I offer many thanks to Barb who spends a lot of her precious and dwindling spare time correcting my atrocious grammar and spelling. Thanks, too, for the suggestions and input, Barb.

j.dragoness@mindspring.com

Part 2

Sam was fuming. This encounter left her angrier than the last one with Sterling Hayes. The Realtor made a mental note to write a letter to the Atlanta Bar Association condemning these unsavory practices in the legal community. 'That woman has a hell of a lot of nerve!' Somehow, she detected no tone of condemnation in her thought and it occurred to her that she was mostly making an observation.

Glancing at her watch, Samantha realized that she wouldn't be getting home early after all.

It was a charity event and she felt obligated to attend. Most of her neighbors and many of her clients would be at the Western Hoe Down to help raise money for Aid Atlanta. Sam had talked herself into and out of going a half dozen times in recent weeks. She had been in the 'I'm not going' mode when an attractive VP from her bank had called and invited her to go.

Samantha had noticed the appeal of Beverly's clothing first. The beautiful brunette wore conservative, tailored garments of unquestionably good taste, something Sam had an appreciation for. On one of the Realtor's frequent trips to the bank, the VP had made a point to greet her and they spoke briefly. They had crossed paths several times since then, once while having lunch in midtown, twice attending the same house party and finally, during intermission at the Fox.

Beverly Andrews had noticed Samantha come into the lobby during intermission. She kept an eye on her for several minutes, nodding her understanding when Peter and a friend brought the attractive blonde a drink. 'She is here with her friends, a perfect opportunity to ask her to lunch.' The sleek banker had been planning to make a date with Sam for some time. Bev walked over to the group, but turned her back at the last moment, waiting to see if Samantha would recognize her.

Much to Bev's relief, Sam tapped her on the shoulder and greeted her with a warm smile.

"How are you? How do you like the show so far?" 'Brilliant Sam, very original.' The Realtor introduced her friends who discreetly excused themselves and left the two women standing alone.

Beverly picked up the conversation; "I love it! That lawyer playing his armpit was hysterical!" They were attending the live broadcast of a national radio show, something neither had done in the past. They talked and laughed for the few remaining minutes before flashing house lights signaled the need to return to their seats.

Sam had agreed to come with Peter and his friend because she loved the Fox Theater and took every opportunity afforded her to go there. She considered her enjoyment of the broadcast a bonus and now she had been treated to a warm exchange with Beverly Anderson who mentioned having lunch together the next day.

The two women sat in the trendy atmosphere of a new restaurant in Decatur. They agreed that the food didn't live up to the rave reviews the establishment had gotten in the Weekender. Since both of the women dealt with mortgages and finance on a daily basis there was no shortage of things to talk about. Beverly, it turned out had a terrific sense of humor outside the bank and regaled her new friend with stories of bizarre loan applications and some of the collateral she had been offered over her years in banking.

They had finished lunch and were just enjoying a companionable conversation when Sam's pager vibrated against her midriff. "Oh! This darn thing always manages to surprise me. Sorry." Fishing her cell phone out of the purse on the spare chair next to her, she called the office. Peter was beside himself. Her afternoon appointment had arrived an hour early. "Don't be so dramatic. You can stall them for the ten minutes it will take me to get there. Make them a cup of tea. Knit them an afghan. Do anything, but calm down!" Sam hung up the phone laughing and shaking her head. "My secretary has a tendency to lose it in stressful situations. She smiled and brought out her wallet to pay their check.

"No way, I invited you to lunch Samantha. Besides, my expense account is hardly ever used and it should be." Sam thanked the brunette and apologized for the necessity of a hasty exit, but rose to leave. Bev agreed to wait for the check to arrive.

The banker placed a hand gently on Sam's arm, stopping her for a moment where she stood by the table. "The bank reserved a table at the western dance next Saturday night. I'd love for you to go with me if you like that sort of thing."

The hostess was leading a group of patrons to their seats and Sam allowed herself to be swept in front of them. "I'll call you," Bev called after her.

Samantha dismissed the mention until the call from Beverly came three days later. There had been a roundabout discussion that involved Beverly's cautious admission of her interest in dating Sam, followed by a confirmed acceptance of her invitation to the upcoming charity event.

Now, dressed in snug black jeans, a black leather vest, belt and black western boots, the curvaceous blonde sat at a reserved table waiting for Bev to arrive. Sam and Peter had argued about the white tee shirt with its sleeves rolled up to expose Sam's subtly muscled upper arms. He agreed that it was a touch masculine, but convinced her that it was an appropriate look for a hoe down. She hated to admit it, but the look on Beverly's face when she first spotted Sam proved Peter was right.

"Wow! You look incredible tonight." Sam accepted the abbreviated hug of greeting from where she sat. "Why don't I brave the bar before I sit down and get too comfortable. What's your poison this evening little lady?" Sam requested a scotch and water and Bev left her alone at the table.

"That outfit is sinful," said an unidentified voice. The remark was quickly followed by a kiss on Sam's cheek. A flirtatious cowgirl in leather chaps and a felt Stetson grinned widely. "Save a dance for me later?" The cowgirl squatted beside the realtor and dropped a proprietary arm around the back of her chair. Sam agreed to the dance and chatted briefly with the extremely young woman who was a regular at the bars Sam sometimes frequented to two-step.

"Amy and Donna are here and Stephanie. You know her don't you? The red head who wears all the jewelry." Sam shook her head, recalling the woman in question. "You do look incredible tonight by the way." A wolfish smile curled the lips that were inches away from Sam's face and closing fast.

"You already told me that, but thanks." Sam was a little uncomfortable with the forwardness of the woman beside her.

"I've told her that a dozen times myself, haven't I Hon?" Beverly stood behind Sam's chair with their drinks, smiling icily down at the woman who was so obviously cruising her date.

As the banker sat the glasses on the table, the cowgirl stood, studying the brunette. "Beverly Andrews," she extended her hand in greeting. Bev's appearance cut the visit short and the youngster moved off after reminding Sam of the promised dance.

Sam thanked her date for the rescue but Beverly just waved it off. "Can't blame her for trying but you better watch out. She may be back when she grows up!" They both laughed while Bev gauged the effect of her compliment.

The women enjoyed watching the pairs on the dance floor. Their movements were complex and had obviously required many hours of practice to master. Sam loved to two-step. Some of the couples were incredibly graceful and the banker, who had no experience in Western dancing, grew more and more intimidated. She began to drink heavily.

Samantha turned down the first two requests for a dance, but by the time the third one was made, Beverly realized that her date would love to be on the floor, instead of sidelined, looking on. The banker insisted that Samantha accept the offered hand and take the dance floor.

The VP came a little unglued watching Sam move rhythmically with her nameless partner through the intricate steps of a line dance, clearly designed to be provocative for participants as well as spectators. Enjoyment shone in Sam's eyes as she twirled and stomped in perfect time to the blaring music. When the blonde returned to the table, face flushed and grinning widely she sat watching Bev's face for a reaction to the spectacle she had just witnessed.

"Whew! That one should have a warning from the Surgeon General that comes along with it. My heart almost stopped twice." Sam blushed at Bev's compliment.

After a couple of drinks, Sam convinced her date that all she needed was a little coaching and Beverly finally acquiesced. They made their way around the crowded dance floor for several songs before retiring back to the relative quiet of their table. Beverly excused herself and headed to a quiet corner to return a page on her cell phone. "I'm really sorry Samantha, but they wouldn't be calling me from the computer department at the bank unless something serious was going on." Sam waved her away and settled back to enjoy watching the crowd.

A dark hat floated above the mostly bare heads on the dance floor. It moved fluidly in time to the music and Sam watched it intently, waiting for the wearer to come into view. Her curiosity peaked at long legs that did great justice to the snug fit of new Levis. The dull gleam of well worn boots slid seamlessly over the floor, their owner an obvious master of western dance. The arm that reached around the back of the mystery dancer belonged to a woman with a long blonde mane and spilling cleavage. This Sam had determined when the couple came by her for the second time, the blonde clinging to her partner's chest, eyes closed and obviously enjoying the sensual contact provided by the movement of her graceful partner.

As the couple moved away, green eyes curiously surveyed the subtle curves of the tall dancer's shapely ass. Sam caught herself smiling a little in appreciation and began anticipating the next turn around the dance floor. She hoped to get a glimpse of the face that went with the body under the black Stetson.

The drink in front of her was mostly melted ice. Sam had never been much of a drinker and knew with certainty that she would be the designated driver for the evening. Still, as she sat watching and fidgeting with the energy of the evening, the young blonde unconsciously lifted the glass to her lips several times. Sam was in the process of swallowing the last sip when the black hat glided into view once more. 'Oh good! They've moved over to this side of the floor. They should be close enough for me to get a good look when they come by.'

Later Samantha would wish they hadn't been quite so close. As the realtor's eyes rose slowly up the denim column, past the flames that patterned the western shirt, she got a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. It took a few moments for the crowd to part and reveal the sparkling blue eyes of Sterling Hayes. Recognition dawned on the attorney's face just as the music stopped and the dance ended. It was necessary for Sterling to reach behind her neck and pry loose her partner's hands before peeling the blonde woman off the front of her body. The barrister's gaze never wavered, it remained locked on Samantha as she gave her dance partner brief instruction and the woman moved off unsteadily towards a table in the furthest corner of the room.

Sam tried to look away. Several beats went by as they simply stared at each other. Finally Sterling's lips formed into a subtle smile and she touched the brim of her hat in salutation before moving off after her date. The realtor looked after the attorney, confused by her own reaction to the incident. She didn't have time to analyze it much though before Beverly returned to their table with a fresh round of drinks. Sam took hers and for the first time all evening swallowed a healthy portion of it before sitting the glass on the table.

The drink handed her had been accompanied by a meaningful look. It was the third or fourth such look in the past hour and Sam nervously noted that the frequency was increasing in direct proportion to the amount of alcohol Bev was consuming.

The crowd was beginning to thin and Sam suggested that they go out for breakfast. It was her hope that some food might help sober Bev somewhat. The banker was just about to agree to the plan when Patsy Cline's voice came over the speakers at the dance floor's perimeter and the VP leaned in to request a last dance with her date. Sam accepted with enthusiasm, gratified to find that Beverly was very accomplished at waltzing. The banker held Sam tight as they moved around the floor. Fortunately the Realtor was experienced at following a strong lead, because her attention was diverted by the recent image of Sterling Hayes.

The first thing she became aware of was the western shirt neatly hanging on the chair by the desk. It was the very one Beverly had been wearing at the dance. Sam closed her eyes and felt the shift of a body on the bed beside her. It wasn't her bed, it wasn't her house and she was about to experience that uncomfortable morning after thing, which she dreaded.

Not that her evening had been anything but pleasurable. Beverly had invited her to her home for a late night breakfast instead of going out, which the banker had prepared and served to Sam with a distinct flair.

They talked over their meal and the VP's proclamation that she was 'in like' with Sam produced an uncomfortable moment between them. Sam, ever honest, admitted her attraction, but told Bev she was mostly enjoying being pursued and relishing the romantic attentions of the otherwise conservative banker. She also told Beverly that she had avoided physical closeness in her life for a long time, hoping candor would somehow discourage the VP. Before Sam got a chance to explain her reluctance to get deeply involved, the lovely brunette leaned closer and gave Samantha a searing kiss.

The banker was a considerate and gentle lover. This morning Samantha replayed the previous evening's activities and was surprised that her recollection consisted mostly of a warm safety. Her green eyes opened slowly and found Beverly watching her.

"Good morning Sam. How did you sleep?" There was a Cheshire smile playing across the face of Sam's attractive bedmate.

"Great, how 'bout you." She stretched lavishly; watching in growing alarm as the sheet, which remained caught up under them, pulled off of her shoulders, revealing her nude body underneath.

"MMmmm, thanks. Talk about your morning inspirationals," Beverly purred. The color rose in Sam's face. She'd had no idea that she'd fallen asleep in the buff. It was just not something she would do. Bev sidled up to smaller partner and wrapped warm arms around her. She began kissing Sam's neck lightly and casually caressing whatever was reachable with her free arm.

The thing with the sheet hadn't been an invitation; it certainly must have appeared differently to Beverly. Knowing hands were moving over Sam's breasts, causing involuntary responses. A moan vibrated against her ear, sending its little tickles deep inside. Tightening her own hold on the banker, Sam relished the feel of soft skin against her. She was thinking that maybe she had been too long without companionship, when insistent fingers found there way to her lower regions and wiped out the possibility of further thought.

Sam felt doubly guilty for missing church due to the reason for her absence. Peter was going to give her a hard time about this, as was Janet, but it was worth it. The steam rose off the tub she was soaking in and her head was resting against the rim, almost sleeping. She and Beverly had talked over coffee. Sam wouldn't allow the preparation of another breakfast stating that she'd put the banker to that trouble the previous night.

Parts of the conversation played over in her head. Beverly's invitation to dinner had been turned down and the banker had shown her obvious disappointment. "I really enjoy your company and I'd like to spend time with you Bev." The dark face watching Sam lightened perceptibly. "I have a lot of obligations, personally and professionally, as I'm sure you do, but we can work around that, huh?"

Bev had been in banking long enough to read between the lines effectively. "You're saying that you don't want anything serious between us, aren't you?"

Samantha's smile softened what was coming next. "Its like I told you Bev, I'm not in the market for a serious commitment, but you're a real temptation."

'She is too' Sam thought as she swirled the cooling water with her hand, pretending it was smooth rounded flesh beneath her fingers instead. A seductive smile appeared as Sam considered the gentle gifts her new friend had to offer.

'RRRiiiinnnnnggggg!!!' The shrill cry startled Sam and she half-leapt from the tub before she identified it. She snatched the portable from her dressing bench by the tub, annoyed with herself for her speeding heartbeat. Peter's voice, chastising her flowed from the ear piece before she even got a chance to speak a greeting. 'Here we go,' she thought and sighed loudly.

The table was perfect. Peter had insisted on taking care of it himself while Sam finished up in the kitchen. He had even pirated a bouquet from the abundant flower garden in his back yard. He joined her, casting a critical eye towards the pots on the stove. "You're all set out there. What time is Beverly due to arrive?"

"About seven she said. There was something going on at the bank that she had to stay for. I hope she isn't late; this casserole will dry out if it has to stay in the oven too long."

"Maybe you'll just skip dinner and get right to the important stuff." Sam spun around to toss a dishtowel at him where he stood, hands on hips, smiling suggestively.

"Just because you are a sex maniac Peter, that doesn't mean the rest of us are."

"Right. I'm out of here. If you need help with anything, send up a flare." He kissed her on the offered cheek and was gone.

Samantha tried not to be nervous, but it wasn't working. She had offered to cook dinner for Beverly, thinking it might be nice to stay home for a change. They had been out to eat three times in the past two weeks, always at the banker's expense and Sam did not want to begin feeling a sense of obligation.

The time they spent together was always enjoyable. Bev had season tickets for the Atlanta Braves and although Sam wasn't a huge fan of baseball they would be attending a game together the following week. There was a plan in the works to attend an LPGA golf tournament together as well.

'It's nice to have somebody to do things with. Gosh! I sound like someone seventy years old! I don't think I'm supposed to appreciate companionship this early in life.' Sam had a lot of acquaintances and many invitations to various functions and events, but had fallen into the habit of refusing most of them. The social whirl of life in Midtown Atlanta had grown tiresome. Until Beverly came along, a quiet evening at home had become a steady diet.

The doorbell rang and Sam took one last look at her table before going to answer it. Beverly stood grinning with a bottle of wine extended in her hand.

Sterling would never have anticipated the dread she now felt as she waited at the gate for Samson's plane to land. Things had begun to heal between them when Sterling opened her own practice. Their phone calls had been uncomfortable at times, but since then they had spent long hours talking through problems, and sharing the details of their diverse lives.

Her move to South Carolina and ultimately to Atlanta had not affected their rekindling friendship. The long distance calls were just a little more expensive than the local ones had been. They had not met face to face since she left Boston.

Now, Samson was coming into Atlanta to attend a training session with forensics expert, Joseph Burton. He had never traveled more than a hundred miles away from home and Sterling had convinced him to turn the trip into a mini-vacation.

This man knew her like no one else living. He knew her past, her dreams, even her fears, but there were things Sterling was not comfortable telling Samson. At times, she had felt an obligation to enlighten Samson about her preference for women, but didn't know how he would take it. Both of them knew that he had always been not so secretly in love with her. It had taken two years for her to finally come clean, but somehow Samson had been the most relieved by the news.

In his heart he had always known that Sterling was unobtainable and now there was good reason for him to accept the finality of that. At that point, they had become friends, betting on the outcome of football games, razzing each other about 'hot dates' turned bad and sharing camaraderie usually reserved for his fellow police officers.

A head of dark hair bobbed above the crowd. She watched it, waiting for the face beneath it to become visible. It was Samson all right, but he had aged twenty years in seven. Sterling smiled and waved so that he would spot her own tall figure.

"My God, you're more beautiful than I remembered." It was not an idle compliment. The detective looked positively awestruck. Sterling threw her arms around him and held him tight.

"My protector has finally come to Atlanta." She patted him on the back before releasing him. The comfort of his presence flooded back from her years in the projects. Sterling didn't often dredge up those memories, because all of them were unpleasant but Samson had always been a strong male role model in her life. He had filled those empty spaces that Gino could not. Between them, they had taught the young woman right and wrong and how fine the line was between the two.

Obviously embarrassed, the detective muttered, "I only have one bag. Do you know where we go to get it?"

They went arm and arm to the luggage claim area, catching up along the way. Each was the closest thing to a close friend that the other possessed. Loners by nature, it felt unnatural to form bonds, but they had the common thread of history between them. Samson knew things about the young attorney that no one else did or would. Likewise, she had a clear picture of the detective and the torments of a job that he both loved and hated.

"You have to stay with me! I have FOUR empty bedrooms, two extra vehicles and besides, I know where the best topless joints are." Samson knew she was probably serious, too.

As promised, the prime rib was delectable. Samson pushed his chair back a little to make room for his expanded waistline. Sterling was treating him to Atlanta's legendary cuisine, one restaurant at a time. It was her hope that she would fatten him up a bit in the process.

"Surely you don't eat like this all the time. You'd be as big as a house!"

She laughed at him." I forget to eat as often as I remember, so when I do chow down, I chow down." The young woman studied the barely graying temples of her dinner partner. "What's up with the gray hair? You're not that much older than me." She was only partially kidding with her inquiry. Samson was just the other side of forty. She had researched his background thoroughly once upon a time and Sterling never forgot anything unless she wanted to.

"The job does that to you, it makes you old before your time. I'm really twenty-seven." He smiled, but had a far away look in his eyes. She knew he was back in his city, focusing on some horror-story case that needed solving.

"I can get good tickets to the Braves game tomorrow afternoon. Are you done with your meetings and crap? I can sneak away from the office if you can go." Samson confirmed that he would be free to make the pilgrimage to watch his favorite baseball team play. The sudden excitement in his eyes was heartwarming for Sterling. She couldn't remember ever seeing it before.

They were like truant children the next day. Blue jeans and sneakers were enough of a departure from her usual dress that Sterling's secretary openly stared at her as she was leaving the office. "Something wrong?" The attorney was in an ebullient mood. "You didn't know that I was this human, did you Sally?" Sterling laughed and tossed her long dark hair. Sweeping it into a ponytail, she threaded it through the hole at the back of her brand new Braves hat. The matching one with its easily recognizable Atlanta 'A' was in the backpack that she slung over her shoulder. Samson had resisted every offer of a gift up until now, but he would readily accept this one she was sure.

"I'm out of here Sally. If the sky starts to fall, prop it up until the game is over, ok?" She was whistling as the outer office door swung closed behind her.

The beer was cold and the game was close although the two friends were enjoying eyeing the scantily clad women as much as the action on the field. Sterling was really thawing out, glad to be away from haughty judges, indignant clients and richly appointed conference rooms.

'I'm just another rabid baseball fan, ditching work and living in the moment. God, why don't I do this more often?'

"Hey! Gotta go pee. You want anything else to eat while I'm up there?" Sterling grimaced as she glanced at the crumpled hotdog wrappers, trays of both ketchup (from french fries) and mustard (from soft pretzels), mini pizza boxes and a popcorn box. Her stomach gurgled as she drained the plastic cup of her fourth beer and she accepted Samson's refusal without pressing.

Sterling strode purposefully up the steps, two at a time. The bad thing about good seats was the long walk up from the field level to the bathrooms. Just as she reached the tunnel leading out to the mezzanine a roar went up from the crowd and she spun around to see what had happened on the field. Before either of them had a chance to react, Samantha Hilliard stumbled into her arms.

"Sorry! I should have looked where I was going." Sam began to apologize, clearly shaken.

"I shouldn't have stopped with no warning like that. Are you OK?" Sterling countered.

Both had rendered the immediate apology that good manners dictated. Now they stood at arms length, studying each other. Two pairs of eyes narrowed.

"We could be civil. After all, this isn't a work -related outing. I'm not even supposed to be here. My boss would have a fit," Sterling offered in an effort to keep the accidental meeting as light as possible. She didn't want her ebullient mood spoiled by a nasty scene right now.

Stiffening and backing up a step Sam started to react. Unfortunately in her effort to physically remove herself from Sterling's reach, she almost backed off the concrete riser. Losing her balance, she teetered precariously, realizing her mistake too late. The attorney reached out to grab Sam, pulling her back to safety on the top tier and into her arms.

Sam looked a little pale as the lawyer released her. The two women watched each other wide eyed. As the realization struck her of how long the aisle of steps was behind her and the kind of damage she could have suffered, Sam became paler still. There were patrons collecting behind the two women, trying to get through the tunnel and Sterling pulled Sam out of their way. Taking her by the elbow, the taller woman led her to a quiet corner under the exit ramp.

"You don't look so hot. Can I get you some water or something?" Her concern was so sincere that Sam forgot to be angry with her rescuer.

"I'll be fine. It scared me, that's all." She swallowed hard and looked up into Sterling's face. "You're right, I should be civil at least, especially since you kept me from falling down those stairs. I'd have broken something at least." Fear had subsided enough to allow Sam's embarrassment at her clumsiness to creep up from the neckline of the golf shirt she wore. A deep flush of red accompanied it.

The organ music announcing the seventh inning stretch was a prelude to the press of bodies streaming past them to the concession stands and restrooms. Sam was forced to stand closer to Sterling and found herself mesmerized by the hum of something unnamed that seem to emanate from the enigmatic attorney.

Sterling shifted from foot to foot, not knowing what was coming next. Finally she decided to breach the silence herself. "I know I said we're both skipping work today, so I hate to bring up work-related subjects, but Mike should be sending you another settlement proposal, if he hasn't already. I think you'll be happier with this one."

Samantha nodded and breathed a quiet "thanks" that could not be heard, but was clearly interpreted anyway.

"Well, I guess I better go get in line." The barrister jerked her head in the direction of the line snaking out of the women's bathroom. "Are you sure you're going to be alright?" Sam nodded. "See you later, then. Enjoy the game." Long legs carried Sterling quickly to her goal. Sam had to think a minute about why she had been coming up the stairs to begin with.

'I can't walk over there and get in line behind her, she'll think I'm loony for not following her in the first place. Or else she'll think I'm rude and don't want to make any further conversation with her. Probably thinks that anyway. I'll just walk around to another bathroom.'

All the way back to her seat, Sterling thought about the feel of Samantha Hilliard as she'd caught her in her arms. The openness of her expression and the intensity of her eyes had been disarming. The tall beauty shook her head. 'I'm losing it. Just because we exchanged a few words without her cussing me out for once doesn't mean anything. Does it?'

Samson was a little hoarse from yelling at various misdeeds by players on both teams. Sterling had thoroughly enjoyed watching her friend enjoy himself. It was a rare occurrence, she was sure and a day they would both remember for a long time.

They walked from the bus to the MARTA station enjoying a haze of content that the day spent together had produced. The train would drop them at Eastlake where Sterling had left her car. She looked over at her usually intense friend and hardly recognized the carefree, smiling stranger walking beside her. The lawyer had never thought of him in these terms before.

"When do you think you'll settle down Samson. There has to be a good woman out there dying to get her hands on you, my man." The question came from nowhere, but it was one Sterling had been meaning to pose for the past two days.

"I have my outlets. I don't need anything more permanent than that." She knew he was speaking of the two women he occasionally dated. Both were divorced, lonely and crazy about Samson. Whenever one would get too serious he would withdraw and go back to the other one. It was not a perfect arrangement, but it worked for all of them.

The lawyer laughed at his flushing face. "You could make an honest woman of one of them you know. You're not too old to have some kids and stuff."

"It's the and stuff that scares me shitless. Besides, you're one to talk. I don't see any evidence of a steady squeeze in your life, much less a serious commitment. You're getting older too Sterling. Maybe you should start thinking about starting a family."

A family. Their conversation would haunt her in days to come. The progression of relationships in her life generally went from a tease to pursuit, then on to conquering where they inevitably ended. Observation had shown her that it was possible to have something beyond that, but Sterling had never put a name to what that might be. 'Family. I wonder if there's a class I could take to teach me about having a family? I don't know if I could make the compromises.' At the center of her own little universe, she wasn't sure that she could share her life.

There was also the issue of a city teeming with beautiful women tempting her at every turn. Sterling had to admit if she was honest, though, that the chase was beginning to get tedious. 'Maybe it's time to at least start thinking about it. ' The conversation turned to less serious talk.

The two friends sat on stools in Sterling's ultra-modern kitchen, eating sandwiches they had picked up at a deli around the corner. Samson chewed and made a face that wrung an immediate apology from his hostess.

"The deli down here is not what you're used to, I know…"

He shook his head and explained. "No, no, it's pretty good, really." The detective studied her gearing up for his confession. " I never thought I'd say this, but I hate to go home tomorrow."

"Don't go then. You're welcome here as long as you want to stay."

Samson protested. "No, it's not the geography. I hate to go back to that dirty city and that twisted job of mine. Funny, I hate to leave you, this has been real different. I never had a friend before."

"Neither have I Samson. It is kind of nice isn't it?" They ate in companionable silence for a while before deciding to catch a movie on Sterling's wide screen TV.

She dropped him off at the baggage check-in counter outside the airport. Sure it was nothing more than hormones, Sterling was feeling sentimental and didn't want to embarrass herself with tears by accompanying Samson to the gate. He lifted his bag from the trunk of her BMW and slammed the lid. They had managed to avoid saying anything personal but both realized that they only had minutes and the detective would be gone.

"I really appreciate everything and in case I forgot to tell you, I'm real proud of what you've done with your life. You should be, too." Samson looked a little embarrassed by his declaration. Neither of these two had much experience at expressing their feelings.

Sterling felt tears behind her eyes and hurried to hug him so that she could get out of there. She placed the softest of kisses on his lips before spinning around and quickly folding into her car. He watched the hand waving to him out the window until the silver BMW made the curve at the end of the sidewalk and carried his friend out of sight.

Blinded by the tears that were finally allowed to fall, the now vulnerable young woman drove mechanically towards her office. 'I don't know what my problem is. It's just Samson and he's only going home to Boston, it's not like he's dying or anything.' She tried to console herself, but the emotion continued to bubble up and out of her and Sterling had to dig deeper to figure out why so that she could calm herself.

To begin with, it WAS like he was dying. Samson was returning to a place and a life that had been killing his soul by degrees for all the time she had known him. Their lives had run a parallel course in some respects. The young beauty knew that she had been feeding chunks of her own soul to the devil's fire all along as well.

The differences between the friends were less dramatic. He had seen the filth and decay in the community where he had been born and dedicated his life to changing it. In the process he had only dirtied his own heart and soul. Sterling had crawled out of the same miasma of scum as soon as she discovered the means to do so and never looked back, but the method by which she accomplished this act of will had created their own stains on her conscience. Both of them thought themselves too soiled by the life they led to deserve the love of another human being. The two of them had seen too much death, disease, corruption and greed. It was hard not to examine motive in the actions of everyone around them and harder to witness the decay.

Sterling Hayes had always been alone. Suddenly, that mattered very much to her.

Sterling had to get out of Boston if she ever intended to build any self-respect. Gino's two remaining sons treated her as if she was a part of their inheritance from their father and nothing could be further from the truth. Joey and Sal were little boys compared to Gino and probably always would be. The rest of Gino's friends and contacts weren't sure what her position was now that he was gone and Sterling had access to a lot of damning information. She made them nervous.

It seemed best for everyone in her world when an opportunity arose and the lawyer decided to follow a big client to Charleston South Carolina. In a lot of ways it would mean starting over, but maybe that was a good thing.

Zachary Taylor, sixty-two year old shipping magnate, was the man who's business lured Sterling to the southern capital of social graces. His name was one of the oldest on the social register and his introduction opened doors that would have remained closed for decades without his help. Sterling found herself immediately caught up in the social whirl of parties, receptions and afternoon teas.

The high and mighty of Charleston society recognized same-sex preferences among some of its own and oddly enough had no problem accepting Sterling's new, but increasing appetite as long as she was somewhat discreet. It is safe to say that the women of Charleston were particularly intrigued with the dark beauty and gaining her attention became something of a competition. Zachary chided her at every opportunity, having been quite the stud around town in his younger days, himself.

"You look like you spent the night face down in a thicket." The grey eyes scanning the documents held a barely contained merriment in them.

"Ha, Ha. It's your fault, you bastard. That Singleton woman told Harriette that I was seeing somebody else on the side and she went psycho."

"I see. So you spent the evening trying to soothe her ruffled feathers from the inside out and that's my fault." He lifted an eyebrow.

"Mrs. Singleton saw me at dinner with you last Friday. I told you it was a bad idea for me to bring a date downtown!"

"Yes, well. It may have been my suggestion that we all have dinner, but you might have urged that young woman to keep her hands to herself while in public. What is it with you and these nymphomaniacs?"

Sterling grinned in embarrassment and shrugged her shoulders. Zachary smiled and continued scanning the contracts he held on his lap. He knew damned well what the attraction was, he had made a ridiculous play for her himself while in Boston. The woman was brilliant, wealthy, incredibly easy on the eye and the most sensuous person, man or woman, he had ever known. She fairly radiated sexual energy now that she was in Charleston and freer than ever to pursue her own interests without fear of insulting Gino's legacy.

That pursuit took more of her energy if not more of her time than rebuilding her practice. Fortunately, most of the women seeking her company either had legal needs of their own, or husbands who blindly accepted the suggestions of their wives and sent their business to Sterling for handling. In truth, most of the men married to the high profile women of Charleston had done so out of social or financial necessity and were too busy with their own extra-marital affairs to care what their wives were involved in.

The contracts perfectly expressed the reservations and restrictions Zachary wanted attached to his offer. As always, Sterling understood him and his thought process with very little communication. "This will do" he offered in an off hand fashion, trying not to show the depth of his satisfaction with her work.

"That document is a prize-winning script for your take-over of that factory and you know it." He would not acquiesce enough to praise her except in his customary fashion.

"I'm sure your billing will be proportionate to the brilliance of the nomenclature in this." He hefted the hundred-page document and waved it in her direction. Both of them laughed, knowing he was exactly on target. Zachary also understood her thought process and it had allowed them to become friends to the extent that they were allowed to in polite society. She was after all, a newcomer. Anyone who had not had family residing in Charleston for at least one hundred years was a newcomer and consequently on the outside. Sterling and Zachary ignored some of the rules and lunched together at his country club occasionally. They had played a few sets of tennis there too, until it brought attention to Sterling's athletic prowess and another barrage of not-so-discreet inquiries as to her availability.

Zachary realized that her protests were only half-true when she began begging off on their tennis matches. She was awfully busy at the office, that was true, but mostly, Sterling was reaching saturation point with the women in her life and felt the need to slow down for a while.

By the time Sterling made her move to Atlanta, she had grown up a lot in that respect. Still taken by the occasional thrill of pursuing some elegant beauty or obvious hellcat, the attorney had learned that quality over quantity was a safe and steadfast bet. She was tired, too of waking up in strange places with even stranger people.

Atlanta had afforded her yet another fresh start, at least in her private life. She had managed to avoid the pitfalls of the highly visible social calendar until now.

"We've got two more to look at. One is just around the corner. It's been completely updated and an upstairs study added." Sam would be finishing up with her prospects ahead of schedule. They had toured nine houses during the course of the afternoon and she was confident that they would make a choice by day's end. The young couple had made an offer on a house with another realtor who had misled them. The sale had fallen through when the appraisal came back way too low. Samantha had worked hard to rekindle some trust with them and knew instinctively that they had finally relaxed into a building rapport with her. The three of them had researched the available properties carefully and now her clients were under pressure to move out of the leased apartment where they had been living.

Sam used her lock box key to gain entry to the property. She sat in the window seat of the bow window in the living room and let the couple walk through the rooms on their own. Never pushy, the Realtor always tried to give people some privacy to react to what they were looking at. Buying a house, the single largest purchase in most people's lives, shouldn't be treated like a trip to Kmart.

She heard the couple's footfalls echoing through the room upstairs and smiled, knowing he was picturing the study he wanted and she was seeing a playroom for the baby they were working on.

There had been a time in Sam's life when she knew what it was like to plan a future with someone. Those plans had been the product of immaturity until she learned to focus on building a relationship first and a dream later. Sam's first grown up plans for a future with someone she loved were shattered against the harsh reality of Janet's infidelities and their resulting breakup. A deep sigh escaped the young blonde as her clients came through the hall into the living room where she had waited.

"And this house is how much?" the young man asked. Sam furnished the information and watched his face for a reaction. He seemed pleased and his wife smiled up at him.

'We have a winner folks!'

"I think we can skip the last house. We want to make an offer on this one." He beamed at her and she nodded her head.

"We need to go to my office and fill out the papers. It won't take very long and hopefully by this time tomorrow, you will have bought yourself a home." Sam was genuinely thrilled for the young people.

"It's Sterling Hayes on the line boss." Samantha pushed down the intercom button thinking she would simply refuse the call and avoid another confrontation. A visual memory of the attorney's body moving seductively around the dance floor at the Western dance floated into her mind and she became so distracted by it that she took the call.

"This is Samantha. Can I help you?" Sam gave her the best business voice she had.

"Sterling Hayes, Ms. Hilliard. I have the settlement offer you requested and wondered if you could stop by my office to sign the release." She waited.

Sam was prepared to do battle, to decry the plight of the less than wealthy. She was prepared for almost anything except what she had just gotten.

"I don't understand. Are you saying that Mr. Lowry has simply decided to pay me my money after all of this time?"

Sterling blew out a long sigh before offering the sought explanation. "I sent over a few pictures from the flood. He didn't respond, so I went to see him in person and advised him to settle the matter immediately." Sterling didn't say that she had threatened Lowry, read him the riot act and ultimately been prepared to pay the damages herself, if necessary, just to show Samantha Hilliard that she did recognize the right thing to do when she saw it. The barrister leaned onto her desktop and waited for the nasty sarcasm that was the usual fare from the blond realtor.

Samantha was uncustomarily at a loss for words. "I.. well. . . thank you Ms. Hayes. I appreciate you intervening on my behalf. "

"No problem, I'm just sorry it took so long. The process has flaws. Would it be convenient for you to come by later this week?"

"How about tomorrow?" Sam was thrilled at the prospect of recouping the funds she had been out for over a year.

"Sure, what time is good for you?"

Sterling had her secretary cancel the conflicting appointment she had with a client and made a note on her calendar that Samantha Hilliard would be expected at four o'clock.

"Come in, please. Have a seat." The sleek attorney met Sam halfway across her office. Placing a warm hand on the back of Sam's shoulder, she guided her to one of the comfortable leather armchairs that faced her desk. Sterling sat down in the other one. There was a lot of tension between them. Each seemed to be on their best behavior, but both women knew what the other was capable of, if angered.

"Can I get you anything?" the attorney offered, but Sam declined. She was anxious to get the transaction completed. She was meeting Peter and Janet for a celebration at six and wanted to go home and change clothes first.

"I need your signature in the places indicated. This is a document saying that you will not initiate another suit arising out of the same circumstances."

"What if my office floods again?"

"No, no. You won't sue based on this particular incident again. If there is another flood, that's a separate matter and he can get another attorney I might add." She smiled at Samantha who instinctively responded in kind. The scratch of a pen filled the next few moments. Sterling reviewed the documents and added her signature, then reached across her desk and handed Sam a check made out for one thousand dollars more than her suit demanded. Sam's eyes grew wide.

"I told the bastard it was the least he could do, under the circumstances. I reminded him how much money I've saved him over the years and told him he would either do as I asked or I wouldn't accept his retainer."

Suddenly, Samantha remembered the previous conversations she'd had with this woman and she filled with remorse. "Listen, I'm really sorry that this whole thing got so unpleasant…"

Sterling interrupted immediately. "Don't ever apologize for being right." She stood and extended her hand. "Sorry to rush off, but I have another appointment shortly."

"That's too bad. I was going to meet some friends for a celebratory drink and I was going to ask you to join us." It was the truth, too.

"Maybe another time Ms. Hilliard."

"Oh, you have to call me Samantha, please, or Sam. I answer to either."

"Thanks. I'm Sterling." Sterling was walking the younger woman to her office door. "I gave you your copies, right?" Sam nodded and stopped just short of their goal.

"Sterling, people don't often surprise me, but you have and in a very nice way. You risked the wrath of your rich employer, you went against common practice, and you went to bat for a near stranger. I could go on, but I know you're in a hurry." Sterling was in the process of opening the door for her visitor when Sam stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on Sterling's cheek. "Thanks," was followed by a sincere smile, and Samantha was gone.

Sterling, on the other hand, stood unmoving, watching the departing figure. She was smiling until she realized that her secretary was staring at her open mouthed at having witnessed the breach of her untouchable boss. Color began to flood Sterling's face and she quickly retreated into her office, closing the door behind her. She leaned back, feeling the substantial slab of oak behind her and re-summoned the image of a figure walking toward the elevator. The attorney lit up inside.

"I thought you said she was a bitch, a demon spawn from hell and a scum sucking slick city lawyer who eats babies for breakfast. Did I forget any of your favorite descriptive passages?"

Janet walked up to the bar and kissed Sam's offered cheek. "Who in the world are you describing, Peter? Someone you're dating, Sam?" Janet gave her old friend the appropriate smile to accompany her smart-ass remark.

"No, no, just the attorney who settled the law suit. Sterling Hayes is her name." Sam sipped her wine and waited for Janet to settle on the empty stool beside her. Peter went in search of the hostess to let her know their party was ready to be seated.

"Never heard of her. Is she new in the area?" Janet waved at the barkeep and pointed to Sam's glass, mouthing her order.

"I don't know much about her. During the brief time I've been around her, I have mostly managed to deliver fire and damnation speeches about members of her profession and the rich scavengers that they serve." Sam paled a little, realizing once she'd said it, that it was a fair assessment.

"How charming and she hasn't asked you out, yet?" Janet deadpanned.

Sam was obviously distracted by her own thoughts, but her immediate response was "no" to Janet's question. Peter and Janet asked in perfect unison. "Huh?" They were astonished that Sam had taken the question seriously and answered it in kind. When Samantha realized what had transpired she joined her friends in laughter and all of them were amazed at the subconscious confession the Realtor had just made.

Peter was elated. He had waited a long time for his boss and friend to show any interest in a relationship. Janet was less enthused. She was struggling, watching Sam's features change in recognition of her interest in the unlikely choice of Sterling Hayes. Janet had once been the target of that hungry look she was seeing on Sam's face.

Sterling hadn't been lying; she did have an appointment. She had been suffering remorse for some time about the nature of the work she was doing. Lowry made the third client she had dropped in as many months. Even before Samantha Hilliard pointed out the irreputable, dishonest dealings of some attorneys, Sterling had decided to clean up her practice. Removing the stain of dirty work from her hands would take some doing.

The offices of Aid Atlanta were only minutes away during normal circumstances, but in the afternoon traffic, it was anybody's guess how long she would need to make the trek. Grabbing her keys out of the desk drawer, she stood to leave, but caught her reflection in the class front of her bookshelves. 'I don't think the six hundred dollar suit is appropriate for pro bono work. Maybe I've still got those clothes stashed in the dressing room.' She hurried through the door of her private powder room and did in fact locate the jeans and Tina Turner tee shirt she was seeking. A quick change and Sterling Hayes, high priced lawyer, turned into any typical Mid Town dweller on the way to the grocery store or dry cleaner.

"There are four appointments set up for you today. I spaced them forty-five minutes apart, hoping that would give you time." The volunteer was being overly solicitous. Sterling had overheard the middle aged woman named Vicky describe their new pro bono lawyer to her co-worker as gorgeous. The attorney had remained in the corner stall in the ladies room and waited for them to exit, to avoid embarrassment for all concerned. Now the woman was definitely all in Sterling's face and it was beginning to annoy the dark beauty.

"I'll work with that this time because this is just the initial planning session. The follow up visit will probably take an hour, or more, depending on how complex the case is. I can give you some guidelines after I've talked to the clients today." She dismissed Vicky by entering the temporary office that had been assigned to her and closing the door.

Sterling had volunteered her legal services to the clients of Aid Atlanta. Most of the people she would serve were gay men who were sick and needed estate planning to protect a partner or make arrangements for their own care should they become unable to care for themselves. This was her first afternoon of appointments and a knock on the door signaled the arrival of her first client as a volunteer.

Saturday mornings were quite busy for most realtors. While the rest of the Midtown world was sleeping late, Samantha Hilliard had a portable phone hanging on her shoulder. She was wrapped in her favorite, well-worn chenille bathrobe, pouring her first cup of coffee. It was not quite eight-thirty and Peter was on the phone, reporting a scheduling screw up.

"Calm down Peter. I'll take the client to look at properties today. I don't have any appointments this afternoon and I can handle this easily. Just pull up the listings Harry planned on taking her to see and fax me a copy. I'll look it over while I'm getting dressed. They're all in the area aren't they?"

Peter confirmed that the homes were all in the same general area as her own home. She probably had previewed at least some of them, and could fake her way through the rest, if Peter could find the information she needed on Harry's computer. 'Just another day in Paradise.' She smiled to herself and went down the hall and straight through her bedroom to examine the contents of her spacious walk-in closet. 'Hmmmm. What kind of a mood am I in today? It's going to be a long one, with lots of getting in and out of the car. I should go for comfortable, definitely, but casual comfortable or sexy comfortable?' Sam sipped her coffee and started the water for her shower so that it could be heating up while she pondered the question.

Deciding on sexy comfortable turned out to be the wrong choice. She knew it the minute she walked through the back door and looked up the hallway, through her open door to see Sterling Hayes lounging in her office. The barrister had propped herself on the edge of Samantha's desk and was flipping through a copy of Architectural Digest. Sam ducked into one of her agent's offices before she was spotted and dialed Peter's extension.

In hushed tones she began firing questions at him. "Did you know who this appointment was with? How did Harry happen to be showing her property? Has Miss Hayes been waiting long? Come in here and check my make-up for me!" She hung up the phone before he had the opportunity to comment. Within moments, he came through the door and shut it behind him.

"What is the deal boss? You act like this is your date for the Prom or something!" He began fluffing her hair. When he completed that task he pulled a tissue from the box on the desk and started blending her already perfectly blended foundation.

"That's the attorney!" It did not register with Peter. "You know, the one that that represented Lowry against me."

"No! My God, she's gorgeous and she's single, right?" He was letting his critical eye roam over her outfit and accessories now. "Solid choice on the outfit, even if it is a little trampy for broad daylight."

A stricken look appeared on her face. If she looked trampy by Peter's standards, she probably looked outright whorish in reality. The tan leather skirt she had on was a little short by her own admission. Sam realized that the dark green sweater she had chosen was a little on the tight side, too. Her favorite western boots matched the midriff hugging western jacket that completed her outfit.

"Shit! OK, I'm a professional. I need to get it together here. I can't do anything about my appearance, now."

Peter smirked. "What you see is what she gets. Or at least you hope she does." Sam's answering stare shut him up immediately. He held out several sheets of letter-sized paper. "The computer printouts on all of the properties. I used the color printer since they all had pictures." He turned sharply to leave then remembered something and turned to face her again. "You came in the back door, didn't you? Well there's a limo out front waiting for the two of you I presume." He smirked again, turned and left, considering himself to be the victor when he saw her jaw drop open.

Samantha took several deep breaths and scanned the sheets she held. Fortunately, just as the broker had guessed, most of the homes were familiar to her already. Peter had made the necessary phone calls to let the agents know that they would stopping by the properties. In this price range all of the homes they would be seeing had security systems, one even had a security staff. Calmer now, she started down the wide hall to her own office and her waiting client.

"Morning," Sam offered her brightest smile. "I hope you don't mind my filling in for Harry, he seems to be out of pocket this morning."

"No, not at all. It's kind of nice to go straight to the top and deal with the owner." Sterling had to keep the smug expression off of her face. She had finally made the decision that she wanted a home. Harry Wells was a friend of a client of hers and Sterling had asked for his help in locating one. Then she had literally run into the beautiful realtor at the baseball game and decided that she would kill two birds with one stone. Sterling had admitted to herself that she was interested in Samantha Hilliard, for whatever reason. It would be a challenge to change the woman's low opinion of her.

Samantha would never know about the deal the attorney had made to get Harry into a foursome playing golf at Eastlake Country Club with Tom Rivers, two time winner of the Masters Tournament. Harry had hardly asked any questions at all in his eagerness to accept Sterling's offer. Now, the usually stern attorney was grinning widely at the prospect of a day spent with the captivating Realtor.

"I have several properties to show you. Harry made these selections to meet your requirements." She handed the sheets across her desk to Sterling who now took a seat in one of the chairs facing it.

The attorney took a few minutes to study the print outs carefully. "My needs are simple." Her eyes looked up and caught Samantha in their gaze, causing her heart to skip several beats.

Before the lawyer could continue, Sam changed the subject. "Coffee, Miss Hayes?"

"Please call me Sterling. We know each other well enough, don't you think? Besides, we may well be neighbors before too long. Coffee would be great. Black with sweetener." She returned to her task while Sam buzzed Peter and made her request for coffee.

Sam, trying not to stare openly, admired the casual attire her client had chosen for their Saturday of house hunting. The pale peach blouse she wore was tucked into caramel colored slacks. A rich leather jacket that matched her slacks was slung over the arm of the sofa. Despite her resolve not to be caught staring again, Samantha was watching her client's face as she digested the information on the printouts before her.

Peter's knock shocked Sam out of her dreamy state and she rose to take the tray he held. The realtor could tell that Peter really wanted to come in and serve them, but he couldn't be trusted not to say something outrageous. Samantha took the tray and blocked his entry, leaving him no choice but to retreat.

Sterling never looked up or acknowledged Peter's presence so it came as a surprise a few minutes later when she commented. "Likeable fellow, but I imagine he loves to meddle, doesn't he?" She looked up and captured Sam's gaze. They stared into each other's eyes with an intensity that disturbed them both and they looked away at the same moment.

"Ha! That's an understatement. He's my mother, my father, my sibling, my confessor and my unsolicited critic all rolled into one."

"You two are cute together." Sterling sipped and read while Sam tried to figure out what had been meant by her last remark.

"These three, for sure and maybe this one here. Do you know if it has a pool?" Sam punched the listing up on her computer and confirmed that it did indeed have a free form graphite pool beyond the formal garden in the back yard.

"Peter, I'll need another set of print outs on these properties for Miss Hayes, please. We'll be leaving shortly." Her meaning was clear; he was to produce the needed documents in all possible haste. The silences between them were getting uncomfortable for Sam. Her normally endless supply of small talk had deserted her for the moment.

Once Sterling had handed the list of addresses to the driver he opened the door for the two women. "Just the highlighted ones, Jack, and in no particular order. You decide buddy, OK?" She winked at him and followed Sam into the dark interior of the limo.

By early-afternoon they had previewed several homes, two of which were not on the original list but the Lawyer's unfolding requirements brought them to the Realtor's mind. Even though Sam hadn't made appointments to show them, a quick call to Peter on her cell phone remedied the situation. 'She's really good at this',' Sterling thought as Sam excused herself and returned an important call to bail out one of her agents. 'She certainly has confidence and charm, and wit. She seems so trusting, it inspires me to trust her, too.' The lawyer casually studied the exposed thigh next to her. Sterling's gaze began to track a path upward toward the hem of the very short skirt Sam was wearing but the attorney soon realized her unconscious intent and halted it. Refusing to yield to the temptation, Sterling eyes instead followed the lovely legs down until they disappeared into Sam's boots.

The barrister had suggested lunch and they were sitting in a booth at 'Moe and Joe's', one of Sam's favorite local joints. "The burgers are great here," Sam offered. She was shuffling the listing sheets, trying to determine which properties Sterling was interested in.

"No doubt. Places with this kind of atmosphere always have the best food." Sterling was looking around her absorbing the details of the décor. "Would it be tasteless to have one of those with lunch?" She pointed at the line of brightly labeled, imported beer bottles on the ledge above the row of booths opposite them.

"I don't see why it could hurt anything. It's not as if either one of us will be driving, huh?" The blonde realtor had brought up the subject of the car and driver three times now, hoping for some explanation. None was forthcoming this time either. Sam ordered her beer based on the colorful appeal of the label. Sterling asked the waiter for a suggestion, which proved the better way to choose.

"This is pretty good." The dark haired woman drank thirstily from the bottle. "Want to try it? You don't look too enthused about your choice there." In truth, Sam could barely sip the thick, dark liquid that she had poured into her glass. She planned to ask for water with her lunch in order to avoid drinking it.

"It's OK, I don't have any diseases or anything," Sterling laughed. In truth Sam was simply too distracted by her lunch companion to follow the conversation closely.

Samantha accepted the bottle offered her and sipped. She was pleasantly surprised at both the taste and at the pair of baby blue eyes that watched her intensely while she drank. "Not bad at all." She smiled and returned the bottle to Sterling. Their fingers brushed lightly in the transfer causing an electric exchange. Both were aware of it and the attorney was considering boldly reaching across the table to cover Sam's hand with her own when their lunch arrived. The moment was lost. Sam took several deep breaths to help her get her concentration back while Sterling glared at the waiter, silently cursing him for his timing.

The conversation returned to talk of the homes that they had investigated on their morning trek. "I like that one in Morningside and the one in Brookhaven but I can't muster any enthusiasm for the two in Buckhead." Sterling was mentally going down the list.

"You seemed to like the Windsor Lane property."

"Which one was that again?" The attorney was not the least bit confused in reality but liked watching Sam in her Broker Mode. A woman who knew how to be all business when it was called for was someone Sterling could relate to.

Lunch was pleasant. The food was plain and good as promised. Talk returned to talk of the properties they had visited on the ride back to Sam's office.

"You commented several times about the grounds. It had that huge sunken den with the European fireplace."

"I did like that one." Sterling shuffled the fliers again. This is so complicated." She feigned confusion. "You've given me too many to choose from. I'll tell you what, why don't we talk about all of this over dinner? You can help me narrow my choices down objectively. What do you say?"

Sam was caught off guard. She scrambled mentally, trying to remember if she had any previous commitments. 'Damn! I promised Kenny I'd go to that reunion with him'. "Actually, I have a prior engagement that I really can't get out of."

"Sounds serious." Sterling was unhappy with the turn-down, but more unhappy that her information might prove to be incorrect. She had checked around pretty thoroughly and had been informed that Ms. Samantha Hilliard was very single. Now, she was beginning to wonder.

"Not really, I just promised a friend of mine that I'd accompany him to a reunion. He has done the same for me a couple of times." Sam was very interested to see relief register on the attorney's face.

"I see. I was hoping my information was accurate." Although it had not been presented as a question, clearly Sterling was asking for confirmation that Sam considered herself to be single and available.

"I've been seeing someone, but we have an understanding." A dark eyebrow was raised, inviting further explanation but for some unknown reason Sam could not meet her client's gaze and a faint blush rose up her neck. "It's a very casual thing, more like a new friendship."

'Except that you are sleeping together.' Sterling was amazed at how much the thought bothered her, especially since she had never tried to find out if any of her own faceless conquests of the moment were unattached or not.

"Sounds like a very healthy approach to me. Here we are." The car pulled up at Sam's office and the driver hurried around to open the door. Sterling threw out a suggestion. "Maybe we could get together tomorrow. Why don't you give me a call this evening? I'll be up late."

Sam nodded as she took the driver's hand and made as graceful an exit as her short skirt would allow. She noticed that the he discreetly turned his gaze away and she smiled automatically at his kindness. "I won't get home until ten or eleven. Will it be alright?"

Sterling's smile made it clear that the late hour was no problem.

"Until later then. Have a good evening Samantha." Sterling flashed her disarming smile at the realtor who stood on the sidewalk with her hand in the air, waving.

The blonde didn't even hear his approach, so Peter's question startled her on two levels. "Is she hot or what?"

Sam was trying to quiet her racing heartbeat, and felt very unsteady. "Peter! You scared me to death sneaking up on me like that!" The young woman turned and headed into her office, leaving him standing on the sidewalk.

"Which house did she like? I bet the Morningside was her favorite." He waited until Sam was settled at her desk and he had her full attention before asking the question he really wanted answered. "Are you going to show her anything else?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"You need to get a life of your own!" Sam acted affronted, but forgave Peter immediately and they shared a laugh. "I think we will probably review two or three of the properties tomorrow. Sterling has narrowed her choices that much already."

Peter plopped down and began firing questions about the mysterious attorney, most of which Sam could not answer. She was trying to determine if there had been an insinuation in Sterling's interest concerning her dating status. The young realtor hoped so but scolded herself for wishful thinking. When Sam realized that Peter was not going to shut up any time soon, she decided she might as well get his opinion and repeated the conversation as accurately as possible.

When she was done, she waited for a response. "What do you think?"

He met her eyes and nodded his head. "She's definitely interested." He clapped his hands, excited by his assessment of the situation. "You need to come up with something divine to wear tomorrow. Maybe I should come over and pick something."

"I think I can dress myself, thanks. I've done just fine so far." Having checked her messages and deciding there was nothing that required her immediate attention, Sam began collecting her things. She had errands to run and it would take some time in the Saturday traffic. "I need to get going. Kenny is picking me up at seven which means seven-thirty in Kenny Time. I could really use a nice long soak in the tub before that."

"Cold shower sounds more appropriate to me." Peter ducked out the door before she had an opportunity to respond.

The ride home was brief, but peppered with flashbacks of her hours with Sterling. The woman had a tremendous presence without a doubt. She was intelligent, sexy and obviously had money to be out looking at properties in the high six figures. 'And she is absolutely gorgeous! My gosh! Those eyes seem to look right into my soul. They make me feel naked in more ways than one!' Sam laughed at her own observation, realizing that she had entertained a steamy thought or two herself. An irritated driver's honking horn reminded Samantha that she was operating a vehicle and needed to focus a bit more on the present. The enticing visuals would have to be continued at home, later.

The ringing phone woke Sterling from the light doze she had fallen into.

"I hope I didn't wake you. If it's too late to call, I can ring you back in the morning," Sam apologized.

As soon as Sterling recognized the voice, it drove her pulse up a notch. "No, it's fine. I must have fallen asleep reading. I'm glad you called. Otherwise I'd have slept all night in my glasses." She sat up and adjusted a pillow behind her back "Enjoy your evening?"

Sam sighed. "It was pretty boring, but Kenny is grateful and it's another year before he has to go to one of those things again."

"Do you think you could help me out sometime?" Sterling had no idea why she had made such a request. Her only relative in the world was her mother's sister who resided in a luxurious home for the elderly. There were no family reunions likely in her future.

"Sure, anytime. Just give me some warning and let me know what part you want me to play." Pretending to be Kenny's girlfriend was not too complicated a request. Sam wasn't too clear though on who the attorney could possibly want her to pose as.

The two women talked for a few minutes and made arrangements to meet for brunch the following day as a prelude to choosing one of three houses for the attorney's permanent residence. Sterling returned the telephone to its cradle on the night stand and readied for sleep. She thought of the young blonde readying for bed too and imagined what it might feel like to hold her.

Samantha was locking her car door when she noticed the silver BMW convertible pull in two spaces away. The navy top was up against the chill of the cloudy day. A dark head of hair emerged first as Sterling stepped out. Stretching to her full height the lawyer smiled her most winning smile at Sam who hesitated a moment in reaction before returning it.

"Where's your big car?" Sam inquired, thinking the sports car that Sterling had just stepped out of suited her much better than the limousine they'd ridden in the previous day.

"The limo isn't mine. It belongs to a grateful client who insists that I use it periodically. He can be pretty persuasive and pretty sneaky. Sometimes I just find it parked at the curb in front of my house. You happened to catch me on one of those days yesterday."

"I like that one better." Sam indicated the sleek convertible. "It's more your style."

Sterling shoved her hands deep into the pockets of her leather jacket and waited for her lunch date to start towards the restaurant. Before they even made it to the door, Sam was talking about houses and escrow accounts. The beautiful barrister laughed quietly as she held the door open.

They had left the BMW parked in the lot at Samantha's office while they toured what Peter had termed the 'final three contestants' for Sterling's new home.

"Some factor MUST make one of the three a stand out. Of course, you have lots of time to decide. It's not like you're under pressure to find something." Sam's voice trailed off as she watched her passenger glad for the opportunity to study her profile with good reason.

"You're right." Sterling's succinct answer was geared to frustrate and it had. She had revealed virtually nothing about her motivations or her personal life in all of the time the two women been together. Years of reading jurors and judges had taught her to assess people's motivations so that she could manipulate them accordingly. The predator instincts rose up in her now, as she weighed the situation. Always decisive and sometimes impulsive, she had made her choice of properties the previous afternoon but didn't care to relinquish the opportunity for spending time with the provocative blonde Realtor. On the other hand she didn't want to seem too anxious, either and she had spent time with Sam two days in a row already.

"This is going to be a killer week at the office. I'm expected to present a case for a new client on Wednesday and I really need to spend some time preparing if I'm going to dazzle her." Sterling paused for a moment for effect. "Why don't I have my secretary give you a call mid-week and let you know my decision. I could sign the papers on the weekend for you."

Sam's disappointment was obvious which pleased Sterling greatly. "You could just send the papers over to the office if you would rather," Sterling suggested.

"No, no. The weekend is fine. There isn't any great rush." 'I hoped she might want to see me sooner than the weekend. I must be reading her signals wrong altogether.' Sam was usually more on target about these things and was a little disturbed.

The attorney now knew that her Realtor wasn't pressing just to get her client's signature on a contract. Samantha was interested, and it was only a matter of finding out how interested. Sterling smiled as she pulled her key ring from her jacket. Samantha leaned against Sterling's car and blocked her getaway. Blue eyes boldly studied the attractive young woman, running her gaze appreciatively up and down Sam's petite figure, but neither of them spoke.

Later, she would wonder what possessed her to do it, but in a surprising show of will, Sam stood her ground and stared right back. She considered beginning a lame conversation that would explain her reluctance to allow Sterling's departure but decided against it. A minute went by and then two.

Sterling's bravado was beginning to sag now and she was shifting from one foot to the other, her discomfort growing. She made a living by being confrontational but was unaccustomed to personal candor and fought to keep from admitting anything with her response. Totally disappointed at herself, she finally dropped her eyes to study the asphalt of the parking lot.

The soft bleat of a pager broke the silence and Sam automatically pulled the device from her pocket, studying the numbers. "Gotta go. See you later." She apologized and went up the sidewalk to her office leaving Sterling looking off balance.

As soon as she opened the glass door into the lobby, Peter grabbed her hand and sat her down on the sofa before sitting close to her. "Tell all!"

"I need to return this call first. I don't recognize this number though." She checked the readout again and Peter burst into laughter.

"It's my friend Randy's number, silly. The two of you looked positively miserable out there. It was the only thing I could think of."

Now it was Sam's turn to laugh.

Sterling sat at one of the many traffic lights that caught her on the drive to her rented house. Examining her reaction over and over, she tried to determine exactly where her attempt at playing it cool had backfired. Sam had made her so uncomfortable with nothing more than a look. Something in her gaze had demanded that she be honest about their attraction to one another and Sterling just wasn't in the habit of vocalizing how she felt.

The whole situation was wearing on Sterling's nerves. She leaned her elbow on the ledge inside the car window and dropped her head over into the palm of her hand. 'I'll just draw up the contracts myself and have them couriered over to her.' It was a good plan and one that would free up some time for her to focus on her clients but Sterling knew when she came up with it, that it would never be implemented. She wanted to spend time with Samantha Hilliard and would do whatever was necessary to accomplish it.

"This is Christine and obviously you have my number. Why don't you leave me a message and I'll get back to you." It had been a long time since she had dialed this particular number, but Sterling would have recognized the soft, seductive voice anywhere. She couldn't help but smile as she summoned visions of Christine in the black lace teddy she had given her the last time they got together.

The lawyer had come home to a quiet house. Television bored her anytime and tonight screamed for a diversion. Sterling opened her briefcase and pulled out her case notes. 'Homework. I will never stop hating it.' Reading the first paragraph for the third time, she realized that she couldn't concentrate. 'Why on earth am I so restless? I've been gone virtually all weekend.' That thought brought her mental images of the delectable blonde she'd been with and Sterling realized what her problem was. She needed a little female companionship.

"Hello Chris, it's Sterling. I thought you might…"

She was interrupted by a breathless voice greeting her. "Hello stranger! It's been a long time Sterling."

"I see you still screen your calls Chris. How are you besides beautiful?"

"Available. Anytime. Anywhere. Where you're concerned anyway."

She was immediately aware of a possessive arm wrapped around her waist, holding her against a warm body. Beverly, even in her sleep, had begun to cling to Sam. Their relationship was getting to be a problem. Most women would have simply accepted the attention and good sex, biding their time until something more exciting came along. Sam thought it was dishonest to allow it to continue. She felt trapped, in a relationship that didn't give her what she really needed. Beverly was a wonderful, loving woman, but she was not the one and Sam had been trying to fight that for some time.

Breakfast, as always, was prepared by the banker. Samantha sat at the table, drinking her coffee and falling over words that were hard to say to such a tender, caring woman. "You know Bev, in every relationship one of the people seems to have a greater emotional investment than the other. For the first time in my life, I am the party that is less involved. Even though we agreed in the beginning that this would be a casual arrangement, I can't help but feel like it's getting to be more than that."

"For me, you mean." Beverly looked contrite as she turned to face her guest. Sam was telling the truth and they both knew it, but Bev didn't want to give up. "Maybe we need to back off a bit and try this again. We're both adults after all and should be able to manage something this simple." Her expression was earnest.

Sam looked at her, not wanting to deliver the blow that would sever their arrangement. It would hurt Beverly and that was not something Samantha could not do lightly. Although it was a mistake, she agreed to Beverly's terms.

"You won't be sorry, Sam. I promise I'll do better." Bev had Sam wrapped in her arms during her entire little speech, evidencing its inaccuracy.

The blond made a mental note to address the issue again in the near future.

The prediction of a busy week had been an accurate one. In addition to the usual fare, Sterling managed a major coup by dazzling Kim Dahan, her new client. The woman was an entrepreneurial genius who had developed a franchise package for single women seeking self-employment opportunities. It had been sold and successfully utilized by fifty-eight women already. Unfortunately, someone had decided to clone Dahan's idea illegally and had scammed three unsuspecting women. One of them was planning to sue Kim until Sterling took over the case and convinced her of Dahan's innocence in the matter. As a gesture of good faith, Sterling had recommended that Kim offer the woman a discounted deal on the genuine package which she willingly did.

Although it had taken the greater part of two days, Sterling had retired the problem with ease, convincing Kim Dahan that she needed full time representation to guard against re-occurrences of this type in the future and protect her rapidly growing empire. Sterling was pouring over the contractual documents she had roughed out for the new account when the phone rang. It was after hours and her secretary had gone for the day. Sterling had forgotten to re-route the phone to the voice mail after her last outgoing call. Irritated with the interruption and with herself for causing it, she continued to read as she answered. "Hello."

"It's Samantha Hilliard. I'm sorry to bother you." Sam recognized the aggravation in the attorney's voice.

Sterling put down the papers and focused her attention on her caller. The brilliant smile on her face had appeared without her knowledge. "You're not bothering me in the least. How have you been? How is the house hustling business?"

"I manage to stay fairly busy, the same as you I imagine. Have you given any more thought to which property you would like to make an offer on?" Sam had called to invite the dark beauty to attend a casual gathering at Peter's house the following Saturday night but now she wasn't so sure it was a good idea. She had fallen back into her Realtor routine at the last minute to save face.

"I think I've made a decision, but I really wanted to go back one more time if you don't think that's inappropriate. I know the owners will be reluctant to negotiate the price if they realize I'm interested enough to return a third time but I have decorating issues that might affect my choice."

They discussed which house Sterling had an interest in returning to and made a tentative appointment to look at it on Thursday evening. Their business concluded Sterling waited, wondering if she should invite the attractive young woman to dinner following their appointment. Before she had a chance to do so, Sam regained her confidence somewhat and extended the invitation for the following Saturday. "It's nothing fancy or anything and you may already have plans. Peter and I just thought it might be an opportunity to meet some of the people who live in the community, you know, since you're probably going to be moving here." Her voice trailed off, nervously awaiting Sterling's response.

The lawyer suspected how difficult it had been for Sam to ask. It made the invitation even more irresistible. "I wouldn't dream of letting a chance like this go by. It's so thoughtful of you to include me." They talked for a few moments.

Sterling hung up the phone and opened the bottom drawer of her desk. Using it as a footrest, she leaned way back in her desk chair and put her hands behind her head. 'So, she wants me to come to her party. How interesting.'

All intensity and concern over the legal affairs of her clients had vanished. Sterling considered the attraction she felt for Samantha Hilliard. At first she had misidentified it as the challenge of making someone like her even when they were obviously trying hard not to. Sterling wasn't sure what either of them was after; she only knew she felt good knowing that she had plans that included the beautiful blonde twice within the next three days. 'Mmmm. Yes, this could get very interesting.'

Sam buzzed Peter's desk immediately. "Yes, Master." He affected his best 'Igore' voice except that he added a slight lisp. The young woman just shook her head and laughed before reporting her latest news.

"We have one more mouth to feed next Saturday night." She waited.

"Who are you dragging over now? I thought Janet couldn't make it."

"She can't, but Sterling Hayes can." The clunk of a telephone receiver striking a desktop was the only response. Sam hung up her phone and watched the doorway, knowing Peter would fill it momentarily. He did not disappoint her.

"When did all of this happen? You've been holding out on me haven't you?" Peter neated up stacks of papers, clearing a sizable portion of Sam's desktop, then took a seat in the space he'd created. He asked a dozen questions in rapid fire most of which required lengthy answers, but would not yield the floor long enough for her to provide them.

"Calm down will you? I have no idea what her favorite foods are. She drank beer the day we had lunch together and didn't eat much of anything." Sam hadn't realized until now that she had been paying that much attention at the time. "I'm sure just about anything will do. Sterling has probably eaten a truckload of finger food in her life. Her practice represents some pretty wealthy people. She's mentioned attending social events for business reasons…"

Peter was all in a whirl of plans to impress the attorney in Sam's behalf, which the Realtor found amusing. "You sound like my mother trying to fix me up with one of the boys at the Country Club, Peter."

"Your mother will never see the day she has the style that I have, so please don't insult me by drawing that comparison. Besides, your friend may be a member of the Country Club set, but she is definitely not a boy."

"She certainly isn't." Now it was Peter's turn to be amused at the wistful expression on his friend's face. He knew even if she didn't just how gone she was on the mysterious lawyer and had every intention of playing matchmaker between them.

Sam offered to help with food preparations and Peter accepted, attesting to her high rating in cooking acumen. Under normal circumstances, only his professional chef friends were allowed within the sacred confines of his kitchen. She shooed him off her desk announcing her intention to get some work wrapped up. Sam knew that there would be a dozen calls from Peter both at work and home before the gathering on Saturday. There was no immediate need to concentrate on the details of the party.

She'd been put on hold by a county clerk in Covington while the woman looked up some information for Sam on the tax maps. The young realtor ran her fingers through her hair and mentally went over the contents of her closets considering outfits for her Saturday meeting with Sterling. Sam had definitely liked the way the older woman looked at her the day she wore the short leather skirt. The memory of hungry blue eyes was on pause inside her thoughts when the clerk returned to the phone with the needed information.

Sam found herself at the mall trying on clothes later that afternoon. Nothing that was currently hanging in her closet could give her the confidence in her appearance that she was seeking. The sales woman at Neiman's was overly solicitous and terribly snobby. It would have been much easier to find what she was looking for if she had brought Peter along. They would have been shunned, as usual, due to his flamboyant behavior.

"I have that in a larger size. Let me get it for you." The sales woman left the fitting area with a sniff. That was all the reassurance Sam needed to believe that the fit of the outfit was perfect. The scoop neck of the red knit top was low enough to show some cleavage and the hounds tooth wool shorts were snug across her backside. Sam considered a long vest with lapels and slash pockets made of thin black polished cotton. It didn't obscure the cut or fit of her outfit but a person would have to look a bit more closely to enjoy her feminine curves. The vest was totally impractical against the chill of the season, but it added a little extra dramatic effect so she decided to go with it.

By the time the surprised sales woman returned, Sam was dressed and ready to pay for her purchases. Driving home, the young woman tried to think what the real attraction was, other than the obvious. Sterling was darkly brooding, potentially ruthless, definitely predatory. In other words, she was all the things that Samantha didn't care for in a friend or lover.

"Shit!" A tall figure paced menacingly on the shoulder of the road. Darkness was falling and the beacon of the blue light was becoming more and more noticeable. Sterling looked at her watch for the third time in as many minutes, angry at herself for smarting off at the police officer who had pulled her over. 'If I had been polite and showed her some respect I'd be on my way right now. I am such an ass sometimes.' She shook her head and chastised herself over and over as her stress level continued to climb.

It had been a long wait for Thursday evening and the attorney had left her office early so that she could go home to shower and change before meeting Sam. She had made the mistake of answering the phone and Christine delivered an angry speech in reaction to the message Sterling had left, breaking their date on Saturday. It would have been less than polite not to give the breathy vamp an opportunity to vent her passionate nature, so the tall attorney lounged against the vanity in her bathroom and let the tide of malcontent wash over her.

With that behind her, a glance at the bedside alarm clock assured her that there was still plenty of time to make her six-thirty appointment. Humming a tune that she couldn't identify, Sterling grabbed her keys from the kitchen counter and walked to the BMW she had left in the driveway. She hadn't been planning to be home more than the twenty minutes it usually took her to bathe and dress. Chris' phone call had extended that to almost forty which was time enough for some vandal to slit the rag top of her car and rifle through the contents of her glove box.

The phone call reporting the incident to the police was merely a formality. They didn't even want to send a patrol car over to take the report, but took the information on the telephone instead. Sterling pulled the sportscar into the security of her three-car garage and went into the house to get keys for the Rangerover that stood in the adjacent slot. She rarely drove the vehicle, but when she went to the mountains or the beach to get away, she preferred a primitive setting, accessible only in a four-wheel-drive .

"Damn!" A glance at her watch told the lawyer that she would never make it on time in the mid-town traffic. Sterling tried to relax and convince herself that it might perpetuate her attempt to play it cool if she showed up fashionably late. The problem with that theory was that she was really looking forward to spending the evening with the charming young blonde.

'Now this! I couldn't keep my mouth shut' The brooding woman was still punishing herself when the policewoman came over to return her license and registration. She wrote in the ticket book on her clipboard, occasionally looking up into the offender's face. It occurred to the fuming attorney that the officer was checking her out pretty closely, but she was too angry to respond.

"Thanks a load," she growled before ripping her copy of the speeding ticket out of the policewoman's hand and getting back into her car. Sterling had committed the number for Hilliard Realty to memory weeks ago and dialed it now while simultaneously pulling out into traffic.

She recognized Sam's voice immediately and tried to sound less perturbed than she in fact was. "Samantha, I'm going to be a little late." The lawyer glanced at her watch. 'A lot late is more like it'. "Can we still get into the house without disturbing the owners you think?"

"As luck would have it, they're out of town, so don't worry about it. Take your time, I'll be here waiting." The voice was pleasant and instantly forgiving. Sterling's mood lightened immediately and she relaxed her death grip on the steering wheel. 'I like the sound of that. She's waiting for me.'

It was full dark when the Range Rover pulled to a stop in the parking lot of the realty office. The tall brunette gracefully stepped down to the pavement and headed up the walkway. The entire building was lit up, but only Sam's car occupied a space outside. Sterling pushed the door open.

A buzzer, soundless to the attorney, announced her arrival to the waiting woman. Sam went out to meet her client and was delighted with the image that greeted her. Dressed casually in winter white slacks and a wool blazer, Sterling was a stylish picture. Hands shoved into jacket pockets she held them out as she apologized again, revealing the classic cashmere shell and alligator belt that she wore around her slim waist. Always understated, the lawyer had been dressed impeccably every time Sam had seen her.

"Please don't apologize. If you do, then I am obligated to do the same every time I'm late, which I often am. It's no big deal." Samantha offered a sincere smile to punctuate her sentiment and the attorney bowed slightly signaling her acquiescence. "Let me grab my jacket and we're on our way."

Samantha stood and looked around the parking lot for the anticipated BMW. "I'm driving that." She indicated the Range Rover. It's a long story that I can tell you over dinner, but I need the time between now and then to adjust to the tale myself. Come on." The taller woman held the door open for Sam and assisted her with a slight push on her elbow as she climbed up into the high passenger's seat.

"Does this come with an escalator?" It was unlike Sam to make light of her own height, but she sensed that her client could use a little humor at the moment.

The two women drove most of the way in silence. Traffic was still heavy and Sterling needed to concentrate to get them to their destination. They pulled down the long driveway through the trees and around the semicircle of stone pavers to the front of the dwelling. The stucco façade was impressive with its intricately detailed trim cast in contrasting plaster. An abundance of windows and spans of fixed glass blended well into the offsets of the exterior. A series of breaks and direction changes in the roof line gave the house the specific character and curb appeal that had drawn Sterling back to it for the third time.

The tall woman stood on the drive, slowly scanning the length of the house and its grounds before moving to Sam's side where she was waiting to usher them in. Once inside the normally quiet attorney began a running commentary.

"I like the height of the ceilings in here. I don't feel confined at all and the light is wonderful. It's a shame to curtain those windows." Sterling pointed to the second story windows in the foyer. "I think those window treatments will have to come down. They're too fancy for my taste anyway."

"So you don't like formal decorating, huh?" Sam was determined to find out all she could on this evening's outing. Somehow she had fallen into the trap of talking about herself on their previous appointments and knew very little about the enigmatic woman who stood before her, studying the spindles of the hand railing that led up the steps.

"I like elegant just fine, but formal is just not me." Sterling moved through the rooms downstairs, showing little interest in the dining room, but taking her time studying the wall space in the study and the large den behind the kitchen.

'Elegant. Good word and one that describes Madame Attorney perfectly.'

"The longest lasting relationship in my life is with a leather sofa that I lounge on all the time in my den. It would have a perfect home right over there." Samantha smiled at the image of the graceful figure, reclining on a well worn sofa. She was in the process of adding her own figure to that equation when Sterling continued her train of thought.

"I have a collection of paintings that were gifted to me a long time ago. Many of them are quite beautiful. There are plenty of walls for those. The rest is pretty much negotiable. It can stay, or go." Sterling's voice held no emotion.

"You don't get into interior design I see." It was a question; it just didn't have a question mark behind it.

"I like to be comfortable and my tastes are conservative. I tend to buy what my eye goes to and work with it. This will be my first permanent home though. I may consider getting a professional decorator. Do you know any?"

Before the Realtor had a chance to answer, Sterling walked on ahead of Samantha into the walnut paneled study. It was a very masculine room, meant to exude authority by design. Sterling matched its presence with her own.

"You are in the decorating capital of Georgia." Samantha laughed easily, thinking of the last dinner she had attended at Peter's house.

"Are you being facetious?" Sterling didn't know exactly how to take the younger woman's response.

Sam explained that she had met no less than three interior designers during one recent afternoon. "Your only problem will be choosing only one and they will undoubtedly fight over you." This earned Sam another questioning look.

"It's a beautiful house and will become a real showcase of good taste, I have no doubt." Sam enjoyed the effect of her compliment as the tall attorney dipped her head in acknowledgement of it.

Sterling's cool blue eyes continued to scan the study, feeling the cold hand of Gino's approval drop onto her shoulder from his grave. 'I'm home. Finally.' She looked to where Samantha stood studying her and relaxed into the open appraisal. It was not an uncommon experience for the enigmatic lawyer, but something in the gaze that fell on her now made her want to measure up to Sam's expectations. This had never proven to be an issue in the past and unnerved Sterling slightly. She changed her tactic, pulling her attention away from Sam.

"Yes, this will do very nicely. I have the contracts in my briefcase, if you will look over them for me."

"Don't you want to go upstairs to the bedrooms?" Sam was surprised at the swift inspection.

"Do you?" Sterling eyebrow raised perceptibly as did the flush in Sam's cheeks. The attorney apologized. "Just kidding. Sorry, I have a warped sense of humor." 'Gotcha didn't I?'

The offer was fair. It wasn't quite full price, but Sterling was willing to handle the title search through her firm as well as the filing of the warranty deed. All the sellers needed to do was have their own lawyer look over the paperwork. It was no surprise to Samantha when the listing agent called back within a few hours of receiving the contracts with the news that the offer was accepted.

Sam felt a rush of elation as she hung up the telephone in her den. She started to dial the lawyer's office number from memory, a fact that she was suddenly aware of and a little shocked by. Staring at the portable phone as if it held the answer to the multitude of questions whirling through her mind, Sam slumped into the leather armchair that was her favorite.

'Is Peter right? Is there something about this woman that I am drawn to on some level?' Sam asked herself why she was so excited and relieved to have news that legitimately required a conversation with the barrister. It was if she needed some feasible excuse to allow herself the pleasure of hearing the deep, seductive voice. Trying to dismiss the whole concept, Sam once again pushed the numbers on the telephone that would connect her with the lawyer's office.

"Hayes and Foster," The clipped professional voice that answered informed the Realtor that Ms. Hayes was in court for the remainder of the day. Sam deliberated leaving a message, but decided that her news was too big to be coldly transmitted through a voice mail.

"Just tell her that I called, please." Samantha gave her name and was gratified when the secretary's tone warmed immediately.

"Oh, hello Ms. Hilliard. I was told that you might be calling. I've been instructed to give Ms. Hayes a page and let her know. Is there a number I can give her, where you can be reached?"

Sam hung up the phone, and headed into the kitchen to fix herself a snack. She'd missed lunch and had promised to meet Beverly for dinner at seven. Looking at her watch, Sam calculated that to be too far in the future for her to wait for food.

She had barely sat down at the table to tackle the raw vegetables and ranch dip when the phone rang and interrupted. Assuming it would be Peter or one of the agents at the office, Sam answered in mid-chew.

"I understand you're looking for me." Sterling's unmistakable voice came over the line.

"Hang on a second," the Realtor managed to say around the mouthful of celery. Embarrassed, Sam covered the phone with her hand while she hastily finished crunching and swallowed.

"Sorry. My mouth was full. I …" Sam realized she was rambling and started over. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon."

"Coincidentally the judge called it a day soon after I got the page. He's been a grumpy bastard all week. I suspect he's fallen off the wagon." Sterling waited expectantly for the news she supposed Sam had for her.

"I just wanted to let you know that your offer was accepted." Samantha grinned, practically feeling Sterling's reaction across the miles. "Congratulations, you have a new home."

Sterling was elated and surprised at her own reaction to the news. She let out a long breath. "Ha! Well what do you know?"

Sam didn't speak, wanting the other woman to have a moment to savor her good news.

"We have to celebrate of course. Be my friend? Go out to dinner with me tonight?" Suddenly Sterling realized how much she wanted acceptance of her invitation.

Deciding quickly that it was a business related invitation and therefore a legitimate excuse for standing Beverly up, Sam didn't hesitate. "That would be great. I can give you your copies of everything." 'There, that makes it official enough.' "What time, and where?"

The attorney suggested a restaurant around the corner from Sam's house. Insisting that she pick the younger woman up instead of meeting her there, Sam decided it would be fun to see Sterling's face when she realized that the establishment was within walking distance from her front door and agreed.

Sam felt no remorse about breaking her date with her banker friend until she actually heard the disappointment in Beverly's voice. "I understand, really Sam. After all, it's your job. We've been lucky there haven't been conflicts before now." They agreed to see each other later in the week and Sam hung up the phone feeling relieved to have the matter over with.

Two hours later, as she stood studying the contents of her closet, Samantha wondered if her client would be driving her little car. Sam preferred the closeness of its passenger space. Her mind worked with her nose to jump-start her scent memory and conjure the subtle fragrance that the realtor now associated with Sterling Hayes. Sam could picture the attorney's strong hands on the steering wheel and wondered at the softness of them, placed on her shoulder to guide her through a door. Something was happening between them that frightened and at the same time elated her.

The doorbell rang at precisely seven o'clock. Samantha checked her face in the beveled mirror of a beautiful old hall tree in her entry foyer. Meanwhile Sterling fidgeted on the front porch, wondering if she had made a fool of herself in the course of her dinner invitation. 'Be my friend? What was I thinking? She must think I'm an idiot.' Her self-chastisement session was cut short when the door swung open.

"Hi." Samantha's voice was soft and sounded unfamiliar to her own ears. The two women stood smiling earnestly at each other. "Do you want to come in for a minute?" She stepped back to allow Sterling to pass closely in front of her before shutting the door after them.

"I hope I'm on time. I had a little trouble finding the house." Suddenly bashful, a first in her life, Sterling tried to avoid Sam's eyes. That led her to look at the simple black dress that hugged the young woman's curvaceous form, revealing her many attributes. Staring at the creamy offering above the deep veed neckline, Sterling swallowed hard and met Sam's eyes willingly now. "Beautiful home you've got here." It was an automatic slice of small talk, but in glancing around her, the lawyer realized it was a sincere observation.

"Thanks. We can have a drink if you like, before we go." Samantha was amused by the flustered attorney and enjoying the reaction to her choice of outfits.

"That would be nice if it isn't any trouble." Sterling took a cautious look at her hostess and was comforted by a warm smile.

"Any preference? I have scotch, bourbon, vodka or maybe you would prefer wine?" Sam waited.

"Whatever you're having will be fine, thanks." Sterling began to gain some control over her nervousness in Sam's absence. She looked around the cozy den, just off the central hall of the house and tried to calm her elevated heart rate.

'Steady old girl. You've been in the presence of many beautiful women in your life. There's no need to fall apart over this one, although she does look ravishing in black.' Sterling immediately allowed her imagination to replace the stylish dress with a black lace nightie she had admired in a Victoria's Secret magazine earlier that day. The attempt at calming herself failed all out at the thought.

Forcing composure, the lawyer glanced around the room and admired the beautiful antiques it was furnished with. The enormous sofa, upholstered in rich fabric of burgundy and forest green held an even dozen pillows, perfect for a cozy evening before the fireplace it faced. A pair of matching pie crust tables stood at each end of it, their tops painted with magnolia blossom designs. The Persian rug underneath the leather topped, oval coffee table was an unusual pattern, even to Sterling, who was quite expert at identifying them. She had learned an appreciation of such things at Gino's side. Before the attorney had a chance to investigate further, Samantha returned and handed her a stemmed wine glass.

"I hope Chardonnay is alright." When Sterling had nodded her assent, Sam offered her glass in a toast. "To your new home. Congratulations."

The words caught the attorney off guard and moved her deeply. Sam could not have suspected just how long her guest had wanted to hear them. 'Your home. My God, I would never have believed it possible.' Sterling felt an uncomfortable assault of emotion and fought to keep it in check. As their glasses clinked and each took a sip, Sam was aware of an internal struggle being waged by her quiet guest.

"Home means many different things to people. What does it mean to you Sterling?" A typical question, posed previously by the Realtor, but now the answer seemed important beyond reason to Sam. She waited.

"I have a vague memory of peacefulness and warmth. I guess that's what I'm trying to replicate."

Samantha wanted to ask a dozen questions, but understood the danger in prying into the dark stranger's past. Sterling looked as if she was ready to run with little provocation. "We all need a safe place, that's for sure. I hope your new house will provide that for you. It's really beautiful, you know."

"I'm hoping …" Sterling dropped her head and let out a short laugh. "Actually, I'm afraid I have too many hopes for one poor house to fulfill. My expectations may be a little high." She drank deeply from the glass she clung to.

Sam caught her eye and held it, not allowing her an easy out. "You have every right to expect great things. You're bright, charismatic and extremely successful. Why wouldn't you deserve a sanctuary to comfort you against life's harshness? Who could deny you a safe haven for your heart and a gathering place for the ones you love?"

Sterling looked stricken. "You don't know what you're saying. Those are thoughtful and sincere words, but you couldn't possibly know where I've come from." The dark beauty drained her glass and handed it to Sam, signaling the end of the conversation.

Unwilling to close the subject, but willing to postpone it, Sam offered a compromise. "I'll let you off the hook, because I don't want to be late for our dinner reservation, but I want to know what you mean by that remark. You sound positively cryptic." She took the empty glasses to the kitchen and returned with her purse. "Shall we?"

The elegant interior of 'The Doves' restaurant was welcome. Its candlelit tables were graced with fresh flowers and beautiful settings of heavy silver and fine linen. The aroma of baking bread greeted them as Sterling shook the hand of the proprietress, Chloe. She showed them to an intimate table in the rear room of the beautiful old house.

When they were seated and alone Sterling explained that Chloe and her husband Claude had come to Atlanta during the Olympic games of 1996 and had loved it so much that they stayed and opened 'The Doves'. A waiter stood at Sterling's elbow and waited to be acknowledged before interrupting.

"Good evening Ms. Hayes. What can I get you and your guest to drink this evening?" Sterling greeted him by name and ordered something that Sam didn't recognize. As he turned to go a short, stout man in a chef's double-breasted coat approached.

"Claude, how are you?" She stood and accepted his handshake.

"I am wonderful, Sterling and so glad to see you this evening. It has been a long time." The entire time he spoke to Sterling he was looking Sam over. His appreciation was evident before he spoke. "You have found the loveliest creature in the city to be your companion this evening." Sam reached out to shake his hand and had hers kissed instead. It was a charming gesture, and one she had never experienced before.

There was a quiet conversation that followed. Sterling turned to her and asked if she liked veal. Sam nodded yes and watched the two, fascinated, as they argued good naturedly over the proper entrée to offer Sterling's dinner guest. A decision was reached and both parties shook on it.

Claude returned to his kitchen to work his magic. Sam laughed. "You two look like co-conspirators in a neighborhood plot to take control of a treehouse, not a high powered attorney and an obviously respected chef." She sipped from the water goblet that had been discreetly filled by a tableboy.

"This is a very nice place. I can't believe I've never been here before, especially when I have heard how good it is."

Sterling was pleased that she had managed to impress the younger woman with her choice of restaurants. Although she didn't really understand it, the attorney wanted Sam's acceptance. Unfortunately, that would require her to reveal more about herself than she was comfortable with. Her dinner companion was already hell bent on using their evening meal as a backdrop for her fact finding mission.

"Where did you say you grew up?" The waiter arrived with the selection of wine and offered to let Sterling taste it before he poured. She waved her acceptance and returned to the conversation before she remembered that she had been asked a question.

"On the outskirts of Boston." Sterling sipped and nodded her appreciation to the waiter who vanished as quietly as he had come.

"How many siblings do you have?" Sam was being very direct, as no other approach had yielded her any information.

"I'm an only child. My parents are both dead, in fact I lost my mother when I was nine."

"I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how that must have felt, although I must admit that I have often wished to be motherless." Sam chuckled half-heartedly as she saw the question form in Sterling's expression. "We don't get along. I am also an only child, but Mother disagrees with my choice of lifestyles and I seem to be an embarrassment to her." The tone of sadness in her confession was hard to hear.

"How horrid that must make you feel." Sterling had almost commented aloud that Mrs. Hilliard must be a total bitch not to take great pride in the young woman seated across from her. "It doesn't seem possible when considering your character, intelligence and flawless reputation. If none of that wows her there's always your compassionate nature and then there is the thing about how beautiful you are." It was all stated plainly, as if her observations were the obvious consensus among those who knew Sam.

The younger woman sat, awestruck to have been complimented so highly. It should have been more embarrassing than it was, but praise had always been a missing element in Sam's life and she soaked it up now.

"Gosh! No wonder you make a zillion dollars an hour. You sure know how to win somebody over in a hurry."

"I meant every word." The pale blue of the gaze that held her was incredibly beautiful in the flickering candlelight.

Sam realized that once again the conversation was being steered away from the subject of Sterling's background and she renewed her efforts to get to know the attorney better. Before long, Sterling found herself comfortably revealing the facts of her past. "I moved my practice to Charleston for three years when I left Boston. I really needed a change of scenery and I had enough contacts to make a go of it there. Last year my biggest client relocated in Atlanta and I followed. As you know, I've decided to make it my permanent home."

"I'm glad you like it here. It is a beautiful city, even if I am slightly prejudiced." Sam sipped her wine appreciatively. "It's funny that in all the time you have been in Atlanta our paths haven't crossed, don't you think?"

"I haven't been a very social creature I'm afraid. Most of the people I know, I have met through clients."

"Maybe that'll change now." There was a hopefulness in Sam's remark that Sterling liked very much.

The waiter appeared and placed salad before them. Both of the women nibbled on romaine and black olives, but were clearly more interested in the conversation than the food.

"Your practice seems to have flourished here. You must be very good at what you do." Sam never took her eyes from Sterling's face as she speared a tomato wedge and brought her fork to her mouth.

Sterling smiled at the remark and considered her reply. "I have served a lot of powerful clients in the past, as you well know, but I am finding that there are a lot of honest business people who need representation as well. My practice is changing in a good way, I think."

"I sincerely hope you can forgive my repeated and very vocal opinions on the subject." Sam felt that the apology was overdue.

"Please." Sterling held up her hand to stop Sam. "You never said anything to me that wasn't absolutely true. I may not have liked some of it, but I could not honestly say that you weren't accurate in your observations."

Sam's offered a weak explanation. "I just tend to hold class on people sometimes. It's a bad habit of mine."

"On the contrary, I think that it's part of a passionate nature. I admire that." Sterling's smile fairly melted the beautiful young blonde.

"You seem like a fairly passionate person yourself. I've never heard prettier speeches." Sam cocked her head and grinned.

"When driven to it, yes, I can preach on any subject. It is, after all, what I was trained to do." Sterling lifted the wine bottle chilling in the bucket beside her and refilled their glasses.

'I better watch out or I'll be tipsy before dessert,' Sam cautioned herself. Ignoring the now full glass the Realtor decided to cut to the chase with her questioning. After all, Sterling had asked for and received certain information of a personal nature at their deposition, months ago. It seemed like time to expect reciprocation.

"So, have you ever been married?" Sam tried to maintain the same stern face she remembered seeing on the lawyer that day in Lowry's office.

Sterling, in the process of sipping her wine, almost spewed it across the table. "Excuse me?" she managed when she had safely swallowed.

"I just wanted to know if you have ever been married. After all, I had to answer that question for you a while ago. Don't you believe in…"

"No. I have never been married. Please, don't even start on me about what I believe in." Blue eyes sparkled. Sterling was obviously enjoying the mischievous nature of her dinner companion. "You already know where I live and how long I've been there from my loan application. What else did you want to know?"

"Are you seeing anyone?" Sam was suddenly serious and Sterling responded in kind.

"No one that matters, no." Samantha's relief was obvious and pleased the attorney mightily.

The moment was intense, but passed soon enough. The waiter whisked away the barely touched salad plates and place the main course before them. Samantha turned her full attention to dinner.

Samantha placed her napkin on the table, signaling an end to her dining experience. "I've never had such delicious food in my life. You must tell your friend when you speak with him next time."

"Maybe you'll come back here with me and tell him yourself." Sterling let the statement stand as an open invitation. She handed the numbered ticket to the valet and they stood in the brisk night, waiting for the car to be brought around for them.

The questions had come in a steady stream since they left the restaurant. Now, they were parked in front of Sam's house, both reluctant for their evening to end. "Will you move in right away?"

"I don't know how long the bank needs to approve me."

Sam laughed. "I don't think it will take very long to get you in the house."

"I guess I need to get into the bank and fill out a loan application. I'll try to squeeze that in tomorrow. What about the current owners? Don't they need some time to move?" Sterling had turned in her seat and was facing her young passenger.

"I'm sure they could vacate in the next three or four weeks without any problem. I don't think they have spent much time in the house in the past few years anyway. They seem to travel a lot." Sam didn't realize that she had responded in kind.

"I need to buy some furniture and stuff, I guess. Can you get those decorators you know to call me? They could do that for me I bet." Sterling sounded hopeful.

"Buying furniture shouldn't be a job you get paid for. It seems unfair to me." Sam laughed, thinking of her own penchant for shopping.

"Would you do it, then?" Realizing how forward the request was, Sterling backed up a step. "I mean, I know you're busy and all, but would you allow me to hire you, instead of a stranger?"

Sam studied the woman beside her. "I'm not a professional, but I will help you. No money of course, but you can compensate me in another way." She thought for a full minute. "How about if you let me use your pool in the spring?"

"Well, sure. That goes without saying though. You're the closest thing to a friend I have in Atlanta. If you don't use my pool, who will?"

"I doubt that you'll have any problems making friends, now that you have decided to try." Sam searched her face for clues. Sterling responded fluidly by leaning toward her and placing the softest of kisses on her waiting lips.

They watched each other across the mere inches separating their faces. There was no protest to be found on either face. Meeting half way the next kiss was somewhat less chaste. A sigh rose up between them, but neither knew who had uttered it. The third meeting of mouths had turned more urgent and tongues began to seek introduction. Sterling's hands came up and caressed Sam's face as their lips parted.

Awash in confusion over the avalanche of emotion she was feeling, the lawyer backed off. "I guess I better get going. I have an early appointment tomorrow." Sam was clearly unhappy about the abrupt departure but said that she understood. She stepped from the car and started up the sidewalk. Before she had closed the front door behind her, the telephone was ringing. In an automatic gesture she picked it up.

"The two of you sat out front quite a while. What's up with that?" Peter's curiosity was in full flame.

"It's illegal to be a Peeping Tom you know. I have repeatedly asked you to get a life, Peter." Sam should have known it would be him.

"Did you have a good time with her? Where did you go?" He knew that Sam had agreed to the impromptu celebration.

"We had dinner at The Doves. It was fabulous." Sam remembered the beautiful color of Sterling's eyes in the candlelight.

"Wow! That place is expensive, but I hear it's great. Tell me about the food."

She did, in elaborate detail, hoping that would satisfy his curiosity about her evening. Alas, Peter was not letting her off the hook.

"So give with the information. Did she kiss you? How was it?"

"One question at a time please." Sam laughed at his enthusiasm. As much as she hated to admit it, she was glad to have the opportunity to discuss her evening with Peter. "Yes she did and it was great. Actually, it was better than great." The young woman grew quiet.

Peter distinctly remembered asking his friend the same question regarding Beverly's kisses. Sam had deemed the banker a good kisser, but couldn't muster any more enthusiasm than that. "Better than great? Sounds pretty hot, girlfriend."

"Beyond description Peter." Samantha sounded totally serious, all joking gone from her tone.

'Wow! Something is going on with this story. I'll have to stay tuned in for sure.' Peter's call holding beeped and he quickly excused himself, promising to talk with Sam the following day.

"Beverly is on the phone, boss. You want I should put her through?" Peter affected his best impersonation of Ricky Ricardo's impossibly Cuban accent.

"Please Peter." Sam hit the blinking button on her phone and greeted her friend. "Hello Bev. How are things?"

"Everything's great. By the way, I met a friend of yours a while ago and have been trying to find a minute to call you. She applied for a loan and the contract she gave me was one of yours."

'Sterling. Has to be. Of all the lending institutions in the city, I can't believe she ended up in Beverly's bank.'

"Sterling Hayes is her name." The banker waited for a response of recognition.

"Yes, I just got her offer accepted yesterday. How does the application look?" Sam already knew the answer to that one.

"Triple A credit. Plenty on deposit both personally and professionally. Actually, I don't think she really needs a loan, but wants the tax break. We'll have her approved in about ten days I imagine, unless the information she gave us is completely fictitious."

Samantha laughed at the prospect. "No, Bev. I've been around her enough to know that she has resources, I just didn't know how extensive they were."

"It's confidential of course, but how about a salary in the high six figures and over four million dollars in Mutual Funds? There's no telling what else she's sitting on."

Sam was a little surprised. She had supposed the woman to be well off, but it sounded like her financial situation took her off the charts. The realtor didn't want to let on to Beverly that she had any interest in Sterling beyond her professional one and changed the subject. "Do you still want to come over and watch a movie tonight?" It had been the consolation prize offered Beverly for the last minute ditch the previous evening.

"Sounds great. Do you have popcorn, or should I bring some?" The banker laughed.

"You don't need to bring anything. I should be home around six. See you later." Sam hung up her phone, wishing she could respond to Beverly's affection on a deeper level. It would be such a simple situation to find herself in, unlike the one with Sterling Hayes. She knew virtually nothing about the woman and most of what she did know had come from third party sources. The attorney obviously had a problem revealing the details of her past.

Samantha tried to rationally determine what the source of her attraction for the dark lawyer was and found that she could name many attributes that drew her. 'Strong and silent, intelligent, beautiful, sexy…the only thing I can think of that's bad about her is her need for secrecy.' Warmth started to spread through the young blonde and Sam recognized it as desire, plain and simple. 'This is not a good thing. You can't base a relationship on lust, not that Sterling has really demonstrated that she wants that with me. That last kiss seemed to scare her to death. I hope I get an opportunity to ask her to explain that reaction.'

A light knock on her door brought her attention back to the scheduled meeting with her newest agent. "Come on in Anna and let's take a look at that contract." She smiled warmly at the nervous agent, who relaxed a little in response.

Her evening with Beverly had been as expected. The banker had been all cuddly during the movie. An offer to massage Sam's feet turned into an obvious seduction and Samantha had to hurt her guest's feelings to stop it. "I thought we agreed about this Bev."

"We're not supposed to get emotionally dependent on each other, I thought. Are you saying you don't want to be intimate either?" She was unhappy at the prospect.

"I just don't think you should make assumptions." Sam's response was equally aggravated.

"What exactly are you saying Sam?" Beverly hadn't meant to ask for clarification, it had slipped out and she wasn't sure she was going to like what was coming.

"I'm saying that just because we've slept together a few times, that doesn't mean you should assume we are going to fall into bed every time we see each other Bev. I never agreed to anything like that and I never would. I believe in a bit more spontaneity." It was an accusation and they both knew it.

"Forgive me for wanting to be close to you, it obviously presents a problem." Beverly had swallowed her pride more than once to keep from losing Samantha, but she was wounded now and struck back. "Maybe it would be best if I stop having expectations altogether where you are concerned." She stood and looked down into beautiful green eyes as she fought to believe that she wasn't in love with the enchanting creature behind them. "I'm really tired of apologizing for caring about you, Sam." Beverly lifted her jacket up from the coat hook in the entry foyer and went out the door.

Sam sat, staring after her, sorry for having caused hurt, but relieved in a way that the impossible situation had been remedied. Janet would tell Sam later that she was a heartbreaker, but the realtor thought she had been honest and straightforward from the beginning. 'I can't make Beverly understand that you simply can not make someone love you. Wouldn't it be great if you could?'

She had Samantha by the hand and was leading her into the darkest part of the abandoned factory. The dozens of broken panes of glass let the cold wind howl through the expanse of the ground floor. Water from the leaky roof had collected into small lakes and frozen, creating an additional obstacle for Sterling to skirt on their journey.

They came to a wide staircase and ascended it to a much warmer second floor. Vandals' rocks had done less damage to the higher windows, but the wooden floor was rotting in places and Sterling picked around those areas with practiced ease. A dim glow of light in the distance was the destination of their wordless journey. As the two came closer to it, Sam recognized the shape of a massive canopied bed. The rich carving on the heavy wooden posts and velvet hangings were an absurd contrast to the crumbling factory surrounding it.

The light grew brighter as they approached the banks of candles that sat on every surface in a circle around the bed. Overturned buckets, a rusty wheelbarrow, and a rickety workbench among other things all served as candlesticks for the forest of flaming tallow.

Sterling stopped when they were within the circle of the light and drew Samantha to her. She kissed her chastely once and then once again before lifting the smaller woman and carrying her to the huge bed. There, Sterling placed her charge gently on the lavish satin of an eiderdown comforter and lay down beside her.

Propped on her elbow Sterling stroked Sam's cheek and watched her eyes for permission to begin the timeless dance that had brought them. Granted instantly, clear blue eyes closed with the intensity of her first coveted touch on tender skin. Samantha began to move slowly, writhing in the pleasure of the strange hands that somehow knew her intimately. Sterling moaned as she draped her leg over one of Sam's and felt the mutual pressure at warm centers.

Dark hair hung down, curtaining the warm glow of the candlelight and forcing Sam to rely on her sense of touch alone. Eager lips feasted as clothes were thrown aside. The two rolled over and over, sampling the press of flesh, each wanting to lead but willing to follow. Finding herself in the perfect position, Sterling let her fingertips brush downward across the tight belly beneath them. She lingered a moment, investigating the slight dip of Sam's navel before moving on towards her target below…

"GOOD MORNING ATLANTA. RISE AND SHINE SLEEPYHEADS! HERE'S YOUR TRAFFIC UPDATE FROM THE SKYCAM!" The annoying voice of the radio announcer startled Sterling awake as it did every day. Unfortunately this morning, that voice had exercised extremely bad timing. The lawyer hit the appropriate button to shut the clock radio up and groaned at the loss of the wonderfully erotic dream now lost in her wakefulness. She considered trying to go back to sleep, but felt certain that she could not realistically expect the exotic images to reappear.

'Damn! I hate to start out my day with a cold shower.' She considered briefly and accepted the alternative of managing matters herself and was well on her way to her much needed release when her telephone rang. A string of expletives greeted her six-thirty caller, a client who Sterling had always sincerely believed to be teetering on the brink of sanity. This call provided conclusive evidence.

Once she had explained to the agitated man that she could not answer his question without his files in front of her and that she would be in the office at eight o'clock, he abruptly hung up. Wondering how he had attained her private number Sterling made a mental note to question her secretary as she rolled out of bed. The stimulating scenes from her dream were lost in her aggravation. The attorney decided she might just as well start her day. By mid morning she had insulted practically everyone whose path she had crossed and the stern expression on Sterling's face had intensified. Little did her staff know that her wake-up call had produced Sterling's cranky, caustic mood.

Sterling sat daydreaming at her desk. Sally, her secretary made a discreet entrance, having been verbally assaulted by her boss once already in the course of the day.

Sally was loyal, trustworthy and extremely good at the job she had been doing for over twenty years. She had agreed to take the secretarial position when Sterling opened her office the previous year under certain conditions. Sally would work late hours when necessary to fulfill her duties, but as a norm expected to be out of the office by six thirty each day. She would not under any circumstances take orders or instructions from anyone in the office other than Ms. Hayes and would not run errands. Sterling valued her opinions, judging her correctly to be a cool head and a quick mind.

"Ms. Hayes, your two o'clock has arrived. I've settled them in the conference room and ordered coffee." Sterling had her back to the office and seemed to be studying something in the fantastic view of the city spread out before her. When she didn't respond to the announcement, Sally hesitated, uncertain what to do next. Finally she decided to be direct. "Will that be all, Ms. Hayes?"

Sterling slowly turned in her lavish leather desk chair and faced her secretary. "I need your advice Sally. Could you come in please and close the door?"

The odd request made the secretary uneasy. Ms. Hayes had been acting strangely for the past few weeks. Sally was concerned about her boss, whom she had grudgingly grown to like. She waited.

"How long have you been married, Sally?"

'What an odd question,' the secretary thought. "Nineteen years Ms. Hayes." She stood quietly.

"Does your husband ever do anything romantic for no real reason?"

Sally bit off a laugh. "Once upon a time he did but those days are good and gone. After so many years we have settled into a comfortable companionship." Again, she stood quietly and waited.

"I've made a new friend, my first in Atlanta and I want to do something to thank her for the help she has given me." Sterling watched her secretary expectantly.

Sally still couldn't help but react to the confession she was hearing. Ms. Hayes had begun by questioning her about romantic gestures and moved straight into seeking an expression of thanks for a new woman in her life.

"I assume that the customary flowers won't convey your message." Sally was trying to get more information without direct questioning.

"Too mundane and jewelry…well let's just say jewelry is inappropriate." Sally was fairly certain that in the past, jewelry had been her boss' gift of gratitude for particularly invigorating sexual encounters. Sterling always appeared to be exhausted but content on the days when she had Sally send jewelry. This new friend then, was not a sexual conquest.

"What are her interests?"

"She reads and likes to dance." Sterling was going over the short list of things she knew about Sam in her mind. "She cooks too, I think and collects antiques." Sterling threw in at the last. The attorney waited while her secretary digested this information.

"There is an excellent shop near Lenox, just off Peachtree or you could always research a gift for her on the internet. I understand that there is quite a large range of antiques available for sale there."

"Excellent! Great idea Sally. I knew you would know what to do." She smiled brightly at her secretary who was obviously pleased that she had been helpful. "By the way. I owe you an apology for this morning, Sally. I woke up in a bear of a mood, but I shouldn't have reacted that way over a missing file. It's my fault in the first place for losing it." She expected Sally to accept her apology immediately, but her secretary's reluctance to do so told Sterling several things. She had been intolerable and undoubtedly had hurt Sally's feelings or there would have been no hesitation to accept the apology as she had so many times.

"I understand Ms. Hayes, we are all subject to having a bad day occasionally." The final word had a load of emphasis on it.

"A good point Sally. Did I mention that I want you to take tomorrow off? I don't plan to be in the office since our judge is on vacation." Sterling looked at her desk.

A few moments passed in silence. "Very well then. Thank you Ms. Hayes." Everything had been set right between them and Sterling was pleased. Most of the people in her office she could have cut down with a word or a glance and never felt any remorse over it, but Sally was different. Sterling respected her.

She stood and stretched her back a bit, trying to organize her thoughts. The clients waiting for her in the conference room were filing a professional negligence case against a cardiologist who had neglected to render a diagnosis to the wife. She subsequently suffered a heart attack and a thirty day stay in the hospital. Now the woman, in her mid-forties, was unable to walk and in all likelihood, would have a permanent disability. As far as Sterling was concerned, it was a no-brainer, but she would have to get a doctor on the medical review panel to go over the case history and agree with her before she could begin.

Gathering the various sheafs of papers from her desk, she patted her blazer pocket to locate her Mont Blanc and finding it there, went to interview her new clients.

It had been three days since their dinner at The Doves and Sam had received no communication from Sterling. Disappointed, she regretted having issued the invitation to the upcoming party at Peter's house, thinking it might turn uncomfortable for both of them. Apparently the beautiful barrister had elected to deny the heat generated by their good night kisses, something Sam had tried unsuccessfully to do herself.

Peter buzzed her on the intercom. "There's a delivery her for you, boss."

"I'm going over this listing agreement, Peter. Just bring it on back." She was just a bit short with him.

"If I were that strong there would be men lined up to marry me." Sam, now thoroughly curious, rose from her desk and went to the lobby to investigate.

Standing in the center of the floor was a beautiful mahogany etagere. The front was covered by doors, with shallow shelves running back at an angle on each side of them. Decorative carving adorned the skirt and legs of the unusual piece and the gold veined, marble top was exquisite. Sam walked around it, admiring the craftsmanship and condition.

"There's a card, boss." Peter was practically hyperventilating, waiting to find out what it said.

'Samantha, I saw this and thought of you. I know it will look terrific in your office and is one way of thanking you for all of your efforts on my behalf. It's been a while since I've had a friend. S.'

She read it again, trying to quiet her pulse so that the words would register in her mind. Peter was having a duck. Sam looked at him, rolled her eyes and read him the note.

"Oh my God! It is gorgeous, she must be gonzo on you. Me, well I hate your guts." He knelt to open the doors and investigate the inside of the etagere.

"I can't accept this," Sam said to no one in particular. "This is a very expensive piece and an inappropriate gift from someone I hardly know." She was on Southern auto-pilot, saying what good manners dictated. Doing the right thing was going to be tough though. Sam ran her hand over the cool marble. "She could have sent a card or a plant just as well and I could have kept either of those." Disappointed, the young woman went into the privacy of her office to call Sterling and make arrangements to return her generous gift.

Sitting at her desk, Sam pressed her fingertips together and swiveled in half-circles, trying to decide what to say before she dialed the number. 'It's such a beautiful gift, but I can't allow you to …No. I can't tell you how sorry I am to tell you that I really can't accept so extravagant…That's not it either. What I want to ask her is why. Why can't she acknowledge that she cares about me with a phone call, or a kind word. Every time we're on the same wave length, she panics.' In the end, Sam decided to dial the number and improvise.

"Sterling Hayes." The voice was unmistakable. It sent a small tingle down Sam's spine.

"Hello friend." Sam took a deep breath. "I've had the loveliest surprise this afternoon. I wish I could allow you to make such a generous gesture, Sterling, but I really can't accept this."

The attorney was stunned. Her face went hot and tight with embarrassment. 'This is all wrong! I wanted her to see how much she means to me!' Her tone was casual when she had recovered enough to respond. "I don't understand, Sam. I thought you would like the etagere. Since when does the extravagance of a gift make any difference?" The last she tried to keep light, but there was challenge in her voice as it dropped an octave.

"This is Atlanta, my dear. If I were to accept a token of your friendship of this magnitude, it would set tongues to wagging all around me." She laughed a little, realizing that what she said was funny, but on target.

"I'm not sure I understand. Don't people here give presents?"

"Sterling, I happen to know what a thing of this quality is worth. A woman doesn't give presents like to this to someone unless she's sleeping with them. It's a common assumption." Sam waited.

"Do you care so much what people think, that you would hurt my feelings by refusing it? Besides, I figured diamonds made the statement you are referring to, not furniture." This she knew to be true. It had been her own method in the past.

She had Samantha there, but there was still the issue of a gift worth at least two thousand dollars. "Let me think about it Sterling. Please understand, I think this is the dearest thing anyone has ever done for me, but I'm not sure I can get comfortable with it."

"Am I still invited to Peter's house on Saturday?" The lawyer didn't know how she felt at the moment, but was compelled to ask the question.

"Of course!" Sam sighed loudly. "I can't think why you would wonder. We need to have a long talk in the near future and straighten some things out. Are you game?"

Sterling was elated at the prospect and fearful at the same time. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to clear up the guide lines a bit. Maybe we'll have a chance on Saturday."

She sounded defeated and Sam wanted very much to comfort her somehow and tell her things would be alright if they could learn to communicate with each other a little better. "Thanks again for the lovely gesture, Sterling. It means a great deal to me. See you Saturday." She replaced the receiver.

Meanwhile, Sterling sat, cradling hers. That soft voice, pronouncing her name was food for her soul. It would be worth the risk of caring to hear it again. Of course, caring was no longer the issue. The next step was admitting it and the attorney was wrestling with that one.

Continued in Part 3.