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He had been betrayed once before by a woman who had been his lover

But he had loved her Perhaps he would bea brief affair with

She touched her throat, as if the precious ainst the wrath of its owner 'Jack—'

'You're not on the contraceptive pill for medical reasons, are you, chérie?'

She stared across the table at hi in its saucer

‘I s,' he said calold pineapple 'You have been celibate for some years, therefore I presu your "some day" family arrive unexpectedly soon'

Elizabeth sucked in a ragged breath as the true reck­lessness of her behaviour the previous night hit her be­tween the eyes Everything blurred but the dark face with its unexpectedly gentle expression

‘I don’t—I wouldn’t—I didn’t—'

'Fortunately I did,' he interrupted kindly, selecting another segment of fruit 'What?'

'You don’t remember?'

'N—no' The whole experience had lorious white-hot mass of ex­quisite sensation Even to think about it sent tiny thrills of delight darting up and down the most sensitive parts of her body

He leaned back in the dainty wrought-iron chair 'Never lad that I obviously didn’t break the ht as I will tonight and all the nights to come if you wish me to'

If she wished? 'Tonight?' she questioned huskily

'Yes I think you will be far more comfortable here than at the hotel And we shall be more private, too'

It took a moment before she realised what he meant 'You want me to stay here?'