“I need some pictures.” Hands steady again, Mel set the glasses aside and took up the camera, with its telescopic lens. “If we can’t convince Devereaux to move, maybe these will.”

Patiently she took half a roll, waiting when they moved out of view, snapping when they walked in front of the window again. Her chest hurt. There was such terrible pressure there that she rubbed the heel of her hand against it.

“Let’s walk.” She set the camera down on the floor of the car. “They may bring him out soon.”

“If you try to snatch him—”

“I’m not stupid,” she told him sharply. “I wasn’t thinking before. I know how it needs to be done.”

They got out on opposite sides, then rejoined on the sidewalk.

“It might look less conspicuous if you held my hand.” Sebastian held his out to hers. She studied it dubiously, then shrugged.

“Wouldn’t hurt, I guess.”

“You have such a romantic heart, Sutherland.” He swung their joined hands up to his lips and kissed her fingers. The rude name she called him only made him smile. “I’ve always enjoyed neighborhoods like this without ever wanting to live in one. Tidy lawns. A neighbor pruning roses over the fence.” He inclined his head toward a young boy speeding down the street on a bike. “Kids out playing. Barbecue smoke, and children’s laughter in the air.”

She’d always longed for a niche in such a place. Not wanting to admit it to him, or to herself, she shrugged. “Crabgrass. Nosy neighbors spying through the front blinds. Bad-tempered dogs.”

As if she’d called it up, one came barreling across a lawn, barking deep in its throat. Sebastian merely turned his head and stared. The dog stumbled to a halt, whimpered a little, then skulked away with his tail between his legs.

Impressed, Mel pursed her lips. “Nice trick.”

“It’s a gift.” Sebastian released her hand and put an arm around her shoulders. “Relax,” he murmured. “You don’t have to worry about him.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re tight as a drum. Here.” He shifted his hand, moving it to the base of her neck. When Mel felt his fingertips prod gently, she tried to shake him off.

“Look, Donovan—”

“Shhh. It’s another gift.” He did something, even with her wiggling away. She felt the tensed muscles of her shoulders go fluid.

“Oh,” she managed.

“Better?” He tucked her under his arm again. “If I had more time—God knows, if I had you naked—I’d work all the kinks out.” He grinned down into her astonished face. “It seems only fair to let you in on some of my thoughts from time to time. And I have been thinking about getting you naked quite a bit.”

Flustered, mortally afraid she might blush, she looked straight ahead. “Well, think about something else.”