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‘Cristiano…’

‘I said, don’t talk’ He trailed his hands along her rib cage and then anchored her hips against hi her as he pushed against her, and a blaze of pleasure pulsed between her thighs She threw out a hand towards the hall table to brace herself and Cristiano laughed softly

‘You’re not going to fall Trust me, bella’

She heard the sound of hi a condoth she hadn’t expected, she wrenched away, stuhted herself Her breath caed pants as she turned to look at him

Colour slashed his sharp cheekbones and his eyes glittered with silvery, metallic intent

‘I asped out, ‘but I a herself to say anythingthe door behind her

A shudder went through her and Laurel forced herself to blink back tears What a way to ruin what had been a happy evening What a way to ly cheap Laurel searched for coowns, provocative lingerie, coordinated outfits, evening gowns Not a T-shirt or pair of coa pants to be found

With a sudden cry she tipped a drawer out and let the silky garoodthe about her situation here, and even herself, for responding to Cristiano even when he treated her like the trollop he seemed to think she still was

With another cry she yanked the evening gowns off their padded hangers and threw theerie

They ht have cost a fortune, but she didn’t want them Didn’t want any of it Ten more days, she told herself Ten ain

Daht hurt?

A knock sounded on the door ‘Go away,’ Laurel called raggedly, the words ripped from her ‘Go away, Cristiano’

She reached for the terrycloth dressing gown hanging on the bathrooed into it Then she pulled the pins fro table She’d really been looking forward to tonight Excited to talk about so that mattered, to feel like more than a mistress But Cristiano seemed determined to remind her of her lowly status

Why?

‘Laurel,’ Cristiano called, his voice low ‘I’m sorry’