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'Stop fishing for compliments!'

'I was doing nothing of the kind!' she protested, turning pink and giving him a furious look

He paused on the doorstep of the restaurant and looked down at her 'You look lovely,' he said softly, and Sian was dry-mouthed and silenced

They sat in the shadowy little bar before they went into the restaurant itself; Cass ordered a Kir for her and a cocktail for himself Sian was self-conscious, aware that already people atching thenised the stared at, and got up

'I won't be long, I' to the powder-room,' she told Cass, as he rose too

There wasn't much she could do about her dress, but she washed her hot face and renewed herher blonde hair, sprayed perfuly at her reflection Why was she here with Cass, in spite of all her brave resolutions about never seeing hiain? She knehat he was up to; he had boldly admitted it He was a user; he had used her sha it if she let hi such a fool?

The ireen eyes far too big and far too bright, too excited for safety She looked grimly at herself

'You make me sick, do you know that? You shouldn't be let out on your own'

The door opened, and another girl came in and looked at her in surprise, then a to herself

'It isn't any good, you know!' she said, laughing

'What isn't?' Sian asked, taken aback

'Telling yourself off You never take any notice Or at least, I don't!' She giggled and Sian s back to join Cass

He was leaning back against the velvet-covered seat, his glass in one hand, his face reflective, but as she came towards him his eyes focused on her and roved froure in the black and white striped dress to her long, shapely legs It was an openly assessing stare, and Sian bristled under it

She sat down and gave him a cold look 'Is our table ready yet?' The sooner this ot away, the better she would like it

'You haven't finished your drink'