Sullivan's Woman by Nora Roberts

portrait. “I interest him as a
thing
, not as a person.” She felt a quick slash of pain as her own statement came home to her. She continued to speak, though the words rushed out in desperation. “I won’t interfere with you because I’m not in love with Colin, and I have no intention of ever being in love with him.”
    Whirling, she darted through the back door of the studio, slamming it at her back. Only after she had gulped in enough air to steady her nerves did Cassidy realize she had lied.

Chapter 6
    For the next two days Cassidy buried herself in her work. She was determined to give herself a time of peace, a time of rest for her emotions. She knew she needed to cut herself off from Colin to accomplish it. The disruption of their day-to-day contact wasn’t enough. She knew she needed to block him from her mind. In addition, Cassidy forced herself not to consider the knowledge that had come to her after the scene with Gail. She wouldn’t think of being in love with Colin or of the circumstances that made her love impossible. For two days she would pretend she’d never met him.
    Cassidy wrote frantically. All her fears and pain and passion were expressed in her words. She worked late into the night, until she could be certain there would be no dreams to haunt her. When she slept, she slept deeply, exhausted by her own drive. More than once she forgot to eat.
    On the second day it began to rain. There was a solid gray wall outside Cassidy’s window of which she remained totally unaware. Below, pedestrians scrambled about under umbrellas.
    Cassidy’s concentration was so complete that when a hand touched her shoulder, she screamed.
    â€œWow, Cassidy, I’m sorry.” Jeff tried to look apologetic but grinned instead. “I knocked and called you twice. You were totally absorbed.”
    Cassidy held a hand against her heart as if to keep it in place. She took two deep breaths. “It’s all right. We all need to be terrified now and again. It keeps the blood moving. Is it your refrigerator?”
    Jeff grimaced as he ran a finger down her nose. “Is that where you think my heart is? In your refrigerator? Cassidy, I’m a sensitive guy, my mother’ll tell you.” Cassidy smiled, leaning back in her chair.
    â€œI’ve got that gig in the coffeehouse down the street tonight. Come with me.”
    â€œOh, Jeff, I’d love to, but—” She began to make her excuses with a gesture at the papers on her desk. Jeff cut her off.
    â€œListen, you’ve been chained to this machine for two days. When are you coming up for air?”
    She shrugged and poked a finger at her dictionary. “I’ve got to go back to the studio tomorrow, and—”
    â€œAll the more reason for a break tonight. You’re pushing yourself, babe. Take a rest.” Jeff watched her face carefully and pressed his advantage. “I could use a friendly face in the audience, you know. We rising stars are very insecure.” He grinned through his beard.
    Cassidy sighed, then smiled. “All right, but I can’t stay late.”
    â€œI play from eight to eleven,” he told her, then ruffled her hair. “You can be home and tucked into bed before midnight.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll be there at eight.” Cassidy glanced down at her watch, frowned, then tapped its face with her fingertips. “What time is it? My watch stopped at two-fifteen.”
    â€œA.M. or P.M.?” Jeff asked dryly. He shook his head. “It’s after seven. Hey.” He gave her a shrewd look. “Have you eaten?”
    Cassidy cast her mind back and recalled an apple at noon. “No, not really.”
    With a snort of disgust Jeff hauled her to her feet. “Come on with me now, and I’ll spring for a quick hamburger.”
    Cassidy pushed her hair back out of her face. “Golly, I haven’t had such a generous offer for a long