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She laughed softly “I won’t argue I knowthan I ever knew before and everything I do know, I’ve learned from you I’m not exactly the best choice for a partner in that kind of discussion”

“But I think you are the ideal partner for other things”

Was he teasing her again…about the sex thing that she was fairly certain he had no plans to act on? Or did he h the corner of his

The waiter arrived at their table and poured thelass of Sandor’s favorite wine She liked it, too, and had never balked at his standing order for this particular predinner drink But she was surprised when he confir her preference He had never done that before But then, both he and the waiter acted as if he’d ordered before even arriving at the restaurant

That impression was further enforced when the waiter returned to their table seconds later with appetizers

She sniffed appreciatively at the garlic baked shrirated medley of three cheeses “My favorite”

“I know” He put a piece of shriarlicy butter over it and ht a it to her “I know you very well, Eleanor”

“Do you?”

“After three months, do you doubt it?”

“That depends on what you mean I think you do know a lotabout me, but I am not sure you knowme ” Her dad would have known to order this appetizer, too, but that didn’t mean he knehat made her tick As far as she could tell, Ellie’s dad had no desire to know her on any level but the surface

She couldn’t stifle the hope that Sandor would be different

“Is there a distinction between the two?”

“Yes”

“If tonight goes as I plan, I will have a great deal of time to learn whatyou mean”

“And how do you plan for tonight to go?” Was he finally going to make love to her? Was she ready for it?

She alhed aloud at her inner voice Ready? She was desperate for him She’d already decided she wanted hi her into mental chaos Which was silly She wanted thishim that at this very moment, she would not lie to herself and pretend differently She refused to indulge in those kinds of games