I Spy a Wicked Sin by Jo Davis

intrigued by this tiny woman who would play the aggressor. Then his nature took over and he met her with fervor, the two of them coming together with such force he had to stop while he was able.
    With reluctance, he broke the kiss and extricated himself gently. “Thank you, sweet Lily.”
    “Thank me ? All I did was enjoy. I could return the favor, though,” she suggested playfully.
    “I’d love nothing more, but that was for you. Rain check?”
    “Well . . . sure.”
    She sounded so puzzled, he couldn’t help smiling. “I’ll look forward to it.” Rising, he abandoned the rest of his lunch and reached for his cane. “I’m going to spend some time in the studio this afternoon, then rest before tonight. Make yourself at home. Feel free to set up at the extra desk in the corner of my office.”
    “Is the computer on that desk mine to use?”
    “Yes, as well as everything on or inside it, including the BlackBerry for my appointments and such. Don’t worry about doing any real work today—just get your bearings and then relax, visit with Liam, maybe take advantage of the pool.”
    “That sounds wonderful.” She paused, then said thoughtfully, “You were wrong about something.”
    “What’s that?”
    “You are a gentleman.”
    He laughed. “Not hardly, dear Lily, as you’ll soon discover. By the way . . . the door connecting our rooms?”
    “Yes?”
    “It’s never locked,” he said, pitching his tone to make his meaning clear.
    “Except when you’re entertaining a lover, like tonight?”
    “ Never. ” Grinning, he turned and started for the door. “Like I said, I’m no gentleman.”
    “Jude?”
    He paused his steps. “Hmm?”
    “I’m no lady.”
    “Then I believe we understand each other very well, sweetheart.”
    Shuffling out, he left her to chew on that for the rest of the day.
    And to take care of the painful jackhammer in his jeans.

Four
    L ily tidied the desk that was to serve as her work space for the next few weeks, arranging pens and Post-its, and playing with the snazzy little BlackBerry. Nice.
    Next, she logged into her PA’s e-mail account Jude had set up for her and was dismayed to discover fifty-six messages in her in-box already. “Well, shit. Efficient bastard.”
    Jude must have taken for granted that she’d accept the job, because it seemed everyone in the area had e- mailed her about something or other they wanted Jude to attend, a painting they were salivating to purchase, or a charitable contribution they coveted from his wallet.
    Scowling, she was tempted to delete the whole list. But her “boss” might get his tighty-whities in a bunch if his new PA ignored all his correspondence. She was about to log out when her eye was caught by a familiar name in the From column—Devon Sinclair.
    Curious, she opened the e- mail and read the brief message: Lily, Geneva and I look forward to the pleasure of your company next Friday evening. We also thank you for enticing Jude out of his lonely cave—the man needs a night out with friends. Best, Dev.
    So, his buddy and benefactor was feeling her out. Fine. If he’d really been worried about Jude for the past few weeks, she couldn’t blame him.
    Lily pondered the missive for several minutes before coming up with a suitable reply: Devon, how nice to hear from you. I understand I’m in for quite a dazzling evening. I can’t wait to meet you both, and to visit your lovely gallery. Until then, Lily.
    There. Polite but not gushing. Logging out, she sat staring at the screen, thinking over Sinclair’s words, reflective of something Jude said at lunch.
    Was Jude lonely? Did he honestly feel imprisoned, or had the heart-wrenching statement been designed by a shrewd man to play on her sympathy? Somehow, she didn’t think so. He seemed to truly hate the idea of being pitied.
    The story of his upbringing had gotten to her, too. More than she cared to admit. Nowhere in his file was there a single word printed about his past, and