Command Performance by Nora Roberts

something long and cool.
    “What about you?”
    “I’ve nearly done all I can for the moment, and I don’t want my actors too exhausted to rehearse.” She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “You’ve been a big help. The rest of this is really up to me and thecrew.”
    He dried the sweat on his face with a sleeve before giving her a look of amused admiration. “I don’t know many producers who get their hands dirty.”
    Eve turned her palms up and wrinkled her nose at the smears of dust. “Apparently this producer does. Ten o’clock call tomorrow. Be fresh.”
    “Yes, ma’am. Any messages for the rest of the troupe?”
    “The same. Tell them to enjoy the evening, but any hangovers tomorrow morning won’t be sympathized with.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind. Don’t work too hard.”
    She glanced around as he left the storeroom. “Tell me about it.” Hands on hips, she decided she’d done about all the damage she could do for one day. Putting her back into it, she scooted one last box of bulbs into a corner. At the sound behind her, she dug into the pockets of her sweats and pulled out a set of keys.
    “Give these to Gary, will you? He’ll need to get in here first thing tomorrow.” Without looking, she chucked the keys.
    “I’d be happy to oblige if I knew who Gary was and where to find him.”
    “Oh.” Still stooped, she looked up at Alex. His light sweater and slacks were spotless, his hair unruffled and his shoes shined. She felt like a dustrag. “I thought you were one of the stagehands.”
    “No.” When she straightened, he tossed the keys back to her. “Eve, have you been in here shoving at these crates?”
    “I’ve been unpacking and, uh …” She linked her filthy hands behind her back. “Organizing.”
    “And moving things entirely too heavy to be moved by a woman.”
    “Now just a minute—”
    “Let’s say too heavy to be moved by someone of your size and build.”
    The rephrasing mollified only because her back ached. “I had help.”
    “Apparently not enough. If you need more, you’ve only to ask.”
    “We can manage, thanks. The worst of it’s done.” She attempted to clean off her hands on the front of her sweats. “I didn’t realize you were coming in today. Was there something we left out this morning?”
    He came farther into the room. She stood with her hands behind her back and her back against a crate. “We have no business to discuss.”
    “Well, then.” She caught herself moistening her lips. “I’d better get these keys to Gary and clean up before Bennett gets here.” She started forward, but he stood in her way.
    “Bennett was detained. I’ve come to take you home.”
    “That wasn’t necessary.” She moved to the side as he stepped forward. “I told Ben I’d take the lift if it was convenient.” He moved again, and she evaded. “I don’t expect to be driven around while I’m here. Renting a car’s simple enough.”
    She smelled like hot honey baked in the sun and waiting to be sampled. “Do you object to driving with me?”
    “No, of course not.” She rapped her heel on a crate, then stood her ground. “You’re stalking me.”
    “It would seem so.” He ran a fingertip down her cheek, and was pleased to detect the slightest tremor. “You’re filthy.”
    “Yes. I do have to clean up, so if you don’t want to wait, I can catch a ride with— A cab. I can take a cab.”
    “I can wait. It’s amazing that you manage to be beautiful even under all that dirt. Beautiful.” He rubbed his thumb over her lips. “Desirable.”
    “Alex. Alexander. I don’t know why you’re … It’s difficult to understand why …”
    His hand curled loosely around her neck.
    “I wish you wouldn’t.”
    “Wouldn’t what?”
    “Try to seduce me.”
    “I don’t intend merely to try.”
    “This is ridiculous.” But when she tried to shift away, he blocked her again. “You don’t even like me,really, and I—well I’ve always …”