Sloan stood there in the dim hallway, looking ruggedly handsome, his blue eyes soft and questioning. His voice was just as soft when he spoke. “I thought I’d see if there’s anything you need.”

“No, there’s nothing. I’m fine.”

Sloan didn’t want to accept her answer. With effort he shoved his hands in his denim pockets, reminding himself of his promise not to touch her. If he gave Heather enough time, she might relent and forgive him. Meanwhile, though, he had to deal with his male ache. With his need to reach out and pull her into his arms.

In the quiet hush of the hallway, sexual tension pulsed between them, thick and palpable.

“Good night, Sloan,” Heather whispered hoarsely.

She started to turn away, but he reached out to capture her hand, unable to help himself. “Heather?”

She flinched and pulled it back. “Don’t.”

“You won’t forgive me?”

She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I forgive you. I just don’t want you here, in this room. I want to be left alone.”

“Heather … I told you I was sorry. All I’m asking for is a chance to show you how much.”

When she lifted her gaze to him, he could see her golden eyes stark with unhappiness.

She opened her fingers, offering him the tendollar gold piece. “You gave this to me last night, remember? In exchange for my sexual services.” Her voice trembled. “Well, I’ll gladly return it if you will go away. I’ll pay you not to touch me, Sloan. In fact … I’ll double the amount if you’ll only leave me in peace.”

She pressed the gold into his hand. Then, before he could react, she shut the door softly, inexorably, in his face.

She avoided Sloan whenever possible. Her additional responsibilities at the newspaper took Heather into town for a few hours each day, but there were still the long evenings to get through. She felt a little more secure in her future now that she’d begun to earn a modest income, but she had yet to decide what she would do once the election was over.

Heather was almost relieved when Richard Weld arrived later in the week to interview Sloan for the Denver newspaper. Having a guest in the house meant that meals no longer must be endured in enforced intimacy.

She suspected Richard sensed the tension between them, for during the two days of his visit she often felt his probing gaze on her. Before he left, however, she found the courage to broach a question to him about possible employment opportunities in Denver for a gentlewoman of limited means.

“Do I know the lady?” he asked.

“Well … yes. It’s myself.”

“Are you and Sloan moving to Denver after the election?”

“Not… exactly. I was considering going on my own.”

“You’re not planning to leave your husband?” Richard asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise and concern.