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He stepped to the side of the door Now her as clear if she wanted to go Sheher fists into the pockets of her coat,it pull on her shoulders

“Why don’t you go back to the army and leave us all in peace?” she asked “Wouldn’t that be easier? You can’t possibly want to run a lingerie shop Sell the thing and be done with it”

“Oh, would that I could,” he said

Unfortunately, no one would buy a business that hadn’t made a profit in ten years Well, no one except his clueless sister

She rolled her eyes

“Betty the troll and that loony contract of hers,” Kirsty said

Lake didn’t correct her If she wanted to think it was the contract that stopped him and not the state of the business, then that was fine with him The fewer people who kneas a mess, the better That way it would be easier to sell once he got it back in the black

“I’d love to get hts “That ”

It took a minute for Lake to catch up with the conversation, and when he did a flush of heat worked up from his stomach to his head

“If you want to get your hands on a man,” he told her, “I’m available”

Her eyes widened

“That’s not going to happen,” she said tightly

Lake shrugged

“I’et you out of that underwear you’re so attached to I’ that I’m here If you want me To do with as you will”

Her mouth opened and closed like a hooked fish Lake smiled confidently, aware that every time she saw him she’d replay his words He’d wear her down by default