“Not entirely, but I’ve got a show opening in Philadelphia in a couple of days that needs some fine-tuning, and maybe even a new set, so I’m out of town for a week, at least.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“Not so much. We’ve had some nice times, but I think I’m too much of a working girl for you.”

“Call me when you get back?”

“Would you like to come to Philadelphia for a couple of days?”

“Probably not—too much going on here.”

“Okay, see you when I see you.” She came over, pecked him on the forehead, and left the room.

Stone went back to work. An hour later, Hev stuck her head in. “My guys have got your office in hand, I think. Mind if I start on the master suite?”

“Go right ahead.”

“Is the coast clear up there?”

“Clear, and likely to remain so.”

She smiled. “Oh, well.”

“Hev, would you like to join some friends and me for dinner tonight?”

She cocked her head and smiled at him. “What a nice idea. I’ll check my bag and see if I have something suitable.”

“I’ll bet you do. You can shower and change upstairs when you’re done with work.”

“Where are we going?”

“Rotisserie Georgette on Sixtieth.”

“Then put me down for a yes.” She left, closing the door behind her.

Stone called Dino. “You’re on for dinner.”

“I’ve already booked for three—Viv is in Miami for a couple of days. Seven-thirty.”

“We’ll see you there.”

—

STONE WENT UPSTAIRS at the end of the day, expecting to find Hev still working, but when he walked into the master suite, he heard her shower running. He considered calling on her there, but resisted the temptation. Then, while he was resisting, the door opened, and she appeared wearing only a bath towel.

“Oops,” she said, retreating behind the door.

“Quite all right. You look very nice in a towel.”

“Why don’t you relax, and I’ll be with you in a few minutes.”

“Good idea.” He stretched out on the bed and dozed.

42

STONE WAS STILL DOZING when he felt the bed move and opened an eye. Hev was sitting there, still wearing the towel, but her hair was dry and her makeup applied.

“What time is dinner?” she asked.

“Seven-thirty.”

“Then we have nearly an hour, don’t we?”

“We do.”

“How would you like to spend it?”

“Without the bath towel,” he replied.

She whipped it off and tossed it in the direction of the guest bath. “There, is that better?”

“Much better.” He reached for her, but she shied away.

“I’m not getting into bed with a fully clothed man,” she said. “I have my standards.”

Stone quickly fixed that, and she crawled across the bed and sank into his arms.

“Is this all part of the Strategic Services home security program?” he asked. “Mike Freeman didn’t mention it.”