Pandora's Daughter

"Too bad. You've got it." He started toward her. "I want one thing from you. You've dissected how you feel about me into sterile little pieces. Now put them all together. Whether you think you know me or not, do you love what you know?"

"I have to have time to—"

"Commit."

"I wouldn't have come here if I hadn't thought we could have a relationship."

"Commit."

"Dammit, Grady, you're trying to control—"

"Commit."

"Oh, for heaven's sakes. I do... love... you." She shook her head. "Dammit, I wanted to go slow. It's too important to—"

"Shh." He kissed her, hard, sweet, good. "I know. I'm not dragging you to a justice of the peace. All I'm asking is that for this day, this moment, you love me. We'll take every day one at a time." His hands moved to cup her face. "Okay?"

She turned her head and her lips brushed his palm. "Okay."

"And now that we have that settled, may we please go to bed?"

"You're damn right." She smiled as she backed away from him. "After all, it's one of your very best talents. I like it much more than—"

Grady's cell phone rang.

"Grady, don't you dare take that call," she said with soft emphasis.

"No danger. I'll put it on—" He glanced at the ID. "Shit." He punched the button. "It had better be important." He listened for a moment and then a broad smile lit his face. "She's right here." He handed the phone to Megan. "Someone wants to talk to you."

"Who?" She asked impatiently. "Can't they call back later?" Someone on the other end of line was speaking, but she couldn't understand him. "You're talking too low. I can't hear you. Speak up."

Then her hand suddenly tightened on the phone and her voice was only a whisper. "Phillip?"

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The Killing Game

The Face of Deception

And Then You Die

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