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perusing journey over her that left Jill feeling naked and exposed. What the hell? “What’re you looking at?”
    “You.”
    “Why are you looking at me?”
    “Because you’re the only other person in the room.”
    He had such a way of making her feel stupid. He made her want to tell him that she’d graduated at the top of her class from both Brown University and Harvard Law, but she didn’t say that. Rather, as she often did in his presence, she squirmed in her seat, sending the message that he was making her feel uncomfortable. That was probably his goal.
    “And because I wonder if you ever loosen that top button and let your hair down.”
    Aghast, Jill stared at him as heat crept into her cheeks. “What business is that of yours?”
    “Absolutely none.”
    “Then why would you say such a thing to me?”
    His shrug was casual, as if this conversation was a normal part of their business routine. It most definitely was not normal. “I wonder. That’s all.”
    She didn’t want to ask. She absolutely did not want to know what he meant by that. “Wonder about what?” Clearly, her mouth was working ahead of her brain.
    “I wonder what you’re like when you’re not playing barracuda protector for your sister. What do you like to do? What do you look like in a pair of jeans? What kind of music do you like? Who’s your favorite author? That kind of stuff.”
    Jill had never been more shocked in her life. He wondered about her ?
    “Close your mouth before the flies get in there,” he said, amusement dancing in his eyes.
    She needed to get out of there before she said something she’d regret—such as, I wonder about you, too . “Are you…”
    He waited a long beat before he said, “Am I what?”
    Jill’s mouth had gone totally dry. “Flirting with me?” The words came out squeaky and rough, and she immediately felt like a total fool. She was almost thirty years old, for crying out loud. She’d had her share of boyfriends, although none lately, not when she was so damned busy she didn’t have time to do her laundry, let alone date. Why was her reaction to this man so different from any other?
    “What if I am?”
    “Why?” She said the first thing that came to mind, and damn him for laughing.
    “Why not? You’re a beautiful woman, or I bet you could be if you…unbuttoned…a little bit.”
    “Is that supposed to be flattering?”
    “When was the last time you did something just for you that had nothing to do with your sister?”
    “It’s been a while,” she said truthfully.
    “You wanna have some fun?”
    He was so gorgeous, far more gorgeous than any man had a right to be, and that accent absolutely undid her. “What kind of fun?”
    “Any kind you want,” he said in a suggestive tone that made her nipples tighten with interest. Thank God she was wearing a suit coat so he couldn’t see them.  
    “With you.”
    “Yes,” he said, laughing again, “that was kind of the idea.”
    “And how long have you been wanting to have ‘fun’ with me?”
    “Awhile now, if I’m being truthful.”
    Jill couldn’t believe what she was hearing.  
    “Nothing to say to that?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.
    “Oh.” Brilliant, Counselor. Positively brilliant .
    “So what do you say? Want to get together while you’re on vacation?”
    Jill’s mind raced as she considered all the implications, including what her sister would have to say about it.  
    “Don’t think about what Kate would say. Think about what Jill wants.”
    His insight only rattled her further. All she thought about was what Kate wanted. When was the last time she gave the first consideration to what she wanted. Longer than she could remember. “I, um…”
    “Take your time.” He folded his hands behind his head. “I’ve got an hour until my next meeting.”
    “Wouldn’t it be a conflict of interest for us to see each other outside of work?”
    “Since we’re usually on the same side, I wouldn’t say so.”
    He