Prelude to a kiss

An excerpt from ``Silent Fire," the working title of Nadya Labi's manuscript, named for the clothing line that her heroine, Brooke Wilkins, was developing for the Cavens Corp. This scene depicts the run-up to a key plot device in the Harlequin novels of the 1980s-the first kiss.

She had learned to let no man touch her. At least, she thought she had. Now, all her preciously bought control was irretrievably slipping in the face of Derek Cavens.

With the remaining shreds of her composure, Brooke refused to react. Her teeth ground together so tightly that searing pain began to throb at her temples. Brooke welcomed the pain as a distraction from her anger.

Derek stared at his tight-lipped passenger with undisguised appreciation. He admired her control, respecting the challenge she quietly conveyed. But he was arrogantly certain that in the final analysis he would win. He would break down all her barriers and unleash the woman beneath her ladylike exterior, he vowed.

The car came to a gentle halt. Brooke jumped as she realized belatedly that the car had indeed stopped. Even as her subconscience [sic] noted the effortless skill of Derek's driving, she moved quickly to escape the confines of the car. Her hair whipped around her face as she turned back to bite out a scathing dismissal.

``Mr. Cavens. . .." She icily began.

``Please, Derek." He warmly replied.

``I hope never to. . ." Brooke continued without paying his interruption any notice.

``Say it." He demanded. ``Derek."

Brooke sighed her frustration. She gave up any pretense of politeness as she turned to go. But no sooner had she reached for the handle when her chin was ruthlessly imprisoned by his long, lean fingers.

Brooke was disgusted by her reaction to the meaningless contact. Her heart began to beat dry in her throat as though she had been running for miles. Her eyes drowned in the pool of silver that seemed to mesmerize, even demand her gaze.

She saw the image of his darkly tanned hand against the paleness of her skin reflected in the heated brightness of his eyes. Her brain was furiously screaming at her to move. But even as the hard, sensual mouth began to descend, her body refused to obey her commands. . .