“You mean before I kiss you again,” he said in a low voice, bending his head toward hers.

  She leaned back quickly, not giving him any chance of following through on that. “Exactly. Or waltz with the waitress or any of the other loony things you do.”

  “You have to admit I’ve been good all morning.”

  “With one minor slip,” she reminded him, pressing the bread sticks into his hand. “Now eat.”

  Before Joe had a chance to open the package, the hostess approached them with two menus tucked under her arm. “Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell. Your table is ready.”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell,” Cait muttered under her breath, glaring at Joe. She should’ve known she couldn’t trust him.

  “Excuse me,” Cait said, standing abruptly and raising her index finger. “His name is Rockwell, mine is Marshall,” she explained patiently. She was not about to let Joe continue his silly games. “We’re just friends here for lunch.” Her narrowed eyes caught Joe’s, which looked as innocent as freshly fallen snow. He shrugged as though to say any misunderstanding hadn’t been his fault.

  “I see,” the hostess replied. “I’m sorry for the confusion.”

  “No problem.” Cait hadn’t wanted to make a big issue of this, but on the other hand she didn’t want Joe to think he was going to get away with it, either.

  The woman led them to a linen-covered table in the middle of the room. Joe held out Cait’s chair for her, then whispered something to the hostess who immediately cast Cait a sympathetic glance. Joe’s own gaze rested momentarily on Cait before he pulled out his chair and sat across from her.

  “All right, what did you say to her?” she hissed.

  The menu seemed to command his complete interest for a couple of minutes. “What makes you think I said anything?”

  “I heard you whispering and then she gave me this pathetic look like she wanted to hug me and tell me everything was going to be all right.”

  “Then you know.”

  “Joe, don’t play games with me,” Cait warned.

  “All right, if you must know, I explained that you’d suffered a head injury and developed amnesia.”

  “Amnesia,” she repeated loudly enough to attract the attention of the diners at the next table. Gritting her teeth, Cait snatched up her menu, gripping it so tightly the edges curled. It didn’t do any good to argue with Joe. The man was impossible. Every time she tried to reason with him, he did something to make her regret it.

  “How else was I supposed to explain the fact that you’d forgotten our marriage?” he asked reasonably.

  “I did not forget our marriage,” she informed him from between clenched teeth, reviewing the menu and quickly making her selection. “Good grief, it wasn’t even legal.”

  She realized that the waitress was standing by their table, pen and pad in hand. The woman’s ready smile faded as she looked from Cait to Joe and back again. Her mouth tightened as if she suspected they really were involved in something illegal.

  “Uh…” Cait hedged, feeling like even more of an idiot. The urge to explain was overwhelming, but every time she tried, she only made matters worse. “I’ll have the club sandwich,” she said, glaring across the table at Joe.

  “That sounds good. I’ll have the same,” he said, closing his menu.

  The woman scribbled down their order, then hurried away, pausing to glance over her shoulder as if she wanted to be able to identify them later in a police lineup.

  “Now look what you’ve done,” Cait whispered heatedly once the waitress was far enough away from their table not to overhear.

  “Me?”

  Maybe she was being unreasonable, but Joe was the one who’d started this nonsense in the first place. No one could rattle her as effectively as Joe did. And worse, she let him.

  This shopping trip was a good example, and so was the pizza that led up to it. No woman in her right mind should’ve allowed Joe into her apartment after what he’d said to her in front of Lindy. Not only had she invited him inside her home, she’d agreed to let him accompany her Christmas shopping. She ought to have her head examined!

  “What’s wrong?” Joe asked, tearing open the package of bread sticks. Rather pointless in Cait’s opinion, since their lunch would be served any minute.

  “What’s wrong?” she cried, dumbfounded that he had to ask. “You mean other than the hostess believing I’ve suffered a head injury and the waitress thinking we’re drug dealers or something equally disgusting?”

  “Here.” He handed her one of the miniature bread sticks. “Eat this and you’ll feel better.”

  Cait sincerely doubted that, but she took it, anyway, muttering under her breath.

  “Relax,” he urged.

  “Relax,” she mocked. “How can I possibly relax when you’re doing and saying things I find excruciatingly embarrassing?”

  “I’m sorry, Cait. Really, I am.” To his credit, he did look contrite. “But you’re so easy to fluster and I can’t seem to stop myself.”

  Their sandwiches arrived, thick with slices of turkey, ham and a variety of cheeses. Cait was reluctant to admit how much better she felt after she’d eaten. Joe’s spirits had apparently improved, as well.

  “So,” he said, his hands resting on his stomach. “What do you have planned for the rest of the afternoon?”

  Cait hadn’t given it much thought. “I suppose I should wrap the gifts I bought this morning.” But that prospect didn’t particularly excite her. Good grief, after the adventures she’d had with Joe, it wasn’t any wonder.

  “You mean you actually wrap gifts before Christmas Eve?” Joe asked. “Doesn’t that take all the fun out of it? I mean, for me it’s a game just to see if I can get the presents bought.”

  She grinned, trying to imagine herself in such a disorganized race to the deadline. Definitely not her style.

  “How about a movie?” he suggested out of the blue. “I have the feeling you don’t get out enough.”

  “A movie?” Cait ignored the comment about her social life, mainly because he was right. She rarely took the time to go to a show.

  “We’re both exhausted from fighting the crowds,” Joe added. “There’s a six-cinema theater next to the restaurant. I’ll even let you choose.”

  “I suppose you’d object to a love story?”

  “We can see one if you insist, only…”

  “Only what?”

  “Only promise me you won’t ever expect a man to say the kinds of things those guys on the screen do.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You heard me. Women hear actors say this incredible drivel and then they’re disappointed when real men don’t.”

  “Real men like you, I suppose?”

  “Right.” He looked smug, then suddenly he frowned. “Does Paul like romances?”

  Cait had no idea, since she’d never gone on a date with Paul and the subject wasn’t one they’d ever discussed at the office. “I imagine he does,” she said, dabbing her mouth with her napkin. “He isn’t the type of man to be intimidated by such things.”

  Joe’s deep blue eyes widened with surprise and a touch of respect. “Ouch. So Martin’s little sister reveals her claws.”

  “I don’t have claws. I just happen to have strong opinions on certain subjects.” She reached for her purse while she was speaking and removed her wallet.

  “What are you doing now?” Joe demanded.

  “Paying for lunch.” She sorted through the bills and withdrew a twenty. “It’s my turn and I insist on paying…” She hesitated when she saw Joe’s deepening frown. “Or don’t real men allow women friends to buy their lunch?”

  “Sure, go ahead,” he returned flippantly.

  It was all Cait could do to hide a smile. She guessed that her gesture in paying for their sandwiches would somehow be seen as compromising his male pride.

  Apparently she was right. As they were walking toward the cashier, Joe stepped up his pace, grabbed the check from her hand and slapped some money on the counter. He glared at her as if he expected a drawn-out public argument. After the fuss they’d already caused in the restaurant, Cait was darned if she was going to let that happen.

  “Joe,” she argued the minute they were out the door. “What was that all about?”

  “Fine, you win. Tell me my views are outdated, but when a woman goes out with me, I pick up the tab, no matter how liberated she is.”

  “But this isn’t a real date. We’re only friends, and even that’s—”

  “I don’t give a damn. Consider it an apology for the embarrassment I caused you earlier.”

  “Isn’t that kind of sexist?”

  “No! I just have certain…standards.”

  “So I see.” His attitude shouldn’t have come as any big surprise. Just as Cait had told him earlier, he was shockingly predictable.

  Hand at her elbow, Joe led the way across the car-filled lot toward the sprawling theater complex. The movies were geared toward a wide audience. There was a Disney classic, along with a horror flick and a couple of adventure movies and last but not least, a well-publicized love story.

  As they stood in line, Cait caught Joe’s gaze lingering on the poster for one of the adventure films—yet another story about a law-and-order cop with renegade ideas.

  “I suppose you’re more interested in seeing that than the romance.”

  “I already promised you could choose the show, and I’m a man of my word. If, however, you were to pick another movie—” he buried his hands in his pockets as he grinned at her appealingly “—I wouldn’t complain.”

  “I’m willing to pick another movie, but on one condition.”

  “Name it.” His eyes lit up.

  “I pay.”

  “Those claws of yours are out again.”

  She raised her hands and flexed her fingers in a catlike motion. “It’s your decision.”

  “What about popcorn?”

  “You can buy that if you insist.”

  “All right,” he said, “you’ve got yourself a deal.”

  When it was Cait’s turn at the ticket window, she purchased two for the Disney classic.

  “Disney?” Joe yelped, shocked when Cait handed him his ticket.

  “It seemed like a good compromise,” she answered.

  For a moment it looked as if he was going to argue with her, then a slow grin spread across his face. “Disney,” he said again. “You’re right, it does sound like fun. Only I hope we’re not the only people there over the age of ten.”

  They sat toward the back of the theater, sharing a large bucket of buttered popcorn. The theater was crowded and several kids seemed to be taking turns running up and down the aisles. Joe needn’t have worried; there were plenty of adults in attendance, but of course most of them were accompanying children.

  The lights dimmed and Cait reached for a handful of popcorn, relaxing in her seat. “I love this movie.”

  “How many times have you seen it?”

  “Five or six. But it’s been a few years.”

  “Me, too.” Joe relaxed beside her, crossing his long legs and leaning back.

  The credits started to roll, but the noise level hadn’t decreased much. “Will the kids bother you?” Joe wanted to know.

  “Heavens, no. I love kids.”

  “You do?” The fact that he was so surprised seemed vaguely insulting and Cait frowned.

  “We’ve already had this discussion,” she responded, licking the salt from her fingertips.

  “We did? When?”

  “The other day. You commented on how much I used to enjoy playing with my dolls and how you’d expected me to be married with a house full of children.” His words had troubled her then, because “a house full of children” was exactly what Cait would have liked, and she seemed a long way from realizing her dream.

  “Ah, yes, I remember our conversation about that now.” He scooped up a large handful of popcorn. “You’d be a very good mother, you know.”

  That Joe would say this was enough to bring an unexpected rush of tears to her eyes. She blinked them back, annoyed that she’d get weepy over something so silly.

  The previews were over and the audience settled down as the movie started. Cait focused her attention on the screen, munching popcorn every now and then, reaching blindly for the bucket. Their hands collided more than once and almost before she was aware of it, their fingers were entwined. It was a peaceful sort of feeling, being linked to Joe in this way. There was a rightness about it that she didn’t want to explore just yet. He hadn’t really changed; he was still lovable and funny and fun. For that matter, she hadn’t changed very much, either….

  The movie was as good as Cait remembered, better, even—perhaps because Joe was there to share it with her. She half expected him to make the occasional wisecrack, but he seemed to respect the artistic value of the classic animation and, judging by his wholehearted laughter, he enjoyed the story.

  When the show was over, he released Cait’s hand. Hurriedly she gathered her purse and coat. As they walked out of the noisy, crowded theater, it seemed only natural to hold hands again.

  Joe opened the truck, lifted down the step stool and helped her inside. Dusk came early these days, and bright, cheery lights were ablaze on every street. A vacant lot across the street was now filled with Christmas trees. A row of red lights was strung between two posts, sagging in the middle, and a portable CD player sent forth saccharine versions of better-known Christmas carols.

  “Have you bought your tree yet?” Joe asked, nodding in the direction of the lot after he’d climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

  “No. I don’t usually put one up since I spend the holidays with Martin and his family.”

  “Ah.”

  “What about you? Or is that something else you save for Christmas Eve?” she joked. It warmed her a little to imagine Joe staying up past midnight to decorate a Christmas tree for his nieces and nephews.

  “Finding time to do the shopping is bad enough,” he said, not really answering her question.

  “Your construction projects keep you that busy?” She hadn’t given much thought to Joe’s business. She knew from remarks Paul had made that Joe was very successful. It wasn’t logical that she should feel pride in his accomplishments, but she did.

  “Owning a business isn’t like being in a nine-to-five job. I’m on call twenty-four hours a day, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love what I do.”

  “I’m happy for you, Joe. I really am.”

  “Happy enough to decorate my Christmas tree with me?”

  “When?”

  “Next weekend.”

  “I’d like to,” she told him, touched by the invitation, “but I’ll have left for Minnesota by then.”

  “That’s all right,” Joe said, grinning at her. “Maybe next time.”

  She turned, frowning, to hide her blush.

  They remained silent as he concentrated on easing the truck into the heavy late-afternoon traffic.

  “I enjoyed the movie,” she said some time later, resisting the urge to rest her head on his shoulder. The impulse to do that arose from her exhaustion, she told herself. Nothing else!

  “So did I,” he said softly. “Only next time, I’ll be the one to pay. Understand?”

  Next time. There it was again. She suspected Joe was beginning to take their relationship, such as it was, far too seriously. Already he was suggesting they’d be seeing each other soon, matter-of-factly discussing dates and plans as if they were longtime companions. Almost as if they were married…

  She was mulling over this realization when Joe pulled into the parking area in front of her building. He climbed out and began to gather her packages, bundling them in his arms. She managed to scramble down by herself, not giving him a chance to help her, then she led the way into the building and unlocked her door.

  Cait stood just inside the doorway and turned slightly to take a couple of the larger packages from Joe’s arms.

  “I had a great time,” she told him briskly.

  “Me, too.” He nudged her, forcing her to enter the living room. He followed close behind and unloaded her remaining things onto the sofa. His presence seemed to reach out and fill every corner of the room.

  Neither of them spoke for several minutes, but Cait sensed Joe wanted her to invite him to stay for coffee. The idea was tempting but dangerous. She mustn’t let him think there might ever be anything romantic between them. Not when she was in love with Paul. For the first time in nearly a year, Paul was actually beginning to notice her. She refused to ruin everything now by becoming involved with Joe.

  “Thank you for…today,” she said, returning to the door, intending to open it for him. Instead, Joe caught her by the wrist and pulled her against him. She was in his arms before she could voice a protest.

  “I’m going to kiss you,” he told her, his voice rough yet strangely tender.

  “You are?” She’d never been more aware of a man, of his hard, muscular body against hers, his clean, masculine scent. Her own body reacted in a chaotic scramble of mixed sensations. Above all, though, it felt good to be in his arms. She wasn’t sure why and dared not examine the feeling.

  Slowly, leisurely, he lowered his head. She made a soft weak sound as his mouth touched hers.

  Cait sighed, forgetting for a moment that she meant to free herself before his kiss deepened. Before things went any further…

  Joe must have sensed her resolve because his hands slid down her spine in a gentle caress, drawing her even closer. His mouth began a sensuous journey along her jaw, and down her throat—

  “Joe!” She moaned his name, uncertain of what she wanted to say.

  “Hmm?”

  “Are you hungry again?” She wondered desperately if there were any more bread sticks in the bottom of her purse. Maybe that would convince him to stop.

  “Very hungry,” he told her, his voice low and solemn. “I’ve never been hungrier.”

  “But you had lunch and then you ate nearly all the popcorn.”

  He slowly raised his head. “Cait, are we talking about the same things here? Oh, hell, what does it matter? The only thing that matters is this.” He covered her parted lips with his.