Now or Never by Elizabeth Adler

Jordan said.
    Her eyebrows climbed into her hair, and she mouthed “Harry Jordan” to Mal, who shook her head.
    “No,” she mouthed back.
    “An A for persistence, detective,” Beth said, smiling.
    “Thanks for the grade, but what I’d really like is to speak to Ms. Malone.”
    “Hm, well, she’s—she’s busy.” She looked at Mal, who was nodding encouragingly. “I guess,” she added, sounding doubtful.
    Mal could hear his laugh booming over the phone. “I’m glad she’s back. Tell her I missed her.”
    “He says he missed you,” Beth said, covering the mouthpiece with her hand.
    Mal rolled her eyes and heaved a sigh.
    “You might also tell her that I’m downstairs in the lobby, and I’d surely like to see her.”
    Mal shook her head again.
“Why not?”
Beth whispered, but Mal ran her finger across her throat, frowning.
    “Sorry, detective, she’s just too tired. First day back at work and all that.”
    “I’ll wait,” he said firmly as Beth hung up.
    She looked inquiringly at Mal. “So why not? I mean, the guy’s only doing his job. What would it take just to give him the time of day, let him explain his case? Anyhow, he has a great voice. Sexy, I’d say.”
    Mal flung herself into the chair and propped her feet on the desk. She glared at Beth. “He’s old, decrepit, and ugly. And you’re going to be late,” she said firmly. “Go on—don’t keep your man waiting.”
    Beth sighed. She thought that, for a top TV personality, Mal looked awfully lonely.
    She swung round as the elevator pinged and a man stepped out. Her eyes widened as she took him in. He was tall and lean with dark hair and a day-old stubble. He was wearing a funky black leather jacket and beat-up Levi’s that looked as though he had slept in them, and there was an air of confidence about him. He was very definitely appealing.
    “Detective Jordan,” she guessed.
    “Beth Hardy. Glad to meet you. At last.”
    He held out his hand, and she shook it. “How did you get in here?”
    He smiled at her, and she stared back at him, dazzled. “A detective’s badge can get you in almost anywhere, Ms. Hardy.”
    Mal’s voice was icy. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring the dog along.”
    Harry gave her a cool look, noticing her long legs, tanned from the Arizona sun, the baseball cap, and the sneakers. She looked pretty good—casual and unmade-up.
    “Squeeze isn’t too good about flying. And I don’t think New York City is his style.”
    “And what makes you think it’s your style, detective?”
    Beth glanced interestedly from one to the other. “I’m gone,” she murmured, picking up her purse. “Nice meeting you, detective.” Behind his back, she raised her eyebrows and made an approving face at Mal. “To die for,” she mouthed.
    She was still laughing as she waited for the elevator.
    Mal didn’t ask Harry to sit down, and he leaned lazily against the wall, his hands in his pockets, looking at her.
    “You’re just too pushy for a rich detective,” she said frostily. “You should know when to take no for an answer. Especially from a lady.”
    “I don’t give up easily, Ms. Malone,” he said with a smile in his voice. “Actually, I came to invite you out to dinner. A personal invitation. Nothing to do with my work.”
    She threw him a skeptical glance. “My blue eyes get to you, huh?”
    “That—and you like my dog.”
    Mal laughed. “You mean you’re offering me a repeat at Ruby’s?”
    His eyes met hers—they were deep set and a beautiful pewter-gray. She could see every little dark fleck in them. She lowered her lashes, cutting him off.
    “I know a little French place in the Village. I think it would suit Madame. Please, won’t you join me?”
    Maybe it was the
please
that suddenly made her say yes. Or his beautiful gray eyes. Or maybe because she feltlonely and he made her laugh. But she set a condition: “No business.”
    “I promise.” He crossed his heart and looked sincere, and she