“Of course, we could skip right to dessert.”

When Dana gave him a shocked look, Chase smiled. “The restaurant has three different kinds of cheesecake.”

“What if cheesecake isn’t what I had in mind?” she asked in her sexiest voice.

His brows went up. “Oh?”

“I may be more in the mood for ice cream,” she said with a straight face.

“That sounds cold. Now, whipped cream—there are a lot of things you can do with whipped cream.”

“You’re naughty.”

“That’s what they say.”

It wasn’t what he’d said, but how he’d said it that threw her off balance. She couldn’t keep going back and forth like this, engaging in foreplay, and not make a decision on how she wanted this night to end.

She tried to focus on the menu’s entrées, but her thoughts immediately went back to the whipped cream. Damn him.

Available in October 2009 from Mills & Boon® Blaze®

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Dead Sexy by Kimberly Raye & Heated Rush by Leslie Kelly

All or Nothing by Debbi Rawlins

Nightcap by Kathleen O’Reilly

Debbi Rawlins lives in central Utah, out in the country, surrounded by woods and deer and wild turkeys. It’s quite a change for a city girl, who didn’t even know where the state of Utah was until several years ago. Of course, unfamiliarity never stopped her. Between her junior and senior years of college she spontaneously left home in Hawaii and bummed around Europe for five weeks by herself. And much to her parents’ delight, returned home with only a quarter in her wallet.

ALL OR NOTHING
BY
DEBBI RAWLINS

MILLS & BOON®

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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This is for the ladies at Eureka Bingo in Mesquite.

With special thanks to Donna, Wilma,

Betty and Lin-duh.

Thanks for always entertaining me and helping me

wind down between books. You guys are terrific.

1

IGNORING the annoying catcalls from one of the hard hats inspecting a pothole on Fifth Avenue, Dana McGuire stopped at the intersection and stretched out her calf muscles while she waited for the light to change. In true Manhattan tradition, the other pedestrians, dressed mostly in business suits, swirled around her, crossing against the light and prompting some angry horn-honking in spite of the police cruiser that swung onto Fifty-seventh Street.

Five years now she’d lived in the city, and it hadn’t changed one tiny bit. She had. No choice there. Survival of the fittest. She straightened. Hmm. Not a bad name for her new fitness club. Go figure. She’d spent weeks trying to come up with a name before she applied for a license, and there it was. Not that she had all of the start-up money yet. But she was almost there. Six months and she’d be ordering equipment and signing the lease.

The walk signal flashed and she jogged across the street to the mailbox in front of the St. Martine Hotel, where she had a client this morning, and deposited her bimonthly letter to her parents. E-mail would be so much easier, but they didn’t own a computer and she doubted they ever would. Third-generation farmers, who’d only recently splurged on a satellite dish for their ten-year-old television, neither of her parents had ridden on an airplane or seen the ocean. In fact, they hadn’t stepped foot out of Indiana.

Lucky for her, since she didn’t have to worry about any surprise visits from them. Not that she didn’t love them both to pieces, but they thought she was someone she wasn’t and she didn’t have the heart to set them straight.

“Morning, Dana.” St. Martine’s veteran doorman with his watery blue eyes and pleasant round face held open the lobby door for her.

“Thanks, George. Looks like it’s gonna be another scorcher,” she said, pulling her ponytail tighter so that the hair stayed off the back of her neck. Her hair was too long and totally impractical, especially for running every day. If she had an ounce of sense she’d whack it all off. But vanity won out every time she tried to talk herself into it, which really ticked her off.

She wasn’t Borden County’s reigning Miss Teen Dairy anymore, nor had she participated in a beauty pageant for the past six years. Or ever would again. But the long blond mane had earned her at least one commercial hawking shampoo, and even then, she’d shared the spotlight with a brunette and a redhead. A far cry from taking Broadway by storm.

“You think it’s hot out here,” George whispered, and nodded his head toward the lobby. “Heard there was another one last night.”

“Oh, no. What did they get?”

“No one’s saying. We’ve all been warned to keep mum. Junior’s threatening to write up any employee caught discussing the theft.” George’s ruddy face lit with a grin. “You didn’t hear a peep from me,” he said, winking and stepping back to let her into the lobby.

“Not a word,” Dana agreed, smiling.

Everyone knew George referred to the new assistant manager as Junior. A recent Cornell graduate, Kyle Williams would rid the hotel of any employee over forty if he had his way, but the unions were too strong and George wasn’t about to give up his six-figure job opening doors for the hotel’s wealthy guests.

Heck, Dana wouldn’t mind getting in on that kind of action herself, but there were literally waiting lists for those types of jobs all over the city. Although, as it was, she did like her job. She was her own boss and got paid to exercise, which she did every day anyway. Amazing what an out-of-towner was willing to pay to be escorted on a run through Central Park or along the Hudson River.

The lobby was more subdued than usual. One of the housekeeping staff, who had to be new because Dana didn’t recognize her, dusted around the large vase of fresh-cut flowers sitting on the Asian-inspired table that served as the lobby’s centerpiece. A couple in business suits stood talking near the elevators and another guest leaning on the black-lacquered front desk appeared to be checking in, or, given the early hour, perhaps checking out.

Dana’s friend Amy was one of the clerks working behind the desk, but she wasn’t the one helping the man and, after meeting Dana’s eyes, she walked purposely to the far end of the counter. Dana got the message and met her near the concierge’s unmanned smoky-glass cubicle. Odd. Kelly was always there. The three of them usually grabbed a ten-minute cup of coffee before Dana met up with her first client.

“Where is she?” she asked, getting a bad vibe from the way Amy’s anxious gaze scanned the lobby.

“Security.” Amy’s voice was low. “We had another theft last night. Fourth one this month.”

“So why are they talking to Kelly?”

“They’re talking to everybody. I wouldn’t be surprised if they asked to see you.”

“Me?”

Amy nodded, her large dark eyes coming back to Dana. “Nothing personal. It’s just that you’ve practically been a fixture here the past couple of months.”

“Thanks to all the business you guys throw me.” She glanced over her shoulder, unnerved that she’d be of any interest to security. “I still don’t understand why they’d want to talk to me though.”

“You were on the property yesterday. That makes you a candidate for questioning.” Amy gave her a wicked smile. “But then again, Kyle probably would protect you.”

Dana rolled her eyes. The assistant manager had been a pain in the ass from the first day she’d met him. He’d asked her out three times in three weeks. She’d been polite in her first two refusals, not so subtle the last time. If he tried one more time, she wouldn’t be responsible for her actions.

“Hey, guys.” Kelly joined them, already slipping off her navy blue blazer as she rounded her desk. “I’m afraid I won’t have time for coffee.”

“How was it?” Amy asked. “You weren’t gone long.”

“Pretty straightforward.” Kelly pushed long slender fingers through her strawberry-blond hair and then lowered herself onto her chair, her gaze going to her calendar.

Like Dana and Amy and countless others, she’d come to New York from a small midwestern town hoping to make it big. Like them, she’d failed miserably, although landing the assistant concierge job had been quite a coup. Good money. A certain amount of prestige. And it beat waiting tables like some of the less-fortunate hopefuls they’d met in the early days at casting calls and standing in line at the unemployment office.

Amy glanced over her shoulder and then leaned closer. “What kind of questions did they ask?”

“They just want to confirm shift times, if and when you left your station, that sort of thing.”

Dana checked her watch. Five minutes until her appointment with Chase Culver. After that she had to hurry across town to meet her regular Tuesday-morning client. She wouldn’t have time to talk to anyone today. Not that she had anything to say. “What was taken?”

Behind her someone noisily cleared their throat. Without looking she knew who it was by the way dread crawled over her skin.

“Talking about the theft, are we, ladies?”

She turned to Kyle with wide-eyed innocence, and in a loud voice said, “There was another theft? Here? When?”

He gave her a wry look before adjusting his left cuff link and sliding an exasperated look toward the front desk. The guest checking out turned toward them with interest.

Good thing Dana couldn’t see Kelly and Amy’s faces—it would’ve been hard to keep a straight one herself. Singing had once been her claim to fame, not acting. Although she’d taken enough classes when she’d first arrived in the city.

“I’d appreciate you keeping your voice down, Dana,” Kyle said in that proper-Bostonian tone that was as phony as his knockoff Rolex. “We don’t need our guests alarmed.”

She smiled. “No, that wouldn’t be good for business.” She backed away, throwing a look at Kelly and Amy. “See you guys later.”

“I didn’t mean to chase you off,” Kyle said with that creepy smile of his, while putting his hand on her arm.

She did all she could not to jerk away. Instead she kept backing up until contact was naturally broken. “I have to meet a client.”

He let his smarmy gaze wander down the front of her tank top, down her Spandex running shorts to her bare legs. “Of course.”

She couldn’t stand to look at him another second and abruptly turned toward the house phone by the elevator. The doors opened and a tall, wiry man in his early thirties walked out. He had dark longish hair, piercing blue eyes, and he wore shorts and a T-shirt hugging really broad shoulders. Holy cow, it wasn’t Christmas and she hadn’t been particularly good all year, but please, please be Chase Culver.

CHASE KNEW it was her. Not because he’d done his homework on her last night. Nothing on a piece of paper could prepare him for Dana McGuire in the flesh. Tall, slim and blond, her sapphire-blue eyes were enough to take the wind out of him. Centerfold material. This was the kind of woman men made fools of themselves over. Lost marriages and fortunes and reputations. Good to remember that.

“Dana?”

She smiled. “How did you know?”

“We’re the only two people underdressed.”

“Oh, right.” She gave a small sheepish shrug as she glanced down at her shorts.

He jumped on the opportunity to take another look himself. Long perfect legs that stopped just this side of heaven. Keeping his mind on business wasn’t going to be easy. In fact, he needed to revamp his bio quickly. The phony businessman-from-Houston spiel he’d prepared was okay, but to get the most bang for his buck, he had to bump it up. Become the kind of man she needed most. Because basically there were two reasons why a woman who looked like her came to New York, and he’d bet his ’67 Mustang convertible he knew what had lured her to the bright lights.

“Have you already done some stretching?” she asked, leading him toward the lobby doors.

They passed near the front desk where two women in hotel uniforms openly stared. The guy in the suit was one of those prissy twerps that grated on Chase. “Some.”

“Do you jog regularly?” Her gaze briefly caught on his ringless left hand, and then ran down his body.

His gut tightened when he saw more than professional curiosity darken her eyes. This assignment was gonna be a bitch. “Maybe three times a week. I’m usually too busy for anything more.”

“How many miles were you thinking we should go today?”

“Five.”

Her eyebrows went up.

“Or seven.”

She stopped short of the doors, a hint of a smile on her lips. “How many do you usually run?”

“Well, darlin’, that depends on who’s chasing me.”

She gave a small shake of her head. “I’ll take that as seven.”

He exhaled slowly. His friggin’ ego had gotten him into enough trouble. “Five is good.”

“Central Park okay with you?”

There had to be a better way than running in this heat to get to know her, ask her a few questions without sounding suspicious. Too bad he hadn’t come up with one. “Fine.”

“Okay.” She pushed through the doors and they’d barely hit the sidewalk when she started them on a brisk walk.

Pedestrian traffic wasn’t too bad and in a matter of minutes they could see the park. “How long have you been doing this?” he asked as they waited at the light across from the park entrance where a line of horses and carriages waited for the tourists.

“About three years.” She hadn’t stopped moving, but continued to walk in place and shake out her arms. She got more than a few second looks and not because of anything she did. No makeup and her hair plastered back, she was still stunning.

He wondered if Roscoe had told him everything. If that ol’ boy had slept with her and left that part out, Chase was gonna wring his neck. He eyed her again, trying not to be too obvious. Nah, she wouldn’t hook up with an old windbag like Roscoe. Even if the guy was rich. But then what the hell did Chase really know about her? “Are you from New York?”

“Indiana.”

“What brought you here to the big city?” he asked causally.

Her smile was brief and sad, but wasn’t going to stop him from lying through his teeth.

The light turned green, and she entered the crosswalk without answering him. She checked her watch. “You set the pace, but I’ll make sure we’re back in time for you to get to your eleven-thirty meeting. Ready?”

“Let’s go.”

For the first mile she was quiet except to warn him when a turn was coming up. They ran at a faster clip than he’d anticipated and he needed to get a conversation going while he could still run, breathe and talk at the same time. A year back he’d been in great shape and this would’ve been no sweat, but now not so much. The last twelve months had been the year from hell. Too much shit had gone down, none of it that he could control.

“You have a lot of clients?” He slowed down, pretending to watch a kid throw breadcrumbs to the ducks clustered at the edge of a small man-made lake.

She immediately downshifted. “Enough.”

“A woman of few words. Or can’t you keep up the pace and talk?”

She slid him an amused look. “I’m a personal trainer when I’m not doing this.”

“You work in a club?”

“No, I go to people’s homes.”

Interesting. He made a mental note to check into it. That kind of history could work in her favor. Or put a nail in her coffin. “Must pay pretty well. This city ain’t cheap.”

She laughed softly. “Think about how much you’re paying me to babysit you for an hour.”

“Good point.”

“How are you doing?”

“Still breathing.”

“We’ve gone almost three miles. After this next curve we’ll head back to the hotel via the east side of the park.” She wasn’t breathing hard, and unlike him, hadn’t even broken a sweat.

“I’m glad you know where you’re going. I’m totally lost.”

“That’s what keeps me in business.”

Chase grunted. That was about all he could manage at the moment. The three miles weren’t as much the problem as the pace he’d initially set. He should’ve taken it easier. Hell, his wound was still tender because he hadn’t allowed it to heal properly. If only he had a brain the size of his ego.

A group of chatty young kids obviously on a field trip crossed their path and slowed them down. He wasn’t complaining. He wanted to shake each of their grimy little hands. Once the way was clear again, Dana shot him a questioning look. He stuck to a slow jog and she stayed beside him.

“I didn’t realize it was so humid here,” he said. “Nothing like Houston, mind you, where the air is thicker than my mama’s country gravy.”

“That’s where you’re from?”

He nodded. “I just bought a house near Hollywood so I’ve been kind of bouncing back and forth.”

She checked her watch again. “We’re going to have to pick it up a bit to get you back in time.”

Damn it, he’d baited the hook and she hadn’t even taken a nip. “Ever been to California?”

“Nope. I haven’t been farther west than Indiana.”

“The west coast is like living in a whole different country. Haven’t decided if I like it or not yet.” He let a few moments lapse and when it was obvious she wasn’t going to comment, he added, “But that’s where the talent is, they tell me. Of course I’m thinking I might find a mother lode here on Broadway.”

She slowly looked at him, her brows furrowed with curiosity. “What kind of business are you in?” She blushed. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

“Up until now I’ve been involved in oil mostly. That’s how my daddy made the family money, anyway.” He paused and grinned. “I’m what you call going to divest and spend some of that money on films.”

She took a moment to digest what he’d said, and he was pleased to see interest flicker across her face. “You’re a producer.”

“That’s right. I have my eye on a play that I think will turn into a nice box-office hit. I’m meeting with the playwright tomorrow.”

“Ah.” She played it cool, scarcely showing anymore reaction, but he knew he’d gotten her attention.

“Wish I could tell you which one, darlin’, but I’m a bit superstitious about these things.”

“No, I don’t blame you. I didn’t mean to be nosy.”

He winked. “I thought we were just having a friendly conversation.”

She didn’t smile. “It’s just another mile out of the park. Want to pick up the pace for the last stretch?”

“Okay,” he said, wishing he knew what was going on in that pretty head of hers. What was her story? Had she come to New York to act? Model? Find a rich husband? He’d bet she was more ambitious than that. But places like New York and Hollywood could be ruthless and unforgiving and shatter a young girl’s dreams into a million pieces. Cause a lot of heartache and disappointment. Enough to make a person bitter. And bitterness changed a person.

The small ranching town outside of Dallas where he’d grown up had produced a couple of Hollywood hopefuls. Ashley Morgan had won most of the beauty pageants from Dallas to the panhandle, twirling that baton of hers and easing out everyone in the talent category. Senior year he’d gone out with her twice, probably due to curiosity on her part because of his muddy reputation, but he didn’t have anything she needed to further her career, so it had ended pronto. Hadn’t bothered him none.

Nah, ol’ Ashley hadn’t been the sharpest tool in the shed, but she had a body that wouldn’t quit. He’d heard it had gotten her a bit part in a B movie, then she got married to a fat, rich oilman and had a whole passel of kids.

They jogged around a curve and he saw the lineup of horses and carriages, and knew he had only a few minutes of information-gathering left. They had another appointment tomorrow morning, but he didn’t want to wait that long to find out what made Dana McGuire tick.

“I know I’m not the first one to tell you that you have perfect bone structure. You ever do any modeling? Is that why you came to New York?”

She hesitated, long enough that he expected her to tell him to go to hell. Great. The last thing he needed was her clamming up. He’d gone too fast, come on too strong. He should’ve waited until tomorrow to get to the next level, but he’d acted like a damn rookie. Which he wasn’t. He knew better. This was too important to screw up. If she had the ring, he needed to get it back.

2

“I WANTED to sing,” Dana said finally. “Or act. That’s why I came to New York. I was hoping to find work.” She shrugged. “It didn’t pan out, but I found something else I like to do. Something I like better.” She’d told herself that often enough that it should be true by now. To some degree it was.

Fitness had always been important to her. She’d run track in high school, and when she’d traveled the pageant circuit back in her teens, she’d used the stage to push fitness as a higher priority in schools. She’d always been passionate about the need to stay active as a health issue, but if she were given the chance at a singing or acting career…

No, she could not go there. After struggling for four years, and lying to her family back home, she’d made peace with her life. It was a good life, too. She had great friends, a family who loved her, a business that had grown impressively over the past three years. One that was a lot kinder than the entertainment industry. She was happy. Content.

“A singer, huh? Now, that surprises me.”

“Why?” They’d hit the street and she was suddenly anxious to get him back to the hotel and end their conversation. No use stirring up old hurts. So what if he was here scouting talent? She’d learned the hard way that she wasn’t anything special. Just a small-town girl who’d once stood a foot above the rest. Her hopes had died long ago. There were hundreds of women hungrier and more talented than she. Let him go use his urban-cowboy charm on one of them.

“Just figured that—well, guess it doesn’t matter.”

Fine with her. “There’s the hotel,” she said abruptly and pointed. “See it?”

“Yep.” He stopped, his gaze narrowing, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You giving me the brush off?”

To avoid getting run over by a group of Japanese tourists, she was forced to move back against a building. “Do you mind? My other appointment is across town.”

The large group was too busy listening to their guide and crowded the sidewalk to the point that Chase was literally pushed up against her. He flattened his hand against the brick beside her head and braced himself to keep from crushing her breasts.

“Sorry,” he murmured, his musky scent of pine and sweat oddly pleasing.

She had a feeling he wasn’t one bit sorry judging by the way his gaze stayed fixed on her mouth. “No problem.”

“Hope I didn’t hurt you.” He was a good four inches taller than her, and she was no slouch at five-nine.

She smiled. “They’re gone.”

“What?”

“You can move back now.”

He swung his gaze toward the retreating group. “Ah.” And then he straightened and lowered his hand, his eyes coming back to her face, his mouth curving in a sly grin. “Who knew you could get stampeded in New York City?”

She sidestepped him and moved closer to the street where she could get some much-needed air. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to be late.”

“What about your payment?”

“Are we still on for tomorrow morning?”

“Most definitely. I believe I booked you for a third morning, as well?”

“Right.” She stuck her hand out to hail a cab even though she really had plenty of time to hoof it the nine blocks to her next appointment. Best she get away from him now. Tomorrow she’d be better composed. “We’ll settle up at the end of your stay.”

“Why, you’re mighty trusting.”

A cab pulled to the curb and she opened the door. “Yeah.” Too trusting. Stupidly naive, in fact. As a result, she’d made mistakes. Shameful ones she could barely stand to think about. “Must be my midwest upbringing,” she murmured as she slid into the safety of the cab. God, when was she ever going to learn?

AFTER EATING a late lunch in the hotel’s bistro-style restaurant, which to Chase meant small portions, large tab, he stopped at the front desk. He recognized the short, dark-haired front-desk clerk from this morning when he’d met Dana in the lobby.

He also recognized the name on the gold tag she wore. She was on his list. “Good afternoon, Amy.”

She smiled, looking prettier than at first glance. “Good afternoon, Mr. Culver. What can I do for you?”

For a moment, it took him aback that she knew his name. But this was one of those ritzy hotels that pampered guests with big fluffy bath towels and Godiva chocolates on the pillows, so maybe it wasn’t that odd. He’d never stayed in a place like this before. Doubted he ever would again unless he was on the job.

“Well, darlin’, you can tell me if you have a big safe in the back for me to keep some of my valuables.” He gave her one of the big smiles that had gotten him into the back rooms of high-stakes’ poker games and into more trouble than he cared to think about.

“Yes, of course.” She smiled back. “But you do know you have a private one in your room, as well?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He glanced over at the bellman standing at the end of the counter, and then Chase lowered his voice, “But I’ve heard rumors about a couple of thefts here in the past month.”

Amy blinked. “Um…”

“Now, I’m sure you’ve been instructed not to talk about it,” he said, leaning part way across the desk so that their faces were only inches apart. “And I don’t wanna get you in any trouble, but you see, I have this expensive diamond necklace I just purchased and I would be real unhappy if anything happened to it.”

She glanced around, opened her mouth to speak and then promptly shut it again. Their eyes met and she briefly pursed her lips. “If you’d like us to keep something in the hotel safe, that certainly can be arranged.”

Damn. He must be losing his touch. “But you think my room safe is sufficient?”

Her gaze narrowed and she bit indecisively at her lower lip. “I don’t have an opinion in that regard,” she said finally.

Chase smiled, wondering how hard he should push. “I’ll think on it.” He pushed away from the counter, at the same time noticing that no one manned the concierge desk. “Do you know when the concierge will be back?”

“I’ll page Kelly right away.”

Perfect. She was the assistant and just the woman he wanted to speak with. “No hurry,” he said. “Just looking for restaurant reservations. I’ll come back in an hour.”

He felt Amy’s gaze on him until he rounded the corner where he ended up near the double doors to the Crystal Ballroom. A member of the housekeeping staff was polishing an ornate brass lamp that sat on a table near the sign for the restrooms. She barely looked up and no one else was in sight so he pulled out the small notebook he kept in his inside breast pocket.

When his finger caught on something he looked down and realized he hadn’t yet removed the price tag from the new navy blue blazer he’d bought yesterday before getting on the plane to New York. He muttered a curse, glanced around to make sure no one had sneaked up on him, and then ripped out the tag.

He only owned one suit, which, unfortunately, had seen more funerals than weddings. His other sports jacket had gotten him through dozens of court appearances, but was slightly too worn for his role as Chase Culver, rich producer, son of an oilman. The snakeskin boots he wore he’d gladly forked over five hundred bucks for two years ago. There were some things a man just didn’t scrimp on.

After flipping through a couple of pages of his notebook, he found the name of the St. Martine’s head of security. Gil Wagoner was an ex-cop who had retired after twenty-one years on the job. Chase hadn’t managed to pull his jacket, but he did know that the man’s record hadn’t been particularly remarkable. Not a bad thing. Maybe no commendations decorated his walls, but he hadn’t been brought up on any charges, either. Probably one of those guys who showed up every day to eventually get that pension. No crime in that. A warm body in a uniform was all that was needed sometimes.

Chase exhaled and thought for a minute. He wasn’t quite ready to talk to the man yet. Better to get his own feel first. Let his gut point him in a direction before finding out who security or the cops thought looked good for the theft. They had to figure it was an inside job. Roscoe hadn’t been the only one who’d been ripped off. Chase knew of at least one other theft. Who knew how many more the hotel was keeping under wraps? No matter. Two was enough to make him think the perp was right here. Not another guest, but an employee.

Or someone like Dana.

Man, he hoped not. But she had means and opportunity and maybe a motive he didn’t know about yet, so he couldn’t rule her out. Wouldn’t be the first time a pretty face and great body had waylaid an investigation.

His cell phone rang, snagging the attention of the young woman polishing the lamp. He checked the caller ID and decided to let Buddy leave a message. Whatever his ex-partner had to say would be better discussed in the privacy of Chase’s room. He flipped the cell shut, briefly catching the eye of the maid. She smiled shyly and quickly looked away.

Chase tucked the small notebook and phone back into his pocket. Then he adjusted his collar and put his game face on. No use passing up an opportunity. The young woman slid him another look. He smiled and moved toward her. “Good morning, ma’am.”

WHEN Dana entered the lobby the next morning, Amy was busy helping a guest. Kelly was on the phone. Dana checked her watch. She still had fifteen minutes before she had to meet Chase and she’d hoped the girls could get away for a cup of coffee.

She really wanted to tell them about him. Naturally she wasn’t interested in his projects or what kind of talent he was scouting, but like her, Kelly and Amy had both come from small midwestern towns looking to break into show business. Unlike her, they hadn’t given up.

Kelly hung up the phone and motioned Dana over to her desk. “You have time for coffee?” Kelly asked, shooting a look toward the door to the executive offices.

“Absolutely. I purposely came early.”

“You have a client?” Kelly closed her appointment book and slipped her gold Cross pen into the top drawer of her black-lacquer-and-glass desk.

“Yep.”

“Same one as yesterday?”

Dana nodded. “Chase Culver. He’s the reason I wanted to talk to the two of you.”

“I’d like to do more than talk to him. The guy’s hot.”

She shrugged. “He’s okay.”

Kelly snorted. “Are we talking about the same man?”

Dana grinned. “So he’s a little more than okay.”

Kelly rolled her eyes and started to walk away.

“What about Amy?” Dana glanced over at their friend who looked more subdued than usual.

“She can’t take a break yet. She’s spent the last hour in the security office. Brenda is there now so there’s no one to cover for her.”

“An hour?” Dana fell into step beside Kelly as they passed the elevators and headed for the door that would lead them to what the employees affectionately called the dungeon, officially known as the back-of-the-house, where the cafeteria, housekeeping and lockers were located.

Technically, Dana wasn’t supposed to go back there since she wasn’t an employee, but no one had ever said a word and since the other two couldn’t leave the property for their breaks they’d always grabbed a quick cup of coffee in the cafeteria.

“Everyone who worked during the thefts has been scheduled to meet with security,” Kelly explained. “It’s a pain in the ass, but I can see management’s point.”

“I get that, but Amy was there for an hour?”

“I haven’t gotten the scoop from her yet.” Kelly entered the cafeteria first and went straight for the coffee station. She nodded to one of the engineers who looked up from the newspaper he was reading. “I heard that one of the room service waiters was questioned for nearly two hours.”

“Well, those guys are actually on the guest floors all the time so I can see why.” Dana poured herself half a cup, leaving out the cream and sugar. That was all she allowed herself before running. “Even if they aren’t suspects they might’ve seen something helpful.”

“Yeah, I suppose.” Kelly chose a secluded table in the corner, although only a few other people were taking their breaks. She took a hasty sip, muttered a curse and jerked away from the steaming cup. She exhaled sharply. “But Amy hardly ever goes up on the guest floors.”

Dana had taken the seat opposite her and faced the doorway. If Kyle showed up she was out of here. The man could hurt her business so she’d kept her mouth shut, but she wasn’t going to stick around and take any harassment. She looked at Kelly and noticed the strain around her mouth and eyes. “Are you worried about Amy?”

Kelly’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. She blinked and then waved a dismissive hand. “No. I got this letter from my mom…” Kelly rubbed her temples.

“Oh, that.” Dana’s light remark belied the sympathy that ran deep. Being disappointed in yourself was one thing, but letting everyone back home know what a failure you’d become…well that was hard to stomach. It didn’t help to keep up the lie. Contact with old friends and family just kept getting harder, more complicated, until you didn’t know which end was up. “I might have some good news.”

“Yeah?” Kelly braved another sip, a curious lack of interest in her face. “I could use some good news.”

Dana spotted Amy at the door of the cafeteria. “Amy’s here.”

“Good. I’d like to hear what security said to her.”

Their friend joined them at the table and the conversation immediately focused on her meeting with security.

“Man, those guys aren’t kidding.” Amy shook her head at Dana’s offer to get her coffee. “Daryl kept firing questions at me like I was some kind of criminal.”

Kelly frowned. “Didn’t he just ask you to go to the movies with him last week?”

“Yeah, the stupid jerk wanted me to go see one of those juvenile comedies. As if.”

Dana knew the security guard, but only by reputation. “Maybe he’s giving you a hard time because you turned him down.”

“No, I heard they’re coming down hard on everyone.” Kelly shook her head. “Still, they have no reason to be suspicious of the front-desk people.”

Amy sighed. “Except I made several housekeeping requests on the nights of two of the thefts. Apparently one of the guests involved denied calling the front desk for extra pillows and I was the one who’d logged the request.”

“So?” Dana didn’t get it. “You wouldn’t have been the one to take the pillows to the guest floor.”

Amy’s expression turned grim. “After the housekeeping runner goes home at eleven, depending on who’s available, either the supervisor or a desk person fills guests’ requests.”

Dana sank back in her chair. “And tag, you were it.”

“That’s what they say. I don’t remember.” Amy growled with frustration. “I only work two lousy nights a week. Why did the thefts have to happen during my shift?”

Kelly briefly touched her hand. “Ah, sweetie, don’t worry about it. Let them make their reports. They’re just doing their job. Nothing will come of this.”

“Still, it’s humiliating.”

Kelly looked at Dana. “Let’s talk about something more pleasant. You have good news for us?”

She checked her watch. Not much time. “Turns out my client is a producer. He’s here to meet with a playwright for a film he’s backing. He didn’t say it in so many words, but he might be looking for local talent that can take on the big screen.”

“Chase Culver?” Amy asked, and at the same time Kelly said, “The hottie?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s a producer?” Amy shook her head. “He doesn’t look like a producer. The guy’s yanking your chain.”

Kelly nodded. “I’m with Amy on that one. He’s a little on the rough side, don’t you think?”

“The family money comes from oil. He’s decided to dabble in the movie business.”

“Hmm.” Kelly chuckled. “Expensive way to get laid.”

“I don’t think it’s like that,” Dana said, surprised at her defensiveness. “I mean, the guy could walk into any Manhattan bar and find someone to help him pull off his boots.”

“True.” Amy glanced conspiratorially at Kelly.

“What?” Dana got defensive again. “I’m not interested, if that’s what you’re implying.”

Kelly laughed. “If you’ve got a pulse, you’re interested in the man.”

Dana pushed back from the table. “Here I thought I was doing you guys a favor.”

Kelly finished her coffee, her obvious indifference not quite computing. Of the three of them she was the most diversely talented, able to sing, act and dance. She’d also been the most ambitious, keeping up on every casting call and arranging her days off accordingly. “How?”

“Look, I don’t know what kind of film he’s looking at producing, but why not throw your hats into the ring? It’s not as if we haven’t all stood in line for hours and hours for a two-minute audition just to get thrown out on our rears.”

Oddly, it was Amy who seemed more excited. “Is he holding auditions?”

“Not yet. Not that I know of, anyway. He seems to be in the scouting stage.” Troubled by her attitude, Dana stared at Kelly. “I thought you’d be all over this opportunity.”

Kelly sighed. “I’m tired. This town is finally getting to me.”

Amy’s mouth dropped open. She briefly looked over at Dana, who understood the disbelief in Amy’s face. “You? Miss Insanely Optimistic? You’re giving up?”

“I think eight years of heartache is enough.” Kelly drove a frustrated hand through her curly hair. “I’ve got to get back to work.” She hesitated. “Look, I was going to wait and tell you guys once I made up my mind for sure, but my mom told me there’s an opening for an assistant manager at the local bank back home. The manager is an old family friend and the job is pretty much mine if I want it.”

“Shut up!” Amy’s face went pale.

Dana knew she didn’t look so hot herself. How could this be? Not gung-ho Kelly. She never ever lost hope. Anyone would’ve bet she’d be the last woman standing. “You’re going back to Wisconsin?”

Kelly shrugged. “The cost of living is lower and I might as well use my business degree…” She smiled sadly. “As much as it pains me to admit it, I’m going to be thirty next month.”

“Thirty?” Amy frowned. “That’s right. Wow.”

Kelly gave her a wry look. “I’ve got to face facts. Thirty is way too old for this town.”

“What about that new guy you’ve been seeing?” Dana asked when she found her voice again. She hated the thought of Kelly leaving. Foolishly, the idea had never occurred to her that their threesome would ever be broken up, and the concept was hard to grasp. “Is it over already?”

“No. Everything is good.” Kelly stood. “Look, I shouldn’t have brought this up yet. Miranda won’t be back from vacation for another two weeks and so obviously I wouldn’t give notice yet. And then again, I haven’t made a decision. I really have to get back to work before Kyle gets in my face.”

“But what about this guy Culver?” Amy got up, too, so abruptly she nearly knocked her chair over. “Don’t you want to know what that’s about?”

The two other employees remaining in the cafeteria looked up with avid interest. Kelly lowered her voice. “Maybe. But I’ve got to give the bank my answer soon. You guys break a leg.” She winked, and left without waiting for Amy or Dana.

Amy shook her head, still looking stunned. “That was scary.”

“Yeah.” Dana was feeling pretty shaken herself. She got rid of her unfinished coffee, afraid to look at her watch. She had to be late, but she couldn’t seem to make herself move toward the door. “Did you see this coming at all?”

“Hell, no.”

“Me neither.”

“Yeah.” Amy smoothed back her dark hair. “Wow. I’d like to go slam back a couple of shots, but I have to get back to the desk.”

Dana sighed, and walking side by side, they headed for the door. “I’ve got to meet Chase.”

Amy’s chin came up. “You think he’s legit?”

She shrugged. “I don’t have any reason not to.”

“You going for it?”

Dana swallowed. “I haven’t auditioned in three years.”

“So?” “So, I like what I’m doing.”

Amy snorted.

“Right.”

What Dana should’ve pointed out was that she’d quit three years ago. Moved on. No more pie-in-the-sky dreams for her. She had no business nurturing even the teensiest hope. Yet here she was, holding her breath.

3

CHASE BENT over to pull on his sweat socks, wincing with the effort. Yesterday’s run—his first with Dana—hadn’t tested his physical endurance as much as the hundred sit-ups he’d foolishly punished himself with last night. An equal amount of push-ups hadn’t fazed him, but then again, the recent double bullet wound near his ribs had made crunches a bitch.

He promised himself that tonight he was taking it easy. Just him and that king-size bed. Throw in some room service and the television remote, he’d be all set. And if Dana were to…

Shit. What the hell was wrong with him? He couldn’t be thinking like that. Yeah, she had legs that could wrap nicely around a man’s waist and a high firm backside that you could set a beer on, but she was still a possible suspect. Just like the rest of the people on his list. So he’d better remember to keep his fly up.

The phone rang and he knew it was her because they were supposed to have met in the lobby ten minutes ago. He pushed off the edge of the bed and made it to the console table before the third ring.

“Mr. Culver?”

“This must be Ms. McGuire.”

“Are we still on for this morning?” Her tone was all business.

“Yes, ma’am. I do apologize, but I’m running a little slow. How about you come up and have a cup of coffee while you wait? Room service brought up a fresh pot less than half an hour ago.”

“I don’t mind waiting here in the lobby.”

“I have a suite with a nice big parlor.”

“I don’t drink coffee before I run.”

“Some water then?”

She hesitated. “Frankly, I make it a policy not to go up to the guest rooms.”

“I see.” Chase smiled wryly. That was lie number one. “I’ll be down in about five minutes.”

“No problem.”

He heard a click, and then slowly replaced the receiver on the cradle. He expected more enthusiasm out of her. Maybe he’d pegged her wrong. Nah, he didn’t think so. She’d admitted she’d come to New York looking for a singing career. Looks like he had to bait the hook again.

He found his running shoes under the teak secretary where he’d kicked them off yesterday. Bending over to pull on the shoe hurt his ribs again and he cut loose a word his mama had literally washed his mouth out with soap for when he was twelve. He still remembered the day as if it were yesterday. Not just because of the nasty taste of the soap, but because of that first look of disappointment in his God-fearing mama’s eyes.

How many times before that had she begged him not to turn out like his daddy, and in that one second, to her mind, he’d taken that fork in the road. To some degree she’d been right. Chase had disappointed himself too many times to think about. He’d done things he regretted, made promises he hadn’t kept. The true irony was that two months ago, when all hell had broken loose, sending his career as a cop up in smoke, none of it had been his fault. But that hadn’t seemed to matter.

He pushed the thought from his mind, tucked it away in that dark corner that had already been too contaminated with hate and anger to make a difference. Today he had a job to do and it required all his concentration. The last thing he needed to do was screw up again.

Besides, this was going to be an interesting run. He hoped Dana didn’t have another appointment after his because he had every intention of hijacking her.

“LET’S TAKE another route,” Chase said once they entered the park. “A change of scenery.”

“Sure.” Dana waited until a family of four got off the path to follow a string of ducks toward the lake before she started to run. She couldn’t get Kelly out of her head. This morning’s timing had been awful. Dana had dozens of questions.

“You’re quiet, darlin’.”

“What?” She looked over at him. He hadn’t shaved yet. Dark stubble covered his chin and jaw, and she thought about what Kelly and Amy had said about him not looking like a producer. Silly, of course. There was no specific look.

“Is something wrong?” With his dark eyebrows drawn together, his gaze narrowed, his eyes looked more gray than blue.

“No. Nothing.” She had to stop thinking about Kelly. It wasn’t just about how much she’d miss her, which was a whole other issue, but about how much the defeat on her face had shaken Dana. Kelly giving up was kind of like signaling the end of an era. Which was really crazy because Dana had long ago removed herself from the fray. So why should it affect her?

She noticed he was lagging a bit and slowed down. One of the problems with guiding men was that they often wouldn’t speak up if she went too fast for them. “Five miles again?”

“That works.”

“Remember, you set the pace.”

He grinned. “If I keel over you should probably stop.”

“I promise to dial 911 promptly.”

“That would be mighty kind of you.”

“It’s the least I could do. After all, I do want to get paid.”

Chase laughed. “You have lived in this city too long. Ah.” Grimacing, he put a hand to his side.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just my ribs. Old injury.”

Right. She tried not to smile. “Want to slow down?”

“Just for a while.”

She immediately brought them down to a brisk walk. “What happened to your ribs?”

“I tell you that and I’ll have to admit to my sordid past.” He gave her one of his disarming smiles. “You’re the one who seems a bit off your feed today.”

She hadn’t heard that phrase in a while. Her dad must have used it a hundred times while she was growing up. Probably still did. “I just found out that one of my friends is thinking about leaving the city and getting a job back home.”

“Home being?”

“Wisconsin.”

He let out a low whistle. “Long ways off. How did she end up here?”

“Like the rest—” She stopped herself. Did she really want to open up that discussion? Actually she’d already admitted to him that she’d come to New York in search of a singing career. Bringing it up again could be a great lead-in to finding out about his meeting yesterday. “It seems like most of the friends I’ve made here I met standing in line for auditions.”

“I see. Is she working on Broadway?”

“No. That’s part of the problem.”

“So she works at the hotel?”

“She hasn’t decided for sure about leaving and obviously hasn’t given her notice yet, so I don’t feel comfortable talking about it.” Trying to sound casual, she asked, “How did your meeting with the mysterious playwright go?”

He made a sound of disgust. “It got postponed until tomorrow.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“That means I’ll need your services for an extra day.”

“I’ll check my appointment book, but that shouldn’t be a problem.” No, the real problem was the excitement that blossomed in her chest. She didn’t understand it. Certainly hadn’t expected the reaction. She’d had plenty of good-looking clients over the past couple of years. Even made the mistake of dating one of them. Which absolutely wouldn’t happen again.

“You ever think about going home?”

“Not really.”

“What is it about New York that you love?”

Nothing readily came to mind. She had to think about it. “The energy. The cultural diversity. The food.”

“Now, what do you miss about Indiana?”

“My family,” she said automatically. “Clean air. Clear blue skies. Corny county fairs. And never having to worry about whether I locked my apartment door or not.” She sighed. “I miss having a car, too. What about you?”

He looked surprised. “Me? I kind of flit around, so the question isn’t as applicable.”

“You said you’ve been living between Los Angeles and Houston.”

“Right,” he said slowly. “Guess home was never what you’d call a Norman Rockwell painting. Mama’s a good woman. Not the cookie-baking type, but she ran a strict household. I still managed to give her a run for her money.”

She liked the fondness in his voice when he talked about her. “Your father?”

“You mean the sperm donor?”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.” He thrust a hand through his hair. “That’s about the only thing I fault my mama for. She never should’ve stayed with the worthless son of a bitch.”

“I’m sorry,” Dana said quietly because she didn’t know what else to say. Still, she regretted saying that. It sounded too much like pity.

Chase muttered a curse, his rudeness taking her aback, but before she could say anything he sprinted ahead.

She stopped and stared, dumfounded, and then watched him scoop up a boy, both of them tumbling onto the grass. A second later, an out-of-control skateboarder plowed past the spot where the boy had been playing with a toy truck.

“Oh, my! Toby!” A woman carrying a baby ran toward them. “Toby.” She dropped to her knees, balancing the baby on one hip while checking the boy’s unnaturally bent arm. “Are you okay, baby?”

“I’m fine, Mom.” Toby made a disgusted face at his mother’s gentle probing. Only about four, already his male ego seemed to be intact. He straightened out his arm and shook out his hand.

The young mother breathed a sigh of relief and sent Chase a grateful look. “What do you say to the nice man, Toby?”

He broke into a big grin. “That was awesome.”

Chase grunted. “Right.”

“Really, thank you.” The mother struggled to her feet, glancing over her shoulder in the direction of the skateboarding teenager who’d barely managed to avoid a tree. “That kid is going to hurt somebody.”

Chase made an attempt to get up, but sat back down again. His hand went to his ribs, and the strain in his face said it all. Dana walked over and offered him her hand. He took it, and she helped pull him to his feet.

“Thanks,” he murmured.

“You really are hurt.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Thanks, mister.” Dusting the seat of his jeans, Toby tilted his head back and grinned at Chase.

“You’re welcome. I hope your truck is okay.”

The boy’s eyes widened. “My truck.” He scampered off in search of his toy, his mother close behind him.

Dana really wanted to ask more about Chase’s injury. He probably shouldn’t be running. “Wow, faster than a speeding bullet.”

His laugh was wry. “Not exactly.”

“I didn’t even see that skateboarder. He came out of no-where. You have great reflexes.” They were close to a gazebo and she steered him in that direction. “You must have played football in school.”

“Me? A jock? I don’t think so.”

She chuckled. “I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“I rode in a few rodeos in my time, but sports…” He scoffed.

“Over here,” she said when he veered toward the path. “Let’s go sit for a while.”

“Why?”

“Because I can tell your side is hurting.”

“Nah, I’m fine.”

She didn’t believe him. He looked pale, but she wasn’t about to argue. “Want to just walk then?”

He led her back onto the path and resumed a brisk pace. “I want you to have dinner with me tonight.”

She looked sharply at him. “I can’t.”

“Won’t or can’t?”

“Both.”

He smiled. “Why not?”

“I don’t date clients.”

“It’s only dinner. I hate eating by myself.”

“It’s really not a good idea.”

“Why?”

Dana took a deep breath. She’d have to be out of her mind to agree, especially now that his stay here was extended. She’d broken her rule once, and the lapse in judgment had ended up breaking her heart. The jerk had turned out to be married. With three kids. Although Bradford was from Chicago, his business brought him to New York often and he’d wooed her for months before she’d given in.

He’d been romantic, sending her flowers, writing her silly charming notes, saying all the right things. They’d had dinner, gone up to his room, had sex. The next morning his wife had surprised them both. It was their tenth wedding anniversary. The look of pain and horror on the betrayed woman’s face had stayed with Dana for the past two years. So had the shame. It hadn’t mattered that she hadn’t known he was married. And that was no way near the worst of it for her since coming to New York.

“Consider it a business dinner,” Chase said, when she’d let silence stretch. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll be able to talk you into getting back into singing professionally.”

“Not me,” she said quickly. “I have enough on my plate.”

“You never know what kind of opportunities could arise.”

Damn him. He’d piqued her curiosity. Not for herself, but for Kelly. Maybe if Dana made nice she could introduce her friend to Chase. “Where did you want to eat?”

“Name it.”

“Not at the hotel.”

“Fine. You tell me.”

She swallowed, her thoughts moving so fast she could barely think straight. She could tell herself all she wanted that she was doing this for her friend, but that was a lie. After thinking she was immune to temptation when it came to show business, he’d snagged her like a hog-tied calf at the county fair.

“FOR GOD’S SAKE, Roscoe, I’ve only been here for two days. No, I haven’t found the ring yet.” Chase held the phone away from his ear for a second and checked his reflection in the mirror. His hair was too long and his shirt collar wasn’t pressed right. It kind of curled up at the tip and touched his blazer. Too late to do anything about it. He had to meet Dana for dinner in half an hour.

“You talk to the police?” Easy to picture Roscoe’s ruddy face, shock of white hair and more eyebrows than three people put together. He’d made a lot of money pumping oil out of his forty-thousand acre spread, and he never let anyone forget it.

“Not yet.”

“What am I paying you for, boy?”

“Expertise.” If he didn’t have a hefty car payment he wouldn’t have considered taking on the private detective work. Chase checked his fly. All was well in that department. “Don’t go telling me how to investigate this case, Roscoe. You don’t want to get me riled.”

“See here, that’s the problem. It’s just a case to you. You don’t find that ring, it’s gonna be my neck on Mary Lou’s choppin’ block.”

He knew Roscoe’s wife, and the man wasn’t exaggerating. Of course that sweet young thing probably couldn’t even boil water or find the kitchen, but Chase got the man’s drift. “I don’t want to talk to the locals until I get my own feel for what’s going on. Tomorrow I’ll meet with security.” Chase went to the window, pushed aside the drapes and eyed the mounting traffic. Good thing Dana had chosen a restaurant that was only a five-minute walk from the hotel. “You know it might help if you tell me why you brought that ring here with you in the first place.”

Roscoe muttered something profane. “I already told you it ain’t relevant.”

Chase wasn’t so sure, but no use arguing. The only thing Roscoe had told him was that he’d come to New York for two days to meet with his stockbroker and find something nice for Mary Lou’s birthday. It made no sense that he had the heirloom ring with him, but he wouldn’t explain. Just acted real odd every time Chase questioned him about his trip.

“One more thing, Roscoe. You having an affair?”

“Go to hell.” Roscoe slammed the phone down hard.

Chase flipped his cell phone shut and rubbed his assaulted ear. This case was beginning to stink worse than a pigsty. Roscoe didn’t want anyone else to know about the theft, not Mary Lou, not even his insurance company. Yes, the police here in Manhattan had been given a statement, and Roscoe had painstakingly compiled a pretty good list of potential suspects for Chase to look into.

Roscoe wasn’t exactly the detailed type, yet he’d included the names of every room-service waiter who had been on duty, every maid, every bellman. Because she’d had a client staying at the St. Martine the day Roscoe had arrived, even Dana’s name had made the list. The guy had done some heavyduty homework. Made Chase suspicious. If that son of a gun knew who took the ring and wasn’t fessing up, he’d have more to worry about than a chopping block.

Although Chase shouldn’t complain. He was getting paid well, by the day, plus expenses, so if it meant that the less Roscoe told him the longer it took to find the ring, that wasn’t such a bad thing. Except, there were two problems with that. One, Chase had known Roscoe for twenty years and the guy normally couldn’t keep his mouth shut about anything. Now all of a sudden you needed a crowbar to get him to open up.

Second, as nice as it was shacking up in a fancy hotel and having play dates with a beautiful woman, Chase had to get back to Dallas by the end of the week to meet with IAD again. His gaze automatically went to the screen on his cell phone. Buddy hadn’t called back yet. They’d traded three calls since yesterday afternoon. It was probably nothing or his ex-partner would’ve been more persistent.

His thoughts returned to Roscoe. If nothing turned up tomorrow after he talked to security and the police, Chase would have to lean harder on the old man. The thing Chase hated most was surprises.

He took a final look in the mirror and tried to flatten the bent collar. But damn if Dana McGuire wasn’t turning out to be quite a pleasant one.

If she was innocent, man, he was gonna feel like crap for lying to her.

4

“ARE YOU wearing perfume?” Holding a spoon and an open pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream, Lynn, Dana’s roommate, poked her dark head into the bathroom and sniffed the air. “You have a date?”

Dana glared at her. “I just bought that.”

“Yeah? Thanks.”

Dana growled with disgust. She knew better. She absolutely knew better. What a dope. “You’d better leave me some.”

“Sure.” Lynn dipped the spoon into the carton. “Who’s the guy?”

“Can you please use a bowl?”

“Then I’d have to wash it.”

Dana shook her head. Yeah, right. The woman didn’t even know where they kept the dish detergent. Man, twenty-seven was too old to have to suffer a roommate. Yet, if you lived in Manhattan there wasn’t a choice. Not for her on the amount of money she made, which on the whole wouldn’t have been too bad if she hadn’t been saving like crazy for her new business venture. Until last month there were three of them sharing the two-bedroom flat and they were going to have to find someone to replace Lisa pretty soon in order to afford the ridiculous rent.

Maybe Kelly had the right idea. Returning to the midwest had major pluses. Rent was relatively cheap, even if Dana chose to go to one of the larger cities. She’d have a car again, a dog and cat, maybe even a date once in a while. But the downside was huge—the humiliation of admitting that she simply hadn’t been able to cut it in the real world.

The true irony was that she hadn’t been the one so hot to leave the small farming community where she’d known every last kid in the small grade school, and at fourteen, shared her very first kiss with Bobby Miller, the captain of the football team. Her mother, her teachers, her high-school guidance counselor, even Maude Maubry, the town’s librarian, had urged Dana to set her sights on bigger things.

She checked to make sure she hadn’t gotten any lip gloss on her teeth, ran a brush through her hair one last time and then exited the tiny ancient bathroom that desperately needed some repairs to the rusty pipes and loose tiles.

Lynn backed down the short hallway. “Since you won’t be home tonight, can I borrow your—?”

“No.”

“You didn’t let me finish.”

Dana edged past her, noting wryly that the ice cream was almost gone. “Have you ever returned anything you’ve borrowed from me?”

Lynn frowned. “I think so.”

“Think again.” Dana grabbed the small black purse she’d hung off her bedroom doorknob. Weird even to carry a purse. Normally she stuck keys, money and her cell phone in her jeans pocket, or in a fanny pack if she wore only Spandex running shorts.

“You coming home tonight?”

“Yes.” She noticed the disappointment in Lynn’s black-outlined eyes. “So do not touch my stuff.”

Dana left the apartment without another word, recalling a time when she would never have spoken to another human being like that. Good old Dana would have given anyone the shirt off her back. All they needed to do was ask. In fact, they didn’t have to say a word. She’d volunteer. Even if it were minus ten degrees outside and she had nothing else to wear.

She’d been the consummate good girl. Church-going. God-fearing. Perfect manners. Valedictorian of her class. Blessed with both looks and modest talent. The role model for every girl in town. Much to her chagrin, she’d been the one all the other parents compared their kids to. Her biggest fault had been her deep-seated foolish desire to please everyone. Her biggest secret was that she was basically shy.

With the possible exception of her father, no one had seemed to see that side of her. She’d just smiled a lot and allowed everyone their assumptions. Being on stage had been remarkably easy because she felt as if she was someone else entirely, and that’s where she’d fooled everyone. She’d almost fooled herself. She’d started to believe the hype that she was special and needed to spread her wings.

The truth was, she hadn’t changed much. Below the cool surface she was still that shy girl from Smallville, Indiana, population fifteen hundred and thirty-six, only after Marilyn Wilson had had triplets last year. If Dana were brave enough to dig deep, she’d probably find that she didn’t belong in a place like New York. But the longer she stayed the harder it was to go home. Instead, she mailed her letter every other week, phoning her parents on alternate weeks, keeping the calls short, never disabusing them of the idea that long distance still cost an arm and a leg.

At the corner she hailed a cab, not wanting to pit out by walking in the sticky humid weather. She hated that she’d put herself in this funk. It was stupid. By now everyone back home knew she hadn’t made it big, after all. Just because she hadn’t uttered the words didn’t mean reality hadn’t roosted. She wasn’t responsible for their disappointment. She had her own to deal with.

No, no, she’d put all that angst to rest. She wouldn’t even be thinking about any of it if it weren’t for Chase Culver. He’d stirred up the pot. Still, she knew better than to resurrect hope.

A cab stopped for her and she slid inside, giving the cabbie the restaurant’s address. She squared her shoulders. This was going to be a good test of her resolve. See if she’d really made the peace she thought she had. And yet who knew, maybe he just might have something worthwhile to offer.

CHASE ARRIVED a few minutes early and convinced the hostess to give him a nice quiet table in the corner of the restaurant, from where he had a clear view of the entrance. The place was simple, wooden chairs and tables set with laminated placemats listing New York trivia questions instead of tablecloths. On the walls were pictures of different parts of Manhattan, circa mid-nineteen hundreds. The only nod to formality was the crisp red linen napkins.

When the waitress came by he ordered a beer while he waited for Dana. He had no idea where she lived and with the crazy traffic out there, there was no telling when she’d make it. But the waitress had no sooner left the table than he saw Dana walk in. His breathing literally faltered.

With her hair down, bouncing around her shoulders, it looked much blonder than when it was pulled back in a ponytail. And the dress…breathtaking. Simple, black and sleeveless, hugging her every curve, it nearly made his heart stop altogether. The hem ended about five inches above her knees, and he didn’t know how it was possible, but her legs looked even better than when she wore running shorts.

Every man in the joint, from eighteen to eighty, turned to watch her walk past their tables. Not that he wasn’t a gentleman, though he wasn’t the type to get up and pull out a woman’s chair in a circumstance like this, but he was on his feet before he knew it and had her chair out and waiting before she got to him.

“Thank you,” she said, her cheeks turning pink. “You didn’t have to do that.”

He felt as if he was in eleventh grade again. Every guy in school dreamed about taking Rebecca Weaver to the homecoming dance. Including him. Naturally she went with the captain of the football team. But she’d saved a dance for Chase, whispered something sweet in his ear and kissed him on the lips. He thought he’d won the lottery. Holding on to that night had gotten him through many a dry spell, when all he had to warm him was rosy palm and her five sisters, but that night at the dance didn’t hold a candle to this very moment.

The creamy vanilla fragrance drifting up from her hair held him rooted for a second too long and as soon as he realized he was hovering, he released her chair and reclaimed his own.

Their eyes met, and she smiled shyly.

“You look stunning,” he said.

“Thank you,” she murmured, the pink returning to her cheeks. She actually seemed uncomfortable with the compliment. It wasn’t an act. She couldn’t be that good. Could she? “You clean up pretty well yourself.”

He smiled. “No comparison.”

She made a face. “Stop it.”

“Okay.” He put up his hands, and noticed the waitress returning with his beer. “Sorry I didn’t wait, but I ordered a drink. I wasn’t sure when you’d get here. What would you like?”

The waitress arrived, set down his glass and while she poured the beer, smiled at Dana. “What can I get you?”

“I’ll have the same,” she said, surprising him.

“I thought you were more the wine type,” he said when the waitress had left.

“Funny, I was thinking the same about you.”

“Me? A good ole boy from Texas. Bite your tongue.” He pushed the bottle and glass toward her, belatedly remembering that as a big-shot producer he probably should’ve ordered wine. “Be my guest. I can wait.”

“Tell you what…” She topped off the foaming glass and then handed it to him. “We’ll split it.” And then she tipped the bottle to her lips.

Chase grinned. This was his kind of woman. “I would’ve taken the bottle.”

She smiled back. “Beat you to it.”

Moisture clung to her pale pink lips, making them glisten. Or maybe she’d done something to them. Used some tinted gloss maybe, but nothing much. Altering perfection would be a crime. He’d have to arrest her. Take her back to his room in handcuffs. Secure her to the bedposts to make sure she didn’t get away.

His slacks suddenly got uncomfortably snug and he shifted positions. Damn, he had to stay on track. Too easy to forget why he’d asked her to dinner. He took a cool sip and leaned back. “Tell me about this friend of yours. The one who wants to pack it in and go home.”

She looked startled, and then shrugged a slim shoulder. “Kelly’s amazingly talented. She dances, sings, acts.”

He knew that name. She was a hotel employee. The assistant concierge, maybe? He kept an impassive face, mentally filing away the name. “Has she worked on Broadway?”

“She’s had a few roles. Mostly small ones, but one of the plays she did lasted for nearly a year. It’s just not easy getting cast. I don’t have to tell you that it’s a cutthroat business.”

“Yep, a lot of money at stake.”

She tilted her head to the side and studied him in a way that made him nervous. Like she was going to ask him a question he didn’t know how to answer. “What made you decide to get involved in show business?”

“Good question.” He frowned thoughtfully, pretending to give the matter serious consideration. “I’m afraid I don’t have a very noble answer.”

“Fame and money is a given.”

“This industry is fickle. Profit isn’t a guarantee. It could cost you big-time.”

“True.”

The waitress returned with Dana’s beer and asked to take their orders. But neither of them had looked at the menu yet. As soon as the woman left to check on another table, Chase picked up his menu hoping Dana would forget the nature of their conversation.

“Come on. Now I’m curious.”

He stupidly hadn’t anticipated the question, but he’d learned doing undercover work that sticking as close to the truth as possible reduced your risk of exposure. “I was bored.”

“Ah. The curse of the idle rich.”

“Now, now, darlin’. You know boredom isn’t only a rich man’s affliction.”

“Okay, you’re right.” Her lips curved in a cheeky smile. “They just get to be bored without worrying about paying the mortgage.”

“Touché.”

“At least you’re honest,” she said, picking up her menu.

He flinched and quickly directed his attention to the list of entrées. Maybe dinner hadn’t been such a good idea. No, this was a good opportunity. As long as he retained control of the conversation.

Nothing on the menu was too pricey, particularly by Manhattan standards. He liked that she’d chosen this place even though she thought he had deep pockets. “Any recommendations?”

“Everything is good.” She closed her menu and set it aside.

“What are you having?”

“Blackened chicken salad.”

Should’ve known she was one of those salad kind of gals, low-fat dressing on the side, no doubt. Why it disappointed him he couldn’t say. Him, he was a having a great big porterhouse steak.

As soon as he closed his menu the waitress appeared again and took their order. He asked for another beer, but Dana declined. A smarter man would’ve followed her lead. He had to meet her at ten tomorrow and run another five miles. Although, if he got enough information tonight, there really would be no reason to see her.

Their eyes met, hers so beautiful his groin stirred. Who was he kidding? No way he’d pass up a chance to see her again. He smiled and went for his beer.

“How’s your side?”

“Better.”

“How did you say you hurt it?”

“A man can humble himself only so much in one night.”

She smiled. “Must be a pretty juicy story.”

He wouldn’t call it that. But he couldn’t very well admit he’d been part of an undercover sting that had gone bad. One that might have shot his career to hell and back.

Focus. He couldn’t start replaying that old tape. Might as well call it a night if his mind had started going to that bad neighborhood. “Let’s get back to your friend. She has a résumé and portfolio, I presume.”

At his abruptness, Dana blinked. “Sure.”

“Okay.” He paused, trying to gather his thoughts. “After my meeting tomorrow I’ll know more about how close I am to sealing this deal.”

“Great.” Dana seemed nervous suddenly, her hand trembling slightly as she picked up her bottle of beer. “If it works out for you and you’d like to talk to my friend, I could arrange for the two of you to meet.”

“You sound more like her agent.”

She smiled. “She’s had a tough go of it lately, and I hate to see her give up.”

A loud group of six sat at the table next to them, the three guys arguing over yesterday’s Mets’ game and sounding as if they’d already been partying half the afternoon.

Chase leaned across the table toward Dana. Her lips were really something, full and pouty, but natural-looking. “What about you?”

“What about me?” she asked warily.

“Aren’t you interested?”

She hesitated. “That phase of my life is over. I’ve moved on.”

“That’s a shame,” he said, relieved because he didn’t have to feel like a jerk for getting her hopes up.

She briefly looked away. “What about you? What will you do if this deal fails?”

“Failure is never an option.” Yeah, easy to sound confident when you were full of crap. When you didn’t know if you were even going to have a job next month. What the hell. He was kind of liking this private-dick stuff, especially the expense-account part.

“Good attitude. I hope it works for you.” She smiled, but it didn’t erase the trace of bitterness in her voice.

Brought him back to the reason he was here. Bitterness could change a person. Make them do things they weren’t proud of, or worse, make them think it was their God-given right to take what they wanted. Like turn to thieving to support a lifestyle they felt they’d been cheated out of. He studied Dana as she stared into her beer, her blond hair falling forward like a sheet of expensive fine silk.

Did she fit that profile? Did she feel she deserved more than life had dished out? Did it matter that a woman like her could get a man to give her anything she wanted? She wouldn’t even have to work at it. Just bat those beautiful eyes. Or maybe she liked more of a challenge. Wanted a more active role. Could be she was working with someone.

Hell, that was an angle he hadn’t considered yet. She seemed chummy with some of the hotel staff. Maybe her job was to distract the target while an accomplice snatched the goods. Made sense. The possibility was certainly worth considering.

The idea grated on him more than it should. He didn’t want her to be involved. His lack of objectivity really got to him. Hadn’t he learned his lesson in the past year? Of course it wasn’t as if she were a serious suspect yet. But until she could be eliminated, she stayed on the list. When the eliminations were done, the last man standing ended up in cuffs.

After poking around yesterday, he had his eye on a room-service waiter and a maid. Both had opportunity and knowledge of the ring. He knew the maid had been on the same floor at the time of the other theft. The waiter’s timeline hadn’t been confirmed.

Still, the fact that Dana had lied about not going up to the guest floors nagged at him. He knew that wasn’t true because Roscoe had seen her. Which brought him back to his original suspicion that she did know Roscoe. The idea that they could’ve been intimate made him queasy.

“You’ve gotten awfully quiet,” she said, toying with her napkin so that it was beginning to shred. “Anything wrong?”

“I was thinking about your friend. When did she decide to leave New York?”

Dana frowned. “Why?”

“Because if I go forward, I need people who are committed to the film. If she already has a job lined up back home—”

Dana laughed. “Trust me. If you have a role for her, she’ll commit.”

That didn’t go as planned. “This decision…was it a sudden one?”

“I think so.” She took a pensive sip. “But I don’t really know. I haven’t talked to her much since she dropped the bomb. Actually, I was going to see if she’d meet me this evening and fill me in. That was before you asked me to dinner.”

He smiled. “I’m glad you didn’t turn me down.”

“Me, too,” she said quietly, briefly meeting his eyes before looking at the napkin she’d been working on.

He forced his attention on the business at hand. “So this friend of yours, she isn’t leaving because of an old boyfriend or job or anything in particular?”

Dana gave him an odd look. She settled back, her posture on the defensive side. “She received a letter from her mother telling her about a job that’s opened up, a pretty good job, apparently.”

“Ah. Not show business,” he said, absently. That didn’t mean she didn’t have another motive for wanting a quick exit.

“Oh, no. She has a business degree.”

“What about you? Did you go to college?”

Dana nodded. “Yep. Just a junior college near my home for two years and then I finished up at the university. I have a teaching degree so I can always rely on that.”

“You don’t look like any teacher I ever had.”

She rolled her eyes. “What about you? Before you got bored,” she said, the corners of her mouth twitching. “What did you do?”

“I dropped out of school.”

Her eyebrows went up.

“Not high school. College. In the middle of my third year.”

“Holy moly, that must’ve made your parents real happy.”

“My mom was ready to run me up a flagpole.” He went with the truth. Besides, being easier to keep track of, for some reason, he didn’t want to lie to her anymore than he could help it. “My dad didn’t care one way or the other.”

Her expression softened. “Was he present in your life?”

“When it suited him. Hey, no puppy-dog eyes for me. The less I saw of the old man the better I liked it.” He meant it, although he regretted offering that much information.

Fortunately, the waitress arrived with their food, and he immediately dug into his steak. Dana didn’t press him to talk more, which was a good thing because he had no intention of getting that personal again. Better he keep his focus on the job and not her incredible blue eyes.

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