The Main Attraction by Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

giving herself that reassuring pep talk when she walked through the door of his apartment. Curiosity took over immediately, banishing her uncertainties. This was the same sort of curiosity she had experienced that afternoon when she’d walked through his offices. There she had found cool, clean, utilitarian lines and shapes and forms, evidence of a man who worked hard and efficiently, a man who did not like his office environment cluttered up with frills and amenities.
    „Well?“ Trent asked in amusement as he watched her walk across the gray carpet, „is it what you were expecting?“
    He closed the door, locked it and then leaned against it as he followed her progress around the living room.
    „I think so,“ Filomena said slowly as she examined the functional, comfortable furnishings. „Yes, it’s exactly what I was expecting.“ It was a room that had been designed for a man’s comfort and convenience, a large man’s comfort and convenience. The furniture seemed oversized to her, rather like the furniture in her parents’ house. The leather and wood were expensive but not flashy, modern but not high tech.
    „I’ll bet it’s a lot different than your apartment,“ Trent observed. He came away from the door and headed toward the kitchen.
    Filomena trailed after him, intrigued. „What do you think my place looks like?“
    He shrugged as he opened a cupboard door and took down a bottle of brandy. „Oh, probably lots of delicate, sleek, modern stuff. Glossy, trendy, eye-catching. The sort of stuff that would probably collapse if anyone larger than a jockey sat in it. Not especially comfortable but definitely state of the art.“

    She smiled to herself at the accuracy of his description. „You sound disapproving.“
    He shook his head. „No. You have a strong interest in design. It makes sense you’d indulge that interest in your own apartment. Nothing wrong with that.“ He poured the brandy and handed her a glass.
    Filomena took it, still smiling faintly. „You’re wrong about one thing. My furniture is not uncomfortable. At least, not for me,“ she amended, glancing from the top of his head to the toes of his leather shoes. „It’s possible that someone of your size and height might find it a bit cramped, though.“
    „You must be feeling desperate if you’re resorting to cracks about my size.“ Trent took a sip of his brandy.
    „I heard you making cracks about my height to your friend Hal Reece this afternoon.“
    „Such as?“ Trent asked politely.
    „Something about finding me living under a mushroom out in the woods, I believe.“
    He grinned, not the least abashed. „Ah, that. Well, I’ll admit there’s something about you that reminds me of an elf, and it isn’t just your size.“
    „No?“
    „No, it’s the fact that you have a talent for creating mischief.“
    „I resent that,“ Filomena said lightly. „I do not go around causing mischief. I’ve got better things to do with my time.“
    „Perhaps when you’re working in the offices of Cromwell & Sterling you do, but when you’re on vacation I’m not so sure. If you want my opinion, your entire family was grateful to me this afternoon when I offered to get you out of town for. a while.“
    Filomena couldn’t stifle the burst of laughter that rose within her. „Have I really succeeded in making everyone so nervous?“
    „Yes, and you enjoyed every minute of it, didn’t you?“
    Filomena’s laughter faded. „I didn’t enjoy that phone call from Gloria Paxton this afternoon,“ she confessed with a sigh. She turned away, walking slowly back into the living room.
    „I’m glad she called,“ Trent surprised her by saying as he followed her.
    Filomena frowned at him over her shoulder. „You are?“
    „Sure.“ He reached out and flicked a wall switch that turned off the lights. A soft, velvety darkness descended on the room. „If Gloria hadn’t called when she did,“ he went on softly, „it might have been a lot