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of an affair. She was, after all, a modern, adult woman; if her response to him was anything to go by, she was willing to have sex with him, but he knew from working with her that she kept her personal life strictly separated from her business life. That would be one strike against him, but he thought he could eventually convince her. Hed take it slowly with her, not rushing her, letting her lower all those defenses of hers. He couldnt say why, but he sensed that she was wary with him, deep inside where he couldnt see. Perhaps she was wary with all men. Diane had wondered aloud sometimes if Sarah hadnt had a married lover and been burned pretty badly by him.
    There was a well-camouflaged vulnerability about her, and he wondered what fool had been stupid enough to have all that pale glory in his bed and let her slip away from him.
    Sarah hadnt expected to hear from Rome again that weekend, so when she answered the phone the next afternoon and heard his voice, a thrill of pleasure sang through her. Before she could do more than say hello, however, he cut across her greeting.
    Sarah, Henrys had a heart attack, a bad one.
    Shocked, Sarah almost dropped the phone, and she tightened her grip on it. Her boss hadnt seemed the sort to be struck by heart trouble. He was a small man, wiry to the point of thinness, and very active. He was an avid golfer, jogged every day, and in Sarahs memory had never indulged in any of the excesses people were warned against. He wasnt the dy-namic man that Rome was, but Sarah was fond of him. Will he live? she finally asked quietly, going straight to the most important question.
    Its touch and go. His wife called me; Im at the hospital now. Someone in the background said something to him, and Rome said, Hang on a minute. He covered the receiver with his hand, reducing his words to a muffled jumble of sounds. Then he came back to her, his voice brisk. He took some reports home with him this weekend that well need Monday morning. Can you go over to his house and pick them up? The housekeeper will let you in.
    Yes, of course, she agreed automatically. Which reports do you need?
    The Sterne financial statement, and the projected growth pattern. Look, go through his briefcase and pull out whatever you think well need. Ill see you in the morning.
    But what hospital is he in? Sarah began, only to be cut off by a click. Well, there wasnt anything she could do now anyway. Shed find out more the next morning, and perhaps then there would be a more definite prognosis than touch and go. Distressed by her bosss sudden illness, she quickly combed her hair, then drove over to his house. As instructed, the housekeeper let her in, and the tiny little woman told Sarah the details. Mr. Graham had seemed fine that morning, and had played nine holes of golf. After lunch, hed complained of pains in his left arm, then abruptly collapsed.
    It can come at any time, the housekeeper said solemnly, shaking her head. You just never know.
    No, you never do, Sarah agreed.
    It was the next morning, when she was called to an unusual meeting in Mr. Edwardss office, before Sarah realized that Mr. Grahams heart attack could drastically affect her own job. Rome was present too, his dark eyes concerned as he watched her.
    Sarah darted a quick glance at him, quivering as she thought of the way hed kissed her, then just as quickly looked away. She couldnt meet the intensity of his gaze and keep her mind on her job, and that was distressing. No matter how much pressure shed been under, shed always been able to perform her duties; it was upsetting to realize that Rome could throw her off balance with just one look.
    Sarah, sit down, please, Mr. Edwards invited, his shrewd eyes kind as he watched her. Sarah had always gotten along with Mr. Edwards, but hed never before asked her to attend a meeting. She sat down and calmly folded her hands in her lap.
    Henry wont be back, Mr. Edwards said gently. Ive talked to his doctor personally. If he takes