"When this number is over, follow my lead and agree with whatever I say. We have to get out of here." As they moved in time to the music, together but apart, she forced herself to focus on the music, the people around them, anything but his warm and sensuous body so close to her own. Twice he stepped on her toe and apologized, swearing the second time it happened.

When the music stopped, other couples stayed in place for the next number, but McKinnon steered her quickly off of the floor to their table, where several of the directors were deep in `Insurance talk' as she called it. They looked up and grinned as McKinnon said, "I'm taking our inspector out to a movie. She's too young to be cooped up in here with all these old fogies."

His voice was light and his smile was sincere, but she could feel the tension running deep inside of him, barely held in check. Bidding the others goodnight, she picked up her handbag and walked with McKinnon to the door, and freedom. As they crossed the lobby, McKinnon took a newspaper from the rack and tucked it under his arm, then escorted her into the elevator.

Once in his room, McKinnon spread the newspaper open to the Entertainment section, and she thought, my God, he's really going to take me to a damn movie!

"What looks good to you, Charly?" He was looking at the page as he asked the question. The bed is the only thing that interests me, McKinnon, she thought and once more experienced the familiar feelings as he swung his head up and looked into her eyes.

"Humour me, Charly. Have you seen any of these movies before?" She forced herself to look away from him, and down at the newspaper. There were several she had seen, but only one she had really enjoyed, so she told him.

"Good. I've seen it too. That's all I needed to know." Rolling the paper up, he jammed it into the wastebasket and kicked off his shoes. "Get comfortable, Little Witch. The rest of this night is ours. If anyone asks tomorrow, which they won't, that's the movie we saw." His tie and suit coat were flung carelessly over the back of the nearest chair, and he unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt. Again, she had the feeling of having played this scene out once before.

Before she knew what was happening, he had picked her up, removed her shoes and placed her gently on the bed. Stretching out beside her, one arm under his head, one knee slightly raised, he looked up at her. "Beats the little SUV or the Caddy, huh, Witch?"




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