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“Cornwall I think My s to me I’ll live there”

“Max—”

“The house is called Blackwood

,” he went on, as if he knew she was going to gush sympathy and he didn’t want to listen “It’s built of stone and sits on a cliff looking out to the sea, and it has stood there for centuries I visited when I was a little boy, so I don’t remember it well, but I am sure it will suit me in my current straitened circu, to supplement my income”

Marietta forced a laugh, although she had tears in her eyes again What was it about Max’s bravery in the face of despair that lers?” she said

“I doubt it But ive hts”

This tienuine He turned his head to look up at her, his dark gaze languorous And dangerous There was so, that before she knehat she was doing, Marietta had lowered her head and placed her lips against his

She surprised hihtly,her with a depth and a thoroughness that turned her world topsy-turvy

Shock held her still briefly, and then she was doing her best to kiss hi of so low in her belly, a pleasurable ache He turned his head and nuzzled against her neck, his lips teasing,her squirm

Was this theso vehemently only moments before? She could hardly believe it Tentatively, not wanting to let a chance pass her by, Marietta stroked his throat, sliding her fingers around to his nape His skin arht—she reued her

“Can I take off your shirt?” she asked him impulsively

Startled, Max pulled away fro back on the pillows For a moment he seemed quite speechless, and Marietta could only think that his head was hurting hi, but it wasn’t

“Is this part of learning to be a courtesan?” he asked her at last

“Of course,” she said, but she knew she had not been thinking of practicing when she first kissed hi apart from the fact that she wanted to

“Why do you want to take off my shirt?”