John’s eyes had zeroed in on Evangeline the instant she’d entered the room -- on Gannon’s arm. His eyes were drawn to her like a magnet. They always were whenever she was in the vicinity. The plan, it was all part of the plan he reminded himself. He didn’t like it, but all he could do was go along with it for now. The pretend break-up was why she was here with Gannon.

But he hadn’t known she’d be wearing a dress like that. Midnight blue the gown seemed to flow over her figure clinging in all the right places. It was cut low in the front and dipped even lower in the back offering a tantalizing glimpse of her bare back and shoulders. Tempting the viewer to wonder if her radiantly glowing brown skin was as soft as it looked. The problem was he knew exactly how soft her skin was...everywhere ‘like hot silk’. And she smelled...soft, sweet, hypnotic, feminine. He always found himself leaning in closer to inhale her fragrance, touching her, gorging himself on her softness. And when they were alone his hands and lips were on a constant exploration trying to unlock all the mysteries that were Evangeline and just what it was about her that made him crave her so. He was especially fond of that sensitive little spot just beneath her ear. The touch of his lips just there made her gasp, moan and press her body closer to his in response. And he would lose himself in the sensations of making love her. Sensations that were powerful, intoxicating and infinitely satisfying.

And he loved the breathy way she said "Hurry John" in that pre-orgasmic whisper of hers because she was on the edge and she wanted him there with her. Those two little words said in that pre-orgasmic whisper of hers were guaranteed to take him to the edge--and fling him over it. All he could do was hold her tighter and enjoy his downfall.

Her eyes met his across the room and he felt the familiar rush of heat along with a surprising stab of jealousy at seeing her with RJ. She gave an almost unnoticeable nod of acknowledgement in his direction. He nodded back a little stunned by what he was feeling right now. Evangeline had a way of taking his farther, faster than any other woman had. It wasn’t a comfortable feeling especially now, with him watching as RJ possessively wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her closer.

Unconsciously his hand tightened around his wineglass as he fought the urge to walk over there and bury his fist in Gannon’s face. The plan, it was all part of the plan he reminded himself. He never liked the plan.

"Is something wrong?" Natalie asked, sensing the change in John.

"No, everything’s fine," he answered his voice casual, his eyes never once leaving Evangeline.

Natalie looked across the room to where John was starring, then looked back at him in time to catch the look of longing in his eyes. "Hey, why don’t we go and get something from the buffet? I’m starved," Natalie said feeling a bit dejected seeing where John’s attention was focused.

"Why don’t you go ahead, I’ll catch up with you later. I need to speak with Bo first. It’s about a case." His gaze flickered briefly to Natalie’s before going back to Evangeline. He gently eased her arm from his and crossed the floor to Bo pulling him to the side to speak to him before she had a chance to protest.

For several moments Natalie stood alone, disappointed. Her hopes of spending an elegant evening with John were crushed. Even now, while he carried on a conversation with Bo, John’s eyes constantly sought out Evangeline. Trying not to let her feelings show, she put on a smile and decided to try and enjoy the rest of the evening.

******

He decided it was senseless to stand around starring at her all evening. He had to speak with her. He made his way over to Evangeline who was talking to Nora and Daniel and for once Gannon was not around.

"Oh look here’s John," Nora exclaimed watching for Evangeline’s reaction as he approached. "I thought I saw you earlier." Nora had been concerned about her friend when she saw that Evangeline was here tonight with R.J., but she hadn’t had an opportunity to find out what had happened between her and John. But it was obvious to her judging by the way John was looking at Evangeline and the sly looks Evangeline had been casting John’s way all evening when she thought no one was looking, that they wanted to be together.

"Nora, Daniel." He said in greeting. "Some party, huh?"

"Yes, well it‘s for a good cause." Nora replied.

John wasn’t even playing attention to their answer; his entire focus was on one woman. Had her eyes lit up just a little as he approached? "Evangeline," he said simply, his eyes boring into hers.

"John, Hi." She sounded a little breathless and he hoped he was the cause. " I wasn’t sure you would be here tonight." She looked up at him a tentative smile lighting her face.

Of course she wasn’t. When she had told him that RJ had invited her and she’d accepted as part of her brilliant plan he’d been unhappy about it and he let her know it. "It was a last minute decision," he confirmed.

They continued to look at each other ignoring everyone else around them. Nora took it all in and decided they needed a moment alone. "I’m hungry. Daniel," she said turning to her date, "aren’t you hungry? We should go .. ah.. Let’s go to the buffet."

Daniel looked at Nora in confusion. "But we just came back...oomph." Daniel grunted as Nora elbowed him in the gut. "Oh yeah." Daniel said finally getting a clue. "I’m starved, let’s go to the buffet." Yeah great buffet we should go again and again.

"John, you’ll keep Evangeline company won’t you?" Nora asked slyly.

"Sure thing."

Up close the effect of that dress was even more devastating. Her glorious mane of hair was piled artfully atop her head. He wanted to run his fingers through it freeing her hair from the pins that held it in place so that if flowed like silk through his fingers, over his face, just the way he liked it.

"You’re here with Natalie?" It was more of a statement than a question and her voice held just a hint of uncertainty.

"As a friend, nothing more," he assured her. He moved a little closer to her. "She needed an escort and the lady I wanted to bring, well...she made other plans." He took a sip of his drink.

Evangeline took a deep breath. "John, I..."

He took a step closer. "You look amazing, by the way," he said, his voice dipping intimately.

Long lashes lowered over her beautiful midnight eyes as a slow smile curved her lips. "Thank you," she said softly glancing up at him. "It’s the dress."

Again, his eyes swept back over her in that dress. It displayed her flawless figure to perfection leaving nothing to the imagination. And there was not a line anywhere to indicate she was wearing a thing underneath. His mind immediately took him back to his earlier, more intimate thoughts of Evangeline. He swallowed, hard. Slowly his heated gazed lifted back to her face. "Yeah, that’s some dress."

Her eyes mirrored the same look of longing as his eyes. She wanted him too and there was no way she could hide it from him, no more that he could hide his desire for her. If he wasn’t entirely comfortable with this intense sexual attraction, at least she was there with him feeling it too. For long moments their gazes held as if spellbound. Heat rippled between them, desire surged from within. This time she was the one to take a step closer. He ached to reach out and bring her fully to him, into his arms.

"John," she began again lowering her eyes and breaking the spell. "I know you don’t agree with my continuing with my plan.."

"That’s right, I don’t agree," he interrupted. "But I did promise to have your back and I intend to," he added softly.

"Thank you," she smiled up at him. "That means a lot to me."

They were so engrossed in each other they didn’t hear RJ approach.

"McBain, McBain, McBain. Is this official police business? Because I just can’t fathom why you would be talking to my date." John looked over Evangeline’s shoulder and met RJ’s glare with one of his own. RJ observing the look that passed between them stood possessively close to Evangeline.

"As a matter of fact it is business RJ," she said accepting a glass of champagne RJ held out to her. She cast a pleading look at John hoping he would go along. "John just had some questions about a case."

"Right, unfinished business," he confirmed.

"Really?" RJ said, turning to John. "Such dedication lieutenant. Perhaps instead of wasting time here you should be out chasing bad guys then you might actually solve a case. Oh, but wait a minute, surely you don’t think there are any bad guys here?" RJ grinned tauntingly.

"RJ". Evangeline warned him.

John‘s blue eyes darkened. "Speaking of bad guys, I’m not surprised to see you here Gannon." He sneered.

RJ smiled. "Didn’t you know, I’m on everyone’s A list. You, however, Lieutenant. should get out more. I mean a ball full of beautiful women and you want to talk business and bore my lovely date. Don’t you have your own date to bore? "

"RJ," she said stepping between them. "This is exactly why we had problems before. You thinking you can control me, tell me who to talk to and when."

He stared down at her. "I apologize," he said tightly. "It’s just that when I saw you standing here looking so bored I thought I should come and rescue you."

"I don’t need you to rescue me RJ. I can take care of myself." She turned to John. "John, if you still have questions you can contact my office on Monday morning." Her manner was cool and professional, but her eyes asked him to bare with her in this. Then she turned and took RJ’s arm leading him away. Again he felt that stab of jealously go through him.

"Count on it," he said tightly. She glanced back at him. "Stay out of trouble," he couldn’t help adding.

"Now what fun would that be," RJ quipped as they walked away.

* * * * *

John lounged against the terrace railing drinking in the clear nighttime sky. He’d come out here to escape the noisy buzz of the ball going on inside, to nurse his drink and lick his wounds. It was better than torturing himself by watching Evangeline with RJ.

The past week had been hell. She’s announced that she had accepted RJ’s invitation to attend the gala and he’d lost it. Things had been tense and awkward between them and he couldn’t stand it. When she announced that she had accepted RJ’s invitation to attend the Santi Gala he’d lost it. He didn’t know why she had to go at all if she couldn’t go with him. And if something was going to go down he certainly didn’t want her in the middle of it, it was too dangerous. But for every one of his arguments she’d had a counter argument. Now he knew how the opposing counsel felt when going up against Evangeline. He’d left angry and frustrated. Neither one of them had been willing to back down from their position. He had retreated behind a wall of silence when all he really wanted to do was go to her, hold her make everything right between them again. It hadn’t helped his ego that she had allowed him his space. But that was how she was soft and strong all at once, with a sweetness so giving he wanted more and more.

"Evangeline," he whispered. As if she’d heard him, she stepped out onto the terrace. He grimaced as Gannon followed. Blending into the shadowy night he watched them. He decided not to make his presence known--unless he had to. He didn’t like the way Gannon was looking at her and he definitely didn’t like it when Gannon took her arms turning her to face him. She subtlety moved out of his grasp.

"You aren’t still annoyed with me about McBain are you?" RJ asked.

"This isn’t about John. You know I don’t like it when you act all possessive RJ."

"Then let me make it up to you."

"That’s not necessary RJ."

"But I want to. See I thought. . ."

"Excuse me, Mr. Gannon." One of the waiters approached them.

"I have a message for you sir. I was told it was important." He handed the folded note to RJ.

"Thanks," a confused RJ replied tipping the waiter. When the waiter left RJ moved into the light and quickly scanned the message a frown on his face.

"Trouble?" Evangeline asked moving to RJ’s side discreetly trying to get a look at the note.

"Ah..., no. It’s a business matter," he said quickly folding the note and placing it in his jacket pocket. "Unfortunately I do need to take care of this immediately. I’m sorry."

"I’ll come with you." she said.

"No, stay and enjoy the party. I’ll be back before you miss me, I promise."

"RJ!" Evangeline said, but he was already striding away. From the terrace she kept track of Gannon’s retreating figure trying to figure out what he was up to. John moved quietly out of the shadows his eyes on Evangeline. She stilled as he approached, then released a sigh her body relaxing again. She knows I’m here he thought. Although she didn’t turn around he knew she was aware that he was the one out here on the terrace with her.

"John," she breathed. "I thought you left."

He closed the distance between them until he was only a breath away and stood directly behind her.

"Well, this isn’t really my thing", his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "but since you’re wearing this dress I decided to stick around." As he talked the knuckles of his hand traced the elegant curve of her bare back. She shivered at his touch, then leaned into it. His hand settled at the curve of her hip pulling her closer. He leaned over her his lips pressed close to her ear, inhaling her scent.

"I’d really like to dance with you," he whispered, his warm breath tingling her neck.

She looked up at him over her shoulder meeting his hot blue gaze. "I’d like that too, but. . .

"But?"

‘It’s too risky. Someone could see us or RJ could come back at any moment."

"Come with me," he said in a low urgent voice taking her hand before she could deny him. He took her with him out onto the little stone part that led deep into the gardens of Lionheart where it was dark and quiet.

"Is this better," he asked.

She nodded. "This is perfect. It’s beautiful here."

"Yes, beautiful," he echoed. Her eyes dark and mysterious, stared into his. Damn, but he couldn‘t stop looking at her. She was so beautiful standing here in the moonlight and for now she was all his.

Slowly John closed the distance between them until they were standing breast to chest their bodies matched intimately from chest to thighs. He took her in his arms holding her close her perfume enveloping his senses. ‘Why did she have to feel so good? So right.’ John wondered as they swayed to music only the two of them could hear. Even from the start, that first time they made love it was as if they’d always been lovers. His hand slide down her back resting just above the curve of her shapely backside. She closed her eyes melting against him, her arms going around his neck. He turned his head his lips brushing softly against her temple, her cheek.

"Hmmm," her hummed into her hair. "You know, I’ve been wondering all evening--just what do you have on under this dress."

She looked up at him through her lashes, her mouth curving into a smile, that same smile she gave him at the Palace Hotel right before she kissed him on a dare. "Flowers in Springtime," she whispered seductively.

A jolt of white-hot heat swept through him and he actually groaned out loud. His mind reeling as he imagined slowly peeling that dress from her until it was a dark blue pool at her feet, leaving her only in those sexy little heels she was wearing. John pulled her closer to his hard frame, his hands gently pressing her more intimately to him. Only she did this to him.

"How much longer?" He asked his voice husky with passion.

"Not much longer," she assured him. "Something’s going on tonight. RJ got some kind of message this evening. Later, after this is over, I’m going to try to find out what. . ."

The passion clouding John’s mind lifted momentarily as what she was saying sank in. He pulled away, his hand cupping her face lifting her gaze to his.

"I wasn’t talking about your plan Evangeline. I want to know how much longer you plan on hanging out here. Because. . ." His eyes lowered to her mouth, his thumb slowing stroking over her slightly parted lips savoring their softness. "...’Cause, I was hoping you’d dump Gannon and come with me."

Slowly his gaze lifted to find her smiling up at him with all the warmth and desire he could ever hope for. Tenderly sweetly she kissed his thumb, his palm. "Yes," she whispered. "I’ll come with you."

"Yeah."

"Yeah," she echoed as she lifted her mouth to his. Petal soft lips brushed gently over his, tempting him with the promise of what was to come.

It wasn’t enough.

He pulled her completely against him, his hungry mouth. Her lips parted for him instinctively. His tongue thrust bolding into her mouth needing her, claiming her as his hands caressed her.

Her fingers tangled in his long hair staking her own claim and answering his. ‘I’m here, I’m right here with you, she answered with her kiss. He moaned against her lips, a deep carnal sound. One kiss turned into another, then another leaving them both breathless, needy.

Evangeline moaned in protest when he pulled his mouth away from hers, only to rain hot wet kisses across her face, down her neck, and finally to that little spot beneath her ear.

"John. . ." She trembled against him arching closer, her rounded breast pressing against his chest, her body moving seductively against his until he thought he would go out of his mind.

"You’re coming with me," he muttered between kisses. "Then, you’re coming with me."

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