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been trying to tell you for months he was in love with you.”
    â€œI have never encouraged him.”
    â€œMaybe he thought you were playing hard to get.”
    Christian returned to the table. “Marriage? We both know he’s not the settling-down type. There isn’t a faithful bone in that man’s body.”
    â€œCome on, Chris. Don’t you think that you’re being a little harsh?”
    â€œI’m being honest. Don’t get me wrong. I love Malcolm like a brother. The man is a player to his heart. When I first met him, I remember him bragging to some friends of his that he had received a Ph.D. from PITT University.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œPlayers’ Institute of Terminology and Technique.”
    Alex laughed as the phone rang. She jumped up. “I’ll get it.”
    Smiling, Christian sipped her coffee. Last night had definitely been a night to remember.
    â€œBobby!” Alex squealed. “I can’t believe it’s you.”
    Christian raced to the phone, thankful that the one person she wanted to talk to had called.
    Alex finished exchanging pleasantries, then handed the phone over.
    â€œHello, Bobby? Thank God, you called. I miss you so much.”
    Â 
    Sunlight sliced through the venetian blinds and laid thin, white strips across the sleigh bed. The peaceful sound of birds chirping softly in the distance added to the bedroom’s tranquil setting. However, nothing soothed the pain that churned inside Malcolm’s heart.
    He’d made it through the night, made it through the agony. He dreaded the thought of facing his family and friends, of informing them about the broken engagement, especially his mother.
    Sheila stirred in his arms.
    Her delicate curls covered his chest. Their floral fragrance brought a smile to his lips. Sheila had a body and a sexuality that had been rumored to be the cause of Lucifer’s fall from grace. She pressed her lush body against him and lifted her head to smile invitingly.
    â€œYou never cease to amaze me.” Her soft, husky voice made him hard with need. “I heard you were getting engaged.”
    Malcolm hid his discomfort. “You know better than to listen to rumors.”
    â€œHow could I not? I can’t remember the last time that you came to see me. You’ve spent so much of your time chasing after Miss Goody Two-shoes that you haven’t had time for any of your old friends.”
    â€œAll that matters is that I’m here now.”
    â€œSo, Chris—”
    He silenced her with a kiss. The last thing he wanted to talk about was his ex-fiancée. The last thing he wanted to do was relive the pain.
    He deepened the kiss. It should’ve been Christian lying softly in his arms. It should’ve been her body opening up to him. He slid his hand down Sheila’s voluptuous figure, but in his mind, he’d envisioned it was another woman’s.
    Sheila leaned back, giving him better access to her neck, where he burned a trail of kisses. A low moan of excitement urged him on, nearly driving him to the point of madness.
    He rolled over to take the top position. His hard body pinned her against the firm mattress. His skillful hands glided up to cup her firm breasts and another moan tumbled from her lips.
    Malcolm heard the echo of his own sigh as she whispered his name against his ear. She curled her arms over his shoulders and prepared herself to accept him.
    He entered her swiftly, roughly, as if the devil himself had taken hold of him. He didn’t make love to Sheila. The name he recited aloud was Christian’s.

Chapter 5
    M alcolm arrived home dressed in last night’s tuxedo. He received the house’s entombed silence as a welcome reprieve, however, an unexpected one. Where was everybody? Then again, maybe he shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. He wasn’t up to answering questions. His thoughts drifted to his mother, the one person who