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"I'll tell him that we're just friends He'll understand"

"Just friends," he repeated neutrally

"What else?" She put down her own etting late, isn't it? I have to go into the gallery early tomorrow to frame some of the children's pictures, and I'day," she said by way of an apology and got to her feet

"Sure" He rose slowly, taking his time

She handed hi all the while Friendly

He went outside onto the front porch The squall was dying fast, leaving behind crisp, still-damp air

"Drive carefully," she said

"I'll do that"

He pulled on his jacket but did not bother to fasten it He stuffed his hands into his pockets and stood looking out into the night He could hear the distant ruainst the bottoe

He turned slowly back to Octavia

In the porch light, her hair glowed the color of the flaic that swirled around her

He'd had enough He knehat rong with this picture

"Soo any further here," he said

"What's that?"

He took two steps back across the porch, closing the distance between them He kept his hands in the pockets of his jacket, not trusting himself to touch her

"Whatever else this turns out to be," he said evenly, "it isn't about being just friends"

She blinked Her lips parted but no words eed

Just as well because he did not want to talk

He kissed her, hands still in his pockets, leaning forward a little to claim her mouth She did not flinch or step back but he felt the shiver that went through her

He deepened the kiss deliberately

Herthat she was tasting hi?

She made a tiny, unbelievably sexy little sound and his blood ran hot in his veins His breathing thickened