"Called himself Robert Tucker."

"His name's Russell Tessler." Her voice held a certain sharpness that wasn't the norm.

"Got to admire the clever word play." Cal noted dryly.

The same unease that had flitted through her eyes earlier was back as she chewed on her lower lip.

"Sorry luv." He threw an arm on the couch behind her, his fingertips gently stroking the back of her neck. "We don't even know for certain that this guy is the same one but I'm gonna make some calls in the mornin' just in case."

"A bit of a coincidence otherwise."

Cal didn't say anything. He wasn't a firm believer in coincidence. The arm around the back of the couch now settled firmly around her shoulders as he pulled her against his side.

She immediately buried her face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the heady scent of his soap and skin. Her left arm looped around his midsection, fingers splayed against his ribcage. She felt his soft lips push down on the top of her head as she nestled closer.

"Are we just always destined to have drama on a leash Cal?"

He chuckled and she could feel it rumbling through his chest. "So it seems. Can't blame this one on me though."

"Beg to differ."

"Hey I didn't run down to North Carolina and flirt with the local realtor."

"Touché."

"I'm probably not even his type."

"Oh come on. Who wouldn't find the short, sexy British guy scrumptious?"

"Oi! I'm not that short!"

"Kinda."

"Mean one you are. I'm…almost average…" His voice shifted darkly. "Height wise. Besides, what's this about sexy and scrumptious?"

"Did I say that?"

He moved his right hand to tilt her face up to him. "You did." He kissed her amid barely restrained passion. "And I'm still taller than you!"

"Not when I'm in heels."

"Unfair. Should I look into lifts?"

"Not on your life." Her face nestled back into his neck and she gave him a nip before running her tongue over it, smiling when she felt him go completely still. Gillian began to plant soft kisses up his throat until she met his eyes again. "You're perfect the way you are…even if you are a pain in the ass."

"You always have to put in that little addendum don't you?"

"Uh huh."

His fingers trailed down her cheek before weaving their way into her hair, holding her still. His lips met hers fiercely, hot tongue probing, exploring, teasing as she met every advance on equal terms. They pushed against one another in a battle of wills before pulling away, gasping, staring at one another hungrily.

"You're gonna muck up my plans luv." Cal's voice was strained, eyes dark.

"Plans hmmm…?" She moved against cheek, laying warm kisses up to his ear before biting down gently on the tender flesh of the lobe. "Sounds…mysterious."

"Shit." It was a soft breath.

Looking up at him curiously, she could see how much he wanted her but she could also see a certain pained, almost pleading expression. He was teetering on the edge and it all fell on her.

With a soft hand, she gently pushed his hair back from his brow, noting the slight tremble of his body. "Well, we wouldn't want to 'muck up' your plans would we?" Although disappointed, she refused to let it show. Let him be ready. Besides, her curiosity was suddenly piqued.

He leaned forward and kissed her again, this time tenderly. He wanted nothing more than to make love to her but he was trying to think with his big head, not little head, for a change. She deserved it.

(BREAK)

"His wife filed for divorce after what she perceived as 'obsessive behavior.' She didn't go into detail but apparently there were numerous domestic violence issues although no charges were ever filed. Doesn't seem like she's even had any contact with him since their son reached eighteen years old."

"Huh." Cal looked up at Loker slowly, digesting the information. "Is there an address for him?"

The younger man peeked down at the file. "Yeah, on Bald Head Island but he also has a chunk of land in Maine."

"Airlines have any record of his flying up this way? Either under Tessler or you could try Robert Walker."

"I'll check into it. Just curious what this guy is to you?" Loker's clear green eyes brazenly met Cal's.

"How does 'not your business' strike your fancy?"

He let out a heavy sigh. Typical. "I'll see what more I can find out."

"Thanks."

Loker did a double take before nodding and leaving Cal's office.

Obsessive behavior. Not promising.

(BREAK)

The envelope was delivered to her office late in the afternoon and Gillian had several moments of panic. It was innocuous enough though. A manila envelope addressed specifically to her. She received mail here all the time. There was nothing unusual about it. But she couldn't help the dread that slowly crept up her spine. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out counting slowly to herself, before repeating the exercise a second and third time. Chances are, it was nothing. Maybe she should call Cal. No. She was being ridiculous. She took another breath. Finally she was ready to take a peek.

Sliding her letter opener under the lip of the envelope, she peeked in almost as if there might be a baby rattlesnake hiding inside. When no such creature appeared, she gently shook the contents out with a frown.

A low clearing of the throat had her looking up again.

Cal stood in the doorway, his hands deep in his pockets. Expression cautious but his eyes were smiling.

"What's this?" She found her voice a little higher than normal.

He didn't respond, just waited.

Shuffling through the contents of the envelope, her mouth dropped open. "Oh…wow."

"Surprise." The caution had dropped away as he approached. But it went back up again when she didn't initially react. "S'okay darlin?"

Gillian opened her mouth again. "You just did this?"

"Yep." Cal was watching her carefully. "You…want to go, yeah?"

He let out an audible sound of relief when she was out of her chair and hugging him close. "Of course I want to go. I just can't believe it."

"Why's that?"

"It seems so…out of character for you."

"Should I be insulted?" He grinned as he asked, knowing the answer.

"God no." Gill placed her hands on either side of his face and kissed him deeply.

"Careful. The employees might talk." He chuckled when she pulled away and Gillian decided that she really liked the sound.

"Oh let them!" She reconsidered. "Never mind. Let's shut the door. Wouldn't be a good example for them to see the bosses making out."