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Page 244
in front of her. She made herself laugh aloud. "Marriage? Who said anything about marriage? In my day . . . I mean, where I come from, there's no talk of marriage just because a couple of consenting adults have a little fun in the sack together."
He pulled the bedclothes over himself so only his chest remained exposed. If he only knew, Mariah thought, how much of a turn-on it was just to see this aspect of his gorgeous, masculine anatomy, or, for that matter, any other part of him, he'd pull the covers over his head.
Not that she wanted to touch him any more. Not now.
"Where is it," he asked, "that you come from? That is one of the many questions I wanted to ask of you. And have you had 'fun in the sack' with many men?"
He sounded so conversational that she wanted to hit him. Instead, she scurried around to the side of the bed to which he wasn't looking and began dressing. At least he had the decency not to look, but it took her forever, for her hands were trembling.
As she put on her clothes, she talked. "I'll answer your last question first. No, I'm very particular about whom I sleep with. Or I was, anyway. The only other man was one I trusted. We were engaged to be married until I learned he was no more reliable than any other man."
"I see." Thorn's voice was soft now, and sympathetic. "I am sorry, Mariah. You do not have to tell me anything more."
"Of course I do. Let's see. Your other question: Where do I come from? Well, all over, actually. You see, I told you once about my parents. My father believed in following his dreams, but they never, of course, came to fruition. I tried so hard to love him butwell, you don't want to hear that."
"Mariah, please do not misunderstand. I did not wish to hurt you. I never intended this to happen, but this was"
"Interesting, wasn't it? And rather fun. Though a one-time experience, I'm sure. No need for any more, not when that was so . . . well, pleasant. And final."
She didn't let him talk. She didn't want to hear any more of his apologies.

 
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