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 Lucky for you then I came over when I did.
 Yeah, thanks. By the way, your arm around
my waist was a nice touch, but I m not sure it was
a wise idea.
 It was a fine idea. You have to remember she s
still out to get me for her daughter. It not only
helped you, but helped my cause as well.
 I feel so used, she mocked in a hurt tone and
put the back of her hand to her forehead.
 You may feel used, he said slow and deep,
stepping in closer to her so he was an inch away,
 but you have to admit you enjoyed it, you little
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minx.
 You have me there, she said, then added
jokingly,  You big brute of a man.
 You know what else you d enjoy?
Her knees trembled when the warmth of his
breath caressed her ear. Her mind reeled back to
the episode in her living room. Oh boy, do I know
what I d enjoy.
 A few turns around the dance floor with this
big brute. He grasped her hand and directed her
through the milling guests to the temporary
hardwood square in the center of the room.
Half an hour later, exhausted, she made her
way back to the table with Geoff in tow.
 Where the hell did you learn to dance like
that? She dropped into a chair, took off her shoe
and rubbed her foot.
 I come from a very large and somewhat
extended family where the older generation of
women wanted their men to know how to dance.
On top of their teachings, Sue Ellen and I took
some lessons before we got married.
 Those lessons paid off.
 My aunts would be proud. I m going back
over to the buffet. Would you like anything?
 No. She waved him off.  I m going to check
out the auction sheets once I feel the blood return
to my lower extremities.
 You better hurry your circulation along.
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Concealed Affairs
There s only fifteen minutes left for making bids
and then the ceremony will start.
 Thanks for the warning. She waited till Geoff
had disappeared into the crowd before she stood
to test her sore feet.
 Steady as she goes, she said to no one in
particular and snatched another drink off the tray
of a passing waiter.
Tori was two-thirds of the way to the auction
tables when her path was blocked.
 My, my, my. Who do we have here? a low,
throaty voice probed.
The hairs on her neck rose and tickled her skin.
And tonight was supposed to be enjoyable. She gulped
down her drink.  Linda, what a surprise. You
never mentioned you would be here.
 Neither did you. Linda s thick, bony fingers
clutched her companion s arm tightly.  Then
again, it is hard to chat with co-workers when
they re not at work, isn t it, Victoria?
 Yes, it is, she replied, noticing the man s stare
wasn t trained on Linda, but on her own chest. She
looked down at her cleavage, then threw him a
disapproving glare.
He took the hint well. He yawned and focused
his attention elsewhere in the room.
Linda jerked on his arm.
 Sorry, my dear. Thought I saw someone I
knew.
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 Who?
 Who what? he asked, puzzled.
 Never mind, Linda said, as if trying to rid her
mouth of a bad taste.  So, Victoria, I hear
congratulations are in order?
 Congratulations for what? she asked, though
she knew very well what the what was.
 Why, for your engagement, of course. You
know, yours and David s. Though I do think it s
wrong of a lady to consent to one man and then be
seen out with another.
So the wild fire isn t contained yet.  Well, Linda, I
think it s a faux pas to congratulate someone when
you don t have your facts straight. I haven t given
him an answer yet, so it should seem obvious to
everyone that I am not engaged.
 Okay, okay. She held up her hands, palms
out with a wide grin plastered on her face.  No
need to get your panties in a twist.
 My panties are not in a twist, she seethed, her
hatred for the woman growing. She clutched the
stem of the empty glass in her fingers.
Linda s companion chose that moment to step
in between them. He carefully pried Tori s fingers
away from the delicate glass in her hand and took
it from her.
 Henry, Linda s voice was stern,  please do
not interrupt us.
 Lin, he said, turning to face her.  You don t
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Concealed Affairs
want to cause a scene, do you? People are
beginning to stare.
She cast a look around, then shook her head.
She lowered her head like a child being
reprimanded for a bad deed.
 Now be a good girl and go get us some
drinks. He handed over the glass in his hand.
She moved to leave, but Henry paused her and
whispered to her. Her ear to ear grin returned. He
gave a playful swat to her tush and she giggled.
 And be quick about it, he called out as she
walked away.
The tall, gangly man turned to Tori. His face,
narrow and angular, looked like it could cut glass
and his skin appeared ghost-like against his jet
black hair. His equally dark eyes focused on hers.
 I m Henry Whitmore, by the way. He held
out his hand.
 So I gathered, Tori replied, offering hers in
return.
He accepted her hand and began to rub the
backs of her fingers.
 I must say, you are a very attractive woman.
She cocked an eyebrow.
 Not good at receiving compliments, are we?
That s a shame. I for one don t understand why
the gentleman you re with doesn t take you
upstairs to one of the suites and have his way with
you.
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CR Moss
Her mouth dropped open and he leaned in
toward her.
 I know I would, he said only so she could
hear and the corners of his mouth twitched
upward.
 Henry, Linda called out from several feet
away. She made quick time back with two drinks
in her hands.
 If I were you, Mr. Whitmore, Tori said quietly
but succinctly, bothered by his forwardness,  I
would mind my mouth and manners the rest of
the evening. By the way, your date is back.
He straightened to face Linda and smiled
pleasantly in response to her frown.  Hello, love.
He took his drink from her.
 Don t love me, Linda said to him while
glaring at Victoria, then added pointedly,  Isn t
two enough for you?
 I wouldn t know, Tori s voice rolled cold and
steady. She didn t like Linda s implications.
 This is my cue to leave, Henry said, his focus
bouncing from one woman to the other as they
continued to stare each other down.  Unlike most [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]