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"It was remodeled in the seventies," Eric tells us, "and the entire two hundred and fifty-six acre property was converted to afacility"

I follow Chris as he slides across the seat and pause as Eric turns to me, and I see hireying hair and sharp blue eyes that

"Thank you for such a wonderful tour, Eric"

He inclines his head "My pleasure" I cringe at the choice of words, because though his well-schooled features give nothing away, this man is too sharp not to know about the pleasure in the backseat "Enjoy the Chateau Ms McMillan"

Chris has long ago shed his jacket and he tosses it onto a back seat before exiting the car I follow hi behind It’s still a war lower in the sky, a complete turnaround from the chilly city on the ocean I’ve come to love

I slide my hand into Chris’s to allow him to help me out of the car, and I am amazed at the zip of electricity up my arm from such a simple contact My eyes meet his and I know he feels what I do, and I’m almost certain he too is surprised by how readily we i for an escape should connect, I reason

With a cautious tug of my skirt, I stand up and Chris’s lips quirk in a way that tellsof e’d done in the back of the car I ah a massive wooden door that seems more movie fantasy than real life We step inside the chilled foyer with its high ceiling and stone walls

An e, blonde hair, and a curvy petite figure shown off in a pale pink suit Her gaze lingers on Chris with ad about blondes I always have Well, since high school when uy’s eye with her natural long, white- blonde hair and curves in all the right places I was ‘cute’ and she was beautiful This guide makes me feel cute

"I’ him her hand, which he accepts "Such an honor to have you here I’ll be taking you on a tour of the Chateau" She flicks me a look, but doesn’t extend her hand "Welcome to our establishment"

Chris slides an arm around my waist, almost as if he senses my sudden insecurity "Thank you, Allison This is Sara and she’s the reason I’m here today I want her to learn why this place is special"

His hand resting on my waist is possessive, protective My throat thickens with his actions I feel as if no one else exists when I am with Chris and no one has ever made me feel this way My fear of cute verses beautiful fades away