Hotshot defense attorney James Scott always follows his gut -- even when it tells him an obviously guilty man is a victim himself. Homicide detective Owen Duke doesn't have time for gut feelings -- he lives by logic and evidence. And all the evidence tells him that Scott's client is guilty of the cold-blooded murder of a young ballerina.<br><br>Scott, a notorious media darling, is willing to risk his reputation and his career on the kid's innocence. But his undeniable charm is not enough to save his client's life. He needs Owen Duke, a man who stands for truth and justice, even if the detective hates Scott and his gut feelings.<br><br>What's supposed to be an open-and-shut case quickly becomes a quagmire of lies, murder, and rotting corruption. Suddenly, instead of being a thorn in Duke's side, James Scott is the only person in San Francisco the detective can trust. As the attraction between them deepens, they race to save an innocent man, but can they save their own hearts in the process?

Pas de Deux

“Okay, let’s say you’re going out on a date with somebody you really like. Where would you take that person?”


“Am I trying to impress, or casual?”


“You definitely want a second date.”


He knew he shouldn’t answer. It wasn’t any of Scott’s business. They weren’t friends, this wasn’t a social environment, and his personal life was his own, not anybody else’s. But he liked Scott’s easygoing manner, and the back and forth was—dare he admit it?—fun. So he answered anyway, knowing full well he would probably regret it later.


“Sutro’s at the Cliff House.” His favorite restaurant, not necessarily for the food, but for the panoramic views of the Pacific. It was too expensive for anything but special occasions. The last time he’d gone was for his parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary. “Then we’d walk over to the Camera Obscura to look at Seal Rock and take a walk along the trails.”


Chapter 19