Divine Evil

toward Blair. Afternoon melded into the golden, fragrant, endless evening that is exclusive to spring.
    Cam outlined his strategy, maneuvering Alice into his place in the horseshoe tournament and slipping into the kitchen behind Clare.
    “Great chicken, Slim.”
    “Thanks.” She kept her head in the refrigerator, rearranging plates of leftovers. He took her arm and pulled her out.
    “Not that I wasn't enjoying the view, but I like to look at your face when I talk to you.”
    “Potato salad goes rancid fast.”
    “You're awful pretty when you're domestic. Hold it.” He slapped his hands on the refrigerator, caging her in before she could slip away.
    “Look, Cam, I have company.”
    “And they're having a hell of a time on their own.”
    Jean-Paul let out a yell of triumph that was followed by a heated but jovial argument. The raised voices came clearly through the kitchen windows.
    “See?”
    “You're boxing me in, Rafferty.”
    “Looks that way Okay, I'd be more than willing to apologize, if you'd just tell me what I'm supposed to be sorry for.”
    “Nothing.” She dragged a hand through her hair. “There's nothing.”
    “Don't wimp out on me now, Slim.”
    “I don't want to argue with you.”
    “Okay then.” He dipped his head, but she slammed a hand against his chest before he could kiss her.
    “That's not the answer.”
    “Seemed like a damn good one to me.” He did his best to adjust both libido and ego. “Give me yours, then.”
    “You acted like a cop.” She hooked her thumbs in her pockets. “Interrogating me, taking your damn blood tests, and filing your reports. Then you turned right around and acted like a concerned lover, holding my hand and bringing me tea.”
    “Well, I guess we've got a real problem, because I'm both.” He put a hand firmly under her chin. “And I intend to go on being both.”
    Along with the frisson of excitement came annoyance. “That's another thing. What you intend. I feel as though this whole relationship has evolved as you intended. Will you move?”
    He shifted. After all, she was talking to him now, and he didn't think she was going to stop until she'd spit it all out. “I have to plead guilty on that one. I wanted to take you to bed, and I did. I wanted you to want me, and you do.”
    It was hard to argue with basic facts. “So, now you're going to be reasonable.”
    He smiled, brushing a fingertip over her bangs. “Figuredit wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. If I don't get my hands on you again soon, I'm going to go crazy.”
    She began rummaging through drawers for a loose cigarette. “I don't like getting swept off my feet. It makes me nervous.”
    “How about that? And here I thought it was the other way around.”
    She looked up then, and saw something in his eyes. Her hands froze as the bubble of panic worked its way toward her throat. “Don't say it,” she managed. “Don't. I'm not ready to hear it.”
    He rocked back on his heels, struggling for patience. “If telling you how I feel about you is going to make you bolt for the door, I'll wait.”
    She didn't move away when he walked toward her, when he took her hand and drew her close. With a sigh, she settled into his arms, her cheek against his, her eyes closed.
    “That feels a lot better,” he murmured.
    “Yes. Yes, it does.”
    “Listen. Remember this one?”
    From the radio outside she heard the slow, shuffling music. “‘Under the Boardwalk.’ The Drifters.”
    “Summer's almost here.” He swayed her into a dance, and they were both reminded of the first time they had made love, there in that same room. “I've missed you, Slim.”
    “I've missed you, too.” Content to let him lead, she twined her arms around his neck. He nipped lightly at her earlobe and made her shudder. Maybe it could be simple, she thought. If she would just let it. “I heard you were playing pool with Sarah Hewitt last night, and I imagined how it would feel to cut her eyes out with my metal snips.”
    Brows lifted, he drew back to study her face. She wore avery small, very smug smile. “You're a dangerous woman with a revolting imagination.”
    “You bet. I'd imagined using my snips somewhere else too, on an entirely different part of your anatomy. You wouldn't have liked it.”
    He pulled her back. “Do you know the penalty for threatening an officer?”
    “Nope.”
    “Come home with me, and I'll show you.”

Chapter 19
    T HE STRONG MOONLIGHT streamed over the bed. Cold and silver, it