Orchid

'I'm glad you understand that.' Rafe's expression gentled. 'I promise I'll keep you informed of my progress.'

She paused at the doorway of the breakfast room and nodded. 'Thank you. That would be extremely helpful.'

'Helpful?'

'Yes. I haven't had a lot of experience with this kind of thing and I'll probably need all the scraps of information you condescend to toss my way.'

'Scraps?'

'If you're really nice to me, I'll return the favor. I'll let you know what I find out, too.'

Rafe surged to his feet. 'What the hell are you talking about?'

'I thought I'd made myself clear. I'm going to continue the investigation.' She walked into the kitchen. 'With or without your help.'

'Come back here, damn it.'

Orchid allowed the kitchen door to swing closed behind her.

It slammed open again just as she set the dishes in the sink. Rafe loomed in the entrance.

'You wouldn't dare,' he said.

'You don't know me very well, do you?' She rinsed the toast dish and reached for a towel. 'I've made up my mind. Obviously, I'd rather have you as a partner because you know a lot more about investigative work than I do. But since you insist on firing me, I'll just have to go it alone.'

He took a step toward her. 'This is blackmail.'

'Well, I suppose if you want to get technical about it—'

He planted his hands on his hips. 'I don't like being manipulated.'

'I'm negotiating, not manipulating. As a businessman, you should know the difference.'

'Orchid, if you think you can get away with this—'

'Don't you dare threaten me. You're the one who hired me under false pretenses.' She flung the towel aside. 'But I'm prepared to overlook that if you'll take me on as a full partner.'

'And if I don't you'll start messing around in this thing on your own, is that it?'

'You got it.' She stretched her arms out on each side and grasped the edge of the counter with both hands. 'What do you say? Have we got a deal?'

Rafe did not reply. He gazed at her for a long moment.

Orchid felt the stirring of his talent. The hair on the back of her neck lifted. The hunted sensation flitted across her nerves.

'Try that again and I'll treat you to a real surprise the next time you focus with me,' she said.

'What makes you think I'll ever focus with you again?'

'How can you resist? I'm the best prism you've ever had. Admit it.'

He stalked across the kitchen and pinned her against the counter. 'You're right.' His eyes gleamed as he cradled her face between his hands. 'You are the best prism I've ever had.'

The blatant, predatory sexuality in his eyes sent a shiver through her.

'You were pretty good, yourself,' she managed.

'I love it when you talk dirty. You know something? I think you're going to drive me crazy before this is all over.'

'The feeling is mutual.'

'Should be interesting, if nothing else.' The hunted sensation faded but the glitter in Rafe's eyes did not. 'So you want to be partners?'

'Yes.'

'Okay, partner, I need a date for tomorrow night. The least you can do is help me out.'

She touched the tip of her tongue to the corner of her mouth. Every instinct she possessed was on full alert. 'A date?'

'For my grandfather's birthday party.'

Orchid relaxed slightly. 'Oh, a birthday party.'

'Don't get the wrong idea here. We're not talking a cake and some jelly-ice candles. Alfred G.'s party is a very big deal. Every member of the family will be there, including cousin Selby. Also, every politician in the city-state who wants a campaign contribution will attend. As will most of Stonebraker's business associates and a sizable portion of the membership of the Founders' Club.'

'And you can't get a real date for a major social event like that?'

'You're real enough.' He bent his head. His mouth hovered an inch above hers.

'Okay, partner. I'll go as your date. But only if you agree to do the same favor for me.'

His eyes darkened. 'You need a date?'

'In five days' time. For a family wedding in Northville.'

'Deal.' His mouth closed over hers.

She felt the fierce, prowling, hungry passion in him. It was as strong as it had been last night, but this morning it was all mixed up with anger, seething frustration, and some other emotions she could not name.

But she knew that she had won. They were partners now. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him back, just as fiercely.

Two hours later, after taking his new partner back to her apartment, Rafe stalked back into his own house. He went immediately into his study, grabbed the phone, and punched out Hobart Batt's number.

Hobart came on the line at once, sounding anxious. 'Good morning, Mr. Stonebraker. I realize you're calling to check on progress. Unfortunately I still have not been able to come up with a good match. But rest assured, I'm working on the problem.'

'You told me that through the matchmakers' multiple listing service Synergistic Connections had access to the files of everyone who is currently registered in New Seattle.'

'We do. Believe me, Mr. Stonebraker, I've checked the MLS listings several times. I've also thoroughly checked the computer files of our offices in New Vancouver and New Portland. I regret to inform you—'

'Have you heard of a marriage agency called Affinity Associates?'

'Affinity?' A note of alarm entered Hobart's voice. 'Yes. It's located here in New Seattle. But it's a very small operation, Mr. Stonebraker. If you're thinking of switching your registration to Affinity, I must warn you that, even though they have access to the MLS, they lack the resources and extensive expertise of a large agency such as ours.'

'Listen, Batt—'

'Given your rather extraordinary paranormal profile, I feel that we are far better equipped to handle you.'

Rafe hung on to his patience with an effort. 'I'm not talking about moving my account to Affinity. I want you to check with them about one of their clients, Miss Orchid Adams. She registered with Affinity a little over a year ago.'

'I see. In that case, I'm sure she would be in the multiple listing service. If you're thinking that we might have somehow overlooked her as a potential match for you, I can assure you—'

'She's got a very unusual paranormal profile. It's possible that Affinity did not properly assess her.' Rafe paused deliberately. 'Lacking the resources and expertise of a big firm such as Synergistic Connections and all, maybe they just screwed up her whole damn registration.'

Hobart heaved a stoic sigh. 'I'll look into it, sir.'

'You do that, Batt. Or I will start thinking about switching my registration to another agency.' Rafe tossed the phone back into its cradle.

He leaned back in his chair and stared at the darkened screen of his computer. The silence of the big house settled around him.

He had set out to hunt himself a wife and he had found the one he wanted. He could not believe that they were not a good match. Affinity Associates had fouled up the registration. It was the only possible answer.

In the meantime, he had other problems. He picked up the phone again and dialed Dr. Quentin Austen's office number. The receptionist sounded bored. He could hear the occasional snap of her gum.

'I'm sorry, Dr. Austen is not available. If this is an emergency, I can recommend another syn-psych