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“Sa between her rescuer and herself “Is there a problem?”

“I think thereto make a delivery to Malcolm and White”

“They split last week”

“As I explained to Ms Marcelli” He motioned to the cart “Take this inside, Jason Store it in one of the conference rooms” He turned his attention back to her “If your e to happen At least not right now Cohtened out”

Francesca found herself being ushered into a plush office with a gray and burgundy waiting area An attractive woman in her early forties manned the front desk She spoke over a headset as they walked by, pausing only to nod at Sam

“I can search out Malcol corridor decorated with elegant prints and the occasional sli for an excuse to track them down”

He sounded fierce as he spoke, as if he had a personal beef with thebusiness why Sa closed and trying to figure out what she’d gotten herself into They passed several large conference roo large desks, coeneric stuff that didn’t hint at the kind of business done here

At the end of the hall theyin front of an open foyer containing a large desk and co a sport coat

“Jack, this is Ms Marcelli”

The young man, probably around twenty-five and built like a football player, rose to his feet “Nice to meet you, ma’am”

Francesca walked to the desk to shake hands As she did so, her purse slipped down her arround before she could catch it

“Oops,” she said, bending down to pick it up

As she straightened, all the blood rushed fro the rooht she was going down

Less than a heartbeat later a strong ar her in place “Ms Marcelli? Are you all right? Is it the baby?”

Baby? What… oh, the baby

Francesca shook her head slightly Her sense of equilibriuly close to Sa his eyes Speaking of which—she stared e, his eyes were the old Otherworldly eyes Cat eyes

Cat eyes on a powerful th Somehow she’d always assumed that executives in expensive suits were sort of wi

“Ms Marcelli?”

Tension filled his voice She shook her head again and tried to shrug free of his hold When he didn’t release her, she gave him a quick smile

“I’m fine”

“You nearly fainted”

“I know I haven’t eaten today I do that soar”

“That can’t be good for the child”

As there was no child, his concern uilty

“I’m fine,” she repeated “Really”

He slowly re Ms Marcelli so with caffeine Also, check to see if there are any sandwiches left fro”

Francesca thought about protesting again, but before she could figure out what to say without blowing her cover, she found herself being ushered into an office the size of Utah

Floor-to-ceiling s offered a view of Santa Barbara and mountains from one wall and Santa Barbara and a hint of ocean fro walls Two large leather sofas formed a conversational area in a corner Between the class

Sam settled her on the sofa, then sat next to her Before she kneas going on, he had her hand resting in his and his fingers on the inside of her wrist

“Your pulse is rapid Would you like me to call your doctor?”

She generally went to student health services whenever she needed a checkup Somehow she didn’t think her friendly chitchat with the nurse practitioner qualified as having a doctor of her own

Although she would have to ad her hand cradled by a handsome man held a certain thrill He arhtly acked up by a stray cat, she , and witty conversation Not that she could think of anything witty right at the moment

“No doctor calling,” she insisted, reluctantly drawing her hand free of his “There’s nothing wrong withup too much of your time”