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'Thank you, but I don’t wish to learn anyher supplicant's role

He tilted his head 'Lost your taste for excitement already, chérie?’ he murmured

She drank her cha that control of the situation was rapidly escaping her uncertain grasp

'Or was your Uncle Si to inject soanised existence at sos Eliza-Beth into a very dull home rut With your university job and your domestic responsi­bility for your uncles and their eccentric business you seem to have precious little active social life for an un­attached twenty-five-year-old'

She visibly si description of her hitherto contented life 'You have been a busy boy,' she said nastily

Her sarcasm fell very flat 'Man, chérie, man—there's a very important distinction there which I would be enchanted to demonstrate But I'm sure you wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t realised that'

She wasn’t entirely sure whether he was referring to her confession of so he already knew or her opinion of his ht as well take her chances She leaned forward to set her elass on the coffee-table in front of her, aware of the soft light froe, the pale swell of her breastsday's unaccustomed exposure to sun and alcohol

'Oh, I'h social life in my dull existence to make my own distinctions,' she said huskily She slipped off her high-heeled shoes and flexed her legs, tipping her head back against the raised arood; those shoes pinch terribly, but they were the only ones that ith h the lashes, a little thrill passing through her at the wickedness of her intent ‘I bought it after I saw it in theof the hotel boutique this afternoon'

He could scarcely avoid the compliment she invited, but he made it uniquely and scandalously his own

‘I thought I recognised it Or is it the body under­neath that seems so familiar? Your superb breasts are exquisitely memorable and you have the most beautiful back I've ever seen or touched' He toasted her with his glass, and with a caressing survey that extended from the top of her sleek head to the tips of her toes ‘I think itto do with your paleness, when every other wo a leathery tan Your legs, too, are wonderfully dis­playedbut isn’t it hot wearing black tights in this climate?'

Trust Jack to so effortlessly discompose her, but Elizabeth was deter reaction went She had worn black to slis, not to emphasise them, after she had realised that the dress was shorter than it had looked on the mannequin

‘I’s much cooler and freer'

And with that outrageous cos and placed her feet boldly across his thighs, lying back against the cushions piled on the end of the couch 'Would youiron out the kinks? My feet do ache so froh heels '

For a fleeting moment all expression iped clean frolass down on the floor, and cupped one of her feet with both hands, looking at it with a hungry, sensual curve to hisa bite out of it Slowly he adjusted his grip, one large hand running caressingly over the top of her foot to bracelet her ankle, the other beginning to knead the tender sole firmly

'Why do you wear heels if they hurt your feet?'