It was a good one. Everything that Sophie had said made perfect sense on a logical and theoretical level.
It was just that every time she thought of actually trying out her research on Lucas, she felt the same funny quaking in her stomach that she got whenever something was about to go wrong in her lab. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to forget what it had felt like to be pressed against him, to feel his body react to hers, especially a certain unmistakable part of his body. A vivid image slipped into her mind of looping a long strand of pearls around and around—
"Are you listening to anything I say?"
Mac dropped the grater as she struggled to gather her thoughts. "Gil, I know you mean well." She was almost sure of it. But he was giving her a headache. Glancing down at the carrots, she considered dumping them on his head, after all.
"Am I interrupting?"
Mac looked up in surprise to see Sophie hurrying toward her. "Who told you?"
"Who told me what?"
"Someone broke in here last night."
"They did? Are you all right?" Sophie enveloped Mac in a hug.
"I'm fine."
"What about Wilbur?" Sophie flicked a glance at the small white rat running circles in his cage.
Mac couldn't prevent a smile. "I thought you couldn't stand Wilbur."
Gil cleared his throat, and the moment Sophie turned, shot her his best smile. "I'm Gil Stafford. I'm the chair of the biology department and I work in the lab next to MacKenzie's."
"My friend, Sophie Wainright." Mac completed the introductions as the two shook hands.
"Perhaps you can talk some sense into her, Ms. Wainright," Gil said. "The research she's doing has been getting a lot of attention. It was only a matter of time until this happened."
Sophie turned to Mac with a frown. "Were they after your research?"
"The police certainly suspect it," Gil said as he glanced around the room "And it clearly wasn't vandals. Nothing's been touched except the safe."
"No harm's been done," Mac said as she watched Wilbur attack the grated carrots she'd shoved into his tray. "Wilbur's appetite hasn't been affected. And I don't keep any of my records here in the office anyway."
"I still don't like it." Turning, Sophie paced down the length of the lab and then whirled around. "Lucas could send the Shadow over. On a personal level, I can't stand him, but he's good at what he does."
"Not necessary," Mac said. "The university is going to install a high-tech security system. They've even given me a few days off while they work on it."
"That's wonderful. That means you can get started right away on your…" Sophie's voice trailed off as she glanced at Gil.
He was frowning at her. "The university doesn't have the funds to install a proper security system. And the research she's doing is much too valuable, I was just trying to explain that to MacKenzie."
Beaming a smile at him, Sophie moved toward him and placed a hand on his arm. "Would you mind terribly if Mac and I have some time alone? A little girl talk does wonders for the nerves."
"No. Of course not." A little uncertain, Gil glanced from one woman to the other. "I'll be right next door if you need me, MacKenzie."
Sophie waited until the door closed behind Gil Stafford. "MacKenzie? No one calls you that."
"He means well." Mac glanced at the bag of carrots again.
"You weren't thinking of asking him to be your research … guinea pig, were you?"
Mac stared at Sophie. "Gil?"
"Good. Because I've come here on a mission – to convince you that Lucas is your man."
Mac held up both hands. "Sophie, I just don't—"
"I know you, Mac. You've been considering it, weighing the pros and cons. And the pros are winning. He's the perfect man for the job. Why not admit it?"
Picking up another carrot, Mac began to grate. "It's just that I'd planned on doing everything with a stranger."
Sophie moved closer and took the grater away, then shoved it out of reach. "I'm going to be brutally honest with you. That's what best friends are for, right? You're not going to hate me for saying this?"
Mac couldn't prevent her lips from curving. They'd always been able to be honest with each other. It was what had made their friendship last for so long. "I'm not going to hate you."
"Okay." Sophie reached for Mac's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I don't think you're going to be able to go through with your plan if you choose a stranger."
"You think I'm a coward."
"No!" Sophie's reply was quick and vehement. "You are one of the bravest people I know. But I've known you for a long time, and you're very … hesitant when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex."
"Resistant might be a more accurate word," Mac said.
Sophie grinned. "You know, one of the most endearing things about you is your ability to be brutally honest about yourself. Most of us sail through life telling ourselves whopping-big lies."
Mac frowned in puzzlement. "What's the point of doing that?"
"We think it helps. But to get back to you, this resistance you have to pursuing relationships with the opposite sex is the reason I think you might be much more successful with your plan if you choose someone you already know. I don't think you're going to be able to … let's say, implement these fantasies with a complete stranger. Plus, your ultimate goal is to use them on your husband. And he won't be a stranger. Isn't it best in a scientific experiment to try and reproduce all the circumstances to the best of your ability?"
"You really do listen when I rattle on about my work."
Sophie grinned at her. "Of course I do. And I'm right, aren't I – on both counts?"
Mac was very much afraid that she was. One of her own biggest fears was the idea of using her newfound knowledge on a stranger. Still… "Lucas wouldn't … I mean, he doesn't think of me that way."
Sophie's eyebrows shot up. "Well, there you go. Lucas represents the kind of challenge I think you should be looking for. Someone who would put your research to a true test. These men that your … contacts in the sex industry will put you in touch with are bound to be easy marks, don't you think? After all, they're eager enough to be paying for sex. Some of them might even be married and have started to wander, so to speak. And if your plan is all geared toward keeping a husband from straying in spite of his genetic mapping, then surely you ought to be able to seduce my brother."
Sophie had a point. Lucas Wainright would certainly offer her a challenge. And if she wasn't up to it, then she might as well forget her whole plan.
"Mac—" Sophie took her hands "—do this for me. I don't know if I can stand to think of you putting this research project into action with someone else. I know that Lucas, in spite of his many flaws, will be kind to you."
One glance at the concern in her friend's eyes, and Mac knew she was going to agree. She was about to, when Sophie continued, "And the truth is, you could do me a big favor at the same time."
"What?" Mac asked.
"On Wednesday, Lucas has made arrangements for me to join him at his hideaway cabin on one of the Keys. You know what they say about timing being everything! I want you to go in my place. I've never been there, but it seems to me that an isolated island in the Keys would be the perfect setting for you to put your plan into action. It will be just you and Lucas – hot, sunny days, palm trees, the ocean pounding on a sandy beach, warm, tropical nights. Just imagine it, Mac."
It sounded just a little bit too good to be true. She studied Sophie. "Why don't you want to go with him?"
"Because—" Sophie began to pace again "—every time I look at Lucas right now, I think of Bradley. My feelings are very raw, and having Lucas lecture me for a week on my abominable taste in men is the last thing I need. But he's adamant that I join him. I think he feels guilty and he wants to bond with me."
"What will you be doing while I'm down in the Keys seducing Lucas?" There. She'd actually said it aloud. Putting your fear into words was supposed to be half the battle.
Pacing back from the window, Sophie leaned against the counter. "I need to be by myself for a while. And I've found this great spa in North Carolina where I can hike in the mountains and ride and meditate. It's run entirely by women for women. When I read the brochure, it sounded like heaven to me. It's exactly what I need. Lucas is right about one thing. I do seem to attract men who are only interested in using me. An all-women retreat ought to at least protect me for a while."
"Lucas won't be happy about the switch," Mac pointed out.
Sophie patted Mac's hand. "If your research is as good as you say it is, he'll adjust. And I'll call him from the spa so that he'll know that I'm perfectly safe. Believe me, Lucas and I could both use a break from each other."
Mac drew in a deep breath. She'd never been able to refuse Sophie anything.
"Do this for me. Please."
"Okay."
"Great!" Sophie beamed a smile at her. "C'mon, the first thing I want to see is the wardrobe that Madame Gervais helped you select. Then we're going to shop for some additional pieces that will be appropriate for a holiday in the Keys. Have you ever worn a wig?"