LITMIR.BIZ

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just run into you on the street. It would upset them.”

      She wouldn’t want to do that.

      “If it was my mother, or yours, wouldn’t you want to prepare her?”

      “Of course. This is just…disconcerting.”

      He leaned over and took her hand. His was callused and big. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

      She squeezed his fingers, enjoying the rough feel of his fingertips and palm. “No, it’s all right. You’re just looking out for the Ivies. I’ll meet them.”

      “Good.”

      Studying him, she fit together a few more pieces of the puzzle that was Alex Shields. He was a man who cared deeply for his parents, and others in his life. “I guess we have one thing in common—a nice childhood. Acceptance.”

      “This feeling of not belonging that you told me about? Is that where Dee comes in?”

      “Dee?”

      “Your cartoon. She’s everything Lily’s not.”

      She’s my imaginary childhood friend, and current alter ego. But Lauren wouldn’t admit that to Alex.

      Embarrassed, Lauren shook her head. “I told you, Alex, it’s only a cartoon. It has nothing to do with me.”

      “Well, damn. I kinda liked the idea of being the muscle-bound boy.”

      Oh, God, what had possessed her to let the story go down that road? She’d been fooling around with several plotlines and Perry had favored that one, so she went ahead with it. Then there’d been a ground-swell of approval from the Web site. I love Dee…poor Lily, can’t you give her a boyfriend…yummy for the muscle-bound boy.

      The doorbell rang, making her jump.

      “Easy,” Alex said, but she noticed how his big shoulders tensed under the red T-shirt. A wave of tenderness calmed her unease. She was so glad he was here.

      “You expecting anybody?” he asked.

      “No. I hope it isn’t Hannah. I think they have better things to do than baby-sit me.”

      Despite the intrusion, his eyes sparkled. “I think they do, too.”

      Whoever was at the door was getting impatient, first pounding on it, then yelling. What the hell? Alex threw back his chair, said, “Stay here.” He strode to the foyer.

      Ignoring his instructions she got up and followed him. The kittens, who’d been sleeping by the window, awoke and Caramel scampered after her.

      Alex peered through the peephole. “Some guy’s out there.”

      From the other side of the door, she heard, “Open up, Lauren.”

      “Damn.”

      Alex pivoted. “You know who it is?”

      Sidling in front of him, she took a quick peek. “It’s James.”

      “Lauren, I hear you inside. Let me in.” He paused, then added, “Please.”

      She sighed in frustration. Despite what he’d done, Lauren felt sympathy for him. He was simply a weak man. “It’s all right. He’s harmless. Physically at least.”

      “Sam Prophet wasn’t so sure.”

      “Well, you’re here. And I can’t let him disturb the whole neighborhood.”

      She pulled open the door, coming face-to-face with the man who had made her feel like a failure. She was swamped by the insecurity a woman inherits when a man she loves uses her.

      James was a few inches taller than she, about five-eight, and had a runner’s body, the type Lauren had thought she liked. His light brown hair was cut short, and his hazel eyes were troubled. Uncharacteristically, his gray pin striped suit was wrinkled. “I want to talk to you.”

      “I’m busy, James.”

      He looked past her. The belligerence drained from his face. “Who is he? Don’t tell me you’re dating somebody else.” He swallowed hard. “Lauren, you’re my fiancée.”

      “Not anymore. I’d like you to go away.”

      When James shook his head and said no, she felt Alex come up behind her and place his hands possessively on her shoulders. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by his presence, like she often did, this gesture made her feel safe.

      “The lady asked you to leave.”

      “Yeah, well, I’m not going until I get some answers.” With that he tried to step into the foyer.

      Nimbly Alex blocked James’s path, towering over him. “I wouldn’t try it, pal.”

      At her feet, Caramel scurried away. Lauren said, “It’s all right. I’ll answer his questions.” The air crackled with tension. She put her hand on Alex’s arm. “Please, Alex.”

      He moved aside and James crossed into the living room, which connected to the dining area. He stopped short when he saw the table. Lauren tried to view the setting through his eyes—lit with softly flickering candles, pretty mauve tablecloth, blue napkins, the remains of their food. The soft crooning of Harry Connick Jr. filtered in from the background. She’d title the scene “Seduction.”

      He turned on them. “Lauren, I—” There was hurt etched in his face.

      Ignoring it, she folded her arms over her chest. After what he’d done, she couldn’t afford to feel sorry for him. “What do you want, James?”

      He glared at Alex. “I want to talk to you alone.”

      “Ain’t gonna happen,” Alex said.

      She faced James. “Whatever you have to say, it will have to be said in front of Alex. Tell me what this is about.”

      “A man came to see me today.” James scowled. She remembered trying to figure out that scowl on so many occasions. Had she caused it? Why was he unhappy? She’d spent hours on end deciphering the puzzle that was James Tildan. “A Sam Prophet. He wanted to know where I was last night. If I’d come here to see you.”

      “Oh.”

      “Did you tell him you thought I’d broken into your place?”

      “No, of course not. He asked me a lot of questions. Your name came up.”

      “And what you did to her.” This from Alex, who was standing stiff and uncompromising.

      James swore, crudely.

      Alex grabbed his arm. “Watch your mouth around Lauren, or I’ll personally throw you outta here.”

      Shrugging Alex off, James gave him a sizzling look before turning back his gaze to Lauren. “This isn’t over, Lauren. I made a mistake in what I did to you, but now I’ll do anything I have to to rectify it.” Without giving her a chance to respond, he stalked to the foyer and out the front door.

      “Well, that was fun,” she said, just as Alex’s cell phone rang.

      He fished it out of his pocket. “Shields.” He watched Lauren. “Yeah. Uh-huh. We already know, Sam. I’m at Lauren’s. He showed up here. Pissed as hell.” A worried look. “Okay, I’ll tell her.” He clicked off. “Ready for this one?”

      She sank onto the couch and picked up Butterscotch, who’d settled there. “No, but tell me.”

      “Your friend James lied about his alibi for last night.”

      Before she could react to that news, the phone rang again. This time it was hers. “Hell,” she said, and looked up at him.

      He shrugged. “Want me to get it?”

      “No.” She picked up the phone. “Hello.”

      “Ms.

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