She drank every drop hoping he would move away from her, but to her consternation he hunkered down next to her after she’d finished.
He was too close— He smelled too good— She couldn’t think, let alone breathe.
“Better now?” The concern in his deep voice was too much.
“I—I’m fine. Thank you.” She stood up abruptly in an effort to separate herself from him.
The picture was still lying on the floor. Needing something physical to do in her chaotic state, she walked over and picked it up. To her relief the glass hadn’t broken. At last she had the answer to why he’d requested she bring her picture of Winston along.
She put it back on his desk before turning to him. “Mr. Sterling—”
“Surely we’re beyond the formalities,” he broke in.
No! We aren’t! We can’t be!
“My name is Payne.”
I know. I don’t dare use it.
Her body was trembling. “I swear I’ve never been in your office before!”
Lines marred his rugged features. “After your testimony in court and the way you almost fainted just now, you think I don’t know that?”
She put a hand to her throat. “I don’t see how I could have painted everything so true to life! There’s such a thing as coincidence. But this is something else…”
“My feelings exactly.”
Rainey shook her head. “I’m not one to believe in an out-of-body experience that brought me to this office.”
“Nor I.”
She stared at him once more. “I’m frightened. How do you explain something like this happening?”
He rubbed the back of his neck before eyeing her through narrowed lids. “The judge said it. Some things can’t be explained. You just have to accept them.”
“But your fiancée probably won’t believe I haven’t been stalking you. I wouldn’t!” Warmth rosied her cheeks.
His expression grew solemn. “That’s why I want you with me when we tell her and Catherine the true situation.”
“Your niece?”
“Yes.”
“How old is she?”
“Fifteen.”
“Are you two close?”
“Very,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have favorites, but when you meet her, you’ll understand why.”
Rainey moaned. “I have to assume they’ve both been to your office.”
He nodded. “Catherine, many times.”
“When they saw the cover, they must have been petrified. I’m so sorry—” Rainey blurted.
“Don’t you think you’ve beaten yourself enough?” There was an edge to his tone that silenced her. “Let’s agree it’s been a hellish week for everyone concerned and get out of here.”