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“You’re my first civilian choice You read people well”

“I’m flattered And perhaps, while I’m here, I could break Morse’s face for you”

Her grin came quickly “I like you, Roarke I really like you”

“I like you, too Is that a yes? I’d enjoy it very much”

She laughed, but there was a part of her that warer “It’s a happy thought, Roarke, but I’d really rather break his face ht place”

“Can I watch?”

“Sure But for the moment, can you just be the rich and powerful Roarke, my personal trophy?”

“Ah, how sexist I’m excited”

“Good Hold that thought Maybe we’ll skip the opera after all”

They walked together through theher shrug on the cop She flashed her badge at security, gave hiestion that he keep out of her face, then strode toward the ascent

“I love to watch you work,” he murmured in her ear “You’re soforceful,” he decided as his hand slid down her back toward her butt

“Cut it out”

“See what I ut where her elbow had jabbed “Hit ain I could learn to love it”

She ed, barely, to turn a chuckle into a snort “Civilians,” was all she said

The newsroom was busy, noisy At least half of the on-desk reporters were plugged into ’links, headsets, or computers Screens flashed current broadcasts A number of conversations stopped dead when Eve and Roarke stepped fros with the same scent in their nostrils, reporters scrambled forward