Free Love Songs by Barbara Delinsky Page B

friend sighed. “And that’s why you have trouble sleeping at night.”
    “Honestly!” she exploded, looking toward the heavens for help. “You sound just like him! ” Suddenly she had had enough. “Look, I’ve got to get back to work. Can we discuss the biotechnology proposal later?”
    Jake’s smile was understanding. “Sure thing, Alanna.”
    “Good.” Heading for the door, she kept her eyes downcast. “I’ll catch you later.”
    He caught her arm, staying her for an instant. “Just think,” he spoke softly, temptingly, “you could have it all. Executive Vice-President. Alexander Knight. Love. Security. Kids. Think about it.”
    For a last minute, she stared directly at him. “You, my friend, are as crazy as he is!” And with that she made her most regal exit in total defiance of the doubts that raged within. Jake was both friend and near-family. She respected his opinion and what he had said that morning lingered to haunt her throughout much of the day. By the time the sun had lowered in the sky and she headed for the hospital once more Alanna was in no mood to play games with Alex Knight. Having fixed a light dinner at her apartment, where she picked up clean clothes and the other things she would need for the night and the morning, she went directly to the sleep unit. It was her fondest hope that she would not bump horns on this particular evening with that very disturbing man.
    At least that was what she told herself as she stepped from the elevator and checked in with Sylvia. And it was what she told herself as she dropped her things off in her room. It was what she still told herself as she sat down for a few moments with Ellen Henderson.
    Yet her eye surveyed every room she entered, her pulse raced as she spotted his name on Ellen’s desk, her skin warmed when she sought refuge in the lounge on the sofa they had shared so very, very early this morning. And, finally, when that deep and now-familiar voice crooned softly by her ear she felt strangely satisfied.
    “How’re you doing, owl-eyes?”

 
     
    4
    Without turning, she raised her head. Her lips bore a hint of a smile as he leaned toward her to kiss her cheek lightly. It was impossible to deny the physical effect he had on her, the melting of her insides at his nearness, the quickening of her pulse. Yet she steeled herself as best she could and feigned sternness when he circled the sofa to sit beside her.
    “I’ll have you know, Alexander Knight, that Ellen asked some very pointed questions about my sleep pattern. It seems there were certain irregularities at roughly four this morning…”
    His “Tell me about it,” suggested that she had no need; he already knew.
    For the first time Alanna’s glance stole to his face, finding an instant reward in the warmth it held. There was an openness about him—an openness free of both craftiness and any ulterior motive. She could almost imagine that he was her most intimate friend and lover—then she caught herself. He was neither. He would be neither. Perhaps it was time he understood that.
    “Alex…”
    “Yeeess…” he drawled, his gaze devouring her with frightening ardor.
    “Alex, this is absurd! You take this as a joke. What excuse did you give to Ellen?”
    “I told her,” he said simply, “that I planned to marry you. I also told her that, while I intend to continue with this study now that I’ve begun, I can make no promises to keep my hands off you.”
    “Alex!” She shook her head in disbelief. “This has to stop! We’re here for very serious reasons. I don’t know about you, but it took me a long time to admit the need for help. Now that I’m here, I want it.”
    He shrugged. “So what’s the problem?”
    “The problem,” her eyes flashed in reproach, “is the matter of complications. Kisses stolen in the elevator, on the stairs, in the lounge, in bed  … it has to end.”
    Alex sobered. “I agree with you there.”
    “Then … you’ll keep a safe