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"He did, though"

"What if you hadn’t let h"

"But what if you didn’t believeher rae said toidiots in their own subject matter?"

"You’re not an idiot And no, it was about … well, that night I saved hi out just like you are noas all, like, what if I didn’t make it in ti about there being no reason to beat yourself up over so that was fated to occur On that theory? Even if Peyton hadn’t said soether because that just is what’s supposed to happen"

"But … but …"

"Elise Don’t you understand? My door was always going to be open to you It is always going to be open to you"

And then he was kissing her, and laying her out in front of the fire

Elise was soaring with hiled, the path astray now back on course

Just before they were joined, she inched back "So your door is always open, huh?"

"Always"

"Really …" She s if she were any happier, her heart would burst "Because I happen to beout of my house"

His brows lifted "You are? You don’t say…"

"It ht place for me"

"You know … I could use a roo for a beautiful, intelligent feun"

Elise started to nod "And I’ for a place to stay that’s safe, secure, private … heated by an open hearth--and that has fireworks every night thanks to a guy who has tattooed half of himself and doesn’t mind females who jump to conclusions"

"I’d say we’re a perfect match, then"

On that note, he arched his back and filled her deeply And as she gasped, he gave the knowing smile of a male ell aware of the effect he had on his female

"We are a perfect "

"What’s that?"

"I don’t …" She glanced at the hunk of wood he’d given her "I don’t think you’re ht? What the hell is that? I tried to givea shot and I sucked at it--"