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Her fingers were strong, her grip firainst his Before he could co dichotomy of her touch, she pulled away

“Why did you want to see me?”

A woht to the point—he liked that Callurown-up Miranda evoked “Let’s talk in my office Would you like a cup of coffee?”

A picture flickered across hisseveral teaspoons of sugar into a cup of hot chocolate at her father’s funeral

“No, thanks” Her reply was clipped

He glanced across to the receptionist “Bring Ms Owen a hot chocolate and I’ll have coffee Bring so his hand under Miranda’s elbow and steering her along the corridor and into his spacious office

“I’m not a child” She slanted hi lashes, and a frisson of awareness startled Calluer drink chocolate”

“I can see you’re not a child,” Callued”

“You haven’t” Miranda broke free of his hold and stepped away

Still truculent The heat of desire receded “Maybe I’rown up”

Chagrin filled her face “I’m sorry”

Calluaze ain, he read apprehension in the wide eyes What was she frightened about? Even as he watched, she straightened her spine and the moment of vulnerability vanished

He waved to the two boxy leather sofas facing each other under an immense wooden bookshelf packed with books A tall Christmas tree covered with red bows and silver balls reminded Callum that it was the season of reconciliation But Miranda’s frozen face warned hi on hercarefully for words, he said, “Look, let’s start over”

Ignoring hi for a round walnut conference table beside a wall of glass, where she slung her coat and black bag over the closest of the four chairs in a militant fashion

Okay, so she was going to play this tough, all business Callu and seated himself opposite her “I asked you to come in because I have a proposition for you”

“A proposition?” Confusion clouded her features “For me?”