"Not really. I guess I used a lot of nervous energy trying to learn so much soquickly."

"You should have said something."

She smiled. "I am."

"I mean sooner."

"I'm fine, Dean. Just very tired."

"I don't feel like eating out either. Tell me what you want to eat and I'll orderfor us while you take your bath."

She didn't care. She wasn't hungry. She just wanted to have some time alone. "Achef's salad."

When he walked to the phone, she went to her room and closed the door, leaningagainst it and looking at her bed with longing. It had taken all of herconcentration to stay focused on Dean's instructions today instead of thinkingabout what had happened last night.

She was well and truly hooked on him. The problem was that he had no intention ofreeling her in. If she did continue to see him once they returned home, how longwould it be before he tossed her back into the water?

Once in the tub, she was soothed by the warm water. She rested her head againstthe tub and closed her eyes.

Dean glanced at his watch when their meal was delivered. He hadn't heard anythingfrom Jodie in more than half an hour. He tapped on her door. "Jodie? Your salad ishere. Are you ready to eat?"

There was no response.

He opened the door and peered inside. The only light was in the bathroom. "Jodie?"He felt a twinge of alarm.

Dean stepped inside and went to the door of her bathroom. When he looked inside,he found her asleep in the tub. A feeling of tenderness washed over him, althoughhe had no idea what the emotion was since he'd rarely felt it.

"Jodie," he said in a firm voice.

Her eyes flew open and she scrambled to sit up.

"Sorry to come in on you but I wanted you to know supper is here." He turned andwalked out of the room.

Jodie stared at his retreating back in dismay. He sounded irritable. And then shechuckled. Dean usually sounded irritable, so what was different?

The difference had occurred in his lovemaking last night, in his murmuredendearments, in his eagerness to make love to her as the night passed.

She had definitely provoked him the evening before, therefore she had no one butherself to blame.

Jodie quickly dressed in pajamas and a robe and went into the other room. Shefound Dean staring out the window, his hands in his pockets. She could see hisreflection and he looked grim.

"I'm so sorry for taking so long. As you saw, I fell asleep in the tub."

He turned and walked over to the table that held their food. "I owe you an apologyfor working you so hard today. I'm used to pushing myself until I get the jobdone."

"I didn't mind." She sat down at the table. "You should have gone ahead and eaten.Your food must be cold by now."

"Doesn't matter."

They ate in strained silence. Once they were finished, Dean rolled the table intothe hall and returned to the sitting room. "I'd like to discuss something with you,if you don't mind."

Her nap had done wonders for her. "Of course," she said and sat on the sofa.

He pulled a chair closer so that he was facing her. "I need to apologize for lastnight. I had no business coming into your room and getting into the shower withyou. Could I plead temporary insanity?"

So that was what had him looking so grim. She smiled. "After what I said to you,how could any red-blooded male have ignored the challenge?"

His shoulders relaxed and he smiled ruefully. "Well, there is that. However, myconscience has gotten the better of me and I need to confess. I brought you alongon this trip hoping that something might happen between us."

"I suspected that. You're very aggressive when you set a goal for yourself, and Imust have been on your list. Just remember that I was a willing participant lastnight."

"But you don't like flings."

"That's right. And I don't think we should continue to see each other once we'rehome. It would be too awkward for both of us. I admire and respect you-"and love the living daylights out of you "-but I can't be what you want."

"Exactly what is it I want?"

"A short-term companion who's there when you have time to see her, who can accept

what you want without strings attached. Someone like Rachel."

"I thought I made it clear I'm not seeing Rachel-or anyone else, for that matter,"he said, sounding frustrated. Dean got up and started pacing. "You make me soundvery shallow."

"I don't mean to. Your commitment to the company is total. You have no room for

anything but a casual relationship with someone."

"And you're not the casual type, I take it."

"Unfortunately no. However, you never seem to have trouble finding others who will

accept the kind of relationship you want."

He stopped pacing and looked at her. "What do you want from me? Am I supposed todeclare that my intentions are honorable? That I want to get married and move tothe suburbs, have a family and settle into domestic bliss?"

She gazed at him for a long time before she finally said, "I would never suggest

such a thing."

"Good. Because I'm definitely not that kind of guy."

"I know," she murmured.

"So last night was an aberration and won't happen again."

"Yes."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine. I can live with that. Is this where I

ask if it was as good for you as it was for me?"

She smiled. "It was sensational."

He suddenly sat down again. "Yeah, it was," he said, sounding a little bewildered.

They sat in silence for several minutes before he said, "We'd better get some

sleep. Tomorrow's going to be another long day."

Jodie stood and said, "Good night, Dean," and went to her bedroom.

He sat there for a long time, staring blankly out the window. With a sudden decision, he left the suite, went downstairs and walked out onto the beach.He walked the beach until dawn.

Fourteen.

Six weeks later.

"Mr. Logan, Mr. Greenfeld is here to see you."

Candace Rudin had taken to her job with alarming ease. She was punctual,efficient, unobtrusive. In all, a well-trained secretary.

Damn, he missed Jodie more and more as each day passed...as a secretary, of course.

"Have Betty send him back, please."