The Count From Wisconsin by Billie Green Page B

straight. "The Jaguar! Hell and damnation," he muttered, running a hand through his hair and down his neck. "He could at least have stayed for dessert."
    As he touched her swollen lower lip with one rough finger, his eyes held deep regret. "I guess it's time to move on, Katy love."
    It took a while for Kate to regain her equilibrium. He left her dazed and she felt she should be analyzing the strange things that were happening to her mind and her body.
    But she couldn't. All she could think about was how beautiful the day was and how wonderful she felt.
    Alex had begun to whistle as soon as they were on the road again, but she had been too absorbed to listen. Now she smiled, recognizing the song.
    A fine romance.

Five
    Shifting his position slightly, Alex flexed his stiff shoulder muscles. The sun was hanging low in the west as he glanced at the digital clock on the console, then across at the woman sleeping beside him.
    Kate was curled up in the reclined leather seat, her hands forming a pillow under her cheek. She had had a rough day and most likely a confusing one.
    Sighing gustily, he told himself he probably shouldn't have dragged her into this. It wasn't her affair and if nothing else it could get a little sticky. But to be fair to himself, he hadn't realized Alvarez would be leaving the area around Monaco. If he had known . . .
    He smiled. If he had known he probably would have done the same thing. On the street back there in the Old City, it had seemed vitally important that he keep her with him, as though a voice inside his brain were telling him that it was his only chance with Kate.
    He wished suddenly that he could have met her when he wasn't involved with this blackmail business. But then if he hadn't been involved hi it, would he have gotten to know her so quickly? Wouldn't they have had to go through the routine of dating and slowly learning to know each other before they even reached the point they were at now?
    A rueful smile twisted his lips. If it took a high-speed chase to get close to her, then he was glad It had happened just the way it did. When they returned to Monte Carlo. Alex broke off his thoughts with a smothered exclamation. He had forgotten all about Paul. He should have called him when they stopped for lunch to let him know what was happening. Yes, he should have called, but his thoughts had been completely taken over by Kate.
    He grinned in anticipation when he thought of her temper and the way she would react when she woke up and found they couldn't make it back to Monte Carlo tonight.
    Reaching over, he gently touched her shoulder. "Kate. Kary love, wake up."
    She moved her head until her cheek rested on his hand, then rubbed against it like a contented cat. It seemed that Kate could be tamed, but only in her sleep.
    Chuckling, he said, "Kate, we've already passed Lyon; is that all right?"
    She stirred slightly her lips curving in a lazy smile. It was a smile that took his breath away. "Lyon?" she murmured sleepily. "Lyon's nice."
    He realized she hadn't come fully awake, but at least he had tried. Lifting his hand, he brushed back a golden curl from her temple, then reluctantly returned his full attention to the highway and the car ahead.
    Some time later Kate felt warmth on her lips, then her ear. "What are you doin'?" she murmured.
    "I'm kissing you."
    That sounded reasonable. "Why're ya doin' that?" she asked drowsily, not really caring why, but feeling obligated to ask anyway.
    " 'Cause all of a sudden, I had a cravin' flung upon me," he drawled and kissed her again.
    "Are you making fun of the way I talk?" she said. Her Texas accent lost some of its strength as she came fully awake.
    "Who, me?" he asked guilelessly.
    She pulled herself upright. "Where are we?" Moving stiffly at first, she stretched her cramped muscles. She glanced out the side window at the growing darkness, then her eyes narrowed as she caught sight of the small structure beside the car. "Is that a barn?" she asked