Free Jeopardy by Fayrene Preston Page A

smile broadened with pleasure. “I can assure you death won’t be necessary. I have no intention of leaving. Once a person has managed SwanSea, everything else seems second-rate.” As he heard another car approaching, he darted a glance down the drive. “Is that Mr. Smith?”
    “Yes, I’m afraid it is,” she said, thinking with disgust that the man and his car had similar purring growls. She strolled around her car and opened the trunk. Peter, one of the bellmen who had worked at SwanSea since its opening, came running up to get her luggage. “Hello, Peter, how have you been?”
    “Fine, Miss DiFrenza. It’s great to have you back with us.”
    “It’s great to be back,” she said with sincerity. Behind her she heard Mr. Lawrence say, “Mr. Smith, what an unexpected surprise. We didn’t anticipate your arrival. ”
    “I’m sorry for not calling ahead,” Amarillo drawled, “but the trip was a last-minute decision. Do you think you can find room for me?”
    Mr. Lawrence chuckled. “No apologies are necessary. I hope you know you are always welcome. And as a matter of fact, you and Miss DiFrenza will be the only two on the fourth floor. You can keep each other company, and you can have any room you wish, except for the one designated as hers, of course.”
    Amarillo smiled, and she felt its effect as a tingling on her skin.
    “My usual room will be fine," he said.

    Angelica decided to take it easy for the rest of the day and see if she couldn’t ease the strain she had begun to notice in herself. She walked for a while, visiting all her favorite places, then took a swim. Later she caught sight of Amarillo when she strayed too near the stables. She quickly corrected that mistake by changing direction.
    She was feeling quite relaxed that evening around ten when she answered the door and found Amarillo.
    “You didn’t come down to dinner,” he said. “Is everything all right?”
    “Yes.” In a glance she took in the western cut of his dark dinner jacket and pants. He exuded enough raw, earthy sensuality for ten men, she thought sourly, and tightened the belt of the short violet silk robe that matched the chemise beneath. “I didn’t feel like dressing for dinner, that’s all.”
    Without invitation he stepped into the large room and pushed the door closed. The room had been done in dark woods and different textures of white fabrics. Intricately worked lace dripped over the bed’s canopy and down its sides. A matching lace coverlet spread across the bed. A pair of red, slingback, high-heeled shoes lay on their sides by the white marble fireplace where a fire burned. Her perfumed scent seemed to hang in the air. The room reeked of her own particular brand of femininity and sensuality. His expression darkened. “Did you have dinner sent up?” 
    “Yes. Amarillo, do you think it’s a good idea for you to be here?”
    His mouth quirked. "Hell, no.”
    “I don’t either.”
    “So, are you going to ask me to leave?”
    The fact that it sounded like a challenge wasn’t the reason she hesitated. Rather, she had a far more basic reason. Her skin had warmed as soon as she had opened the door and seen him, yet she was only just now noticing it. That meant her body was getting used to his effect on her. It was a highly disturbing thought. “Look, there’s no need to be worried about me. I’m perfectly safe here.”
    “Maybe.” His eyes were hooded, their expression veiled. “At any rate, I didn’t come here to discuss the caller. I’m hoping it will be a while before he realizes you’ve left town. Your luggage wasn’t in view when you pulled out of your driveway this morning. If he was watching, I’m sure he thought you went to work as usual. Of course if he’s smart, he’ll figure out where you are, but you’ve bought yourself some time. No one followed you here but me.” He tugged at his tie until it came loose, unbuttoned several top buttons, then chose a seat on the couch in front of