Copper Beach

you.”

    “That wasn’t the kind of baggage I meant,” she said. “I’m talking about more serious baggage.”

    “What the hell is more serious than someone trying to kidnap you?”

    She cleared her throat. “I have never been one to take risks when it comes to romantic relationships.”

    “Oh, yeah, right. The commitment-and-trust-issues thing.”

    “Yes. But I’ve always suspected that the shrinks and the counselors were wrong. I was pretty sure that I was just waiting for the right man to walk into my life. I knew I’d recognize him, you see.”

    Sam traced her bottom lip with one finger. “Did you?”

    “The instant I turned and saw you coming toward me along the dock that first day. I recognized you, but I told myself I had gotten it all wrong. There was so much drama going on all around us. Everything was happening way too fast. For Pete’s sake, we had sex the first night that we were together. I never do things like that.”

    “We made love that first night. Big difference.”

    “Sure, but at the time all I could focus on was the weird feeling that there was some kind of psychic connection forming between us. It was very confusing. I was afraid to trust what my senses were telling me. But now I know that what was really going on was that I was falling head over heels in love with you.”

    He drew her mouth down to his. Abby felt him open his senses. She responded, heightening her own talent. The kiss was dark and profound, the kind of kiss that sealed a vow.

    The heat built quickly. Energy burned in the room. Sam rolled Abby onto her back and came down on top of her. She pulled him close, savoring the weight of him crushing her into the bedding. The power that charged his aura challenged and aroused and thrilled her in ways that she could not begin to explain or understand. She knew on some level that he was as compelled and captivated by her energy as she was by his.

    Sam raised his head so that his mouth was only an inch or so above hers. In the shadows, his eyes heated.

    “You and me,” he said. “Forever.”

    She wrapped her arms around him. “Forever.”

    He took her mouth again. The night burned. So did the Phoenix ring.

    She awoke to the muffled whine of an impatient dog.
    “Newton,” she said.

    “Your turn,” Sam said into the pillow. “I let him out.”

    “Okay, okay. But definitely a dog door.”

    “For sure. This week.”

    She got out of the warm bed, wrapped her robe around herself and slid her cold toes into her slippers. She left the bedroom, went downstairs into the kitchen and opened the door.

    Newton trotted over the threshold and paused, radiating a hopeful air.

    “All right,” Abby said. “You’re a hero. I guess you deserve a snack.”

    She opened the bag of doggy treats, took out a goodie and tossed it to Newton. He seized it out of midair and crunched with enthusiasm.

    When he was finished, they both went back upstairs. Abby heard the chimes of her phone just as she arrived in the bedroom doorway.

    “What in the world?” she said.

    Sam levered himself up on one elbow. “Your phone.”

    “Yes, I figured that much out all by myself.”

    She grabbed the phone off the bedside table and looked at the glowing screen.

    “I don’t believe it,” she said. “It’s Diana.”

    “At this hour?” Sam grumbled. “It’s four o’clock in the morning.”

    Abby took the call.

    “If this is about Dawson and that book he wanted me to find for his client…” she began.

    “Abby, shut up and listen to me.” Diana’s voice rose to a near-hysterical pitch. “Dawson has been kidnapped.”

    “What?” Abby’s stomach clenched. “Please tell me this is some kind of really sick joke.”

    “I just got a call demanding a ransom.”

    “Let me guess. The lab book?”

    “He’s going to murder Dawson if you don’t give him that damned book. Dawson’s life is in your hands.”

    “You said we needed a plan,” Abby said. “I just gave you one.”
    “It’s a lousy plan,” Sam said.

    “Got a better one?”

    “No. And yours just might work if we tweak it a bit.”

46

    DAWSON WAS SLUMPED IN A CHAIR IN THE YACHT’S MAIN cabin. His wrists were fastened behind him. His legs were bound to the legs of the chair. He looked up when Abby walked on board. Disbelief flashed across his face.
    “What the hell are you doing here, Abby?” he said. “I told him that you wouldn’t come.”

    The good-looking, sandy-haired man with