Chapter 1

1

T he clock behind the shop counter ticked off the minutes. So far, Gwen MacLaine had been waiting fifteen—no, wait. The clock hand jumped to the next digit. Now, she'd been standing in line sixteen minutes. Too much time when she didn't have any to spare.

She needed to meet Erin's colleague right this minute—miles away in Manhattan's financial district. He was going to think she'd blown him off. Again. Because she had no sense of shame, or ability to even tell time. She'd be even lower on his esteem meter.

Everyone in this skyscraper full of offices seemed to be sending a rush package this Friday afternoon. Outside the glass mail center doors, office workers already hurried past, anxious not to waste a second of the on-rushing summer weekend.

Finally, the customer in front of her took her receipt from the clerk and inched past and down the congested aisle. Gwen handed over her overnight envelope and within minutes was back in the lobby, pulling her cell from her tote. Elevators in the bay behind her pinged, and office workers surged toward the street exit. Several people bumped into her before she could move out of the way, and she tucked her tote tighter against her side.

Today was her last chance to retrieve the study book her roommate needed. Erin would be home early next week, maybe even Sunday night, and would want to start prepping for her final exam later in the week. Gwen threaded her way to one side of the building passageway, found the number she wanted and thought about what to say.

Everyone had plans for Friday evening. She didn't know Will Strongbow personally, but he would likely be anxious to get on with his own, whatever they might be.

Here goes nothing . Gwen took a deep breath and tapped his contact.

"Hello?" A deep, sonorous male voice rumbled in her ear.

The sound flowed through her like warm brandy, and Gwen caught a quick breath the same as the first time she'd spoken with him. His voice suggested a ripped, master-of-the-universe type, but since he was an engineer, he'd be more likely to be skinny with glasses. And a pocket protector with a mechanical pencil.

"This is Gwen MacLaine. I got hung up—I know, I know. Again. Sorry about that. Same excuse, too, doing something last minute for my boss. He's finally left for vacation, thank goodness." A nervous giggle escaped her, but she plowed ahead, not giving him a chance to answer. "I'll catch a taxi and be there soon."

"Wait, Gwen." His deep voice sounded urgent.

Her finger hovered over the disconnect icon, but she put the phone back to her ear. "You won't have to wait long. I'm leaving now."

"Why don't I meet you? Just tell me where."

She sighed. He would be nice about this. She'd noticed that before. But she was at fault here, and she felt bad about the delay. "We tried that before. Remember?"

Plus, she had no idea where to suggest for a meetup spot. She spent most of her time in the university neighborhood miles north of here. "It's my turn to go the distance. I'm the one who wants the book. Well, Erin wants it, but that's the same thing right now."

Silence.

She was about to repeat what she'd said when he answered. "All right. I'll wait."

"Thank you so much." She hesitated as to whether to offer another "sorry," then decided once was enough. "See you soon."

She ended the call and stared at the screen. Should she call the ride-share she occasionally used? Considering the time of day, she'd be better off trying to catch a cab and joined the throng heading to the building's exit.

The late afternoon August heat blasted her when she stepped outside. Buses and cars clogged the avenue. Brakes screeched, and horns honked. She spotted plenty of yellow taxis moving south. Unfortunately, they all had fares and none of them seemed to be pulling to the curb to discharge them. She kept a lookout for an empty cab as she walked to the corner and waited for the traffic signal to turn.

A man with a briefcase talking ninety to nothing on his cell stopped beside her. A tall, well-muscled guy in a black tee with long hair stepped to the curb on the opposite side of the businessman. A logo or something—maybe that of a rock band—splashed across his shirt. Something about him…she glanced up and their gazes collided.

Oops! She quickly swiveled her gaze to the opposite curb, annoyed he'd caught her staring. The guy seemed vaguely familiar. Had she seen him on campus? Or maybe in the building lobby a few minutes ago?

Her chest squeezed. Lila, one of her colleagues at the lab, had recently been stalked for months. Was this guy following her ? No! That was crazy. Thousands of casually dressed darkhaired guys with long hair must live in a city as big as New York. He simply worked in one of these buildings and was headed home. She would not be paranoid.

Still, she'd stayed safe in New York City by paying attention to her instincts, and she hated to ignore them now. But it was also true she was more tense than usual. She'd been wrapping up loose ends for her boss all week. He'd put her in charge of the virus lab while he was gone, and the thought of all that responsibility for the team's medical research had her wired. She'd probably be herself again after a good night's sleep.

The signal changed, and she crossed the intersection with the others and scanned the traffic for a free cab. One of the characteristic yellow taxis pulled to the curb, but was immediately snatched up by the man carrying a briefcase. No rideshares around, either.

A bus lumbered toward her. She hurried to the stop down the block and stepped into the queue. When the doors wheezed open, she climbed aboard, swiped her MetroCard, and inched forward through the standing passengers. She grabbed the overhead bar when the driver pulled away from the curb. The back of her neck prickled. A glance behind her revealed the guy in the rock band tee had boarded along with what felt like fifty others. Nothing unusual, here, she reminded herself. She still threaded her way to stand near the side exit door, putting at least eight people in the aisle between them.

Just like on the subway, except not as hot. A young mother held a child in her lap and a baby in a sling. A grizzled older woman with shopping bags tied with string sat next to her. Next to her in the small space stood well-heeled clerks and businessmen on their way home.

"Can you reach the stop request strip?" the mother asked and stood.

"Sure." Gwen pushed the inner strip in the bracket and stepped aside to allow her to pass, smiling at the baby as the mother ushered her toddler to the exit.

The driver eased to the curb, one wheel hitting a pothole. The side doors slapped open. The woman descended and gestured for the little girl's hand.

The child balked, and the doors started to close. If no one did anything, the family would be separated. "Hurry!" The mom clapped her hands.

"Wait," Gwen called out, "Don't close the doors yet!"

The passenger in a nearby seat pressed the stop request strip, and Gwen took the little girl's hand and lifted her down the steps and out onto the sidewalk. The exit doors snapped shut behind them, and the bus pulled away.

The youngster's face turned red. Seconds later, she started bawling. Loudly. The mother cradled her close and shook her head at Gwen. "She insisted I let her go down by herself, but I shouldn't have listened. Thank you for helping me. I hope this is the stop you wanted, but I have a feeling it isn't."

"No problem." Gwen smiled. At least, helping the mother had gotten her away from the creepy, long-haired guy at least. "I'm glad to help."

"Mommy, I was so scared." The toddler swiped at her eyes.

"I know, sweetheart." The mother took her hand. "We will practice another time. Come on, wave to the friendly lady and we'll go home."

Gwen wiggled her fingers at the child and watched them walk away. She'd gotten off many stops before the one she wanted, but with the streets emptier she would probably find a free taxi.

A perusal of the avenue and adjacent streets turned up empty. She squinted in the direction of Midtown, but the next bus looked a half-mile away. She swiped the screen of her cellphone and pulled up the subway map. Shucks, even the subways had abandoned this section of Fifth Avenue.

She really would love to skip this errand, but Erin had always gone the extra mile for her when the tables were turned. All she could say was Erin had better study the workbook and ace her exam.

Movement caught her eye. She tensed. Two men came out of the building halfway down the block the mother and children had walked. The neon sign casting them in shades of green and pink suggested they'd left a local watering hole.

The offices in the area must be closed for the weekend now, emptying the sidewalks except right outside the bar. The only noise came from the occasional passing car. She shrank into the shadows of the hi-rise office building behind her, not crazed about attracting attention. Their voices faded as they walked away from her, and she let out a held breath.

She didn't need to hang around, though, and glanced up the avenue again. No cabs were visible so she started walking.

Ten minutes later, she finally saw a free cab. Before long, the pinkish granite and glass facade of the Meta Hellenic Shipping building came into view. Lights shone in the vast lobby of the modernistic mid-rise steel and glass structure. She paid the fare and jogged inside, striding directly to the burnished elevators.

"Miss?" A security guard in a blue uniform rose from behind a circular desk she'd never noticed.

"Oh, hey!" She strode over.

"You need to check in here first."

"Sure. I'm looking for an engineer with the shipping company. Is Will Strongbow still here?" She crossed her fingers.

"I'll call." The guard sat behind a computer and assessed a screen.

"Please." She swiped away the sweat dripping down her temple and listened to the exchange.

Assured Will would be down soon, Gwen settled on a leather padded bench under the windows and waited. She crossed and recrossed her legs.

The engineering department occupied the twentieth floor, but the building had plenty of elevators, which were apparently locked since most of the workers here had left by now. Was that why Will was taking so long?

That didn't matter. After the way she'd treated him, she pretty much expected him to make her wait. No doubt he was nicer to beautiful and smart Erin. She always seemed to put men on their best behavior.

Gwen stared toward the elevators. What did she care, anyway? She wasn't looking to turn some guy's head. Far from it. What she needed to do now was retrieve this cursed study guide and leave. Get to the train station and go home.

* * *

Will Strongbow stood at the floor to ceiling windows of the engineering department tossing a pen and watching the sun sink lower over the Jersey side of the river. Below, lights already glowed along the darkening New York City streets. He didn't like the idea of a woman traipsing around in the deserted financial district alone, but he'd wait her out.

The cell on his desk rang. This could be Gwen calling again. He snatched up the phone and checked the screen. Nope, no such luck. "Hey, Charlie, how's the party going?"

"You need to get over here now! The birthday boy is treating everyone to more rounds." Charlie burped. "Ex -cuse me."

Will shook his head. Sounded like everyone was getting lubricated. "I'm still waiting for Erin's friend." Getting seriously worried, too.

"Is she pretty?"

Will laughed. "I don't know. I haven't met her. Just talked to her on the phone." But from the harassed way she'd sounded on that last call, he pictured her with a ponytail askew, tendrils of hair teasing her face, and a tote bag big enough to haul a refrigerator.

His friend sighed. "If she gets there within the next half hour, bring her over when you come."

"Sure." Will disconnected. He'd go if she wanted. After a week spent wondering about her, he admitted to being curious and wouldn't mind getting to know her better before exposing her to a bunch of drunk engineers. She was Erin's roommate, a huge recommendation that Gwen was someone worth knowing.

He lifted his windbreaker off the coat tree when the desk phone rang. This call came from Max at the lobby desk.

"Says her name is Gwen MacLaine," the guard said. "You want to come down and sign her in."

"I'll come on down." He grabbed the yellow envelope containing the study guide he'd promised Erin and headed out.

The elevator chimed on its arrival in the lobby. When he stepped out, a woman wearing a loose blue sweater over a halter top and stylish jeans rose from the bench by the windows. Correction: a beautiful woman with short black hair that fluffed around a face where big blue eyes stared back, magnetic clear-sky blue eyes. A delicious floating sensation lifted his mood and made him forget how long he'd been waiting. Seeing her was worth the wait. Tonight was Friday. They had a whole weekend to play.

She clutched a huge bag to her chest. Her lips parted as if beckoning him, but she didn't move any closer. "Hi. I'm Gwen."

He couldn't look away. Max's radio crackled, and he blinked. How long had he been staring? Seconds? Hours? He needed to speak or she'd think him a mute. "I recognize your voice."

She seemed to startle and then frowned.

Could he make a bigger mess of this? He swallowed to moisten his parched mouth and extended his hand. "Will Strongbow. Pleased to meet you."

She gave him the sweetest smile he'd ever seen and a solid shake.

"I really am sorry I'm so late." She tugged her hand. He reluctantly released his hold, and she hitched the tote bag's straps higher. "Did you have to wait long?"

"I found something to do." Yeah, right, stare out the window and worry you might be getting mugged. "It's Friday. I congratulate you on getting here at all. You were coming from work and there's a lot of traffic between here and Columbia University."

She drew in a sharp breath and stepped back. "How do you know where I work?"

The tension coming off her stunned him, and his nerve endings tingled. Didn't she know she had nothing to fear from him? He shrugged. "I noticed your e-mail address."

"Oh, right." She shifted her weight to one leg, relaxing. But he didn't understand her reaction. She had to know her digital address would be a giveaway. "Actually, I was in midtown when I called. I had to pick up a document from the man giving a joint talk with my boss. Then I had to overnight the proposal to get it to a conference committee in time. I work for one of the research professors."

"I hope you got it off in time."

"Fingers crossed." She tucked her fluffy, dark hair away from her face. "I hope I didn't keep you from something?"

Will made a dismissive gesture. "A bunch of the team went off for beers. You and I could join them. If you want." He raised his eyebrows.

She grimaced. "I need to collect the study guide for Erin and split. Is that it?" She pointed to the envelope he carried.

"Right." He'd forgotten why this woman was here and hurriedly handed over the envelope with the course book. "Tell Erin my sister hopes this will help her do well on the exam."

"Right. Thanks." Gwen stuffed the study guide into her bag and glanced toward the exit doors. "Again, sorry you had to wait. I'm sure you're the last one to leave."

"I didn't mind, but if you want to make it up to me, there's a place we can get a drink a few minutes away."

She tugged on the front of her loose sweater. "I'm hardly dressed for an evening out."

She sounded like she might be open to this, and he gave himself a mental fist pump. He smiled. "Don't worry. You look good."

Great, in fact. Those sapphire blues really delivered a kick and made him snap to attention.

A little groove appeared between her dark eyebrows. She waved her hand as if to erase what she'd just said. "I don't know why I said that. The real reason I can't linger is I don't have enough time."

"Will you turn into a pumpkin?" He didn't want her to leave. They'd only just met.

She laughed. "No, but I will miss the last train home."

"Almost the same thing." Will nodded goodbye to the security guard and ushered her out into the early twilight, liking that she had a sense of humor.

An evening breeze blew in from the harbor, carrying the scent of the ocean. Very little traffic filled the streets at this hour, but a couple of yellow taxis streaked past them. Nothing unusual there.

"Darn, I should have hailed one of those." Gwen stared after them.

"The subway's close." He touched her elbow. "Where are you headed? Jersey or upriver?"

"My train leaves from Grand Central." Gwen frowned and walked to the curb.

He moved to her side. The Meta Hellenic tower stood in knot of tight streets that dated back to colonial times, and she looked uncertain which way to head. He didn't want her wandering around by herself. She sounded capable of handling the city on her own, but his mama had taught him a gentleman always escorted a lady to her destination. "Mind if I tag along?"

She stopped, looped windblown hair over one perfect ear, and gave him a look sharp enough to cut metal. "Why?"

Heck, what was going on with her? He wanted to tell her she could trust him, but how did she know? He was just Erin's work colleague. "I'm headed toward upper Manhattan myself."

"You can if you want." She glanced around, and her shoulders stiffened.

He stepped closer, alert. "Gwen, what is it?"

She clamped a hand on his arm and pointed to the glass-fronted deli café on the corner. "I-I probably have a little time, a-after all. Let's go to the coffee shop down there. Looks like it's still open."