“I’d love to paint a portrait of you, posed just like this,” he said seductively.

She stiffened, grip on him tightening. “Oh, yes,” she panted. “Yes!”

He worked the nub relentlessly, tempted to penetrate her with his fingers. But a bit of patience would make the wait worthwhile for both of them.

“Oh, God!” She bucked, exploding, riding out her orgasm as a warm rush coated his hand.

“That’s it, honey. Take what you need.” When she went still, he lifted his hand and licked her essence from his fingers. “Delicious. Taste yourself.”

Lily took the initiative, much to his satisfaction, cupping the side of his face and pressing her lips to his. Her tongue darted into his mouth, tasting their combined flavors.

Incredibly erotic. Heaven.

Her slight frame felt so good against him, a heady combination of softness and strength. She dominated the kiss and for a few seconds he let her, intrigued by this tiny woman who would play the aggressor. Then his nature took over and he met her with fervor, the two of them coming together with such force he had to stop while he was able.

With reluctance, he broke the kiss and extricated himself gently. “Thank you, sweet Lily.”

“Thank me? All I did was enjoy. I could return the favor, though,” she suggested playfully.

“I’d love nothing more, but that was for you. Rain check?”

“Well… sure.”

She sounded so puzzled, he couldn’t help smiling. “I’ll look forward to it.” Rising, he abandoned the rest of his lunch and reached for his cane. “I’m going to spend some time in the studio this afternoon, then rest before tonight. Make yourself at home. Feel free to set up at the extra desk in the corner of my office.”

“Is the computer on that desk mine to use?”

“Yes, as well as everything on or inside it, including the BlackBerry for my appointments and such. Don’t worry about doing any real work today-just get your bearings and then relax, visit with Liam, maybe take advantage of the pool.”

“That sounds wonderful.” She paused, then said thoughtfully, “You were wrong about something.”

“What’s that?”

“You are a gentleman.”

He laughed. “Not hardly, dear Lily, as you’ll soon discover. By the way… the door connecting our rooms?”

“Yes?”

“It’s never locked,” he said, pitching his tone to make his meaning clear.

“Except when you’re entertaining a lover, like tonight?”

“Never.” Grinning, he turned and started for the door. “Like I said, I’m no gentleman.”

“Jude?”

He paused his steps. “Hmm?”

“I’m no lady.”

“Then I believe we understand each other very well, sweetheart.”

Shuffling out, he left her to chew on that for the rest of the day.

And to take care of the painful jackhammer in his jeans.

Four

Lily tidied the desk that was to serve as her work space for the next few weeks, arranging pens and Post-its, and playing with the snazzy little BlackBerry. Nice.

Next, she logged into her PA’s e-mail account Jude had set up for her and was dismayed to discover fifty-six messages in her in-box already. “Well, shit. Efficient bastard.”

Jude must have taken for granted that she’d accept the job, because it seemed everyone in the area had e- mailed her about something or other they wanted Jude to attend, a painting they were salivating to purchase, or a charitable contribution they coveted from his wallet.

Scowling, she was tempted to delete the whole list. But her “boss” might get his tighty-whities in a bunch if his new PA ignored all his correspondence. She was about to log out when her eye was caught by a familiar name in the From column-Devon Sinclair.

Curious, she opened the e- mail and read the brief message: Lily, Geneva and I look forward to the pleasure of your company next Friday evening. We also thank you for enticing Jude out of his lonely cave-the man needs a night out with friends. Best, Dev.

So, his buddy and benefactor was feeling her out. Fine. If he’d really been worried about Jude for the past few weeks, she couldn’t blame him.

Lily pondered the missive for several minutes before coming up with a suitable reply: Devon, how nice to hear from you. I understand I’m in for quite a dazzling evening. I can’t wait to meet you both, and to visit your lovely gallery. Until then, Lily.

There. Polite but not gushing. Logging out, she sat staring at the screen, thinking over Sinclair’s words, reflective of something Jude said at lunch.

Was Jude lonely? Did he honestly feel imprisoned, or had the heart-wrenching statement been designed by a shrewd man to play on her sympathy? Somehow, she didn’t think so. He seemed to truly hate the idea of being pitied.

The story of his upbringing had gotten to her, too. More than she cared to admit. Nowhere in his file was there a single word printed about his past, and she’d be willing to bet Michael, being the head honcho, was the sole person at SHADO who knew the tidbits Jude had shared with her today. Which wasn’t so unusual. Many of the agents’ backgrounds were classified “need to know” only.

Lily’s thoughts turned to their lunch… or, rather, the dessert. So to speak.

Over and over, she relived his rapt expression as he’d mapped her body with those big hands. Like he’d discovered some sort of priceless treasure as he explored her face, skimmed her thighs, pinched her nipples. The way his brow furrowed as he concentrated on bringing her pleasure while denying his own.

No man could fake the joy she’d seen on his striking face. He was a study in contradictions, thwarting her analytic brain and negating the damaging information from Dietz.

“Come on, Lily,” she admonished herself. “Just because he doesn’t remember he’s the twenty- first century’s answer to Lex Luthor doesn’t mean that man isn’t hiding under the surface, waiting to pounce.”

If he remembered, she shuddered to think what might happen.

Honey, I’m no gentleman.

Then again, perhaps some corner of his tattered mind recalled more than anyone knew. Including Jude.

Whether he was reformed or not, she had a job to do. He was still guilty of a horrible crime. Historically, even the most heinous of killers tended to possess magnetic personalities. The moth-to-the-flame effect.

She’d have to be damned careful not to get zapped. Pushing from her chair, she walked to the office door and scanned the hallway. Empty. No voices or noise of any kind, which meant Jude and Liam were off doing their own thing. She had the office to herself.

Time to begin. Turning, she perused the walls, running the layout of this wing through her head. Every SHADO agent she knew, at least the mobile ones who went into the field to handle the dangerous stuff, had a secret “war room.” A reinforced space that held weapons, computers, disguises, passports, and all sorts of fake IDs. Jude had such a room. But where was it hidden?

Not here. This large space was a corner office with only one inside wall, the workout room on the other side. She hadn’t expected it to be that simple, finding it on the first go. She had a hunch it would be located closer to his private quarters upstairs where it was more defensible, rather than on the ground floor.

Just to be sure, she ran her hands over the panels, checked the seams. Knocked quietly, testing for hollow places. He probably kept a small hidey-hole for emergencies as well, and if so, she’d find it.

But she wouldn’t find it here. The walls were solid. Her attention strayed to his desk and she lowered herself into his chair, examining the excellent craftsmanship. The piece was an antique, an expensive one if she had her guess, ornate and loaded with drawers. Exactly the sort of old relic that might contain a hidden compartment.

But if it did, she couldn’t locate a mechanism to spring it. Blowing out a frustrated breath, she began opening drawers.