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“If he isn’t in, I can wait”

“He’s in the library”

“Which is where, exactly?”

Summerset permitted himself the tiniest huff If Roarke hadn’t ordered him to show the woman in immediately he would have shuffled her off to some small, poorly lit room “This way, please”

“What exactly is it about , Summerset?”

With his back poker straight, he led her up a flight and down the wide corridor “I have no idea what you mean, lieutenant The library,” he announced in reverent terms, and opened the door for her

She’d never in her life seen so many books She never would have believed so many existed outside of museums The walls were lined with them so that the two-level room positively reeked with books

On the lower level, on as surely a leather sofa, Roarke lounged, a book in his hand, the cat on his lap

“Eve You’re early” He set the book aside, picked up the cat as he rose

“Jesus, Roarke, where did you get all these?”

“The books?” He let his gaze roaht danced and shifted over colorful spines “Another of my interests Don’t you like to read?”

“Sure, now and again But discs are so much more convenient”

“And so much less aesthetic” He stroked the cat’s neck and sent him into ecstasy “You’re welcome to borrow any you like”

“I don’t think so”

“How about a drink?”