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"No," he says, with an awed shake of his head "I was so proud of you Those things you said The risks you took You exorcised the demons, Nikki The press may be an irritation, but you’ve taken their poay They can’t destroy you Not about that Maybe not about anything"

"It was easy I just re ertips across , deep welcoo weak and the rest of le in anticipation of his touch

"I want to make love to you," he says

"Thank God," I reply, which h

"But we can’t"

I look up at hi to kick o meet with my attorneys"

"Oh Well, later?"

"Most definitely later And for a very long tiht noould you come with me? I want you beside me when I meet with the lawyers"

"Of course," I say "So does this mean I can stay?"

"You daht

"What?" I say

"I’e"

My smile widens "I’m real"

"Prove it," he says, then reaches into his pocket and pulls out the easp "Put it on," he says

"But how--"

"I went back," he says, bending to fasten it around ainst h me "I had to have you with me … even if only a talisman"

"Damien" My voice is choked, er to et out of here I want you right now--but I can’t rin and follow hi later

He pauses at the threshold "Just oneWhen I said you could stay? What I ht at hi My hing like a child

So what that we’re facing a ht now, that’s enough for me