"If they dont know after my little scene in the hall, they never will," Anna laughed tightly. She hated to be reminded that once Christine had shared moments like these with Graham. She still grew angry whenever she remembered the kiss she had witnessed in the library. "And I couldnt give a damn about their questions. There - now you are your handsome self. Lets go finish your duties so I can take you home."

*********

Lauren maneuvered through the crush of people toward Anna. She had been trying unsuccessfully to catch Annas attention since she entered with Graham. Lauren soon realized that would be impossible. Even though Anna was separated from Graham by a roomful of people, she managed to carry on polite conversation while never taking her eyes off her tall lover. Lauren knew how frightened Anna had been by Grahams recent illness, and she doubted that anything would distract her from her ever vigilant watch over her now. The instant Graham arrived, she was surrounded and swept away by luminaries from the music community and the ever-present press. In a throng like this she was quite helpless to fend off anyone who wanted her attention. Graham looked calm and remotely detached, but Lauren could imagine the effort it required for her to satisfy the escalating demands of those gathered about her. And she was quite sure that Anna had no intention of allowing Graham to be inundated like this for long.

"Thanks for the invitation to the reception," Lauren managed when at last she reached Annas side. She slipped her arm around the pretty red-head at her side. "Anna, this is Lisa McCleary. Lisa is a music instructor at UMass, as well as - well, my -"

"Girlfriend," Lisa finished for her with a kilowatt smile.

Anna smiled with true pleasure, offering her hand. "It sounds trite to say Ive heard a lot about you, but Im glad to have finally met you."

"And I you," Lisa responded. "I guess I dont need to tell you how exciting this is, to have Graham Yardley performing again. Shes wonderful!"

"Isnt she," Anna responded, her eyes returning to where Graham stood. At that moment she was in deep conversation with the governor, who appeared to be as enchanted with her as everyone else in the room. "Even I can say that without prejudice," she laughed softly. "Im so glad you both could come. Lauren has had to excuse my distractibility a good deal lately. Ive been more anxious than Graham!"

"It sounds like you didnt need to be! From what Im hearing around the room, shes even better than before! I dont know how thats possible, but Ive never heard anyone like her."

"Yes," Anna said simply. "And I think shes probably worked enough for one night. Will you excuse me while I attempt a rescue?"

Before she could move away, a reporter blocked her path. "Ms. Reid, is it true that you are Graham Yardleys lover?" he asked bluntly.

Anna appraised him coolly, leaning forward slightly to read the name on the press card pinned to his lapel. "Mr. Phillips," she replied calmly, "Graham Yardley is inarguably one of the greatest artists of this century. I would think that fact alone would offer much more of interest to your readers than speculation about her personal life."

"Am I to take it then that you deny any intimate relationship with her?" he persisted, a smug grin on his face.

"There is nothing about my relationship with Graham I would deny," Anna answered firmly, "least of all my love."

"And is it also true that Christine Hunt-Blair was once her lover as well?"

Anna fixed him with a steely stare. "You would have to ask Mrs. Hunt-Blair about their past relationship." She pointedly turned her back, determined not to reveal her wrath at the mention of Christine. Would she never be done hearing of her?!

As Anna made her way slowly across the large room, Graham was approached by yet another admirer. From where she was, Anna could only watch, anger combining with an unexpected surge of possessiveness.

"Hello, darling," a sultry voice beside Graham murmured as a hand trailed down her arm in a flagrant caress.

Graham turned to the woman beside her, lifting the hand from her sleeve with a slight bow. "Hello, Christine," Graham said neutrally.

"You were magnificent, as usual!" Christine purred, stepping close enough for Graham to catch the scent of her perfume. Her breasts lightly grazed Grahams chest.

"Thank you," Graham replied, raising her head, casting a glance about the room. Her eyes fell so unerringly on her lover in the midst of the crowd, anyone looking at her would have sworn that she could see. Graham relaxed perceptibly when she sensed an answering gaze upon her face.

"Why so formal, darling," Christine admonished, taking advantage of the crush of people to move closer still. She toyed with a stud on the front of Grahams shirt. "As I recall, you used to rather like my presence after a performance. As a matter of fact you were quite demanding about your requirements . I remember you could barely wait to get me alone. Not that I minded of course. You were always at your best after a concert." As she spoke, she curled her fingers ever so slightly under the waistband of Grahams trousers.

"That was a long time ago," Anna said succinctly as she stepped to Grahams side, taking Grahams hand in hers, forcing Christine back a step. Graham laced her fingers gently through Annas.

"Things are very different for Graham now," Anna continued, furious at Christines suggestive remarks, but struggling for calm. This was no place for a scene, as dearly as she would like to make it clear that Christine had no rights to Graham any longer.

"But some things never change, do they Graham?" Christine questioned softly, her eyes on Grahams face, ignoring Anna entirely. Necessity had made her bold. If she were to reclaim Graham, it would have to be here, now, on the stage she had always shared with Graham. "Dont tell me youve forgotten what it was like, darling -adored by everyone,- the celebrity, the excitement, the lovemaking - dont expect me to believe youve forgotten that ! I havent forgotten, I could never forget! We could have it all again, Graham - just as it was, the two of us. You could have everything you ever wanted."

Graham tightened her hold on Anna, drawing her close against her side. "I already have everything I want - more than I ever dreamed possible. More than I deserve. What we had is over Christine. I have everything I need right here. Now, if youll excuse us, Id like Anna to take me home."

"I had the limo brought around back," Anna said as Christine stared after them in shock. "Just turn around and we can sneak out."

When they were settled at last in the expansive rear seat of the stretch limo, Helen happily directing the chauffeur from her seat up front beyond the smoked-glass partition, Graham spoke quietly. "Im terribly sorry about Christine. I had no idea she would be there."

"I doubt theres any event where Christine Hunt-Blair is not invited," Anna said acerbically, reminding herself of her resolution to remain calm. She failed. "God, I hate the way she touches you! She acts like she owns you!"

"Well, she doesnt. And she hasnt for a long time," Graham responded gently.

"Well I wish someone would tell her that!!" Anna railed.

Graham raised an eyebrow. "I thought I just did," she said dryly.

Anna stared at her imperious lover, struggling to hold onto her anger. Helplessly, she laughed, moving closer to drape an arm around Grahams body. "Yes, you did."

In a calmer light she knew she would only pity Christine and her desperate attempt to renew her affair with Graham, but at the moment she was still stinging from the sight of Christine openly caressing her lover! She was a good deal less than rational where Graham was concerned, and not above making her claim very clear. She slipped a hand along the inside of Grahams thigh, smiling as Graham gasped at the light caress. "Was she serious about the effect a performance has on you?" she asked innocently, very aware of the tension in Grahams body.

"Yes," Graham said tightly as Annas hand strayed higher. It would be useless to deny it, Anna could read her responses too well. She pressed back against the seat, torn between wanting Annas touch to continue and trying to save some semblance of control.

"Now thats something you might have mentioned," Anna remarked as her fingers pressed a particularly sensitive spot, rubbing the faint prominence through the fabric. Her pulse hammered as she felt Graham shudder.

"Anna," Graham warned unconvincingly, struggling to maintain her composure. They were in a limousine, for Gods sake!

"Definitely an unexpected benefit," Anna mused as if Graham hadnt spoken. She tormented her by touching her with no particular rhythm, moving away when she felt Grahams breath quicken. She wanted to be sure she had Grahams full attention.

"Why didnt you tell me?" Anna inquired as if asking the time, returning to the spot that caused Graham to quiver.

Graham groaned softly. "It wasnt foremost in my mind," she managed to gasp, completely under Annas spell. She reached for Annas hand, holding it to her, urging her to continue. "Ahh - god -"

"Is it now?" Anna questioned, increasing the pressure of her hand slightly. Graham moaned, a low strangled plea. Anna knew just how close Graham was to coming - she knew, and she pushed a little harder, grasping her between her fingers.

Graham shivered involuntarily, trembling in Annas embrace. "Yes," she whispered, "please dont stop."

"Oh, I dont intend to stop," Anna breathed into her ear, easing her fingers away slightly, "not ever. But since Im conducting this particular piece, youll have to wait until we get home for the finale."