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‘It isn’t a welcome, you poltroon This is one hundredth of what I would like to do to you How dare you disappear like that and then sneak in here like a thief without a word to me that you have returned How dare you!’

Her voice was shaking and she clamped her mouth shut She hadn’t meant to show her fear, but it was already too late The fury on his face gave way to concern and then to consternation He took a towel to wrap about his waist, but it did not help in the least Her ht shi her with the need to touch, to bring hie would sink deep into her mind, filter into her dreams She wanted with equal fervour to touch him and sketch him

‘Sa her she was angry No—furious

‘Don’t bother apologising because I shan’t forgive you You abandonedI learned not to expect anything from my father and mother and certainly not from Ricki, but apparently I am still a fool since I expected some basic respect from you’

‘Sam, listen’

‘No! Why should I? You couldn’t even be bothered to send me more than two useless notes Off to Cue by the letter now? You should be grateful this was only cold water because believeof the phrase heaping hot coals on someone’s head’

‘Sam’

She set down the eith dignity and stalked back into her bedroom

‘Yinaal abuk wa abu abuk!’ The curse rose into a squeak as Edge hauled her off her feet and deposited her in the water

‘You can curseabout; you are wasting all this wonderfully hot water This is alood as a hamam Move over, I require more room than you’

‘Don’t you dare!’

‘I’ athis eyes again and she scooted on to her knees to avoid his legs, considering her options

‘Why don’t you take off your shift and enjoy this luxury, Sam? Or you could keep it on; I like the way it’ His voice faded, his hand settling on her thigh under the water ‘Come here, Sam’