Belonging by Samantha James

She
wasn't really sure why she felt more at ease with him, but the
feeling was infinitely better than crossing swords with this man.
She only hoped she wasn't about to shatter the truce.
    "Do you remember the reporter from the press
conference on Monday?" she asked. "The one who—" She paused,
suddenly not quite sure how to phrase the question.
    His eyes glinted. "Oh, yes. The one who
enlightened me as to my—"
    "That's the one," she broke in hastily. "Her
name is Blair Andrews."
    Matt nodded. "Don't tell me—you're not
winning any popularity polls where she's concerned."
    Angie shook her head. "That obvious, hmm?"
She watched as he shrugged, then angled a chair next to hers and
sat down. His posture seemed inviting, so she went on. "Actually,
Blair's uncle was the last mayor. He was my opponent."
    "And she's carrying a grudge because he
wasn't reelected?" He hoped he didn't sound uninterested. But it
was hard to pretend an absorption in her words when all he could
really think of was how pretty she looked with the moonlight
turning that golden halo of hair into silken threads of silver.
Even those incredibly blue eyes of hers were flecked with
silver.
    Pretty? God, that didn't even begin to
describe her. Gorgeous. She was absolutely gorgeous.
    "Are you married?" He didn't recognize the
voice as his until it was too late. Hell! Matt thought with
annoyance. It sounded as if he were making a pass—and he wasn't.
At least he didn't think he was. Not for an angelic-looking
temptress with a heart of ice.
    "I—" The question startled her. Angie wasn't
quite sure why. Maybe it was because she didn't like divulging
personal details to someone who was, after all, a stranger. But she
suspected it had something to do with the rather intent expression
in those intense eyes that swept over her body. It was a look that
was much too thorough for her peace of mind—and much too male.
    Her back was suddenly ramrod stiff in the
chair. "That really isn't any of your business," she coolly
informed him.
    That icy tone was one he was already very
familiar with. It riled his defenses and made him madder than
    hell. But it also made him want to feel—just
once— that he had gotten the long end of the stick.
    "Are you?" he asked again.
    She glared at him.
    Matt grinned in satisfaction.
    When she continued to stare at him in
tight-lipped silence, he slipped his hands into his pockets. "I'm
not," he offered casually. "At least not anymore."
    "Do I dare ask why?" Her voice was slightly
mocking. "A case of 'marry in haste and repent at leisure'
perhaps?"
    That was indeed a rather accurate description
of Linda's actions when their marriage had ended nearly six years
ago, but Matt didn't say so. Instead, he crossed his long legs,
then turned so that their knees brushed.
    Angie stiffened. This man had an amazing
knack for putting her on the defensive. While it was a position she
was used to assuming, somehow he made her feel as if she were
floundering in deep, unknown waters. She knew she should get up and
leave. Now. This instant. The whole conversation was absolutely
ridiculous! But when a warm, faintly rough fingertip reached out
to touch one of her hands where it lay curled around the thin arm
of the chair, she felt a curiously debilitating sense of weakness
wash over her. All she could do was focus on that long finger as it
traced a random pattern over the back of her hand.
    "Angela—" his voice was soft as silk and just
as smooth "—you don't mind if I call you that, do you? Or do you
prefer Angie?"
    She flushed uncomfortably. "Angie," she heard
herself confirm in a low voice.
    "I was just wondering...is there anything in
the city charter that forbids the mayor from fraternizing with the
hired help?"
    His hand still caressed her own. Caress. Why
was she thinking of it like that? she wondered wildly. Even in the
muted light she could see that the contrast between his dark skin
and her own honey coloring was startling. Her eyes moved