License to Thrill

large, expressive eyes. And she had always enjoyed his company. Maybe he wasn't her dream man, but he might be just the friend she needed to get over James. Her smile was wide and sincere. "I'd like that very much."
    "Really? Great. That's... just great." He lifted his hand in a pleased wave and backed away, nodding.
    Kat laughed to herself, feeling good about making plans for her new life in L.A. Her friend from college, John Cloff, said he could use her at his folk art gallery for as many hours a week as she wanted to work until she found a place to open her antique-furniture store.
    Kat inhaled deeply. Things were definitely looking up—Officer Raines had even arranged for her van to be towed back to the gallery parking lot. She'd come by to pick it up, along with a copy of the contract she'd signed with Guy and her notebook of caterers, florists, musicians, and dozens of other service people who needed to be contacted with last-minute instructions before Thursday.
    She grabbed her purse and turned to leave, shuddering slightly when she remembered that the last time she'd left the gallery, she'd been handcuffed. Over a single long weekend, her life had changed so much, it was scarcely believable. She'd been arrested, freed, prompted to take an overdue step in her career, and in between, she'd managed to fall in love.
    She tried to be glib about her feelings for James because it helped her deal with the hurt. People fell in love every day—she was realistic enough to know that a happy ending did not necessarily follow. Besides, James didn't feel the same way about her...and even if he did, it took more than love to make a relationship work. So the sooner she forgot about him, the better.
    "Hallo, Pussy-Kat."
    She jerked her head up, her heart jumping at the sound of his voice. He stood beside Detective Tenner, his brows knitted into one long, dark line. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
    "I was preparing to ask you the same question. Clearing your desk?"
    After ordering her pulse to slow, she smiled brightly. "Not exactly—Guy needs my help for the rest of this week, and he's making it worth my while."
    "I sincerely hope so," James said, his voice dubious.
    "I didn't realize you were coming with Detective Tenner," Kat said. If she had, she might have taken the time to change from her old jeans and paint-splattered sweatshirt. She'd planned to simply run in and get the notebook, return home to make her business calls, take a shower, and then, like a lovestruck teenager, wait for him to drop by to say goodbye.
    "I had a few hours to kill," he said with an easy shrug. "I was planning to stop by your place to say so long, and to see if your locks have been changed."
    "Oh, um, yes, they've been changed." She squeezed the notebook to her chest and laughed cheerfully. "Now you won't have to stop by and you'll have more time to get to the airport." She'd given him an out if he wanted to take it.
    He was silent for a few seconds, his eyes unreadable. "I suppose you're right."
    Tenner coughed. "Want me to go ahead and get started, Donovan?"
    James kept his gaze locked on her. "Sure, Detective, I'll catch up with you in a few minutes."
    She watched Tenner leave, then shifted her heavy notebook to her hip.
    "Why did you come back?" he asked, his voice resonating with anger.
    Tiny hairs rose on the nape of her neck. She jammed her glasses higher on her nose and lifted her chin. "James, it's only for a few days and I need the money."
    He strode toward her, then wrapped his hand around her wrist. "I will give you the damn money to get you away from this place—how much is the little weasel paying you?"
    She fumed at his reaction, then pulled her arm away. "I don't want your money."
    "James," came a silky voice from the doorway. "Since when do you have to get rough with your women?"
    Kat turned to see what could only be described as the most gorgeous woman she'd ever seen standing with her hand on one slim hip, her perfect eyebrows in the air, her stunning gaze directed at James.
    "Tania?" His eyes were wide with surprise.
    "In the flesh," she said with a honeyed smile, and Kat had to agree, since so much of it was showing. She wore the briefest of minis and a loose crop top in taupe linen with a jacket to match slung over her shoulder. The bag and shoes alone probably cost more than Kat's entire wardrobe. And the flat little outie belly button...well, even if Kat won the lottery, that fixture was a pipe dream.
    Flipping