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It wasn’t just Rafe who’d caused the difficult night Her subconscious had needed ti that had happened Maybe if it had evolved over a week or h

Since caffeine was an essential food group this rabbed her phone, then headed for the kitchen While the coffeemaker hissed and sputtered, she texted Skyler

I overslept Sorry I’ll bring lattes as my penalty

The reply she should have expected came less than thirty seconds later

And doughnuts

Before she could type her own answer, Skyler sent a second e

Make mine chocolate

Hope hadn’t even ain

With sprinkles

Actually, make it two

Don’t forget Tony He says he doesn’t eat doughnuts, but he’s a big, fat liar He’s always stealing mine I want my own, Hope

Hope grinned, the vestiges of the restless night losing their grip

Since Skyler was on top of things, Hope took her ti on a bath rather than a shower

As steaainst the inflatable pillow She thought about everything she’d experienced since ed her and expanded her world, introducing her to uniined carnal pleasures As she remembered the thorn at dinner and her reaction to it, arousal unfurled Hope shook her head to force away the dangerous, erotic thoughts She needed to be pragmatic while she had some time to think

Memories, desires, fears all bubbled to the surface The part of herself that she’d always listened to urged caution But the part that had been awakened was curious about everything he offered Any nor about the secret society he belonged to, and of course she was intrigued by the idea of seeing the Parthenon

She relaxed once again, and she was able to admit the truth to herself Even as nervous as she was, she wanted to visit the restaurant he hadher there, she hadn’t believed places like that existed

In a way, she’d had a so Her mom had rarely taken time off work, and when she had, they’d driven to Galveston to spend a couple of days at the beach It hadn’t been until after college that Hope had gone on a cruise Her work in Texas kept her busy, and though it was close, she hadn’t visited New Orleans recently How could she say no?

It would be simpler if she wanted to say no