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."Man,” Deanna went on.“I wish I could find a guy who'd look at me the way he looked at you.How did you do it, Leigh? It's always lust with my men.Not that I want more, you understand.But how the hell did you make him fall in love with you?"Leigh finally found her voice.“Deanna, I don't know what you're talking about."There was a short silence on the other end of the line, then Deanna laughed.“You can't bull-shit a bull-shitter, Leigh, but hey, if you don't want to talk about it, that's cool.Anyway, I forgot to tell you something last night.You know that conference coming up next month? The one for writers and illustrators of children's books?""Yeah, I haven't decided if I'm going or not.""Well, you damn well better.I'm going to be in the Caribbean that week, and I want you to stay in my penthouse.That way, you won't be stuck in some mid-town hotel being bored to death.And.” she paused, and Leigh could almost see the wicked smile on her lips.“You can bring Erik.Just think.you'll be away from prying eyes.all alone in my apartment.I have a waterbed.and a sauna.Can you imagine it, Leigh?"Leigh was already imagining it.Her face flamed hot.“He won't be able to get away from school.” Immediately, she realized her mistake.Deanna laughed triumphantly.“Hon, I've been out of college for more years than I care to remember, but I'm damn sure there's still such a thing as spring break.And isn't it usually around the end of March?"Leigh didn't answer.She was too busy wondering whether to confide in Deanna or not.Finally she plunged in, “I don't know if we could manage it, Dee.What will everyone think if we both disappear at the same time?""Talk to Erik.I'm sure he'll come up with something.Look, I'll have a key to the apartment made and drop it off with you before I go home.Oh, man, this is so juicy.And to think, I thought you were such a wholesome little thing.""I am wholesome,” Leigh said.“But Erik makes me forget that.I've never met anyone like him, Dee.""Sounds like love,” Deanna said.“Gotta go.I'll stop by tomorrow."Leigh hung up the phone, her brow furrowed.That word again.Love.Impossible, totally futile love.* * * *An omen, Leigh thought.It had been a good omen that Erik's spring break coincided exactly with the week of the conference in New York.Together, they'd prepared his cover story.He would be spending spring break with a classmate in North Carolina.In reality, he'd caught the shuttle flight to New York the day after Leigh left for the conference.They'd had two days together before the conference started on Friday.Hand-in-hand, they'd traversed Central Park, feeding the ducks and watching the motorized sailboats at the pond, lingering at the Alice-in-Wonderland statue nibbling on ice cream and watching the people go by.They'd taken the ferry to Liberty Island where Erik had insisted they climb all 102 steps to Lady Liberty's crown.With Erik, she'd looked at New York with new eyes, and it had been beautiful.But the magic really happened after they'd returned to Deanna's penthouse in the evening.What bliss it had been to make love without fear of discovery.And to wake in the morning in his arms.On Thursday afternoon, they'd returned to the apartment earlier than usual, knowing that once Leigh's conference began the next day, their time together would be limited.Erik made love to her slowly and sweetly, and afterwards, Leigh summoned the courage to ask him a question that had been lingering in her mind for the last few weeks."Will you stay through the summer, Erik?” she whispered.“We spend July and August at our beach house in Delaware.Bob will be in Washington most of the time.We can find time to be alone there."One eyebrow rose and his mouth quirked in amusement.“So, the summer is all you're offering me?"Her hand slid up his sweat-dampened chest.“What more do you want?” she asked lightly.His eyes burned into hers, all trace of laughter gone.“I want you to leave your husband and come to Norway with me."When she realized he was serious, she looked away.“Erik.""I know.You don't have to say it.” He snuggled her closer to him, his lips brushing the top of her head.“I'll stay with you, Kayleigh.As long as I can."* * * *When Leigh awoke, it was to see Deanna's bedroom aglow with the golden light of the setting sun.She stretched languidly, wondering how long she'd been asleep.Yawning, she sat up.After a moment, she swung her legs over the bed and stood up, pulling on a robe to cover her nudity.She moved quietly through the apartment, searching for Erik.He wasn't there.Out on the balcony, she found his opened book on the wicker table.Apparently, he'd awakened earlier and read for a while.Had he gone for a walk? A ripple of apprehensive swept through her at the thought.But immediately, she pushed it away.It was stupid to worry about a six-foot, four-inch man in peak physical condition, even if they were in one of the most notorious crime capitals of the world.He would be back soon.Maybe he'd just gone out to get them some dinner.Leigh decided to sit in the sauna for a few minutes [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]