“It was good,” she said with a sigh. “In fact, it felt so good, I’ve had to be careful with my temper ever since. I didn’t just want to hurt her, you see. I wanted to mangle her.”

He took her hand, curled it into a fist and raised it to his lips. “I’ll have to watch my step. Did you take much heat?”

“We both got suspended. My parents were appalled and embarrassed enough by my behavior to cancel my summer plans and switch me to another school.”

“But—” He cut himself off. Not every family was as supportive as his.

“It was the best thing that could have happened to me,” she told him. “I started off with a clean slate. I was still ugly, but I knew how to handle myself.”

Even if she didn’t realize she was carrying around some emotional scars, he did. He rolled over her, cupping her face in his hands. “Listen, McNee, you’re beautiful.”

Amused, she grinned. “Sure I am.”

He didn’t smile. In the dim light, his eyes were very intense. “I said, you’re beautiful. Why else haven’t I been able to get you out of my mind since the first time I saw you?”

“Intriguing,” she corrected. “Unusual.”

“Gorgeous,” he murmured, and watched her blink in surprise. “Ivory for skin, fire for hair, jade for eyes. And these.” He traced a fingertip over a sprinkling of freckles. “Gold dust.”

“You’ve already gotten me into bed, Alexi,” she said lightly. She had to speak lightly, or she’d humiliate herself with tears. “But the flattery is appreciated.” With a grin, she linked her arms around his neck. “But haven’t you heard the one about actions speaking louder than words?”

He arched a brow. “If you insist.”

“Oh, I do,” she murmured, as his mouth came down to hers. “I absolutely do.”

With her bag slapping hard against her hip, Bess raced into the office, ten minutes late. “I have a good excuse,” she called to Lori.

Her perpetually prompt partner was standing by the coffeepot, her back to the door. “It’s all right. I’m running behind myself.”

“You?” Bess dropped her bag, stretched her shoulders. She might have skipped her workout that morning, but she was feeling as limber as a snake. “What is it, a national holiday?” She crossed to the pot herself, chattering as she poured a cup. “Well, I’d save my excuse for another time, but I can hardly stand not to tell you.” She lifted shining eyes, then stopped after one look at Lori’s face. “What is it, honey?”

“It’s nothing.” After giving herself a shake, Lori sipped her coffee. “It’s just that Steven caught me on my way in.”

“Did he say something to upset you?”

“He said he loved me.” She pressed her lips together. She’d be damned if she’d cry over him again. “The sonofabitch.”

“Let’s sit down.” Bess curled a comforting arm around Lori’s shoulder. “You might not want to hear this, but I think he means it.”