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“Ty—”

There was a hint of withdrawal in her voice, so he didn’t take any chances about what her response ry warloss of her lips, pliant under his persuasive kiss

“Tellin the sweet scent of her skin

“What?” Her sainst his hunched fra hands caressed the delicate curve of her spine and the rounded shape of her hips The thin silk of her dress hid nothing of her body from him

“Why have you kept me around? Why haven’t you dropped me the way you did all the others?”

Her hesitation seemed sincere, as if she weren’t certain of the answer “You’re not like the about you that’s different”

“Maybe you love htly, their breathwarmly

“Maybe I do” The breathy softness of her voice stirred him

There was a break in her defenses; a concession had been made that hadn’t been offered before This time he kissed her man to woman with no artifice of persuasion or appeal She responded war too aroused It was this vague reluctance he tried to batter down and insist she give herself freely to the passions that tre he becaress he made

Treh hiainst hiainst his shoulder An exultant smile lifted the corners of his th

“You have tofrom the past, familiar and used

“Ty ” She lifted her head This tier to her lips, then reached into the outside pocket of his jacket

“I had this uess at the size, so I hope it fits”

Her sht was a beautiful sound to hienuineness of her pleasure The patio torchlights caught the fire in the black opal, set inside a protective circle of diamonds

“You had thiswhen he slipped it on her ring finger