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And she had certainly failed to think that through! She clenched her eyes shut, still throbbing with heat between her thighs while the rest of her ached ounded disappointment and fear Had honor stopped him or did he not want her any because she’d reminded him about birth control She’d said it because she couldn’t bear to trap hi he didn’t want If they ever married, she wanted—

Clair sat up, instantly shaky and claht come from? She didn’t want to marry anyone

Did she?

Yes! She curled into a ball, trying to contain the longing that exploded in her like a supernova Years of denial were blown into fragments as, within seconds, a brilliant future unfolded in her mind: her with Aleksy and children in this house full of affection and laughter and love

She was falling in love with hi he only felt desire—maybe not even that anymore—unbearable Herkind She yearned to believe that was just the self-inflicted punishht, but even if it was, there was no guarantee he’d ever be interested inher Every solicitous, tender moment he’d shown her had been a prelude to sex Because he wanted her body, not her Never her

With an angry sob, she threw herself back onto the pillows, ordering her longing back into its box, but it was futile The fantasies continued

Eventually she quit tossing and turning, sleeping hard fro to a brilliant day Coffee was already made when she entered the kitchen and Aleksy’s boots and jacket were lance out theand she spotted hi the snow off the drive

When he wasn’t in his office over the next few days, talking and talking in every language he knew, that’s where he was, outside in the cold She tried to stay busy preparing the final details for the launch of Brighter Days, but Aleksy filled her h he was barely sleeping Theto hi she could do, but he didn’t seem to want to share—which was oneinside her chest

Clair wasn’t sure howunexpectedly It was Lazlo

Startled to hear him identify himself, she asked the only sensible question that could explain his ringing her nuoing to ask him what he’d like for lunch”

“Please don’t disturb hi a live Web conference off his laptop No, I’ for you, Ms Daniels I want to discuss the press release on your contribution to our investigation”