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“I’m notslamming romance novels,” he assured her with a half-smile. “I’ve read a lot ofthem myself. Most women who come to me want to have their romantic fantasiesfulfilled. It’s emotional as much as sexual for them. Romance novels are one ofthe best expressions of those romantic fantasies.”

“Wow,” shebreathed, eyeing him with faint awe. “You really do your research.”

He lifted hisshoulder in a half-shrug. “Of course.”

Irresistiblycompelled, she asked, “So who’s your favorite romance writer?”

Ander thoughtfor a moment. Then he made a face. “I guess it will sound clichéd, since she’severyone else’s favorite too. But Claire Kent is probably the best I’ve read.She gives her characters a humanness that pushes them beyond the average. Plus,she has a great sense of humor.”

With effort, Lorikept her face perfectly bland. Claire Kent was her penname. And she wasthrilled beyond measure by the casual, thoughtful compliments Ander had justgiven her writing. He obviously didn’t know he was talking about her. He lookedleisurely and reflective.

Which impliedhe really meant what he said.

“I like hertoo, of course,” Lori said. “But everyone can’t write bestsellers. Some of therest of us are pretty good too.”

Ander chuckled.“If you give me a couple of titles, I’ll be happy to read your books. Maybe Ialready have.”

“I doubt it.But who else do you like?”

Ander told herabout some of the romance writers he liked, and Lori had a fabulous timequizzing and arguing with him about his opinions on one of her favorite topics.Before she knew it, she glanced at the clock and saw it was eleven forty-five.

She gasped.“Wow. It’s almost midnight.”

Ander glancedover, and she could have sworn she saw a faint flash of surprise on his facetoo. “Did you want to do anything else in the last fifteen minutes?”

“No. I’vedefinitely had all I can take for tonight. You can take a shower, if you want.”

Ander thankedher. Then picked up his clothes and went into the bathroom. Lori pulled up thecovers, deciding she felt a little chilly.

When Anderreturned, fully clothed and characteristically cool and polished again, hepicked up the lube, extra condom, and the DVD and returned them to his case.

Lori got up andjoined him by the table. “Thanks again. I mean it. I can’t imagine anyone elsemaking it as easy for me as you did.”

“You’rewelcome. I hope you feel fully satisfied.”

“Definitely.You’ll get another glowing referral, if anyone asks me about you.”

He flashed hera quick smile, and she slid the envelope of cash toward him. As he put the moneyin his pocket, he said, “You can always schedule another engagement. There’splenty more we can do.”

“No, thanks,”she said mildly, stifling her urge to snicker at his excellent business skills.“I just wanted to do this. I’m good now.”

“All right.Just email me if you change your mind.”

She walked himto the door, where they looked at each other for a minute. Then Lori asked onefinal question. “How many virgins have you had sex with?”

Ander glancedaway, and she could tell he was trying to compose the best answer.

“The truth,”she said. “No pretending. How many.”

He let out abreath and met her eyes. “Just one. You’re my first.”

“Oh.” Sheswallowed. “You’re my first too.”

They saidgoodbye then. And as Lori watched him start down the hall, she acknowledgedthat he was probably one of the most fascinating people she’d ever met.

And really,really good in bed.

She’d done whatshe wanted to do. She was a virgin no longer. Now she could approach the restof her life without the burden that had been troubling her for years.

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