Trust the expert, she murmured to herself. After all, shed put her career in his hands.
* * *
HE FOUND HER sitting in the bar at the hotel, nursing a martini with two olives. Rogan hadnt paid much attention when Claudia had wandered off. But once hed gotten all her patients checked in to their rooms, carried Leticias luggage up the stairs to her second-floor room and devised an escape route for her in case of fire, hed realized that Claudia hadnt yet checked in.
Rogan sat down on the stool beside her. Whiskey, he murmured to the bartender. Neat.
Claudia glanced over at him, her eyes bleary. It looked as if shed been venting again, but her cheeks werent damp and her nose wasnt red. Even now, completely exhausted and most likely drunk, she was beautifuland probably completely unaware of it.
Her dark hair, constrained earlier by a neat clip, now fell in waves around her face, and her lipstick was smudged. She wore a tailored blazer and a white blouse that now seemed a bit wilted.
Shouldnt you be in bed? she asked, reaching for her nearly empty glass.
I was going to ask you the same thing. You look like hell.
She held up her glass in a mock toast, then drained the tiny bit of vodka in the bottom. Then she popped the two olives into her mouth and considered his statement. Great. Then I feel as good as I look. Frowning, she held out her glass to the bartender and he dutifully prepared another and slid it across the bar.
How many of those have you had?
How many of these have I had? Claudia asked the bartender.
The young man held up three fingers.
Including that one? Rogan asked.
He nodded.
I think shes had enough, Rogan ordered.
Youre the man in charge, she murmured, pointing at him.
Theyre all safely into their rooms, he continued. I dont think youll have any problems until morning.
Thank you, she said, taking a sip of her new drink. Its been a very enlightening day. Ive come face-to-face with my limitations as a therapist and I feel a bit bruised right now. She giggled. And just a little drunk.
I know I told you to loosen up, but I didnt mean for you to get pissed at the first available opportunity.
Just following orders. She turned to smile at him. I am most definitely loose.
This was unexpected, Rogan mused. When hed challenged her to relax, he hadnt expected her to go so far. But now that she had, hed make sure she got back to her room with her dignity intact.
So, tell me about yourself, Mr. Quinn. She leaned closer and bumped against his shoulder. What makes you tick?
Are you trying to analyze me? Rogan asked.
Oh, I dont have the energy for that tonight. Im just making polite conversation.
What would you like to know?
Are you married?
No, he said. She got right to the point. But he wasnt sure what her point was. Did his relationship status make a difference to her?
Explain, she ordered.
He gave her a dubious look. Explain? Im not sure what you mean.
Exactly how does a man as attractive as you are, with a voice like yours... She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. And who smells as great as you do. How is it that you arent happily married with three children and a dog?
I guess I havent found the right woman yet.
You are interested in women, arent you? You can tell me. She pressed a finger to her lips. Im a professional.
Yes, he said, nodding. Im interested in women.
Claudia sighed, then took another sip of her drink. Oh, good. It would be such a shame if you werent. She drew a deep breath. So, do you have a girlfriend?
Do you always interrogate strangers like this? he asked. Or is this the martini talking?
I always do this, she said. I have a natural curiosity. Most people dont mind. In fact, most people enjoy talking about their problems, and when they find out Im a psychologist, theyre happy to get a free session.
Well, I dont require your services, Dr. Mathison.
Everyone has at least a few problems worth talking about, she countered.
Like your need to control every single moment of this trip? Thats going to be a problem. Maybe we should talk about that.
She considered his statement for a long moment, then nodded. Point taken. I have my own little demons. But Im curious about yours.
I dont have any. Rogan recognized the lie. But the last person he wanted peering into the dark corners of his mind was Dr. Claudia Mathison.
Ill make you a deal, she said.
Whats that?
If you get me to loosen up, then I get to peek inside your head.
You want to x-ray my brain?
No, she said with a giggle. I want to shrink your head. I want to figure you out. If you manage to loosen me up, then I get to analyze you. You have to answer all my questions.
Believe me, you wont find anything of interest inside my head. Im a pretty normal bloke.
Theres no such thing. Besides, look at yourself. Youre gorgeousand youre not married. Not even attached.
How do you know Im not attached?
Because if you were, you wouldnt be staring at me like you want to kiss me, she said.
Rogan gasped. I do not
Oh, come now. Youre most definitely flirting with me. You touch me every opportunity you get. She nodded at his hand resting on her leg, his fingers in hers. See there? So tell me all your secrets.
Rogan downed his whiskey, then motioned for another. Hed never met a woman like Claudia, a woman who said exactly what was on her mind the moment it occurred to her. He was used to expending all his energy trying to figure out the opposite sex. Women never said exactly what they meant, they were always playing some sort of game.
Maybe that was why hed been reluctant to make a romantic commitment. How could a guy trust his heart to a woman when he couldnt be sure when she was telling the truth and when she was lying? I dont have any secrets, Rogan said. Maybe we should talk about tomorrows itinerary.
Classic avoidance, she said.
Im doing my job, he countered.
Im sure everything will go exactly as planned.
You cant plan for every eventuality, Dr. Mathison. I
You should call me Claudia, she interrupted. Unless you deliberately want to maintain a distance between us. Which doesnt seem to be the case since youre still touching me.
Rogan looked down to find his fingers still tangled in hers. Hell, he hadnt even realized what he was doing. He gently pulled his hand away.
I might change our plan a bit, he said. I dont want to stress the group out too much on the first day.
It was a certified disaster today, wasnt it? she muttered. I should have planned better. But it was just like a What do you call that when snow slides down the side of a hill and
Avalanche?
Yes! An avalanche. It started small and it just got bigger and bigger until I couldnt seem to stop it. Avalanche. Why couldnt I remember that word?
Avalanche?
Yes! An avalanche. It started small and it just got bigger and bigger until I couldnt seem to stop it. Avalanche. Why couldnt I remember that word?
Youre exhausted. Your brain isnt functioning at full capacity. And youre working on your third martini.
I require very little sleep, she informed him.
Jaysus, she was a quirky little thing, Rogan mused, suppressing a smile. Yes, you mentioned that on the phone.
I know I can be a pain in the arse, Claudia said. And Im sorry if I was overly demanding. I could tell you were irritated, but it always pays to be prepared. I like to be prepared. You can appreciate that, cant you?
I can, Rogan agreed. But then, there is something to be said for spontaneity. Interesting things happen when you dont plan for them.
I suppose so, Claudia said. I didnt expect you to be so attractive. I didnt plan on that.
He chuckled softly. What did you expect?
Someone older. Rougher around the edges. More commanding.
Im not commanding? Rogan asked.
No. I mean, youre obviously very competent. But Id call you affable. Yes, thats it. Youre affable.
Was that really her first impression? Rogan wondered. Women were usually much more taken by his charm and devastating good looks. Or so they said. And youre drunk, he said.
Maybe, Claudia admitted. Just a little. But youll still be affable in the morning.
For some reason, the sentiment seemed to amuse her and she got caught up in a long fit of giggles. Rogan found her loss of control just as endearing as her joke and he joined her until they were both giddy and breathless. Claudia took a deep breath. I feel better now, she said.
Better than having a good cry? he asked.
Much better.
Come on then, he said. Ive got you a room. You can finish your drink there. That way, if you pass out, youll already be in bed.
He picked up her glass and waited while she got to her feet. Her bag was still sitting next to the stool. Can you have someone bring her bag up to room 1114? he asked the bartender.
I can get my own bag, Claudia protested. Im not that drunk. She bent down to pick it up but had to reach out to balance herself on the back of the stool. Then again, maybe I am.
Come on, Doc. Just put one foot in front of the other. The lift isnt that far.
You are a very good guide, Claudia said, waving her finger at him.
It took a bit of time for her to balance her purse and her bag, but then she took off at an amazingly brisk pace, her shoes clicking smartly against the marble floor as he followed. When they got to the lift, she pushed the button and stared at the lights above the door. He stood behind her, wondering what was going through her head.
Rogan knew exactly was going through his mind. His gazed drifted down to her bum and he contemplated the curves beneath the unfaded denim jeans. By appearances, she seemed to be the model of perfection, right down to her painted fingernails. But he got the sense that the prim and proper exterior was hiding a mess of contradictions on the inside.
Hed always heard that about shrinks, that they were usually more crazy than their patients. Shed been crazy enough to try to get five of her phobic patients on a plane together and fly them all to New Zealand, and crazy enough to plan this trip.
But though it was probably going to be a hellish week for him, he relished the chance to get to know her a little better.
Rogan had always been attracted to easy girls. Those who didnt fuss over their appearance and who were ready to surf or bike or hike at a moments notice. That was obviously not Claudia Mathison. She was a planner, the kind of woman he usually found irritating. And yet, he found himself strangely attracted to her. Or maybe it wasnt attraction, but curiosity.
Still, hed be wise to temper the attraction with a healthy dose of suspicion. She wanted to analyze him, and he wasnt about to bare his soul to a stranger, even if she was a beautiful, sexy, intriguing woman.
Revealing his insecurities and vulnerabilities wouldnt do either one of them any good. Shed see him as flawed and hed be constantly on edge, waiting for her to use the information against him. Hell, he hadnt even revealed his innermost fears to his own brothers, and they were the two people he trusted most in the world.
Then again, maybe that was why hed never fallen in love. Hed never trusted a woman enough to let her get close...really close. That kind of trust was a double-edged sword. It could open up a person to love but it could also destroy him in a single blow. Look what had happened to his mother. No, hed keep his heart to himself.
But her challenge did intrigue him. He was sure he could get the good doctor to loosen upwithout revealing any of his secrets.
The lift doors opened and she stumbled inside. Rogan followed her and they stood together as the door closed. She was closest to the control panel and he waited for her to push the button for the eleventh floor.
He smiled to himself. Shed fixed her gaze on the lights above the door again, her pretty face crunched into a frown. This lift is broken, she finally said. Its not moving. Or is it moving? She leaned back against the wall. Maybe Im the one thats moving.
Rogan leaned across her and pushed the button. I fixed it.
As they rode up, he closed his eyes for a moment, drawing a deep breath and taking in the scent of her perfume. He usually didnt care for perfume, but right now, his senses seemed to be operating in overdrive. Everything about her was much more tantalizing than it should be. By the time they reached her room, Rogan was already wondering what it might be like to kiss her.
She had an amazing mouth, wide and expressive, with lips the color of ripe berries. He knew the unwritten rule that a guide should never seduce a client. But Claudia really wasnt a client. He wasnt guiding her, he was guiding her patients. And so was she. By all accounts, they were coworkers. At least, that was the story he was telling himself.
He pulled her keycard out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her, but she struggled to make it work. Rogan reached for it, but she brushed him off. I can certainly get the door open, she said.
She made an amusing spectacle, her dark hair tumbling around her face, her color high. Each attempt was followed by a soft curse. Not so quick, he advised. And wait for the light to go green before you pull it back out. Claudia gave it a few more tries before she reluctantly handed the card to him. You do it.
He reached around her and unlocked the door, then pushed it open. After you.
Claudia turned and stood in the doorway, blocking his entrance. Thank you for everything you did. I appreciate your...efficiency.
He held out her drink. Well, good night then.
She reached out for it, but miscalculated and ended up knocking the glass into his chest. The vodka sloshed onto his shirt and she reached out to wipe it away. Rogan captured her hand with his and pressed it against his chest, her delicate fingers splaying over the damp fabric of his shirt. His pulse quickened and his heart pounded against her palm.
Can I ask you a question? she murmured.
She raised her gaze to his and he fought the urges coursing through him. Sure, he said.