Then, very defiantly, she turned back to her screen and buried herself in work.

FIVE

SINCE SYBILL WAS always on time and nearly everyone else in the world, as far as she was concerned, never was, she was surprised to find Phillip already sitting at the table he’d reserved for dinner.

He rose, offered her a killer smile and a single yellow rose. Both charmed her and made her suspicious.

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Sincerely. You look wonderful.”

She’d gone to some trouble in that area, but more for herself than for him. The call from her mother had left her miserably depressed and guilty. She’d tried to fight off both emotions by taking a great deal of time and putting a great deal of effort into her appearance.

The simple black dress with its square neck and long, snug sleeves was one of her favorites. The single strand of pearls was a legacy from her paternal grandmother and much loved. She’d swept her hair up in a smooth twist and added sapphire cabochon earrings that she’d bought in London years before.

She knew it was the sort of feminine armor that women slipped into for confidence and power. She’d wanted both. “Thank you again.” She slid into the booth across from him and sniffed the rose. “And so do you.”

“I know the wine list here,” he told her. “Trust me?”

“On wine? Why not?”

“Good.” He glanced toward the server. “We’ll have a bottle of the number 103.”

She laid the rose beside the leather-bound menu. “Which is?”

“A very nice Pouilly Fuisse. I remember from Shiney’s that you like white. I think you’ll find this a few very important steps up from what you had there.”

“Almost anything would be.”

He cocked his head, took her hand. “Something’s wrong.”

“No.” Deliberately she curved her lips. “What could be wrong? It’s just as advertised.” She turned her head to look out the window beside her, where the Bay stretched, dark blue and excitingly choppy under a sky going rosy with sunset. “A lovely view, a pretty spot.” She turned back. “An interesting companion for the evening.”

No, he thought, watching her eyes. Something was just a little off. On impulse he slid over, cupped her chin in his hand, and laid his lips lightly on hers.

She didn’t draw away, but allowed herself to experience. The kiss was easy, smooth, skilled. And very soothing. When he drew back, she raised an eyebrow. “And that was because?”

“You looked like you needed it.”

She didn’t sigh, but she wanted to. Instead, she put her hands in her lap. “Thank you once again.”

“Any time. In fact . . .” His fingers tightened just a little on her face, and this time the kiss moved a bit deeper, lasted a bit longer.

Her lips parted under his before she realized that she’d meant it to happen. Her breath caught, released, and her pulse shivered as his teeth scraped lightly, as his tongue teased hers into a slow, seductive dance.