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“No I do not have a lover”

Despite his h her Why should she feel so elated? Why did she want to clap her hands, sing and jump for joy?

She scraht words to reflect her surprise without revealing anything more But Tristan took a step back

“I do not have a lover,” he repeated as he closed the door slowly “There has never been anyone other than you”

Chapter 8

Tristan pressed his back against the bedchamber door and closed his eyes

Bloody hell!

He exhaled deeply The long weary sound drifted through the roos

Of all the things he could have said, the declaration proved that he had not been able tohis secret roused an uncomfortable sense of vulnerability that did not sit ith him Muttered curses continued to fall from his lips

Whilst perhaps appearing rude, his sudden retreat was merely a defensive manoeuvre

Should he open the door and offer an explanation? Should he demand she put him out of his misery, tell him what he had done to force her into the arms of another man?

Pushing away fro was certain He could not go on pretending the past didn’t ered deep within, he still wanted her More than ever

God, he was a damn fool

Perhaps Chandler was right A discreet liaison would serve his purpose Burying hi body would help him to banish the demons of the past But she had rejected him once before Why would she want him now?

Feeling a desperate urge to find a distraction frohts, he scanned the dis, the various shades of blue created a cold, detached feeling, one so opposed to the fiery heat coursing through his veins when he thought of the te lady just across the hall