Corrupting Dr. Nice (27 page)

She turned her face up to his. Her lips were parted; her eyelashes fluttered. "Admit it."

"I only fell for her because she looked like you. But that doesn't matter, because we can never---"

She kissed him. It lasted a long time. Not quite as long as the Cretaceous, perhaps, but a good long time.

At last they drew away, breathless. She was so warm in his arms. "I--I was trying to tell your father," Owen managed. "Some rules just can't be broken. I'm already married."

"Is that all?" she whispered. She pulled his face down to hers. "So am I, Owen. so am I."

=Timid men screaming love for a funny price,= Bill murmured in his ear.

THE END

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I need to thank Bruce Sterling and Lewis Shiner for “Mozart in Mirrorshades,” whose premise was too good not to steal. James Patrick Kelly, Richard Butner, Bruce Sterling, and Gregory Frost for hard readings. Cason Helms, Andy Duncan, Kathryn Locey, Kelly Winters, Steve Grant, and Mark Van Name for SycCity. Paul Park, David Drake, Connie Willis and the participants in the 1995 Sycamore Hill Writers’ Conference for good advice. Kim Church and Anthony Ulinski for the hair. My editor Beth Meacham. Sue Hall. The real Emma Zume.

Finally, Kathryn Locey was a generous source of invaluable information on the Bible and first-century Palestine. She’s responsible for whatever credibility these portions of the book may have. Of course, any errors of fact or opinion are my own.

Have I left anyone out? My personal trainer? Hairdresser? All the wonderful little people who make this great industry possible? Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.