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Intrigued, Eve leaned closer “What? Go ahead, finish”

“Pitiable,” he said, in a tone that made Eve believe hesad about her under all that bright, bright gloss Her body was the only thing about herself she respected So she used it to give pleasure and to cause pain”

“And did she offer it to you?”

“Naturally, and assumed I’d accept the invitation”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I’ve already explained that I can elaborate and add that I prefer a different type of bedmate, and that I prefer to make my own moves”

There was more, but he chose to keep it to himself

“Would you like more steak, lieutenant?”

She glanced down, saw that she’d all but eaten the pattern off the plate “No Thanks”

“De

ssert?”

She hated to turn it down, but she’d already indulged herself enough “No I want to look at your collection”

“Then we’ll save the coffee and dessert for later” He rose, offered a hand

Eve merely frowned at it and pushed back froestured toward the doorway and led her back into the hall, up the curving stairs

“It’s a lot of house for one guy”