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'I'ree I have some uses,' Clare murmured drily

David swung around on the piano stool and gave her a sensuous sret her unords, but he didn't say anything, allowing her own thoughts to put her to blush and laughing softly when she obliged After his restraint of the last day or so, his teasing warmth had double the impact She realised suddenly how much she had rateful for the respite

Watching David break down his art into its basic components for her son was indeed a revelation for Clare For all the vast gap in age and experience, there was a mutual respect between the two that allowed them to communicate as equals David hly individualistic style on Tim When the boy ht way, his way, of doing things, but instead urged Ti He was teaching Tim to listen outside himself, to trust his own ear and vision of how the music should be interpreted

The two serious, absorbed faces, so unalike and yet so sih Clare's breast She had lost hiainst her heart He didn't need her nearly as much as her maternal jealousy had insisted that he did Oh, he loved her and clung to her love because he knew it de out for soe that her efforts to cushion him from further hurt had denied him She had striven so hard to create a sense of 'normality' for his of alienation But Tim was not normal, and never would be Perhaps only someone as special as David was could truly show hiuide him to fulfilment

She felt exhausted by her inner turmoil by the end of the intense session A tiny voice of protest questioned her sudden about-face Was it David Deverenko's personal eo when she had still been rock-certain of the wisdoed? David not only had her doubting her worth as aherself as a wos hadn't been buried with her husband Moonlight, which had been a haven and ho on the inexorable shape of a trap with David Deverenko as the tasty, te morsel of cheese! If she took the bait, what then? What—or who—did he really want? And could she face it if it wasn't her? If she continued to reject his professional advice about Tim, would he disappear from her life as suddenly as he had appeared?

'Well, do you approve of my methods?' Davida feind-down exercises 'Perhaps I' autocrat you expected me to be, ood teacher ood teacher also knohen a student has outstripped her'

Clare stood up jerkily 'Are you talking about Cheryl?'

'She admits it herself'

'Then why hasn't she said anything to me?'

'She was unsure how to approach you She kno protective you are of the boy, and she knows that you have no desire to ht That rather limits the options, wouldn't you say?'

Clare's fists clenched with the effort of restraining her temper, all too conscious of Tim's presence Her voice was low and defensive 'I suppose I've no need to ask which option you favour? After all, that's why you're here, isn't it?'

'It was certainly the reason I came,' he admitted, his murmur an octave below hers as hesuddenly see as his broad shoulders blocked out Clare's view of Ti her feel isolated, the sole focus of all thatanother, equally co reason to stay…'

Clare took a breathless step back, and his dark eyes narroith predatory satisfaction as he caught her hand and carried it to his lips to caress it silkily with his breath

'I'm not normally a patient man, Clare, but I made an exception in your case It looks as if that was areality I think you've become spoiled in this little peaceful niche of yours Well, this time reality has come to you, and I won't let you hide from it'

'What are you kissing Muside them before Clare could pull her hand away