and if his hands had lingered on her bare shoulders a bit longer than was necessary as he 'd fastened the clasp on the pearls ... if his warm breath on her neck had felt like a turbulent sirocco over parched sand ... if she 'd thought she 'd heard him whisper , as he dropped his hands back to his sides , the same three words he 'd used to end his messages ... well , it was his job to say and do things that lulled her into a false sense of security , was n't it ?