ra

n filled the room and a slow smile

re flooded

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regretted

up, lookin

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, wrapping it securely as I walked outside. The fresh air hit me and

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t the

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geo

up throug

t my hands

f his face,

t kiss. '"W

out

laxed and he shot me

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stroked a

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ld have w

d and lea

lips again

lls down my

wouldn't h

ow wou

d and st

y body aga

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uldn't help

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e laughed

y relax or

d Adrian?"He leaned

ainst my s

way to lo

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n. "Just s

ork throu

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seemed sm

ulled his

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Adrian. You

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my eyes on

hands began to drop b

ng them fi

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se not.

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concern a

ad to pre

ing his h

nd breath

. don't k

this. Tha

nd exhaled

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no us. He

my attention pulled back to his. "I have to get read

te

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hide the

hrough my

and. I'll

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sit here

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aged me in

pla

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om for dis

to check

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all chang

d focus ju

wly and hi

d away and stepped

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n the balc

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reedom of

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ng out into

elow. The

n mine as

skin inst

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and I jumpe

ly standin

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hite butto

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up at him

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l, I could

he'd stay

at

own to bru

neck and ge

ending shi

d my breat

damn well

oon as I'm back

nd whispere

it up for

lowly and

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cold witho

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sence from

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pped into m

answered

s waiting

ding a tray

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resh juice. "Morning"

me as he

the desk. "

be hungry

d bring yo

ill you

ing e

uncomfor

ently at me

ou shouldn't

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ould be tr

sh

tho

he distance

his hands

this while it last. You deserve a little bit of happine

him and sh

ng feeling of guilt at hi

nothing el

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d he left. shutting t

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d spent mos

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other than

didn't feel r

he feeling

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perk. We

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oils an

and towele

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smooth ski

ing around

hung low o

men had

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concept. I

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ut of Adri

king my w

rters. Her

and I co

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n't have

een. Fifte

d herself

that she bore the mark of the Queen on her right shoulder bl

her sole

help absent

w my neck

f my own.

of her ser

rge bloom

e symbol o

tattooed in

k to symbol

ched by an

hrinking i

indicatin

'd been car

dots yet

as newly a

ee below. She'd marked me at thir

tiently for

ea and mem

is room be

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as she en

smile bro

. She was

mother I'

to see you. ls my s

h voice c

oss the flo

on the ve

and gave

is your hig

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ed closer. "So he's c

ush crept

ded. "Yes

ezed my

ward, spea

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small com

to that dr

ched at th

ng ceremon

with him,

omething I

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hat is it you've co

d and spok

what exa

from her

useful. In

m not sure

and rela

'm entirely

used

eyebrow r

e a small

rned that

nce you

your rel

scuss you

you'd be in charge

t for a

wly. " But

l then you

in and wi

le creeping

. "Enjoy yo

hey won't l

ar