The digital phone rang.

"Don't answer it. It's him. I hung up on him and he keeps calling back."

"Turn off the phone."

"Then he'd know he's won."

"Are you sure it's him?"

"It's Dom. I upset him. He wasn't getting what he wanted from me." She picked up the ringing phone and stuffed it in her purse. "He expected more of a payoff from that doll. You might as well give it to Spiro," she said, handing it to him. "See if he can get anything from it or trace it."

"I'll do that." His gaze narrowed on her face. "Are you okay?"

"Other than going temporarily insane, I'm in great shape," she said jerkily. She turned on her heel. "I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

"Yes."

The phone had stopped ringing by the time she had showered and gotten into bed. Maybe he'd given up. Thank God he didn't know the damage he'd almost done. No, that she'd almost done. She had to accept responsibility for her own actions. Anger and frustration were only excuses.

She reached over and turned out the light.

"You shouldn't have done that. I wanted to see you."

Joe was standing in the doorway, a dark figure silhouetted by the light in the hall.

An unmistakably naked figure.

"No," she whispered.

"Too late." He came toward her. "I've been invited."

"I told you I'd made a mistake. I said I was sorry."

"I'm not. You caught me off guard down there and hurt my ego. But once I had time to sort things out, I realized that opportunity was knocking."

"I didn't want to hurt your ego," she said unevenly. "I don't want to hurt you at all, Joe. That's why this can't happen."

"You want it to happen."

"No."

"Dom may have triggered it, but it must have been on your mind or it wouldn't have occurred to you."

"Of course I've been thinking about it. You made sure of that. I'm human, dammit."

"And I mean to make the most of it. It's been a night of revelations. You actually said you wanted to live. That's the first time I've ever heard you say that." He lifted the blanket. "Scoot over. I'm coming in."

His naked thigh touched hers.

She moved over. "It's a mistake, Joe."

His hand covered her breast. "Never."

She couldn't breathe. "Please."

His hand was between her thighs. "Do you know I've never really kissed you?"

She arched upward as his thumb found her. "You're not kissing me now."

"I'll get around to it. I'll get around to everyth-- My God, you're ready for me. I thought I'd have to--"

Her digital phone rang.

Joe muttered a curse.

She whispered, "Turn it off."

He started to get off the bed and then stopped. "No." He moved back over her. "I promise you won't hear it soon."

She cried out as he plunged deep within her.

The phone was ringing.

He moved fast, hard.

The phone . . .

He lifted her, crushing her to him as he moved deeper, faster.

Was the phone still ringing?

She no longer heard anything but the beat of his heart against her ear.

"WHY DIDN' T YOU turn off the phone?" she asked drowsily.

"Why do you think?" He kissed her breast. "I was busy. Maybe I didn't want to take the time."

"Tell me."

"Ego. I wanted to be more important to you than Dom. I wanted to beat him." He kissed her nose. "You hurt my feelings a little."

"Not enough to stop you."

"It would have taken a major catastrophe to stop me. Dom doesn't qualify."

"He qualifies."

"He didn't win, did he? Therefore, he's out of the running."

For the time being.

"Stop thinking about him." He reached over, turned on the light, and switched off her phone. "I want to look at you."

She was blushing. "For heaven's sake, give me a blanket, Joe."

He shook his head. "I've wanted to see you like this for too long. Let me have my kicks."

Not when she felt as if she were melting wherever he looked at her. "Turn off the light. Please."

"Not until--" He saw her expression and turned off the light. "Maybe later?"

"Maybe."

"I forgot you're not all that experienced in this sport." He pulled her closer. "But you liked it? You like me?"

She didn't speak.

He was silent a moment. "After ten years I think I deserve the words."