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In a deliberately measured voice, she said, "As I mentioned before, it wasn’t just you I’ret e did" A muscle jumped in his jaw as he listened, and she had to wonder if he ht be equally frustrated "In any case," she made herself continue, "I want to reassure you that what happened between us hasn’t changed anything about my dedication to Noah or this job"

He looked distinctly uncori "From Noah, I mean And I’m the one who needs to reassure you You should kno e that"

She sed hard, working to keep her emotions leashed as she nodded to let hiht he’d told her how much he wanted her, and not just for his son Twenty-four hours later, they were back to square one

The only square they were allowed to stand in, it seemed

The silence lay heavily between theo to bed" The word alone hung unspoken in the air "Good night, Ari"

She’d known from the start that fantasies were all she could ever have, so she ht, Matt," and walk away

Matt poured hier of scotch He didn’t need it, but if he didn’t do so with his hands and mouth, he’d follow Ari upstairs and put them all over her

He couldn’t believe he’d told her about Natural Born Killers What the hell must she think of him now, after Irene had descended like a phanto about his parents?

It had been his birthday Matt had wanted to see The Mask with Ji in that ainst all the blood, the casual death, and he’d actually been ashamed His dad had punched his arm hard when he realized Matt’s eyes were closed, and hissed, "I’ all that money on a movie for you to sit there with your eyes closed, ya little weenie" His father continued to pinch hiht Matt’s eyes were closed

Sissy Weenie You could learn a lesson here about sticking up for yourself

And while hisall the gore too

She’d died of cancer a couple of years ago He’d paid for her care, her hospital bills, and for the house payments after his father’s death--but she’d never asked Matt’s forgiveness for the role she’d played in his upbringing A mother’s job was to protect her children, but she hadn’t even tried She’d never even asked toMatt into thethey’d done had toughened hi they’d prepared hied to survive his parents, but it was Susan and Bob who’d prepared hied him the way his parents never had After that birthday, he’d stayed at Daniel’s more frequently He’d never actually o--but more often than not, he was underfoot at the Spencers’ And the Mavericks had become his family

He was blessed to have Noah and the Mavericks and Susan and Bob He’d betrayed not only Ari’s trust by taking her to bed, he’d also betrayed his fa

What’s ood for Noah So no matter how badly Matt wanted her, he couldn’t afford to lose her by crossing that line with her

Ever again