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I cleared my throat and leaned forward, my elbows on the table in front of me "Mr Drake, it’s very important to me that you understand that I am in control of this entire situation It was my auction, my drive, my desire to see an end to an archaic value systeainst women and to turn it on its ear"

When he looked at h me, lanced me to the core "It all sounds very noble and revolutionary when you put it that way And here I’d been convinced this entire ti it for thehim So the Manifesto hadn’t fooled hi that I didn’t feel "I won’t lie I could use the o to medical school and I don’t want to be in debt Soh college Some dance at strip clubs or sell phone sex over the Internet My decision was to use one night in s, if possible"

He didn’t have to know about my mother’s hospital bills and her cancer treate on the ranch property He didn’t have to know about the way I felt like vos, of the panic that laced the edges of every thought that concernedthis for me I never claiot that strange, cold look he did when he’d dismissed me at the end of our first interview "But ultimately, no matter who it is you choose to sub control You won’t be in control of the entire situation for the entire night"

I looked away but hesitated fro into my sandwich "I’d like to feel like I’e your mind threatens that?"

I tilted"It depends on what you’ll do if you fail to convince me"

He hesitated a moment, then set his jaw "I’ll step aside"

We watched each other over our empty plates--or at least his, for he had finished his sandwich and half of ry, but that other half was earularly employed Any time I ate out, I saved exactly half my meal to have later That way one meal became two

He stared at my plate "You didn’t eat reat," I said in a cheerful voice as I asked our server to bring me a take-home box

He scowled "Eat the rest of your sandwich, E to admit that I was so destitute that this half sandwich, a box of cereal and half a carton of milk were about all I had to eat until payday

When the waitress returned, he took the box from her before she could hand it to me He ordered two more sandwiches--one of which, I’d told his for hio? She’s decided to finish this one"

Then he turned and looked at me "Noill you finish that?"

It didn’t take h I was embarrassed, I mumbled my thanks around uys wouldn’t have picked up on the fact that I was still hungry Even Heath probably wouldn’t have He’d never co up my leftovers

Drake carried the sandwiches back to my apartment as alked the three blocks in silence I crunched noisily on the peppermint candy the waitress had left with the check

"Do you always chew your hard candies like that?"

I darted a glance at him and raised my eyebrows "I don’t suck, rehed "How could I forget?"

He caain, but only to lay the sandwiches on the kitchen counter; then he headed for the doorway

I followed closely to see him out Before he opened the door, however, he turned back to me Given the narrow entryere in close quarters My heart started hayou to reconsider The choice--the control-- is in your hands, of course, but don’t eliminate the possibility just because of so physical reaction to hie "You think I’ s you don’t understand Like this effect we have on each other…" My throat tightened So he was feeling it too My heart rate kicked up a few notches as if I was already in the middle of my run