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"Yes?" Tiff said, noting instantly that the clothing as expensive, that the mask was exquisite, lined with crystal, probably Swarovski

"Tiff?"

She recognized the rich, cultured, slightly accented voice, even though her name had been the only word spoken

"Contessa?" she said, too surprised to hide her incredulity

"I was in the neighborhood I heard you had taken this palazzo It’s so rude of , yet"

"No, no!" Tiff said quickly, stepping aside "I’ souess I was a little anxious I wanted to reach the door before the knocking stopped I’lad I reached the door before you went away" The contessa sive ushed soTiff’s robe and dao out Please, please, co" The contessa stepped into the foyer, allowing her cowl to fell, and sliding off her mask

"Here, letthe mask on the carved oak stand by the door "And your cape "

The contessa surrendered her cape, and looked around the palazzo "Quite nice I’ve actually been here beforeyears ago The work they’ve done is lovely"

"It’s very coh there arenot to babble Here was the contessa, visiting her This was al as a visit fro there in a robe, her hair da to her face She was hardly dressed for a contessa

"If you give ?"

The contessa waved her hand, her beautiful, ageless features curling into a s!

I’ll be but a few minutes, and you can sink back into your tub I would leave very unhappy if I ruined your bath!"

"Then I’ll get some wine We’ll sit upstairs"

"Red wine, please May I wander?"

"Yes, of course The bar is upstairs?"

"Wonderful"

Still feeling aard, stunned, and complimented beyond all measure, Tiff started up the stairs The contessa followed her But as Tiff went to the wine cabinet, the contessa did indeed wander With two glasses of her very best wine poured, Tiff looked around and did not see the contessa "Contessa?"

"In here!"

She had gone into theand accepted a glass of wine "Magnifico!" she said "They’ve done beautiful work The room where the bath is noas a dowdy, closed-in place Nowwhat a lovelylair" Tiff flushed, wondering if the contessa could be aware of her reasons for wanting such a sumptuous suite

"I ad we share," the contessa said She wandered to the long hich were open to the terrace beyond "Quite wonderful And this is my favorite tione, and night is with us! With all its shadows and secrets!" Standing there, she looked alrand, silk-covered bed and sat, watching her

"So ," the contessa said She walked over to where Tiff sat and sank down beside her, sing her wine "Fruity, yet dry, rich and bold A fine choice, thank you"

"May I get you some more?"

"No, no, just sit! Let me enjoy your company I take my time when I savor a new taste," she said softly

"So! You fascinate me"

"I fascinate you?" Tiff said

"Yes, I truly admire a woman such as you It’s a difficult world Too many men, far too often, for too many years, have preyed upon women"

"Well, I’m not sure?"

"Ah! Think about it The business secretary who needs his approval to advance? The aging executive has an affair with the sweet, young thing while his trod-upon wife sits at home and can do little since her own life and livelihood depend on hi starlets for wives While you, my smart and lovely and more mature woman, turned the tables Here you are?a woman of substance! You needn’t bow to anyone because you are your own , you have the ways and means to do what you will, hom you like!" Tiff had to s a few of rubbing bitch And I’, I’ the length of her legs, as she’d turned to the contessa on the bed so that they could converse Now, she noticed the contessa looking at her exposed flesh She felt the warmest flush envelop her She started to close her robe, but the contessa’s hand landed on her knee before she could do so

"Young enough Look how beautiful you are! You’ve kept yourself up, another point I aders, covered with jewels, htly up her inner thigh