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“I would like ar on the side,” she said, the words directed at the waiter

The waiter looked at Jesse

“The lady,” Jesse said, “would like her salad with—”

“You knohat you need, Blackwolf?” Sienna’s voice was low, razor-sharp and ice-cold The waiter, clever man that he was, took a quick step back “A new tape for that—that ancient eight-track of yours ‘I Am Woman’ Ever hear it? ‘I am woman, hear me roar!’”

Jesse sighed “Henley was right You’re a bra-burning feminist”

Sienna’s chair fell over as she shot to her feet

“That’s it! I’ve had enough” She slapped her hands on the table, leaned forward and glared into Jesse’s ize for ruining yourup But why should I be sorry for behaving like—like a person?” She stood straight, turned her hot glare on the startled diners at the other tables “Why should I apologize to anyone for not being a 1970s Stepford robot?”

Jesse shoved back his chair “The check, please”

“That’s it Hustle ht so she can’t make a scene”

“Oh, there’s no check, sir,” the waiter said nervously “None at all…”

“Let , Mr Macho It won’t always be like this One day, you’re going to have to ht little world And when that happens—”

Jesse dumped a handful of bills on the table “Thank you,” he said to the waiter Cal, he clasped Sienna’s elbow and h the restaurant, to the elevator

“And when that happens,” Sienna said shrilly, “just remember that I was the woman who introduced you to the real world To the next century To women as—as people, not as—”

Jesse pushed her into the waiting elevator car

“Shut up, Cus,” he said

Then he yanked her into his arms and kissed her senseless

CHAPTER ELEVEN

HE’D meant the kiss to be soft and easy

Okay

Maybe he hadn’t meant to kiss her at all