Between the Lines by Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

the elasticized neckline of the peasant blouse. Gray appeared unaware of her movements. His attention was on Roger, who was standing near the door, discreetly supervising the lounge staff. Ozzie was nowhere in sight.
    Amber leaned over to say something to Gray, but she was interrupted by the flourish of trumpets that opened the lounge act. After that there was no opportunity to carry-on a conversation. The comedian was surprisingly funny, and the singer was quite good. The magician was the best part. Amber had one or two thoughts about what the whole production must have cost, but by now she expected the best from Delaney.
    When the show was over, the dance band swung into action. Amber was waiting for Gray to ask her to dance when Delaney materialized beside the small table.
    "Mind if I steal your wife for a few minutes?" Delaney asked Gray. "I've been looking for an opportunity to dance with her for three nights."
    Amber waited for Gray to politely decline the request. She was so startled when he nodded his head that she couldn't think of any excuse to refuse. She shot her husband an irritated glance as she obediently allowed Vie Delaney to lead her out onto the floor. Gray didn't appear to notice her annoyance. He was still casually watching Roger. Determinedly Amber turned on her high-voltage client smile for her dancing partner.
    "I hope you and your husband have enjoyed your stay here at the resort, Mrs. Grayson," Delaney said easily as he swung Amber into a polished series of steps. He had obviously had a lot of practice dancing with hotel guests.
    "Very much," Amber replied, feeling like a fraud. It was difficult to keep up the effusive guest act when you knew your host was in deep financial water and that your husband was about to let him drown. There were aspects of Gray's business that bordered on the ruthless. Of course, she reminded herself, none of Delaney's problems were Gray's fault. Gray was just the hired gun who had been paid to investigate the situation. He owed his loyalty to his client, not Vie Delaney. "You've built quite a place here, Mr. Delaney. Very impressive."
    "Call me Vie," he said with a charming smile. He whirled her around, steering her to the far side of the floor. The crowd of dancers cut them off from sight of the table where Gray was sitting. "Have you and your husband been married long?"
    "Not long." She couldn't bring herself to admit she was supposed to be on her honeymoon. She still didn't know if it was Gray who had ordered the two-bedroom suite. If he had, it would seem a little odd to Delaney to learn that his guests were honeymooners. By no stretch of the imagination was she having a real wedding trip. Deliberately Amber tried to turn the conversation again. "How long have you owned your resort, Vie?"
    "A while."
    He was almost a vague as she was, Amber thought ruefully. "The desert makes a wonderful change from the Northwest," she plowed on brightly. "I’m actually getting accustomed to all the sunlight."
    Delaney laughed politely and followed her conversational lead. When the dance ended he asked her for another one. With a trace of unease Amber gently declined. He accepted the refusal with a cheerful smile and guided her back to the table. Amber frowned as she made her way through the romantic gloom of the room.
    The table where she had left Gray sitting alone with his tequila was empty.
    "Looks like your husband stepped out for a minute," Delaney observed. "Since he's not available, will you reconsider the second dance?"
    Amber shook her head and sat down with a self-deprecating chuckle. "I don't think so, thank you. Vie. That horseback ride really did stiffen up a few muscles today. If you don't mind, I think I'd rather watch the dancing for the rest of this evening."
    "I understand completely. Let me know if you change your mind."
    "Thanks." She smiled politely and watched him disappear into the crowd. A moment later he was back out on the floor with another of his