HE HAD A place in mind.

The quiet cove with its lapping water and dappled shade was a perfect spot for a romantic picnic. He dropped anchor where the eelgrass gleamed wetly, and the sky canopied in unbroken autumnal blue overhead.

“Obviously my research on this area was lacking.”

“Oh?” Phillip opened a large cooler and retrieved a bottle of wine.

“It’s full of surprises.”

“Pleasant ones, I hope.”

“Very pleasant ones.” She smiled, raising a brow at the label on the wine he opened. “Very pleasant.”

“You struck me as a woman who’d appreciate a fine dry Sancerre.”

“You’re very astute.”

“Indeed I am.” From a wicker hamper he took two wineglasses and poured. “To pleasant surprises,” he said and tapped his glass to hers.

“Are there more?”

He took her hand, kissed her fingers. “We’ve barely started.” Setting his glass aside, he unfolded a white cloth and spread it on the deck. “Your table’s ready.”

“Ah.” Enjoying herself, she sat, shaded her eyes against the sun, and smiled up at him. “What’s today’s special?”

“Some rather nice paté to stir the appetite.” To demonstrate, he opened a small container and a box of stoned wheat crackers. He spread one for her and held it to her lips.

“Mmm.” She nodded after the first bite. “Very nice.”

“To be followed by crab salad à la Quinn.”

“Sounds intriguing. And did you make it with your own two hands?”

“I did.” He grinned at her. “I’m a hell of a cook.”

“The man cooks, has excellent taste in wine, appreciates ambience, and wears his Levi’s very well.” She bit into the paté again, relaxed now, the ground familiar and easily negotiated. “You appear to be quite a catch, Mr. Quinn.”

“I am indeed, Dr. Griffin.”

She laughed into her wine. “And how often have you brought some lucky woman to this spot for crab salad à la Quinn?”

“Actually, I haven’t been here with a woman since the summer of my sophomore year in college. Then it was a fairly decent Chablis, chilled shrimp, and Marianne Teasdale.”

“I suppose I should be flattered.”

“I don’t know. Marianne was pretty hot.” He flashed that killer grin again. “But being callow and shortsighted, I threw her over for a pre-med student with a sexy lisp and big brown eyes.”

“Lisps do weaken a man. Did Marianne recover?”

“Enough to marry a plumber from Princess Anne and bear him two children. But, of course, we know she secretly yearns for me.”

Laughing, Sybill spread a cracker for him. “I like you.”

“I like you, too.” He caught her wrist, holding it as he nibbled at the cracker she held. “And you don’t even lisp.”

When his fingers continued to nibble, at the tips of her fingers now, it wasn’t quite as easy to breathe. “You’re very smooth,” she murmured.

“You’re very lovely.”

“Thank you. What I should say,” she continued, and eased her hand out of his, “is that while you’re very smooth, and very attractive, and I’m enjoying spending time with you, I don’t intend to be seduced.”