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"If it makes you feel better," Kyrie said from the doorway, "I want you here"

The words, so sih ocean wave and pulled her under like a riptide They carried her down deep under the surface and it took a few seconds before she hit open air again

"Elle? What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," she said "It’s justwhat you said--I said the exact sao"

"You said ‘I want you here’ to your priest? Why?"

"Why?" Elle said, s "Because I was fifteen and he was nice toto"That’s funny"

"Why is that funny?" Elle asked, est color of blue--like a spring ht it hurt to look at it

"That’s the same reason I said it"

13

Haiti

KINGSLEY WAS OUT of his element Back in Manhattan if hehe could about her and use that infore If they were in Manhattan he’d knoho Juliette was, her last name, where she came from, who she ate with, worked with and slept with But he wasn’t in Manhattan He was in Haiti, and he had no idea who this woman was or what she wanted with hiht He wasn’t even certain Juliette would show up Maybe it was a test, likehim to take his clothes off hadn’t been much of a test He’d take his clothes off anywhere, anytime and for nearly any reason Especially when asked nicely It was getting him to put his clothes back on afterward that was the real challenge

Speaking of clothesKingsley looked himself up and down He’d debated about what to wear for his second htly cleaner version of his usual Haitian uniform of sun-bleached khakis and white button-down shirt It was the beach, after all He hadn’t packed any of his suits and ties and boots The freedoht now, as far as Juliette knew, he was nothing ee, who’d co about Juliette, the way she talked, the way she looked at him, made him think his money and poouldn’t impress her What would impress her, he didn’t know But he would find out what it was, and he would do it even if it ain

Especially if it ain

The sun had barely set by the time he made it back to the fork in the path where Juliette had said to meet her He waited for a few minutes, and then a few minutes more He told himself he wouldn’t wait another minute And then another minute would pass and still he’d be there Finally at nine-thirty he gave up and walked away One ave up and walked back

And there she earing a scarlet red dress and holding a set of keys in her hand He knew he should say soood start to the conversation But he had no words The dress she wore had a deep V-neck that stopped at the center of her chest She had full and firuise and everything to display The wind blew a cool evening breeze on theers He saw a flash of her strong thighs, both shapely andthat made him smile