Megan's mate

How come you're so mad at everything?

I'm not.

Wearily she sat on the e.g. of the bed.

I've just got a little headache. I'm

sorry I snapped at you.

She held out her arms, sighing when he filled them.

You're

such a handsome dork, Kev.

When he laughed, she kissed the top of his head.

Let's go down. Maybe Alex and Jenny are here.

They were, and Alex was just as disgusted with his tie as Kevin was with his. But there was too much going on for the boys to sulk for long. There were canape's to gobble, babies to play with and adventures to plan.

Everyone, naturally, was talking at once.

The volume in the room cut through Megan's aching head like a rusty saw. She accepted the flute of champagne Trenton II offered her, and did her best to pretend an interest in his flirtation. He was trim and tall and tanned, glossily handsome and charming. And Megan was desperately relieved when he turned his attentions on Coco.

Make a nice couple, don't they?

Nathaniel murmured in her ear.

Striking.

She took a cube of cheese and forced it down.

You don't look in the party mood, Meg.

I'm fine.

To distract him, she changed the subject.

You might be interested in

what I think I might have walked in on this afternoon.

Oh?

Taking her arm, he steered her toward the open terrace doors.

Coco and Dutch.

Fighting again? Saucepans at twenty paces?

Not exactly.

She took a deep breath of air, hoping it would clear her head.

They

were... at least I think they were...

Nathaniel's brows shot up. He could fill in the blanks himself.

You're joking.

No. They were nose-to-nose, with their arms around each other.

She managed to

smile even as she rubbed at the throbbing in her temple.

At my unexpected and

ill-timed entrance, they jumped apart as if they'd been planning murder. And they were blushing. Both of them.

The Dutchman, blushing?

Nathaniel started to laugh, but it began to sink in.

Good God.

I think it's sweet.

Sweet.

He looked back inside, where Coco, regally elegant, was laughing over something Trenton had whispered in her ear.

She's out of his league. She'll break his heart.

What a ridiculous thing to say.

Lord, why didn't her head just fall off her shoulders and give her some relief?

Sporting events have leagues, not romances.

The Dutchman and Coco.

It worried him, because they were two of the very few people in the world he could say he loved.

You're the accountant, sugar, and you're going to tell me that adds up?

I'm not telling you anything,

she shot back.

Except I think they're attracted to each other. And stop calling me 'sugar.'

Okay, simmer down.

He looked back down at her, focused on her.

What's the

matter?

Guiltily she dropped her hand. She'd been massaging her temple again.

Nothing.

With an impatient oath, he turned her fully to face him, looked into her eyes.

Headache, huh? Bad one?

No, it's-Yes,

she admitted.

Vicious.

You're all tensed up.

He began to knead her shoulders.

Tight as a spring.

Don't.

This is purely therapeutic.

He rubbed his thumbs in gentle circles over her collarbone.

Any pleasure either of us gets out of it is incidental. Have you always been prone to headaches?

His fingers were strong and male and magical. It was impossible not to stretch under them.

I'm not prone to headaches.

Too much stress.

His hands skimmed lightly up to her temples. She closed her eyes with a sigh.

You bottle too much up, Meg. Your body makes you pay for it.

Turn around, let me work on those shoulders.

It's not

But the protest died away when his hands began to knead at the knots.

Relax. Pretty night, isn't it? Moon's full, stars are out. Ever walk up on the cliffs in the moonlight, Megan?

No.

Wildflowers growing right out of the rock, the water thundering. You can imagine those ghosts Kevin's so fond of strolling hand in hand. Some people think it's a lonely place, but it's not.

His voice and his hands were so soothing. She could almost believe there was nothing to worry about. '

There's a painting at Suzanna's of the cliffs in moonlight, Megan offered, trying to focus on the conversation.

Christian Bradford's work I've seen it. He had a feel for that spot. But there's nothing like the real thing. You could walk with me there after dinner. I'll show you.

This isn't the time to fool around with the girl.

Colleen's voice cut through the

evening air, and she stamped her cane in the doorway.

Though Megan tensed again, Nathaniel kept his hands where they were and grinned.

Seems like a fine time to me, Miss Colleen.

Ha! Scoundrel.

Colleen's lips twitched. Nothing she liked better than a handsome scoundrel.

Always were. I remember you, running wild through the village. Looks like the sea made a man of you, all right. Stop fidgeting, girl. He's not going to let loose of you. If you're lucky.

Nathaniel kissed the top of Megan's head.

She's shy.

Well, she'll have to get over it, won't she? Cordelia's finally going to feed us. I want you to sit with me, talk about boats.