"Well, I'm sorry," she said, popping her hands on the table and leaning toward him. "You'll have to find somewhere else to 'hide out'. Torrence Place isn't a sanctuary. Or a hotel."

"Really?" He tilted farther back in his chair, stretching out his legs, his relaxed posture a contrast to the obstinacy in his eyes. "The package does include a honeymoon stay."

"Sure." Dana's spine became ruler straight. "One night for the bride and groom in the Hearts and Flowers Suite. That doesn't mean we accommodate overnight guests on a regular basis."

"I'm not talking about a year's lease – just a few days and the 'Hearts and Flowers' is fine. My luggage is still up there so I'm all set."

"I told you. . ." Dana paused and counted to ten. "We don't cater to sleeping guests."

"Oh, I doubt I'll be doing a lot of sleeping. Actually. . ." His eyes met hers in a challenge. "My earlier plans didn't include sleeping at all."

"You should have kept that in mind when you sent the bride away."

"What makes you think I've sent her away? Maybe she was the one who did a turnabout. Surely you can muster a bit of compassion for a jilted bridegroom?"

"Are you sure you're the injured party?" Dana attitude conveyed skepticism. All threats to the contrary, she simply couldn't believe that Sarah was the one who'd terminated the proceedings.

"For sake of argument, let's just say it was a joint decision. And stop trying to cast me as the villain. Did Sarah seem brokenhearted when she left?"

"No," Dana admitted. "But she was here. . .ready to–"

"She was ridiculously late. Not particularly anxious to plight her troth." AJ massaged the back of his neck. "Look. . .I'm too weary to spar with you anymore. Can't we save the rest of the conversation for tomorrow?"

"You won't be here tomorrow. I'll be glad to refund your lodging costs."

"A refund on my honeymoon? No way. I paid for a wedding night and that's what I intend to have." His expression was stubborn and it also held something else, something Dana couldn't define. The way he was staring at her right now, she was positive he wasn't thinking about Sarah. Suddenly Torrence Place seemed terribly confining.

Laughing, he stood up and moved closer.

"What's so amusing?" Dana asked, gritting her teeth, self-conscious and aggravated that she'd given her emotions away. She could feel the betraying heat of that blush on her cheeks again.

"Were you afraid I'd suggest that you join me upstairs?" He gently stroked his knuckles across her chin. "Never fear. I plan to spend the night alone. Although it is an awfully big bed for one person."

She could tell he was teasing; nevertheless, Dana's discomfort worsened.

He put his hand on her shoulder. "Listen, all I want is refuge from the media. To remain here until the coast is clear."

She tried to instill some authority in her voice. "The press is persistent. They'll keep hunting for you. You should talk to them. . .issue a statement or something and get it over with."

"I'm not up to statements. Later perhaps, but not now. In the meantime, I won't be booted out."

What's the use, she thought. He made it clear he wasn't budging, so she might as well go easy on herself and concede the skirmish – but not the war. AJ was going, whether he liked it or not.

"Wouldn't you be more comfortable at home?" Dana asked, making one last-ditch try.

"Are you on that again? Haven't I made it crystal clear that I'm settling in?" He spoke slowly and precisely as if correcting a willful child.

Their eyes locked for several moments before Dana gave up. "Okay," she said with resignation, "you're welcome to stay for tonight. But beyond that is out of the question."

AJ turned, and started for the stairs. "We'll see."

Dana trailed after him. "I'm afraid I must put my foot down," she called to his back. "I have another wedding on Sunday and I need the weekend to prepare." She hoped he recognized the determination in her tone. "Besides, I distinctly recollect that you were to depart before noon tomorrow on you honeymoon trip. Where was it you were going?"

AJ leaned over the banister, his eyes twinkling in contentious amusement. "To Maui. Why do you ask?"

At that moment, gazing up into those now dancing soft brown eyes, Dana wondered what could have possessed Sarah Martin to let this man get away. He was more then handsome, there was an aura about him that couldn't be ignored. Magnetic was the most apt description, clich้ through it was. What's wrong with me, she asked herself, getting mush-brained over some guy who happens to come wrapped in a pretty package? Her objective at the moment was to be rid of AJ McLean, not tumble for him.

"Maui," she repeated placatingly. "A great spot to hide out. Much better then Torrence Place. Surely no reporters would look for you there."

AJ's eyebrows moved together in a quizzical frown. "What in heaven's name would I do in Maui now? A honeymoon trip by myself? I don't think so." He straightened. "Why don't you come with me?" he challenged.

"Gee, I'm sorry," she said insincerely, "but I've already have plans. Remember, I've got a wedding to tend to."

"So instead I'll hang around and help you. Then we'll head to Maui. I'll just book a later flight."

"Hold it. I'm not going to Maui. . .I'm not going anywhere with you." Unless it's to drive you home.

He shrugged. "No problem. We just revert to plan A. I stay here."

Darn. She should have let him retire to bed and continued this discussion in the morning when, if the fates were kinder, both of them would be in a better frame of mind. She hoped for a little relaxation during the next day or so. Until she got AJ out of her way, relaxing would be impossible.

Dana scowled, a wasted effort she knew, but the only action she could come up with other then calling the police to haul him out. Now that would be a pretty picture for sensation-seeking paparazzi. Admit it, she told herself. You're completely boxed in. "Then stay!" she shrieked. "But tonight's it. I want you packed and gone tomorrow." She didn't wait for his response.

After tidying the kitchen, Dana headed gratefully for the part of Torrence Place she considered hers and hers alone – a suite at the rear of the house consisting of a bedroom, a sitting room and a large, luxurious bath. Finally she was going to get that soak – a long one in her grandmother's old clawed-foot bathtub. Lots of hot water and bubbles. It had been a taxing day. Thank heaven the next wedding would be a small one.

Momentarily, all thought of the Martin-McLean disaster and of AJ McLean himself waned and she reflected on the people getting married at noon on Sunday – Eva Brown and Ralph Jennings, both nearly eighty. Dana occasionally volunteered at a local retirement center and it was there she'd met the two. It pleased her to see how they giggled like teenagers when they told her about their romance. Later when they asked to be married at Torrence Place, she was thrilled.

Whenever she visualized their wedding, Dana felt a spurt of happiness. This union proved to her that love had no barriers of time. It could happen at any age. The gathering would include a short service, then lunch for approximately twenty guests. Eva and Ralph lived on Social Security and had asked only for a bare-bones ceremony, to be followed by a cake and punch reception. Dana had insisted on adding lunch, as her gift to them. Ironically, Sunday's festivities would have the simplicity that AJ himself had sought.

Although her bath and nightly ritual of preparing for bed, Dana's mind kept reverting to AJ's wedding. Why had it self-destructed like that? She lay curled on her side, head resting on her folded hands, still fixated on the topic. If everything had proceeded on course, right now Sarah would be upstairs with AJ, her new husband. He would be kissing her and holding her. . . The room was suddenly too warm. Dana kicked the sheet aside.

For moments she continued lying there, longing for slumber, yet knowing it wouldn't come. Then she remembered her novel. No wonder she was having trouble falling asleep. Her insomnia had nothing to do with AJ. She was accustomed to dozing off with a book and the one she'd started was on the desk in her office.

Dana padded down the hall to retrieve the novel and was about to turn off the desk lamp when AJ sauntered in. He'd undressed and now wore a burgundy silk robe with matching pajama bottoms. The sash of the robe hung loose, and unwillingly Dana found herself staring at a strong, broad chest, at muscles that rippled down his torso.

It took a moment for her to realize she was gawking and raise her eyes, only to also discovered that AJ was also staring – and seeing a great deal more than she. Used to being alone, Dana hadn't grabbed a robe – all she wore was a flimsy pair of shortie pajamas.

She stood rigid as through welded to the floor. AJ broke the spell. "I decided I needed another drink," he explained as he secured the sash of his robe, all the while his eyes focused on her. Eventually he looked away. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep at all. Especially now," he added softly as he turned and exited from the room.

Chapter 6
Chapter 4
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