Page 8 (1/1)

"God I love a man who reads," she breathed and laid her head on the desk, spent

The sex out of their systeent progress on his library Daniel sorted, reclassified while Eleanor dusted the bookcases in question and reshelved the newly Deweyed books in proper order

Sometimes they talked as they worked: Eleanor learned about Daniel’s childhood in Canada, the source of his iland winters, and Eleanor confessed her frustration with her lack of ambition She wanted, in theory, to do more than work in a bookstore but was so happy,herself to e

"Contentreed and he sounded like he knehat he was talking about "But don’t worry Life, death, or an act of God will eventually intervene Enjoy the contentment while it lasts It won’t last forever"

Eleanor shivered at the bitter truth of his words

"You’ve been content to be alone for three years So as up?"

"You," he said, "are a force of nature" He slapped her bottom and ordered her back to work

They workedonly about the books and how they should best be arranged During a back-stretching break, Eleanor wandered into the corner of a less alcove Two dozen or more cardboard boxes were neatly stacked

"What are these?" she called out to Daniel

"Discards," he said, coie’s old law books There’s a business college with a paralegal progra to donate the books to their little law library"

"Going to?"

"Well, I still aave hi here in those boxes?"

"A year, I suppose"

Eleanor continued to gaze blankly at him

"You do recall I am the dominant in this particular relationship, yes?"

Eleanor wasn’t intimidated "Then act like it"

"I will" At that, Daniel scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder, carrying her squir on "Back To Work," he ordered as he put her down, gently but firmly, on her feet

"Yes, sir" She turned and climbed nimbly up the library ladder

"Eleanor," Daniel said, after a few minutes of actual work had passed

"Yes, sir?"