Hidden Talents

get your catalog business going.”
    She gave him an exasperated look. “What's wrong with you today? You've been in an absolutely lousy mood since we left the mountains.”
    “Sorry, I don't have much variety when it comes to moods. For the most part, I don't even have moods.” Caleb crossed the room and plucked the case from her hand. He opened the nearest bureau drawer and put the jewelry box in it.
    “Are you going to take that with you when we leave tomorrow?”
    “Why would I want to do that?” Caleb closed the drawer.
    “Because it's obviously important to you.” Her hand went to the little griffin at her throat. “We all need to keep a few things around us that have a special meaning. No one should try to live in a vacuum, Caleb.”
    “Forget about the jewelry box. What was your question?”
    “Oh, that.” She narrowed her eyes. “I want to know why you brought me here.”
    “Isn't it obvious? You and I are involved. I wanted you to meet the family.” He drew a finger down the side of her cheek. “I'm the conventional type, remember?”
    The simple act of touching her aroused and warmed him. The gate that had opened deep inside when he had removed the jewelry case from its hiding place closed once more. The old rage was safely trapped behind the iron bars. He had himself back under control.
    Caleb knew that Serenity saw the desire in his eyes because she caught her breath and took a step back. He smiled slightly. She couldn't hide her response, he thought. She hadn't had the practice that he'd had at concealing his emotions.
    “I'm not sure you brought me here for the sole purpose of meeting your family,” she said. “At least, not in the conventional manner.”
    “No?”
    “No. It was almost as if you wanted to make them disapprove of me. And I was trying so hard to fit in, too.”
    “You did fit in.”
    “Well, I certainly did my best, but I didn't get much help from you. I didn't like what was going on in that living room tonight, Caleb. It was as if you were deliberately taunting your family.”
    “Taunting them?”
    “Taunting them, baiting them, whatever.” Serenity sliced her hand through the air in an impatient gesture. “I got the impression you wanted to provoke them and that you were using me to do it.”
    “Why would I want to provoke my family?” He moved toward her, and this time he was irritated when she took another step back to avoid him.
    “I'm not sure.” She glared at him as she came up against the wall. “But I've been doing a lot of thinking this evening. I couldn't help remembering how you came totally unglued when you first learned about those pictures Ambrose had taken of me.”
    “What do those damn pictures have to do with this?” Caleb didn't like the direction of her thoughts. Instinctively he wanted to distract her. He braced his hands against the wall on either side of her head and trapped her.
    She lifted her chin. “It occurred to me that your grandfather would probably be even more outraged than you were if he ever found out about those photos. He's from another generation, after all. I'll bet he's even more straitlaced and conventional than you are.”
    “Don't worry about it. He's not going to find out about those pictures.”
    “But if he ever did find out, he would be very upset,” Serenity insisted. “He might not be able to accept me. He might want you to stop seeing me.”
    Caleb set his back teeth. “Do you think for one minute that I'd end our relationship because my grandfather didn't approve of you? Understand something here, Serenity. I do a lot for my family, but I don't allow them to interfere in my personal relationships.”
    “I'm more concerned that you might be throwing your relationship with me in your family's face. I watched you tonight. It was as if you were daring them to disapprove of me.”
    “The hell with all of them.” He captured her mouth and kissed her hard to stop the flow of words.
    She didn't fight him, but she didn't respond the way she had the last time, either. She simply waited until he was finished.
    When Caleb raised his head, he was breathing hard. “Serenity, this has nothing to do with my grandfather.”
    “Are you sure of that?”
    “Damn sure.”
    “Because I mean it, Caleb.” Her eyes searched his. “I won't let you use me in some private vendetta you may have going with your family.”
    “I want you,” he muttered against her throat. “I brought you here to introduce you to my