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She met his eyes and inhaled, and tried to appear like a woman with a sophisticated sense of reality

"I did"

11

The moment was ridiculously aard It was as if time stood still as he looked back at her--and yet tiht she could actually hear the hands on the room’s old-fashioned clock-radio

But, in an odd way, it wasn’t aard at all

She sed, but she was deter to pretend she was just joking

She wasn’t to going to run off in embarrassment, either; if she did, that was how she’d feel forever after in his presence Her lips curved wistfully She realized that although she hadn’t been sure of her exact intent until she’d said the words, she certainly hadn’t expected rejection It wasn’t that she felt any ree to have sex with her It was just that she believed there’d been so else

"Uh, you ht," he reminded her

"I know," she said "But…that ell…I didn’t want to be here because I had to be here--I mean, in a room with you--because I was afraid When I’ this at all well"

She was surprised when he walked over to her at last She began to feel a tre inside her when his hands dropped to her arht and physique, his damp bare chest and the towel about his midriff Whatever it was that she always felt when she ith hi pulse in her bloodstreaainst the idea I’d be a hell of a liar if I said it hasn’t played in my mind more than once," he told her The sound of his voice see with every throaty word, every nuance

"I guess it’s not the time or place," she one to ith the others, I’ve called Eddie and arranged for a showing of the film We won’t reen eyes seeht as he stared down at her

"Oh!" she said, about to step back "I’m sorry--I didn’t even think Is there someone in your life?"

He seemed to wince "No There’s no one in my life You?"

She shook her head

"At least I’m dressed--or undressed--for the occasion," he said dryly

"I can be, too," she whispered

"Madison, I’ with anyone I’ about sexual responsibility"

"I am," she told him

His smile deepened and she added, "No, I uess…I’ve been ever hopeful"

He laughed softly She lowered her head, astonished that the sih could be so provocative

He lifted her chin, then pulled her against him, and once more his eyes fell on hers "You knoe live in different worlds," he said

"Different and the sa a tender and yet still hesitant in the way he looked at her

"I care about you, Madison"

"Would it be better if you didn’t?"

"Yes"