Janet opened her eyes and didn't remember where she was at first. Then the stubble on Leslie's chin scraped her skin, and the memories of the previous day and night came rushing back to her. "Sorry." Leslie gave a sheepish chuckle. "Guess I could do with a shave, aye?"

"It's all right." Janet stretched like a cat, luxuriating in the softness of the sheets.

"I hope I met up to your expectations last night."

"You definitely don't have to worry about that." She laughed. "You exceeded them beyond my wildest dreams." It was true. Leslie had proven to be a gentle, thoughtful lover, more concerned with her pleasure than his own. She wondered how many American women he'd been with but decided it wasn't important at all.

"God, that's a relief."

"Were you really worried?"

"Boy, was I!"

"How was I?"

"You gave me a real workout, love. Where did you get all that energy?"

"I've been saving it all up for you, Les."

"Ah, I'm so very flattered." He kissed the top of her head. "What say we get some breakfast now?"

"Sounds great to me!"

The motel had a breakfast buffet with many delicious choices, but Janet, concerned with what Leslie would think of her, chose oatmeal and fruit. "Oh, go ahead and have a waffle," Leslie urged her. "I know you want one." He'd loaded his own plate with sausages, sunny side up eggs, and English muffins while complaining about the absence of sliced tomatoes and mushrooms.

"Well...all right." With a laugh, she gave in and put a waffle on her plate, and they sat down with the other patrons.

"So, what's the itinerary for today?" asked Janet.

"Unlike me, you have a choice," Leslie replied. "You can either watch me rehearse with Pamela or go back to the pool."

Janet thought for a moment. "Well, since I'm coming to your show tonight anyway, and it's such a gorgeous day..."

Leslie laughed. "Go ahead on to the pool, love. I won't mind at all."

She blinked, still undecided.

"I promise, I won't," he assured her.

They finished eating and returned to their motel room, where Janet changed into her swimsuit and headed for the pool. She was enjoying herself, swimming laps and diving, when she heard whistling. Searching for its source, she saw that it was coming from a bald, middle-aged man with a beer belly that hung out over his trunks like rolls of kneaded dough. With alarm, she realized that they were the only two guests at the pool.

"Hey, babe, whatcha doin' later on today?' the man leered.

"None of your friggin' business!" Janet glared as she climbed out of the pool.

"That's not very friendly." He glared as he grabbed her arm.

"Let go of me!" Janet felt as if her heart were about to burst right out of her chest as she attempted, but failed, to wrestle her arm away from her attacker.

"Hey, what's going on here?" Relief flooded through Janet as she saw a security guard appear.

"Nothing," the man muttered as he dropped her arm.

"Are you all right?" the security guard asked her.

Too badly shaken to speak, she nodded. As the security guard returned to his post, she dashed back to the motel room and burst in. Leslie looked up to see her standing there, shivering. "Janet!" He laid Pamela on the bed and went to embrace her. "What on earth happened?"

"This guy grabbed me." Janet's teeth were chattering so hard she could barely get the words out.

Leslie sat down on the bed and pulled her into his arms. "Sh, sh," he soothed as he stroked her hair. "It's all right. I've got you. You're safe now."

In the shelter of his arms, Janet felt her body slowly relax. "I was swimming laps in the pool when I heard someone whistle," she told Leslie. "I looked up and saw this big, gross guy leering at me. I got really scared and tried to leave, but he grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go. If the security guard hadn't shown up right when he did..." Suddenly she was sobbing, hard. He held her and stroked her, murmuring comforting words until he heard her breathing normally.

"I shouldn't have gone to the pool," she said at last. "If I'd come back here with you, it never would have happened."

"You mustn't blame yourself," said Leslie. "It wasn't your fault. I feel responsible myself. You were in danger, and I wasn't there to protect you."

"It wasn't your fault!" Janet cried, looking up into his grief-stricken face. "It was nobody's fault. It just happened, that's all."

"I'm just so glad you weren't hurt." Leslie held her tight again, and she burrowed her face into the warmth of his neck. "I never want to let you go again."

"You'll have to, for the show tonight," Janet reminded him.

"The show will just have to wait. You're more important to me than any bloody show, Janet." He kissed her forehead. "Much more important."

"That's very sweet of you, but I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," Janet assured him. "I'll be right there in front, cheering you and Pamela on."

"Well...all right." He gave a slight smile, and she grinned and kissed his cheek.

Leslie's first performance in Las Vegas turned out to be a big hit and, true to her word, Janet was in the front row, leading the applause.