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George’s face suddenly took on a look of uncertainty “Laurel? You’re okay with this?”
A muscle worked in Laurel’s jaw At least so innocent bystanders into the line of fire? This was a private war, between her and Damian
“It’s fine,” she said “And thanks for fixing the shower”
“Hey, anytie held out his hand, and Damian took it “Nice to have met you”
“The same here,” Damian said politely
Susie leaned toward Laurel behind her husband’s broad back
“You never said a word,” she announced in a stage whisper that could have been heard two floors below “Laurel, honey, this guy is gorgeoust”
This guy’s a rat, Laurel thought, but she bit her tongue and said nothing
Susie had been right The restaurant was a winner
It had low lighting, carefully spaced tables and a nificent view The service onderful, the wine list impressive and the food looked delicious
Laurel had yet to take a bite
When she’d ignored the a caviar, green salads, roast duck glazed with Montrand finale, a chocolate soufflé garnished hipped creaht as air
Neither the waiter nor Daer strike The one served each course, then cleared it away; the other ate, coht, pleasant conversation in which she refused to join
“Coffee?” Damian said, when the soufflé had been served “Or do you prefer tea?”
Even prisoners on hunger strikes drank liquids Laurel looked across the table at him
“Which are you having?”
“Coffee As strong as possible, and black”
Coffee hat she always drank, and just that way Laurel gave a h
“In that case,” she said, uns, “I’ll have tea”
Da I could do to make you less inclined to insult me?”
“Would you do it, if there were?”
“Why do I have the feeling your answer ht prove lethal?”
“At least you got that right!”
He sighed and shook his head, though she could see a in his eyes “That’s not a very ladylike answer”
“Since you’re obviously not a gentlehted to have provided you with a laugh a e and Susie, and now here I a while he dines”
“Is that what you think?” Damian waited until their coffee and tea were served “That I brought you here to amuse me?”
“I think you get your kicks out of tossing your weight around”
“Sorry?”
“You like to see people dance to your tune”
He pushed aside his dessert plate, moved his cup and saucer in front of him and folded his hands around the cup
“That is not why I asked you to join ”
“Asked? Coerced, you mean”
“I had every intention of asking you politely, Laurel, but when you opened the door and I saw you with that man, Grey”
“His nae”
“George, Grey, what does it matter?” Damian’s eyes darkened “I saw hiht, very well, I have a choice to make I can do as I intended, ask her to put aside the words that passed between us thisand come out to dinner with me”
“The ansould have been no”
“Or,” he said, his voice roughening, “I can punch this son of a bitch in the jaw, sling her over my shoulder and carry her off”
The air seemed to rush out of the space between the for breath
“That—that’s not the least bit a”