"Why not?"

She hesitated, gazing at him. It wasn't over. She could sense the turbulence, the reckless energy whirling below the surface.

"You're down to ten minutes."

She tried to smile. "You used up five telling me what an obsessive wacko I am."

"Takes one to know one." He turned on the oven. "And you're my wacko."

She felt a sudden surge of warmth. He was the only man she'd ever known who could make her flit from emotion to emotion in the space of a heartbeat. She'd been angry, upset, defensive, and yet now she was feeling this powerful surge of affection. She turned away and headed down the hall. "Wackos of the world, unite."

"I only want to unite with one wacko and I fully intend to do it later tonight. After I feed you and stoke your energy level."

"Promises, promises."

She was still smiling as she stepped into the shower a few minutes later. She could feel a tingle of sexual anticipation and excitement start within her. Jesus, you'd think after all these years with Joe that sex wouldn't be this urgent. Wasn't it supposed to become merely comfortable after a while? Their coming together was just as wild and passionate as that first time. Her body was tensing, readying at the thought.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as the water flowed over her. She'd tell Joe about Montalvo's call over dinner, but right now she wanted to relax and forget about everything but Joe.....

BOOKS BY IRIS JOHANSEN.

AND THE DESERT BLOOMS.

THE TREASURE.

TOUCH THE HORIZON.

GOLDEN VALKYRIE.

CAPTURE THE RAINBOW.

A SUMMER SMILE.

STORMY VOWS / TEMPEST AT SEA.

STALEMATE.

AN UNEXPECTED SONG.

KILLER DREAMS.

ON THE RUN.

COUNTDOWN.

BLIND ALLEY.

FIRESTORM.

FATAL TIDE.

DEAD AIM.

NO ONE TO TRUST.

BODY OF LIES.

FINAL TARGET.

THE SEARCH.

THE KILLING GAME.

THE FACE OF DECEPTION.

AND THEN YOU DIE.

LONG AFTER MIDNIGHT.

THE UGLY DUCKLING.

LION'S BRIDE DARK RIDER.

MIDNIGHT WARRIOR.

THE BELOVED SCOUNDREL.

THE MAGNIFICENT ROGUE.

THE TIGER PRINCE.

LAST BRIDGE HOME.

THE GOLDEN BARBARIAN.

REAP THE WIND.

STORM WINDS.