Teeny had turned to him and said, Ill tell you whatwith this listing price they better have Houdini himself doing the valet parking.

Because theyd called ahead when they left the city, the main house was lit up from the inside and all the porch lights were blazing. Rick looked in the rearview mirror to see the headlights of Teenys SUV right behind him. The gates closed and locked once both vehicles were in.

Sweet Mother of Jesus, Josie gasped, rolling down the passenger-side window of the Lexus and sticking her head all the way out. This place looks like a resort or something!

Rick smiled. It is. But its just for us.

She popped her head back into the car and looked over at him, her curls messed up from the wind. I had no idea, Josie whispered. I mean, you told me what to expect, okay, but I had no idea it was this amazing. I can already tell the place is magical.

Rick didnt bother to hide his huge grin. Hed known that shed appreciate the place the way he did. Maybe you brought the magic with you, sweet Josie, he said.

As always, Chen and Tara started their barking frenzy to welcome Rick home. Genghis barked his reply, which made his own dogs double their racket. Then Genghis spun out of control, running back and forth on the rear leather seat, barking nonstop in a high-pitched yelp of excitement, as if he were about to have the greatest adventure of his life.

Rick knew how he felt.

Josie didnt bother trying to control Genghis. She opened the back passenger door of the Lexus and let him fly out, a big ball of brown fluff that hit the dirt running, the other dogs in pursuit.

You sure theyre friendly? Josie asked, trying not to sound like an overprotective mother.

Rick chuckled and slid his arm around her waist. Absolutely sure. Since Genghis arrived with me, theyll be cool. Theyre really sweet dogs.

Just then, three blurred shapes charged down the dirt lane, sending dust through the dark air. First was a mid-sized fur ball, followed by a much bigger dog, and then a little creature barking so fast it sounded like a toy machine gun.

First thing I did after I bought this place was go to the pound for a couple mutts to keep me company, Rick said, getting their bags from the trunk.

Josie nodded and bit her lip, trying to keep track of Genghis as the dogs looped around gardens in front of the house. She couldnt help ither little guy had never needed to protect himself from an aggressive dog.

Not even at Dolores Park. Would he know how to defend himself? He could get hurt.

Rick pointed toward the dogs. Taras the little one. Shes a sheltie with terrier thrown in. Chen is the big one. Hes a combination of Rottweiler and a cement mixer, I think.

Josie laughed nervously, still not convinced of the sweetness level of Ricks dogs, especially the cement mixer. When she heard a terrified yelp a second later, her spine stiffened. The pack returned, racing just as fast, the machine-gun barking still at full volume at the rear. Only this time, Chen was out in front of Genghis in a flat-out run, yelping as if fleeing from death itself. Josie smiled.

I think were good, she said. Then she got up on her tiptoes and gave Rick a gentle kiss. Im really glad to be here. I cant wait to see everything.

Before her heels could hit the ground again, Rick dropped their bags and wrapped her in his arms, a clear signal that her little peck hadnt satisfied. He lowered his mouth to Josies with confidence, as if he were sure shed know exactly how to respond. And she did. It was a mystery, really. With most men, kissing had felt like some kind of test to Josie, an intimate gesture that was supposed to convey passion but usually only resulted in a torturous Ping-Pong match inside her mind/does he want me to open wider? Is that wide enough? Does he want a taste of my tongue?

Was that too much? Hes just clamped down on my upper lip, but was that a slip or on purpose, and does he expect me to return the nibble?/ Obviously, it was difficult to enjoy kissing when she thought she was being graded.

There was no such torture with Rick. Just pure pleasure. Pure relief.

Josie let go with a deep sigh as her body melted against his, as his lips captured hers, caressed hers, responded in warm welcome to anything she might give him in return. Now this was kissing, Josie knew. This was bliss.

Her fingers twisted in the curls on the back of Ricks head. She wrapped one leg around his and pressed her belly up against his belt. She didnt worry about making a wrong move with Rick, because there were no wrong moves. They were speaking to each other with honesty. They were connecting. And that energy was swirling and looping through Josie and into Rick and back into her, entering and exiting her body, driving her forward, pushing her on and on and Pardon me, a deep voice said.

Josie staggered away from Ricks embrace, trying to pretend she wasnt horrified.

Teeny gave her a sweet smile. Welcome to Samhain Ranch, Miss Sheehan.

Teeny lowered his voice and looked toward Rick, his eyes big. Sorry about that, man, but Rosa wants to know if you prefer the guest cottage, or your suite, or both, or what. Ill fill her in and then I promise you wont see me till tomorrow.

Rick chuckled. No problem. Lets ask our guest which shed like. Rick pulled on Josies hand until she was touching his side. Any preference?

Uh…

The suite is closer, Teeny offered helpfully.

Well take it.

Rick smiled down on her, laughing. Then he said to Teeny, Tell Rosa not to worry about uswe wont be needing anything until breakfast.

Will do, Teeny said, then he nodded Josies way. Enjoy, Miss Sheehan.

Call me Josie, /please/. She took a step closer to the huge man and touched his arm. Only the lady at the dry cleaners calls me?Miss Sheehan.

Teenys smile widened. You got it, Josie. Night.

Rick cradled her hand as they watched Teeny walk around the side of the main house. Shall we start our weekend, then? he said, smiling down at her in the dark.

I thought we already had.

Weve not even begun, Rick said. Ive got big plans for you, Josephine. /My girlfriend/. With those two words, Gwen Anderss world had collapsed.

The dinner meeting had been an utter waste of time. The swinging dicks from Staunton and Blalock didnt know a damn thing more than she did.

They were just fumbling around in the dark like everyone else. It wasnt about the thrill anymore. It was only about survival. In the world of finance, the line that separated the heroes from the villains had always been somewhat blurry. Now it had been obliterated. The rules had changed on everyone, overnight.

Just like in her personal life.

Gwen took another gulp of wine, ashamed that she was slamming down a three-hundred-dollar bottle of California cab like it was Welchs grape juice. Shed been saving that bottle for the evening Rick would finally be sitting here with her, in front of the fireplace on a cool San Francisco night, the lights of Fishermans Wharf twinkling below. /Girlfriend./ Gwen had known for a few months now that Rick was ready to have a breakthrough. Hed been laughing more. Talking more. His life seemed to have a robust quality about it that shed never seen. He was about to emerge from his cocoon, and why? Gwen herself, of course. Her presence had coaxed Rick out of hidingher beauty, her steadfast devotion, and her quiet support. He was about to admit his hidden attraction for her. And she was waiting for him with open arms. /Girlfriend?/ Absurd! She and Rick were destined for each other. Shed known it from the start, the afternoon shed been brought in for the interview. She was his perfect match, his equal in all respects, the man shed been created for. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Fucking /perfect/. /Girlfriend!/ How could this have happened? Who was she? How did she get to him? Just how beautiful /was/ this woman?