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"Buy theun and show them how to use it"

"Sounds like a plan to ht make her feel better to be able to defend herself, and al that exercise "

Caleb felt a flare of hope at the idea, which he iile for that"

Grant snorted "She may look that way, but I have a file ful of evidence that proves otherwise You said yourself she’s stronger than she looks, and if you’re too th, then I wil"

Possessiveness reared its horned head, and Caleb felt his lips pul back in a near snarl "Don’t you dare go putting the moves on her"

Grant held up his hands "Whoa Wouldn’t drealy where your women are concerned"

"She’s not my woman"

"Shows just how much of a fool you are I’ve seen the way she looks at you You could have her if you wanted"

"Oh, so I should seduce the woest Bastard award?"

"I think Monroe has dibs on that prize The best you could hope for is runner-up"

"This isn’t funny, Grant"

"Maybe not fro hilarious to watch you, oh master of self-control, flounder around like this"

Caleb’s chest rurinned

"I think I’ve overstayed my welcome I’l be outside if you needthe door behind hi ti his te his lust It was an exercise in futility while that shoas running--at least the lust part There was nothing he could do to stop hiuilt could cool that fire Al he could do was tough it out and hope she didn’t notice hoalked around with a constant hard-on

Lana had ed to avoid another crisis until the unusualy late hour of noon The little bels on her office door chih the door

Celia Su woman dressed in a homemade tie-dyed T-shirt and jeans that looked like they’d been used as a paint palette Her hair was a vibrant shade of green this week, streaked with pale lavender Three led frolittered in the bright afternoon sun She was a tiny thing, barely reaching Lana’s shoulder, but what she lacked in height she h Celia wasn’t wel known, she was one of the best landscape painters Lana had ever seen, and that had been when Celia was stil in high school Since then, her talent had only grown

Celia went straight to Lana’s desk and kicked it "You said he was going to be here!"

Caleb and Grant had been on the phone alin soone to the back roo quietly on the phone When he heard the angry young woave him a smal shake of her head and hoped he’d stay put rather thaninvolved Celia wastemperamental, but she was the best artist they had left in the dwindling lineup Lana couldn’t afford to lose her, too

"Who was going to be where?" asked Lana in the calmest voice she had

"Armand! You said he’d be here, but he’s in Italy"

"He canceled a few days ago, but I did send out an e-ht you knew"

"I accidentaly kiled my computer with a chain saw" Celia waved a hand with five different colors of nail polish on it "It was a whole thing I haven’t had e-mail in weeks"

"I’m sorry you didn’t know If I’d known your computer was broken, I’d have caled you I knohile "I don’t even know if I want to coned in her face, Lana tried a more diplomatic approach "Don’t say that We need you The kids need you"

"What about al the other artists? You stil have thereat way to bring in work Get your naot aze went past Lana, and so she saw back thereat Caleb as if she’d just found a new color Lana didn’t even turn around to see if he was looking back at her the same way She didn’t want to know Celia was cute and fiery and talented, and Lana was no match for her feed Lana, trying to ignore the rush of jealousy she felt

"Who’s the stud?" asked Celia, not bothering to lower her voice

Lana pushed out a sigh of frustration "My friend, Caleb"

"Not Caleb," said Grant from behind her "I’m Grant, sweetheart"

Lana turned her head to see the focus of Celia’s attentions, and they werewith relief

Grant held out his hand, and Celia took it and didn’t let go "Ever had anyone paint you naked?" she asked him

"Sure have The brush tickles and the red paint stains," said Grant

Celia laughed and stepped closer "Ah, an art critic"

Lana felt Caleb’s fingers curve around her arently pul her back He leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Just sit back and watch"

Lana had no idea what he meant, but she decided to take his advice

"Never your critic I’d love to see some of your work," said Grant

"I don’t have any with o back to your place"

"For a private showing?" asked Celia

"You show me yours, I’l show you mine"