From the Heart

were on target again.”
    Taking a deep breath, Jessica turned to face him. Yes, the guards were there, but she knew him better now. What he had done that morning hadn’t been done coldly. “You hate being reminded that you’re just as human as the rest of us, don’t you? It infuriates you that you’re haunted by feelings, emotions, needs.” Slowly she walked to him. “I wonder if that’s why you won’t stay with me after we’ve made love. Are you afraid I’ll find a weakness, Slade? A little crack I might be able to widen?”
    “Watch how far you go,” he warned softly. “You won’t like the trip back.”
    “You hate wanting me, don’t you?”
    In a deliberately controlled movement, Slade crushed out his cigarette. “Yes.”
    As she opened her mouth to speak again, the door to the library swung open. Both she and Slade turned to see David stride in. He took a long look at Jessica, then pushed his glasses back up on his nose.
    “You look like hell. Why aren’t you in bed?”
    “David.” She couldn’t control the tremor in her voice or the sudden urge that had her racing into his arms to hug him fiercely. David sent Slade a surprised look over her shoulder as he awkwardly patted her back.
    “What’s all this? You got a fever? Come on, Jessie.”
    Not him, she thought desperately. Please, God, not David. Through sheer force of will, Jessica controlled the tears that burned in her eyes.
    In silence, Slade watched the exchange. Jessica clung to David’s thin frame as if it were an anchor while he lookedpuzzled, concerned, and embarrassed all at once. Speculating, Slade dipped his hands into his pockets.
    “Hey, what’s all this? Is she delirious?” David tossed the question at Slade, but managed to nudge Jessica back enough to peer into her face. “You look ready to drop,” he stated and tested her forehead with his palm. “Mom called me at the shop, giving me all kinds of grief about passing on my germs.” Drawing her away, he grimaced at the memory. “That’s what you get for coming into my room and shoving that chicken soup down my throat.”
    “I’m all right,” she managed. “Just a little tired.”
    “Sure, tell that to someone who didn’t spend last week flat on his back moaning.”
    Jessica wanted to cling to him again, to pour out everything that was inside her. Instead she took a step back, smiled, and hated herself. “I’ll be fine. I’m just going to take it easy for a couple of days.”
    “Have you called the doctor?”
    “David—”
    The annoyance in her tone pleased him. “It’s great having the situation reversed,” he told Slade. “She did nothing but nag for two weeks. Have you?” he demanded of Jessica again.
    “When I need one, I’ll call one. Why aren’t you at the shop?”
    “Don’t worry, I’m heading right back.” David shot her a grin, relieved by the question and the brisk tone. That was more like Jessica. “After Mom called and read me the riot act, I wanted to check on you. The deliveries went out yesterday without any problem. Traffic’s been light, but I’ve made enough sales to earn my keep.” He gave her hair a quick tug. “I don’t want to see you in the shop until next week, babe. Michael and I can handle it. In fact, you look like you could use a vacation.”
    “If you tell me how terrible I look again, you’re not going to get that raise you’ve been hinting about.”
    “That’s what happens when you work for a woman,” he told Slade. Turning, David headed back for the door. “Mom says for you two to come in to lunch. This time you’re gettingthe chicken soup.” With a satisfied grin tossed over his shoulder, he left them.
    The moment the door closed, Jessica pressed both hands to her mouth. What ran through her wasn’t pain, not even an ache, but a bloodless kind of hurt that left her numb in the vital areas of heart and mind. She didn’t move or make any sound. For a moment she felt that she had simply ceased to exist.
    “Not David.” Her own whispered words jolted her. With them came a torrent of emotion. “Not David!” she repeated, whirling on Slade. “I won’t believe it. Nothing you can say will make me believe he’d do anything to hurt me. He isn’t capable, any more than Michael is.”
    “In a couple of days it’ll be over.” Slade kept his tone neutral. “Then you’ll know one way or the other.”
    “I know now !” Spinning around, she dashed for the door. Slade’s hand clamped down on