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Stone
Affair . Interpol agent Jule Reigh and international jewel thief
Jim Stone were, in reality, Juliet and Stone Jamison. Jule had
always been her nickname. Her maiden name was Butler, not Reigh,
but it was her fantasy and she could call herself whatever she
wanted.
    The closest thing to a museum in town was a
small exhibit hall where, currently, high school students displayed
their artwork for regional competition. The upscale restaurant
where he’d confronted her was the diner they’d sunk all their
combined savings into. They had actually eaten their anniversary
dinner together before she slipped away and into her role of
Interpol agent.
    The other man who had been at the table with
Stone was a friend of theirs just spending a few minutes to chat
and say hello. The potted trees had been real—well, real
plastic—and they had gone further than they’d planned. The danger
of getting caught behind the palms had been very real and added a
dash of excitement to the game she hadn’t anticipated. And this
five-star hotel suite was merely a spartan room in the low-budget
motel out on the highway.
    When they broke the kiss, Stone looked down
at her. “Thank you for the robe. It’s exactly what I wanted.”
    Jule giggled. “Your old robe is so ratty.
Besides, you’re sexy in black.”
    He gave her a quick kiss. “And you’re pretty
in pink.”
    She held up the Pink Ecstasy and looked at it
again.
    “Did it bring you all the sexual and sensual
delights you’ve ever imagined?” he asked with a chuckle.
    “Oh, yes, and much more,” she said, meaning
every word. “It’s a beautiful present. Thank you.”
    She felt him shrug. “It’s only cubic
zirconium and sterling silver. Someday, though, I’ll be able to buy
you a real pink diamond necklace set in platinum.”
    “I don’t want another one,” she protested. “I
love this one because you gave it to me.”
    “But you deserve more, so much more, by
agreeing to put all your savings along with mine into the diner
when it might fail.”
    “Don’t say that!” she said sharply.
    “Well, it’s true,” he insisted. “Most
businesses fail in the first year.”
    “You’ll succeed. I know you will. We have it
all planned out, remember?” It was true most businesses failed in
the first year, but Stone was smart. He’d make it work if anyone
could. “In a few years, after the diner is a smashing success, I'll
be able to stay home and we can start a family.”
    “And that,” he said and kissed the tip of her
nose,” is why you deserve real diamonds, not fake.”
    “It’s not fake,” she objected. “You love me,
don’t you?”
    He kissed her temple and rested his head
there. “You know I do.”
    “Then it’s a symbol of your love, and I’d
never call it fake.” She turned in his embrace and put her arms
around his neck, her body pressing to his. She placed her mouth
near his ear and whispered, “Are you as hungry as I am?”
    “Horny? Did you say horny?” he asked with a
wicked gleam in his eye. “You bet, babe.”
    “No, I said hungry . Let’s have some
cake.”
    She cut the cake while he poured pink
champagne in the fluted glasses. They wished each other a happy
anniversary again, although technically it was the day after. She
placed the pieces of cake on paper plates and carried them while he
took the glasses to bed. They settled in, side by side, and fed
each other bites of cake and sips of champagne between kisses.
Stone broke the silence.
    “Do you remember right after I tied you up? I
said we could fuck but then I’d have to—well, I meant to say, kill
you, but I couldn’t. It sounded funny in my head, like the way
someone says, I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you. I
couldn’t say it, though, not even to make a joke.” He frowned and
shook his head. “The thought of hurting you or anyone hurting you
made my heart break, and I almost went out of character to
apologize.”
    “No frowning, not today.” She smiled at