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He had a point She couldn’t afford to fall any further behind

In teeks their working relationship would be over Their private relationship would be over A stark ree that But a hollow feeling opened up inside her

‘You’ll find so we both like,’ he went on, oblivious to her inner turh his meal, picked up a prawn

She needed to retain her independence and soht years apart—she’d seen the way he looked at her clothes But what he liked wouldn’t ave me You don’t need to fork out any more’

‘That’s an advance on your colanced at her, his sift’

A gift Wasn’t that what ave their mistresses? Oh, how she hated that word She hated that that was all he wanted from her She realised she wanted so much more A chill wrapped around her heart Don’t you dare cry Instead she dared herself to look him in the eye and ask, ‘Would that be for services rendered, then?’

His smile disappeared, his eyes locked on hers ‘Didi’ He put down his chopsticks, stood and rounded the table Crouched in front of her and took her face between his hands ‘You know damn well that’s not what I meant’

She’d never heard his voice so quiet, so firht, he wasn’t at all sure how she’d interpreted him Maybe she wasn’t so sure herself And when had he become more to her than a casual lover?

He couldn’t be more; she couldn’t let him

‘Hell…Didi’ He slinted in the down-lights ‘If I insulted you, I apologise I want you with ht Only you’

Her heart ed at her lips ‘Ah, but would you want s and macramé top?’

His eyes flickered, then he blew out a slow breath ‘Can we coanises so…’ He rubbed his lips over hers ‘Let’s just see how it goes with Chris first Now…come up here’

He stood, taking her with hiher so that his body bits lined up with hers in all the right places Theirbetween the sofas He laid her down on its luxurious pile, his hands diving beneath her top