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‘Yes, you are right,’ she replied ‘I did yptthis is the first tiland and sink back into that half-life I lived Yes, I’m wealthy and could find a companion and travel the world, but I want ypt, but I also want a family and a home and I want to have that with soood and bad Then I realised these are all things that I havewith you And then there isthis’

‘This?’

She rubbed her knuckles against his chest and this flooded him with liquid fire

‘This I’ someone I did not wish to shareintimacy with It would beunbearable None of the men poor Janet introduced me to in Cairo had this I haven’t felt this inin years I o, but even then I felt this For me, at least, it is rare’ She looked up He could feel her trying to read his expression in the dark ‘It isn’t just me, is it? You do feel aan attraction?’

She’d slipped back into hesitation and even though he kneas on dangerous ground he needed to chase away her doubt

‘Yes, Saood actor’

She sighed with relief, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt and even if he’d lied, his body couldn’t It was aching, pleading with hi out on to the same plank as she

‘That’s true’ She laughed a little, her breath cool against the perspiration at the base of his throat ‘When you did allow anything past your stony façade one could be certain it was purely you And that is why Edge—if there was time I would try to be patient and plot your downfall in a civilised ain and I ain or at least until we are old and grey and I cannot bear living with the regret of not asking if you would considerto do, the best thing to do You say I’ you’ve ever said about me, but I couldn’t not try, do you see?’

‘Sait means the rest of your life’

‘Of course I realise that, Edge I thinkyou are lonely as well, aren’t you? I know there is part of you that prefers to re more than to return to your exile in Brazil? I’m tired of mine I want more’

Brazil His lungs constricted just at the thought That bridge had burned behind him and he’d not even realised it Sa enough to close it