SEDUCTION

*March 1995*

It had been an exhausting, frustrating week, and it was culminatedby the decision to drop charges on a case that was supposed to go totrial in just two weeks.

"Have to," Joe Maxwell had said only this afternoon. "We know he'sguilty, but there's no way we're going to sell this one to ajury."

"If we drop the charges, we'll have to release him," Catherine hadargued feebly. "And we've worked so hard."

"If he's acquitted, we can't ever try him for this crime again,"Joe argued back. "Let's wait until we have the evidence to get aconviction and go after him then."

Knowing Joe was right didn't make accepting his decision anyeasier and Catherine permitted herself to brood about it until hercab turned onto her street. Deliberately banishing all thoughts ofwork, she smiled, thinking how pleasant it was to know someone waswaiting for her at home. Still, she couldn't help the weary droop ofher shoulders as she mounted the wide steps leading to the frontdoor.

Inside, fatigue made her clumsy and her fingers fumbled with thelocks before she finally managed to turn them. When she turned fromthe door, she wasn't surprised to find Vincent there, waiting withopen arms. She went into them gratefully, heartened by the strengthand love he offered.

"Come," he murmured after a moment, and led her down the wide hallto the dining room. There, an elegant, candlelight dinner for twoawaited. A scarlet rose lay across her plate and she lifted it,smiling faintly.

"Vincent, this is so thoughtful."

He returned her look with a loving one of his own and poured winefor them both. "I asked William if he could create something specialfor us," he said, "and Mary offered to keep the children so we couldbe alone."

Catherine managed a tired smile. "That's good of them," shesaid.

"You know how William loves to come up here to cook one of hisspecialties," Vincent said as he began serving the meal. "And Mary ishappiest when she has little ones to care for."

"I know." Coming home, Catherine had thought she was too tired toeat, but the aroma wafting up from her plate was irresistible.Following Vincent's lead, she picked up her fork. Wrapped in a fuzzycocoon of exhaustion, she was surprised, a few minutes later, torealize she had eaten everything on her plate, and that Vincent wasrefilling her wine glass.

"Come," he said, reaching for her hand.

"The dishes," she protested vaguely.

"Don't worry," he answered, drawing her to her feet. His arm wentaround her shoulders as he ushered her up the stairs. He left herstanding in their bedroom while he went into the bathroom, where shecould hear the rush of water running into the tub. A moment later hewas back, guiding her to the little chair in front of her dressingtable. She closed her eyes as he picked up her hairbrush and began tobrush her hair.

His touch was light and careful, the gentle strokes of the brushsoothing and hypnotic, and she couldn't help a small sigh ofdisappointment when he finally laid the brush aside. His fingers werestill in her hair and when she opened her eyes, she could see, in themirror, that he was fastening the length of it into a clumsy mass atthe back of her neck.

When he finished, he took her hand and she followed him into thebathroom. There, he turned off the water still flowing into thesteaming tub. She watched with a sort of weary detachment as he cameback and began to undress her with loving hands. Guiltily, shewondered if she should stop him and get herself ready for bed, butthere was something about being cared for in this way, as if she werea helpless infant, that was irresistible.

Her jacket was gone, and his lips caressed her temple as he beganunfastening the buttons of her blouse. In moments he had undressedher completely. He turned away and she stepped into the large,old-fashioned bathtub, sinking into the fragrant, steaming water. Shehadn't seen him bring her wine from downstairs, but suddenly he waspressing it into her hand and she giggled at the decadent image thatfloated into her mind - of herself soaking in a bubble bath,wineglass in hand, all under the cherishing eye of her husband andlover.

Casting her a look of amused adoration, he went out and she sippedat the wine, unwilling to do anything but luxuriate in the warmth ofthe water. Her eyes closed.

It seemed only seconds before someone was removing the glass fromher hand and she opened her eyes to the realization that she haddozed off in the bath. Vincent helped her to her feet, enveloping herin an enormous, fluffy bath sheet that covered her from neck tocalves. She was content to stand, swaying drowsily, as he dried her;then he swept her into his arms.

She felt like a child as he carried her into the bedroom andplaced her carefully on the bed. Relaxed and pliant, she laytranquilly while he arranged the folds of the bath sheet. When hebegan to massage her neck, she sighed.

His hands, strong and sure, travelled slowly down her back,rubbing and kneading away all the tension. Her eyes driftedclosed.

When she opened them again, it was with the sleepy realizationthat Vincent was no longer massaging her. Lifting her head, shediscovered him beside her on the bed, dressed for sleep and proppedup by pillows, reading by candlelight. At her movement, he loweredhis book to smile at her.

Uncomprehending, she stared at him. The damp bath sheet was stillbeneath her, but she was covered warmly by a soft old quilt. Turningher head and rising on her elbows, she looked for her alarm clock.The position of its hands made her sink back onto her pillow with amoan. "Oh, no. I fell asleep."

"Yes," Vincent agreed, reaching out to touch her hair. "You musthave been very tired."

"I was. I'm so sorry."

He slid down to lie beside her. "Sorry? Why?"

"Because you spent so much time and effort planning our evening...the dinner, the wine, the bath... and I fell asleep."

He chuckled, a quiet sound of amusement that came from deep in hischest. "Catherine, don't." He gathered her, quilt and all, to lieagainst him.

"But, Vincent," she objected, her voice muffled in his embrace."Our wonderful, romantic evening... I slept it all away... and thechildren..."

"They're here," he interrupted.

"What?"

"While you slept, I went for them. They're in bed, sleeping." Hesmiled tenderly.

"But, Vincent, the candles at dinner, and the rose on myplate..."

"Were only because I love you," he answered softly. "No more."

"And the bath, and the massage?"

"Because I knew how tired you were," he explained, touching hercheek. "Because I thought you needed to be cared for."

Sighing, she pressed herself against his chest. "Oh, Vincent. Youkeep reminding me of all the reasons I love you." Smiling, shewhispered, "So you weren't planning to seduce me, after all?"

Beneath her cheek, she felt the soft rumble of his laughter."Perhaps I hoped for that," he said, "but my only wish was to sootheyou."

"You did," she said, and eased herself back from him, suddenlyconscious that under the quilt, she was naked. "Vincent?"

"Yes?" He was serene, tranquil.

"I'm feeling much more rested now." She saw the sudden passion herwords kindled in his eyes.

"Are you?" he asked, his voice deceptively soft as he slid onehand beneath the quilt. His face was very close to hers.

"Yes," she whispered. "Very, very rested."

THE END