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*****
"Your son ishome."
"Yes, wecelebrated at dinner. He is finally home."
"I should not behere." Allan tugged at the collar of his cashmere sweater as hestarted pacing.
"I told himabout us," Elizabeth said mildly as she brushed her hair.
"Elizabeth-"
"I don't want anargument, darling."
"Why? Becauseyou are my superior?" He asked, bristling. He was falling inlove with her and knew that was not allowed. She had clarified to himthat this was just something physical for her. She was fifteen yearshis senior, but that did not matter to him.
He was a divorceewith a twenty-year-old son who had sided with his mother and was nolonger talking to him.
He had done thestupidest thing, gotten involved with her more than physically. Andhe could not tell or even allow her to get a glimpse of what he wasfeeling for her, or he would be out of her life.
"That's right,darling." Her eyes met his in the mirror. "My life isstressful, and being with you is supposed to make me unwind. Pour mea glass of wine."
Stifling hisdispleasure, he turned to do her bidding.
"What did hesay?"
"He wasconcerned that you want more from me than I am prepared to give."
"You discussedthe relationship with your son?" He handed her the glass andcould feel his frustration and anger mounting.
"I had to puthis mind at ease." She sipped the wine and glanced at him overthe rim. She appreciated his body because he kept himself fit and wasenergetic in bed. His age did not matter to her one bit. She had beenwith an older man who had proven himself to be little more than aspoiled child who had to get whatever he wanted.
"By giving himdetails."
"Not entirely."Reaching a hand, she took his, drawing him down on the stool. "Iam close to my son, darling, and he has been away for a while. Iwanted him to know. What I do not appreciate is prolonging thisconversation."
"And what yousay is law." He could not help himself, and when he felt herpulling her hand out, he knew he had to discontinue the argument forfear of displeasing her. "I apologize."
"Hmm."Taking a sip of the wine, she gazed at him. "When we agreed tothis relationship, I clarified what it entails."
"of course."He smiled, took the wine from her, and finished it. "Why don't Isee about getting rid of the stress?"
"I like thatvery much."
*****
"Come in."
"I brought yousome tea." Ilene carried the tray in with the homemade biscuitsas light as a feather, raspberry jam, and a steaming teapot. "Iknew you would still be awake, agonizing over what to wear at thatfancy job."
Placing the tray onthe side table, she sat on the edge of the bed and folded her handsas she watched her niece doing her usual nightly ritual of brushingand twisting her shoulder-length curls. "Your mother used to dothe same thing." She shook her head. "It's funny how shegot all the good-looking genes, and I got the plain ones."
"Auntie-"
"No, honey."The woman brushed away her protest. "I got used to it over theyears while growing up. She was the beauty of the two of us, and thatwas established." Easing forward, she poured the tea into thecups and handed Madison one as she came to sit next to her. "Youare going to do very well."
"I hope so."
"You gotta havefaith, honey. That is what has kept me through all of mydisappointments and trials. I still miss her, you know."
