Lovescenes

‘Elena says to please notice she’s sent over your favorite beer, Cade, although she thinks only a barbarian would drink Mexican beer with Greek food. Still, she says you are to enjoy your meal.’

Shannon smiled as the old man shuffled off. ‘Elena and Nico really are like family. Treating you as if you’re still a child is a sure sign.’

Suddenly, Cade reached across the table and put his hand over hers. ‘Are you glad you let me talk you into having dinner with me?’

Her eyes met his. How could she not tell him the truth?

‘Yes,’ she said softly. ‘I’m very glad. This has been one of the nicest days 1 can remember.’

‘Baklava, ’ Elena interrupted proudly, ‘brandy, and coffee. Have you ever had Greek coffee, young lady? No? Well, you will love it, I am sure.’

Half an hour later, Shannon eased herself from the back of the Harley.

‘I may never eat again,’ she said solemnly. ‘I’ll bet I have trouble fitting into my sexy black Alana Dunbar funeral dress Monday.’

‘I wish you hadn’t reminded me,’ Cade groaned. ‘I’d almost forgotten that damned scene. We were going to run through it one last time.’

‘We still can. Would you like to come up for a cup of coffee? Plain, black American coffee, that is. No sugar, no brandy, no calories. How does that sound?’

Surprise registered on Cade’s face. ‘I

t sounds wonderful.’

Why had she done that? Shannon wondered. The in­vitation had surprised her as much as it had surprised him. For a second, she thought of rescinding it, but Cade had already chained the motorcycle and started towards her doorway.

‘Shannon?’ he called, and she smiled at him.

‘Coming,’ she said. ‘Just getting my breath for the long climb up.’

And it was a long climb, seemingly longer than ever before, but then, she’d never made it with Cade behind her, watching as she trotted up the stairs, brushing against her on the narrow landings, even once reaching out and grasping her waist when she stumbled on a loose step.

‘I’m okay,’ she said, but she wasn’t. Her heart was tripping crazily, and she knew it had nothing to do with the effort of climbing the stairs.

Once in the apartment, she hurried from lamp to lamp, turning on the lights as if to exorcise the darkness. Cade sat quietly in the living-room, watching her. She glanced at him and smiled nervously.

‘Coffee coming up,’ she said brightly. ‘I was only joking about the no sugar part. You can have it any way you like.’

Those amazing eyes of his darkened.

She swung away from him and headed towards the kitchen.

‘Coffee,’ she said brightly. ‘Not instant, like last time. ‘This is going to be the real thing.’

‘Yes, I hope so,’ he said, and she froze in her tracks.

‘Cade, look,’ she said tentatively, turning to face him, ‘maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.’

‘You promised me a rehearsal and a cup of coffee,’ he said easily. ‘Give me both and I’ll leave quietly.’

A hesitant smile tilted at the corners of her mouth. ‘Promise?’

‘Scout’s honor,’ he said solemnly. ‘Trust me.’

Hours later, Shannon tossed the script aside and put her hand to her throat.

‘“Yes, Johnny, yes,”’ she gagged melodramatically. ‘“Make me fly away, make me forget this awful place...” I can’t. I can’t do it! I’d rather kill myself than say those lines.’

‘I know what you mean,’ Cade groaned. ‘I think I have brain rot.’