A moment later Blade was naked and standing up-and erect. «Suzanne's» eyes focused on his jutting maleness. His hand returned to the place between her legs, found the hair already damp, and probed deeply into a warm, wet cleft. She smiled. So did he.

«Petunia Bupp,» he said softly, almost caressingly. He had ferreted out her real name before he had invited her up here for the evening. «Petunia Bupp. What an awful name for such a lovely girl. How-«

He felt her stiffen under his hands. Her eyes were still on him, but the passion had gone out of them in a split-second. Her mouth snapped shut so hard he heard her teeth click, and her lips tightened into a thin line. Her nostrils wrinkled as she took in a long breath.

Then the breath came out in a rush of words. «How-how the bloody hell did you find out my real name? It wasn't any of your damned business, you snoopy bastard! Why did you go looking for it? Why, damn you?»

She rolled off the sofa and snatched at her panties and slacks. Blade reached out for her, but she slapped his hand away. She stood up, balancing precariously on one leg while she tried to get the other into her slacks, glaring at Blade.

Her face was flushed-but not with passion-and her voice was almost shaking with shame and fury as she spoke. «You stupid, rotten-! You didn't think I might've changed my name for some good reason did you? Well, it is an awful name. I hated it. I still hate it. Nobody's called me «Petunia» in three years. I thought I'd never hear it again. Now you looked it up like some damned spy, and you've spoiled everything!»

Blade found his voice. «Suzanne, I'm sorry. You-«

«Oh, never mind your being sorry!» she snapped. «You opened your big, fat mouth and that was it. I'm leaving. I can't stay here and make love to you, not after this. Not for a million pounds! I-oh, what's the use!» She sounded on the edge of tears. Blade stepped forward, arms outstretched to hold her, pull her against his chest, comfort and calm her.