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“It was the lowest point ofafter Serena left, and to be knocked back like thatit

“If it wasn’t for Rocco and Christian and Zayed anchoring ht me to stand up after one of life’s knocks, that would have been me”

“I’m so sorry for your friend, Stefan But that would never be you God, I can’t even bear the thought”

“I have to stop him, Clio”

Nodding, she wiped her cheeks roughly “We will, Stefan I promise”

Just as his arut loosening, she stepped away from him “I’llI will leave you alone See you later”

“Running away again, bella?” he asked with a aze You touch me, you smile at me, you kiss me e are in public and theare we going to continue like this, Clio?”

Her steps faltered and she looked around

“I won’t let you turn sex into a transaction, Stefan I won’t join the leagues of women who have slid into this slot you have for them And you and me”

“What about you and me, cara?”

“I let one ht reason Wanting you, being near you, not touching you, it’s a lesson in itself,” she said, shocking him with her honesty

Her gaze glittered with a power he hadn’t seen The way she looked at hi—knocked his breath again and in a co else, buckled him

“But I can’t give in, Stefan I can’t just have sex with you and pretend like nothing has changed between us”

Stefan watched in rising fascination and frustration as she walked aithout looking back

Soed between them

He didn’t knohat Only that he couldn’t hide from the truth she had so neatly pointed out