Passion's Price. Gwynne Forster

      She hadn’t thought that Mike would feel anxious about her leaving, or that he would feel as uneasy as she felt. I’ve learned more about myself in the past two days than in the past ten years, she thought to herself. “I told you that I’ll stay in touch, Mike. If it’s at all humanly possible, I keep my word,” she said. She could almost feel him relax.

      “When are you returning to Maryland, and what will you do for the remainder of your stay?”

      “After I look over my notes, I’m going to get the information that I came here to get, and I hope that won’t take more than an additional day.”

      “Be careful. If I can help, let me know.”

      He stopped the car in front of the hotel and put his official police ID against the windshield. He wrote something on the back of his card and handed it to her. “Don’t lose that. For obvious reasons, my phone number is unlisted.” He got out of the car and went around to open her door. “I know it’s old-fashioned, but I like to open doors for women when they’re special to me,” he said.

      “How many women are special to you?”

      He tweaked her nose. “You are. I’ll walk you to your room.”

      She appreciated his courtesy, but she also wanted to work. And she didn’t think that she would accomplish much if he were in her room with her.

      At the desk, she asked for another room key and got a knowing look from the desk clerk, who handed her the card key along with a handful of messages. Once they reached her door, she tried to avoid looking at him.

      “Why can’t you look at me?” he asked, as he closed the door behind them.

      She looked up at him and breathed deeply. She didn’t see the fiery passion that had burned in his eyes the night before, but rather a tenderness, a sweetness that she had never before seen in any man’s eyes. She automatically moved toward him and welcomed the loving warmth of his arms around her and the feel of his hands on her body.

      “Darlene, I’d like to have dinner with you tonight,” he whispered, hugging her.

      “You’ve practically guaranteed that I’ll say yes. I’m no match for you.”

      He moved back an inch and stared into her face until her blood began to warm her veins in a mad race to her loins. As if he read her reaction to him, he brushed her lips with his, and she opened to him. Then he plundered her lips and possessed her until her body slumped against him.

      “If I don’t get out of here… I’ll never be able to leave.” He kissed her quickly and left without waiting for her response. Shaken, she quickly drank two glasses of cool water to calm herself.

      She read the messages left at the front desk from her brother and sister and her law partners, and sent a text message to each of them. Then she studied her notes. Satisfied that the trip wasn’t a total loss, she contacted some of the others on her list and arranged to meet them. She had most of the information she needed to confirm her client’s alibi with just a few phone calls.

      Darlene was excited as she contemplated dinner with Mike. She decided to wear an off-the-shoulder chiffon dress that fit her body like a glove. She added pearl earrings, lipstick that was the same rose color of her dress, and a dab of perfume to complete her ensemble. Her hair hung in soft curls below her shoulders.

      Darlene jumped when the phone rang a few minutes before seven. It was the front desk. She had a visitor. Darlene could barely contain her excitement. “I’ll be right down,” she said.

      Mike stood facing the elevator when she stepped out of it, and his eyes shone like brilliant stars. He handed her a bouquet of tea roses and kissed her cheek. “You are beautiful,” he said.

      “You look wonderful, Mike. I’m glad to be with you.”

      “Hey, that’s my line.” He walked with her to the desk and handed the bouquet to the clerk. “Please have someone put these in Ms. Cunningham’s room.”

      “Yes, sir,” the man said.

      “We’re going to Equestria. I like the atmosphere there, and you’re so lovely you deserve a restaurant that is as beautiful as you.”

      “Thank you.” She wanted to let him know how much his thoughtfulness had touched her, but no other words came.

      He reached over and pressed her body to him. “Why are you nervous? I want to know where that sassy, rambunctious woman is hiding.”

      “I can’t help you,” she said, “because I don’t know anyone like that.”

      He listed some of the smart-mouthed comments she’d made, adding, “Please don’t do away with her. That woman whets my appetite.” She wasn’t about to reply to that.

      He drove along Forest Hill Irene Road and stopped at a gray-and-red one-story building, surrounded by trees and shrubs. She knew before they reached the door that he was taking her to a special place.

      “I’m sorry they don’t have live music here,” he said as they followed the maître d’ to their table. “We can go dancing afterward if you like.”

      “It’s a beautiful place,” she said. “I could sit here with you all evening.”

      “I hope you’re trying to make me feel like a king, because that’s what you’re doing.”

      “Why not? Every woman wants a king.”

      “I think I’ll stay on the safe side and not touch that one. What time does your flight leave tomorrow?”

      “Three-twenty, which means I won’t get to say good bye to Boyd. I hate that.”

      “You want to stop by after dinner and spend half an hour with him? Then we can drop by the Cappricio, which is in the Peabody, catch some jazz and dance. What do you say?”

      “I’d love that. Won’t Boyd be about ready to go to bed when we finish here?”

      “Hardly. He plays solitaire on his computer until midnight. Then he gets a book and starts reading. He’s a very interesting man.”

      “I know,” she said. “He’s such a sweet man. There ought to be a lot of people like him.”

      “I gather he’s under police protection.”

      “Please make sure nothing happens to him.”