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Luc laughed bitterly "No I’ she needs" He spotted Ki with a tray filled with coffees "Ask hi his cousin on the back, Luc turned and spotted a triage nurse leaving her post to help a woman in labor He sneaked in the door just before it closed, then wandered down the hall Temporary rooms were set up in a circle all around the nurses’ station A whiteboard in the middle of the roo Alyssa’s roo in

Inside, the thin drape had been drawn He could see her outline, but nothing more She didn’t want to see him, and he respected that, so he didn’t tear it away, as he yearned to Damn hard Luc wanted to see for himself that she was okay, unharmed But she’d ood-bye

Behind the drape, he heard the beep of en into her system An IV stand abutted the wall, only partially concealed He santing to see her, take her handso to do with hi she wasn’t asleep and would hear hily blue drape "I’s I--Around you, I turned into soht to dis himself to keep it in place, not to rush past it to her bedside and wake her, take her in his arms "I’m sorry that my behavior drove you away, into Peter’s clutches So sorry You don’t kno close I a completely in love with you Clearly, it’s better for us all if I leave"

The moment was upon him One word; that was all he had to say Good-bye Then he could leave, let her rest easier and eventually get on with her life

Luc couldn’t force the word out Instead, he clenched his fists to hold in what felt suspiciously like tears, then left the hospital rooood

Chapter Eleven

"LUC?"

He turned toward the fa back his annoyance E like so with crisp khaki pants, a san The colors suited her pale complexion and dark hair She was stylishly accessorized, the look modest, understated When she smiled, the expression reached all the way to her hazel eyes She really was perfect in so many ways

The sri at his watch, he was relieved to see the book signing and cooking demonstration would end in another ten reet, pose for pictures, and answer fans’ questions, he was conscious of Elanced back at her Da her purposeful look

When he’d run out of books and time was more than up, he stood and walked to the portable kitchen area and grabbed theI appreciate the support Have a great evening"

After a hearty round of applause, people began to file out A reporter or two milled around, but store personnel escorted them out Luc braced hi inside him recoiled She was lovely, cultured, educated, kind She loved children, had broadly hinted that she’d welcoht away Luc even had the ring in his pocket, a simple two-carat teardrop-shaped diaold band, just waiting for the righthe should want But he’d been waiting for that rightwas still tucked away in its box in his suit coat

He sighed, then closed the distance between them to kiss her cheek

"You look nice" It wasn’t her fault that he was dying to see another woarters, and a saucy attitude

Daet on with his life Today he’d turned thirty-six Tonight was as good as any to start e his future If he wanted to have children, he needed to try starting his fa process, but Eht and ready, would be supportive

Luc felt guiltily relieved that having children with her wouldn’t require sex She was lovely And a wonderful person He’d feel desire for hersomeday Maybe

Emily’s smile widened "You look nice, too And now I must take you to dinner for your very happy birthday Where should we go?"

Luc tried to ood to you?"

Slowly, her smile fell "Another headache? Have you been to the doctor yet?"

Since returning froo, he’d fabricated headaches to explain his lack of interest in their dates and his need to cut evenings short He hated lying to her Emily deserved better Either he needed to actually co to build a future with her or walk away

His heart voted for the latter Logic asked him what the hell he’d do about toone, behind him No matter how much he wished otherwise, this separation was her wish--and the wise choice he hadn’t had the fortitude to make on his own

He pasted on a smile "I’ depressed about your birthday, are you?"

Not in the way she ood excuse "Perhaps a little"

"Then it’sdimples, and reached for his hand

This and chaste kisses In the last ed no h a wedding night when he couldn’t i sex with her? Worse, ould he do when the need he still felt for Alyssa clawed through his skin, deive? Would his resolve to leave her in peace waver then? Would he disregard his rew to resent Eathered his utensils, notebook, and pens, then took a long ti hier for Alyssa

"Luc" She touched his shoulder "I wanted to wait until ere alone, butYou haven’t been the same since you returned from Louisiana I didn’t want to push, but--"

"Then don’t," he said quietly "There’s nothing you can do"

The perpetual sood listener"

"I know you are, Emily I have to work this out alone"

"If you’re no longer interested in me and the sort of future we discussed, just tellto the past or force out the lie?

"Luc"

He heard another female call his name, this one farther away But her fae through his body, spreading chills across his skin Had he missed her so much he’d drea inside him And across the room she stood

"Alyssa?" Shock sucker-punched him Luc nearly couldn’t breathe

The last time he’d seen her, she’d thrown him out of her club Out of her life Why was she here now? Was she okay? Had she ht of her Despite six weeks passing, Alyssa still took his breath away as she cautiously drew closer She’d fastened half of her long platinu strands trail down, stopping low on her back Worn jeans clung to her sure, looser than he reile She wore a tight Sexy Sirens T-shirt with red lettering that invited Coht across her breasts She wore ally blue And she looked exhausted

When she stood a few feet away, Alyssa glanced at Eirlfriend?"

"Yes," Emily answered quickly