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Arel picked up the cigar box and held it open for Marco "S so effectively, the one who told you about the journal Shall we dispose of her as well?"

As e, if they left too soon, Arel would be suspicious So he forced hiuests, thankful for Julie’s ability to talk to people, and proud of her for how s, with guards at the door, was how uests see hi deals Impatiently, Luke waited to e returned, certain they would It was nearly an hour before Arel returned without the judge

Then and only then, and when he knew that Arel atching them, did Luke pull Julie close and kiss her, and then head for the hallway He led her down the hallway and into a corner near the kitchen entrance and leaned against the wall, pulling her soft curves against his body, and wrapping his ar his hand across the soft curve of her neck "What are you doing, Luke?" she deainst his chest

He kissed the soft spot under her ear "They expect us to disappear and make use of an empty room Wrap your arms around my neck and act like you’re into it"

"I don’t like this kind of audience," she objected

"Me either, baby," he pro her neck "But you still sly into you" He laced his fingers into her hair and pulled her mouth to his "Try to do the same" His mouth closed over hers and she whiuard said "Rooms are upstairs"

Luke glanced up at hied Julie forward, confident anyone whothe nasty on

Luke glanced over his shoulder,watched, and bypassed the stairs, following the rich, spiced scent of cigars he’d smelled when he’d been near Arel It ended at a closed door he shoved open and prayed the room beyond was eiving its last breath in a low to the rooht it expelled

His eyes scanned the roo Julie behind him, determined to keep her near, heto the diht Once they were behind the desk, Luke settled his hands on Julie’s waist and set her on top,sure they had a cover if they were interrupted

Luke bent down and flipped his heel open, re it under the desktop He’d barely attached it, hen the door jerked open behind Julie

Luke s apart as he insinuated his body between her thighs "Wrap your legs around my waist," he whispered

Even as she did as he said, he buried one hand in her hair, the other around her neck, and covered her mouth with his

The door squeaked

Footsteps echoed