Capture the Rainbow by Iris Johansen

trailed off as he noticed that her russet lashes were closed and her breathing deep and even. How much had she heard before she drifted off so peacefully? Probably not much, judging by how soundly she was sleeping. His lips curved in wry amusement as he realized that she had once more wrested control of the situation away from him—and without even trying.
    Why wasn’t he feeling the resentment he’d known earlier, instead of this weird protective tenderness? His throat felt oddly tight as he noticed how vulnerable she looked with her lips parted slightly in slumber. He pulled the white wool coverlet over them and then carefully, gently, he brought her closer into his embrace.
    Mine.
             
    Even before Kendra opened her eyes she was conscious of the familiar little ache in her lower back and the even sharper one behind her eyes. She sighed unhappily, and nestled closer to Joel’s comforting warmth. Joel?
    Her lids flew open and her gaze focused in shock on the mat of coarse black hair on Joel Damon’s chest. Oh Lord, what on earth had she done? Then, as the memories and sensations of last night tumbled helter-skelter back to her, she realized very well what she had done. Rainbow mists and a sorcerer’s green eyes and a driving, explosive physical magic. How many times had he taken her last night?
    She bit her lip in vexation. How stupid to worry about how many times they had made love when the obvious problem was that it had happened at all! How could she have done such a thing? Ending an evening in a stranger’s bed might not have been all that unusual for some women, but it was for her, dammit. It was even more bizarre for her to abandon herself to a hedonist like Joel Damon, who was also her boss. For someone who prided herself on her professionalism, there couldn’t be a bigger mistake. Had it been the painkiller she had taken that was responsible for this insanity? She had rejected that idea last night, but she was beginning to wonder now. Perhaps in combination with the champagne she’d drunk…oh, she just didn’t know. Maybe it was the man himself who’d caused this temporary insanity. He had certainly had an incredible impact on her senses even before her abrupt mood change. Well, the catalyst didn’t matter now. The only important thing was that she had regained her usual cool sanity and could act accordingly.
    She scooted carefully away from Joel Damon. With any luck she could get out of here without waking him and avoid a confrontation that would be excruciatingly awkward.
    Luck wasn’t with her and she was still struggling with the zipper of her gown when Damon’s eyes flicked open. He was instantly wide awake. “Going somewhere?” he asked as he sat up and regarded her intently. “Your bed manners leave a little to be desired, sweetheart. Haven’t you ever heard that a good mistress makes herself available in the morning as well as at night? Take off your gown and come back to bed, Kendra.”
    Kendra could feel the color rush to her cheeks as she hurriedly yanked at the zipper. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Mr. Damon,” she said as her eyes searched the floor wildly for her shoes. “I have to leave now. As soon as I finish dressing, I’ll be on my way.”
    “Mr. Damon?” he echoed blankly. “Isn’t it a little late for that degree of formality? If I remember correctly, a few hours ago those long, lovely legs were wrapped around me and I was—”
    “That was a mistake,” she interrupted, her cheeks definitely scarlet now. “I wish you’d just forget last night ever happened.” She spied one sandal half under the bed and pounced on it. “I realize the entire situation was as much my fault as it was yours, but it still should never have happened.” Where was the other damn shoe? “I’m sure when you think about it, you’ll agree that working together would be very difficult if we allowed any personal relationship to interfere.” How had that shoe gotten