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“Areena’s having a difficult tian

“I iine she is”

“There’s no law against paying for comfort”

“No”

“My job is as viable as hers”

Roarke inclined his head “Monroe, Eve has no personal vendetta against licensed companions”

“Just against me, in particular”

“She’s protective of Peabody” With his eyes clear and direct, Roarke sipped again “So am I”

“I’m fond of Delia Very fond I’d never hurt her I’ve never deceived her” On a sound of disgust, Charles turned away to stare through theat the lights “I lost my chance to have a relationship outside my job—to have a life outside h about her to be honest I’ve come to terms with that I am what I am”

He turned back, and his lips curved “And I’ood at what I do Delia accepts that”

“Perhaps But women are the oddest creatures, aren’t they? A man never really knows And that, I think, is part of their continual appeal A , isn’t it, before it’s completely solved”

With a half laugh, Charles looked over his shoulder, and Eve walked through the door

She couldn’t have said, precisely, why it annoyed her to see Charles and her husband sharing abut male amusement But since it did, she scowled at Roarke

“Sorry to break up the boy talk, but could you keep Areena company for a moment while I speak to Charles?”

“Of course The coffee’s reasonably good”