Once Upon A Mattress

By Vicki Lewis Thompson

HARLEQUIN®

TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND

Chapter One

He sure looked good on a mattress.

Amelia Townsend leaned in the doorway of the storeroom and gazed at her delivery driver sprawled on his stomach, fast asleep. She smiled. Smart man—he'd chosen the deluxe pil-lowtop for his little nap. Probably stayed up all night studying for an exam and decided shut-eye was more important than lunch.

She'd have to wake him—staff discipline would go to hell if she started allowing workers to sleep on the merchandise. But for a few precious seconds she could admire him without anyone catching her at it. He moved slightly, causing his snug university of California T-shirt to ride up and expose a strip of tanned skin above the waistband of his jeans. The idea of Will Murdoch shirtless under the California sun—now there was a tune she could dance to.

Will played a lot of tunes she could dance to, if she dared. Ever since she'd opened the store five years ago she hired college kids to make deliveries—strong young guys who loved telling their friends they worked for a place called Bedroom Fantasies. But Will was no kid. When he'd appeared last fall in response to the notice she'd put on the campus bulletin board, she'd stammered like an idiot when confronted by his rugged beauty, and hired him on the spot.

Now, six months later, she understood the problem she'd created for herself. His presence made her salivate. If she happened to be around when he muscled a mattress onto the truck, she nearly swooned. But she was the boss, and with sexual harassment suits thick on the ground these days, she couldn't risk asking an employee for a date.

He would have to ask her. Yeah, that would happen. He was on the shy side, which was one of the things she liked about him. Amelia was also shy, although her business contacts would never guess it. When it came to promoting the interests of Bedroom Fantasies, she'd been compared to a female Bill Gates, but her personal life was a different story. Actually it was a blank book.

With a sigh, she pushed away from the door-jamb. Time to wake up Sleeping Handsome and send him up to La Jolla. The Donaldsons expected to spend tonight enjoying Medieval Magic, complete with red velvet swooping from an iron bed frame and a suit of armor standing in the corner of the bedroom. Amelia loved watching her business flourish, but sometimes in the midst of creating exotic boudoirs for her customers, she longed for a make-believe world of her own. And a man who would make her dreams come true.

Will was engrossed in a great dream featuring an unidentifiable woman and the Jungle Fever bedroom suite. He'd never made love on leopard skin before, and although this was a fake version, he anticipated a satisfyingly primitive experience with this lady, whose face was mysteriously unclear.

Just as he was ready to shuck his clothes and draw aside the mosquito netting to slide onto the leopard skin with the willing woman, the dream began to dissolve. He moaned in frustration. 1f he wasn't getting any in real life, he ought to be allowed a little fun in his dreams. He shrugged away the hand shaking him awake and tried to bring his fantasy lover back into focus.

''Will,'' murmured a soft female voice as someone gripped his shoulder again. ''Will.''

A female voice. He hadn't been awakened by a female voice in many moons. He could smell her perfume, too—a spicy, erotic scent that mingled nicely with his jungle fantasy. Grog-gily he turned his head to gaze at a pair of nylon-covered knees. The woman crouched beside him was wearing one of those slim little skirts that slipped right up to midthigh in no time. The view from his angle was outstanding. Maybe he was still dreaming. If so, he was willing to forgive the loss of the leopard skin.

''Will, you have to get up. The Donaldson delivery needs to be made within the next hour.''

He was at work. His military training kicked in, and he was on his feet before his brain was fully engaged. When the gears in his head meshed, he ran a hand over his eyes and groaned. Amelia would be within her rights to fire him, and he didn't have time to look for another job with midterms coming up. He glanced down at her. ''Hey, I'm really sorry about that. I didn't mean to—''

''Don't worry about it.'' She stood up and smoothed her peacock-blue suit. ''It's not a huge problem. But I'll have to ask you not to sleep on the mattresses. It sets a bad precedent.''

''Right.'' He looked at a point over her shoulder and tried not to think about the fact he'd just been staring up his boss's skirt and enjoying every minute of it. The warmth of arousal hadn't completely left, either. ''I understand,'' he said. ''And it won't happen again. I only meant to rest my eyes, but I must have conked out.''

''Tough exam this morning?'' She wasn't going to fire him, he realized. The tension eased from his shoulders as her compassionate tone drew his gaze to hers. The material of her suit made her eyes look turquoise. He'd never noticed what a beautiful color they were, especially now when they were soft with understanding. He basked in that tender look, hungrier for a woman's sympathy than he'd realized. ''Yeah,'' he said. ''My seven o'clock anatomy class. I pulled an all-nighter to study.'' She nodded. ''That's right. You're premed. Have you decided what field you're going into?''

He thought it was damned nice of her to make small talk to get them over the awkwardness he'd created by sleeping on the job. But he wasn't surprised. She was a good boss. ''Yeah, I have. Pediatrics.'' ''Really? Little kids?'' ''Yeah.'' He smiled. ''I happen to like kids. I remember this terrific doctor I used to have. He took most of the scariness out of being sick. While I was stationed up in Alaska I had lots of time to think about my future, and I decided that would be a decent way to make a living, helping kids get well without scaring them to death.''

''It's a very decent way.'' She glanced around the storeroom crowded with exotic furniture. ''In contrast, you must think this is pretty frivolous.''

''Are you kidding? I think it's a dynamite idea! People spend a third of their lives in bed. Thanks to you, they can fix things up so they're excited about it. They'll get a better night's sleep, and they'll probably enjoy sex more....'' He swallowed. ''I mean—''

''Don't apologize. That's part of what we sell, after all.'' Her cheeks flushed a becoming shade of pink. ''I named the store Bedroom Fantasies on purpose. As we all know, sex is a terrific marketing hook.''

''Yep.'' For the first time since he'd started working for her he wondered how she' d come up with this idea. Someone would have to have an erotic streak to think of it, wouldn't they?

Yet she never acted as if she had those kinds of thoughts. She never told off-color jokes in staff meetings or made suggestive references. He knew nothing about her personal life, not even whether or not she had a boyfriend. Not that it mattered. She ran a highly successful company that was about to be franchised, while he was a very broke premed student. And she was also his boss. He needed to stop staring into her eyes and imagining scenes that would never take place.

She broke the contact first and cleared her throat. When she glanced back at him the softness had left her expression. ''I'll go round up Gabe from the lunchroom so you two can get on the road. It'll probably take you the rest of the afternoon to set up the Medieval Magic grouping for the Donaldsons.''

He mimicked her businesslike attitude. ''Right. I'll check the order form and make sure we haven't forgotten anything.'' ''Thanks.'' She turned to leave.

''I'm the one who should thank you. For not firing me.''

She turned back, astonishment making her look very young. ''Fire you? It never occurred to me.''

''Well, it occurred to me, and I'm glad you didn't.''

''It would take a lot more than an unauthorized siesta to make me fire you, Will. Now get busy.''

''Yes, ma'am.'' But as she walked briskly out of the storeroom he delayed checking the order and watched her go. Nice. Very nice. He could think of a couple of things he could do that would definitely get him fired, but they might almost be worth it. He wondered how he'd missed seeing what a great body lurked under those sensible suits of hers.

Of course she had a steady guy. With looks like hers and the creative talent to mastermind this business, she must have men lined up around the block. He located the Donaldson order and started checking off items, but his mind was only partly on the job. He kept returning to his original thought—that in order to conceive of a store dedicated to exotic and sexy bedrooms, a woman would have to have some personal leanings in that direction.

In spite of himself he started imagining Amelia Townsend lying on one of her fantasy beds, maybe the one in the showroom window decked out in white lace and red ribbons for Valentine's Day. In his vivid mental picture she was definitely not wearing a business suit.

''Hey, baby doc!'' Gabe sauntered into the storeroom. ''Ready to outfit the castle for Lancelot and Guinevere?''

''You bet.'' Will gestured with the clipboard. ''You're in charge of our tin-skinned buddy there.''

Gabe grunted and walked over to the rigid suit of armor. ''Talk about heavy metal. It's like one big chastity belt. By the time you shucked this outfit, the chick would be asleep from boredom.''

Will looked up from the clipboard and grinned. ''Is that all you think about?'' Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

''How can a guy help it in this job?'' Gabe lifted the armor and started out to the loading dock where the delivery truck stood open and ready. ''We spend all our time handling beds.''

Will picked up a carton labeled Velvet Draperies, Red. ''Beds are for sleeping, too, you know.''

''Yeah, and someday in the far, far distant future, that'll be the first thing I think of when I see a big, cushy mattress. But right now, when I'm in the prime of my studly manhood, when I'm known as the babe magnet of El Cajon, I think of something quite different, my friend.'' He secured the suit of armor with a strap. ''I'll bet you a beer after work that you do, too.''

''You lose. Sleep's number one on my list.'' And most of the time that was the truth, Will thought as he stowed the drapery box.

''Poor boy. I think you froze your brains up there in Alaska. Or some other part of you.'' Gabe winked and picked up one end of a carved wooden chest. ''Use it or lose it, man.''

Will lifted the other end and they headed out toward the truck. ''I don't have time.'' Yet he wondered if he should make time, considering the dream he'd had today, and his recent inappropriate thoughts about his boss.

''Nobody's that busy,'' Gabe said. ''How long's it been, anyway?''

''You don't even want to know.'' ''Sorry to hear it.'' Gabe didn't say anything else until they'd loaded the chest and were

walking back into the storeroom. ''Have you checked out Leanne recently?'' he asked casually, glancing at Will. ''I heard she broke up with her boyfriend. Needs a shoulder to cry on.''

A familiar anxiety tightened Will's stomach. He could pretend that he was too busy to date, but that was only part of it. He'd never been very comfortable with the game, and after being stationed in a remote part of Alaska for two years, he was downright rusty. ''How about your shoulder, Mr. Babe Magnet?''

Gabe shook his head and looked smug. ''I'm pretty much booked up.'' He clapped Will on the back. ''Thought I'd pass this one on to you.''

''What a guy.'' As they carried an iron bed frame out to the truck, Will thought about Leanne, the store's top saleswoman, a high-energy blonde who always had a joke to tell, a smile to flash. He'd lay odds she'd been a cheerleader in high school. She was probably exactly what he needed, but the thought of asking her out intimidated the hell out of him.

''You can't drag your heels on this,'' Gabe warned. ''Troy's already sizing her up. He's got a girlfriend, but I don't think they're getting along all that good, so he may be available any day now. In fact, knowing the Troyman, he might start testing the water now, so he'll have a place to jump if he breaks up with his girl.'' Will laughed. ''You're really up on everybody's social life, aren't you?''

''This is what I'm talking about. All these beds. Romance is in the air around this place. I just pick up on what's happening.'' ''Not me.''

Gabe strapped his end of the bed frame into place. ''I noticed. That's why I'm giving you a tip. I could tell you wouldn't figure this out on your own.''

''That's for sure.'' Will concentrated on adjusting the other strap and tried to sound neutral. ''So tell me, if you keep tabs on everybody, what's up with the boss lady? Is she involved with anyone?'' When Gabe didn't answer, Will glanced up at him.

Gabe was shaking his head as if Will had lost his mind.

''Hey, she's a good-looking woman, too, in case you hadn't noticed.''

''Well, sure, if you go for the anal-retentive, career-driven type.''

''Are you sure that's all there is to her? I

mean, she thought all this up, with the fantasy bedrooms and everything, so I figure that under

all that efficiency she might be pretty....''

''Hot?'' Gabe shook his head. ''Not necessarily. This could be just a great business idea, like assembly-line hamburgers were for Mr. McDonald. Maybe he really liked six-course gourmet dinners, but he knew a great concept when he came across one.''

''Maybe. But she wears this perfume that's—''

''Whoa, buddy! You're going around sniffing her perfume? Get a grip, man. She's gonna be rich any day now, whereas you...'' He grinned. ''Let's just say I've seen what you drive.'' ''Okay, okay. I get the picture.'' ''Leanne's more your speed, baby doc. If you want to get back in the action, take my advice and start with her. She's sweet and uncomplicated. And besides....'' He winked and picked up his side of a king-sized mattress. ''She told me she thinks you're cute.''

Chapter Two

Her heart still pounding from the close encounter with Will, Amelia sought the refuge of her office. She closed the door, something she never did, and sank into the swivel chair behind her desk. God, she was trembling like a teenager who'd just touched the hem of Leonardo DiCaprio's sleeve.

Her office wasn't much of a refuge, considering her state of mind. On the wall next to the door hung a framed publicity photo of her Hayloft Hanky-Panky collection. Oh, to tumble with Will into that nest of calico pillows. Swinging her chair around, she faced another publicity shot, this one of Harem Heat—a scarf-and jewel-draped bed to delight a sheik and his concubine. Amelia thought of Will's dark eyes and gripped the arms of her chair.

On some level she'd known that the bedroom designs said something about her erotic nature, but she'd downplayed that aspect, working instead to project the image of a hardheaded businesswoman so that she and her project would be taken seriously. It had worked like a charm. Franchising was only a few steps away.

Through it all, the sexual pull of her designs had never seduced her before, despite knowing that she was playing with fire each time she dreamed up an exotic new bedroom setting. Now she needed nothing more exotic than a mattress thrown on the storeroom floor. If Will had taken her into his arms and pulled her down on that pillowtop....

She closed her eyes, leaned her head back and drew in several long, steadying breaths. He was just a guy, for heaven's sake. Ah, but she hadn't left much time in her life for guys while she poured all her energy into Bedroom Fantasies. Maybe she'd known this could happen— that given the right chemistry she could be enslaved by a consuming passion. Besides, she hadn't had much in the way of temptation until now.

A neighbor in her condo complex had tried several times to take her out for coffee before he'd given up, and the leasing agent for the store had suggested a dinner that wasn't ''strictly business.'' She'd diplomatically refused, not wanting to take any chances on jeopardizing the deal she had for the property, which was ideally located for the urban professionals who were her customer base. And her neighbor simply hadn't been her type.

Had those been her only offers recently? The only straightforward ones, probably. Once in a while she'd been aware of a bedding company rep or a fellow chamber of commerce member poised on the brink of asking for a date. She'd always turned the conversation in a different direction, and they'd taken the hint. The men had seemed unremarkable, and she hadn't wanted to be sidetracked from her goal for some pointless dating exercise that could go nowhere.

But with Will, nothing seemed pointless. She wanted him so fiercely that her body throbbed with a sensation bordering on pain.

She'd been perilously close to telling him exactly that. His eyes, warm and dark as espresso, affected her as if she'd been drinking gallons of the stuff. How humiliating it would be to spill her guts and have him stumble through some explanation about a girlfriend, or worse, gently indicate he had no interest in her beyond their working relationship.

For a moment she'd imagined an answering spark in him. But she was burning so vigorously she could easily have mistaken reflected heat for interest on his part. No, she'd better cool it or risk the destruction of all she'd tried to build. What if she allowed her feelings to show and he told the other employees that the boss had come on to him?

Suddenly the designs she created, the groupings they were expected to sell and deliver, would take on a whole new meaning. They'd be viewed as the evidence of a thirtyish woman's sexual frustration, not the brilliant ideas of a savvy MBA. She had to control this desire for Will.

Yet she wondered if she'd ever forget the warmth of his muscled forearm under her hand, the appeal of his hair tousled by sleep, the lure of his mouth curved in a sensuous smile. Intuition told her he'd been dreaming of a woman.

He probably had a girlfriend. How could he not, going to college classes filled with beautiful young coeds, relaxed girls in shorts and minis, laughing and tanned, ready for anything? Amelia couldn't even remember where she'd put her bathing suit, and her last trip to the beach had been to supervise the shooting of a TV ad for the store.

Someone tapped at her office door. She got up to open it, feeling guilty for the time she'd hidden in here analyzing this ridiculous crush. She prided herself on her availability to her staff, and no adolescent fantasy was going to change that pattern.

She opened the door with a smile and found Leanne Fairchild on the other side. Fairchild. So appropriate. Leanne was truly a golden girl, an uninhibited free spirit. Everything Amelia was not. Probably just the type Will would like. The thought drove an ice pick of pain through her temple.

''Are you feeling okay?'' A frown wrinkled Leanne's otherwise perfect brow.

Amelia should have known the closed office door would be noticed. Her employees were a tightly knit group, which was exactly the way she had intended things to be. ''Just a slight headache, but I took something for it and put my feet up for a few minutes.''

''Good for you.'' Leanne looked relieved. ''Sometimes I wonder if you're driving yourself too hard.''

''Oh, you know me. I thrive on challenge.''

''Good thing. I have one for you. One of my clients, Herb Morgan, is here, and he wants to trade in Highland Fling for Tahitian Temptress, and the Morgans are only three months into their lease.''

''And you're certain when you sold them the grouping they understood that the furniture couldn't be traded for a new theme for at least six months?''

''Absolutely certain. His wife was nuts about the theme, and so was he after I had a crack at him. Now he is back here, complaining.''

Amelia's headache got worse. Leasing theme furniture in six-month increments was the unique feature of her store, the one that had interested the potential franchise buyers the most. Customers had the option of exchanging one grouping with another so long as nothing had been damaged. The store could then sell the customer a new set of coordinating sheets and accessories, generating more revenue.

Amelia had researched and test-marketed the concept until she'd determined that six months was the most cost-effective time period and had the most consumer appeal. Amelia had proudly told the franchise prospects that she'd never had a customer who'd wanted a trade in less than six months. Now that was no longer true.

She massaged her forehead. ''What's the problem?''

''Morgan says he's allergic to wool. He says the plaid accessories are giving him a rash.''

Amelia stared at Leanne. ''But he doesn't get to exchange the bedding and accessories. Just the furniture. Does he know that?''

''I told him. He says that's not the point. The theme isn't working, and he wants it gone. I tried to jolly him out of the idea, but he j ust got louder and more demanding.''

''I'll talk to him.'' Amelia started out into the showroom.

''Peterson's out there, too. He came in right after Morgan showed up.''

''Jonathan Peterson?'' The New York financier was her best hope for a franchise east of the Mississippi.

''Yep. Said he didn't necessarily need to talk to you, just wanted to poke around, become more familiar with the merchandise. Troy's been trying to keep him busy and away from Morgan, but I'm sure he knows there's a problem.''

''Great. Just great.'' Amelia unclenched her jaw with an effort and managed a smile by the time she entered the showroom. She waved in Peterson's direction and headed toward the belligerent-looking man standing beside the Tahi-tian Temptress display, his crossed arms resting on his potbelly.

She held out her hand. ''I'm Amelia Town-send, Mr. Morgan. Leanne tells me there's a slight problem with your Highland Fling grouping. How can we help you?''

The hand he offered her in return was damp with perspiration. ''I need a change,'' he said abruptly.

Amelia looked past the defensive stance and saw the anxiety in his gray eyes. Coming here today had probably taken enormous courage. ''Why don't you tell me about it?'' she asked quietly.

''It's ...uh ...the bagpipes.''

''Excuse me?'' Amelia couldn' t remember including a set of bagpipes in the grouping, although it would make an interesting wall sculpture.

''Bertrice loves the sound. Well, she loves Mel Gibson, and the bagpipes make her think of him, which is why she wanted Highland Fling, because when she thinks of Mel Gibson she gets really—'' Morgan stopped speaking as his ears reddened. ''I mean, she thought it would set the mood, so to speak. And she thinks bagpipe music should be part of ...what we're doing.''

''And you don't care for bagpipes?'' Amelia was determined not to laugh.

''I just don't know how a guy can be expected to get it up with that caterwauling!'' Morgan turned the color of a beet and looked away.

Amelia gazed at the floor until she had control of her urge to giggle. Finally, she looked up and cleared her throat. ''Have you mentioned this to Mrs. Morgan?''

''Not on your life,'' he muttered. ''The woman's seen Braveheart about a hundred times. How can I admit to her that I'm no Mel Gibson?''

Amelia studied the floor again. ''Won't she be upset if you change the bedroom theme without consulting her?''

''Not if I set it up right. Our honeymoon thirty-eight years ago was in Hawaii, and our anniversary's this weekend. I could tell her that's why I did it, and buy her a lei, and some ukelele music.''

She had to admire his inventiveness. ''Will this ...work for you?''

''Are you kidding?'' He smiled for the first time, giving her a glimpse of the dashing bridegroom he must have been thirty-eight years ago. ''I'm ex-Navy.'' He gestured toward the tropical bedroom setting. ''One look at this and I'm thinking shore leave. That's all it takes.''

''Then I guess we'd better get you fixed up, Mr. Morgan. Come with me.'' Amelia walked over to the showroom sales desk and took a new contract out of the top drawer. She'd known from the moment he'd explained his real problem that she would do this. She just had to come up with a compromise that would benefit the store, as well. ' 'Because this is against our normal policy, would you be willing to sign a one-year lease on Tahitian Temptress instead of the standard six-month one?''

''No problem. I'd be willing to buy the stuff outright, if you want.''

Amelia started initialing the changes on the standard contract. ''I don't advise that until you've lived with it a year.'' She pushed the contract across the desk for his signature. ''Maybe your wife will want to trade for something else after that.''

Morgan winked. ''Not if this pans out the way I figure it will. She might want to redecorate the whole damn house this way.''

Ten minutes later Morgan left the store a happy man.

''Beautifully handled,'' Jonathan Peterson said, coming over to the sales desk.

There was no point in trying to cover up what had happened, Amelia thought. He'd obviously heard most of it. ''Thanks, but I can't brag anymore that nobody's wanted an early trade.''

Peterson shrugged, lifting the padded shoulders of his hand-tailored suit. ''So you institute a new policy. Early trades mean signing a year's lease. You haven't lost a thing. In fact, you've gained a few months.'' He rubbed his chin and gazed at her. ''What sort of inducement could I offer you to come to New York and supervise the opening of my franchise?''

She was taken aback. ''I don't know. I hadn't ever considered such a thing.''

''Your staff is extremely capable. I'm sure you could leave the mother ship for a couple of months. I'd like you to hire and train my employees. Name your price.''

She felt slightly breathless.' 'Then you've definitely decided on the franchise?''

''If you'll come east and help me get it going, I have. I suspected you were a key ingredient of this operation's success. After watching you deal with a customer, I'm sure of it. Who knows? I might even persuade you to find a manager for this store and stay on in New York.''

''Oh, I doubt that.'' Amelia's mind raced. A successful store in New York could ensure the future of Bedroom Fantasies. As the song said, if she made it there, she'd make it anywhere. But she thought there was a personal undercurrent in Peterson' s invitation. Or maybe her preoccupation with Will was affecting her perceptions.

If Peterson was interested in her, she should be flattered. The man was both attractive and rich. Unfortunately those things didn't balance against Will's raw sensuality. But she wasn't going to pursue Will. In fact, she was going to avoid him at all costs. Traveling to New York would facilitate that.

She glanced at Peterson. ''I'll consider it. Can you give me twenty-four hours to make up my mind?''

''Of course. I've lined up a potential space on Fifth Avenue. Once you decide if you can help me, we can start ordering. I'd need you in New York by March first.''

Fifth Avenue. Amelia had never dreamed of such exposure. ''I'll let you know tomorrow.'' ''Fine. Just leave a message at my hotel.'' He held out his hand. ''And congratulations on this business. It's a credit to your creativity.''

She shook his hand and wished bells would ring and angels would warble the way they had when she'd gripped Will's shoulder this afternoon. Silence. Damn. ''Tomorrow,'' she said. ''Tomorrow.''

At six that evening Amelia was the last one in the store, as usual. She closed at six on week-nights, nine on Friday and Saturday or the day before a holiday. She didn't work all the hours the store was open—just most of them. Christmas Eve she always took a late flight to San Francisco to be with her parents and little sister, but on December twenty-sixth she was back at the store. Success was a powerful aphrodisiac, and she'd become hooked on it, she realized. But she was young and could work through that after she'd made her first million. ''Amelia?''

She glanced up from her desk to see Will standing in the doorway. Talk about aphrodisiacs. He wore a black nylon jacket over his T-shirt, but it only emphasized his broad shoulders and well-developed chest. He'd been well-muscled when she'd hired him. After six months of moving furniture he deserved to be sculpted in bronze. She really needed to take that New York offer and get out of temptation's way for a while.

Belatedly she realized he might have encountered a problem with the Medieval Magic grouping this afternoon. Otherwise he'd have gone home after returning the truck. The other possibility, that he'd arranged to be alone with her on purpose because he was attracted to her, tickled at the back of her mind. She couldn't think about that or she might have trouble breathing.

''Everything go okay at the Donaldsons'?'' She straightened papers on her desk that didn't need straightening.

''Yeah.'' He grinned and leaned against the doorjamb. ''By the time we left, Mrs. Donaldson had changed into a long flowing dress, and she had on one of those tall pointy hats with a scarf trailing from the top. She showed us the tights and puffy short pants she'd bought for Mr. Donaldson. Maybe you should open up a costume shop, too.''

''Maybe I should.'' It wasn't a bad idea, she thought. Maybe after she got the New York store launched she'd look into it. But if everything had gone well at the Donaldsons', that wasn't the reason he'd appeared at her office door. Her heart beat a little faster.

Will cleared his throat and shifted his weight. ''I came by after everybody left because I had something personal to discuss with you.''

Her throat constricted. ''Oh?'' He was attracted to her. Maybe she'd forget about New York. Maybe...

''I probably wouldn't have dared before, but you were so nice about catching me sleeping, that I—well, if this is out of line, just tell me, but—''

''I'm sure it's not out of line,'' she said in a breathless voice. She clenched her hands into fists to stop them from trembling. Her dream was coming true. He was about to admit his feelings for her. Maybe he'd had them for months, as she had. Maybe he was just as frustrated and wild with unexpressed passion as she was. And here they were, in a store full of beds.

''I ...well, this is hard to admit, but after being stationed in Alaska for so long I feel as if I've forgotten how to approach a woman.''

''Don't worry.'' She struggled to keep her voice steady. ''I'll help you.''

''You will? God, how did you know that's what I wanted? Especially with somebody like Leanne, who's used to guys with a smooth line. I thought maybe—''

''Leanne?'' She hardly realized she'd spoken as her dreams became a ball of fire that crashed to earth in a shower of hot sparks.

''You sound surprised. You probably don't know that she broke up with her boyfriend. I didn't either, but Gabe told me. I wouldn't ask her out otherwise. Anyway, with Valentine's Day coming up, I thought I'd try that old secret admirer routine, leaving her notes and little presents.''

Amelia didn't know it was possible to hurt this bad when she'd received no physical wound. ''I see.''

''But I doubt I know her as well as you do, and I could use some help. I'll bet you've never had an employee ask you to play matchmaker, huh?''

''No.'' Despite her efforts to stay calm, her voice had an edge to it. He looked a little startled, and then he

frowned. ''Hey, it's a dumb idea. I don't know what I was thinking. Forget it. I can just—''

''No, no.'' She had no idea where she summoned the reserves, but she smiled at him. ''I'll be glad to help. Give me the night to think about it. Tomorrow we can make some plans.'' ''Really? You're sure it's not too much of an imposition?''

Whereupon Amelia told the biggest lie of her life. ''Of course not.''

Chapter Three

Will could have skipped his evening lab session for all the information he got out of it. He sat in a hard plastic chair staring into space and thinking what a complete idiot he'd just made of himself. Tomorrow he'd talk to Amelia, claim that lack of sleep had made him temporarily insane, and ask her to forget anything he might have said regarding Leanne, Valentine's Day and secret admirers.

Amelia was a busy woman, a woman on the rise. The last thing she needed was to help him with some stupid romantic stunt that would probably turn out bad. He'd let Gabe influence him too much, and when he'd admitted he was nervous about approaching Leanne, Gabe had suggested this dumb idea.

While he and Gabe had been setting up the Medieval Magic grouping and joking around, Will had thought the secret admirer route was brilliant. He should have slept on it instead of barging into Amelia's office so soon. He'd been afraid he'd lose his nerve, but he'd never forget the look on Amelia's face when she finally understood what he wanted. She was deeply disappointed in him, and she had every right to be. He shouldn't have bothered her with this.

The hell of it was that once he'd stopped in the doorway of her office, he'd had trouble concentrating on Leanne. He'd spent a few moments just watching Amelia, her brown hair falling in a shiny curtain past her cheek as she tackled the paperwork on her desk. Once again he'd thought of how young she looked, too young to have the kind of responsibility she'd taken on.

He'd wanted to walk behind her chair, massage her tense shoulders and find out if she'd bothered to eat today. What a laugh, that he'd have protective urges toward a woman who needed his protection about as much as Gabe needed a blind date.

Then Will had spoken her name, and she'd looked up at him with those incredible turquoise eyes. He'd almost said, You look tired. Let's go grab a bite to eat. Funny, but he didn't feel any anxiety about asking her out—the one person in the vicinity who would be most likely to turn him down.

Then she'd asked him about the Donaldsons, and that had reminded him that she was the boss and he was the hired help. Gabe was right. Leanne was more his speed. So he'd braved it through, and it had been a big mistake.

When the lab ended, he glanced at his watch and realized he didn't have to wait until the next day to square things with Amelia. He'd call her right now. She'd supplied her employees with her phone number and address in case any emergencies came up at the store when she wasn't there. Her trust that no one would misuse the information had been one of the things that had impressed him from the beginning. And in return the staff gave her complete loyalty.

He found a pay phone and started to put in his money. Then he gazed at the card again. She didn't live that far from here. Maybe he needed to explain in person, so he'd have a better chance of letting her know how sorry he was to have involved her. Yeah, he'd go see her and say that he was calling the whole thing off.

Amelia eased into a bubble bath scented with lavender and almost groaned out loud at the pleasure of it. With a sigh she leaned her head against the terry inflatable pillow positioned at the end of the oversize tub and reached for her glass of chilled chardonnay. Lush symphonic strings poured from the mini stereo unit on her marble counter. In summer she left her bathroom window open so she could hear the surf while she bathed, but February was a little cold for that, so she settled for music.

Okay, so today had been a total disaster. But at least she'd have no trouble deciding on the New York offer, and the sooner Peterson needed her there, the better. Maybe on his home turf Peterson would shine a little more than he did out here in California. Maybe she'd finally get rid of this obsession with Will Murdoch.

The wine was an indulgence she didn't allow herself on very many evenings. She often brought a stack of paperwork home in her briefcase, but tonight she hadn't been able to face it. Tonight she felt wounded and vulnerable, ready for a hot bath and a cool sip of wine. Her favorite white lace and satin robe lay ready on a tufted stool, along with the Egyptian cotton towel that was soft as a lover's touch.

She shouldn't have hired Will in the first place. ''Take a memo, Suzette.'' She gestured toward an imaginary secretary with her wineglass. ''To Amelia Townsend, CEO and nincompoop. Amelia, darling, never hire anybody you want to date. Never, never, never. Because he won't want to date you. He'll want to date some perky woman in sales and ask you to be the go-between.''

She lifted the wineglass to her lips just as the doorbell chimed. Well, it figured. Some days were like that. Couldn't even take a decent dunk.

She considered ignoring the caller, then remembered it could have something to do with the store. What if she'd been robbed, or the place was on fire, and someone had come to take her there, not wanting her to drive when she was upset? She'd expect that kind of thoughtfulness from her staff.

Setting down the wineglass, she left the warm tub with reluctance and dried herself cursorily before pulling on the satin robe. The doorbell chimed again as she padded barefoot to the door. When she checked the peephole to see who was there, she nearly choked.

Hands trembling, she unlocked the door and opened it j ust as Will started to walk away. ''Will?''

He turned, and his eyes widened. Then he looked chagrined. ''I've disturbed you. I'm sorry. Today just isn't my day.''

''Or mine,'' she said, shivering both from reaction and the chill of the night air on her still-damp skin. Will was making her dreams come true, but it was like looking at them through a fun-house mirror. She'd often imagined him at her door, and her outfit was certainly appropriate to those fantasies, but he probably only wanted to talk about Leanne again. ''What is it?''

''Never mind. Please go back to ...whatever you were doing. I really apologize. At this rate I'll get myself fired yet.''

''Nonsense.'' Amelia clenched her jaw to keep her teeth from chattering. ''Come on in and tell me why you came. I'd discuss it here but I'm freezing to death.''

He backed away. ''No, really. I can—'' ''Will Murdoch, you're taxing my patience. Come in.''

''You're, uh, alone?''

''As a matter of fact.'' She realized he was afraid he'd interrupted something torrid. As if.

''All right, then. Just for a minute.'' He walked past her, bringing in the scent of cool salt air and a faint trace of aftershave that triggered her memory of earlier today when she'd crouched next to him in the storeroom.

She swallowed and closed the door. Her head knew he didn't want her, but her body reacted as if any minute he'd turn and take her into his arms. What garbage.

''I assume this has something to do with Leanne?'' she asked.

He faced her, his eyes dark and mysterious, his hands clenched at his sides. ''Yes, it does.''

Of course, you idiot, she chided herself. Did you imagine he'd had a change of heart and rushed over to tell you he wants you instead?

To heck with Leanne, Will thought. She might be cute, but on her best day she wouldn't compare to the elegant beauty standing in front of him.

''I suppose you'd like to get started on your campaign right away,'' Amelia said.

''To be honest, I—''

''I don't blame you. Let me give you a couple of ideas to get you going.''

He needed to tell her to forget the whole project, but then he'd just have to leave, and he wasn't ready to do that yet. He was too busy taking in all the solid evidence that she was the sensuous woman he'd imagined her to be. Her living room was full of romance, with carved wood and flowered upholstery. Classical music drifted in from another room.

From the looks of things, she'd swept her hair back with a ribbon and stepped into a bubble bath not long ago. She smelled wonderful and her throat was still damp, along with a few strands of hair that had slipped loose from the red scrap of ribbon.

That was another thing. Most women he knew used an elastic piece of material to hold their hair. Amelia preferred ribbon. She also preferred satin and lace against her skin, and Will had a strong premonition she was wearing nothing underneath that carefully belted white robe. He'd noticed the thrust of her nipples against the smooth material when she'd stood in the chill of the doorway.

He should be used to that sight after spending so much time on a campus where women seemed to have given up wearing bras. And he was used to it in the free-spirited atmosphere of UCSD. But Amelia wasn't a free spirit, at least not in public. This was his first glimpse of her private pleasures, and it drove him wild.

Without her makeup she looked like a teenager, but no teenager would choose a robe as sophisticated as this. A drop of moisture gathered in the hollow of her throat. He watched it shimmer there a moment before it slipped gently over her collarbone and down into the shadowed cleft just visible between the robe's lace lapels. His body tightened as he imagined drawing back those lapels.

''So, is that enough to begin with?'' she asked.

He blinked. He'd been so engrossed in imagining her naked breasts he hadn't even realized she'd been speaking. ''Uh, maybe you'd better go over it one more time.''

Amelia gazed at him and shook her head. ''If you don't get more sleep soon, you're going to become a danger to yourself and others.''

''Right.'' He'd take the excuse she'd given him and be glad for it.

''Okay, now pay attention. She likes chocolate, but not just any kind. White chocolate.'' ''Who?''

Amelia's exasperated sigh made her breasts quiver under the satin. ''Maybe you should go home and sleep and we'll discuss this tomorrow. One day won't make that much difference.''

Leanne. With an effort he forced himself to concentrate on something besides Amelia's soft skin underneath the robe. He was supposed to be organizing a secret admirer campaign to get a date with Leanne. He' d come here to tell Amelia to forget it, because he thought she wouldn't really want to help. But instead she seemed to be really behind the idea, so backing out now might be worse for his image than continuing with the plan.

Although he might love standing here weaving fantasies about Amelia, she wasn't for him. He needed to give this situation with Leanne a chance. He liked Leanne. Away from work she probably wasn't quite so gung ho. Maybe she enjoyed things like walking hand-in-hand along the beach looking for shells. Maybe she wouldn't insist, as he'd often imagined, on jogging along the wet sand wearing a Walkman and swinging hand weights.

Amelia touched his arm. ''Go home and get some rest, Will. You're in a complete fog. I'll jot down my ideas and give them to you tomorrow.''

He shook his head. Selfish as it was, he wanted to prolong this moment. He'd probably never be back in this room, never see Amelia in such a seductive outfit again. ''No, now is the best time, if you're willing. I've already interrupted your evening, so unless you want to throw me out, we might as well get something accomplished.''

She gave him a rueful smile. ''You're a glutton for punishment, aren't you?''

''I guess so.'' It was sweet punishment, though, being here with her even if he couldn't follow his instincts. He couldn't remember when he'd felt more at home than he did in this room.

''As long as you're not going to go home and sleep, would you like some coffee and a sandwich?''

Now she was making him feel guilty. ''No, no. That's okay.''

''Well, I'm having some. We can talk in the kitchen. I haven't eaten yet.''

''Well, in that case, okay. I skipped dinner, myself.''

''So I figured. No wonder you're in a daze, with no sleep and no food in you. Just give me a minute to change.'' She started out of the room. ''This isn't exactly my company outfit.'' Disappointment shot through him. ''Hey,

don't bother with that. This is your home, after all, and you look comfortable.''

She turned back to him. ''You don't think this is unbelievably casual and unprofessional, to entertain an employee in my bathrobe?''

''I never even noticed what you had on,'' he lied.

He was immune to her, then, she thought as she brewed coffee and put together a couple of sandwiches with some leftover chicken. If only she could say the same about her reaction to him. But as long as she focused on his reason for being here—to orchestrate a date with Leanne—she could maintain her masquerade as his buddy.

So she hadn't changed from her silk robe into something more appropriate. If he hadn't even noticed, why worry about it? That he hadn't been the least interested in the fact she wore nothing underneath the robe was insulting, though. He probably thought of her as some sexless creature who lived for her quarterly profit reports. Okay, she did live for those, but not so much since Will had come to work for her.

She'd decorated the kitchen like a Parisian cafe, complete with a bistro-sized table and two chairs. Perfect for one, very intimate for two. Whenever she had company she served meals in the dining room, but Will had already taken a seat at the little table, so she put their mugs of coffee there.

''You're sure I can't do anything?'' he asked for the second time. ''I feel bad putting you to this trouble.''

''It's no more trouble for two than for one.'' She finished setting the table and put the plate of sandwiches between them. ''And besides, this is a practical move on my part. You probably eat junk half the time, which will eventually lower your immune system. If you get sick, I'll lose my driver until you recover. So I need to keep you healthy.''

''So this is a business dinner?'' ''Absolutely.'' She sat down and accidentally bumped his knee with hers. ''Sorry.''

''No problem. These look great.'' He picked up a sandwich and bit into it.

Apparently being around her when she was half-naked was no problem for him, she thought with some irritation. Here they sat knees to knees, hers bare most of the time because her robe kept slipping, and he was oblivious.

It wasn't fair that she should be so obsessed with him and he didn't feel a thing. The sheer injustice of it made her reckless. She leaned forward a little, just enough to reveal a bit of cleavage. ''I hope you like breast of chicken.'' He swallowed the bite he'd been chewing. ''I do. Thanks.''

She gazed into his eyes, hoping to see a spark there. ''Some people prefer thighs.''

''I like those, too.'' His dark gaze remained unreadable. ''I'm pretty easy to please.''

Apparently, she thought. Leanne was a great saleswoman and very personable, but she was about as deep as the Victorian birdbath Amelia had out on her bedroom balcony. Oh, well. It made the secret admirer plan easier to set up. No subtleties required.

''As I mentioned when you were spaced-out a while ago, I think you should send Leanne something every day, along with a note,'' she said. ''I'd start with chocolate.''

''A box of chocolates? This could get expensive.''

''That's why you don't send her a box. Just one piece. A good piece of white chocolate.''

Will finished half of a sandwich and picked up another. ''White chocolate, huh? Me, I like the dark stuff. The richer and stronger, the better.''

''Truffles,'' Amelia said, almost tasting it on her tongue. ''Dark chocolate and espresso.''

''Mmm.'' He met her gaze. ''Dark chocolate and caramel.''

She smiled. ''Dark chocolate with a fresh raspberry center.''

''Unless you have some chocolate in this house you'd better stop tempting me.''

She looked into his eyes. Too bad the glow she saw there was motivated by candy. ''I don't.'' ''Too bad.''

She indulged herself in the warmth of his glance for another moment before returning to business. ''Okay, elegant single pieces of white chocolate. Send them for three, maybe four days. Then you could start sending other little gifts, nothing expensive, but something with meaning for her.'' ''Such as?''

''She's a big Disney fan. That should help you.''

''I guess so.''

''Then for the last two or three days, you can get into the flower routine. I'd send single blooms at first. She seems to like yellow and orange. Save your money for that final delivery of a dozen red roses and the invitation to dinner on Valentine's Day. And that should do it. Secret admirer revealed, romance begins.'' What a depressing thought. Amelia hoped she'd be buying a ticket to New York by then.

''And you'll help me get this stuff to her so she doesn't know it's me sending it?'' ''Sure, no problem.''

''And you think this will work? She'll want to go out with the guy who does all this?''

Amelia leaned her chin on her hands and gazed at him. She couldn't imagine that he didn't know how gorgeous he was. ''I think she'd go out with you if you walked up and asked her, Will. You probably don't need to do any of it.''

He put down his coffee mug. ''Yeah, I do.'' ''Why?''

He gave her a sideways glance and looked away. ''Because it's been a while. If you tell me she's excited about meeting the guy who's sending her stuff, that will really help my confidence level.''

She was astounded that he felt he needed a crutch. ''But Will, you're—'' She caught herself before she said the word gorgeous. ''You have all sorts of things going for you. Why wouldn't she want to date you?''

''Because I'd bungle the part where I asked her. I' m not good at making jokes and small talk like Troy and other guys I know. Never have been. With someone like Leanne, I don't want to hang everything on simply asking her out for a cup of coffee.''

''This date matters that much to you?'' He gazed at her. ''I guess you could say that.''

Amelia's heart sank. He was already in love with Leanne.

Chapter Four

Will wasn't sure how much longer he could hang on to his control. He'd nearly lost it twice—when she'd leaned forward and asked him if he liked breast of chicken, and when they'd been comparing notes on chocolate. She probably didn't even mean to tantalize him. After all, who was he but some guy she'd hired to move furniture?

Still, just in case he was wrong and she had been sending him a subtle invitation, he decided to do a little probing. He'd polished off two sandwiches and was on his second cup of coffee. He needed to go home soon, but she didn't seem in any hurry, so maybe she was enjoying the company.

He took another sip of the coffee. Good stuff. ''I've been wondering something ever since I started work at Bedroom Fantasies,'' he said.

''What's that?'' She cradled her mug in both hands.

He'd enjoyed noticing little things, like her clear nail polish and the antique setting of the opal she wore on the ring finger of her right hand. ''Where did the idea for the fantasy bedrooms come from?''

She hesitated and finally shrugged. ''I just thought it would be cool.''

''It is. I just thought ...I don't know. I picture you and some special guy dreaming it up.'' ''Nope.''

He dared a little more. ''I'll bet your boyfriend likes the whole concept, though. I mean, you're the owner, so you could change your own bedroom any time you wanted.''

Her smile was secretive. ''I don't change my bedroom.''

''You don't?'' That surprised him. ''Now I'm curious.''

She pushed back her chair. ''Come on. I've served you dinner in my bathrobe, so you may as well get a tour of my bedroom.'' She glanced at him. ''I'll keep your secrets if you'll keep mine.''

''That goes without saying.'' His heart raced, and it was only partly from the recent dose of caffeine. He wondered if he was up to this, if once he stepped into her bedroom his control would snap for good and he'd haul her into his arms, strip off that robe and...

No, he couldn't let that happen. For some reason she'd let him into her confidence, probably because he'd admitted his vulnerability where Leanne was concerned. Amelia couldn't know how she affected him as she made these personal revelations. One thing was for sure, after seeing her bedroom he'd know whether she had a steady guy or not. A woman in love nearly always kept a picture of her man on the bedside table. He followed her down the hall. ''I decided to design one bedroom grouping that would be mine alone,'' she said over her shoulder. ''The store designs will eventually have hundreds of copies all over the country, especially if Jonathan Peterson opens a franchise on Fifth Avenue. I wanted something unique for myself.'' ''Fifth Avenue, huh?''

''Yes, on the condition that I go back there and open the store for him.''

The hair on the back of Will's neck rose as a primitive instinct sensed a rival. What a laugh. Will wasn't even in the running. ''Is Peterson an old guy?'' he asked, even if he had no right to.

''Somewhere between thirty-five and forty, I'd guess.''

He absorbed the information with a sense of foreboding. ''And rich.''

''Very.'' She stepped aside. ''Here it is.''

He glanced through the doorway and sucked in a breath. With luck she hadn't noticed his gasp, and with even more luck he wouldn't develop an erection just looking at her incredible bed.

It was drenched in a heady, heavy sensuality, strengthened by its lack of color. The massive headboard, footboard and canopy were intricately carved and enameled to look like polished silver. Tasseled ropes gathered thick ivory draperies at each supporting post, and swags of the same brocade hung in luxurious layers around the edge of the canopy. Embroidered in white, the coverlet and pillows glowed with the richness of satin.

''What do you think?'' she asked.

What did he think? That he'd better get the hell out of there. The woman, the bed and the scent of lavender from the marble bathroom visible through an arched doorway had kicked his sex drive into high gear.

''I call it Surrender;" she said. ''It's ...really something.'' He sounded as if he'd been running a marathon. ''And you know what? I really should get going. Get some of that sleep you think I need.''

She gave him a puzzled look. ''It's okay if you don't like it. I designed it for myself, so I can't expect other people to love it the way I do.''

''Oh, I like it,'' he said, backing down the hall. ''That big old bed just reminded me of how much sleep I need, and I'm suddenly beat.''

''Sure. I understand.'' She sounded disappointed again, the way she had when he told her about his idea for Leanne.

He was sorry about that, but if he didn't leave her place within the next five minutes, he'd have even more to be sorry for. ''Thanks for everything, Amelia,'' he said. ''You're one in a million.''

''You're welcome. See you tomorrow.'' ''Right.'' Grabbing his jacket from a chair, he made a quick exit out the front door. He didn' t realize until he was halfway home that

there had been no one's picture on her bedside table.

The next morning Amelia found an unmarked package on her desk. Inside was a small box with Leanne's name on it. Amelia held it to her nose. So Will had managed to find a chocolate shop open after he left, she thought. And he'd pretended to be exhausted. Well, love could revive even the most tired fellow.

She went into the lunchroom when no one was around and set the tiny box inside Leanne's Minnie Mouse coffee mug. Then, feeling enormously depressed, she returned to her office, called Peterson and agreed to open his Fifth Avenue store. He was delighted, he said, and invited her to dinner that night so they could celebrate. She forced herself to accept.

She had no trouble identifying the moment Leanne found her chocolate. Her squeal of delight could be heard throughout the store. A few minutes later, Amelia wandered out into the showroom. After Troy finished with a customer, she walked over to him.

''Cha-ching!'' he said with a grin. ''And a Hedonistic Greek model goes to the couple from Laguna Beach.''

''Laguna Beach? That must mean our expanded ad campaign is working.''

''It sure is. And that sale puts me ahead of Leanne for this quarter. Luckily for me, she was so busy trying to figure out who her secret admirer is that she missed seeing that couple come through the door.''

Amelia pretended surprise. ''Secret admirer?''

''Oh, yeah. Some guy must have sneaked into the lunchroom and put a piece of chocolate in her coffee mug. She even thinks it might have been me. I wish it had been. Damned good idea. Women love that kind of mystery.''

''Aren't you already involved with someone?''

Troy frowned. ''She moved out last night.'' ''Hey, I'm sorry.''

''It's been coming for a long time.'' He glanced at Amelia. ''But I think I'll finally trade in the Irish Milkmaid grouping she begged for and get the Sex in Space that I wanted all along.''

Amelia smiled. The kid in Troy was one of the things customers found so appealing about him, and why he'd sold so much of her fantasy furniture. ''Then if you can locate a woman who likes traveling in a rocket ship to galaxies far, far away, you're in business.''

''See, that's why I wish this secret admirer guy hadn't shown up. I happen to know Leanne likes Sex in Space. She's even talked about trading in her Wild, Wild West grouping for it.''

Amelia's brain threatened to go on overload. Will wanted to date Leanne. Troy wanted to date Leanne. It was a miracle that Peterson had asked Amelia to dinner instead of asking Leanne. Amelia decided she should be grateful that at least one man on the planet wasn't mooning over the lovely Ms. Fairchild.

She patted Troy on the arm. ''Cheer up. Space is in vogue these days. I'm sure you'll find lots of women who want to help you command the bridge, so to speak. Anyway, congratulations on selling another Hedonistic Greek.'' Out of habit she glanced toward the white-columned bed with its distinctive dome rising from the canopy frame. The cobalt-blue bedding was quite rumpled. ''Better go make the bed again, Troy.''

''Yeah.'' He grinned. ''It's a great sales tool, letting them crawl onto the mattress and imagine themselves owning the setup. You should have seen the way the guy looked at the woman once they were lying there together. I had a feeling if I turned my back, they'd go right to it.''

''It's happened before.'' Amelia laughed. ''Four years ago, soon after I'd opened the store, I walked out of my office one afternoon and found a couple rolling around on the Wild, Wild West bed, and clothes were starting to come undone. I swear to God if I hadn't showed up they were about to christen it.''

''I believe you.'' Troy's eyes sparkled. ''And you can't blame them. You've primed the place so that's what they start thinking the minute they come in the door. Why, before you hired me I had planned to become a priest, but you ruined me.'' ''Oh, sure.''

''It's true!'' He lapsed into a bad brogue. ''When I broke the sad news to me family, me poor mither cried her eyes out, she did.''

''Oh, Troy, will you cut that out?'' Leanne approached them carrying a small box Amelia recognized instantly. ''You've been sleeping in that Irish Milkmaid bed way too long.''

''So I've decided.'' Troy waggled his eyebrows at her. ''Gonna get me a Sex in Space as soon as Amelia can arrange the delivery.''

''Whoa. Think you can handle something that snazzy, Troy-boy?''

''Are you offering to help me handle it?'' ''That depends.'' She balanced the small box on the palm of her hand. ''Want to own up to this?''

''Wish I could.''

Leanne glanced at Amelia. ''I don't suppose you happened to see who put this in my coffee mug this morning?'' ''My lips are sealed.''

''Aha!'' Leanne smiled. ''But you know who it was, don't you?'' Amelia just gazed at her without speaking. ''Aw, come on. Just a little hint. This is driving me crazy.''

''If I told you, your admirer wouldn't be secret anymore, would he?'' Will's plan was working, Amelia thought. Leanne was intrigued, and after a few more days she'd accept any invitation just to find out who her secret admirer was. ''Did you like what was inside the box?''

''Are you kidding? I ate it already!'' Leanne opened the box and displayed it. ''See? Nothing in there but the note. I licked the bottom of the box, the chocolate was so good.''

Troy glanced at her. ''I'm really sorry I missed that.''

''It is you, isn't it?'' Leanne turned toward him. ''This would be just like you, to pull a crazy stunt and not admit it. But I'll be watching you from now on.'' ''Cool.''

''What did the note say?'' Amelia asked with all the nonchalance she could muster.

''I memorized it.'' Leanne's brown eyes grew dreamy. ''It was so romantic, which is the only reason I don't think you're the guy, Troy.'' ''Thanks a bunch.''

''It said Lucky is the chocolate that knows the touch of your lips. Your Secret Admirer. Leanne sighed and carefully put the top back on the box. ''I've never had a man write to me like that before.''

''Who knew you'd like it?'' Troy grumbled. ''All women like it.'' Amelia heartily wished she hadn't asked Leanne what was in the note. Now it would haunt her. Well, she could report to Will that his plan was a raging success. And she'd been the idiot who had agreed to help him put it in motion.

Will maneuvered the delivery truck through morning traffic as Gabe fiddled with the radio.

''Nothing but commercials.'' Gabe shut the radio off in disgust.

''Well, I did it.'' Will said. ''No joke?'' Gabe stared at him. ''The secret admirer thing? Excellent!'' ''Amelia's helping me.'' ''Get outta here.''

Will shrugged, as if Amelia's part in the plan was inconsequential. Never mind that he'd dreamed about her the entire night, and most of the dreams had been connected with that silver and ivory temple of a bed she owned. ''I needed somebody to plant the stuff so I wouldn't be caught doing it,'' he said. ''I figured it should be a woman, and I don't know the new lady in sales very well.''

''Me, neither. She's married.'' Will grinned. ''You say that like she has a terminal disease. Are you only friends with single women?''

''It's safer that way,'' Gabe said. ''No point in yearning for something I can't have, if you know what I mean.''

Will did know. He'd done his best to control his daytime thoughts, but he couldn't seem to do the same with his dreams. ''Anyway, I asked Amelia if she'd help me do this, and she seems happy to.''

''You know what, I'm not surprised,'' Gabe said. ''She's a real standup lady. The kind you know you can count on. I can't imagine you asking her, though, considering you're scared to ask Leanne for a date straight out.''

''I'm not scared. I'm just not good at it. I know myself, and I'd make a mess of the whole thing. For some reason I can talk to Amelia, probably because I have no intention of asking her out.''

''I guess that makes sense. So what'd you start out with? An x-rated video? An extralarge condom?''

''You're romantic clear to the bone, aren't you, Gabe?''

''Only kidding, dude. Don't get touchy. Seriously, what was your first move?''

Will told him about the single piece of expensive white chocolate and that he planned to follow that with more goodies in the days ahead.

Gabe nodded. ''Not bad. Sounds like you're on your way to a rendezvous with the luscious Leanne. Congratulations, buddy.''

''It's all your fault.''

''You'll thank me on some night in the near future, when your long dry spell is about to come to an end.''

''Hey! You think this is all some sort of calculated setup to get Leanne into bed?''

''It isn't?''

''Hell, no. All I'm thinking about is a date, to see if we get along. I've never even touched her.''

''That's not my fault. And I keep telling you she thinks you're cute, so you're halfway there already.''

''Yeah, but how do I know if the chemistry's right? Maybe we'll be all wrong for each other, and—'' He stopped as he became aware that Gabe was laughing. ''What's so funny?''

''You. You haven't been with a woman in God knows how long, and you're worried if the chemistry will be right? Hell, you won't care if she has purple eyes and green hair and uses bug spray as her favorite cologne. Just get you alone with an available woman, any available woman, and you'll be ready, man. It's almost a shame to waste Leanne's charms on you, sort of like giving cordon bleu to a starving man, but

you're lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, so bon appétit.''

Will frowned and cleared his throat. ''Okay, so maybe I am easily aroused these days. Leanne's going to have to want to, you know. And she just might not.''

''And she just might. The word is that the guy she broke up with was very bright but sort of a zero in the bedroom. Had some sort of religious hang-ups she thought she could work around, but no dice.''

''Where do you get all this stuff?'' Gabe smiled. ''I'm a good listener.'' Will had a horrible thought. ''You haven't told anybody that I've been sort of ...without action for a while, have you?''

''No, buddy, I haven't. I like to see all these affairs turn out well, and I can't imagine how that would help your cause, if Leanne thought you'd take the first woman who smiled at you.'' ''That's not true, dammit.'' ''If you say so.''

Will decided that the more he argued the point, the less Gabe would believe him. But surely Gabe was wrong. He hoped he was wrong. He'd hate to think that his reaction to

Amelia the night before had been based on nothing more than deprivation.

Maybe he needed to test himself and find a private time to talk with Leanne. If he felt the same cravings when he was alone with her as he had the night before with Amelia, then he'd know that Amelia probably wasn't the most astounding woman he'd ever met. His current state of mind had only made her seem that way.

Chapter Five

The day slipped away from Amelia before she realized it, and she'd intended to give Will some feedback on the success of his campaign, plus suggest a better place for him to leave his daily gifts. Okay, so she was pathetically eager to see him, even if they had to talk about his interest in another woman. In fact, she looked forward to spending a few minutes in conversation with Will more than spending an entire evening with Peterson. Bad sign.

Late in the afternoon she went to the storeroom looking for Will and found Gabe instead.

''Greetings,'' Gabe said, flashing his brilliant Latino smile. ''What can I do for you?'' ''Has Will gone home yet?'' ''I don't think so. He said something about grabbing a cup of coffee in the lunchroom before he left.''

''Thanks.'' As Amelia returned Gabe's smile and headed for the lunchroom, she thought about what a good-looking guy Gabe was, yet she'd never been in the least attracted to him. He even hauled furniture around like Will did, and she supposed he had a good body, although she'd barely noticed. She wondered what made the difference with Will. Maybe it was his shyness, or his incredible eyes, or the cute way his mouth turned up at the corners when he was amused. And maybe there was no analyzing an attraction this strong. It just was.

She found him in the lunchroom, all right, and wished she hadn't. Her imagination had created enough pictures of him with Leanne to make her thoroughly depressed. She hardly needed a dose of the real thing.

He stood with his broad back to her, his head slightly bent as he talked with Leanne. Although she couldn't see Will's face, she caught a glimpse of Leanne's as she gazed up at him with a friendly smile. Too damn friendly to suit Amelia.

''I love the beach, too,'' Leanne said. ''Just me, the waves and my Walkman. I get the best workouts jogging there.''

''So you don't stroll along looking for shells,'' Will said.

''Nah, I'm really not into shells. I collect Disney memorabilia, though. Just last month I bought a big glass case to—'' She stopped when she spotted Amelia. ''Hi, Amelia. I told you about that display case I found for my Mickey and Minnie collection, right?''

Will turned quickly, almost guiltily, as if he'd been caught doing something illicit.

''Yes, you told me,'' Amelia said. ''It sounded like a real bargain to me. Listen, I didn't mean to interrupt, but when you're finished here, Will, would you please stop by my office for a minute?''

''Sure.''

Leanne tossed her blond hair back. ''Hey, if you two have something private to discuss, I'll just take off. Troy's on floor duty tonight, so I' m a free woman, and I have about fifty errands to run and an appointment for a massage at six.''

Amelia knew she should feel some remorse for interrupting a cozy little chat between future lovers. ''Okay,'' she said breezily without the least bit of regret.

Leanne picked up her purse. ''I also need to get home and find out if my VCR is working right. I've decided to record all the Seinfeld reruns and I think there's something wrong with my machine, but I'm not sure.'' She glanced at Will. ''Do you like Seinfeld?'

''I guess I would if I ever had time to watch TV. But lately—''

''I can't imagine never getting to watch TV.'' Leanne shook her head. ''You must be one of those disciplined, dedicated types I envy so much. Well, see you two tomorrow.'' She glanced back at Will. ''Maybe I'll get another message from my secret admirer.'' ''Yeah, could be,'' Will said. After she left Amelia made herself apologize. ''Sorry about that. I should have left as soon as I saw you two were alone in here.''

''It doesn't matter.'' Will rubbed the back of his neck. ''You know, this is probably a huge mistake. I don't have time to watch TV, so I won't be able to connect with her on that, and I'm really not up on Disney stuff, either.'' ''Maybe you could give her a massage.'' He gave her a narrow look. ''And what's that supposed to mean?''

A devil had hold of Amelia's tongue. ''I can't help wondering what you two have in common, besides the obvious.'' His dark eyes probed hers with compelling

intensity. ''So you think this is just about sex, too?''

''Too?'' Somehow she managed to carry on the conversation, although her pulse rate increased several notches as she looked into his eyes. ''Is someone else in on this campaign?'' ''Gabe. He suggested the secret admirer deal in the first place.''

''I see. Well, it was a brainstorm. She's loving it.'' ''Yeah?''

''Oh, yeah. The candy and the ...note were a big hit.''

''She showed you the note?'' ''She showed everybody the note.'' ''Oh.'' Red crept up his neck. ''I didn't count on that. I guess I thought she'd keep the note to herself. It was private.'' He glanced at Amelia. ''Of course, you could have read it before you gave it to her. I didn't seal it up or anything.''

''I would never do that.'' He studied her for a moment. ' 'No, I suppose you wouldn't.''

She met his gaze for longer than was wise and found herself wanting to tell him she'd never show a love note to anyone, that a walk on the beach to collect shells sounded like heaven and she didn't have time for TV, either. But so what if all that was true? Obviously she didn't have the physical attributes he was looking for in a woman and Leanne did.

She might as well do the matchmaking job she'd agreed to. ''I don't think anybody noticed that box on my desk this morning,'' she said. ''But one day they might, so why don't you leave your gifts in my top desk drawer? No one opens that except me. I'll just check the drawer every morning and make the transfer when no one's around.''

He took a deep breath. ''Listen, before this goes any further, let's get something straight. I'm not doing this just because Leanne has a great body and I want to get her into bed.'' ''Okay.''

''You don't believe me.'' ''You're the one who said you couldn't imagine what the two of you would talk about.'' He ran his fingers through his hair and glanced away. ''That's because I'd probably have trouble knowing what to talk about with any woman I took out.''

''I find that hard to believe. You don't seem to have any trouble talking to me.''

He gazed at her. ''No, but we're not dating, are we?''

Amelia swallowed, disappointment clogging her throat. He could talk to her because he didn't find her sexually attractive. ''No, we're not.''

''In my early twenties I overcame my shyness with women, but then I was shipped off to Alaska, and I seem to have lost all the ground I'd gained. I have to remember that two people don't have to be exactly alike to get along, and Leanne can probably talk enough for both of us. She's a good beginning for me.'' His smile was crooked. ''Sort of a date with training wheels.''

''I see.'' Amelia hoped to hell the time spent in New York would ease the ache building steadily in her heart. To salvage a little of her pride, she glanced at her watch. ''Whoops. Gotta go. I need to change before I have dinner with Peterson.''

Will's eyes narrowed. ''You're having dinner with him tonight?''

''Yes.'' It was unworthy of her, but she couldn't help it. ''We have to discuss the timetable for my trip to New York. He's providing me with an apartment, and I think he'd like me to consider a permanent move.''

''You wouldn't do that, would you?'' She took satisfaction in his sudden concern, although he probably only cared about losing her as a boss. ''I don't know,'' she said. ''Peterson can be very ...persuasive.'' ''But New York's so cold, and—'' ''Warp speed!'' The swinging door on the lunchroom slammed open and a little boy hurtled through. He came to an abrupt stop and looked shocked to see anyone in the room. ''Alien life-forms!'' he gasped. ''Gotta alert the crew!'' He spun around and started to run back out.

''Hey, captain.'' Will reached down and gently gripped the boy's shoulder.

The little boy tensed and opened his mouth as if to scream.

Will crouched down next to him. ''Don't lose your head, captain,'' he said. ''We're crew members, too. An evil force has changed us into the horrible creatures you see before you. We need your help.''

His eyes wide, the boy turned to look at Will. He stared at him for several seconds before he started to giggle. ''I was just playin', you know.''

''Jeremy, you can't go back here.'' Troy pushed open the door, his expression weary. ''Oh. I see you've got him, Will.''

''Yeah, he was just checking out the place,'' Will said. ''He didn't mean any harm. Right, Jeremy?''

Jeremy gave Will a grateful glance. ''Right.'' Troy looked at Amelia. ''Sorry. His mother and I were getting the paperwork finished up and Jeremy took off. I've never seen a little kid move so fast. Ran all through the store, knocked over a couple of things, but I don't think anything's broken.''

Jeremy's lip began to quiver. ''I didn't mean to break stuff.''

''Tell you what,'' Will said. He stood and held out his hand. ''Let's take a walk through the store and make sure. That way you won't have to worry about it.''

Jeremy nodded and put his hand in Will's. ''I like the rocket ship bed,'' he said quietly as they started out. ''Let's look there first.''

''Okay. There's some cool stuff in here, isn't there?''

''Yeah,'' Jeremy said. ''Real cool.'' As Amelia watched Will take the child back out into the showroom, she pictured Will a few years from now, calming and comforting sick children. He would be wonderful at it. She wondered if he'd have children of his own some day, and the ache in her heart became even harder to bear.

''Jeremy's mother's getting a divorce,'' Troy said. ''That's why she's buying a new bed, so she doesn't have to sleep in the one she shared with her ex.''

''She said that in front of Jeremy?'' ''Unfortunately. Then she told him to wait with me while she went out to the car to get her checkbook. That' s when he took off like a bat out of hell. You can tell he hates having his parents split. Will sure handled him, though, didn't he?''

Amelia felt a warm glow of pride. ''He's going to be a pediatrician.''

''Good choice. Well, I'm sure the mother is back and wondering what happened to me. She's leasing Midnight Lace.''

''That's what she chose, with a little kid in the house?''

''Yep. Want me to refuse to sell it to her?'' ''You know we can't do that.'' Amelia thought of the red-and-black lace that decorated a black lacquered bed that was almost X-rated in its blatant sexuality. More than one customer had said the grouping belonged in a brothel, and it usually sold to single men. ''He's probably too young to get the significance of the decor, anyway.''

''Let's hope so.''

After Troy left, Amelia returned to her office. She really did have to leave the store and get ready for her dinner with Peterson. But she paused for a moment and glanced out into the showroom, where Will was holding Jeremy up so he could get a better look at the futuristic canopy on the Sex in Space bed.

Amelia had assumed she'd marry and have kids some day, but she'd been so focused on her business that she hadn't given the matter much thought. Even her crush on Will had been a craving for physical satisfaction with no wish for commitment. Ironically, she'd wanted him for exactly the same reason she'd assumed he wanted Leanne—for sex. Yet her focus was changing. Oh, she still wanted him for sex. That would probably never change. But he was also making her consider what sort of man she'd like to spend a lifetime with, what sort of man she'd like to be the father of her children. Will was that sort of man.

Will tried to tell himself that everything was going great. His gifts to Leanne continued to be a hit according to the office gossip supplied regularly by Gabe. Will stopped composing the notes he included once he realized they'd be circulated as faithfully as an interoffice memo. Instead he quoted poetry, which seemed to do about as well. Once he even quoted Mickey Mouse, which according to Gabe, caused Leanne to pledge her undying love to this secret admirer.

''She wants you bad, man,'' Gabe said one afternoon as they were returning to the store after delivering and setting up Troy's new Sex in Space bedroom grouping. ''When are you gonna pop the question about dinner?''

''Tomorrow.'' Will knew he should be more excited about the prospect, but for some reason he felt detached from the entire operation.

''Cool. Where are you going to have her meet you?''

''She might not meet me, you know.'' ''Oh, she'll meet you. That's one curious lady. She can't figure out if it's you, Troy, me, or the new sales guy Amelia hired right before Christmas. She even suspects the mailman because he always talks to her when he gets a chance. The suspense is killing her.''

Will parked the truck behind the store. He noticed with irritation that Peterson's rental car was sitting in the space next to Amelia's Subaru. The guy couldn't park out in front, like everybody else. He had to pull in back here, as if he had special privileges. Will kept thinking of Amelia's massive silver bed and wondering if Peterson had seen it yet. He sure as hell hoped not.

''So you're not going to tell me where?'' Gabe asked as they climbed out of the truck. ''What?'' Will looked at Gabe in confusion. ''Where you're going to set up the meeting with Leanne. You've sure been distracted lately, baby doc. Got a big test coming up?''

''No, I mean, yeah, kind of.'' Will always had tests coming up, so it was a good cover story. ''I'm going to make a reservation at that little Italian place I like and tell Leanne which booth I'll be in. How's that?''

''Perfect. Intimate, not too showy. She'll love it.''

''Yeah, but I wonder if she'll love seeing me sitting there. Sure you don't want to take this one, Gabe?''

''After all your work? I wouldn't think of it. Besides, I have a date for Valentine's night. And she's cooking at her place.'' Will grinned at him. ''Sounds promising.'' ''When a woman invites you into her kitchen and fixes you a meal, you're most of the way home, buddy.'' He climbed the steps to the loading dock. ''That's in case you've forgotten the signs.''

As Will followed him up the steps he thought of the night Amelia had invited him into her kitchen and fixed him a meal. But it hadn't meant anything. ''What are some other signs?'' he asked.

''Oh, if she takes you on a tour of her place and makes sure you see the bedroom,'' he said. ''But I think even you could figure that one out.''

Will nearly choked. But Amelia had made the whole gesture seem so commonplace. Surely she hadn't been implying ...no, of course not. He walked with Gabe through the large open door into the storeroom and heard voices coming from behind a wall of stacked boxes.

''...thought you wanted to see the new Erotic Egypt shipment,'' Amelia said.

''I do,'' said a man who sounded a lot like Peterson. ''In a minute.''

Will grabbed Gabe's arm and motioned for him to be quiet.

''Jonathan, we've discussed this,'' Amelia said. ''I don't think it's appropriate for us to— Jonathan, that's enough!''

Will started forward instinctively, but Gabe stopped him. As they stood there, Amelia marched out from behind the stack of boxes, her head high and her cheeks rosy. She glanced quickly at Will and Gabe but said nothing as she continued on toward the door into the showroom.

''Amelia!'' Peterson called out. ''Don't you think you're being a little—'' He walked out from behind the boxes, spied Will and Gabe and paused. ''Gentlemen,'' he said with a curt nod.

Then he, too, walked through the door into the showroom.

''Will, are you okay?'' Gabe peered at him in concern.

''Uh, yeah.'' Will discovered he was breathing hard from the effort of restraining himself. He wanted in the worst way to go after Peterson and tell him to keep his damned hands off Amelia. But mixed in with his protective urge was the satisfaction of knowing that she didn't want Peterson, after all.

Gabe put a hand on his shoulder. ''You haven't totally given up that fantasy, have you?''

''Sure I have.''

''Couldn't prove it by me. You were ready to take that guy apart. Listen, buddy, you're looking to get your heart broken with that one. She's going to New York. She may not want Peterson, but he's only the first of many guys just like him who will be happy to wine and dine our Amelia. That's going to be her world now. There's talk she may not even come back to San Diego. Either Troy or Leanne may end up running the store for her.''

Will took a long, shaky breath. Then he dredged up a smile for Gabe. ''So you're telling me that Leanne could be my boss in a few weeks? Then I could have the same damn problem!''

''Not a chance. In a few weeks, it won't matter if Leanne's in charge or not. You'll already have established your ...shall we say, new position with her.'' He grinned. ''And I guarantee sweet Leanne will make you forget all about the boss lady.''

Chapter Six

Will hoped that Gabe was right and going out with Leanne would make him forget Amelia. He also hoped that once the secret admirer campaign was over he'd get better at remembering the pesky details in his life. He was becoming more absentminded with every day that went by. Between daydreaming about one woman and angling for a date with another one, plus trying to keep up with his course work, he was constantly forgetting the simplest things.

Case in point—he'd left his only jacket at the store, a fact he didn't realize until he came out of his night lab and a cold rain sliced right through his T-shirt. The store would be locked up by now, but he had a key to the back, as all the employees did. Rather than suffer through the rest of the night and his early class in the morning, he decided to swing by the store and pick up his jacket.

When he pulled into the back parking lot his heart started to pound. Amelia's Subaru was still there. Of course she might have gone to dinner with Peterson and left her car here, but after the scene he'd witnessed the other day, he doubted it. Still, he knew she wanted that New York franchise, so maybe she had to continue placating the jerk with a dinner date now and then.

Much as Will hated admitting it, he sort of identified with Peterson. Will knew how the guy must feel, wanting Amelia so much he could taste it. But Will's fantasies were probably more specific than Peterson's. Will had seen Amelia's silver bed and had thought a lot about the title of Surrender that she'd given it.

And unlike Peterson, Will had spent an evening with Amelia when she wore only a satin and lace robe and the scent of lavender clung to her damp skin. His dreams had been filled with images of her untying the robe and allowing it to fall into an ivory heap at her feet. Then she would beckon him toward that bed, slide onto those cool ivory sheets and lie back, waiting.

Will passed a hand over his eyes and wondered how long he'd been sitting in the parking lot behind the store, car engine running, windshield wipers flapping, headlights on. And an erection in the making. If the security guard happened along he'd probably want to take Will in for suspicious behavior. Damn. Valentine's Day was almost here, and he wondered how in hell he'd pretend to be infatuated with Leanne when Amelia was the only one he wanted.

Maybe he should drive away and forget about his jacket. Being alone in the store with Amelia might not be such a bright idea right now. Then again, what difference did it make? He wasn't the kind of guy to force himself on a woman, or even push the issue as Peterson had apparently tried to do. Amelia had no interest in him. He could simply go in, call out to her so she'd know who it was, get his jacket and leave.

In spite of that little speech to himself, his pulse quickened as he opened the back door. ''Amelia?'' he called out in a loud voice. ''It's Will. I forgot my jacket.'' He flipped on the showroom light and started over to the wall where his j acket hung on a hook.

''Will?''

He turned toward the open showroom door and his heartbeat went off the Richter scale. The light from the showroom teased its way through

the thin silk of her blouse and skirt, giving him a dim but arousing view of her body. ''Are you in a hurry?'' she asked. Not anymore. ''Uh, not particularly.'' He swallowed. ''Do you need ...some help with something?''

''I've started a project that I may not have the ability to finish.'' She beckoned to him. ''Come on. I'll show you.''

''Okay.'' Oh, yeah. She wasn't beckoning him into her bedroom, but she was taking him through Bed City. He'd have to remember that the front of the store was glass, and with the lights on it became a theater for anyone driving by.

''I'm not satisfied with the way the Valentine grouping has been selling,'' she said over her shoulder. ''All that white lace is pretty, but it may look too virginal, don't you think?''

''Well, I—'' Whatever comment he'd been about to make flew out of his mind when she opened the door to the front display window and stepped inside. The shades were pulled down, concealing the window from the street. Once he stepped through the door and joined her there, they'd be shielded from the world.

Rain spattered against the glass, increasing the sense of intimacy.

For one crazy moment he wondered if she'd done this on purpose, to seduce him. What a truckload of wishful thinking that was. She'd had no idea he'd be coming by the store tonight. Obviously she wanted to rearrange the display in private, knowing that the fantasy element would be destroyed if customers happened to drive by and see a bare mattress or mismatched bedding.

''So far I' ve changed the sheets to red satin with an ermine throw across the foot of the bed,'' she said. ''I don't have the matching canopy on yet, but what do you think? Is it too obvious?''

''Uh...'' He wondered how he'd get through this without making a fool of himself. When he looked at the bed, the top sheet tossed back in invitation, the white fur begging him to lay her naked body across it, his groin tightened painfully. But looking at her was no better. His fingers itched to undo the silk-covered button at the vee in her blouse and find out for sure what he suspected, that she wore the kind of under-things that drove a man wild.

''It's too much,'' she said, grabbing up the white ermine and clutching it to her chest. ''I was afraid it was, but sometimes I don't know where to draw the line.''

He stared at the soft fur pressed against the triangle of creamy skin between the lapels of her blouse and almost groaned aloud. How he wanted to press his mouth to that exact place. And that was just the beginning of what he'd like to do. ''I...don't think it's too much,'' he managed to say. ''I'm sorry. My brain's fried right now.''

She gazed at him. ''I'll bet you just got out of class and want nothing more than to go home and go to bed.''

She got two out of three right, he thought. He had just left class and he'd love to go to bed, but he had no intention of going home. ''I'm not really that tired,'' he said, forcing a normal tone into his voice. ''What can I do to help you?''

Her expression brightened. ''So you really think it looks nice? Well, not nice. I guess I'm going more for naughty.'' Oh, God. ''I think you're getting there.'' ''Great. Then what I need from you is to help me angle the bed a little more. I stood outside and looked at the display from different perspectives before I decided to make this change, and I think the bed should be turned so it's on a slant instead of straight across the window. I think you'd get more of the effect of the turned-back sheets, more of a desire to climb right into that bed.''

''Just show me where you want it.'' He wondered if she had any clue what this whole conversation in the cozy, curtained window was doing to him. Probably not. He was nothing more than an obliging furniture mover to her. Well, if that's all he could be, then he'd be the best damn furniture mover she'd ever had in her life. He'd shift and adjust and realign this bed a million times in exchange for the chance to breathe in the scent of her perfume and once in a while be rewarded with an approving glance from those amazing blue-green eyes.

Amelia knew she was playing a dangerous game, but if Fate was going to send Will to her tonight, she'd get whatever thrills she could out of the situation. Between the pressure of his studies and his preoccupation with Leanne he probably missed the erotic nature of what they were doing as they fooled around with a bed dressed in red satin while the display window curtains were drawn. The rain tapping on the window only added to the sensuous nature of the setting.

But she really needed his help, she rationalized. She couldn't have moved the massive white canopied bed by herself, and she honestly had decided it needed to be moved. She just hadn't pictured watching Will do the job.

As he lifted, she lusted, shamelessly positioning herself for the best view of muscles bunching and straining to perform the task she'd assigned. The beauty of his body in action made her light-headed with desire. After he'd moved the bed, she inspected the angle with great seriousness and guiltlessly asked him to shift it several inches to the right. Then she had him put it back again. When he broke a sweat and his T-shirt began to adhere to those well-tuned muscles, she closed her eyes and offered a brief prayer of gratitude that he'd decided to come back tonight to retrieve his jacket.

Leanne would have him soon enough, Amelia rationalized. Before long she would be in New York, far away from the glory of his dark eyes and sculpted physique. She asked him for another adjustment of the bed's position. As a woman about to be deprived, she deserved this.

Of course she was also torturing herself with what she couldn't have, like a kid with her nose pressed to the candy store window. She could almost taste that candy, too. ''Another couple of inches more to the left, and that should do it.'' She crossed her arms to still the fine trembling that had overtaken her.

He grinned and wiped his forehead on his sleeve. ''If I didn't know better I'd say you're enjoying this.''

Her heart hammered at the sexy quality of that grin. ''Of course. Women love to coax men into moving furniture for them. It's been going on since some female ancestor of mine asked her guy to rearrange a couple of boulders in the cave.'' Her guy. That had slipped out. Will was Leanne's guy, or soon would be. And she needed to end this interlude before more slipups crept into her routine.

Will moved the bed to the spot she'd indicated, then straightened and rolled his shoulders. ''How's that?'' Mighty fine. ''Perfect.'' Now she'd bid him

good-night, and that would be that. The hour of midnight was striking for Cinderella.

''Want some help putting the new canopy up?''

She told herself to refuse and finish the job herself with a stepladder. But temptation snared her once again. ''Thanks. That would be great. If you'll take down the white lace one, I'll get the red satin.''

She returned to the storeroom and located the box containing the canopy. On her way back to the showroom she noticed his jacket hanging on the wall. Some people said there were no accidents in life. In that case, he'd unconsciously forgotten to take the jacket tonight so that he'd have to come back and see her again. But that made no sense. He hadn't known she'd be here.

She sighed. No matter how she twisted things, she couldn't come up with any evidence that he was the slightest bit interested in her. She walked over to the wall where his jacket hung and slid her hand along the material, but touching his clothing ran a poor second to what she really wanted. Feeling sinful, she took the jacket off the hook. The scent of his aftershave reached out to her, and she held the collar up to her nose and breathed in. Warmth transformed to heat, and heat built into the insistent pressure of need.

Stop this, she commanded herself. Replacing the jacket on its hook, she carried the canopy box into the showroom and through the door into the display window.

Will stood with the folded lace canopy cradled in his arms. ''Where do you want this?'' he asked.

The sight of a brawny man like Will carefully holding a frothy bundle of lace was an enticing contrast. She wondered what he'd look like holding a baby, his baby. A virile, child-loving man like Will would have children, and some lucky woman would get to be the mother of— Amelia put the brakes on her thoughts. ''If you'll start putting on the new canopy I'll take the other one back to the storeroom.''

During the exchange she was very aware of each time his hand brushed hers, but if she hoped that he'd pause, gaze into her eyes and say something significant, she was doomed to disappointment. He handled the whole episode with businesslike efficiency. Back in the storeroom she reboxed the lace canopy and took the opportunity to draw in several long, calming breaths. There. Now she was ready to send him on his way with a smile and a friendly handshake.

She marched back into the showroom and through the door into the display window. ''I really appreciate this, Will. I'm sure you need to be getting home. I can finish up.''

''I almost have it.'' He reached up and positioned the fourth corner of the canopy. ''Besides, I owe you this, after all you've done for me with the Leanne business.''

She wished to hell he hadn't brought that up. ''The big day is almost here, isn't it?'' ''Yep.'' He adjusted a flounce on the red silk. At least he had the good grace not to sound as eager as he probably felt. But his mentioning Leanne had sure spoiled the erotic haze she'd been moving in for the past half hour. She was even alert enough to notice that the canopy wasn't hanging evenly on the rail.

She moved over next to him and reached up to tug on the material. ''This isn't quite right.'' ''Does it need more over here?'' He leaned around her to work the material from the top. ''That's better.'' Somehow in the process she

became bracketed between his outstretched arms. She basked in his heat, reveled in the scent of healthy male and the sweet sound of his breathing until her knees began to quiver with reaction. But he probably didn't even know they were practically embracing. ''Now, if you'll just—'' She gasped softly as his arm nudged the side of her breast.

''Just what?''

There was something new in his voice, something rough-edged and untamed. Heart pounding, she slowly released her hold on the canopy and turned around in the tight space between them. He gripped the canopy rail with both hands, effectively imprisoning her against the bed. She thought he'd excuse himself and back away. He didn't move. Slowly she lifted her gaze. And forgot to breathe.

All this time she'd thought he was unaware of her. She'd thought he didn't feel the electricity, didn't feel the heat. Didn't want her.

She'd been wrong.

A man could only take so much. He'd been maintaining until she invaded his space. And now ...now her mouth was so close ...so full, as if she wanted this. Her eyes were the hot blue of an August sky, and her perfume drifted toward him, making him dizzy. The rain drumming against the window echoed the pounding of his heart. He gripped the rail harder in one last effort to keep control.

Yet the promise of her drew him closer, and closer still. Her eyes widened, darkened. He waited, heart beating so fast he could barely breathe, for her rejection. It didn't come. ''Time's up,'' he murmured. Still gripping the rail over her head, he closed his eyes and touched his mouth slowly, gently to hers.

Still he thought she'd pull back. Knew he should. But she didn't, and he couldn't. The soft pressure of her lips was too sweet, too new. He lifted his mouth and sought a better angle. She met him halfway, her lips slightly parted.

His heartbeat throbbing in his ears, he edged her mouth with his tongue, coaxing, exploring, sure that any moment she'd push him away. Instead she clutched his shoulders ...and gave him what he sought.

With fierce joy he took full possession of her mouth. So lush. So hot. So ready. Amelia. He lifted his head to gaze down at her and saw everything he wanted to see in her dreamy eyes. Keeping one hand on the canopy rail for balance, he wrapped his other arm around her, relishing the sensation of silk warming under his embrace. He drew her close, delighting in the fullness of her breasts, the narrow span of her waist, the swell of her hips. Her body and his were a perfect fit.

Still gazing into her eyes, he released his grip on the rail and guided her down to the bed. The mattress at her back must have awakened some caution in her, because she opened her mouth as if to protest. Too late, Amelia. With a smile and a shake of his head, he slipped his arm under her knees. Her shoes fell to the floor as he lifted her completely onto the satin sheet. He followed her down, not giving her his full weight but pinning her to the bed, nonetheless.

Instinct directed him as he held her motionless and looked deep into her eyes while he combed his fingers through her silky hair. She'd designed a bed for herself and called it Surrender. From the moment she'd told him that, he'd known her fantasy. And maybe, just maybe, she'd let him give it to her.

He had no illusions the fantasy would last beyond tonight. He wasn't the man she envisioned spending the rest of her life with. And she might be so embarrassed to have him around after this that she would fire him. He didn't care. For her this might be an illicit episode never to be repeated, but for him it was the culmination of a dream, and he would have no regrets.

He watched as indecision clouded her gaze. Then, in a moment so brilliant it took his breath away, the indecision cleared and her eyes grew luminous. With a groan he lowered his mouth to hers.

He' d never been met with such hunger. once she'd given herself up to him, she held nothing back, kissing him with the sort of abandon he'd only dreamed of but never expected to find. And at last he acknowledged that Amelia was his ultimate fantasy—contained and prim on the outside, never letting on that on the inside she was a blazing inferno.

As he unfastened each covered button of her navy blouse, he raised his head to gaze at the tailored garment giving way slowly beneath his fingers. True to his fantasy, the conservative blouse covered navy lace worthy of a centerfold, a delicate garment that cupped and lifted her breasts while barely concealing them. Her quick, excited breaths added to the temptation, and just gazing at her he grew very hard and very needy.

But rushing to undress her would be the same as ripping open an elegantly wrapped gift. He glanced up and found her watching him, her lips parted and her eyes the color of twilight. As rain continued to batter the window he slipped his finger under the front clasp of her bra. Instead of undoing the clasp, he stroked his finger up and down between her breasts in subtle suggestion. She gasped softly and he took her mouth again, teasing her with his tongue.

He took his time kissing her, and when he finally lifted his head and opened the catch of her bra, he used such care that the lace cups stayed in place, still supporting her fullness. Slowly he smoothed away the material from one breast, turning the motion into a caress. As his palm slid across her warm, silken skin and encountered her taut nipple, he closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. Trembling with pleasure, he gazed down at her breast cradled in his hand.

''Please,'' she whispered.

Desire raged through him at her soft request, making him long to wrench the rest of her clothing away and expose every inch of her to his gaze, to his caress. But he had much to gain if he savored each step along the way, if he took the time to burn every sensation into his memory, for he could never expect to be allowed to touch her this way again.

Churning with anticipation, he leaned down slowly to take what she offered.

Chapter Seven

Will might be shy out of bed, but once in it there was nothing shy about him, Amelia thought. He seemed to read her mind, seemed to understand the secrets buried deep in her soul. Then his mouth found her breast and she lost whatever remained of her reason. ''Yes,'' she moaned. ''Oh, yes.''

crazy to get her hands on him, too, she tugged his T-shirt from the waistband of his jeans and slid her palms up the muscled expanse of his back. oh, to feel the bunch of those muscles as he continued to pleasure her! She kneaded his warm skin with the ecstasy of a kitten.

With a soft growl of satisfaction he shifted and took her other breast while he continued to stroke the damp nipple he'd just left. She writhed against the satin sheet, wild with joy to discover that he wanted her, even if he was acting on impulse. She would take whatever Will would give her and be grateful.

With a leisure that excited and frustrated her at the same time, he kissed his way down the valley between her ribs. The tumult of her heartbeat nearly drowned out the rasp of her skirt zipper, but when he gently tugged at the material, she raised her hips, wanting the skirt gone, wanting everything gone and Will buried deep inside her. She ached for him to be there.

''Perfect,'' he murmured, tracing the outline of her lace garter belt. Then he expertly unfastened the hooks securing one stocking.

As he rolled the silk down over her bent knee, he followed his progress with nibbling kisses that made the ache inside her almost unbearable. By the time he'd finished with the other stocking, she was molten lava, ready to erupt.

He tossed her stockings on the floor and returned to kiss her fully on the mouth. Soon, his kiss seemed to say. Very soon. But when she reached for the snap on his jeans, he caught and held her hand.

His ragged breath mingled with hers as he lifted his lips a fraction from hers. ''We can't.''

Can't? Her dazed mind refused to understand. And her body refused to be denied. She struggled against his restraint.

''I don't ...have anything with me.'' He tightened his grip on her hand.

Her whimper of disappointment gave away her neediness, and she wished she could take that small, vulnerable sound back. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting to look at him when she felt like such a fool. Of course he wouldn't be prepared.

''It's okay.'' He dropped quick, feverish kisses on her lips. ''We can't,'' he murmured, sliding his hand down to the drenched triangle of silk still covering her, ''but you can.''

Her eyes flew open and her heart began to pound with a new rhythm.

He gazed down at her and smiled softly as he slipped his hand beneath the material. His voice was husky. ''I wouldn't start something I didn't mean to finish.''

As his fingers tunneled through her damp curls, seeking her heat, she tried to tell him to stop, that it wasn't fair for only one of them to be satisfied, but for the life of her she couldn't speak. Her whole body seemed to have liquified, and nothing mattered but his touch. There. There.

She gasped at the first quiver of release.

''Surrender, Amelia,'' he whispered, kissing her throat, her cheeks, her mouth. ''Surrender to me.''

And surrender she did, giving up everything in one spectacular, cataclysmic moment. She cried out, and he caught the cry against his mouth as he held her tight, absorbing the tremors of her climax. The power of it caught her completely by surprise as wave after wave washed over her, leaving her panting and dazed, but so safe, so warm in the shelter of his arms.

As she sank back against the bed, cocooned in the bliss of completion, she was oblivious to the world. He had to tell her that someone was knocking on the back door and ask her what to do about it.

She gazed up at him with a silly smile on her face. ''I have absolutely no idea.''

He smiled back. ''It could be the security guard.''

''Could be.''

''Both our cars are parked out there. He'll expect somebody to come to the back door. If we don't...''

She touched his cheek. ''Are you trying to protect my reputation?''

''Yeah.'' His glance was tender. ''How about if I go tell him we're involved in a complicated floor move?''

''I think we're involved in an earth move. At least it did for me.''

He kissed her, his mouth already wonderfully familiar. ''I'm glad.'' Gently untangling himself, he climbed off the bed and tucked in his T-shirt as he headed out the door of the window display.

After he left Amelia's euphoria lasted about two seconds. Then she covered her face with her hands and moaned softly. What had she done? Had she just stolen Leanne's secret admirer? Or would he continue with his campaign and go out with Leanne? Was this just ''one of those things'' that they would both try to forget ever happened?

Except that she would never forget. With shaking hands, she began to dress herself. My God, she'd allowed herself to be undressed and thoroughly fondled in the front window of her store by an employee who might not be interested in a relationship with her and might have been motivated only by the seductive nature of the moment.

Or worse yet, maybe she'd looked so needy that he'd thought he'd better cooperate or risk losing his job. She didn't know if she could face that sort of humiliation. But even if he really was attracted to her, she'd loused up a budding romance between two of her employees and compromised her authority beyond belief.

Terrible as all that was, however, she could live with it, deal with it somehow. All those horrible possibilities were worth facing in exchange for the glory she'd found in Will's arms. But she also had to consider that she might never experience that glory again. She didn't know if she could live with that.

Will stepped out onto the loading dock to talk to the security guard and hoped the dim light and cold air would minimize his aroused condition. He could smell Amelia's perfume and knew if anyone came too close they'd figure out he'd recently been very chummy with her. With luck, the wind and rain would take care of that, too, and the security guard wouldn't get suspicious.

If the guard had any doubts about Will's claim that he was helping Amelia with a floor move, he didn't say so. ''Just thought I'd check,'' he said, turning up the collar of his slicker. ''Thought I heard a cry for help, and after all, that's my job.''

''I'm sure Amelia appreciates your alertness,'' Will said. ''You probably heard her yell when she almost fell off the ladder. Fortunately she caught herself in time.'' He knew she'd be mortified if she suspected that the guard had heard her cry out in the moment of climax. Will decided not to tell her exactly what had brought the guard to their door.

''I'm glad you're here helping her,'' the guard said. ''I think she works down here by herself too much of the time, and with all those sexy beds she could easily draw the attention of some psycho.''

''Good point. I'll tell her.'' Will made a note to tell her in no uncertain terms that she shouldn't stay down here late at night by herself anymore, and not just because the security guard didn't like it. Will didn't like it.

''Plus, I'm sure the lady's got bucks. Somebody who needs drugs could get ahold of her and force her to write them a big fat check.''

''That too.'' Reality began to descend upon Will. He had no right to tell Amelia not to work late at the store. He was her employee. She was his boss. Now that he wasn't blowing her mind with sexual satisfaction, she was probably starting to remember that fact.

''Guess I'll continue making my rounds,'' the guard said. ''Have a good night.''

''Thanks.'' Will figured he'd had all the good night he was going to have. Now he had to face the consequences of what he'd done. Besides overstepping his boundaries with his boss, he'd also forgotten all about Leanne in the excitement of finally holding Amelia in his arms. Amelia must think he was a real piece of work. For days he'd been dreaming up tempting gifts for Leanne, and he'd already ordered a dozen roses to be delivered to her at the store on Valentine's Day.

But in the meantime he'd grabbed a chance to seduce his boss. Yeah, Amelia must think he was a prince, all right. He couldn't back out of the dinner with Leanne, and he hated the idea that he'd led her on only to let her down. Because he would have to let her down. Whether or not Amelia wanted anything more to do with him, he couldn't pretend an interest in Leanne when his whole being was consumed with thoughts of Amelia.

With a sigh he walked back into the storeroom and closed the door behind him. Then he stood staring at the floor, hands shoved in his pockets, as he tried to figure out what to say to Amelia that wouldn't sound completely lame. He should never have let himself get involved with her while he still had unfinished business with Leanne. He'd really screwed up this time.

Amelia finished dressing and belatedly wondered if she should have sent Will off to investigate alone. She'd never had a problem with a break-in, but San Diego had its share of criminals. Of course, burglars usually didn't knock before breaking in.

Running her fingers through her hair, she ventured out into the showroom. She heard indistinct voices coming from the loading dock and relaxed a little. Will must be out there talking to someone, probably the security guard, just as he'd thought. She edged closer to the door leading into the storeroom. Then she heard the guard leave. Will came back inside and closed the back door.

She stepped into the storeroom, intending to thank him for being so gallant and allowing her to get herself together while he dealt with the guard. The sight of him staring at the floor, shoulders slumped, brought her up short. Oh,

God. He regrets everything. Pain hit her mid-section. She clutched her stomach and closed her eyes against the onslaught of shattered pride. He was trying to figure out a gentle way to let her down.

Although her insides felt shredded to bits, she straightened her spine and forced brightness into her voice. ''And Bedroom Fantasies claims two more victims. I can't believe we allowed that to happen, can you?''

His head came up. For a brief moment he looked uncertain and confused. Then he glanced away, and by the time he turned back to her he wore a mocking grin. ''Just shows you what a little atmosphere can do. I guess you'd have to say your Valentine display works.''

''Yes, I guess I would.'' She cleared her throat. ''Listen, as far as I'm concerned, this never happened.''

He nodded. ''Gotcha. I mean, we were both tired, not thinking straight.''

''That's so true. You've been stressed with school, and I've had this franchising thing preying on my mind.''

''Are you going to New York?'' She tried to detect any hidden meaning in the soft-spoken question. He'd probably be relieved to see her go. ''Yes. Yes, I am. And you ...will have your date with Leanne in three days.'' ''That's right.''

She hurt so bad she wondered how much longer she'd be able to stand upright. ''She's a great gal.''

''Yeah.'' He gazed at her for an agonizingly long time. ''I'd better take off.''

''Of course. I've kept you long enough.'' The stock phrase sounded ridiculously impersonal, considering that only moments ago he'd been— no, she mustn't think about that. ''Amelia...''

She held her breath, foolish enough to hope she'd misread his dejected posture just now. ''Do you ...want me to quit?'' Hope died. ''Don't be silly. We can be adult about this, can't we?''

He studied her for several seconds. ''Yes,'' he said. ''See you in the morning.''

''In the morning.'' No doubt he'd leave another gift for Leanne in her center desk drawer. And she would deliver it, no matter how much it hurt, because that's what adults did with obligations they'd agreed to carry out.

He walked over to the door and opened it, letting in the scent of rain.

When he paused and turned back, her heartbeat kicked into high gear again. She was such an eternal optimist. Maybe he'd cross the room and take her in his arms again. Maybe he'd confess that he couldn't live without her. Maybe— ''Please lock this behind me,'' he said. Then he closed the door with a firm click.

''Look out, man!'' Gabe grabbed the wheel of the delivery truck Will was driving and j erked it to the right. The truck swerved back into the right-hand lane, narrowly missing oncoming traffic. ''Pull over,'' Gabe snapped.

Shaking from the near collision, Will did exactly that, swinging into the parking lot of a seafood restaurant. He braked the truck and sat clutching the wheel and taking deep breaths. ''Get out and let me drive,'' Gabe said. Without replying Will climbed out of the cab and walked around the front of the truck.

Gabe met him halfway, blocking his path. ''What's up with you?''

Will just shook his head and tried to move around Gabe.

''Oh, no, you don't.'' Gabe held out both arms. He wasn't very tall, but he was muscular, and at the moment he looked determined not to let Will get by until he explained himself.

Will wasn't going to wrestle his way past Gabe. He didn't have the energy. ''Nothing's wrong,'' he muttered.

''The hell it isn't. You've been driving like a zombie all morning. I didn't say anything when you almost backed into that Jaguar, and I didn't mention the stop sign you ignored. I was cutting you some slack, figuring you were low on sleep. But you just about got us killed, and that gives me the right to find out what's eating you.''

Will took off his sunglasses and massaged the bridge of his nose. He hadn't had much sleep, but he'd learned to function without it. No, sleep wasn't his problem. He replaced the glasses, using them as a shield as he looked at Gabe. ''I'm sorry about the way I've been driving. You're right—I have no business being behind the wheel. If you'll take over, we can still make the delivery to the Hamiltons on time.'' ''I don't give a rat's ass about being late for that delivery. Something terrible has happened to you. Is it school? Did you flunk out?'' ''No. Listen, Gabe, I—''

''Money? I got a few bucks put aside, if you need a little help.''

The one thing Will didn't need was this kind of compassion. It only made him weaker. ''Thanks, but I'm fine. Can we get on with it?'' Gabe ignored him. ''Then it's women. That's the only thing left. I know for a fact that Leanne's looking forward to her dinner date with her secret admirer, so that's not the problem.'' Gabe stroked his chin. ''So it's gotta be the boss lady.''

Unconsciously Will stiffened. Once he realized that his body language was giving him away he forced himself to relax, but it was too late.

Gabe nodded. ''Uh-huh. I thought as much. I've been watching you for the past few days. In spite of all my excellent advice you've gone and developed a megacrush.'' He shook his head. ''Not very bright, baby doc.'' ''You're telling me.''

''So obviously you don't want to go out with Leanne, considering you're hung up on the boss lady.''

''It's a nightmare,'' Will admitted. ''I need to stop this farce now, before Leanne walks into

that restaurant to find a guy who has no interest in being there with her because he's...'' ''In love with someone else?'' Will' s gut wrenched at having the truth laid out so plainly. Yeah, he was in love, for all the good it would do him.

''Your silence speaks volumes, as they say.'' Gabe stared off into the distance. ''Look, I can't take care of your problem with the boss lady. That's up to you to figure out. But I think I can fix things so Leanne won't have to spend her Valentine' s Day crying her pretty little eyes out.''

Will grabbed at the first hopeful thing he'd encountered recently. ''You'll go to the restaurant in my place?''

''Not me. But I think the Troyman might be persuaded.''

Will winced at the idea of his personal screw-ups being exposed to Troy. ''How much would he have to know?''

''Only that the secret admirer had a change of heart. I'll tell him that the way's clear and he can step right in and be a hero.''

''Yeah, but if he's supposed to be the secret admirer, wouldn't I have to describe the gifts and give him copies of the poems I sent

along?'' The thought of such a discussion with Troy wasn't the least bit appealing.

''Are you kidding? Leanne's boasted about every gift and read aloud every poem to whoever would listen. Troy's been paying attention. In fact, he took some notes the other day. I figure he plans to steal your material to use on some other woman.''

Will felt the weight on his heart lighten a little. ''Then I guess that's the answer.''

''I can probably even get him to pay for the roses you ordered for tomorrow.''

''No, that's okay. I've already paid for them, and it's a small price for being let off the hook. I owe you one, Gabe.''

''Nah. I got you into this, so I feel responsible for getting you out. But are you sure, now? Really sure? Because you're throwing away a great chance with Leanne, and she just might make you forget this other insanity of yours.'' ''You know, Gabe, if I thought she could, I would be the happiest guy alive. But I know there's not a chance in hell of that happening.'' Gabe stared at him. ''You got it bad, boy.'' Will didn't need Gabe to give him that particular news flash. It had been running through his brain relentlessly ever since he'd left Amelia

at the store that night. He'd thought of little else. As for Amelia, she showed no sign of strain. She'd greeted him the next day with a cool, impersonal smile. As near as he could tell, she'd put the whole thing completely out of her mind.

Chapter Eight

Amelia was unlucky enough to be in the showroom helping a customer on Valentine's Day morning when the bouquet of red roses was delivered to Leanne, so she couldn't avoid the spectacle of Leanne's response. No one in the store could avoid it, in fact.

''Oh, I'm in love!' Leanne waltzed through the displays holding her vase of roses like a dance partner. ''My secret admirer has such wonderful taste.'' She giggled. ''But of course he does. He picked me.'

The woman Amelia was helping smiled benevolently at Leanne. ''How sweet. A secret admirer. That's such a romantic idea.''

''Isn't it?'' Amelia gritted her teeth. ''Now, Mrs. Delaney, you understand that the Jungle Fever bedroom grouping is on a six-month lease. If, after that time, you decide to switch themes, then—''

''Troy, read this note,'' Leanne said, excitement raising the pitch of her voice until it carried throughout the store. ''He's asked me to be his Minnie. Can you believe it? He really knows what I like.''

Amelia thought she might throw up. His Minnie? How could he? Especially after ...but that night had meant nothing to him, obviously. Fool that she was, she'd kept hope alive by imagining that he'd reveal himself to Leanne and tell her it was all a mistake, that he'd started the secret admirer campaign before he realized his strong attraction to Amelia.

The arrival of the roses had pretty much killed that hope. Will obviously planned to go through with the dinner, and with whatever might happen after dinner. Amelia wanted to scream.

Mrs. Delaney touched her arm. ''Excuse me. Is there a problem with my contract?''

''What?'' Amelia glanced at the woman and realized she'd forgotten all about her. ''No, no problem. Sorry. I was distracted there for a minute.''

''I just wondered. You looked rather... upset.''

''Just a touch of indigestion,'' Amelia said. ''Now, let me make sure we've gone over everything.'' It had been a banner day for sales, she reminded herself. Holidays were usually great for business, and Valentine's Day, catering as it did to couples, was a natural for the store. Peterson seemed impressed with the holiday surge and would probably open the Fifth Avenue franchise even if she refused to encourage a personal relationship.

She needed to focus on what was going right in her world. Unfortunately, the one part going wrong seemed to blot out everything else.

Mrs. Delaney offered to pay extra to have the bedroom suite delivered that afternoon as a Valentine surprise for her husband, so Amelia excused herself and went back to the storeroom to find out if Will could work the extra delivery into the schedule. She caught him just as he and Gabe loaded the last piece on the truck for an order that was due out on Coronado Island by noon. As usual he looked like a California god dressed in his snug T-shirt and worn jeans, his sunglasses on a cord around his neck. Thank heaven she would soon be going to New York and wouldn't have to torture herself this way much longer.

She decided it was safer and less personal to direct her statement to both of them. ''I can offer you guys a bonus if you can work a delivery and setup of Jungle Fever into your schedule this afternoon.''

Will leaned one hand against the side of the truck and wiped his forehead on his sleeve. ''Where does it go?'' ''Pacific Beach.''

Will glanced at Gabe. ''Are you up for that?''

''I can always use the extra money, but I gotta be finished by six. I don't want to be late to Gina's.''

''I think we can work it all in,'' Will said. ''I don't want to be late tonight, either.''

Because he had to hotfoot it over to the restaurant to meet Leanne, Amelia thought bitterly. ''Shall I tell the customer we can do it, then?'' she asked.

''Sure.'' Will put on his sunglasses and gave her a brief smile. ''Wouldn't want to disappoint someone on Valentine's Day.''

She stared at him. Was he really that callous, that he'd throw his date with Leanne in her face? And to think she'd imagined he was sweet and sensitive. She lifted her chin. ''No, we certainly wouldn't.'' Fighting tears, she turned and walked quickly out of the storeroom and straight to her office.

In the doorway she stopped, her mouth dropping open at the stunning bouquet of flowers sitting in the middle of her desk. Whoever had sent them hadn't been satisfied with traditional red roses as a Valentine's Day tribute. Someone had decided that the occasion demanded orchids.

Amelia had a bad feeling that Peterson had done this. She'd thought she'd made herself clear, but a man like Peterson might enjoy the challenge of trying to change her mind. He certainly had the money to spend on orchids.

Breathing in the delicate scent of the flowers, she pulled an envelope from its plastic holder and read the name written there to make sure the bouquet was for her. No use getting excited if an overburdened florist had made a mistake today.

But there was no mistake. The flowers were in the right place. She had to admit the gesture was classy, but there was no way she'd ever be interested in Jonathan Peterson. Only one man claimed a place in her heart, and he was completely out of reach. She glanced at the card, fully expecting Peterson's name to be at the bottom. It wasn't.

As orchids seek the fire of the sun, so I

must seek the fire in your eyes, my love.

Watch for me tonight.

Your Secret Admirer

Amelia crumpled the card and held it to her chest. Peterson couldn't know how impossibly cruel his note was. No doubt Leanne had told him, along with half the free world, about her secret admirer. He probably thought it would be cute to try the same thing with her, not realizing that for her the term Secret Admirer conjured up a picture of the one man she was trying to forget.

She tossed the card and envelope in her wastebasket. Peterson could show up at the store tonight if he chose to do so. She couldn't very well prevent him from doing that. His approach had been imaginative and the wording of his message quite beautiful—she was somewhat surprised that he'd managed to be so poetic. But all the orchids and poetic phrases in the world wouldn't change the fact that he left her cold.

It had been the most successful Valentine's Day promotion in the history of Bedroom Fantasies, Amelia noted as she tallied up the receipts after everyone else had left. She turned off her computer and glanced at her bouquet of orchids. To her surprise, Peterson hadn't come to the store, after all. She'd never invited him to her condo, but he had the address, so maybe he imagined he'd show up and be asked to come in. If so he was going to be disappointed.

She took the orchids home with her. They'd caused quite a bit of comment during the day, and everyone had agreed with her that Peterson was the likely candidate. Leanne had even said that she was sure he'd thought of it because of all the talk about her secret admirer.

Amelia knew Leanne didn't have a malicious bone in her body and hadn't meant to imply that Amelia's admirer was a copycat with no imagination. All the same, the comment rankled. Probably anything Leanne said would have rankled, considering that she was about to spend the evening with Will. Amelia would spend the evening alone—at least once she got rid of Peterson.

The orchids looked fantastic on her coffee table, almost as if Peterson had seen the color scheme of her living room and chosen them for that reason. Lucky guess on his part, she thought. And no matter how thrilled she was with the bouquet, he still wouldn't be invited in. After the incident in the storeroom she avoided being alone with him.

If he was offended and withdrew his franchise offer, she could live with that. Lately the thought of going to New York had only been appealing because she'd escape seeing Leanne and Will as a couple. In fact, her usual interest in promoting her business seemed to have waned considerably.

She longed to change into the soft terry loungewear she'd bought herself not long ago, but she didn't dare when Peterson might show up any minute. So she settled for taking off her suit jacket and her shoes, and pouring herself half a glass of chardonnay.

''Happy Valentine's Day, kid,'' she toasted herself as she stood in her living room admiring the orchids. ''You're one hell of a businesswoman, and you even have orchids from a secret admirer.'' The usual congratulations she gave herself after a banner day of sales comforted her not a lick, and the orchids gave her little pleasure because they'd come from the wrong man. Her thoughts went inevitably to

Will, and what he might be doing with Leanne at this very moment.

Amelia stared into the pale liquid in her glass and admitted to herself that she'd give every dime she'd made from Bedroom Fantasies if she could trade places with Leanne tonight. Her precious business that she'd nurtured so carefully over the years meant nothing if she couldn't have the man she loved.

And she loved him. Once she'd thought of her feelings as a crush, a passing episode of lust. But this was more than a mere physical craving. She could find physical satisfaction elsewhere, but there was only one Will, and without the prospect of having him in her life, all that she'd worked for seemed meaningless.

She finished her half glass of wine and stood there wondering if she dared have any more. She'd need to be clearheaded when Peterson came to her door to take credit for his orchids. She ought to fix herself something to eat, but she wasn't the least bit hungry. As she weighed her options, the doorbell chimed.

Here we go. Amelia grimaced. Sliding her feet into her shoes, she set her wineglass on the coffee table next to the bouquet of orchids. She refused to feel guilty about the flowers. Peterson could probably write them off as a business expense. He probably had some secretary in New York make up that phrase about orchids seeking the fire of the sun, considering that he didn't strike her as a wordsmith. Preparing herself for the sight of Peterson looking smug, she gazed through the peephole in her door.

At first she thought she was hallucinating. Desire had driven her crazy enough to think she was seeing the man she wanted standing outside her condo. She blinked and looked again. His sport coat, navy slacks and open-necked dress shirt added to her disorientation. She'd never seen him dressed like that.

Her heartbeat picked up speed as she finally acknowledged that Will was not a figment of her imagination. Had his date with Leanne gone wrong? She hardly dared hope such a thing. Maybe Leanne was waiting out in the car while Will came to the door to ask if they could both have tomorrow off. She braced herself for yet another round of blows to her heart as she unlocked the door.

Hands shoved in his slacks pockets, he gazed at her without speaking for several seconds.

She swallowed. They hadn't faced each other alone since the incident in the display window. ''Is ...something wrong?''

''No.'' He sounded a little hoarse. ''May I come in?''

She forced herself to be gracious. ''Is Leanne out in the car? She's welcome to come in, too. I was just having some wine, if either of you would like a glass.''

He looked confused. ''Leanne?'' Then his expression cleared. ''No, she's not out in the car.''

''Where is she, then?'' He glanced at his watch. ''She might still be at the restaurant with Troy. Depends on whether they decided to have dessert.''

Amelia stared at him. He was making no sense. Finally she stepped back from the door. ''I guess you'd better come in and explain what's going on. I seem to have lost my place in this story. Why is Troy at the restaurant with Leanne?''

Will didn't answer her question as he walked past her. Instead he glanced at the orchids. ''Nice flowers.''

''They're from Peterson. I thought you were him, as a matter of fact. Now why on earth did you include Troy in your dinner?'' She was still prepared for Will to ask her for tomorrow off. Maybe at the last minute he'd taken pity on Troy's dateless situation and invited him to tag along to the restaurant, although that seemed like a truly bizarre thing to do when this was the night Will was unveiling himself as Leanne's secret admirer.

''Is that offer of wine still good?'' he asked.

She was totally confused. ''Uh, sure. I'll ...get you a glass.'' As she hurried toward the kitchen she tried to imagine why he would sit here with her and drink wine, leaving Troy and Leanne at the restaurant. Maybe ...but she dared not speculate. Her heart was too fragile to take another roller coaster ride.

When she returned with the chilled bottle and a second glass, she found him seated on the couch. He leaned forward to stroke one finger over an orchid petal. Desire slammed into her as she remembered the pleasure of his touch on her heated skin. She gripped the cold wine bottle and pushed the memory away.

''So these are from Peterson?'' he asked.

''I'm afraid so.'' She sat on the couch but put a decent distance between them. He wouldn't catch her giving him that needy look ever again. ''I've tried to let him know I'm not interested in a personal relationship, but I doubt he's used to taking no for an answer.'' She poured a glass of wine for each of them and handed him his glass.

He took it and raised it in her direction. His dark gaze held hers. ''Here's to those who seek the fire.''

The glass slipped from her fingers and bounced on the carpet, splashing wine over her legs and Will's slacks. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. There was a roaring in her ears and she began to tremble.

Will paid no attention to the spilled wine as he continued to look deep into her eyes. Slowly he put his glass on the table, but he made no move to touch her. ''So there it is,'' he said softly. ''Troy's taking my place tonight because I couldn't go. Not after what we...'' He paused and took a shaky breath. ''What happened between us was more than j ust a chance encounter for me, Amelia. I can' t pretend otherwise. If that's all it was for you, then I'll walk out of here and you'll never have to trouble yourself about me again.''

She shook her head violently, but her vocal cords still refused to work. She felt as if she'd just emerged from a dark cave into blinding light, and she was so dazzled that she couldn't comprehend where she was. Will had sent the orchids.

''Obviously I've made you speechless with this little revelation.'' He smiled faintly. ''I wish I could tell if you're speechless with happiness or horror.''

That tiny smile of his wrenched her heart, but she didn't realize she was crying until he leaned over and brushed his thumb across her cheek.

''Hey,'' he murmured. ''Don't—''

With a moan, she flung herself into his arms and began kissing his mouth, his cheeks, his nose.

''Oh, God.'' He grabbed her face in both hands and held her still so that he could capture her mouth with his. His kiss tasted of longing and triumph. Still kissing her, he slipped one arm around her shoulders and the other under her knees before he stood upright, bringing her with him.

She knew exactly what he had in mind as he carried her back to her bedroom. Joy rushed through her. He would be the first and only man to make love to her in the bed that was her ultimate fantasy, the bed she'd designed, unconsciously, for this moment of surrender to the man she would love for the rest of her life.

Will wondered when he would wake up. Any minute now the warm, sensual woman in his arms would disappear, along with the ivory and silver bed where they lay. The rapid sound of her breathing would be replaced by the buzz of his alarm clock and he'd roll over and realize he was late for class.

But, by God, until that happened, he was going to enjoy himself. He would caress her in ways that turned the light in her eyes into a blaze of desire, and then he'd taste and nibble his way over her body until she moaned with pleasure. For the space of this dream she was his—her silken skin glistening with the dew of passion, her touch as eager as his.

She abandoned herself completely to him, becoming his fantasy woman filled with unrestrained passion. No shyness, no barriers stood between them as he pushed the boundaries and found her to be his willing partner in anything he asked. The possibilities were endless, and he wanted to try them all, but finally she begged him for that final joining. As she pleaded, the white-hot need to sink deep into her quickly blotted out everything else.

As he rose above her, he decided to risk everything. He might as well make this dream perfect in every way. He gazed into her eyes. ''I love you,'' he said. ''Marry me. Have children with me.''

''Yes.'' Her smile trembled and her eyes filled with tears. ''Yes.''

Perfect. He pushed deep, expecting that moment to be the trigger that would jolt him awake. Instead he gasped at the intensity of the connection. He looked into her eyes and saw the same shock of recognition, as if she, too, had found what she'd been seeking all her life.

''I love you, Will,'' she whispered. ''I'll always love you.''

Dazed by the force of what he was experiencing, he stayed locked against her for a moment. Then he drew back and slid home again, finding the same sense of completion. And again, and again, as she rose to meet him and held his gaze captive.

He saw her climax building in her eyes, felt his own match her rhythm. As if their bodies vibrated with the same frequency, her shock waves sent him over the edge, and through it all they held each other's gaze ...and drank of each other's soul.

Slowly the trembling stopped, yet Will couldn't look away. ''I'm dreaming this,'' he murmured.

''No. It's real.''

He shook his head. ''I know a dream when I see one. I have to say this is the best so far, but it fits right into the pattern of my dreams about you, so I'm sure it's not real.''

Her mouth curved into a smile. ''You've been dreaming about making love to me in this bed?''

''Ever since I saw it. And now I'm going to wake up, and—ow! You pinched my—''

She chuckled. ''Now do you believe you're awake?''

He stared at her in disbelief. ''No! Amelia, you just said you'd marry me!'' ''Which I absolutely intend to do.'' ''Look, this can't be real.'' ''Want another pinch?'' He reached behind him and grabbed her hand. ''No, thanks.'' He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers. ''Amelia ...I'm a poor college student, and you're a

rich businesswoman, and you're going to New York, and—''

''I'm not going to New York. I have a wedding to plan. And lots more love to make.''

''Now wait a minute. You have a chance at a very important franchise on Fifth Avenue. You can't give that up just because of me.''

''Now you wait a minute.'' She pulled free of his grip and cradled his face in both hands. ''You're the first person to notice that this business is a walking advertisement for the kind of person I am, deep inside. It may look as if all I care about is the bottom line, but in reality, all I care about is finding a man to love, a man who will share my fantasies. I don't give a damn about a franchise on Fifth Avenue. It was only a substitute until you came along.'' ''But you're throwing away—'' ''Nothing. Unless you didn't mean it when you asked me to marry you.'' Her eyes clouded. ''After all, you were operating under the assumption this was all a dream.''

The words came easily, as if he'd learned them before he was born. ''My dream is to spend the rest of my life with you.'' Her lower lip trembled and she sniffed. ''Oh,

Will. I want to spend mine with you, too. Now kiss me.''

His voice grew husky as he leaned down, his lips close to hers. ''I love you.''

''And I love you. We're going to have a wonderful time, Will.''

He brushed his lips over hers, still hardly believing that he'd be allowed to do that until they were old and gray. ''Do you ...think I should resign?''

''Resign?'' She traced his lower lip with her tongue. ''Just when I'll finally be able to stroll back to the storeroom and ogle your buns with a clear conscience? I think not.''

He smiled. ''Does it work both ways? Because I have some ogling to catch up on, myself.''

''Really?''

''Really.'' He leaned down and nibbled her earlobe, breathing in her perfume as desire stirred in him again. ''In fact, I was just wondering what grouping you're planning to use in the display window, now that Valentine's Day is over.''

''I thought I'd use that new collection that just came in, Erotic Egypt.'' She paused as the meaning of his question finally occurred to her.

''Would you like to help me arrange it some evening this week?''

He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. ''I'm your man.''

She smiled and drew him down to her waiting mouth. ''I like the sound of that.''