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"You’re used to variety, tobulk"

He blinked at her, then his mouth twitched in unison with his eyebrows, as if he couldn’t decide whether to be annoyed or aed a hand "Multiple women"

Gently, he reminded her, "Not since you"

She believed he hadn’t, but did heain, softer, hotter "Because, Rissy, I can proled So did select body parts To keep fro hio She licked her lips, watched his gaze burn brighter, and she struggled to speak normally "I justjust wanted it on record"

"Duly noted" He watched her "But unnecessary"

Needing to lighten theme the infa the proffered olive branch, he shrugged "I have a hand"

Her smile slipped "Armie!"

"Everyone does it, Stretch You included" He stepped closer "In fact, I wouldn’tthat"

A prudent time to point out the obvious "That’d be difficult since you’re sending me away"

A priceless expression fell over his face He turned fro, "Damn it"

So he didn’t like his decision anyyour own rules?"

"It’s not a rule, it’s a necessity"

"Says you"

He faced her again, and now he looked very uncertain "Leese is at your place now"

"Yup No reason for you to worry about me"

"I’ll worry if I want to" He rubbed at the back of his neck "You two are cozy, right?"

"As good friends, yes" Was he jealous? If so, it served hiht Or surely he didn’t hope for her to hook up with Leese? Growing suspicious, she asked, "Why?"

"You’re coht, I ht so Leese out of bed But if it wasn’t anything dire, I’d just callon Cannon, at his insistence, for much of her life

Ar he’d help keep watch? "I know that" You’re mine, Armie "I’ll miss you A lot But I’ll be okay" Before she broke down, Merissa started around the roo a pair of jeans, her bra, a shirt "As soon as Cannon drops off my car, I’ll be on lanced back--and found Ar so lost, she almost couldn’t take it "I love you, you know"

His eyes flared

"Always have"

Thunderstruck, he whispered, "Rissy--"

"No, don’t say anything If it’s not what I want to hear, it’ll just be too awful And even if it is, right now, I’m not sure I’d believe you" She lifted one shoulder "I just wanted you to know" Taking her clothes, she strode out of the room

She’d be back Soon

She had to believe that or she’d never have the strength to walk away

THREE LOUSY DAYS

Arh to make Simon frown

Three days that felt like a lifetime since Merissa had walked out of his apartment

He threw a series, followed up with a kick, then another

"That’s enough" Si hiht"