The Lovely Miss Crane

A fantastic story by Nandini.

Warning!! Some of these chapters contain sexual material!

Chapter 1

Luis Leaned against the doorjamb, watching the blonde at the opposite end of the gym as she swept the floor. Sheridan Crane had been sentenced by the judge to 100 hours of community service at the Youth Center. "75 more hours to go," Luis thought silently. It couldn't be over soon enough. But then again, he kind of enjoyed watching a Crane work hard for once in their miserable life, if you could call making copies and running errands hard work. He was sure it was more work Miss Crane had ever done in her entire life, Allistair Crane's little princess probably never had to lift a finger.

And, he didn't mind the view in front of him either. She was tall, beautiful, sexy and he spent far too much time thinking about her. As if sensing his gaze on her, she turned her head in his direction, throwing him a hateful glare before returning to her task of cleaning the gym. Sensing her discomfort, he delibrately kept his eyes on her. For some reason he enjoyed irritating her, particularly becuase she was easy to get to. She got to him too, he admitted to himself with a lazy smile, in more ways than one. He let a vivid image play through his mind, of him dragging her into his office, tearing her too tight clothes off and screwing her right on his desk. If she wasn't a Crane, he probably would have taken her to bed by now. Then again, maybe he would regardless. Bedding a Crane could also prove to be an advantage to getting the answers he'd been searching for his whole life. He knew the Cranes were behind his father's mysterious disappearance so many years ago but he just didn't have any proof against them. Sheridan could be just the person to help him get the proof he needed. Not only would it give him access to the mansion but Sheridan just might know something about what really happened to his father. Even if she didn't, he could manipulate her into helping him get evidence. Luis shook his head, shocked at the direction his thoughts had taken. He grimaced then turned and headed down the hall toward his office. Settling in his chair at his desk in his small cluttered office, he tried to concentrate on work but his mind refused to focus. He couldn't concentrate on anything but the idea that had occured to him earlier in the gym. He'd brushed it of then as quickly as it had come to him and decided against it, but now he was thinking about reconsidering. He wondered why it he hadn't thought of it before. But then, he wasn't a heart-less man and using someone for their own gains was heart-less. Yet this was a completely different matter, this was the Cranes, a family who didn't possess an ounce of decency in their blood. A family that had thrived on using people for decades, cheating them out of their lands and destroying anyone or anything that got in their way. The Cranes had ruined peoples lives including his and he wanted to crush them just as they had crushed his families happiness. No, using the Cranes wouldn't be heart-less, it would be payback.

He already knew he would hate himself for using Sheridan, or any woman for that matter, to get what he wanted, but he wasn't going to let his conscience overpower his goal. For years he'd wanted answers to his father's disappeance, and finally the opportunity to get those answers had presented itself and there was no way in hell he was going to let it pass. If getting those answers meant using Sheridan to get it, so be it

And in the end, Sheridan wouldn't give him another thought. From what he'd heard about Allistair Crane's daughter, she had a long streak of boyfriends, probably decent guys who she'd dumped when she'd tired of them. And he would be just one more in a long line. She'd just move on to next guy that came along. As strange as it was, somehow the thought of Sheridan with another man bothered him. He quickly dismissed his sudden flash of unwanted jealousy and tried to focus on the task at hand.

There was something about Sheridan that told him she was different from the rest of her family but he wasn't going to waste time dwelling on it. She had after all tried to use her last name to get out of a speeding ticket not to mention doing community service. She was a true Crane alright, through and through, and he was going to enjoy every minute of breaking her high and mighty attitude.

On that thought, he decided to set his plan into motion that very afternoon. No point waiting another day. He had a feeling Sheridan Crane wasn't going to be the easiest woman to seduce.

Chapter 2

Long after Luis had left the gym, Sheridan thought about the way he'd looked at her. She'd hated it, it affected her somehow, in a way she didn't want to think about.

Ever since meeting Officer Luis Lopez-Fitzerald, all she'd heard around her was what a great guy he was, gorgeous, intelligent, responsible, hardworking, but she didn't buy it. She couldn't figure out what was so great about him, all she saw was an arrogant, short-tempered, bully of a man. However, she had to admit that he was a few of those things, hardworking and responsible maybe. He was great with the kids at the youth center, and everyone else. It was only her Luis had a problem with. The way he made assumption about her character and her life drove her crazy. She wasn't even sure why his opinion of her bothered her so much. Why not just let him think she was as cold and shallow as her father and brother, why did it even matter. Yet, for some strange reason it did. Not wanting to think about it anymore, she grabbed the dustpan, swept up all the dirt she had collected from the gym floor onto it, and emptied it into the trash. Tired and a little out of breath after picking up all the sports equipment the kids had left laying all over the gym, wiping down all the windows and sweeping up the massive gym floor, she walked to one of the benches lined against the wall and slumped down on it. Not a minute later, a young girl appeared from the door and walked up to her. "Sheridan, Luis wants to see you in his office," she announced, standing in front of her.

Sheridan looked up at the girl and sighed. "What does he want now?" she asked tiredly.

The girl shrugged, then walked away to join her two friends waiting for her at the door. With a heavy breath, she rose to her feet, then headed towards the office of the slave master.

***

She appeared in the doorway minutes later with her cold blue eyes, wearing an even icier expression and Luis just wanted to kiss all that temper out of her. She lingered in the doorway a moment as their eyes connected in a heated gaze before stepping inside the room.

"Close the door," he said casually from behind his desk.

A look of confusion crossed her features at his request, but she did as he said. Folding her arms under her breasts defensively, she waited for him to start talking. She didn't make any move to approach his desk. Luis leaned back in his chair and surveyed her across the tiny office. She was wearing a tight cashmere turtleneck top with black slacks when she should be wearing something a little less expensive and a lot more suited for working at a Youth Center.

"You wanted to see me?" she asked when he continued watching her without saying a word.

"Yes."

She sighed angrily, and Luis knew she was preparing for one of their usual fights. "What did I do this time?" she began in an annoyed voice. "Is the gym floor not clean enough? Did you find streaks on the windows? a spot I missed? Or did I give bad advice to one the kids again?"

Luis watched patiently as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other, her expression slowly turning nervous and unsure when he didn't make an immediate retort as she'd most certainly had expected him to.

"You didn't do anything wrong," he said finally.

She stared at him blankly, surprised he hadn't exploded by now.

"You look tired."

"Anyone would be with you as their boss," she replied tartly and to her surprise he merely smiled. "What exactly did you call me in your office for?"

"I wanted to apologize," he said watching her reaction. The look on her face was priceless.

"Apologize?" she looked as if she was about to laugh. "To me?

"Yes."

"For what?"

"I've been thinking and I realize I've been making your hours here...unpleasant."

She huffed a breath. "That's an understatement."

"Okay, I admit I've been hard on you."

"Hard on me? You've made me feel as welcome here as a cockroach. You work me like a dog then complain about how I don't do anything right. Not to mention the constant insults toward my family I have to put up with-."

"I get the point. Now if you would let me continue without interrupting me every two seconds." He regretted his angry tone when he saw her faint smile. Maybe she liked irritating him as much as he did her. "As I was saying," he continued in a calmer voice. "I was wrong to prejudge you because of your last name. And I'm sorry."

She didn't respond.

"You look as if you don't believe me."

"I don't," she said flatly.

"Why?"

"For one thing, I don't buy this sudden change of attitude towards me. And another, you don't strike me as a man who would ever admit he is wrong even when he his."

"Now who's prejudging who?" he said coolly. He got out of his seat and moved towards her and Sheridan wished to God he'd stayed in his chair with the desk between them. She didn't like being so near him and right now he was standing way too close for comfort. "Look why don't we just start fresh. Forget everything that we've said to eachother before today and not make any conclusions about eachother until we gotten to know one another better."

"You actually expect me to believe that you all of sudden, out of the blue, had a change of heart towards me and my family-"

"Just you," he interrupted her. "I told you, I realize I was being prejudiced toward you, it was wrong of me."

"And now you want to know the real me?" she mocked.

"Yes," he replied seriously. "And I want to start by taking you out to dinner. Is tonight good for you?" he asked knowing she would refuse. It was clear she wasn't buying any of the bull he was using to convince her.

"No."

"Tomorrow then?"

"Thanks for the invitation Officer, but no thanks. I'm not going out with you tonight, tomorrow or anything other night."

"Look you've said yourself I was making all kinds of negative assumptions about you based on your last name. I'm giving you the chance to prove to me what a decent person you really are."

The mocking quality in his reasoning made her want to slap him. "Don't flatter yourself Officer. I couldn't care less what you think of me."

"You know, you're not making this easy."

"And you're wasting your breath. Now if we're finished here, I'm leaving."

She turned to leave, but his hand covered hers on the doorknob, stopping her from opening the door. He was standing close behind her but not touching, it was unnerving all the same.

"We're not finished," he said close to her ear, not removing is hand from hers.

She pulled her hand free and turned around, finding herself face to face with him. That didn't scare her, the sound of the lock clicking into place did. "What are you doing?"

"I just want to talk."

"Then cut the chase, Luis," she said in the most even voice she could manage. "What's the real reason you want to take me out?"

She asked with such seriousness that he felt he owed her atleast half the truth. "Because ever since my Mother's birthday party, I couldn't stop thinking about what it would feel like to sleep with you," he answered in a low voice. "I want to know if you're as hot and passionate in bed as you are dancing the tango."

Even though she'd asked for it, she was stunned speechless by his bluntness. She couldn't respond, let alone move.

"I want to share more than just a dance with you Sheridan," he said after a moment, clearly enjoying her rare state of speechlessness. His mouth was so close to hers that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her parted lips.

And, he was standing way too close but she wasn't going to show her discomfort by moving away. A foolish mistake she realized a moment later as his hand slid into her hair and she found herself pressed against the door by his body. She felt his erection pressing against her, then his mouth was on hers and any protest she was about to make melted away in an instant. And she kissed him back, arching against his body, wrapping her arms around his neck. Before she knew what was happening she was being pulled across the room, finding herself flat on her back on the desk, with Luis on top of her, all the while his mouth never leaving hers. His hands slid up to fondle her breasts through her clothes and she let him. And, she also knew that if he wanted to take her right there on his desk, she would let him.

Suddenly he stopped kissing her and his hands went still on her breasts, as a loud knocking sounded from across the room.

They stared at eachother as a voice soon followed the knock. "Luis? Are you in there?"

Luis reconized his brother's voice. The boy knocked again, this time more impatiently. "Luis?"

"Be right there," he called over his shoulder then returned his gaze to Sheridan, who was still lying beneath him, looking flustered and messy and he had to fight the impulse to kiss her again.

His half smile was wicked and tormenting. "I guess we'll just have to finish this later," he said close to her mouth, his breath as ragged as hers."

She still lay on his desk as he moved off of her and left the office. She lifted herself up on her elbows, staring blankly at the door, as the realization of what she'd done hit her like a ton of bricks. What the hell had she been thinking? She sat up, dropping her face in her hands, wanting to cry. She hadn't been thinking at all, she realized miserably.

Chapter 3

She wasn't in his office when he returned a little while later. But then again, he hadn't expected her to be there. He stared into the empty room and thought about her, how she'd felt in his arms, what it felt like kissing her. His office fantasy had come too close to coming true. Her reaction had more than surprised him, he hadn't known she'd be so responsive and he wondered if she would have let him go all the way. Probably not. But she will soon. Getting her into bed was going to be easier than he'd originally anticipated. Under that hard icy exterior, there was a vulnerable woman, and a vulnerable heart.

What surprised him more, however, was his own reaction to her. Sheridan Crane was one dangerous woman, Luis smiled, thinking back to their little moment in office. Before he had a chance to consider his actions or give thought to consequences, he was locking the door, kissing her and laying her down on his desk. He'd been with plenty of women, but he'd never lost control the way he had with Sheridan a couple minutes ago. Atleast he'd had enough sense to lock the door. If someone actually had walked in on them, he would have had allot of explaining to do.

***

Horrified by her reaction to Luis earlier, Sheridan miserably dragged herself inside her cottage, dropping onto the sofa with a self-loathing sigh. She couldn't believe she'd actually let him kiss her and touch her and she couldn't believe she'd kissed him, that arrogant conceited man. She should have had enough sense to leave before he even got within touching distance but like the stubborn idiot she was, she'd stood her ground. Instead of pushing him away, she'd kissed him back, clung to him, had ran her hands over him, tugging on his shirt like some needy, hungry woman.

But, what a kiss it was, she thought lifting trembling fingers to her swollen lips. She'd never been kissed like that before, had never realized kissing could be so enjoyable, so erotic. God what had gotten into her. Had she learned nothing from her previous involvement's with men, was she completely out of her damned mind? She had to be. There was no other explanation for her unexcusable behavior. She didn't even want to think about what could have happened if they hadn't been interrupted. She knew one thing for sure, she would never lose control like that again. Never. Luis had just caught her off guard, that's all, stunned her by his...his sex propositions. But she would be on guard next time, she would be ready.

Now that she had time to think, she was confused by his actions too. His sudden desire to bed her had more than shocked her. But from what he'd said, it wasn't exactly sudden, he'd had wanted to sleep with her since Pilar's birthday party. Even so, it was hard to believe. If there was one thing she knew about Luis without a doubt, it was his hatred of her family. According to him, the Cranes were nothing but a clan of rich, ruthless, snobs who didn't care about anything but money and power. And he'd made his feelings toward her family known from the beginning, yet he wanted to have an affair with her. It didn't make any sense....unless there was something to be gained.

Could it be possible he wanted to sleep with her to get back at her family somehow? Revenge? Sheridan grimaced. It would be a complete was of time on his part, besides her nephew Ethan, her family didn't give a damn about her.

Money? No, she wasn't even going to bother considering that possibility. Luis would rather eat dirt than take a penny of the Crane money. He was also the son of the only person who'd ever cared about her, looked out for her. Pilar was like a mother to her and Sheridan loved her like one.

Whatever his reasons, it didn't matter. She wasn't going to sleep with him. She was through with men after her last user of a boyfriend had betrayed her, she wasn't going to let that happen again. She'd promised herself not to ever let it happen again. She didn't need any man, least of all Luis Lopez-Fitzerald. He was annoying, stubborn, and so damn sure of himself.

***

She hadn't slept much that night, and she was more than a little edgy the next morning. She arrived at the Youth Center 15 minutes early, ready to have her talk with Luis. She didn't want to face him but knew that that was impossible considering she had almost 75 more hours of community service left. And she knew if she didn't say what she had to now, she wouldn't be able to later. She had to talk to him now, before she lost her nerve to. Taking a deep breath, she went inside and headed towards the gym. It was 8:45 and he was most likely there couching the boys basket ball team. She halted just inside the entrance of the gym and stood watching him giving instructions to the kids. It took him a few moments to notice she was there and he smiled at her as his gaze traveled over her body, slowly and thoroughly. With a quick glance at his watch, he walked to her and stood in front of her. "This is a surprise. You're actually early today."

"I need to talk to you."

"I'm listening."

"Not here. In private."

"We can always go into my office," he suggested in a seductive voice.

"Fine." If she had her way she would never step inside his office again but she wasn't about to let him know that. Turning away from his unsettling gaze, she stalked down the hall ahead of him. Ignoring the images that flashed through her mind the moment she stepped inside his office, she turn to face him. He was staring at her lips, reminding her how it had felt to have his mouth pressed against hers.

"I didn't think you were going to make this so easy," he said leaning back against the closed door. "Are we going to continue from where we left off yesterday?"

She glared at him. "We shouldn't have kiss," she said flatly, getting to the point. It was hard enough concentrating on her thoughts when he was standing in front of her shirtless and sweaty, having to meet his intense gaze was a whole other matter.

"Why?" he asked casually. "We both liked it."

She didn't bother denying it. "Because I didn't want it to happen."

"It was just an innocent kiss, Sheridan."

There was nothing innocent about the kiss they shared, yet he'd said it deliberately, maybe to get a reaction out of her. Because she was trying so damn hard to be calm and stern.

"Just tell me what you're really after."

"I thought I was pretty clear yesterday."

"Yes, you were. But I'm not convinced. You must have another reason for wanting to bed me."

"You think I have an ulterior motive?"

"I know you do."

"And what is my motive exactly?"

"I don't know yet," she replied. "But one minute you hate my guts and the next you want to take me to bed. I think that's reason enough to make me suspicious."

"You're a smart, beautiful, sexy woman, why wouldn't I want to take you to bed?"

"Because I'm a Crane."

"I thought I already explained to you that it was wrong of me to hold that against you," he said gently. "It's pretty simple Sheridan. I'm not looking for a serious relationship. And from what I can tell, neither are you. I want-"

"Basically what you want is a bed mate," she cut in before he could finish.

"Precisely," he said watching her. "We both want eachother Sheridan, why are you so intent on fighting it?"

"Who says I want you," she said, her calm composure starting to fray.

"Are you actually going to deny our mutual attraction after the way you responded to me yesterday?"

"I wasn't thinking clearly then," she said. "But I am now. And it won't happen again."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"If you want to play hard to get, that's fine with me. I'm a patient man. You'll get tired of resisting eventually."

"I won't."

His lips curved into a half smile. "Is that a challenge?"

"Call it whatever you like, Officer. I'm not going to sleep with you. Is that understood?"

"Yes," he said, a little too easily for her to believe him.

"I mean it," she said sternly. "I want you to back off."

"All right," he said after a moments pause. "I'll leave you alone. But it's not going to be easy after the way you kissed me yesterday."

"You kissed me!" she finally exploded.

He smiled, he'd known that remark would enrage her. "As I remember it, you had your tongue in my mouth."

"You're such a -" she stopped, hearing what sounded like a whimper coming from behind her. She stared at Luis in confusion as the tiny whimper continued. "What is that?"

Her gaze followed him as Luis crossed the room to his desk, he stepped behind it and lifted a large box onto his desk. Sheridan eyed the box curiously but didn't come closer to see what was inside. Luis smiled as he reached inside and picked up a chubby little puppy with golden brown fur, and held it in his arm. Sheridan's eyes twinkled as she stared at the cutest little puppy she'd ever seen. "Oh my God, it's so adorable!" she said taking the dog from Luis's hands and snuggling it close to her chest. "Where did you get her?"

"I found her on the back doorstep when I came in this morning," he said watching Sheridan intently. The puppy lifted it's head and licked her chin causing her to giggle softly. Luis was amazed. He'd never seen this side to her. It was clear she was already in love with the mutt, and he couldn't help but be jealous he didn't have the same luck as the dog.

"What are you going to do with her?"

"I don't know yet. I was thinking about letting one of the kids take her home if their parents allowed it, but so far no takers."

"Let me have her."

"What do you know about taking care of a puppy?"

"Nothing actually," she replied, too consumed with the puppy to sound bitter. "But it can't be too hard."

"Have you ever even had a pet?"

"No. My Father never allowed it," she said in a soft voice that surprised him. "When I was a little girl I found a kitten once." she continued after a moment. "I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. But, when I took it home with me, Father was furious. He had one of the maids get rid of it." There was sadness in her eyes, another surprise.

"What was it's name?"

She smiled then, a soft, girlish smile that lit up her eyes. He'd assumed correctly about her naming the kitten even though she'd had it not more than a full day.

"Lucy."

Luis laughed. "As in 'I Love Lucy'?"

She laughed too, she couldn't help it. "Yeah." Then she sobered, realizing she was laughing with the man she should be hating.

"Well, I think the name fits," he said looking down at the puppy in her arms.

"I think so too," she said, hating how soft her voice sounded.

He stepped closer as he patted the dogs head and his fingers lightly brushed against her breast. Sheridan ignored it. No doubt he'd done it on purpose. When he finally removed his hand, Sheridan exhaled her breath slowly. She'd been too busy trying not to show her discomfort to realize she was holding holding her breath.

"I wonder what kind of dog she is," she murmured breaking the sudden silence between them. She didn't look up to meet eyes.

"I think she's a golden retriever mix."

"No. I think maybe a lab mix"

"Why do you have to disagree with me on everything. You know, it's okay for us to agree sometimes."

She got the feeling he wasn't talking about the dog anymore. She finally looked up at him, her light blue eyes locking with his hazel ones. "But I don't agree with you."

"Are you going to give me visitation rights?"

"If you behave yourself."

Chapter 4

Sheridan put her book down beside her on the bed and stared at the puppy on the floor trying to get her attention. She picked Lucy up, laying back against the pillows on the bed and lifted her up into the air. "You are absolutely the most adorable puppy I've ever seen," she said placing a kiss on the dog's muzzle before lowering it down onto her stomach. Lucy tried to stand and balance herself on her own but quickly slid off of Sheridan, landing on the bed. Sheridan giggled, watching her wander over the covers in search of the most comfortable spot to sleep. She finally settled down by Sheridan's feet, closing her eyes with a peaceful doggy sigh.

Sheridan watched her, wishing she could fall asleep that easily. Sleep wasn't something that came easily for her, she would lay in bed each night and think for hours before finally falling into slumber. As her thoughts began to wander, they drifted to Luis as usual. She thought of him and what he'd said, what she'd said. She realized that besides for Ethan, she'd never told anyone else about the kitten she'd found then lost as a little girl. And the fact that she'd told Luis bothered her. She hadn't intended to open up to him like that but somehow at the time she felt comfortable talking to him about her past.

But that still didn't mean anything, she told herself. That was no reason to trust him, or get involved with him. There wasn't much difference between Luis and her too many ex-boyfriends. Except that Luis wasn't out to seduce her through flattery and deceiving charm. She was use to men kneeling at her feet, showering her with compliments to get what they wanted from her. Luis on the other hand didn't know the meaning of being subtle or charming. He'd told her what he wanted and was so damn sure he was going to get it. And he also seemed to sense her attraction to him, an unfortunate fact that drove Sheridan crazy. But atleast she'd set him straight today and told him she wasn't interested. Which was true, she wasn't interested. Still, after the way he'd kissed her and touched her so intimately the day before, it had taken all her strength to look at him straight in the eyes this morning and say the words.

It wasn't Luis she was afraid of, it was getting hurt again. When she left Paris, she'd made a promise to herself to never let another man hurt her and she knew without a doubt that Luis Lopez-Fitzerald would hurt her. Maybe not right away, but eventually he would. And yes he is handsome and sexy and she'd enjoyed kissing him...more than enjoyed kissing him, but she would resist him. She had to.

She was still deep in thought when the phone rang. Throwing a glance at the time, she reached for the phone on the night table, careful not to disturb Lucy.

She didn't bother with the 'Hello' She could think of only one person who would be calling her this late at night. "What is it Ethan?"

"It's not Ethan," a deep voice answered.

"Luis? What are you doing calling my house at this hour? Do you ever give up? I already told you I wasn't interested. How many times do I have to say no before-"

"Calm down Miss Crane," he said coolly. "I'm calling regarding work."

"Oh," she said a little embarrassed. "What about work?"

"I needed to talk to you about the upcoming Youth Center dance."

"You mean the one that the kids can't stop talking about?"

"Yeah well, it's kind of the last dance before they have to go back to school, so it's a big deal for them. Anyway Beth usually plans the event but unfortunately she's been sick with the flu and can't do it this year. So I want you to do it."

Sheridan thought about it for a moment. "You're actually putting me in charge of planning the dance? Aren't you afraid I'm going to screw it up?"

"I'm sure you can handle it. Just one thing, there's a budget for the dance, so don't over spend the Youth Center's money."

"Got it."

"I'm sure you can get the some of the kids at the center to help putting up the decorations and things. I'm not going to be in tomorrow until 3 so I thought I would let you know now. That way you could get started as soon as you come in tomorrow morning. By the way what are you wearing right now?"

It took a moment for the last sentence to click in her head. She looked down at her skimpy little nighty and tried her damnedest not to imagine his hands slowly peeling them off of her. "Sweats," she replied evenly.

"It's summer."

"I know but I like sleeping in sweats. It's comfortable." She didn't even know why she was talking to him about what she wore to sleep and huffed an angry breath. "Was there anything else you wanted?" she asked, not bothering to hide the irritation in her voice.

"Yes, but I don't think you would agree to come over and roll around in bed with me."

Luis smiled, he could just imagine her clutching the phone harder and grinding her teeth, fuming with anger. "Good night Officer," was her tart reply.

"Good night."

Chuckling to himself, Luis replaced the phone on it's cradle and lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He enjoyed taunting her way too much. Ever since he'd kissed her she was even more edgy around him, and allot more cautious.

He could have her if he wanted, he thought to himself, and he had every intention of doing just that. She was irritating, difficult, stubborn, and he didn't particularly prefer woman with short hair. Yet, there was something about Sheridan Crane that made him want to know her in every possible way. Maybe it was because she challenged him or maybe it was the way she tried her best to act indifferent towards him that made him want her even more, he wasn't sure. But he definitely wanted her.. Revenge would be sweet but he had no doubt sleeping with Sheridan would to be much much sweeter.

Chapter 5

Surprisingly, Luis kept his distance over the next two days. He'd backed off just as he'd told her he would. He hadn't propositioned her once, not even one teasing word had left his mouth, and when he did speak to her it was strictly work related. But then again, just about everything Luis usually said had a double meaning, and it was usually sexual, skillfully hidden and intended for her ears only. And she could never escape his intense gaze everytime they were in the same room.

But she did her best to ignore him, convinced that his desire for her was just pretense. He couldn't have any real interest in her, soon he would tire of his games and leave her alone for good. And instead of wasting time dwelling on her own confusing feelings for Luis, she focused all her attention and energy into making the dance at the Youth Center the best ever. The only thing was, she had to pull it off with the very limited allowance Luis gave her to spend on the event. And she knew she couldn't use her own money, Luis would never allow it. He would go ballistic if he found out she used Crane money to spend on the Youth Center. So she would have to work a little harder, so what. She was up for the challenge. Anything to keep her mind off of Luis.

Three days before the dance, Sheridan was busy hanging decorations from the ceiling of the gym when she got the awkward feeling she was being watched. She knew who it was without looking, Luis' gaze had the same effect on her as a physical touch. She ignored him and picked up the last cardboard star she'd hand made, attached a piece of tape to the long string tied to it and pressed it carefully to the ceiling while trying not to lose her balance. Even with the biggest ladder she could find in the storage room, the ceiling was still too high for her to reach with any ease. And she wasn't exactly fond of heights either. Descending a few steps, she steadied her hands on the top of the ladder, before turning to look down at him. He was leaning against the doorjamb, just as she'd suspected, watching her through lazy brown eyes.

"What are you still doing here?" he asked.

Slowly and carefully, Sheridan climbed down from the ladder, then turned to meet his gaze in the dimly lit gym. "What does it look like?"

"You could have finished this tomorrow," he said walking into the gym to where she stood.

"I know, but I don't like to leave a job half done."

She looked up at the all the stars she'd spent the last two hours hanging from the ceiling. She'd bought stacks of poster board, cut them into star shapes and spray painted them silver. It had taken her hours but she was finally done, and looking at the end result now, she saw that all the hard work she'd put into it was worth it.

"It looks great," he said, glancing up at the ceiling that now held what looked close to a hundred silver stars of different sizes.

Simultaneously, their gazes met again, and she realized he was standing much closer than she liked. "Thanks."

"But, it wasn't safe for you to be up on that ladder when no one was around. What if you would have fallen and gotten hurt?"

"Since when do you care about my safety. I thought you wished all Cranes to hell."

"The only place I wish you, Miss Crane, is my bed."

So he was still at it, she thought with despair. Ignoring the way her heart fluttered, she kept her expression relaxed. "I may be a Crane, but even I don't deserve that kind of punishment."

He laughed, unoffended, and completely amused. "You know. With that attitude you'll never get a man."

"I don't want a man."

"Not even me?"

"Especially not you." She couldn't know just how much that smart mouth of hers turned him on, or she wouldn't keep tempting him. "Okay," he said, a faint smile curving his perfect mouth. "But you don't know what you're missing."

She rolled her eyes at him. "You make me crazy you know that?"

"Crazy with desire?"

"More like crazy with rage," she grated out. She brought a hand up and cupped her left collarbone that was sore from reaching up and hanging all the decorations for the past hour, and a few minutes with Luis had only added more tension to her body.

"Did you hurt you neck?" he asked.

"No," she said, immediately sliding her hand to her side again. "It's just a little stiff."

"I can fix that."

Before she knew what he was about to do, he moved to stand behind her and put both of his palms on her shoulders. She almost moaned when his hands began to gently massage and knead all the tension from her neck and shoulders. She wore a top that had a low neckline and his hands were so strong and they felt so incredibly good on her bare skin, she never wanted him to stop.

Luis was tempted to put his mouth on her creamy skin and taste her, then slowly slide his hands to the front and slip them into her top to massage her breasts. She would probably let him, he thought, then eventually come to her senses and slap him across the face. "Well, you won't have to worry about me driving you crazy for a while," he said after a short moment, jerking himself out of his lusty thoughts. "I'm going out of town."

"You are?" she said in a voice that sounded unhappy and she could have just kicked herself.

"Don't sound so disappointed. It's only for a few days," he murmured, rubbing the spot on her neck that hurt the most, and she could have just purred with relief.

She wanted to ask him about his trip but she didn't want him to think she cared. "You'll miss the dance."

"I'll be back before the dance starts on Friday. In the meantime I'm leaving Hank in charge," he said. "Just keep an eye on him. Sometimes he forgets that he's supposed to be the adult. And try not to burn the place down while I'm gone."

"Thanks for the massage," she said pointedly, to let him know it was time to remove his hands from her.

He slid his palms over her shoulders slowly, sensuously. "You're welcome." S

he turned to face him. "Are you going to be here tomorrow?"

"No, I'm leaving tonight."

"Well, I guess I'll see you when you get back then," she said in a voice that seemed to say she didn't care if she ever saw him again. "Good night." "

"Good night." She walked past him and his gaze followed her as she crossed the gym, disappearing through the double doors and into the dark hallway. And it took everything he had not to follow her.

***

Sheridan grabbed her purse from her locker, then closed it and leaned back against the cool surface. She told her herself she was glad he was leaving, she wouldn't have to see him or deal with him for a few days, but she kept wanting to go back inside the gym and into his arms. Maybe she should just sleep with him, she thought, to hell with everything else. Then she sighed and tried to clear her head. She had to get out of there before this self-destructive thinking got her into trouble and lead her to more heartache. She'd suffered enough of that to last her a lifetime. With another mind-clearing breath, she straightened and headed out of the Youth Center, not even throwing so much as a glance towards the gym.

Chapter 6

Sheridan took a long lunch at the book cafe late the next afternoon. She glanced at her watch, it was 3:15 and the Youth Center would be filled with kids by the time she returned. She wasn't use to it- kids, having to work everyday, or any day for that matter- but she was getting use to it and she liked it. The more time she spent at the center the more she realized how much she liked her job. Well, minus Luis of course, having to deal with Officer Lopez-Fitzerald was one part of the job she could happily do without. The man just complicated her life when what she wanted was some peace and quiet. She glanced down at the front cover of the magazine laying on her table and her eye caught the heading of an article featured inside. "Ten ways to have an orgasm that will rock your world," she read out loud. She glanced away though she was a little tempted to open the magazine and read the article. She had to stop thinking about sex. She'd thought that was the one thing she wouldn't have to think about when she started working at the center, she hadn't thought about it for a long time, not until Luis had so bluntly suggested they have sex...well that wasn't exactly true, she'd had some wild fantasies about Luis even before that, fantasies that made her cheeks hot with color just thinking about them. But it wasn't something that could be helped, she told herself, the man just radiated sex. But sex didn't dominate her life and Luis wasn't going to dominate her. She could go without sex quite easily, past experience had proved that sex was definitely overrated. And as for orgasms, she thought glancing back at the magazine, she had yet to have one that would rock her world. But the unpleasant truth was, she wanted Luis like she'd never wanted anyone and he looked more than capable of rocking her word ten times over.

She sat for a several more minutes and mused about her life until it was time to return to work. She walked down the block to the center, then stopped and frowned when she reached the front entrance. There were kids running around outside and she could hear them inside the building as well. She pushed the door open to find chaos. There was no order, no supervision, just lots of kids making lots of noise. She heard what sounded like logs being rolled across the floor coming from the gym and found a group of young boys skateboarding in there while others were standing around talking. There was no sign of any sports equipment anywhere. She tried to get their attention calmly but they ignored her. She yelled, but it was no use. She gave up, throwing her hands up in the air as she stalked towards the office.

"Hank!" Sheridan practically yelled at the man lounging in the chair behind the desk, coffee in one hand and newspaper in the other. His feet were propped up on the edge of the desk and he seemed completely unaware of what was happening outside the office. "What are you doing?" she asked, planting her hands at her hips. "There are kids running around everywhere. Why aren't the sports equipment out and the younger children have nothing to do. They're supposed to be doing arts and crafts today."

"Oh damn, I completely forgot about that," he said but didn't make any move to get up.

"And there are kids skateboarding inside the gym," she grated out.

"Don't worry about it," he said lazily. "They're just having some fun."

"They are going to ruin the gym floor, not to mention we'll be in big trouble if one of them gets hurt."

He finally stuck his nose out of the newspaper and looked up at her."Okay, okay, I'll get the equipment out. Just as soon as I finish reading this article."

She resisted the urge to throw something at his head, and took a deep calming breath. She could just feel a splitting headache coming on. She tried to continue in a calm voice but didn't manage. "No, Hank. You will do it now!"

He looked up at her, a little surprised. "Geez, Sheridan. You're even more uptight than Luis," he smiled at her and got out of the chair. "Relax babe, I'll do it right now if you want me too. I would do anything for you."

"Good," she said with barely contained anger. Hank stopped in the door way and looked back at her. "Hey, maybe we could close the center a little early today and catch a movie or something."

"It's going to take me the whole day just to clean up all this mess," she said calmly.

Hank shrugged and smiled at her, that sleazy smile she hated. "Maybe tomorrow then."

"Maybe not," she muttered under her breath as he left. She went to the closet to take out poster boards for the younger children to paint on when the phone began to ring. She slumped down on the chair behind the desk and answered it, her voice matching her foul mood. "Hello?"

"Did I catch you at a bad time?"

It was Luis. And she wished he was there in the office right now so she could throttle him for leaving a screw-up like Hank in charge. "No, you didn't catch me at a bad time."

"How's everything going at the Center?"

"Everything is fine," she lied, and wished Luis couldn't hear the screaming kids in the hallway.

"Good," he said. Sheridan closed her eyes, listening to his voice. If she concentrated on him and not the mayhem outside, for a few moments she felt peace. He was talking, about the center, the dance, instructions he wanted her to give to Hank that she knew she would most likely end up doing herself because Hank would just ignore them. She was thinking how much she liked the sound of his voice when he said suddenly, "I was wondering, maybe we could go out to dinner when I get back."

Sheridan opened her eyes then, confused a moment by what he said. "I don't think so."

"I just want to get to know you better, Sheridan. Is that so hard to believe?"

"Coming from you, yes. And you don't want to get to know me. Not really."

"What makes you say that?"

She didn't answer. This conversation was heading in a direction she didn't want it to. She thought to change the subject but nothing came to mind.

"Okay," he said after a moment. "I understand if you don't want to jump into bed with someone you've barely known for two weeks, but I promise, I'm harmless."

Yeah, she thought, as harmless as a poisonous snake ready to attack it's unsuspecting prey.

"If it makes you more comfortable, how about if we try being friends first."

She wanted to laugh, but she was too tired to. "I don't think we can be friends."

"Why not?"

"For one thing we're too different."

"You don't think a poor guy and a rich girl can be friends?"

"I wasn't talking about social status. I just meant that we're different, that's all. We can't even have a civil conversation. "

"Oh, I don't know, I think we're doing pretty well right now. I can't even remember the last time we insulted eachother."

"That may be true. But I still don't think it would work. I guess we're just better off being enemies."

"Or lovers," he said, and she could just imagine him smiling at the other end of the line.

She heard the door slowly creek open and looked up find a little girl standing in the doorway with tears in her eyes. "Luis, I have to go."

"Okay, we'll talk some more about this when I get back." She didn't want to talk about it some more, but she didn't tell him that. "Bye."

"Bye."

Sheridan put the phone down and walked to the girl. "What's the matter, sweetie?"

The girl walked into the room, her overalls covered with paint, and lifted her hand to show her the tiny scrape on her hand. "I fell down," she said quietly.

Sheridan crouched down so that she was at the same level as the girl and took her hand to gently inspect. "Don't worry, it's just a little scrape. It'll get better in no time."

The girl nodded. Sheridan took her hand and lead her to the desk and lifted her to sit on the top. "I'll clean it and put a Band-Aid on it, okay?"

"Okay," the girl replied shyly. Sheridan took the first aid kit out of the closet but found they were out of little Band-Aids. Hank came back into the office, a smile on his face. "There, everything is under control now."

"Hank don't we have any small band-aids?"

"There might be some in Luis' desk."

Sheridan walked back behind the desk and looked through the drawers, finding a box in the bottom drawer. She found some pictures as well and placed them on top of the desk to look through later. After she had cleaned and bandaged the girls hand, she walked her back to the arts and crafts room, got her started on a project, then returned to the office. She sat down on the edge of the desk and picked up the pictures and began looking through them, thinking they were pictures from the youth center. They were but there was one of Luis with his arms around a woman, a very beautiful woman, Sheridan acknowledged.

"Who's this with Luis?" She held the picture up for Hank.

That wretched smile came over his face again. "Oh, that's Sandra."

"Sandra?"

"Luis' old girlfriend," Hank said taking the picture from her and looking at it as if he was entranced by the woman in it. "She's the one he's out of town visiting."

The sudden pang of jealousy that cut through her took her by surprise. The ache in her chest was even more startling. "Really." There was surprising contempt in her voice, one that didn't go unnoticed by Hank.

"From what Luis has told me, she's a real wild cat in bed," he said with a little smirk. ?No wonder Luis went to visit her in Boston, I guess he just can't get enough of her."

"So they're still seeing eachother?" she asked in a voice that she hoped sounded casual.

"They've stayed in touch."

Sheridan suddenly didn't want hear anymore. Here she was actually starting to consider that Luis might not be such a bad guy after all, only to find out that while he's been trying to get her into bed, he was still seeing his old girlfriend. Though why any of it suprised her or even mattered to her, she could not fathom. She replaced the pictures to where she'd found them and told herself she wouldn't give it another thought, wouldn't give Luis another thought. She ignored Hank's curious stare, ignored the ache in her heart, and said coolly, "Well, I have a lot of the things to do before the dance tomorrow. I'm going to need your help later moving the tables and chairs into the gym, in the mean time why don't you go see how the kids are doing."

Chapter 7

Sheridan scampered out of her cottage door, glancing up at the ugly black clouds that seemed to stretch endlessly over the sky, as she walked down the stony path to her driveway. It matched her mood, she thought, and quickened her pace. Between getting the dance together and just about everything else at Youth Center, she'd had barely enough time to come home to get ready. Showering quickly, she'd thrown on the first thing she saw in her closet and rushed out of the house, deciding to deal with the make up in the car. She suddenly stopped dead in the driveway as she caught her reflection on the driver's side window of her car. What on earth had possessed her to wear that dress! Luis was going to be there and the last thing she wanted was to encourage him by wearing something so....she glanced down at her dress...so provocative. It was dark red satin, knee-length with a halter bodice. The narrow cut of the neckline in the front went beyond her breasts and ended at her ribs. It was too late to change now, the dance would be starting soon and she very well couldn't rely on Hank to handle things until she got there. She stood a moment contemplating whether it was worth being late over....oh the hell with it! she wasn't about to change just because Luis might get the wrong message. Besides, she liked the dress.

She arrived at the center only a few minutes late and surprisingly everything seemed to be under control. She hurried down the hall towards the gym, the music growing louder as she approached the open double doors. A little too under control, she thought as she glanced around at the crowd. Luis must be there. Her heart seemed to suddenly stagger in her chest with anticipation.

Her gaze wandered casually over the crowded gym. She spotted Hank on the opposite end, busy chatting with the DJ. The teens were all dressed up, talking, laughing, dancing, having fun. Funny, she never remembered going to a dance like this ever, but then she hadn't gone to a normal high school. She'd attended an all girls boarding school, and she didn't remember having much fun either. She'd wished she'd gotten to go to school right her in Harmony, and she wished she had a normal life, and she wished allot of things she couldn't have.

"Looking for me?" his voice asked from close behind her.

She froze, mid-search, and turned around to face him. He stood, talk and lean, in a pair of kakis and a black turtle neck sweater. He looked even more gorgeous than she remembered.

She watched his gaze wonder over her, not hiding the appreciative smile on his face. "Nice dress." His eyes lingered a moment on the bare skin between her breasts before he met her eyes again.

"Thanks."

"And the place doesn't look bad, either," he said glancing around the gym. "Everything is going great, everyone is having fun."

"You mean not bad for a rich spoiled princess who's never worked a day in her life until now?"

"I never said that."

"Yeah, but you're thinking it."

"Really, I'm impressed."

She allowed herself a small smile. "You should be. I worked hard on making it a success."

"I am."

"I thought you were coming this morning."

"I did. I just didn't have time to stop by the center," he explained. "I had a lot of work to do at the station. Which reminds me, I have some catching up to do here too."

"You're not staying for the dance?"

"I think you and Hank can take it from here," he said. "Everything seems to be under control. I'll be in my office if you need me."

And then he was gone, leaving Sheridan both relieved and strangely a little disappointed. And confused. She was all prepared to deal with if not him directly than his unnerving gaze, but he wasn't even going to be there. It was hard to relax with him in the same room, and now with him in his office, she could breath easy and enjoy the dance. This was a good thing she told herself.

And just maybe he'd lost his interest in her while he was in Boston, and realized she wasn't worth the trouble. Maybe he'd worked things out with his old girlfriend, maybe he realized he loved her.

Or maybe his nonchalance tonight was just part of some mysterious game he was playing with her. If there was one thing she'd learned about him over the past weeks, it was his ability to mislead.

***

He returned to the gym as the dance was coming to an end. She was leaning against a wall, watching the young couples dancing arm in arm, enjoying the now soft slow music the DJ had switched to an hour before. Hank was beside her talking, she wasn't exactly sure what about but, she only knew it had something to do with Paris. He'd visited there a couple times and she'd even enjoyed talking to him about it but now she was tired and all she wanted was to go home and snuggle into her big comfortable bed. Then she saw Luis walking towards them and her exhaustion seemed to vanish instantly.

"How about a dance, before it's all over?" he said easily.

"I don't feel like it. I'm kind of tired."

"Come on, one dance. Please," he said gently but insincerely. "I don't bit."

She sighed. She really didn't want to dance with him, there was something about his gaze that made her uneasy all over but she said, "Fine."

He lead her towards the center of the gym, and placed his hands on her hips as she put hers on his shoulders. She was holding herself stiffly in his arms, not letting their bodies touch as they began swaying to the music. Even more irritating was her false indifference to him. He wanted closer, and tightened his hold on her, pulling her forward, hearing her soft gasp as she came against him, her soft breasts flat against his chest. His hands were low on her back, pressing her against him, his arousal, until she couldn't ignore him anymore.

There was a glimmer of irritation in his eyes as she stared at him. "You like to be in control, don't you?" she said tightly and told herself to relax. And when she did finally, she realized how much she liked being held by him.

He leaned close to say, "Don't worry, I'll let you have your way sometimes."

She didn't respond, and he sensed her thoughts, which were right on the dot. "Relax. Not pun intended."

"Right," she responded drily.

He was tall, strong and the dim lighting of the room made him even more beautiful. And then there were his eyes, so brown, so deep, and so very dangerous. Unnerved, she pushed away to a slightly more comfortable distance.

"What's wrong?" he asked, watching her intently. "You're even more crabbier tonight than usual."

"Sorry if my mood is not to your liking. I've have had a long week and even worse day."

"I thought you said everything was fine when I talked to you one the phone."

"Well, everything wasn't fine," she finally admitted. " Everything was out of order and out of control. You probably left Hank in charge on purpose, just to annoy me."

"You think I'm that big of a jerk?"

"Yes," she said, going back to her calm and composed voice again, averding his gaze.

"You're not a very trusting person are you?"

"I used to be," she murmured distractedly, staring towards the refreshment table.

"What happened?"

She met his gaze again, as if suddenly realizing what they were talking about. "There's no more drinks. I better go get more sodas from the back."

It took him moment to figure out what she was talking about and she took the opportunity of his momentary confusion to slip out of his arms. He watched her make her way through the gym and disappear through the door. He was discovering how wrong his initial assumption of her really was. She definitely wasn't what he'd expected. And he wasn't sure it was a good thing.

Thirty minutes later the gym was empty and a complete mess. Sheridan glanced around the room and sighed, it would take at least another hour to clean up, but it had to be done tonight. There was a basketball game in the morning. Luis came back in, holding empty black trash bags. "Time to get started."

That uneasy feeling came again, the one she'd been feeling all night. She suddenly felt an instinctive need to stay as far away from Luis as possible. To her relief, Hank walked in just then, and the presence of another person gave her a little sense of comfort.

"Hank you're still here," Luis said, and she thought she heard a slight disappointment in his voice.

"Yeah but not for long."

"Do you have to leave right away?" she asked, trying her best not to sound desperate.

"Well, I guess I have some time to spare."

She could feel Luis gaze on her, watching her, but she ignored him. "Perfect. Then you can help us clean up. We could really use your help."

"Sure, no problem," he smiled. "But I can't stay for too long, I have to be somewhere in half an hour."

"Thanks," Sheridan said and grabbed a trash bag and started dumping everything in it from the table tops that were lined against one wall.

Luis watched her as he worked, if he didn't know any better, she was trying to finish cleaning up before Hank had to leave. But she didn't quite make it as Hank announced his departure 20 minutes later. He left and now she was watching him with apprehension, as if she was waiting to be grabbed any minute. Smart woman, he thought, but it wouldn't do any good for her to keep her distance, he was tired of waiting.

But, he couldn't resist taunting her a little longer. "Why did you ask Hank to stay?"

"So we could get the work done faster."

"That's not the real reason," he said watching her every move. "You didn't want to be alone with me."

She turned her back to him, busying herself with tying the full trash bags set in the corner of the gym. "That's ridiculous."

"Is it?"

"Yes, it is. And, what makes you so damn sure I want you?" she asked evenly, keeping her back to him. She regretted her question as soon as it left her mouth.

She heard his soft chuckle. "Come on Sheridan, I saw the way you looked at me that day when you accidentally walked in on me naked in the shower...or was it even an accident?"

She spun around, gaping at him. "You know damn well it was an accident!"

He laughed and she realized she'd reacted exactly as he'd wanted.

"If you say so," he said gently.

"I'm leaving. You can finish cleaning yourself," she said and tried not to run as she left the gym.

She stepped out into the pouring rain, walking in quick steps, as she hurried towards her car. She stopped a few feet away from it. "Oh no." She groaned staring down at the flat tire of her car. "This can't be happening." Of all the days this could have happened why today? Could this day get any worse? she turned around to the sound of approaching foot steps. Much, much worse, she thought, seeing Luis coming towards her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just have a flat tire."

"I could give you a ride home," he offered. He didn't even glance at the flat tire.

"No thank you," she replied flatly.

"How are you going to get home?"

"I'll just call a cab," she said digging her hand into her purse in search of her cell phone.

"It's late, it's raining and it's not safe for you to be in an empty parking lot alone at this hour, waiting for a cab."

"I'll be fine," she assured him.

She was shivering, her clothes soaked to the skin and still she was refusing to accept help.

"Why don't you just let me give you a ride. You're not afraid of me are you?" he added watching her reaction. Knowing she didn't like to be intimidated.

"Of course not!" As if things couldn't get any worse than they already were, the wind picked up, blowing the rain brutally against the side of her face.

"Good, then you shouldn't have a problem with me giving you a ride home. Look if you call a cab I'm going to have to wait here with you, because there's no way I'm leaving you here by yourself until the cab gets here. You can save both of us a lot of time by just accepting help," he said and wondered what she would do if she knew he'd let the air out of her tires while she was inside chaperoning the dance. "I'll keep my hands to myself in the car."

He sounded reasonable enough and he was right. Sheridan sighed. In truth she didn't want to wait for a cab, she wanted to go home. "Fine," she said through gritted teeth before striding toward Luis' car. "Let's go."

He opened the passenger door of his cruiser for her and when she settled into the seat, he closed it softly. A moment later he slipped into the driver's seat, turned on the engine and put the heat on high. He threw her a sly smile as he pulled out of the parking lot. This was a bad idea, she knew it even before she'd gotten inside the car.

He was surprisingly quiet during the drive to the cottage, which made Sheridan all the more nervous. And she didn't particularly like being this close to him either.

"I'm sorry about leaving Hank in charge," he said after a long time. " I would have left you in charge but since you've just started not even three weeks ago, and Hank has had more experience with the kids I let him have the honors. My mistake." His voice sounded sincere enough, but she couldn't be sure.

"Yes, it was. While you were having fun with your girlfriend, I had to practically baby-sit your best friend and make sure he did what he was supposed to. Poor Hank, I have to admit I have been a little harsh on him lately."

"My girlfriend?"

"You know the one you went to visit. Or are there others?"

"I guess I had fun. Her wedding was nice."

"Her wedding?"

He glanced at her, probably confused by her surprised tone. "You sound relieved."

"Why would I be relieved?"

"Maybe you were just a bit jealous when you thought I went out of town to see my ex-girlfriend."

"I didn't care one way or the other. It's just that Hank didn't mention anything about a wedding."

"I'm sure he didn't," he said keeping his eye on the road ahead.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," he answered softly. "It's just funny how you seem to be unaware of his obvious interest in you."

"I'm not interested in Hank."

"I know."

He didn't have to look at her to see her wary glance. He pulled into the Crane Estate and she guided him towards her cottage. Parking the car in her driveway, he finally turned and looked at her. She was eager to get away from him.

"Thanks for the ride," she said.

"You're welcome. I'll walk you to the door."

"You don't have to do-" before she could finish her sentence, he slipped out of his seat, came around the front of the car and opened the door for her. She accepted the hand he offered and stepped out of the car. "You don't have to walk me to the door," she said again.

"I want to," he said easily. "It wouldn't be very gentleman like if I didn't."

She rolled her eyes at him and walked ahead of him up the path to her cottage. Reaching the door, she turned around and almost bumped into him. She immediately backed away from him but there wasn't much room on the tiny porch. "There, you've walked me to the door," she said pointedly.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?"

"No."

"I could really use some coffee." She was staring up at him unsurely and all he wanted was to put his lips on her soft full mouth and kiss her senseless. He wanted to do more than just kiss her. He was going to do more tonight. "I did drive you home after all."

"I didn't ask you for a ride, you insisted on giving me one."

"Do we have to get into details. Besides, I want to see Lucy. And I'm also curious to see your cottage. Maybe I could even convince you to give me a tour of your bedroom."

"Don't count on it."

"Well, how about just a cup of coffee then?"

Sheridan sighed, angrily. "Fine, come in." Lucy was already waiting anxiously on the other side of the door, wagging her tail happily. Sheridan smiled, and realized that was the first time she'd smiled all day. She crouched down to pet Lucy as Luis watched from the doorway. Lucy noticed him, and placed her paws on his legs waiting for his attention. He scratched her head for a few moments before walking into the house, Lucy trailing after him.

Luis pulled off his wet jacket and hung it on the rail as he stepped down into the livingroom area. It was fairly simple which surprised him but he said, "This is nice. It's really you."

"And you know me so well," she said drily..

"I know you better than you think, Sheridan."

"Then you also know that I don't like you very much."

Luis chuckled. "Now that is just not true."

Sheridan didn't say anything. What would be the use?For every retort that came out of her mouth, Luis was ready with an equally irritating one.

"You're shaking. Maybe you should change out of those wet clothes before you get sick."

Sheridan glanced down at her soaking wet clothes that were clinging to her body like wet plaster.

"You have beautiful breasts."

Her head shot up to his, but he didn't remove his gaze from her chest. When he did lift his head to look at her eyes, he did it with deliberate slowness.

"I'm going to go change," she said in a shaky voice and fled the room as gracefully as she could manage.

In her room she peeled off her wet clothes and slipped into a pair of jeans and a loose-fitted pink cotton top that had tiny button along the front. There was nothing provacative about this out fit, she thought, glancing at herself in the mirror. She came out of her room and snuck into the kitchen without him noticing. She would make his damn coffee and then he would leave. She suddenly realized she was alone in her cottage with her nemesis. She should have never let him talk her into inviting him in. It was a mistake but she wouldn't let him intimidate her. She could handle this.

"Is the coffee ready?"

Sheridan jumped and turned around to face Luis.

Except for a sheer pink lip gloss that tinted her lips, there was no trace of make-up on her face. And she was wearing what looked like the most practical outfit she could find in her closet. But even in a plain top and faded blue jeans she looked just as sexy as she did in that wicked red dress. Too bad she took it off, he would have enjoyed ripping it off of her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he said strolling into the room to where she was.

"It's okay," she said softly, her heart still pounding in her chest. "I just didn't hear you come into the kitchen."

"You left me all by myself in the living room. I got lonely."

There was a dangerous spark in his gaze that made her go still, unable to do anything but stare at him. She felt panic rise. "Where's Lucy?" she asked, trying to break the sudden silence that hovered in the air.

"On your couch, asleep." She managed to smile but it was shaky. "It's amazing how she can sleep all day and all night."

"The good life."

He was standing very close. And without her high heels on, she was much shorter than him. She was feeling intensely vulnerable and she didn't like it one bit. She knew what was going to happen even before he lifted his hand to touch her cheek. Probably had known all night. "What are you doing?" she whispered, in a shaky voice she couldn't control.

"You have that look in your eyes," he said calmly.

"What look?"

"Like you're about to turn around and run for cover," he said sliding his hand down the side of her throat before pulling his arm back to his side.

"I'm not as vulnerable as you think."

"No, you're not."

She took a few casual steps to distance herself from him. "You know I've been thinking about what you said on the phone that day," she said after a long pause, trying to break the unbearable silence again but she realized too late that it was the wrong subject to choose. She took two cups out of the cupboard and placed them on the table before turning to face him again. "I think we should try being friends first."

He moved closer. "I don't want to be friends."

She moved back when he continued to advance on her and found herself backed against the counter. "But you said-"

"I lied." His hands were resting on either side of her on the counter, trapping her so that she couldn't move away again.

"I can't do this Luis."

His hands moved to her waist and he lifted her onto the counter and stood between her parted knees. "Sure you can."

"No."

"You're telling me no, but you're body is telling me yes."

She followed his gaze to her chest, her tight nipples straining against her thin cotton blouse. She didn't say no when his hands began unbuttoning her shirt and eased it off her shoulders, because she wanted this and she wanted him. She moaned when his thumb circled a sensitive peak through the thin black lace, as if to show her that their need was mutual, whether she wanted to admit it or not. "Do you want me to stop?" he asked slowly, though the look in his eyes told her he had no intention of stopping.

"No," she whispered.

He eased one bra strap off her shoulder, pulling it down until one breast was completely exposed. Then he lowered his head and kissed her nipple, drawing it into the warm wetness of his mouth. "Luis...." Her voice was breathless and her heart was pounding in her chest.

Slowly he moved up, kissing her neck, rubbing his mouth over hers. Pulling back, he lifted a finger to touch her trembling lips. "Are you going to let me make love to you now?"

"Yes."

He kissed her on the mouth and she moaned, loving the feel of his tongue in her mouth. He removed her blouse that was still hanging at her elbows and pulled her against him, as she wrapped he legs around his waist.

In the next hazy moment she was in her room, lying on her bed with him kneeling over her on the mattress. "How did you know where my room was?"

"I took the liberty of looking around when you were making coffee," he said gazing down at her as he undid her jeans and pulled them off of her. He touched her warm damp center through the tiny silk and lace panties, stroking his thumb over the sensitive flesh. And then in the next instant he stripped the fabric off her along with her disheveled bra. He put his mouth on her breast again, kissing, sucking, while his fingers stroked her intimately, arousing her to an almost painful peak.

"Aren't you going to take your clothes off?"

He smiled against her skin and pulled back to look at her. "Eager, are we?"

"Very."

He stood and stripped off his clothes one by one until he was standing completely naked in front of her. And when joined her one the bed again, he sighed, feeling the heat of her bare skin against his. He cupped her face and watched her rub her cheek against his palm. He felt something stir deep inside of him and it had nothing do with sex.

She placed her hand on his bare chest, absorbing the heat of him, the feel of him, wanting to feel him deep inside of her. He was already between her legs, the hard solid pressure of his erection against her. But he didn't enter her and she wanted to cry.

Instead he leaned down and kissed her mouth, a slow wet kiss that left her aching for more, and the need for his penetration was so intense now she was ready to beg.

"Do you want me?" he asked and touched his tip to her wet center, holding her wrists against the bed, feeling her heart pounding against his chest.

She nodded slowly.

"I want to hear you say it."

Her whole body felt tight with need, a need so deep and so raw it scared her because she'd never felt it before. And she knew it was for Luis only. She touched the side of his face tentively, and kissed his lips. "I want you, Luis."

He thrust deep and hard causing her to cry out. Cupping her face, he placed soft slow kisses on her cheeks, her nose, her forehead, then her mouth, as he pushed himself deeper still. "Now the real fun begins," he said.

Chapter 8

Sheridan woke up dazed and naked. Then everything came back. The heat, the sex. Every touch, every kiss, every moan and every groan. She couldn't remember ever feeling so satisfied and at the same time still aching with need. She was alone. She didn't even know when he'd left, she'd been so tired she'd slept like a log. All she remembered was falling asleep in his arms, content, sated and completely exhausted. She should be regretting last night right about now, she thought gazing up at the ceiling, but she didn't. The only thing she felt was yearning, to feel all over again what she'd felt last night.

***

Luis fiddled with the pen in his hand as he sat back in his chair, unable to concentrate on work, again. Last night when Sheridan had guided him towards her cottage he'd only been slightly dissappointed that he'd have to wait another night to get inside the mansion. Which was fine with him, since the only thing he'd wanted all night last night was Sheridan naked and beneath him. He didn't mind waiting a little longer for a chance to search the mansion, the opportunity would come sooner or later. Again, that sharp stab of guilt invaded his head but he ignored it. Because he was going to have to play dirty like that Cranes if he wanted truth and justice, and he would get them at all costs. But, it wasn't revenge that had driven him last night, it was hot naked desire, pure and simple.

He hadn't used protection last night. Not the first time anyway. But she hadn't said anything and he supposed it was safe to assume she was protected. With her promiscuous past, it wasn't unlikely that she wasn't.

Justing thinking about her made him hard. He had to admit he was impressed she'd been able to resist him this long, but she hadn't been able to last night. She'd let go completely, utterly, willingly.

It took him a few moments to realize she was standing in the doorway watching him. His smile was slow as he looked up at her. "You're late."

"A have a good reason. A very persistent police officer kept me up all night."

"Sorry."

"What time did you leave?" she asked softly.

"Early. I had to get to the station. I didn't want to wake you."

She remained at the door still watching him. Luis pushed himself back in his chair and said, "Come here." He watched her close the door and lock it then cross the room to his desk. She sat down on his lap, straddling him and wrapping her arms around his neck, looking down into his eyes.

He lifted a finger to trace her jaw. "You're not regretting last night are you?"

"No."

"Good. I told you couldn't resist forever," he said softly. "Losing wasn't so bad was it?"

"No. It was actually very nice."

"Just nice?"

"The best."

"Well, tonight is going to be even better."

"Tonight?"

"Don't tell me you thought last night was a one time deal."

"Wasn't it?" she asked even though she already knew.

"No, I intend to sleep with you every night."

"Just at night?"

The slow half smile that curved his lips was pure sin. "Anytime you want."

"How about now?" She was bluffing of course, but he wasn't she realized as his hand slid down to the waistband of her slacks and unzipped it.

"Well, I have to admit, I've wanted to take you on my desk on more occasions than I can remember," he said grazing a finger above the lace waistband of her panties.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she watched his hands undoing the buttons on her shirt. "Luis, we're in a building full of kids."

"Who can't come inside the office." He was kissing her neck, making her moan and arch against him.

"What if we get interrupted?"

"What if we don't. You started it this time, you're not backing out now are you?"

She cupped his face in both hands and kissed him on the mouth, a slow wet kiss. "I won't have to. You have a basketball game to be at in exactly 2 minutes," she said and moved off of him, zipped her pants and adjusted her top.

Luis looked at his watch and frowned. "So I do," he said. "You're off the hook. I guess we'll just have to act out my office fantasy another time." She smiled at him as she left the office and went to work. He did the same and tried to resist the impulse all day to push her against the nearest wall and f*ck her in broad daylight.

***

It had been a busy day. After the basketball game Luis had taken the team to the ice-cream shop to celebrate their big win. He'd left her the key to the Youth Center to close up that afternoon because he wouldn't be back. He had another shift at the station. She got home just as the sun was setting, still feeling restless despite working 8 full hours at the center. "You can go on runs with me when your older," she told the puppy who was watching her enthusiastically as Sheridan changed her clothes and headed out of the cottage.

By the time she returned from her run she was hot and sweaty and in bad need of a shower. Throwing off her sticky clothes, she turned on the shower and stepped into the bathtub, sighing as the warm water poured over her. Bracing both hands on the wall, she stood under the hot spray, eyes closed. Her head shot up suddenly, hearing what sounded like a door shutting. She listened but heard nothing, and told herself that Lucy had probably knocked something over. She grabbed the soap and began lathering her body when the shower curtain was yanked open and she was suddenly grabbed from behind. She cried out, her heart leaping in her chest. He was hard, naked and aroused as he held her against him, his arms folded under her breasts. "Don't you know it's not safe to leave you front door unlocked?" he asked against her ear.

"Maybe I knew you were coming," she said.

He turned her around suddenly, and lifted her against the shower wall. He entered her in one quick forceful thrust, catching her gasp in his mouth, kissing her deep while he drove into her. Her body was still soapy, heightening the erotic pleasure as his body moved rythmically against hers, hardening her nipples to painful peaks as they rubbed against his hard bare chest. She circled her legs tightly around his hips as the climax hit her hard and sharp and she wrenched her mouth from his, sobbing his name. He lowered her to her feet slowly as his own climax finally shuddered to a slow stop. "I've been wanting to do that all day," he said looking down into her eyes that were teary with satisfaction.

***

The room was dark as they finally tried to sleep. But he wasn't sleepy. She was beside him, lying on her side, facing away from him but he knew she wasn't sleeping either. She was thinking. He drew her back more firmly against him, loving the feel of her naked heat against his bare skin. She sighed contently.

"Luis, why do you hate the Cranes?" she said suddenly in an almost whispered voice.

"The same reason everyone else hates them."

"Don't give me that crap. I see the hatred in your eyes even hearing the Crane name being spoken and it has nothing to do with this town's general dislike of my family. I know it's something personal."

"You're right, it is personal." Even though she wasn't facing him, she felt his muscles tense against her.

"Is that why you're sleeping with me? Because you want something from the Cranes."

"I'm sleeping with you because I want to," he said calmly and that was after all the truth, he realized. He kissed the back of her neck and she felt his erection hard and ready against her center. She moaned involuntarily. "Are you sure?" she asked and hated that her voice sounded so insecure.

He shifted, turning her onto her back, moving his hand down her body, sliding between her legs to stroke her intimately. Reflexively, she arched against his hand, reaching up to cup his face. He kissed her, softly and gently. He moved over her, kissing his way down her body. He parted her legs wide and put his mouth on her, kissing, sucking, hearing her soft cries, feeling her hand fisted in his hair as she came.

He was on the edge as he moved up again and took her mouth, his tongue stroking hers slowly. Placing his hands under her hips, he pushed himself inside her, burying himself deep. She lifted her head until her lips brushed his, loving feel of his safe weight atop her, feeling his heat against her, inside her. She clutched at him, gasping for breath as he pumped into her, fast, hard, deep. He felt her body tighten and convulse again, and this time he climaxed with her, watching her flushed face as he spilled himself deep inside of her. When he cupped her face, he felt the warm tears that had slid from the corners of her eyes. He kissed her and moved her to lie against him, stroking his hand down her back as he held her close. "Does that answer your question?" he asked a long time later.

She nuzzled against his neck, closing her eyes, pressing her lips against his heated skin. "I don't know," she whispered. "I might need some more convincing later."

He shifted and she found herself on her back again. "Why wait till later," he murmured and began making love to her all over again.

Chapter 9

"What's this?" Luis lifted the cream colored card with Sheridan's name printed in gold letters across the top and studied it.

"It's an invitation to Ivy's party next weekend," she said through the open bathroom door as leaned over the sink and splashed cold water on her face, then dabbed her face dry with a towel.

"What's the occasion?"

"My sister-in-law doesn't need an occasion to throw a party. She loves the attention, especially being the center of it."

"Are you going?"

"Well, I'm sure you wouldn't want to be my date for the evening. And, I don't want to go alone and suffer Ivy's match making all night."

"I'll go," he said.

"You will?" There was no missing the surprised confusion in her voice.

"I'm assuming the mayor will be attending the Party," he replied smoothly, setting the card back down on the dressing table.

"Yes."

"I have some matters to discuss with him concerning the Youth Center. I could make an appointment to see him but I'm sure the meeting won't take place for at least a month. He's too busy to give the locals of this town the time of day."

"Well, then you've got yourself I date," she said and looked up from the sink to see Luis behind her, his gaze locking with hers in the mirror. He was shirtless, his hair still rumbled with sleep, he looked even more gorgeous in the morning. She could feel how hard he was, even through her thick white bathrobe and she felt the ache between her thighs. She watched his hand move to her front to untie the belt of her robe, sliding a hand underneath the fabric to touch her breast. His fingers toyed with the hardened nipple, stroking, massage until her head fell back against his shoulder and she struggled for breath. He turned her around slowly and urged her onto the vanity, standing between her legs as he unzipped his jeans. Parting the robe, he eased it off her shoulders, pulling it down to her waist and holding her wrists down at her sides. Her heart thudded in her chest as he lowered his head and licked a sensitive nipple before taking it into his mouth and sucking. She gave a low moan, her arousal deepening, aching for release. "Luis..." When he released her hands, she reached between them to touch his hard solid arousal and heard him groan.

He left her breast, cupping her hips in his hands as he pulled her forward. She was wet and swollen with arousal as he eased into her, slowly, deliberately. She arched against him, taking him deeper so that his huge length filled her completely. Holding her hips, he began moving inside her, her low moans pushing him closer and closer to the edge. But he was determined to make her lose control first and he did, her soft cries filled the air as she clung to him harder, her nails digging into his skin. Her flesh pulsing, shuddering around him sent him over the edge too and he drove into her fiercely until they were both exhausted and out of breath. Then he kissed her, a deep, arousing kiss that made him want to do it all over again.

***

It was the night of the party, and Luis was finally going to get what he wanted. If he found anything at all in that mansion tonight that could prove his father's disappearance was linked to the Cranes, he would make them pay. He knocked on the cottage door, and when Sheridan answered the door, for a moment he lost all train of thought. She looked sexy as hell in a black gown that showed far too much skin, and he thought of skipping the party all together.

"Wow," he said, letting his gaze sweep over every last inch of her body. She blushed and he had to restrain himself from ripping her clothes off, taking her into the bedroom and pounding into her all night. He would have time for that later.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she murmured softly, taking in his tall, beautiful, tuxedo clad body.

He finally cupped her face and kissed her, but not deeply. There was a limit to how much control he had. "Are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

The mansion was as huge and fancy as he'd expected it to be. Filled with rich people with their fancy clothes and expensive jewelry. Ivy must have gone all out for the event, the place just screamed wealth. He wasn't impressed by any of it. He was there tonight for one reason and one reason only, and he wasn't going to let anything get in the way.

"Why do you live in the cottage instead of this wonderful mansion?" he asked, moving his hand lower on Sheridan's back and pulling her closer as they danced.

"I like my privacy. And this mansion isn't wonderful."

"Why?"

She smiled faintly, but it looked sad to his eyes. "Too many bad memories, I guess," she said softly.

No matter how guarded her expression, her eyes reflected every emotion. He saw everything she felt in that moment, the pain, the trust....the love. "You must have some good memories."

"No."

He felt the strongest impulse to kiss her and he did, not caring where they were or who was watching. Her lips never tasted as sweet as they did in that moment. He pulled back slowly and looked into her eyes, he wanted to drown in the cool blue depths. He suddenly wished they were back at her cottage, alone. He wanted to be inside her and not think about anything but her.

"Aren't you putting yourself in a vulnerable position by telling me that?"

"I trust you," she said and he wished to hell she hadn't.

"You didn't before."

For a moment she didn't respond. "I know."

He sensed someone's gaze on them. It was Julian Crane's, he could feel it. He'd been watching them since they'd arrived. He had to wonder if Sheridan really was a Crane. But the fact that she was and possessed none of the infamous Crane traits was oddly satisfying. She was good, honest, moral, and he'd have to be a real bastard to do what he had every intention of doing tonight. But he wasn't going to back out now. Not when he was so close. He wasn't a man easily influenced by emotions. He hadn't realized he'd become so cold and unfeeling over the past years. Since his father's disappearance he'd stopped caring. He loved his family and he would protect them but his life aside was dark and empty and he liked it that way. No hopes, no disappointments, just cold reality. He wasn't proud of the man he'd become, but he accepted it. His gaze wandered to Julian, and for a moment their eyes met. He looked on edge, suspicious, Luis thought. What was he so jumpy about? Was it his suspicious nature or was he nervous about having a cop in his house? Julian turned away and was refilling his empty glass when a maid walked up to him. Luis was close enough to hear the maid say that he had a phone call and watched him as he walked through the room full of guests and disappeared into a door at the far end of the living room.

"Where's you brother rushing off to?"

"Probably to his office," Sheridan replied following his gaze to the back of the room. "He practically lives in there."

"Workaholic?"

"Hardly. But he is very protective of his office."

"Really," he said in a convincingly unconcerned voice. "What does he keep hidden in there, dead bodies?"

"Sometimes I wonder. No one is allowed in there, not even Ivy."

Luis could only think of one reason Julian was so protective of his office. But he didn't get a chance to get anymore information out of Sheridan because her nephew's fiancee, Gwen, chose that exact moment to interrupt them. "Sheridan, can I talk to you?" she asked, a look of both apology and curiosity on her face. "You don't mind do you?" She was talking to Luis, there was unmasked appreciation on her face.

"No."

"I'll be right back," Sheridan said before following Gwen into the foyer.

He looked towards Julian Crane, who'd been watching his every move for the past hour. He was back in the party and was preoccupied at the moment with a tall brunette, with incredibly big boobs and an even more incredible body. And Sheridan was in heavy conversation with Gwen. This was the perfect time to slip out of the crowd unnoticed.

He strolled casually through room to the back and slipped into the door he'd seen Julian use when he went to answer his call. The hallway was short and there was only one door that was connected to it at the end. It had to be the office. When he reached the door he found himself hesitating to go inside. He'd planned to do this all week, even before that. He knew in his gut there was something in that office, he could feel it, sense it. The answers he needed or atleast a clue was just beyond that door.

Why was he hesitating now? He knew why. And the reason for it wouldn't have mattered a week ago but it did now. He knew if Sheridan found out what his intentions had been all along, his real reason for coming to this party, it would destroy her.

A simple plan, he'd thought two weeks ago, he hadn't known then it would become so complicated as they were now. He hadn't known Sheridan then, he still didn't know her. He wanted to know her. The realization stunned him. He cared, he didn't want to. He didn't want to feel anything for her.

And he also realized then, that he wasn't going to do it. Oh, he had no intention of giving up, he would find out what happened to his father, but not now, not like this.

She trusted him, he wouldn't do this to her. She only had one more day left at the center to complete her community service, he wouldn't see her after that, he would end things between them. Things that had become too complicated for his peace of mind. And with some distance between them, he would soon get over his infatuation with her and concentrate on what he'd started out to do in the first place.

He'd miss the sex, he thought, tucking his hands in his pocket and turning away from the door. He wasn't ready to admit he would miss her.

***

Sheridan leaned against the column of the front porch, enjoying the fresh night air. She was looking at the sky, admiring the stars, while her hand absently rubbed her belly when Luis's voice broke into her thoughts.

"What are you doing out here?"

She dropped her hand to her side and turned to face him. His expression was unreadable. He looked like a stranger, not at all like the man who'd kissed her so tenderly just a short while ago. "I needed some fresh air. Where did you go?"

"I got lost for a bit." He moved closer, trailing a finger down her arm as he studied her for a moment. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

There was flash of panic in her eyes before she slowly shook her head. "No. Why?"

"You just seemed distracted tonight."

"This party is boring."

"Do you want to go back to he cottage now?"

"Yes."

Chapter 10

"Did you get a chance to talk to Mayor Brooks?" she asked when they were inside the cottage. She turned and watched him slip off his jacket and pour himself a drink. He hadn't said a word since they'd left the mansion. "No," he said quietly without looking at her.

She stared at him for a long silent moment. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Did something happen at the party?"

"No."

"Then why are you in such a bad mood?"

He took another sip before turning to study her, his expression bland. "Spending an even with a room full of rich snobs does that to me."

"You know, I didn't drag you to the party, I would have much rather spent the evening alone with you," she replied calmly, not letting the indifferent way he spoke get to her.

She was right, Luis thought, a dark smile curving his mouth. She hadn't forced him to go. If anything, he'd been the one who'd wanted to attend the party. And he'd chosen by his own free will, not to search the mansion. A decision he still couldn't fully digest.

He set the glass down, his eyes dark as he slowly closed the distance between them. Sheridan felt a sudden impulse to take a step back but, she remained still when he placed both hands on her shoulders and pushed the thin straps of her gown off of her shoulders. The dress fell at her feet, leaving her standing in front of him clad only in a pair of thong panties. Keeping his eyes with hers as he cupped her breasts in both hands, stroking the pink straining peaks with the tips of his thumbs.

"I don't want to talk about the party anymore," he said in a voice that was low and thick with desire.

"All right."

***

"I want you again," he murmured against her neck. "I can't get enough of you." Lifting his head to look at her, he traced her lips with his thumb. His eyes were cold, his voice flat. "I've never been with a woman so talented in bed, but then, you've had plenty of experience in that department haven't you?" He regretted the unthinking words even as he said them, the hurt and humiliation he saw in her eyes was like a punch in his stomach. He half expected her to slap him but instead she turned her face away and said nothing. When he stroked her cheek she closed her eyes as if his touch burned her.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't mean it."

"Yes, you did," she said unable to hide the pain in her voice. His words felt like they had cut through her heart, she'd never felt so cheap as he'd made her feel in that moment. It hurt, and she was sure he knew it. She wanted to get up but his arm resting across her middle was restraining her. She pushed at his arm and he lifted it, letting her sit up. Holding the sheet to breasts, she moved to the edge of the bed, placing her feet down on the cold hard floor.

"Sheridan...."

His hand touched her naked back and she felt tears burn her eyes. "It's okay," she said in a dull voice. "I'm used to being treated like a whore."

"You're not a whore."

"No, maybe just a little above one? I didn't know you had such a low opinion of me, but whatever you think about my past, you're probably right. I have been with lots of men. My first was when I wasn't even 17. I barely knew him. He didn't give me a choice, he forced himself on me. Then there was Tellen, who didn't have to force me, he sweet talked me into bed, took no effort at all," she said with self-disgust. "And when he was done with me he dumped me a week later. There were others after him, fortunately I found out they loved my money, not me, before I slept with them. Oh and I can't forget Jean Luc, my last boyfriend. He promised to love me forever. Not within 24 hours of accepting his marriage proposal I found out he was cheating on me the whole time. He was just using me for my name and my money." There was a silent pause before she said, "And, then there's you. What are you using me for, Luis? Amusement?"

She didn't know why she had just told him all that. She supposed it was more for her own ears then his. Maybe she needed to hear it out loud, needed to remind herself of something she'd forgotten in the past weeks with Luis.

The fact that she'd included him in her list of her user boyfriends enraged him even though he knew he had no right to feel that way. It didn't matter that he'd changed his mind about using her, the fact was that he had planned to. And that made him just as bad as the rest. "I'm not using you for anything," he replied calmly.

"Right. Was what you said your way of telling me it's over?" her voice finally faltered and she got up not waiting for an answer, clutching the sheet around her tightly as she walked into the bathroom and locked the door. Turning on the shower, she let the sheet fall to the floor and stepped into the tub, letting the hot water embrace her and letting the tears she'd been holding back fall. She didn't care if he could hear her crying, she couldn't stop the deep sobs that racked through her.

Sheridan realized she hadn't cried for a very long time. She hadn't even cried when she'd found out Jean Luc was using her. She'd felt angry and betrayed but she hadn't cried. So why now? Just because some arrogant man thought she was a slut?

It wasn't even as if she had any hopes they would be together. She'd known even before they'd slept together that their affair would lead to a bitter end. She'd also known it would never just be an affair as he'd wanted, at least not to her. She'd known she'd end up giving him all of her, heart and soul, and he'd take it and then crush it. And now that it happened, she couldn't understand why it so hard to accept.

***

Luis sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall in front of him. Lucy's furry chin was on his lap and he was scratching her head absently. At least Lucy didn't hate him, but the woman in the bathroom did at the moment. By now he was feeling like the biggest jerk that ever lived. He hadn't meant to say it. Or maybe he had. Maybe subconsciously, he'd wanted to push her away. But this was definitely not what he had in mind when he'd decided to end their relationship. Maybe it was for the best, maybe having her think he was just like the rest of the men in her life was the easy way out. But the thought bothered him too much. He didn't want her to think he was just like the rest. He hated that he hurt her, hated that it even mattered. But the truth was it did matter, he did care, he was for beyond just caring about her......

The door opened before he could finish his thought. He looked up at her standing in the bathroom doorway. She was wearing her white bathrobe and the fact that he knew she wasn't wearing anything else beneath it sent a wave of lust pouring through him.

Lucy had jumped to her feet, wagging her tail happily at her from the bed and Sheridan wanted to pet her and give her the attention she was waiting for but she also didn't want to go near the bed, where Luis was sitting, watching her through unreadable eyes.

"I thought you would have left by now," she said, having no choice but to meet his gaze. He stood up but didn't come closer. Atleast he'd put clothes on, she didn't want to have to talk to him when he was naked.

"I think we should talk," he murmured, watching the stubborn look on her face.

"I thought we already did."

"No. You talked," he said.

"You want to drag it on a little longer? Humiliate me completely?"

"No."

"It's late, Luis. I'm tired."

"You never gave me the chance to answer your question."

"I already know the answer."

"No, you don't," he said stepping closer and placing both hands on her hips. "I don't want it to be over."

"Maybe I do."

He smiled faintly, but it had a dangerous edge to it that made Sheridans heart pound against her chest. "You're a beautiful woman," he said calmly. "You can probably have any man you want."

"Exactly."

"But you don't want any man, Sheridan. You want me."

"I can't believe the size of you ego," she said angrily, hating that she couldn't meet his eyes squarely. She didn't like having to look up at him, especially right now, with him in her bedroom, standing this close to her.

Lifting one hand from her hip, he touched the side of her face. Then he lowered his head and kissed her, knowing she would kiss him back.

"I want you to leave," she whispered against his lips when the kiss ended, not raising her head to meet his gaze. She was afraid of what might happen if she did.

"Do you really want me to go?"

She nodded, keeping her eyes down.

"Okay," he murmured softly and released her. "But, this isn't finished." She remained in the same spot until he'd walked out of the room and she heard the front door of the cottage close. She picked Lucy up and held her close, and the dog whimpered as if sensing her pain.

***

She was on her way out the door the next morning when Julian barged into the cottage. He didn't look happy. Sheridan already knew what he was going to say.

"What were you doing with that cop last night?" he grated out, tugging at the knot of his tie.

"Wasn't it obvious, Luis was my date."

"Just your date? Is that why his car was parked in your driveway until past midnight?"

"Were you spying on me Julian?" she drawled calmly.

"Answer me."

"What I do in my personal life is none of your business."

"It is my business if it affects me," he bit out. "That cop is after one thing only and that's to destroy our family."

She hid the jolt of shock that went through her. "How do you know that?"

"It wasn't too long ago that he practically threatened to kill me if he found out I was behind his father's disappearance. You see, he thinks we actually did something to his father. Perhaps even murdered him."

"Did you?"

His jaw set tightly as he stared at her. "Of course not."

"What happened to his father?" she heard herself ask, but her mind was somewhere else. And her heart was aching more than it had last night.

"How should I know? The truth is Martin Fitzerald was stealing from the company and when he was caught and fired, he abandoned his family."

She slumped down on the sofa, suddenly feeling dizzy. "If that's true then why does Luis think otherwise?"

"Isn't it obvious? He doesn't want to accept the reality that his father was a thief and skipped out on his family," he said. "I can tell by the look on your face that this is the first time your hearing of all this. I'll bet Officer Lopez-Fitzerald kept his secret well hidden. He's using you Sheridan."

"No." The response was spontaneous, but at the same time what Julian said made sense, perfect sense. He was watching her intently, watching the tears that were building in her eyes.

"I want you to end your relationship with him," he said firmly.

"Don't worry," she replied evenly, but didn't meet her brother's probing gaze. "There is no relationship between me and Luis."

"Good," he said, his expression finally relaxing. "I understand this is the last day of your community service at the youth center?"

"Yes."

"Will you be returning to Paris?"

"Yes," she replied numbly.

"I think that's for the best. There's nothing really here for you, Sheridan."

"No," she agreed, turning away as a tear spilled out of her eye and rolled down her cheek. "There isn't."

Chapter 11

Sheridan stopped in the hall entryway as she caught sight of Luis. He left off hanging posters on the wall to study her.

"I wasn't sure you would come today," he said, coming towards her.

Sheridan stood her ground, even as he came close enough so that she could smell the scent of his cologne. It took an effort to meet his eyes levelly. "Why wouldn't I?" she asked defiantly. "Because of what happened last night? Well, don't worry Luis, I don't let my personal problems affect my work."

She was in a foul mood this morning, he thought, keeping the smile from his face. "Good," he murmured softly.

"Anything specific you want me to do today?"

"I can think of a few things," he replied in a seductively low voice that made her heart flutter. And ache.

Her icy glare could cut a man in half. But not him. "Since this is your last day, just relax and enjoy it."

"Fine," she said, and moved to walk past him.

"Sheridan, wait."

His warm hand curled around her upper arm, stilling her at his side. She looked up, meeting his gaze. Their bodies were partly touching and she hated that all it took was his touch to make her weak. "What?"

"I really am sorry about last night. I didn't mean what I said."

If she thought she heard genuine remorse in his voice, it was because he was really good at fooling her. But her heart still wanted desperately to believe him. "Then why did you say it?"

"I don't know."

"Then apology accepted, even if it is the lamest excuse I've ever heard," she said calmly, lowering her eyes so he wouldn't see the tears that were suddenly burning her eyes. "Because it doesn't matter anyway. After today you won't ever have to see me again."

"I want to see you again."

She didn't bother telling him that she was leaving Harmony. He'd find out soon enough, not that he would care anyway. "Be careful, or someone might hear you. You wouldn't want people to think you actually do want a Crane, would you?." Her voice was even, but she still refused to meet his gaze. "I have things to finish before I leave today, if you don't mind," she said pointedly, looking down at his hand on her arm.

The sound of approaching voices filled the hallway. And Luis had no choice but to release her arm. He watched her walk down the hall, and disappear into the girls locker room. She could ignore him now, he wouldn't let her next time.

***

Later she attended the small party the kids had thrown in her honor in the gym. It was special, and very precious. And Luis had been there as well, but she managed to avoid him most of the party. But when he made a toast, congratulating her on a job well done, she had no choice but to meet his eyes and thank him, with the same casual indifference he showed her. Pretending that they hadn't spent the previous nights in bed making love to each other. Pretending for a little longer that she didn't love him.

Luis left the party early and she was thankful he did. She spent the last hour of her community service enjoying her time with the kids. She would miss them. She'd hoped to continue volunteering after her community service was over, but that was out of the question now. She knew she couldn't work here, not with him. Did she wish things were different? Yes. Did she regret getting involved with Luis? She couldn't say yes to that. Because even though Luis had hurt her just as she'd known he would, he also gave her the most precious gift she could have ever received. She splayed a hand over her stomach and then she was finally able to smile again.

***

Five more minutes and Sheridan Crane's community service would be officially over. He had a mind to meddle with the records and tell her she had more hours left. But it didn't matter if she worked at the center or not, he'd already decided he would see her after today, and continue to see her. If he had any decency in him at all, he would tell her the truth, and hope she would forgive him. But he didn't feel like being a decent person right now. Hadn't felt like one in a long time.

He had become a cold blooded snake who used people for his own gains and that was all there was to it. But he hadn't always been that way. He remembered himself once to be carefree, enjoying life, always doing the right thing. His father's sudden disappearance, and later his brother Antonio's, had changed all that, had changed him. He'd taken comfort in anger, in cold hard determination to get back at the people who'd taken his father way from him, even if he had buried his very soul in the process. And he'd been fine with it, as long as he got what he wanted in the end.

Luis grimaced in the silence of his office. He still couldn't believe he'd walked out of that mansion without at least making an effort to search it. It would have been so easy to sneak into Julia's office, Sheridan wouldn't even have had to know. But he just couldn't go through with it and that frustrated him more than anything. Maybe he never had any intention of going through with it. Maybe it was just an excuse to be with Sheridan all along. He wasn't sure anymore.

He couldn't believe how deep Sheridan had gotten under his skin. She'd penetrated the thick wall he'd built around himself, slipped past the numbness, the hate. Made him want things he'd given up on a long time ago. His plan to seduce her had backfired. He'd been the one who'd been seduced, by her, and she didn't have to do a damn thing. Sheridan was reluctant, difficult, and he'd still fallen under her spell without even realizing it.

The phone rang and he answered it, spinning his chair around to face the clip board hanging on the wall as he spoke. It was littered with photos of the Youth Center. His eyes went to one particular photo. Of the woman who had complicated his life beyond repair.

"So how did it go last night?" Hank asked with eager curiosity. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

Luis sighed, rubbing his finger tips over his throbbing temples, his eyes focused on Sheridan's smiling face in the photo. "No."

"What? You didn't find anything incriminating at all?"

"I didn't find anything because I didn't search the mansion." He knew he sounded irritated and cranky but he didn't care. Because that was exactly how he felt.

"Why?"

"I changed my mind."

There was obvious confusion in Hanks voice when he spoke again. "What do you mean you changed your mind.? You've been waiting for this so long."

"I know."

"Is it because of Sheridan, did she find out?"

"No, she still doesn't know."

"Then why, Luis?"

"I just changed my mind, Hank," he said irritably. And knew Hank wouldn't let him off the hook that easy.

"Don't tell me you're falling in love with her."

"I just don't want to use her, that's all," he said simply. "I was wrong about her, Sheridan's nothing like her family. It would be wrong to use her."

"When did that ever stop you?" Hank drawled.

"Can we just drop this. I don't want to talk about it anymore."

"Okay, buddy. But what about getting the proof you need to use against the Cranes?"

"I'll find some other way to get it."

"Does that mean you're going to tell Sheridan about last night?"

There was a short pause before Luis said, "No, I can't tell her the real reason I went to that damned party."

"She wasn't suspicious at all when you wanted to go to a party thrown by her family?"

"No. I told her I needed to talk to Mayor Brooks about the Youth Center.

"And she bought it?"

"Yeah, she bought it. I'm getting to be a pretty good liar," he said, more to himself than to Hank.

"Well, I don't care what you say, Luis. I still think you've been bitten by the love bug. Not that I'm happy about it. I was kind of hoping I would be the comforting shoulder Sheridan would turn to when you broke up with her."

Even though it was stupid, Hanks last comment still managed to anger him. But he kept himself from showing it when he spoke. "I have stuff to do Hank. I'll talk to you later.

"Okie Dokie. I'll see ya later."

Luis ran a tired hand through his hair, clutching the cordless in his other hand tightly as he spun himself around to face the desk, and face Sheridan. She was standing just inside the doorway, and he wasn't fool enough to think that she'd just walked in.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough."

"What did you hear?"

"Everything. Well, at least your end of the conversation," Sheridan said watching him from across the small room. "You know, Julian told me this morning that you were just using me," she continued after a moment. "But, there was still a part of me that refused to believe it was true. I guess I just needed to hear it for myself, and now I have."

She was too calm, he thought, studying her. He wished he knew what she was feeling, he could only guess, but she was doing a damn good job of hiding it. He wished she would just get angry already, scream, throw something, but she stood unmoving, seemingly in control.

He got up, coming around to the front of the desk and sitting down on the edge of it. "Did your brother also tell you why I was using you?"

"You think my family is behind your father's disappearance."

"My father was a good man, a wonderful father and a good husband to my mother," he informed her in a calm voice. "He didn't abandon us. Something happened to him and I know your family is behind it."

"And that justifies your actions? Gives you the right to use people?"

"I could have searched your brother's office if I wanted to," he told her evenly.

"Then why didn't you?"

"Because as much as I want revenge, Sheridan, I want you more."

"Why should I believe you."

"You don't have to believe me, but it's the truth."

"Then I'll choose not to." When she saw that he would come closer, she moved to leave. She stopped at the door, turning back to look at him. "I should probably thank you for deciding not to use me. At least you spared me some dignity," she said drily, but she couldn't help the tremor in her voice.

He got up, grabbing a hold of her elbow before she could get out the door. "Sheridan-"

She pulled her arm free. "Don't touch me." She hurried out of the office before he could say anything more.

He had no right to want her. He didn't deserve her, and he'd let her go if he didn't know that she wanted him too. Looking into her eyes before she left, he knew it would be foolish to deny what was between them. He wanted her and only her.

He closed up the Youth Center an hour later and drove to the cottage. Sheridan wasn't there, so he decided to wait. She would return eventually.

Sheridan parked her car in the driveway and sat still, her hands resting on the steering wheel as she stared at the cottage. She hadn't wanted to go home right away when she'd left the Youth Center, so she went to the pierre and had walked for the past three hours. She felt tired as she got out of the car and walked up the path to her cottage. She inserted the key in the keyhole but found the door already unlocked. Pushing the door open slowly, she went inside, her eyes connecting with the man sitting in her living room. He was the last person she wanted to see right now, but her heart yearned anyway.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

Her angry tone pleased him. She didn't look like the same calm and composed woman he'd talked to in his office hours ago.

He got up from the armchair and met her half way in he center of the living room. "I came to talk to you. Where have you been?"

"What do you care where I've been?"

"I was worried about you."

"You don't need to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can," he said gently. He studied her for long silent moment, and there was something about the look in his eyes that made Sheridan uneasy. "By the way, a Dr. Bryant left a message on your answering machine while I was here waiting for you," he said and paused deliberately, watching her reaction. The wary glare leaped into her features immediately. "She wanted to let you know that she called in a prescription for prenatal vitamins at the pharmacy."

She was still silent and she remained that way for moments longer. Then, in a deceptively calm voice, she said, "I'll pick it up."

"Don't bother, I already picked it up for you."

It was then that she noticed the white prescription bag on the coffee table. Her heart was suddenly pounding.

His hands lifted to cup her shoulders, but there was nothing gentle about his touch. His grip was firm, holding her in place while his eyes bore into hers. "When were you going to tell me the good news, Sheridan?"

His expression was bland, which didn't help getting words out of her throat one bit. "Would it have been good news for you?" she asked drily.

"And why not?" he said. "I'm going to be a father, why wouldn't that make me happy?"

She remained silent. She really didn't know what to say.

"You wanted to get pregnant," he acknowledged in a low voice, staring directly into her challenging eyes.

"Well, I wasn't trying very hard not to get pregnant," she admitted in a low voice.

"I guess we were both careless," he said simply, as if it was no big deal. Only it was.

"I wasn't upset when I found out I was pregnant," she told him firmly. "I want this baby."

"And what makes you think I don't. You may think I'm the scum of the earth right now, but I take my responsibilities very seriously."

"You don't have to worry about your responsibilities. I can take care of my baby on my own."

"Our baby," he corrected. "And I'm going to be a part of it's life."

"I don't want you to be."

"Isn't it selfish to deprive a child of their father?" he asked, his voice calm and scathing.

She was silent, angry tears gathering in her eyes.

"You don't have a choice in the matter, Sheridan. Whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me."

"Like hell I am!" she bit out, jerking herself free. "I don't want anything to do with you."

He softened his voice. "I'm sorry I hurt you."

"No you're not," she said shaking her head, her voice thick with resentment. "I can't believe I actually thought you could want me for me." She hadn't meant to say that but the words were already out.

His eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. "I did. I do."

"Liar. You wanted me to use me, Luis. And you want me now because I'm having your baby."

"That's not true."

"Like hell it isn't!" she grated out. "You're just like my father and brother. You're just as cold and manipulating as they are." Her words were intended to infuriate him and they did. She could see it quite clearly on his face.

"What do you want, Sheridan? Do you want me to beg?" His voice was mocking, feeding her rage.

"What I want is for you to get out of my house!"

"I'm not going anywhere until we've worked things out," he said calmly.

"I want you to leave, now."

"And if I don't?"

"I'll call Crane security and have you thrown out."

"You won't do that," he said softly. "Because as much as you hate to admit it, you want me as much as I want you. If you would stop being so stubborn we might actually get somewhere."

She opened her mouth to yell some more when his ringing cell phone interrupted her. He answered it. From what she gathered of his brief conversation, it was the station and he had to go.

"I guess you just got your wish," he said, tucking the phone back into his pocket. "I have to leave for a while. It's important. We'll have to finish talking when I get back."

Her anger was back under control, which was more than she could say for the tears that refused to stay put. "We have nothing more to talk about."

"We have plenty to talk about," he said softly. Lifting a hand, he cupped her face in his palm lovingly, his thumb wiping away a fresh tear that slipped from her eye. He dropped his hand to his side again, but his eyes held hers a moment longer. Retrieving his jacket from the chair he crossed the room, looking back at her from the doorway. "I'll be back, Sheridan."

"But, I won't be here," she said softy to the empty room, when he was gone.

***

It took longer at the station than he'd expected. He found himself anxious to get back to the cottage, to Sheridan. Something hadn't felt right when he'd left her. He couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling, but he couldn't leave until he was finished at the station either. Another hour passed before he was finally able to wrap things up and leave.

The cottage was dark inside and Lucy wasn't barking as she usually did when she heard his arrival. Using his spare key, he opened the door and went inside. He walked through the dark living room and into the bedroom, switching on the lights. The room looked empty. The closet door was open and bare inside, as was the open drawers. He slumped down on the edge of the bed. She was gone.

Chapter 12

Sheridan pulled out a a soft fuzzy object from one of the shopping bags on the drivers seat. It was a small teddy bear she just couldn't resist not buying. She'd thought it was simply the cutest thing she'd ever seen when she spotted it in a gift shop, not admitting it was the police hat and badge the bear wore that attracted her attention to it. She'd bought it because it reminded her of Luis, she finally admitted to herself in the car as she looked at it now. Everything reminded her of him. Six months had passed since the day she'd left, and every day felt like the first day. The pain just refused to die, and she wondered if it ever would. She placed the bear back inside the bag and smoothed her hands over her pregnant belly, feeling it move beneath her palms. She felt guilty for keeping Luis' child from him, but how could she have stayed with him? Her baby would see his father, she'd decided that the day she'd left. But, not anytime in the near future. Not until she was good and ready to face him again. But when would she be ready?

Grabbing the shopping bags full of items she'd collected while in town, Sheridan got out of the car and walked up the gardened path to her cottage. It was similar to the one at the Crane estate, but this cottage was private, secluded, miles from the nearest town. Somehow returning to Paris hadn't felt right. So she'd went to the place she loved more, Spain. Hoping she'd find peace and quiet in the beautiful countryside but had yet to find the kind of peace she desperately needed. Did Luis have any idea she cried herself to sleep every night? Did he ever try to find her? Did she want to be found?

Sheridan shook her head against her inflicting thoughts and went inside, unaware of the eyes that had been watching her every move since she'd pulled into the driveway. Lucy, who'd grown into a very large dog greeted her as she entered the living room. Sheridan petted her huge head and watched her race into the kitchen and return with her lease dangling from her mouth. Dropping the bags by the door, Sheridan slumped down onto the oversized sofa and stared at her apologetically. "No walk today, baby. I'm too tired." She really was tired, exhausted in fact. Her trip into town had physically drained her and her back was aching. All she wanted to do was curl up in bed and take a good long nap. Lucy dropped her lease and jumped onto the sofa beside Sheridan, dropping her chin on her lap. Sheridan smiled and scratched Lucy behind the ears, her most favorite spot. "You're so forgiving Lucy."

Someone was knocking, and to Sheridan's surprise Lucy wasn't leaping to her feet and hounding for the door. Usually she could sense people's arrival a mile away and would be on guard at the door ready to devour anyone who passed through it. But not today. Lucy merely lifted her head and gave a weak bark as the knocking continued. Sheridan frowned as she went to answer the door. She was so confused by Lucy's odd behavior that she even forgot to ask who it was. She was still glancing back at the dog as she swung the door open, her breath dying when she looked back at the visitor at her door. Her heart leaped into her throat as she stared at him. Her first impulse was to throw herself in his arms, the second was to shut the door and lock it. But, his hand was planted firmly on it, holding it open, his deep eyes cold as steel.

His smile was faint and dangerous. "What's the matter, Sheridan. Aren't you going to kiss me hello?" he asked, surveying her from head to toe. She wore black pedal-pushers with a loose white cotton top that fully flaunted her rounded belly. She was beautiful.

She realized she was gaping at him. "Luis."

"You don't look very happy to see me."

"H-how did you find me?"

"It wasn't easy." His jaw set tightly following his words. He stalked into the house, towards her and she had no choice but to step back. But he didn't stop there, he continued and she found herself suddenly back into the armrest of the sofa. Luis wasn't a violent man or at least she didn't remember him to be but, right now he looked angry enough to kill.

"Luis, I'm pregnant!" she reminded him shakily as his strong hands came to rest on either side of her, trapping her. His face was so close to hers she could feel his warm breath on her face.

"Don't worry," he said in a dangerously low voice, looming over her. "I'm not going to do anything to you, even if nothing would please me more than wrapping my hands around your scrawny neck."

She swallowed hard and tried to think past her pounding heart. She opened her mouth but no words came. And Lucy, that good for nothing dog was lying on the floor and wagging her tail, watching them silently.

"Did you really think I was going to let you keep my child from me, you selfish twit!" he seethed with rage. Luis moved closer and felt Sheridan's stomach press against his. The contact caused his gaze to drop to her huge belly and he stared for a very long time before meeting her eyes again.

He felt some of his anger fade. The woman who'd run out of his life, who'd tried to take his child away from him, caused him enough stress to last a life time, was standing in front of him, and all he wanted to do was kiss her senseless and satisfy the yearning that had been burning a hole in him since she'd left. "Why did you leave, Sheridan?"

Because I was hurt and angry that's why. But she didn't let herself say it out loud. "You know why."

"No, I don't. You ran out on me. You never gave me a chance."

Her eyes softened. "I'm sorry."

"Are you?" he drawled darkly. "If you think you were getting back at me for what I did then you don't know me very well at all."

"That's not what I was doing!" Lifting both hands to his chest, she pushed him enough to free herself. "Why are you really here?" she asked from a safer distance by the door.

"I'm here to take you back to Harmony."

Sheridan planted her hands at her hips and glared at him. "Who do you think you are? I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Stop being so difficult," he said in an annoyed voice. "You can't stay away from me any more than I can stay away from you."

"Says who? I have stayed away from you. And I would have continued doing that if you hadn't come looking for me!"

"How long would you have been able to stay away?" he asked, his voice suddenly calm.

"Forever."

"You're not a very good liar, Sheridan. If you really didn't want to be found you would have changed your name. And you would have moved to China instead of a country I know you love. You knew I would find you eventually."

"Maybe I didn't change my name because I thought you would get over it, move on with your life," she shot back.

His eyes darkened. "Get over it? Move on? You took off with my kid!" He was moving closer again, but she stood her ground. He forced himself to calm down and lowered his voice. "Look, I'm not in the mood for this. We are going back to Harmony, where we are going to get married and where you are going to have our baby."

Whatever she was about to say died before the words left her mouth. Sheridan didn't respond, half out of shock and half out of confusion. Then she laughed, but entirely without humor. "Marry you? I can't even stand you." She heard her own voice thick with tears. Somehow the words hadn't quite come out the way she'd wanted. She felt tears rush into her eyes, and she couldn't stand him seeing her pain for one minute. She turned and stalked out of the house towards her car.

Luis didn't bother going after her. She wouldn't get far since her keys were still lying on the coffee table. Then he heard her yell out in pain and he was racing out of the house along with Lucy. He found her leaning against the side of the car, one of her feet slightly raised from the ground. It wasn't hard to tell she'd injured her foot.

"What happened?" He grabbed her waist, steadying her.

She placed her hands on his shoulders for support. "My ankle. I think I sprained it." She felt pain shoot through her leg when she placed her foot on the ground again. "This is all your fault!" she cried.

"My fault? You're the one who ran out here not even looking where you're stepping."

"Well, it's kinds of hard to look where I'm stepping when I can't even see my own feet!"

"Here, I'll take you into the house."

"I don't need you to carry me, I can walk." She let go of his shoulders and took a step then stopped and whimpered in pain.

"You can be so damn stubborn, I don't know why I put up with you," he grated out and lifted her into his arms. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she glowered at him. He glowered back, and carried her into the house, through the living room and into the bedroom, laying her down on her bed. He removed her sandals and inspected her ankle. It was starting to swell. "I'll get some ice," he said, and left her alone to fetch it. As soon as she heard the sound of the fridge door open down the hall she made a grab for the phone on her dressing table, not sure who she was going to call. She held the cordless in her lap and stared at it.

"Don't bother," his voice said from the doorway. "I cut the phone wires before you got home."

She stared at him then threw the phone at him. He didn't even blink as it collided with the wall next to him. "Now is that any way to treat your future husband?"

"What if I need to go to the hospital?" She wanted to cry but she held the tears back.

"I have a cell phone and we both have cars. I'll get you to the hospital if something happens. But don't try any tricks, I'm a cop. I'd know."

He walked to the bed and sat down on the edge, next to her feet. Tucking his palm under her injured ankle, he applied the bag of ice and watched her close her eyes tightly. "Does it hurt?"

Her blue eyes opened to glare at him. "Of course it hurts!"

His other hand touched her leg soothingly and she bit back her sigh. She missed him touching her. She missed a lot of things. "You can't keep me here against my will," she said after a long moment.

"This is your house. Besides you don't really want to leave."

"If you tell me what I want one more time I'm going to scream!"

"Go ahead. But, I doubt anyone will hear you. I should thank you for buying a house miles away from the nearest town."

"You are the most obnoxious man I know." He didn't respond, he was too busy staring at her. It was unnerving. "Why are you looking at me like that? Haven't you ever seen a pregnant woman before?"

"I've never seen a pregnant woman as beautiful as you," His gaze slowly drifting from her stomach to her eyes. Her mouth opened to say something but she closed it again. Now she was the one staring at him. He stood up and came around the other side of the bed and sprawled on the mattress beside her.

"What are you doing?" she asked as he rolled onto his side, and wrapped his arms around her, tucking it under her chest. He moved his head closer to hers on the pillow, nestling his face against the side of her neck.

"I'm tired. I'm going to sleep."

"Luis..."

"Go to sleep, Sheridan," he said quietly. "We have a lot of packing to do tomorrow."

She stared up at the ceiling. "You can't force me to go anywhere, you know," she told him calmly. "You can't force me to do anything."

"I won't have to force you," he murmured against her neck. "Soon you'll do it willingly."

"Don't count on it."

"You're annoying me. I can't sleep with you talking."

He pulled her closer against him and then she couldn't say anything at all because all she could think about was how good it felt being held by him again. His heat, his touch. She felt so safe and protected. She turned her head to look at him a long time later and found him sleeping. He really must have been tired. And so was she. She pressed her lips against his forehead and kissed him lightly. Then she closed her eyes and soon fell asleep, too.

Sheridan awoke as the sun was setting outside, with the baby kicking her and Luis' hand on her lower belly. He was propped up on one elbow, staring at the stomach he was rubbing soothingly.

"It's moving," he said in a low voice, a look of wonder in his eyes.

"I know. It woke me up," she replied and another kick sent her hand instinctively to her stomach. Her hand brushed against Luis' and he linked his fingers with hers before she could pull away. Looking down at their linked hands on her belly, she felt tears well in her eyes. She turned her head away and felt his hand release hers and moved up to stroke her cheek.

"Don't."

"Why?"

She didn't answer, if she did she was afraid she would cry.

"Sheridan, I love you," he said softly and then she did cry. She knew he meant it.

"You hurt me," she whispered finally.

"I know. I promise I'll never hurt you again."

"Promises can be broken."

"I never make promises then break them," he said, cupping her chin gently and turning her face to his. "I want you in my life, Sheridan. You are my life. I love you."

Sheridan touched his face and lifted her head to kiss his mouth. "I love you too."

He covered her mouth with his again, and kissed her deeply, so sweetly and lovingly that she thought she would die from the wonder of it. "Will you marry me?" he pulled away long enough to say that.

"Yes."

He smoothed blond tendrils of hair back from her forehead. "Are you sure you could be happy being a cop's wife?"

"As long as I'm with you I'm happy, Luis. Don't you now I would give up everything to be with you?"

"How about your last name?" he teased.

"In a heart beat."

"Mrs. Sheridan Lopez-Fitzerald. I like the sound of that."

She smiled. "Me too."

The End!!

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