Black Rose (In the Garden 2)

"Like grabbing a fan rake instead of loppers. "

Her laugh snuck out. "Very like. We have, both of us, horrible tempers. Which is why we both make a concerted effort not to lose them. It doesn't always work. I'd like to apologize for his behavior. "

"I can't accept. "

There was distress, something he rarely saw from her, in her eyes. "Mitch, I know he overstepped, but he's young and - "

"You misunderstand. I can't accept an apology when there's no need for one. From either of you. He was looking out for you. "

"I don't need, or want

, looking out for. "

"Maybe not, but that's not going to stop someone who loves you from trying. We discussed, came to understand each other, and that's all there was to it. "

"And you're not going to elaborate on that. "

"It was between him and me. "

"You men do have your codes of honor. "

"You weren't going to tell me about this latest harassment. "

For an instant, she thought of the phone call from New York, then tucked it away again. "Nothing to tell. I'm dealing with it. "

"What's happened since last night? You're good, so I must've caught you off guard. What else happened?"

"Just a minor irritation, one I've already handled. It's not important. More accurately, I won't let it be important. If I do, it makes me the victim, and he wins. I won't be his victim. That's one thing I never allowed myself to be, and I won't start now. "

"Telling me, venting some of the stress, doesn't make you a victim, either. "

"I'm not used to airing my problems. I'm not comfortable with it. But I appreciate the offer. "

He took her hand, held it. "Consider it a standing one. For my next offer,Chicago 's coming to the Orpheum next week. Come with me, have a late supper with me after. "

"I might. Are you courting me, Mitchell?"

His thumb grazed back and forth over her hand. "I like to think I'm romancing you, Rosalind. "

"That's a pretty word,romancing . You've been careful not to pressure me into taking that romancing into intimacy. "

"If I pressured you, it wouldn't be romance, or intimacy. Besides the fact, I imagine the door would hit me in the ass as you shoved me out of it. "

Humor danced over her face. "That's astute. I think you're a clever man. "

"I know I'm a besotted one. "

"Another pretty word. "

"I'll have to be careful with them. They're the sort of thing you'd distrust. "

"Yes, a clever man. Well. " She had a choice, and she made it. "Come upstairs. "

For the second time that night, she watched surprise run over his face. Then he lifted her hand to his lips. "Would this be serious business?"

"It would. Very serious business. "

"Then I'd love to. "