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

“This smells delicious. I’m surprised you found all this is my fridge.”


“You probably need to go grocery shopping soon, though. I used almost everything I found.” His smile deepened. There might even have been a twinkle in his eye, though Scott was all too aware that could have been a trick of the lighting. Or his own wishful thinking. “The only thing you won’t need is more jam.”


Scott grinned sheepishly. “I keep forgetting I have jam. Then when I go shopping, I think about how nice it would taste on some toast and I buy another jar. While spacing on the bread, of course.”


“Somehow, your sweet tooth doesn’t surprise me.”


“Have you found my stash of cookies?”


“Yes, but I stayed away from them in case you thought I considered cookies an acceptable breakfast.” He finished rolling his burrito and grabbed a piece of toast before carrying his plate and coffee over to the table. “What’s your schedule like today? Anything you need me for?”


Chapter 31