Sudden Attraction. Rebecca York

you did when you started writing about Rudy Maglioni?”

      “Somebody has to expose him.”

      “Why you?”

      “Because I’m willing to take the chance.” He could have added that nobody besides his editor would miss him if the mob caught up with him. Changing the subject, he said, “You can have my bed.”

      “No, thanks.” She glanced toward the couch. “I’ll stay out here.”

      “It’s not all that comfortable.”

      “I’ll manage,” she said with an edge in her voice, and he warned himself not to press his luck. She was a woman with a strong will, and he couldn’t force her decision. It had to come from her.

      “I’ll get you a blanket.” He hurried into the bedroom and glanced at the bed he hadn’t made in days. Well, maybe her coming in here wasn’t such a good idea.

      After pulling the spare blanket from the top of the closet, he returned to the living room. He laid it on the end of the couch and stepped back. He wanted to say that they couldn’t keep from touching each other forever. Sooner or later it was going to happen again.

      “You’re sure you’ll be okay?” he asked.

      “Yes. Thanks. And …” She paused again. “Thanks for watching out for me.”

      “It’s the right thing to do,” he said stiffly, then added, “You can have the bathroom first.”

      “Thanks.”

      “Your mom put an extra toothbrush in there.”

      “Right. She liked to keep the cottages stocked with conveniences.”

      “Yes. I appreciated the food in the cabinets.”

      They were getting into inane conversation territory again because they still had no idea how to deal with each other.

      Before he said any other dumb lines—or did anything else he regretted—he made sure the front door was locked and bolted, then picked up a lamp and entered into the bedroom.