Megan's mate

Nor, he thought ruefully, would he sleep tonight.

'Desire hath no rest.'

What?

Robert Burton. Nothing.

They walked toward the lights of The Towers. The shouting reached them before they crossed the lawn.

Coco,

Megan said.

Dutch.

Taking firm hold of Megan's hand, Nathaniel quickened his pace.

You're insulting and obnoxious,

Coco snapped at Dutch, her chin up, her hands planted on her hips.

His massive arms were folded across his barrel of a chest.

I saw what I saw, said

what I said.

I was not draped all over Trenton like a... a...

Barnacle,

Dutch said with relish.

Like a barnacle on the hull of a fancy yacht.

We happen to have been dancing.

Ha! That's what you call it. We got another name for it. Where I come from, we call it

Dutch!

Nathaniel cut off the undoubtedly crude description.

There.

Mortified, Coco smoothed down her dress.

You've made a scene.

You were the one making a scene, with that smooth-skinned rich boy. Flaunting yourself.

F-f-flaunting.

Enraged, she drew herself up to her full, and considerable, height.

I

have never flaunted in my life. You, sir, are despicable.

I'll show you despicable, lady.

Cut it out.

Prepared for fists to fly, Nathaniel stepped between them.

Dutch, what

the hell's wrong with you? Are you drunk?

A nip or two of rum never rattled my brain.

He glared over Nathaniel's shoulder at

Coco.

It's her that's acting snockered. Out of my way, boy, I've got a thing or two left to say.

You've finished,

Nathaniel corrected.

Out of his way.

All eyes turned to Coco. She was flushed, bright-eyed, and regal as a duchess.

I prefer to handle this matter myself.

Megan tugged gently on her arm.

Coco, don't you think you should go inside?

I do not.

She caught herself and added a friendly pat.

Now, dear, you and Nate

run along. Mr. Van Horne and I prefer to handle this privately.

But

Nathaniel,

Coco said, interrupting her,

take Megan inside now.

Yes, ma'am.

Are you sure we should leave them alone?

Nathaniel continued to steer Megan to the terrace . doors.

You want to get in the

middle of that?

Megan glanced back over her shoulder.

No.

She chuckled, shook her head.

No, I

don't think so.

Well, Mr. Van Horne,

Coco began, when she was certain they were alone again.

Do you have something more to say?

I got plenty.

Prepared for battle, he stepped forward.

You tell that slick-talking

rich boy to keep his hands to himself.

She tossed back her head and enjoyed the mad flutter of her heart when her eyes met his.

And if I don't?

Dutch growled like a wolf like a wolf, Coco thought, challenging his mate.

I'll

break his puny arms like matchsticks.

Oh, my, she thought. Oh, my goodness.

Will you, really?

Just you try me.

He gave her a jerk, and she let herself tumble into his arms.

This time she was ready for the kiss, and met it head-on. By the time they broke apart, they were both breathless and stunned.

Sometimes, Coco realized, it was up to the woman. She moistened her lips, swallowed hard.

My room's on the second floor.

I know where it is.

A ghost of a smile flitted around his mouth.

Mine's closer.

He swept her into his arms very much, Coco thought dreamily, like a pirate taking his hostage.

You're a fine, sturdy woman, Coco.

She pressed a hand on her thundering heart.

Oh, Niels.

Chapter 7

It wasn't like Megan to daydream. Years of discipline had taught her that dreams were for sleeping, not for rainy mornings when the fog was drifting around the house and the windows ran wet, as if with tears. But her computer hummed, unattended, and her chin was on her fist as her mind wandered back, as it had several times over the past few days, toward moonlight and wildflowers and the distant thunder of surf.

Now and again she caught herself and fell back on logic. It wouldn't pay to forget that the only romance in her life had been an illusion, a lie that betrayed her innocence, her emotions and her future. She'd thought herself immune, been content to be immune. Until Nathaniel.

What should she do, now that her life had taken this fast, unexpected swing? After all, she was no longer a child who believed in or needed promises and coaxing words. Now that her needs had been stirred, could she satisfy them without being hurt?

Oh, how she wished her heart wasn't involved. How she wished she could be smart and savvy and sophisticated and indulge in a purely physical affair, without emotion weighing in so heavily.

Why couldn't attraction, leavened with affection and respect, be enough? It should be such a simple equation. Two consenting adults, plus desire, times understanding and passion, equals mutual pleasure.

She just wished she could be sure there wasn't some hidden fraction that would throw off the simple solution.

Megan?

Hmm?

Dreamily she turned toward the sound of the voice. Her imaginings shattered when she saw Suzanna inside the office, smiling at her.

Oh, I didn't hear

you come in.

You were miles away.

Caught drifting, Megan fought back embarrassment and shuffled papers.

I suppose