The week passed on leaden feet, seeming to be the longest of Alanna's life. Had it not been for the nightly comfort of Alex and the daily support of Jake she might have thrown in the towel right then.

Only subtle glances and strained interchanges gave proof of the feeling that seemed to run high against her within the corporation. To her dismay, even the other female faces on the payroll eyed her distrustfully, apparently choosing to believe the gossip rather than give her the benefit of the doubt.

Brian Winstead, historically her most vocal opponent, said nothing. She finally decided that either her personal "promise" to him had hit its mark or it was he who had spread the gossip to the papers in search of revenge and so was now sated. But as she had told Alex so firmly when the story had first broken, she had no proof. To accuse Brian blindly would be as wrong as his having made such unsubstantiated claims in the first place.

To further disturb her peace of mind was the growing sense of love she felt for Alex. As the days passed she came to depend on him-on his being there with her in the evenings, at night, when she awoke in the morning. They spent nearly every free moment together, primarily at Alex's suggestion, though she would have been distraught had he not done so. It was a tug-of-war, this wanting to be constantly with him yet fighting the urge to depend on him, and it continued unendingly.

For the first time, moreover, the physical was secondary to the emotional in their relationship. The intense attraction was there, as it always had been, as it always would be. But they now found different ways to express their love. There was more talking, more quiet companionship. During this time of tension for Alanna Alex came through with a wealth of understanding and encouragement. He patiently drew from her a retelling of the highs and lows of each day, dealing with both in a thoughtful and caring manner.

Their lovemaking was gentler, with none of the frenzied hunger of earlier encounters. It was as though each sensed the other's depth of feeling and was satisfied by that alone. They spent more than one night simply lying together, talking, savoring the closeness until sleep claimed them. And there was the quiet pleasure of waking together after an undisturbed sleep to greet the new day.

That she loved him Alanna now accepted fully. That she needed him was a different matter. She fought this reality for as long as she could, finally yielding by the end of the week. What she would have done without his strength she did not know. Without her even realizing it, Alex had insinuated himself into her life, had made himself a vital part of it. What he had originally done in the physical realm-building up her need for him until she was clearly addicted-he now did emotionally. He was always there and she grew to depend on him. She needed him. Yet she couldn't quite get herself to tell him that ... yet.

There was still that matter of long-range commitment. To confess to Alex the true extent of her love for him would only give fodder for his argument in favor of marriage. So far he had kept his word about giving her time, easing the pressure he might otherwise have exerted in that direction. Quite subconsciously she needed to hold something back-a little something of herself, kept in reserve, preventing total surrender. It was a final connection to her past dreams, dreams that, though Alex's intrusion had rendered them inferior to the new pictures he painted of her future, she was not yet ready to give up entirely. She had spent too long building those old dreams; she still needed time to accept their obsolescence.

As she stood at a crossroads in her life she felt herself pulled in all directions at once. On one side were WallMar and the powerful position of Executive Vice-President, but with suspicion and innuendo shadowing her every move. Then there were Alex and her love for him, growing stronger day and night. And there were freedom and independence and self-sufficiency, long fought for and now threatened by the very love which welled within. For she knew that her life would be empty without Alex. Yet how long would he wait? How long would he be content to satisfy her need for love and companionship and comfort without her satisfying his need for a wife?

With the advent of the weekend her thoughts came full circle. Once more she found herself pondering what her mother might have said or done given the present situation. Once more she found herself wondering whether her parents had ever shared the heights of passion which she and Alex scaled night after night. Perhaps her mother's bitterness had been, in part, caused by a deep, deep love that was never quite returned. Perhaps ... perhaps ... perhaps ... but Alanna would never know. Therein lay the greatest frustration.

It was with thoughts of her own past fresh in her mind that Alanna found herself, on Saturday evening, dressed in a soft blue sheath and navy heels, her blond hair brushed to a shine and hanging beyond her shoulders, en route to dinner with Alex's parents.

"But you said we were going out for dinner to a special place, just the two of us!" she protested when Alex informed her of the change of plans.

"Uh-uh," he chided her with half-hidden amusement. "I never said we'd be alone. You must have assumed that. But I do think that my home is a special place...."

"That's not the point! You could have warned me! I'm not psyched up for this. Your family, Alex-why didn't you tell me?"

The gray Porsche purred smoothly away from the city, headed toward the suburban countryside in which Alex had grown up. "Relax, love. Where's that cool I always admire? That crystal-clear poise? That mirror-smooth composure?" The corners of his firm lips twitched. "If I didn't know you better I'd say you were scared to death!"

"You bet I am!" she agreed readily. She was scared and she wasn't quite sure why. Was it her own insecurity showing? Did she actually fear that Alex's parents might not like her? Resorting to humor to quell her nerves, she quipped lightly, "In fact, I'd like nothing better than to be in jeans and a shirt, back at my place. I'd cook you anything your stubborn little heart desired..."

His deep voice lilted in gentle harmony. "But you're here, with me, on the way to the country."

She sighed. "Yes."

He cast her a sidelong glance as she slowly gathered her composure. "And you'll come with me and meet my family."

"Yes." Why she was so pliant to his wishes she wasn't sure, until he filled in the blank himself.

"Because you love me so much."

His deep growl ignited ripples of now-familiar longing within her. When she reached for his hand he offered it. "Yes, I do love you." She smiled, finding it impossible to stay angry at him for long. "But you've got to do something about these seats!"

"What's wrong with the seats? I'll have you know that this Porsche is a collector's item."

Alanna retaliated with a playful scowl. "The collectors can have it! Bucket seats are for the birds!"

The deep and steady surge of the motor was as smooth in its power as the man behind the wheel when he let out a low, long chuckle. "I won't argue with you there. But it may be for the best. If we ever hope to get to my parents' house..."

Get there they did. The sleek Porsche easily rounded the circular drive, then came to a halt before the tall, white-columned Georgian colonial. Well lit in the darkness, the house offered a warm welcome that served to alleviate the chill of apprehension Alanna felt. How much simpler it had been, she mused, to stand before that board of directors last week. How much simpler it had been even to face the antagonism of those more vehement of her co-workers. Alex was right; where had her cool sophistication suddenly gone? Yet all the self-chiding in the world could not quell the nervousness she felt. Alex's supportive hand as he led her from the car past a wealth of lush landscaping toward the front door helped-as did the warm welcome offered by Alex's father. His stature was grand, though more mature and mellowed than his son's; his features were likewise well aged, as a fine wine coming into its own. Even his hair, rich and full, but sporting dashing shots of gray where Alex's strands of gold were now, spoke of what the son might look like in twenty years' time.

"Alanna," Alex's voice interrupted her analysis, "I'd like you to meet my father, Benjamin Knight. Dad, this is Alanna Evans."

The strong hand that came out to clasp hers and draw her into the house bore the same brand of dignity that had been passed on to Alex. Alanna found herself quickly responsive to the self-confidence and sure manner of her host.

"Alanna," the older man spoke in a voice somewhat lower and a touch more raspy than that of his son, "this is a pleasure. Alexander seems to be quite smitten. At first glance I can see why!"

"Alexander" seemed not in the least embarrassed by his father's blatant reference to the state of his heart. Rather, the grin he showered on her as she looked back at him one final time before being ushered more deeply into the spacious front hall was nearly reckless.

"Alexander," she replied coyly to his father, "seems easily smitten at first glance, as well!" The gentleness of her tone and the softness of her brown-eyed gaze guaranteed her statement the good humor she had intended. Benjamin Knight's appreciative smile accepted it in a like manner.

"Come." He helped her off with her coat, then guided her toward the living room where he deftly and graciously introduced his wife, Adele, and Alex's sister and brother-in-law, Amanda and Paul Winters. Alex's own surprise at the latter couple's presence was genuine enough to spare him Alanna's later wrath. And, in truth, once in the clutches of Benjamin Knight, guardian extraordinaire, she had begun to feel surprisingly comfortable.

Alex's mother was equally warm, if perhaps a bit more guarded at the start, as was his sister. Each in turn echoed the news that Alex had spoken highly of her and congratulated her on her new position at WallMar Enterprises. Ribbons of invisible tension slithered about in Alanna's stomach, only slightly eased by the glass of wine that Alex placed in her hand. Well aware that she was, in a way, on trial, Alanna willed herself to maintain a state of composure.

"It's quite an achievement," Adele Knight complimented her, "for a woman your age to become an Executive Vice-President in an organization such as WallMar Enterprises."

Measuring her words, Alanna responded gently. "I consider myself to have been very, very fortunate. I was at the right place at the right time. When I first became associated with WallMar there was a distinct void where the type of projects I wanted to do should have been. Jake Wallace had an open mind and was willing to loosen the purse strings to give my ideas a chance."

It was Amanda, who appeared to be a year or two older than Alex and was a replica of the mother, who followed up. Her knowledge of the field startled Alanna. "I particularly appreciated WallMar's entrance into educational slide production. Since Paul is an educator we've seen your ideas serving some very practical purposes."

Alanna turned instinctively toward the man who sat propped against the arm of his wife's chair. "You're in education?"

The pleasant-looking man nodded. "When I decided to marry Amanda I had a choice." His hazel eyes twinkled through his wire-rimmed spectacles, foretelling amusement to come. Amanda felt immediately drawn to him, a onetime outsider who now seemed very comfortable amidst the Knights. His voice was as soothing as his manner. "I knew that I could either enter the fold and go into business or steer a course into a different field entirely. I had been a teacher; now I'm a high school principal. I find the work very exciting."

"And his school system uses WallMar's slide kits constantly," Benjamin Knight interjected. "Tell me, Alanna, has your marketing effort extended across the entire country? At last report I heard that you still had the western states to conquer."

"You're right." Alanna grinned, feeling more and more relaxed. "I suppose it gives us something to work toward."

Other questions about her work followed. Though Alex sat beside her on the beautiful French Provincial sofa, one of several such pieces setting the tone of this elegant room, he let her pave her own way, his evident confidence in her unblemished by her moments of hesitancy in the car.

The conversation flowed gently from business to theater; then Adele Knight disappeared, only to return moments later with a large platter of hot hors d'oeuvres from the kitchen.

"Mother's favorite recipe." Amanda coaxed Alanna to try the delicate zucchini tarts which, surrounded by a variety of other choices, were indeed delicious. But her compliments had to be put off until later; they fell victim to the avid discussion that had erupted between the men regarding the quality of present-day live theater in light of the moving picture industry. Within moments the women, as well, had expressed their opinions. To her astonishment Alanna found herself joining in quite unself-consciously.

It was a harbinger of what was to come, an evening of stimulating conversation, fine food and wine. At one point Alanna looked down into the swirl of wine in her glass. Momentary guilt washed over her as she remembered Ellen Henderson's instructions, now disregarded. But then, she smiled to herself with satisfaction, sleep would not be a problem this night. Her love-warmed gaze lifted to meet that of Alex, who sat by her side at the beautiful dinner table, mirroring her thoughts exactly and betraying them with a depth of desire in his eyes that brought a blush of embarrassment to Alanna's cheeks. His thigh seemed suddenly that much closer to hers; his hand moved beneath the table to sear through her dress to her leg. His lips moved, silently but clearly outlining the words "I love you."

Of necessity their outward attention turned back to the others, yet a special awareness filtered through the air between them, charging it with the force of the attraction that always existed for them. Though in company they were removed, secure in their own world within a world with the knowledge of a passion that would surely follow later.

What followed more immediately were after-dinner drinks, again in the living room, and a few moments of conversation alone with Alex's mother and sister while the men saw to some personal matter in the den.

For a fleeting instant, as the men disappeared, Alanna felt a return of trepidation, particularly when Adele Knight brought up the one topic that had nagged at the back of Alanna's consciousness all evening.

"I thought you handled that article very well," the older woman said softly, obviously feeling a need to say something on the subject. "Your statement was a strong one. I'm glad you decided to answer her."

Alanna regarded Alex's mother with respect and shrugged. "I have to confess that I might have tried to ignore her had Alex not prodded me. He wanted me to do something even more vocal."

"I would have called a press conference," Amanda exclaimed with the same feistiness that seemed so much a part of Alex's character, as well.

Alanna couldn't help but laugh. "That's precisely what Alex said! You must all think alike!"

"We're fighters." Amanda returned the grin as her thought was promptly seconded by her mother.

"Each in our own way. Alex certainly is." Was there a hidden meaning in what she said? "When he sets his heart on something he rarely lets it get away from him."

Later, as Alanna and Alex drove back toward the city, Alanna recalled the very first day she had met him. He had announced then that he would marry her. Would he? He'd actually gotten her to the point of declaring her love for him. Would an agreement of marriage be next? Despite all her lingering doubts the thought held none of the instant horror it might have such a short time ago. Particularly since seeing Alex's family....

"Penny for your thoughts?" The deep voice broke into her reflection. His hand touched hers; his fingers closed around hers. His self-assuredness flowed through to her. She had no way of knowing of the strength he derived from her presence.

"I was thinking of your family. They're lovely, Alex."

"You had doubts?" In the dark of night, with only the intermittent flare of oncoming headlights to illumine his face, she could only hear his smile. There was nothing smug in it.

"I'm afraid," she blushed, grateful that her color would be hidden in the darkness, "that I had formed a picture of them even before I knew I was to meet them."

"Tell me," he coaxed softly.

"They were to be worldly and attractive, attended by a bevy of servants, concerned principally with money matters and very distrustful of, even condescending toward, me."

"And now...?"

"As I said, they are lovely. They brought me right into their world, discussing things that, even if I wasn't informed, I'd find interesting. I think your mother, perhaps your sister, too, wasn't quite sure at first about this woman you'd brought home, but they both turned out to be perfectly delightful."

Alanna caught Alex's nod as a car passed. His features mesmerized her for that moment-the chiseled power of his lips, his nose, his forehead. When he smiled the white of his teeth gleamed in the dark. "They liked you."

"How could you tell?" She felt suddenly anxious, realizing that she did want them to like her.

"In the first place," there was undeniable humor in his tone, "my father left you alone with my mother. He doesn't always do that."

"Come on, Alex. Your mother strikes me as a very lovely lady."

"Not where her oldest son is concerned, love. She's known to be very possessive, sometimes too tough. My father quickly sensed both that you could hold your own with my mother and that she could easily warm to you."

If what he'd said was true he'd given her quite a compliment. "And in the second place?"

"In the second place," he cleared his throat, "he invited you for a return visit."

Alanna cocked her head in puzzlement. "But that was simply out of courtesy. Any host would have said the same!"

"Not Benjamin Knight. He's reached the stage in life where he only says what he means. Oh, he's never been crude, never insulting. He simply omits the courtesy if it's an empty one. In this case he truly wants you to come again." He paused for a moment, then went on more softly. "Will you?"

There was that hint of insecurity again, but from Alanna's viewpoint it was easily assuaged. "Of course, I will. That's a foolish thing to ask. I'd love to spend more time with them.

"Have you found any solution to that problem of your father's frustration?" she asked. "He seemed fine tonight."

"He was," Alex agreed, "with you as a diversion. I've tried your tactic, but it's going to take some working on." He sighed. "That's another reason for you to come back another time. You can work on him!"

Once before, Alex had suggested the same. Then Alanna had promptly and unconditionally ruled out the possibility. Now she did not. How things had changed!

Unfortunately, things had not changed when Alanna arrived at work Monday morning. The weekend with Alex had provided lots of bolstering, rest, relaxation and loving. If Alanna was puzzled by Alex's failure to pressure her on the issue of marriage she said nothing, grateful only that, given the continued tension at WallMar, he should be so understanding. There was no doubt in her mind that the visit with his parents on Saturday evening had been a subtle push in the direction of marriage. Oh, yes, his approach had grown more subtle, but it was as potent as ever.

By midweek Alanna had grown more, not less, sensitive to the undercurrent of suspicion aimed at her by the WallMar employees. By week's end she felt near defeat. Regardless of how hard she worked, how strongly she projected the image of professionalism that should have countermanded any other image, there was always that distance, that aloofness on the part of the men with whom she had to deal on an everyday basis. It seemed suddenly much harder to get ideas across, to inspire the support of these people whose help was mandatory to the success of her projects.

"I don't know," she sighed in halfhearted resignation when she and Alex were having dinner Friday night at what had become their favorite spot, a small seafood restaurant on the waterfront. "Maybe I should resign...."

His gaze narrowed. "You don't really mean that."

"I do. I'm not sure it's worth the turmoil it's caused."

"Come on, love. That's foolish-"

"But I can't get things done the way I could before. It's gotten to the point of being counterproductive."

"Then do something about it!" Alex was suddenly vehement; the shooting sparks of silver in his charcoal eyes told her so, as did the fierce set of his jaw.

"Like...?" She readily sought out his opinion. His suggestions were usually good, particularly when she tempered them with her own instinct. She had, indeed, come to rely on hashing things out with him at night.

"Like stepping things up. Taking the offensive. Confronting the men head-on. Demanding more of them. Exerting that power you were given as Executive Vice-President. You have no need to be afraid of them. They're trying to see where their silent form of intimidation will take them. Show them, love. Show them that it won't get them anywhere!"

Dubious, Alanna considered his gentle command for several moments before shifting the subject to something less explosive. Her tension remained intact, however. Sensing it, Alex drove to his apartment, rather than hers, when the meal was over.

"You'd rather stay here tonight?" she asked in surprise. It had become their habit to stay together at Alanna's apartment, where Alex had gradually left a collection of personal items. Perhaps he had felt she would be more comfortable at her own place; for her part, she easily accepted the arrangement, pleased simply to be with him.

"I think," he drawled as he parked and led her from the car, "that you could use the pampering tonight. I have a treat upstairs." Cocking his head in that direction, he seemed suddenly filled with mischief.

"A treat?" Alanna's tone was one of skepticism, then caution. "I'm not so sure about you. Your treats ... a little pampering ... so solicitous ... what is it you want?"

Alex's dark brows drew together as he feigned indignance. "Have I ever bribed you?" When she simply stared at him, trying to camouflage her own humor, he repeated his question. "Have I?"

"Well," she hesitated, "not in so many words." There was bribery and then there was bribery. The lure of his body and the fear of its absence were a form of bribery leading toward marriage, as was a personal involvement with his family. Even the promise of a good night's sleep had its power. "OK, so what's the treat?"

He kept her on tenterhooks as they entered his building, took the elevator to the top floor, walked down the long hall to his door and then stood while he fumbled with deliberate leisure for his keys.

"Alex..." she warned teasingly. "What is the treat?"

But this time it was Alex who was saved by the bell, Even before the door was opened the muffled ring of the telephone penetrated its hard wood thickness. And Alex savored the suspense.

"Now who could that be?" he drawled, lazily guiding Alanna over the threshold and ambling toward the phone. She stood not far from him, hands on hips, watching the firm curve of his manly lips as he spoke deeply into the receiver. Then, abruptly, his smile faded.

Instinct told Alanna that something was wrong-something big. Alex was deeply disturbed. His gray gaze shot toward her, then away. He spoke softly, asking questions she couldn't quite follow. With his body angled away from her he seemed to be shielding her from whatever it was that he said. There was a long silence when he finally replaced the receiver. At last he turned toward her, placing his hands on her shoulders, his expression softening slightly.

"What is it?" Alanna asked, eyes wide with worry.

"It's Jake. He's had a heart attack."