Page 40 of Dion

Odette turned slowlyto look at the woman. "You don't know what you’re saying."

"I’m awoman, my dear, and was married to a cold and distant man who made myand my son's life a living hell." Her eyes flickered over to theman in question, a small smile crossing her lips.

"I’vewanted him to be happy and my heart broke to pieces when he gotinvolved with that deranged woman. I tried to warn him, but she’droped him in and he wouldn’t listen to me." The smilefaded. "You’re good for him."

"We’re nottogether."

"Are you not?"A small, secret smile came and went. "I’m a woman,"She repeated. "I’ve also seen the way he looked at youwhen you came in. You’re no longer just a surrogate."

"Your son has along way to go and I -" She sipped champagne and forced herselfnot to look at him. "He’s damaged."

Putting her glass ona table, Ilene nodded in agreement. "That he is, and I have nodoubt you’ll be the one to fix that."

*****

"I ripped yourdress," He murmured, his fingers trailing down her naked back.

"You’regoing to have to replace it."

"I will."His fingers found the small of her back and drifted to her buttocks."What were you and Mother talking about?”

Shifting, she turnedonto her side to stare at him. “You, of course."

"You told herabout us?" He asked with a frown.

"Yes, Dion, Itold your mother that we’ve been having hot sex all nightlong."

He gave her a wrylook. "You’re not funny."

"Really?"She clamped her hand over his as it drifted to the triangle of curls."I thought it was. Who was the blonde who couldn’t detachherself away from you?"

"What blonde?"

"There were thatmany clinging to your arm?"

"Oh." Hisexpression cleared. "You’re talking about Josie."

"Josie Pike, thetalented actress. Of course. Were you lovers?"

He flushed a littlebit and she found it charming. "A long time ago."

"Before-"

"Yes."

“Why are you soupset?"

"I don't knowwhat we’re doing here."

"Want me tospell it out?" She asked casually, refusing to be nettled.

"I know what wejust did, Odette, I’m just wondering what - where this isgoing."

"You need me todraw you a map?"

He glared at herbefore looking away. "I’m not a moron."

"I know youaren't, but right now you’re behaving like one."

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