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nodded, then sat straight again. The tough girl returned. “I can weather the storm. I’m established, so ‘mama drama’ won’t affect my career.”
    â€œMonette will be relieved to hear that.” Derrick smiled. “You’re a lot more like her than you think. You’ve always got a Plan B when the stuff hits the fan.”
    Talia scowled at him. “I let you off easy for showing up unannounced. Don’t mess it up.”
    â€œCalm down.” Derrick wrapped his fingers around her wrist. “That was a compliment. You’re a smart, talented woman who survived.”
    Without thinking he lifted her hand and pressed his lips to the back of it. His gaze traveled down her faceand neck to the small spot of skin exposed by the V-neck blouse. He took in the luscious curve of full breasts outlined by the delicate fabric. Her full lips parted. She clasped her long, elegant fingers around his wrist, then drew him closer. Derrick’s pulse beat like a drum when she tenderly kissed him. Heat licked at his pelvis when her tongue ran across his bottom lip. Without thinking, he traced a forefinger along the silky skin on her throat and was about to unbutton the blouse. The clink of dishes brought him back to where they were in the nick of time.
    â€œHow long will you be in town?” she whispered.
    â€œTwo days. I can stay longer,” Derrick answered in a raspy voice.
    â€œNo promises.” Talia stared into his eyes.
    â€œNo promises,” he repeated.
    They needed each other badly. Or at least Derrick realized how much he needed her. No one else could ease the special brand of isolation that came from keeping an unspeakable secret.

Chapter 3
    â€œWhat’s up, everybody?” Talia sighed and plopped down into an empty chair in Eileen’s office. “One helluva day and it’s only one o’clock!”
    â€œHey, road warrior,” Jasmine replied with a smile.
    â€œSo take a break like us,” Eileen said. She had her feet propped up on an empty file box next to her desk.
    â€œYeah, get some lunch,” Jasmine added. She ate from a small cup of low-fat strawberry yogurt and read an open copy of Time magazine on her lap.
    â€œI don’t have anything. I couldn’t make up my mind.” Talia rubbed her eyes. “If I have to read one more fine print document in the Federal Register, some bureaucrat will die.”
    â€œTell me about it. Those health rules are the worst.” Eileen made a sour face.
    â€œThis town thrives on killing trees to print up single-spaced reports in tiny print.” Jasmine smiled.
    â€œThere should be a law,” Talia said with a laugh.
    Eileen groaned. “Please don’t say that outside this room. Some silly congressional aide will draft a bill! The liberals have shoved too much big government down our throats—”
    â€œDon’t start, Eileen,” Jasmine said with a warning frown.
    â€œPlease! I came here for a breather from ‘spirited debate,’” Talia added.
    â€œOkay, okay.” Eileen waved a hand at them both.
    Talia patted her midsection. “I’m empty. Do we have anything here?”
    â€œGo take a look. I brought sandwich and salad fixings for the long days.” Eileen pointed to the door in the direction of the small office kitchen.
    Talia kicked off her black Fendi pumps and padded down the carpeted hall. She found cheese, smoked turkey, and a package of small French bread loaves. Minutes later she’d made a sandwich and found a bottle of spring water to wash it down. Talia returned to Eileen’s office.
    â€œBless your little ‘be prepared’ Girl Scout heart, Eileen,” she said and sat down again.
    â€œEven a conservative has some good points,” Jasmine teased. She dodged a paper clip Eileen flung at her.
    â€œI’m going to send you two to the principal’s office in a minute.” Talia shook her head at