Amaryllis by Jayne Castle Page A

your problem. So what if the guy was focusing with an intent to convince people to vote for him and to donate to his campaign fund? That’s what politics is all about.”
    Amaryllis was not mollified. “But if charisma can be focused for those purposes, it would be an act of deliberate misrepresentation or fraud or something.”
    Lucas looked amused. “Welcome to the real world, lady.”
    She scowled. “Doesn’t it bother you that a very high-class talent in Sheffield’s position is using his abilities to con people?”
    “He’s a politician, Amaryllis.”
    “But he was using an academically trained prism to focus.”
    “So what? I used one tonight, too.”
    “But Sheffield’s prism should know better than to become involved in an unethical use of talent. Professor Landreth drilled the Code of Focus Ethics into all his students.”
    “No kidding.”
    “There are standards in my profession,” Amaryllis snapped. “And the prism who was working with Sheffield tonight may have violated them.”
    Lucas propped one shoulder against the wall and studied her with an expression of reluctant fascination. “I have some advice for you, Amaryllis. Nobody likes a self-appointed conscience.”
    “Spoken like a talent with a classic case of prism envy.” Amaryllis reached past him to yank open the door. “Good night, Mr. Trent. Rest assured, your bill will be in the mail first thing in the morning.”
    Lucas didn’t move and the door stayed closed. “You asked me a professional question. Mind if I ask you one?”
    Amaryllis watched him with deep suspicion. “What is it?”
    “Was it good for you, too?”
    “What?” she whispered.
    He appeared to be satisfied with her stunned expression. “So, it wasn’t all happening on my end. I wondered about that. I told you, I haven’t had a lot of experience with the focus link, and I didn’t know if getting sexually aroused was a common side effect or if it was relatively rare.”
    Amaryllis was nearly speechless. She knew she was blushing from the top of her head straight down to the soles of her feet. “I assure you, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “Just tell me how long I can expect the effects to last.”
    “Effects?” she repeated weakly.
    “Yeah. Effects. How long will this overpowering urge to take you to bed last?”
    “Mr. Trent, please.”
    “Will it disappear by morning? It’s kind of distracting.”
    Amaryllis swallowed and then took refuge once more beneath the mantle of professionalism. “I don’t know how long the feeling lasts. I have never heard of any link producing sensations of the sort you’re complaining about. Furthermore—”
    “I’m not exactly complaining.”
    “Well, that’s what it sounds like to me.”
    “Maybe kissing you would work off a few of the side effects.” Lucas tossed aside his jacket and reached for her.
    “Mr. Trent. You’re a client.”
    “Yeah, I know.” He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her against his chest. “Don’t worry, I always pay my bills.”
    “That’s not the point.”
    Amaryllis flattened her palms against his broad shoulders. She barely had time to notice that his gleaming gray eyes were as impenetrable as the dark fog that she had imagined coalescing beneath her kitchen cabinets.
    His mouth came down on hers.

Chapter
5

    Lucas knew that kissing Amaryllis was the act of a desperate man. He had told himself that taking her into his arms would be the quickest way to shatter the illusion of sexual desire that had held him in thrall all evening. He knew more about the nature of illusions than most people, he had assured himself. Hell, he was an expert. He knew one when he saw it.
    But the reality of Amaryllis’s sweet, warm, incredibly sexy mouth did not have the therapeutic effect he had anticipated. Her lips actually trembled. A shiver went through her, sending shock waves through him.
    The evidence of her response sent Lucas straight over the edge. He had a mental image