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He looked up from Luna and saw Amanda standing there. She was barefoot, but wearing a stunning gold sequined cocktail dress. It clung flawlessly to her well-toned body, as if it was almost a second skin. And it shimmered miraculously. The front was cut low and wide, generously enough to show a great deal of incredible suntanned cleavage while not revealing more than a sexy suggestion of her marvelous bosom. Her thick wavy blond hair, hanging free and full, was silky and luminous.

Wow! Payne thought. The goddess glows!

She looks so full of life, her eyes so warm and inviting.

And that dress! It radiates like a sea at sunset.

Sorry, Luna. Your greeting just got bested.

Far, far and away . . .

And he saw that Amanda—Perhaps even better, though it’d be the absolute last damn thing I’d ever admit to—was holding a cocktail napkin wrapped around a squat, heavy crystal glass that was dark with what had to be an intoxicant.

“Glad you could make it,” she said, her tone warm, genuinely meaning it. “I was beginning to worry.”

As she turned her head slightly to the right, offering her left cheek, Matt said, “Sorry, baby, crazy day,” and kissed her affectionately.

She held out the glass and flashed her dazzling smile.

“Macallan Eighteen, half water, two ice cubes.”

He took it and grinned. “You not only have an incredible mind, but also a very dangerous memory.”

She smiled again. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you.”

“That said, you’re not only an angel but a lifesaver. I’ve been longing for one of these all day.”

As he took a big sip, she reached for his other hand and tugged him toward the interior of the condominium.

“Come on and sit down. Relax.”

With Luna leading the way, they went into the living room and sat on the big, soft, black leather couch. It faced the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the lights of the city twinkled far into the distance. From the high-fidelity digital music player that Matt ha

d bought Amanda when she started spending so much time at home came the soft, soothing voice of Diana Krall singing “Besame Mucho.”

Matt looked at Amanda, thought, Kiss me much, indeed—then leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek again.

She smiled almost shyly.

He sat back and suddenly said, “You’re not having anything?”

“Oh, yeah,” she said, brushing her hair behind her ear and glancing back toward the kitchen.

She pushed herself up off the couch and said, “I’ll be right back.”

“How was your day, baby?” Payne asked as she went.

Amanda called back, “Interesting. Thanks for asking. I was going to tell you about it. But first enjoy your drink.”

Uh-oh.

Was that a red flag, or maybe a yellow caution one, that just went up?

Matt watched over his shoulder as she disappeared into the kitchen. As he looked back at the lights outside, he could hear the sounds of her getting something out of the refrigerator and unwrapping it.

Oh, shit. She’s had food prepared.

So she was waiting for me to reply when I sent that text.