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“And worlds apart in others”

His voice lowered and he said, “It doesn’t have to be that way”

“Yes it does I can’t change who I am—I wouldn’t if I could And I know my place”

He sat back and swept his fingers through her hair “I respect that about you But I also want to alter it”

“I don’t” She unfolded her arms and linked one with his

He glanced down at her and she stared deep into his eyes, wishing she had thehilass with the sand running out When my time is up, it’ll probably be a lot more peaceful for me I’m also happy with my position in this coned for me”

His brow furrowed “Anyone can do that, Jade But to change it… That takes courage and iination”

She leaned toward hiainst his lips, “You exhaust ”

He let out a low groan “I’d like to exhaust you with my body”

Moving into his lap, she wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “You didn’t just co material, did you? Or to spew so me to build a life with another man”

“I do want you to be happy”

The heat flowing through her veins and the swelling of her heart made her say, “Then take me to bed”

Darien’s groin tightened at the prospect, yet he hesitated “I just told you to marry someone else”

“Yes, but you didn’t really mean it” A coy smile played on her lips “I h a ploy such as that And while, yes, it ht better my situation in some aspects, it wouldn’t in others It would be false You have to know that And Michael deserves more than a tiny piece of my heart that now only feels friendship toward him”

“Love can grow from that”