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.For a moment, she had the strangest thought that another soulstared out from those eyes.She wondered if that was what Dominic’s warning had meant.He snarled at her and she couldn’t help but cringe away from him.“No one leaves me without my permission.You’re mine, Teresa.You need to acceptthat I won’t give you up.Your soul is pure and just what I’m looking for.I’ll win youfrom him.I’m warning you, don’t make me fight for you.You won’t like the way I doit.”The bell over the door rang as a brunette woman walked in.Her quick glance took inthe scene at the counter.Whether she sensed the danger or not Teresa didn’t know, butshe thanked the woman in her heart for having the courage to come up to them.“I was wondering if you could help me.” Her voice held a hint of the Midwest in it.Her sharp gaze took in the tight grip Vincent had on Teresa’s arms.The woman’s coldeyes looked at Vincent and acknowledged the fact he was trying to intimidate Teresa.Vincent shoved her away from him.“Remember what I said.” He smiled at thewoman.“There’s always help for a beautiful woman.If I can be of any service to you,please don’t hesitate to call me.Here’s my card.”Teresa couldn’t believe he had the nerve to try to charm another woman when he hadjust been threatening her.The woman took the card, but didn’t say anything until afterVincent had left.Calmly tearing the card up, she looked at Teresa.“Are you okay?”“I will be.Thank you for stepping in like that.”“Men like him are a dime a dozen.Think they’re God’s gift to women and don’tbelieve any of us can resist them.He doesn’t realize God made us smarter than that.”She laughed.“Some women find him attractive.”“Those are the women who make the rest of us look bad.He’s not my type at all.”“What is your type? If you don’t mind me asking.”“My type is more outdoorsy, I guess.Tall, dark hair and very rugged.”“What does he do for a living?”“He’s an archaeologist.” The woman smiled.“As you can tell, I have someone verydefinite in mind.”Her clerk returned at that moment.Teresa studied the other woman.“My name isTeresa Ryder.If you don’t have any plans, would you like to join me for lunch?”“I’m Danielle Weston and I’d love to take you up on your offer.”Teresa grabbed her purse and they left.They were halfway through lunch whenTeresa realized she had never laughed so much with anyone besides Dominic.“I think I know what your type is.” Danielle sipped her glass of wine.“You do?”“Sure.Your type is like the jerk in the store, only about a hundred times better.He’ssophisticated, but not snobby.He has money yet isn’t obvious about it.Most importantly,he loves you beyond all reasoning and will do anything for you.”“Boy, did you hit it.” She smiled.“Then what’s the problem?”“We’ve been friends for five years and all of a sudden he decides he wants to bemore.”“Are you opposed to the idea?”“Not at all.I’ve been lusting after him from the second we met, but he’s so muchmore than any other person I’ve been with.I’m afraid I’ll disappoint him.” She blushed.“I can’t believe I’m telling you all of this.”“Don’t worry.I don’t know anyone in New Orleans except for you, so your secretsare safe with me.Just think of me as your guardian angel.” An ironic smile slid acrossDanielle’s face.“Has he ever indicated he wanted to change you?”“No.He’s always told me I’m perfect the way I am.”“You’ve known each other for five years.That’s plenty of time to learn a lot abouteach other.Does he have any annoying habits?”“None that I’ve seen.Something worries me at times.Dominic suffers from bouts ofdepression.I know he has nights where he doesn’t sleep at all.At times it seems like he’shearing or seeing things that I can’t.”“Does it scare you?”She shook her head.“He would never hurt me or harm himself.I just feel so helplessbecause I can’t do anything but talk to him.”I’m sure that’s the important thing for him.I’ve had moments like your friend andjust knowing there’s someone out there to talk to helps keep me from the edge.”“So you think I’m silly to worry about disappointing him?”Danielle reached out and touched her hand.“In the years I’ve lived, I’ve figured outthat regret is the hardest emotion to live with.Never do anything you’ll regret becauseyou’ll never forget it.I think you’d regret not taking the chance to fully love Dominic.Grab what he’s offering with both hands and enjoy it to the tiniest moment.You might besurprised to learn that your world will be complete when you’re together.”The sincerity in Danielle’s voice brought tears to her eyes.She knew that whetherDominic chose to seduce her that night or not, she would grab a hold of him and never letgo.“Thank you, Danielle.”“You’re welcome.Now I must be going [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]