Page 6 (1/2)

Kara thought the hours would never pass She fidgeted through dinner, listened impatiently as Gail recited her hoht-thirty, she tucked Gail into bed and said good night to Nana

At nine o&039;clock, she took a long, leisurely bubble bath, dressed in a pair of silky black pants and a pale pink sweater, combed her hair, brushed her teeth, applied her lipstick with care

At ten o&039;clock, she went out into the backyard and sat on the swing

And waited

And waited

At eleven, she told herself he wasn&039;t co what there was about Alexander Claybourne that touched her so deeply

Perhaps it was the air of supre that he needed her, although she ad on her part

"Kara"

His voice Was it real, or was she still drea her eyes "I must have fallen asleep"

"You should not be out here It&039;s cold"

He earing a long black coat that reging it off, he draped it over her shoulders

"You said you&039;d be here at ten"

"I know"

She looked up at hi But he only stood there, gazing down at her, his dark eyes filled with sadness

"What is it?" she asked "What&039;s wrong?"

"I should not have come here"

"Why? Oh, no" She shook her head, certain he was about to tell her he had a wife and the requisite two-point-three children "You&039;reit was so them apart "No, Kara, I&039;m not married"

"What is it then?"

"I&039;m afraid you have asked the one question I cannot answer"

"Then I won&039;t ask it again"

The si in her eyes, was his undoing Kneeling before her, he took her hand in his

"Kara, I am not like other men You must never love me Or trust me"