Night of the Magician by Stephanie James, Jayne Ann Krentz

far. I don’t know where you got the idea you might be staying until morning, magician, but you’re wrong. You’re going to pull a quick disappearing act with the assistance of my front door. Let me up, Lucian.“
    He didn’t move. “And if I don’t?“
    “You will.“ She returned his gaze unflinchingly, her voice very steady.
    He waited a moment longer and then rolled onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow to watch as she hastily sat up and began arranging her clothing. “You’re right. I will leave. This time.“ The last words came very meaningfully.
    “Don’t make it sound as if there’s going to be a next rime!“ Ariana scrabbled on the carpet for her glasses and pushed them onto her nose in a small act of defense.
    “You’re one heck of a quick-change artist,“ he observed almost casually, reaching for his own glasses and sitting up. “A minute ago…“
    “A minute ago things were getting out of hand!“
    “No,“ he countered softly. “I had everything under control.“ The look in his eyes sent a wave of warmth through her from head to toe.
    “You mean you were going to call a halt of your own accord?“ she mocked skeptically as she got to her feet and scooped up the brandy snifters.
    “I didn’t say that, I merely said I had everything under control.“ He picked up the bottle of brandy and followed her back to the kitchen where he set it on the counter.
    “Well, magician, your idea of things being under control varies somewhat from mine, so I think it’s time we ended this evening.“
    “You’re scared of me, aren’t you?“ he asked wonderingly. “What’s the matter? Doesn’t Dearborn make you react like that?“
    Ariana swung around to face him, cold fury in her eyes. “Let’s get something straight, Lucian. I am not in the market for an affair with a magician or anyone else. You and I have a working relationship together and that’s all. Stay out of my private life and I’ll stay out of yours. Agreed?“
    He smiled abruptly, a devastating, wholly masculine smile that was guaranteed to raise the hackles on any woman’
    s neck. Ariana was no exception. “You’re quite welcome to invade my private life,“ he drawled provocatively. “And as long as we’re setting the record straight, I’d just like to point out that you were enjoying at least part of that little session on the carpet a few minutes ago!“
    Ariana’s chin lifted proudly. “I can enjoy an after-dinner kiss as much as anyone!“
    “You make it sound like an after-dinner mint!“
    “I put it in exactly the same category. A couple are very pleasant. A whole package would be far too much. Good night, Lucian Hawk. I will phone you later this week and let you know the final arrangements for the trip to Fletcher Galen’s retreat“
    “Would you let me stay if I offered to tell you how to make the coin disappear from the floor and reappear inside the handkerchief?“ he tried.
    She saw the dawning laughter in his eyes and almost succumbed to it. With firm resolve she managed to keep her face set in unyielding determination. “You can’t bribe me, Lucian. Not by promising to teach me the tricks of your craft.“
    “What would it take to bribe you?“ he asked with a deep curiosity.
    “Nothing you have to offer! Good night, Lucian!“ Imperiously she went to the front hall closet and hauled out his black jacket He took it almost meekly and absently shrugged into it His eyes never left her face.
    “Do you need to call a cab?“ she inquired belatedly, feeling unaccountably guilty at the way she was pushing him out the door.

    “No. I drove tonight.“
    “Oh. Well, in that case…“
    “In that case there’s no excuse for not being on my way, is there?“ he finished for her amiably.
    The guilt rose a little higher. “Lucian, I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression tonight,“ Ariana said in a contrite little rush. “You’re not really angry?“
    One black brow climbed above the frames