“Alex wouldn’t have given you an interview if you hadn’t had a solid reputation in your field.” Jordan unlocked the door and put the luggage in the backseat. “When he phoned to tell me the deed was done, he said he was very impressed with you so you probably would have gotten the interview eventually anyway. I merely accelerated the process.”
She reached out impulsively to grasp his arm. “But why did you do it?”
He tensed and his gaze fell to her hand on his arm. Her gaze followed his own and she was suddenly acutely conscious of the pale slenderness of her fingers against the bronze muscularity of his forearm … of the warmth of his skin … of the magnetic vitality he exuded as an almost palpable force.
She quickly withdrew her hand and smiled with an effort. “I thought we’d agreed there’d be no more presents.”
“This wasn’t a present. It was reparation.”
“Reparation?”
He nodded. “I took nine months out of your career when I persuaded you to give it up when we were married. Since I stole something you valued, it was only right that I give you something you valued in return.”
She swallowed to ease the sudden tightness in her throat. “Alex Ben Raschid on a silver platter?”
His rare warm smile lightened the gravity of his face. “I doubt if anyone would dare even to try to serve Alex up on any kind of dish, but I’m glad if I could help. I’m afraid you’ll have to get Margaret Thatcher on your own. I’ve never met the lady.” He helped her into the car and in another moment was sliding into the driver’s seat beside her. “Lean back and relax. If you go to sleep, I’ll wake you when I get you home.”
She shook her head. “Drop me off at World Report. I have to file my story right away or it won’t get in this week’s issue.”
“It’s after three o’clock in the morning. You’re exhausted.” The sudden violence in his voice startled her. “Why the hell can’t it wait until—” He stopped as he saw her expression, and when he spoke again his tone was totally controlled. “You absolutely must file it tonight?”
She nodded. “Deadlines. It goes with the territory.”
“Okay.” He backed the Mercedes out of the parking space. “I’ll drive you to your office and wait outside until you’ve finished your work. Then I’ll drive you home.”
She frowned. “That’s crazy. It may be hours before I’m free to leave. Just drop me off and I’ll take a taxi back to the loft.”
“I’ll wait for you,” he repeated. He met her gaze and smiled faintly. “As you said, it goes with the territory.”
The knock on the door was loud and authoritative.
“I’ll be right there.” Sara snatched up her Windbreaker lying on the bed and hurried toward the door. “You’re early.” She threw open the door. “I expected—”
“But the unexpected is always more interesting.” Cam grinned as he leaned forward to plant a kiss on the tip of her nose. “You should have learned that by now, Sara. Jordan seldom does what anyone expects him to do.”
“I thought you’d gone back to Papeete. Jordan didn’t mention you were still here.” She gave him a quick hug, feeling the warm affection that Cam always managed to instill in everyone he met. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“According to Jordan, he’s been keeping you pretty busy himself for the last week or so. I thought I’d keep a low profile until you and Jordan had a chance to work things out.” His smile faded. “Lord, I’m glad that’s happening, luv.”
“So am I,” she said softly. “But it’s too early yet to do anything but hope.”
“You sound like Jordan.” His gaze searched her face. “Hope seems to be enough to make you light up inside, though.”
Sara wasn’t surprised she was giving that impression. She sometimes thought the radiance blossoming inside her could light up all of San Francisco. “You were right about Jordan. He has changed.” She had never dreamed Jordan could be as gentle and restrained as he had been this last week. He had shown her an entirely different side of his nature. She had always known he was brilliant and charismatic, but she had never realized he could be both understanding and kind.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Cam’s dark eyes were gentle. “Have you finally got yourself a friend in him?”
“Not yet. But maybe I will soon, Cam.” She felt a rush of wild joy. Very soon. She could feel it coming, sense it just beyond the horizon. She slipped into her jacket. “Jordan is supposed to be here any minute to take me to see a building site he bought across the bay. Why don’t you come with us?”
“The plans are changed. Jordan called and asked me to pick you up. He gave me directions and said he’d meet us there.”
Sara experienced a slight uneasiness mixed with disappointment. “Oh, I guess he was too busy to come himself.” It wasn’t reasonable of her to expect to receive Jordan’s undivided attention. After all, he’d spent nearly every evening with her since the night she’d returned from Sedikhan. Yet she was disappointed, dammit.
Cam shrugged. “Search me. He said something about a test. I don’t know what the hell he was talking about.”
“I think I do,” she said softly, remembering Jordan’s words of the evening they had sat on the girders overlooking the city. He was challenging himself again, fighting his possessiveness and jealousy as he had his fear for her. “I believe I know exactly what he meant.” She linked her arm with Cam’s as she shut the door behind her. “Come along, Cam, I have a hunch this is going to be a splendiferous afternoon.”
He frowned, puzzled. “If you say so. Personally, I’m not wild about trekking all over the countryside. I’m strictly a city boy.” He added hastily, “But if I’m forced to endure all this bucolic nonsense, I’m glad it’s with such pleasant company.”
“Knock it off, Cam,” she said as they entered the elevator. “I’m only your sister-in-law. Save your gallantry for more important prey.”
“I’m always gallant,” he said indignantly. “It’s part of my irresistible charm.”
The afternoon was just as wonderful as Sara had hoped it would be. She could feel the happiness bubbling inside her as she paced the building site, chatting gaily with Cam and Jordan. She couldn’t seem to keep still. The sunlight was too golden, the sky too blue, her mood too ebullient to hide what she was feeling. She ran back and forth like an eager puppy, pointing out the view of the bay and then the beautiful stand of eucalyptus that bordered the northern boundary of the property. “There’s nothing that smells better than eucalyptus. Do you remember that huge ghost gum tree at Half Moon? I used to breathe in the scent and think there was absolutely nothing—” She broke off as she intercepted the indulgent smiles Cam and Jordan were exchanging. She made a face at both of them. “Have I ever told you how I hate to be patronized?” She whirled in a circle. “But I refuse to let either of you macho Australian types bother me. I feel too good.”
Jordan shook his head, his hard mouth curving in a smile that was strangely gentle. “Perhaps we’re not being patronizing so much as envious. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to get that much joy out of life. It’s … rather wonderful.”
She stood laughing at him, lifting her hand to brush away a tousled lock of fair hair from her face. He was the one who was wonderful, she thought. Sunlight glinted on his dark hair and the strong breeze flattened his blue chambray shirt against his broad chest and whipped color into his face, warming the bronze of his skin. He was standing with his legs parted, his worn jeans outlining his slim hips and muscular thighs with loving detail. He looked totally male and so sensual she could feel a tingle of heat go through her as she looked at him. It came as a shock. Jordan had kept all hint of sexuality from his demeanor for the last week and made no attempt to arouse her in any way. He wasn’t trying now, but that didn’t prevent her from responding to the animal magnetism that was one of his most salient characteristics. She found her laughter dying as her breath caught in her throat.
He knew what she was feeling. S
he could see it in the sudden stillness of his face. She moistened her lips nervously with her tongue and felt her nipples hardening against the cotton of her T-shirt. She should look away. It was far too soon to risk a sexual encounter with Jordan. If her mind knew that, why couldn’t her body be equally sensible? It was readying itself, the heat cascading through her. Yes, she should definitely look away.
It was Jordan who looked away. He turned and glanced out over the bay. “We’d better start back.” His words were clipped, the lines of his body taut. “You drive her home, Cam.” He started across the grass to the Mercedes parked on the road.
Happiness. Wild, shining happiness. He had known how vulnerable she was in that moment and had made no move to take advantage of her weakness. No manipulation, no seduction, just honesty, restraint, integrity. “Wait.” Her voice was lilting. “Wait, Jordan.”
He stopped but didn’t turn around. She was conscious of the tension that corded his every muscle. “Yes?”
“I want to throw a party. You’ve never met my friends here and I’d like you to get to know some of them. Why don’t you and Cam come tonight and we’ll open a few bottles of wine and—”
“Not tonight.”
“You’re busy?” She couldn’t keep the disappointment from her voice. “I know it’s short notice but—”
He muttered something beneath his breath. “Very well, I’ll be there.” Then he was again striding toward the Mercedes.
“I didn’t mean I wanted him to cancel his plans,” Sara murmured. “I just wanted—”
“He realized that.” Cam’s gaze was knowing as it followed his brother. “This hasn’t been an easy time for Jordan. He’s come a long way in a short time and it would be understandable if he did a little backsliding. Don’t expect too much from him, Sara, okay?”
“I only want him to come to a party, not achieve nuclear disarmament,” she said dryly. “I don’t see what the big deal is.”
He took her arm and urged her gently toward his car parked directly behind Jordan’s. “You may before the evening is over.” His eyes were suddenly twinkling. “And since you’ve pleaded so prettily for my company, I’ll be glad to attend your party.”
“Oh, Cam, I’m sorry. I’d be terribly disappointed if you didn’t come. It was just that Jordan—”
“Hush. I know.” He gave her a sly sidewise glance. “However, if you’d really care to make amends, make sure you invite a few of your most gorgeous women friends to soothe my ego.”
“Done.” She grinned. “Tall and blond?”
He nodded. “Whatever. I’m easy to please.”
She gave an inelegant snort. “Not from what I hear. I’ll see if I can find a woman in San Francisco who hasn’t heard of your reputation.”
“I’ve only been in town a week. How could I earn a reputation for sexual debauchery in that time?”
“For you that’s more than long enough.” Her exuberance was returning along with her optimism. Her footsteps quickened. “Come on, there isn’t much time. I have people to call and then I should go to the deli and pick up some wonderful cheeses and things.” Her brow wrinkled as she tried to remember what she had in her cupboard. “Maybe you could do that for me, Cam. Then I could go to the liquor store and choose the wine.”
“First a Don Juan and now an errand boy.” He held up his hand to stop her protests. “I’m joking. I’ll be glad to help. I’m sure this will be one hell of a wingding.”
“He’s not bad,” Penny said reluctantly as she gazed across the room at Jordan, who was listening attentively as Rhonda Schwartz described her new sculpture with grandiose gestures. “He’s certainly managed to charm everyone in sight tonight.”
“And you too,” Sara said teasingly. “Admit it, Penny, you like him.”
“He’s brilliant. His insight on that furor in the Middle East is very impressive.” Then as she met Sara’s gaze she nodded slowly. “I found him fascinating, witty, and charming. Does that satisfy you?”
Sara shook her head. “I want you to like him.”
“You don’t like a volcano,” Penny said dryly. “You admire it for its beauty, respect it for its power, and fear it for its potential. But you don’t want to take it home and make a pet of it.” Her face softened. “Unless your name is Sara O’Rourke”
“He’s changed,” Sara said. “He’s much more open and free than when I knew him before.”
“Are you sure you’re not seeing just what you want to see?”
For a moment Sara experienced a flicker of uncertainty. Then, as her gaze returned to Jordan across the room, she was reassured. “No, he’s really changed. Jordan used to hate parties. He’d do anything to avoid one. Now look at him. He’s actually enjoying himself.”
“Is he?” Penny put her glass of wine down on the table beside the door. “Well, he gives that appearance … when he’s not watching you. I must run along, I have to catch a plane to L.A. early in the morning.”
“Watching me?” Sara frowned. “He hasn’t been watching me.”
“Not obviously, maybe.” Penny smiled crookedly. “But I’d bet he knew exactly where you were in this room every moment of the evening. Now, walk me to the elevator like a proper hostess. I want to tell you about the award Kelly O’Brian won for that picture we ran in the last issue.”
“That shot of the whale? That was great. Only Kelly could have captured that sense of vulnerability as well as strength.” She followed Penny out the door and across the hall to the elevator. “It was mesmerizing.”
“Yes, it was.” Penny stepped into the elevator. “Good night, Sara. It’s been a great party.” She turned on the switch and the elevator lurched and then started to move. “But beware of the volcano. I wouldn’t want you in the way when he decides to erupt.”
Sara laughed. “Penny, he’s not going—” She stopped. The elevator had carried Penny out of hearing. Her smile faltered as she felt a frisson of uneasiness. She respected Penny’s judgment, but her friend was mistaken this time. Penny didn’t understand Jordan or the effort he was making. She heard a burst of laughter and turned back to the apartment, an eager smile on her lips. No, Penny didn’t understand.
Two hours later she closed the door on the last guest and turned to Jordan, sighing contentedly. “It was fun, wasn’t it? I love parties.” She started to gather up glasses and plates that had been left on the table by the door. “Lord, this place looks like a disaster area. I saw you talking to Raymond Vardeck. Was he trying to sell you one of his paintings? The poor man has been trying to acquire a rich patron for the last two years. He hates the life of a starving artist.”
“Then why does he paint?” Jordan picked up two glasses and an hors d’oeuvres tray and followed her to the kitchen.
“Oh, he loves painting, he just hates the starving part. He’s pretty good, really. That’s one of his paintings over the couch.” She stacked the dishes on the cabinet. “I traded him four goulash dinners for it. It’s called ‘The Chrysanthemum.’ ”
Jordan dubiously eyed the yellow and orange splotches on the ivory background of the canvas. “I believe one dinner would have been sufficient.”
“You’re too critical. I like it. It’s bright and cheerful.” She took the hors d’oeuvres tray from him and set it on the counter. “And it makes me happy to look at it.”
A smile lit his face. “Then it’s definitely a four-dinner masterpiece.” His gaze was searching on her face. “Why did you bother with Vardeck? I know it wasn’t for that clumsy painting.”
“I felt sorry for him. It’s not easy being an artist.” She started loading the dishwasher. “And he loves my goulash. Anyone who has the good sense to like my cooking at least has the right instincts. When he’s not whining, Raymond can be rather sweet.”
“And what about the others? You have quite an eclectic group of friends. Artists, sculptors, school-teachers, automobile mechanics.”
“I like people,” she said simply. “And I find most of them interesting enoug
h to cultivate.”
“And they like you.” Jordan was regarding her intently. “Whenever I saw you this evening you were surrounded. Someone was always smiling at you, talking to you.” He looked away from her. “Touching you.”
She carefully positioned a glass in the upper section of the dishwasher. “Penny said she thought you were brilliant.”
“I like your friend Penny, but I don’t think she likes me.”
She poured detergent into the dispenser. “Penny doesn’t dislike you. She’s just a little wary on my behalf.”
Jordan nodded. “She loves you. I don’t blame her for not trusting me.”
She looked up at him. “You don’t?”
“She’s intelligent enough to see a good deal that other people don’t. What did she say to you?”
Her face lit with amusement. “She called you a volcano.”
He chuckled. “I’ve been called worse. Dormant, I hope?”
“She didn’t specify, but I gathered she thought you were reasonably active. I told her she had nothing to worry about.”
He went still. “You did?”
“I told her you weren’t the same person I knew at Half Moon.” She paused. “That I could trust you.”
He looked as if she had struck him. “That was … generous of you. I thought it would take a great deal longer to convince you I’m treading the virtuous path.” He glanced away from her again. “But then, you always were a very trusting person. It made it much easier for me to manipulate you in the past. I would have thought you’d have learned it’s dangerous to be so trusting, Sara.”
She looked at him in bewilderment. “But you told me to trust you. And you have changed, Jordan. I can see it, feel it.”
“Not that much.” A muscle jumped in his cheek as he turned away. “I’ve got to get out of here. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“What’s wrong?” Sara watched him stride across the room. “Jordan, did I say something to—”
“No, you didn’t say anything.” He opened the door and turned to face her. She inhaled sharply as she saw the torment that tautened his features. “I’m trying. God knows. I’m trying. But I’m only halfway there. Don’t trust me too far.” His voice suddenly grew harsh. “I like your friends, Sara, but I hated seeing them with you. I didn’t want you to smile at them. I don’t want you to smile at anyone but me. It rubs me raw to see you—” He stopped and drew a ragged breath. “But you’re a woman people will always want to smile at and touch and—” He broke off again. “So I’d better get used to it, hadn’t I”
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