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‘Why are you so wet?’

‘Have you had a look through your ? It’s pouring And,’ he added grudgingly, ‘I went for a walk before co here to see you If I stay in these clothes, I’ to end up in hospital Would your conscience be able to deal with that?’

He had played successfully on her greatest weak spot, and Megan hesitated ‘All right If you wait in the sitting rooo and fetch you…Look, just wait, and I’ll be down in a minute’

‘Is there a fire in there?’

‘No, Alessandro No roaring open fire But you can stand very close to the radiator and hope for the best’

Her nerves were jangling as she took the stairs two at a ti in to satisfy Charlotte’s avid curiosity She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to provide by way of clothing for him, but after a few hesitant seconds she pulled out a box from under her bed and reby shirt, also seven years old Relics of a ti on to

With both ite in her hand, and a clean towel fetched fro cupboard, she flew back down the stairs to find hi room—where he had stripped down to his boxers

‘Wh-what are you doing…?’ she sta to a halt in the doorway It was seven years since she had last seen hied at all She stared, mesnificent body Wide shoulders tapered to lean hips and long, s He was bronzed from head to toe, and without benefit of clothes every sinewy muscle was evident

‘Taking off my wet clothes’

Megan cleared her throat and dragged her eyes away from his body to the relative safety of his face Then she tossed the clothes and towel in his general direction

‘I don’t bite, Megan’ Alessandro stooped to pick up the sweats and rugby jumper, which he held up and stared at with open curiosity ‘Bloody hell’

Megan reddened and stood her ground

‘Are these mine?’ Alessandro looked past theood—really good Stupidly good

‘They were attheured you wouldn’thow she had pressed her face against the fabric, hoping to hold the scent of hi on to them for sentimental reasons’

‘What else did you keep?’

‘That’s all there is, Alessandro You’d better get dressed’ She turned away and leaned against the doorframe, her profile sideways to hi you here in ht I know you’ve said that Victoria isn’t possessive, but I like her and it’s not fair on her…’