The Devil To Pay by Unknown Page A

detail!
    When Xerxes automatically trotted toward the path leading up to the cottage, Julian whistled him back onto the
    road and together they walked to the edge of the bluff to stare down at the empty beach house which belonged to Eric
    Leighton.
    For a long moment Julian stood there, the leather collar of his jacket turned up around his neck, his hands buried in
    the fleece-lined pockets. Broodingly he considered the house and the story Emelina had told him. He no longer
    doubted her tale, but there was every reason to doubt her wild plan of keeping an eye on Leighton’s beach house. His
    woman had one hell of a vivid imagination, Julian decided, his mouth twisting indulgently.
    His woman. The words rang through his head as he realized how right they sounded.
    “I’d better give her the feeling I’m working on this ridiculous project,“ he muttered to Xerxes, who glanced up
    inquiringly. “Tomorrow night we’ll take her back down to that beach house and have a look inside. There probably
    won’t be any great clues lying around on the floor, but at least she’ll think I’m making some effort to carry out my end
    of the deal.“
    And it was vital that she believe he could be trusted to honor his end of the bargain, Julian thought as he turned
    back toward his own cottage. He wanted her thoroughly committed to him.
    The memory of his inner satisfaction earlier that evening when he’d opened his door to find her on his front step
    returned as Julian slid into bed sometime later. He lay back against the pillow, his arms behind his head, and stared up
    at the ceiling. He’d been right to try to lure her with an offer of help. Her loyalty to her brother was deep enough to
    make her strike the bargain.
    There was a certain mental satisfaction in seeing the progress of his plans, but that didn’t altogether compensate
    for the physical dissatisfaction of his body, Julian realized grimly. He went to sleep wanting Emelina in his bed.
    Emelina did her best to throw off the aftereffects of Julian’s lovemaking, but the next morning she felt curiously
    hungover. There was a new restlessness in her that had nothing to do with the task she had undertaken for her
    brother. Why did it have to be Julian Colter who had done this to her?
    Gloomily she made a pot of coffee and sat in front of her window, drinking it. There was no point rehashing the
    events of the preceding evening. She’d spent half the night doing exactly that. What was the matter with her? She had
    made a bargain with the man, but she certainly didn’t want to feel this compelling, uneasy attraction to him. Matters
    were dangerous enough as they stood!
    She heard Xerxes before she heard the knock on her door. The cheerful yip of the Doberman made her grimace.
    That dog was as bad as his master. He seemed determined to make her like him. Emelina didn’t care for Doberman
    pinschers anymore than she cared for mobsters!
    “Oh, good morning, Julian,“ she managed weakly as she opened the door. His eyes went accusingly to the cup of
    coffee in her hand.
    “Xerxes and I didn’t see you go by on your way into town for your usual morning cup of coffee.“
    “Er, that’s because I decided to have it here instead.“ She could hardly tell him she hadn’t wanted to risk walking
    past his house and having him join her once more. Emelina thought of the staring eyes yesterday morning in the cafe
    and winced.
    “Do you make good coffee?“ Julian asked unabashedly.
    Emelina could have groaned aloud. “No,“ she tried hopefully. It didn’t daunt him.
    “Well, I’m not too fussy.“ He waited expectantly.
    “Will you have a cup?“ she asked in resignation.
    “Thought you’d never ask.“ He was striding inside, ordering Xerxes to lie down on the hearth rug, before she
    could blink an eye. “Actually, I came by to ask if you’d like to go with me tonight when I walk down to Leighton’s
    house to have a look around,“ he went on conversationally as he