His Girl Friday by Diana Palmer

strange. "Wel , I've never stripped in front of a man," she faltered. "And I can't bel y dance."
    "It was just a figure of speech." He sighed angrily. He lifted the cigaret e to his lips and inhaled, watching her with hungry eyes. She was lovely, with her hair disheveled and her pret y mouth swollen from his kis es. His eyes lingered on her lips. "Did I bruise your mouth?" he asked huskily. "I didn't mean to."
    "No, it's. . al right," she stammered. She colored and avoided his piercing gaze. "I should go back to work."
    "If you want to avoid being bent back over my desk and ravished, that might be a good idea," he said humorously. She hesitated. "Are you angry?"
    "I'm frustrated," he replied quietly. "I wanted you so much it hurts."
    Her lips parted. "Oh. I'm sorry.. !"
    "Talking about it doesn't help." He gave her a rueful smile and went back to his desk. "Put the phone back on the hook and unlock the door. Maybe ten people wil come in and we'l be too busy to look at each other until quit ing time." He glanced back at her with eyes that almost burned. "I wasn't kidding," he said huskily. "I've heard of people making love on desks, and this one is plenty big enough. Stay out of here." "Yes, sir," she said, her eyes helples ly adoring him. "Those eyes," he groaned. He turned away to the window, shuddering. "Danet a, please, for God's sake, stop looking at me!"
    "Yes, sir." She knew she sounded like a parrot, but it was fascinating to see him so vulnerable, and over her! She forced her legs to move back into her own office. She replaced the phone and unlocked the door, but nobody came or cal ed. So Cabe cal ed someone and stayed on the phone until someone did come. Danet a went through the motions of working and tried not to think about the weekend and how she was going to survive being that close to Cabe without giving in to him. In his right mind, she knew he'd never come near her, as fanatical as he was about his freedom. But he seemed to be just as vulnerable as she was, and unles they had plenty of chaperoning, it was inevitable that something was going to happen. She wondered how she'd live with it if she gave in.
    By the time five o'clock arrived, she was a seething mas of doubts and fears.
    Cabe came out of his office putting on his jacket. He turned off the lights, his face like stone, his eyes glit ering with blue fires.
    "Get your coat, baby doll, and let's go," he said gently.
    She closed up while he waited, watching her. When she turned back to him, his hand reached for hers and his fingers tangled gently into her own as he towered over her. Tingles of delicious feeling worked their way up her spine.
    "Don't be afraid," he said quietly, looking down at her while they waited for the elevator. "I think I can keep my head. But you're coming with me. I won't leave you in your apartment alone."
    "Your father.. "
    ". .is delighted," he replied. "I phoned him before I came out of the office. Cynthia extended her own invitation. I'm not thril ed about your Irish lizard, but I gues a man can get used to anything," he finished wryly.
    "He doesn't bite," she promised. "He's a vegetarian."
    "If you say so." He sighed, closing his fingers more tightly around hers. His eyes slid up to hers, holding them. "Lock your bedroom door tonight," he whispered as the elevator approached. "You can't afford to trust me. Not the way I feel right now."
    She started to speak, but the doors opened. He led her inside and didn't say another word until they were on the ground floor and headed out to his car. And then it was al busines , as if he needed the diversion to keep his mind off her. She smiled to herself, wondering at the newnes of what she felt, of what he seemed to feel. Please, she thought fervently, please let him love me.
    Six
    Cabe drove Danet a to her apartment, but he hesitated noticeably at her door.
    "He isn't an at ack lizard," she reas ured him, because she knew why he was reluctant to go into the apartment. "It's al right." He