“I know.” Jillian’s stomach fluttered with nervous excitement. “Let’s go.”

  “No way,” Denise protested. “You’re going to meet this guy. I can already picture your first date: a heated discussion about Art and History and ancient artifacts. It’ll be a real blast.”

  Jillian had a sudden image of her and the man seated on an intimate sofa before a blazing fire, drinking a nice Beaujolais, lost in conversation, lost in each other. It was a nice thought, but she didn’t know if she would ever find what she was looking for.

  Most men had no idea what she did for a living and they were unable to communicate with her beyond a certain level. Her knowledge and expertise in her field earned her more glazed-over looks than hot dates, and her glasses, chignons and pencil skirts only added to her nerdiness. What would it be like to have a man who understood exactly what she did? One who shared the same passion for Art and History?

  A girl could dream.

  Denise shot upright in her chair. “Don’t look, they’re coming over.”

  Jillian froze. Panic bloomed in her gut. What did she do? What did she say? How did she make sure her craziness didn’t show?

  Denise got to her feet and strapped her purse over her shoulder, then pushed in her chair.

  “Where are you going?” Jillian didn’t want to make a fool of herself alone.

  “I don’t think they’re coming to see me.” Denise smiled. “Come by my office later and tell me what happens.”

  “Wait—”

  “Hello, Jillian,” Jonathon said, reaching their table.

  “Jonathon.” She gave a slight nod, hating that she had to speak to him at all and not about to acknowledge him with a title of respect if he couldn’t do the same.

  “Do you have a moment?” he asked. “There’s someone who would like to meet you.”

  Jillian glanced at the man standing next to Jonathon. He didn’t smile, didn’t say anything, but his blue eyes held an intensity she couldn’t describe. She felt his gaze all over her body, like the gentle caress of a lover. A shiver of excitement danced along her spine.

  “How’s it going, Jonathon?” Denise gave him a bright, fake smile. “Did you get that little problem cleared up?”

  Jonathon stared darkly at Denise, and Jillian swore if looks could kill, he’d be pleased.

  “Just leaving, Ms. Randall?” Jonathon’s condescending tone left no doubt he expected her to do exactly that.

  “The restoration lab calls.” She hugged Jillian goodbye. “See you later, hon.”

  Jillian watched Denise walk away in her short skirt and her high-heeled boots. She wished she had the same easy confidence and self-assurance as her friend. Jillian found it hard to even function without her anxiety pills.

  “Let me introduce Mr. Winston Smith,” Jonathon said.

  Jillian rose from her chair and accepted the man’s offered hand. “Hello.”

  It was all she could say. His hand was warm and his grip firm, but gentle. Her lady parts were definitely going soft. She didn’t want to let go of his hand, but she had to.

  “Mr. Smith wants to make a donation and has some questions about becoming a patron,” Jonathon continued. “I thought you could go over the details for me. I have a meeting in a few minutes.”

  Jillian knew that wasn’t true. Jonathon couldn’t go over the details of the museum because he didn’t care to know them. “I thought your schedule was clear this afternoon.”

  Jonathon narrowed his eyes in annoyance. “Something came up.”

  “Oh.” She nodded.

  In truth, she didn’t care what he did, as long as he left her alone.

  “I admit,” Mr. Smith finally spoke. “I’ve overlooked this little museum in the past, but it’s rather charming.”

  Jillian loved the husky sound of his voice, tinged with an accent she couldn’t quite place. It only added to his sensual appeal.

  “How did you find us, Mr. Smith?” she asked, curious, and found that saying his name didn’t feel right.

  Mr. Smith.

  It sounded false.

  Not that she was good with names, she just had a strange feeling it didn’t belong to him.

  “I’ve noticed your signs advertising the upcoming Lost Treasures of the Bible exhibit,” he explained. “It sparked my interest. I collect Holy relics.”

  “So does half of the archaeological world, Mr. Smith,” Jillian said.

  She’d met so many fanatics while putting together the latest exhibit, had seen a ton of false relics and replicas, that he’d have to give her something better than that.

  “I might be interested in donating a few of my pieces, but I’d like to see the exhibit first.”

  “What sort of pieces?” she enquired.

  “Does it matter?” Jonathon snapped, clearly irritated. “Just show him the exhibit.”

  He adjusted the perfect knot of his gray-striped tie and cleared his throat, collecting himself.

  “I’ll be in my office.” After a nervous glance at Mr. Smith, he left the café.

  Those were the small slip-ups that made Jillian suspicious of Jonathon. Like for the slightest moment he’d let his true nature show, and then remembered he had a particular role to play. She wasn’t falling for it.

  “I’m sorry he was rude,” Jillian apologized for Jonathon’s hasty retreat.

  It was difficult to come up with anything else to say. Finding herself stranded alone with the handsome Mr. Smith left her tongue tied.

  “Have I interrupted your lunch?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with the hint of a devilish smile.

  A simple question to answer. Her anxiety ebbed away and she began to feel more comfortable in his overwhelming presence. She felt compelled to smile sweetly. “My friend and I had already finished our lunch. It’s no bother.”

  As she pushed in her chair she stared at him, letting her gaze drift up along his broad chest, to where the top few buttons of his shirt had been left undone. His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed. She looked up to his face, over his strong chin and his full, sensuous lips, to his straight nose, finally landing on his celestial blue eyes.

  He stared back at her with a growing intensity, like he was trying to unlock some secret she had hidden deep inside her soul. It was a weird, invasive feeling.

  “Shall we see the exhibit?” he asked.

  What exhibit? she thought.

  Her mind felt empty, then quick as a flash she remembered. “Oh, yes, the exhibit.”

  Duh! You work here, idiot.

  What was wrong with her?

  She felt crazier than normal for some reason. Not her normal form of anxiety, this was something different.

  Jillian motioned towards the café exit with a sweep of her hand. “This way.”

  “After you,” he said, giving a wolfish grin as he ran a heated look along the length of her body, his gaze lingering on her hips.

  And he’d be staring at her ass when she led him out of the café. Knowing he was checking her out sent little shivers racing over the surface of her skin. When her mind started to take off on a wicked tangent she quickly shut it down and wiped the thought away. Exactly like Dr. Weber had taught her to do in their sessions.

  I am a calm, blue ocean.

  The mantra always put her back in control.

  She slipped past Mr. Smith, catching the scent of his cologne. He smelled rich and spicy, vibrant. Kind of like incense, or really old books. She felt his eyes on her as they left the café, walking between the pair of black and gold Grecian urns she’d had converted into fountains with trickling water. Green fronds of assorted palm trees swept down from overhead, and ancient rocks she and her grandfather had collected from their travels to places like Greece, Egypt and Africa, lined the short path back to the museum lobby.

  “We’re still finalizing things for Saturday’s gala opening,” she said, leading the way across the white marble floor of the lobby to the red carpet at the entrance of the exhibit, where tall white pillars lined the archway. “It’s mostly ready.”

  Since she had systematically taken charge of nearly every operation at the museum in order to keep the running of things out of Jonathon’s hands, she was falling a little behind in some areas. It was already Wednesday, and that left her with three more days. She would have it finished on time.

  “Your grandfather founded the museum,” Mr. Smith said. “I feel like royalty, getting a tour from a celebrity.”

  “The Whitmores are hardly celebrities.” Jillian was strangely flattered by his interest. “Well, maybe my grandfather, but he’s passed on.”

  “Your loss was recent,” Mr. Smith said, coming around to walk by her side. “I was sorry to hear of their death.”

  Jillian still couldn’t talk about her grandparents and the accident. Tears welled in her eyes and her chest constricted with the pain of their absence. In losing them, she’d lost what remained of her only family, along with the love, emotional support and security they provided, leaving her to face the world alone.

  She blinked back the tears as they reached the white pillars of the exhibit entrance. “Here’s the exhibit.”

  “I thought it would be bigger,” he commented, walking through the entrance ahead of her to get a quick look around.

  “The Whitmore is a small museum,” she said.

  “Yes, but surely you have more than what is here.” He turned in a circle, his eyes scanning the entire exhibit in a few seconds.

  “I had trouble verifying the authenticity of many items I came across.”

  “Weeding out the impostors?”

  “Something like that.”

  “It goes along with the territory. You learn to spot a fake.”

  “What makes you such an expert?” she wanted to know. “If I might ask?”

  “I’ve devoted a good portion of my life to finding and preserving items which best represent the presence of the Divine here on Earth.”

  Jillian had never heard her career summed up more perfectly.

  “So did my grandfather,” she said, amazed that Mr. Smith understood her field so well.

  An interesting coincidence.

  “I didn’t used to believe in God or Heaven when I was a little girl,” she told him. “And when I started going out on digs with my grandfather, or traveling around the world with him, searching for relics, I was skeptical. Most of the items were based on legends or stories, but they held no history. You couldn’t feel the passage of time from the fakes, but once and awhile, when you held something authentic in your hands, you just knew it was real. You felt it in your soul.”

  “Is that what you love about history, Ms. Whitmore?” he asked, his blue eyes sparkling at her in the dim light. “That you can feel it?”

  Jillian blushed, realizing she’d revealed too much about herself to a stranger. “Only those who really love history would understand.”

  He smiled, seeming pleased. “I’m glad you do.”

  A sudden rush of excitement flooded her veins. The fact that Mr. Smith understood any of what she was talking about was a refreshing change, and she wanted to hold onto the moment for as long as she could.

  “Would you like to see some of our main pieces?” She walked over to the clay Sumerian tablets, encased by glass. “These were found on a dig in Thebes.”

  “Sumerian Scribes,” Mr. Smith said.

  “How did you know?”

  “They invented this form of writing around 2000 B.C.,” he stated, as if he’d been there.

  “Are you familiar with this piece?” She moved on to the next display.

  “The Silver Bowl of Artaxerxes,” he said, passing right by the giant silver bowl to go to the next placement, with Jillian following helplessly along. “Sea Scrolls are a dime a dozen, and I see you have three more displays full of them. Are they your main focus?”

  Mr. Smith stopped abruptly and turned to face her.

  Jillian stuttered, trying to find something to say in defense of her exhibit. It had originally been her grandfather’s labor of love. She only wanted to finish what he’d started, in a way that would make him proud.

  “I don’t mean to tarnish your work,” he said. “The collection might be of interest to some.”

  Jillian had to tilt her head back to look up at him. “But not you?”

  “If you saw my personal collection, you’d understand why.”

  “Is that an invitation?” she countered. “I’d love to see what types of pieces you’d be interested in donating.”

  “My collection is private,” he said, his tone final.

  Of course it was. All the good ones were.

  “Why are you here?” she questioned, having a hard time figuring him out. “You don’t seem to have much interest in the exhibit. What are you looking for?” She had no doubt he had come in search of something very specific.

  He stepped forward, closer to her, and she cautiously backed away, until she came up against the wall in a dark corner of the exhibit. He closed her in by bracing his arms against the wall.

  “I am searching for a very unique piece.” He bent his head, bringing his face an inch from hers, his breath warm and gentle. “I was hoping you’d have some information.”

  Jillian swallowed tightly. She didn’t like being trapped, alone, with a stranger in the dark, but this irresistible man didn’t frighten her like he should.

  He excited her.

  He smelled like sandalwood and musk, earthy and masculine, and she wanted to fall into his arms. The urge to touch him was so strong she had to press her hands against the wall behind her to prevent herself from actually doing it.

  Her gaze lingered on his full, sensuous mouth and she imagined kissing him, wondering how his lips would feel on hers, gentle and warm. “What makes you think I’d know anything about this piece you’re looking for?”

  “Because you reported it stolen three days ago,” he said, his expression turning fierce, frightening. “Where is the Ring of Melchior, Ms. Whitmore?”

  Her stomach clenched tight.

  How did he know about the ring?

  Chapter 3

  Don’t lie to me, beautiful.

  Kyriel willed her to tell him the truth.

  He watched the hesitation flicker across her lovely face as she tried to form a response.

  “The ring of wha—” she faltered. “What ring?”

  He was having a hard time getting inside her head to use his power of persuasion. Jillian Whitmore had a strong mind, but he could sense she was afraid. Because she knew exactly what he wanted.

  “Tell me the truth, Ms. Whitmore,” he demanded. “And I’ll walk out of here and you’ll never see or hear from me again.”

  Her bright green eyes narrowed behind her black-rimmed glasses as she studied him. The frames were the kind that tilted up a little at the corners, like cat eyes, and gave her a very sexy appeal.

  “Who are you?” she asked.

  He had a million ways to answer that question.

  Adventurer.

  Collector.

  Lover.

  Fallen angel.

  He leaned in close. The move was meant to intimidate her, but he also had the overwhelming urge to feel her body close to his, to breathe in the soft scent of her blonde hair. She smelled like jasmine, mixed with something sweet and uniquely exotic.

  Enticing.

  But he wasn’t here to seduce the woman.

  “I’m someone you don’t want to upset,” he warned.

  “If you get any closer, I’ll scream,” she tried to sound brave, though her voice wavered. “Security will throw you out of here—”

  “Security would never get here in time.” He boldly traced one of his fingers along her jaw, using the invasion of her personal space to put her on edge. Her skin was so soft. “Tell me where to find the ring.”

  He forced his way into her mind, using his persuasion to compel her answer.

  “I… I don’t know what ring you’re talking about.”

  Despite the fact that she felt afraid and vulnerable, she was fighting against him, pushing him out of her mind.

  “Gold, Ms. Whitmore, with a big, shiny ruby,” he said. “Foreign symbols etched around the band. Sound familiar now?”

  She hesitated, searching for a lie.

  What a strong mind she had to fight his persuasion. He admired that quality. It made her an exciting challenge.

  “If you know about the ring, then you know you could be in danger,” he tried to draw her out. “I’m here to help you. Will you tell me where it is?”

  Kyriel stared at her rosy mouth, waiting for her to answer. How badly he wanted to kiss her. How sweet would she taste? Would she kiss him back?

  “You know I reported the ring stolen,” she replied. “How should I know where it is? If you want to help me, why don’t you find the ring?”

  Her words struck a nerve. He already felt like he was failing at his task, and she wasn’t making things easy.

  Kyriel shifted his weight forward, crowding her even more, looking down as he towered above her. “Perhaps you reported it stolen to make people think you no longer have it.”

  Her emotions scattered. She was afraid, yet excited. Kyriel liked having an effect on her, getting her all flustered and making that sweet blush come to her cheeks. It seriously turned him on.

  “I reported it stolen because someone broke into my grandparent’s house and stole it,” she snapped, looking up to meet his eyes. “Along with their wedding rings, all my grandmother’s antique jewelry, and a flat screen television.”

  The hard defiance in her eyes and the firm set of her lush lips made not kissing her impossible. Unbearable.

  He wanted to know how she kissed, how she tasted.

  Cupping her face in his hands, he closed his mouth over hers in a slow, languid kiss. She tensed at first, but then relaxed and softened, angling her head to accept the thrust of his tongue as he swept past her parted lips and dipped into her moist, warm mouth.

  She was delicious, beautiful, all too tempting… and a distraction he didn’t need. He had to remember getting the ring was his top priority. He wanted his redemption more than anything else. Gabriel’s source of information told them the woman would have the ring, so why didn’t she?