Quinn knew he should probably say something to her, but nothing seemed right. Nothing seemed good enough. Important enough. So all he did was whisper her name-"Audie."

And right then, he put away the fantasy forever. He didn't need it anymore. He didn't want Carmen Electra. He sure as hell didn't want Martha Stewart. He wanted this woman-he wanted Audie.

He pulled her up as he rose to his knees, then turned so that she sat on his lap. She stayed curled around him, quiet, hiding her face in the crook of his neck. Eventually, she stirred. "Quinn?"

"Mmm?"

"Are you always like that?" She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder.

"Like what?" he wondered aloud. Did he usually let his heart crack in two? Did he usually see his soul reflected in a woman's eyes?

"Do you always talk that much?"

He chuckled, slightly embarrassed, gently stroking her back and hip with one hand. "Did I talk a lot?"

She pulled away enough to see his face, so sweet and confused. She ran a finger along his sweaty hairline and smiled at him. "Yes. You talked an awful lot."

He frowned. "That may have been a first. I hope I didn't say anything stupid."

Audie stared at him in silence, then kissed his cheek and tucked her body close to his again, gripping his waist tight with her legs.

So many extraordinary things had just happened to her, but the most amazing was that Quinn had just taken her to a place of blind, raging lust and now he cradled her in his lap, so warm and sweet, worried that he'd said something stupid. She'd never known a man like him.

Suddenly there were tears in her eyes, and she was glad he couldn't seethem.

"Nothing stupid, Quinn," she assured him, kissing his neck and hugging him tight. "Just wonderful."

After a long while, he lifted her away from his chest and kissed her tenderly. "I won't be sleeping in the guest room tonight, will I, Homey?"

"No. And not in the hallway, either. I don't think I'm done with you."

"Are you threatening me?" His mouth twitched with the beginnings of a wicked smile.

"Yes, and you love it." She ran a finger across those beautiful lips. "Shall we?"

With a groan she pulled away from him, tucked her legs beneath her, and stood. She offered him her hand, but he just looked up at her, astonished.

"Aren't you coming?"

"I kind of like the view from here," he said, and she looked down to see her thighs glistening with sweat and semen.

"Oh, God."

He jumped to his feet and put his arms around her, rubbing her back. "You look like a woman who's been thoroughly ravaged, and as I recall, that's what you ordered. Wanna take a shower with me?"

When she stopped laughing, she leaned her head back and looked into his eyes, so bright and contented. "I have to tell you something first, Quinn."

"I'm all ears."

"I explained how it is with me, and-"

"I changed all that?"

As ridiculous as it seemed, Audie suddenly felt a little self-conscious. "It seems that way," she whispered.

Quinn grabbed a handful of her thick, wavy hair, grinning. "You did look fairly shocked by the whole thing."

"That's because I was."

He kissed the adorable tip of her nose, then rubbed his cheek against hers as he whispered into her ear, "Tell me how it was different."

She closed her eyes and sighed, wondering how she could possibly explain this to him. She wasn't an expert on the male orgasm, but she didn't think they had the kind of drastic range of responses that women did. After a long moment, she pulled back to look at him.

"OK, Quinn. Have you ever taken a sip of Bud Light and found yourself staring at the can, trying to convince yourself that you'd just swallowed beer?"

His grin spread.

"My usual orgasm is a Bud Light."

He was already shaking with silent laughter. "And just now…?"

"Like sticking my mouth under the Guinness tap and slurping every rich, delicious drop until I blow up, knowing it's a very good way to die."

Quinn laughed hard and clasped her to him so tight that she momentarily couldn't breathe.

"You're supposed to warn me when you're going to talk about beer, woman."

"I forgot again."

"Audie, you make me so happy… "

The words came out sure and clear, and though Quinn's arms relaxed around her, she still couldn't breathe. She felt him stroke her hair and caress her back. She nestled closer, listening to his heartbeat, his breath, remembering how he had held her like this on the dock that night, when he first offered her a place in the world where she fit just right.

When she warned him she was a failure at love.

Quinn must have heard her thoughts again, because he whispered to her in his gravelly voice, "… until we both dry up and blow away."

September 14

Dear Homey Helen:

I've known people who've used compulsive neatness as a substitute for human connection, for human feelings. My theory is these people keep the mind and hands occupied so the heart doesn't break.

I think you've seen this behavior: Clean, clean, clean. Control, control, control. Do, do, do-all to stay so busy that you don't have time to look around and realize you've wasted your entire life.

And realty, what is the point of a spotless house or an orderly desk if your life is in shambles?

– Your most loyal fan

PS: I really enjoy the new "Pet Corner" on your Web site. It's helpful and entertaining!

Quinn thought it possible that he was hallucinating. After all, he'd been thinking of nothing but Audie all morning-as he raced home at seven to shower and change his clothes, then while in the shower, then on the drive into the station, and each second he'd been sitting here trying to pretend he was the same Stacey Quinn who sat at this desk on Friday.

But he wasn't. Because this morning he was Autumn Adams's lover, and the desk sergeant had just escorted her into the detectives' room, and he felt like he did every time he'd ever had the privilege to watch Frank Thomas hit one over the400-foot center field wall at Comiskey Park -he was awestruck. Just damn glad to be alive.

Stanny-O was up on his feet. "Audie!" He pulled up a chair for her. "Did you recover from yesterday?"

Her eyes flew wide and she stared desperately at Quinn.

"Good morning, Audie," he said evenly. "I think Stan was asking if you liked the party."

"Oh, crap. Hell." She collapsed in the chair and produced a weak smile for Stanny-O. "Yes. I had a great time. You?"

"Always do. Want some coffee, Audie?" Detective Oleskiewicz winked at Quinn as he started toward the coffee island. "You sure look like you could use a cup or two… or five." He winked at Quinn again.

"I'd love some!" she called after him.

Quinn tried not to smile too much. He tried not to stare at the short tan linen skirt and matching blouse she was wearing. Hetried not to reach out and touch her hair or the smooth skin of her thigh just above her kneecap. He tried not to carry her bodily to the supply closet and take her up against the wall next to the copier toner.

"Good morning, Homey," he said softly. He leaned back in his chair and clasped his fingers behind his head. "So you missed me, huh? It's been"-he quickly checked his watch-"three hours and forty-six minutes since I left your place."

It seemed Audie was trying her best not to smile at him, too, and Quinn watched her bite down on her bottom lip and slowly flutter those thick black lashes of hers. He nearly fell over backward in his chair.