"We did, but you were the first to mention him.""Well, now that I've forgotten about him, let's talk about your parents instead, and satisfy my curiosity about something that's been bothering me since you first mentioned it: you said they died in a car accident, so how come you were left with virtually no financial security? Normally, in such cases, there's a substantial settlement, especially when a minor is left orphaned." If she had pushed him to confront his own problems, his question prompted her to confront hers as well. She stated, "There was no payout from the accident." "Not in my favor, at least." "Why the devil not?" She squinted, as if closing her eyes might make the facts more bearable. It didn't work out. It had never happened before "My father was to blame. He was speeding and inebriated. Unfortunately, he and my mother were not the only ones who suffered. As a result of his actions, four more indi

He wanted to tell her not to think of it as making love. Be like the other women I've taken to bed and think of it as fun sex. But she was so enthralled that he couldn't bear to let her down. This, in turn, prompted him to stab her in the impregnable heart with another worrisome stab. She elicited in him a protective affection that he found both scary and inappropriate. She said she was able to read his thoughts with frightening insight "Chris, don't be concerned. I'm not so foolish as to believe that this weekend will usher in a long-term relationship. I'm not expecting a marriage proposal or a ring at the end of it."“Why not?” He had to bite his tongue to keep the question from flying out of his mouth. When he regained consciousness, he added, "I'm in no position to offer either, even if I wanted to. My job doesn't allow for that kind of devotion, and I doubt many women would put up with a husband who is gone more

Chris pulled the outboard engine clear of the water, and the bottom of the dinghy scraped onto the tiny strip of gravelly beach edging the island, and Lara concluded, "That's a terrific suggestion." Even while it was luxuriously comfortable, the yacht's major flaw was that it provided no way of escape if the debate became too heated. And it had veered dangerously close to disaster when she made the mistake of bringing up the subject of wanting to be needed. Her feelings for Chris, which she had been fighting so hard to keep hidden, would have burst out in a matter of minutes. She was able to reorganize while hiding behind her camera. She photographed wild geraniums and flamboyant poppies, as well as daisies and plants in mauve and white, while they were enjoying a spectacular last bloom before winter. She took a picture of the yacht, which was anchored comfortably in the secluded bay. Chris's beautiful smile, his chiseled profile, his lashes dipped to half-mast

He wished he'd kept his mouth shut as he heard her wariness moving closer to genuine dismay in her voice. However, he felt unclean and undeserving of her after palming her off with half-truths. Even if it didn't, he'd said too much already. "Yes," he confirmed. "To keep you out of my father's way. There's no fool like an old fool, so I decided to save him—and you—by diverting your attention away from an ailing old guy and toward someone who could better delight you." She shifted her gaze away from the yacht, as though enthralled by its clean lines, sparkling fiberglass deck, and oiled teak. "So, this weekend is all about making a point?" "No. This is where the issue arises. Now it's just you and me, with feelings I didn't expect. I tried telling you this the other night, but I couldn't bring myself to say it." She was oblivious to everything that was going on around her. Instead, she was stumbling to her feet

The nurse who took Lara's place felt relieved when she saw her arrival from the window. She snapped up her personal belongings and stepped towards the door not even bothered to say goodbye to Rocco. Lara eyes and mouth opened wide and her eyebrows raised when the nurse slammed the door shut, almost hitting Lara’s face."Wait, what happen?" Lara hurriedly opened the door and called the reliever, still puzzled on what’s going on.“I can’t take any more seconds staying in this house and look after with that sick damn old man. And don’t you ever call me again because I never want to work with him anymore.” Afterwards, the nurse scooted towards the residence gate.Lara let out a deep sigh, in the short time she was with Rocco she couldn't deny that he had a bad temper which was also the reason why he often couldn't get along with his son either. She was blessed to have a long patience and enabled her to tolerate his bad behavior. A