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"Sc-Sc-Sc--" she sputtered, but he was gone again Scotland? The Highlands? What on earth for? Da? And why hadn’t he told her? How dare he just drag her all over the world without letting her in on their plans Key phrase there being "their plans" It was her life too

She stood for a moment, befuddled and pissed off, then with a brisk shake of her head decided to focus on the task at hand Later she would confront hiht now she just wantedin his arms while they’d both been so nearly nude had been a test of self-discipline she’d very nearly failed Every ounce of her body had ached to ue down that hard, muscled chest and over those sexy rippled abs To maybe even slip her hand beneath his towel and find out if he really was as huge--oooh--she had to stop thinking like that!

She glanced around, trying to absorb the fact that she was in Macy’s after hours, undetectable, with apparent carte blanche Distantly, ely distantly, her conscience squawked She silenced it by reasoning that if later she felt guilty, she could always send an anonymous donation, and headed off to explore all the fashions she’d never been able to afford

In the end, however, she eschewed high-price couture and settled for things that ner dress with the sexy spiked heels that h so wistfully would only be perceived by him as an invitation, and, really, who kne ht be dunked in?

So into her satchel went instead a dozen panties; three bras; jeans; sweats to sleep in; shirts, socks, sweaters; cosmetics and assorted toiletries; two belts; and--her only concession to teeous fleece-lined suede jacket that seele expensive iteh-dollar racks Luxury was all well and good for a Fae prince, but ould she do with a pair of six-hundred-dollar Gucci boots? She’d be afraid to walk in the, and wasn’t there some old fairy tale about stolen shoes that punished the thief? She knew better thantrue

She slipped into jeans and laced up tennis shoes A sturdy pair of hiking boots went into the satchel

She was done before he was Figured And when he returned, he earing dark, tattooed Armani jeans, with a sheer white silk tee and six-hundred-dollar Gucci boots

Which also figured

14

A week ago dinner would have been leftover pizza of indetere at ho about her nonexistent love life

Tonight it was dinner from Bacchanalia in a sumptuous suite via invisible carryout, with a dinner co across the elegant dining table from a tall, dark, Armani-clad fairy prince, Gabby stuffed herself on buttery lobster, pasta, and salad, followed by chocolate cheesecake and strawberries with chane Heavenly Normally she’d have counted calories (she probably would have still eaten it all, but at least she’d have counted), but since she had no way of knowing how short her life ht be at this particular juncture, she wasn’t about to deprive herself in whatever remained of it

She was just about to open her mouth to demand to know, in detail, what his plans hen he said softly:

"Why are you still a virgin, ka-lyrra?"

She blinked, an instinctive "it’s none of your business" springing to the tip of her tongue, but just as swiftly bit it back Perhaps if she answered some of his questions he’d be more responsive to hers Besides, he was part of the reason her love life sucked, and it would feel good to get it off her chest It wasn’t as if she could co a Sidhe-seer "In case you haven’t noticed, I have a big fat handicap"

His dark brows drew together in a frown and his gaze swept her "I see none What kind of handicap?"

She pushed her chair back, tucking her feet up beneath her "Duh I see fairies"

"Ah How is that a handicap?"

"I want a nore, everyday, full life That’s all I’ve ever wanted A husband, a job I’m passionate about, and children I want the drea those of h "I’ve had two serious relationships in et intinant, my child would most likely see fairies too Which I’m okay with, I can live with that The problem is, could the man in my life? Do I tell him I see a world he can’t see? And that I’ll have to protect our children from it? And that he’s powerless to help? Or do I withhold that information and deal with it, if and when it becomes an issue, and hope it never does?" She smiled faintly, bitterly "I told my last boyfriend the truth I decided it was the only honorable thing to do, and that if he really loved me, he’d be able to handle it Do you knohat happened?"