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and reached for his jeans. "You're attractive, probably loaded. I don't know why you don't have friends."
    "I'm on a total sex trip. When I'm not working, I'm out searching. "
    "Can't you get it on with just one person?" Numie asked. "A regular?"
    "No way." Ralph sat up quickly. "After I've had a guy—even when he's great in bed—I lose interest. I feel the person's no good after he's put out."
    "I know where I stand."
    "I didn't mean it that way. I guess you think I'm sick."
    Numie nodded. "Too bad," he said, zipping up. "I thought I turned you on, and you'd want another round like manana."
    "You did turn me on, but from now on you're going to have to wave the flag at somebody else."
    "I see." There was a long, hurt pause. "Shit, here I was telling you the story of my life."
    "I did listen."
    "Sure." Numie's anger was rising. "Well, forget it. I made it up." Ralph had robbed him of something precious.
    "I don't believe you." Ralph said smugly. "You're mad at me all of a sudden."
    "I'm not mad at you. It's just I'm always meeting guys like you. I'd better get back to Tortuga." A tougher, more familiar shell was encasing Numie. He smiled sardonically. "For an appointment with a queen."
    "I didn't know you had anything left," Ralph said. "Wasn't I sufficient?"
    "You were terrific. This date's with a different type queen."

Chapter Four
    Pearl Street was the dividing line between the western and eastern halves of Tortuga. Pearl Street was also the dividing line between the two ways of life: The rich and poor. Unlike most towns, the island didn't have a middle-class section to separate the two extremes. Most of the houses Numie passed on his way to Leonora's were boarded up for the summer. Deserted by the wintering wealthy, they were a sad and neglected lot on this hot, sticky afternoon.
    His pace quickened, as sacre-Coeur rose like a jagged mountain of volcano out of the sea. It stood on the edge of a short canal. Like a gaudy, many layered birthday cake, it glistened with Easter egg colors. The house was high and square, with open grillwork. At least a dozen staircases twisted outside, their steps leading to towers and balconies.
    Numie was stunned. Tropical vegetation was going to devour the house. It looked as if nothing were ever cut—not even weeds.
    After crossing through the garden, he walked up a layer of tiled steps to a massive carved oak door. It was wide open. Going inside, he entered a square central hall, three stories high, rising to the roof and exposing the balconies on the second and third floors.
    In the center of the hall stood a fountain of four cherubs. One spat water from its mouth. Another dripped water through a horn of plenty. The third played a leaking flute. And a fourth, like the famous statue in Brussels, passed water in nature's more conventional way.
    Numie pivoted at the sound of footsteps.
    Anne stood there silently. In the afternoon sun, she looked more beautiful somehow. Her soft brown hair was closely cropped, and she gave off a clean fragrance. Barefoot, she wore nothing but shorts and a blouse which effectively showed off her trim, creamy body. Under thin dark brows, her green eyes seemed to see too much At first, she didn't speak. Finally, she said, "So, you finally showed up. I bet Leonora last night you'd split."
    "Goes to show what a poor judge of character you are."
    "No, my statement still stands. Only my timing was off. Come on in and have a seat in the patio."
    Trailing her, he was shown to a wrought-iron chair.
    "Let me fix you a drink," she said.
    "No thanks—not at this time of day."
    "I'm going to have a beer." Opening a refrigerator behind the bar, she took out a bottle. "Sure you won't join me?"
    "You've persuaded me."
    Handing him the beer, she paused. Those penetrating green eyes were staring at the watch on his wrist. Awkwardly, he tried to conceal it. She backed away from his chair. "I see you've met my husband."
    "You know." Silently he cursed his stupidity