Remember When

that and shifted his feet. "I can handle myself just fine."
    "Good to know. Next, since I have a stake in seeing these gems are recovered, I prefer you at hand so I know exactly what you're doing about it. I can use seven hundred thousand dollars, just like the next guy."
    "Practical."
    "Last, I liked the sex and don't see why I should deprive myself of more of it. Easier to get you into bed if you're staying here."
    Since he didn't seem to be able to come up with a term for that one, she smiled. "I'm going up to shower."
    "Okay," he managed after she'd strolled upstairs. "That explains that."
    ***
    Thirty minutes later, she came back down looking fresh as the spring morning in a short green jacket and pants. Her hair was scooped back at the temples with silver combs and left to fall straight toward her shoulders in that bright flood.
    She walked up to Max and handed him a brass key ring. "Front and back doors," she told him. "If and when you get home before me, I'd appreciate you letting Henry out, giving him some play time."
    "No problem."
    "If and when I cook, you do the dishes."
    "Deal."
    "I like a tidy house and have no intention of picking up after you."
    "I was raised right. Thank Marlene."
    "That should do it for now. I've got to go."
    "Hold it, those are your rules. Now here are mine: Take this number." He pressed a card into her hand. "That's my cell. You call me when you leave for home. If you're not coming straight home for any reason, you let me know that, too."
    "All right." She slipped the card into her pocket.
    "You call that number if anything happens, anything that bothers you. I don't care how minor it seems, I want to hear about it."
    "So, if I get one of those calls from a telemarketer, I let you know."
    "I'm serious, Laine."
    "All right, all right. Anything else? I'm running very late."
    "If you hear from your father, you tell me. You tell me, Laine," he repeated when he saw her face. "Divided loyalties aren't going to do him any good."
    "I won't help you put him in prison. I won't do that, Max."
    "I'm not a cop. I don't put people in prison. All I want is to recover the gems, collect my fee. And keep us all healthy while I'm at it."
    "You promise me you won't turn him in, no matter what, and I'll promise to tell you if I hear from him."
    "Done." He held out a hand, shook hers. Then gave it a yank so she'd tumble into his arms. "Now kiss me goodbye."
    "All right."
    She took a good grip on his hips, rose on her toes and met his mouth with hers. She took it slow, rocking into him, changing the angle to tease, using her teeth to challenge. She felt his hands tunnel through her hair, fingers tangling. When the heat rose inside her, when she felt it pumping off him, she slid her hands around, gave his butt a squeeze.
    Her own pulse was tripping, but she enjoyed the sensation of being in control and turned her head so her lips were close to his ear.
    "That oughta hold me," she whispered, then drew away.
    "Now I'll kiss you goodbye."
    She laughed and slapped a hand on his chest. "I don't think so. Mark your place, then you can kiss me hello. I should be home by seven."
    "I'll be here."
    He went out with her, followed her into town and peeled off to go to his hotel.
    He stopped by the desk to ask the clerk to make up his bill for checkout.
    She scanned his face. "Oh, Mr. Gannon, are you all right? Were you in an accident?"
    "It was pretty much on purpose, but I'm fine, thanks. I'll be back down in a few minutes."
    He got in the elevator. He'd already decided to work on his notes and reports once he'd set up at Laine's. Might as well make himself comfortable. A man who traveled as often as he did knew how to pack quickly and with the least amount of fuss. He swung the strap of his garment bag over one shoulder, the strap of his laptop case over the other, and was walking out of the room fifteen minutes after he'd walked in.
    Back at the desk, he glanced over his bill, signed the credit slip.
    "I hope you enjoyed your stay."
    "I did." He made a note of her name tag. "One thing before I head out, Marti." Bending, he pulled a file out of his laptop case, flipped through for the photos of Jack O'Hara, William Young and Alex Crew. He laid them faceup on the desk. "Have you seen any of these men?"
    "Oh." She blinked at him. "Why?"
    "Because I'm looking for them." To this he added a thousand-watt smile. "How about it?"
    "Oh," she repeated, but this time she looked down at the photos. "I don't think so.