License to Thrill

detest the trappings of my title. But if I could feed at' "—she cleared her throat and forged ahead—" 'But if I could feed at thy youthful breast as a commoner, I would be a satisfied man. Instead I must deal with those who are bent on sending me to an early grave with their infighting. The bawdy Americans are a thorn in my side, but I admire their audacity and envy their freedom in that virgin frontier. I tire of the wars and wish I would discover a dignified end. Until I can lie beside thee again, keep me in thy heart.'"
    "What do you think, Kat?" Andy asked, his eyes wide.
    Still peering at the sheets, Kat shook her head. "This isn ' t my area of expertise, but the King had serious bouts with insanity." She glanced up at Mr. Muldoon. "Do you have the conditioning sheet?"
    He nodded and withdrew the documents from an inside jacket pocket. With the aid of a magnifying glass, he and Kat went over the documents inch by inch and recorded all imperfections, as was required with each incoming piece. By the time they were finished, her back and neck hurt from bending over the letter, and her watch read four o'clock.
    She stepped back and massaged her aching shoulders, stiffening when she felt someone watching her. James Donovan had been so quiet while they had studied the letter, she'd hoped he'd fallen asleep. Instead he was suddenly right behind her.
    "May I lend a hand?" he asked, his mouth near her ear.
    She stiffened. "No, thank you."
    "Watching you work I couldn't help but wonder if under that nun's skirt is a beautiful pair of legs to match those exquisite ankles."
    Anger, coupled with the hum of desire, struck low in her stomach. Kat closed her eyes and cursed under her breath. Denise had been right—sixteen months without a man was obviously getting to her if such a pathetically blatant come-on had the ability to stir her. But she was not about to give this man, who was apparently used to women falling at his expensively clad feet, the satisfaction of a swooning response.
    She turned to him with her brightest smile, but faltered when the impact of his handsome, angular face struck her anew. His nose and brow were prominent, his eyes shone like black glass. Inhaling deeply, she was careful to keep her tone out of hearing range for the other men in the room. "For your information, Mr. Donovan, my legs are beautiful. Such a pity you'll never see them."
    A small frown creased his brow. "I see—you prefer women."
    Kat blinked. "Excuse me?"
    He sighed. "Which some men find intriguing, but not I, I'm afraid."
    Pursing her lips in frustration, Kat said, "I don't prefer women, Mr. Donovan, I just don't prefer you."
    "I'm an acquired taste," he assured her, displaying one dimple, "but addictive. Would you join me for supper? My flight doesn't leave until midnight."
    She had to admit, it sounded more appealing than sharing a pizza with Denise while her friend did laundry. But this man's arrogance alarmed her because, well, frankly, his arrogance might be warranted. "I already have plans."
    "To curl up with a cozy book?" he asked, his voice teasing.
    "No," she retorted, irritated he'd come so close to the boring truth.
    "Careful with that temper," he warned, raising a finger. "Your bun might pop loose."
    "Kat," Guy said from across the room. "We're ready to catalog the letter."
    Grateful for the interruption, Kat swept past James Donovan and turned her attention to the letter. Once the document had been placed in another environment-controlled container, it was inserted into one of the cages, then slid back into the wall among the other cages, where it would stay until the scientists trickled in tomorrow.
    "Mr. Trent gave me a tour of your laboratory," Mr. Muldoon said to Kat as they left the vault. "I'm most impressed."
    She smiled, genuinely pleased. "Thank you—we're very proud of our new restoration facility." The project had been her father's brainchild over a decade ago, before she'd come to work at Jellico's under his tutelage. He'd died in a car accident only a few weeks before the lab was operational. His face rose in her mind and tears pricked her eyelids, but she quickly blinked them away.
    After they signed out, Kat extended her hand to Mr. Muldoon. "Good-bye," she said warmly, and while the others were exchanging small talk, Kat turned to James Donovan. "I hope you enjoy your stay in the States, Mr. Donovan."
    "I would like to meet your head of security to discuss a few issues before I leave."
    Kat's