The last thing she wanted was to have that image sullied by talk of murders and men bleeding to death in alleys.

With an air of studied nonchalance, Caitlin casually looked around the

store to see if anyone had overheard.

But other than glancing curiously at the two men, who looked as out of

place amid the lingerie as two hockey players in a ballet, the other customers seemed oblivious to what was transpiring.

At least he hadn't managed to ruin this for her, as well.

Biting the corner of her lip, Caitlin turned toward the rear.

"If you two gentlemen will follow me to the back office, I think we can

talk more easily there."

He doubted that, Graham thought as he fell into step behind Jeffers.

Doubted that he could speak more easily anywhere Caitlin was.

The way she'd nibbled on her lower lip had brought another salvo of memories back to him.

It was as if all those years hadn't happened.

As if he was still just that self-conscious kid fresh off the reservation, trying to find his way in a world be thought hostile toward him.

Almost unwillingly, his eyes skimmed over Caitlin as she led the way to the rear of the store.

Her silhouette had gotten shapelier.

Riper.

And her golden brown hair had gotten longer.

It fell over her shoulders like a honeyed waterfall.

Graham tried not to remember how he used to like running his fingers through it.

How much he had enjoyed burying his face in it and inhaling its scent.

The scent always reminded him of a field of wildflowers.

Like the field where he had once almost taken her, until restraint and common sense had stepped in the way and prevented him.

She'd been so young, so innocent.

He'd wanted to save it until their wedding night.

Cynicism curved his mouth.

He'd turned out to be the one who was young and innocent.

And a fool.

There were years between then and now.

And a wall separating them, a wall he'd once been stupid enough to

believe could be surmounted.

He knew better now, and he had her to thank for teaching him.

The atmosphere within the back room was oppressive.

It hung heavy with the smell of dust and cardboard.

In actuality, the room was little more than an appendage that had been

added on as an afterthought.

It had 6een carved out of the main showroom to give Czkitlin somewhere to go when she needed a break.

Determined to maintain some degree of privacy, Caitlin tugged on the

curtain to shut them away from the customers.

The loops snagged and remained in place, refusing to move along the rod.

She pulled again, stretching up on her toes for leverage and

accidentally brushing against Graham's shoulder.

Ignoring the whisper of warmth that flashed through him, Graham nudged her silently aside.

Grasping the material in his hand ' he snapped his wrist.

The loops slid along as easily as if the rod had been greased with oil.

Graham released the curtain and backed as far away as he could within

the room's minuscule dimensions.

The space became even smaller.

The room was filled with neatly stacked, colorful catalogs that had yet

to be shipped out.

Pressed directly against the opposite wall was a desk hardly large

enough to accommodate the computer standing on it, yet too large for the available space.

A sneeze would have caused the room to explode, Jeffers mused.

It was definitely not a place for three people to stand and talk.

Especially if two of those people didn't want to be within several

light-years of each other.

Jeffers casually glanced from one face to the other.

Both seemed ridged with tension.

He wondered what had gone down between the two and how long it would be

before something erupted.

That an eruption was coming he had no doubt.

For the present, it was like standing on the edge of a volcano, feeling the rumbling going on just beneath his feet.

Her scent was everywhere, Graham thought.

It came like the creeping early-morning mist, surrounding him.

Though it was lighter than spring, it sealed him in.

He'd been aware of it in the main room of the store.

Here, inside this tiny alcove, it was overwhelming.

For a moment he thought of leaving, of letting Jeffers handle the case.

The man was more than capable of taking down whatever statement she had to give.

He didn't need this now.

Or at all.

But Martinez had placed him in charge.