Mercy

yourself time to play.'

'How do you know that?'

'You told me you loved building things with your hands, but you also said you haven't had time for the hobby in four years. In

other words, since your wife died.'

She could tell he wanted to interrupt her, and so she hastened to add, 'And fishing too. You told me you used to love to fish, but the way you said it was as though you were talking about a past life. You've been punishing yourself long enough, Theo. You

have to let it go.'

His immediate reaction was to tell her he hadn't come to Bowen to get analyzed and that she should leave him the hell alone. She'd hit too close to the bone… but she'd only told him what he already knew. For the past four years he'd been running as

fast as he could so he wouldn't have time to think about his failure to save his wife. The guilt had been eating at him for a long time. It had taken his energy, his enthusiasm, and his passion.

'You need to kick back and let life pass you by for a couple of weeks.'

'Doctor's orders?'

'Yes,' she said. 'You'll feel rejuvenated. I promise.'

She was worried about him. He could see it in her eyes. Lord, she was sweet. And what was he going to do about that? He was beginning to like her a hell of a lot more than he'd anticipated.

'And if you decide to go back to Boston, you'll have anew attitude.'

'If I go back?'

'I meant when you go back,' she corrected.

He didn't want to think about Boston or work or his future or anything else for that matter, and that was so unlike him. He was

a planner, always had been for as long as he could remember, but now he didn't want to plan anything. He wanted to do exactly what Michelle had suggested. Kick back and let the world pass him by.

'It's funny,' he remarked.

'What is?'

'You… me. It's like fate threw us together.'

She smiled. 'You're a contradiction, Theo. A lawyer with a romantic side. Who would have thought that was possible?'

Theo decided to lighten the mood. Michelle was so easy and fun to tease and gave as good as she got. He liked embarrassing

her. The esteemed doctor could blush with the best of them.

'You know what else I thought when I met you?' he asked with a playful grin.

'No, what?' she asked suspiciously.

'You were sexy. Real sexy.'

'Oh.' The word came out with a sigh.

' 'Oh,' what?'

Oh, boy. 'The baggy green surgical scrubs, right? The outfit's a real turn-on.'

'That cute little mask hid your best feature.'

'My freckles?'

'No, your mouth.'

Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Theo certainly knew how to flirt. He could make her squirm and pant at the same time.

She smiled sweetly. 'You haven't seen my best feature yet.'

He raised an eyebrow in that wonderful Cary Grant way she loved. 'Yeah?' he drawled. 'Now you've got me curious.

You're not going to tell me what your best feature is, are you?'

'No.'

'You want me to spend half the night thinking about it?'

She hoped he would. She hoped he'd squirm a little too, just the way she did every time he looked at her. She knew she

wasn't going to get much rest tonight. Why should she be the only one sleep deprived? Tit for tat, she thought. She was

suddenly feeling quite pleased with herself. Theo might have been the master at sexual banter, but she was finally feeling as though she was holding her own. She wasn't such a neophyte after all.

You mess with me and you pay theconsequences.

'You want to fool around?' he asked.

She laughed. 'No.'

'If you're sure…'

'I'm sure.'

'Then maybe you'd better button your top.'

She glanced down at her chest and let out a loud groan. The silk pajama top was completely undone. Damn those silk buttons. They never stayed put. Her breasts were covered, though just barely. Mortified, she frantically rebuttoned.

Her face was bright pink when she looked at him. 'Why didn't you say something?'

'Are you kidding? Why would I want to do that? I liked it. And don't look at me that way. I didn't unbutton the thing. I'm an innocent bystander.'

She sat back on her heels while she put her robe on. 'I'm going to bed. Thanks for the massage. It helped.'

He leaned forward, cupped the sides of her face and kissed her. Her mouth was so soft and warm and sweet. She tasted like peppermint. He took his time coaching a response, trying not to rush her.

There hadn't been time to prepare. She hadn't realized he was going to kiss her until his lips were touching hers. She didn't

resist. She should have, but she didn't. Her lips parted, and then he deepened the kiss and she went limp.

She was his for the taking and both of them knew it.

He abruptly pulled back. 'Sweet dreams.'

'What?'

'Good night.'

'Oh. Yes, I'm going to bed.'

There was a definite twinkle in his eyes. He knew what he'd just done to her. She'd all but melted in front of him. Lord, what would happen if they made love? She'd probably have a complete mental breakdown.

How could he turn it on and off so quickly and efficiently? Experience and discipline, she decided as she stood and walked out

of the room. Years and years of experience and discipline. She, on the other hand, apparently had the discipline of a rabbit. One kiss and she was ready to have his babies.

God, she was disgusting. And did he have to be such a great kisser? She shoved her hair out of her face. Mr. Big City was

going to eat her alive if she didn't get a handle on her emotions. She wasn't an innocent. She'd been in a relationship before, and

at the time, she'd believed she was going to marry the man. He hadn't kissed the way Theo had, though, and he hadn't made her feel so alive and desirable.

The big jerk. Michelle tripped on the hem of her robe going up the stairs. As soon as she reached her bedroom, she threw the

robe on a chair. Then she got into bed. She stayed there about five seconds, got up again, and went downstairs.

Theo was back at the desk, typing on his laptop.