Strangers in Paradise by Heather Graham Page A

you’re all charm. Then you get what you want—and you’re bored silly when the chase is over. But you always win. You’ve got the looks; you’ve got the way with women.” She turned, pointing her spoon at him. “But maybe you are in trouble this time. She has tons and tons of her own money, and...” Emily paused to grin. “She’s prettier than you are, too.”
    â€œThank you, doctor!” Rex retorted. “What makes you think I’m after her?”
    â€œYou’re not?”
    â€œI’m not half as black as you paint me,” Rex said flatly. “I only deal with ladies who know the game—and are willing to play. By my rules.”
    â€œThe rule being fun only.”
    â€œEmily, come on! Fine, I’ve been around; they’ve been around. What’s so wrong?”
    â€œWhat’s wrong is that you’re lacking caring and commitment, growing together—love!”
    â€œLove is a four-letter word,” Rex told her flatly. Then he paused, swinging around. He could have sworn he’d heard movement by the kitchen door. He strode toward it and got there just in time to see the figure clad in white hobbling across the hall toward the parlor. He followed, angry. He didn’t like being spied upon.
    She had almost reached the couch. He didn’t let her make it; he caught her elbow. “Can’t I help you, Ms. Jordan?”
    She spun to look at him, her cheeks flaming. “I—”
    â€œYou were spying on me!”
    â€œDon’t be absurd! You’re not worth spying on! I was trying to see if I could do something, but I realized that I had stumbled on a personal conversation and I didn’t want to hear it!” She jerked her elbow away from him, lost her balance and crashed down onto the couch.
    Rex didn’t know why he was so enraged at her. He didn’t move to help her; he just stared at her. “The thing to do would have been to make your presence known!”
    â€œThis is ridiculous!”
    Her eyes really were emerald, he mused, especially when they glittered with righteous anger.
    She squared her shoulders, undaunted by his wrath or his form, which was rather solidly before her. She managed to stand, shoving by him, limping out of his way. “This whole thing is ridiculous! Thank you—I really do thank you for picking up the snakes. But I think I’ll go home now. The snakes, at least, have better manners!”
    She really was going to try to stumble home by herself. She was already heading toward the door.
    â€œAlexi!”
    She just kept going.
    â€œAlexi, dammit—” He came after her, caught an arm and swung her around. He knew she would have to clutch at him to maintain her balance. She did; she curled her fingers around his arms and swore softly under her breath, tossing back her head to stare at him. Her hair was drying and it was wild, he saw, a beautiful, disheveled golden mane to frame her exquisite eyes and perfect features. He inhaled sharply, remembering what it was like to feel her body. Fool, he chided himself. He knew why he was so angry. She had heard everything that Emily had said to him. Every damning thing.
    And he wanted her. Really wanted her, as he had never wanted anything in his life.
    â€œAlexi... I’m sorry.” Apologies weren’t easy for him. They never had been.
    â€œAnd I’m leaving,” she said.
    He smiled. “Back to the snakes?”
    She looked down fleetingly. “There are all kinds of snakes, aren’t there, Mr. Morrow?”
    He laughed. She had heard everything. “Look, Ms. Jordan, I really am sorry. Be forgiving. After all, you cost me ten years of life with that scream this morning. Stay...please.”
    She lowered her head. “I feel—ridiculous. Your housekeeper must think that I’m—that I’m worse than what the tabloids say. And I can’t wear a robe all day...”
    â€œYou