Page 49 of Eclipse Bay

“He’s right,” Hannah said firmly. “We do not want to cause a disturbance that will only result in embarrassment for all concerned.”

“I don’t mind a little embarrassment,” Rafe assured her. “I’m a Madison.”

“Stop threatening me,” Perry howled.

“I didn’t threaten you.” Rafe looked at Hannah. “Did you hear me threaten him, Hannah?”

She seized his arm. “You and I are leaving. Now. The main goal of the evening has been accomplished. Perry has just assured me that he will not stand in the way of Brad’s joint appointment at the institute. In fact, he will do everything he can to ensure that it goes through. Isn’t that right, Perry?”

“I won’t be intimidated,” Perry said forcefully. “Furthermore, I am not in charge of the selection committee. You have to remember that.”

“Sure, sure, we understand.” Rafe winked. “But just among the three of us, Brad McCallister’s appointment looks like a sure thing, right?”

Perry cleared his throat and somehow managed to look down his nose even though he was at least three inches shorter than Rafe. “If Lydd goes through with his plans to endow a research fund here at the institute, and if he feels strongly about McCallister’s appointment, he will, of course, be able to bring a great deal of influence to bear on the matter.”

Rafe glanced at Hannah. “Are you sure you don’t want me to bounce him around a bit?”

“Positive. We don’t need lawsuits.” She tugged on his arm. It was like trying to hoist the anchor of a container ship by hand.

Rafe gave Perry a look of wistful regret. “You know, you’re right about one thing, Decatur. When she starts in with the lectures and the good advice, she does sort of take all the fun out of things, doesn’t she?”

“That’s enough, Madison.” Hannah gave up tugging, wrapped her hand around his arm, and leaned forward instead.

“Whatever you say.” Without warning, Rafe suddenly reversed course, squeezing her hand against his side.

Hannah, already off balance, with her fingers now trapped under his elbow, had to run a few steps to avoid being dragged.

“Rafe.”

“Sorry.” He slowed to a normal pace. “You okay?”

“Of course I’m okay.” She shoved her hair out of her eyes and yanked hard on her skirt. “Let’s get out of here.”

“I’m with you. I don’t think I’m going to become a big fan of political receptions. The speeches are boring and the food is bad.”

For some inexplicable reason she started to laugh.

chapter 11

With the exception of a few stray chuckles, she had herself under control by the time they got outside. Rafe glanced at her as they walked to the far side of the lot where the Porsche was parked.

“Told you he was still a jerk.” He opened the passenger door for her.

“You were right.” She slanted him a quick glance. “How long were you lurking there in that hallway outside the rest rooms?”

“Long enough to hear most of the conversation.”

She paused, half in and half out of the cockpit. Then she straightened and went up on her toes. Leaning over the top of the car window, she brushed her mouth very quickly against his cheek.

“It really was sweet of you to offer to beat Perry up for me,” she said.

He lifted his fingers absently to the place where her lips had touched his skin. In the weak glare of the parking lot lamp his eyes were shadowed, impossibly enigmatic. “That’s me, a real sweet guy.”

She stepped back quickly and sank into the rich leather upholstery. “But I really didn’t need rescuing.”

“’Course not. You’re a Harte.”

“And Perry is just a jerk with a temper who’s always looking for an angle.”

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