Hidden Talents

photos.”
    Caleb scowled. “Blade? You mean that weird survivalist you told me about? The one who keeps a herd of rottweilers and drives around with AK-47s hung on his gun rack?”
    “I don't think they're AK-47s,” Serenity said doubtfully.
    “What difference does it make? The guy's a nut case.”
    “Blade's okay. You just have to get to know him. He makes wonderful herbed vinegars. I think they'll sell very well in my catalog.”
    “The man sounds like a dangerous, freaked-out, paranoid idiot. You said yourself that he's convinced that some clandestine government organization is plotting to take over the country.”
    “It may not have been Blade,” Serenity said in a gentling voice that implied she was accustomed to dealing with temperamental types. “It could just as easily have been someone else.”
    Caleb discovered that he did not like being soothed and calmed as if he were a restless stallion. “Look, there's no need to deal with the issue of who sent the pictures until I decide whether or not to continue as your business consultant.”
    Serenity's fair skin turned even paler, highlighting the sprinkling of freckles on her nose and cheeks. She searched his face. “I can't believe you'd quit because of this.”
    Caleb's brows rose. “Anyone who knows me will tell you that I've always maintained certain standards in my business dealings. I don't intend to lower those standards now.”
    Serenity looked as if he'd just poured ice water on her. For the first time anger flashed in her eyes. “This is incredible. I had no idea you were such an arrogant, self-righteous prig.”
    Caleb folded his arms across his chest. “I had no idea you were the type of woman who posed nude for fifth-rate photographers.”
    “How dare you say such things. You know nothing about me or the pictures.” Serenity took two steps back toward the door. “Do you know something? I actually liked you, Caleb. I thought you were nice.”
    “Nice?” Damn it to hell, Caleb thought. For some reason that was the last straw. “You thought I was nice ?”
    “Well, yes.” Serenity's brilliant eyes filled with uncertainty. “You seemed so interested in my ideas for Witt's End. So helpful. I thought you were as concerned about the future of the community as I am.”
    “Witt's End can rot for all I care.” For once in his life, Caleb did not stop to think about his next actions. He started toward Serenity with grim intent.
    For nearly a month he had been suffering the torments of unsatisfied desire. He had consoled himself with his burgeoning plans for an affair, confident that Serenity was as attracted to him as he was to her. Now it was all coming apart and that knowledge clawed at his insides.
    Serenity stood her ground, briefcase hugged protectively to her breasts. “Just what do you think you're doing?”
    “Correcting a false impression.” Caleb came to a halt in front of her. He lifted his hands, gripped her shoulders and jerked her close. “I wouldn't want you to go away thinking I'm a nice guy, Ms. Makepeace.”
    He took her mouth, crushing her soft, full lips beneath his own. The anger and the despair boiling within him was instantly channeled into the kiss. He felt Serenity tremble under the onslaught, but she did not try to pull away.
    For a few seconds she stood stiffly within his rough embrace. She seemed more startled than frightened. Caleb knew he was destroying something important, something he had wanted very much to protect. The realization drove him to do a thorough job of it. He was, after all, a very thorough man.
    His fingers tightened around Serenity's shoulders. He could feel her teeth as he dragged his mouth across hers. It was the first time he had kised her, and it would no doubt be the last. The anguished rage within him transformed itself into a fierce passion that shook him to the very center of his being.
    He tried to drown himself in the taste of Serenity, tried to fix the imprint of her against his body so that he could take out the memory of it five, ten, or twenty years hence and examine it.
    Caleb deepened the kiss, easing Serenity's lips apart. He was ravenous for her. At any moment she would wrench herself out of his grasp and out of his life. This was all he was ever going to get.
    Something very heavy crashed down onto the highly polished toes of Caleb's shoes. He winced. Serenity had dropped her briefcase.
    Dazed by the torrent of emotions pouring through him, Caleb lifted his mouth