Free Full Speed by Janet Evanovich Page B

her imagination, but he seemed to move sluggishly.
    "Room service," a man announced.
    Jamie thought she recognized the voice. Harlan opened the door, and Jamie felt her mouth drop open at the sight of Dave pushing in a food cart. He was dressed in a hotel uniform, and he wore a mustache and glasses. She wondered if he had counted the dust mites in the mustache before he'd put it on.
    "Good afternoon," he said formally. "I believe you're expecting lunch?"
    Harlan nodded. "Yes, we are."
    "I'll have you set up in just a jiffy," Dave said, giving Jamie a private look. He pushed the cart to the table and began setting it, placing the utensils in their proper spots. "How are you today, ma'am?" he asked.
    Jamie wondered how he had managed to get a uniform from the Hyatt. No telling what he and Max were up to. "I'm, uh, fine."
    Dave set the dishes on the table and lifted a metal food warmer from the plates. Jamie eyed the food appreciatively: baked fish covered in a cream sauce, new potatoes, fresh asparagus, and a Caesar salad. Dessert consisted of pecan pie, a big favorite of hers.
    Dave pulled out a chair for her. Jamie walked over to the table and allowed him to seat her.
    "Will there be anything else?" Dave asked.
    "That will be all," Harlan said.
    Dave turned to leave. He paused at the door and gave Jamie the thumbs-up.
    Jamie tasted her food. "It's delicious." Harlan was staring at his plate. "Is something wrong?"
    "I'm afraid I don't have much of an appetite."
    "Oh, no. At least taste the fish. It's delicious. And you need to keep up your strength."
    Harlan glanced up in surprise, as if he wasn't sure what she meant by the remark. Nevertheless, he forked a small amount of the fish and took a bite. "You're right. It's very good." He smiled, as if trying to put on a brave front.
    "Thank you for inviting me," Jamie said. "It's not often that I get to dine on gourmet cooking in such grand surroundings."
    "I hope you're not offended that I asked you to my hotel suite."
    Jamie looked down at her lap. "I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to be seen with me in public."
    "Oh, no, Jane, it's nothing like that."
    "I mean, I've probably slept with half the men in this hotel."
    He gasped.
    "I'm teasing, Harlan. You're going to have to lighten up."
    "You have a very unusual sense of humor. But I should be thanking you. It's a treat for me to share lunch with a woman who is not only beautiful but has a wonderful sense of humor." He put down his fork, mopping his brow with his napkin.
    "Jane, I've been looking into your, er, addiction."
    "Is there a cure?" she asked hopefully, fork paused in midair. "Or am I destined to be a sex maniac for the rest of my life?"
    He looked taken aback by the remark. "Don't be ashamed of who or what you are, Jane. Your creator loves you no matter what. You know, I studied psychology in seminary because I wanted to be able to help people with their problems."
    "That's why you're so easy to talk to. You're a very sensitive man when it comes to other people's needs." Jamie noticed he was perspiring heavily.
    He mopped his upper lip. "I try to be. I sense you have a lot of needs that have not been addressed."
    "You're so right, Harlan."
    "From what I understand most sexual addictions are the result of either physical or emotional trauma suffered in childhood. Might I ask, as your minister, if that applies to you?"
    Jamie glanced away. "I can't talk about it, Harlan. Perhaps in time."
    He reached across the table and covered her hand. "We have all the time in the world, Jane."
    His hand was clammy. Jamie leaned closer. "I suppose I don't feel I have much to offer a man. Except my body," she whispered. "You probably wouldn't understand, what with you being a godly man."
    "I'm human, Jane. Do you think I didn't feel anything when you kissed me yesterday? Do you think I don't notice how attractive you are?"
    "I'm so ashamed of myself for kissing you," she said. "You must think badly of me."
    "Nonsense." He studied