License to Thrill

cigars that had been her father's. Her most precious treasure, and she'd given one to him.

    *****

    "No, Denise, really I'm fine," Kat said into the phone. "I just don't feel like getting together tonight, that's all."
    "You’re missing your secret agent man."
    Her heart squeezed. "No, I think the excitement of the last few days is catching up with me."
    "That’s understandable, I guess. Get some rest. Call me tomorrow?"
    "Absolutely." Kat disconnected the call, then stared morosely at the Woman package. With a sigh, she slit open the box and lifted the heavily wrapped figurine. She carefully removed the layers until she uncovered the jade female, translucent, resplendent...and alone. She felt a brief pang for Woman, who might never be reunited with her true partner. Then she smiled sadly—she was commiserating with a statue. "Want some ice cream?" she asked Woman.
    What hurt the most was that she had so misjudged James’s affection for her. All along it had been a convenient, physical relationship, and nothing more. She glanced at the clock—he was already in the sky, winging his way toward New York and the rest of his life… without her.
    Kat poured herself a glass of wine, with two scoops of vanilla ice cream on the side, then turned on the stereo and wrapped another cabinet of dishes in a stack of newspapers. She'd polished off the ice cream and started on a second cabinet when a knock sounded at the door. Kat smiled—how would she make it in L.A. without Denise?
    Wiping her newsprint-stained hands on a paper towel, she padded to the door and swung it open, grinning. Then her grin dissolved.
    "Hallo, Pussy-Kat." James's voice was low and his smile seemed a bit strained. His suitcase and Man squatted on the floor next to his feet.
    Her throat constricted, and the first thing that went through her mind was that she couldn't handle another good-bye. "Did you miss your flight?"
    "I'm afraid so."
    "Traffic?"
    "No. I love you."
    Kat blinked, and her heart vaulted. "Excuse me?" she whispered.
    His brow crumpled. "Didn't I say it properly? I practiced all the way back from the airport. The cabbie said I had it down rather nicely. I love you. "
    She checked her impulse to rush into his arms, remembering all the reasons a relationship between them wouldn't work. "It's not that simple, James."
    His shoulders fell. "You don't love me?" He looked down at Man and scoffed. "I've made a bloody fool of myself, haven't I?"
    "James," she said hurriedly, trying not to smile and water down this very tense moment, "the fact of the matter is, I do love you."
    His expression was anxious. "Is this where you say you’re not in love with me, because the cabbie told me to watch out for that one."
    She pressed her lips together, then tried again. "No, James, I'm not giving you the brush-off, I really do love you."
    He smiled and held up his hands. "Kat, help me out. This is the first time in my life I've ever told a woman I love her, and I don't know where to go from here. What do you mean 'it's not that simple'? I love you, you love me—"
    "James, I want marriage—"
    "We'll have one—"
    "And a home—"
    "We'll have two—"
    "And children—"
    "We'll have three!" He picked her up and spun her around.
    Her body thrummed and her mind raced. This couldn’t be happening… and yet it was. He let her slide down his body, coming to rest face to face with him.
    He leaned his forehead on hers. "I love your horrid slippers too."
    She laughed. "What?"
    "You said it yourself: 'Love me, love my slippers.' They can come too."
    "Come where?"
    "Wherever you want to live," he said excitedly. "We'll go to L.A. and open your business there...or there are many fine antiques in Surrey and London and—"
    "James… this is so sudden." Her heart was beating so hard, she was afraid it was going to break a rib.
    His dark eyes glowed with emotion. "You're wrong, Pussy-Kat, it's just that I've suddenly opened my eyes. I want to be with you. Marry me."
    Kat searched his face, daring to hope. "James, is this a permanent role?"
    His eyes shone with sincerity. "Most definitely."
    She smiled. "Then… yes."
    His breath whooshed out and his grin revealed both dimples as he lowered his mouth to hers. "Brilliant—I've always wanted to get the girl."

    The End

A note from the author

    Thank you so much for reading my romantic mystery LICENSE TO THRILL, my tribute to the legendary Agent 007. In this book, I got to combine so many of the things I love—San