Jodie nodded and they walked out onto the floor. Once they were dancing, she said,"I was impressed with your speech. Your calm discussion of such a personal and painful situation touched us all."

"I felt it was the best way to explain the need for more money for research."

"You are a man of many talents, Mr. Logan."

He pulled her closer to him and she put her head on his chest. She was surprised

to discover his heart racing and lifted her head.

"Sorry. I react this way when I'm around you."

Only then did she realize that he was aroused. She couldn't help blushing.

"Would you prefer not to dance?" he finally asked.

"Oh, Dean, you're making things very difficult for me."

"And you have a way of making things hard for me."

"It's not that I'm playing hard to get...."

"I know. It's not your fault that I can't stop myself from reacting to you." Hecontinued to dance but held her a few inches away from him. "This friendship thingisn't working."

She shook her head, unable to speak. That's when she knew what she had to do. "Allright then."

"All right what?"

"I'll sleep with you tonight."

He stopped dead in his tracks, causing another couple to run into them. "Sorry,"he said and slipped his arm around Jodie's waist. "Please tell me that you'reserious," he said roughly.

She nodded, her gaze direct. "I'm serious."

"We need to go," he said. He took her hand and started off the dance floor beforethe song finished.

Jodie remained silent while they waited for his car to be brought around, andneither of them spoke on the way to her apartment. She realized that she quiveredwith need, a need she'd tried to ignore for weeks. She wanted him. She wanted himnow.

The door barely closed behind them when he lifted her, pulling her legs around hiswaist, leaned her against the door, fumbled with his zipper and shoved inside heras he ripped her panties.

Their lovemaking was hot, strong and very passionate, both of them climaxingwithin minutes. Dean gathered her closer and walked-as much as he was able to withhis pants around his ankles-into her bedroom, where he carefully placed her on thebed.

She watched him remove his tuxedo and allowed him to slip her dress andunderthings off her. Still without speaking, he joined her on the bed and madeslow, sensuous love to her. They responded to each other as they had in Hawaii.Jodie knew that she would never, ever, forget this night.

He left at dawn.

The following Monday morning Jodie handed Frank her resignation. By thatafternoon, she was on the road heading south.

Seventeen.

Dean called Jodie's apartment several times on Sunday but got no answer. Hefigured she'd gone to her sister's and he fought the temptation to call her therejust to hear her voice.

He owed her an apology for his Neanderthal behavior Saturday night. The problemwas, he couldn't promise that he wouldn't behave the same way the next time they were alone.

What kind of spell was he under that she was on his mind most of the time? Allright, all of the time. He'd be in meetings with clients and his mind would wander.

This was not the way he'd ever conducted himself and he didn't like it. Theproblem was that he didn't know what to do about it.

On Monday he had back-to-back meetings, most of them out of the office, and hedidn't return until after four. He decided to check with Jodie to see if she'd liketo have dinner with him that night. Nothing wrong with that. He'd make certain theyweren't alone, either during their meal or when he took her home. He would show herthat he could, in fact, restrain himself around her, but being alone with her would be too much for him.

For that matter, he could bring her back to the office to get her car.

Feeling pleased with his plan, Dean went to the department where she worked. When

he didn't see her, he strolled into Frank's office.

Frank looked up. "How did the meeting with Flynn go today?"

"He liked the presentation you made last week and he's ready to sign on."

"Good to hear."

"I, uh, was looking for Jodie. Did she go home early?"

Frank frowned. "Didn't she tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"She resigned this morning-used her vacation time in lieu of notice and left."

Dean sank into the nearest chair. He felt as though Frank had punched him in the

diaphragm, knocking the breath out of him. When he didn't say anything, Frank said,"I figured you knew about it."

"No. No, I didn't." He was quiet for a moment and then asked, "Did she say why, Ithought she was happy here. Did she mention another job?"

"Sorry. Actually she said very little, just cleaned out her desk. I'll admit, Ihated to see her go. She's good. Sharp. Creative. In the time she's worked for me,I've been very impressed with her work. She was one of the people who worked on thepresentation I made."

Dean nodded, although he didn't hear what Frank had said. His mind was racing withquestions. Why had she quit so abruptly? And without telling him?

What the hell was going on?

"You all right?" Frank asked after a lengthy silence.

"I'm fine. Just surprised. The news caught me off guard, that's all." He stood upand said, "I'll talk to you later."

Dean didn't go to his office to check messages or mail. He went directly to theparking garage, got into his car and drove to Jodie's apartment.

There was no answer after repeated knocks.

His next stop was the Pattersons' home. As soon as he knocked, the door openedwide. It was Kent.

"Hi," Kent said with a big smile.

Dean returned his smile. "Hello, Kent. Is your mom home?"

"Uh-huh." He turned away and yelled, "Mom, it's Aunt Jodie's boyfriend."

"Have him come in and have a seat. I'll be there shortly."

Dean stepped inside. A tornado had recently come through the living room, judging

from the scattered toys, shoes and jackets.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Kent asked politely.

"No, thank you."

"Oh." Kent sat across from Dean and looked at a loss as to what to do next.