Rogue Stallion by Diana Palmer Page A

where I went, when I had to have it.” He sighed heavily. “Not that I was ever careless, Jessie.”
    She bit her lip, trying not to remember Bess’s taunt.
    “What is it?” he asked suspiciously.
    “I can’t tell you. You’ll get conceited.”
    His eyebrows arched. He cocked his head. “Come on.”
    “A girl I know made the comment that she thought you’d be absolute heaven to make love with, and that she’d bet you were always prepared.”
    He chuckled softly. “Did she? Who?”
    “I’ll never tell!”
    He pursed his lips, amused. “As it happens, she was right.” He bent and brushed her mouth with his. “On both counts,” he whispered and nipped her lower lip.
    She smiled under his lips. “I know. About the first count, anyway.”
    “You can take my word for the other. How about supper tomorrow night?”
    She stared at him blankly. “What?”
    “I want to take you out on a date,” he explained. “One of those things where a man and woman spend time together, and at the end of the evening, do what we’ve already done.”
    “Oh.”
    His eyebrow lifted as he fastened his shirt. “Well?”
    Her face lit up. “I’d love to!”
    He smiled. “So would I. Thanks for supper.” He moved to the door and glanced back. She was ruffled and flustered. He liked knowing that he’d made her that way. “I’ll send the mechanic over first thing in the morning to see about that fan belt. And I’ll come and drive you to work.”
    “You don’t have to,” she declared breathlessly.
    “I want to.” The way he said it projected other images, exciting ones. She laughed inanely, captivated by the look on his dark face.
    “I’d better go,” he murmured dryly. “Good night, Jessie.”
    “Good night.”
    He closed the door gently behind him. “Lock it!” he added from outside.
    She rushed forward and threw the lock into place. A minute later she heard deep laughter and the sound of his booted feet going down the steps.

Seven
    T he restaurant was crowded, and heads turned from all directions when Jessica, in a neat-fitting burgundy dress with her hair loose around her shoulders, walked in with McCallum, who was wearing slacks and a sports coat.
    “I told you people would notice that we’re together,” she said under her breath as they were seated.
    “I didn’t mind the last time, and I don’t mind now,” he murmured, smiling. “Do you?”
    She smiled back. “Not at all.”
    The waitress brought menus, poured water into glasses and went away to give them time to decide what to order.
    “Why…Miss Larson!”
    Jessica looked up. Bess, one of her caseworkers, and a good-looking young man who worked in the bank had paused by their table.
    “Hello, Bess,” Jessica said, smiling. “How are you?”
    “Fine! Don’t you look nice? Hi, McCallum,” she added, letting her blue eyes sweep over him in pure flirtation. “You look nice, too!”
    “Thanks.”
    “Bess, the waitress is gesturing to us,” the young man prompted. He was giving McCallum a nervous look. Probably it was the fact that McCallum was in law enforcement that disturbed him. Lawmen were set apart from the rest of the world, Jessica had discovered over the years. But it could have been the way Bess was looking at the older man. Jessica had to admit that McCallum was sensuous and handsome enough to fit any woman’s dream. Compared to him, Bess’s date seemed very young, and he was undoubtedly jealous.
    “Oh, sure, Steve. Good to see you both!” she said breezily, leading him away.
    “She thinks you’re a hunk,” Jessica said without thinking, then bit her lip.
    His eyebrows lifted. “So?” Now he knew who’d made the comment she’d related at her cabin.
    “She’s very young, of course,” she added mischievously.
    “No, she isn’t,” he countered. “In fact, she’s only a year younger than you. Nice figure, too.”
    Jessica fought down an unfamiliar twinge ofjealousy. She fumbled with her silverware. Nobody disturbed