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turquoise eyes narrowed in resentful suspicion. „You’re teasing me.“
    „A little.“ He grinned unrepentantly and sipped his tea.
    „I suppose it wasn’t very nice to tell you that I only endured your kiss,“ Adena managed with a blatantly false
    attempt at regretful apology.
    „Very unkind. Fortunately for my ego I’m prepared to make allowances in this case.“
    „Decent of you. What allowance could there possibly be, though? It seems to me that, rude as it may sound, you
    have to accept the facts.“
    „I do. And knowing those facts, I’m prepared to forego the swift, unsubtle approach. At least for a while.“
    „Your generosity overwhelms me. What facts would those be?“ Adena demanded waspishly.
    „Why, that you’re still recovering from the shock of ending your other relationship, of course,“ he returned almost
    sympathetically. „You have to pretend to yourself that you resisted my kiss the other evening because you would feel
    terrible if you admitted to responding to another man so soon after giving Carrigan his walking papers. How did he
    take the news, anyway? I meant to ask you.“
    Adena stared at him, silently gritting her teeth at a perception for which she would never have given Holt credit It
    was dismaying in the extreme to have him so casually put his finger on a nagging truth. He was right; she’d had no
    business letting Holt Sinclair talk her into staying for dinner the other night But that memory didn’t make her as edgy
    as the one he was trying to force on her now: the memory of the stirring of attraction she’d experienced in his arms.
    And she’d felt that attraction only a few hours after saying good-bye to Jeff!
    „I don’t think he believes I meant it,“ Adena answered coolly, remembering Jeffs calm assumption that she would
    reconsider her rash action.
    „If he comes around again you’ll have to make it very clear to him, won’t you?“ There was a faint but definite
    challenge in the deep, unruffled voice. Even Max’s ears twitched at it, although he didn’t bother to open his eyes. The
    dog continued dozing comfortably at Holt’s feet „I don’t see that it should concern you,“ Adena retorted.
    Holt’s mouth tightened but his words were filled with assurance. „I’ll make sure you don’t pine for him.“
    „Why don’t you come back in about six months and see if I’ve managed to get over him on my own?“ she snapped
    tersely.
    „I’m a reasonably patient man, but not that patient!“ He held out his cup hopefully. „May I have some more tea?“
    „Help yourself,“ she muttered irritably.
    „I could but I enjoy watching you pour it There’s something very pleasant about the sight of a woman like you
    pouring tea.“
    „It gives you the impression I know my place?“ she quipped, giving up the small battle and reaching for the
    delicate teapot.
    „No,“ he smiled with a charm that unsettled her. „It’s just… pleasant Feminine and civilized…“ He broke off as she
    filled his cup. „Adena, give me a chance, will you? I won’t rush you, I promise.“
    She looked up at him through her lashes as she put down the teapot, aware of a new and more serious element in
    the conversation.
    „I’m not in the market for an affair at the moment, Holt,“ she told him carefully. „Or should I just say I’m not on the
    market“
    He met her eyes in a long glance of speculation and assessment and then he surprised her by saying softly, „We’ll
    talk about it later. Something tells me it’s time to change the conversation.“
    „Before I get so angry that I sic Max on you?“ she mocked.
    He bent down and tugged at one of Max’s ears, smiling as the dog moved his head obligingly. „No, I mean before
    you get a cornered feeling and start saying things you’ll regret“
    „Holt, this is ridiculous. I’m not available for purchase like a box of candy….“
    „I know that,“ he grinned „There’s nothing at all cloying about you! Now