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No!

But at least there would be a next time. He pushed himself to his feet. “Sit,” he said to Gary. Then he led the way out into the hall, closing the doors behind him.

“I’m going to pop up and have a last peek at Lulu.”

He nodded and leaned against the wall to wait.

“She’s out cold,” she said as she came back, stepping past him. It took a moment to realize she was going to leave. Without any comment on what had just happened.

“Have you nothing to say?”

She gave him a shrug. “Fate seems determined to stop us from making a mistake. Thank you, fate.”

That stung. “Yeah, it was a mistake. Maybe you should remember that next time you offer a desperate guy a blowjob.”

She scowled. “Hey, mister, I’m not the one who took half my clothes off, then shoved some poor unsuspecting woman’s hand down my pants, and proceeded to get a goddamn boner.”

“You know how long it’s been since a woman had her hands down my pants—”

“No, and it’s none of my business.”

“Maybe, but the answer is a hell of a long time. It would have been more worrying if I hadn’t gotten a boner.”

“For you maybe,” she muttered.

“Okay. I agree. In retrospect, maybe the whole striptease thing wasn’t a good idea.” His brain was slowly starting to work again. “But I was showing you my scars. You were the one who grabbed my dick.” He knew the argument was weak, and he blew out his breath. “Look, maybe it’s better we know and can be on guard.”

“Know what?”

“Know that it’s safer to keep our hands off each other. I wanted you the first moment I saw you. But we both know this sort of attraction never lasts. It’s sex. Nothing else. We’re as different as two people can be, and while opposites attract—it can’t last. And I don’t want Lulu hurt in the fallout.”

“Forewarned is forearmed. Next time you start stripping, I’ll run for the hills.”

“There won’t be a next time. The clothes stay on.”

“A pity in some ways, but at least we’re even on the orgasms.”

He could have done without her mentioning that. His dick twitched at the memory.

“So Diana is moving in. That should give you more freedom.”

He knew she was changing the subject. And part of him wanted to keep talking about sex. He shook his head and moved his mind to safer channels. “I’m taking on a new role. It will mean quite a lot of traveling, so a live-in nanny is a must. It’s never worked before, but I’m hopeful Diana will be okay.”

Something occurred to her. “Is this new job dangerous?”

He shrugged. “Maybe a little.”

She studied him for a minute, head cocked to one side. “And what happens to Lulu if anything happens to you.”

“My parents.”

“In Australia?”

He nodded.

“Then we’d better hope that nothing happens to you.”

And she was gone. He stared at the closed door, then gave a sigh and strode back to the kitchen. Gary had opened a beer and sat down at the table.