"That's a little too friendly for me, I'm afraid."

"Okay."

She looked at him quizzically. "Okay?"

He shrugged. "You're right, that's all. Our relationship is strictly platonic, Iswear." He held up his right hand. After a moment he asked, "Is it all right if Ikiss you good night?"

She glanced down the deserted hallway and felt that her self-restraint would be

helped by being there. "Okay."

He took his time pulling her closer to him. He started by nibbling on her earlobebefore he planted small kisses along her jawline. Just as she knew it would, Jodiefelt her control slipping. She moved her hands from his chest to around his neck,and when he finally found her mouth she was more than ready for him.

The kiss went on and on until the sound of the elevator brought her back toreality. She released him, gasping a little. Her body quivered with passion, which he knew darned well.

His smile was slow and intimate.

A couple got off the elevator and turned the other way without seeing them.

"Good night," Dean said gently. "Pleasant dreams." He turned and walked to the

elevator, which conveniently opened when he pushed the button. She stepped inquickly, watching Dean until the door closed.

Jodie closed and locked the door and made it to her bedroom on wobbly knees beforecollapsing on the bed.

Who had she been kidding? Whether she saw Dean or not, her emotions were in atangle where he was concerned.

Of course she wanted to experience again what they'd shared in that Honoluluhotel. He aroused a passion in her she'd never known existed. Now he was using thatknowledge to remind her what they could have if she wanted an intimate relationshipwith him.

However, she was determined not to give in to her baser instincts. She would not.She could not.

Which meant that another restless night awaited her.

Sixteen.

Jodie opened her door on Saturday evening to find Dean Logan looking drop-deadgorgeous in a tuxedo that was obviously custom made. His shoulders looked broaderthan ever, and since she vividly recalled how they felt beneath her fingers, shefound it difficult to speak.

She finally said, "Come in," sounding hoarse. She cleared her throat.

He paused in the doorway for a moment before stepping inside. "I'm early. Iapologize."

"No apology needed." She picked up her evening bag and tried not to notice the wayhe looked at her. During another shopping trip she'd found what she considered tobe the perfect little black dress to wear. The style was deceptively simple and she knew she looked good wearing it.

Dean's look made clear that he approved and it made clear that he wanted her.

Some friendship this is going to be. Who was she kidding anyway?

So why are you willing to see him?

Because I have a masochistic streak in me, that's why.

Oh.

She picked up a lacy stole and slipped it around her shoulders.

They were silent in the elevator. Once in the car, Dean turned to her and said,"Is it overstepping the boundaries of friendship to say you are a knockout in thatdress?"

She smiled demurely. "Thank you." He started the car after a quick shake of hishead, as though clearing his brain. "Have you decided what you plan to saytonight?" she asked.

Once on the street, he replied, "I suppose. I never say what I've written anyway.All I know is that it will be short."

They pulled into one of the large conference centers and turned the car over tothe valet. Other people in formal dress converged on the entrance to the hotel, andDean guided her along in the same direction.

Several people spoke to him while eyeing her surreptitiously. He introduced herbriefly to those who stopped to speak to him.

They'd almost reached the ballroom when Jodie heard a familiar voice behind them.

"Dean! I thought that was you. I never expected to see you at one of thesethings."

They stopped and Dean turned. "Hello, Rachel." He recognized her escort. "Good tosee you, Bailey," Dean said and shook his hand.

In a bright voice Rachel began to say, "So aren't you going to introduce us to-"

At that point, Jodie reluctantly turned to face them.

"Jodie? Is that really you? You look-I mean, uh, it's good to see you again." Thelook she gave both of them belied the comment. "So," she said to Dean, "I'msurprised to see you with your secretary." Her implication that he'd resorted toattending the gathering with the hired help wasn't lost on either of them.

"Actually," Dean said, looking amused, "she no longer works for me. She's workingin Engineering now."

Jodie looked down at her toes. She could imagine Rachel's guess at how she got thepromotion. She mentally squared her shoulders and looked Rachel in the eye. "That'strue. I graduated from school at long last. Dean told me a few years ago that whenI got my degree he'd move me into one of the other departments."

Rachel looked at Dean. "I bet you're lost without her...being your secretary."

"Somehow I've managed to survive," he replied wryly.

Once the two couples entered the ballroom, Rachel looked around and said toBailey, "Do you recall our table number?" and they drifted away from Dean andJodie.

Jodie looked up at him. "Rachel's looking good, don't you think?"

He frowned slightly. "I guess she looked okay. I didn't notice." He started towardthe front of the room where the dais was set up. "We're at table one."

When they drew closer, Jodie saw that their table was filled except for the twoseats reserved for them. She recognized a couple of the men but only because she'dseen their photographs in the paper.

The movers and shakers of Chicago were there tonight. Dean hadn't told her thatthe affair would be so well attended. She wondered if the size of the crowd would bother Dean. She'd never thought of him being a public speaker.

Dean introduced her to the table at large. Everyone was gracious and she foundherself relaxing-until one of the wives asked, "What branch of the Cameron family are you, my dear?"

"The Wisconsin branch."

"Oh." The woman sounded disappointed. "You're not related to any of the Camerons

here in Chicago?"Jodie smiled politely, wishing for the evening to end. Right now. "Not that I'm aware of."

"Pity. I suppose you've traced your roots back to Scotland."

"Not yet."

"Genealogy is fascinating work. You'll enjoy it once you get started."

Jodie was relieved when the waiters came out with their salads and the

conversation became more general.

She hated feeling so inadequate in situations such as this. She thought abouttelling the woman that her mother was a waitress in Phoenix just to see herreaction.

As the meal progressed, Jodie was surprised to discover that the food wasdelicious. No telling how much the meal had cost, but it was a vast improvement onthe rubber chicken usually served at the events she'd attended.

After dinner the emcee of the event spoke to the gathering, thanking them forcoming and introducing Dean as the speaker.

Why she should feel so nervous for him she had no idea, because he appearedcomposed enough as he strode to the dais.

Within minutes after he started speaking he had the room mesmerized. He drew fromhis personal experience and the pain involved watching a loved one slip away fromreality.

As promised, he kept his speech short and very much to the point and when hefinished, he received a standing ovation. Jodie stood with the rest, tears in hereyes. She'd never been more proud of him.

The emcee thanked him and told everyone to enjoy the music and dancing. The dancefloor filled quickly with the first song. Everyone at their table was on the dancefloor when Dean turned to her. "Shall we dance?"