From the Heart

supply of your own.”
    “Barrels of them,” she agreed. “But I could never make them play like this. Jordan watched her eyes dart about the pages as she continued reading the manuscript.
    “You should understand, you get deeper into this section, the interaction between relatives in Indian culture,” she pointed out.
    “Families,” Jordan murmured, thinking of his own.
    “Yes. In many tribes, relatives administered public rebuke. Offenders were often exiled. That was tantamount to execution, as enemy tribes would more than likely kill an exiled Indian on sight.”
    “A father would send a son to his death?”
    “Honor, Jordan. These were a people of honor and pride. Don’t forget that.” She folded her legs under her and interlaced her fingers. “Murder was regarded as harmful to the entire tribe. Exile was the standard punishment. Not sodifferent from what we do today. Behavior between relatives was often regulated by a strict code of rules.”
    “Kasey?”
    “Yes?”
    “May I ask you a personal question?”
    She lifted her shoulders. She brought up her guard. “As long as I’m not required to answer it.”
    He studied the ash on the end of his cigar a moment. “Why did you become an anthropologist?”
    She grinned. “Do you consider that a personal question? It’s very simple, really. It was either that or the roller derby.”
    He sighed. She was going to take him on another detour. “God knows why, but I’m going to ask. What does the roller derby have to do with anthropology?”
    “Did I say it did?” She took off her glasses and swung them idly by the frame. “I don’t think so. I simply gave you my two career choices. I decided against the roller derby because it’s a hazardous profession. All those bodies ramming into each other, and the floors are quite hard. I don’t deal well with pain.”
    “And anthropology was a logical alternative.”
    “It was mine.” She studied him a moment. “Did you know the creases in your cheek deepen when you smile? It’s terribly attractive.”
    “I want you, Kasey.”
    The glasses stopped on the upswing. “Yes, Jordan, I know you do.”
    “And you want me.”
    She felt the thud of desire clearly, as if she were in his arms, his mouth on hers. “Perhaps I do.” She dropped her eyes to his notes again and began to tidy them.
    “Kasey.” She brought her eyes back to his. “When?”
    She knew what he was asking. She rose then, unable to sit. “It’s not as simple as you make it sound, Jordan.”
    “Why?”
    Turning, she stared out the window. Because I’m in love with you, she thought. Because you’re going to hurt me. Because I’m terrified I won’t be able to walk away when it’s finished. Once I let you in, there’ll be no turning back.“Jordan,” she said quietly, “I told you I don’t deal well with pain.”
    “Do you think I’ll hurt you?”
    She heard the surprise in his voice and laid her forehead against the glass. “Oh, God, I know you will.”
    When his hands came to her shoulders, he felt her muscles tense. “Kasey.” He brushed his lips over the top of her head. “I have no intention of hurting you.”
    The ache was already growing, already spreading. “Intent, Jordan?” Her voice was thickening; he could hear the tears. “No, I don’t think there’d be intent, but that wouldn’t stop it.” His fingers moved up to caress her neck. She could feel her control slipping away. “Jordan, please, don’t.” She started to pull away, but he turned her to face him.
    He studied her carefully, brows lowered. Lifting his thumb, he brushed a tear from her lashes. “Why are you crying?”
    “Jordan, please.” Kasey shook her head. She knew she was losing. “I can’t bear to make a fool of myself.” Her own emotions were too strong for her, pressuring her. And his eyes were too direct and too demanding. She could feel the ground slipping out from under her. Longing, needs, fears were crashing down on her. The moment was fast approaching when she would have no choice but to give her emotions to him—without restrictions. “Let me go,” she told him, struggling to compose herself. “I’ve given you enough this morning.”
    “No.” His grip tightened. “Not enough. Not until you explain to me why you’re falling apart in front of my eyes.”
    “Explain to you!” She threw back her head in sudden anger. “I don’t have to explain anything to you. Why should I?”
    “I think,” he said slowly,