"Did you see her again?"
"I got transferred to homicide soon afterward. Stopped working the drug busts. Next time I saw her was eleven years later. But I remembered the name. When I learned about Angelina and realized the dates matched, I checked it out."
"Why did you take her on? Surely, caring for a child has turned your life upside down."
"She was my child, and she was being tossed all over the place. Between Chantal, the social services, Chantal's sister. It was like my childhood, but without the love and material comforts. I didn't want her growing up like that."
"Why didn't Chantal's sister want her? Andy says she used to go and stay."
"She did. Desperately. Chantal's sister couldn't have kids herself. She'd tried IV, all kinds of medical treatments."
"Then why?"
"Chantal wouldn't let Angelina go. There was a lot of jealousy between Chantal and her sister. Chantal had the one thing her sister couldn't have, and she wasn't going to give that advantage away."
"Isn't that terribly selfish?"
"Drug addicts are not particularly concerned about the welfare of others."
Georgina shook her head slowly. “Scary, huh? One careless act, and your life changes forever."
"I'll drink to that.” Rick hoisted up the bottle of champagne and filled their glasses.
They shared the rest of the champagne as the fiery ball of the sun plunged into the ocean. When the darkness thickened, strings of softly glowing fairy lights illuminated the outline of the rooftop turrets.
Instead of a bill, the waiter delivered a basket of bath products bearing The Del brand to their table. The accompanying note was written out in Spanish. Emilio Ramirez, Head of Security, stood in big letters on top of the compliments slip.
"What does it say?” Georgina passed the slip to Rick.
Rick glanced at it, then looked at Georgina. His shoulders heaved with suppressed laughter.
"What?” she demanded.
"You don't want to know,” Rick said. “It's crude."
"Now I want to know even more."
"All right.” He picked up the slip and studied it, selecting the most appropriate translation.
"Should you get lucky tonight, your lady friend will need these.” He folded the slip and pushed it back into the basket. “He is harping back to when we were kids. I had a reputation of not taking enough baths."
"Oh,” Georgina said. Her mind went completely blank.
"Would you like to take a walk on the beach before we head back?” Rick asked her.
Georgina looked through the window into the darkness. Moonlight reflected in the restless waves, making the ocean look like a cauldron of molten silver.
A kiss. She had to get her kiss, but going out on that beach with him was beyond her courage. Her head spun with champagne. Her body tingled with a sense of anticipation that frightened her. She preferred to get her task accomplished in safer surroundings.
"I don't have proper shoes,” she said. “I'd like to just go home."
During the drive they remained silent. Rick held her hand as he helped her in, and reclaimed it when the car was halfway across the bridge. She could feel the warmth spreading from his fingers to hers.
When they got out, he slipped a folded bill to the driver and wished him good night. Georgina wondered if Andy had waited up, and was watching them through one of the dark windows.
"Would you like to have a cup of tea?” she asked, nervously clutching the basket of bath products. “I mean, or coffee?"
Rick placed his hand over the small of her back, the way he'd done at the restaurant, and steered her toward the entrance. “I'll try the tea."
Inside the apartment, Georgina kicked off her high-heeled sandals. She draped the shawl over the handle of the living room door, and placed the bath product basket on the hall table. Then she went into the kitchen. Rick followed her. He shoehorned himself into one of the small chairs grouped around the fitted table at the end of the counter.
Georgina realized her hands were shaking. Water splashed over the sink as she filled the kettle. She clenched her hands into fists and took a long breath. If she didn't get her body under control soon, she'd end up scalding herself.
She reached up to the cupboard to take out two of her bone china mugs. One of them slipped from her fingers and crashed down to the tiled floor, where it shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces.
"Oh.” She stood still and stared down at the debris.
Rick dashed up and pulled her back from the shards. “Don't walk that way. You might cut your feet. I'll sweep it up."
"It was my favorite,” she said, staring desolately at him. “It was the one with cows."
"I know,” he said. He reached up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “We'll find you another one, sweetheart. It will be all right."
And then he bent down and kissed her.
It was a kiss of such exquisite tenderness it made Georgina's heart stop. Rick brushed his lips against hers, so softly there was hardly any pressure at all, just the warmth, and the friction of her lips against the slightly rougher texture of his. It overwhelmed her that a man of such physical strength could be so gentle.
"Wait,” Georgina said. She arched her back, fighting the burst of dizziness that was making her lose herself and fall into him. “I need to know something."
Rick skimmed his mouth along her cheek until his lips were next to her ear. “What is it?” he murmured.
"I need to know if I can trust you. How many times have you lied to me tonight?"
He straightened, still holding her in his arms, and looked into her eyes. “Only once,” he said.
"That's all right, then.” She gave him a little nod. “Will you promise never to lie to me again?"
She could see his throat moving as he swallowed. “I promise,” he said after a brief silence.
"Thank you.” She nodded at him once more.
"Why aren't you asking me what I've told you that wasn't true?"
"Because I know."
He raised a skeptical eyebrow. “What?"
"You don't like seafood."
He pulled a face. “I hate goddamn seafood."
Then he lowered his head and kissed her again. This time there was nothing gentle about it.
Rick knew he'd lost the battle against himself when Georgina had insisted that they share the warm chocolate cake covered with vanilla ice cream that she had ordered to finish the meal.
He leaned across the table and scooped up a few spoonfuls. Then he watched her. Georgina savored every bite. The pink tip of her tongue peeked in and out as she licked the melting ice cream off the spoon.
The endless sensuality of the simple act of eating reinforced his conviction that there were untapped passions behind the controlled exterior.
Her refusal to walk with him along the beach annoyed him more than he cared to admit. Then she invited him up for a coffee. He hoped he wasn't wrong when he took it as an invitation into her bed.
Her lips under his were soft and yielding. They made his blood race, until it roared in his ears and pounded against his temples. He ran his tongue along the edge of her mouth, feeling the timid response. Her body pressed against his, melting into him. However inexperienced she might be, he knew she couldn't be mistaken about the impact the kiss was having on him.
He ran his hands up her arms until he reached her shoulders, and the tiny straps that held up the dress. The bare skin felt like velvet under his touch.
He slipped a finger under each strap and nudged them down over her shoulders. The green dress began a slithering descent. He could see the curve of her breasts rising and falling with her frantic breathing. His stomach tightened, when he realized his speculation had been right—she wasn't wearing a bra under the dress.
"What are you doing?” she whispered.
"What do you think I'm doing?” he whispered back.
"Wait.” Georgina jerked away from him. The movement slipped the top of the dress over her breasts. The fabric bunched at her waist, where the pressure of his groin against her kept it from falling down.
"You can't do that,” Georgina said.
"Why?” he murmured, lowering his mouth to her lips again.
"Wait,” Georgina said. She struggled against him, and he released her. The dress fell further. Georgina gathered it against her body with one hand and backed away. “Wait here,” she said, gesturing at him with her free hand. Then she turned and hurried out to the hall.
Rick could hardly believe his luck. Georgina had appeared so jittery when he first kissed her, and now she was rushing out to the bathroom. To get herself ready for him. Could he really have been so totally off the mark, when he'd assumed her inexperienced? He had prepared himself for a long evening of coaxing and reassurance. Not that he minded. He was prepared to work hard to get what he wanted, harder than most men would.
There was no sound of the bathroom door closing or opening. Rick crossed the kitchen to peek into the hall. Georgina crouched down by the small table. Her leather briefcase lay at her feet, the side compartment open. She clutched a piece of paper, so worn from handling that one of the corners was torn.
"What's the problem?” he said, taking the first step to cover the distance between them.
"Nothing,” Georgina said. She rammed the piece of paper into the side pocket of the briefcase and pulled the zip. Then she bounced up, one hand clutching the dress around her waist. She spun on her bare heels and escaped into the living room.
He followed her, catching her behind one of the sofas. “Is something wrong?” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and backing her against the sofa until she stood wedged in tight.
"Flowers,” she said. “You can't take my clothes off. You haven't bought me flowers."
"Flowers?” he said, totally baffled. “What does that have to do with anything?"
"A gentleman buys a woman flowers before he tries to get her naked."
He lowered his head and nuzzled his lips along her bare shoulder. “Perhaps I'm not a gentleman."
"Then become one.” She gave him a shove so forceful it took him by surprise.
He backed off to give her space. “What do you want me to do?"
"Flowers,” Georgina said firmly. “You have to buy me flowers."
He raised a hand and rubbed it against the back of his head. “All right. I'll get you some tomorrow."
"All right,” Georgina agreed. “Then you can come back tomorrow."
"Now, wait a minute..."
He couldn't quite figure out how it happened, but somehow she managed to slip out of his grasp. Her small perfect breasts jiggled up and down as she circled to put the sofa between them.
"Come back tomorrow,” she told him. “I'll be here."
But you won't have a bottle of champagne sloshing inside you, giving you courage,
Rick thought as he contemplated Georgina through narrowed eyes. Not that it would make any difference in the end. It would take him a little longer, but the outcome would be just the same.
"Do you have a Yellow Book?” he asked.
"No. What's that?"
"A telephone directory."
"In the kitchen drawer."
"Will you at least go and find it for me?” he said, scrubbing his face with his hands. Damn the woman. She was a pain in the ass, but he was too churned up to simply walk away, which he knew he ought to have done.
The hem of the dress slipped down over Georgina's knees, forcing her to hobble as she returned with the Yellow Book.
Rick had already fished his cell phone out of his jacket pocket. He clutched it in one hand as he stood waiting. Georgina handed him the telephone directory. He didn't thank her. Pages rustled as he flicked through, balancing the heavy volume over his forearm. Flowers. Florists. He ran his finger down the page until he found a local number.
It took him three attempts to get the number right. No reply.
The next place at least had a recorded message. It told him they'd open at ten on Sunday morning.
He gave up after attempt number five. “Everywhere's closed.” He threw the directory on the sofa, where it bounced against the cushions and flipped down to the floor.
"That sounds reasonable,” Georgina said. “It's past midnight on a Saturday night."
"Won't tomorrow do?” Rick knew he was pleading, but he couldn't stop himself.
"In the UK there are all-night service stations on the motorways. Sometimes they have flowers.” Georgina gave him an earnest look, as though she was doing her best to be helpful.
"Don't you dare laugh at me,” Rick grumbled. “I can't guarantee I'll be able to control my temper.” His hands clenched into fists.
Walk out
, he told himself.
Leave, before you get down on your knees and beg.
Georgina tried to control her swift breathing. Cool air brushed over her bare breasts. Then she saw Rick staring at her with narrowed eyes, and his gaze burned every inch of her exposed skin.
"Put your dress back on.” His voice was rough and gravely.
Georgina met his eyes and held them as she slowly pulled the bodice up and slipped the shoulder straps over her arms. “Is this better?"
"Much better.” Rick stalked around the sofa until he stood only inches from her. “I've just realized there's no need for you to be naked.” He toppled her down on the sofa and trapped her body down with his.
Dear Lord. Georgina squeezed her eyes shut. Grandma Ethel had drilled it into her how dangerous it was to play with fire. Look where forgetting that lesson had got her now.
She'd panicked earlier. Things were moving too fast, and it scared her. For a moment, she had felt totally vulnerable. Then she remembered her list. The flowchart came to her rescue. Her means of restoring order. It stated in no uncertain terms that flowers had to come between a kiss and nudity.
She clung to that fact, as though her life depended on it.
But now, Rick's mouth was on hers again, crushing her lips, forcing them to open. Although really, as Georgina's scrupulous honesty made her admit, very little forcing was going on. Her body seemed to have become disconnected from her brain, reacting in curious ways that she couldn't control.