“Not for me. Never too corny, never too romantic. That won’t happen, Alex.” Christine smiled. I loved to see her like this. Her eyes twinkled and danced. I sometimes get lost in her eyes, fall into the deep pools, all that good stuff that people yearn for but few seem to get nowadays, which is sad.

She stared back, and my fingers lightly caressed her cheek. Then I held her under her chin. “Stardust” was playing. It’s one of my favorite songs, even under ordinary circumstances. I wondered if Hilton and Ephrain were playing the tune for us, and when I looked at him, Hilton gave me a sly wink.

We moved closer together and danced in place. I could feel her heart beating, feel it right up against my chest. We must have stayed like that for ten or fifteen minutes. No one at the bar seemed to notice; no one bothered us, offered to refill our drinks or escort us to our table. I guess they understood.

“I really like Kinkead’s,” Christine whispered. “But you know what? I’d rather be home with you tonight. Someplace a little more private. I’ll make you eggs, whatever you’d like. Is that all right? Do you mind?”

“No, I don’t mind at all. That’s a perfect idea. Let’s go.”

I paid our bar bill and made my regrets about the dinner reservation. Then we went to Christine’s.

“We’ll start with dessert,” she said, and smiled wickedly. I liked that about her, too.

Chapter 39

I HAD BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME to be in love again, but this was worth it and then some. I grabbed hold of Christine as soon as we were inside her house. My hands began to trace her waist, her hips; they played over her breasts, her shoulders, then touched the delicate bones of her face. We liked to do this slowly, no need to rush. I kissed her lips, then gently scratched her back and shoulders. I pulled her closer, closer.

“You have the gentlest touch,” she whispered against my cheek. “I could do this all night. Be just like this. You want some wine? Anything? I’ll give you anything I have.”

“I love you,” I told her, still lovingly scratching her lower back. “We will do this forever. I have no doubt of it.”

“I love you so much,” she said, then I heard her breath softly catch. “So please try to be careful, Alex. At work.”

“Okay, I will. But not tonight,” I said.

Christine smiled. “Not tonight. Tonight you can live dangerously. We both will. You are handsome, and debonair for a policeman.”

“Or even for an international jewel thief.”

I swept her up and carried her down the hallway to the bedroom. “Mmm. Strong, too,” she said. She flicked on a hall lamp as we passed. It was just enough light to see where we were going.