“Just so you know,” Caro gasped, coming up for air, “I never do this.”

“Me neither. Okay, I do it sometimes.”

“You did it with Dana!”

“Believe me, that was way more her idea than mine. I thought she’d be there in the morning so I could buy her breakfast, maybe we could spend the weekend together, get to know each other, but…” He shook his head. “Gone.”

“Oh, like that’s the first time that’s happened. You probably horndog after all the girl guests.”

“No,” he said soberly, pulling back and looking at her. “I don’t.”

They were in her room, and she couldn’t help noticing it was just romantic as hell with the candles and the lit fireplace. How was a girl supposed to resist? Not to mention, Turner must have been a Boy Scout in his youth, because with the help of four matches and several pages from US magazine, he had a blaze going in no time.

They kissed again, hungrily, exploring each other’s mouths, and she traced her fingers along his jawline and across his shoulders. He was as firm to the touch as he was candy to the eyes, and smelled delicious…if slightly damp.

His hands were busy beneath her BLO POP T-shirt, grazing the flesh just beneath her bra, big warm fingers sending shivers down her spine…the good kind of shivers, for a change.

“Seriously,” she said again, breaking the kiss. “I mean, I never do stuff like this. When I’m not working, I’m writing. Doesn’t leave a lot of time for a social life.”

“You’re a writer?”

“Would-be. I’m still trying to get published.”

“Well, if you came out here for inspiration, you got it in spades.”

“Are you talking about the murder?” she teased as he nibbled on her earlobe. “Or other things?”

“Mmmf,” he replied, then pulled his lips away from her ear. “Uh, listen, Caro, I really like you…”

“Well, I didn’t think that was a roll of Life Savers in your pocket.”

“Life Savers?” he said, offended.

“Caro, I really like you…,” she prompted.

“That’s about it. I mean, I wasn’t really going anywhere with it.”

“Very romantic,” she grumbled. “As it happens, I like you, too, but don’t ask me why. I mean, five hours ago, I didn’t know you. This is so unlike me.”

“You keep saying that,” he murmured, kissing the base of her throat. “And then you keep doing things.”

“The whole thing. Isn’t like me, I mean. Oooh, that’s nice, don’t stop doing that.”

“Don’t worry.”

“I don’t even read mysteries, y’know? I’m strictly a cookbook girl. Well, and maybe a few Star Trek novels. I just love Commander Riker.”

“Could you not reveal your major geekiness right now? It’s sort of killing the mood.”

“Give me a break. It’s just so weird to be in the middle of all this. The last mystery I read was…I can’t even remember. Miss Marple I’m not.”

“Definitely not,” he said, nuzzling her other ear. “I sort of liked the way you took charge.”

“You weren’t even there.”

“Oh, Jana and Lynn were bitching about it.”

“Figures,” she snorted. “I doubt Jana’s legal, by the way, so don’t get any ideas.”

He actually shuddered. “Don’t worry. Neither of them is my type. She’s too young, and her mom’s too annoying.”

“Nice way to talk about guests,” she teased.

“And if this is all so unlike you, how come you’re here?”

“Well…I’m just trying to be polite…” Her fingers brushed the front of his shorts. “And I did pack some condoms. It’s been so long since I bought some,” she added grumpily, “the pharmacist laughed his ass off.”

He pulled away from her. “Oh. That’s good…that’s great. But I wasn’t going to, y’know, push you or anything.”

“You were quick enough to jump into bed with Dana!” she said, stung.

“She jumped in with me. I told you, the whole thing wasn’t exactly my idea,” he said patiently. “I don’t want to wreck things with you. I mean, a one-night stand isn’t exactly what I’m after. They don’t work for me.”

“Well, what are we doing here, then?”

His brow clouded. “Oh, I’m like your summer vacation boy toy? Bonk the help and then go back to the real world?”

“You’re not the help,” she said, shocked. Then she thought about it. “Well, I guess you are. But I didn’t think about you that way. Honest.”

“That’s true,” he said. “First you thought I was a dead body.”

“But then you got better!”

He laughed. “Sorry. I guess I’m a little touchy. I felt really used by Dana, you know?”

“Sure, I can understand that.”

“It’s just, you’re so classy and beautiful, I didn’t think you’d even talk to me. And now that we’re here…it’s like it’s too good to be true. I don’t want anything to ruin it. You know, anything more than felony assault and homicide.”

Classy and beautiful? Was he high? Was she? But he was right about the too good to be true part. The whole night had a definite surreal cast. Death and sex…whodathunkit?

She was right about one thing. This wasn’t like her. But for once in her life, she was going to do something irresponsible and weird. And Turner was going to help!

“Anyway,” she said, determined not to waste the opportunity, “about those condoms…”

There was a sudden rap at the door, and they both jumped. Then Caro laughed nervously. “Dum-dum-dum! I guess it’s been that kind of night.”

“I’ll get it.”

She pushed him back on the bed. “Stay put. And how about losing those shorts? It’s my room, I’ll get it.” She crossed the room and called through the door, “It’s not the killer, is it?”

“No,” a confused-sounding female voice said from the other side. “I’m looking for Turner.”

Caro opened the door and beheld a freckled, red-haired woman who was almost exactly her height. Her hair was sleek and damp, the color of strawberry pie, and she was barefoot and dressed in denim shorts and a red polo shirt. “Hi,” she said, extending a large hand.

“Hi. Listen, you’ve found Turner, but you can’t have him.”

The redhead looked confused. “But I need him.”

“Join the club, babe.”

“No, I mean, he’s supposed to help me with the garbage bins. I can’t move them by myself, and I’ve got to prep for breakfast.”

Caro stared. “Uh, why?”

The redhead stared back. “Because it’s my job. I’m the cook? Anna Barkmeier?”

“Aigh!” Caro cried, and slammed the door shut.