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"This is different" He shook enough salt over the arlic powder followed, so thick they practically obliterated the juicy T-bones

"You said it was important there be no pretense between us," she pressed "And you’re right"

"Damn it, Lindy Just what the hell do you want fro to meet her eyes "Do you want me to tell you I find you attractive? Fine You turn me on I hope to hell you’re satisfied now"

She couldn’t have stopped the spontaneous s over her face had their lives depended on it Just knowing Rush was attracted to her gave Lindy a giddy sense of power

"I find you appealing, too," she ad the elation out of her voice Actually that was a gross understatement She was drawn to Rush the way a thirsty flower is to rain

"Well, you shouldn’t, because…" he paused and forcefully exhaled a breath, looking both angry and confused

Lindy’s heart thudded expectantly "Why not? Is it so wrong?"

Rush rose slowly to his feet then, faced her and placed his hands on her shoulders in a brotherly fashion, his eyes clear Determined

"Lindy, listen to me You’ve been badly hurt recently Devastated by aseeot a reason to be happy, to celebrate Buthere is much too convenient It’s only natural that you feel attracted to , passionate woman, filled with the love of life and… you’re excited now I don’t blah Your pride suffered a o, and here I a it all"

"Rush… no"

"But Lindy," he continued, unwilling to let her cut hiht now The attraction you feel toward ot to understand so important here Given the same situation, you’d experience these identical emotions toward any healthy, red-blooded ht of another close relationship"

"You can’t honestly believe that Why, that’s ridiculous, Rush Callaghan"

"No, it isn’t Think about it, Lindy Think hard You want a h with intensity "I can understand your feelings, sy love wouldn’t be right I’e of you Find soo"

"I find that insulting," she told hiht try to avoid her by starting an argument, and she refused to s the bait, nothis to offend you You’re the one who insisted upon honesty You got it" He returned to the steaks, as cal as a this difficult," she said next

"I plan to make it impossible"

"Honestly, Rush Would you stop handling loves? I’ you won’t findabout" His words were followed by a harsh chuckle "Now, coirl and eat your steak"

The dishwasher hirling softly in the background when Lindy reached for the telephone a couple of hours later As soon as their meal had been completed, Rush had left her without soor when he intended to come back The bloody coward!

"Hi, Mom," Lindy said when her

"Lindy, sweetheart, is everything all right?"

"It’s wonderful I got a job with Boeing and start first thing in the "

"That’s terrific"

Lindy could hear the relief in her reat she’d felt when the personnel director had offered her the job

"Sweetheart, I couldn’t be iven tiood news"

"More?" her hed softly

"I’ve met someone"