Barbara Michaels - Shattered Silk

Karen lost her breath again. While she stared speechlessly, Tony elaborated. "I told you I was looking for an investment. I hesitated about rental property, because there are so many drawbacks when you don't have the time to supervise your tenants closely. Renters can wreck a place, move out owing you money… I figure you and Cheryl aren't about to throw wild parties or skip out on the rent. From your point of view it might not be such a bad deal either. I'm not going to do you any favors- this is business, pure and simple-but if you add up what you and Cheryl would each pay for an apartment, plus the rent on a small commercial property-"

Karen held up her hands. "Stop a minute and give me time to think! You don't have to tell me about the advantages of combining living and business quarters; Cheryl has already calculated the relative costs."

"Then why not take me up on it? You liked the place, didn't you? Cheryl said you were as crazy about it as she was, only you didn't want to admit it because you knew it was out of the question."

Karen said in exasperation, "Cheryl is… Oh, she's right. I did like the house, it's perfect. It wouldn't even need any structural changes; I could use the parlors, add portable racks and stands, curtain off an area for a dressing room…"

"Tracks for movable floodlights? They're easy to install."

"Some kind of floor covering," Karen said eagerly. "You wouldn't want people tracking mud all over those beautiful yellow pine boards…Tony! Don't tempt me. I can't let you do this."

"You don't understand," Tony said, and all at once his face was remote and a little sad and very vulnerable. "It would be an escape for me. A chance to get away from all the dirt and filth and sick tragedies that are my job."

"I do understand. Better than you realize."

"Then why won't you let me enjoy myself?" He grinned at her, and she felt a wave of pure affection sweep over her.

"I'll think about it," she said.

"That's all I'm asking. I'll let you know as soon as it's definite. Uh-maybe you'd better not say anything to Cheryl until I'm sure."

"Okay."

But he couldn't stop talking about the house. "I think we could close in thirty days; the owner is anxious to sell and there won't be any trouble about getting a loan; my credit's good. Say another month to get things set up- you could do a lot of the preliminary work beforehand, couldn't you-permits and promotion and buying furniture, making curtains, that sort of thing. Say you have your grand opening the first of October. The kid could start school on time-maybe a few days late. That doesn't matter so much in nursery school or kindergarten, does it? Being a few days late?"

"No, I'm sure it wouldn't matter," Karen said gently.

It wasn't until the yawning waiters began stacking the chairs that Karen realized they were the only patrons left in the restaurant.

"Good heavens, it's almost midnight," she exclaimed.

"So? Do you get grounded if you're late coming home?"

"I was thinking about you. What time do you have to be at work?"

"Two a.m." He smiled at her look of consternation. "I'm on the late shift this week-or maybe it's the early shift."

"You could get a couple of hours' sleep if you went home right now."

"I don't want to sleep. It's your civic duty to keep me company until I go back to the job of protecting you defenseless citizens at the risk of life and limb."

"How can I resist an appeal like that?"

"You can't. I guess we'd better leave, though. Do you get the impression that the waiters are dropping subtle hints?"

Once outside, they debated how to spend the next two hours. Karen refused Tony's suggestion of a nightclub, sensing that he was no more attracted by the idea than she was. "Why don't we take a walk? It's such a beautiful evening."

"Every man's dream-a cheap date." Tony gave her arm a squeeze. "Let's go back to Georgetown, then. Downtown D.C. is no place for a peaceful stroll."

"From what I've heard about Georgetown, it isn't overly safe either."

"I wasn't talking safe, honey. Without wishing to brag too blatantly, I can assure you there aren't many people you'd be safer with."

"If anybody bothers us, you scream 'Hiya!' and leap?"

"Something like that. Georgetown has nicer walks than downtown."

"Fine with me. Would you mind if we swung by the house? We needn't stop, just drive past."

"Are you having a premonition of impending disaster?"

"No, of course not. But Cheryl is alone…" He helped her into the car. After he had settled himself behind the wheel she went on, "No more shop talk. I promise."

"It isn't shop talk when it concerns you and Cheryl."

"I guess I'm being silly."

"No. It's a normal reaction after what you've been through. And it's healthy to be afraid, so long as you don't let it get out of hand." They drove for a while in silence. Then Tony said, "Here we are. I see Mama has left the lights burning for you."

The outside lights were on, but the windows were dark. Karen let out a sound of exasperation. "I told her to leave all the lights on. I suppose she's upstairs, sewing or making more of her endless lists. The bedroom is at the back, so the lights wouldn't be visible from here."

Tony slowed the car to a crawl. "Do you want to check?"

"No, that's not necessary. Everything looks just as it should."

"Okay."

Tony finally found a legal parking place, several blocks from the house and some distance from the commercial area. Instead of getting out of the car, he turned to Karen and took her in his arms. There was no hesitation this time, and she yielded willingly. After a time his lips slid away from hers, tracing the curves of her cheek and earlobe with a skill that sent trickles of electricity along every vein.

"Do you really want to go for a walk?" he asked softly.

"No. But this isn't going to work, Tony. You know it isn't."

He was silent for a time, his warm breath stirring her hair, his mouth absently exploring the soft skin of her face and throat. "Is it that obvious?" he asked finally.

"You give yourself away with every word and every look," she told him, half laughing, and more than half regretful.

"You don't. Is it Mark?"

"What a gentleman you are, Tony." Karen freed herself and settled into the curve of his arm, her cheek resting on his shoulder. "Don't tell me you didn't notice what a fool I am."

"Men are notoriously obtuse about things like that."

"I hope Mark is."

"That's dumb," Tony said, his cheek against her hair. "How's he supposed to know unless you tell him?"

Karen could think of no sensible answer. "It doesn't work that way," she mumbled.

"He's very concerned about you-"

"Sure I know. He's so concerned that he's gone off for the weekend with one of his floozies."

Tony's breath erupted in a sputter of laughter, and his arm tightened around her. "Floozies? The only other person I've ever heard use that word was Mrs. MacDougal. It may not be what you think, Karen. Give the guy a break."

"He doesn't want a break. Tony, are you sure you didn't suspect that I-how I felt?"

"I wondered once or twice. But I hoped I was wrong."

"No, you didn't. You don't really want to settle for second best."

"You aren't second best. Karen, don't think I deliberately set out to use you-"

"To make Cheryl jealous? You wouldn't be so naive. I think you're trying to talk yourself out of a situation you consider hopeless. Give her a little more time."

"She's had a year. I haven't pushed, Karen."

"Maybe you should have."

"Swept her off her feet? I don't buy that. Maybe it works in romantic novels, but any woman who's dumb enough to fall for the caveman technique is too dumb for me. I've tried everything else, God knows."

"You could get wounded and stagger in dripping blood and faint at her feet."