ take it.1

1.othing1 Slade shifted to a more comfortable #osition. 1$ s#ent the da at her sho# Saturda , hel#ed her uncart a new shi#ment. $f there was an thing in it, $'d swear she didn't know it. $ had m hands all o"er e"er thing in that #lace. She's too damn casual to be hiding an thing.1

1,a be.1 *ith a weight sigh, %rewster #ulled out a worn black #i#e and began to #ack it. 1$f that fanc little sho#'s the dum# site, at least one of 'em's hiding something... ma be all three. Seems : ce is like bab brother. As for Adams...1 %rewster struck a match and sucked on his #i#e. Slade said nothing. 1*ell, the lad 's got the 4ustice's name behind her and a lot of #olitical #ressure to kee# her name clear, but if she's in"ol"ed, it's going to hit the fan.1

1She's not,1 he heard himself sa , then fli##ed his cigarette out the window.

12ou're in the ma4orit ,1 %rewster commented easil . 1-"en if she's as #ure as a mother's heart, she's in a hell of a s#ot right now.

Pressure's building, Sladerman. )he lid's going to blow real soon, and when it does, it's going to get ugl . *inslow might find herself right in the middle. Dodson seems to think ou're good enough to kee# her out of the wa when it goes down.1

1$'ll take care of her,1 Slade muttered. 1$ don't like her being alone with Adams in there.1

1*ell, $ missed m dinner.1 %rewster touched his rounded stomach. 1$'ll 4ust go eat on the ta&#a ers' mone and kee# an e e on our lad .1

1She's not m lad ,1 Slade mumbled.

)he restaurant was quiet and candlelit. % the table where Jessica sat with ,ichael was a breathtaking "iew of the Sound. !n the night'black water there was moonlight and the scattered reflection of stars. )he murmur of diners was discreet''low tones, soft laughter. )he scent of fresh flowers mi&ed with the aroma of food and candlewa&. Cham#agne bu//ed #leasantl in her head. $f someone had told her she'd been working too hard latel , Jessica would ha"e laughed. %ut now she was com#letel rela&ed for the first time in o"er a week.

1$'m glad ou thought of this, ,ichael.1

He liked the wa the light flickered o"er her face, throwing a m ster of shadows under her cheekbones, enhancing the odd golden hue of her e es. *h was it she alwa s seemed that much more beautiful when he'd been awa from her+ And had he, for a do/en foolish reasons, waited too long+

1Jessica.1 He brought her hand to his li#s. 1$'"e missed ou.1

)he gesture and the tone of his "oice sur#rised her. 1$t's good to ha"e ou back, ,ichael.1

!dd that he'd alwa s been known for his smooth lines and was now unable to think how to #roceed. 1Jessica... $ want ou to start coming with me on the bu ing tri#s.1

1Come with ou+1 Her brow creased. 1*h , ,ichael+ 2ou're more than ca#able of handling that end. $ hate to admit it, but ou're much better at it than $.1

1$ don't want to be awa from ou again.1

Pu//led, Jessica ga"e a quick laugh as she squee/ed his hand. 1,ichael,

don't tell me ou were lonel . $ know there's nothing ou like better than /i##ing around -uro#e hunting u# treasures. $f ou were homesick, it's a first.1

His fingers tightened on hers. 1$ wasn't homesick, Jessica, and there was onl one thing $ was lonel for. $ want ou to marr me.1

Sur#rise was a mild term6 Jessica was stunned, and her face was trans#arent. ,arr + She nearl thought she had misunderstood him. She could hardl concei"e of ,ichael wanting to be married at all, but to her+ )he 'd been together for nearl three ears, business associates, friends, but ne"er...

1Jessica, ou must know how $ feel.1 He #laced a hand o"er their 4oined ones. 1$'"e lo"ed ou for ears.1

1,ichael, $ had no idea. !h, ,ichael, that sounds so trite.1 She ran the fingers of her free hand u# and down the stem of her glass. 1$ don't know what to sa to ou.1

1Sa

es.1

1,ichael, wh now+ *h all of a sudden+1 She sto##ed the ner"ous

mo"ement of her hand and studied him. 12ou ne"er e"en hinted that ou had an feelings for me other than affection.1

1Do ou know how hard it's been,1 he asked quietl , 1contenting m self with that+ Jessica, ou weren't read for m feelings. 2ou'"e been so wra##ed u# in making a success out of the sho#. 2ou needed to make a success of it. And $ wanted to build u# m own #art of it before $ asked ou. *e both needed to be inde#endent.1

$t was true, all that he said. And et how was she to suddenl sto# seeing him as ,ichael, her friend, her associate, and see him as ,ichael, her lo"er, her husband+ 1$ don't know.1

He squee/ed her hand, either in reassurance or frustration. 1$ didn't e&#ect ou would so quickl . *ill ou think about it+1

12es, of course $ will.1 And e"en as she #romised, the memor of a "iolent embrace on a wind beach ran through her mind.

$n the late hours the #hone rang, but it didn't wake him. He'd been e&#ecting it.

12ou'"e located m #ro#ert +1

He moistened his li#s, then dried them again with the back of his hand. 12es... Jessica took the desk home. )here's a small #roblem.1

1$ don't like #roblems.1

Cold beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. 1$'ll get the diamonds out. $t's 4ust that Jessica's alwa s around. )here's no wa $ can take the desk a#art and get them while she's in the house. $ need some time to con"ince her to go awa for a few da s.1

1)went 'four hours.1

1%ut that's not''1

1)hat's all the time ou ha"e... or all the time ,iss *inslow will ha"e.1

Sweat coated his li# and he lifted a trembling hand to wi#e it awa . 1Don't do an thing to her. $'ll get them.1

10or ,iss *inslow's sake, be successful. )went 'four hours,1 he re#eated. 1$f ou don't ha"e them b then, she'll be dis#osed of. $'ll

retrie"e m #ro#ert m self.1

1.o< $'ll get them. Don't hurt her. 2ou swore she'd ne"er ha"e to be in"ol"ed.1

1She in"ol"ed herself. )went 'four hours.1

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter C ''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

Jessica had no answers. Alone, she sat on the beach, chin on her knees, and watched the earl sun s#read streaks of #ink abo"e the water. 2ards awa , ;l sses chased the surf, bounding back to the shore each time it turned on him. He'd gi"en u# on the idea of conning Jessica into tossing sticks for him.

She'd alwa s liked the beach at sunrise. $t hel#ed her think. )he screech of gulls, the #ound of water against rock, the burgeoning light, alwa s calmed her mind so that an answer could be found. .ot this time. $t wasn't as if she'd ne"er considered marriage, sharing a home, raising

a famil ''but she'd ne"er had a clear #icture of the man. Could it be ,ichael+

She en4o ed being with him, talking to him. )he shared interests. %ut... oh, there was a but, she thought as she lowered her forehead to her knees. An enormous but. And he lo"ed her. She'd been blind to it. *here was her sensiti"it + she wondered with a surge of guilt and frustration. How could a thing''a business''ha"e been so im#ortant that it blocked her "ision+ *orse, now that she knew, what was she to do about it+

Slade came down the beach ste#s swearing. How the hell could he kee# a rein on a woman who took off before sunrise+ 5one walking on the beach, %ets had told him. Alone on a deserted beach, Slade thought griml , com#letel "ulnerable to an thing and an one. Did she alwa s ha"e to be mo"ing, doing+ *h couldn't she ha"e been the la/ halfwit he'd imagined her to be+

)hen he s#otted her''head down, shoulders slum#ed. $f it hadn't been for the mass of wheat'colored hair, he would ha"e sworn it was another woman. Jessica stood straight and was alwa s heading somewhere''usuall too fast. She didn't curl u# in a ball of defeat. ;ncomfortable, he thrust his hands in his #ockets and walked toward her.

She didn't hear him, but sensed the intrusion and the identit of the intruder almost simultaneousl . Slowl she straightened, then looked out at the hori/on again.

15ood morning,1 she said when he stood beside her. 12ou're u# earl .1

1So are ou.1

12ou worked late. $ heard our t #ewriter.1

1Sorr .1

1.o.1 A fleeting smile. 1$ liked it. $s the book going well+1

Slade glanced u# as a gull soared o"er their heads, white'breasted and silent. 1$t mo"ed for a while last night.1 Something's wrong, he thought. He started to sit beside her, then changed his mind and remained standing. 1*hat is it, Jess+1

She didn't answer immediatel , but turned her head to stud his face. And what would he do, she wondered, if he wanted a woman to marr him+ *ould he wait #atientl , choose the best time, then be satisfied when

she asked him to wait for an answer+ A ghost of a smile touched her li#s. 5od no.

1Ha"e ou had man lo"ers+1 she asked.

1*hat<1

She didn't #a an attention to his incredulous e&#ression but turned to stare out at the surf again. 1$ imagine ou ha"e,1 she murmured. 12ou're a "er #h sical man.1 )he clouds skimming o"er the water were shot through with red and gold. As she s#oke Jessica watched them brighten. 1$ can count mine on three fingers,1 she continued in a tone that was more absent than confidential. 1)he first was in college, a relationshi# so brief it hardl seems fair to include it. He sent me carnations and read Shelle out loud.1

She laughed a little as she settled her chin back on her knees. 13ater, when $ was touring -uro#e, there was this older man, 0rench, "er so#histicated. $ fell like a ton of bricks... then $ found out he was married and had two children.1 Shaking her head, Jessica gri##ed her knees tighter. 1After that there was an ad"ertising e&ecuti"e. !h, he had a wa with words. $t was right after m father died, and $ was... gro#ing. He borrowed ten thousand dollars from me and "anished. $

ha"en't been in"ol"ed with a man since.1 She brooded out to sea. 1$ didn't want to get stung again, so $'"e been careful. ,a be too careful.1

He wasn't o"erl #leased to hear about the men in her life. 0orcing himself to be ob4ecti"e, he listened. *hen she fell silent, Slade dro##ed down beside her. 0or the s#ace of a full minute, there was nothing but the sound of crashing wa"es and calling gulls.

1Jess, wh are ou telling me this+1

1,a be because $ don't know ou. ,a be because it seems $'"e known ou for ears.1 A bit shakil , she laughed and dragged her hands through her hair. 1$ don't know.1 )aking a dee# breath, she stared straight ahead. 1,ichael asked me to marr him.1

$t hit him hard''like a stunning blow to the back of the neck that lea"es ou disoriented 4ust for an instant before unconsciousness. (er deliberatel Slade gathered a handful of sand, then let it sift through his fingers. 1And+1

1And $ don't know what to do<1 She turned to him then, all turbulent e es and frustration. 1$ hate not knowing what to do.1

Sto# it now, he ordered himself. )ell her ou're not interested in hearing about her #roblems. %ut the words were alread sli##ing out. 1How do ou feel about him+1

1$ de#end on ,ichael,1 she began, talking fast. 1He's #art of m life. He's im#ortant to me, "er im#ortant''1

1%ut ou don't lo"e him,1 Slade finished calml . 1)hen ou should know what to do.1

1$t's not that sim#le,1 she tossed back. *ith a sound of e&as#eration, she started to rise, then made herself sit still. 1He's in lo"e with me. $ don't want to hurt him, and ma be...1

1,a be ou should marr him so he won't be hurt+1 Slade ga"e a mirthless laugh. 1Don't be such an idiot.1

Anger rose quickl and was as quickl su##ressed. $t was difficult to argue with logic. ,ore miserable than offended, she watched a gull swoo# low o"er the water. 1$ know marr ing him would onl hurt both of us in the long run, es#eciall if his feelings for me are as dee# as he thinks the are.1

12ou're not sure he's in lo"e with ou,1 Slade murmured, considering the other reasons ,ichael might want her to marr him.

1$'m sure he thinks he is,1 Jessica returned. 1$ thought ma be if we became lo"ers, then''1

15ood 5od<1 He caught her b the shoulder roughl . 1Are ou considering offering our bod as some sort of consolation #ri/e+1

1Don't<1 She shut her e es so she couldn't see the derision in his. 12ou make it sound so dirt .1

1*hat the hell are ou thinking of+1 he demanded.

$n an uncharacteristic gesture of futilit she lifted her hands. 1, track record with men has been so #oor, $ thought... well, gi"en a little time he'd change his mind.1

1$mbecile,1 Slade said shortl . 1Just tell him no.1

1.ow ou make it sound so eas .1

12ou're making it com#licated, Jess.1

1Am $+1 0or a moment she lowered her forehead to her knees again. His hand was halfwa to her hair before he sto##ed himself. 12ou're so sure of ourself, Slade. .othing makes a coward of me more than #eo#le $ care about. )he idea of facing him again, knowing what $ ha"e to do, makes me want to run.1

He was res#onding to the fragilit she so rarel showed. Dee# inside him, something struggled to be free to comfort her. He banked it down an instant before it was too late. 1He won't be the first man who's had a #ro#osal turned down.1

She sighed. .othing she'd said had made sense once it had been s#oken aloud''e"er thing he said had. Some of the burden lifted. *ith a half smile, she turned to him. 1Ha"e ou+1

1Ha"e $ what+1

1Had a #ro#osal turned down.1

He grinned, #leased that the lost look had left her e es. 1.o... but then, marriage didn't figure in an of them.1

She ga"e her quick gurgle of laughter. 1*hat did+1

:eaching o"er, he grabbed a handful of her hair. 1$s this color real+1

1)hat's an abominabl rude question.1

1!ne deser"es another,1 he countered.

1$f $ answer ours will ou answer mine+1

1.o.1

1)hen $ su##ose we'll both ha"e to use our imagination.1 Jessica laughed again and started to rise, but the hand on her hair sto##ed her.

)he qui//ical smile she ga"e him faded quickl . His e es were fi&ed on hers, dark, intense, and for once readable. Desire. Hot, electric, restless desire. And she was drawn to him, alread aroused b a look. 0or the first time she was afraid. He was going to take something from her she wouldn't easil get back, if she managed to get it back at all. He #ulled her closer, and she resisted. $n an instincti"e defense against a nebulous fear, Jessica #ut her hands to his chest.

1.o. )his isn't what $ want.1 2es, es, it is, her e es told him e"en while her hands #ushed him awa .

$n one mo"e she was under him on the sand. 1$ warned ou, $ wouldn't treat ou like a lad .1

His mouth lowered, took, and enticed. 0ear was buried in an a"alanche of #assion. At the first taste of him, res#onse o"erwhelmed her, wild and free. Jessica forgot what she stood to lose and sim#l e&#erienced. His tongue #robed, slowl searching, e&#ertl seducing, while his li#s crushed hers in an endless, e&quisite demand. She answered, mindlessl willing, des#eratel wanting. )hen he tore his mouth from hers to mo"e o"er her face, as if to absorb the te&ture of her skin through the sense of taste alone.

She fretted to ha"e his li#s on hers, turning her head in search. )hen suddenl , fiercel , he buried his li#s at her throat, wrenching a moan from her. )he sand made whis#ering sounds as she shifted, wanting the agoni/ed delight he was causing to go on and on.

Her hands found their wa under his sweater, u# the #lanes and muscles of his back, down the hard line of ribs to a lean waist. )he moist air

smelled of salt and the sea, and faintl , of the musk scent of #assion. His mouth found hers again, unerringl , as water crashed like thunder on the rocks nearb . She felt his li#s mo"e against hers, though the meaning of his murmur was lost to her. !nl the tone''a hint of angr des#eration''came through. )hen his hands began to search, with bruising meticulousness, from her hi#s to her breasts, lingering there as if tra##ed b the softness. She was unaware of the sun beating down on her closed lids, of the coarse sand under her back. )here was onl his li#s and hands now.

Calloused fingers ran o"er her skin, scra#ing, kindling fresh fires while feeding those alread abla/e. :oughl he caught her bottom li# between his teem, drawing it into his mouth to suck and nibble until her sighs were moans. $n a sudden fren/ Jessica arched against him, center to throbbing center. Denim strained against denim in a thin, frustrating barrier.

!n a groan, Slade buried his face in her hair, immersed in the scent of it as he gro#ed for control. %ut there'd be no control, he knew, with the taste and scent and feel of her o"er#owering him.

*ith a muffled oath he rolled from her, s#ringing u# before she could touch him and make him forget all reason.

Slade drew air into his lungs harshl , letting it cool the heat that radiated through him. He had to be out of his mind, he thought, to ha"e come that close to taking her. Seconds #assed. He could tick them off b the sound of her unstead breathing behind him. And his own.

1Jess''1

1.o, don't sa an thing. $ get the #icture.1 Her "oice was thick and wa"ering. *hen he turned back, she had risen to brush off the clinging sand. )he glint of the morning sun haloed the crown of her head e"en while the bree/e tossed the ends u# and back. 12ou changed our mind. -"er one's entitled.1 *hen she started to walk b him, Slade gri##ed her arm. Jessica 4erked against his hold, found it firm, then threw u# her chin.

Hurt. Slade could see it all too well beneath the anger in her e es. $t was better that wa , he told himself. Smarter. %ut the words came out of his mouth before he could sto# them. 1*ould ou #refer that we'd made lo"e on the beach like a cou#le of teenagers+1

She'd forgotten where the 'd been. Place and time hadn't mattered when the need to lo"e had been #aramount. $t onl cut dee#er into her #ride

that he had remembered and had maintained enough control to sto#. 1$'d #refer ou didn't touch me again,1 she returned cooll . She lowered her e es to his restraining hand, then lifted them again, slowl . 1Starting now.1

Slade's gri# onl tightened. 1$ warned ou once not to #ush me.1

1Push ou+1 Jessica retorted. 1$ didn't start this, $ didn't want this.1

1.o, ou didn't start it.1 He took her shoulders now, gi"ing her three hard shakes. 1And $ didn't want it either, so back off.1

Her teeth sna##ed together on the final shake. $f hurt had outweighed anger before, now the tide was turned. -nraged, Jessica knocked both of his hands awa . 1Don't ou dare shout at me<1 she elled, outdoing him in "olume. %ehind them water hurled itself against rock, then lifted in a tumultuous s#ra . 1And don't intimate that $'"e thrown m self at ou because $ ha"en't.1 *ith her arms #inned, she had to toss her head to free it of blowing hair. Her e es glinted behind the dancing strands. 1$'d ha"e ou crawling on our hands and knees if $ wanted<1

His e es became gra slits. Anger mi&ed with an uncomfortable certaint that she #robabl could. 1$ don't crawl for an woman, much less some

snott little twit who uses #erfume as a wea#on.1

1Snott little''1 She broke off, s#uttering. 1)wit<1 she managed after an outraged moment. 1*h , ou sim#le'minded, egotistical ass.1 ;nable to think of a better defense, she sho"ed a hand against his chest. 1$ ho#e ou ha"en't #ut a woman in that no"el of ours because ou know /i#< $'m not e"en wearing an #erfume. And $ wouldn't need''1 %reathing hard, Jessica trailed off. 1*hat the hell are ou grinning at+1

12our face is #ink,1 he told her. 1$t's cute.1

Her e es flashed, golden fur . )he intent for "iolence was clear in the ste# she took toward him. 3ifting his hands aloft, #alms out, Slade ste##ed back.

1)ruce+1 He wasn't sure when or how, but sometime during her diatribe his anger had sim#l "anished. He was almost sorr . 0ighting with her was nearl as stimulating as kissing her. .earl .

Jessica hesitated. Her tem#er hadn't run its course, but there was something "er a##ealing about the wa he smiled at her. $t was friendl and a shade admiring. She had the quick notion that it was the first absolutel sincere smile he'd gi"en her. And it was more im#ortant than

her anger.

1,a be,1 she said, not willing to be too forgi"ing too quickl .

1State our terms.1

After a moment's consideration she #laced her hands on her hi#s. 1)ake back the snott little twit.1

)he gleam of #ure humor in his e es #leased her. 10or the sim#le'minded, egotistical ass.1

%argaining was her biggest "ice. Jessica curled her fingers and contem#lated her nails'. 1Just the sim#le'minded. )he rest stands.1

He hooked his thumbs in the front #ockets of his 4eans. 12ou're a tough lad .1

12ou got it.1

*hen he held out his hand, the shook solemnl . 1!ne more thing.1 Since the 'd dealt with the anger, Slade wanted to deal with the hurt. 1$ didn't change m mind.1

She didn't s#eak. After a moment he sli##ed an arm around her shoulders and began to lead her back toward the beach ste#s. *ithout too much effort, he blocked out the nagging "oice that told him he was making a mistake.

1Slade.1

He glanced down at her as the skirted the small gro"e at the to# of the ste#s. 1*hat+1

1,ichael's coming to dinner tonight.1

1!ka , $'ll sta out of the wa .1

1.o.1 She s#oke too quickl , then bit her li#. 1.o, actuall , $ was wondering if ou could...1

1Pla cha#erone+1 he finished shortl . 1Careful, Jess, ou're coming close to being a twit again.1

:efusing to be angr , she sto##ed in the center of the lawn and turned to him. 1Slade, e"er thing ou said on the beach is true. $'d said the

same to m self. %ut $ lo"e ,ichael''almost the same wa $ lo"e Da"id.1 *hen he onl frowned at her, she sighed. 1*hat $ ha"e to do tonight hurts. $'d 4ust like some moral su##ort. $t would be a little easier if ou were there during dinner. Afterward $'ll handle it.1

:eluctant and resigned, Slade let out a long breath. 1Just through dinner. And ou're going to owe me one.1

Hours later Jessica #aced the #arlor. Her heels clicked on the hardwood floor, fell silent o"er the Persian car#et, then clicked again. She was grateful that Da"id had a date. $t would ha"e been im#ossible to ha"e hidden her mood from him, and 4ust as im#ossible to ha"e confided in him. )he business relationshi# was bound to be strained now between her and ,ichael. Jessica didn't want to add more #roblems. Perha#s ,ichael would e"en decide to resign. She hated the thought of it.

!h, it would alwa s be #ossible to re#lace a bu er, she thought, but the 'd been so close, such a good team. Shutting her e es, she cursed herself. She couldn't hel# thinking of ,ichael in con4unction with the sho#. $t had alwa s been that wa . ,a be if the had known each other before the #artnershi#, like she and Da"id, her feelings would be different. Jessica clas#ed her hands together again. .o, there sim#l wasn't that... s#ark. $f there had been, the sho# would ne"er ha"e

interfered.

She'd felt the s#ark once or twice in her life''that quick 4olt that sa s ma be, 4ust ma be. )here'd been no s#ark with Slade, she mused. )here'd been an eru#tion. Anno ed, Jessica shook her head. She shouldn't be thinking of Slade now, or of the two turbulent times she'd been in his arms. $t was onl right that she concentrate on ,ichael, on how to sa no without hurting him.

%efore coming into the room, Slade sto##ed to watch her. Alwa s mo"ing, he thought, but this time there were ner"es beneath the energ . She was wearing a "er sim#le, "er so#histicated black dress with her hair caught in a braid o"er one shoulder. 3ooking at her, Slade had a moment's s m#ath for ,ichael. $t wouldn't be eas to lo"e a woman like that and lose. ;nless ,ichael was a total fool, one glance at her face was going to gi"e him her answer. She'd ne"er ha"e to o#en her mouth.

1He's going to sur"i"e, Jess.1 *hen she whirled, Slade strode o"er to the liquor cabinet. 1)here are other women, ou know.1 He was deliberatel off'hand, deliberatel c nical, knowing what her reaction would be. -"en with his back to her, he thought he could feel the sudden bla/e of heat from her e es.

1$ ho#e ou fall hard one da , Slade,1 Jessica retorted. 1And $ ho#e she thumbs her nose at ou.1

He #oured himself a Scotch. 1.ot a chance,1 he said lightl . 1*ant a drink+1

1$'ll ha"e some of that.1 She walked o"er and snatched the glass from his hand, then took a long si#.

1Dutch courage+1 he asked when she swallowed, controlling a grimace.

She ga"e him a narrow look while the liquor burned her throat. 12ou're being #ur#osel horrid.1

12eah. Don't ou feel better+1

*ith a hel#less laugh, she sho"ed the glass back in his hand. 12ou're a hard man, Slade.1

12ou're a beautiful woman, Jessica.1

)he quiet words threw her com#letel off balance. She'd heard them do/ens of times from do/ens of #eo#le, but the hadn't made the blood

hum under her skin. %ut then, com#liments wouldn't roll easil off the tongue of a man like Slade, she thought. And somehow she felt he wasn't onl s#eaking of #h sical beaut . .o, he was a man who'd look be ond what could be seen and into what could onl be felt.

)heir e es held, a moment too long for comfort. $t occurred to her that she was closer to losing something "ital to him now than she had been on the beach that morning.

12ou must be a "er good writer,1 she murmured as she ste##ed awa to #our a glass of "ermouth.

1*h +1

12ou're "er frugal with words, and our timing with them is uncann .1 %ecause her back was to him, she allowed herself to moisten her li#s ner"ousl . )he clock on the mantel ga"e the melodious chime that signaled the hour. 1$ don't su##ose ou'd like to write me a s#eech before ,ichael gets here.1

1$'ll #ass, thanks.1

1Slade...1 Hesitating onl briefl , Jessica turned to him. 1$ shouldn't

ha"e told ou e"er thing $ did out on the beach this morning. $t reall isn't fair to ,ichael for ou to know, and it isn't fair to ou that $ dro##ed m life's histor on ou that wa . 2ou're an eas #erson to confide in because ou listen a bit too well.1

1Part of m 4ob,1 he muttered and thought of the endless stream of inter"iews with sus#ects, witnesses, "ictims.

1$'m tr ing to thank ou,1 Jessica said shortl . 1Can't ou take it graciousl +1

1Don't be grateful until $'"e done something,1 he tossed back.

1$'d choke before $'d thank ou again.1 She dum#ed a s#lat of "ermouth in her glass as the doorbell rang.

.either man was #leased to be sharing a meal with the other, but the made the best of it. )he general con"ersation eased slowl toward talk of the sho#.

1$'m glad ou went b for a few hours, ,ichael.1 Jessica #oked at the shrim# Di4on rather than eating it. 1$ don't think Da"id's reall u# to a full da 's work et.1

1He seemed well enough. And ,onda s are usuall slow in an case.1 He swirled his wine, gi"ing his dinner little more attention than Jessica. 12ou worr too much, darling.1

12ou weren't here last week.1 She shredded a roll into tin #ieces.

Sa ing nothing, Slade #assed her the butter. 5lancing down, Jessica saw the mess she'd made and #icked u# her wine.

1He was well enough toda to sell the Connecticut chest to ,rs. Donnigan,1 ,ichael commented after noting the e&change.

1Da"id made a sale to ,rs. Donnigan+1 $nitial sur#rise turned to humor. 12ou'd ha"e to know the lad , Slade. She's a died'in'the'wool 2ankee who can stretch a dollar like a #iece of elastic. ,ichael sells to her. !n a rare occasion $ do, but Da"id...1 )railing off, she smiled. 1How did he manage it+1

1% being "er reluctant to #art with it. *hen $ came in he was nudging her toward the #ecan ho#e chest, telling her he'd all but #romised the other to another customer.1

She ga"e a quick s#urt of laughter. 1*ell, it looks like our bo 's learning. $'m going to ha"e to gi"e in and let him go to -uro#e with ou ne&t time.1

%riefl , ,ichael frowned down at his #late, then "er deliberatel stabbed a shrim#. 1$f that's what ou want.1

Her distress was immediate. %efore Jessica could fumble for a new line of con"ersation, Slade inter"ened b asking what a Connecticut chest was. She threw him a swift glance of a##reciation and let ,ichael take o"er.

*h did $ sa that+ she demanded of herself. How could $ be insensiti"e enough to forget that he'd asked me to go to -uro#e with him the ne&t time+ !n an inward sigh, Jessica to ed with her dinner. $'m not going to handle this well, she thought. $'m sim#l not going to handle it well at all.

How different the are. $t occurred to her all at once as she watched the two men talk casuall . ,ichael, with his smooth gestures, was well groomed in "oice and manner, sleekl dressed. Jessica reflected that she'd ne"er seen him in an thing more casual than a #olo shirt and golf #ants. He was all ci"ili/ed charm and so#histicated se&ualit .

Slade rarel gestured at all. $t was as if he knew that bod language could gi"e his thoughts awa . .o, he had a strange ca#acit for stillness. And she wouldn't term him rugged though he fa"ored 4eans and sweaters. .ot charming but disarming, she decided. And his se&ualit was an thing but so#histicated. Animal.

Slade asked questions on antiques when he couldn't ha"e cared less. )his would gi"e Jessica a few moments to regain the com#osure she had so nearl lost. $t might also gi"e him the o##ortunit to form a more concrete o#inion of ,ichael. He seemed harmless enough, Slade reflected. A #rett bo with enough brains to make it his #rofession. !r enough brains to be one of the rungs on the smuggling ladder. .ot the to# one, Slade thought instincti"el . .ot enough guts.

He was the t #e of man Slade might ha"e matched Jessica with. Polished, intelligent. And he was good looking enough, if ou liked that t #e. A##arentl Jessica didn't. )he hadn't been lo"ers. Slade #ondered this as he listened to ,ichael. *hat sort of man, he wondered, could be around that woman da after da and not make lo"e to her''or go mad+ ,ichael had managed to kee# himself in check for nearl three ears. Slade calculated that he hadn't been able to do so for as man da s. ,ichael Adams was either madl in lo"e with her or more cle"er than he

looked. Catching the wa ,ichael's e es would drift to her occasionall , Slade felt a stir of s m#ath . ,adl in lo"e or not, he wasn't indifferent.

,ichael took another si# of wine and tried to continue a con"ersation he was beginning to detest. He knew Jessica. !h es, he thought fatalisticall , he knew Jessica. He'd seen her answer in her e es. )he one woman who mattered to him was ne"er going to be his.

All three of them were relie"ed when %ets brought in the coffee tra . 1,iss Jessica, if ou don't start eating more than that, Cook's going to quit again.1

1$f she didn't quit once a month, she'd throw the entire household off schedule,1 Jessica said lightl . 0ood was something she could do without until after she had settled things with ,ichael.

1$'ll 4ust take a cu# to the librar .1 Slade was u# and #ouring his own before %ets could ob4ect. 1$'"e got some things to finish u# tonight.1

10ine.1 Jessica took care not to look at him. 13et's ha"e ours in the #arlor, ,ichael. .o, no, %ets , $'ll carr it,1 she continued as the housekee#er started to mutter. Slade disa##eared before she could lift

the tra . 1Hel# ourself to the brand ,1 she told ,ichael as the entered the #arlor. 1$'ll 4ust ha"e the coffee.1

He #oured a generous amount, #lacing the cr stal sto##er back in the decanter before turning. %ets had lit the fire while the were eating. $t crackled with a cheer neither Jessica nor ,ichael were feeling. :emaining across the room, he watched her #our coffee from the china #ot into china cu#s. )he set had a delicate #attern of "iolets on an i"or background. ,ichael counted each #etal before he s#oke.

1Jessica.1 Her fingers tightened on the handle of the creamer and he swore silentl . Strange that he'd ne"er wanted her more than at the moment he was sure he'd ne"er ha"e her. He'd been too confident that when the time was right, e"er thing would sim#l fall into #lace. 1$ didn't mean to make ou unha## .1

Her e es lifted to meet his. 1,ichael''1

1.o, ou don't ha"e to sa an thing, it's written all o"er our face. )he one thing ou'"e ne"er been able to do well is hide our feelings.1 He took a long swallow of brand . 12ou're not going to marr me.1

Sa it quick, she ordered herself. 1.o, $ can't.1 :ising, she walked

o"er to stand with him. 1$ wish $ felt differentl , ,ichael. $ wish $'d known what our feelings were sooner.1

He looked into his brand ''the same color as her e es and 4ust as into&icating. He set the snifter down. 1*ould it ha"e made an difference if $'d asked ou a ear ago+ )wo ears ago+1

1$ don't know.1 Hel#lessl , she lifted her shoulders. 1%ut as we're basicall the same #eo#le we were then, $ don't think so.1 She touched his arm, wishing she had better words, kinder words. 1$ care, ,ichael, ou must know that $ do. %ut $ can't gi"e ou what ou want.1

3ifting a hand, he circled the back of her neck. 1$ can't tell ou $ won't tr to change our mind.1

1,ichael''1

1.o, $'m not going to #ressure ou now.1 He ga"e her neck a gentle squee/e. 1%ut $ ha"e the ad"antage of knowing ou well''what ou like, what ou don't like.1 )aking her hand, he #ressed a kiss in her #alm. 1$ also lo"e ou enough not to hound ou.1 *ith a smile, he released her hand. 1$'ll see ou at the sho# tomorrow.1

12es, all right.1 Jessica #ressed her hands together. She'd felt nothing but regret when he'd #ressed his li#s to her #alm. 15ood night, ,ichael.1

*hen the front door closed behind him, she stood where she was. She had no taste for coffee now, nor the energ to carr the tra to the kitchen and deal with %ets or the cook. 3ea"ing things as the were, Jessica headed for the stairs.

1Jess+1 Slade sto##ed her with a word. He came down the hall as she #aused on the second ste#. 1!ka +1

All of a sudden she wanted badl to cr ''to turn, run into his arms, and wee#. $nstead she sna##ed at him. 1.o, it's not oka . *h the hell should it be+1

12ou did what ou had to do,1 he said calml . 1He's not going to dri"e off a cliff.1

1*hat do ou know about it+1 she tossed back. 12ou ha"en't got an feelings. 2ou don't know what it's like to care for someone. 2ou ha"e to ha"e a heart to be hurt.1 *hirling, she dashed u# the stairs, making it almost halfwa before she sto##ed. Shutting her e es tight, Jessica

slammed a fist onto the railing. After a dee# breath, she turned and walked back down. He stood at the bottom, waiting.

1$'m sorr .1

1*h +1 %ecause her words had cut dee#er than he liked, he shrugged. 12ou were on target.1

1.o, $ wasn't.1 *earil , she rubbed a hand o"er her forehead. 1And $ ha"en't an right to use ou for a #unching bag. 2ou ga"e me a lot of su##ort toda , and $'m grateful.1

1Sa"e it,1 he ad"ised as he turned awa .

)his time it was her turn to sto# him. 1Slade.1 He took two more ste#s, swore, then turned back to her. His e es were dark, smolderingl angr , as if her a#olog had flamed his tem#er more than her insults. 1$ reali/e ou might think differentl , but ou don't go to hell for being kind.1

*ith that, she left him staring after her as she continued u# the stairs.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter D ''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

)wo A.,. Jessica heard the old Seth )homas clock in the hall strike two musical bongs. Her bod was e&hausted, but her mind refused to settle. Slade's s#urts of sto#'and'go t #ing had silenced o"er an hour before. He could slee#, she thought in disgust as she rolled to her back to stare, again, at the ceiling. %ut then, he wasn't in an emotional whirl.

)houghts of ,ichael drifted to her and she sighed. .o, let's be honest, Jessica, she ordered herself. $t isn't ,ichael who's kee#ing ou awake, it's the man two doors down on the left.

Alone in the dark, in the tangle of soft linen sheets, Jessica could feel the scra#e of sand against her back, the heat of the sun and bite of the wind on her face. )he #ress of his bod against hers. Desire churned in her tired bod , awakening #ulses she struggled to calm. She felt the ache mo"e slowl from her stomach to her breasts. 7uickl she s#rang out of bed and tugged on a robe. All she needed was a hot drink to settle her, she decided, almost franticall . $f that didn't work,

she'd switch on the tele"ision until some old mo"ie lulled her to slee#. $n the morning she'd ha"e herself in order again. She'd go back to work, sta out of Slade's wa until he finished the librar and went back to where he came from.

Jessica sli##ed out of the room and mo"ed on silent bare feet down the hall. She #aused in front of Slade's door, e"en reached for the handle before she caught herself. 5ood 5od, what was she thinking of< ,o"ing quickl , she headed for the stairs. ,a be a brand would be a better idea than the hot drink, she decided.

!ut of habit, she went quietl down the ste#s, a"oiding the s#ots that creaked and groaned. %rand and an old mo"ie, she told herself. $f that didn't #ut her to slee#, nothing would. Seeing that the #arlor doors were closed, she frowned. .ow who would ha"e done that+ she wondered. )he were ne"er closed. *ith a shrug, she decided Slade had shut them before coming u# to write. She crossed the hall and #ulled one o#en.

A light blinded her. $t shone straight in her e es, forcing her to throw u# a hand to shield them. Shock came first. She ste##ed back, stunned b the glare, confused b its source. %efore she could s#eak, Jessica fro/e. A flashlight. .o one should be in the closed #arlor with a flashlight in the middle of the night. 0ear ran cooll o"er her skin,

then lodged like a fist in her throat. *ithout a second's thought, she turned and raced back u# the stairs.

Slade sna##ed full awake the moment his door was flung o#en. A shadow darted toward his bed and instincti"el he grabbed it, twisted it, and #inned it underneath him. $t ga"e a quiet whoosh of air as it slammed onto the mattress. At the moment of contact he knew he held Jessica.

1*hat the hell are ou doing+1 he demanded as his fingers clam#ed o"er her wrists. Her scent flooded his senses6 instant desire roughened his "oice.

*ith the wind knocked out of her, Jessica struggled to s#eak. 0ear had her bod shuddering under his. 1Downstairs,1 she managed. 1Someone's downstairs.1

He tensed, but schooled his "oice to casualness. 1A ser"ant.1

1At two o'clock in the morning+1 she hissed as anger began to take o"er. $t suddenl see#ed into her that he was naked, and that her robe had #arted when he had anked her into bed. Swallowing, she struggled beneath him. 1*ith a flashlight+1

He rolled from her quickl . 1*here+1

1)he #arlor.1 Snatching her robe together, Jessica tried to #retend that she hadn't been weakened, not for a minute, b desire. She watched his shadow as he tugged on 4eans. 12ou're not going down there+1

1$sn't that what ou e&#ected me to do when ou came in here+1 he countered. He o#ened a drawer and found his gun.

1.o, $ didn't think at all. )he #olice.1 :eaching o"er, she switched on the light. 1*e ha"e to call...1 )he sentence died as she saw what he held in his hand. A new bubble of terror rose in her throat. 1*here did ou get that+1

1Sta here.1

He was nearl at the door before Jessica could #ro#el her numb bod from the bed. 1.o< 2ou can't go down there with a gun. Slade, how''1

He sto##ed her with a hard, bruising gri# on her shoulder. *hen the fi&ed on her, his e es were ice cold and e&#ressionless. 1Sta #ut,1 he ordered, then closed the door firml in her face.

)oo shocked to do otherwise, Jessica stared at the blank wood. *hat in 5od's name was going on+ she demanded as she #ressed her hands to her cheeks. $t was cra/ . Someone sneaking around the #arlor in the middle of the night. Slade handling a big ugl gun as if he'd been born with it in his hand. .er"es 4um#ing, she began to #ace the room. $t was too quiet, she thought as her fingers laced and unlaced. Just too quiet. She couldn't 4ust stand there.

Slade had 4ust finished a quick, thorough tour of the first floor when the creak on the ste#s had him whirling. He saw Jessica stagger back against the wall, e es wide as he turned the gun on her.

15oddammit<1 )he word e&#loded at her as he lowered the gun. 1$ told ou to sta u#stairs.1

She had enough time to register that she'd seen the stance he'd taken with the gun on a hundred tele"ision #olice shows. )hen the trembling started. 1$ couldn't. $s he gone+1

13ooks that wa .1 Sei/ing her hand, Slade dragged her into the #arlor. 1Sta in here. $'m going to check outside.1

Jessica sank into a chair and waited. $t was dark6 the thin, shifting

moonlight tossed wa"ering shadows around the room. Defensi"el , she curled her feet under her and cu##ed her elbows with her hands. 0ear, she reali/ed, was something she'd rarel dealt with. She wasn't doing a good 4ob of it now. Shutting her e es a moment, Jessica forced herself to take dee#, e"en breaths.

As the shuddering calmed, her thoughts began to focus. *hat was a writer doing with a re"ol"er+ *h hadn't he called the #olice+ A sus#icion rose out of nowhere and she shook it off. .o, that was ridiculous... *asn't it+

*hen Slade returned to the #arlor ten minutes later, she hadn't mo"ed from the chair.

*ith a flick of the wrist, he hit the switch, flooding the room with light. 1.othing,1 he said shortl though she hadn't s#oken. 1)here's no sign of an one, or an sign of a break'in.1

1$ saw someone,1 she began indignantl .

1$ didn't sa

ou didn't.1 )hen he was gone again, lea"ing her ne&t

retort s#uttering on her li#s. He came back without the gun. 1*hat did ou see+1 As he asked he began a more careful search of the room.

%rows drawn together, she watched his #racticed mo"ements. 1)he #arlor doors were closed. *hen $ o#ened them, a light hit m e es. A flashlight. $ didn't see an thing.1

1An thing out of #lace in here+1

She continued to watch his deft, #rofessional search as he roamed around the room. .o, the sus#icion wasn't ridiculous, she reali/ed as her stomach tightened. $t was all too #at. He's done this before. He's used that gun before.

1*ho are ou+1

He heard the chill in her "oice as he crouched in front of the liquor cabinet. .one of the cr stal had been disturbed. He didn't turn. 12ou know who $ am, Jess.1

12ou're not a writer.1

12es, $ am.1

1*hat is it+1 she asked flatl . 1Sergeant+ 3ieutenant+1

He took the brand decanter and #oured liquor into a snifter. His brain was #erfectl cool. He walked to her and held out the glass. 1Sergeant. Drink this.1

Her e es sta ed le"el on his. 15o to hell.1

*ith a shrug, Slade set the snifter beside her. A deadl calm washed o"er her, dulling the sting of betra al. 1$ want ou out of m house. %ut before ou lea"e,1 Jessica said quietl , 1$ want ou to tell me wh ou came. ;ncle Charlie did send ou, didn't he+ !rders from the commissioner+1 )he last sentence was full of carefull calculated disgust.

Slade said nothing, debating 4ust how much he'd ha"e to tell her to satisf her. She was #ale, but not with fear now. She was s#itting mad.

10ine.1 =ee#ing her e es on his, she rose. 1)hen $'ll call our commissioner m self. 2ou can #ack our t #ewriter and our gun, Sergeant.1

She was going to ha"e to ha"e it all, he decided and wished fleetingl for a cigarette. 1Sit down, Jess.1 *hen she made no mo"e to obe , he

ga"e her a hel#ful sho"e back into the chair. 1Just shut u# and listen,1 he suggested as she o#ened her mouth to ell at him. 12our sho#'s sus#ected in connection with a ma4or smuggling o#eration. $t's belie"ed that stolen goods are hidden in some of our im#orts, then transferred to a contact on this side, #robabl through the sale of the whole article.1 She wasn't attem#ting to s#eak now, but sim#l staring at him as if he'd lost his mind. 1$nter#ol wants the head man rather than the few underlings alread under obser"ation. He's managed to sli# awa from them before6 the don't want it to ha##en again. 2ou, our sho#, the #eo#le who work for ou, are under obser"ation until he's in custod or the in"estigation leads elsewhere. $n the meantime the commissioner wants ou safe.1

1$ don't belie"e a word of it.1

%ut her "oice shook. Slade thrust his hands in his #ockets. 1, information as well as m orders come from the commissioner.1

1$t's ridiculous.1 Her "oice was stronger now, touched with scorn. 1Do ou think something like that could go on in m sho# without m knowing about it+1 -"en as she reached for the brand , she caught the look in his e es. Jessica's hand fro/e on the glass, then dro##ed awa . 1$ see,1 she said quietl . )he #ain was dull in her stomach. %riefl , she #ressed

a hand to it before linking her fingers together. 1Did ou bring our handcuffs along, Sergeant+1

1Cut it out, Jess.1 %ecause he couldn't handle the wa she looked at him, Slade turned to #rowl the room. 1$ said the commissioner wanted ou #rotected.1

1*as it #art of our 4ob to attract me enough so that $ might be indiscreet+1 *hen he whirled back, she s#rang to her feet to meet his fur with her own. 1$s making lo"e to me all in a da 's work+1

1$ ha"en't begun to make lo"e to ou.1 $nfuriated, he grabbed the la#els of her robe, nearl hauling her off her feet. 1And $ wouldn't ha"e taken the damn assignment if $'d known ou were going to tie me u# in knots e"er time $ looked at ou. )he %ureau thinks ou're clean. Don't ou understand that onl #uts ou in a more dangerous #osition+1

1How can $ understand an thing when $'m not told an thing+1 she tossed back. 1*hat kind of danger could $ #ossibl be in+1

1)his isn't a game, Jess.1 0rustrated, he shook her. 1An agent was killed in 3ondon last week. He was close, too close, to finding out who's #ulling the strings. His last re#ort mentioned a quarter of a

million dollars' worth of diamonds.1

1*hat does that ha"e to do with me<1 Jessica 4erked awa from him. 1$f the think there're diamonds stashed awa in one of m im#orts, let them come in. )he can take the furniture a#art #iece b #iece.1

1And ti# off the number one man,1 Slade returned.

1How do ou know $'m not in charge+1 A raging headache was added to the sickness in her stomach. *earil , Jessica rubbed at her tem#le. 1$ run the sho#.1

He watched her slender fingers knead at the ache. 1.ot alone.1

All mo"ement sto##ed. (er slowl , Jessica lowered her hand. 1Da"id and ,ichael+1 she whis#ered. $ncredulit ga"e wa to anger. 1.o< $ won't ha"e ou accusing them.1

1.o one's accusing an one et.1

1.o, ou're here to s# on us.1

1$ don't like it an better than ou.1

1)hen wh are ou here+1

)he deliberate scorn in her tone made him want to strangle her. He s#oke slowl , brutall . 1%ecause the commissioner didn't want his goddaughter to end u# with her beautiful throat slit.1

Her color drained at that, but she ke#t her e es le"el. 1*ho would hurt me''Da"id, ,ichael+ -"en ou must see how absurd that is.1

12ou'd be sur#rised what #eo#le do to sur"i"e,1 he said tersel . 1$n an case, there are other #eo#le in"ol"ed''the kind who wouldn't think of ou as an more than an e&#endable obstacle.1

She didn't want to think about that''couldn't if she wanted to sto# herself from ha"ing a bout of h steria. %e #ractical, she ordered herself. %e logical. )his time she lifted the brand and drank dee#l before s#eaking. 1$f ou're with the .2PD ou ha"e no 4urisdiction here.1

1)he commissioner has a lot of clout.1 )he hint of color that see#ed back into her cheeks relie"ed him. She was tougher than she looked. 1$n an case $'m not here about the smuggling, not officiall .1

1*h are ou here''officiall +1

1)o kee# ou out of trouble.1

1;ncle Charlie should ha"e told me.1

Slade lifted his shoulders in a half shrug as he looked around the room. 12eah, ma be. )here's no wa of telling if he was after something in here, or sli##ing through this room to another. .ot with the wa this house is set u#.1 *ith a frown, he ran a hand absentl o"er his bare chest. 1Do ou see an thing out of #lace in here+1

Jessica followed the swee# of his e es. 1.o. $ don't think he could ha"e been around "er long. 2ou didn't sto# t #ing until one. *ouldn't it make sense for him to wait until all the lights were out before he broke in+1

He started to remind her that no one had broken in, then changed his mind. $f it hel#ed her to belie"e it had been a stranger, she might slee# better. He thought of Da"id, who had a room on the east wing of the first floor. 1$'"e got to call in m re#ort. 5o on to bed.1

1.o.1 ;nwilling to admit that she couldn't bring herself to go u#stairs alone, Jessica lifted the brand again. 1$'ll wait.1

She sat as he went out to the #hone in the hall. Pur#osel , she tuned out his con"ersation, though it was carried on in such quiet tones that she would ha"e had to strain to hear. Her sho#, she thought. How was it #ossible for her sho# to be tangled u# in something as fantastic as international smuggling+ $f it hadn't been so frightening, she would ha"e laughed.

,ichael and Da"id. *ith a brisk shake of her head, she shut her e es. .o, that #art she wouldn't belie"e. )here was a mistake somewhere, and in time the #olice or the 0%$ or whoe"er was haunting her would reali/e it.

A burglar had been in the #arlor. $t was as sim#le as that. Hadn't %ets grumbled a do/en times about her not using the alarm s stem+ )he image of Slade with the gun in his hand came back to her too clearl . )hat was something she couldn't shut out.

*hen he came back into the room, Jessica was sitting "er still, e es closed. )here were shadows under them. *hat he'd 4ust learned on the #hone wasn't going to make them go awa , but #erha#s a good night's

slee# would.

1Come on,1 he said briskl , tr ing not to soften as her e es shot o#en in alarm at his "oice. 12ou're tired. 5o u# and take a #ill if ou can't slee#. And ou're not going in to the sho# tomorrow.1

1%ut $ ha"e to,1 she began.

12ou ha"e to do as ou're told from here on,1 he corrected. 12ou'll be safer here where $ can kee# an e e on ou. Starting now, ou don't lea"e the house without me. Don't argue.1 )aking her hand, he hauled her to her feet. 12ou ha"en't got an choice at this #oint6 ou ha"e to trust me.1

She did. Jessica reali/ed as he #ulled her u# the ste#s that if e"er thing else was a ma/e of confusion, that was clear. )hat "er quick first im#ression she'd gotten when she'd all but run into him at the bottom of the staircase had been "iable. *ith him she was safe.

1$ don't like knowing ou're a co#,1 she murmured.

12eah, $'m not alwa s cra/ about it m self. 5o to bed, Jess.1 He dro##ed her arm as the came to her door. %efore he could mo"e on,

Jessica grabbed his hand.

1Slade...1 She hated what she was going to ask, hated admitting to herself, much less him, that she was terrified of being alone. 1$...1 She looked awa from the im#atience in his e es and glanced into her darkened room. 1Could ou sta +1

1$ told ou, $'"e got m orders from the commissioner.1

1.o, $ don't mean...1 She moistened her li#s. 1$ mean with me''tonight.1

She looked u# at him, #ale, soft, "ulnerable. He felt the blood start to #ound in his chest. $n defense, his "oice was blunt and cold. 1*hen $ go to bed with a woman, $ tend to gi"e her m com#lete attention. $ ha"en't got time for that now.1

She felt a flutter that was both #anic and e&citement. 1$'m not asking ou to make lo"e with me, 4ust not to lea"e me alone.1

He allowed his e es to rake down her. *arm flesh, soft cur"es, and ice'blue silk. 1Do ou think $'d s#end the night with ou and not ha"e ou+1

1.o.1 )he answer came quick and quiet. )he flutter became a throb.

$n a quick mo"e calculated to frighten her, Slade backed her u# against the door. 12ou ha"en't the e&#erience to deal with me, lad .1 .ot quite gentl , his hand closed o"er her throat. %eneath his #alm he felt the wild scramble of her #ulse, but her e es... her e es were tawn and unafraid. He wanted her with a des#eration that threatened to dri"e e"er thing else aside. 1$'m not one of our #olite countr club men, Jess,1 he told her in a dangerousl quiet "oice. 12ou don't know the #laces $'"e been, the things $'"e done. $ could show ou tricks that would make our 0rench lo"er look like a %o Scout. $f $ decided $ wanted ou, ou couldn't run fast enough.1

She could barel hear him o"er the dull thud of her heart. Her e es had misted o"er with desire. 1*hich of us is running, Slade+1 Her arms were alread hea" , but she lifted them. $n one long slow stroke, she ran her hands u# his naked back. He stiffened. )he fingers on her throat tightened swiftl . She #ressed her bod to his.

1Damn ou, Jess.1 !n a groan, his mouth came down to sa"age hers.

Her senses whirled from the onslaught, but she clung. )his was what she wanted''the mindless #assion he could bring her on the instant of

contact. )he kiss wasn't lo"erlike6 it wasn't the worshi#ful merging of li#s, the gentle teasing of tongues. $t was madness. Jessica abdicated her sanit without a second thought. 3et him teach her what he would.

He ri##ed the robe from her where the stood, then ga"e into the dri"ing need to let his hands mold e"er inch of her.

Softer, inconcei"abl softer than he imagined, her skin seemed to flow under his fingers. *ithin seconds he had her trembling, one wracking, con"ulsi"e shudder after another. Her thighs were slim and strong. :unning a hand u# them, he found her, then took her gas#ing to a staggering #eak until she swa ed hel#lessl in his arms.

Slade swore again, knowing he couldn't sto#. He had told himself he would treat her callousl and then walk awa ''to sa"e her... to sa"e himself. .ow she was moist and warm and #liant in his arms. Her fragrance clung to the air, seducing him. He shook his head, struggling to clear it, but she #ressed her li#s to his throat, huskil murmuring his name.

He was with her in bed, not e"en aware if he had dragged or carried her there.

Jessica twisted under him, answering his kiss deliriousl as his hands mo"ed e"er where. He ga"e her no chance to orient herself. )here was a tangle of sheets under her, the soft fabric of his 4eans against her legs, but she was onl aware of the hurricane. )hat's where he took her''all s#eeding wind and black sk . His ragged breathing shi"ered into her ear before his tongue darted inside.

$n a /ig/agging 4ourne that had her mind s#inning, he ran o#en'mouthed, nibbling kisses down her throat to the hollow between her breasts. She arched, her ni##les hard with need, but he continued down and ran his tongue along the line of her ribs. Half mad, she dug her fingers into his hair, wanting him to take her before she e&#loded, wanting the agoni/ing #leasure to go on fore"er.

5reedil , he came back to her breast, the moist trail his tongue left causing her to shudder with fire and ice b turns. His teeth ni##ed into the soft swell of flesh while with a fingerti# he began a slow, torturous #ath around the other. 3i#s and finger circled in until she was writhing beneath him. He drew her ni##le into his mouth, catching the other arching #oint between his thumb and finger. Jessica cried out as the dual #leasure e&#loded, then was lost in wa"e after wa"e of sensation as his teasing became ram#ant hunger.

She was tugging at his 4eans, but he shifted awa from her seeking hands. *ithout the restriction he knew he'd take her instantl . He was far from read . He'd sensed her #assion, knew it la smoldering, but now it was engulfing him in a heat he hadn't foreseen. She was wildl res#onsi"e, like a thoroughbred mare gi"en her head. He wanted to dri"e her''dri"e them both''to the breaking #oint.

)he musk , woods scent seemed to emanate from her skin where"er he buried his li#s. Her bod was slender, almost too slender, but with a seducti"e womanl softness that made him want to go on touching and tasting until there was no inch of her he didn't know. *hen his mouth brushed low o"er her stomach, she moaned, nails digging into his shoulders as she urged him down. He could hear his name trembling out of her li#s between raw, gas#ing breaths. %ut when his tongue sought and found the center of her #leasure, he lost e"er thing else.

He dro"e her to #eak after #eak. -&hausted, Jessica hungered for more. Her skin was fused to his, both hot and dam# with desire. Her bod was stunningl ali"e, throbbing from thousands of minute #ulses he had disco"ered and e&#loited. -"en his name wouldn't form on her li#s an longer. )ogether the struggled with the last barrier of clothing that ke#t them a#art. She found his hi#s, lean and long'boned6 his thighs, firm and muscled.

)he came together sa"agel , each gas#ing from the shock of #ower.

She couldn't sto# the shudders. )he continued to race through her long after Slade la beside her, silent. Her bod ached. And glowed. Did we make lo"e or war+ Jessica wondered di//il . *hate"er had ha##ened between them had ne"er ha##ened to her before, and she knew with a certaint that it would ne"er ha##en with an other man.

.one of her inhibitions had surfaced''he wouldn't ha"e allowed them to. *as there another man with his strength, his intensit , his... sa"ager + .ot for her, Jessica reali/ed, instincti"el rolling to him. )here had ne"er been, nor would there e"er be an one else for her. She'd lost that "ital #art of herself to him long before the had e"er gone to bed''her heart.

!h, $ lo"e ou, she thought, whoe"er, whate"er ou are. And the surest wa to turn ou awa from me now is to tell ou. Closing her e es, Jessica rested her head on his shoulder.

2ou're alread wondering how ou lost control enough to take me to bed, she concluded with instincti"e accurac . Alread wondering how to #re"ent this from ha##ening again. %ut $'m not going to lose ou. )he

"ow formed firml as she ran a hand o"er his chest. 2ou're not getting awa , Slade6 struggle all ou want. 3ightl , she ran a trail of kisses o"er his shoulder to his throat.

1Jess.1 Slade #ut u# a hand to sto# her. He'd ne"er be able to think clearl with her touching him. $f he was going to find his wa out of the quicksand he was ra#idl sinking in, he had to think.

Jessica merel kissed the fingers that got in her wa , then trailed her li#s to his cheek. 1Hold me,1 she murmured. 1$ want our arms around me.1

*ith an effort, Slade resisted the husk demand and the soft li#s that insisted on clouding his brain. 1Jessica, this isn't smart. *e'"e got''1

1$ don't want to be smart, Slade,1 she interru#ted. She shifted so that her head was 4ust abo"e his, her li#s 4ust abo"e his. 1Don't talk, not tonight.1 *hen her fingers ran down his side, she had the satisfaction of feeling his quick, in"oluntar tremor. 1$ want ou.1 Her tongue traced his li#s. She felt the sudden thunder of his heart against her breast. 12ou want me. )hat's all there is tonight.1

$n the darkness he could see the #ale clouds of hair, the moonlit skin

shadowed b the slash of cheekbone. He saw the amber fire of her e es before her mouth took his and ca#tured him.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter E ''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

Slade woke beside her. She was dee# in an e&hausted slee#, her breathing slow and regular. )here were shadows under the swee# of lashes, dark smudges against #ale skin. His arm was around her slim waist6 in slee# he'd betra ed himself b wanting her close. )he shared the same #illow. He s#ent se"eral minutes cursing himself before he rolled out of bed. Jessica didn't e"en stir. He grabbed u# his 4eans and went to his own room and straight to the shower.

Deliberatel , Slade turned the cold on full. Hadn't he saturated himself enough with her last night+ he asked himself furiousl as the ic s#ra hit his bod like shar# #in#ricks. Did he ha"e to wake u# wanting her+ .eed for her, this kind of consuming need, was going to interfere with his 4ob. Slade had to remind himself again and again that Jessica was a 4ob, onl a 4ob.

And in the brief #hone con"ersation the night before, he had been told enough to make him reali/e that her #osition had become onl more delicate. Someone wanted something in her house''someone she trusted. =nowing who it was wouldn't be enough. Slade had to find out what it was. !r rather the 0eds had to find out what, he corrected griml . He had to stick to her like glue until it was all o"er.

*h the hell don't the let me get her out of here+ he thought on a fresh burst of fur . )he order o"er the #hone had been firm and unarguable. Jessica sta ed. )he in"estigation couldn't be 4eo#ardi/ed b letting her walk. She sta ed, Slade re#eated silentl . And he wasn't to let her out of his sight for the ne&t fort 'eight hours. )hat didn't include slee#ing with her, he reminded himself as he let the cold water sluice o"er his head. $t didn't include getting so caught u# in her that he forgot what he was doing there in the first #lace. And how the hell was he su##osed to li"e in the same house with her now and not touch her+

He grabbed the soa# and lathered himself roughl . ,a be it would wash awa the woods scent that seemed to ha"e cre#t into his own skin.

*aking, Jessica reached for him. He was gone, and so, instantl , was her

#eace. )he few hours of slee# had left her tightl strung instead of rela&ed. $f he had been there, if she could ha"e turned to him on wakening, she wouldn't ha"e felt the sick sense of loss.

Da"id and ,ichael. .o, she couldn't e"en allow herself to think it. Co"ering her face with her hands, Jessica struggled to block it out. %ut then she could see the ic look in Slade's e es when he had aimed the gun on her. $t's madness, it's a mistake. A quarter of a million in diamonds. $nter#ol. Da"id and ,ichael. '

;nable to bear it, she s#rang out of bed. She needed to clear her brain, to think. )he house felt like an airless #rison. She threw on her clothes and headed for the beach.

*hen he came b her room to check on her ten minutes later, Slade found the bed em#t . )he quick #anic was as uncharacteristic as it was un#rofessional. Hurriedl , he checked the bath and her sitting room before going downstairs. He didn't find Jessica in the dining room, but %ets .

1*here is she+1 he demanded.

%ets cleared off the #lace she had set for Jessica, then scowled at

him. 1So ou're in a chi##er mood too.1

1*here's Jessica+1

%ets sent him a shrewd look. 13ooks sick this morning, wonder if she caught Da"id's flu. Down at the beach,1 she continued before he could sna# at her.

1Alone+1

12es, alone. Didn't e"en take that o"ergrown mutt with her.

Said she's not going into work toda , and...1 %ets #laced her hands on her hi#s and scowled at his retreating back. 1*ell,1 she muttered and clucked her tongue.

$t was cold. Concealing his shoulder holster under his 4acket was sim#le. % the time Slade had reached the beach ste#s, he'd nearl run out of curses. Hadn't an thing he'd said to her the night before gotten through+ He s#otted her standing near the breakers and tore down the ste#s and across the sand.

Jessica heard his a##roach and turned. *hate"er she might ha"e said

sli##ed back down her throat as he grabbed her b the shoulders and shook her.

12ou idiot< *hat are ou doing down here alone+ Don't ou know the #osition ou're in+1

Her hand swung out, connecting shar#l with his cheek. )he sla# stunned both of them, causing angr e es to meet angr e es in quick sur#rise. His gri# loosened enough for Jessica to ste# back. 1Don't ou shout at me,1 she ordered, automaticall soothing the flesh his hands had bruised. 1$ don't ha"e to take that from an one.1

12ou'll take it from me,1 he said e"enl . 1$'ll gi"e ou that one, Jess, but remember, $ hit back. *hat are ou doing out here+1

1$'m taking a walk,1 she sna##ed. 1$ arranged for Da"id to take o"er the sho# toda , as #er our orders, Sergeant.1

So we're back to that, he reflected and dug his hands into his #ockets. His hair whi##ed unheeded around his face. 10ine. , ne&t order is that ou're not to lea"e the house until $ sa so.1

)he fire in her e es was suddenl misted with tears. Hugging herself,

she s#un awa from him. She'd show him anger, she'd show him #assion, but she refused to show him weakness. 1House arrest+1 she said thickl .

He'd rather ha"e had her sla# him again than cr . 1Protecti"e custod ,1 he countered. *ith a sigh, he #laced his hands on her shoulders. 1Jess...1

Swiftl she shook her head, knowing that kind words would undermine her com#letel . *hen she felt his brow dro# to the to# of her head, she squee/ed her e es tight.

1Don't fall a#art now,1 he murmured. 1$t won't be for "er long. *hen it's o"er''1

1*hen it's o"er, what+1 she interru#ted in swift des#air. 1*ill one of the #eo#le closest to me be in 4ail+ Am $ su##osed to look forward to that+1 !n a long breath, she o#ened her e es and looked out to sea. )he water was cho## , white'ca##ed and gra . A storm was coming in, she thought dis#assionatel . )he sk was beginning to boil with it.

12ou're su##osed to get through toda ,1 he told her, tightening his gri#. 1)hen ou're su##osed to get through tomorrow.1

3ife, she mused. $s that reall how life's su##osed to be+ $s that how he felt about his+ 1*h did ou lea"e me alone this morning+1

His hands dro##ed awa from her shoulders. *ithout turning, Jessica knew he'd ste##ed back. 5athering her courage, she faced him. All the guards were back. $f her bod had not still ached from the fur of lo"emaking, she might ha"e thought she'd imagined all of the night before. )he man staring at her showed no hint of emotion.

12ou're going to tell me it was a mistake,1 she managed after a moment. 1Something that shouldn't ha"e ha##ened and won't ha##en again.1 Her chin came u# as lo"e warred with #ride. 1Please don't bother.1

He should ha"e let her go. He intended to let her go. %efore he could sto# himself, Slade took her arm, carefull wra##ing his fingers around it as if measuring its si/e and strength. 1$'m going to tell ou it was a mistake,1 he said slowl . 1Something that shouldn't ha"e ha##ened. %ut $ can't tell ou it won't ha##en again. $ can't be near ou and not want ou.1

)he man shifted his #osition in the co"er of trees. *ith businesslike mo"ements, he o#ened the briefcase and began to fit the #ieces of the rifle together. 0or the moment he #aid little attention to the two

figures down on the beach. !ne thing at a time. )hat was one of the reasons for his success in his field. He'd onl had the contract for four hours and was relati"el #leased that it would take him little more than that to com#lete it.

After sna##ing on the sight, he #ulled out a handkerchief.

)he brisk wind wasn't doing his head cold an good. %ut then, ten thousand dollars bought a lot of antihistamines. After snee/ing softl , he re#laced his handkerchief, then drew a bead on the figures on the beach.

Jessica felt some of her strength returning. 1*h was it a mistake then+1

Slade let out an im#atient breath. %ecause $'m a co# from the 3ower -ast Side who's seen things $ could ne"er tell ou about. %ecause $ want ou so much''not 4ust now, this minute, but tomorrow, twent now''and that scares me. ears from

1!il and water, Jess, it's as sim#le as that. 2ou wanted to walk, we'll walk.1 Sli##ing his hand from her arm, he interlaced his fingers with hers, then turned awa from the shore.

He lowered his rifle as Slade blocked his clear shot of Jessica. )he contract was for the woman onl , and business was business. )he wind fluttered at his drab'colored o"ercoat and snuck underneath it. Sniffling, he brought his handkerchief out again, then settled down to wait.

Jessica kicked a #ebble into a clum# of rocks. 12ou are a writer, aren't ou+1

1So $ tell m self.1

1)hen wh do ou do this+ 2ou don't like it''it shows.1 $t wasn't su##osed to show. )he fact that she could see what he'd successfull concealed from e"er one''including himself from time to time''infuriated Slade. 13ook, $ do what $ ha"e to, what $ know. .ot e"er bod has a choice.1

1.o,1 she disagreed. 1-"er one has a choice.1

1$'"e got a mother waiting tables and li"ing off a dead co#'s #ension.1 )he words e&#loded from him, sto##ing her.

1$'"e got a sister in her third ear of college who's got a chance to be something. 2ou don't #a tuition with re4ection sli#s.1

Jessica lifted both hands to his face. Her #alms were cool and soft. 1)hen ou made our choice, Slade. .ot e"er man would ha"e made the same one. *hen the time comes, and ou #ublish, ou'll ha"e e"er thing.1

1Jess.1 He took her wrists, but held them a moment instead of #ulling her hands from his face. Her #ulse s#eeded instantl at his touch, drawing an unwilling res#onse from him. 12ou get to me,1 he muttered.

1And ou don't like it.1 She leaned toward him, lashes lowering.

He crushed her to him, de"ouring the willing mouth. $t was as cool as her hands but heated quickl beneath his. Alread frantic, he grabbed her hair, drawing her head back farther so he could #lunder all the sweet, moist recesses. Her arms went around his neck, im#risoning him in the softness, the fragrance, the need.

)he back of his head was caught in the crosshairs of the sco#e of a high'#owered rifle with a so#histicated silencer.

1Jess.1 His li#s mo"ed against hers with the sound of her name. He broke

awa onl to catch her close to his chest, holding her there while he tried to stead himself. 12ou're tired,1 he said when he heard her sigh. 1*e'll go in. 2ou should get some more slee#.1

She allowed him to shift her to his side. Patience, she told herself. )his isn't a man who gi"es himself easil . 1$'m not tired,1 she lied, matching her ste#s to his. 1*h don't $ gi"e ou a hand in the librar +1

1)hat's all $ need,1 he muttered, casting his e es u#. $n his #eri#heral "ision, he caught a quick flutter of white among the thinning lea"es in the gro"e. He tensed, muscles tightening as he strained to see. )here was nothing more than a rustling, easil caused b the wind. )hen the flutter of white again.

1$'m terrific at organi/ing if $ #ut m mind to it,1 Jessica claimed as she ste##ed in front of him. 1And $''1 )he breath was knocked out of her as Slade sho"ed her to the ground in back of a small outcro##ing of rock. She heard a quick #ing, as if stone had struck stone. %efore she could fill her lungs with air, he'd drawn out his gun. 1*hat is it+ *hat's wrong+1

1Don't mo"e.1 He didn't e"en look at her, but ke#t her #inned beneath him as his e es swe#t the beach. Jessica's e es were locked on his gun.

1Slade+1

1He's in the gro"e, about ten feet to the right of where we are now,1 he calculated, thinking out loud. 1$t's a good #osition6 he won't mo"e''at least for a while.1

1*ho+1 she demanded. 1*hat are ou talking about+1

He brought his e es to hers briefl , chilling her with the hard, cold look she'd seen before. 1)he man who 4ust took a shot at ou.1

She went as still and stiff as a statue. 1.o one did, $ didn't hear''1

1He's got it silenced.1 Slade shifted 4ust enough to get a clearer "iew of the beach ste#s. 1He's a #ro, he'll wait us out.1

Jessica remembered the odd sound she'd heard 4ust as Slade had sho"ed her to the ground. Stone hitting stone. %ullet hitting rock. A wa"e of di//iness swe#t o"er her, clouding her "ision until she saw nothing but a gra mist. 0rom a distance she heard Slade's "oice and struggled against the faintness. Heart #ounding in her ears, she focused on him again. He was still looking be ond her to the beach ste#s.

1...that we know he's there.1

1*hat+1

$m#atientl , Slade looked down at her. )here wasn't a trace of color in her face. Against the #allor, her e es were dull and unfocused. He couldn't allow her the lu&ur of going into shock. 1Sna# out of it and listen to me,1 he said harshl , catching her face in his hand. 1!dds are he doesn't know we'"e made him. He #robabl thinks we're back here making lo"e. $f m co"er was blown, he'd ha"e taken care of me instead of waiting to get a clear shot at ou. .ow ou'"e onl got to do one thing, Jess, understand+1

1!ne thing,1 she re#eated with a nod.

1Sta #ut.1

She nearl ga"e wa to a h sterical giggle. 1)hat sounds like a good idea. How long do ou think we'll ha"e to sta here+1

12ou sta until $ get back.1

Her arms came around him quickl and with des#erate strength. 12ou're not going out there< He'll kill ou.1

1$t's ou he wants,1 Slade said flatl as he #ried her arms awa from his neck. 1$ want ou to do e&actl as $ sa .1

He wriggled on to# of her and managed to shrug out of his 4acket, then the shoulder holster. After tugging his shirt out of his 4eans, he tucked the gun in the back waistband. 1$'m going to stand u#, and after a minute $'ll walk o"er to the ste#s. He'll either think ou wouldn't #la games or that we're finished and ou're sta ing out for a while.1

She didn't hold on to him because she knew it was useless. He was going to do it his own wa . 1*hat if he shoots ou+1 she asked dull . 1A hell of a bod guard ou'd make dead.1

1$f he's going to, he'll do it the minute $ stand u#,1 Slade told her, cu##ing her face again. 1)hen ou'll still ha"e the gun, won't ou+1 He kissed her, hard and quick, before she could s#eak. 1Sta #ut, Jess. $'ll be back.1

He rose nonchalantl , still looking down at her. Jessica counted ten long, silent seconds. -"er thing in her s stem seemed to be on slow

motion. Her brain, her heart, her lungs. $f she breathed at all, she was unaware of it. She la in a "acuum of fear. Slade grinned at her, a flash of reassurance that didn't reach his e es. .umbl she wondered if the smile was for her benefit or for the man in the gro"e.

1.o matter what, ou sta where ou are.1 *ith this he turned awa from her and strolled easil to the beach ste#s. He hooked his thumbs la/il in his #ockets as if e"er muscle in his bod wasn't tensed, waiting. A thin stream of sweat rolled down his back.

A hell of a bod guard ou'd make dead. Jessica's words #la ed back to him as he forced himself to take the ste#s slowl . He knew how close that one silent bullet had come. He was taking a chance coming out in the o#en, not onl with himself, but with Jessica.

Calculated risk, Slade reminded himself. Sometimes ou #la ed the odds. He counted the ste#s off. 0i"e, si&, se"en... $t wasn't likel the gunman had the rifle trained on him now. He'd be waiting for Jessica to make a mo"e from behind the clum# of rocks. )en, ele"en, twel"e... Did she listen this time+ he thought with a quick flash of #anic. Don't look back. 0or 5od's sake don't look back. )here was onl one wa left to kee# her safe.

)he moment he reached the to#, Slade drew out his gun and dashed for the trees.

)he car#et of dried lea"es would betra him. Slade counted it a mi&ed blessing. $t would distract the man's mind from Jessica. He took a /ig/agging #attern toward the #lace where he had s#otted the flutter of white. Just as he dashed behind an oak, he heard the dull thud. Dis#assionatel he saw s#linters of bark fl out, inches from his shoulder.

Close, he thought. (er close. %ut his brain was cool now. )he man would know he'd botched the contract. Just as he'd know, if Slade's luck ran out, that the #olice were in"ol"ed. Slade's gun and his shield would tell the #ro all he needed to know.

Patientl , Slade waited. 0i"e eternal minutes became ten. )he sweat was dr ing cold on his back. .either man could mo"e soundlessl , so neither mo"ed at all, one la ing siege to the other. A bird, frightened off b Slade's mad rush into the gro"e, came back to settle on a limb and sing 4o full . A squirrel hunted acorns not ten feet awa from where he stood. Slade didn't think at all, but waited. )he storm'brewing clouds closed in, com#letel blocking out the sun. .ow the gro"e was cold and gloom . *ind whi##ed through his loose shirt.

)here was a muffled snee/e and a rustle of lea"es. $nstantl Slade s#rang out toward the sound, hitting the ground and rolling when he caught a quick glim#se of the man and the rifle. Prone, he fired three times.

Jessica la numbed b a fear icier than the wind off the Sound. )hat was all she could hear''the wind and the water. !nce she had lo"ed the sound of it, the howling wind, the #assionate crash of water against rock. Staring u# at the sk , she watched the clouds boil. *ith one hand she clutched Slade's discarded 4acket. )he leather was smooth and cold, but she could 4ust smell him. She concentrated on that. $f she could smell him, he was ali"e. $f she willed it hard enough for long enough, he'd sta ali"e.

)oo long< her mind shouted. $t's been too long< Her fingers tightened on the leather. He'd said he'd be back. She was going to belie"e that. *ith her fingerti#s, she touched her li#s and found them cold. )he warmth he'd left there had long since faded.

$ should ha"e told him $ lo"e him, she thought des#eratel . $ should ha"e told him before he left. *hat if... .o, she wouldn't let herself think it. He was coming back. Painfull , she shifted enough so that she

could watch the beach ste#s.

She heard the three ra#id shots and fro/e. )he #ain in her chest sna##ed her out of it. Her lungs were screaming for air. Diml , Jessica ordered herself to breathe before she scrambled u# and ran. 0ear made her clums . )wice she stumbled on her wa u# the ste#s, onl to haul herself u# and force more s#eed into her legs. She broke into the gro"e, skidding on cracked lea"es and branches.

Slade s#rang around the moment he heard her. He was quick, but not quick enough to #re"ent her from seeing what he'd been determined she wouldn't see. Jessica sto##ed her headlong rush into his arms, relief turning to shock and shock to trembling.

Cursing, he ste##ed in front of her, blocking her "iew. 1Don't ou e"er listen+1 he demanded, then #ulled her into his arms.

1$s he... did ou...1 ;nable to finish, she shut her e es. She wouldn't be sick, she ordered herself. She wouldn't faint. !ne of his shirt buttons ground into her cheek and she concentrated on the #ain. 12ou're not hurt+1

1.o,1 he said shortl . )his as#ect of his life should ne"er ha"e touched

her, he berated himself. He should ha"e seen to it. 1*h didn't ou sta on the beach+1

1$ heard the shots. $ thought he'd killed ou.1

1)hen ou'd ha"e done us both a lot of good rushing in here.1 He #ulled her awa , took one look at her face, and anked her back into his arms. 1$t's all right now.1

0or the first time his tone was gentle, lo"ing. $t broke her down as his shouting and anger would ne"er ha"e done. She began to wee# in raw, harsh sobs, the fingers of one hand digging into his shirt, the fingers of the other still holding his 4acket.

*ithout a word he led her to the edge of the gro"e. He sat on the grass, then drew her down into his la# and let her cr it out. .ot knowing what else to do, he rocked, stroked, and murmured.

1$'m sorr ,1 she managed, still wee#ing. 1$ can't sto#.1

15et it all out, Jess.1 His li#s brushed her hot tem#le. 12ou don't ha"e to be strong this time.1

%ur ing her face against his chest, she let the tears come until she was em#t . -"en when she quieted, he stroked the hair from her dam# face, rocking her with a gentle rh thm. )he need to #rotect had long since sto##ed being #rofessional. $f he could ha"e found the wa , Slade would ha"e blocked the morning from her mind''taken her awa somewhere, some#lace where no ugliness could touch her.

1$ couldn't sta on the beach when $ heard the shots.1

1.o.1 He kissed her hair. 1$ su##ose not.1

1$ thought ou were dead.1

1Ssh.1 He took her li#s this time with a tenderness neither of them had known he #ossessed. 12ou should ha"e more faith in the good gu s.1

She wanted to smile for him but threw her arms around his neck instead. )he contact was another reassurance that he was whole and safe. 1!h, Slade. $'m not sure $ could li"e through something like that again. *h + *h would an one want to kill me+ $t 4ust doesn't make sense.1

He drew her awa so that their e es met. Hers were red and swollen from wee#ing, his cool and direct. 1,a be ou know something and don't e"en

reali/e it. )he #ressure's on, and whoe"er's in charge of this business is smart enough to know it. 2ou'"e become a liabilit .1

1%ut $ don't know an thing<1 she insisted, #ressing the heels of her hands to her tem#les. 1Someone wants to kill me and $ don't e"en know who it is or wh . 2ou said that... that man was a #rofessional. Someone #aid him to kill me.1

13et's go inside.1 He #ulled her to her feet, but she 4erked awa . )he hel#less wee#ing was o"er and the strength was back, though it had the dangerous edge of h steria.

1How much was $ worth+1 she demanded.

1)hat's enough, Jess.1 He took her b the shoulders for one quick shake. 1-nough. 2ou're going to go in and #ack a bag. $'ll take ou to .ew 2ork.1

1$'m not going an where.1

1)he hell ou aren't,1 he muttered as he started to #ull her toward the house.

Jessica anked out of his gri# for the second time. 12ou listen to me. $t's m life, m sho#, m friends. $'m sta ing right here until it's o"er. $'ll do what ou tell me to a #oint, Slade, but $ won't run.1

He measured her slowl . 1$'"e got to call this business in. 2ou're to go straight to our room and wait for me.1

She nodded, not trusting his eas acce#tance. 1All right.1

He nodded, not trusting hers.

)he moment she ste##ed into her room, Jessica began to #eel off her clothes. $t was suddenl of #aramount im#ortance that she scrub off e"er grain of sand, e"er lingering trace of the time she had s#ent on the beach. She turned the hot water in the tub on full until the room was misted with steam. Plunging in, she gas#ed at the shock of the heat against her chilled skin, but took the soa# and lathered again and again until she could no longer smell the scent of salt water''the scent of her own fear.

$t had been a nightmare, she told herself. )his was normalc . )he cool green tile on the walls, the leaf fern at the window, the i"or towels with the #ale green border she had chosen herself onl the month before.

A month ago, she thought, when her life had been sim#le. )here'd been no man then cooll attem#ting to kill her for a fee. Da"id had still been the brother she'd ne"er had. ,ichael had been her friend, her #artner. She hadn't e"en heard of a man named James Sladerman.

She closed her e es, and #ressed hot, dam# fingers to them. .o, it wasn't a nightmare. $t was real. She had lain curled behind a #ile of rocks while a man she barel knew''and lo"ed''had risked his life to #rotect hers. $t was horribl , horribl real. And she had to face it. )he time was o"er when she could tr to #ass off what Slade had told her as a mistake. *hile she had been blindl trusting, someone she lo"ed had decei"ed her, in"ol"ed her. ;sed her.

*hich one+ she asked herself. *hich one could she belie"e it of+ *ould either Da"id or ,ichael ha"e stood #assi"el b while someone arranged to ha"e her killed+ 3owering her hands, Jessica forced herself to be calm. .o, whate"er else she would belie"e, she wouldn't belie"e that.

Slade thought she might know something without being aware of it. $f that was true, she was no closer to the solution than she had been before. Jessica slid her bod down in the tub and closed her e es again. )here was nothing for her to do but wait.

An thing but satisfied with his con"ersation with his contact, Slade #ut a call through directl to the commissioner.

1Sergeant, what ha"e ou got for me+1

1Someone tried to kill Jessica this morning,1 he answered curtl .

0or a moment there was dead silence on the wire. 15i"e me the details,1 Dodson demanded.

%riefl , emotionlessl , Slade re#orted while his knuckles turned white on the recei"er. 1She won't lea"e "oluntaril ,1 he finished. 1$ want her out, toda . .ow. $ need ou to officiall gi"e me the right to #ut her in #rotecti"e custod . $ can ha"e her in .ew 2ork in less than two hours.1

1$ take it ou'"e alread checked in with this.1

12our friends in the %ureau want her to sta .1 )his time he didn't attem#t to disguise the bitterness in his "oice. 1)he don't want an thing to interfere with the in"estigation at this delicate state,1 he quoted, 4amming a cigarette between his li#s. 1As long as she's willing

to coo#erate, the won't mo"e her.1

1And Jessica's willing to coo#erate.1

1She's a stubborn, thick'headed fool who's too bus thinking about Adams and : ce and that #recious sho# of hers.1

12ou'"e gotten to know her, $ see,1 the commissioner commented. 1Does she trust ou+1

Slade e&#elled a stream of smoke. 1She trusts me.1

1=ee# her in the house, Slade. $n her room if ou think it's necessar . )he ser"ants can think she's ill.1

1$ want''1

1*hat ou want isn't the issue,1 Dodson cut him off curtl . 1!r what $ want,1 he added more calml . 1$f it's gone far enough that a #ro was hired, she'll be safer there, with ou, than an #lace else. *e'"e got to nail this down fast, with luck, before it's known that the contract on her is no longer o#erable.1

1She's nothing more than bait,1 Slade said bitterl .

1Just make sure she isn't swallowed,1 Dodson retorted. 12ou'"e got our orders.1

12eah. $'"e got them.1 Disgusted, Slade slammed down the recei"er. 3ooking down at his hands, he reali/ed, frustrated, that the were as good as tied. He was u# against a solid wall of refusal from Jessica right on down. )he in"estigation, the 4ustice of it, didn't matter to him an longer. She was all that mattered. )hat in itself destro ed his ob4ecti"it , and b doing so, made her "ulnerable. He cared too much to think logicall .

His hands curled into fists. .o, cared wasn't the right word, he admitted slowl . He was in lo"e with her. *hen or how, he didn't ha"e the faintest idea. ,a be it had started that first da she had come tearing down the ste#s toward him. And it was stu#id.

He scra#ed his hands roughl o"er his face. -"en without the mess the were in, it was stu#id. )he 'd been born on o##osite sides of the fence, had li"ed their entire li"es on o##osite sides of the fence. He didn't ha"e an right to lo"e her, e"en less to want her to lo"e him. She needed him now, #rofessionall as well as emotionall . )hat would change

when it was o"er.

:ight now he couldn't afford to think of how he would deal with his feelings once Jessica was safe again. 0irst he had to make certain she would be. *ith slow, deliberate force he crushed out his cigarette, then went u#stairs to her.

)he came into the bedroom together, Jessica from the bath, Slade from the hall. She was wra##ed in one of the i"or towels with the #ale green border. Her hair fell wet around her shoulders while the clean, shar# scent of soa# surrounded her. Her skin was flushed and glowing from the heat of her bath.

0or a moment the stood still, watching each other. She could feel the frustration, the anger in him, as he turned to close the door behind him.

1Are ou all right+1

12es.1 She sighed a little because it was nearl the truth. 1$'m better. Don't be angr with me, Slade.1

1Don't ask for the im#ossible.1

1All right.1 .eeding something to do, she went to the dresser and #icked u# her brush. 1*hat do we do now+1

1*e wait.1 Straining against im#otence, he 4ammed his fists in his #ockets. 12ou're to sta in the house, let the ser"ants think ou're ill or tired or 4ust #lain la/ . 2ou're not to answer the door, or the #hone, or see an one unless $'m with ou.1

She slammed the brush back down, her e es meeting his in the mirror. 1$ won't be 4ailed in m own home.1

1-ither that or a cell,1 he im#ro"ised, adding a shrug. 1-ither wa want it.1

ou

12ou can't #ut me in a cell.1

1Don't bet on it.1 3eaning back against the door, he ordered his muscles to rela&. 12ou're going to #la this m wa , Jess. Starting now.1

Her automatic rebellion was instantl quelled as she remembered those agoni/ing minutes on the beach. She wasn't onl risking her own life, she reali/ed, but his as well. 12ou're right,1 she murmured. 1$'m

sorr .1 Abru#tl she whirled around. 1$ hate this< $ hate all of it.1

1$ told %ets

ou didn't want to be disturbed,1 he answered calml .

1She's got it into her head that ou'"e caught a touch of Da"id's flu. *e'll let her go on thinking it. *h don't ou get some slee#+1

1Don't go,1 she said quickl as he reached for the doorknob.

1$'ll 4ust be down in the librar . 2ou need to rest, Jess, ou're worn out.1

1$ need ou,1 she corrected and walked to him. 1,ake lo"e to me, Slade... as if we were 4ust a man and a woman who wanted to be together.1 3ifting her arms, she circled his neck. 1Can't we belie"e that it's true for 4ust a few hours+ 3et's gi"e each other the rest of the morning.1

He lifted the back of his hand to her cheek in a gesture the both found uncharacteristic. Slade wondered if she knew that his need was as great as hers''to touch, to lose himself in lo"emaking. So close, he thought as he ran his knuckles o"er the line of her cheekbone. He'd come so close to losing her.

12our e es are shadowed.1 His "oice was rough with emotion. 12ou should rest.1 %ut his li#s were alread lowering to seek hers.

)he brush of mouth on mouth''gentle, caring, comforting. Jessica melted against him, o"er#owered b the tenderness she'd drawn out of him. His hand was still on her face, gliding o"er her features as if to memori/e them. !n a sigh, her li#s #arted, softening under his until he thought he would sink into them.

)he had stood there onl the night before, locked in an embrace that had been turbulent with #assion, almost brutal with desire. )he soothing qualit of his kiss was no less arousing.

)he #ulse at the base of her throat beat thickl as Slade's fingerti# slid down to it. She needed, he needed. )hinking onl of this, he brought his hand to the loose knot of the towel to draw the material from her before he carried her to bed.

Jessica saw his e es, dark and intense, swee# o"er her as she began to unbutton his shirt. )hen her fingers were tra##ed between their bodies, his mouth fi&ed on hers again. )he night before, he'd made her soar6 now he made her float. Soft kisses, soft words, both une&#ected, rained o"er her. His fingers combed through her dam# hair, s#reading it out on the

#illow, lingering in its silk as if he would touch each indi"idual strand.

Her hands were free again and, trembling, the dealt with the last buttons on his shirt. She felt a qui"er race after her e&#loring hands, heard his incoherent murmur as she worked the rest of his clothes from him. 0lesh to heated flesh, the began the 4ourne . :ain began to #atter against the windows.

He'd ne"er been a gentle lo"er''intense, es, #assionate, es, but ne"er gentle. She unlocked something in him, something gi"ing and tender. .o less des#eratel than the night before, he wanted her, but with the hunger came the sweet calming breath of lo"e. )he #eaceful emotion guided them both to meet the uns#oken needs of the other. )ouch me here. 3et me taste. 3ook at me. )here was no need for words when hearts and minds were attuned.

He wandered o"er the bod he alread knew so well. $n the gra , gloom light he worshi#ed her with hands, li#s, and e es. .aked, hea" e ed, skin flushed with desire, Jessica la quietl as he took his ga/e o"er her with the slow intensit she recogni/ed. She was a willing #risoner in the thick, humming world concei"ed b #leasure and sensation. )he rain grew loud, the room dimmer.

3ifting a hand to either side of his face, she drew him back to her. *ith her tongue, she slowl traced the sha#e of his mouth, then #robed inside to drink u# all the tastes of him. 0la"ors musk and shar# see#ed into her, dee# into her, until she hungered for more. Desire rose to the ne&t #lane.

.ot so gentle now, nor so calml , the sought each other. =isses became #ossessi"e, caresses urgent. ;nder the sound of the rain she heard his breath shudder. ;nder the #ressure of her hands, she felt his muscles tighten. )he liquef ing #leasure that had ruled her became a hot, torrid need, cata#ulting her be ond the gra , insular room into a #lace of white light and golden fire.

Searing, searching, seducing, his mouth "eered down her, o"er her, until her skin was molten. *ith a strength onl recentl disco"ered, she rolled on to# of him to com#lete a cra/ed 4ourne of her own. )he tangled and untangled in a wildl choreogra#hed dance of #assion. )he light wasn't white now, but red6 the fire flamed blue.

She heard her name ri# from his li#s before the crushed down on hers. *hate"er madness he s#oke was muffled against her in his urgenc . Desire s#un into delirium as the came together. )here was s#eed and strength

and des#eration. 0aster and faster the climbed while his mouth clung to hers, swallowing her gas#s, mi&ing them with his own.

S#ent, she la beneath him. His mouth was #ressed to her throat, his hands tangled in her hair. )he rain drummed against the windows now, hurled b the wind. His bod was warm and dam# and hea" on hers. A feeling of securit drifted o"er her, followed b a weariness that reached her bones. Slade lifted his head to see her e es gla/ed o"er with fatigue.

12ou'll slee# now.1 $t wasn't a question. He tem#ered the command with a kiss.

12ou'll sta +1 )he words were thick as she fought off slee# long enough to hear his answer.

1$'ll start the fire.1 :ising, Slade walked to the white brick hearth and added #a#er to the kindling. )he long match hissed as he struck it. Crouched, he watched the flames lick, then catch.

,inutes #assed, but he remained, staring steadil at the fire without seeing it. He knew what was ha##ening to him. .o, what had ha##ened to him, Slade corrected. He was in lo"e with a woman he should ne"er ha"e

touched. A woman he had no business lo"ing. A woman, he reminded himself griml , whose life de#ended on him. ;ntil she was out of danger, he couldn't afford to think of his own feelings, or of their consequences. 0or her sake, the co# had to come first, the man second.

Straightening, he turned back to her. )he shock of the morning had taken its toll in e&haustion, he noted. She la on her stomach, one hand balled loosel on the #illow. Her hair fanned out, dr now, her face #ale beneath its disorder. Her e es were shadowed, her breathing hea" . )he fire brought flickers of light into the room to #la o"er her skin.

She was too small, he thought, too slender, to deal with what had ha##ened6 to deal with the threat of what could ha##en. And how much good would he do her+ he asked himself as his e es #assed o"er her. 3o"e clouded his 4udgment, slowed his refle&es. $f he'd been an instant slower that morning... Shaking his head, Slade began to dress. $t wouldn't ha##en again. He'd kee# her in the house if he had to chain her. He'd see her through this, kee# her safe, and then...

)hen he'd get out of her life, he #romised himself. And get her out of his.

He drew the sheet o"er her, allowing his hand to linger on her hair

briefl before he left the room.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter F ''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

3ate, late in the morning, while Jessica sle#t, Slade stood at the librar window that faced the garden. *ater sunlight struggled through the clouds to fall on the wet shrubs and grass. :osebushes were naked and thorn . 0all flowers hung hea" 'headed and dri##ing, their #etals scattered. )he storm had stri##ed the lea"es awa from the trees so that the la sogg and dull on the ground. )he wind had died.

Someone had let ;l sses out. )he dog lumbered along on the wet ground, sniffing here and there without an a##arent interest. 0inding a likel branch, he clam#ed it between his teeth, then trotted off toward the beach. Hell of a watchdog, Slade thought in disgust. %ut then, who could blame the dog for not barking at someone he knew''someone he'd seen in the house for ears+

Scrubbing his face with his hands, Slade turned awa from the window.

)he waiting was eating at him''another sign that he was losing his ob4ecti"it . % rights he should ha"e taken this #art of the assignment in his stride. As long as Jessica did what she was told, there was "irtuall no wa for an one on the outside to get to her. )he man who had been in the #arlor the night before was running scared and for that reason wouldn't test his luck during the da in a house full of acti"e ser"ants. $f e"er thing went according to #lan, it was sim#l a matter of holding tight until the 0%$ made its mo"e. $f, Slade thought tightl , e"er thing went according to #lan.

Plans had a wa of "eering off course when the human element was in"ol"ed.

A glance at his watch told him that Jessica had been aslee# for half an hour. *ith luck, she'd slee# through the da . *hen she sle#t, she was safe''and e"er hour that she was safe brought them closer to the finish.

$dl , he #icked u# one of the books from a #ile he'd begun to organi/e. She'd ha"e to get someone to take care of this mess, he thought''once her life was settled again. !nce her life was settled, he re#eated silentl , and he was back in .ew 2ork, awa from her. *ith an oath, he tossed the book aside. *as he e"er going to get awa from her+ he

wondered with something uncomfortabl close to fear. !h, he could #ut the distance between them''miles of distance. All he had to do was to get into his car and head it in the right direction. %ut how long would it take him to chase her out of his head+ )hat was for tomorrow, he reminded himself and was suddenl , abominabl tired. He knew better than to think of tomorrows.

1Slade+1

)urning, he saw Jessica in the doorwa . $t anno ed him that she was there, infuriated him that her face was still #ale, her e es still shadowed. 1*hat are ou doing u#+1 he demanded. 12ou look like hell.1

Jessica managed a weak smile. 1)hanks. 2ou know how to boost a woman's morale, Sergeant.1

12ou're su##osed to be resting,1 he reminded her.

1$ couldn't slee#.1

1)ake a #ill.1

1$ ne"er take #ills.1 %ecause her hands were clamm , she linked them

together. She wouldn't tell him of the nightmare that had woken her''of the shar#, sweating fear that had had her choking back a scream as she fought off slee#. .or would Jessica tell him how she had reached for him onl to find him gone. 1Are ou working+1

Slade frowned, then followed her ga/e to the #ile of books beside him. 1$ might as well clear u# some of this,1 he said with a shrug. 1$'"e got nothing but time now.1

1$ could hel#.1 ;ncomfortabl aware that her mo"ements were 4erk , Jessica walked farther into the room. 1And don't make one of those snide remarks,1 she continued hurriedl . 1$ know the librar 's a disgrace and the finger #oints at me, but $ do ha"e a knack for organi/ing once $ get started. $f nothing else $ can fetch and carr for ou until''1

He cut off her stream of hast words b #utting his hand o"er hers as she reached for a book. Her skin was ice cold. $nstincti"el he tightened his gri#, wanting to warm her. 1Jess, go back to bed. 5et some slee#. $'ll ha"e %ets bring ou u# a tra later.1

1$'m not sick<1 )he words eru#ted from her as she anked her hand awa .

12ou're going to be,1 Slade returned e"enl , 1if ou don't take care of

ourself.1

1Sto# treating me like a child,1 she ordered, enunciating each word carefull . 1$ don't need a bab sitter.1

1.o+1 He ga"e a quick laugh, remembering his earl conce#tion of his assignment. 1)hen tell me, how much slee# ha"e ou had in the last two da s+ *hen's the last time ou'"e had a meal+1

1$ had dinner last night,1 she began.

12ou #ushed our dinner around our #late last night,1 he corrected. 1=ee# it u#. 2ou'll #ass out and make m 4ob easier.1

1$'m not going to #ass out,1 she said quietl . Her e es had darkened, that much more of a contrast to her skin.

%ecause he wanted to rage at her, Slade withdrew. 1$ wouldn't count on it but suit ourself,1 he said carelessl . 1!"erall it doesn't matter whether ou're conscious or unconscious.1 $n dismissal, he turned back to the stack of books.

1$'m sorr $'m not as accustomed to this sort of thing as ou are,1

Jessica began in a tone that started off calm, then became more and more agitated. 1$t isn't e"er da $'m in"estigated b the 0%$ and shot at b a #rofessional gunman. )he ne&t time $'m sure $'ll be able to en4o a banquet after $ see a dead bod on m #ro#ert . All in a da 's work for ou, isn't it, Slade+ =illing a man+1

A hard knot lodged in his stomach, another in his chest. Casuall , he #ulled out a cigarette and lit it.

Chest hea"ing with the emotion of her words, she watched him. 1Don't ou feel an thing+1 Jessica demanded.

He made himself take a long slow drag, made himself s#eak calml . 1*hat do ou want me to feel+ $f $'d been slower, $'d be dead.1

Swiftl , she turned awa , then #ressed her forehead to the window glass. )he few clinging raindro#s blurred and seemed to multi#l until she shut her e es. And so would ou, she reminded herself. *hat he did, he did for ou. 1$'m sorr ,1 she murmured. 1$'m sorr .1

1*h +1 His "oice was as cool as the #ane she rested u#on. And 4ust as hard. 12ou were on target again.1

)aking a dee# breath, Jessica turned to face him. 2es, the guards were there, but she knew him better now. *hat he had done that morning hadn't been done coldl . 12ou hate being reminded that ou're 4ust as human as the rest of us, don't ou+ $t infuriates ou that ou're haunted b feelings, emotions, needs.1 Slowl she walked to him. 1$ wonder if that's wh ou won't sta with me after we'"e made lo"e. Are ou afraid

$'ll find a weakness, Slade+ A little crack $ might be able to widen+1

1*atch how far ou go,1 he warned softl . 12ou won't like the tri# back.1

12ou hate wanting me, don't ou+1

$n a deliberatel controlled mo"ement, Slade crushed out his cigarette. 12es.1

As she o#ened her mouth to s#eak again, the door to the librar swung o#en. %oth she and Slade turned to see Da"id stride in. He took a long look at Jessica, then #ushed his glasses back u# on his nose.

12ou look like hell. *h aren't ou in bed+1

1Da"id.1 She couldn't control the tremor in her "oice or the sudden urge

that had her racing into his arms to hug him fiercel . Da"id sent Slade a sur#rised look o"er her shoulder as he awkwardl #atted her back.

1*hat's all this+ 2ou got a fe"er+ Come on, Jessie.1

.ot him, she thought des#eratel . Please, 5od, not Da"id. )hrough sheer force of will, Jessica controlled the tears that burned in her e es.

$n silence, Slade watched the e&change. Jessica clung to Da"id's thin frame as if it were an anchor while he looked #u//led, concerned, and embarrassed all at once. S#eculating, Slade di##ed his hands into his #ockets.

1He , what's all this+ $s she delirious+1 Da"id tossed the question at Slade, but managed to nudge Jessica back enough to #eer into her face. 12ou look read to dro#,1 he stated and tested her forehead with his #alm. 1,om called me at the sho#, gi"ing me all kinds of grief about #assing on m germs.1 Drawing her awa , he grimaced at the memor . 1)hat's what ou get for coming into m room and sho"ing that chicken sou# down m throat.1

1$'m all right,1 she managed. 1Just a little tired.1

1Sure, tell that to someone who didn't s#end last week flat on his back moaning.1

Jessica wanted to cling to him again, to #our out e"er thing that was inside her. $nstead she took a ste# back, smiled, and hated herself. 1$'ll be fine. $'m 4ust going to take it eas for a cou#le of da s.1

1Ha"e ou called the doctor+1

1Da"id''1

)he anno ance in her tone #leased him. 1$t's great ha"ing the situation re"ersed,1 he told Slade. 1She did nothing but nag for two weeks. Ha"e ou+1 he demanded of Jessica again.

1*hen $ need one, $'ll call one. *h aren't ou at the sho#+1

1Don't worr , $'m heading right back.1 Da"id shot her a grin, relie"ed b the question and the brisk tone. )hat was more like Jessica. 1After ,om called and read me the riot act, $ wanted to check on ou. )he deli"eries went out esterda without an #roblem. )raffic's been light, but $'"e made enough sales to earn m kee#.1 He ga"e her hair a quick tug. 1$ don't want to see ou in the sho# until ne&t week, babe. ,ichael

and $ can handle it. $n fact, ou look like ou could use a "acation.1

1$f ou tell me how terrible $ look again, ou're not going to get that raise ou'"e been hinting about.1

1)hat's what ha##ens when ou work for a woman,1 he told Slade. )urning, Da"id headed back for the door. 1,om sa s for ou two to come in to lunch. )his time ou're getting the chicken sou#.1 *ith a satisfied grin tossed o"er his shoulder, he left them.

)he moment the door closed, Jessica #ressed both hands to her mouth. *hat ran through her wasn't #ain, not e"en an ache, but a bloodless kind of hurt that left her numb in the "ital areas of heart and mind. She didn't mo"e or make an sound. 0or a moment she felt that she had sim#l ceased to e&ist.

1.ot Da"id.1 Her own whis#ered words 4olted her. *ith them came a torrent of emotion. 1.ot Da"id<1 she re#eated, whirling on Slade. 1$ won't belie"e it. .othing ou can sa will make me belie"e he'd do an thing to hurt me. He isn't ca#able, an more than ,ichael is.1

1$n a cou#le of da s it'll be o"er.1 Slade ke#t his tone neutral. 1)hen ou'll know one wa or the other.1

1$ know now<1 S#inning around, she dashed for the door. Slade's hand clam#ed down on hers on the handle.

12ou're not going after him,1 he said e"enl . *hen she tried to 4erk free, he took her b the shoulders with more gentleness than he was feeling. He hated to see her like this, tormented, des#erate''hating knowing it was him she would turn against. %ut he had no choice. 12ou're not going after him,1 he said again, s#acing the words #recisel . 1;nless $ ha"e our word, $'ll cuff ou to the bed and lock ou in.1 He narrowed his e es as her hand struggled beneath his. 1$ mean it, Jess.1

She didn't turn against him, but to him. And that, Slade disco"ered, was worse. 1.ot Da"id,1 she murmured, crum#ling into his arms. 1Slade, $ can't bear it. $ think $ could stand an thing but knowing either one of them was in"ol"ed with what''with what ha##ened this morning.1

She seemed so fragile. He was almost afraid she would shatter if he a##lied the least #ressure. *hat do $ do with her now+ he wondered as he laid his cheek on her hair. He knew how to handle her when she was furious. He could e"en manage her when she dissol"ed into storm tears. %ut what did he do when she was sim#l lim# and totall de#endent on him+ She was asking him for reassurance he couldn't gi"e, emotion he was

terrified to offer.

1Jess, don't do this to ourself. %lock it out, a cou#le of da s.1 He tilted u# her chin until their e es met. He saw trust, and a #lea. 13et me take care of ou,1 he heard himself sa . 1$ want to take care of ou.1 He wasn't aware of mo"ing until his li#s found hers. Her "ulnerabilit undermined him. )o kee# her from harm, to shield her from hurt, seemed his onl #ur#ose. 1)hink of me,1 he murmured, unconsciousl s#eaking the thoughts that raced around in his head. 1!nl think of me.1 Slade drew her closer, changing the angle for more soft, nibbling kisses. 1)ell me ou want me. 3et me hear ou sa it.1

12es, $ want ou.1 %reathless and #liant, she allowed him to gi"e and to take while she remained #assi"e. 0or the moment Jessica had no strength to offer an thing but surrender in return, but it was enough for both of them. $n his arms she could almost forget the nightmare, and the realit .

He took her hands and buried his li#s in the #alm of one, then the other. $t sur#rised her enough to stead rather than arouse her. Slade wasn't a man for endearments, or for t #icall romantic gestures. -"en as the tingle ran u# her arms, it occurred to Jessica that her weakness, her des#air, onl made his difficult 4ob im#ossible. He'd been wiser

than he knew to ask her to think of him. Drawing on her reser"es of strength, she straightened her shoulders and smiled at him.

1%ets has a nast tem#er when she has to kee# meals waiting.1

5ratified, he answered the smile. 1Hungr +1

12es,1 she lied.

Jessica managed to eat a little, though the food threatened to stick in her throat. =nowing Slade watched her, she made an effort to a##ear as though she were en4o ing the meal. She talked''rambled''about an thing but what was foremost on her mind. )oo man to#ics of con"ersation could lead back to the sho#, to Da"id, to ,ichael. )o the man in the gro"e. Jessica found herself fighting the inclination to look out the window. )o look out onl reminded her that she was im#risoned in her own home.

1)ell me about our famil ,1 she demanded, almost des#eratel .

Deciding that it would be better to go along with her #retense than insist she eat or rest, Slade #assed her cream for the coffee she was allowing to grow cold. 1, mother's a quiet woman''the kind of #erson who talks onl when she has something to sa . She likes little things

like the figure $ bought in our sho# and fuss glass. She #la s the #iano''started taking lessons again last ear. )he onl thing she e"er insisted on was that Janice and $ learn to #la .1

1Do ou+1

Slade heard the sur#rise in her "oice and ga"e her a mild scowl. 1%adl ,1 he admitted. 1She finall ga"e u# on me.1

1How does she feel about...1 Jessica hesitated, then #icked u# her s#oon to stir her coffee. 1About what ou do+1

1She doesn't sa .1 Slade watched her mo"e the s#oon around and around until a tin whirl#ool formed in the cu#. 1$ wouldn't think it an easier to be the mother of a co# than the wife of one. %ut she manages. She's alwa s managed.1

*ith a nod, Jessica #ushed the untouched coffee aside. 1And our sister, Janice... ou said she was in college.1

1She wants to be a chemist.1 He ga"e a quick m stified laugh. 1She said so after her first da in high school chemistr . 2ou should see her mi&ing all those #otions. )his tall skinn girl with soft e es and

beautiful hands''not our a"erage mad scientist. She blew u# our bathroom when she was si&teen.1

Jessica laughed''#erha#s her first genuine laugh in twent 'four hours. 1Did she reall +1

1A minor e&#losion.1 Slade #assed it off, #leased to hear the low gurgle that had been so much a #art of her until the da before. 1)he su#er wasn't too im#ressed with her e&#lanation of unstable com#ounds.1

1!ne can see his #oint,1 Jessica mused. 1*here does she go to school+1

1Princeton. She got a #artial scholarshi#.1

And e"en with that, Jessica reflected, the cost of tuition must de"our his income. How much did a co# make+ she wondered. .ot enough, she thought instantl . .ot nearl enough to com#ensate for the risk. His writing takes a back seat to his sister's education. Jessica studied the cold coffee in her cu# and wondered if Janice Sladerman reali/ed how much her brother was willing to sacrifice for her.

12ou must lo"e her "er much,1 she murmured. 1And our mother.1

Slade lifted a brow. $t wasn't something he thought of, it sim#l was. 12es, $ do. )hings ha"en't been eas on either of them. )he ne"er com#lain, ne"er e&#ect.1

1And ou+1 3ifting her e es, Jessica ga"e him a long, quiet look. 1How ha"e ou managed to hide from them what ou reall want+1 Sensing his instant withdrawal, she reached out to take his hand. 12ou reall hate an one knowing what a nice #erson ou are, don't ou, Slade+ Doesn't suit the tough co# image.1 She grinned, #leased to see that she'd embarrassed him. 12ou can alwa s tell me how ou knock sus#ects around until the beg to confess.1

12ou'"e been watching too man old mo"ies.1 3inking his fingers with hers, Slade drew her to her feet.

1)he 're one of m "ices,1 she confessed. 1$ can't tell ou how man times $'"e seen )he %ig Slee#.1

1)hat's about a #ri"ate detecti"e, not a co#,1 he #ointed out as he walked her back to the librar .

1*hat's the difference+1

He shot her a look. 1How much time do ou ha"e+1

1*ell.1 She considered, glad to forget the outside world for a few moments. 1$t might be interesting to learn wh one's called a flatfoot and the other a gumshoe.1

He sto##ed, turning to her with an e&#ression between amusement and e&as#eration. 1(er old mo"ies,1 he decided.

1Classics,1 she corrected. 1$ onl watch them for their cultural "alue.1

Slade onl lifted a brow at that. $t was a gesture Jessica had learned he used in lieu of do/ens of words. 1Since ou want to hel#, ou can do the cataloging.1 He gestured toward the #ile of books littering the work table. 12our handwriting has to be better than mine.1

1All right.1 5rateful for an task, Jessica #lucked one of a neat stack of inde& files. 1$ su##ose ou'll want to reference and cross'reference and all that sort of thing.1

1Something like that.1

1Slade.1 She #ut the card back down before she turned to him. 12ou'd

rather be working on our book than doing this. *h don't ou take a cou#le of hours for ourself+1

He thought of the no"el, nearl finished, waiting for him on the desk u#stairs. )hen he thought of the wa Jessica had looked when she had walked through the librar doors an hour before.

1)his kind of mess dri"es me cra/ ,1 he told her. 1*hile $'m here, $ might as well #oint ou in the right direction. How man books are in here+1 he asked before she could "oice another ob4ection.

,omentaril distracted, Jessica looked around. 1$ don't ha"e an idea. ,ost of these were m father's. He lo"ed to read.1 A smile touched her li#s, then her e es. 1His taste was eclectic to sa the least but $ think he had a #reference for hard'boiled whodunits.1 )he thought occurred to her quite suddenl . 1*hat's our book about+ $s it a detecti"e no"el+1

1)he one $'m working on now+1 He grinned. 1.o.1

1*ell+1 She lowered a hi# to the table. 1*hat then+1

He began to make a clear s#ace for her to work. 1$t's about a famil ,

beginning in the #ostwar forties and working through modern da . Changes, ad4ustments, disa##ointments, "ictories.1

13et me read it,1 she demanded im#ulsi"el . His words, she knew instincti"el , would re"eal much of the inner man.

1$t's not finished.1

1$'ll read what is.1

Searching for a #encil, Slade stalled. He wanted his words read. $t was a dream he'd li"ed with for too man ears to count. %ut Jessica was

different6 she wasn't the nameless, faceless #ublic. Her o#inion, good or bad, held too much weight. 1,a be,1 he muttered. 1$f ou're going to hel#, ou'd better sit down.1

1Slade.1 *ra##ing her arms around his waist, Jessica rested her cheek on his back. 1$'ll 4ust bother ou until ou sa mine.1 es. $t's a talent of

Something about the casuall intimate embrace stirred him be ond belief. Her breasts #ressed lightl against his back6 her hands linked loosel at his waist. $n that moment, for that moment, he surrendered com#letel

to the lo"e he felt for her. $t was dee#er than need, shar#er than longing.

Didn't she see that there was nothing he could refuse her+ Slade thought as he brought his hands down to co"er hers.

Couldn't she see that she'd become woman and dream and "ulnerabilit , all in the s#ace of da s+ $f the were to #retend''for her sake''that there was no threat be ond the walls, #erha#s the could #retend for his that she belonged to him.

1%other me,1 he in"ited, turning so that he could gather her into his arms. 1%ut $ warn ou, $'m no #usho"er.1

*ith a low laugh, Jessica rose on her toes until her li#s brushed his. 1$ can onl ho#e m work's cut out for me.1 Dee#ening the kiss, she slid her hands under his shirt to run them u# the firm #lanes of his back, along the ridge of muscle.

1)hat might get ou a cou#le of #ages,1 he murmured. 1*ant to tr for a cha#ter+1

She allowed her tongue to trace his li#s la/il , gi"ing them a quick

teasing ni# as she slid a finger u# and down his s#ine. She sensed his res#onse, 4ust as she sensed his reluctance to show it to her. 1%argaining is m forte,1 she told him quietl . She ga"e him a slow, lingering kiss, retreating 4ust as she felt him increase the #ressure. 1Just how man cha#ters are in this book+1

Slade closed his e es, the better to en4o the sensation of being seduced when no seduction was necessar . 1About twent 'fi"e.1

1Hmmm.1 He felt her li#s cur"e as the touched his again. 1)his could take all da .1

1Count on it.1 ;ne&#ectedl , he drew her awa , then framed her face with his hands. 1*e can start negotiations right after we do some work in here.1

1!h.1 Catching her tongue between her teeth, Jessica looked around at the disordered books. 1After+1

1After,1 Slade said firml , nudging her down in a chair. 1Start writing.1

Jessica was hardl aware of the hours that #assed''one, then two, then

three. He worked quietl , s stematicall , and with a #atience she could ne"er ho#e to emulate. Slade knew the books a great deal better than she. Jessica sa"ed reading for the rare times when her #h sical energ lagged behind her mental energ . She en4o ed books. He lo"ed them. She found this small reali/ation another ste# in the ladder to disco"ering him.

$t was easier in the quiet, cluttered librar to get him to talk. Ha"e ou read this+ 2es. *hat did ou think of it+ And he would tell her, easil and in de#th, without e"er sto##ing his work. How her father would ha"e liked him, Jessica thought. He would ha"e admired Slade's mind, his strength, his sudden flashes of humor. He would ha"e seen the goodness Slade took such care to kee# hidden.

She doubted Slade reali/ed that, b letting her work with him here, he was re"ealing his other side. )he dreamer. Perha#s she'd alwa s known it was there, e"en when she had recogni/ed the streak of hard street sense. $t was a com#le& man who could carr a gun and discuss % ron's Don Juan with equal ease. )hat afternoon she needed the dreamer. Perha#s he knew it.

)he light began to fade to a soft gra . Shadows gathered in the corners of the room. Jessica had forgotten her tension and had become in"ol"ed

with the mindless task of co# ing titles and names onto the inde& cards. *hen the #hone rang, she scattered two do/en of them on the floor. 7uickl she began to retrie"e them.

1$t 4ust startled me,1 she said when Slade remained silent. She cursed her trembling hands as she gathered the cards back into a #ile. 1$t's been so quiet, that's all.1 0urious with herself, she let the cards fall again. 1Damn it, don't sit there looking at me like that< $'d rather ou swore at me.1

He rose and went to her, then crouched in front of her. 12ou made a hell of a mess,1 he murmured. 1$f ou can't do better, $'ll ha"e to get m self a new assistant.1

*ith a sound that was #art sigh, #art laugh, she leaned her forehead against his. 15i"e me a break, it's m first da on the 4ob.1

%ets o#ened the door, then lifted her brows and #ursed her li#s. *ell, she alwa s figured where there was smoke there was fire, and she'd smelled smoke the minute those two had set e es on each other. She ga"e a quick harrum#h and watched Jessica 4um# as though she'd been scalded.

1,r. Adams is on the #hone,1 %ets said regall , then closed the door

again.

Slade closed his hand o"er Jessica's. 1Call her back,1 he said quietl . 1Ha"e her tell him ou're resting.1

1.o.1 *ith a quick shake of the head, she rose. 1Don't kee# asking me to run, Slade, because $ might do it. )hen $'d hate m self.1 )urning, she #icked u# the #hone. 1Hello, ,ichael.1

Slowl Slade straightened, tucked his hands in his #ockets, and watched her.

1.o, it's nothing reall , 4ust a little touch of the flu.1 Jessica s#oke in quiet tones while she wra##ed the #hone cord around and around her fingers. 1Da"id's 4ust feeling guilt because he thinks $ caught it from him. He shouldn't ha"e worried ou. $ am taking care of m self.1 She shut her e es tightl a moment, but her "oice remained light and stead . 1.o, $ won't be in tomorrow.1 )he cord of the #hone dug into her skin. Carefull Jessica unwound it. 1)hat's not necessar , ,ichael... .o, reall . $ #romise''don't worr . $'ll be''$'ll be fine in a cou#le of da s. 2es, $ will... 5ood'b e.1

After re#lacing the recei"er, Jessica stood for a moment, staring down

at her em#t hands. 1He was concerned,1 she murmured. 1$'m ne"er ill. He wanted to come o"er and see me, but $ #ut him off.1

15ood.1 S m#ath wouldn't hel# her now, Slade decided. 1*e'"e done enough in here for toda . *h don't we go u#stairs+1 He walked to the door, as if taking her agreement for granted. He o#ened it, then #aused and looked back. She still hadn't mo"ed. 1Come on, Jess.1

She crossed to him, but sto##ed at the door. 1,ichael would do nothing to hurt me,1 she said without looking at him. 1$ 4ust want ou to understand that.1

1As long as ou understand that $ ha"e to look at e"er one as a #otential threat,1 he returned e"enl . 12ou're not to see either one of them''or an one else''unless $'m with ou.1 S#otting the light of defiance in her e es, he continued. 1$f he and Da"id are innocent, the ne&t cou#le of da s won't do them an harm. $f ou reall belie"e it,1 he went on, shrugging off the look of fur she sent him, 1 ou should be able to handle all this.1

He wasn't going to gi"e her an inch, Jessica concluded as she fought both tears and rage. Perha#s it was best if he didn't. She took a long stead ing breath. 12ou're right. And $ will handle it. Are ou going to

work on our book now+1

Slade ga"e no sign that the change of sub4ect made an difference to him. 1$ thought $ might.1

Jessica was determined to be 4ust as #ractical as he''at least on the surface. 10ine. 5o on u# then and $'ll bring some coffee for both of us. 2ou can trust me,1 she went on before he could ob4ect. 1$'ll do e&actl what ou tell me to do so $ can #ro"e ou wrong. $ am going to #ro"e ou wrong, Slade,1 she told him with quiet, concrete determination.

10ine, as long as ou stick to the rules.1

0inding herself more at ease with a goal in mind, Jessica smiled. 1)hen $'ll bring u# the coffee. *hile $'m reading our book, ou can concentrate on finishing it. $t's one sure wa to kee# me occu#ied for the rest of the da .1

He #inched the lobe of her ear. 1$s that a bribe+1

1$f ou don't know one when ou hear one,1 she countered, 1 ou must be a #rett lous co#.1

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter G ''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

Jessica's coffee grew cold again. She sat u# against the headboard of Slade's bed with a #ile of manuscri#t on either side of her. )he stack of #ages she had read was ra#idl outgrowing the #ile she had et to read. -ngrossed, she had been able to #ass off %ets 's nagging when the housekee#er had brought u# a tra of sou# and sandwiches. Jessica had gi"en her an absent #romise to eat which she had forgotten the moment the door was closed again. She'd forgotten, too, though he had scrawled notes and re"isions in the margins, that she was reading Slade's work. )he stor , the #eo#le, had com#letel taken her o"er.

She tra"eled with an ordinar famil through the #ostwar forties, through the sim#licities and com#le&ities of the fifties, into the si&ties with their turbulence and fluctuating mores. Children grew u#, "alues changed. )here were deaths and births, the reali/ation of some dreams and the destruction of others. )hrough it all, as a new generation co#ed with the #ressures of the se"enties, Jessica came to know them. )he were #eo#le she might ha"e met''undeniabl #eo#le she

would ha"e cared for.

)he words flowed, at times gentl , at other times with a grittiness that made her stomach tighten. $t wasn't an eas stor ''his characters were too genuine for that. He showed her things she didn't alwa s want to be shown, but she ne"er considered setting the #ages aside.

At the end of a cha#ter Jessica reached automaticall for the ne&t #age. Confused, she glanced down to see that there were no more. Anno ed with the interru#tion, she then reali/ed she had read all he had gi"en her. 0or the first time in almost three hours, the sound of Slade's t #ing #enetrated her concentration.

)here was a full moon. )hat, too, came to her abru#tl . )he light flowed into the room to "ie with the stream of the bedside lam#. )he fire Slade had lit when the 'd come u#stairs had burned down to glowing embers. Jessica stretched her cram#ed muscles, wanting to gi"e herself a moment before she went into Slade.

*hen she had insisted on reading his work, Jessica hadn't been certain how she would feel or what she would sa to him when she was finished. =nowing herself too easil influenced b emotion, she had been certain that she would find some merit in his writing. .ow she wanted time to

decide how much her feelings for Slade had to do with her feelings about the stor she had 4ust read.

.one, she reali/ed. %efore she had com#leted the first cha#ter Jessica had forgotten wh she was reading it e"en though her main #ur#ose had been accom#lished. She knew Slade better now.

He had a de#th of #erce#tion she had onl sensed, an insight into #eo#le she en"ied as well as admired. $n his writing as well as his s#eech, he was frugal with words''but in the writing, his inner thoughts surfaced. He might be s#aring with his own emotions, but his characters had a range to them that were rooted in their creator.

And, Jessica mused, she'd been wrong when she had once told him he didn't know women. He knew them''almost too well, she thought as she fingered the ti# of a #age. How much did he see, when he looked at her, that she had been confident was #ri"ate+ How much did he understand, when he touched her, that she had been certain she could kee# hidden+

Did he know she lo"ed him+ $nstincti"el Jessica glanced at the doorwa that se#arated the bedroom and the sitting room. Slade's t #ing continued. .o, she was certain he had no idea how dee# her feelings ran. !r, she thought with a small smile, that she was determined not to let

him walk out of her life whene"er, or howe"er, things were resol"ed. $f he knew, she mused, he'd #ut her at arm's length. A cautious man, she reflected. Slade was a "er cautious man''one who saw himself suited for the solitar life. Jessica decided that he had some sur#rises coming. *hen she felt her life was her own again, she was going to deal him a few.

She rose and went to the doorwa . His back was to her, the light falling on his hands as the mo"ed o"er the ke s. 0rom the set of his shoulders, the angle of his head, she could tell his concentration was dee#. .ot wanting to disturb him, she waited, resting against the door4amb. )he ashtra at his elbow was half full, with a lit cigarette smoldering and forgotten. His coffee cu# was em#t , but his dinner tra hadn't been touched. She felt a %ets 'like urge to scold him for neglecting to eat.

)his is how it could be, she reali/ed abru#tl , if the nightmare was behind us. He could work here, and $'d hear the sound of his t #ing when $ came home. )here'd be times he'd get u# in the middle of the night and close the door so the noise wouldn't wake me. *e'd walk on the beach on Sunda mornings... watch the fire on rain afternoons. !ne da , she thought and closed her e es. $t could ha##en one da .

*ith an e&as#erated sigh, Slade sto##ed t #ing. !ne hand reached u# to

rub at the stiffness in his neck. *hate"er im#etus had dri"en him for three hours had suddenl dried u#, and he wasn't read . Automaticall he reached for his coffee, onl to find the cu# em#t . ,a be if he went down for some more, the flow would come back. -"en as he considered it, Jessica came to him.

*ra##ing her arms around his neck, she rested her cheek on to# of his head. 3o"e was coursing through her swiftl , too swiftl . She squee/ed him tightl , forcing back the words she was afraid he wasn't read to hear. )here were others she wanted to sa first.

1Slade, don't e"er sto# doing what ou were meant to do.1

.ot sure of her meaning, he frowned down at the words he'd 4ust written. 1How much did ou read+1

1All ou ga"e me''not enough. *hen will ou finish+ !h, Slade, it's wonderful<1 Jessica continued before he could s#eak. 1$t's a beautiful #iece of work. -"er thingB the words, the feeling, the #eo#le.1

Slade turned so that he could see her face. He didn't want #latitudes, not from her. Her e es were lit with enthusiasm while his remained cool and guarded. 1*h +1

1%ecause ou told a stor with de#th, about #eo#le all of us ha"e met or ha"e been.1 She s#read her fingers, searching for words that would satisf him. 1%ecause it made me cr , and cringe, and laugh. )here were #arts''that scene in the #arking lot in the se"enth cha#ter''$ didn't want to read. $t was hard, sa"age. %ut $ had to read it e"en when it hurt. Slade, no one that reads that is going to be untouched.1 She laid her hands back on his shoulders. 1And isn't that wh a writer writes+1

His e es ne"er left hers. He waited, weighing what he saw there with her words. 12ou know,1 he said slowl , 1$ don't think $ reali/ed until 4ust now what a chance $ was taking b letting ou read it.1

1A chance,1 she re#eated. 1*h +1

1$f ou hadn't been touched, $'m not sure $ could ha"e finished it.1

.othing he could ha"e said would ha"e meant more. Jessica brought his hand u# to her cheek, wondering if he reali/ed how much he'd said in one sentence. 1$ was touched, Slade,1 she said quietl . 1*hen it's #ublished, and $ read it, $'m going to remember that #art of it was written right here.1

15oing to erect a monument+1 he asked with a smile.

1Just a discreet #laque.1 3eaning o"er, she kissed him. 1$ wouldn't want it to go to our head. *hat about an agent+1 she asked suddenl . 1Do ou ha"e one+1

Chuckling, he drew her down into his la#. 12es, $ ha"e one. so far we ha"en't done each other much good, but he's marketed some short stories, and he's doing whate"er it is agents do to sell m other no"el.1

1)he other one.1 Jessica drew awa as Slade began to nibble on her ear. 1$t's finished then+1

1,mm'hmm. Come back here,1 he demanded, wanting to taste that soft, sensiti"e s#ot at the cur"e of her shoulder.

1*hat's it about+1 she demanded, eluding him. 1*hen can $ read it+ $s it as good as this one+1

1Has an one e"er told ou that ou ask too man questions+1 His hand sli##ed under her sweater to cu# her breast. *ith his thumb, he flicked la/il o"er the #oint, feeling it harden as her heartbeat went from stead to erratic. 1$ like that,1 he murmured, ni##ing at the cord of

her neck. 1$ can feel our #ulse go cra/ e"er where $ touch.1 $n one long stroke, he mo"ed down her rib cage to her waist. 12ou're losing weight,1 he said with a frown. 12ou're alread too thin. Did ou eat an dinner+1

1Has an one e"er told ou that ou talk too much+1 Jessica asked before she #ressed her li#s to his.

His answer was a low sound of #leasure. She tasted warm''more #ungent than sweet''as the ti# of her tongue sli##ed to his to tantali/e, then retreated to #ro"oke. He thought he heard her laugh, low and husk , before he gri##ed the back of her neck in his hand and #lunged dee#. Her scent and her taste were the same so that he felt himself surrounded b her. %efore Slade could rise to carr her to the bed, Jessica was #ulling him to the floor.

)here was a sudden urgenc in her, a flash of fire. )he habitual energ that had been lacking in her all da abru#tl surfaced in a torrent of #assion. She tugged at the buttons of his shirt, im#atient to ha"e his flesh against hers while her mouth was alread making wild #asses o"er his face and throat. Her aggression both unbalanced and aroused him. %ecause he understood that #art of it came from a need to block out her fears, Slade let her lead. )he #ace was hers''and it was frantic.

*ithin moments he was too caught u# in her to think at all. She was undressing him swiftl , her li#s following the #ath of her bus hands until his mind was totall centered on her. Shi"ering thoughts, quick tastes, maddening touches''she ga"e him no time to focus on onl one, but insisted he e&#erience all in an ener"ating ha/e of sensation.

(ulnerabilit was something new to him, but he found himself tra##ed in a sultr , "iscous world where he had no guards, no defense. She was dri"ing him be ond the #oint of reason, but still he couldn't find the will to sto# her and take command. )his time there was onl res#onse. $t #oured from him, increasing her strength and de#leting his.

*hen her mouth fi&ed on his again, he fumbled with her sweater. He, whose hands were alwa s sure, found them dam# and trembling when at last he could touch her. )hough her flesh was as hot as his, she allowed him to linger nowhere, mo"ing o"er him with a s#eed and agilit that left his hands frustrated and his bod throbbing. Skin slid o"er skin, her moist, hungr mouth ra"aging, her soft hands greed .

=nowing he was hel#less e&cited her. )his strong man, this hard man, was com#letel #owerless under her s#ell. %ut Jessica had no s#ells, onl needs. And lo"e. She reali/ed that she lo"ed him more on finding that he

could be weak. His bod was firm and muscled, but it shuddered now''for her.

)he light from the desk lam# slanted across his face so that she could see his e es, o#aque with #assion, on hers. His mouth was tem#ting, and she took it, tasting all the hot, head fla"ors that s#rang from desire. His breath was warm and ragged as it trembled into her o#en mouth. *ith sudden clarit , she smelled the lemon and beeswa& #olish from the desk. $n some sane #ortion of her mind, Jessica knew the scent would come back to her whene"er she thought of the first time he full ga"e himself to her. 0or she had him now''mind, emotion, and bod . -"en when he took them back, she would ha"e had this one instant in time when he held nothing awa from her.

So she ga"e herself to him, taking him into her on a flash of shar# sil"er #leasure. Her strength soared, dri"ing both of them fast and hard, until it crested, sus#ending them. *hen it ebbed, she seemed to dissol"e into him so that the la entwined, 4oined and sated.

Slade struggled to clear his mind but found that she filled it, consumed it. )he #ower that had dri"en her was de#leted, her bod nearl weightless on his, but he disco"ered that she still dominated him. He wanted to draw awa , #erha#s to #ro"e to both of them that he could,

that he had a choice. His hands onl tangled dee#er into her hair until he found the soft, slender neck. )hough she la #assi"e, hardl breathing, he could feel the hammer of her heart against his. .o force of will could make his #ulses le"el though his #h sical need was full satisfied. He wanted her''but his wants were onl to ha"e her near.

1Jess.1 He lifted her face to his without an idea what thoughts would s#ill out into words. Her e es were huge and hea" and shadowed. Her face was soft, with the afterglow of #assion and with weariness. He'd had no right, he thought on a quick rage of guilt, no right to allow her to use u# all her reser"es of energ and strength to satisf his needs.

1.o, don't.1 Jessica could see the change in his face. Alread , she thought, he was taking back what he had so briefl gi"en her. 1Don't shut me out,1 she said quietl . 1Don't shut me out so soon.1

*ithout reali/ing he was doing so, he traced her li#s with his thumb. 1Slee# with me tonight1 was all he said.

Slade waited until he was certain she sle#t before he eased from the bed. *atching Jessica, he dressed in silence. )hin moonlight washed o"er her face and bare shoulders, shifting with shadows as a cloud #assed o"er the moon. *ith an luck, he calculated that he could gi"e the first

floor a thorough check, stake out the #arlor for a cou#le of hours, then be back without her e"er knowing he had gone. 5i"ing her one last look, he sli##ed from the room.

*ith the soundless efficienc that came from ears of e&#erience, Slade tested the multitude of doors and windows. He noted with disgust the sim#le locks that would kee# out onl the rankest of amateurs.

)he house is full of sil"er and small, #ortable "aluables, he reflected. A burglar's #aradise''and she seals it off with dime'store locks. A credit card and a hair#in, Slade decided as he e&amined the rear kitchen door. He'd ha"e to see that Jessica installed something less flims before he left.

$n a mound of white fur, ;l sses sle#t on the cool tile floor, snoring lightl . He ne"er stirred as Slade ste##ed o"er him. )esting, Slade rattled the knob on the back door. ;l sses' rh thm ne"er altered.

1*ake u#, ou good'for'nothing mutt.1

At the command, the dog o#ened one gla/ed e e, thum#ed his tail twice, then went back to slee#.

:ubbing the back of his neck, Slade reminded himself that a run'of'the'mill burglar wasn't the immediate #roblem. He ste##ed o"er the dog again and left him snoring.

Cautiousl , he mo"ed through the ser"ants' wing. )here was a #ale light under one door and the muffled laughter of a late'night talk show. )he rest were silent. 5lancing at his watch, he saw that it was 4ust #ast midnight. Slade went back to the #arlor to wait.

He sat in a wingback chair, lost in the shadows. *atch and wait. )here was little more he could do. And he was itching to do something''an thing to mo"e the in"estigation along. ,a be the commissioner #icked the wrong man after all, he mused. )his time Slade wanted to look for trouble''and he wanted to find it. *hoe"er had hired the man in the gro"e was going to #a , he had little doubt of that. %ut he wanted to collect #ersonall .

)he woman u#stairs in his bed was all that mattered. )he diamonds were incidental''the were 4ust rocks, after all, with a market "alue. Jessica was #riceless. *ith a silent laugh, he stretched out his legs. Dodson could hardl ha"e foreseen that his hand'#icked bod guard would fall in lo"e with his assignment. Slade knew his own re#utationB thorough, #recise, and cool.

*ell, he thought, he'd lost his cool almost from the instant he'd seen the little blond whirlwind with the (iking cheekbones. He wasn't thinking like a co# but like a man''a man who wanted re"enge. And that was dangerous. As long as he remained on the force, he had to #la b the rules. )he first rule was no #ersonal in"ol"ement.

Slade nearl laughed aloud at that. :ule one down the tubes, he decided as he dragged a hand through his hair. How could he be more #ersonall in"ol"ed+ He was alread in lo"e with her, alread her lo"er. $f the were an more #ersonal the 'd be married and ha"ing children.

)hat thought sto##ed him cold. He couldn't #ermit his mind to run in that direction. He wasn't for her. )he 'd drift a#art once the in"estigation was o"er. .aturall that's what he wanted, Slade told himself, but the frown remained in his e es. He had his own life to deal with''the demands of his #rofession, his res#onsibilities, his writing. -"en if there was room in his life for a woman, their #aths ran in o##osite directions. )he weren't about to cross again. $t was onl chance that had brought them together this time, circumstances that had brought about an intimac that had led to emotional attachment. He'd get o"er her. He #inched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. )he hell he would.

*asn't a man allowed a few dreams+ he demanded of himself, when he sat alone in the dark in a room that smelled of lemon wa& and fall flowers. *asn't he allowed to wea"e some sort of future when a woman la soft and warm in his bed+ He was entitled to some basic selfishness, wasn't he+ *ith a half sigh, Slade settled against the back of the chair. ,a be the man was, but the co# wasn't. And, he reminded himself, Jessica needed the co# more whether she belie"ed it or not.

%lanking out his mind, Slade waited in the dark for 4ust under three hours. $nstinct told him he was wasting his time. Some slee# was essential if he was to be alert enough to kee# her safe and occu#ied during the da light hours. Stiff from sitting, he absentl worked out the kinks as he headed back to the stairs. Another da , he mused, two at the most''if Agent %rewster was as close as he'd led Slade to belie"e.

0atigue settled o"er him the moment he allowed his muscles to rela&. 0our hours' slee# would recharge his s stem''he'd gotten b on less. 7uietl , he turned the knob of his bedroom door.

Jessica was sitting in the middle of the bed, curled into a tight ball. She took the dee#, tearing breaths of a drowning woman fighting for air. ,oonlight #ooled o"er her as she shuddered.

1Jess+1

)here was a scream rising in her throat. *hen her head 4erked u#, Slade saw the wild sheen of fear in her e es before she focused on him. She could hold back the cr b digging her teeth into her li#, but the shudders went on. Slade went to her swiftl . Her skin was clamm as he took her shoulders6 her face dam# with a mi&ture of tears and #ers#iration. $t ran through his mind that someone had sli##ed #ast him and gotten to her, then the idea was as quickl dismissed.

1*hat is it+1 he demanded. 1*hat's the matter+1

1$t's nothing.1 Des#eratel she fought to control the tremors. )he nightmare had come back, horridl "i"id, to attack all of her senses. Cold wind, the smell of salt s#ra , the roar of the surf''and someone's hea" footste#s as the ran after her, the shifting shadows as clouds blocked out the sun, the iron taste of her own terror. And worse, much worse, she had been afraid to turn, afraid she would see the face of someone she lo"ed on the man who #ursued her.

1$ woke u#,1 she managed. 1$ guess $ #anicked when ou weren't here.1 $t was #artiall true and difficult enough to confess. She couldn't bring

herself to admit she could be terrori/ed b a dream.

1$ was 4ust downstairs.1 He brushed sweat'dam#ened hair from her cheeks. 1$ wanted to make sure e"er thing was locked u#.1

1Professional habit+1 She nearl managed a smile before she dro##ed her head to his shoulder.

12eah.1 -"en as he gathered her close, she trembled. $t wasn't the moment, he decided, to lecture her on flims locks and thin chains. 1$'ll go down and get ou a brand .1

1.o<1 She bit her li# again as the refusal came out too forcefull . 1.o, #lease, $ alread feel like an idiot.1

12ou're entitled to be 4um# , Jess.1 Softl , he brushed a kiss o"er her hair.

She wanted to cling, to beg him not to lea"e her alone for an instant. She wanted to #our out e"er fear and fantas and dread. %ut she couldn't, and the denial was as much for her own sake as his. 1*ith a #oliceman in the house+1 she countered. )ilting back her head, she looked u# at him. A strong face, she mused. Strong arms and serious

e es. 1Just come to bed6 ou must be tired.1 ,aking the effort, she forced awa the ner"es and ga"e him a smile. 1How does one man co#e with two careers, Sergeant+1

He shrugged as he kneaded her tense shoulders. 1$ manage. How can a woman look so beautiful at three o'clock in the morning+1

1, mother claims it's bone structure.1 Her smile warmed a bit as she willed herself to rela& under his hands. 1$ #refer to think it's something less scientific... like being born during a lunar ecli#se.1

.u//ling her neck, he chuckled. 1*ere ou+1

12es. , father said that's wh $ had cat's e es''to hel# me see in the dark.1

Slade kissed her lightl before he set her awa from him and rose. 1$f ou don't get some slee#, the 're going to be bloodshot.1

1*hat a gallant thing to sa .1 Jessica frowned at him as he undressed. 1*hat about ou+1

1$ can get b on three or four hours when $ ha"e to.1

She ga"e a quick snort. 12our machismo's surfacing, Slade.1

*hen he turned his head, the moonlight streamed o"er his face, illuminating the lightning'fast grin. Jessica felt her heart flutter u# to her throat. Shouldn't she be used to him b now+ she wondered. )he mercurial moods, the streaks of bo ish good humor in the sometimes o"erl serious man+ His bod was sleek and limber, streamlined like a Channel swimmer's, muscled like a lightweight bo&er's. His face mirrored both of his #rofessions''the intellect and the action.

He'll take care of ou, her mind comforted. Just trust. %ut there were lines of fatigue and strain that the moonlight accented as well. And ou take care of him, her thoughts added. Smiling, she held out her arms to him.

1Come to bed,1 she ordered.

3 ing down beside her, Slade drew her close. )here was no dri"ing #h sical need to #ossess her. $nstead he felt a sim#le serenit , all the more #recious for its rarit . 0or the ne&t few hours the would be an man and woman sharing the intimac of slee#. She curled warml into him, as much to soothe as be soothed. )here were no more words.

Jessica la still, schooling her breathing so that it was dee# and e"en until she felt him drift off. *ith her e es o#en and fear threatening on the "erges of her mind, she watched the moonlight #la on his shoulder as it rose and fell. )he light was mist with #redawn before she sle#t.

*hen the #hone rang, he 4olted out of a restless slee#. Sweat #earled on his forehead. Afraid to answer, more afraid not to, he lifted the recei"er. 12es, hello.1

12our time's u#.1

1$ need more,1 he said quickl . =nowing that weakness would ne"er be tolerated, he swallowed the tremor in his "oice. 1Just a few da s... $t isn't eas to get to them with the house full of #eo#le.1

1,ust $ remind ou that ou aren't #aid to do onl what's eas +1

1$ tried to get to them last night... $ was nearl caught.1

1)hen ou were careless. $'"e no use for carelessness.1

3ess for carelessness than weakness, he thought ra#idl and moistened

his li#s. 1Jessica''Jessica's not feeling well.1 He reached for a cigarette to stead his ner"es. He had to think quickl and calml if he wanted to sta ali"e. 1She isn't #lanning on coming into the sho#. $n a cou#le of da s $ should be able to con"ince her to take a long weekend. She'll listen to me.1 He took a greed drag of his cigarette, #ra ing that he s#oke the truth. 1*ith her out of the house, $ can get to the diamonds without taking an chances.1 ,oisture beaded on his to# li# and he wi#ed the back of his hand across it. 12ou'll ha"e them this weekend. A cou#le of da s won't matter.1

A sigh breathed through the #hone, chilling him. 12ou're mistaken again''too man mistakes, m Paris+ He made mistakes.1 oung friend. :emember m associate in

)he #hone slid wetl in his hand. He remembered the man found floating in the Seine. 1)onight,1 he said des#eratel . 1$'ll ha"e them for ou tonight.1

1)en o'clock at the sho#.1 He #aused to make certain the wea#on of fear had done its work. )he soft, 4erk breathing #leased him. 1$f ou fail this time, $ won't be so... understanding. 2ou'"e done "er well since ou started to work for me. $'d hate to lose ou.1

1$'ll bring them. )hen $''then $ want out.1

1*e'll discuss it. )en o'clock.1 *ith a gentle click, the connection was broken.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter H ''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

Slade's mind and bod awoke at the same instant. )he lu&ur of drifting slowl awake was something he had forfeited ears before. He had had to #erfect the abilit to slee# quickl and lightl and to awake 4ust as quickl , read to function. $t was a habit he looked forward to breaking without reall belie"ing he e"er would.

He saw from the slant of the sun that it was still earl , but he shifted his ga/e to check the mantel clock nonetheless. Just #ast se"en. )he four hours' rest had done all it needed to do.

)urning his head, he looked down at Jessica. )he #ale blue smudges under her e es made him frown. )hough b his calculations she had sle#t nearl

eight hours, the smudges were dee#er than the had been the da before. )oda he'd make certain she rested more''if he had to sli# a slee#ing #ill into her coffee. And ate something''if he had to force'feed her. He could all but feel the #ounds sli##ing off her.

)hough he barel shifted the mattress as he mo"ed awa from her, her hand tightened on his arm. Her e es flew o#en. 15et some more slee#,1 he ordered, touching his li#s to hers.

1*hat time is it+1 Her "oice was husk and thick, but her hand sta ed firm on his arm.

1-arl .1

Jessica rela&ed, muscle b muscle, but didn't release him. 1How earl +1

1)oo earl .1 He bent to gi"e her another brief kiss before he rose, but she #ulled him closer.

1)oo earl for what+1

She felt his li#s cur"e against hers. 12ou're not e"en awake et.1

1*anna bet+1 :unning a hand down, she trailed her fingers o"er his flat stomach. )he slee# kiss smoldered with burgeoning #assion. 1,a be ou can't get b on three or four hours' slee# after all.1

Cocking his brow, he lifted his head. 1*anna bet+1

Her answering laugh was smothered b his li#s.

$t had ne"er been like this for her. -ach time the made lo"e it stunned her, enticed her, then consumed her. $n his arms, with his hands and li#s running wild and free o"er her bod , she could lose herself. And how she needed to lose herself.

He'd known from the first how to #la her. -ach time the came together he found new "ariations, gi"ing her no o##ortunit to become familiar with a touch or to antici#ate a demand. He could dominate her mind so effortlessl , #lunge her back into a world that was all keen emotion and shar# sensation.

-"er thing would magneti/e, from the bare brush of a fingerti# to the bruising #ressure of li#s. Jessica thought she could feel the indi"idual threads of the sheet against the naked flesh of her back. )he whis#ering tick of the clock was like thunder. Pale sunlight danced, gra and

ghostl . She could see it fall o"er his hair, accenting its dark confusion as she do"e her hands into it.

$n her ear he whis#ered something #oetic and foolish about the te&ture of her skin. )hough the tone was almost re"erent, his hands were aggressi"e''arousing and drugging in turns. ,urmuring, she told him what she wanted. Shifting, she offered what he needed.

*hen he took her, Slade took her slowl , watching the flickers of #leasure and #assion on her face in the thin morning light. Sa"oring the sensations that ri##led through him as she mo"ed, he nibbled on her #arted li#s. He tasted her, and himself, before he roamed o"er her closed lids.

0ragile, he thought, her skin was so fragile. 2et all the while her hi#s urged him to take, to take quickl . *ith iron control he ke#t the rh thm eas , #rolonging the ultimate delight.

1Jess.1 He could hardl form her name between labored breaths. 1!#en our e es, Jess. $ want to see our e es.1 )he lids fluttered, as if weighed down b the #ale gold lashes. 1!#en our e es, lo"e, and look at me.1

He wasn't a man for endearments. -"en through the ha/e of needs and sensations, Jessica recogni/ed it. A new warmth filled her''#ure emotion''to double the #h sical ecstas . She o#ened them.

)he irises were o#aque, rich amber filmed o"er with #assion. As he mo"ed inside her, the lashes flickered, threatening to lower again. 1.o, look at me.1 His "oice had dro##ed to a rough whis#er. )heir li#s were close so that their breath merged, shudder for shudder. Jessica saw that his e es were dark, dark gra and intense, as if he would look into her mind and read whate"er frantic thoughts raced inside. 1)ell me that ou need me,1 he demanded. 1$ ha"e to hear ou sa it, 4ust once.1

Jessica struggled to form words as she climbed higher toward delirium. 1$ need ou, Slade... ou're the onl one.1

His li#s crushed down on hers to muffle her cr as he dro"e her swiftl to the #eak. His last rational thought was almost a #ra er''that the words he had demanded would be enough for him.

Strange that his bod felt more rested, more rela&ed now than it had u#on waking. Slade slid down to #ress a kiss at the hollow between her breasts before he shifted from her. 1.ow, get some more slee#,1 he ordered, but before he could rise, Jessica had her arms locked around

his neck.

1$'"e ne"er been more awake in m life. *hat're ou going to do with me toda , Slade+ ,ake me fill out more of those sill cards+1

1)hose sill cards,1 he said as he sli##ed a hand under her knees, 1are a necessar #art of an organi/ed librar .1

1)he 're boring,1 she said defiantl when he lifted her.

1S#oiled,1 he decided, carr ing her into the bathroom.

1$ certainl am not.1 )he line a##eared between her brows as he switched on the shower.

12ou certainl are,1 he corrected geniall . 1%ut that's all right, $ kind of like ou that wa .1

1!h well, thanks a lot.1

He grinned, kissed her, then set her down in the shower stall. Jessica let out one long sur#rised scream. 1Slade< $t's free/ing<1

1%est wa to get the blood mo"ing in the morning.1 He ste##ed in with her, #artiall blocking the s#ra . 1*ell, second best,1 he amended, then cut off a stream of abuse with his li#s.

1)urn on the hot water,1 she demanded when he let her breathe again. 1$'m turning blue.1

He #icked u# her arm, gi"ing it a light #inch. 1.o, not et,1 he disagreed. 1*ant the soa#+1

1$'ll go take m own shower, thanks.1 Huffil , she tried to climb out onl to find herself tangled with him under the ic s#ra . 13et go< )his is #olice brutalit .1 She lifted her face to glare at him and got struck full with the cold needle s#ra . 1Slade<1 S#uttering, she blinked her e es to clear them. Her bod was #ressed against his, frigid and tingling. 12ou're going to #a for this, $ swear ou are.1

%linded b the water and her own streaming hair, she struggled to free herself. *ith one arm kee#ing her #risoner, Slade took his free hand o"er her, la"ishl soa#ing her skin.

1Sto# it<1 $nfuriated and aroused, Jessica fought against him. *hen his hand #assed intimatel o"er her bottom, she grew more des#erate. )hen

she heard him chuckle. )em#er had her head sna##ing back u# though the s#ra made her "ision "ague and water .

12ou listen to me,1 she began. Soa# fingers #assed o"er her ni##le. 1Slade, don't.1 *ith a moan, she arched awa . His #alm sli##ed between her thighs. 1.o.1

%ut her mouth blindl sought his. Jessica no longer felt the cold.

*hen she left the shower, she was glowing. Some color had see#ed back into her cheeks. Slade noted it with a mi&ture of relief and #leasure though Jessica did her best to maintain outward indignance.

1$'m going to go get dressed,1 she informed him as she wra##ed her wet hair in a towel. %ecause she was still naked, Slade found it hard to be offended b her haught tone. :efreshed, he hooked his own towel around his waist.

1!ka , $'ll meet ou downstairs for breakfast in ten minutes.1

1$'ll be there,1 she told him grandl as she stoo#ed to #ick u# his shirt, 1when $ get there.1

5rinning, he watched her sli# into his shirt and button it. 1$ could get used to seeing ou like that,1 he commented. *hen she sent him an arch look, his grin onl widened. 1*et and half naked,1 he e&#lained.

1$t's that machismo again,1 Jessica muttered, holding back the smile. )urning, she flounced to the door.

1)en minutes,1 he reminded her.

Jessica cast a baleful look o"er her shoulder, then slammed the door behind her. Her grin quickl esca#ed, then almost as quickl faded. Da"id stood directl outside her own bedroom door, his hand alread #oised to knock. His head had turned at the sound of the slam, but he hadn't mo"ed. His e es roamed o"er her, taking in Slade's shirt, the dam#, glowing skin and slee#'star"ed e es.

1*ell.1 His tone, like his e es, turned cool. 1$ guess ou're alread u#.1

Jessica felt more color flow into her cheeks. As close as she and Da"id had been, li"ing in the same house, the had ne"er chanced u#on each other under these circumstances. %oth had alwa s been e&tremel #ri"ate about that area of their li"es.

*e're both adults, Jessica reminded herself as she walked toward him''but the 'd been children together.

12es, $'m u#. Did ou want me+1 Part of her wanted to run to him as she had the da before6 #art of her no longer trusted so unconditionall . 5uilt ga"e her a reser"e toward him nothing else could ha"e. Sensing it, he became onl more distant and disa##ro"ing.

1)hought $'d check with ou before $ went in, that's all.1 He ga"e her another brief, telling look. 1Since ou're bus ...1

1$'m not bus , Da"id. Come in.1 Cooll #olite, Jessica o#ened the bedroom door, then gestured him inside. $t ne"er occurred to her that she was breaking one of Slade's rules b talking to Da"id alone. -"en if it had, she would ha"e done no differentl . 1*ere there an #roblems esterda $ should know about+1

1.o...1 His e es rested on the bed, which hadn't been sle#t in. His "oice tightened. 1.othing to worr about. !b"iousl kee# ou bus .1 ou'"e got enough to

1Don't be sarcastic, Da"id. $t doesn't suit ou.1 She took the towel

from her hair and flung it aside. 1$f ou ha"e something to sa to me, come out with it.1 She #lucked u# a comb and began to drag it through her hair.

1Do ou know what ou're doing+1 he blurted out.

Jessica's hand #aused in midstroke. Slowl she lowered the comb to #lace it back on the dresser. She caught a glim#se of herself''#ale, shadow'e ed, dam#''and inadequatel co"ered in Slade's wrinkled shirt. 1%e s#ecific.1

12ou're slee#ing with the writer.1 Sho"ing u# his glasses, he took a ste# toward her.

1And if $ am+1 she countered tightl . 1*h should ou ob4ect+1

1*hat do ou know about him+1 Da"id demanded with such sudden heat that she was rendered s#eechless. 1He comes out of nowhere, #robabl without two nickels to rub together. $t's a nice setu# here, big house, free meals, a willing woman.1

1%e careful, Da"id.1 She stiffened as the anger in her e es met his.

1How do ou know he's not 4ust a s#onge+ A cou#le million dollars is a hell of a target.1

)he angr color #aled with hurt. 1And, of course, what else could he be interested in, other than m mone .1

*hen she would ha"e turned awa , he took her shoulders. 1Come on, Jessie.1 )he e es behind the glasses softened. 12ou know $ didn't mean it that wa . %ut he's a stranger and ou're... well, ou're 4ust too trusting.1

1Am $, Da"id+1 She swallowed the sudden rise of tears as she studied his well'known face. 1Ha"e $ made a mistake b trusting+1

1$ don't want ou to get hurt.1 He squee/ed her shoulders before he dro##ed his hands. 12ou know $ lo"e ou.1 )he admission seemed to make him uncomfortable. *ith a shrug, he stuck his hands in his #ockets. 1And damn it, Jessica, ou must know how cra/ ,ichael is about ou. He's been in lo"e with ou for ears.1

1%ut $'m not in lo"e with him,1 she said quietl . 1$'m in lo"e with Slade.1

1$n lo"e with him+ Jee/, Jessie, ou hardl know the gu .1

)he use of the sill e&clamation brought a quick laugh from her as she dragged a hand through her hair. 1!h, Da"id, $ know him better than ou think.1

13ook, let me check into him a little bit, ma be find out''

1.o<1 Swiftl , Jessica cut him off. 1.o, Da"id, $ won't #ermit that. Slade is m business.1

1So was that cree# from ,adison A"enue who soaked ou for ten thousand,1 he muttered.

)urning awa , she co"ered her face with her hands. $t was funn , she thought. She should be able to laugh. )wo of the most im#ortant #eo#le in her life were warning her about each other.

1He , Jessica, $'m sorr .1 Awkwardl , Da"id #atted her wet hair. 1)hat was a dumb thing to sa . $'ll butt out, 4ust... well, 4ust be careful, oka +1 He shifted from one foot to the other, wondering wh she was suddenl so emotional. 12ou're not going to cr or an thing, are ou+1

1.o.1 )hat did nudge a small laugh from her. He sounded sus#iciousl as he had when he'd been twel"e and she'd come home after fighting with her current bo friend. 3o alt came full circle, o"erla##ing e"er thing else. 1Da"id...1 )urning, Jessica laid her hands on his shoulders, looking be ond the lenses and dee# into his e es. 1$f ou were in trouble''if ou'd gotten in o"er our head and made a mistake, a serious one''would ou tell me+1

His e es narrowed slightl , but she couldn't tell if it was from curiosit or guilt. 1$ don't know. $ guess it would de#end.1

1$t wouldn't matter what ou'd done, Da"id, $'d alwa s be on our side.1

)he tone was too serious. ;ncomfortable, he shrugged his thin shoulders and tried to lighten it. 1$'m going to remind ou of that the ne&t time ou 4um# me for making a mistake in the books. Jessie, ou reall don't look good. 2ou ought to think about getting awa for a few da s.1

1$'ll be fine.1 Sensing an argument, she continued. 1%ut $'ll gi"e it some thought.1

15ood. $'"e got to go, $ told ,ichael $'d o#en u# toda .1 He ga"e her a quick kiss on the cheek. 1$'m sorr if $ came on too strong before. $

still think...1 Hesitating, he shifted his shoulders again. 1*ell, we'"e all got to do things our own wa .1

12es,1 she murmured as she watched him walk to the door. 12es, we do. Da"id... if ou or ,ichael need mone ...1

1Are we going to get a raise+1 he asked with a quick grin as he turned the knob.

0orcing a smile, Jessica #icked u# her comb again. 1*e'll see about it when $ come back to work.1

1Hurr back,1 he said, then left her alone.

Jessica stared at the closed door, then down at the comb in her hand. !n a sudden s#urt of rage, she hurled it across the room. 3ook at what she'd been doing< Pum#ing him, half ho#ing he'd confess so that she could see an end to things. She'd watched him, searching for some sign of guilt. And she wouldn't be able to #re"ent herself from doing the same with ,ichael. Her own lack of trust a##alled her.

Dro##ing onto the stool of her "anit , she stared at her reflection. $t wasn't right that she should feel this wa ''alienated from the two

#eo#le she'd felt closest to. *atching for signs, waiting for them to make a mistake. *orse, she thought, worse, wanting them to make one so that she could sto# the watching and waiting.

She took a long, hard look at herself. Her hair was wet and tangled around an unnaturall #ale face. )he #allor onl accented the smudges under her e es. She looked frail, alread half beaten. )hat she could #ut an end to with a few basic #racticalities. Stiffening her s#ine, Jessica began to dab makeu# on the smudges. $f an illusion of strength was all she had left, she'd make the best of it.

*hen the #hone rang across the room, she 4olted, knocking a small china "ase to the floor. Hel#lessl , she stared at the shattered #ieces that could ne"er be #ut back together.

%ets answered the #hone as Slade reached the bottom of the stairs. 12es, he's here. ,a $ sa who's calling+1 She sto##ed Slade with an arch look as she held out the recei"er. 1$t's a ,rs. Sladerman,1 she said #riml .

0rowning, Slade took the recei"er. 1,om+1 %ets sniffed at that and walked awa . 1*h are ou calling me here+ 2ou know $'m working. $s an thing wrong+1 he demanded as anno ance turned to concern. 1$s Janice

all right+1

1.othing's wrong and Janice is fine,1 his mother #ut in the moment he let her s#eak. 1And how are ou+1

Anno ance returned swiftl . 1,om, ou know ou're not su##osed to call when $'m working unless it's im#ortant. $f the #lumbing's gone again, 4ust call the su#er.1

1$ could #robabl ha"e figured that one out all b m self,1 ,rs. Sladerman considered.

13ook, $ should be home in a cou#le of da s. Just #ut whate"er it is on hold until $ get there.1

1All right,1 she said mildl . 1%ut ou did tell me to let ou know if $ heard an thing from our agent. *e'll talk about it when ou get home. 5ood'b e, Slade.1

1*ait a minute.1 3etting out an im#atient breath, he shifted the #hone to his other hand. 12ou didn't ha"e to call to #ass on another re4ection.1

1.o,1 she agreed. 1%ut $ thought ma be $ should call with an acce#tance.1

He started to s#eak, then sto##ed himself. Antici#ation onl led to disa##ointment. 1!n the new short stor for ,irror+1

1.ow, he did mention something about that too...1 She let the sentence trail off until Slade was read to shout at her. 1%ut he was so e&cited about selling the no"el that $ didn't take it all in.1

Slade felt the blood #ounding in his ears. 1*hat no"el+1

12our no"el, idiot,1 she said with a laugh. 1Second Chance b James Sladerman, soon to be #ublished b 0ullbright and Com#an .1

-motion raced through him too swiftl . :esting his forehead against the recei"er, he closed his e es. He'd waited all of his life for this one moment6 now nothing seemed read to function. He tried to s#eak, found his throat closed, then cleared it.

1Are ou sure+1

1Am $ sure,1 she muttered. 1Slade, do ou think $ can't understand

-nglish, e"en if it's fanc agent talk+ He said the 're working u# a contract and he'll be in touch with the details. %usiness about film rights and serial rights and clauses with numbers. !f course,1 she added when her son remained silent, 1it's u# to ou. $f ou don't want the fift 'thousand'dollar ad"ance...1 She waited, then ga"e a maternal sigh. 12ou alwa s were a quiet one, Slade, but this is ridiculous. Doesn't a man sa something when he finall has what he's alwa s wanted+1

Alwa s wanted, he thought numbl . !f course she'd known. How could he ha"e e"er decei"ed himself into thinking he'd concealed it from her. )he mone hadn't sunk in. He was still hearing the magic word #ublished. 1$ can't think,1 he said finall .

1*ell, when ou can, get the one ou're working on now together. )he want to see it. Seems the think the '"e got a tiger b the tail. Slade... $ wonder if $'"e told ou often enough that $'m #roud of ou.1

12eah.1 He let out a long breath. 12ou ha"e. )hanks.1

Her chuckle was warm in his ear. 1)hat's right, darling, sa"e our words for our stories. $ ha"e a few hundred #hone calls to make now6 $ lo"e to brag. Congratulations.1

1)hanks,1 he said again, inadequatel . 1,om...1

12es+1

1%u a new #iano.1

She laughed. 15ood'b e, Slade.1

He listened to the dial tone for nearl a full minute.

1-&cuse me, ,r. Sladerman, would ou like our breakfast now+1

Confused, Slade turned to stare at %ets . She stood behind him''little black e es, wrinkled skin, and gra ing hair on short sturd legs. She smelled faintl of sil"er #olish and la"endar sachet. )he smile Slade ga"e her had her taking a cautious ste# back. $t looked a bit cra/ed.

12ou're beautiful.1

She backed u# another ste#. 1Sir+1

1Absolutel beautiful.1 Swoo#ing her u#, he s#un her in a fast circle, then kissed her full on the mouth. %ets managed one muffled shriek. Her

li#s tingled for the first time in ten ears.

1Put me down and beha"e ourself,1 she ordered, clinging to her dignit .

1%ets , $'m cra/ about ou.1

1Cra/ , #eriod,1 she corrected, refusing to be charmed b the gleam in his e e. 1Just like a writer to be ni##ing at the brand before breakfast. Put me down and $'ll fi& ou some nice black coffee.1

1$'m a writer,1 he told her with something like wonder in his "oice.

12es, indeed,1 she said soothingl . 1Put me down like a good bo .1

Jessica sto##ed halfwa down the ste#s to stare. *as that Slade grinning like a madman and holding her housekee#er two feet off the ground+ Her mouth dro##ed o#en as he #lanted another kiss on %ets 's staunch, un#ainted li#s.

1Slade+1

)aking %ets with him, he turned. $t flashed through Jessica's mind that it was the first time she had seen him full , com#letel ha## . 12ou're

ne&t,1 he announced as he set %ets back on her feet.

1Pi&ilated,1 %ets told Jessica with a knowing nod. 1%efore breakfast.1

1Published,1 Slade corrected as he swung Jessica from the stairs. 1%efore breakfast.1 His mouth crushed hers before she had a chance to s#eak. She felt the emotion coming from him in s#arks6 hard, clean emotion without eddies or undercurrents. )he 4o transferred into her so that she was laughing e"en as her mouth was freed.

1Published+ 2our no"el+ *hen+ How+1

12es. 2es.1 He kissed her again before continuing to answer her questions in turn. 1$ 4ust got a call. 0ullbright and Com#an acce#ted m manuscri#t and want to see the one

$'m working on.1 Something changed in his e es as he drew her back against him. She saw it onl briefl . $t wasn't a loss of ha##iness, but a full dawning of reali/ation. 1, life's m own,1 he murmured. 1$t's finall mine.1

1!h, Slade.1 Jessica clung to him, needing to share the moment. 1$'m so ha## for ou.1 3ifting her face, she framed his in her hands. 1$t's

4ust the beginning. .othing will sto# ou now, $ can feel it. %ets , we need cham#agne,1 she said as she wra##ed her arms around Slade's neck again.

1At nine o'clock in the morning+1 )he sentence trembled with righteous shock.

1*e need cham#agne at nine o'clock on this morning,1 Jessica told her. 1:ight awa in the #arlor. *e're celebrating.1

*ith her tongue clucking ra#idl , %ets mo"ed down the hall. *riters, she reminded herself, were hardl better than artists. And e"er one knew the sort of li"es the led. Still, he was a charming de"il. She allowed herself one undignified chuckle before she went into the kitchen to re#ort the goings'on to the cook.

1Come inside,1 Jessica ordered. 1)ell me e"er thing.1

1)hat's e"er thing,1 Slade told her as she #ulled him into the #arlor. 1)he want the book, that's the im#ortant thing. $'ll ha"e to get the details from m agent.1 )he figure of fift thousand finall registered full . 1$'ll get an ad"ance,1 he added with a half laugh. 1-nough to kee# me going until $ sell the second one.1

1)hat won't be long''$ read it, remember+1 !n a sudden burst of energ , she grabbed his hand. 1*hat a mo"ie it would make< )hink of it, Slade, ou could do the screen#la . 2ou'll ha"e to be careful with the film rights, make sure ou don't sign awa something ou shouldn't. !r a miniseries,1 she decided. 12es, that's better, then ou could''1

1-"er thought about gi"ing u# antiques and o#ening an agenc +1 he asked mildl .

1.egotiating's negotiating,1 she countered, then smiled. 1And $'m an artist.1

*ith her face set in lines of disa##ro"al, %ets entered carr ing a tra . 1*ill there be an thing else, ,iss *inslow+1

*hen %ets used such formal address, Jessica knew she had sunk be ond re#roach. 1.o, nothing, thank ou, %ets .1 She waited until the housekee#er had disa##eared before casting Slade a baleful glance. 1)hat's our fault reall ,1 she informed him. 1She'll be #olite and long'suffering all da now because ou molested her and $ 4oined ou in cham#agne de#ra"it before breakfast.1

1*e could ask her to ha"e a glass,1 he suggested as he worked the cork from the bottle.

12ou reall do want me to be in trouble.1 Jessica lifted both glasses as the cork #o##ed out. 1)o writing 'James Sladerman' on one of those necessar cards in m librar ,1 she said when both glasses were full.

3aughing, he clinked his rim against hers. 12ou'll ha"e the first co# ,1 he #romised, then drained his glass.

1How do ou feel, Slade+1 Si##ing more cautiousl , Jessica watched him refill his glass. 1How do ou feel reall +1

He studied the bubbles in the wine as if searching for the word. 10ree,1 he said quietl . 1$ feel free.1 Shaking his head, he began to wander the room. 1After all these ears of doing what $ had to, $'ll ha"e the chance to do what $ want to. )he mone 4ust means that $ won't star"e doing it e"en after this last ear's tuition is #aid. %ut now the door's o#en. $t's o#en,1 he re#eated, 1and $ can walk through it.1

Jessica moistened her li#s and swallowed. 12ou'll quit the force now+1

1$ intended to ne&t ear.1 He to ed with the wick of a candle on the

#iano. A restlessness cre#t into the other feelings''a restlessness he hadn't #ermitted himself to acknowledge before. 1)his means it can be sooner''much sooner. $'ll be a ci"ilian.1

She thought of the gun he secreted somewhere in his rooms u#stairs. :elief flowed through her to be immediatel followed b an&iet . 1$ guess it'll take some getting used to.1

1$'ll manage.1

12ou'll... resign right awa +1

1.o need to wait,1 he considered. 1$'"e got enough to get b on until the contract's signed. $'ll need time if the want rewrites. )hen there's this no"el to finish and another $'"e been kicking around. $ wonder how it'll feel to write full'time instead of grabbing snatches.1

1$t's what ou were meant to do,1 she murmured.

1As soon as this is o"er, $'m going to find out.1

1!"er+1 Her e es fi&ed on his, but he wasn't looking at her. 12ou're sta ing+1

1*hat+1 Distracted, he brought his ga/e back to her. )he e&#ression on her face made him frown. 1*hat did ou sa +1

1$ thought ou'd turn o"er the assignment to someone else.1 Jessica reached for the bottle to add cham#agne to a glass that was alread full. 12ou'll want to get back to .ew 2ork right awa .1

*ith deliberate care, Slade set down his glass. 1$ don't lea"e things until the 're finished.1

1.o.1 She set the bottle back down. 1.o, of course ou wouldn't.1

12ou think $'d walk out of here and lea"e ou+1

)he anger in his "oice had her taking a quick si# of cham#agne. 1$ think,1 she said slowl , 1when someone's about to get what the '"e worked for, waited for, the shouldn't take an chances.1

He went to her and took the glass from her hand, then set it beside the half'filled bottle. 1$ think ou should shut the hell u#.1 *hen she started to s#eak, he cu##ed her face in one strong hand. 1$ mean it, Jess.1

12ou're a fool to sta when ou ha"e a choice,1 she blurted out.

His e es narrowed with tem#er before he brought his mouth to hers for one brief, hard kiss. 12ou're a fool to think $ ha"e one.1

1%ut ou do,1 Jessica corrected more calml . 1$ told ou once before, we alwa s ha"e a choice.1

1All right.1 Slade nodded, ne"er taking his e es off hers. 1Sa the word and $'ll go back to .ew 2ork toda ... if ou'll go with me,1 he added when she started to s#eak. Her answer was a quick, defiant shake of the head. 1)hen we're in this together until the finish.1

Jessica went into his arms and clung. She needed him to sta as badl as she wanted him to go. 0or now, she would onl think of tomorrows. 1Just remember, $ ga"e ou our chance. 2ou won't get another one.1 )ilting her head back, she smiled at him. 1!ne da $'m going to remind ou of it. *e're in this together.1

He nodded again, not noting that she had edited his #hrase. 1!ka , let's get some breakfast to go with this cham#agne before %ets com#letel writes ou off.1

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter 8I '''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

0or Jessica, the da crawled. )he confinement alone would ha"e been torture to her. She hated seeing the sun #our through the windows while she remained tra##ed inside. -"en the beach was off limits, so she was #re"ented from learning if she could walk there again without looking o"er her shoulder.

)hinking of her sho# onl brought on a dull, nagging headache. )he one thing she'd concei"ed and built b herself had been taken out of her hands. Perha#s she would ne"er feel the same #ride in it, the same dedication to making it the best she was ca#able of. *orse, her own weariness was taking her to the #oint where she no longer cared.

Jessica detested being ill. Her usual defense against a #h sical weakness was to ignore it and go on. $t was something she couldn't''or wouldn't''change. .ow, howe"er, she had no outlet. )he quiet librar and monotonous tasks Slade ga"e her were grating on alread taut ner"es.

0inall she tossed her #en across the table and s#rang u#.

1$ can't stand this an more<1 She gestured widel to encom#ass the librar at large. 1Slade, if $ write one more word, $'ll go cra/ . $sn't there something we can do+ An thing+ )his waiting is unbearable.1

Slade leaned back in his chair, listening calml to her com#laints. He'd watched her fidget throughout the morning, fighting off boredom, tension, and e&haustion. )he onl sur#rise he felt was that she'd managed to go so long without e&#loding. Sitting still, he mused, was not Jess *inslow's forte. He #ushed aside a #ile of books.

15in,1 he stated mildl .

Jessica #lunged her hands into the #ockets of her trousers. 1Damn it, Slade, $ don't want a drink. $ need to do something.1

1:umm ,1 he finished as he rose.

1:umm +1 0or a moment she looked #u//led, then ga"e a gust sigh. 1Cards+ $'m read to beat m head against the wall and ou want to #la cards+1

12eah. 5ot an +1

1$ su##ose.1 Jessica dragged a hand through her hair, holding it back from her face a moment before she dro##ed her arm to her side. 1$s that the best ou can come u# with+1

1.o.1 Slade came to her to run his thumb along the shadows under her e es. 1%ut $ think we'"e gi"en %ets enough shocks for toda .1

*ith a half length, Jessica ga"e in. 1All right then, cards.1 She went to a table and #ulled o#en a drawer. 1*hat stakes+1 she asked as she rummaged around in the drawer.

12our ca#ital's a bit bigger than mine,1 Slade said dr l . 1Half a #enn a #oint.1

1!ka , big s#ender.1 Jessica located a #ack of cards, then flourished them. 1Pre#are to lose.1

And he did''resoundingl . At Slade's suggestion, the had settled in the #arlor. His thoughts had been that the sofa and a quiet fire would rela& her, and a stead , boring game might #ut her to slee#. He'd alread concluded that aslee# was the onl wa Jessica could handle the waiting

without losing her mind.

He hadn't e&#ected her to know a great deal about the game, an more than he had e&#ected to be trounced.

15in,1 Jessica announced again.

He looked down in disgust at the cards she s#read. 1$'"e ne"er seen an one with that kind of luck.1

1Skill,1 she corrected, #icking u# the cards to shuffle them.

His o#inion was a brief four'letter word. 1$'"e worked "ice,1 he told her while she dealt. 1$ know a hustle when $ see one.1

1(ice+1 Jessica #oked her tongue in her cheek. 1$'m sure that was "er interesting.1

1$t had its moments,1 he muttered, scowling at the cards she'd dealt him.

1*hat de#artment are ou with now+1

1Homicide.1

1!h.1 She swallowed, but managed to kee# her "oice light. 1$ su##ose that has its moments too.1

He ga"e her a grunt that might ha"e been agreement as he discarded. Jessica #lucked it u# and sli##ed it into her own hand. *hen Slade narrowed his e es, she onl smiled.

12ou must ha"e met a lot of #eo#le in our work.1 She contem#lated her hand, then tossed out a card. 1)hat's wh de#th.1 our characters ha"e such

%riefl he thought of the street #eo#le6 dealers and #rostitutes, #ett thie"es and "ictims. Still, she was right in her wa . % the time he'd hit thirt , Slade had thought he'd seen all there was to see. He was constantl finding out there was more.

12eah, $ meet a lot of #eo#le.1 He discarded again, and again Jessica #lucked it u#. 1%usted a few #rofessional card sharks.1

Jessica sent him an innocent look. 1:eall +1

1!ne was a great'looking redhead,1 he im#ro"ised. 1:an a #ortable game in some of the best hotels in .ew 2ork. Soft southern accent, white hands, and a marked deck.1 -&#erimentall , he held a card to the light before he discarded it. 1She went u# for three ears.1

1$s that so+1 Jessica shook her head as she reached for the card. 15in.1

1Come on, Jess, there's no wa ''1

A#ologeticall , she s#read her cards. 1)here seems to be.1

After a quick scan of her cards, he swore. 1!ka , that's it.1 Slade tossed in his hand. 10igure u# m losses. $'m finished.1

1*ell, let's see.1 Jessica chewed on the end of a #encil as she scanned the note#ad dotted with numbers from #re"ious hands. 12ou got caught with a bundle that time, didn't ou+1 .ot bothering to wait for his re#l , she scribbled on the #ad. 1)he wa $ figure it, ou owe me eight dollars and fift 'se"en and a half cents.1 Setting down the #ad, she smiled at him. 13et's 4ust make it eight dollars and fift 'se"en, e"en.1

12ou're all heart, Jess.1

1Just #a u#.1 She held out a hand, #alm u#. 1;nless ou want to go for double or nothing.1

1.ot a chance.1 Slade reached into his #ocket and drew out his wallet. He tossed a ten onto the table. 1$ ha"en't got an change. 2ou owe me a buck fort 'three.1

*ith a smirk, Jessica rose to retrie"e her #urse from the hall closet. 1!ne dollar,1 she said, rummaging through her billfold as she came back into the #arlor. 1And... twent 'fi"e, thirt , fort 'three.1 She dro##ed the change into his hand, then grinned. 1*e're e"en.1

1.ot b a long shot.1 Slade grabbed her and ga"e her a long, thorough kiss. 1$f ou're going to fleece me,1 he murmured, gathering her hair in one hand, 1the least ou can do is make it worth m while.1

1Seems reasonable,1 she agreed as she offered her li#s again.

5od, how he wanted her. .ot 4ust for a moment or a da or a ear, he thought as he lost himself in the taste of her. 0or alwa s. 0ore"er. All those terms he ne"er allowed himself to think. )here was a wall between them''the thin glass wall of status he forgot when she was in his arms. He had no business feeling what he felt or asking what he wanted to ask.

%ut she was warm and soft, and her li#s mo"ed willingl under his.

1Jess''1

1Don't talk.1 She wra##ed her arms tighter around him. 1Just kiss me again.1 Her mouth clung to his, smothering the words that begged to be said. And the longer the kiss went on, the thinner the wall between them became. Slade thought he could feel it crack, then shatter without a sound.

1Jess,1 he murmured again as he buried his face in her hair. 1$ want''1

She 4olted and Slade swore when the doorbell rang.

1$'ll get it,1 she said.

1.o, let %ets .1 He held her another minute, feeling the hammer of her heart against his chest.

,ore than willing, Jessica nodded. *hen Slade released her, she sank into a chair. 1$t's sill ,1 she began, then ,ichael walked into the #arlor.

1Jessica.1 $gnoring Slade, ,ichael went to her to take her hand. 12ou're so #ale'' ou should be in bed.1

She smiled, but couldn't #re"ent her fingers from tightening on his. 12ou know $'d go cra/ if $ sta ed in bed. $ told ou not to worr , ,ichael.1

1How could $ hel# it+1 He lifted her hand to brush his fingers o"er the knuckles. 1-s#eciall with Da"id muttering all afternoon about ou not knowing how to take care of ourself.1

1)hat was''1 She broke off, casting a quick look at Slade. 1)hat was 4ust a small disagreement we had. $'m fine, reall .1

12ou don't look fine, ou look e&hausted.1 0rowning, ,ichael followed the direction of her ga/e until he too looked at Slade. ;nderstanding was followed b anger, resentment, then wear acce#tance. 1She should be in bed,1 he told Slade curtl , 1not entertaining guests.1

Slade shrugged as he eased himself into a chair. 1$t's not m #lace to tell Jess how to run her life.1

1And what e&actl is our #lace+1

1,ichael, #lease.1 Jessica cut off Slade's answer and rose hastil . 1$'ll be going u# soon, $ am tired.1 *ith a silent #lea, she turned to Slade. 1$'"e ke#t ou from our work too long. 2ou ha"en't written all da .1

1.o #roblem.1 He #ulled out a cigarette. 1$'ll make it u# this e"ening.1

,ichael stood between them, ob"iousl not wanting to lea"e''and knowing there was no #oint in sta ing. 1$'ll go now,1 he said at length, 1if ou #romise to go u# to bed.1

12es, $ will. ,ichael...1 She #ut her arms around him, feeling the familiar trim build, smelling the light, sea'bree/e scent of his after'sha"e. 12ou and Da"id mean so much to me. $ wish $ could tell ou.1

1Da"id and $,1 he said quietl and brushed a hand down her hair. 12es, $ know.1 He cast Slade a last look before he drew her awa . 15ood night, Jessica.1

15ood night, ,ichael.1

Slade waited until he heard the front door close. 1*hat kind of disagreement did ou ha"e with Da"id+1

1$t was nothing to do with this''it was #ersonal.1

1.othing's #ersonal right now.1

1)his was.1 )urning, she fi&ed him with wear e es, but he saw the stubborn crease between her brows. 1$ ha"e a right to some #ri"ac , Slade.1

1$ told ou not to see either of them alone,1 he reminded her.

1%ook me,1 she sna##ed.

1Don't tem#t me.1 He met her angr e es directl . 1And don't do it again.1

12es, Sergeant.1 !n a disgusted sigh, Jessica dragged a hand through her hair. 1$'m sorr .1

1Don't a#ologi/e,1 he told her briefl . 1Just do what ou're told.1

1$ think $ will go u#. $'m tired,1 she added, not looking at Slade.

15ood.1 He didn't get u#, nor did he take his e es off her. 15et some slee#.1

12es, es, $ will. 5ood night, Slade.1

He listened to her go u# the ste#s, then tossed his cigarette into the fire and swore.

;#stairs, Jessica filled the tub. )hat was what she needed, she told herself''an as#irin for the headache, a hot tub for the tension. )hen she would slee#. She had to slee#''her bod was cr ing for it. 0or the first time in her life Jessica felt the near weightlessness of true e&haustion. She waited until the bathroom was steam , then lowered herself into the tub.

She knew she hadn't decei"ed Slade. Jessica wasn't fool enough to belie"e that he'd taken her e&cuse of being tired at face "alue. He was 4ust as cogni/ant of what was going on inside her head as she was. )he "isit from ,ichael had been the last straw in a da filled with uns#oken fears and ri##ling tension.

.othing had ha##ened, she thought in frustration as she let the water la# o"er her. How much longer would she ha"e to wait+ Another da + A week+ )wo weeks+ !n a long, quiet sigh she shut her e es. Jessica understood her own #ersonalit too well. She would be luck to get through the night much less another week of waiting and wondering.

)ake an hour at a time, she ad"ised herself. $t was se"en o'clock. She'd concentrate on getting through until eight.

At twent #ast eight Slade went s stematicall through the first floor, checking locks. He'd waited, throughout an unbearabl long da , for the #hone call that would tell him his assignment was o"er. Silentl he cursed $nter#ol, the 0%$, and Dodson. As far as he was concerned, the were all equall to blame. Jessica wouldn't be able to take much more''that had been made abundantl clear during ,ichael's "isit.

Another thing had been made abundantl clear. Slade had found himself entirel too close to ste##ing o"er the last boundar . $f the doorbell hadn't rung, he would ha"e said things best left unsaid, asked things he had no right to ask of a "ulnerable woman.

She might ha"e said es. *ould ha"e said es, he corrected as he ste##ed #ast a snoring ;l sses. And would ha"e regretted it, he reflected, when

the situation changed and her life was back to normal. *hat if he had asked her, then the 'd been married before she'd had time to read4ust+ A good wa to mess u# two li"es, Slade, he told himself. $t was better to make the break now, draw back until the were 4ust co# and assignment again.

At least she was u#stairs resting, not beside him, tem#ting him to cross the line again. *hen she wasn't there where he could see her, touch her, it was easier to kee# things in #ers#ecti"e.

)he ser"ants were settled in their wing. He could hear the low murmur of a tele"ision and the settling of boards. After he'd finished checking the locks, he'd go u#stairs and write. Slade rubbed a hand o"er the back of his neck where the tension concentrated. )hen he'd slee# in his own bed, alone.

As he walked toward the kitchen door, Slade saw the knob slowl turn. ,uscles tensed, he ste##ed back into the shadows and waited.

-ight'thirt . Jessica glanced at the clock again as she roamed her bedroom. .either the bath nor the as#irin had rela&ed her enough to bring slee# an closer. $f Slade would come u#, she thought, then shook her head. She was becoming too de#endent, and that wasn't like her.

Still, she felt that her ner"es would calm somewhat if she could 4ust hear the sound of his t #ewriter.

An hour at a time, she reminded herself, glancing at the clock et again. *ell, she'd made it from se"en to eight, but she wasn't going to make it until nine. 5i"ing u#, Jessica started back downstairs.

$f he's anno ed, she mused, she'd 4ust ha"e to make the best of it. %eing confined in the house was bad enough without restricting herself to her rooms. She'd almost be willing to fill out some more of those sill cards''an thing to kee# her hands bus until...

Her thoughts broke off as she came to the foot of the stairs. 0or the second time the #arlor doors were closed. A tremor ran u# her back, urging her to turn around, go to her room, and #retend she'd ne"er left it. She'd taken the first ste# in retreat before she sto##ed herself.

Hadn't she told Slade not to tell her to run+ )his was her home, Jessica reminded herself as she ste##ed forward. *hate"er ha##ened in it was hers to deal with. )aking a dee# breath, she o#ened the #arlor doors and flicked on the light switch.

Slade waited as the rear door o#ened quietl . At first there was onl a

shadow, but the build was familiar. :ela&ing, he ste##ed forward into the moonlight. Startled, Da"id whirled around and swore.

12ou scared the hell out of me,1 Da"id com#lained as he let the door swing shut behind him. 1*hat're ou doing standing around in the dark+1

1Just checking the locks,1 Slade said easil .

1,o"ing right in,1 Da"id muttered. After turning on the lights, he went o"er to the sto"e. 1*ant some coffee+1 he asked grudgingl .

1)hanks.1 Slade straddled a chair and waited for Da"id to come out with whate"er was on his mind.

)he last re#ort Slade had recei"ed from %rewster had #ut Da"id in the clear. His name and face and finger#rints had been run through the most so#histicated com#uters. His e"er mo"ement had been under sur"eillance for o"er a month.

Da"id : ce was e&actl what he seemed''a oung, faintl defiant man who had a knack for figures and an affection for antiques. He was also ha"ing what he thought was a discreet affair with a #re'med student. Slade recalled %rewster's almost #aternal amusement with Da"id's

infatuation.

)hough he'd felt an initial twinge of guilt at kee#ing the knowledge of Da"id's clean slate from Jessica, Slade had decided she had enough trouble kee#ing herself under control. %etter that she sus#ected both men than for her to be certain that ,ichael Adams was u# to his neck in the smuggling o#eration.

1,ichael.1 Jessica stared, facing the truth and not wanting to belie"e it.

1Jessica.1 He stood with #ieces of the desk in his hand, franticall searching for some "iable e&cuse for his #resence and his actions. 1$ didn't want to disturb ou. $'d ho#ed ou'd be aslee#.1

12es, $'m sure ou did.1 *ith a quiet, resigned sigh, she shut the #arlor doors at her back.

1)here was a #roblem with this #iece,1 ,ichael began. 1$ wanted to''1

1Please don't.1 Jessica crossed the room, #oured two fingers of brand , and drank it down. 1$ know about the smuggling, ,ichael,1 she told him in a flat "oice. 1$ know ou'"e been using the sho#.1

1Smuggling+ :eall , Jessica''1

1$ said don't<1 She whirled shar#l , #ushed b anger and des#air. 1$ know, ,ichael. And so do the #olice.1

1!h 5od.1 As his color drained, he looked around wildl . *as there an #lace left to run+

1$ want to know wh .1 Her "oice was low and stead . 12ou owe me that.1

1$ was tra##ed.1 He let the #ieces of the desk fall to the floor, then gro#ed for a cigarette. 1Jessica, $ was tra##ed. He #romised ou wouldn't be in"ol"ed''that ou'd ne"er ha"e to know. 2ou ha"e to belie"e that $'d ne"er ha"e gotten ou mi&ed u# in this if there'd been an choice.1

1Choice,1 she murmured, thinking of Slade. 1*e all ha"e our choices, ,ichael. *hat was ours+1

1$n -uro#e a cou#le of ears ago, $...1 He took a greed drag of his cigarette. 1$ lost some mone ... a lot of mone . ,ore than $ had to lose, and to the wrong #erson.1 He sent her a swift, #leading look. 1He

had me worked o"er'' ou might remember when $ took those e&tra two weeks in :ome.1 He drew in and e&#elled smoke quickl . 1)he were #ros... $t was da s before $ could walk. *hen he ga"e me an alternati"e to cri##ling me #ermanentl , $ took it.1

Dragging a hand through his hair, ,ichael walked o"er to the bar. He #oured bourbon neat, s#lattering dro#s, then downed it in one swallow. 1He knew who $ was, of course, m famil , m connection with our sho#'' our unim#eachable re#utation.1 )he liquor ga"e him tem#orar strength. His "oice steadied. 1$t worked beautifull for him. $t wasn't for the mone , Jessica, $ 4ust wanted to sta ali"e. And then... $ was in too dee#.1

She felt something soften inside her and quickl #ushed it aside. .o #it , she ordered herself. He wouldn't drag #it from her now. 1*ho is he, ,ichael+1

1.o.1 Shaking his head, he turned to face her. 1$ won't tell ou that. $f he found out ou had his name, ou'd ne"er be safe.1

1Safe+1 She laughed shortl . 1$f ou were concerned for m safet , ou might ha"e told me not to walk on the beach when someone was going to shoot at me.1

1Sh'shoot... good 5od, Jessica, $ didn't think he'd... He threatened, but $ ne"er belie"ed he'd actuall tr to hurt ou. $ would ha"e done something.1 His hand trembled, s#illing ash onto the car#et. *ith a 4erk mo"ement of his arm, ,ichael tossed the cigarette into the fire. 1$ begged him not to in"ol"e ou, swore $'d do an thing he wanted if he'd lea"e ou out of it. $ lo"e ou, Jessica.1

1Don't talk about lo"ing to me.1 *ith more control than she was feeling, Jessica bent o"er to #ick u# one of the #ieces he had dro##ed. $t was #art of the inner molding. 1*hat's in the desk, ,ichael+1

1Diamonds,1 he said and swallowed. 1A quarter of a million. $f $ don't take them to him tonight''1

1*here+1 she interru#ted.

1)o the sho#, ten o'clock.1

13et me see them.1

She watched him se#arate one of the #artitions of a cubb hole from the s#ace where a drawer had been. 3ifting a thin #iece of wood, he re"ealed

a false bottom. He drew out a small #added bag. 1$t's the last time,1 he began, clutching the bag in his #alm. 1$'"e alread told him $'m through. As soon as $ deli"er these, $'m going to lea"e the countr .1

1$t is the last time,1 Jessica agreed, then held out her hand. 1%ut ou're not deli"ering an thing. $'m taking the diamonds, ,ichael. )he 're going back where the came from, and ou're going to the #olice.1

12ou might as well hold a gun to m head<1 He swi#ed an unstead hand o"er his mouth. 1He'll kill me, Jessica. $f he finds out $ went to the #olice, $ wouldn't e"en be safe in a cell. He'll kill me, and if he knows what ou'"e done, he'll kill ou too.1

1Don't be a fool.1 - es glittering, she grabbed the bag from his hand. 1He'll kill ou an wa , and me. $s he stu#id enough not to know the #olice are closing in+1 she demanded. 1$s he stu#id enough to lea"e ou ali"e as a liabilit + )hink<1 she ordered im#atientl . 12our onl chance is with the #olice, ,ichael.1

Her words touched off a fear he'd buried. Dee# inside his mind, ,ichael had alwa s known his in"ol"ement in the o#eration could onl end one wa . )hat fear, much more than mone , had ke#t him lo al. 1.ot the

#olice.1 Again, his e es darted around the room. 1$ ha"e to get awa . Don't ou see, Jessica, some#lace where he won't find me< 3et me ha"e the diamonds, $ can use them.1

1.o.1 Her hand tightened on the bag. 12ou used me, no more.1

10or 5od's sake, Jessica, do ou want to see me dead+1 His breathing was raw and 4erk as the words tumbled out. 1$ don't ha"e time to raise the mone $'ll need. $f $ lea"e now, $'ll ha"e a start.1

She stared at him. A thin film of sweat co"ered his face, beading o"er li#s that trembled. His e es were gla/ed with terror. He'd used her, she thought, but that didn't kill the feelings she had for him. $f he was determined to run, she'd gi"e him what he wanted. Jessica crossed to a #ainting of a

0rench landsca#e and swung it out on hidden hinges, re"ealing a wall safe. 7uickl she twirled the tumblers and o#ened it.

1)ake this.1 She offered ,ichael a stack of bills. 1$t's not worth what the diamonds are, but cash should be safer in an case. $t won't take ou far enough, ,ichael,1 she said quietl as he reached for the mone . 1%ut ou ha"e to make our own decision.1

1)here's onl one $ can make.1 He sli##ed the bills inside his 4acket, then finall met her e es. 1$'m sorr , Jessica.1

.odding, she turned awa . She heard his footste#s as he crossed to the doors. 1,ichael, was Da"id in"ol"ed in this+1

1.o, Da"id did nothing but take what he thought were routine orders.1 He saw e"er thing he'd e"er wanted, e"er thing he'd e"er cared about, sli##ing through his hands. 1Jessica''1

1Just go, ,ichael. *hen ou run, ou ha"e to run fast.1

She listened for the click of the doors before she o#ened the #added bag. A cold, s#arkling stream of diamonds fell into her #alm. 1So this is what m life's worth,1 she murmured. Carefull , she re#laced them, then stared at the remains of the 7ueen Anne desk. 1All for a whim,1 she whis#ered. $f she hadn't had that im#ulse to bring the desk home then...

*ith a fierce shake of her head, Jessica broke off the thought. )here were no if's. She needed to see Slade, but she needed a moment to herself first. !n a sigh, she sank into a chair, letting the bag of diamonds fall into her la#.

1$ guess Jessica told ou about this morning.1 As the coffee heated on the sto"e, Da"id reached for cu#s.

Slade lifted a brow. *hat was this, he wondered. 1Shouldn't she ha"e+1 he countered.

13ook, $ don't ha"e an thing against ou''$ don't e"en know ou.1 Da"id turned, tossing back the hair that fell o"er his brow. 1%ut Jessie's im#ortant to me. *hen $ saw her come out of our room this morning, $ didn't like it.1 He measured the man across the room and knew he was outmatched. 1$ still don't like it.1

Slade watched the e es behind the lenses. So this was her #ri"ate disagreement. Jessica had the lo alt she e&#ected here, he mused. 1$'d sa ou don't ha"e to like it,1 Slade said slowl , 1but Jess wouldn't

feel that wa .1

;ncomfortable under the direct stare, Da"id shifted a bit. 1$ don't want her to get hurt.1

1.either do $.1

Da"id frowned. Something about the wa Slade said it made him belie"e it. 1She's a soft touch.1

)em#er lea#ed into the gra e es so quickl , Da"id nearl backed awa . *hen Slade s#oke, the words were soft and deadl controlled. 1$'m not interested in her mone .1

1!ka . Sorr .1 :ela&ing a bit, Da"id shrugged. 1$t's 4ust that she's gotten stung before. She trusts e"er bod . She's reall smart, ou know''for a scatterbrain who forgets what she's doing because she's doing twent things at once. %ut with #eo#le, Jessica wears blinders.1 )he coffee began to boil o"er behind him. Da"id s#un around and turned off the burner. 13ook, forget $ said an thing. She told me this morning it was none of m business, and it isn't. -&ce#t that... well, $ lo"e her, ou know,1 he mumbled. 1How's she feeling+1

1She'll be better soon.1

1%o , $ ho#e so,1 he said fer"entl as he brought the coffee to the table. 1$ wouldn't want her to hear me sa it, but $ could use her at the sho#. %etween getting the new stock checked in and ,ichael's moodiness...1 Da"id grimaced and dum#ed milk into his coffee.

1,ichael+1 Slade #rom#ted casuall .

12eah, well, $ guess e"er bod 's entitled to a few tem#er tantrums. ,ichael 4ust ne"er seems to ha"e a tem#er at all.1 He flashed Slade a grin. 1Jessica would call it breeding.1

1,a be he has something on his mind.1

Da"id mo"ed his shoulders absentl before he drank. 1Still, $ ha"en't seen him this unra"eled since the mi&'u# on the Chi##endale cabinet last ear.1

1!h+1 Some wells, Slade mused, took no #riming at all.

1$t was m fault,1 Da"id went on, 1but $ didn't know he'd bought it for a s#ecific customer. *e do that sometimes, but he alwa s lets Jessie or me know. $t was a beaut ,1 Da"id remembered. 1Dark kingwood, great marquetr decoration. ,rs. 3eeman bought it the minute it was uncarted. She was standing in the sho# when the shi#ment came in, took one look, and wrote out a check. ,ichael got back from -uro#e the da we were #acking it for deli"er and had a fit. He said it had alread been sold, that he'd had a cash ad"ance.1 Da"id took a quick si# of his coffee, disco"ered it was bitter, and drank again resignedl .

1)he #a#erwork had been mislaid, $ guess,1 he went on. 1)hat was odd because Jessie's a fiend for kee#ing the in"oices in order. ,rs. 3eeman wasn't too #leased about the mi&'u# either,1 he recalled with a grin. 1Jessie sold her a side table at cost to soothe her feathers.1

1*ho bought it+1 Slade demanded.

1*hat, the cabinet+1 Da"id ad4usted his glasses. 13ord, $ don't know. $ don't think ,ichael e"er told me, and with the mood he was in, $ didn't like to ask.1

12ou ha"e the recei#t+1

12eah, sure.1 Pu//led, Da"id focused on him again. 1At the sho#. *h +1

1$ ha"e to go out.1 Slade rose swiftl and headed for the rear stairs. 1Don't go an where until $ get back.1

1*hat are ou''1 Da"id broke off as Slade disa##eared u#stairs. ,a be he was a nut after all, Da"id mused as he frowned at Slade's em#t chair. 2ou're ha"ing a casual con"ersation with a gu and all of a sudden he's...

1,ake sure Jess sta s #ut,1 Slade ordered as he came down again. His 4acket was alread /i##ed o"er his re"ol"er.

1Sta s #ut+1

1Don't let an one in the house.1 Slade #aused long enough to aim hard, direct e es at Da"id. 1.o one comes in, got it+1

Something in the e es had Da"id nodding without question.

Slade grabbed a na#kin and scrawled a number on it. 1$f $'m not back in an hour, call this number. )ell the man who answers the stor about the cabinet. He'll understand.1

1)he cabinet+1 Da"id stared dumbl at the na#kin Slade thrust into his hand. 1$ don't understand.1

12ou don't ha"e to, 4ust do it.1 )he back door slammed behind him.

12eah, sure,1 Da"id grumbled. 1*h should $ understand an thing+1 A loon tune, he decided as he stuffed the na#kin into his #ocket. ,a be writers were su##osed to be loon tunes. Jessica sure knew how to #ick

them. *ith a glance at his watch, he decided to check on her. ,a be the writer was a little loose u#stairs, ma be not, but he'd managed to unsettle him. *hen Da"id was halfwa down the hall, the #arlor doors o#ened.

1Da"id<1 Jessica closed the distance between them at a run, then launched herself into his arms.

1He , what gi"es<1 He managed to struggle out of her hold and take her b the shoulders. 1$s there a different strain of flu running around that affects the brain+1

1$ lo"e ou, Da"id.1 Close to tears, Jessica framed his face with her hands.

He flushed and shifted his weight. 12eah, $ lo"e ou too. 3ook, $'m sorr about this morning''1

1*e'll talk about that later. )here's a lot $ ha"e to tell ou, but $ need to see Slade first.1

1He went out.1

1!ut+1 Her fingers dug into Da"id's thin arms. 1*here+1

1$ don't know.1 $ntentl , he studied her face. 1Jessie, ou're reall sick. 3et me take ou u#stairs.1

1.o, Da"id, it's im#ortant.1 Her "oice changed from frantic to stern''the one he alwa s res#onded to. 12ou must ha"e some idea where he went.1

1$ don't,1 he returned a bit indignantl . 1*e were sitting there talking one minute, and he was u# and heading out the ne&t.1

1About what+1 $m#atient, Jessica ga"e him a quick shake. 1*hat were ou talking about+1

1Just this and that. $ mentioned that ,ichael'd been mood ''like he'd been when we'd had that mi&'u# on the Chi##endale cabinet last ear.1

1)he Chi##endale...1 Jessica #ressed her hands to her cheeks. 1!h 5od, es, of course<1

1Slade ga"e me some business about not letting an one in the house and calling some number if he didn't get back in an hour. He , where are ou

going+1

Jessica had swung her #urse from the newel #ost and was rummaging through it. 1He's gone to the sho#. )o the sho# and it's nearl ten< *here are m ke s< Call''call the sho#, see if he answers.1 $n a quick mo"e, she dum#ed the contents of her #urse on the floor. 1Call<1 she re#eated when Da"id ga#ed at her.

1!ka , take it eas .1

*hile Jessica made a frantic search through the items on the floor, Da"id dialed the #hone. 1$ can't find them. $ can't''the 're in m coat<1 she remembered and dashed for the hall closet.

1He doesn't answer,1 Da"id told her. 1Probabl hasn't had time to get there et if that's where he was going in the first #lace. *hich doesn't make an sense because it's closed and... Jessie, where are ou going+ He said ou weren't to go out. Damn it, ou forgot our coat. *ill ou wait a minute<1

%ut she was alread racing down the front ste#s toward her car.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter 88 '''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

$t took Slade onl a few moments to #ick the lock on the front door of the sho#. $f there was one thing he was going to see to before he left, he decided, it would be to get Jessica to a decent locksmith. A miracle she hasn't been cleaned out, he mused as he mo"ed through the main sho# into the back room. %lind luck, Slade concluded, then tossed his 4acket o"er a chair. ,o"ing in the dark, he #assed through the kitchen into what ser"ed as an office.

)here was a large mahogan desk with neat stacks of #a#ers, a blotter with names and numbers scribbled on it, and a )iffan lam#. Slade switched it on. He caught the boldl #rinted ;32SS-S .--DS 0!!D on the blotter right beneath the scrawled 1.ew mo# hndl''%ets anno ed.1 *ith a half grin, Slade shook his head. Jessica's idea of organi/ation was be ond him. )urning awa , he walked to the file cabinet set in the rear corner.

)he to# drawer seemed to be her #ersonal items. He found a recei#t for a blouse she had bought two ears before in a file marked $.S;:A.C-

P!3$C$-S''SH!P. %etween two file folders was a wrinkled grocer list. !n a sound of anno ance, he #ulled out the second drawer.

$t was the other side of the coin. )he files were neat, legible, and in #erfect order. A quick fli# through them showed Slade the were recei#ts for the current ear, arranged chronologicall , deli"er bills, also current and chronological, and business corres#ondence. -ach section was a stud in organi/ed filing. He thought of the to# drawer and shook his head.

$n the third drawer he found what he was looking for''recei#ts from the #re"ious ear. Slade drew out the first file folder and took it to the desk. ,ethodicall , he scanned each one, beginning in Januar . He learned nothing else, when he had com#leted the first quarter's recei#ts, other than the fact that Jessica did a thri"ing business.

Slade re#laced the first folder and drew out the second. )ime ticked awa as he e&amined each #a#er. He drew out a cigarette and worked #atientl from month to month. He found it in June. !ne Chi##endale cabinet''kingwood with marquetr decoration. His brow rose slightl at the #rice.

1.ot a bad deal, $ imagine,1 he murmured. .oting the name of the

#urchaser, he smiled. 1-"er one makes a tid little #rofit.1 After #ocketing the recei#t, Slade reached for the #hone. %rewster might find Da"id's little stor "er interesting. %efore he had #unched two numbers, Slade heard the sound of a car #ulling u# outside. Swiftl he turned out the light. As he mo"ed from the desk he drew out his gun.

Jessica s#ed along the winding back road that led to her sho#. $f she'd had an ounce of sense, she berated herself, she would ha"e told Da"id to call the number Slade had gi"en him. *h hadn't she at least told him to kee# calling the sho# until he reached Slade+

.er"ousl , she glanced at her watch. )en o'clock. !h 5od, if onl the man coming to meet ,ichael were late< Slade would be in the back room, she concluded, searching through the old recei#ts. *hat would the man do when he got to the sho# and found Slade there instead of ,ichael+ Jessica #ressed down harder on the gas and flew around a turn.

)he beams of a##roaching headlights blinded her. !"erreacting, she swer"ed, skidding the left rear wheel on the shoulder of the road. Heart in her throat, she fishtailed, s#un on gra"el, then righted the car.

)hat's right, she thought with her heart #um#ing, wreck the car. )hat'll do e"er bod a lot of good. Cursing herself, Jessica wi#ed a dam# #alm

on her slacks. Don't think, she ordered herself. Just dri"e''it's less than a mile now. -"en as she said it, the car s#uttered, then bucked. 0rustrated, Jessica #ressed down hard on the accelerator onl to ha"e the Audi stall, then die.

1.o<1 $nfuriated, she slammed both hands against the steering wheel. )he needle on the gas gauge sta ed stubbornl on em#t . How man times< she demanded. How man times had she told herself to sto# and fill u#+ =nowing it wasn't the time for self'lectures, she slammed out of the car, lea"ing it in the middle of the road, lights beaming. She started to run.

Slade stood #ressed behind the doorwa that led to the back room. He heard the quiet click of the doorknob, then the cheer 4ingle of bells. He waited, listening to the soft footste#s and gentle breathing. )hen there was a coldl #atient sigh.

1Don't be childish, ,ichael. $t hardl #a s to hide when ou lea"e a car out front in #lain "iew. And ou should know,1 he added softl , 1there's no #lace ou can hide from me.1

Slade hit the o"erhead lights as he turned into the room. 1Chambers, isn't it+1 he said mildl . 1*ith the fetish for snuffbo&es.1 He le"eled

the gun. 1*e're closed.1

*ith no change of e&#ression, Chambers remo"ed his hat. 12ou're the stockbo , aren't ou+1 He ga"e a whee/ chuckle. 1How foolish of ,ichael to send ou. %ut then, he hasn't the stomach for "iolence.1

1$ don't ha"e that #roblem. :i##eon's in the morgue.1 *hen Chambers ga"e him a #leasantl blank look, Slade continued, 1!r don't ou catch the names of the #ros ou hire+1

1Death is an occu#ational ha/ard,1 Chambers said with an elegant shrug. He ne"er bothered to glance at the gun le"eled at his chest. He knew a man was the real wea#on, so he watched Slade's e es. 1*hat has ,ichael #romised ou, ,r...1

1Sergeant,1 Slade corrected, 1Sladerman, .2PD, tem#oraril attached to the 0%$.1 Slade caught the faint flicker in Chambers' e es. 1)he onl deal $ ha"e with Adams is a quiet... talk in the near future in"ol"ing Jessica *inslow.1 )he thought ga"e Slade a moment's grim #leasure. 15ame's u#, Chambers. *e'"e had Adams under sur"eillance for some time, along with a few other members of our team. 2ou were all that was missing.1

1A slight miscalculation on m #art,1 Chambers murmured as he glanced around the sho#. 1.ormall $ don't in"ol"e m self directl with an of the trans#orts. %ut then, ,iss *inslow has such a charming sho#, $ couldn't resist. A #it .1 He looked back at Slade again. 12ou don't look to be the t #e who'll take a bribe... e"en a lucrati"e one.1

12ou seem to be a good 4udge of character.1 =ee#ing the gun stead , Slade reached for the #hone on the counter.

*ith the breath tearing in her lungs, Jessica dashed the last ards toward the sho#. She could see the lights glowing behind the drawn shades. Her thoughts centered solel on Slade, she hit the door at a full run.

At a s#eed une&#ected in a man of his bulk, Chambers grabbed her the moment she stumbled inside. His arms slid around her throat. %efore fear could register, Jessica felt cold steel against her tem#le. Slade's forward motion sto##ed with a 4erk.

1Put down our gun, Sergeant. $t seems the game isn't quite o"er after all.1 *hen Slade hesitated, Chambers merel smiled. 1$ assure ou, though the gun is small, it works "er well. And at this range...1 He trailed off delicatel .

Casting a furious look into Jessica's stunned e es, Slade let the gun dro#. 1!ka .1 He held u# em#t hands. 13et her go.1

Chambers ga"e him a mild smile. 1!h, $ don't think so. $t seems $ need an insurance #olic ''momentaril .1

1,r. Chambers.1 Jessica #ut a hand to the arm that was constricting her air.

1)he Sergeant doesn't a##reciate our timing, ,iss *in'slow,1 he said #leasantl . 1Howe"er, $ do, "er much. )his, shall we sa , #uts a different as#ect on things.1

Slade shot a quick glance at the clock on his right. % his calculations, Da"id should be calling his contact within moments. )he name of the game now was stall. 12ou won't ha"e to #ut a bullet in her,1 he commented, 1if ou kee# choking her.1

1!h, $ beg our #ardon.1 Chambers loosened his hold fractionall . )he gun sta ed lodged at her tem#le. 5reed for air, Jessica gas#ed it in. 1A beautiful creature, isn't she+1 he asked Slade. 1$ often wished $ were twent ears ounger. Such a woman looks her best on a man's arm,

don't ou agree+1

1,r. Chambers, what are ou doing here this time of night+1 $t was a weak #lo , but the best Jessica could think of. 13et me go and #ut that thing awa .1

1!h, m dear, we all know $ can't do that. $ would like to for our sake,1 he continued as Jessica, too, shifted her e es to the clock. How much time do we ha"e+ she wondered franticall .

1She could be useful to ou,1 Slade commented. 12ou'll need a shield to get out of this.1

1$ ha"e m ... esca#e routes #lotted, Sergeant.1 He smiled. 1$ alwa s lea"e a back door o#en.1

12ou can't e&#ect to get awa , ,r. Chambers.1 Jessica's e es met Slade's, then shifted meaningfull to the clock. 1Slade must ha"e told ou that the #olice know e"er thing.1

1He mentioned it.1 =ee#ing his arm firm, he #atted her shoulder. 12ou became a small weakness of mine. $ en4o ed those #leasant chats we had, those #leasant cu#s of tea. $ felt badl that this was to be m last

shi#ment before mo"ing on. !h es,1 he said to Slade, 1$ was aware the authorities were getting close, though $ confess $ miscalculated 4ust how close. And though it would seem the diamonds are tem#oraril lost, $'ll find ,ichael e"entuall .1

1He doesn't ha"e them,1 Jessica said quickl , then grabbed Chambers' arm as it cut off her breath again.

1.o+1 )he word was soft and silk . -"en as Slade antici#ated mo"ing forward, Chambers shot him a warning look. 1*here are the +1

Jessica swallowed, straining to hear the sound of sirens. *h don't the come< 1$'ll show ou.1 Perha#s she could bargain for Slade's life. $f she could kee# him ali"e, then get Chambers out of the sho#, e"en for a little while...

1!h no, that won't do.1 He tightened his gri# again. ')ell me.1

1.o.1 Jessica managed to whis#er the word. 1$'ll take ou.1

*ithout s#eaking, Chambers took the gun from her tem#le and aimed it at Slade.

1.o, don't< $ ha"e them at home,1 she said franticall . 1$ ha"e them in the wall safe in the #arlor. Don't hurt him, #lease. $'ll gi"e ou the combination. )hirt 'fi"e to the right, twel"e to the left, fi"e right, and left to twent 'three. )he 're all there, $ wouldn't let ,ichael take them.1

1Honest,1 Chambers commented. 1And trusting. $ am fond of ou, m dear, so $ suggest ou close our e es. *hen it comes to our turn, $ #romise to make it as #ainless as #ossible.1

-"en as Slade made his mo"e, Jessica screamed in #rotest. 1.o<1 ;sing all of her weight and the adrenaline of terror, she flung herself on the arm holding the gun. She heard the shot echoing in her head as she stumbled, then was sho"ed roughl aside.

Jessica landed in a hea#. She felt the #ain in her shoulder as it connected with the floor, tasted the iron fla"or of blood or fear in her mouth as she scrambled u#. As she #ushed the hair out of her e es she saw Slade's fist fl toward Chambers' face. )he #ortl man seemed to crumble la er b la er on his wa to the floor.

So quickl , she thought numbl . $t was all o"er so quickl . !ne moment the were both at the edge of their li"es, and then it was o"er. She'd

ne"er take her life for granted again''not a second of it. *eakl , she leaned back against a highbo .

1Slade...1

15et me some ro#e or cord from the back room, ou idiot.1

She #ressed her fingers between her brows and stifled a h sterical giggle. So much for romantic endings, she thought as she stumbled blindl toward the storeroom. %linking awa the ha/e that co"ered her e es, Jessica found some #acking cord. She stared at it a moment, losing track of wh she needed it.

1*ill ou hurr u#<1 Slade shouted at her.

:es#onding automaticall , she brought it out to him. )en'fifteen, she thought as she #assed the clock. How could it onl be ten'fifteen+ Could #eo#le come so close to death and esca#e all in ten minutes+ Slade ri##ed the cord out of her hand without looking u#.

1Damn it, Jess, of all the stu#id things to do< *hat the hell do ou mean b bursting in here like that+ 2ou know ou weren't to lea"e the house.1 %inding the unconscious Chambers, Slade let out a stead stream

of curses.

1,ichael told me ten o'clock,1 she murmured. 1And $ thought''1

1$f ou'd had a thought in our head ou would ha"e sta ed #ut like ou were told. *hat did ou think ou could do, racing out here like this. Damn it, $ had him before ou came barrelling through the door. )hat's not e"en enough for ou.1 He secured the knot, then #ushed #assed her on the wa to the #hone. 1)hen ou throw ourself on the gun.1 He wrenched off the recei"er and started to dial. 12ou could'"e been shot.1

12es.1 $n dumb fascination, Jessica stared down at the stain s#reading on the arm of her sweater. 1$ think $ was.1

1*hat+1 Anno ed, he turned back to her, then dro##ed the #hone out of suddenl ner"eless hands. 1!h m 5od.1 $n two strides he was back beside her, ri##ing the arm of the sweater off b the seam. 1Jess, ou're hit<1

%rows lowered in concentration, she stared at the wound. 12es, $ am,1 she said in the deliberatel stead "oice of a drunk. 1$ don't feel it. Should it hurt+ )here's a lot of blood.1

1Shut u#, damn it, 4ust shut u#<1 He e&amined the wound quickl , seeing

that the bullet had gone cleanl through the flesh. Jess's flesh, he thought. His stomach rolled. He stri##ed off his shirt and tore it into a tourniquet. 1Stu#id fool, ou're luck it wasn't our head.1 His hands trembled, causing him to fumble with the knot and curse her more "iolentl .

1$t was a little gun,1 she managed.

He shot her a look, ri#e with conflicting emotions, but her "ision was blurred. 1A bullet's a bullet,1 he muttered. 0eeling the warmth of her blood on his hands, he swallowed. A line of sweat ran down his naked back. 1Damn it, Jess, what were ou tr ing to do, 4um#ing out that wa + $ knew what $ was doing.1

1)erribl sorr .1 Her head lolled a bit as she tilted it back and tried to focus on him. 1How rude of me to interce#t a bullet with our name on it.1

1Don't get cute now,1 he said between his teeth. 1$f ou weren't bleeding, $ swear, $'d deck ou.1 He wanted to hold her and was terrified she'd dissol"e in his arms. His throat was dr from the rawness of his own breathing as he forced himself to treat her arm as an ob4ect, not #art of her. *hen he'd finished binding the wound, Slade

held her stead with one hand. 12ou #robabl saw that mo"e on one of our stu#id mo"ies. $s that wh ou threw ourself at the gun+1

1.o.1 She felt as if she were floating as he started to lead her to a chair. 1Actuall , Sergeant, it was because $ thought he would kill ou. Since $'m in lo"e with ou, $ couldn't allow that.1

He sto##ed dead at her words and stared down at her. *hen he o#ened his mouth to s#eak, he found he couldn't form a sound, much less a word. His hand dro##ed awa from her unin4ured arm.

1$'m reall sorr ,1 Jessica said in a thick "oice. 1%ut $ think $'m going to faint.1

)he last thing she heard o"er the bu//ing in her head was a stream of curses.

Jessica floated toward consciousness to a blur of white. She felt as though her bod were drifting, a#art from her mind. -"en the stead throb in her shoulder seemed se#arate from her. )he white dimmed to gra , then graduall lightened again until she focused on what was a wall. Per#le&ed, she stared at it.

*ith an interest dulled b medication, she shifted her ga/e. All the walls were white, she noted. )here were hori/ontal blinds at the window that showed hints of night between their slants. )he blinds were white, too, as was the bandage around the arm that didn't feel like #art of her. She remembered.

3etting out a sigh, she focused on a blue #lastic #itcher and a clear #lastic glass. Hos#ital, she thought with an absent grimace. She hated hos#itals. A face bent o"er her, obscuring her line of "ision. Amber e es studied #ale blue. )he were nice enough e es, she decided, in a round smooth face with a hint of 4owl. She s#otted the white coat and stethosco#e.

1Doctor,1 she said in a whis#er "oice that made her frown.

1,iss *inslow, how are ou feeling+1

She thought about it seriousl for a moment. 13ike $'"e been shot.1

He ga"e a #leasant chuckle as he took her #ulse. 1A sensible answer,1 he concluded. 12ou'll do.1

1How long...1 She moistened dr li#s and tried again. 1How long ha"e $

been here+1

1Just o"er an hour.1 )aking out a slim flashlight, he aimed the beam at her right e e, then her left.

1$t feels like da s.1

1)he medication makes ou sluggish. An #ain+1

1Just a throb''it doesn't feel like m arm.1

He smiled and #atted her hand. 1$t's ours.1

1Slade. *here's Slade+1

His brow creased, then cleared. 1)he sergeant+ He's s#ent most of his time #acing the corridors like a madman. He wouldn't wait in the lounge when $ ordered him to.1

1He's better at gi"ing orders.1 Jessica lifted her head off the #illow, letting it fall back again when the room whirled around.

13ie still,1 he told her firml . 12ou'll be s#ending a little time with

us.1

)he line a##eared between her brows. 1$ don't like hos#itals.1

He onl #atted her hand again. 1A #it .1

13et me see Slade,1 she demanded in the best authoritati"e "oice she could muster. Her e elids threatened to droo# and she forced them o#en. 1Please,1 she added.

1$ don't think ou take orders an better than he does.1

1.o.1 She managed a smile. 1$ don't.1

1$'ll let him come in, a few minutes onl .1 )hen, he thought as he studied her e es, ou'll slee# for the ne&t twent 'four hours.

1)hanks.1

*ith an absent nod, he murmured something to the nurse who entered.

Slade #aced u# and down the hos#ital corridor. Do/ens of thoughts, do/ens of fears, raced through his mind. A headache #ulsed behind his

right tem#le. She'd been so #ale''no, it was 4ust shock, she'd be fine. She'd been unconscious through the ambulance ride. $t was better that wa ''she might ha"e been in #ain. 5od, where was the doctor+ $f an thing ha##ened to her... His stomach con"ulsed again. Swallowing, Slade forced the muscles to rela&, turned fear to anger. )he headache s#read to the back of his neck. $f the didn't let him see her soon, he was going to...

1Sergeant+1

*hirling, Slade caught the doctor b the la#el of his coat. 1Jess+ How is she+ $ want to see her now. Can $ take her home+1

*ell "ersed in dealing with frantic s#ouses, #arents, and lo"ers, the doctor s#oke calml without bothering to struggle out of the hold. 1She's awake,1 he said sim#l . 1*h don't we sit down+1

Slade's fingers tightened. 1*h +1

1%ecause $'"e been on m feet since eight o'clock this morning.1 *ith a sigh, he decided it was best to treat this one standing u#. 1,iss *inslow is as well as can be e&#ected.1

1*hat the hell does that mean+1

1-&actl what it sa s,1 the doctor returned e"enl . 12ou did a good 4ob of emergenc first aid. As to our second question, ou can see her in a moment, and no, ou can't take her home. Does she ha"e an famil +1

Slade felt the color drain from his face. 10amil + *hat do ou mean famil + )he wound wasn't that bad, the bullet went clean through. $ had her here inside a half hour.1

12ou did "er well,1 the doctor told him. 1$ sim#l want to kee# her here for a few da s under obser"ation. $ need to know who to notif .1

1!bser"ation+1 )errif ing "isions ran through his mind. 1*hat's wrong with her+1

1)o #ut it sim#l , e&haustion and shock. *ould ou like more com#licated medical terms+1

Shaking his head, Slade released him and turned awa . 1.o.1 He rubbed his hands o"er his face. 1)hat's all it is, then+ She's going to be all right+1

1*ith rest and care. .ow, her famil +1

1)here isn't an one.1 0or lack of something to do with his hands, Slade stuck them in his #ockets. A sensation of utter hel#lessness co"ered him, sa##ing the strength that tension and anger had gi"en him. 1$'ll take the res#onsibilit .1

1$ know this is a #olice matter, Sergeant, but what e&actl is our relationshi# to ,iss *inslow+1

Slade ga"e a short laugh. 1%ab sitter,1 he muttered. 1$'ll take the res#onsibilit ,1 he re#eated with more force. 1Call Commissioner Dodson, .2PD''he'll "erif it.1 )urning back, he fi&ed the doctor with a stead look. 1$ want to see her. .ow.1

Jessica was watching the door when Slade o#ened it. Her li#s cur"ed. 1$ knew ou'd find a wa to get #ast the guards. Can ou bust me out of this #lace+1

=ee#ing his hands in his #ockets, he crossed to her. She was as white as the sheets she la on. !nl her e es ga"e a hint of color. He thought of the first da he had seen her''"ibrant, rushing. A feeling of total inadequac swe#t o"er him so that the hands in his #ockets balled into

fists.

1How do ou feel+1

1$ told the doctor $ felt like $'d been shot.1 5ingerl , she touched the bandaged arm. 1Actuall $ feel like $'"e drunk a half do/en martinis and fallen off a cliff.1 She sighed, closing her e es briefl . 12ou're not going to get me out of here, are ou+1

1.o.1

1$ didn't think so.1 :esigned, she o#ened her e es again to stare at the blue #lastic #itcher. 1Slade, $ lied about the diamonds. $ tossed them under the seat in m car. $t's in the middle of the road on the wa to the sho#. $ forgot to get gas.1 She looked at him then. 1$t's not e"en locked. And...1 Jessica moistened her li#s when he remained silent. 1$ ga"e ,ichael mone to get awa . )hat's accessor after the fact or something, isn't it+ $ su##ose $'m in trouble.1

1$'ll take care of it.1

-"en through her drugged ha/e, she felt sur#rise. 1Aren't ou going to shout at me+1

1.o.1

0ighting to kee# her e es o#en, Jessica laughed. 1$'ll ha"e to get shot more often.1 She held out a hand, not noticing his hesitation to take it. 1Da"id wasn't in"ol"ed. ,ichael told me e"er thing. Da"id had no idea what was going on.1

1$ know.1

1$t seems $ was half right,1 she murmured.

1Jess...1 Her hand felt so fragile. 1$'m sorr .1

1*hat for+1 Jessica found that it took much too much effort to kee# her e es o#en. )he world was soft and gra when she closed them. She thought she felt his fingers lace with hers but couldn't be sure. 12ou didn't do an thing.1

1.o.1 Slade looked down at her hand. $t was lim# now6 he had onl to release it for it to fall back on the bed. 1)hat's what $'m sorr for.1

1$t's all o"er now, isn't it, Slade+1

Her breathing was dee# and e"en before he answered. 1$t's all o"er now, Jess.1 %ending, he #ressed his li#s to hers, then walked awa .

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Cha#ter 8? '''''''''' Contents ' Pre" 9 .e&t

Slade banked down the uncomfortable sensation of de4a "u as he waited in the commissioner's outer office. His scowl was a bit more #ronounced than it had been the first time he had sat there. )hree weeks had #assed since he had left Jessica's bedside.

He'd gone directl back to her home on lea"ing the hos#ital. )here, he'd had to deal with a #u//led, then furious, then frantic Da"id.

1Shot, what do ou mean shot<1 Slade could still "isuali/e the #ale, strained look on Da"id's face, still hear the trembling, angr words. 1$f ou're a co#, wh didn't ou #rotect her+1

He'd had no answer for that. Slade had gone u# to #ack e"en as Da"id had

dialed the number of the hos#ital. )hen he'd dri"en home, taking the miles to .ew 2ork in a numbed weariness.

Slade had told himself to cross Jessica off, as he crossed off what he considered the final assignment in his #olice career. She'd get the care and the rest she needed. *hen she was read to go home, the nightmare would be behind her. And so, he told himself, would he.

)hen fatigue, the bone'dee# e&haustion that comes after a long, intense #eriod of tension, did the rest for him. He colla#sed into bed and sle#t around the clock. %ut she had been the first thing in his mind when he woke.

He'd called the hos#ital dail , telling himself he was 4ust t ing u# loose ends. )he re#orts were alwa s the same''resting comfortabl . )here were da s when Slade had to fight the urge to get into his car and go back to her. )hen she was released. He told himself that was the end of it.

Slade had #lunged into an org of work. )he no"el was finished in a marathon si&teen'hour stint while he ke#t his door locked and his #hone off the hook. *ith his resignation turned in, there were onl a few necessar "isits to the station house. ,ore loose ends. He signed his

contract and mailed his agent a co# of his second no"el.

)he re#orts and debriefings on the smuggling case brought Jessica back too "i"idl . Slade filled out his #a#ers and answered questions with a bre"it that bordered on curtness. He took the #rofessional #raise for his work in ston silence. He wanted it o"er''com#leted. He reminded himself that his life was his own for the first time in thirt 'three ears. %ut she wouldn't lea"e him alone.

She was there at night when he la awake and restless. She was there in the afternoon when he #oured his concentration into the outline of his ne&t no"el. She was there, alwa s there, whether he walked the streets alone or surrounded himself with #eo#le.

He could see her on the beach, laughing, the wind grabbing at her hair as she tossed driftwood for the dog to chase. He could see her in the kitchen of the sho#, slicing sandwiches while the sun da##led o"er her skin. )hough he tried to block it out, he could hear the wa she murmured his name when she la in his arms, soft and warm and eager. )hen he would see her white and unconscious''and her blood was on his hands.

)he guilt would o"erwhelm him until he threw himself into work again,

using the characters he de"elo#ed to dilute her memor . %ut the all seemed to ha"e #ieces of her''a gesture, a #hrase, an e&#ression. How could he esca#e someone who seemed to know where he would run, how fast, and how far+

.ow, sitting again in Dodson's outer office, Slade told himself this would be the end of it. He'd known all along that Dodson would want a #ersonal meeting. !nce it was done, all ties would be se"ered.

1Sergeant+1

He glanced u# at the secretar , obli"ious this time to the slow, in"iting smile she sent him. *ithout a word, he rose to follow her into Dodson's office.

1Slade.1 Dodson leaned back in his chair as Slade entered, then ga"e his secretar a brief nod. 1.o calls,1 he ordered. 1Ha"e a seat.1

Silentl , Slade obe ed while the commissioner sucked #leasurabl on a cigar until the ti# glowed. Smoke wafted to the ceiling in a s#iraling column which Dodson watched with a##arent fascination.

1So, congratulations are in order.1 *hen Slade ga"e him nothing but the

same silent stare, Dodson continued. 1!n our book,1 he said. Absentl , he fingered his small, scrolled tie #in. 1*e're sorr to lose ou.1 Sa ing nothing, Slade waited for the #leasantries to be o"er. 1$n an e"ent1''Dodson leaned forward to ta# his cigar ash''1 our last case is wra##ed u#, b all accounts tightl . $ don't doubt we'll get a con"iction. 2ou're aware that ,ichael Adams had made a full confession+1

He sent Slade an arch look and got no re#l . 1)he domino theor seems to be working "er well in this case''one name leads to another. As far as Chambers himself goes, we'"e got enough on him to #ut him awa . Cons#irac to commit murder, accessor to murder, attem#ted murder''#erha#s murder one on that business in Paris''not to mention the robberies and smuggling. .o...1 Dodson regarded the ti# of his cigar with interest. 1$ don't think we need worr about him for quite some time.1

He waited for a full thirt seconds, then went on as if he were engaged in a two'wa con"ersation. 12ou'll gi"e our e"idence, naturall , when the time comes, but it shouldn't interfere too much with our new career.1 Stubborn oung fool, he thought as he #uffed on his cigar. He decided to test the ounger man's iron control b sa ing a name. 1Jessica told me she ga"e ,ichael se"eral thousand dollars to aid in his esca#e.1

*atching for a reaction, he caught the faintest flicker in Slade's e es''here then gone. $t was all he needed to confirm the notion that had seeded in his mind when he had seen his goddaughter. 1She felt that made her an accessor . Strange, ,ichael ne"er mentioned her gi"ing him an mone ''and $ s#oke with him m self. )here's a rumor that ou saw him too, right after he was brought in...1 Dodson let the sentence trail off suggesti"el . *hen Slade didn't rise to the bait, Dodson went on, undaunted. He'd cracked a few tough eggs in his own career, on the street and behind a desk.

1$ imagine a few choice words were sufficient to kee# ,ichael quiet, and of course, Jessica can afford to lose a few thousand. *e might ha"e a bit of trouble kee#ing her quiet, though.1 He smiled. 1)hat conscience of hers, ou know.1

1How is she+1 )he words were out before Slade could sto# them. )hough he swore under his breath, Dodson ga"e no sign of hearing.

1She's looking "er well.1 He swi"eled gentl in his chair. 1$'ll tell ou, Slade, $ was shaken when $ "isited her in the hos#ital. $'"e ne"er known Jessica to be ill in her life, and... well, it was quite a shock.1 Slade #ulled out a cigarette, lighting a match with shar#, controlled

"iolence. 1She's bounced back,1 the commissioner continued, #leased with the reaction. 1Dro"e the doctor cra/ until he'd let her out, then she went right back to work.

1)hat sho# of hers.1 He ga"e Slade a quick grin. 1$ don't su##ose the notoriet will do her business an harm.1 .oting the tension in the set of Slade's shoulders, Dodson #aused long enough to ta# out his cigar. 1She s#eaks "er highl of ou.1

1:eall +1 Slade e&#elled a long stream of smoke. 1, assignment was to kee# her safe''$ did a remarkabl #oor 4ob of it.1

1She is safe,1 Dodson corrected. 1And as stubborn as e"er. Da"id and $ both tried to #ersuade her to go to -uro#e, take a little time off to get her bearings. She won't hear of it.1 He settled back in his chair as a faint smile flickered on his li#s. 1Sa s she's going to sta #ut.1

Slade's e es flew from the "iew out the window to #in Dodson's. -motions smoldered in them, fiercel , quickl , then were su##ressed. 1Hard to belie"e,1 he managed. 1She ne"er did before.1

1So she tells me.1 Dodson stee#ed his fingers. 1She's gi"en me a full re#ort''with a great man details ou omitted from ours. A##arentl ,1

Dodson commented as Slade narrowed his e es, 1 ou had our hands full.1

10ull enough,1 Slade returned.

Dodson #ursed his li#s, in s#eculation or agreement, Slade couldn't tell. 1Jessica seems to think she handled the entire business badl .1

1She handled it too well,1 Slade disagreed in a mutter. 1$f she'd fallen a#art, $ could ha"e gotten her out.1

12es, well... differing #oints of "iew, of course.1 Dodson's ga/e fell on the tri#le'framed #hotos of his wife and children. He'd had a few... differing #oints of "iew with that lad from time to time. He remembered the look in Jessica's e es when she'd asked for Slade. 1!f course, now that it's o"er,1 he "entured, 1$'m not entirel sure she won't fall a#art''dela ed reaction.1

Slade smothered the instant urge to #rotect and #re"ent. 1She'll get through the aftermath all right. )here're enough #eo#le in that house to take care of her.1

Dodson laughed. 1)hat's usuall the other wa around. Half the time Jessica ser"es her staff. !f course, %ets will cluck around her for a

time until Jessica's read to scream. And of course, Jessica won't. %ets 's been with her for twent ears. )hen there's the cook, she's

been there nearl as long. ,akes great biscuits.1 He #aused reminiscentl . 1$ guess it was about three ears ago that Jessica #icked u# all her medical bills when she had a stroke. $ su##ose ou saw old Joe, the gardener.1

Slade grunted, crushing out his cigarette. 1He must be ninet old.1

ears

1.inet 'two if memor ser"es me. She doesn't ha"e the heart to let him go, so she hires a oung bo during the summer to do the hea" work. )he little maid, Carol, is the daughter of her father's chauffeur. Jessica took her on when the girl's father died. )hat's Jessica.1 He sighed gustil . 13o al. Her lo alt 's one of her most endearing traits and one of her most frustrating.1 .ow, Dodson concluded, was the time to dro# the bomb. 1She's hired a law er for ,ichael.1

)his time the reaction was fast and furious. 1She did what+1

*hile he lifted his hands, #alms u#, in a gesture of hel#lessness, Dodson struggled with a smile. 1She tells me she feels it's her res#onsibilit .1

1Just how does she come b that+1 Slade demanded. His control deserted him so that he s#rang u# and #aced the office.

1$f he hadn't been working for her, he wouldn't ha"e gotten tangled u# in this mess...1 Dodson shrugged. 12ou know how her mind works as well as $ do.1

12eah. *hen it works at all. Adams is the one who got her in"ol"ed. He's res#onsible for e"er thing that ha##ened to her. She was nearl killed twice because he didn't ha"e the s#ine to #rotect her.1

12es,1 Dodson agreed quietl . 1He's res#onsible.1 )he em#hasis on the #ronoun was slight, but full of meaning. Slade turned back at that. Dodson met his e es with a look that was too understanding and too knowledgeable. He thought Slade looked like his father for a moment''im#ulsi"e, emotional, hot'headed. %ut )om, Dodson mused, would ne"er ha"e been able to struggle with such turbulent feelings and win. Slade turned awa from him again.

1$f she wants to hire a law er for him,1 he murmured, 1that's her business. $t's got nothing to do with me.1

1.o+1

13ook, Commissioner.1 !n a s#urt of fur , Slade whirled around. 1$ took the assignment, $ finished the assignment. $'"e written m re#ort and been debriefed. $'"e also turned in m resignation. $'m finished.1

3et's see how long ou can con"ince ourself of that, Dodson mused. Smiling, he e&tended his hand. 12es, as $ said, we're sorr to lose ou.1

)he air smelled of snow when Slade climbed out of his car. He glanced u# at the sk ''no moon, no stars. )here was a keen night wind that made low howling noises through the naked trees. He shifted his ga/e to the house. 3ights glowed here and there6 in the #arlor, in Jessica's bedroom. -"en as he watched, the u#stairs light winked out.

,a be she's gone to bed, he thought, hunching his shoulders against the cold. $ should go''$ shouldn't e"en be here. -"en as he told himself so, he walked u# the ste#s to the front door. He told himself he should turn around, get back in the car, and dri"e awa . He cursed whate"er demon had #rom#ted him to make the tri# in the first #lace. He lifted his hand to knock.

%efore Slade's fist connected with the wood, the door flew o#en. He heard Jessica's bree/ laugh, felt the quick brush of fur against his legs, then caught her as she raced out after ;l sses and collided with his chest.

-"er thing, e"er thing he had tried to forget, came back to him in that one instant''the feel of her, the scent, the taste of her skin under his li#s. )hen Jessica tilted back her head and looked him full in the face.

Her e es were bright and ali"e, her skin flushed with laughter. As he stood tense, her li#s cur"ed for him in a smile that made his legs weak.

1Hello, Slade. $'m sorr , we almost knocked ou flat.1

Her words were truer than she knew, he thought. 7uickl he released her and took a ste# back. 12ou're going out+1

1Just for a run with ;l sses.1 Jessica looked be ond his shoulder. 1And he's gone now.1 3ooking back at Slade, Jessica offered her hand. 1$t's good to see ou. Come in and ha"e a drink.1

*aril , Slade ste##ed inside, but e"aded the offered hand. She turned

awa to fling her 4acket o"er the newel #ost, shutting her e es tightl a moment when her back was to him. 13et's go in the #arlor,1 she said brightl when she faced him again. 1)here's a nice fire in there.1

*ithout waiting for his answer, Jessica dashed awa . She was mo"ing, Slade obser"ed, at her usual s#eed. And the shadows were gone from under her e es''gone as if the had ne"er e&isted. She was as she had been in the beginning''a woman with boundless energ . He followed her more slowl into the #arlor. She was alread #ouring Scotch into a glass.

1$'m so glad ou came, the house is too quiet.1 Jessica #icked u# a decanter of "ermouth with no idea what was inside. As she #oured she continued to talk. 1$t was wonderful for a few da s, but now $ almost regret that $ sent e"er one awa . !f course, $ had to lie to get them out of here.1 2ou're talking too fast, too fast, she told herself, but couldn't sto#. 1$ told Da"id and the staff $ was going to Jamaica to lie in the sun for a week, then $ bought them all airline tickets and sho"ed them out of the house.1

12ou shouldn't be alone.1 He was frowning at her when she handed him his drink.

1*h not+1 *ith a laugh, Jessica tossed back her hair. 1$ couldn't stand

being treated like an in"alid. $ got enough of that in the hos#ital.1 Si##ing her drink, she turned to the fire. She wouldn't let him see the hurt. -"er da that she'd been confined in that sterile white room she had waited for his call, watched the door for his "isit. .othing. He'd cut himself out of her life when she'd been too weak to #re"ent it. Slade stared at her slim, straight back and wondered how he could lea"e without touching her.

1How are ou+1 )he question was curt and brief.

Jessica's fingers tightened on her glass. Do ou care+ she wondered. She si##ed the "ermouth, making the words sli# back down her throat. )urning, she smiled at him. 1How do $ look+1

He stared at her until the need was a hard ball in his stomach. 12ou need to gain some weight.1

She laughed shortl . 1)hank ou "er much.1 .eeding to do something, Jessica wandered o"er to to with the ke s of the #iano. 1Did ou finish our book+1

12es.1

1)hen e"er thing's going well for ou+1

1-"er thing's going 4ust dand .1 He drank, willing the liquor to dull the ache.

12our mother liked the figure+1

Confused, he drew his brows together. 1!h, eah. 2eah, she liked it.1

)he la#sed into silence, accented b the crackling wood and drifting notes. )here was too much to sa , Slade thought. And nothing to sa . Again, he cursed himself for not being strong enough to sta awa .

12ou'"e gone back to work+1 he asked.

12es. *e'"e had a stream of customers since the #ublicit . $ su##ose it'll ta#er off. Ha"e ou resigned from the force+1

12es.1

Silence fell again, more thickl . Jessica stared down at the #iano ke s as if she were about to com#ose a s m#hon . 12ou'd want to tie u# loose ends, wouldn't ou+1 she murmured. 1Am $ a loose end, Slade+1

1Something like that,1 he muttered. Her head came u# at that, and her e es fi&ed on his once, searingl . )urning awa , she walked to the window. 1*ell then,1 she whis#ered. *ith her finger, she drew a ma/e on the glass. 1$ think $'"e told e"er #ro#er authorit e"er #ro#er thing. )here was a stead stream of men in dark suits in m hos#ital room.1 She dro##ed her hand to her side. 1*h didn't ou come to see me... or call+1 Her "oice steadied as she stared at the reflection of the lam# in the window. 1Shouldn't there ha"e been a final inter"iew for our re#ort''or is that wh ou came tonight+1

1$ don't know wh the hell $ came,1 he tossed back, then slammed down his em#t glass. 1$ didn't come to see ou because $ didn't want to see ou. $ didn't call because $ didn't want to talk to ou.1

1*ell, that certainl clears that u#.1

He took a ste# toward her, sto##ed himself, then thrust his hands in his #ockets. 1How's our arm+1

1$t's fine.1 Absentl , she reached u# to touch the wound that had healed while she thought of the one that hadn't. 1)he doctor sa s $ won't e"en ha"e a scar.1

15reat. )hat's 4ust great.1 Slade #ulled out a #ack of cigarettes, then tossed it on a table.

1$ like the idea,1 Jessica returned calml . 1$'m not fond of scars.1

1Did ou mean what ou said+1 $t rushed out of him before he could think to #re"ent it.

1About the scar+1

1.o, not about the damn scar.1 0rustrated, he dragged a hand through his hair.

1$ tr to mean what $ sa ,1 she murmured. Her heart was in her throat now, so that she forced herself to sa each word carefull .

12ou said ou were in lo"e with me.1 -"er muscle in his bod tensed. 1Did ou mean it+1

)aking a dee# breath, Jessica turned back to him. Her face was com#osed, her e es calm. 12es, $ meant it.1

1$t's our war#ed sense of gratitude,1 he told her, then #aced to the fire and back again.

Something began to warm in her. Jessica felt simultaneous sensations of relief and amusement. 1$ think $ could tell the difference,1 she considered. 1Sometimes $'m "er grateful to the butcher for a good cut of meat, but $ ha"en't fallen in lo"e with him... et.1

1!h, ou're funn .1 Slade shot her a furious glance. 1Don't ou see it was 4ust circumstance, 4ust the situation+1

1*as it+1 Jessica smiled as she crossed to him. Slade backed awa .

1$ don't want an #art of ou,1 he told her heatedl . 1$ want ou to understand that.1

1$ think $ understand.1 She lifted a hand to his cheek. 1$ think $ understand "er well.1

He caught her wrist, but couldn't force himself to toss it aside. 1Do ou know how $ felt, ha"ing ou unconscious'' our blood on m hands+ Do ou know what it did to me, seeing ou in that hos#ital bed+ $'"e seen cor#ses with more color.1 She felt his fingers tremble lightl before

the dro##ed her wrist. 1Damn it, Jess,1 he breathed before he s#un awa to #our himself another drink.

1Slade.1 Jessica wra##ed her arms around his waist. *h hadn't she thought of that+ she demanded of herself. *h hadn't she reali/ed that he would blame himself+ 1$ was the one who was in the wrong #lace at the wrong time.1

1Don't.1 He #ut his hands on hers, firml #ushing them awa . 1$'"e,got nothing for ou, can't ou understand+ .othing. Different #oles, Jess. *e barel s#eak the same language.1

$f he had faced her, he would ha"e seen the line form between her brows. 1$ don't know what ou're talking about.1

13ook at this #lace<1 He gestured around the room as he whirled to her. 1*here ou li"e, how ou li"e. $t's got nothing to do with me.1

1!h.1 Pursing her li#s, she considered. 1$ see, ou're a snob.1

1Damn ou, can't ou see an thing+1 $nfuriated, he grabbed her shoulders. 1$ don't want ou.1

1)r again,1 she suggested.

He o#ened his mouth, then relie"ed his frustration b shaking her. 12ou'"e no right''no right to get inside m head this wa . $ want ou out. !nce and for all $ want ou out<1

1Slade,1 she said quietl , 1wh don't ou sto# hating it so much and gi"e in+ $'m not going an where.1

How his hands found their wa into her hair, he didn't know. %ut the were sunk dee#, and so was he. Struggling all the wa , he ga"e in. 1$ lo"e ou, damn it. $'d like to choke ou for it.1 His e es grew dark and storm . 12ou worked on me,1 he accused as she ga/ed u# at him, calm and com#osed. 1:ight from the beginning ou worked on me until $ can't function without ou. 0or 5od's sake, $ could smell ou down at the station house.1

Pushed as much b fur as b need, he dragged her into his arms. 1$ thought $'d go mad unless $ could taste ou again.1 His li#s co"ered hers, not gentl . %ut then Jessica wasn't looking for gentleness. Here was the hard, bruising contact she had longed to feel again. Her res#onse came in an e&#losion of heart, bod , and mind so that her demand met his and fulminated. )he clung for one long shimmering

instant, then the were tangled together on the hearth rug.

1$ need ou.1 )he words shuddered from him as two #airs of hands struggled with clothes. 1.ow.1 He found her naked breast and groaned. 1$t's been so long.1

1)oo long.1

*ords were no longer #ossible. %eside them the fire si//led, new flames licking at wood. *ind rattled at the windows. )he heard nothing, felt nothing, but each other. 3i#s sought, then de"oured6 hands e&#lored, then #ossessed. )here was no time for a slow reacquaintance. Hungr , the came together swiftl , letting shar# #leasure cleanse all doubts. )he remained close, bod to bod and mouth to mouth, until need drifted to contentment.

Jessica held him against her when he would ha"e shifted to her side. 1.o, don't mo"e,1 she murmured.

1$'m crushing ou.1

1!nl a little.1

Slade lifted his head to grin at her and found himself lost in the cloud amber of her e es. Slowl , he traced the slanted line of her cheekbone. 1$ lo"e ou, Jess.1

1Still angr about it+1 she asked.

%efore he buried his face at her throat, she caught the grin. 1:esigned.1

!n a small gas#, she #unched his shoulder. 1:esigned, huh+ )hat's "er flattering. *ell, let me tell ou, $ didn't #icture m self falling in lo"e with a bad'tem#ered e&'co# who tries to order me around.1

)hat musk , woods fragrance of her skin distracted him. He began to nu//le at her neck, wallowing in it. 1*ho did ou #icture ourself falling in lo"e with+1

1A cross between Albert Schweit/er and Clark 5able,1 she told him.

Slade ga"e a snort before raising his head again. 12eah+ *ell, ou came close. Are ou going to marr me+1

Jessica lifted a brow. 1Do $ ha"e a choice+1

%ending, he nibbled on her li#s. 1Aren't ou the one who sa s a #erson alwa s has a choice+1

1,mm, so $ am.1 She #ulled him closer for one long, satisf ing kiss. 1$ su##ose we both ha"e one to make, don't we+1

)heir e es met, then the s#oke together. 12ou.1