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

Duke brushed at something on his pants leg. “I hoped we could go out for dinner tonight. I talked to Monica. She cleared your schedule, so if you’d like to join me, you’re free to. If you’d like to.”


Scott wanted to ask just how Duke had pulled that off, but it didn’t matter. “You…you’re asking me on a date?”


“Yes.” His eyes twinkled. “I still owe you a first one, whether you agree with that or not.”


For what felt like the first time in weeks, Scott smiled. It practically erupted from him. “I would be honored, then. I just need to wrap up this one thing and go home to change.”


Duke’s gaze swept over him. Scott thought it lingered a few seconds longer on his hips, though he fully recognized that might have been his overeager imagination. “Why do you need to change? You look great.”


“Because I want to feel pretty on our first date. And because these are work clothes, not going out to dinner clothes.”


Chapter 72