Irresistible Forces

jail all night. But, you know, it was all kind of fun until we got to the police station.'

A strange expression entered the attorney's blue eyes as she turned her gaze on Margo, then looked quickly back to Steph. 'It could've been a lot worse,' Raquel said.

Steph giggled and winked at her sister. 'Did you see the gorgeous dancer Margo got?'

'I didn't get anyone.' Margo grimaced. She'd had him, once upon a time — definitely past tense. Her memory of last night was like a scene from a bad soap opera. She'd stayed out almost all night, gone to a male strip show, and been arrested — er, taken in for questioning. To punctuate the event, her college flame had barged into her life and her dreams.

'Mmm, the way he was looking at you, sis…'

'Oh?' Raquel tugged on her bra as if it were uncomfortable, and her face reddened. 'You mean the guy at the station?'

When the attorney peered over the rim of her coffee cup, Margo was struck again by how much Raquel reminded her of someone. For some reason she just couldn't determine why. Deja vu?

'He was dancing at the club before the real police came.' Steph wrinkled her nose at Margo. 'If you ask me, he was dancing for my sister.'

'Stephanie.' Margo's face flooded with heat beneath Raquel's stunned expression. 'It was really nothing like that. I just happened to be sitting right in front, and—'

'Dancing?' Raquel asked quietly. 'So, tell me what he was… like.'

What was he like? Hot fudge sundaes, my most erotic dreams, and the world's fastest roller coaster. Flustered, Margo stared at Raquel. The woman was awfully nosy. 'Well, you saw him, too.'

'Uh, yeah. Right.' Raquel laughed nervously as she added non-dairy creamer to her coffee even though there was real cream on the table. 'I guess I really didn't get a very good look at him.'

'That's funny.' Steph smiled at Margo. 'I thought Nick was the only person who preferred that powdered junk to the real thing.'

'Me, too.' Margo tried to smile but found a lump in her throat she couldn't swallow. 'Must be a prerequisite for the law firm.'

'Oh, really?' Raquel shrugged. 'That must be the real reason Warren hired me.'

'Oh, I doubt that.' Steph grinned, tilting her head to the side. 'I imagine it had a little something to do with your legs, and a couple of other things.'

Raquel coughed into her napkin as Steph dissolved into laughter, but Margo didn't join her sister. There was something really strange about Raquel. Then again, maybe it had a little something to do with Margo's lack of sleep and her hangover.

'Hey, sis, look.' Steph leaned forward, pointing toward the door. 'Is that who I think it is?'

Dragging her attention from Raquel, Margo looked toward the door. And froze. Larger than life, Jared Carson's impressive physique filled the doorway. This couldn't be a coincidence. She'd called in and told her editor where she was having breakfast, in case anyone needed to reach her. Jared must have called to track her down.

Like a fist, her stomach pressed upward against her heart. Her throat clenched. Well, this would save her the trouble of looking for him later. After all, she still had an article to write, and he owed her a favor.

The thought of Jared repaying a favor sent tendrils of desire stretching through her veins. Seeing him again was dangerous, but by seeking her out he'd left her no choice.

Steph reached out and grabbed Margo's wrist. 'Oh, it is him, and he's coming this way.'

'Great. Not again.'

Raquel's reaction made Margo glance in her direction. The attorney's eyes glittered dangerously. She looked angry. Why?

'Good morning, ladies.'

Margo jerked her head toward the sound of Jared's unforgettable voice. Though it seemed impossible, he looked even better this morning wearing jeans and a soft gray T-shirt. Muscles rippled in his tanned arms and coarse dark hair accentuated every bulge and hollow.

'Hey, look who's here.' Steph feigned surprise. Badly. 'I don't think we caught your name last night. I'm Steph Knutsen.' She thrust out her hand.

Jared shot her a crooked grin and took her hand in his. 'Jared Carter,' he said. 'Pleased to meet you.' Releasing her hand, he looked expectantly around the table.

Carter. Carson. Very smooth. Jared was lucky she'd attended college away from home so her family had never met him. Margo tried to avoid his gaze and turned her attention to Raquel. The woman's nostrils flared slightly, and her lips looked as if they'd been glued together. No doubt about it — Raquel Eastwood had some pretty strong feelings about Jared.

When no one else made an effort to introduce themselves, Steph took it upon herself to do so. Margo sighed, wondering how two sisters could be so different.

'This is Raquel Eastwood, our attorney,' Steph said.

Raquel looked up and nodded, but made no effort to extend her hand.

'And this is my sister, Margo Riley.'

'Margo. Nice name.'

Margo mumbled something polite and allowed him to take her hand. The feel of his warm, rough skin against hers sent a jolt of awareness through her, flooding her mind with memories. Vivid memories. The things he'd done to her with those hands…

The interview, Margo. She had to remain focused on her assignment. Jared meant nothing to her — not anymore. She couldn't let him mean anything to her now. She was too vulnerable after losing Nick, though it had been two years. Two centuries probably wouldn't be enough. Besides, everything she and Jared shared had been destroyed forever. Even acknowledging that simple truth seemed disloyal to her dead husband. Guilt pressed down on her, hard and fast.

Jared released her hand and stiffened slightly. 'Riley and Knutsen.' He kept smiling, but the familiar twitch in his jaw revealed his internal struggle to hold his feelings tightly in check. 'Guess one of you sisters must be married then.'

'Margo's a widow,' Steph supplied, earning a groan from Raquel.

Surprise registered in Jared's eyes. The expression he turned toward Margo was a blend of sympathy and astonishment, without a trace of the malice he'd once held for Nick.

'I'm sorry,' he said, sounding sincere.

Tears scalded her eyes, but Margo blinked them into retreat. Sympathy from Jared was more than her raw emotions could take right now. Part of her wanted nothing more than to have a long talk with him, while another part of her wanted to run fast and hard. Facing Jared alone would resurrect it all — the pain, the joy, the hunger. And now, here he was expressing genuine sympathy about Nick's death.

Too much.

She couldn't breathe. They were all staring at her expectantly. Waiting. Somehow, she had to get away. She'd find another stripper to interview. Jared was too dangerous, too memorable.

Too desirable.

'Uh, I really have to get to the office. I have a million things to do today.' Resisting the urge to sniffle, she pulled some bills from her blazer pocket and thrust them toward her sister. 'This should cover my check. You all have a nice day, and thanks for inviting us to breakfast, Raquel.'

Without looking at anyone or responding to Steph's objection, Margo slid from the booth and headed toward the back of the diner. The room was nothing but a blur of moving colors and shadows as she made her way toward the rest room. She was running away.

Damn straight.

And she would hide in the bathroom all day if she had to.

Whatever it takes.

The bathroom was blissfully empty, and Margo leaned her flushed cheek against the closed door. Sanctuary.