Mad About You

slight curves. "Hi."
    He kept both hands around the broom handle and fought the urge to drag her into his arms for a very hot—and very public—kiss. "Hi, yourself."
    "April isn't here yet," she explained, her voice unnaturally high.
    After a few seconds of awkward silence, he said, "You look better than the last time I saw you."
    At last she smiled. "So do you."
    They stood staring at each other, and Ladden wondered if she would avoid him after today—after she'd obtained the only thing of his that she'd ever really wanted, he realized with sad clarity. Forget his heart, his soul, his body... the rug, a gift for her boyfriend's bedroom, was what she desired most.
    The sun went behind a dark cloud and a stiff gust of wind blasted over them, staggering Jasmine. "Let's go inside," he shouted over the whistling noise. After glancing up and down the street again, she nodded and followed him into the store.
    The bell clanged noisily when he pulled the door closed behind them. "Whew! Must be a storm blowing in from the coast."
    Smoothing a hand over her hair, she nodded. "That wind feels weirdly familiar—like that blast that threw me off balance last night."
    Ladden discarded his broom but crossed his arms to keep his hands occupied and off Jasmine. "Are you sure you weren't pushed?"
    Her dark brow crinkled. "I'm certain."
    "You were completely alone?"
    "Absolutely. Why?"
    He shook his head. "Gene came in the store today and said something about arranging for you to fall into the pool. I was afraid he had pushed you."
    "No." She tilted her head, her green eyes dancing. "He's filling your head with more fairy tales."
    "Um, actually, Jasmine, I think you should take a look at the rug before your assistant arrives."
    "I don't know—"
    "I'll stay right here," he added quickly.
    "Well, the storm will probably delay her for a few minutes," she conceded.
    At that moment, it darkened noticeably outside, as if the sun had simply dropped from the sky. Streetlights flickered, then glowed, and a driving rain began falling in great, slashing sheets.
    "Where did this come from?" Ladden asked, peering out the windows. "I can't even see your car from here."
    When a dull peal sounded, Jasmine extracted a phone from her purse and slid up the antenna. "Hello?... April, where are you?" Concern cluttered her face. "I'm just glad you're okay.... Don't worry, I won't drive in this mess.... I'll see you tomorrow." She punched a button, then returned the phone to her bag.
    Ladden had pulled a dusty radio from beneath the counter. With one eye on Jasmine, he searched for a weather report. "Is your assistant all right?"
    "She hydroplaned off a shoulder, but she's fine, just a little shaken up."
    "Good... good that she's fine, I mean."
    Her smile was tremulous, and she didn't make eye contact. "I guess I'll just wait out the storm here, if you don't mind."
    He guessed she was weighing the consequences of being discovered in his company, so he offered her a tidbit of comfort. "Even nosy reporters won't be out in this soup." When he heard the strains of an official-sounding report coming over the tinny built-in speaker, he turned up the volume.
    "...dangerously high winds and torrential rain, visibility near zero. Residents are advised to take cover away from windows. The rain is expected to continue until dawn. The following roads are closed due to flash flooding: Bayview, Avon, Candlelight Court, Stanton..."
    "Did he say Candlelight Court?" she asked.
    "Maybe not for long," he soothed, sensing her rising panic. He could practically see the barrier she'd erected around herself.
    "Right." She inhaled deeply, then smiled. "You wanted me to see the rug?"
    "Let me grab a flashlight, just in case the electricity goes."
    With the wind rattling the windows, he led the way back to the storeroom, wondering how she would react to the carpet, if she would even believe he'd had nothing to do with putting it up there.
    "I don't quite know how to explain this," he said before opening the door, "so I'll just let you make up your own mind."
    Pushing open the door, he allowed her to enter, then he followed. One step inside the room, he froze, his eyes bulging.
    "Greetings, Master."
    Grinning wide, Gene bowed, then swept his arm toward a small table that had been lavishly set for two, complete with glowing candles.

Chapter Thirteen

    JASMINE SEETHED. Twinkling crystal and romantic candlelight in a storage room made for a beautifully clandestine dinner. Ladden