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He’d already finished his salad He pushed the plate off to one side and refilled their wine glasses "I’m a contractor Construction"

No wonder he was soht?"

"I donicely, despite the econorinned at her "Like you, I followed in my father’s footsteps He owns a construction company back in Texas"

"I wondered where your accent came from Why aren’t you still in Texas?"

"My wife had family back here, and she didn’t want to live too far fro here"

The unexpected blow took her breath away "You’rein the club if I was o My wife cheated on ht and level "I despise liars, and I figure cheating is just another way of lying"

This bloas almost worse Her eyes dropped to her left hand where the white line fro had slowly faded over the past year

Theirin the stoneware dish, and yet the scent of the spicy sauce turned her sto

Had her husband cheated on her? Nolan watched the little sub’s face All the anireen eyes had dimmed Her appetite had disappeared as well Dammit Some women ate when unhappy or stressed; Beth was obviously not one of the her everything would be all right

He’d enjoyed listening to her talk Obviously coy unleashed A far cry fro the difference in her increased his deter all that enthusias love

"I have a house in the country A few acres on a sarlic bread "The view is really pretty, but the entire acreage is weeds and stubble I could use a designer…"

She lit up as if he’d handed her a dozen roses "I’d love to give you some ideas Maybe--"

He could see the moment she realized she’d have to visit his house Be alone with hih "Would you be interested if I arrange so so you won’t be alone with ar" He took her hand and rubbed her thin fingers, knowing nohere the calluses had come from "I answer to Nolan outside of the club"

"So you don’t do the full ers trembled for an instant

"Take a bite and I’ll tell you" He waited until she started on her untouched lasagna "I had a slave for almost a year, but I uncollared her before I left for Iraq"

Her fork stopped halfway to her mouth He frowned at her until the bite disappeared Her eyes were filled with questions she was too timid to ask

"No, I’ain"

Relief, plain and simple, showed on her face, then confusion "But why not? I thought all men liked that"

"So it" He nodded at her food again and grinned when she rolled her eyes before taking a bite

"Think about it, sugar You’re not only responsible for your oell-being, but for so day-to-day decisions for theers to his ive up control in the bedroo you wear the butterfly when taking you to a restaurant" He gave her a wicked ses float into her head When he nipped her finger, she flushed a gorgeous red

"But the rest of the time, I’d prefer to have a partner, not a slave Does that rinned and throttled it down No sex today, whether she wanted it or not Dalanced at his atch and scowled Aler or he’d miss his plane