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Reilly squared his shoulders, gathered his bags and strode out of the lobby, cursing the whole way

Mari looked up at him, her cheeks still devoid of healthy color “I’m sorry, Luca, I didn’t mean to…”

“Don’t apologize Come with me”

She followedjust the sa?”

“To ether”

He opened the door with his key and she went inside ahead of him He went to the cabinet and poured a slass He handed it to her “Drink this It will put the color back in your cheeks”

Mari sipped, opening heras the liquor burned

He was angry She’d handled everything wrong and he was angry at her At least he was going to have the grace to discuss it in private

“Luca, I’ sip of the brandy and handed hilass

“Sorry for what?”

“It’s uests and I failed today”

“For God’s sake, quit apologizing for that ape’s behavior!”

She stepped back at his outburst

He tempered his tone at her reaction “I’rab you…you looked like you were about to collapse in a heap It made me insensible”

“You’re not angry with me?”

He stepped forward and crushed her into his arry”

Tears stung the backs of her eyelids as they slid closed His wide hand cradled the back of her head as she leaned against him