A Sensual Seduction

A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

A Sensual Seduction Adam Tremayne’s Story By Kate Hofman Adam Tremayne’s Poetry By Emma Keatley ©Copyright 2007 by Romance at Heart Publications E-Novels ISBN 10: 0-9799423-5-7 ISBN 13: 978-0-9799423-5-8 Edited by Karen MacLeod Cover Art by Jennifer Mueller Publication by Romance at Heart ©2007 http://rahpubs.com/

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information and storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away. It is an infringement on the copyright of this work and prosecutable under the laws of copyright. Novel Copyright © 2007 by Kate Hofman Poetry Copyright © 2007 by Emma Keatley Cover art by Jennifer Mueller Edited by Karen MacLeod First published by: Romance At Heart Publications http://rahpubs.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Romance At Heart Publications, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. Romance At Heart Publications First Electronic Edition By Romance At Heart Publications: December 2007

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

This Book contains two volumes: A Sensual Seduction by Kate Hofman ……… Page 5 Adam Tremayne’s A Sensual Seduction: Poetry by Emma Keatley ………………………. Page 189

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Dedications: Thank you, Rose, for your willingness to accept my book about a poet, and then include his poetry, not written by a hopelessly prosaic me, but by Emma Keatley! Thanks again. Many thanks, as always, to my friend Jennifer Mueller, that wonderful writer, for her cover art. You're a Renaissance woman, so talented in so many directions. Thanks again…

Kate… To Kate Hofman who liked my work and to my everlasting shock wanted to include it in her book "A Sensual Seduction," and sent some to her publisher Rose Brungard who................in turn, has taken a chance on me and is including my Poetry & Odes in Kate's book.......... Thank you ladies, so very much.

Emma…

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

A SENSUAL SEDUCTION Adam Tremayne’s Story By Kate Hofman Poetry by Emma Keatley

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley PROLOGUE

The Authors’ party given by Swanage & De Villiers at their Manhattan offices was very well attended, thought Annabel Browne, as she quietly slipped into the grand room. Her Editor waved to her, but she could see he was talking to two authors. Others smiled or waved, and she smiled back. A waiter offered her a tray with flutes of champagne. Annabel took one with a nod of thanks. She found a quiet corner by shelves holding books published by Swanage & De Villiers, and amused herself by checking some of the titles. A slim volume of poetry intrigued her, so she lifted it off the shelf. She put down her champagne and began to read, becoming quickly engrossed, reading aloud in a husky whisper: Feeling the way i do makes me a man amongst men, i am forever in your web, though the difference is i am not here to die, i'm here to live with you and only you. She looked up at the sound of a deep, slightly husky voice. “I find it incredible that a beautiful lady can’t find anything better to do than read poetry at a party.” She gazed into a handsome face, with a straight nose and a generous, beautifully sculpted mouth. Dark eyes sparkled under slim, black eyebrows, one of which was raised in amusement. She liked his rangy height, thinking him well over six feet, with a casual elegance that owed very little to his well-cut suit. She smiled, holding up the slim volume of poetry. “Actually, this is exceptional. That’s why you found me reading. I had intended merely to glance at it, but with his first few lines the poet had me riveted.” “I’m sure the poet would be delighted to hear that,” he smiled. He looked a little more closely at the young woman, and thought how much he liked what he saw. The top of her head only comes to my chin. And she likes – no – she said that she’s riveted by my poetry. A natural blonde, beautiful face, her eyes are an unusual color, long, dark lashes… He noticed that a waiter, thinking her champagne discarded, took it away. “Let me get you another?” he asked. She smiled and shrugged one elegant shoulder, murmuring, “No hurry.” “Don’t move… I’ll be back.” He disappeared into the throng. The moment he left, Annabel felt a little bereft. How is it possible that I should feel this way about a man I’ve exchanged half a dozen words with? Ah, but he was special – very special… Annabel’s rêverie was rudely interrupted by the strident voice of Marissa Driscoll, a woman who worked in the office, and was often the subject of Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley derisive gossip, she recalled. To her dismayed astonishment, she heard Marissa snarl furiously, “Listen, you slut. Stay away from him. He’s my man, and don’t you forget it.” Astonished, Annabel stared at her. “I think I’ve seen you in the office… Driscoll, yes. I’ve heard you talked about – a lot,” she said, her voice ice-cold. “You will moderate your voice and your invective.” Enraged, Marissa bit out, “Don’t get on your high horse with me. I know exactly who and what you are – the elusive Miss Annabel Browne, writer of filthy books. You’re so ashamed of them you use the name Anna Blackwell. You stay away from my man. Get out of here before he comes back.” Frantically, Marissa, several inches taller and a lot heavier than slender Annabel, began to tug at Annabel’s arm and succeeded in pulling her hastily through a side door into a corridor. “Get out and stay out, you slut, and leave my man alone,” Marissa snarled, giving Annabel a shove. Snorting with rage, her ample bosom heaving, Marissa stood menacingly between Annabel and the door. Thoroughly upset, Annabel decided not to risk returning to the party. A pity, because that man was really something… Still, if he’s involved with Marissa, notorious for her many amorous adventures, coarsely discussed in public… No. She’d be too crude for him. She just has the hots for him and tries to remove anyone he shows an interest in. Shrugging dispiritedly, she tried to dismiss the upsetting episode, but found that she couldn’t quite succeed in doing that. **** The man, the warmth in his voice, in his eyes, everything about him made it impossible for her to put him out of her mind.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Ocean Breeze, Florida

Chapter 1. Two months after the ill-fated publisher’s party, Luke and Angela MacLean had two friends to lunch – Hank St. George, a twenty-eight-year-old widower whose wife had died tragically a year ago, and Angela’s closest friend, Annabel Browne. Actually, Hank had invited himself, something he did when he could no longer stand his own cooking. “Luke, I’m really concerned about Adam Tremayne, my neighbor. Isn’t he a sort of cousin-in-law to you and Angela?” Hank paced up and down in the living room of his friends’ condo, his handsome face worried. “Yes, Hank. Alex Tremayne is my sister Lisa’s husband,” said Angela, coming into the living room with a platter of delicious looking nibbles. “Adam is his cousin. But in any case, he’s also a close childhood friend of Luke’s.” “Hank, will you sit down, this pacing is making me nervous,” Luke pleaded, moving to the drinks tray. He picked up the bottle of wine to give himself and Hank a refill of their pre-lunch drinks. Angela and Annabel shook their heads, smiling, at Luke’s invitation for a topping up. Luke went on, “We were delighted when Adam told us he had bought Eight-South. But Hank, how did you get to meet Adam, and what, exactly is making you so worried for him?” “We met when he first came to look at the place. I introduced myself and invited him for a drink. We hit it off right away; he’s an attractive, charming man. I saw him again when he brought his interior designer. But never mind that, now. “Adam arrived late last night, just as I was saying goodnight to a guest… No, no. Nobody special. You can remove that matchmaking glint from your eyes, Angela.” Hank grinned impudently at Angela, whom he suspected of gentle matchmaking propensities. He continued, “In any case, there was Adam. In spite of his tan he looked very pale, he seemed hardly able to carry his suitcase, so I hastily waved ‘goodnight’ to my guest, and hurried over to help. His suitcase was just an overnight bag, not heavy at all. He didn’t seem too steady on his legs, so I put my arm around him and literally helped him into the condo, into his bedroom, where he fell down on the bed fully dressed. So, with a bit of an effort I got his clothes off – most of them, and got him under the covers. “He seemed to be burning up with a fever, so I dampened a washcloth and laid it on his forehead. I got him a glass of juice from his refrigerator, and helped him sit up a bit so he could drink it. Helped him to the bathroom and back to bed. “I went in again this morning, and gave him some more juice, another bathroom visit, and I sponged him down a bit. But he’ll need nursing, won’t

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley he?” Hank’s handsome face wore a frown, and his deep blue eyes looked worried.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Angela, a vision in a soft yellow sundress, turned to Annabel, who had been silent so far. She was, by nature, a quiet person. Looking younger than her thirty years, Annabel wore a sundress of soft blue cotton, matching slides on her narrow feet. “Belle… You’re a practical nurse, aren’t you?” Angela asked. “Could you look after Adam for a bit? He’s right across from Hank’s place.” “Well, actually I’m a Health Care Aide, I passed the exam, so that I could nurse my Dad through his last illness, in Toronto, that was. And yes, I had heard about Adam Tremayne moving in. He’s the poet whose work I love.” She turned to Angela. “I was thinking that a poet, so sensitive, might not be too pleased to find a total stranger nursing him.” “Actually, he won’t be surprised to find someone coming to nurse him, because I said I would get one of ‘Manuel’s Maidens’ to come to his condo to keep it clean, make his bed, do laundry, all that. But I haven’t yet called Manuel, and you, with a health care diploma, would be so much better for him. He really needs more nursing than Manuel’s Maidens can possibly give. Well, Belle?” Annabel shrugged in surrender. “All right,” she agreed. “He needs nursing, and as I’m the only one who’s ever done that before, I guess I’m elected.” “By acclamation,” said Hank. “Belle, can you come with me now? I’m seriously worried about Adam just lying there, burning up with a fever.” “Yes, of course I will, Hank. Shall I stop off at the third floor to change from this sundress to something more formal, pick up my blood-pressure cuff, thermometer?” “No, let’s not waste time on that – Adam’s too sick to get worked up about what dress you’re wearing – I can pick up those medical things from your condo and bring them later,” Hank urged. “All right, then. I’ll come right away. Here’s my key, Hank, to pick up the cuff and thermometer.” “Hold on a minute, troops,” said Angela. “I just made some chicken soup, and you better take some up to him. If he’s burning up with a fever and doesn’t eat, he’ll get weaker, and will need a longer convalescence.” “True enough. Hank, you can carry the soup.” Hank and Annabel left the MacLean’s condo, and the prospect of a delicious lunch. Neither of them gave that a thought. When they arrived at Eight-South, Hank said, “It’s open,” moving the big handle down with his elbow, standing aside for Annabel to enter. “It’s me, Adam,” Hank called from the foyer. “I’ve brought your nurse.” If there was a reply, it was so low that Hank and Annabel didn’t hear it. Hank detoured to the kitchen, to put the chicken soup down, before leading Annabel to the master bedroom. Adam was lying on his back, eyes closed. Annabel stared. “Hank… This is that gorgeous man I told you about, whom I met at the publishers’ party. Oh, dear God… Well, never mind that, he obviously needs me to nurse him.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley She noticed that Adam’s face was pale, except for an unhealthy blush along his cheekbones, his forehead beaded with perspiration, his breathing rapid and shallow – definitely, he had a fever. “Hello,” she said softly. “Mr. Tremayne? I’m Annabel Browne. I’ve come to…” “I know…” Adam groaned. “Please… some water to drink. And…” “Right away.” Annabel hurried to the kitchen to fetch a glass of cold water. She went to Adam, putting her arm under his shoulders. He’s burning up with this fever… With an effort she managed to raise him to an almost sitting position, letting him lean against her shoulder. She held the glass of water to his lips. He drank thirstily, slumping back against her shoulder when he had drunk his fill. “That has done you good,” she murmured. “I think if you can swallow a couple of aspirins, it will help bring your fever down.” To Hank, she said, “Please check in his medicine cabinet for aspirin – if there isn’t any, add that to the items you’ve got to get from my condo, and get those things right now, will you?” Hank nodded, hastily disappearing into Adam’s bathroom. He returned almost immediately. “No aspirin. Well, what would a normally healthy guy like him be doing with aspirin? This fever must be some kind of anomaly. I’ll go get the cuff, the thermometer and aspirin… anything else?” “Yes, there’s some Tylenol there as well. Bring that, too. I’ll have to find out from Adam if he is, by any chance, allergic to aspirin.” “Aye, aye, capt’n,” said Hank, saluting, and hurrying out of the condo. **** “Help me to the bathroom…” Adam’s deep voice sounded a little panicky. “Immediately,” Annabel assured him, hurrying over to the bed, gently bringing her patient to a sitting position with his legs over the edge of the bed. Almost absently, she noticed his tanned, well-muscled thighs and well-shaped legs, his long brown feet. “Put your arms around my shoulders, so I can lift you to a standing position,” she said quietly. He did as she asked. Putting her arms around his back, she lifted. Once he stood on his feet, swaying, she put her arm tightly around his waist, draping his left arm around her shoulders, saying softly, “Lean on me.” Without another word, Adam did just that. When they got to the bathroom, she said, “You’re unsteady from the fever – would it bother you if I made you sit down?” He shook his head, merely whispering, “Hurry…” Quickly, she stripped his bikini underwear down, lowering him to the lavatory seat. She hurriedly withdrew. “Call me when you’ve finished.” She hastily went in search of pajama pants, and when she heard his voice, calling weakly, “Nurse…” she hurried to him, the pajama pants over her arm.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I think we’ll put these on you once you’re back in bed again,” she said calmly. Her eyes on his, she tucked a towel around his waist, then stripped his underwear off. “Thank you…” he breathed. Bending down to him, she felt him put his arms around her shoulders again, trying to help her lift him by pushing up as much as he could in his weakened state. Instead of putting him back in bed, Annabel guided him to a big wing chair across from the bed, sitting him in it. “I’m just going to remake your bed with fresh sheets,” she explained, smiling encouragingly. He nodded, leaning his head against the high chair back. Frowning a little, he gazed at her, confusion in his midnight dark eyes. After a few moments, he shook his dark head, closing his eyes. Clearly, the trip to the bathroom had exhausted him. A little later, Hank arrived back with aspirin, Tylenol, thermometer and cuff. “Thanks, Hank,” she said distractedly over her shoulder. All her efforts were concentrated on getting Adam out of the chair and back into bed. When he felt the clean, crisp sheets, he glanced gratefully at her and mouthed a thank you. She smiled at him. “I’ll get your legs into the pajama bottoms first, then I’ll slowly move them up under the towel. When I’ve got them on you, I’ll remove the towel.” “Thank you…” he said, his deep voice shaky. When she completed the task and whisked the towel away, she asked him, “Can you tell me whether you’ve ever taken aspirin?” He seemed to consider for a while, then he said slowly, “Yes… once… flu. My mother…gave me aspirin.” “And you felt no ill effects from it?” she persisted. He merely shook his head. “Good. Then I’ll bring you some water, and ask you to take two of these coated aspirins. They’re easier to swallow than uncoated.” Shaking two tablets onto her palm, stretching it out to him, and giving him the glass of water, he swallowed the tablets with some effort. “You’ll soon begin to feel better, when your fever starts to come down a bit. Then I’ll let you have a shower. You’ll feel better when you’re cooler.” “Yes… a shower,” he whispered. She smiled at him, and made him more comfortable against his pillows. “Try to get some rest, now,” she murmured. She was concerned to see how overtired he was – yet she couldn’t help thinking how gorgeous he looked, in spite of his fever. Hank had withdrawn to the bedroom door, watching Annabel with relief and gratitude. She suddenly thought Adam would be too weak to stand up in the shower. “Hank – I’m going to need a chair for Adam to sit in while he showers. I’ve got a couple of director’s chairs, folded up, in that chest on my balcony. They’re just white painted wood with yellow sailcloth crosspieces. Will you Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley please get one out for me and put it into his shower stall? I’m sure he’ll feel a lot better when he’s had a shower after the aspirin takes effect. All the same, I’d really like to have a doctor check him over. I feel I’m working without a net here.” Hank nodded his agreement. “Listen, my sister is married to a doctor, a great guy. I’ll ask him to come in and see what else needs to be done for Adam, all right?” “Thanks, Hank. I’d feel a lot better, nursing to a doctor’s instructions.” “I’ll just get that folding chair for you. Be right back.” Hank was just about to disappear, when she called him back. “Hank – could you possibly find an overnight bag for me, put in several days’ worth of underthings, and a couple of clean dresses? Anything will do… and my toothbrush, deodorant, that bottle of moisturizer lotion? You can find those things on the vanity in my bathroom. I know it’s an awful drag for you, having to search for ladies’ underwear, but I don’t think Adam should be left alone. Tonight, I’m going to have a quick shower here in his bathroom, put on some fresh clothes, and if you could bring that wing chair a lot closer to his bed, I’ll sleep in it. If he wakes in the night and needs something, I’ll be there for him.” “Of course, Belle – I’ll try to be as quick as I can.” “Take your time,” she whispered. “He’s fallen asleep – best thing for him. But please remember to ask your brother-in-law to come look at him.” “You can count on me, Belle. You’ve been such a help, pitching in here at a moment’s notice.” “Never mind that. I could see you were right, he needed me.” **** Several hours later, Annabel felt a great deal more confident about her unexpected nursing duties. Hank’s brother-in-law, Dr. Bill Reese, came as soon as Hank explained the situation. When Annabel showed him the fever chart and blood pressure readings she had recorded, marking the aspirins she had given the patient, he reassured her. “You’ve done everything just right. By all means continue to nurse Adam in exactly the same way. I’ll take a little blood for tests, in case the fever is due to some infection,” he explained. “I agree that the patient shouldn’t be left alone overnight, but I wonder if you should have someone to spell you?” Annabel shook her head. “I’ll get plenty of sleep in this chair, Doctor. Hank collected some fresh clothing for me in an overnight bag, so I’ll be able to stay here until the patient is a whole lot better. But I hope you’ll continue to look in on him, just to make sure I’m doing all that can be done. It’s some time ago that I got my Aide diploma in Canada, and I’d never forgive myself if Adam’s illness were to get worse, through some omission of mine…” Bill smiled at her. “Of course I’ll continue to look in on him. Meanwhile, don’t you wear yourself out too much.” “I won’t, Doctor. Thank you.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley She saw him politely to the door, quickly returning to Adam, who had woken up slightly during Bill’s examination, and was now fully alert. “Was someone here?” he asked, his voice sleepy. “Yes, Hank’s brother-in-law, an excellent physician. He said that what I’ve done so far for you is correct. He’ll come back tomorrow to see how you’re doing. He also approved my idea of taking you to shower, as you’ll feel better all freshened up. Tell me, do you feel you could do that now?” “Yes, I’d like that…” His voice was a little stronger. “Good. That’s what we’ll do. Your fever is slowly coming down, by the way, thanks to the aspirin. Dr. Reese approved the dose I’ve been giving you, so we’ll continue like that.” Annabel moved Adam’s legs over the edge of the bed, to help him up. He understood, and put his arms around her shoulders without being asked. Putting her own arms around his back, she began to lift him. Pleased, she noticed that he tried to help her by pushing himself up with his legs against the side of the bed, as she lifted. “Thank you. You helped me lift you. That must mean you’re beginning to feel a little better.” She had succeeded in getting him to his feet. Before she could take his left arm and drape it around her shoulders, he gripped her upper arm with his hand, which felt dry and hot against her skin. “Your skin… so cool,” he sighed. She smiled, holding his narrow waist firmly. “Lean on me,” she encouraged. When they got to the shower stall, she indicated the director’s chair Hank had put there. “I want you to shower sitting down until you feel stronger and the fever has come down quite a bit more, all right?” she suggested. He merely nodded. Reaching for the dial, Annabel turned it on, adjusting it to pleasantly warm, which was cooler than his skin temperature. “Hang on to the doorframe,” Annabel asked, as she stood behind him, deftly stripping him of the pajama pants. She carefully turned him around, her eyes on his, letting him down slowly into the chair. He sat down with a sigh. Quickly, she dropped a facecloth into his lap, her eyes never leaving his. Adam hastily adjusted the cloth to cover his genitals. “Thank you,” he sighed again. Then, to her consternation, “I’m sure I’ve seen you before…” “Well, I live in this building, on the third floor,” Annabel said, praying that Adam wouldn’t make the connection to their first meeting at the publishers’ party. She felt sure he’d be embarrassed to be nursed by someone he had met socially, however briefly. He merely nodded. Relieved, she asked, “While you’re in the shower, would you like me to wash your hair, perhaps?” Again, he nodded, with an almost inaudible “thanks.” She washed his hair gently, also massaging his neck, which seemed a bit tense to her. “Oh…” he said on a moan. “That feels so good…” “Does it? I’m glad. You seemed a bit tense to me. I thought if I could massage the tension away…”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley After the hair washing, she gently but thoroughly bathed him, finally slipping the soap into his hands, putting the removable shower head over his shoulder, with a slightly raised eyebrow. “I thought you might prefer to help me by washing your…” “Yes, oh yes, I would…” he said, his voice a little stronger. At last, she wrapped him in a bath sheet, and slowly helped him to the big wing chair, which Hank had positioned close to the bed. “Sit here while I dry you.” “Thank you…” he said, again. “But you got your dress all wet…” “It isn’t that wet,” she smiled. “It’ll dry soon enough.” Once she got him back in bed, a fresh pair of pajama pants on, she said, “Luke’s wife sent some chicken soup for you. Would you be willing to try some? It might help you fight the fever, and make your convalescence briefer.” “I’m not hungry, but if you think so…” Adam said doubtfully. “Of course you’re not hungry, having had this high fever for – how long, before you finally succumbed to it?” “Not long… it suddenly got worse – was that yesterday? When I came home?” “Yes, yesterday,” Annabel smiled. “And look how much better you are already.” “Yes, I am.” Adam’s voice sounded firmer. After he had eaten the modest portion of chicken soup she dished up for him, he leaned back against his pillows, fatigue etching his handsome face. “You’re tired from all this activity… Showering, getting dressed, eating soup — Small wonder. Why don’t you lie down and see if you can fall asleep again?” “Are you… leaving me… going home?” His slim, dark eyebrows drew together in a worried frown. Annabel shook her head. “No, I won’t leave you. Dr. Reese agrees that someone should stay with you overnight. I’ll sit here in this big wing chair, with my feet on the ottoman. I’ll be perfectly comfortable, and I promise you, even if I fell asleep, I’d hear you if you made the slightest sound.” “Not leaving me… Thank you,” Adam whispered. His long lashes drifted down, and his face relaxed in sleep. Adam’s fever began to leave him the next day and, although still weak, he felt a lot better, and began to take an interest in what was happening. “Should I pay you, or Manuel?” he asked suddenly. “Please don’t worry about that, Luke or Hank has taken care of it,” she said hastily. He nodded. “I guess I was lucky that Manuel sent you, and not some cleaner with no idea about nursing someone as sick as I felt.” “That could never have happened. Luke and Hank arranged for me to come,” Annabel smiled. “Do you think you could drink some cranberry juice? Perhaps eat some toast points with peanut butter – a good source of protein. I’ve also made a casserole with sliced chicken breasts, rice and veggies. It’s easy to digest, and I hope you’ll want to eat some of it later on.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Adam smiled tiredly. “It sounds delicious. Thank you. I hope Manuel pays you handsomely for all your talents – nursing, cleaning, laundry, cooking…” “Don’t worry about that for a single moment, it’s all taken care of.” **** The next evening, Annabel suggested Adam might like to sit in the big wing chair to have dinner on a tray. He was grateful for the suggestion. As he ate, he watched her deftly making his bed with fresh linen, laying out fresh pajama pants for him. When he had finished eating, he asked, “I suppose you’ll want to go home tonight? Several nights of too little sleep, sitting up in that chair…” It did not escape Annabel that the idea of her leaving him made Adam uneasy. “Not if you don’t want me to,” she said calmly. “You’re doing very well, and your fever’s come down a lot, but you’re still weak from it, and if you don’t feel confident of being able to get up in the night, to get a drink of water or whatever…” “Particularly ‘whatever’,” he said, with a rueful grin. “Would you really be willing to stay? You could sleep in the guest suite.” “But if I slept in your guest suite, I might not hear you when you called me. No, I’ll be perfectly fine sleeping in your chair, my feet on the ottoman. Don’t worry about me for a moment. I’ll stay the night with you, as long as you feel you need me.” “Thank you… so much.” Adam’s deep voice was husky with emotion. Then a thought seemed to hit him. “Tell me, what made someone like you, so very good at nursing, take a job as a cleaner with Manuel’s Maidens? And you live in this building? I don’t understand…” “I don’t go out doing cleaning for Manuel’s Maidens, I assure you. I’m merely available for nurse’s aide duties, that’s all.” She sounded far calmer than she felt. Why did Hank start this fairy tale about my being one of Manuel’s Maidens? Adam nodded quietly. “Yes, I see. I did wonder…” he said, his voice musing, his dark eyes gazing searchingly at Annabel, again. When Adam had been without fever for three days, Bill Reese declared himself satisfied with Adam’s progress. The blood work had come back ‘clean,’ he said. “So now all that remains is for you to get well again, eat nutritious food, drink lots of freshly pressed juice, and get all the rest you need. “You’ll have to be careful, because that fever weakened you. Take it easy, no chores, no excessive anything, while you’re convalescing, all right? But by all means go for short walks on the beach. I said ‘short’ – by which I mean that you can walk at most ten minutes in one direction, rest a bit, and back. Then I want you to sit down in one of those loungers around the pool, and catch your breath. Swim a few laps in the pool, but don’t you dare fight the currents in the ocean. Once you’ve got your strength back, you can do all those things again. Now, promise you won’t overdo.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Adam asked, “Would you prefer that my nurse accompanies me on those walks, sits by the pool while I swim?” “For the next little while, yes, that would be a good idea.” Adam glanced at Annabel. “Would you be able to stay with me a while longer, to supervise my convalescence, as it were?” “Of course I will,” said Annabel easily. “Thank you.” Adam’s slightly husky voice was low. That afternoon, Luke and Angela came by. Annabel made tea and cinnamon toast for all, and after serving it, she wanted to withdraw to remake Adam’s bed with fresh linen. Adam would not have it. “Annabel… Please, sit down and have a cup of tea with us?” “I was just going to put fresh sheets on your bed, and wash the ones I’ve stripped off,” she said apologetically. “Can’t you do that a little later? You’ve done nothing but work ever since you came here. I’d like you to sit down and have tea with us, and meet my friends.” “Oh, I know Luke and Angela,” Annabel smiled. “Of course you do – that’s how they managed to find you to nurse me,” Adam recalled. Annabel nodded. “I’ll be pleased to have a cup of tea with you.” **** A week later, Annabel said goodbye to Adam. “I’ve made a few casseroles ahead. They’re in your freezer, and one is in your refrigerator. I’ve written on them how many minutes, how hot the oven should be, so at least you’ll have nutritious food for a while to help you get your strength back. All your laundry is done, and I’ve just put fresh sheets on your bed. Well, I guess that’s all I can do for you.” Feeling inexplicably sad, Annabel gazed into his dark eyes, noticing for the first time that they were a dark indigo, with sapphire lights in their depths. With an effort, she looked away. “Goodbye, Mr. Tremayne. Get completely well quickly, and stay well,” she said, her voice none too steady. Unhappy and dejected, Adam said, “No. That isn’t quite all. For one thing, please don’t call me ‘Mr. Tremayne.’ My name is Adam. Won’t you please call me by my name? And I owe you an enormous debt of gratitude. Tell me, would you have dinner with me sometimes? Once I’m well again? I mean – that wouldn’t be some breach of medical protocol?” “No, of course not – Adam…” she said hesitantly, and hoped he hadn’t heard how her voice lingered on his name. “Well, Annabel? Will you have dinner with me – soon?” “Thank you – Adam… I’d love to.” Her voice was very soft.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 2. Two weeks later, Angela telephoned Annabel with an interesting invitation. “We’ve invited Adam to come to dinner tonight. Please, will you come, too? Luke and I have been keeping an eye on him, and he seems to miss you very much. He’ll be so very pleased to see you again. Do say you’ll come?” “Ange, it’s just possible that you’re mistaken – oh, not about Adam missing me, a patient always misses his nurse, for a while at least. But he was so ill, so helpless in the beginning, he may not be too pleased to think back to those days…” “Belle, I’m sure you couldn’t be more mistaken. Didn’t you tell me Adam asked if you’d like to have dinner with him, once he is quite well again? Well, then. In any case, Luke and I won’t take ‘No’ for an answer.” “Well, if you’re sure… Thank you, I’d love to come. What time are you thinking?” “Come about six o’clock. We’ll eat about seven, in case Adam is still a little fragile, so to speak. Of course, if he feels up to it, we can continue to sit around and talk after dinner.” Annabel spent the morning washing her hair, painting her fingernails and toenails a delicate shimmery pink. The afternoon was spent wondering which dress to wear. As soon as she decided on a certain dress, she wondered if she should choose another. Finally, at five minutes to six, she decided to wear the first dress she had picked, a delicate blue-green silk that echoed the color of her eyes. Her elegant feet in matching sandals, she hoped no one would guess how her heartbeat speeded up at the mere thought of seeing Adam Tremayne again. Shortly after six, she knocked at her friends’ door. Luke opened, and hugged her hospitably. “Belle, we’re delighted you could come.” He guided her into the living room. “We have another dinner guest – perhaps you remember him?” With that, Luke let her precede him to the living room. As she approached, a smile on her face, Adam rose to his feet, to greet his fellow dinner guest. When he saw Annabel, he paled visibly, his dark eyes coldly furious. “You,” he said. “You deceived me – you’re not a freelance nurse from Manuel’s Maidens, you’re the woman I met at that party at Swanage and DeVilliers. You said you’d wait, as I was getting you some champagne, but you left with another man. Mrs. Driscoll told me.” Taken aback at his anger, Annabel whispered, “Adam… I never lied to you… And I didn’t leave with another man. Marissa Driscoll told me you were her man. She forced me out of the room and shoved me down a corridor, and… Also, I never said I worked for Manuel. There was a reason why I didn’t tell you that we had met at that party…”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Oh, I’m sure you have some excellent reasons why you pretended to be a complete stranger,” Adam said scathingly. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth? I thought we were friends – that you were a nurse…” “I am a nurse – well, a nurse’s aide…” Annabel said desperately. Adam ignored her. “You’ve seen me… without my clothes. Nude. You’ve done things…for me that I…” His thin, sensitive nostrils flared. A spasm of pain passed over his sensitive mouth. He remained standing, towering over her. He definitely is well over six feet… Yes, and he despises me… Desolate, Annabel protested, “Adam… Please, will you listen to me for a moment? When I first saw you, even ill as you were, I realized you’re a most private person. I thought it would be easier for you accepting me as your nurse, allowing me to do the things I had to do for you, if you thought I was a stranger.” “Was that why you kept calling me ‘Mr. Tremayne’ — and — ‘Sir’?” he bit out. “No, Adam. I did that so that you would be able to retain your dignity. I don’t agree with the modern habit of staff in doctors’ offices calling patients by their first names. It strips them of their dignity. I wanted to avoid that for you. That’s why I called you Mr. Tremayne. Not to fool you… And I thought, if you believed I was paid to nurse you, you’d find it easier to tolerate my hands on your person…” Annabel turned to Luke and Angela, her face deathly pale, tears in her eyes. Her voice breaking, she whispered, “When you invited me, I said that it might not be a good idea for a patient to meet his nurse in a private, social situation. You see that I was right. Ange, Luke, would you please allow me to go home…?” She turned to face Adam, her eyes now suffused with tears. Her voice barely audible, she said, “Goodbye Adam. I hope you’ll soon be quite well again. Please believe me, I meant no deceit, no disrespect. And I did not leave the publishers’ party with another man. The Driscoll woman made me leave because you were hers, she said.” Annabel swallowed painfully and went on: “As for seeing you nude, if you will reflect, you’ll perhaps recall that I looked only into your eyes when I had to touch you below the waist, and that I kept you covered at all times… I did that to respect your privacy, which I sensed was vitally important to you. Because, as soon as I saw you lying there so ill, I realized you were the man I had been so very happy to meet at that party. And when Luke and Angela told me your name, I realized you were the poet whose verse I was admiring when you came to talk to me... So I tried to find ways to nurse you without distressing a man so sensitive – well, how else could you have written the poetry that had me riveted…” Her voice broke, and she shrugged in defeat. “Oh, what’s the use… you believe Driscoll, and you loathe me…” Impatiently, she dashed away the tears she could no longer control, turning away. To his dismay, Adam realized Annabel was trembling. He hastily captured her hand, taking it in both of his, bringing it to his lips, holding it between his palms. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Annabel… Forgive me for the way I spoke to you. You see, I called Manuel and asked if I could hire you back, because I found that I missed you, your calm competence, and the way you dealt with me so delicately, so imaginatively. The people at Manuel’s said they had never heard of you. “I can’t tell you how much that upset me. One day, when I was lying in bed, thinking about you, I remembered just exactly where I had seen you before. And I remembered that Mrs. Driscoll had said you’d gone away with another man. You can’t imagine how distraught I felt. “Please, Annabel… Won’t you come sit here with me? I would’ve thought you’d want to check my pulse at least?” She gave him a shaky smile. “If you’re sure, Adam? Really sure?” “Oh yes, I am, Annabel. Very sure. I realize now that Mrs. Driscoll lied to me, as she lied to you, when she said I was her man. I couldn’t bear the thought of being with someone so coarse and vulgar. Will you believe me, Annabel?” He was still holding her hand between his, pulling her with him to the sofa, where he seated her with great solicitude, before sitting down beside her. “I’d already come to that conclusion, Adam, as Driscoll dragged me away,” Annabel whispered. Luke and Angela glanced at each other, heaving deep sighs or relief. “Well, thank heaven,” said Luke. “Wine for you, Belle? More for you, Adam?” Annabel gave him a tremulous smile. “Thank you, Luke. Yes, I think I need some wine right now…” Contrite, Adam remarked, “My fault for upsetting you the way I did. Please say you forgive me, Annabel?” She gazed into his dark eyes, relieved to see concern there, and something else — something she couldn’t put a name to. “Adam, there’s nothing to forgive. Of course you must’ve felt deceived, upset, when Driscoll told you her lies about me… I had intended mentioning that we’d met at that party, but when we were saying goodbye, I forgot all about it…” “All the same, Annabel, I ask you most sincerely to forgive me. I do recall how delicately and sensitively you dealt with me. How your eyes never left mine when you sat me down in the shower… I can never thank you enough for…” Adam’s deep voice, none too steady to start with, ended up shaking so much that he could not finish what he had begun to say. But then, she knows it all, he felt sure. Slowly, Annabel stretched out her hand and gently put it over his. Before she could respond to Adam’s words, the front door of the condo opened, as Hank came in. Tall, rangy, he wore a natural linen suit, with his trademark blue silk shirt echoing the color of his eyes. His honey-blond hair was untidy, as usual, because he would drive his fingers through it from time to time. “Luke, Angie,” he said, hugging Angela. “Honey, you look good enough to eat with a spoon,” he added, admiring the elegant yellow silk dress she was wearing. “Hank. Good to see you, and you can stop flirting with my wife right now,” Luke grinned, going to the drinks tray to pour him a glass of wine. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Oh, well, if you won’t let me flirt with Angie, I’ll just have to start on Belle,” said Hank happily. He moved over to the sofa where Adam and Annabel were sitting. “Belle, honey,” he said, bending down to kiss Annabel on the cheek. “Couldn’t resist trying some more of your medical tricks on Adam, right? And Adam — Glad to see you so well.” “Good evening, Hank,” said Adam quietly. “And you can stop flirting with Annabel, too, if you don’t mind. I need her full attention focused on me, to make sure I’m convalescing satisfactorily.” “Dear God, man, you’re certainly getting a lot of mileage out of a few days’ fever,” Hank grinned. He accepted the glass of wine Luke offered him, taking a big sip, before throwing himself into one of the big yellow chairs. “I’m surprised to see you here, Hank. Pleased, of course, but surprised,” said Angela. “I thought you were having a heavy date with Judy Gardner?” “Yes, but that’s not until later. She’s doing interiors for a very difficult couple, and they insisted that she come over this evening to make some changes…whatever.” “I’m sorry to hear that,” said Annabel. “I told Judy not to answer the phone, but I’ve often observed that Judy can’t say ‘No’…” “She can’t? I’m certainly glad to hear that,” said Hank. “You guys know me, I’m just no good with romantic chatter.” “Ha!” said Luke. “I can’t recall ever hearing of you having to talk a woman into anything. They put the make on you, and you decide which of ’em you’ll graciously allow to be your playmate for a while.” “Luke, you make me sound like the king of the flings,” Hank objected. His eyes on Annabel, Adam said quietly, “Well, Hank, if you’re serious about a lady, when the opportunity arises, why not say, ‘Am I feeling this alone?’ If she then asks ‘What?’ – well, frankly, I don’t give a whole lot for your chances, but what if she says…” Adam looked straight into Annabel’s eyes, “No, you’re not feeling this alone.” Annabel gazed back at Adam, and said softly, “She’ll probably say, ‘we haven’t known each other very long, perhaps if we took things slowly?’” Adam smiled lazily at Annabel, idly picked up her hand. “Yes, of course, if they’re just interested acquaintances… but what if their brief time together had been very intense… Then things could surely move more quickly?” He lifted Annabel’s hand, and added, ostensibly to Hank: “Perhaps you could also kiss her hand… like this.” He brought Annabel’s long fingers to his mouth, kissing them lightly. “And then, you could do this…” Adam turned Annabel’s hand and pressed his mouth to her palm. “Thanks. Those are great ideas, Adam,” said Hank, one eyebrow lifted at his friend. “And you sure got a lot of flirting done, demonstrating with Belle, ostensibly for my benefit.” Adam rose to his feet and held out his hand to Annabel. Bending his dark head to her, he invited, “Come look at the ocean with me?”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Annabel slipped her fingers into his, allowing him to help her up from the sofa. “Yes, I’d like that,” she said softly. “Thank you, Adam.” She smiled at the others, adding, “We won’t be long…” “That’s what she thinks,” Hank murmured to Luke and Angela, who nodded delightedly. “I’m glad I did a spiral-cut ham this evening, I’ll just turn the oven down a bit.” Angela threw a very pleased glance at the balcony doors. Adam moved Annabel away from the sliding doors, so that those in the living room couldn’t overhear them. “Annabel – contrary to what Hank said, I wasn’t flirting,” he assured her quietly. “I know that, Adam…” she barely whispered. “Well? Am I feeling this alone?” “No, Adam. I feel it, too. The question is — what are we feeling? It’s not unusual for a patient to feel attracted to his nurse. Or for a nurse to feel something for a man – particularly a very attractive man – she’s been nursing for a while. Adam, could we go a little slowly? Because I couldn’t bear it if we began a love affair, and after a while, all your health and strength restored, you decided it was a mistake…” “Annabel… You can’t believe I’m that shallow. That I would lead you into a love affair when all I felt for you was gratitude and sexual attraction? I thought you knew me better than that.” He frowned anxiously, trying to look into her eyes in the fading light. “Adam, of course I do know that you’re capable of deep feeling. After all, I’ve read your poetry. I just wonder if we should go a little slowly until we know what we do feel for each other? Adam, I haven’t been very lucky in love – just one love affair that ended most humiliatingly, not to say disastrously. It took me a long time to regain my self-respect, my natural balance, if you will. I don’t ever want to go through that again…” “Annabel…my very dear Annabel. Don’t you realize that I would die rather than make you unhappy? I don’t know if it is in my power to make you happy, but I would certainly try, with every fiber of my being, if you would entrust your heart to me, one day. Annabel, please?” His deep voice shook, as he slowly wrapped her in his arms. Not tightly, but lovingly. Bending his dark head softly brushing his mouth over hers. He was pleased when he heard and felt her sharp little intake of breath. “Annabel, honey, I promise we’ll go as slowly as you need us to go. But please, will you agree that we explore these feelings we have for each other? For I don’t think these are patient/nurse feelings at all. Even when I was so ill with the fever at its height, I kept thinking of being well again, when I’d want to be close to you, with you leaning on me.” He kissed her again. “Oh, Adam…” she whispered and, to his enchantment, Annabel kissed him back. Softly, gently, it’s true, but he did not want to make love to her passionately on their friends’ balcony. There would be time later, when they were alone together. He smiled at her, and for a moment he tightened his embrace. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Shall we go back to the dinner party?” he asked.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 3. Dinner was delicious, the conversation witty and amusing, but Adam, usually a fan of Angela’s cooking, barely noticed what he ate. He took but little part in the bantering comments of the others. All he could think of was, after dinner, he would invite Annabel back to his place or, if she preferred, he would go with her to Three-South. Wherever they ended up, he would ask her about the unhappy love affair that had made her more cautious toward him than he felt he deserved. Hank was the first to excuse himself. Judy had promised she would telephone as soon as she had finished with her clients. Understandably, he did not want to risk missing her call. Adam felt he couldn’t immediately excuse himself and Annabel. These good friends had gone to some trouble to make sure this evening was pleasant for him, and had given him a superb dinner. His handsome face betrayed nothing of his inner impatience, while he sat over coffee with Annabel and their hosts. After about twenty minutes, Angela grinned, “Adam – we know you’re still convalescing, and we’d hate for you to stay longer than your body can stand just because you’re too polite to leave early. If you’re tired, by all means, go home with our blessing. And, if you can persuade your former nurse to give you a bed check…” Annabel blushed, and Adam was enchanted. “Ange, Luke – you’ve got to be the very best friends a man could ever have. Not only do you give me a delicious dinner with a delightful fellow guest, but you also make it easy for me to leave rather earlier than I would’ve otherwise. I’m most grateful on all counts, because I am beginning to fade a little. And now, if I could possibly persuade my former nurse to come with me…” Adam got to his feet, holding out his hand to Annabel, who allowed him to help her up. “Can you imagine what Hank would’ve made of the ‘bed check’ angle,” said Luke, grinning at his friends. Predictably, Annabel blushed again. Adam put a protective arm around her. Luke slanted a glance at his wife, and they smiled at each other. “Angela, many thanks for having me to this spectacularly delicious dinner, and for giving me a chance to find Annabel again, at last,” said Adam, kissing Angela’s cheek. He turned to Luke. “I owe you, Luke.” Luke shook his head. “No, no… anything we did was between old friends, you know that, Adam.” He put his hand on his friend’s shoulder, pressing it lightly. Annabel hugged Angela and Luke in turn. Her face looking happy for the first time in weeks, she whispered: “Thank you so very much,” to Angela, who smiled.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Any time, honey.” Finally, they reached the elevator. Adam pressed the button for ‘up.’ To his secret relief, Annabel did not protest. When the elevator came, he guided her inside, standing quietly with his arm around her until they were at the eighth floor. Adam opened his apartment door and gestured to the living room. He was inexpressibly delighted when she quietly sat down on his sofa. He remained standing as he asked, “Will you have something to drink, Annabel? Some Perrier, perhaps?” She smiled her thanks. “Yes, please, Adam. Let me help you?” He shook his head. “You’re not my nurse any more. I’ll get the Perrier.” He returned quickly with the Perriers, setting them on the coffee table. He sat down beside her. For a while, they quietly sipped. At last, Adam remarked, “Annabel, honey. I can’t help feeling that the unhappy love affair you mentioned has made you wary of me. Perhaps if you told me about it, we could get past this? I can imagine that such an experience has made you cautious. On the other hand, I thought you had got to know me fairly well all the time you nursed me? You said you realized Mrs. Driscoll lied about my being her man. You must know that I’d do anything to protect you from any hurt at all.” As he spoke, he took her hand in his, gently caressing her fingers, slowly lifting them to his mouth. He began to kiss each finger separately, his midnight dark eyes gazing into hers. She nodded and said slowly, “Adam, you’re quite right, of course. I shouldn’t let an unfortunate past experience influence my behavior to you.” She smiled at him, gazing more intently into his eyes. Softly, she said, “Yes, I was right, your eyes are almost black – actually a very deep, dark indigo. When you glanced at me just how, I saw sapphire lights dancing in your eyes. Just as there sometimes are sapphire highlights in your hair, so black… “Oh, I do beg your pardon, going off at a tangent like that. I tend to do that when I’ve been under a little stress, as I was…earlier. Adam… Are you sure you’ve forgiven me for not telling you where and when we met before?” She gazed intently at him. Adam responded by bringing her hands again to his mouth, kissing the palms, the inside of one delicate wrist. “Annabel, I wish I could make unsaid the words I spoke to you when I first saw you again. Please realize that I began to miss you from the moment you said goodbye. After a couple of days of being miserably unhappy, I thought I’d hire you back, if you would come… And then, when it finally dawned on me where I had seen you before, the woman who had made such a deep impression on my heart, who had left with another man— I didn’t know what to think. Not only were you lost to me, I thought you had deceived me deliberately. I began to wonder if I had imagined the feeling of closeness between us, because if there was another man in your life, obviously, you didn’t give a damn for me… “ Annabel lifted a hand to caress his lean cheek. “No, you didn’t imagine that feeling of closeness between us. I felt it, too.” Her soft voice was almost

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley inaudible. “Didn’t you realize, when I agreed to stay with you for all that time, there couldn’t be another man in my life?” Adam turned to her, wrapping Annabel in his embrace, drifting soft kisses all over her face and throat, ending with her mouth — her deeply kissable mouth. “Ah, honey…” he sighed. He began to kiss her, gently at first, but feeling her lips part for him, he tightened his embrace, slanting his mouth over hers, hungrily. His tongue curled around hers, doing a little mating dance before exploring the depth of her mouth, finding the honeyed sweetness there that he craved. “Annabel….I love the taste of you. Tell me I’m not feeling this alone,” he implored, kissing her again. Euphoric, he felt her kissing him back, her tongue touching his, licking the inside of his mouth in turn. “Adam, I love the taste of you, too. And you’re not feeling this alone, don’t you know that?” she whispered against his mouth, the tip of her tongue outlining his lower lip, so eminently kissable. Moments later, he bent his dark head to the deep V in her dress, pressing his mouth passionately between her breasts, the scent of her skin making him lightheaded. He gently pulled her dress aside, kissing the sweet curves he bared. He was ecstatic, feeling her fingers in his hair, cradling his head to her breasts. “Annabel…my darling, the fragrant scent of your body makes me feel dizzy,” he whispered against her skin. Instantly, she was concerned, wondering if perhaps he wasn’t dizzy from the scent of her skin, but from fatigue. “Adam, maybe this is tiring you too much. Should you, perhaps, lie down? We can continue this whenever you feel rested enough…” Impatiently, he hugged her more tightly. “The only way you’ll get me to lie down is if you’ll lie down with me,” he said hotly. “By the way, just for the record, you’d be quite safe with me, because since that fever exhausted my natural vitality, my libido has been at a very low ebb.” “That’s usual, Adam. When you get your strength back, that will come back, too. But I’m wondering if you’ve been overdoing things a bit? A couple of weeks ago, you were free of fever for three days in a row, which means that that was over and done with. You should be feeling almost your usual self, by now.” Uneasily, Adam said, “Well… I was so very upset when I realized where I had met you before, and started taking far longer walks than the ten minutes each way that Bill Reese allowed me. I went to your condo, but there was no one home, and I wondered if you had lied about that, too. I went for walks in the village; looking into shops, because I was determined to find you, demand an explanation from you. So that’s probably why I’m a bit behind schedule with my convalescence…”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Adam, I’m so sorry. Please, forgive me?” she whispered, her mouth on his throat. He thought he would die from the depth of feeling she awakened so easily in him. He closed his arms around her and rose from his sofa. “I think I would like to lie down with you for a while,” he sighed. He began to walk to his bedroom, his arm around her, halting when he couldn’t resist wrapping her in a passionate embrace, his mouth on hers. When she felt the hard, heavy length of his erection against her lower body, she said, surprised, “Adam… I think you’ve underestimated your libido by quite a bit…” Astonished, his eyes widened, his hands gripping her pelvis, bringing her body still closer, letting her feel all of him. After a moment, he stepped back, his deep voice sounding stricken, “I didn’t mean to do that, Annabel, honey. This was as much a surprise to me as it must’ve been to you, after I said my libido was at an all-time low. Please believe me, I feel more for you than I’ve ever felt for anyone in my life. But I’ve never forced myself on a woman, and I certainly don’t intend to start with you.” Annabel let her eyes drift down his stunning, tempting body. “Adam, I shouldn’t think you’d have to,” she murmured. Delighted, he threw back his head and laughed, showing his very white teeth. “Will you lie down with me?” His deep voice was unsteady. She nodded. “Of course I will.” When he bent down and she realized that he was about to lift her in his arms, she quickly took a step back, protesting, “No, no. You shouldn’t carry me – you’re still convalescent. Tell you what. Put your arm around me, and let me lean on you. Mmm?” He laughed. “What a very good idea. Why don’t we do that?” Once they were in his bedroom, by his bed, he turned back the duvet with an impatient hand, gesturing for her to lie down. Standing on tiptoe Annabel gave him a soft little kiss on the mouth, whispering, “See you soon, Adam. I know this is your side of the bed, so I’ll walk over to the other side. You come lie down, now.” Adam had taken off his jacket as they entered the condo. Now, he removed his tie, undoing the tight first button of his pale shirt, a perfect foil for his dark suit. Not sure whether Adam wanted her to take off her dress, Annabel decided to wait until he asked her to remove it, and lay down beside him. “Annabel… Please, come lie in my arms? In those endless days without you, I finally understood that I’d fallen deeply in love with you… in spite of what Driscoll told me. It took me a while to realize, because I never could give my heart easily. That’s what ate away at me – that I might never see you again… would never be able to tell you I was in love with you…” His voice shaking, he hid his face against her hair, tightening his passionate embrace, hands caressing her everywhere he could reach. “Oh, Annabel…” he moaned. She willingly responded to him, her arms holding him tightly. Annabel moved back slightly, so that her fingers could reach the buttons of his shirt. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Adam felt her opening his shirt, caressing his deep chest, his ribcage with eager hands. “Adam…” she whispered against his chest, pressing her mouth to one flat, male nipple, which quickly pearled up, while she teased the other with a fingernail. After a while, she felt his hands explore the back of her dress, hearing his voice, a little huskier than usual, asking, “How does this come off?” “There’s a zipper…” Afraid he might find it difficult, she added, “I can reach back and unzip, Adam…” But his talented fingers had found the tab, slowly moving it down. He pulled the little cap sleeves gently down her arms, baring her breasts to his enchanted gaze. With a groan, he cupped her left breast in his hand, fascinated to find it fit his palm enticingly. Bending his head, Adam began to lick and kiss his way to one rosy peak, delighting in feeling it harden and stiffen against his tongue. He suckled, captivated when he felt Annabel sink into him, sighing his name. He turned to her other breast, giving it his rapt attention. “I’m getting your dress all crumpled. Better take it off,” he sighed. She could only nod, lifting her hips so that he could strip the dress completely off. Moments later, he examined her little tanga, a band of lace with a crosspiece between the legs. She heard an appreciative murmur, as he moved this last item of clothing off her hips and down her legs. Spellbound, he gazed at her body. “So beautiful…” he whispered, tightening his embrace again. “Adam…?” Her soft voice pleaded with him. Instantly, he focused his attention on her, delighted to find that she was trying to pull up his shirt to undo the remaining few buttons. He hastened to help her, undoing his belt and the fastener at the top of his trousers. With one hand, he pulled up his shirt, with the other he kept caressing her satiny back. Annabel quickly undid the last buttons moving the shirt off his shoulders, down his arms. He thought she would now give her attention to his trousers. Instead, he found her pressing her mouth to his powerful chest, licking her way along the beautifully delineated pecs, teasing first one, then the other nipple with the tip of her tongue until they pearled up again. She was delighted to find that he had just two delicate swirls of black hair around his nipples, and a subtle trail of fine black hair at the edge of his pecs. These formed a line of silky black hairs leading down to his navel and beyond — she planned to follow that trail with her mouth. Giving Adam a grateful glance, Annabel realized he had already opened the fastening at the top of his trousers and, hiding her face against his chest, she slowly lowered the zipper. Smiling, he helped her by stripping his trousers down, lifting himself off the bed on one arm, with muscles suddenly feeling more powerful than they had been for some time. There was only his silk bikini to be removed. Slowly, she lifted her head from his chest, whispering, “Adam…” To him, it seemed a plea. Holding her tight, he quickly stripped his bikini off him with one hand.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley At last, he was as naked as she. She lifted her eyes to his, only to see him wink lazily at her, whispering, “No need to avert your eyes any longer. Lovers look at each other. Annabel, my darling, I need to make love to you — so very much. Will you?” “Adam, that’s something you need never ask,” she whispered against his mouth. And so their night of love began. At first, Annabel was afraid that this would prove too tiring for Adam, but he shook his head, whispering, “Touch me…” Hesitantly she did, her hand taking hold of his penis, so heavy, so hard and long. She gasped, awed by the sheer size of him. I hope I’ll be enough for him… At the same time, she realized that, wherever his hands touched, they created erogenous zones for her. He caressed her body everywhere, until she melted even more deeply into him, whispering the one word, “Please…” Adam quickly slipped Annabel beneath him, delighted when he felt her open to him, unasked, as he knelt between her slender thighs, stretched out his hand to her most intimate folds, and felt the wetness there. More than anything, he wanted to drive himself into her and fill her with one deep thrust, but she seemed so fragile, so shy. Instead, Adam entered her slowly, waiting until… with a barely breathed “Oh…” Annabel stretched to take him, tightening around him again. When he was sure that she was comfortable with most of him inside her, he found a seductive rhythm for them which brought her hips up higher, enabling him to give her all of him. So began a sensual extravagance that was new for both of them. It wasn’t long before Adam began to wonder about his control. His previous love affairs had been pleasant, certainly, the women sophisticated, and more than willing, but the encounters had merely meant exercising his considerable sexual skills. This time was very different— Just then, Adam felt the tiniest contractions deep inside Annabel, and he thrust faster, deeper, while her pelvis made little circular movements that excited him beyond anything he had ever felt, until she came apart in his arms. Her whispered “Adam…” fired his blood as nothing ever had, and as no one else ever could. He felt the familiar tingle at the base of his spine, foretelling a shattering orgasm. He could no longer hold himself back from moaning Annabel’s name as he spilled into her, spilled and spilled, flooding her depth with his seed. Adam felt his body shaken by surpassing rapture, as her most intimate muscles clenched and released around him rhythmically, and they were joined together by the act of love, reaching a zenith where neither of them had ever been before. When Adam could think again, he tried to lift himself away from Annabel, but she would not have it. She wrapped her legs around his — whispering urgently, “Don’t leave me, Adam. You feel so very good in me.” Adam smiled, hugging her for a moment. He became aware of her eyes searching his face anxiously — probably worried that this had exhausted him.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley No. If anything, this made me feel wonderful. A little tired, true, but then I’ve just given her every last drop of my seed… Ah, Annabel… Annabel felt him try to take his weight on his lower arms, but suddenly he collapsed on top of her, sighing deeply. She realized that Adam was asleep. Instantly she was alarmed, certain this had to have exhausted him. Well, at least he was asleep now… An hour later, Adam awoke, charmingly contrite for having fallen asleep on her. Annabel hugged him more tightly, whispering, “I can’t tell you how good it felt to have you so close, asleep in my arms, Adam.” Softly, she added, “I love you…” She was unprepared for the expression of rapturous bliss on his face. “You love me? Are you sure? My darling… You can’t imagine how much I’ve hoped that you would return my feelings. Because, when I finally realized I had fallen in love with you, I knew at the same moment that what I felt was love. Real love. And you love me, too? “Annabel… I know you’re going to say that we’ve got to get to know each other better, but I think we know each other as well as two people can. Admittedly, we don’t know too many irrelevant facts about each other, but surely they aren’t important? They can’t obscure the fact that I love you to distraction. Annabel, I’ve lost you twice: at the publishers’ party, and when you finished nursing me. I can’t risk that happening ever again. There’s only one way I can be sure of us being together, and that is if you would promise to marry me, some day soon, please?” He gazed at her anxiously — willing her to see his point of view, and hopefully agree with him. Deeply moved, Annabel said softly, “Adam, I do want to marry you, of course I do… But should we try to go a little bit slowly, perhaps? I don’t want us to rush into marriage and then find that, maybe, one day you’ll wish you hadn’t been in such a hurry, because if you had waited…” Shaking his head decisively, he frowned. “No, my love. That is your earlier, unfortunate experience talking again. You and I could never regret getting married. Please, will you promise to marry me soon?” “Adam, you must surely know I want to… But…” “If you want to marry me just as much as I want you to marry me, then there are no ‘buts’ – right?” “I guess so…” she said hesitantly. Pleased he had won her over, he suggested, “We can lie beside each other, then I’d like you to tell me what experience in the past has made you so afraid to commit yourself to me. You know I’ve been totally committed to you for quite some time now.” Lifting himself slowly away, lying down beside her, he slid his arms around her, one hand gently soothing her body. Annabel found it difficult to concentrate on anything but Adam’s long fingers caressing her, but finally she said, “Of course I’ll tell you if you want me to. This happened when I was about twenty-three years old. I had just finished university, nothing exciting, a Bachelor Fine Art degree. I was ecstatic when I found a job at the Met in New Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley York. There was a young woman of my age, working in the same curatorial department. She lived in a co-op her father had bought for her. We became friends and she invited me to move in with her. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Her brother was a nice guy, who had a girlfriend of his own. Sometimes the two would stay over at the apartment. Melissa – my friend – would give them her bedroom and she and I would double up.” Annabel glanced at Adam, wondering he found this boring, but she saw only interest in his eyes. “One day, Jack – the brother – brought a friend, Kenneth Metcalfe. He was something very big in advertising, although he was only thirty-two. He asked me out a few times, and after some time he told me he was in love with me, but there was a big problem. He was legally separated from his wife, but couldn’t get a divorce because she wouldn’t give him one. If someone pulled that old stunt today, I’d laugh in his face, but then…” Shrugging, Annabel was relieved to find Adam tighten his embrace. “I told him that marriage wasn’t that high on my list of things to do. After a while I agreed to move in with him. He gave me an engagement ring and a plain ring, so that the neighbors around the grand house in Tarrytown he had just bought would think we were married. You needn’t bother to tell me what a fool I was, I’ve told myself that a thousand times.” Glancing at Adam, Annabel feared to see an expression of disdain on his face, but all she saw was attention, concern. “We had been living together fairly harmoniously for about three months, when he said that his friend, Bill, would come to stay with us over the weekend. Well, it was a very big house. He had a housekeeper, why not. “That morning, after breakfast, I said I wanted to do some grocery shopping. Ken and Bill said they’d work on their tan. They sat down on the patio, idly chatting. “When I got to the car, I realized I didn’t have my wallet, so I hurried back to the bedroom to find it. “Just as I was about to leave, I heard Bill say, ‘Of course I’m in love with Tanya, but I’m by no means ready to get married.’ I began to walk out of the room, when I heard Ken say, ‘Well, do what I did with Belle. I told her that I’m legally separated but can’t get a divorce. She was quite willing to move in with me, unmarried, and when one day I want out of the arrangement, believe me, it’s a helluva lot easier and cheaper – breaking up with a girlfriend – than it is getting a divorce’.” Annabel ventured another glance at Adam, concerned to see his eyes a stormy black, unrelieved by little flames of blue dancing in their depths. Was he that angry at her stupidity? She was quickly reassured when he tightened his embrace, and pressed his mouth to her temple. But he remained silent, waiting for her to tell him the rest. “I didn’t wait to find out what Bill said, I was in my closet, dragging my suitcase out of it. Moments later I heard two splashes, they’d gone into the pool. I packed a suitcase with my clothes – that is, the clothes I had when I moved in with him. I left all the expensive designer numbers for my successor. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Then I put my own books into cartons, and took my two paintings off the walls. I loaded it all into the car, and wrote him a note: Ken - Your ostentatious lifestyle is too boring. Fortunately, we’re only living together, so there’s no hassle about getting my property back from you. Please don’t try to find me because I don’t want to be found. You no longer turn me on. In fact, you turn me off, big time. Belle “I left it on the coffee table. And then I drove away. My pride intact, and in fact my heart intact, because I could only feel contempt for the creep, and impatience with myself for having been such a gullible fool. I permitted myself a little smile at the thought of his humiliation when he and Bill found that note. Later, Melissa told me he was searching high and low for me – he didn’t like to lose. But he couldn’t find me. “I had gone to Toronto, where my father was a Professor of philosophy at York U. He suggested I go for my Master’s while there, which I did. A few months later, Dad fell ill, and I hastily went on a course for Health Care Aide, so I could nurse my father with some competence.” Annabel ventured another glance at Adam, who was taking advantage of the pause in her tale, kissing her softly, lovingly. Annabel kissed him back. Lifting her mouth from his, she said, “Well, that’s about it. Tell me, Adam, is there anything similar in your past that you’d want to tell me about? But don’t — if you don’t want to. I wouldn’t dream of prying into your life before we met. Only, if there’s someone who might think she had a claim on you, please tell me so that I can cope, if such a woman should show up?” Smiling, taking her in his arms, he slowly shook his head. “No, my love. There’s no one who could believe she had any claim on me, that’s for sure. Oh, of course, I’ve had affairs, which were pleasant enough, but they were brief and uncommitted. There hasn’t been anyone for a long time, certainly not since I’ve come to live in Ocean Breeze. “Tell me, where does this Ken live? Because if there is the slightest chance of him ever bothering you again, I would prefer to make it my business to discourage him totally, before the idea even hit him.” Annabel turned to him, bestowing soft kisses all over his face, ending, as several times before, with his mouth. After some time, she said, “There’s no need. He’s dead. Killed himself driving too fast in a car he wasn’t competent to handle – a Ferrari. Just a status symbol, but if you drive a Ferrari and never get above fifty miles an hour, people laugh loud and long. Of course, he had to demonstrate what a racing driver manqué he was. I think that was about a year after I walked out. Just as well, on reflection, or I might’ve been in the car, no?” Adam suppressed a shiver at her airy words. She could’ve been killed… Aloud, he said, “Shall we get some sleep, my darling?” “That’s a very good idea, Adam – love of my heart…” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I am?” he asked, his heart lifting. “Yes, of course you are. Sleep well, Adam. Sweet dreams.” He spent a little time getting comfortable, enfolding her in a gentle embrace, her left breast held in the curve of his palm. “Sweet dreams, my love.” **** Several hours later, he awoke. He frowned, wondering what on earth had made him so worried for her, in a dream… He became aware that she was stirring slightly against him, and his body responded predictably. I can’t believe it, I want her again – so very much. Well, that just goes to show – with the right woman anything is possible. Even so… Gently, he asked, “My love – are you awake?” Feeling her stir against him again, hearing her whisper, “Yes, darling, but we shouldn’t… You’re still convalescing, and…” “If you don’t want me to make love to you, you’ll have to stop melting into me quite so seductively,” he teased. Quickly becoming serious, he went on, “When I woke up, a little while ago, I tried to think what had startled me awake while I was dreaming about you. And then I remembered. I didn’t protect you against pregnancy. Not that I have any condoms here — Are you by any chance on the pill?” He could feel her smile against his upper chest. “Yes, I am, Adam. Oh, not to protect me against pregnancy, but because my… uh… periods… are very irregular unless I take the pill. So, you go back to sleep. Nothing to worry about.” Sighing with relief, he whispered, “I love you very much, Annabel.” “And I love you very much, Adam. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. I knew it when I had been nursing you for a while. I realized my heart would break when I had to leave you and let you get on with your life. Oh, Adam, I’m so very glad you found me again.” “Thanks to Luke and Angela, we found each other.” “Yes, we owe them big. But let’s think about that tomorrow. Now, I want you to go to sleep, Adam. Will you be able to sleep with me in your arms?” “That’s the only way I ever want to sleep again, my love, with you in my arms. Goodnight, and sweet dreams.” “When I sleep in your arms, my dreams are always sweet, Adam.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 4. Adam awoke at dawn. Gazing with deep tenderness at sleeping Annabel, his love, he very gently slipped out of her embrace. He had to get to his library, and write what had been slowly but insistently forming in his head. He succeeded in getting up without waking her. While he was in the bathroom, he picked up a towel, knotting it around his waist. Detouring to the kitchen for a glass of juice, he disappeared into his library. An hour later, Annabel woke up slowly; vaguely aware that the room was familiar, yet she realized that she wasn’t in her own bed, her own bedroom. Adam… His name drifted into her mind, and she was instantly aware that she was in his bedroom, in his bed – but where was Adam? There wasn’t the slightest sound anywhere in the condo. Had he gone for a dawn walk on the beach? Slipping out of bed, and wrapping herself in Adam’s thin silk robe, she slid the screen door aside so she could step onto the balcony. She looked up and down the beach, but saw only Luke and Angela walking to the Inlet, their arms around each other’s waists. Suddenly becoming aware of the quiet, sibilant sound of another screen door opening, she turned towards it. And saw Adam, a blue bath towel knotted low on his narrow hips, stepping onto the balcony from his library. Adam… You’re the most alluring man I’ve ever seen. His face lit up when he saw her, moving toward her, holding out his arms. “Annabel… Good morning.” He wrapped her in his embrace with utter delight. “Adam… ” she murmured indistinctly against his mouth. Feeling her lips part under his, he kissed her lovingly, hungrily, and she kissed him back with passionate desire. “Did you sleep well, my love?” he asked, nuzzling her throat, trailing kisses all the way to the little hollow between her graceful collar-bones, and then up again to her mouth. “Oh, yes, Adam, thank you. Although I felt a little disoriented when I first woke up, the room seemed so familiar, so did the bed. And then I remembered…” “I hope you remembered everything? I’m thinking particularly about my asking you to marry me, and you saying that you would.” His deep, slightly husky voice sounded caressing. “Adam, of course I remember. But tell me, what made you get up so early – you’re still catching up on your convalescence, you should’ve slept late… Oh, wait. You were in your library — Were you writing, by any chance?” He nodded. “Yes. I woke up a little before dawn, and — for the first time since you left me — there was a poem playing around in my head. I’ve got it down, but…”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Contrite, she whispered, “Of course, by all means, go back to it. Would you like me to make you some breakfast? You’ll have to tell me how you want me to do things for you, because you’re the first poet I’ve ever met. Please forgive me if you don’t want me to…” “I do want you to… come with me to the shower. After that we’ll make breakfast, and after that — we’ll see,” he said, hiding a smile against the soft, blonde mass of her hair. Once they were in the shower, it was obvious to him that she had never shared a shower with a man. When he lifted her against his body and murmured, “Wrap your legs around my waist,” she gazed at him, confused. He smiled, supporting her small, round buttocks with his lower arm, moving one of her legs around his waist. She quickly put her other leg around him. “Like this?” she whispered. Nodding, he leaned her back against the raku tiles of his shower stall. Gazing into her eyes, he saw the exact moment when she realized that the velvety-smooth head of his penis was pressed against her soft, moist folds, and he was going to make love to her, water streaming down his back. “Adam…” she said softly, “are you sure this won’t tire you too much?” He might be forgiven for his slightly complacent smile “My love, if I’m this aroused, obviously I’m well enough to do this, all right?” Smiling into his eyes, Annabel gave herself up to Adam’s alluring virility, the surpassing rapture of feeling the tense, sensual excitement of the shared orgasm, while the seductive warmth of his seed spilled into her, as he came and came in seemingly endless surges. When they finished showering, and were drying each other, Annabel suggested, “Adam, why don’t you lie down for a little while, and I’ll give you breakfast in bed? The last few weeks you’ve overtired yourself, not taken it easy as Dr Reese prescribed… I think you’re due for some more recuperation.” Adam smiled, thinking breakfast in bed might not be a bad idea. Perhaps afterwards… “I’m fine, I promise you. But breakfast in bed sounds most tempting, if you’ll have breakfast in bed with me?” “If you want me to…” Annabel said hesitantly. “I want you to,” he said firmly. In a surprisingly short time, she appeared with a breakfast tray. Annabel put it on the ottoman, helping Adam sit up against his pillows, before giving him the tray. “Where’s yours?” “I’ll just fetch it. I wanted to get you settled and eating first.” Smiling, Annabel disappeared. Moments later, she came back with a tray on which Adam was dismayed to see she only had a cup of coffee and a small plate with pieces of fruit. She noticed his worried glance, and said apologetically, “I never could eat much breakfast, coffee, juice and some fruit is it for me. Oh, you haven’t started eating yet.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I was waiting for you. This looks scrumptious, although I don’t usually eat an interesting looking omelet and delicious looking sausages, and toast, and fruit.” “Well, you’re going to eat like this while I’m looking after you,” Annabel said, biting into a piece of honeydew melon. After eating, she quickly took the two trays out to the kitchen. Coming back, she moved to his side of the bed seeing him pat the space beside him invitingly. “Come lie down with me for a while?” he said, lifting her over him. “Adam…” she breathed, worried that he was overexerting himself with this display of strength. Smiling again, Adam slipped down against his pillows, bending over her for a kiss. After some time, he lifted his mouth from hers, suggesting: “Perhaps we should talk a little bit about ourselves. For instance, our families?” Hugging her, Adam began, “I’ve only got my father, he still lives in Glens Falls, but he comes to Florida often, as he has an orchid-growing business. Orchids grow more naturally here than in Upper New York State. There’s a grower in central Florida with whom he does a lot of business, and every time he goes to see him, he comes to me for a while. How about you, my love?” She snuggled more comfortably against him, turning her head a little so that she could kiss his throat. “Well, as you know, my father died in Toronto, I nursed him through his long illness. My mother lives in New York. She sews the most beautiful clothes, and gives so-called trunk shows at big fashion stores.” Seeing his blank look, she explained briefly, “A trunk show is like a fashion show but on a much smaller scale than the great designers’ shows. The idea is that the clothes are folded in a trunk and the designer – my mother – shows them to the buyers. No famous models strutting their stuff. “Mother’s very successful. But sometimes the trunk shows conflict with her personal life. For instance, when I called her frequently with reports of how Dad was failing, she couldn’t break off her trunk show tour. Daddy died without her being there. Mind you, they hadn’t been close for years. I often thought that they were staying married only because neither of them had found someone else…. Anyway, when Daddy died, just my brother, Jordan, and I were there. My brother is two years older than I, he is a painter…” Adam interrupted her, asking excitedly, “Jordan Browne, that fabulous painter, is your brother?” She nodded. “Yes, he is. In fact, he has an exhibition of his work coming up at the St. George art gallery, do you know it?” “I’ve seen it, of course, on Main Street, but I haven’t visited there yet. I told my designer – who turns out to be Hank’s main squeeze and your friend, Judy – that I didn’t want her to choose paintings for me. That is too personal a matter. I don’t want paintings I quite like, I want paintings I’ve fallen in love with… And now I’m definitely going to wait until your brother’s show, I love his work.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Then you’re in luck, Adam, because I have half a dozen of his paintings in my condo here. Let’s bring them up here and place them on your walls, which will soon be our walls, if you’re really sure you want me to marry you some time soon…?” “Annabel, my love and ‘Wonder Woman’. Not only are you the woman of my dreams, but your brother is my favorite painter, and you’re willing to take his paintings from your own walls and install them here?” “Of course, since we’ll be living here, right? Also, since we’re relatives of Jordan’s, I’m sure he’ll be able to arrange that you may have a quiet little preview. If you see a painting you absolutely love, Tom – the gallery owner, Tom Fredericks – will hide it in an alcove and put a ‘sold’ sticker on it the moment the gallery opens and a few clients have wandered in. By the way, we’ll have to go and wander around, but we’ll be in Tom’s office until the opening time.” Amused at seeing Adam gazing at her in surprise, she continued, “I’ve met Tom Fredericks and his friend, Jeff Harcourt, at Luke and Angela’s. They’re great guys, you’ll like them. And Tom already likes you.” Seeing Adam’s astonished expression, she explained, “I recall Tom asking Luke about the stunning looking guy who had moved into the condo opposite Hank’s. One day, Tom rode up in an elevator with you. You may remember Tom. About six feet, late forties, I’d say. A leonine mane of tawny hair, exquisitely dressed? Well, anyway, Luke enlightened Tom.” She noticed that Adam gracefully shrugged a shoulder, looking away, when she repeated Tom’s remark about the ‘stunning looking’ guy. She was charmed that Adam, so handsome, was indifferent to his looks and shy about compliments. “You sound as if you and your brother Jordan are close,” Adam said. “How did he react to your living with this Ken?” He bent over Annabel, gently brushing her hair off her forehead, caressing her cheekbone with a long finger. “When I explained that Ken couldn’t get a divorce et cetera, Jordan said, ‘Well, as long as you’re sure this is what you want.’ At the time, I thought it was. “Then, after I had walked out on Ken so spectacularly, of course I called Jordan and told him what had happened. He was incensed that this ‘cruddy bastard’ – Jordan’s least colorful description of Ken – had lied to me, and all that. “As soon as Jordan could get away, he made a point of going to Tarrytown to tell Ken just what he thought of him, mentioning with derisive scorn how pathetically ostentatious and nouveau riche Ken was, buying a Ferrari when he wasn’t competent to drive one. Jordan delighted in telling Ken how everybody was laughing at him, because he couldn’t handle the Ferrari if he went over fifty miles an hour. A few months later, Ken killed himself in it. When Jordan told me, he said, ‘I guess he must’ve driven it at fifty-one miles an hour.’ That’s Jordan for you…implacable when avenging a wrong done to one of his loved ones.” Adam said quietly, “I like Jordan more and more. And I know exactly how he felt about the Ferrari accident. It closely matches my own feelings. I Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley know I’ve never even met the man — but he hurt you — and I’m glad he’s dead.” Annabel glanced up at Adam, and was surprised to see that his eyes were black as obsidian, no sapphire lights dancing in their depths. There was a white line in the muscles around his sensitive mouth. Annabel realized that Adam was shaking with anger. “Adam, please, don’t let all this old stuff upset you. It’s a long time ago… I was twenty-three at the time, I’m thirty now.” Astonished, he said, “You’re thirty? You look a lot younger.” Reflecting for a moment, he asked, “Annabel, do you mean you haven’t been with anyone for seven years?” She shrugged, embarrassed. “Yes, that’s true, Adam. I guess I just never met anyone I could be interested in. And I assure you, I’m thirty.” He smiled beginning to play with her hair, wrapping his fingers in the silken tresses. “I’m thirty-five.” He lifted her face to him for a kiss. After a while, Adam asked, “I sense that you and Jordan preferred your father over your mother… Did you blame her for not breaking off her trunk show when you told her your father was dying, Annabel?” “No, I don’t think we did. Certainly Dad didn’t ask for her. She later explained that she would’ve been sued for breach of contract, which would’ve bankrupted her. Oh, we’re perfectly civil to mother, she dotes on Jordan, but she isn’t all that civil to me, usually. So I don’t want to tell her about us until after we’re married. You see — she would try to take over the wedding, insist on making my wedding dress, which would become a couture seventh wonder, advertising for her business. No way. I intend to make my own dress to marry you in.” “You can sew?” Adam asked, wondering what else she could do that she hadn’t mentioned to him yet. “Not as well as mother, but I prefer my own sewing, which is essentially simpler than hers. She likes to show off what she can do by making her designs brilliantly intricate – but I don’t like that sort of dresses. And I hope you’ll be able to agree to a very small wedding for us.” Annabel glanced at him, worriedly. He smiled. “My love, you can have any kind of wedding you want, as long as you show up on time. Perhaps I should ask, civil wedding or minister, or priest? What are you?” “We’re Episcopalians, but Dad never went to church. Jordan and I rarely go. So any kind of wedding would be fine with me, as long as it’s legal…” “I’ll make very sure of that, Annabel. And, like you, I’m an Episcopalian. Seeing how you feel about weddings, would you like to fly with me to Las Vegas, and have a very small wedding, with just my Dad and your brother there? When we get back here, we could have a small reception for your mother and our friends.” “Oh, Adam, I’d love that. Listen, I could make little bridesmaids’ dresses for Adam and Mimi’s Eve, and Nick and Nadine’s Irène. We’ll give them little

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley baskets of flower petals and they can throw them around to their hearts’ content.” “That sounds wonderful. Who are Adam and Mimi?” “Adam Stewart, the Nobel Lit. winner and his wife Mimi; she had the St.George art gallery, and Tom was her partner. As she wanted to spend more and more time with her husband – and once you meet him, you’ll understand that perfectly – Tom acquired an ever-increasing share of the gallery.” “Oh, that Adam… Of course I know of him, I have all his books, I love them. Tell me, is he as handsome as the photographs on the dust-jackets of his books suggest?” “Mmhmm, he sure is. When I first met him and some of the others at a dinner party Luke and Angela gave, I wondered if there was a sort of test for men – they had to be over six feet tall, very dark and very handsome, except for Luke who has that exotic dark taupe hair, and of course Hank, the only resident blond guy.” “And who are Nick and Nadine?” “He is Nick Thalassinos, the writer. He’s also a Greek Tycoon, but he hates to be reminded of that. His wife is Nadine Konings, the portrait painter, also represented by Tom’s gallery.” Adam wrapped Annabel tighter in his embrace, murmuring, “I’m not at all sure I like you looking at all these handsome guys…” “Adam, when you’re in the same room with the others, I promise you I wouldn’t even notice them. Incidentally, that time may come sooner than you think. Tom told me he intends to give a dinner party for Jordan, and inevitably he’ll invite all the inhabitants of this building. “Which reminds me, I was going to ask your advice about my condo. I was thinking of selling it, but perhaps it would be a good idea to wait until some time after the wedding? I told Jordan that he could stay with me when he comes here for his exhibition at Tom’s gallery. When we have our little reception after our wedding… did I tell you I think you’re a genius to have thought of that, Adam? Well, I do. Anyway, your father and my mother could stay in the guest suites there. Jordan will have taken possession of the master bedroom the moment he realizes he’ll be alone in the suite, at least for a while.” “That sounds like an excellent idea. We’ll keep your condo to house our guests. Do you think Jordan would like to have it as a pied-à-terre?” “There’s an idea… And Adam, how would it be if he paid us in paintings?” “No, Annabel, I can’t let you do this. I assure you I’m reasonably well off, and can easily buy whatever paintings of Jordan’s I want to acquire. The condo is yours — and the money you get for it is yours, too.” “But Adam, very soon there won’t be any ‘yours’ and ‘mine’…there’ll only be ‘ours.’ So why do you feel hesitant about that little deal with Jordan?” Shaking his dark head at her, he tightened his embrace, his mouth against her temple, bestowing little kisses there, on her hair, her cheekbone and, when he felt her turning her face to him, her mouth. Lifting his mouth from hers, he remarked, “I was wondering whether you think I’m relatively Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley poor, because I’m a poet? Well, I’m not. Actually, my slim volumes sell surprisingly well; some go to second and third printings. I’m often asked to write articles, critiques for literary magazines. Moreover, my maternal grandfather left his money to me, because my mother had died a few years earlier. So, if you had any ideas of working your fingers to the bone to help with our finances, please forget it.” Making himself more comfortable with Annabel in his arms, Adam paused for a little kiss, which rapidly escalated. After a while, he went on. “I realized, the very first time we met, that you must be a writer. Just what kind of books do you write? I’m sorry to say that I’ve never read a book by Annabel Browne. I’m sure you have copies of your books. May I read them?” “Of course, but you may not like what I write. I write whodunits with an erotic tinge. Yes, I think that describes it best. And I write under the name of ‘Anna Blackwell.’ It saves a lot of hassle from people who’ve read my books, when they meet me socially.” “Whodunits with an erotic tinge… that sounds fascinating. I realize, of course, that the genre chose you, and not the other way around. How did that come about?” “Well, for several years I had been writing these harmless mysteries as Annabel Browne, and they were reasonably successful. Then, one day, I had finished a book, but to my way of thinking it was not finished. And I wondered what was missing. “I began to play around with some adjectives, and the more interesting, enticing, suggestive the adjectives became, the more clothes the hero and heroine shed, the more the book seemed to come to life. Finally, I wrote a fairly torrid love scene, and said to my editor that I was thinking of writing sort of erotic whodunits, but under a pseudonym. He read that one and was most enthusiastic. And poor Annabel Browne hasn’t written a single book since. My editor suggested the name of Anna Blackwell, keeping the same initials. That’s why Anna Blackwell never gives interviews, doesn’t go to writers’ conferences, and so on.” Adam mused, “A shy, quiet woman, who writes erotic novels… What did you feel, when you realized you were writing erotic stuff?” Annabel smiled in reminiscence. “A little strange, at first. I realized early on that I could never write vulgar or slang words for body parts. And the love scene has to follow naturally from the plot. I refuse to write in some gratuitous sex. To me, that’s close to pornography. Too close.” “You’ve made me unbearably curious to get one of your books into my hands. Will you let me make a start reading them?” “Of course I will. I’ve got them in my condo. We can go there a little later, and you can pick and choose.” Hugging her more closely, he asked, “And what do you suggest we do until ‘a little later,’ I think you said?” “Adam, that was just an expression because we’re still lying in bed, enjoying this pillow-talk.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Of course if you’re too tired, there’s nothing more to be said,” he said keeping his face straight with some difficulty. “I’m not tired. But…oh, wait… You’re making fun of me.” “Why on earth would you think that?” he inquired, still with a perfectly straight face. “For one thing, I’d never make fun of you…I might tease you, though. So tell me, just how tired are you?” “Adam, please don’t tease me… I’m trying to make sure you don’t overtire yourself, you’re still recuperating, having grievously overdone it, the past two weeks.” He smiled. “Let me explain a basic anatomical fact to you. If a man can make love, then he’s well enough to make love. All right?” “Really?” she asked, gazing at him most seriously. “Really.” **** Later that morning, Adam and Annabel went for a walk on the beach. She made sure they walked only ten minutes in one direction, asking him so sweetly to sit down for a while and gaze at the ocean that he couldn’t bear to refuse her, although he felt wonderful. Conscientiously, she made him rest on one of the loungers surrounding the pool, before she agreed he could swim a few laps if he felt up to it. “I could swim to the Bahamas this morning,” he said with a tender smile. “And it’s all your doing. You’ve made me whole again.” Reaching over from the lounger on which she was seated sideways, she took his hand into both of hers. “Adam…” she whispered. After a few moments of caressing his fingers, she continued, “When we get back, I’d like to ask Mike to give me a hand with Jordan’s paintings which we want to bring up to your place.” As he was about to protest that he could easily help her, she asked gently, “Adam, why don’t we let Mike do it? He has a handy little cart for such things and can bring them up quickly. He really appreciates the tips he gets doing stuff for owners.” “If you’re trying to save my strength for other, more pleasurable activities, then I’m all for it,” he said, his dark eyes caressing. “Whatever you wish…” she said, with a very private smile. An hour later, Mike brought up Annabel’s six paintings, and was delighted when Adam folded some money into his hand. Annabel put the paintings against the walls and said, “You decide which you want to go where, but bear in mind that I want you to put at least one in your library… to inspire your poetry, as it were. So tell me, which of Jordan’s paintings do you like best?” Adam walked slowly past the six paintings, each glowing with a vitality all its own. After some time, he said, “I’m afraid I’ve fallen in love with this one,” indicating a stunning painting of the high Arizona desert. “Then that’s what we’ll put into your library,” she said, delighted that he had found a painting he felt so strongly about, and one of her own favorites.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Together they went to the library installing the painting where Adam could see it when he sat at his desk. They returned to the living room, and spent some time playing around with the remaining five paintings. “Course, we may have to find different places for some of these, after we buy some more of Jordan’s paintings at the preview.” “Yes, indeed, my love, there is that.” Wrapping an arm around her, tilting her face up to him with a long finger under her chin, Adam bent his head, kissing her softly. He felt this was not the time for the kind of kisses that would fire his blood once more. But the moment she felt his mouth on hers, she melted into him. “Temptress…” he said softly. “Is it working?” she asked, mischief in the blue-green depths of her eyes. “Oh, it’s working, but I’m trying valiantly to finish placing the paintings before surrendering to your enticements…” She sighed exaggeratedly, smiling at him. “You’re quite right, of course. Let’s do the paintings first. Anything you want is fine with me.” Half an hour later, he had arranged the paintings to his satisfaction. “Come sit here with me for a moment, and let’s look at the fabulous art that now graces our walls, thanks to you,” he suggested. “Actually, thanks to Jordan… He gave me all these paintings on one occasion or another.” “He gave you these? Wow.” “That’s why I’d like us to let him pay for Three-South with paintings.” “I think that’s a wonderful idea, Annabel.” Nuzzling her throat, her shoulder, her nape, he pulled her over onto his lap, beginning to kiss the deep V in her sundress. “Mmm, Adam…” She kissed him back. “In case you were wondering, I feel great. Not tired at all. Wasn’t that what you were worrying about earlier?” “You mean that we…” “Only if you want me, of course.” He tried hard to sound casual. “Adam… I want you,” she whispered, reaching up for a kiss.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 5. The next day, when Adam was safely ensconced in his library, Annabel decided to go shopping for fabric to make her wedding dress, and the dresses she intended to make for little Eve and even littler Irène. She was lucky, finding just what she wanted. When she drove into the garage, she saw Mimi getting out of her sporty little Mercedes. Friendly by nature, Mimi walked over to Annabel, who was lifting a big shopping bag out of her car. “Belle, what have you been buying?” “Fabric for my wedding dress, Mimi. And while I was about it, I also picked up fabric to make two bridesmaids dresses for your little Eve and Nadine’s little Irène. Adam and I are flying to Las Vegas to get married, but we’ll have a reception here for our family, friends and neighbors. I thought the girls will get such a kick out of being ‘bridesmaids’…” “They’ll love it. I do hope you mean Adam Tremayne, and not my Adam,” said Mimi, grinning. “Of course Adam Tremayne. Hey, Is that going to be a problem?” Annabel wondered. “Nah. We’ll call my husband ‘Mimi’s Adam’ and yours will be ‘Belle’s Adam,” said Mimi insouciantly. “I can’t exactly see them delighted to be designated as ‘ours’ – it works fine the other way around, Adam’s Mimi, Adam’s Belle… But for men… No, we’ll have to think of something else…” The two women walked slowly to the elevators, chatting happily. “Maybe we should ask them what distinction they would like?” Annabel said. “As you probably realize, Adam and I haven’t been together that long, and I’d hate to make a decision affecting him that he didn’t have a say in…” “You’re probably right, honey. Let’s leave it to them to come up with some way of distinguishing… But something else: this is poker night for the guys. I think it’s at Luke’s tonight. Anyway, we wives usually get together in one of the other condos, have some coffee or wine, watch a movie, whatever. But this evening, we can look at the fabric you’ve got for your wedding dress, and we can have fun looking at the pattern you’re making it from…” Noticing Annabel’s quick headshake, Mimi went on, “Oh? You don’t work from a bought pattern? Well, then – your sketches of how you’re planning to make it. And the fabric for the little girls – what a charming idea of yours, by the way.” “I was thinking that you and Nadine should have a say in what kind of dresses I’ll be making for the girls,” said Annabel, anxious not to tread on any maternal toes. “Sure, we can talk about that tonight, too,” said Mimi, adding, “Say, do you want to ask your Adam if he’d like to join that poker gang? It’s not a very serious game, and their attitude seems to be, the more, the merrier. They

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley started it to make sure Hank wasn’t too much alone, after Karen died. But he’s got a heavy date with your friend Judy Gardner, tonight, he told me.” “Yes, I was glad about that. He’s mourned Karen for a long time. And I’ll ask Adam about the poker game when I get back, but I think he’s working very hard on a poem, or poems… I don’t like to ask him anything about his work…” “Neither do I, even now,” said Mimi. “Listen, I’ll phone the other wives, and we’ll all meet at the penthouse, around eight-thirty?” “That sounds like fun, Mimi, thank you.” The elevator stopped at the eighth floor, and Annabel left quickly. Annabel put the key Adam had given her into the slot, quietly opening the door, not wishing to disturb him. He was in the kitchen, drinking a glass of juice, leaning against the counter. Seeing her, he quickly placed the half-full glass on the counter, hurrying to Annabel, arms held wide. “I came out a little while ago and couldn’t find you. Then I recalled you said you were going to look for fabric. Judging by that bulging shopping bag, you must’ve found what you were looking for. May I see?” “Of course, Adam. There is some superstition about a man not being allowed to see his bride’s wedding dress until she walks to him down the aisle, but this isn’t a wedding dress yet. So you go ahead and look.” “I’d just like to see the fabric and imagine what you’ll look like walking towards me. Although in Las Vegas the bridal couple probably walk to the Judge together… So most of those bridal traditions don’t really apply to us anyway, wouldn’t you say?” “Well… unless you’d like your Father to be your best man, and Jordan can walk me down the Judge’s carpet to you? Whatever works for you, Adam…” She smiled at him, moving toward the living room. He followed her, gesturing to the sofa. The moment she sat down, he seated himself beside her, his arm around her. His dark eyes caressing, he said, “Anything you want…” She rummaged in the shopping bag until she found the largest of the three parcels, opening it. “My love, this is stunning. A pale misty-looking color, and with a very subtle shimmer as if the sun lit on a very fine rain… I love it. But Annabel, it’s very thin… I hope you were planning to wear something underneath it?” Smiling at his concern, she assured him, “Of course. I’ve got some matching silk, which will make a slip-dress for beneath it. The gossamer fabric for the outer dress is silk organza. Do you want to see the fabric for the ‘bridesmaids’?” “No, thank you. I was only interested in what you’d be wearing for me.” His deep voice was a little huskier than usual, becoming indistinct as he nuzzled her throat, his strong hands caressing her back. Annabel surrendered to what Adam made her feel for a while. At last, she went on, trying hard to remember what they’d been talking about, “Uh…by the way, I met Mimi when I was parking my car, and she invited me to the gathering of the wives while the men play poker. She asked me if I thought

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley you’d like to join them…the men, that is. Apparently it’s rather laid-back poker. Luke is in their poker gang, too, and Hank, but not tonight. “I told her I’d mention it to you, but I wasn’t sure of your plans.” “Actually, I’d like to write some more after dinner. By all means, you go to the wives’ gathering, although strictly speaking you’re not my wife yet… but that’s only a legal technicality. For me, ever since you came here last night, you’ve been my wife. And I’d be happy if you felt that I’m not only your lover, but also your husband.” “Adam, of course I feel the same way about you. And since you’ll be working, I might as well go up to Mimi’s.” She sighed, forcing herself to think about something to eat for him. “Now, what would you like for lunch? I could do an avocado salad with some grilled tiger shrimp?” “Honey, you’re playing my song. I love avocado, and I’m very partial to tiger shrimp in any way, shape or form. Thank you. Can I help?” “No, thank you, Adam, I’ll manage. Is it warm enough to eat on the balcony, d’you think?” “It’s a bit windy. Perhaps we could eat indoors and have our coffee on the balcony. I agree with you that fresh air is wonderful.” “All right,” she said amiably, gently freeing herself from his embrace. “I better get myself to the kitchen.” When she glanced back at him, she saw that he was leaning back, his eyes closed, his lips moving slightly. Is he trying some lines of verse? I’d better be very quiet. Moving as quietly as she could in the kitchen, she worked slowly on their lunch, in order to give him time with his poetry writing, or whatever he was doing. Unobtrusively, she slipped out of the kitchen to the dining room, setting the table for their lunch, placing in front of Adam’s chair a big platter of Bibb lettuce and avocado slices with a raspberry vinaigrette, surrounding a dozen split, grilled tiger shrimp, dressed with peppered lemon butter. Quietly, she walked into the living room, intending to say nothing if Adam’s eyes were still closed. But he had evidently finished whatever he was doing, and as soon as he saw her, he got to his feet, saying, “My love, you’ve made our lunch already?” “Yes, I did,” she smiled. Made lunch ‘already’? I’ve been over an hour. Apparently, time means very little to Adam when he’s writing. I better remember that… Seeing the tiger shrimp, his smile was eloquent. “How you spoil me.” “I hope you weren’t exaggerating your fondness for tiger shrimp, because eight of these are for you.” “It’ll be a struggle, but I’ll give it a valiant try,” he said, grinning in her direction. Usually she ate only a couple, but now, to keep him company and encourage him to eat the eight, she actually managed to eat three. Of course, she put very little salad on her plate. She did little better with the raspberry mousse she had made for their dessert. Adam actually licked his lips when she placed his portion in front of Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley him. She ate a few spoonfuls of hers, glancing at Adam. “Could you eat the rest of mine? I really can’t manage another bite.” He smiled, placing her little plate beside his. “I’d love to. “As time goes by I’ll become better acquainted with your eating habits, what you like and how much of it,” she said hesitantly, feeling that perhaps she had overdone things with the shrimp. He smiled at her, touching her hand reassuringly. “My love, this was delicious. A little more than I would’ve expected after you fed me that enormous breakfast – but apparently my still-convalescent body could use the extra nutrients…” Adam caught himself, saying, “Nutrients — That’s no way to talk of the delicious lunch you made for me, for which I do thank you.” His glance at Annabel was caressing. After a few moments, he went on. “Now, we have to make a decision – do you want to sit on the windy balcony with rapidly cooling coffee, or would you like to take a nap with me – we can have the sliding door farthest from the bed open, and let the curtains billow in the breeze?” “Adam…when you described the rapidly cooling coffee, the one thought in my head was that I hoped you wouldn’t be cooling rapidly—” “I can promise you I won’t be, Annabel,” he sighed, helping her out of her chair. As soon as she stood, he put his arm around her waist, walking with her into the bedroom, to his bed. He took her in his arms. “You owe me from this morning,” he said, his mouth against hers. “I do? How do you figure that?” “Well, when I woke up, my head filled with verse, I got up right away. Don’t you know it’s customary for people on their honeymoon to make love in the morning as well as during the night?” “Oh, are we having a honeymoon?” “You’d better believe it, my love,” he whispered against her mouth, quietly closing their bedroom door. **** They surfaced around five o’clock. Annabel suggested they might have a cup of tea, perhaps with some cinnamon toast. She remembered how much he had liked that when she had made it for him while she was nursing him. “That would be wonderful,” he smiled. “As long as you don’t expect me to sit down to a full-fledged dinner in a few hours’ time. Would you perhaps consider us having a cup of soup around eight? I need to work tonight, and I’ve found that I can’t do my best work when I’m sated with food.” “But being sated with love doesn’t affect you adversely?” she teased. “You know very well it doesn’t, my darling. Ah, no. After making love to you I’m in exactly the right frame of mind to do a lot of work.” His dark eyes were caressing. “When I go up to Mimi’s at eight-thirty, shall I tell Mike in the lobby that we’re not at home to visitors? Just so you can work undisturbed?” “I love it when you’re so protective of me. But I hardly think it’s necessary. You see — I don’t really know anyone outside this building.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Anything you want.” “Now you tell me.” A smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. At eight-thirty, Annabel said, “Adam, I’ll go up to Mimi’s now.” She picked up the big shopping bag with fabric, and was about to leave, when the telephone rang. Adam answered, and when she heard his delighted, “Dad? Hello,” she hastily waved to him and left the condo. “Adam, I thought I’d call you because…you recall Jake Nelles, who died about two years ago? Well, today I had a visit from his daughter Patricia, who looked quite terrible. Apparently she’s been in Peru for the past two years, did a series of articles for her newspaper, so-called investigative journalism. The Peruvians didn’t think too highly of her exposés and they jailed her for almost a year. Apparently, some heavy hitters from the government finally got her released. “But the astonishing thing is, she told me that you and she had got engaged before she left for Peru. And now that she’s back, of course she wanted to get in touch with you, her fiancé. I found it hard to believe, son, you’re such a private person, your poetry is so subtle, and this woman is about as subtle as a runaway freight train. So very pushy, I couldn’t pretend that I didn’t know where you were, so…” “Oh, Dad, you didn’t give that awful Patricia my address, did you?” “Afraid so, Adam. But listen, now that you’re forewarned, just don’t open your door to her.” “Oh, Dad, that won’t work, not with her. ‘Tenacious’ doesn’t begin to describe her… And just when I’ve found the woman of my dreams… Yes, Dad. If you hadn’t called me today, I would’ve called you to ask when you could come up to act as my best man when I marry Annabel. That’s her name, Annabel Browne – with an ‘e’. We want to fly to Las Vegas and get married very quickly, very soon. Her brother is Jordan Browne, the painter. He’ll be there for her, walk her to me in Judge’s chambers, whatever. So, Dad… When would be a good time for you to come here? Please try to come very, very soon.” “Adam, I’m delighted with your news. I felt sure that Patricia woman was lying, but…it was a difficult situation, unless I accused her outright of lying because I know my son well enough to be sure he’d never pick a woman like that…” “Don’t worry about it, Dad. I’ll get rid of her somehow. For one thing, I’ll tell her that I am engaged to be married, and that should be the end of it. Then, again, it may not… She could be appallingly persistent, and I doubt that she’s changed much.” “Adam, I can come up any time you say. Jake’s house has been bought by a delightful middle-aged couple, who love my hothouses. I’ve started them with a small greenhouse of their own, and if I have to go away, they’ll be delighted to take care of my orchids for me, and keep an eye on the employees. So, you just call me when you and Annabel have set the date, and I’ll be there for you.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Wonderful, Dad. I understand from Annabel that her brother is coming here next Friday, so if you’re reasonably free, we can plan the Vegas trip very easily. Thanks, Dad. See you soon.” “See you soon, son. And get rid of that Patricia dame, she’s bad news.” “I know that, Dad — like a relentless poison. I’ll get rid of her, don’t worry.” But his father had already hung up.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 6. Adam was now too preoccupied with the telephone call from his father to go back to his poetry. He sat down on his living room sofa and thought, uneasily, of ways to repel Patricia’s incipient attack, to deflect her efforts at insinuating herself in some way into his life. The lobby buzzer broke into his thoughts. He got to his feet, walked to his foyer and picked up the lobby phone. “Yes?” Mike’s friendly, honest face appeared on the little TV screen. “Sir, there’s a lady here, says she’s your fiancée. I knew that couldn’t be right, Sir, because you and Miss Annabel… What do you want me to do with her, Sir?” News travels fast, he thought. Of course, Mike brought Annabel’s paintings up. “You’re quite right, Mike, of course that woman is not my fiancée. But you shouldn’t have to cope with her… Just send her up and I’ll get rid of her.” “If you’re sure, Sir. That woman’s awfully persistent and bullying…” At that moment, another face appeared on the screen. With a sinking heart, Adam recognized Patricia Nelles — an older, gaunter, pinched-looking Patricia — but still recognizable as the woman who had chased him obstinately, stalked him, tried to put the make on him, coming on to him like gangbusters every time she saw him... “Open the damn door, Adam. As your fiancée, I have the right to visit you any time I choose,” she said harshly. “You are not my fiancée, Patricia, and never will be. I’m engaged to a wonderful woman, and we’ll get married within the next few weeks. However, as the daughter of my father’s old neighbor, I will receive you, as long as it is understood that you have no claim on me whatsoever. Do you understand?” “Open the fucking door, Adam!” Patricia shouted. Mike appeared again on the TV screen, looking very worried indeed. “Shall I bring the lady up to your door, Sir, and then you can decide whether to receive her or send her back with me?” “Tell you what, Mike. I agree I don’t wish to receive the lady, but I will see her briefly. If she isn’t back downstairs in fifteen minutes, will you alert Security?” “It’ll be my pleasure, Sir,” said Mike. Adam heard him say dismissively to Patricia, “Mr. Tremayne has agreed to see you briefly. See that you keep it brief.” Grinning to himself, he replaced the lobby telephone. He did not have long to wait for Patricia’s knock at his door. The moment his door was open a few inches, Patricia pushed her way in and tried to throw her arms around him. Expecting this, Adam easily held her at arm’s length. Squirming, she tried to hook her leg around his, which did not do her the least bit of good. Adam held her easily away from him.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Patricia, kindly don’t try to embrace me. We’ve never exchanged such greetings in the past, and I’m not likely to start now that I am engaged to Miss Annabel Browne,” he said dismissively. “You can’t be engaged to anyone but me, she shrieked. “We promised my Dad on his deathbed that we’d get married, and…” “You promised your father on his deathbed that you would try to nail me. I was not present at his deathbed, and if I had been I would not have agreed to this asinine deathbed promise. I do not subscribe to the moronic superstition of giving the dying tyranny over the living. So you can forget all about this alleged deathbed promise. Only you made it, Patricia. It takes two to tango, and you will never, never tango with me, get that through your deluded head.” “You were, too, at my Dad’s deathbed,” she howled. “No, I wasn’t,” said Adam calmly. “My father told me about your father’s death in a telephone conversation a few days after the event. I had called him from Washington State, where I was doing research.” “Research, pah. Research for a pome. You don’t research for pomes,” she said, contemptuously. “The word is ‘poem’, not pome. In any case, you know nothing of poetry, so how can you say that poets don’t do research? I was researching a story that I wanted to create in blank verse.” “Blank verse – Ha. Prose arranged to look like a pome on the page. Why don’t you get a decent job? You’ve a law degree, become a lawyer. Be respectable, I want to be proud of my husband, not apologetic because all he does is write pomes.” She tried to force her way a few steps toward the living room, Adam holding her back easily from encroaching. He certainly did not want her to sit down. This distasteful interview would be held while they were both standing. “My condolences to whatever man you decide to marry,” he clipped, his voice dripping disdain. “I can only hope for his sake that he is not a poet. One thing I can — and do — assure you of — it won’t be me,” “But you turn me on so. You’ve got to marry me.” “The thought that I turn you on makes me shiver with distaste. Please stop humiliating yourself. Have you no pride?” “No. After a year in a Peruvian jail, I can state confidently that I’ve no pride left at all. I slept with jailers for better food, for a shower, for… And now, after I suffered all that, it’s time that I had my reward. You, Adam, you.” Adam did not bother to suppress the shiver of distaste he felt at her words “No, Patricia,” he said coldly. “Never. Tell me, which part of ‘No’ don’t you understand? I don’t love you, I don’t want you, I never did — and I don’t now — and I never will. Is that clear enough? Get out of here and never, never come back. I don’t want you in my life – in our life, I should say, because my life is inextricably bound together with Annabel’s. I love her; I am going to marry her. Now get out, and stay out.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley At that moment, the door opened and Annabel walked in. When showing the others her fabrics, she realized she hadn’t brought her sketches, and hurried back to Adam’s condo to pick them up. At first she only noticed that, apparently, some woman was visiting them, but as soon as Patricia saw Annabel, she redoubled her efforts to throw herself at Adam. Since they were both standing, this was more difficult than she had imagined. Again, without any effort, Adam held her at arm’s length. Unable to embrace Adam and so make a claim before Annabel – for Patricia thought this woman must be Annabel – she decided to convey the message in decibels. “I’m Adam’s fiancée!” she screamed. Adam raised an eloquent brow to Annabel. “Does it look like she’s telling the truth, my love?” His midnight dark eyes were pleading with her to understand, and indeed she did. “Adam, my darling, if this woman is so deluded as to believe that she is engaged to you, perhaps a psychiatric examination would be the best thing for her,” said Annabel calmly. Annabel, thank you, you’ve understood. “Am, too! Am, too!” shrieked Patricia, in a credible imitation of a six-year old. “We were engaged, and then I went to Peru, and after reporting from there for a year, I was jailed. Look at me! Look what those bastards did to me. I used to be gorgeous, gorgeous. And I can be again, Adam, beloved. Just a few months at some spa or other, and I’ll be as lovely as you remember me…” “I’m sorry to sound un-chivalrous, but I don’t recall you ever being gorgeous, Patricia. You were always an unpleasant, overeager, pushy, stalking, harassing woman, whom I avoided like the plague. Obviously, your mind has been affected by your time in jail, and I think you’d benefit from a spell in a psychiatric hospital. These delusions about me will have to stop, and stop right now…” There was a perfunctory knock at the door, and Dave Hillman came in with two uniformed security officers. “Mr. Tremayne, I’m Dave Hillman, Chief of Security. Mike tells me that you have an unwanted visitor here.” “Yes, Mr. Hillman, indeed I do. This is Patricia Nelles. She is delusional and very aggressive. Unfortunately one of her delusions is that she promised her father on his deathbed that she would marry me. Is it likely that I would, I ask you?” “No, Sir. We all know that you’re engaged to Miss Annabel Browne, here.” “Exactly. So deal with Miss Nelles any way you see fit, as long as you keep her far away from my fiancée and me.” “I think the best thing will be to hand her over to the police with the request that she be detained in the psychiatric ward of the hospital until she can be evaluated.” “That sounds sensible, Mr. Hillman, thank you. Tomorrow, of course, I’ll ask my lawyer to execute a restraining order, so that this woman can be arrested and jailed the moment she comes too close to us.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Very wise, Sir,” said Dave. After a friendly nod of his head to Annabel, he turned to Patricia. His demeanor changed completely. “Are you coming quietly or do I have to cuff you?” he said harshly. The two security officers moved to each side of her. “Stay away from me, you bastards,” she snarled. “You’ll never get me back in jail. Adam! My husband!” she hollered. One of the security officers simply dragged her to the door, the other officer helping him by marching her quickly out of Adam’s condo. Shaking his head, with a quiet, “Goodnight, Sir, Ma’am,” Dave followed them. “Phewww,” said Annabel. Moving toward Adam, Annabel realized that he was shaking. Hastily putting her arms around him, she moved him slowly towards the sofa. Her voice soothing, she whispered, “Adam, come sit here with me, you’ve been deeply upset by all this. Tell me, what on earth was this in aid of? When I asked you if there was anyone in your past who could ever come here with a claim on you, you said there wasn’t. And of course I believe you. So who is this woman, and why is she deluding herself that she’s engaged to you?” “In just a moment, Annabel my darling, I’ll tell you all about this. Now, I need a drink. Will you have some wine with me? And then, there’s something I should’ve done before now. Will you bear with me a moment while I fetch something from my vault?” “Your vault? In your bank?” Annabel asked, confused. “No, a small vault in my bedroom. Don’t move, I’ll be back… Oh, dear God. Those were the words I spoke to you at the Authors’ party. And when I came back, there was only the Driscoll woman telling me with glee that you’d left with another man. You’ll be there this time, when I come back, won’t you?” She could see that he was deeply distraught by what had happened, and now the memory of that earlier time, when he had not found her on his return, seemed to cause him profound anguish. She put her arms around his neck, melting into him, her lips on his throat. “Adam, my love, where would I go? To the kitchen, to fetch the wine you said you wanted us to drink? Would that be all right? Or would you rather fetch the wine, and I promise I won’t stir from the sofa…” “Yes…” he said, his deep voice shaking. “Stay right where you are. I need to be sure that you’re going to be exactly there when I get back…” Annabel realized that that awful woman had deeply upset Adam. Suddenly, she remembered why she had come back: to pick up her sketches of the dresses. Oh, oh. She’d have to phone Mimi. Later, she decided. She was going to stay right here, as Adam asked. Her friends would realize something was amiss. Quietly, Adam came back into the living room. His face lit up when he saw her sitting exactly where he had left her. “Annabel, there you are,” he murmured, seating himself beside her. She noticed he had a black velvet pouch in his hands. He put it in front of her on the coffee table. “I should’ve given you an engagement ring last night,” he said softly. “This is my mother’s jewelry, which Dad gave me. If you don’t like the idea of Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley wearing someone else’s jewelry, please say, and we’ll go out tomorrow and buy you any ring you want.” “Adam, I’d dearly love to wear a ring that once belonged to your mother,” she said equally softly. “But it would mean more to me if you would choose…. Please?” By now he had the pouch open, and several ring boxes became visible. Nodding to Annabel with a quiet, “Anything you want,” he opened the ring boxes. He gestured to her to look at the rings, and quietly watched her face to see if she showed a noticeable preference for one ring or other. But she did not. “Please, Adam, will you choose the ring you want me to wear?” Nodding again, he picked a beautiful ring, its dark blue sapphire surrounded by perfectly matched diamonds. He glanced at her, his eyes searching. “Will you wear this ring for me? It was my mother’s engagement ring, and my parents had a very happy marriage.” “Of course I will, Adam. It’s the same color as those sapphire lights I sometimes see in your eyes,” she said, holding out her hand. “Oh, I do hope it fits…” And it did, perfectly. Adam put the ring on her finger, lifting her hand to his mouth kissing the ring he placed there. “I hope, very soon, to add a wedding ring to this,” he said against her fingers.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 7. Annabel threw herself into Adam’s arms, melting into him, waiting for his tight embrace, which came almost immediately. “My love, thank you for believing me about that woman,” he said, his deep voice huskier than usual. “Of course I believe you,” she whispered against his mouth. “Tell me, would you like me to go to the kitchen and find the cold white wine you said you wanted to drink?” “No, I’ll get it.” “Adam, you need to rest… You’re still convalescent, then this terribly upsetting thing happened to you… You stay here, I’ll get it,” she said softly, hurriedly rising to her feet, heading to the kitchen, returning quickly with a tray holding a cooler with a bottle of white wine and two glasses. She placed the tray on the coffee table within Adam’s easy reach. Lifting the bottle from the cooler, he asked, “Riesling all right for you? I’ve a lot of other white wines in my wine cupboard.” “Riesling is fine, Adam,” she smiled. Then, as an afterthought, “You’ve a wine cupboard? There sure isn’t one in Three-South.” “I think the wine cupboard was optional. I was lucky the previous owner decided to have one. That’s why the master bedroom is a bit bigger here, too.” “You’re right,” she said. “I noticed it when I was nursing you, but last night, well, frankly, all I saw was you…” “Last night…all you could see was me?” he said quietly, his voice darkening. Yes, my darling,” she said softly, bending toward him for a kiss. His response was instant, and impassioned. “Annabel…my love…” his voice was the merest whisper. He slanted his mouth over hers kissing hungrily, passionately. His tongue seeking hers, he delved deep to taste her, wanting the elusive, unique flavor that was hers alone, and which he had craved since first tasting her. Impatiently searching, he couldn’t hold himself back from moving her beneath him on the big sofa. “Please, my love?” His voice shook with desire. “Anything you want, Adam.” She surged against him, surrendering to whatever he wanted to do with her, and what that was became very clear, very soon. “Help me get your dress off,” he urged, his mouth never leaving hers. Quietly unzipping the back of her dress for him, she leaned forward to kiss his throat. Hastily stripping the straps down her arms, he began kissing and licking her shoulders, her throat, the little hollow at her throat. Hastily tearing off his shirt, she was embarrassed when several of the buttons flew off, bouncing on the coffee table. “That’s the first time I’ve ever had my shirt literally torn off me,” he murmured against her mouth.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I’m sorry, Adam, I…” “No, no, I loved it. Tell me, are you in that much of a hurry for me?” “Evidently…” Beginning to kiss him again, she smiled against his lips. Quickly unzipping his chinos and stripping them off, he was determined, this time, that she should remove his bikini underwear. Removing her flimsy half-bra, he began examining her tanga, making a soft, approving sound deep in his throat, as he removed it. To his delight, she was now naked in his arms. He raised a slim, questioning brow at her, and glanced down at his bikini. She gazed into his indigo eyes, midnight black with passion. “Do you want me to…?” she asked. He tightened his embrace. “Yes, I want you to.” Her eyes gazing into his, she slid her thumbs under the thin elastic, intending to remove the bikini from his hips and let him take it the rest of the way. Not this time. “My love, remember what I told you yesterday? We’re lovers now… I’m no longer your patient and you’re no longer my nurse. There’s no need to look intently into my eyes while you remove my underwear.” Her shy blush delighted him. “Please…” he said softly. “Look at my body as you take my bikini off. So we can be naked together?” He could see her swallow, her glance sliding down his body to his bikini. Hooking her thumbs once more under the thin elastic band, she removed it, freeing the hard, heavy length of him. Circling her fingers partly around him, she bent her head down, to his intense surprise – and probably her own, he thought. As if in a dream he felt her silky blonde hair caress his chest, his ribcage, felt her bestowing soft licks and kisses on his navel, before kissing her way down farther, over his beautifully-muscled abdomen, until her mouth found his penis. I could die from what she makes me feel, he thought vaguely, because he could no longer think clearly at all. Feeling her lick the underside of his erection, all the way from where his seed was clustered, to his tip, he wondered how it was possible he could harden and lengthen and thicken even more, the moment he felt her mouth on him. At that moment, he gasped, feeling her take his penis into her mouth, laving and licking and kissing him. To his intense surprise, he felt her other hand slide down between his upper thighs, caressing and fondling his sac, the globes taut with his seed. He wondered about his control, hoping that his convalescent state might slow him down a bit…. But he sensed that, if he didn’t stop her now, he would spill into her mouth. Quickly putting one hand over hers where she held his erection, he gently lifted her mouth from him with the other. Breathless, he gasped, “My love… What you did to me…” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Wasn’t it good, what I did?” Her voice was tentative. Evidently she thought he had removed her hand and her mouth from him because he didn’t like what she did. “I wouldn’t call that ‘good,’ my love. I’d call it sublime,” he sighed against her mouth. An agonizing thought hit him. Had that bastard Ken made her do that for him? I can’t bear it if… Forcing himself to speak calmly, he said, “Tell me, my darling – where did you learn to do that? Lick and kiss and then suck my penis?” “Did you think I found this out during some erotic research?” she asked with a smile. She shook her head. “No, I read about it in one of Luz Eagle’s books. And in the book the man liked it a lot. So I thought… But if you don’t want me to do that any more, please say…” Her face turned away, her long lashes hiding her eyes; she waited to hear what he thought of her attentions. Ah, she’s never done that before. Only for me — with me. He hastened to reassure her. “Annabel, I loved what you did, but it very nearly brought me to orgasm, and I want it to be wonderful for both of us…. So you’ll have to give me a few moments to get a little control back, all right?” “That’s a relief. When you took my hand and my mouth away from you, I began to think I had offended you…” she said softly. “You couldn’t possibly offend me, my love. I didn’t merely like it — I absolutely loved it. Truth to tell, I did wonder if I was at the receiving end of some of your erotic research. Well, if you ever want to do any, I’m available.” Tightening his embrace, he sighed, “But now it’s time for me to make you feel good. Let me return the favor, and kiss you?” Bending his dark head to the springy, tight blonde curls at the apex of her thighs, kissing her intimately, he felt intoxicated by her scent and the sweet taste of her. Feeling her beginning to writhe against him, he heard her moan, “Adam, I want you there… please…” And he realized that, right now, only the heavy length of him filling and stretching her would do. He lifted his face from between her thighs, and tightened his embrace as he kissed his way up her tempting body, lingering for a while at her breasts, continuing all the way to her mouth. He loved hearing her plead, “Please, Adam?” At last, very slowly, he entered her, giving her what she wanted. All of him.

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Chapter 8. When Annabel awoke in Adam’s arms, for a moment she was disoriented, then realizing where she was. On the sofa. She glanced at him and saw that he was still asleep. Suddenly, she remembered. I have to call Mimi. She decided to disentangle herself from their embrace. But when she tried to slide out of his arms, she encountered resistance. “No… honey… stay with me…” With those slurred words, his mouth found hers. Still half-asleep, he wrapped her more tightly in his embrace. “I love you so,” he murmured indistinctly. “I love you too, Adam — darling, so very much,” she whispered back. An enchanting smile lifting the corners of his sculpted mouth, he hid his face against her throat, sighing deeply. She decided to call Mimi in the morning. She and the others would understand. Somewhat to her surprise, she felt Adam growing back into her again… She marveled at his exceptional virility, and thought how grateful she was for it. Several hours later, Adam suggested they might as well adjourn to the bedroom. When he saw how sleepily unsteady she was on her feet, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to his bed. “Adam… you’re still conval…” She didn’t get any further, as he kissed her objection away. “Obviously I’m no longer convalescent, my love, since I had no trouble lifting you up and carrying you,” he said, kissing her as he set her on her feet. “So please will you stop worrying about me? I’m fine. And now, I think we should get some much-needed sleep.” “I’m so glad you agreed we don’t need Manuel’s Maidens coming in to clean. Otherwise I’d have to go pick up our clothes from the sofa…” “All you have to do now is lie here in my arms and go to sleep, my darling. Sweet dreams.” “You, too, Adam,” she whispered, half-asleep already. **** When Annabel awoke the next morning, she was alone in Adam’s big bed. She thought he must be writing, and wondered about bringing him a tray with a light breakfast. If only she could be sure she wouldn’t disturb him. In an agony of indecision, she got up, showered quickly, putting on a tanga and a blue sundress. Barefoot, she hurriedly stripped the bed, putting the bed linen in the washer, going to the kitchen to start the coffee, and hastily making a fine herbs omelet, putting it between two slices of Adam’s favorite multi-grain bread. Cutting it into triangles, she poured a glass of orange juice, adding a big mug of black coffee to the tray, and tiptoed to the door of his

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley library. Annabel listened at the door for a brief moment, but there was no sound. Thinking that even a perfunctory knock might disturb Adam more than her actual appearance with a breakfast tray, she inched the door open, insinuating herself into the room through the narrowest-possible aperture. She needn’t have worried about disturbing him. Adam sat in his big chair, his head leaning back, his eyes closed, his lips moving slightly. Annabel very quietly put the tray down, intending to leave as unobtrusively as she had entered. The coffee’s fragrance must’ve reached him. Adam opened his eyes wide in astonishment. To her dismay, he was also frowning slightly. Annabel turned from his desk and walked back to the door. Before reaching it, she heard his voice, “Wait.” When she looked back, she saw him get to his feet. “Annabel, thank you. I’m sorry to be so unsociable, but it’s the only way I can write. And you don’t have to bring me breakfast, I can find my own when I come to a place where I can break off conveniently.” Dismayed, she thought: What Adam’s saying is that he doesn’t want me to come into his library, disturbing him. All right. I can do that. Trying to sound calm, Annabel said quietly, “Of course, Adam. Just as you like. I’m sorry to have disrupted your writing. It won’t happen again. Perhaps you’ll tell me some time what you want and don’t want, so I’ll be less likely to disturb you.” She smiled at him to show she wasn’t upset by what he had said, although, of course, she was. She had just reached the door, when Adam said, “No, Annabel, honey. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I only meant…” With one step, he was at her side wrapping her in his embrace, his mouth against her temple. “Good thing you came in, or I might’ve forgotten I have to call my lawyer this morning to execute a restraining order against Nelles. And I do thank you for breakfast. I’ve been so used to getting my own that I…” Bending his dark head lower, he kissed her mouth. After a little while he said, “Ah…what you do to me… Come, sit on my lap while I make the call?” Adam led Annabel back to his big chair, sitting down, lifting her onto his lap, slowly caressing her back with his free hand. He seemed to have the lawyer’s number on speed-dial, because when he pushed one of the buttons, she heard a man’s voice. “Marcella Mellis’s office.” “This is Adam Tremayne. I would like to speak to Ms. Mellis as soon as possible, please.” “May I ask in what connection…?” “I wish her to draw up a restraining order or whatever it’s called.” “Yes, Mr. Tremayne. One moment please.” After a brief waiting period, the lawyer herself came on the line. “Good morning, Adam. What can I do for you? Howard said something about a restraining order?” “Good morning, Marcella. Yes. A woman named Patricia Nelles. Let me give you the background and tell you what she did last night…”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Briefly and succinctly, Adam told the lawyer what she needed to know, adding, “It may be that she’s still being held for a psychiatric evaluation. Dave Hillman, Chief of Security here at the building, may be able to give you further details. Will you look after that, Marcella? Annabel and I want to fly to Vegas to get married. I’d like to be quite sure that Nelles doesn’t ‘happen’ to be on the same plane, stalking and harassing us, trying to disrupt our wedding, and heaven knows what else.” “You’re getting married, Adam? To Annabel Browne? That’s wonderful. Hey, why don’t you let me arrange for you two to be married right here in Ocean Breeze? I’ve done that for Adam and Mimi, for Luke and Angela… Come to think of it, I’ve arranged the weddings for everybody in that building, except Hank, of course, who was wed to Karen with great pomp and circumstance from her parents’ house.” “Really, Marcella, can you do that? Is there any way you could do that for some time next week? Annabel’s brother, the painter Jordan Browne, is coming here this Friday, on Saturday there’s a big dinner party at Tom’s…” “Yes, I know, Mac and I are also invited,” said Marcella, adding, “Oh, you don’t know of whom I speak? Mac is Robert MacGregor, the bookseller on Main Street. He and I are close.” “Ah… We’ll look forward to meeting him on Saturday, then…” “Are you kidding? Mac’ll be fascinated to meet you two,” Marcella interrupted. Adam continued, “Anyway, Jordan will be here for a little rest. And my Dad can fly down from Glens Falls at the proverbial drop of a hat.” Adam glanced at Annabel, one slim eyebrow raised. Nodding quickly, she kissed the corner of his mouth, delighted to hear the soft growl in his throat. “All right, Marcella, will you organize our wedding then, as soon as possible, next week? And don’t forget the restraining order for the Nelles person.” “I won’t forget, trust me. I’ll have her tied up so tightly that she won’t be able to come within five hundred feet of you two.” “Thanks, Marcella,” said Adam simply, and disconnected. He put the phone down and picked up a piece of the omelet-filled bread. To his surprise, it was still warm. He felt the plate and realized that Annabel had warmed it, to keep his breakfast from cooling. With the piece of bread in his hand, he quickly kissed her mouth and whispered, “Thank you so much, my darling Annabel. I’m so sorry I was difficult…” “Adam, you couldn’t be difficult if you tried. But you are a poet, and I think you need far more absolute quiet and privacy than I do for writing my whodunits…” “Even erotic whodunits?” he wanted to know. She smiled. “Even those.” She made herself get off his lap. “I’ve disturbed you quite enough for one morning. I’m going back to the bedroom now to put fresh sheets on the bed, dust and tidy. I thought, perhaps, no vacuum cleaner while you’re writing.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Thanks, my love…” he sighed, blowing her a kiss. Hastily, she left his library. She decided to call Mimi from the bedroom, less chance of her voice disturbing Adam. To her surprise, when she began to tell Mimi of finding Patricia Nelles trying to assault Adam, Mimi laughed. “We heard all about it, when our husbands came upstairs. Mike called up to tell Jared a couriered envelope for him had arrived, and brought it up. Mike told him all about this Nelles woman. Well, this sort of thing has happened to all of us. I guess it’s the price we pay for having gorgeous husbands. “Poor Luz – every time she accompanies Jared to New York, invariably some actress comes on to him, on the strength of what he thought was a brief fling they’d had years ago. A woman, to whom Luke had been briefly engaged many years ago, viciously attacked Angela. And an ex-lover of Nick’s tried to assault him sexually while he was asleep on his balcony. So, as you see, you’re in good company.” “If you like, Mimi, I can bring you the sketches — particularly of the little girls’ dresses — you and Nadine can decide if you like what I’m proposing to do. If you have other ideas, please do say so – this is a good time to make changes. Once I’ve cut the fabric…. that’s a whole different story.” “Tell you what, I’ll stop by your place on my way to the garage, and grocery shopping. You are at your Adam’s place, Eight-South?” “Yes, I am. Mimi… Could you knock very softly please, Adam is writing.” “And I know what that means,” Mimi laughed, disconnecting. Half an hour later, Mimi barely scratched at Adam’s front door. Annabel quickly let her in, and the two women moved to the living room, where Annabel’s sketchpad was lying on the coffee table. “Coffee, Mimi?” she asked, almost whispering. “No thanks, I’d better make this as brief as possible. If your Adam is writing, I know he won’t want any disturbances. You’ll get used to it, trust me. I did.” “I sure hope so. This morning I made a bit of a booboo, bringing him a tray with a light breakfast. Not well received… Although he charmingly made amends before I could even leave his library.” “Sounds familiar,” said Mimi with a grin. “Give me the sketchpad, I’ll show it to Nadine, and bring it back. I’ll call you before I drop it off.” “Thanks for understanding, Mimi.” Mimi rose and hurried away. **** Half an hour later, there was a cheerful rat-tat-tat on the door. Annabel cringed. She felt sure this couldn’t be Mimi. She sighed with annoyance. Only Judy would make such a stupid racket. Hastily she went to the door, hoping to shush Judy’s usual, too-cheerful voice. But the moment she opened the door, Judy embraced her and caroled, “Belle. Oh, Belle.” “Please, Judy, ssssh. Adam’s writing…” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Okay, so Adam’s writing – he isn’t writing in the living room, is he? I’ve got the most wonderful news.” Judy’s voice went on insouciantly, too preoccupied with her own concerns to realize that she was seriously upsetting Annabel with her loud exclamations. “Judy, be quiet,” Annabel hissed, very upset by Judy’s unwillingness to moderate her voice. “Your voice is loud enough to penetrate into Adam’s library. He is a poet; he’s sensitive to noises, disturbances. Please… If your news is so good, couldn’t you please whisper it to me?” At last, Judy realized that she had been inconsiderate, to say the least. She tiptoed ostentatiously into the living room, throwing herself down on the sofa. In a sullen, hoarse whisper, she confided, “Things with Hank are progressing rapidly. I thought you’d like to know.” “I am glad to know that, Judy. But please show some consideration for Adam?” “All right, all right,” said Judy, not best pleased that Annabel seemed more preoccupied with Adam’s writing and his need for silence than with her friend’s good news. “Well, last night we went out – Hank took me to the Café de Paris in the Hilton, d’you know it?” Annabel shook her head. “I’ve heard of it, of course, but I haven’t been there…. Well, go on?” “Well, we were getting to the end of dessert, when Hank asked if I’d like to have coffee in his condo, rather than dawdling over it in the restaurant, so of course I said yes. And, once we were seated on Hank’s sofa, things very rapidly went from good to terrific.” Again, Judy’s voice became almost a shriek of delight. A little desperately, Annabel pleaded, “Sssssh, Judy, please? Adam needs peace and quiet to write.” “Well,” said Judy indignantly. “If you can’t even have your friends visiting…” “Judy, I can have my friends visiting. I can’t have them screaming with joy, is that too much to expect you to understand? That you’ll show a little consideration for Adam?” “No, I guess not. Now, is my voice sufficiently low so that I can tell you about Hank?” Judy whispered hoarsely, angrily. “Fine. Please do tell,” said Annabel, not really looking forward to a blowby-blow reportage. She had always felt that her private life was private. Judy needed to share. “Oh, Belle. Hank was just wonderful. I knew he had been a widower for over a year, so I was thinking… perhaps he’s getting ready for a commitment? Or, if not a commitment — a little loving? And, oh, Belle, he was. A very sexy, considerate lover. Wow. You won’t believe the things he did to me, and the things I did to him. We both went straight up like Roman candles. Oh, wow. And, oh, dear God – Hank sure is built. Believe me, I’ve never had better… Or oftener. Well, of course it’s probably been quite a while since he last had sex…” Judy fell back against the sofa cushions and sighed deeply, slanting a glance at Annabel.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “And you, Belle? Oh, come on — what’s it like with Adam?” Judy grinned at her friend and added, “C’m on now, give.” “Judy, you know I never could talk about such things. To me, they’re the most private things between a man and a woman, and are meant to stay there – between the man and the woman. You know I can’t possibly tell you about Adam and me… Please don’t ask…” “Well, I told you all about Hank and me,” Judy said a little indignantly, her voice, unfortunately, rising again. “Ssssh. Please, Judy. Well, I didn’t ask you to tell me about you and Hank, talking about intimate things always came very easily to you. You need to share. I need to hug the knowledge to myself. We’re just different in that respect, Judy, surely you’ve realized that before now?” “Well, if you won’t tell me what it’s like with Adam…” At that moment, the library door opened, and Adam came out. His face inscrutable, eyes black as obsidian, and as cold, he said quietly to Judy, “I’m glad to hear that Annabel won’t tell you what it’s like with me. Surely that is only of interest to us. Why on earth would you want to know that, Judy?” He looked at her penetratingly for a moment, then said, “I hope you will excuse us, but we have an appointment at my lawyer’s. Let me see you to the door, Judy.” Embarrassed, Judy muttered, “I’m sorry if our girl-talk offended you, Adam. It means nothing… “ Adam nodded, opening the door. “No harm done. Good morning, Judy.” Judy sashayed out, turning in the doorway to tap Adam’s chin with a long fingernail. “Delicious,” she said, with a wicked grin. Craning her neck around Adam, she said to Annabel, “Lucky girl. Bye.” Adam quietly shut the door turning to Annabel. Slowly, his dark indigo eyes began to regain their usual warmth. “How can you stand her asking about our private life…what I’m like?” Adam’s deep, somewhat husky voice shook. Annabel realized that Judy’s insouciant remark had upset him profoundly. “Of course I don’t like her asking such things, and I hope you noticed that I did not respond to her prying. I’ve never confided details of my private life to anyone, and I certainly don’t intend to start now that I actually have a private life… Mimi and the others are just like me; we never discuss details from the boudoir… It’s just Judy, who needs to go into unwanted details. I’m so very sorry she upset you, Adam.” Annabel glanced worriedly at him, to see whether her explanation was enough. Evidently not. She decided he needed more. “Judy and I were at university together, then we roomed together. Of course, in those days we were most virtuous, so Judy had nothing to confide about. Apart from her more recent, unfortunate tendency to discuss the most intimate details of her sex life, she’s always been a good friend to me. I’ve been hoping for some time that she’d grow out of this need to tell all. “But Adam – were you serious? Do we have to go visit your lawyer?” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Yes. You didn’t think I would lie just to get Judy to leave? Heavens, no. We have to sign some forms, then Marcella will arrange for us to have blood tests done. As soon as those come back, she’ll ask a judge of her acquaintance to find a spot on his calendar where he can fit us in. I sure hope it’ll be soon.” “So do I. Which reminds me, would you mind if I went to my old condo this afternoon, to start work on my wedding dress and the two bridesmaids’ dresses for the little girls?” “Fine with me, but why don’t we arrange to bring your sewing machine and all that stuff to my second guest suite, which is empty. We could also put your desk and computer things in there, so you could do your writing, too? I‘ll have some bookshelves made for you, would that help?” “Thank you, Adam. That’s so good of you, but no hurry. The book I just finished has gone to Swanage & De Villiers, and I haven’t decided yet on my next one. Of course Nigel – that’s Nigel Sheppard, my Editor – likes to have at least an outline, but I told him I hadn’t quite decided yet. He’s so good about leaving me alone when he senses I’m not ready yet to start something. So, it’s sewing time for my wedding dress…” “Let me have a word with Mike. Perhaps he can arrange to bring these things up from your condo to mine while we’re at Marcella’s. I think I’ll just slip down to the lobby. It’s a little more personal if I can speak to Mike direct. I’ll be back soon.” When he returned, he said, “Mike will arrange everything, while we’re away. I’ve told him which items you want to have moved, and where they’re to be placed. Meanwhile, we’ll go to Marcella’s office now, and keep the appointment for our blood test, which Marcella said she’ll lay on with a doctor she’s friends with. I’ll probably have to give her details about the restraining order against Nelles. That’s most important. All right?” “Of course all right, but do you think I’m suitably dressed for going to visit your lawyer? This is only a little sundress.” “You look wonderful,” said Adam, with such an adoring look in his eyes that Annabel couldn’t help herself. She wrapped her arms around his slim waist and hugged him. “So do you, Adam. In fact, you look stunningly gorgeous,” she said softly. “Such a hunk…” Adam threw his head back and laughed. “A stunningly gorgeous hunk. My love, be serious—” “I am serious, Adam. But there’s something else I need to ask you, and that is whether you need more privacy than you have with me living here? We could keep my condo. I could go there when you need total privacy and quiet for your poetry.” “No, my love. I am ecstatic to have you live here with me. If you could keep Judy’s visits to a minimum? That shrieking voice, it’s like a road drill, only higher. I’m sure she could shatter concrete with it. And those intimate questions she dared ask of you. I find that deeply offensive.” “Well, if things with Hank are going as wonderfully well as she says, then she won’t have time to waste on me, that’s for sure. And she has another Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley interior design client, she told me yesterday, so that’ll keep her busy during the daytime. What I wouldn’t want you to ask of me is tell her never to visit here again, but I don’t believe you’d do that, would you?” “Of course not. She’s an old friend of yours. If only she’ll keep her voice down a bit, surely that’s not an unreasonable request?” “Of course it isn’t, Adam. I’ll ask her not to visit in the mornings – you need to write. I need to clean and tidy the condo. And, if I ever get a handle on my next book, I’ll need to write, too. I can’t tell you how I cringed when she banged so loudly on your door, then those high-pitched exclamations…” “Well, then, if you’re ready, shall we go to Marcella?” he asked, and when she nodded happily, they walked to the foyer and out of his condo.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 9. A couple of hours later, all formalities were taken care of, their blood tests done. On their way home, Annabel asked for a brief stop at the Inlet, where the fishermen sold their catch in a small cooperative shop. She bought huge scallops, and some tiny shrimp, then went to the supermarket to buy some spinach and some exotic fresh fruit for a fruit salad. Adam carried her grocery bags wondering what she might make for dinner. When they got home, he said, “I hope you will excuse me. I hadn’t quite finished writing this morning, but I couldn’t continue with that noiselevel.” “Of course, Adam, but would you like me to bring you a cup of tea and perhaps some cinnamon toast? I thought, we wouldn’t eat too late, seven-ish, maybe? Then, if you need to write some more, there’s quite a chunk of the evening available to you.” “I’d love a cup of tea, later, but I don’t intend to write again this evening. I want to spend the evening with you. Alone, I hope.” “Most definitely alone,” she smiled. “I was just thinking, today is Thursday, Jordan arrives tomorrow. Of course, if you need to write I’ll be glad to go pick him up by myself…” “No, no. I’ll come with you. By the way, now that we’re not getting married in Las Vegas, but here, perhaps we could arrange for the reception to be held later, on the same day?” “What a good idea. What do you think? Champagne, mimosas and Perrier? And I’ll get started on making a zillion appetizers?” “Oh, no. Already you’re making your own wedding dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses. Let’s have the reception at the Hilton, so they can do the nibbles. I intend to marry only once in my life, so on our wedding day, I want you to be happy and rested, not worn out from making food for our reception.” “But Adam, the Hilton is bound to be very expensive…” She sounded worried. He smiled. “Perhaps you’ll recall that I told you I’m a very successful poet – as poets go, that is – and I also inherited my maternal grandfather’s money. I promise you, I can easily afford to pay for our reception. Most definitely I don’t want you to work your fingers to the bone.” “Well, if you’re sure…” She sounded anything but convinced. He decided that, one day soon, he would explain to her how well-off he actually was, what with his poetry, university lectures, articles in literary magazines, plus his granddad’s money. Dinner was delicious, and Adam was delighted to taste the huge scallops, strewn with tiny shrimp on a bed of spinach, with a Pernod sauce drizzled over. He was amused when Annabel told him the recipe was Angela’s from one of her whodunit books, which feature a sleuth who is also a chef. “Do you all read each other’s books?” he asked.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Religiously,” she smiled. “And, for that matter, Adam’s, Luke’s and Nick’s books, and Jared’s plays when they were gathered into an anthology. And that’s not all. We are all very partial to certain slim volumes by a quite exceptional poet…” “No kidding?” he said, surprised. “Do you all read my poetry?” “You better believe it,” she nodded emphatically. **** On Friday, early evening, Jordan arrived at the Daytona airport. Annabel and Adam stood back a little, watching for a tall man with dark-blond hair and blue-green eyes. At six-foot-three, Adam towered over most other people waiting for passengers. He quickly spotted a man who came close to his own height. He lifted Annabel by the waist after indicating where she should look. “Jordan! Jordan...” She waved enthusiastically. Surprised, Jordan looked around and saw his sister, held up by a tall man. Quickly, he changed direction and reached Adam and Annabel just as Adam set her down. “Jordan.” Annabel hugged her brother, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Hey, Sis.” Jordan grinned delightedly at her, gently wiping the tears away. “It seems to me that introductions are in order?” He looked at Adam, held out his hand and said, “I’m Jordan Browne, Annabel’s brother.” “Adam Tremayne – I hope to marry Annabel next week,” said Adam, to Jordan’s surprise. “You and Belle are getting married?” “Yes, we are.” Annabel sighed with happiness. Both men looked at her fondly. “At present, my lawyer believes that the Judge who will marry us has an open period in his busy calendar some time on Wednesday. Marcella will let me know on Monday for sure. I’m going to call my father this weekend, and will ask him to fly down from New York in time for the wedding. He’ll be my best man. We were hoping you’d be able to walk Annabel down the aisle, or perhaps I should say, down the Judge’s carpet, to me.” “I’d be delighted, of course,” said Jordan, looking from his sister to the very handsome man who so clearly adored her. “Shall we go to baggage pick-up?” Adam suggested. “No need,” said Jordan. “I travel light. This is all I’ve got. I figured, coming to Florida, I’d invest in some shorts and swim trunks once I got here. I’ve sent my evening clothes ahead by Federal Express; they should be at Tom’s gallery by now. If they haven’t arrived, I’m afraid I’m going to be very informal at Tom’s dinner party.” “Great,” said Adam. “Let’s go find the car, then.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 10. On Saturday, the entire building was a hive of activity. This was the evening of Tom’s ‘Island’ buffet dinner, to which ‘everybody’ was invited. As their guests assembled, Tom and Jeff, both elegant in superbly cut evening wear, stood a little apart in the grand reception room, looking with pleasure and some awe at the number of tall, dark and very handsome men gathered here, all looking fabulous in their evening clothes, escorting their beautiful women. Adam and Mimi were greeting Ashley, her niece, a petite beauty with long pale blonde hair, clinging to the arm of Dr. Bill Reese, her handsome husband. Famous for his devotion to his patients, he was a favorite among the women, having delivered most of their babies at one time or another. Tall and handsome Luke Maclean entered, hugging his wife, Angela. Jared Eagle, the celebrated playwright, tall, dark and very handsome, was protective of his wife Luz, whose fine, pale skin could not take the sun. They were delighted to see Marcella Mellis, a woman in her late thirties, with a mane of auburn hair. Robert MacGregor, the man beside her, handsome, dark-haired with very blue eyes, was known to everyone as Mac. Gifted with a sardonic sense of humor, Mac waged a permanent war with his bowtie. As usual, Tom helped by standing behind Mac and retying it perfectly. Just as Tom was about to introduce Mac to Adam Tremayne and Annabel Browne, the front door opened to allow entrance to Nick and Nadine Thalassinos, and Leandros and Irene Melissinos – the two Greek Tycoons, who each had a complete floor in the building. Both over six feet tall, of athletic build, very dark and handsome, they wore impeccable dinner clothes with panache, and were solicitous of their wives. While greetings were being exchanged, Hank St.George walked in with Judy Gardner. Hank wore his evening clothes with ease, one arm lightly around Judy’s small waist. Judy, a striking brunette with hazel eyes, wore a flame-colored chiffon dress that was given a second look by most of the men present. Adam and Jordan smiled at each other, as the flame-colored chiffon got the once-over. Or, as Adam suggested, the twice-over. Annabel smiled at the men, knowing precisely what they were thinking. She agreed. Judy always dressed for the purpose of stunning the men. Tom caught Jordan’s arm, introducing him to a stunning model, Miranda Jones. A moment later, he took the opportunity of introducing Mac to Adam and Annabel. They immediately hit it off splendidly. When they were all sipping champagne, Mac asked, “If the idea doesn’t appall either of you, I wonder if I might call you to try and arrange a book signing afternoon, entirely at your convenience, of course.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I’ll be glad to do that for you,” said Annabel. “If you’re sure there are enough poetry-readers in Ocean Breeze, Mac, you can count on me, too,” said Adam. “Enough poetry-readers? Are you kidding? I can’t keep your slim volumes on my shelves,” said Mac. “I’d love to have you do a book signing afternoon and watch the poetry-lovers fight for pride of place in the lineup.” Adam smiled his usual shy smile, gracefully shrugging one shoulder. Just then, Mimi looked at Annabel, and nodded slightly from one Adam to the other. Annabel understood her perfectly. Apparently Mimi’s Adam was just as shy of compliments as her own Adam. “That reminds me,” said Mimi, approaching with her Adam. “Annabel and I were wondering how we can tell the two of you apart. I suggested ‘Mimi’s Adam’ and ‘Belle’s Adam’ – but Belle thought perhaps you guys wouldn’t care for that. Well? Have you two any ideas?” “How about Adam the Poet — and Adam the Nobel?” said Tom, tongue in cheek. “I know you’re trying to send them up, Tom, but actually it isn’t a bad idea,” said Jeff. Adam Tremayne intervened. “Actually, since Adam…” with a courteous nod of the head to Adam Stewart, “was here first, so to say, wouldn’t it be enough to call me Adam-the-Poet, and Adam can just remain Adam?” “A gentleman and a poet,” said Mimi. “Actually, I think that’s a fine idea. Because I know if my Adam were constantly reminded that he is a Nobel laureate, it would make him painfully shy. We don’t want to do that to him, do we?” “Absolutely not,” was heard on all sides. “Thanks, ‘Adam-the-Poet’. That was a very kind thought of yours,” said Adam the Nobel Prize winner. **** Hank was just turning to Ashley, his sister, and away from Judy, who was delighted to see Jordan among the guests. He was chatting to a beautiful, red-haired woman in a pale peach silk dress printed with delicate trails of white marguerites, which gave the impression that the wearer was nude but for the white marguerites. She’s probably a model, Judy thought. Slipping out of Hank’s arm, she went over to Jordan, a friend since her teenage years.. Just then, a vision of loveliness descended Tom’s grand sweeping staircase. A petite woman with straight, ink-black hair, almond shaped very dark eyes, a beautiful face, with a silken ivory complexion and a pink, luscious mouth, slowly made her way down. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that she undulated down the stairs. She was wearing an alluring, ivory silk dress, delicately embroidered with tiny, iridescent beads, and looked totally stunning. Tom intended walking over to the foot of the stairs to greet the latecomer, but Hank was faster. “May-Lyn?” he murmured, his handsome face pale with emotion at the very unexpected encounter. “Hank…” May-Lyn whispered in her breathless little voice. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley When she was still a couple of steps from the bottom of the stairway, she launched herself into Hank’s arms, clinging elegantly to his shoulders, and offering her pink mouth to him for a kiss. Surprised by the way Jordan stared, Judy turned around and, to her astonishment, found Hank clasping a tiny, dazzlingly beautiful woman to his heart, kissing her. No contest, thought Jordan, Adam and Annabel. “Nolo contendere,” said Marcella softly to Mac. “Hank… I’m so very pleased to see you,” May-Lyn whispered. “I was hoping you might come tonight, because I’ve something to tell you… I’ve resigned from the ballet. I’ve danced starring roles for several years now, and it is no longer as important to me as it once was. I would much rather be your wife than the Swan Queen or whoever… Hank?” “May-Lyn… oh, dear God….” Hank stammered, for once at a loss for words. Judy slowly approached Hank and May-Lyn. She gave May-Lyn a cold, furious look, held out her hand and said, “Hi, I’m Judy Gardner. I’m Hank’s girlfriend, the lady he brung to this food-fest. And you are?” May-Lyn looked up gravely at Judy, not for a moment relinquishing her place in the circle of Hank’s arms. “I’m May-Lyn Wong, ballerina with Canada’s National Ballet. Hank and I…” Wisely, she did not elaborate. “Hank and you, what?” asked Judy, her tone curt, raising a skeptical brow at her. May-Lyn looked up at Hank, turning slightly in his arms, putting her small, delicate hand with the long, pale pink nails on his shirt between the lapels of his dinner jacket. To Judy’s dismay, Hank instantly covered the dancer’s delicate fingers with his own strong, brown hand. “May-Lyn and I were going to be married, four years ago,” Hank said quietly. “Then, everything went terribly wrong, and…well… “ Quietly, Hank’s eyes searched for Tom, who understood, hurrying over. “Why don’t I get May-Lyn a little champagne, while you explain the situation to Judy, hmm?” said Tom calmly. A little too loud, Judy said, “What’s there to explain, Hank? Do you make a career of sleeping with women, then facing them a day later with an old flame?” Quickly, Hank took Judy aside and said, “Let’s go into Tom’s library for a moment, I’m sure everyone will be grateful if we don’t hold this discussion within their hearing, Judy?” Resisting Hank’s polite hand under her elbow, Judy stood her ground. Still speaking too loudly, she said, “Oh, I’m sure it would suit you very well, discussing this sordid little gambit in private, and then suggesting that the best thing for me would be to leave here… Well, I’m not going. We were invited here to dinner, and…” If Judy had hoped to shame Hank into remaining with her and renouncing May-Lyn because of the sizeable, interested audience, she had miscalculated. As if by magic, all the dinner guests moved well out of earshot, and several of them actually stepped out into Tom’s garden, which was fragrant with night blooming plants and shrubs. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley More calmly than he felt, Hank said very quietly, “Actually, I was invited to dinner here, and Tom said if I wanted to bring a friend, by all means, I could do so. I’m now asking you to please allow me to drive you home, Judy. I was so very deeply in love with May-Lyn, and was desolate, when she wouldn’t marry me….” “But not all that desolate evidently. You did marry another woman whom you’ve been mourning now for… what? A year?” Judy’s voice was still unpleasantly loud. Hank nodded. “Yes, that’s all true. But it now seems that I’ve been given a second chance, and… I do apologize most sincerely for taking you to bed last night. It was, surely you agree, a lighthearted thing to do. Neither of us is deeply in love with the other. So, Judy, will you be generous and let me drive you home? Please?” Still furious, Judy snorted inelegantly. “Oh, forget it – just call me a cab, will you. And be sure to pay for it. This evening bag is so tiny, there isn’t room for any money in it. But that was a shitty thing to do, Hank. Sleeping with me without establishing beforehand that we felt the same lighthearted, uncommitted approach to us having sex — because it meant a little more to me than taking care of your libido. Which seems to be what it was to you.” Just as Hank was about to call a cab, Jordan entered from the garden, saying quietly to Hank, “Judy is a childhood friend of my sister’s and mine. If you’ll give me your car keys for a moment, I’ll drive her back. Will you make my excuses to Miranda Jones, the red-haired lady over there, and tell her that I may be a little while? Once I get Judy back to her condo, I want to make sure she’s all right.” Almost automatically, Hank reached into his trouser pocket handing Jordan his car keys. “Jordan, I’m very grateful to you for…” “Save it, Hank,” said Judy crossly, taking Jordan’s arm. A moment later, they were gone. Walking back to the others, Hank found them spread over the second reception room, the huge verandah and the garden. Noticing that May-Lyn was being quietly looked after by Tom and Jeff, he made his way to the beautiful red-haired woman. “Ms. Jones?” he said hesitantly. “I’m Hank St. George. Jordan is seeing Judy home, they’ve been friends forever, and he hopes you’ll forgive him for taking the time to make sure Judy’s all right. I realize I should’ve done that, but Judy didn’t want me to. May I get you another drink?” Miranda Jones shook her fiery head, walking with Hank to where Tom and Jeff were standing with May-Lyn. “No, thank you… Hank, is it? You go back to that stunning little dancer friend of yours. I’ll latch on to Jeff. He and I are old friends, chess buddies. He’ll get me another drink. And Hank… if you’ll forgive me an observation? That was a trifle untidy.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Miranda’s big smile robbed the words of any censure, and Hank laughed ruefully. Then he was at May-Lyn’s side, murmuring, “Thanks,” to Tom, and preparing to devote himself entirely to reestablishing his relationship with her. “Phewww,” seemed to be the consensus of opinion. For a brief moment, Tom wondered whether his carefully orchestrated Islands buffet dinner had suffered irreparable damage, because of the very dramatic developments between May-Lyn, Hank and Judy. But these people were all good friends, and none of them cared for scandalous gossip, so they all acted as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, beginning to chat idly with each other. Tom raised a carefully tended eyebrow at Jeff, who quickly began circulating with a bottle of Tom’s vintage champagne. Tom thought that a little bubbly would help everybody forget the little drama à trois that had been so recently enacted. In this, he proved to be quite right. Miranda lost some of her shyness, and fooled around with Jeff, a brilliant impersonator in his own right. To amuse the others, they began to invent skits, using the voices of the famous, as well as the notorious. So successful were they that only Tom noticed when, nearly an hour later, Jordan returned. He moved beside Hank, handing over the car keys, whispering, “She’s fine – furious, but fine.” He quickly moved away. Tom hurried to Jordan, handing him a flute of champagne. “You’ve deserved a whole tray of these. Will this one do to start with?” Jordan looked at him gratefully. “Thanks, Tom. Yes, I could do with that.” Tilting his head back, he drank the entire flute in one long swig. Tom laughed, gesturing to Jeff to bring more champagne. Adam and Annabel moved closer to Jordan. She asked, “How is Judy?” “Just about how you’d expect her to be, Sis. Spitting mad, of course, but underneath it all, very, very hurt. It seems she really cared about the guy…” “Well, I must confess that was the quickest, cruelest putdown I’ve ever seen, and, for all her faults, Judy didn’t deserve that.” Annabel slanted a look at Hank, who was talking with great intensity to May-Lyn. “Of course, the little dancer is enchanting, stunning, all that… but… Wait, now. It seems to me that, when I was leafing through the Toronto newspaper that you brought back from the plane, there was a piece about her in the Arts section… When we get home, I’ll see if I can find it.” “Really, Sis? I don’t recall it – but then, I try to give the Arts section a wide berth, in case they have a piece about my work in it. I make it a point never to read reviews, whether they be good or devastating.” Tom thought it might be a good time to announce his Islands Buffet. “Everybody. The Islands Buffet is now open. And here…” he went around his guests, giving an elegantly tied scroll to each, “…is the menu.” Interested, Adam untied the bronze ribbon unrolling the small scroll. After perusing it for a few moments, he said, “Tom, I don’t believe it… I know you’re a great chef in your own right, but these very specialized Islands dishes…” Tom grinned. “Take a look.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Two beaming Jamaican chefs waved to the guests, turning again to whatever they were concocting on Tom’s huge restaurant sized range. The guests gave the chefs some friendly applause. When they got around to the sumptuous buffet, to their surprise there were two charming Jamaican women in what was presumably their Native dress, who helped the guests assemble plates with things that went well together. Their wide smiles and great good humor had a happy effect on the guests. After all the courses, there was strong Blue Mountain coffee, with rum for those who wished to try it. Tom had set up his big dining room with two round tables, allowing his guests to mix and mingle any way they wished. At one time, Annabel heard Hank ask, while May-Lyn wandered about the buffet, “Mimi, could you do me a favor?” When Mimi nodded, he added, “Could you go into my condo for a minute – oh, not to clean or anything, but just to put clean sheets on the bed – I slept in those sheets with Judy…. I just can’t… Oh, and if you should find any women’s clothes…. could you spirit them away?” They heard Mimi’s reply: “I sincerely hope this is the first and last time you ask me to do this particular chore for you?” Annabel slanted a glance at her handsome lover, giving him a little smile. Apparently, the others had overheard, too, because they all began to grin, and finally, the men laughed outright. “Hey, what’s so funny at that table there?” Tom wanted to know. Nick caught Tom’s eye, shaking his head, letting his glance slant to Hank and Mimi. Always quick on the uptake, Tom hastily began to tell a funny story about the first time he and Jeff were in Jamaica. When everyone was back in the grand reception room with coffee and, if desired, a rum drink, Tom sprang a final surprise on his guests. Two young men, dressed in bright, very brief loincloths, began to play softly on steel drums. Then half a dozen gorgeous young men, dressed in even briefer loincloths, began to dance, weaving their way around fat pillar candles set on the floor. Their intricate movements, and their own obvious enjoyment of the dance were infectious. The entire party began to sway to the music. When the dance was over, the young men were invited to come sit with the guests, who were fascinated to discover that they taught playing steel drums and the Native dances of the Islands at several universities. Adam and Mimi were the first to leave, most understandably so, thought those who had overheard Hank’s request. Mimi raised an elegant brow to Annabel, and gave a little shrug. Quickly, Annabel took Mimi aside. “Listen, if you do find any of Judy’s clothing there, give it to me and I’ll give it back to her. You don’t want to be bothered doing that, do you?”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Thanks, Belle… I guess you overheard what Hank asked me to do? I could wish he hadn’t… Adam is none too pleased about all this, as you’ve probably guessed.” “Yes, I got exactly the same reaction from my Adam… Yet, he doesn’t really like Judy, who can be a little inconsiderate about keeping her voice down when Adam is writing. You can imagine how that goes over. Still, he seemed aghast at the way events unfolded. It seems very unlike Hank?” “Yes, I’ve never known him behave like this. Getting started with one woman and then switching in mid-party without a word of explanation. And it’s anyone’s guess how all this will turn out…” “My thoughts exactly. But in Hank’s defense, Judy may well have given him the impression that she likes him, and was willing to sleep with him, as a bit of fun. She can be so stupid, sometimes. Well, don’t forget – just bring any clothing to me.” **** When Annabel, Adam and Jordan were on their way home, Annabel said to her brother, “When Adam drives into the garage, I’ll show you where my car is parked. It’s yours to use. And we’ll be delighted if you’ll stay at Three-South as long as you wish. You’ve been so elusive, Jordan, with all those major solo exhibitions in far-flung cities… By the way, my car keys are hanging up on that little hook in the kitchen, you can’t miss it.” “Thanks, Sis. Actually, after locking Judy’s door, I had to keep the key. It’s a deadlock, and that’s perhaps just as well. I’d like to look in on her for a moment, make sure she’s all right. I must say, I’m surprised at Hank…” “I don’t think Hank had a whole lot of choice,” said Adam calmly. “Obviously the little dancer has him sexually enslaved, and that is about the most powerful form of enslavement there is. And Judy tries to give the impression that sex for fun is acceptable to her.” “I think you’re right, Adam,” said Annabel. “Good idea, Jordan. You go check on Judy.” In an aside to Adam, she added, “I think she’ll be so subdued by the events of this evening that she’ll only speak in whispers…” Adam grinned, “One can only hope.” Jordan nodded ruefully. “Yes, Judy can be loud, when she feels on top of the world. But that wasn’t all that often, right, Sis?” Annabel nodded. As Adam was driving into the garage, Annabel pointed out her car as they drove past it. “Sis, I don’t believe it. You’ve still got Dad’s superannuated Alfa Romeo?” “Yes. It’s carefully maintained, it gets me great mileage, and if I should ever need to drive really fast, it’s got power to spare.” “Yeah, right. If you should suddenly need to drive really fast— When would that be? Backing out of a parking space at the grocery store?” “Huh. No, to avoid an accident, say?” “Right. But thanks for the loan, I always did like the old Alfa…” “Play your cards right and maybe we could make a deal for the condo and the Alfa…”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Before Jordan could ask just exactly what kind of deal his sister was talking about, Adam was parking his car, helping Annabel out of the passenger seat, and Jordan jumped out of the back. An elevator was waiting, and Jordan punched ‘3’ for himself and ‘8’ for Adam and Annabel. “I won’t disturb you guys tonight, I’ll tell you tomorrow how Judy is,” Jordan said, stepping out of the elevator. “Good night.” Adam and Annabel murmured their ‘goodnights’ in response, as the doors closed. **** Once in Adam’s apartment, Annabel said, “Tonight was quite a departure for Tom.” She went to the kitchen, taking a bottle of Perrier from the refrigerator, putting it on a tray with two glasses, carrying it into the living room. “Usually his dinner parties are very formal sit-down affairs. He’s a fabulous cook – or should I say, chef – in his own right. Doing this Islands thing was a first-ever for him. But, knowing Tom a little bit by now, I think it’s but the forerunner of a whole series of themed dinner parties…” Adam took off his jacket, stripping his cufflinks from his sleeves, removing his tie and opening the top of his shirt. “Darling Annabel, do you think, perhaps, we could have our Perriers by the bed? I’m a little tired, tonight.” Instantly, Annabel was solicitous. “Of course we can do anything you want. Do you think you overdid things, tonight? After all, you’re still convalescing…” Adam put one arm around his love, picking up his jacket with the other items, and walking with her into his bedroom. He shook his head. “I promise you I’m well past the convalescent stage. But I found the evening unaccountably tiring. Perhaps the emotional pitch of the drama being played out à trois was a little high for my taste. Anyway, we’re in our own home now, and if we want to go to bed, who’s to stop us?” Adam helped Annabel with her back zipper and began to remove the rest of his clothes. “A shower, perhaps, honey? Pleasantly warm, just to freshen us up a bit?” he suggested, and she nodded. While they were in the shower, relaxing under the soothing cascade of water, they vaguely heard the wail of an ambulance. Not for one moment did it occur to them to wonder for whom this might be.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 11. The wail of the ambulance became steadily louder, until the noise was cut off when it stopped in front of the entrance to the building. Two medics jumped out and hurried with the gurney up the steps to the entrance. “Third floor, North,” said one of the paramedics to the doorman on duty. “Come this way,” the doorman said, punching the elevator button urgently. The doors flew open, and the medics hurried inside. When they got to the third floor, Jordan was at the door. “This way. I found her unconscious; she must’ve taken one too many of her sleeping pills. Please… Can you revive her?” “Do our best, Sir,” said one of the medics. The other was taking a reading from the blood pressure cuff, relaying the information to the hospital via his telephone. “Yes, Doctor. We’re trying to stabilize her now. The person who found her says she probably took two or three sleeping pills, but they’re a mild dosage,” said the medic, giving the brand and the number of milligrams per tablet. The other medic asked Jordan, “Friend of the lady, are you, Sir?” “Yes, I am. My sister and I and Judy Gardner — the lady here — are old friends. This evening, Ms. Gardner came to a dinner party. I offered to drive her home. She seemed upset, so I stayed for a while, talking, making some coffee. Well, at last she said that she was really tired and she’d take a sleeping pill and go to bed. So I let myself out of her condo, keeping the key because these front doors have deadlocks. I went back to the dinner party. “After dinner, I thought I’d check on Judy, to see how she was doing…” “And you found her overdosed,” said the paramedic. “Yes. This has happened to her before, she takes a sleeping pill, it doesn’t work fast enough and she takes another. Perhaps this evening, after she had had quite a bit of champagne at the party, the pills kicked in with a vengeance. I’m so very glad I decided to look in on her.” “Well, Sir, if she’s only taken two or three sleeping pills, she won’t have endangered her life. No, Sir. Definitely not. This is a mild sleeping pill, and the dosage is small.” The medic who was on the telephone to the hospital said, “Yes, Doctor. We’ll bring her in right now.” Then, to Jordan, “Do you want to come, Sir?” “Yes, I do. I think I’d better. You may need some information about her. I could most probably give that. “ By now, the two paramedics had Judy on the gurney, and were hurrying out of the condo with her. Jordan hastily locked the door again, rushing after the medics. Suddenly, in the silence of the elevator, Judy’s voice was heard, slurring a little, “Hank – you bastard.” The medics looked up at Jordan. “She talking to you, Sir?” one of them asked.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Jordan hastily shook his head. “No, my name is Jordan Browne. The man she refers to is the person who took her to the dinner party.” “I see,” said the medic noncommittally. When they got to the Emergency Room, the medics directed Jordan to the Admissions office, where he did his best to give what information he could. After waiting what seemed to him a long time, a nurse came over to Jordan, saying, “Your friend has regained consciousness. Dr. Reese is satisfied that she didn’t try to commit suicide, she was just impatient that her sleeping pills didn’t kick in quickly enough. Would you like to see the patient, Sir?” “Yes, I would. But would you give me a moment to make an urgent telephone call? There are some very anxious people waiting to hear that Judy’s going to be all right.” “Of course, Sir. Use the telephone here at my desk.” Hastily, Jordan looked up Hank’s telephone number. After he had punched in the number, he waited through six rings. On the seventh ring, Hank’s voice said indistinctly, “Yeah?” “Hank? This is Jordan Browne. I’m at the hospital. Judy was taken to the Emergency Room. When we got home, I decided to check on her to make sure she was all right. To my great dismay, I found her passed out on the living room floor, her container of sleeping pills held tightly in her hand. I called an ambulance and she was transported very quickly to the hospital here. In view of what happened at Tom’s party, I thought you should know how the evening went for Judy.” “Jordan, I’m so glad you went to check on her, she could’ve died if you hadn’t. How does it look?” “Hard to say – I can call back when I know more,” said Jordan, maliciously thinking that Hank deserved to have his night of love with the little dancer interrupted. “Okay, thanks…” Hank muttered faintly “Will do, Hank,” said Jordan, who smiled to himself. No, May-Lyn… You’re not going to have a wonderful orgy to celebrate you reunion with Hank. Not if I can help it. At Hank’s condo, May-Lyn’s soft voice whispered, “Hank, honey? Who was that? Why do people call you so late? Don’t they realize that you need to be alone with me?” “That was Jordan, May-Lyn. He called from the hospital to tell me that Judy was taken to Emergency, too many sleeping pills. He promised to let me know as soon as she’s regained consciousness.” “But Hank, darling, why would Jordan imagine that you’d be interested to know what happened to Judy?” May-Lyn whispered sensuously, her hands roaming all over Hank’s more than willing body. For a moment, Hank was taken aback. She wonders why I’d be interested to know whether Judy lives or dies? He quietly shook his head. “You see, May-Lyn, honey, before I saw you again this evening, I was in a bit of a relationship with Judy. I mean… Well, we had slept together.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Yes, I realized that when she shouted so angrily at me, but that’s all in the past. You and I are together again, Hank, honey? So tell Jordan not to bother us again about that vulgar, loud person.” May-Lyn draped her supple dancer’s body over Hank’s in exactly the right places and – as so many times before – he was unable to resist her attentions. “Hank, honey… oh… It’s such a long time since we were together, I had almost forgotten how big you are…” With these soft, honeyed words, May-Lyn let her small, delicate hand slide down Hank’s athlete’s body until she found his erection – his huge, very hard erection. With a groan, he wrapped his arms tightly around May-Lyn and crushed her to him. “I want to make love to you, right now…” he moaned. May-Lyn subtly shifted her position so that she came to lie halfway beneath Hank, and began to caress her lover sensuously, thinking: Men always want to make love, by which they mean stretching me painfully. Well, once we’re married I’ll explain to Hank that I don’t much like sex, although I’m willing to put up with caressing and cuddling… But I’m so small, and he’s so big… It’s no fun for me being stretched out of shape — practically. Aloud, she murmured, “Of course, Hank, honey…but be careful, won’t you? It’s been a long time, and you know how small I am.” “Are you telling me that, all this time, you haven’t been with anyone else?” Hank asked incredulously. He thought it was well over three years since their breakup. “How is that possible, May-Lyn?” Lisping prettily, she whispered into his ear, “Well, Hank, honey, I don’t much like sex… except with you, of course,” she added hastily. She doesn’t like sex except with me? That simply isn’t credible. The telephone rang again. After a nicely judged interval, Jordan thought this might be a good time to call Hank with the good news that Judy had regained consciousness. To his surprise, Hank answered on the first ring. “Yeah – Jordan?” “Yes, it’s Jordan. Just to let you know that Judy has regained consciousness and, apart from feeling sleepy, she’s quite all right. I’ve been in her hospital room, talked to her and she talked coherently to me. There’s a Dr. Reese looking after her, a very conscientious and sympathetic guy…” “That’s my brother-in-law,” Hank interrupted. “You’re sure, Jordan, that she is out of danger?” “Definitely, Hank. And I want to reassure you that she wasn’t trying to commit suicide. Nothing like that. Just, this evening, a sleeping pill on top of quite a bit of champagne… But she’s fine. I left her fast asleep in her hospital bed. So you go back to whatever you were doing.” “I doubt that,” said Hank ruefully, for May-Lyn had withdrawn to the farthest end of his bed and sat there, clutching a pillow in front of her, frowning at him. “But many thanks for relieving my concern about Judy. Bye, Jordan.” “Good night, Hank.” Jordan broke the connection. To his surprise, he felt a little sorry for Hank.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Jordan walked back to the condo building, and decided to let himself into Judy’s place once more. He went to her telephone, and changed the answering machine’s message from Judy’s request to leave a message to a brief description of what had happened to her. Jordan played the message back, and nodded, satisfied. Then he let himself out of Judy’s again and crossed the hallway to Annabel’s condo. Amused at Annabel’s urging that he ‘live it up a little,’ he poured himself some wine taking it into the master bedroom suite. Suddenly tired beyond belief, he climbed out of his clothes, draping them over a small arm chair… I’ll hang them up properly tomorrow. I’m just too tired now. After visiting the bathroom, he stretched out on the big bed, reaching over to the bedside table for his wine, taking a big sip. After another sip, he put the wine back on the table. Exhausted, he leaned back against the pillows. Moments later, his dark lashes dropped, fanning out over his cheekbones. Jordan was asleep. **** In Eight-North, across the hallway from Adam and Annabel, Hank had finally succeeded in convincing May-Lyn that his concern for Judy had been quite impersonal, and that his rekindled love for May-Lyn was in no way diminished because he had expressed concern for Judy. “Jordan should remember his manners and not disturb our lovemaking with useless messages about a woman you’ve nothing to do with any longer. If Jordan is so concerned for her, let him get engaged to her, then…” May-Lyn pouted. Somewhat to his surprise, Hank found himself irritated with May-Lyn’s blatant selfishness. Now, that’s a novel twist… What does that mean? That I’m not really in love with her? That it’s nothing but sexual addiction? Dear God – what have I done? Totally unaware that she had made Hank think unwelcome thoughts, and incapable of thinking of anyone but herself, May-Lyn now went into her most seductive mode. I’ll have to let him make love to me, I guess. After all, this is supposed to be our grand reunion. Hugging herself charmingly to Hank, MayLyn proceeded to bite the bullet, as it were. “Hank, honey, you’re even bigger than I remembered. You’ll be a little bit careful with me, won’t you, darling? It’s been such a long time since we were together.” “Of course I will, May-Lyn. But let me start by kissing you all over… Ah, the heady scent of your body… “ “Had you forgotten that, Hank?” “No, honey, of course not. But when I caught that first hint of your scent, it took me back all those years to when I used to practically commute to Toronto to be with you.” “And then you stopped, and married someone else,” May-Lyn pouted again.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Well, honey, I had asked you to marry me countless times, but you always said no, because you wanted to dance – a lot more than you wanted to be my wife.” “But Hank… I thought you were content to be with me every other weekend until I stopped dancing, and then we’d be married? I can’t tell you how upset I was when you said you wouldn’t come again.” May-Lyn’s small, dainty hand had found Hank’s erection and began to explore a little too firmly. “Oh, honey… go easy, will you…. I want this to be good for both of us, and if you…. No… Please honey, don’t do that…. I’ll…” None too gently, Hank forced May-Lyn’s hand from his penis and held her quietly. After a few moments, he said, “Honey, it seems that we’re at cross-purposes here. Of course I love it when you play with my erection… but you’ve got to go easy, honey. If you play so hard, then I wouldn’t have much control left to make both of us feel great once I’m inside you. I’ve explained that to you many times before. Had you forgotten?” “I guess I had forgotten,” May-Lyn whispered, trying to get her hand around Hank’s erection again. “Honey, I just told you not to do that. Or…tell me, is that what you want? To get me so excited that I explode the moment I’m inside you… or before, perhaps?” “Oh, no, Hank honey, of course not. It’s just that I find your erection so tempting to hold.” “Well, you’ll have to give it a rest, honey. Come here and open to me…” Hank had slipped May-Lyn’s small, exquisite body beneath his, and now he sought entrance. “Please Hank, go slowly?” May-Lyn quivered. Oh, why do men always want to be inside? Its so uncomfortable, and damn, Hank isn’t wearing a condom – I could get pregnant. Panicked, May-Lyn tried to draw back a little and said urgently, “Hank, you’re not wearing a condom.” By now, Hank had entered May-Lyn’s body, and he was in no mood for conversation. “Sssh, honey,” he managed, and then gave himself up to the delight of being with May-Lyn. Intoxicated by her body, Hank no longer could think; he could only feel. Feeling her stretch to take him, then clenching hard around him again, he seized her narrow hips, lifting them so that he could give her all of him. “Hank…” May-Lyn groaned, annoyed. At that moment, Hank thought that she felt the beginnings of their orgasm, and he thrust harder, faster, deeper, to make sure they shared the hot, irresistible climax he felt so near. Moments later, he spilled into her. When, spent, he glanced at her; he was surprised to see her frown. “Hank, you were much too fast for me,” she said crossly. “Oh honey, I’m so sorry – but you groaned my name and I thought…” said Hank unhappily. “Here, let me help you…” Slipping a hand between their bodies, he found the pearly little clitoris, beginning to stimulate with his thumb, taking care to keep his slowly diminishing erection as deep inside her

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley as he could manage. Soon, he saw May-Lyn’s face echo the feelings of completion she finally experienced. “All right, honey?” “I guess so. But Hank, honey, you’ve got to learn to slow down. It always takes me a long time, don’t you remember?” With a sigh, Hank said, “Yes, honey, I remember.” He remembered also that May-Lyn had often had ballet-induced injuries that meant they couldn’t make love. At least she could no longer claim those injuries. May-Lyn’s soft voice brought him back to the here and now. “Hank honey? You’re so big, you’re squashing me, inside and out…” May-Lyn complained most seductively. Ah yes, I remember that one only too well. In—spill my seed—out. Aloud, he said, “Sorry, May-Lyn, let me withdraw from you and get off you as well. There, is that better?” “Oh yes, Hank, much better. I had forgotten…” “How big I am, yes honey, you’ve mentioned that a few times.” “Hank… It was a compliment, not a criticism.” “Sure, honey. Just tell me this, do you want to stay here or would you prefer that I drive you back to Tom’s place?” Hank was offended, but not surprised, when he realized that May-Lyn was seriously considering the alternatives. “Hank honey, I’m afraid it would be inconsiderate to wake up Tom or Jeff by bringing me back this late, don’t you think? Perhaps I had better stay here?” “Yes, perhaps you’d better, honey,” Hank said, sounding a lot calmer than he felt. She’s staying with me in order not to inconvenience Tom and Jeff. Great. I’m beginning to think I’ve been all kinds of fool to start up with her again.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 12. In Eight-South, Annabel awoke in Adam’s arms, a little surprised that he hadn’t already gone to his library to write. She knew he had been commissioned to write a long article about modern poets for one of the major glossies, as he called the expensive, quality magazines. But I’m very glad he’s still here, she thought, hugging herself a little more closely to him. Adam, who had been dozing, opened his eyes. “Are you awake, Annabel, or do you hug yourself to me even in your sleep?” “Adam,” she whispered, melting into him. **** Much later, they shared a delightful shower. Afterwards, Annabel hurried to the kitchen to make breakfast. She started the coffee quickly, deciding to make a big omelet, which they could share, preparing some of those thin sausages that Adam liked so much, as well as some other goodies to tempt his appetite. Although Adam assured her, repeatedly, that he was just fine, she still wondered whether he was fully recovered from that terrible fever. A little later, they sat down to a rather elaborate brunch, Adam with the Sunday papers, Annabel with the Toronto paper Jordan had given her. They had been quietly eating and reading, when Annabel gasped. “Adam, darling?” she said hesitantly. “What, honey?” he asked, wondering what that little gasp meant. “Adam – there’s an article here in the Arts section of the paper, it’s got a big picture of May-Lyn Wong, so there can’t be any mistake—it’s about her. “It says here that her foot injury hasn’t healed properly, and that she can no longer do toe work. I think it means that she can no longer stand on her toes in those pointe shoes. The ballet has had to let her go, because she can no longer dance. “Adam… Didn’t she tell Hank that she had resigned from the ballet because she would rather be his wife than a ballerina? But Adam, she was lying. She’s simply thinking of marriage to Hank as the only career still open to her.” Adam was surprised to notice how upset Annabel was at what she considered a cruel deception. She went on, “We must let Hank read this article. If he is so besotted by her that he’ll marry her anyway, that’s his decision. Right now, he’s been lied to, and we can’t let her get away with that, surely?” Adam saw Annabel frown worriedly. Calmly he said, “I agree with you. Hank will have to be given this article. Whether he throws her out, or decides to marry her anyway, that’s up to him. But I’m a little surprised that you’re concerned for Hank. I thought, after he dumped your friend Judy rather publicly…” Annabel shrugged delicately. “Of course, the way Hank dumped her was inexcusable. But I remember Hank’s anxiety about you when you had that terrible fever, and how much help he was to me, fetching stuff from my

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley condo…I could never forget that. In any case, we shouldn’t let May-Lyn get away with blatant lies to ensure her second choice of career – marriage to a rich, handsome man.” “Oh? You think Hank is handsome?” “Sure he is – in a blond sort of way. For myself, I prefer tall, very dark and to-die-for handsome…” she murmured, abandoning the newspaper and putting both arms around Adam’s waist, hugging him. “Well, that’s a relief – for a moment I thought I might have to bleach my hair,” said Adam, his chiseled mouth quirking a little. Annabel lost no time in kissing the corner of his mouth. “Don’t you dare change anything about you. I love and adore you just the way you are. As if you didn’t know,” she whispered against his mouth. Adam gave up any pretence of reading the paper, wrapping Annabel in his embrace. “Mmm… this is so good,” he sighed. After a little while, Annabel said, “Adam, have you any suggestions how we should make sure that Hank gets to read this article?” “Very simple, my love. I’ll call Hank and ask him to come by for coffee, we have some information of vital importance for him.” Adam took his cell phone out of his shirt pocket, and quickly punched in Hank’s number. “He may be a while answering,” he said to Annabel, “he’s probably got May-Lyn still with him.” Hank answered on the second ring. “Hank St. George.” “Hank, it’s Adam. Adam-the-Poet, I should say. Listen, can you drop in for a coffee or something? I’ve got some information of vital importance for you.” “Sure I can, Adam. I’ve just got back from delivering May-Lyn back to Tom’s.” “You took her back to Tom’s? I thought…” “Yes, I thought so, too, but… Well, never mind. When do you want me to come by?” “No time like the present. Have you had breakfast or can I rustle you up something?” “Oh, don’t bother, Adam. I’m not sure that I’ll be so welcome in your condo after what I did to Judy. Of course I didn’t mean to do what I did. But…” “You’d better come over right away, Hank. This really is important.” “Okay, I will. Sure that Belle is okay with my coming over?” “Positive. She unearthed the information. See you in a bit, then.” Adam disconnected, glancing at Annabel. “Hank was worried whether he was welcome here because of what he did to Judy.” “Well, it wasn’t the most elegant way to dump a woman, but this article about May-Lyn is serious stuff. Did I hear you ask if Hank wanted some breakfast?” “Well, I offered to rustle something up for him,” said Adam uneasily. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “You’d better let me do the rustling, and you tell Hank about the article. I had better make some fresh coffee, too,” she said, hurrying to the kitchen. When there was a quiet knock at the front door, Adam went to open it, and with a hospitable gesture waved Hank into the living room. “Come sit down, Hank. Annabel is just getting some fresh coffee and something to eat for you,” said Adam easily. “Thanks, man. But Belle shouldn’t be getting me breakfast.” “Hey, I offered, but it was her own idea to do the getting, so why don’t you relax and see what comes down the chute. Meanwhile, Annabel was reading the Toronto paper that Jordan brought back from the plane. He knows she likes to read a bit about Toronto from time to time. She lived there for quite a while, as you probably know.” Hank nodded, unsure where Adam was going with this. “We sat here having brunch, when she found this article in the Arts section. You don’t have to read it here and now. Take the article with you and read it at your convenience, Hank.” Adam handed him the paper. Instantly, Hank’s attention was riveted on May-Lyn’s name in big letters above a photograph of May-Lyn on pointes as the Swan Queen, Odette-Odile. Then he caught the sub-headline: Persistent Foot-Injury Permanently Sidelines Ballerina. Now deeply upset, Hank glanced, bewildered, at Adam, and began to read. Annabel came in and gently placed a cup of coffee in front of Hank. “Omelet all right, Hank?” she said quietly. So deeply immersed in the article was Hank that he hadn’t noticed Annabel bringing him coffee. He quickly got to his feet, saying, “Belle, thanks for the coffee. I didn’t notice because…this article…” “Yes, I realize how deeply upsetting it must be to you. But tell me, would you be able to eat a bite of food? An omelet takes no time at all to make, promise.” “Then, yes, thank you, Belle… And I did want to talk to you and tell you how very sorry I am about the way things developed so suddenly, so very quickly, and how deeply I regret that poor Judy was caught between a rock and a hard place. All my fault, because, when I saw May-Lyn again…” “Don’t think about that now, Hank. Just read the article, so that you know exactly where you stand with her. Shall I bring you the food on a tray, then you can sit here with Adam, reading and discussing the article.” “Thanks, Belle. You really are the best,” said Hank unsteadily. As she went back to the kitchen, he seated himself again, and continued reading. Annabel hadn’t yet returned with the promised food, when Hank finished reading, staring at Adam in shocked dismay. “Adam. All this stuff about having resigned from the ballet so she could be with me, lies, damn lies. Oh dear God, how could I’ve been so gullible, believing her? I should’ve realized that, more than three years ago, she was

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley determined to be a star, and she would only marry me when she no longer could dance, which would be when she was around forty.” “Well,” said Annabel, just coming in with a tray for Hank, “She didn’t lie about that, she was willing to marry you when she no longer could dance. And now she no longer can, so guess what? Here she is, trying to get you to marry her. “Are you too upset to eat, Hank, or will you try a few bites of this omelet? And let me get you some more coffee. You, Adam?” “Thanks, my love. But let me get it, you come and sit down here.” “I will in a minute. Let me just get the cafetière.” Annabel hastily went back to the kitchen. Hank looked after Annabel, his expression enigmatic. She returned, pouring coffee for all three, placing the cafetière on a trivet and sitting down beside Adam again. Hank said, “I should’ve realized that she couldn’t possibly have changed her mind and given up the ballet. That, in some way, the ballet had to have given up on her. But when she came down Tom’s staircase, and – did you guys notice? – jumped into my arms from the second or third stair up, it was as if I no longer had a will of my own. All I wanted was that exotic, exquisite, elusive creature in my arms again. In spite of all the years I had with Karen…happy years, you realize. But May-Lyn always seemed to have a mesmerizing effect on me.” “Hank, don’t be too hard on yourself, she’s a fascinating creature. She’s exceptionally beautiful, that tiny, perfect body, her incredibly graceful movements; small wonder you were vulnerable. More vulnerable in your present, susceptible state as a widower of only a year,” said Adam. Annabel slanted him a look. It seemed that she was going to challenge his description of May-Lyn, but she did not say a word. Adam felt her glance and said quietly, “I meant only in the same way as I would admire a work of art, not as a woman I could be interested in. Because I couldn’t, you know that.” “Nice save, Adam. Next time you frown at me for mentioning one of the very handsome men living in this building, I’ll remind you of your assessment of May-Lyn, and apply it to whichever of your neighbors you care to name.” Annabel leaned over a little so that her shoulder touched Adam’s upper arm, rubbing herself very gently against him, smiling. Both were relieved to see that Hank, after a small tentative bite, was tackling the food with relish. They said nothing while he finished the omelet and the two pieces of multi-grain toast, on which he spread lashings of butter and a big spoonful of Annabel’s mango preserves. She smiled at him. Adam said, “I think, Hank, that we should perhaps discuss strategy, because it’s obvious that you’re up against a master-tactician.” “Adam, I agree with you that she’s a master-tactician, but that only works as long as she can hold me sexually enslaved…and that she can no longer do. I don’t mind telling you guys that our reunion was more than a little disappointing. Oh, not in the obvious, physical way, although that, too, did leave something to be desired. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “No, I’m talking about a telephone call I received late last night from Jordan, who had apparently gone back to Judy’s apartment to make sure she was all right. Good thing he did, because she was lying unconscious on the floor, her sleeping pills clutched in her hand.” Hank stopped talking when he heard Annabel’s gasp, seeing Adam’s worried frown. Hastily he continued, “She’s okay. Don’t worry. Jordan organized an ambulance to the Emergency Room of the hospital, and poor Bill must’ve been called from his home yet again. But he succeeded in getting her to wake; he established that she had taken two, at most three of these pills. Then Jordan said he’d call me back as soon as he was sure that Judy was out of danger. “Of course I was concerned, and I spent some time discussing this with Jordan. When I looked up, May-Lyn had moved as far away from me as she could without actually falling off the bed. She was furious that I wasted time on some woman with whom I was no longer involved. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I reminded myself that May-Lyn has always been the supreme egoist — nothing matters except what’s important to her. I can tell you, my enthusiasm for the ecstatic reunion had begun to flag quite a bit. Well, suffice it to say that, when we were talking about the past, she said that she doesn’t really like sex, except with me, of course. And I thought, yeah, sure… except with me. Does she really think I’d believe that?” “Oh, Hank,” Annabel said gently. “She must be a superb actress as well as a dancer, because the impression I got – we all got, I think it’s safe to say – was that you were the love of her life. What are you going to do?” Having noticed that Hank’s coffee cup was empty, she hastened to pour him some more, raising an elegant brow to Adam, who nodded gratefully. Hank took a big sip. “I’m going to call Tom and tell him what I now know. Of course, I’ll listen carefully to his advice, because if anyone can outstrategize May-Lyn, it is Tom. My own inclination is to storm into Tom’s living room, hand him the article, and ask him to make sure I will never again be bothered by any attempt on May-Lyn’s part to get in touch with me. But I’ll wait and see what he says.” “Actually, I think you’ve got a great plan there, Hank,” said Adam quietly. “I’m not into playing games, tactical, strategic or otherwise. I’m in favor of hitting her with her perfidy, then walking away. It’s a little unfair to Tom to saddle him with the debris, as it were, but I think he’s more than capable of coping, don’t you?” “You like my own plan, Adam, do you?” said Hank, surprised. “Well, perhaps I should just go with that, then. I was thinking of asking Tom because, as you guys have seen, I’m not always the greatest at handling emotional problems.” “You mean the way you dumped Judy?” Annabel asked. “I think we were all aware that you were under some extraordinary compulsion, where May-Lyn is concerned. It’s a pity you couldn’t have met her a week earlier, but that’s the way it turned out.” “Belle, I’m well aware that I behaved abominably towards Judy. When the dust settles a bit, I mean when she’s home again from the hospital, I’ll Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley apologize and ask her to forgive me. This is a comparatively small building, and we’re all friends meeting in varying configurations all the time. A flaming row between her and me would disrupt things too much. I’ll do my best to repair the rift, trust me.” “I know you will, Hank,” Annabel said. “Believe me, we’ll refuse to take sides. She didn’t make it any easier on herself trying to row with you in public. She seemed annoyed when we all spirited ourselves away… Well, she’s an extrovert, she lives her life more publicly than Adam or I ever could… Anyway, I hope you’ll manage to remove May-Lyn from your life without further ado.” “Thanks, Belle, Adam. You’ve been far kinder and friendlier to me than I deserve; I realize that. Thanks for the delicious food, Belle. I’ll now take myself off and call Tom to tell him that I’d like to come by to speak to May-Lyn, in his presence…” Hank rose hastily, nodding at Annabel and Adam, who got to his feet quickly in order to open the door for Hank and send him on his way with a pat on the shoulder. When Adam came back from seeing Hank out, he found that Annabel was in the kitchen, cleaning up. “My love, is there any way I could persuade you to do that a little later?” “Of course, Adam. D’you want me to do something for you?” “I was thinking of something we could perhaps do for each other. Want to come for a nap?”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 13. On Monday morning, Annabel was sewing her wedding dress, and Adam was in his library, writing. When the telephone buzzed, Annabel flew up, hoping to catch it on the first ring, so that Adam’s thoughts wouldn’t be disrupted. “Hello?” she said, a little breathless. “Belle? It’s Angela. Honey, I was wondering whether perhaps I should invite Lisa and Alex – you’ll recall that Adam and Alex are cousins? I’d love an excuse to ask my sister to come down… Do you think Adam would like them as surprise guests?” “Angela, what a wonderful idea. I’m sure Adam will be ecstatic… Will you forgive me for not staying on the line for a chat? I’m fathoms deep into making my wedding dress and I’ve got the little girls’ bridesmaids dresses to make.” “Oh, didn’t Mimi tell you? You know their housekeeper, the superlative Lucille? Well, she’s a great seamstress in her own right, all those ‘couture’ dresses of Mimi’s are made by Lucille. And she volunteered to do the bridesmaids dresses for you, so that you won’t be spending half the night sewing.” “Lucille offered to do that for me? Oh, Ange… I’m so very relieved to hear that, and so grateful… Should I…?” Angela interrupted. “You should go back to your sewing. I’ll come by and pick up the fabric and your sketches for the dresses, and take them up to the Penthouse. What time on Wednesday is your wedding?” “We haven’t heard yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as Marcella tells Adam,” Annabel offered. “Great. Then we’ll get the little girls dressed up here and take them to the reception. Adam – Mimi’s Adam, that is – said he’ll get rose petals in little baskets from the Hilton florist. And Luke was saying that Adam – your Adam, that is – wants the reception at the Hilton, is that right? A bit expensive, I would’ve thought…” “Yes, I thought the same. But Adam said he’ll marry only once in his life, and he didn’t want me worn out from making appetizers. And he said I wasn’t to worry about it. So that’s what I’m doing – or not doing, rather – worry.” “I’ll let you go, Belle, I’m sure you’re busy enough with your own wedding dress. I’ll be by later for the fabrics. Bye.” Half an hour later, Angela came to pick up the fabric for the bridesmaids dresses, and Annabel’s sketches. “Please tell Lucille that any changes she wishes to make will be fine with me. I’m so very grateful that she’s doing this.” “When are you going to invite your mother, Belle?” Angela asked quietly. “Tomorrow, I thought. Ange, if I invite her now, she’ll come down here and start throwing her weight around, demanding a change in timeframe,

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley trying to cancel our wedding, the reception, looking down her nose at my wedding dress…well, of course she’ll do that in any case. But I thought if I invited her tomorrow, told her that the whole thing was a spur-of-the-moment thing… Oh, what’s the use…? Somehow she’ll do her utmost to make our wedding day ghastly. Ange… What do you think? Could I just not invite her?” “Belle, honey, it’s your wedding, yours and Adam’s, I mean. You can invite or not invite whomever you want or don’t want. But what if she gets in touch with her dearly beloved son, Jordan, for one of her cozy chats, and he tells her?” “Oh, my. I hadn’t thought of that. Let me quickly call him.” “Belle, relax. I’ll do it. I’ll stop off at your condo and talk to him, and if he isn’t there, I’ll leave him a note.” “I was just thinking, he’ll probably be at the hospital, checking on Judy.” “Judy?” Annabel sighed. “Oh, you haven’t heard? Let me tell you quickly,” she said, and proceeded to do just that. She went on, “Ange, you may have to cover several fronts in order to get hold of Jordan…” Annabel’s beautiful face was pale with anxiety. “Don’t worry about Jordan. I’ll take care of it. Now, you go back to your sewing. Oh, and I’ll send Luke up with dinner around seven, sound good?” “Ange, you truly are the best friend I’ve ever had or could have,” said Annabel gratefully. “It’s nothing. Just to take some of the load off your shoulders. I want you to be able to enjoy your wedding day.” “Thanks, Ange. Thanks a lot.” Annabel gave her friend a hug and a grateful smile, closing the door after her. When Angela reached Jordan at Belle’s condo, he said ruefully, guiding her to the living room, “Ange, I’m so sorry. Mother called me yesterday morning for her usual Sunday Sermon, as I call it. I did mention that Sis and Adam were getting married. I must say I wasn’t prepared for the paroxysm of rage that she went into, Belle couldn’t do that to her, she forbade the marriage – Ha! – until she had had enough time to design a wedding dress, the wedding would take place when she, mother, allowed it, and so on. I tell you, I became very panicky, and told her it was too late, they were probably already married, in Las Vegas, but I didn’t know where they were staying, so…” Jordan and Angela sat down in the living room, and he offered wine or Perrier. Smiling, Angela shook her head, saying, “Brilliant, Jordan. Now, we’ve got to get Belle and Adam to put their phone on answering machine only. Oh, wait, your mother doesn’t know Adam’s name so she can’t bug them with phone calls. Still, one never knows. Hadn’t you better tell Belle about this quickly?” “Dear God, yes, I will. Thanks, Ange, for doing so much to help.” “By the way, Jordan, are you eating dinner at Adam and Belle’s?” “No, I’ll probably eat with Judy, who’ll need company. She was so upset about the very public dumping she got.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Yes, but she didn’t help matters by trying to have a very public row about it. Anyway, in a small condo building like this, it isn’t a good idea having major feuds, because the people here all like each other and they’ll refuse to take sides. You might try to get that idea across to Judy. If she wants to line up people on her side and against Hank, she’ll be up against some formidable opposition. Better to play it in a dignified manner, and be coolly polite to Hank when she meets him. I realize that Judy’s the all-time extrovert, but in this case it won’t help her to be that way.” “Yes, but she was treated abominably…” “I agree, Jordan. But that is her private fight with Hank; it is not a public fight for the condo inhabitants to take sides in. The sooner she realizes that, the better. For instance, Hank is Mimi’s nephew. Adam – Mimi’s Adam – plays golf with Hank. Jared plays tennis with Hank. One of the Greek Tycoons – I think it’s Nick – has a sailboat, Hank crews with him. Hank is welcome to invite himself to meals at our place any time. Tom dotes on Hank. Hank is a good friend of Adam-the-Poet’s, and of Belle’s, and she won’t refuse to receive him. I know for a fact that Adam invited Hank over yesterday morning, and Belle made him a late breakfast. So you see, even Judy’s friends refuse to take sides. The more dignified she acts, the better she’ll be liked.” “I see. I’m glad you explained that to me, and I’ll do my best to explain it to Judy. Although the combination of Judy and ‘dignified’…” Jordan shook his head, then went on, “Meanwhile, I’ll alert Belle about Mother on the warpath. Bye, Ange.” Jordan decided to hurry with all speed to the eighth floor to see his sister and Adam. Just as Annabel opened the door to her brother, Adam came out of his library, waving Jordan to the living room, saying, “Have a glass of wine with us? We’re in celebratory pre-wedding mode.” “Thanks, Adam.” Annabel asked, “Will you share our lunch, Jordan?” “In a minute, Belle. First, I’ve got to tell you that mother knows you’re getting married, so please put your telephone on answering machine only. Do it now.” More than a little panicky, Annabel quickly switched the telephone to the answering machine. She looked at her brother. “How did she find out?” “Oh, dammit, Sis, from me. You know her irritating Sunday Sermons – you’re lucky she dislikes you so thoroughly, so you’re spared those. Well, she had one of her usual hates on and made several snide remarks about you. Just to shut her up, I said: ‘You couldn’t be more wrong, mother. Actually Belle is going to be married to a terrific guy.’ “Fortunately, she interrupted me before I spilled your name, Adam. She went into one of her spectacular rages. That was just like you, you couldn’t do that to her, you’d have to be married from her house, the wedding would have to be postponed… on and on. “Finally, I said, ‘Mother, Belle is thirty years old, not seventeen. And I don’t think you can stop them, they’re in Las Vegas, and either they’re married already or they’ll get married tomorrow, I forget which it is.’ More foaming-atRomance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley the-mouth rage. But at least she thinks you’re in Vegas, and she’s probably spending a young fortune on telephone calls to hotels trying to find where you’re staying. She’ll be lucky — she doesn’t know Adam’s name, and surely even she must realize that you wouldn’t have a separate single room in your own name. Although with mother, one never knows. Of course, she may start phoning your condo. Best of luck, I put your phone on answering machine only.” Jordan shrugged negligently. Annabel saw with concern that Adam was deeply upset by what Jordan so airily told them. She knew how much he loved his father, and it must be very difficult to understand how bitterly Jordan and she resented their mother, her vicious putdowns, her constant attempts at disastrous interferences. She took Adam’s hand in hers, saying quietly, “We both loved our Dad very much. But our mother is something else entirely. I had been wondering about telephoning her tomorrow and inviting her as a guest only to our wedding. Then, when I was talking to Ange this morning, I realized how our wedding day would be ruined by mother; nitpicking and sneering, sniping and trying to spoil our day. It must be hard for you to realize the kind of mother we have. From the little you’ve told me, I got the impression that you loved yours.” Still a little pale, Adam merely nodded. Annabel continued, “Anyway, from bitter, past experience, we try to keep her as far away from us as we can. And so, Adam, I’ve been wondering whether you’d think it too awful of me if I just didn’t invite mother at all? Would your father be upset if we had no parent from our side of the family present?” “No, my love, of course not. If you and Jordan feel about her as you do, then I wouldn’t want to give her the chance of spoiling the only wedding day I’ll ever have…and you, too, I sincerely hope.” Annabel gave him a brilliant smile, leaning over to kiss him lightly. There was a soft tap at their front door, Adam went to admit Mimi, who said, “Oh, Adam, I’m so glad to find you and Belle both in. Hi, Jordan,” in an aside to Jordan, who hastily got to his feet. Mimi continued, “You see, I’ve a suggestion for you. Tell me, have you reserved a reception room at the Hilton yet?” Adam guided Mimi to the sitting area and held a big chair for her. When she was seated, he sat down beside Annabel again and said, “No, Mimi, I haven’t yet. I meant to do it this morning, but when the writing went so well, I just kept on… When I finally stopped, it was time for lunch, and Jordan was here with some news, so….” “Good,” said Mimi. “You see, Adam and I want to give your reception in our Penthouse. Am I right in thinking you are inviting the inhabitants of this building, Marcella and Mac, Tom and Jeff? And your Dad, Adam? Well… Wouldn’t it be much nicer to do it sort of en famille? No impersonal waiters swanning around with trays of champagne and nibbles. After all, it’ll be just the immediate family — everybody in the building, and a handful of others. We’ve done that many times before. Jeff will be the DJ; he has terrific CDs of soft, dreamy music, who needs loud acid rock at a wedding?

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Tom will be in his element making endless delicious appetizers, a veritable feast for the eyes and the palate. Eve and Irène will be much happier strewing rose petals in the penthouse than in a big, strange place. Well?” Adam, a little pale with emotion, said: “Mimi, this is incredibly kind and generous of you and Adam. And if you’re really sure this isn’t a huge lot of trouble, I think we’d like to accept gratefully – right, Annabel?” Annabel hastened to nod. “Oh, Mimi, what a wonderful and generous idea… Thanks, honey.” “Great,” said Mimi. “That’s all arranged, then. Do you guys know yet when Judge Fortescue will marry you?” “At three o’clock,” said Adam. Turning to Annabel, he apologized, “I’m so sorry honey. I forgot to tell you …” “Adam, you didn’t get a chance to put a word in edgewise, while Jordan was telling me about mother’s planned depredations… Three o’clock on Wednesday? Oh, that’s wonderful.” Annabel hugged Adam, again kissing the corner of his mouth. “Three o’clock, right,” said Mimi. “That means you’ll be back here at about three-thirty at the latest. I’ll get to work on inviting the whole building, Tom and Jeff, Marcella and Mac. Any relatives of yours you’ve got to invite yourselves. Listen, I had better go. Ciao.” With an insouciant wave of her hand, Mimi hurried to the front door. It was all Adam could do to open it for her and say again, “Mimi – thank you so very much…” Jordan glanced at his sister and said, “An added advantage of the private reception at your friends’ penthouse is that, even if mother managed to get here on your wedding day, she wouldn’t be able to throw her weight around. Can you imagine how quickly Mimi or Adam would reduce her to incoherence? Oh, this is wonderful.” Annabel said, “Yes, wonderful,” disappearing into the kitchen. She came out quickly with a big tray. “I’ve got home made vegetable soup, and my own pâté with multi-grain bread. Will that do? There’s coffee, of course. And fresh fruit for dessert.” “It all looks delicious, my love. Would you two be offended if I took my lunch back to the library? I’ve a lot more to do for that article I told you about,” Adam bent over Annabel for a kiss. He started putting some bread and pâté on a plate, trying to take a napkin between two fingers, reaching for a cup of soup. “Adam, let me help you. You go ahead to your desk and I’ll get a little tray to put your lunch on. Please?” Adam smiled at his almost-wife. “Thanks, my love.” A little later, Jordan and Annabel sat down to their lunch, and began to chat idly. “I wonder how things went for Hank, when he challenged May-Lyn with her lies,” Annabel wondered. “Lies?” Jordan asked.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Ah, you should’ve read the Arts section of the Toronto paper they gave you on the plane. There was a big photograph of May-Lyn and a secondary headline about a permanent foot injury she has. “So her avowal to Hank that she had resigned from the ballet because she would rather be his wife than prima ballerina was so much nonsense. She was fired from the ballet, and thought a career as the wife of a handsome, rich man who was crazy about her would be a good second choice. Poor Hank.” “Yes, but he had it coming. Imagine dumping Judy publicly because that little dancer glued herself to him the way she did,” said Jordan, still incensed over the treatment Hank had meted out to Judy. “I don’t think Hank had a whole lot of choice, Jordy.” Jordan glanced at her and smiled at her childhood abbreviation of his name. Annabel continued, “I think he was totally enslaved by that woman. From what Mimi told me, he had been practically commuting to Toronto trying to get her to marry him, but she wouldn’t. The ballet was more important to her. Then he met and married Karen, and Karen died so tragically young, a few months pregnant with their first child. That must’ve left Hank so very vulnerable, and susceptible to exactly the kind of treatment May-Lyn is obviously expert at handing out.” Annabel warmed to her subject. “Just recall for a moment, if you will. She didn’t walk down the stairs and then Hank took her in his arms. No. She threw herself at Hank from the second or third tread, clinging to his shoulders and, as you said, glued herself to him. One can only speculate about what went through Hank’s mind – and his heart – at that moment. “And you know how Judy tried to give Hank the impression she was just a very friendly woman, who enjoyed sleeping with handsome men. She would’ve died rather than let him see she was in love with him. What was Hank to think?” Jordan had finished the soup and now began to tackle the bread and pâté. “This is very good, Belle,” he said. Chewing for a while, he continued, “I agree with you that Judy probably brought a lot of it on herself, clearly Hank wasn’t the predator that she tried to make him out to be at the party, when she wouldn’t shut up and tried to row with him very publicly. You’re right, Sis. Judy was always afraid to show her real feelings, the few times she was interested in some man.” “And she certainly never showed you her real feelings. She’s been in love with you since she was sixteen, if memory serves.” “In love with me…? No, Sis, you’ve got to be mistaken. Judy always thought of me as a good friend, your brother, nothing more…” “That’s the impression she hoped to give, because she probably figured that you weren’t seriously interested in her. So she hid her feelings. Judy’s a lot more complex than one would think, given her breezy, extrovert personality. I could wish she would give that a rest for once…” Annabel stopped speaking, and glanced worriedly at her brother, who sat as if carved from stone, his face pale, lips moving without a sound coming out. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley At last, he managed to whisper, “Oh dear God, what have I done? I hugged and kissed her, just friendly-like of course, when I saw her in the hospital bed, and she looked so forlorn and miserable. And then, when I brought her home from the hospital, again I hugged her when I left. And now she’ll think I’m in love with her? Oh, Sis… Please can you do something for me about that, make her realize I just like her a lot?” “Don’t worry, Jordy. Judy isn’t totally bereft of common sense, and after the débâcle with Hank, perhaps she’ll be a little more careful about reading too much into a hug and a kiss. But, if necessary, I’ll hint that you have someone in… where? Toronto? Phoenix?” Jordan lifted one shoulder in an uneasy gesture. “Well, actually there is someone in Phoenix I liked a lot. She’s a cousin of John Arbuthnot’s wife…you know that Lynn is Navajo? Oh, you should see her cousin… Far more beautiful than May-Lyn, and a kind, sensitive nature – not a raving egoist like May-Lyn. So, yes, if you absolutely have to, you can mention her. Her real name is Djí Nizhóni, which means something like ‘beautiful day’ but the family calls her Didi.” “Jordy… Would you like to invite her to the wedding? There’s time for her to fly in from Phoenix. We could arrange it easily through Tom, who does business with John Arbuthnot’s gallery all the time. They’re great friends.” Jordan’s handsome face was pale, a white line around his mouth, showing how hard he tried to hide the depth of his emotion. At last he managed to say, “Sis… Would you really?” Annabel smiled her big-sister smile. “Yes, of course I would. Let me call Tom and I’ll have everything arranged in no time. I’ll get her ETA and you can take the Alfa and pick her up at the Daytona Beach airport.” “Oh, dear God. Sis, I’ll be grateful to you for the rest of my life. You see, when John spirited me away so quickly in his Lear so that I could start my paintings of the Rockies, I never got to tell Didi how I really felt about her. Do you think she’ll be willing to come, after she hasn’t heard from me for quite a while?” “Well, she’ll probably realize that a painter’s time isn’t entirely his own, he has to go to often-inaccessible places to paint scenery that no one else has painted before. Particularly in mountains, cell phones don’t always work that well. In any case, let me try, all right?” “Oh, yes, Sis. Very much all right,” said Jordan, averting his head because he didn’t want Annabel to see the sudden tears that had come to his eyes at the thought of seeing Didi again. “Then excuse me a moment, while I call Tom.” Rising, ruffling Jordan’s hair in passing, Annabel went to the telephone. Ten minutes later, she returned to where Jordan was sitting, apparently still in a trance. “It’s all arranged, Jordy. Tom made a three way call so I could explain to John Arbuthnot at the same time I was talking to Tom. John said that he’d regretted the way he spirited you away, when he later on realized how this had upset his wife’s cousin, Didi. Of course I said how upset you had been at not Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley being able to explain to Didi that you had to go on this painting trip, but that you’d see her when you got back. “John said that, since you couldn’t tell her that, she had gone on a trip with a girlfriend. John was careful to mention that it was a girlfriend – so she wasn’t around when you did get back with the paintings. John said he’ll have her on the plane tomorrow morning, that’s Tuesday. Her ETA is a quarter past one. Will she be staying with you, or will we have to get her a motel room? Just as you and she would like.” “Oh, Sis. With a whole condo at my disposal…I hope she’ll want to stay with me.” Jordan’s voice was unsteady. “Well, you’ve the whole condo except for one guest room, which Adam’s Dad was going to occupy. But let me talk to Adam. Perhaps he’ll agree to book a hotel room for his Dad, giving you kids a clear field. I’ll do my best, Jordy, you know that.” Jordan, not given to great displays of affection, rose from his seat and went over to his sister. Putting his arms around her said, “You’re the best sister a guy could have. I’ll love you forever for what you’ve done for me today. Hey, listen…you don’t think anyone would give her a hard time about being Navajo, do you?” Annabel grinned. “Jordan. She’ll be the guest of Adam Stewart, who is half Lakota. Jared Eagle, the playwright, is a quarter Arapaho. No, I assure you, we have no racist creeps living here. If there were any, they wouldn’t be received by the rest of us.” “I thought that’s what you’d say, but it’s good to know, Belle. It’s funny, Didi never seems to think about such things, but I worry about it for her, if you see what I mean…” “Yes, I understand that perfectly. I hope you’ll always be so protective of her. Now, you had better go downstairs and make sure the condo looks pristine enough for your guest. Be sure to put fresh sheets on your bed tomorrow morning, Jordy.” “I will, Sis. And thanks, again. I had better take myself off now and let you get back to your wedding dress. D’you think you’ll get it ready?” “Oh, yes, for sure. I’ve chosen a very simple style, which both Adam and I prefer to the intricate, complicated designs that mother likes, but of course she does that to show her skill. I’m under no such compulsion, so I’m making a very simple dress that I hope Adam will like.” “It seems to me that Adam will more than like you, whatever you decide to wear,” said Jordan; then an afterthought hit him. “Belle? Could I bring Didi over here to say hello, once I’ve got her settled downstairs?” “Of course.” “Thanks, Sis,” said Jordan, walking to the door. Annabel kissed her brother lightly, closing the door quietly. She thought for a moment, then telephoned Judy, but only got the answering machine. “Hi, This is Judy. I’ll be in Orlando for most of the day – Rick wants me to work on a major project for him. I’ll call you back when I get in. Bye.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Relieved, Annabel replaced the receiver and returned to her sewing. **** The next day, Jordan left around noon for the trip to Daytona Beach airport having grossly overestimated the time it would take him to get there on the Interstate. He was anxious to be on his way, and wanted to be sure he wouldn’t be late. He decided to wait at the bar, and bought himself a glass of white wine. For courage? he wondered. Perhaps a little. When the roar of an overhead plane was heard, the bartender said briefly, “That’s the Phoenix plane, Sir. Is that the plane you’re waiting for? The passengers will come out of that door at the far end on the right. But you’ll have plenty of time to finish your wine.” Jordan nodded his thanks, taking one more big sip of the wine, departing, leaving a generous tip for the bartender. He slowly made his way towards the door the barman had indicated. To his great delight, he saw Didi almost immediately. “Didi,” he called. He saw her look up and scan the crowd. Jordan being taller than most, she saw him quickly, making her way toward him as he was hurrying to her. At last they stood facing each other, the tall, dark-blond man with the unusual sea-blue eyes, and the graceful, slender young woman with the beautiful coppery skin, the long raven hair, and the lovely, exotic face – huge, long-lashed, almond-shaped eyes, high, delicate cheekbones, a straight nose with aristocratic nostrils, and the most kissable mouth Jordan had ever seen. Kissable…. dare I? he wondered. His feelings took over from his thoughts, as he gathered Didi in a tight embrace. Bending his head to hers, there was no room for thought as he slanted his mouth over hers kissing with all the pent-up hunger of the months they had been apart. “Didi, my darling…” he whispered at last. “Jordan – are you really this glad to see me?” she whispered back. “I’m much more delighted to have you here than I can express in words – or even in kisses,” he said, his voice shaking. “I was so surprised, when Uncle John told me you wanted me to come to you,” she said softly. “I don’t blame you, after I left so suddenly in John’s Lear – but he was in a hurry to depart, he had an appointment in Denver. Anyway, what does it matter? We’re together now, and I hope you’ll never want to be far away from me again.” “It would be wonderful if we could be together…” “Of course we can be, we will be, if you want us to be,” said Jordan, hugging her more tightly. At last he remembered that she had flown quite a distance, and without a doubt, would have luggage. With his arm around her, they moved slowly toward the carousel for the Phoenix plane’s luggage. “A red suitcase and a matching overnight bag, Jordan.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley It did not take Jordan long to spot and grab them. He guided Didi to where he had left the Alfa Romeo. “Jordan, this is an unusual car.” “My sister’s,” he briefly explained. “It was my father’s, but when he died, he left it to Belle. I’ll just put your bags in the trunk, and…” Closing the lid with a thump, he hurried to the passenger side to settle Didi in the seat. He thought she might enjoy seeing the ocean, so instead of hurrying back to the Interstate, west of the airport, he drove east on Volusia Avenue all the way to the A1A. He was delighted to hear her gasp of pleasure when she first saw the ocean. “Wait till you get to the condo, its east balcony has views of the ocean and the beach,” he said with a happy, deeply private smile for her. When they were back at the building, Jordan drove into the parking garage, hoping he had remembered Belle’s spot correctly. Quickly helping Didi out of the car, opening the trunk and taking out her luggage, he guided her to the elevators. There was one waiting, and in a few moments they were at the third floor. Jordan let Didi precede him into the condo, she stood as if transfixed for a moment. Then, with a happy laugh, she ran toward the balcony and the view of the ocean. “Oh Jordan, this is great. Is this your condo?” “No, it’s my sister’s. But she’s getting married tomorrow to Adam Tremayne, who has a condo on the eighth floor, so she’ll probably decide to sell this one. I’m going to ask her to sell it to me. Then, any time you want to see the ocean again, you have only to say so, and I’ll bring you here.” “Oh, Jordan, will you really?” “Yes, of course I will – really,” he said, his voice teasing, eyes caressing. When he thought that, perhaps, she had looked her fill for now, he said, “My sister invited us to come see her, and have something to eat.” “That would be nice.” Immediately, Jordan started berating himself mentally for not having asked her the moment she arrived whether she wanted to eat something. I was so excited at seeing her again, I couldn’t think about anything else… Yet, I seem to recall something John’s wife, Lynn, said about her people offering food and drink right away to any visitor. Oh, why didn’t I do that? Didi noticed Jordan’s discomfiture, and slipped her arm through his. “Hey, don’t feel bad about not offering me food the moment I landed. My cousin, Lynn, probably told you it’s a Navajo custom, but you’re not Navajo. In any case, thank you for the thought.” “The very belated thought.” He cheered up, saying, “Shall we go visit my sister?” “Thanks, Jordan, I’d love to.” When they arrived at the eighth floor, Hank was just entering the elevator hall. He halted in his tracks, as if hit by a train, when he saw Didi. “Jordan?” he said uncertainly. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Hank,” Jordan acknowledged. Then, realizing that Hank’s eyes were riveted on Didi, he said, “Let me introduce you to my very special friend, Didi Tábąąhá – it means Edge of Water People in Navajo. Didi, honey, this is Hank St. George.” “Hello, Hank,” said Didi politely. “Hello, Didi,” said Hank. Then, in an aside to Jordan, “Please tell me that she has an identical twin sister?” Before Jordan could form a repressive reply, Didi said, “I haven’t a twin sister, but I do have an elder sister. Her name is Shí Nizhóni, which means ‘beautiful summer. But we just call her Summer. She’s twenty-seven.” “Is your sister also coming to visit here?” Hank asked with every indication of great interest. “You’d better speak to Tom about that, Hank. He was instrumental in reuniting Didi and me by speaking to Didi’s cousin’s husband, a Phoenix art dealer…” “Not John Arbuthnot?” Seeing Jordan nod, Hank went on, “But I know him well. Perhaps I could…” Jordan said quietly, “Only if that business with May-Lyn is quite finished. Do you understand what I’m saying?” “Absolutely, Jordan. That business was most decidedly finished on Sunday afternoon, when I showed Tom the article in the paper. In front of Tom, I made it clear that I was through. She shrugged, and went back to her room. Is that ‘finished’ enough for you to agree that I have the right to call John in Phoenix?” “Hank, you’re entirely at liberty to call whomever you want. I just wanted to make sure that May-Lyn was permanently sidelined, as the article suggested. Anyway, I mustn’t stand here chatting. We’re on our way to Adam and Belle. See you at the wedding,” “Yes, you will. Bye, Jordan. Bye, Didi.” Hank turned to the elevator bank. Jordan guided Didi to Adam’s condo.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 14. On Tuesday morning, Nadine Thalassinos called Annabel. “Belle… This is Nadine. Nick and I were thinking that you might have a problem accommodating your out-of-town guests. Nick has a suite with two bedrooms on permanent lease at the Hilton. He keeps it so that we won’t have to put up guests in our condo. Since we’re not expecting anyone, Nick said if you wanted to use the Hilton suite for your guests, he would be delighted for you to do that. If you’ll tell him who’ll be staying there, Nick will let the hotel manager know. Would the suite be helpful to you?” “Oh, Nadine, you can’t imagine how helpful. Adam’s father is arriving later from New York State, and we had initially thought to have him stay in one of my guest suites in Three-South. But my brother, Jordan, has invited his girlfriend, and for a young couple it might be a little inhibiting to share the apartment with a total stranger. And, for that matter, Adam’s father might not be too delighted to live in such close proximity to a couple he’s never met before. So, Nadine, if you and Nick really don’t mind…? You’re saving my life.” “Great, Belle. Tell me, what’s Adam’s father’s name?” “Alexander Tremayne.” “Great. I’ll get Nick to inform the Hilton manager that Alexander Tremayne will be occupying Nick’s suite for an indefinite period.” “Thank you so very much, Nadine, I owe you guys big.” “Nonsense. Glad to help out. And thank you for the enchanting idea of having little Eve and little Irène as your flower girls at the reception. They are ecstatic, as you can imagine. Which reminds me, how is your wedding dress coming along?” “All finished, Nadine. And now, of course, I’m wondering whether it’s good enough for me to marry the love of my life in…” “Well, you’re way ahead of me. Do you know that I totally forgot to get a dress to marry Nick in? And Mimi lent me hers. Fortunately it was a pale blush champagne slipper satin, which did wonders for my hair. And, the way Adam looks at you when you’re not aware of it, he would be happy for you to marry him if you were dressed in a couple of grocery bags. Well, I mustn’t keep you – this must be a very busy day for you.” “Thanks again, Nadine. See you at the reception tomorrow.” **** When Adam came out of his library around lunchtime, Annabel told him of the Hilton suite Nick and Nadine had offered so that Adam’s father could have suitable accommodation. “Suitable,” Adam grinned. “Nick has a great sense of humor.” “Well, we tend to think of Nick as a writer, and forget that he is also a true Greek Tycoon – immeasurably rich. So, from his point of view, for your father the Hilton would be no more than ‘suitable accommodation’.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I’ll call Nick and thank him,” said Adam. “Perhaps after we’ve been married for a while and things have calmed down, we could have them to dinner?” “When what things have calmed down, darling? Do you mean, between us? Heaven forbid…” said Annabel, only half-joking. “No, you silly, of course not. I hope things between us will never change from the way they are right now. Well, perhaps when I’m fifty, things might slow down just a tad. No, I meant, when all this wedding stuff is over, and Jordan’s preview at Tom’s gallery, the day after our wedding. And when the out-of-town guests have gone home again.” Adam frowned, his expression pensive. “You know, I wish I had thought of inviting my cousin, Alex Tremayne. And his wife, of course.” “Well, my darling, you’re in luck, because Angela told me that she was inviting Alex and Lisa to stay with them. It’s supposed to be a surprise for you, so please forgive me for not being able to keep my mouth shut.” “You can’t keep your mouth shut? Let me test that, this instant,” said Adam, beginning to kiss her. When there was a knock at the door, he frowned a little, shrugging resignedly. Slowly, he let go of Annabel and turned to the door. To his surprise, he saw Jordan standing there with his arm around a strikingly beautiful young woman. Adam thought: With those stunning looks, she’s at least part Native American. “Jordan, come in. Annabel, darling, it’s Jordan, with a very beautiful lady.” Adam stood aside so that Jordan and his friend could enter. “Adam, Belle, this is my very special friend Didi Tábąąhá. Didi, honey, this is my sister Annabel, and her husband-to-be Adam Tremayne.” They all exchanged greetings, and Adam gestured hospitably to the sofa and chairs in the living room. Jordan thought it might be embarrassing for Didi if he seated her beside him on the sofa and put his arm around her, as he so much wanted to. So he waited for her to sit down, and when she chose a big chair, he sat down next to her. Adam and Annabel returned to the sofa. “Didi, did Jordan bring you here straight from the plane? Are you hungry? Are you, Jordan? I can whip up something with the speed of light, you know that, Jordy,” said Annabel. “Well,” said Didi, “There was some food on the plane the moment we were airborne, which was strange. Didn’t they realize everyone had breakfasted at home before taking the plane?” “Tell me what you would like, then. I can do a very quick omelet, or there’s some Santa Fe stew left over from our own lunch, or…” “Oh, I love Santa Fe stew,” said Didi, delightedly. “If there’s enough for me, too, then please,” said Jordan. “Otherwise I’ll have some of your pâté with that great bread.” Surprisingly quickly, Annabel brought two trays and a big glass of Perrier for Didi, who had to be dehydrated from the flight, she thought. There was Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley coffee for the others. It was clear that both Jordan and Didi were hungry, for they munched steadily for a while. At last they seemed to slow down a little, and Annabel offered, “Seconds, anyone?” “No, thanks, Annabel, that was great,” said Didi, and Jordan nodded his assent. “I’m surprised you’re not in your library, writing, Adam,” said Jordan. “Writing, today? Are you kidding? I haven’t been able to put two words together all day. Pre-wedding excitement, probably.” “They say that naps are excellent to combat that,” said Jordan with a straight face. “For that matter, I was thinking that Didi might need a nap after that long flight.” “After I’ve walked to the ocean and let it flow over my feet,” said Didi. “Of course, that’s a great idea. The ocean will probably tire you even more, and you’ll need a longer siesta,” said Jordan, a teasing light in his eyes. Getting to his feet, holding out his hand to Didi, she allowed him to help her out of her chair, smiling her thanks. “Guys, I hate to eat and run, but you heard Didi, she wants to get her feet wet. Come along then, Didi, and I’ll be pleased to fulfill your first wish right away.” “Thank you, Annabel and Adam, for receiving me so hospitably on the day before your wedding, when you must have so much to do,” said Didi politely. “We were delighted to meet you, Didi. And we’ll see each other at the reception tomorrow. You know it’s not at the Hilton but at Adam and Mimi’s penthouse, Jordan?” “Yes, Mimi called me. But I’m also the man on whose arm you’ll walk over the Judge’s carpet to Adam,” said Jordan. “Oh, oh… What’ll I do with Didi for all that time?” “Well, you could take her up to Adam and Mimi before we and Adam’s father leave for the Judge’s Chambers.” “Leave Didi there, with Hank anxious to meet her identical twin sister? Surely you jest.” “All right, then. If you’d like to come with Jordan to the wedding, Didi, you can sit on a guest chair while Jordan walks me down to Adam and the judge.” Didi smiled radiantly, and murmured, “I’d like that very much, Annabel.” “I like that idea a whole lot better than leaving Didi by herself until I come back from delivering you into Adam’s arms,” said Jordan. Laughing, they took their leave. “Annabel, my love – did I hear you say that a nap would be a good idea?” “Adam, I think it was Jordan who said that, but it is a very good idea…” Wrapping her in his embrace, Adam kissed her mouth lightly. “That’s all you get until you’re in my bed.” **** That evening, Adam went to meet his father’s plane, taking his father straight to the Hilton, putting his luggage into Nick’s grand suite. Adam waited Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley while his father freshened up quickly in the sumptuous bathroom, then he remarked, “Dad, you’re probably tired, and I’ll understand if you want to make the visit as brief as possible. But I would so much like you to meet Annabel, the woman I’m going to marry tomorrow.” “Son, I’ll be delighted to meet her, of course. In fact, I’m not tired at all. I flew business class, and it does make a difference, enough legroom, always a problem for us. So, by all means, let’s go meet your Annabel.” **** Opening his front door, letting his father precede him into the condo, Adam quickly spotted Annabel, who got to her feet, hurrying towards them. “Annabel, this is my Father. Dad, this is Annabel, my bride.” “Mr. Tremayne…” Annabel began hesitantly, smiling up at the handsome man, who gave her a pretty accurate idea of what her beloved Adam would look like some twenty-five years hence. “Call me Alexander,” Adam’s father said easily, putting his arms around Annabel kissing both her cheeks lightly. “I’m glad to see that my son has inherited my exceptional, discriminating taste in women.” Annabel laughed delightedly. “I’d love to call you Alexander. You don’t look old enough to be called Father-in-law – anyway, what a mouthful.” Adam was in the kitchen, opening a bottle of champagne. He put it in a cooler, taking three flutes from the cupboard holding an assortment of glasses. Returning to the living room, he said, “I feel that we should have a festive drink together while you two are getting acquainted.” Alexander glanced at the bottle of champagne, grinning at his son. “Son, your taste in champagne is as excellent as your taste in brides. Krug, my favorite. And, if you’ll forgive me a personal remark, your Annabel is exquisite.” Annabel blushed, saying softly, “Thank you, Alexander. And thank you, even more for Adam, whom I love with all my heart.” “Darling,” said Adam, kissing her nose as he handed her a flute. Moments later, they were all clinking glasses and sipping champagne. They spent a delightful hour together, then Adam drove his father back to the Hilton. “Don’t bother your head about picking me up on your way to the Judge’s chambers, Adam,” his father said. “I’ll ask the desk to arrange for a car to take me there. Three o’clock, you said? I’ll be there. And now, good night, Son. And your Annabel is a truly exceptional woman. I was glad to see that she adores you. True love is rare, Adam. I’m so very glad that you’ve found it. Good night.”

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Chapter 15. At last, it was Wednesday. Adam’s and Annabel’s wedding day. **** Adam awoke late, delighted to find Annabel, still fast asleep, sprawled all over him, her arms around him. He decided to stay there with her until she opened her eyes. When she did, some time later, he whispered, “Good morning, my love.” “Good morning, my almost husband,” she whispered back. “Oh, Adam… Today is our wedding day. I can’t tell you how happy I am…” “I feel exactly as you do,” Adam murmured against her mouth. After they had kissed for a while, Adam said, “More than anything I want to make love to you, but perhaps we should have a shower together?” “Oh, you mean a shower together… Adam, I’d love that…” “Come on, then. Let’s get up and go shower,” he said, throwing the duvet back. Annabel’s gaze drifted down his athlete’s body. She thought she had never seen a handsomer, more beautifully made man. Not that she had seen a lot of men naked… But here on the beach, with most young men in little string bikinis… Not one of them could hold a candle to Adam. Well aware of her gaze, Adam took his time looking at the woman in his arms, who would be his wife in a few hours’ time. He thought he was happier than he’d ever believed possible. At last, swinging his legs to the floor, he slowly got up, still holding her tightly to him with one arm. Sliding his other arm under her knees and lifting her against his chest, he carried her to the shower. They were there for a long time. Somehow, the morning passed. Annabel offered Adam lunch. He shook his head gently. “I couldn’t eat a bite right now, my love. I’ll make up for it with Tom’s celebrated canapés and other goodies. Come away from the kitchen and sit here by me.” Annabel took a few steps into the living room, and persisted, “If I made you a few bites of my pâté on your favorite bread, and cut up some fruit pieces for you, would you be willing to try? You only had coffee and toast this morning, darling.” “So did you, my love, and what are you planning to eat now, hmmm?” “Adam, you know that I never eat breakfast. So, for me, coffee and toast was a major meal. But after what we did in the shower, I feel strongly that you need to eat something to replenish your strength…” “Afraid that I’ll shortchange you on our wedding night? In your dreams,” “Please will you let me make you just a few little bites?” she persisted. “Well, all right, but I’m not making any promises…” he said, smiling. When she brought a small tray with glasses of cranberry juice and the promised ‘little bites’, she was delighted to find that he would eat if she held the food to his lips. When he had finished, she gave him a small bowl of assorted fruit pieces.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I’ll be glad to spoon feed you, Adam, but perhaps you’d prefer to eat this by yourself?” she said, leaning over to him and drifting little kisses along his lean jaw line. He turned to her, enchanted. Immediately, she touched her mouth to his. “Annabel, my darling…” he moaned. “Heaven knows I want you, but we’ve got to be at the Judge’s in a little over two hours… Please…” Just then, there was a knock at their door. Adam rose to answer, finding the florist’s delivery man with a small, exquisite bouquet of bridal flowers for Annabel, and a white carnation that would be Adam’s boutonnière. When Annabel saw the flowers Adam had chosen for her, she was overwhelmed. “Adam, oh, thank you. They’re so beautiful. Stephanotis, orange blossom, tiny white roses; and the scent…so elusive, so delicate…” “You’re sure you like them?” he asked, pleased with her reaction. “Like them? They’re the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen – of course I love them. And, thank you. I was just wondering if I should’ve bought the carnation for you? I’m so glad you thought of it, it never occurred to me… Well, I promise you, I’ll make up for it one way or the other…” “I’ll see to it that you make up for it one way and another,” his sculpted mouth quirking a little in amusement. “I think that, perhaps, we should get into our wedding clothes?” Annabel asked. Adam nodded. “Good idea,” he said, letting her precede him to the bedroom. “Should we have a shower?” “Adam, darling, we had a shower a couple of hours ago. And you know what happens when we shower together…” “I thought it was worth a try,” he shrugged elegantly. Annabel, a little shy of putting her wedding dress on in front of her bridegroom, disappeared into her walk-in closet. She had managed to find a misty-colored lace tanga and matching half-bra. Since she was wearing highheeled sandals, she wouldn’t wear stockings. She took her wedding dress off its hanger and slowly, carefully let it slip over her head. She had made a very simple dress, the bodice with a deep V front and back, and tiny cap-sleeves. The bodice was beautifully fitted, and the skirt was of softly flowing layers of the palest misty-silvery chiffon. The entire dress was worn over the matching silk slip-dress, much to Adam’s relief, when he finally saw his bride emerge. “My love, you made this gorgeous dress. So simple, which is surely the secret of a great dress. I love it. I always hate those over-intricate, fussy dresses that some women seem to think necessary for a bride. You look breathtakingly beautiful.” He bent his dark head and kissed her soft, open mouth. At last, she could look at him. To her delight, he wore the same dark, well-cut suit she remembered from their first meeting at the authors’ party given by their publishers. The only change that she could see was that he wore Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley a silver-grey, slightly shimmering tie of heavy silk, probably to echo the color of her dress. “Oh, Adam, you couldn’t have pleased me more. That’s the suit you wore when we first met over the slim volume of your poetry,” she said, throwing herself into his waiting arms. They spent some time in a tight embrace, then Adam said, stepping back reluctantly, “My love, I think we should go to Judge Fortescue’s chambers. Are we picking Jordan up?” “No, Jordan and Didi are coming in my car.” “Good, then no one can raise an eyebrow if I give you a little kiss, every time we’re stuck at a traffic light…” “That sounds wonderful, but I warn you, I’ll kiss you right back,” Ten minutes later, they were at the entrance to the Judge’s chambers, where his secretary was chatting idly to Jordan, Didi and Alexander. Jordan hastened to reach Annabel, who smiled at her brother. Adam let go of his bride’s hand, striding over to his father, Didi, and the secretary. Just then, Judge Fortescue came out of his private office. He held out his hand. “Mr. Tremayne, I’m Judge Fortescue. I’m delighted to meet you, because you’re my wife’s favorite poet. And your bride… ah, there she is.” The other members of the wedding party were briefly introduced to the Judge; then their attention was on Annabel. Trembling, Annabel clutched her brother’s arm, walking quietly to where Adam and the Judge were waiting, Alexander standing a little to the side. **** Later, Annabel would think back to the brief ceremony with delight. Now, she could only hope that she made all the correct responses. Suddenly, she felt Adam take her hand and slip his wedding band onto her finger. In a dizzying haze, she felt him kiss the ring. She heard the Judge say, “…I pronounce you husband and wife. Adam, you may kiss your wife.” She felt Adam’s mouth on hers in a gentle kiss, then he turned her to the Judge, who offered them his congratulations. His secretary guided them politely to a desk, where their signatures were required, and Annabel wrote, for the first time,

Annabel Tremayne She glanced up at Adam, her face alight with happiness, and he could not stop himself from kissing her again. Jordan signed as Annabel’s witness, and Alexander as Adam’s. The Judge’s secretary congratulated them, and handed Adam an envelope containing their marriage certificate. Didi, Jordan and Alexander took turns in kissing the bride. Didi shyly reached up and kissed Adam’s cheek, whispering, “Hózhó – that’s our word for harmony…happiness.” “Thank you, honey,” said Adam, touched by her wish for their happiness expressed in her own language.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “All right, we’re married now. Let’s go to the reception,” said Adam. “Are you coming with us, Dad?” “Heaven forfend,” said Alexander easily. “I’ll just grab a lift with Jordan and Didi. They can put up with a passenger for the few minutes’ drive to the condo building.” **** After a brief drive, they arrived at the building. An elevator waited to take them to the penthouse. The door stood wide open, party sounds reached them as soon as they got off the elevator. Adam and Mimi were at the door, holding out their arms to the newlyweds. “Adam-the-Poet, my wish for you and Annabel is to be as happy as Adam and I have been – and intend to continue being,” said Mimi, standing on tiptoe to kiss Adam. He smiled at her. “Thank you, Mimi… I hope I’ll succeed in making Annabel as happy as Adam has obviously made you.” Meanwhile, Adam was embracing Annabel, kissing her lightly on the lips. “I wish you everything,” he said simply. When the four turned around and walked into the huge living room, everyone began to applaud. The men lined up to kiss Annabel, and the women pretended to elbow each other aside to get to Adam. As Adam and Annabel began to walk into the room, little Eve and Irène began to strew rose petals from small, golden baskets. They did this with more enthusiasm than accuracy, and the little baskets were soon empty. Annabel knelt by the little girls and hugged them in turn, then together. “I want to thank you for doing this so beautifully for us,” she said. The little girls kissed her, then they said, practically in unison, “We wanna kiss Adam-the-Poet.” Eve confided seriously to Annabel, “Adam without the Poet is my Daddy.” The two little girls went over to Annabel’s new husband and began to tug at his trouser legs. He looked at the two little charmers, kneeling by them. “I thought you did a wonderful job with the rose petals,” he said, hugging them. “Adam-the-Poet, we wanna kiss you,” said Eve, and Irène nodded. They each took one side of Adam’s face and began to kiss him enthusiastically. “Adam-the-Poet, you smell good,” said Eve. “Different good than my Daddy, but good.” “Yes, you do,” said Irène, and began to kiss Adam with renewed enthusiasm. “Thank you, ladies,” said Adam, enchanted with the little girls. “These two are the most accomplished little flirts you’ve ever seen,” said Mimi in a quiet aside to Annabel, who laughed and nodded her agreement. Jeff hurried up with a flute of champagne in each hand, handing one to Adam, one to Annabel. He kissed Annabel’s cheek. “Your first drink as a married couple should be with each other… Bottoms up,”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Adam laughingly tilted his head back to drink half the champagne in the flute, but Annabel could only manage a big sip. “Never mind, my love. You did very well, considering…” “Considering what?” their friends wanted to know. “I’ll never tell,” said Adam with a secretive smile. Speculation was rife, and the consensus of opinion was that Adam and Annabel had been drinking a few toasts privately. Adam was content to let them think whatever they wanted. Tom came forward and gently kissed Annabel, then, in his usual irrepressible manner, he murmured, loud enough to be heard by his friends, “Of course it would be much more fun for me to kiss Adam, but in view of his being so seriously misguided as to prefer women, I think I had better not.” “A wise decision, Tom, let me assure you of that,” said Adam, laughing. Tom began an inspection of the bride. “You naughty girl, making such a simple looking dress that highlights all your better points – and they are many – let me hasten to add. Annabel, you look simply out of this world.” “Thank you, Tom… That reminds me, I’ve got to find Lucille to thank her for the wonderful dresses she made for our bridesmaids.” “Come with me.” Tom took Annabel with him to the kitchen, where Lucille, elegant in a deceptively simple black silk dress, was busy making up platters with appetizers. “Lucille,” said Annabel, and hugged her spontaneously. “How can I ever thank you for taking this huge load off me, making the dresses for our bridesmaids? You are the most superlative couture dressmaker I’ve ever seen. Your own dress…perfection. Mimi’s, too. She looks superb. I’m beginning to wish I had asked you to make my dress, and let me do the bridesmaids’ dresses….” After hugging Annabel for a brief moment, Lucille stepped back. “Ah, no, Mrs. Tremayne. Your dress is perfect for you. I love the fabric, and what you’ve done with it. But if ever you need a little help with dressmaking, just you let me know.” “Thank you, Lucille. You’ve been so very good to me helping with the little girls’ dresses. And how proud they are to wear them… Thank you again.” Lucille gave Annabel a very friendly smile, before turning back to the task at hand, making up platters of Tom’s fabulous appetizers and canapés. **** “You’d better come back here,” said Tom. “Apparently Adam is on the receiving end of a huge surprise.” He guided Annabel back to her husband, who was hugging a handsome man, and being hugged back enthusiastically. That must be his cousin Alex, they look quite a bit alike, she thought. The moment Adam saw her, he held out his hand to her. “Annabel, I want you to meet my cousin, Alex Tremayne,” he said, face beaming with delight.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Alex, I’m delighted to meet you. Angela told me you and her sister, Lisa, were coming as a big surprise for Adam. And, as I could easily see, a very welcome one.” Lisa, a vision in a hyacinth-blue silk dress, now came forward and hugged Adam, then held out her hand to Annabel. “Every happiness for you and Adam,” she smiled. Annabel smiled back. “A handshake won’t do it for me. Come, give me a hug.” A little later, the newlyweds circulated among all their friends. They were glad to see Judy – a rather quiet, subdued Judy – whom Adam and Annabel infinitely preferred to her extrovert persona. She looked wistfully at Jordan, who was happily preoccupied with Didi, and did not notice Judy’s unhappy glances. But Hank noticed. “Judy, if you’ve forgiven me a little bit for my inconsiderate behavior at Tom’s party, will you let me get you some champers?” he asked. Judy remembered vaguely that the St. George family and their friends called champagne ’champers’. She smiled at Hank. “Hey, that’s over and done with. And I’d love some champers, thank you.” While they were drinking, Judy said, “From what I heard through the grapevine, things with that exquisite creature didn’t work out too well for you.” “No, they didn’t. By now you must’ve heard how Annabel read the story of May-Lyn’s dismissal from the ballet because of a permanent foot injury? May-Lyn couldn’t see what I was making a fuss about. She was now willing to marry me, so I should be dancing in the streets, seemed to be her attitude. Well, I wasn’t…dancing in the streets, I mean. I told her I never wanted to see her again.” “You may have to see her again, Hank. She’s just walked in, looking around in that helpless way for a strong male to come and take her under his wing.” “Judy, heaven knows I haven’t deserved any help from you, but if you have any generosity in you, please show it now by sticking to me like glue. Please…” “Hank, that’ll be a pleasure. Seeing that lying egoist losing face…” Judy turned to Hank taking his arm, moving slightly away with him toward the sliding doors of the wrap around terrace. “Here, let’s step outside for a moment, and I’ll wrap you in my jacket.” “You don’t believe in half-measures, do you,” said Judy, shaking with laughter. “I hope that, from May-Lyn’s viewpoint, that looks like passionate trembling,” said Hank. Since Judy could no longer contain herself, she threw herself against Hank, hiding her face, saying, “Quickly, please let’s go outside, she’s coming this way.” “As you wish, my lady,” said Hank gallantly, letting Judy precede him to the terrace, where he made a big play of wrapping her in his jacket.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Oh, Hank,” said Judy dreamily, “this is so good of you.” Then, in her ordinary voice, “Hey, you’re sure this isn’t too chilly for you? I’m all for giving that little bitch one in the eye, but not if it means you coming down with pneumonia.” Hank maneuvered Judy around so that he could glance over her head. Tipping Judy’s head up to his, he brushed her lips with his. “I can’t see her, but she’s so small. She’s probably spying on us from under someone’s elbow.” Judy began to giggle helplessly. Quickly, Hank joined her. “You know, Judy, I’m beginning to think I was temporarily insane, allowing myself to fall for May-Lyn again. After all, I had plenty of experience of her little tricks, her being utterly self-centered. I should’ve remembered that and realized that her total turnaround couldn’t possibly be real. And, of course, it wasn’t.” “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Hank, you…” Hank hastily interrupted her. “Would you credit it? She’s seen us, and now she’s coming over.” “Let her,” said Judy with magnificent disdain. “I’ve squashed bigger pests than her. But I think we’ll play this very cool. I knew you were temporarily infatuated, but the operative word is ‘temporary’…” Hank hastily kissed Judy to stop her talking, because May-Lyn was now quite close by. Dressed impeccably in another stunning gown, this time palest pink, a gauzy, shimmering fabric, with a halter neck and practically no back, May-Lyn slithered up to Hank and Judy. “Hank…” she whispered. “If you stop making an idiot of yourself with this woman in the red dress — you wore that on Saturday, have you no other clothes? — I’ll forgive you, and we’ll pretend your temper tantrum never happened. But you stop this nonsense right now, Hank.” Judy said, contemptuously, dismissively, “May-uh-Lyn, is it? Your hold on reality seems, to me, a little bit tenuous. Hank and I are together. When you threw yourself at him from halfway up the stairs, he caught you and, yes, he was temporarily deluded into believing you. That was, of course, before he discovered what an egoistical liar you are. Hank asked me to forgive him, and of course I did. Any man can make an occasional mistake. So, May-Lyn, why don’t you go away and try to find another victim? Hank is wise to you, I assure you.” Furious, May-Lyn tried to insinuate herself next to Hank. That she wasn’t going to succeed was obvious to the most casual observer, but May-Lyn was nothing if not tenacious. “Hank… Are you going to let this rude woman speak to me like that? Me, the prima ballerina of Canada’s National Ballet?” “The Ex-ballerina, you mean,” said Hank. “And you were never ‘prima’.” “Hank, darling, if she won’t leave us alone, let’s go back inside. There’s an unpleasant smell of a liar around here.” “As you wish, Judy, darling.” Hank put his arm around Judy and began walking to the sliding doors. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Hank. If you leave me now, I’ll never speak to you again.” May-Lyn was furious. Her usually soft, almost whispery voice became a little shrill. “I can only hope you mean that,” said Hank carelessly, walking with Judy back into the room. When they stepped inside, Tom applauded gently. “Hank, dear boy, for a few minutes there I was seriously concerned whether she might re-enslave you.” “Not a chance,” said Hank. “I owe a great debt of gratitude to Judy, who put aside her own very real reasons for detesting me, to help me make May-Lyn realize that I’m through with her.” “Well, you’ve both deserved some champagne,” said Tom, reaching over to a tray being carried by one of Lucille’s nieces, who went around with drinks and nibbles at such parties. He handed flutes to Hank and Judy. They toasted each other with big grins, drinking deeply. Adam and Annabel had a wonderful time at their reception. The little girls repeatedly interrupted them. Eve tugging at Adam’s trouser leg, asking, “Adam-the-Poet? Will you lift us up so we can kiss you some mo’?” Enchanted, he gladly did as they wished, time and again. Annabel was amused, when little Irène said seriously, shaking her black silken curls: “When I’m a big girl, I’m gonna marry you, Adam.” “But honey, Adam’s already married to me,” Annabel said, intrigued what the little girl would say now. “That’s okay, you can stay,” she said, putting an arm around Annabel’s neck. “Thank you, honey,” Annabel said, smiling at Nick and Nadine, who had just made their way to the newlyweds. “Is my daughter trying to marry your husband, Annabel?” Nick asked, his deep voice amused. “It’s all right, Nick, she said I could stay,” Annabel grinned. Nick thought that his little girl had had enough excitement for one day. He took her gently out of Adam’s arms, hugging her. “Mommy and I were thinking that, perhaps, we should go downstairs and let you have your supper and then go to sleep?” “No, Daddy. Mommy, please make Daddy stop. I love Tom’s nibblies, and he gave me a drink from his glass, it tickled, and he said it was a grown-up drink. Please, I don’t want supper at home, I wanna eat here.” Adam Stewart approached, carrying Eve. He grinned at Nick. “Your daughter doesn’t want to eat her usual supper? Neither does ours. What do you think? Shall we let them stay here until they fall over from fatigue, which should be quite soon now.” Annabel said, “You experts in parenting will forgive me for putting in my inexperienced two-cents-worth. I think they can’t bear to take off their bridesmaids’ dresses… So let them have fun, when they get tired they’ll probably crawl onto a sofa and fall asleep.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Nick said, “You guys sure you haven’t got a couple of kids tucked away somewhere? That was very sound reasoning, Annabel. Why did that never occur to me?” “Because you’ve never been a little girl, Nick. I was… I remember how I hated taking off a party dress, because that meant that the fun was really, really over.” The little girls quickly realized that their fathers were, as usual, wax in their hands, and they were going to be allowed to stay up. Delighted, they sang, “Kiss, kiss,” and began to kiss their fathers and the bridegroom in turn. “The two most accomplished flirts I’ve ever seen,” said Annabel, shaking her head at Nadine, who laughed saying, “I agree. You should see them with Jared and Luke, not to mention Hank, Tom and Jeff.” “Even so, my darling,” said Adam to his very new wife, “I was thinking of slowly saying goodbye to our friends, thanking our hosts profusely for this wonderful, fabulous reception they’ve given us – and then, perhaps…” “Aaah, they want to start their private celebrations,” said Tom, who had come up quietly. Immediately Eve stretched out her arms to Tom. “Kiss, kiss, Tom,” she chanted. The expression on Tom’s face, usually one of ironic detachment, changed completely. His love for the little girl was clear to read on his face and in his eyes. Holding out his arms, he said, “All right then, Princess. You come to me.” Eve went to him willingly. “I love you, Tom,” she chirped. “I love you, too, honey.” Adam-the-Poet said to his friend and host: “Adam, we can’t thank you and Mimi enough for all you’ve done for us. This was a thousand times nicer than the impersonal Hilton thing I had planned, merely to spare Annabel, who seemed intent on sewing her wedding dress with one hand while making appetizers with the other. “When things are quieted down a little, perhaps you and Mimi will come to dinner with us? And do bring your little charmer, Eve.” “Adam, Annabel, we were so very happy we could do this for you,” said Adam. “As Mimi and I said before, I hope that you’ll be as happy as we have been and – we hope – will continue to be. If you don’t want to fight your way through the party, I’ll tell Mimi goodbye for you later.” “I couldn’t think of leaving without thanking Mimi personally,” said the newlyweds, almost in unison. Annabel stood on tiptoe and softly kissed Adam’s cheek. “We can’t ever thank you and Mimi enough for this fabulous reception…” Immediately, little Eve, still in Tom’s arms, began to protest. “Don’t kiss my Daddy. That’s my job.” The adults laughed and Annabel said, “I’m so sorry, Eve, please excuse me.” “Well, okay, but don’t kiss Daddy no mo’.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Adam and Annabel worked their way slowly through all their friends, stopping here and there to receive yet another wish for their happiness. Jordan said, “Listen, guys. Tomorrow afternoon some time, I want you to go to Tom’s gallery and choose one of my paintings as my wedding gift to you.” “Jordan,” said Adam. “I was going to buy one of your paintings at the preview tomorrow. And you want to give us one? Jordan… That’s too much.” “No, it isn’t,” said Jordan easily. “Sis, you make sure Adam takes you over to Tom’s tomorrow afternoon.” Annabel kissed her brother. “Thanks, Jordy, you’re the best. I’ll let Adam choose. He once said to me that he doesn’t want to own paintings he likes, but paintings he’s fallen in love with.” “Only way to choose a painting, Adam. See you guys tomorrow.” Turning back to Didi, they disappeared in the crowd. Alex, his arm around Lisa, said, “Can we get together tomorrow – late, late, – we realize that you’re on your honeymoon. By the way, are you going anywhere?” “I haven’t asked…” began Adam, while at the same time Annabel said, “No, I’d rather we stayed at the condo. I love living there, and Adam can work when the Muse is kind to him. And one of these days, I’ll really have to pull my socks up and get started on my new book…” “You don’t want us to go away, Annabel?” said Adam, trying to hide his delight. “No, Adam, unless you absolutely want to…” “Oh, no, if you’d rather stay here…” “Yes, that’s what I want. Stay here; enjoy our life together here, where we live. Where else would we be half as comfortable as here? And we’d have to do a lot of travel. So tiring. Are you sure you don’t mind?” “Mind… Ah, my darling Annabel. No, I won’t mind in the least. Staying home is what I’d prefer, too, but I thought women liked honeymoon trips, so I was quite prepared to take you somewhere.” “But Adam, if we did, we wouldn’t have time together with your Dad, with Alex and Lisa, with…” “Okay, okay, you’ve convinced me,” he said, laughing. Saying their final goodbyes, at last, they left.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 16. When they were back in their condo, Adam took off his jacket, tie and cufflinks, and undid the top few buttons of his shirt. Folding Annabel in his embrace murmuring against her hair, “How do you feel about getting out of our wedding clothes, perhaps have a shower, and be lazy together?” “Delicious idea, my darling. Did you really like my dress?” “My love, I adore your dress. And I’m delighted to see how very easy it is to take it off you. Once I’ve undone that little zipper at the back, it’ll fall off your shoulders, won’t it?” “Astonishing, how much you know about women’s clothes… Just exactly how did you gain all this expertise?” she teased. Suddenly serious, his eyes darkening to midnight black, “My love, no doubt you realize I haven’t lived like a monk, but I’ve always been fastidious in my brief, uncommitted relationships. I’ve learned more about women’s clothes in our time together than in all the time before. I thought you knew that. Please, don’t tease about the past. I don’t ever want to think about that again.” “Adam, darling… I’m so sorry. Please forgive me, I didn’t mean to upset you. My dearly beloved Poet…” Reassured, he smiled into her eyes, hugging her more tightly. “Come sit with me for a while. If memory serves, you only had the flute of champagne with me that Jeff brought over to us? Would you like some wine, or…?” “Maybe some Perrier, darling? I’m a bit thirsty, but not for alcohol.” “And here I was hoping you’d want some champagne, so that I could have my way with you…” “You can have your way with me any time, you know that. But right now, I’d really like to have some Perrier.” “Of course, my love. Stay there, I’ll be right back.” Moments later, Adam returned to the sofa placing two big glasses of Perrier on the coffee table. He quickly seated himself beside Annabel again sliding his arm around her slender body, hugging her. “My wife…” he sighed. “Adam, my husband…” she whispered. For some time, they sat quietly, enjoying their togetherness, occasionally sipping some Perrier. “You know what I found surprising?” Adam said. “That they invited MayLyn…” “I’m sure they didn’t invite her. Don’t forget, Tom and Jeff came from the gallery. May-Lyn is still staying with them, at the house. She probably thought she’d take a chance on re-enslaving Hank by simply turning up. What could Adam and Mimi do? Call Security and have her thrown out? Hardly.” “Yes, of course. I forgot that Tom and Jeff were coming from the gallery.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley But I would’ve thought that they might have invited that gorgeous woman for Hank, what was her name? Miranda Something?” “Miranda Jones, the ‘gorgeous woman’ did you say? I hadn’t realized you’d studied her that carefully.” “My love – I asked you not to tease me about other women,” he said plaintively, drifting kisses over her face. “Well, actually, you’re quite right. Miranda is a stunningly beautiful woman. You’re also right that Hank seemed very taken with her. She seemed to be refreshingly non-judgmental about the rather weird circumstances he found himself in, dumping Judy and starting up again with May-Lyn, the moment she launched herself off the staircase and into his arms.” “Yes, I thought so, too,” he murmured against her temple. She smiled, kissing his taut jaw then sliding her mouth further down. Against his throat, licking and kissing, she said softly, “Tell you what, Adam, darling… Perhaps in a few weeks’ time, when we have Adam and Mimi to dinner, we could also invite Miranda and Hank?” “Oh, honey, please don’t start any matchmaking…” “Adam, I wouldn’t be matchmaking. It’s just that I was surprised Mimi didn’t catch on to the little frissons of interest that passed between Hank and Miranda. As you said, she’s a beautiful woman, an asset to any dinner party. And Hank has had more than his share of being unlucky in love… I heard that, before he became infatuated with May-Lyn, first time around, he had been engaged to the daughter of a publisher. Weeks before the wedding, this woman threw an appalling tantrum at a party because she objected to Hank’s choice of best man, his lifelong friend Tom. Her reason… Tom is gay. Well, you can imagine that went over like a pregnant pole-vaulter. Hank broke off the engagement, and her father sent her out West to his company’s headquarters. “Then, when Hank managed to extricate himself from May-Lyn’s silken clutches, met Karen and married her, I think they had only a couple of years together, then she died so unexpectedly and tragically. So, wouldn’t you like to see Hank happy for a change? Miranda might be just what Hank needs, and what he thought he had found in Judy – an intimate friendship. But Judy wanted marriage. I don’t think Hank’s ready for that. Now, Miranda seems more independent, interested in her career. She might like to be really good friends with Hank. The exact degree of ‘good friends’ is, of course, up to them.” Adam smiled tightening his embrace, nuzzling the nape of his wife’s neck. She had managed to unbutton his shirt to the waist, and was now kissing and licking his bare chest. “Ah, honey, that feels so good… Do it some more…. And my love, by all means help Hank’s love life along if you wish, but do you think we could talk about us for a while now?” “Of course, my darling,” said Annabel, contrite. “I’m sorry I went on so about not matchmaking and all that. By all means, let’s talk about us. What would you like to talk about?” She put her arms around his narrow waist and melted into him.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I was going to suggest that you might want to tell me, precisely, how much you love me… But then, when I felt you melting into me…” He held her more tightly beginning to kiss her parted lips. “Annabel…” he murmured. “Do you think that, perhaps, we’ve talked enough? Should we get out of our wedding clothes and…” “Yes, my darling. We should, most definitely…” “Come with me,” he said, getting to his feet, sweeping her up in his arms, carrying her to the bedroom. “Adam – there’s nothing I’d rather do than come with you,” she whispered. “My darling, our honeymoon has begun.” **** The next morning, Jordan telephoned the newlyweds. He had waited until half past eleven, not only out of consideration for their honeymoon status, but because the news was bad, really bad. “Belle, mother is here. She’s come especially for my preview. Fortunately, she doesn’t know Adam’s surname. When she said she was Mrs. Browne, here to attend Jordan Browne’s preview, the doorman buzzed me. Can you imagine the screams and howls of indignation when I told her calmly that she couldn’t stay at the condo because Didi and I are staying there? You can imagine her tone when I introduced Didi to her, but before she could get into her stride, I suggested Didi go to the bedroom while I talked with mother. “She first demanded to know where were you and that man who had been duped foolishly into marrying you. I said that I hoped you’d be back in time for the preview. That took some of the wind out of her sails, at least temporarily. “By the way, Tom very kindly arranged a room for her at the Hilton. I really didn’t want to inflict mother on Adam’s very nice Dad, however many spare bedrooms there are in Nick’s suite. So I left her in the room Tom had arranged for her, and went straight home to pacify Didi, or so I thought. She proved most understanding, and said that mothers often were very rude to young women their sons were interested in.” “Oh Jordy… How awful. She’s going to throw her weight around at the preview of your beautiful show.” “I’ve told her it starts at seven. Actually, Tom prefers to have his shows open at five, so that businessmen can come straight from their offices, meet their wives at the gallery, et cetera. Usually, by seven, he’s getting ready to close the preview and go to dinner. But you and Adam will have to meet her, I’m afraid. Unless you want to drop in at the gallery this afternoon, let Adam make his choice of my paintings as my wedding gift, and then you could stay home tonight. Sound good?” “Of course it sounds good, Jordy. But that would put an unbearable burden on you, Didi, Tom and Jeff, Adam’s father… No, we can’t do that. We’ll have to come to the preview, although I’m sure Adam will be so very delighted to come out this afternoon and choose our wedding gift from you… Any particular time?” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Say around three o’clock? By that time, Tom and Jeff will have done the installation. And it’ll give them time to hide your choice somewhere inconspicuous, so that patrons arriving won’t make a beeline for the one painting they can’t have. “Oh, that reminds me… Tom said Adam and Mimi are also coming for a pre-preview, and Nick and Nadine. Seems to me, I could have this show sold out before it opens, just going by Tom’s personal friends.” “I guess you could at that,” said Annabel. “Thanks again, Jordy, honey. See you around three then, at Tom’s gallery.” A little later, there was a call from Luke for Adam. Annabel wanted to leave the living room, to give her husband some privacy for the call from his longtime friend, but Adam gestured her back into the circle of his arm. “Hey, Luke. What can I do for you?” “It’s rather a case of what I persuaded Ange not to do for you two. She was all set to invite you up here for brunch with Alex and Lisa, and your Dad. But I suggested she might wait with that until tomorrow. Because I understood from Tom that you’re going to have to be at the gallery around three, to choose Jordan’s wedding gift. You lucky guy.” “Yes, that’s exactly how I feel, for more than one reason, as I’m sure you’ll readily understand. And please tell Ange that we’d love to come over tomorrow for brunch. Will you call us, say half an hour before we’re due to appear?” “I sure will, Adam. But will that give you time enough for a long, leisurely shower, hmmm?” Adam sensed Luke grinning meaningfully. “Anyway, you just go right back to bed and continue with what you were doing…” With a shout of laughter, Luke disconnected. A glance at Annabel convinced Adam that she had understood the gist of his conversation with Luke. He grinned reminiscently, musing that he would only tolerate this kind of teasing from Luke and Alex. A spur-of-the-moment idea came to him. He hugged his wife and asked, “My love, would you like me to take you and Dad out to lunch?” “As long as it isn’t the Hilton, darling, where mother might chance upon us. In fact, I was thinking, wouldn’t you like to invite your Dad over here? More private? He can come with us to Tom’s when you choose our wedding gift from Jordan.” “But my love… I’m trying to give you a slight semblance of a honeymoon, by taking you out for meals.” “Adam, I like cooking. And you’ve had very little private time with your Dad. So, why don’t you call him and invite him here? Let him come any time he wants. We’ll eat when we feel like it. If you wouldn’t mind telling me some of his favorite things, perhaps I can manage to whip up something suitable for lunch?” “Annabel, thank you. If you’re sure you wouldn’t rather go out for lunch, then, yes, I’d love to have Dad join us here. I’ll just give him a quick call.” Adam disappeared into his library, coming out a little while later to tell Annabel that his father would love to come to lunch. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Annabel smiled happily at her husband, and disappeared into the kitchen. When Alexander Tremayne arrived, he hugged his son and his new daughter-in-law, giving her a bouquet of sweetheart tea roses. Annabel buried her nose in their fragrance. “Thank you, Alexander. That’s so very kind of you. I’ll put them in water straight away, and then I’ve got to do a little more work in the kitchen, if we’re ever to have lunch… Please excuse me.” Smiling, she hurried into the kitchen, well pleased with her subterfuge to give Adam and his Dad some private time together. Luncheon, when she served it in the dining room, was pronounced delicious. Afterwards, Annabel suggested, “I thought to serve coffee in the living room. Would you two excuse me for a few minutes while I tidy up in the kitchen a bit? I’ll see you two in a little while.” By taking her time, Annabel succeeded in remaining busy in the kitchen until it was two-thirty. Time to go to the gallery. “I was thinking, Annabel, perhaps we should get dressed for the preview, in case Tom keeps us chatting. There isn’t a whole lot of time between our arrival and the opening of the preview,” said Adam. “I thought of it, when I saw Dad’s elegant suit.” “Great idea, Adam. Actually, I thought to wear my wedding dress.” “That’ll be wonderful, because I planned to wear my dark suit again, with the silvery tie. Dad, will you excuse us a nanosecond, while we change from these more casual togs?” “Of course, Son. You two take your time. There’s after all no desperate hurry to get to Tom’s, is there?” “No, I guess not. Dad, you might want to look through some of the books on our shelves. Annabel writes whodunits under the name of Anna Blackwell. Go ahead and take a look.” “Oh, Adam, darling…” Annabel complained gently. “Why do that to your Dad? Now he’ll have to say that he likes my work…” “That just shows that you don’t know my Dad. He doesn’t call a spade a ‘bloody shovel,’ but he never calls a spade a ‘lovely instrument for digging,’ either. Now you just come with me.” With that, Adam put his arm around his wife disappearing with her into their bedroom. Alexander was surprised to see them emerge quickly. He assured Annabel again how very much he liked her wedding dress, its essential simplicity so much more flattering and impressive than some intricately sewn pattern. As they were on their way to the garage, Alexander said, “Tell me, Annabel, is there some superficial resemblance between you and your mother?” And, on seeing Annabel’s look of incomprehension, he added, “There was a woman about my age, handsome, slim, your coloring, but a very different personality than yours. She flicked her eyes everywhere, and her habitual facial expression seemed to be a disdainful scowl rather than a smile. I just wondered whether, by accident, I had encountered your mother in the hotel.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Oh, Alexander, that does sound like mother. I hope she didn’t bother you.” “No, of course not, my dear. I just happened to catch sight of this woman. I doubt that she actually, consciously saw me.” “Don’t be too sure, Alexander. My mother has always liked handsome men…” Settling Annabel in the passenger seat, and his father in the back, Adam drove quickly to Tom’s gallery. Helping Annabel out of her seat, he offered his father a hand, but he smilingly refused assistance. Jeff saw them arriving, hastily opening one of the heavy glass doors forming the entrance to the St. George Art Gallery. “Bride,” Jeff said, hugging Annabel. “Groom.” A quick hug for Adam. “Mr. Tremayne.” Jeff held out his hand. Annabel and Adam hugged Jeff back. Alexander said, “It’s very good of you and Tom to let my son choose Jordan’s wedding gift in peace and quiet. I always wonder how on earth people can buy at a preview. One can hardly see the art for people holding glasses of wine, they cluster and congregate in front of major paintings, which means that no one can get a serious look at the work…” “You’re absolutely right, Mr. Tremayne,” said Jeff. “Call me Alexander.” Moments later, they were in Tom’s office, the greetings cycle was repeated. After offering refreshments, Tom said to Adam, “You come with me. I’m dying to see which of Jordan’s paintings you’ll fall in love with.” “Annabel, don’t you want to come with me?” Adam asked, reluctant to go without his wife. “No, Adam. I want you to look at the paintings, then choose the one you fell in love with. You’ll do that best when you’re alone with the work, otherwise I know what you’ll do. You’ll look at my face, my eyes, to see whether I like this or that painting. No way. You choose.” Smiling, she turned away from her husband, giving her full attention to Jeff, who had brought out a tray of champagne flutes and now filled three of them. He brought two over to Annabel and Alexander, then went back for his own. “Let’s drink to Jordan’s exhibition. I’m so deeply impressed with his work. I doubt we’ll have a single one left by the end of the preview.” “Do you really think so, Jeff?” Annabel asked. “Yes, I really, really do,” said Jeff, clinking his flute against Annabel’s. About fifteen minutes later, Adam and Tom returned, Tom carrying a comparatively small painting, which he put against the wall of his office. “This is the painting that Adam fell in love with,” he said, making a gesture that wouldn’t have disgraced a famous opera singer. “Adam, you chose well. You’ll want this for your library, installed on the wall opposite your desk, so that you can see it at all times,” Annabel said, decisively.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Yes, that was what I had in mind, and then I began to feel guilty, because it’s our wedding present, not mine alone.” Adam frowned a little worriedly. “Well, then you’ll just have to invite me to your library frequently so that I can enjoy looking at the painting, too. But it is perfect for opposite your desk. The one that’s there now, we can install on one of the other walls. And I am delighted, enchanted, elated, ecstatic about your choice,” said Annabel, smiling. “Dear God, I’ve married a Thesaurus,” said Adam, sounding alarmed. Alexander smiled happily at the couple. Rarely had he seen two people so in love, and so in tune. And he thought that Annabel’s generous nature would go a long way toward soothing Adam’s sometimes restless spirit. She’ll make my son very happy… In fact, she’s already done so, he mused. “Jeff, will you make sure this painting is in an inconspicuous place, with a discreet red sticker on the accompanying information card?” “Sure, Tom, right away,” said Jeff, taking the painting and walking toward the shorter of the two wings, which had a small alcove attached. It was there that Jeff decided to hide Adam’s choice from being spotted too soon by the public. Moments later, Adam and Mimi Stewart came in, with Nick and Nadine Thalassinos. Delighted greetings were exchanged, then Nick asked, “Did you make your choice already, Adam-the-Poet?” “Yes, I did. Do you guys want to see?” “We’d love to, wouldn’t we, Nadine, honey?” Before Nadine could respond, Mimi said, “Same here for us.” Grinning and jostling, the five went into the remote corner of the smaller wing. Surprised, Alexander asked, “What’s with ‘Adam-the-Poet’?” Tom replied, his face showing amusement as well as his usual expression of ironic detachment, “Well, you’ve met Adam Stewart, the Nobel Lit. winner. He and his wife gave the wedding reception. Mimi wondered how we’d be able to keep the identity of the two Adams separate. I suggested Adamthe-Poet and Adam-the-Nobel. But your son said that, since Adam-the-Nobel had lived here for years, he should remain just ‘Adam’ and he, your son, would agree to being Adam-the-Poet. “In practice, we usually know which Adam we mean, and only rarely do we add the sobriquet ‘the-Poet.’ When we do, it’s mostly a friendly little tease.” “I see,” said Alexander. “I can’t tell you, Tom, how delighted I am to find that my son has made friends with so many exceptional people. It’s rare for him to do that, because he could never give his heart easily, whether it be in friendship or in love. I’m so very glad to see that here he seems to have found his natural habitat. The woman he loves, who loves him devotedly in return, and wonderful people as friends.” “Well, Alexander, of course this is a two-way street. For us, too, it’s been a wonderful privilege becoming acquainted with so rare a talent as Adam-thePoet.” Tom grinned at Alexander as he added the sobriquet.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Half an hour later, the paintings-choosing party returned. Adam and Mimi carried one big and one small painting. Nick and Nadine carried two medium sized paintings. “You’ve made your choices? Let me see?” asked Annabel excitedly. Adam turned his big painting around so that Annabel, Alexander and Tom could see his choice. Predictably, he had chosen an Arizona landscape near Sedona. Then Mimi displayed her choice. Annabel immediately recognized the cityscape. “That’s Santa Fe. Oh, Mimi, I went to visit Jordan when he was there. I loved the paintings he created there, he got the city’s mood so exactly.” She turned to Nick and Nadine. “May I see, please?” Nick gallantly took Nadine’s painting and turned it and his own choice toward the spectators. “Oh, Nick, Nadine, these two are great together… The same landscape at dawn – and at dusk. What a wonderful choice. And now poor Jeff is going to be hard put to finding hideaways for all these paintings…” “No problem, Annabel. I’ll just overload that little alcove, and by time people get around to it, they’ll see a forest of ‘sold’ stickers.” Later, everyone was provided with champagne, and they had a wonderful time congratulating each other on their exceptional choices of paintings. They heard a rapping at the great doors, and Jeff quickly looked around Tom’s office door to see who it was. Jordan and Didi stood there waving when they saw Jeff’s face. He hurried to let them in. Moments later, they were in Tom’s office, which was beginning to feel a little cramped. Tom hastened to open the French doors to his sculpture garden. Adam and Adam-the-Poet quickly stepped out into the fresh air. Nick followed, and as soon as Jordan and Didi had been provided with champagne, they stepped into the garden. Mimi, Nadine and Annabel kept Tom company. “I’m glad you’re wearing your gorgeous wedding dress again, Belle,” said Mimi. “Thanks, I need all the compliments I can get… Just wait till my mother sees my dress, and starts verbally destroying it…” said Annabel with a deprecating little smile. “Honey, your own mother would do that?” said Nadine, scandalized. “I think your mother and mine have quite a bit in common,” said Mimi, hugging Annabel briefly. “We didn’t invite her to our wedding either, and to this day she hasn’t come here to meet my husband and our daughter, nor has she invited us to visit her. Truth to tell, I’m just as glad. And your mother, poor Belle, is a clone of mine?” “Seems like it.” Annabel shrugged to show that it didn’t matter to her, but of course the other women, and Tom, knew that it did. Tom decided to keep a close watch to make sure Annabel’s mother would be forced to keep a civil tongue in her head and could not attempt to destroy her daughter’s happiness. Then it was five o’clock, and Tom’s clients arrived in droves. Tom said to Mimi, Nadine and Annabel, “This exhibition will sell itself, so I won’t need to Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley encourage people to buy. Instead, I can make sure that no one speaks an untoward word to any one of you.” Moments later, Tom could begin to do just that. With rather a lot of fanfare, Patricia Nelles, microphone in hand, followed by a man shouldering a mini-cam, entered the gallery. “Adam, darling,” she shrieked, striding purposefully toward Adam, who was talking to Jordan at that moment. With the speed of a rattlesnake, Tom was there. “No films, no photographs, no interviews. Out.” “I’m the press, I have a right to interview…” “Jordan Browne never gives interviews, never poses for photographs and never allows such a rude interruption as you are now attempting. Get out of here or I’ll make sure you are forcibly removed by my Security people.” To everyone’s surprise, Tom had two tall, broad security men standing by, until then hidden in a storeroom. They advanced purposefully toward Patricia and her cameraman. The man took one look at the scene and fled. Patricia, however, clung to Adam’s arm saying menacingly, “You’re making a big mistake. I’m engaged to this gentleman. Engaged. Look at my engagement ring.” With magnificent disdain, Tom said, “That bit of glass.” “Glass!” screamed Patricia. “I’d have you know this was my mother’s engagement ring, and it cost the earth.” “Well, then allow me to congratulate your father on fooling her so successfully and considerably,” said Tom contemptuously. “And I thought it was your engagement ring. You’re not even an intelligent liar. Get out of here before I become really annoyed with you.” Turning on his heel, Tom gestured to the two security men, who each took one of Patricia’s arms removing her fast and determinedly from the premises. “Tell her that if they loiter outside I’ll have them removed by the police,” Tom said to the senior security man. “And remind her that Mr. Adam Tremayne has a restraining order against her, which he will not hesitate to exercise if she comes nearer than five hundred feet.” “Right, Sir, ” the security man said, stepping outside the gallery to give this last message to Patricia and the cameraman. The latter was only too willing to hurry away. Annabel had taken very little notice of all this. Her entire attention was on Adam, her beloved. So sensitive, what damage would this woman have done to him with her evil lies about being his fiancée, when her very presence made him shiver with distaste? As quickly as she could, she made her way to him. She was relieved to see that he was talking to Mimi’s Adam, who was invariably so calm, so serene. Perhaps he had been able to counteract at least in part whatever damage Patricia had hoped to inflict. “Adam, my darling.” she whispered, taking his upper arm hugging it to her breasts.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley He gazed at his wife. “I’m fine, my darling, just fine. Adam was instrumental in making me realize that stalking, harassing, obsessive behavior is part of the price we pay for being known to the public.” He threw a grateful glance at his friend. Annabel whispered, “Thanks…” Adam Stewart smiled back at Annabel, saying quietly, “I never let it get to me, because if I did, then the stalkers-harassers-pests would have won.” Annabel nodded warmly, glad to hear her husband say: “I think that’s an excellent attitude, and from now on I’m going to adopt it for me, too. Thank you so much, Adam.” Turning to Annabel, “But you, my love? Were you upset when Nelles came in here pretending to want to interview Jordan, but clutching at me?” “Only insofar as it worried me what this was doing to you.” “You sound like Mimi,” said Adam Stewart, with a very friendly glance at Annabel. “Do I? I hadn’t thought that you needed that…” “Not often, but there’ve been times… Oh yes, I was so grateful that she felt about me as you so obviously do about your Adam. And by the way, Annabel, your wedding dress is stunning.” Her smile dazzled both Adams. They glanced at each other and nodded, turning back to Annabel. To their utter astonishment, they saw her beautiful face lose all color, and she began to tremble visibly. “Hey,” whispered Adam, taking a step closer embracing his wife. “What on earth is the matter?” Almost inaudibly, Annabel whispered, “Mother… over there…” At that moment, her mother had evidently seen Annabel, for she moved regally and resolutely toward her. When her mother was near enough, Annabel said quietly, “Hello, mother.” “Dear God, what a sight you are. I hope that your wedding dress was bought from a couture house and not amateurishly cobbled together like this excuse for a dress. I’ve never understood what makes you think you can sew. And now, tell me, which of these handsome men was deluded enough to marry you?” Adam said, “Mrs. Browne? I’m Adam Tremayne, and I must ask you to keep a civil tongue in your head when you are speaking to my wife. If you will not, I shall ask the owner of the gallery to have you removed.” “Are you the poor fool whom she conned into marrying her? And you’ll have me removed? You can’t. I’m the mother of the artist. I’m an honored guest here, and if anyone should leave here it is my poor excuse for a daughter. Are you aware she lived with someone, who threw her out?” Shaking, barely able to speak, Annabel said, “I’ve told Adam about that, mother, and you know very well that I left that man, not the other way around. Adam knows – as you should – that I’ve been with no one since that disaster seven years ago.” “Yeah, that’s what you’d have people believe – but I’ve read those smutty books you write, where did you get all that information then, huh? You could Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley only get that from a series of dissolute, libidinous bastards who were good in bed.” Adam Stewart said, “I suppose it is useless trying to keep a woman like you from spewing her poison, but you will not do it here, over this charming, gentle, talented woman, who does research by reading, madam. Not in the way you suggest.” He turned gesturing to Tom. Tom hastened to Adam’s side. “Tom, I want you to have this woman removed. She has overstepped the most lenient standards of behavior, with repellent invective. She has grievously offended my dear friends Adam and Annabel. Thanks, Tom.” With a look of unutterable contempt, Adam Stewart turned his back on Annabel’s mother, putting his arms around Annabel and Adam, walking away, slowly guiding them to Tom’s office. When they arrived there, he said: “There, now. I want you both to sit down, and I’ll find some of Tom’s champagne here. I know where he keeps his best stuff. The three of us will drink to your happiness. And remember this – you can only be offended by your peers. And this woman is so far beneath you, it would be ludicrous to allow her to upset you in the slightest.” He looked closely at Annabel, adding, “All right, now?” Annabel nodded gratefully, whispering, “All right, and thank you, Adam.” The door opened, and Mimi insinuated herself into Tom’s office through an improbably small opening. “I saw you guys go in here. What on earth happened? Belle, you look as if you’d seen a ghost,” “Mimi, darling – Annabel didn’t see a ghost, she saw a harpy, her mother. I’ve never heard such appalling invective coming from a mother to her daughter, it sickened me.” “Belle, honey,” said Mimi, bending over Annabel’s chair, hugging her. “She said just what I told you she’d say about my dress. And then she asked which of these two men had been deluded enough to marry me. Oh, Mimi…” Annabel began to shake again, lips trembling, tears hanging on her lashes, beginning to fall. Mimi cast a troubled glance at both Adams. Her husband took her quietly by the arm and said, “We’ll leave the newlyweds alone for a while. I think the best medicine for Annabel right now is Adam, don’t you?” “As long as you mean Adam-the-Poet, and not you,” said Mimi irrepressibly. She was relieved to see her friends began to smile at her remark. Meanwhile, Annabel’s mother had not gone quietly into the night... on the contrary. Tom, his face showing his disgusted contempt, conducted Mrs. Browne to the heavy glass doors, and with a quiet gesture, indicated to his two security men that this woman was not to be allowed back into the gallery. Mrs. Browne decided to ask her son for help calling loudly, “Jordan. Jordan. This bloody queen is trying to remove me. It’s your show, Jordan darling. You tell this damned queer to take his dirty hands off me. I’m your mother. I’ve a right to be here.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Jordan hurried to the door. In a quiet but terrible voice he said to his mother, “That’s the last time you’ve insulted my sister and a dear friend of mine. I want nothing to do with you ever again. Leave now, or I’ll have you arrested for disturbing the peace, do you get the picture, you sick, vicious excuse for a mother? Don’t ever come near my friends or me again. And particularly, never, never again show your face to my dearly beloved sister and her wonderful husband. You are disowned as of now. Is this totally clear? Good, then go.” Jordan turned on his heel and went back to the preview party. Tom’s clients had all been quietly riveted by what went on. First that appalling woman pretending to interview Jordan Browne, clutching at the husband of Jordan’s sister, so far as they understood. Then that haughty, arrogant, supercilious woman who said the most terrible things to Jordan Browne’s sister, and then he told that woman that he disowned her. His mother. She must be a total bitch for this gentle, pleasant young man to do that. Yes, indeed. With an indifferent shrug, they went back to studying the art on the walls. By this time it was about six-thirty, and all but four of Jordan’s paintings had been sold. Somewhat to Jordan’s surprise, there was one man who told Tom he was particularly interested in a certain painting, and asked whether the buyer was still present. Tom scanned the crowd and said, “Why, yes. It’s the lady in the violet dress with the diamond and amethyst necklace.” Tom grinned when his client hurried to the woman. Little does he know that she’s Irene Lambros, the well-known Broadway actress, who’s also the wife of Leandros Melissinos, a true Greek Tycoon, worth billions. What fun watching the poor guy offering Irene twice what she paid for the painting. Tom saw Jeff move toward the office, clearly intending to make sure that Adam and Annabel had enough bubbly to cheer them up. He winked at Jeff and raised a carefully tended eyebrow. Jeff understood and nodded. Tom said, “Jeff, this is a very successful exhibition, and I can’t think of anything I’d enjoy more than asking all our friends to dinner. Do you agree?” When Jeff nodded again, Tom continued, “I’ll just telephone the Casa Rosada – a new experience for our Greek Tycoon friends, who need to discover there are other restaurants besides the Café de Paris in the Hilton. Authentic Mexican cuisine, beautifully cooked, that’ll be a big novelty for them. Let’s see, how many… Adam and Mimi, Adam and Annabel, Jordan and Didi, Luke and Angela, her sister and brother-in-law, Alexander Tremayne, Jared and Luz, the two Greek tycoons… Wait, I’ll quickly call Miranda Jones, to make the table come out even. Or, a still better idea – I’ll have Hank pick up Miranda, and I’ll call Christina Thomson to come, too. She’s thirty-eight, although she doesn’t look it. Good company for Alexander…?” “D’you want me to do the telephoning, Tom?” Jeff asked. Tom shook his head, turning to the telephone on the desk at the far end of the gallery. “No, darling lad, this requires the touch of the Master,” he said with his usual self-mockery. He hastily began to telephone, grinning with satisfaction after each completed call, and ending with a reservation at the Casa for twenty guests, maybe more. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 17. Tom’s dinner party for his friends at the Casa Rosada had been a great success. The next morning, Annabel served Adam his breakfast, and had a cup of coffee to keep him company while he ate. They happily reminisced. “I hadn’t expected Nick and Nadine, Leandros and Irene to be so delighted at being invited to this, for them, unusual restaurant, did you, Adam darling? And they were so pleased to discover that they adored the authentic Mexican cuisine.” “Yes, and when the Chef joined us at the end, at Tom’s invitation. That was a novel experience for them, too.” “But wasn’t it wonderful to see how very pleased your Dad was when he met Christina? She seemed unusually pleased to meet a man who had to be close to sixty, by her reckoning, who looked so great, was so interesting to talk to, and seemed to like her for herself, rather than for her celebrity value as a famous model.” “Annabel, please tell me that you’re not trying to matchmake for my Father,” Adam implored with a teasing smile. “Of course not, Adam. I was just pleased that he had found someone to enjoy being with. But I did wonder whether he might like to meet her again. I was just thinking, perhaps, if we invited your Dad and Christina to dinner…” “My love, listen, my Dad’s all grown up, he’s living in Nick’s sumptuous suite at the Hilton. If he likes Christina, he can surely invite her to join him there.” He smiled at his wife. On seeing her astonished expression, he hastened to add, “For lunch or dinner I mean, of course.” “Of course,” Annabel said rather hastily. “But what did you think of Hank and Miranda? I was just as glad Judy was working hard in Orlando and wasn’t there to disturb the ambiance, shall we say?” “Yes, I think Judy’s absence was appreciated by all.” Annabel picked up the cafetière glancing invitingly at Adam. He held out his coffee mug for a refill. When she had refilled his mug, she said, “Adam, I was wondering if I could tempt you to sit on the balcony for a while, so that I can quickly whiz through the condo with the vacuum and my dust cloth?” “Can’t I help you, Annabel? After all, we’re both on our honeymoon.” “No thank you, Adam. You go sit in that big double lounger, where our balcony abuts Hank’s. If you see him, you could invite him over for coffee, and we can get some idea of how things are going for him and Miranda.” “My love, by all the usual signs, things were going very well for them. But by all means, if I see Hank, I’ll invite him for coffee. Don’t wear yourself out with this cleaning, will you? And when you’ve finished, please come join me on the big lounger. I’ll be lonely there without you.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Annabel went over to Adam, softly kissing his mouth. “That’s all you get until I’ve finished cleaning and tidying. I’ll see you later.” Hastily folding her in his embrace, he returned her kiss. It was a surprisingly hungry kiss for a man who had spent most of the night making love to his wife. At last, Annabel slipped out of Adam’s arms, watching him go through the glass sliding doors to the balcony, stretching out in the big lounger. Annabel nodded, returning to her cleaning. After lying there for a little while, Adam’s long lashes drifted down, his breathing becoming quiet and even. Adam was asleep, not surprising, perhaps. Some time later, Adam awoke to voices, quite close by. It took him a moment to realize that Hank had settled on his balcony close to where it touched Adam’s. Adam wanted to get up from his lounger to invite Hank for coffee as Annabel had asked. At that moment, he realized that Hank wasn’t alone. Judy was with him. He wondered why Hank had invited Judy, when he got along so wonderfully with Miranda. Then he thought that probably Judy had invited herself over. He decided to ask Hank over for coffee as soon as Judy left. Somewhat to his surprise, Adam heard Hank say, “I’m sorry to hear, Judy, that your life has been one long litany of romances that might have been… But you’re a very attractive woman. How is that possible?” “Well, maybe I’m reasonably attractive, but nothing like Belle, so beautiful. Every time I had a boyfriend of whom I had high hopes, the first time he met Belle, he had the hots for her, and it was ‘goodbye, Judy,’ again. Oh, Belle didn’t mean to do that, she did nothing to try and attract the guy, but he fell for her. From then on all he could think about was how to get into her bed, rather than mine…” “But Judy, one time we were exchanging confidences, as it were. She let me talk about Karen, and she told me there had been no one since that one love affair from which she walked away, many, many years ago.” “Yeah, that’s what she says, but I find that hard to believe. I mean – the guys that went after her were really terrific. I, for one, didn’t blame her for entering into affairs with them. I only wished it could’ve been me. It happened not just once, but… let’s see… Five times in the past seven years.” “But I thought that Belle nursed her father through a very long illness, after she went to live with him to escape from that guy she walked out on?” “Yes, that’s true, I forgot to factor that in. Well, then it happened five times in the past four years.” “I don’t believe it,” said Hank, sounding upset. “Belle isn’t like that.” “Oh, for God’s sake, are you upset because Belle had a few affairs with men I’d hoped to have affairs with myself? Does it upset your image of pure, chaste Belle?” Realizing that Judy was becoming angry, Hank hastily said, “It’s nothing to do with me, Judy, surely you realize that. But I’ve always thought of Belle as a little different from most women. She’s so restful to be with, and although Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley she is a very sexy woman at first sight, when one gets to know her, one realizes that she isn’t at all interested in hopping into bed…” “Oh, really,” said Judy, thoroughly riled now. “And I suppose I, on the other hand, make men think that I’m avid to be ravished in the back of the nearest car.” “No, of course not, Judy,” said Hank, but it was obvious from his tone that his response was automatic, rather than genuine. Judy had worked herself up into quite a temper, and said scathingly, “And now you’ve carefully put yourself out of my reach, too. It’s all over the building how well you and darling Miranda got along last night. Did she stay over?” “Of course not. This was our first date,” said Hank, scandalized. “I recall that you took me to bed on our first date. So what was so special about the very virginal Miranda, I’d like to know?” said Judy, her voice getting louder and louder. “Please, Judy, not so loud. I don’t want Adam and Belle to hear you.” “Oh, of course, I mustn’t upset the virginal Belle and the gorgeous hunk she’s got her hands on yet again, all innocent and not meaning to. Right. Well, I’m outta here.” Adam heard Judy storm off the balcony. **** Oh, dear God. What Judy said about Annabel… Surely that wasn’t true. Annabel would never… But they were very close friends all those years. I’ve got to ask her if what Judy said was true. It’ll upset me dreadfully, but it is better to know than to wonder. Slowly, Adam rose from the big lounger and re-entered the living room, in search of Annabel. He found her in the bedroom, humming to herself, putting fresh sheets on their bed. Just as she used to do for me when I was so ill with that fever… No. What Judy said can’t be true… She would’ve told me… Annabel looked up, surprised to see her husband there. “Adam, darling… Weren’t you comfortable on the balcony? I had hoped that you might have a little nap in the big lounger. We didn’t get a lot of sleep last night?” “The lounger was fine. I did fall asleep, but was woken up by Judy’s strident voice filling Hank in on your past,” Adam said, his voice shaking with distress. “My past?” Annabel echoed, her eyes becoming troubled when she realized that something had upset her beloved Adam profoundly. She abandoned the bed linen for the moment moving toward Adam. Quickly leading him to the loveseat by the fireplace, she sat him down. She knelt on the seat beside him, pulling his head against her breasts. Whispering soothing words of love and endearment for a while, she asked, “Darling, just exactly what did Judy say that made you so very upset?” “She told Hank about all the men, gorgeous men, who were interested in her until they met you, and she said from then on they could only think of getting into your bed, not hers. Hank said that he was sure you hadn’t been Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley with anyone since that disastrous affair of many years ago that you had told him about. Judy said, ‘That’s what she wants people to believe, but I, for one, don’t buy it…’ Something like that. “Annabel, why didn’t you tell me? It would’ve made no difference to me if you had had some intimate friends during those years, but hearing about it from Judy of all people…” Alarmed, Annabel saw Adam’s sensitive mouth pressed together in pain, his eyes dark and anguished. “Adam, darling… You believed Judy? I told you the truth… Apart from that disastrous affair with Ken, I haven’t been with anyone… How could you doubt that for a single moment, because an old friend of mine, perhaps more than a little envious of our happiness, decides to badmouth me to one of our friends…? Tell me, did Hank believe her?” “No, in fact he said he didn’t believe her, he felt that what you had told him about your one disastrous affair, was the truth. And I wish to God that I could feel the same, but I have to ask you to be totally truthful with me, now. Were there any other men? And if there were, why didn’t you say so? It wouldn’t have mattered to me; don’t you realize that? I’ve told you I haven’t lived like a monk, why should I expect you to have lived like a nun? But …” Desperately unhappy, Adam’s deep voice shook so much that he could not continue. Annabel stood up, regarding Adam sadly. “Adam,” she said very quietly. “I’ve told you the truth. I’ve been with no one since I left that man in Tarrytown. I flew to Toronto and lived with my father. When my father fell so very ill, I nursed him through his long illness until he died. In all that time, I wasn’t even in touch with Judy except for Christmas and birthday cards. But she knows that I was with gorgeous men,” Annabel’s tone was scathing. She waited until she had control of her voice again and continued, “I’ve always been truthful and honest with you. Now, on the word of a woman who isn’t even believed by Hank, you, my husband, feel the need to question me about these men that Judy says she wanted but they wanted me. I don’t even know which men she is talking about. Oh, sure, from time to time one of her alleged admirers would try to invite me out, but I always refused. Just because these men did not want her, she assumes that they must’ve been with me? This is an outrage. Adam, please tell me now. Do you believe me, or do you give the slightest credence to Judy’s envious accusations? I need to know, now.” Adam remained seated, his face hidden in his hands, but now he got to his feet, gazing at his wife. “Annabel, surely you know that I want to believe you… But Judy was so plausible, she seemed so sure of her facts…” “Whereas I, whose life we’re talking about, am not sure of my facts and have obviously told you a pack of lies, is that it?” “Annabel, please…” “No, Adam. I ask for the last time, do you believe me or Judy?” “Please, my love… let me…” “No, Adam. You obviously don’t believe that I’ve told you the truth. Some spiteful remarks by another woman can make you doubt me. Goodbye, Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Adam. I can’t stay in this marriage. I should’ve insisted that we wait until we knew each other a whole lot better than we did when we so suddenly got married. I’m leaving you. Please don’t say another word. All I wanted to hear from you was ‘I believe you’ – but you couldn’t say that.” Her voice broke, and she had the feeling that her heart had just been broken, too. Aghast, Adam held her back by the arm. “You can’t do this to me… I love you…” “Perhaps, but you don’t trust me. Without trust, love is only sex. And I can’t live like that. Please let me go…” “No. I can’t let you go…you don’t understand. All I wanted from you was the confirmation that Judy was lying. Why wouldn’t you say that? Why did you put it all on me?” “Because it was all on you. You heard Judy say dreadful things about me. If you had trusted me as well as loved me…loved my body, I should say, perhaps…then you would’ve dismissed what she said, as Hank did. You would’ve rejected it as the envious ramblings of a woman unlucky in love, unhappy with her life, perhaps envious of our happiness. “But no, that wasn’t what you did. You came in here to question me, demand that I deny what you had heard. If you loved me you wouldn’t need a denial from me, You would’ve known in your heart that Judy was telling envious lies. She even begrudged me my ordinary, undemanding, totally platonic friendship with Hank. She had to try and drag that down to a lower level by making him believe he was wasting his friendship on a woman who was not much better than…. well… Was that what stuck in your memory? What my own mother said about me? And now Judy says the same, so they must be right, and I have been lying to you, is that it?” Angrily, Annabel tried to control her tears, but she found that she couldn’t. She wrenched herself loose from Adam’s grip and hurried out of the condo. Thoroughly alarmed now, Adam went after her, but an elevator must have been waiting, because he just saw the doors close. Frantic, he hurried to the lobby phone. Please, God, let Mike answer. But, unfortunately, it was young Billy-Joe, slow Billy-Joe. “Billy-Joe, my wife is in the elevator. Please hold her there until I come down.” “Your wife, Sir? In the elevator? There’s no elevator here.” “No, Billy-Joe, the elevator is on its way down. When my wife steps out of the elevator, will you please hold her, I’m coming down right away.” “Gee, Sir, I don’t know if I can, what if she says…” **** In despair, Adam threw the lobby phone down hurrying to the stairs. Never in his life had he run eight floors so fast. When he burst into the lobby, out of breath, Billy-Joe stood there, still with the lobby phone in his hand. “Oh, there you are, Sir. I was wondering why you had stopped talking to me.” “Billy-Joe, my wife. Where is she?” “Oh, well, she went out, Sir.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Which way?” Adam asked, frantic to go after her, bring her back. “Gee, I never noticed, Sir.” At that moment, Mike came up the stairs. “Mike, did you see my wife?” “Why, yes, Sir. She seemed very upset and asked me to get her a cab, which I did. Shouldn’t I have?” “A little misunderstanding that I tried to fix, but Billy-Joe was too slow on the uptake. I couldn’t make him understand that he was to ask my wife to wait for me until I could get the next elevator down. Mike, did you by any chance hear the address my wife gave the cabbie?” “Yes, Sir. Mr. Tom’s Art gallery. Mr. Tremayne, Sir, you’re obviously upset. Let me drive you there. My own car is right here in Visitors’ parking, save you going to the parking garage for your car.” “Thank you, Mike.” **** Less than five minutes later, Mike dropped Adam off at Tom’s gallery. With a hasty “Thank you, Mike,” Adam hurried to the great double doors. Seeing him, Jeff opened one of the doors. With a movement of his head, he said, “She’s in Tom’s office, very upset.” “Thanks, Jeff.” Quickly, Adam hurried to Tom’s office, entering after a perfunctory knock. He was devastated to see Annabel in one of Tom’s comfortable tub chairs, sobbing into her hands, whispering brokenly, “Adam didn’t believe me – he doesn’t trust me – he thinks I lied to him… Oh, Tom… What am I going to do?” She felt two strong arms around her and, for a moment, thought that they were Tom’s. She surrendered to the feeling of protection they gave her, then she realized that she was lying back in Adam’s arms. Instantly, she tried to extricate herself from his embrace. Between her sobs, he heard indistinctly, “No… you don’t … believe me… don’t trust me… so you can’t… possibly… love me…. How can we…. have a… marriage…. when you think… I’ve been lying to you…” Holding her tightly in his embrace, determined not to let her go, Adam whispered distractedly into her hair, “My love… Can’t you understand how upset I was, listening to that matter-of-fact voice of a close friend of yours, a woman who knew you very well, assuring Hank that you had had numerous affairs with men Judy had wanted for herself…” “You were… upset because… you believed her… And that’s what I can’t…bear… that you believed her… and not me…” Taking his handkerchief from his breast pocket, Adam was valiantly trying to dry her tears. “Ssssh, my love, please don’t cry. It breaks my heart to see you so upset…” he murmured, bending low over her tear-stained face, beginning to kiss her tears away. “Well, my heart… is already… broken… You don’t believe me. You prefer to believe a woman who has always been jealous, envious of me… Oh, Adam, how could you…?” “I don’t. Of course I don’t.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “That’s what you say now, because I won’t stay married to you. I can’t live with a husband who doesn’t trust me…” “I do, I do… Of course I trust you…” “Oh, Adam, words are so easy… but you showed clearly that you didn’t believe me. Perhaps my own mother’s appalling words about me had something to do with it. I know how sensitive you are….” Tom’s ironic, detached voice broke in at this moment. “Please don’t think that you’re not welcome here, because you are. But this is a place of business and this is my office. Do you think you two could possibly go back to your condo and sort things out there? Tell you what… I’ll drive you there in my Bentley. The two of you sit in the back and I’ll take you all the way up to your condo, then I’ll lock you in and take the key away. And I won’t let you guys out until you’ve settled this. “Adam, I understand that hearing some woman say appalling things about your wife must have been devastating. But you know Annabel a little bit, don’t you? Do you really think it’s likely that she told you a pack of lies and that stupid, envious cow, Judy, told you the truth? Hmmm?” “And Annabel. A sensible woman like you, surely you realize that Adam’s heart is most sensitive, so he is more easily upset than the average guy. Give him a little leeway, huh? And realize that, perhaps, he needs a little more reassuring than someone who is not a poet, but a plumber, an engineer, a bartender? Hmmm?” Gently, Adam raised Annabel’s face to him. “Will you come back home with me, my love? I’ll ask you to forgive me for needing more reassurance than you thought I should. Only, please, please, don’t leave me…” He was unprepared for the despair he saw in her eyes, which were huge in her small, far too pale face. “But… Adam… It can’t be right between us until…” “I know, I know… We’ll go slowly until you feel that things are right between us again, would that be all right?” “It’ll be a funny sort of honeymoon, with us regarding each other as strangers,” she whispered, her voice sounding desolate. “I could never regard you as a stranger, my love, surely you know that,” he whispered back. “Come, Tom is anxious to get us out of here. Please?” He lifted her out of the tub chair holding her close to his heart for a moment. She sighed despondently. “As you wish… of course we have to leave here, we can’t monopolize Tom’s office. Please forgive me, Tom?” Tom smiled. I hope I’ve averted a total disaster for these two, so sensitive, so much in love, so easily hurt… When the three arrived at the eighth floor, Hank just came out of his condo. When he saw them, he briefly greeted Tom, then moved toward Adam and Annabel. “Belle, I realize that you must’ve heard that damn Judy shriek about you having affairs with men she wanted. I want to go on record that I didn’t believe a single word of what that miserable bitch was saying. And with these envious lies, she has put herself beyond the pale. I will no longer have anything to do Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley with her. A friend of mine is interested in moving into this building. I’ll suggest he make a generous offer on Judy’s condo. She must realize that she has burned her bridges here, what with one thing and another. She’d be well advised to accept the offer and move to Orlando, where most of her business seems to be these days. “Belle, Adam… I’m so sorry you had to hear those vicious insinuations. Not to say outright lies. Please, will you guys try to put that jealous cow out of your minds? That’s what I’m gonna do.” Hank was astonished to see Annabel hide her face against Adam’s chest, as she began to cry heartbreakingly. Hank raised an inquiring eyebrow to Tom and murmured, “What gives?” “Adam and Belle were very upset at Judy’s lies, and they came to me to talk over what to do next.” “Ignore it, and be determined never to let Judy anywhere near them again, I should think,” said Hank calmly. “Good idea,” said Tom. Turning to Adam and Annabel, he said, “You heard what Hank advises? Do it. Don’t you two dare let that envious bitch make the slightest dent in your happiness. Now… Say ‘Bye, Hank’ prettily, Belle, and you, too, Adam. Then get back into your condo and stay there until you’ve both come to your senses. Come along.” Hank gave an uncertain wave to his friends, turning toward the elevators. Tom put an arm around Adam’s shoulders – he couldn’t reach Annabelle’s, as Adam held her in a tight embrace. “Now, promise me, no more silly overwrought nonsense. Adam, do you love her?” Adam could only nod; his mouth was pressed to Annabel’s temple. “And Belle, do you love him?” Annabel whispered, barely audibly, “Yes, I do…” “Well, then,” said Tom, triumphantly. “I want you guys to work from that premise. In you go, and stay there until all is serene. Promise?” “Thanks, Tom,” said Adam. “I’ve asked Annabel to forgive me, and I hope that, one day, she will.” **** As they entered their condo, the telephone buzzed insistently. Dismayed, Adam glanced at his wife. “I had totally forgotten that Luke and Angela are expecting us for brunch with Alex and Lisa and my Dad…” he said unhappily. “Do you want me to explain that we can’t come?” “No, of course not, Adam. Just give me a little time to wash my face, and put on a dress that isn’t tear-stained. But take the phone call.” To Adam’s surprise, it was not Luke, but Judy. The moment Adam lifted the receiver she began a confused jumble of apologies. He cut her short. “Judy, your vicious, envious lies about my wife have put you forever outside our circle of friends.” He glanced at Annabel, to see whether she realized who was calling.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley She held out her hand for the receiver, and as soon as she held it to her ear, and heard further confused ramblings, she said coldly, “I feel exactly the same way about you as Adam does. How dare you impute to me your own attitude. Any presentable man who shows interest must be taken to bed instantly. I never have and I never will, and you of all people should know that. Yes, some of your friends invited me to dinner, but I always refused because I knew how you felt about them. You never realized that my refusing to go out with them did not mean that they were willing to go out with you. On the contrary, you convinced yourself that, since they didn’t want you, obviously they had to be with me. You disgusting, envious hypocrite, don’t ever come near us again.” Annabel put the receiver back on its hook and gave Adam a shaky smile. “Adam, if we’re to go to Luke and Angela, we had better find out what time we’re expected there? Will you call them while I try to make some major repairs to my face and clothes?” “You’re willing to go with me to this brunch party, upset as you are?” he said, his deep voice shaking. “Adam, the alternative is telephoning our regrets and we’d have to give some indication why we aren’t able to come. I think this is a private matter between you and me. When we are alone, we will try to discuss it rationally. Right now we’re too upset to talk about this, don’t you agree?” “Of course, my darling. For what it is worth, although it seems to me that you don’t much care what I think – but for what it’s worth – I believe you, of course. You must know that I needed you to confirm that only because hearing Judy’s envious lies was so very upsetting to me. But I do trust you – after all, when I was so ill with that fever, I trusted you with my life.” She glanced up at him dismayed to see the white lines of pain around his mouth, the anguish in his eyes, which were black as obsidian without any of the sapphire flecks she loved to see dancing in their depths. “Adam,” she whispered, alarmed, hugging him closely. “I can’t bear to see you so upset, so unhappy. Please, my darling…” She reached up pulling his head down so that she could kiss his mouth. She felt his lips – pressed tightly together, soften slowly against hers. “I love you,” she said softly. “And I always will.” “Do you, my love?” he said, the pain in his heart miraculously healed, because she had said that she still loved him. If she still loves me, then we can get past this, he thought, hugging her tightly. After a while, he said gently, “I had better check with Luke when we’re expected there.” “Yes, you’d better,” she said softly, “I’ll just wash my face and get a clean dress.” Returning to him about ten minutes later, her face carefully made up to obliterate the signs of the earlier storm of weeping. Annabel wore the bluegreen silk dress she had worn that evening when they had both been invited to dinner at Luke and Angela’s, and he had been so angry with her for what he believed were her lies and deception. When he saw the dress, he felt a sudden surge of hope. I was so unkind to her that time, but she quietly explained all my Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley negative thoughts away and made me see reason. I hope I can make her see reason this time… Because I know now that I can’t live without her… “My darling, you look lovely,” he said quietly. “I’ve rarely seen you with makeup. My fault that you have to wear it now.” Pulling her into his arms Adam wrapped her in his embrace. “Luke said to come any time we felt like it, brunch will be in about half an hour. Do you want to go now, or would you prefer that we stay here a little longer?” Oh, God, please let her want to stay here with me… “Whatever you want, Adam.” “Would you like to stay here with me a while longer? I’ll do anything you want, but I thought staying here might make you feel less distressed.” “I’m sure you could make me feel better,” she whispered. “Perhaps, if you would sit down with me on the sofa until it’s time to go to Luke and Ange’s?” “I’d love to do that, my darling.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 18. Twenty minutes later, Adam and Annabel hurried down one flight of stairs to Luke and Angela’s condo. Predictably, Luke and Alex teased Adam mercilessly about being so late. She thought that Adam, so deeply private and sensitive, would allow only his cousin and his lifelong friend to tease him about his wife. Smiling, Annabel explained to Angela and Lisa, “It’s actually my fault that we’re so late. I was so busy vacuuming and cleaning, putting fresh sheets on our bed. Time just ran away from me.” “You do cleaning… on your honeymoon?” said Lisa, incredulously. “All the more reason for putting fresh sheets on our bed,” said Annabel with a secretive smile. “Ah, yes, there is that,” said Angela, and led the way to the brunch-buffet that awaited them. The men were talking to Luke, who was pouring Mimosas for everyone. He grinned at Adam, who went over to Annabel as soon as she approached. “By all means, welcome her back in your arms with a kiss – you must’ve been apart for at least five minutes,” said Luke. Adam wisely chose to ignore Luke’s teasing, and asked, “Hey, where’s Dad? I thought he was coming, too?” “Yes, we invited him. He said he’d be here around eleven-thirty, so he isn’t actually late yet,” said Angela. “Now that you mention it, I can think of one reason he might be a little late…if he had Christina over to his suite. Hmmm?” said Luke, raising a slim, dark brow. “Now you tell me,” said Angela to her husband, mocking a frown. “Why didn’t you tell me that earlier? I could’ve suggested that he bring her.” “Perhaps it isn’t too late yet,” said Luke. “I’ll just call his suite at the Hilton and…” At that moment, there was a quiet knock at their door. Luke hastened to open it, and Alexander entered. “Good morning, Luke. I’m sorry to be so late, but I had invited Christina for coffee, and I didn’t want to hurry her on her way, you know how it is,” said Alexander easily. “Oh yeah, we know how it is,” said Alex, his remark supported by Luke’s grin. Annabel thought that Adam refrained from joining them because he felt reluctant to tease his own father. “Alexander, why didn’t you bring her? We’d have been delighted to ‘make the table come out even’ as Tom usually frets,” said Angela. “Do you mean it, Ange my dear? Because I left Christina in my suite, she had some telephoning to do. I thought, since I had invited her to have dinner with me tonight, why not stay put and do her telephoning in comfort from Nick’s suite.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Then, by all means, call her and ask her to come over,” said Luke. “If you’re serious about your invitation, I’ll just go back to the suite and pick her up. I wouldn’t feel right about suggesting she take a taxi by herself.” “Dad, good morning. I’m glad to see that Tom’s idea of inviting Christina to his dinner party worked out so pleasantly for you,” said Adam quietly. “Morning, Son. Yes, Christina and I really enjoy being in each other’s company. Well, I had better hurry back to the suite.” With a casual wave of his hand, Alexander was gone. “Well,” said Alex. “Perhaps you should practice saying ‘Stepmama Christina’… d’you think, Adam?” “Alex, you mad matchmaker. I think you may be just a tad premature with that suggestion. Anyway, Dad’s all grown up, I’ll leave him to sort out his private life any way he wishes,” said Adam easily. He checked to see if Annabel had finished her Mimosa, too, going to Luke for refills. Perhaps a couple of Mimosas will mellow my darling just a little… I can’t bear this uncertainty… When Luke handed him two Mimosas, he turned back to Annabel. “Your Mimosa, my love,” he said, a caress for her in his voice as well as in his midnight-dark eyes. Taking the flute from him with a smile, gently touching the rim of her flute to his, she gazed more deeply into his eyes. Annabel saw his love for her, as well as the distress he still felt at her repudiation of his anguish after Judy’s vicious allegations about her, his love. Suddenly, she felt guilty. Standing on tiptoe, steadying herself with one hand touching Adam’s chest, she softly pressed her mouth to his for a brief moment. After all, there were others present. Predictably, Luke and Alex heaved theatrical sighs and made cooing sounds. Clearly, Adam heard none of it. His entire attention was focused on his wife. Did she mean that the way it felt to me? he wondered. “Adam, darling, I’m so sorry I was so unkind to you, please forgive me,” she murmured almost inaudibly. Setting his Mimosa down on a nearby table, taking hers and placing it beside his, he wrapped her in his embrace, sighing quietly, “Nothing to forgive, my darling.” Picking up their Mimosas again, he handed one to her, realizing almost immediately that he had switched their gasses. Quickly turning her glass, so that he could drink from where her lip-gloss had left a vague imprint of her lower lip, he smiled into her eyes. Realizing what he had done, she smiled back, turning her own glass to where his mouth had left a faint impression. They gazed at each other blissfully. Predictably, Luke and Alex resumed their teasing. “I’m surprised you could tear yourselves away from your bed long enough to come up here. But then, I suppose even you two have to take a break occasionally to eat and drink?” said Alex. For these very close friends, Adam decided to explain in the briefest of terms what had happened that morning. Perhaps only Annabel realized what this must cost her husband, the most private of men.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “This morning, while I was dozing our balcony, Hank and Judy came onto his balcony. Apparently Judy had regaled Hank with stories of her many infatuations that ended badly for her. She said that half a dozen times in the past six years, she’d been mad for some man, but when that man met Annabel, he fell in love with her. Judy, probably going by her own inclinations, told Hank confidently that Annabel had slept with all those men. Hank soon told her off, and she left in a huff… But I can’t tell you how much this distressed me, even though I knew that Judy had to be lying…” Angela and Lisa gasped with indignation. Luke and Alex stared at Adam in dismay. “That predatory, man-hungry bitch,” said Alex. “I can imagine how it must’ve upset you having to listen to her vicious nonsense, even though you knew in your heart that Judy was lying. And when Belle asked you why you were so upset, you told her. And then she was upset with you? Aha, it all becomes clear. “You’ve been making up, haven’t you? Why didn’t you say so? We would’ve understood that you needed some time to make up thoroughly.” Annabel, sensing Adam’s discomfort, said very softly to Alex, “Please don’t tease. Adam’s been so dreadfully upset by her lies. But something good came of it. We’ve totally disowned her, and so has Hank.” “And so will we,” said Angela. “Right, Luke darling?” “Gladly. She was never a favorite guest of ours anyway; we only invited her because she implied she was Hank’s main squeeze. But although Hank may have done a little squeezing, she never was his main squeeze, I’m sure of that,” said Luke with splendid disdain. “Which reminds me… why isn’t Hank here?” Alex wanted to know. “Of course I invited him, but he’s taking Miranda out to lunch. Although I said that, of course, he could bring her, he said that at this delicate early stage of the situation, he’d rather lunch somewhere quiet with her alone,” said Angela. “Oh, I do hope she’ll be good for Hank,” said Annabel. “He’s been so very unhappy for such a long time. Then this disaster with May-Lyn… and, of course, Judy latching on to him again in the hope that he might consider her as a suitable replacement… She was certainly deluding herself there.” A discreet knock sounded, and Luke hastily went to the door to admit Alexander and Christina. Delighted greetings were exchanged, and Angela said, “If we had known you were having coffee with Alexander, we’d have invited you to come with him, of course. Anyway, you’re both here now, and you must be starving. For that matter, I think we all are… with the possible exception of our honeymooners, who seem to be able to live on love and kisses alone…” “Ange, you stop your teasing,” said Adam, his pleased, happy smile belying his words. Sliding his arm around Annabel’s slim waist, hugging her to his side, he was visibly elated by what he read in her eyes. Bending his dark head, he softly kissed her mouth.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Alexander glanced at his son just then, and was pleased and relieved to see Adam so happy with the woman he loved. He thought: At last, I can stop being concerned for him, in case he got involved with a different sort of woman, who would shred his heart... Someone like the dreadful Judy or, even worse, the predatory scavenger, Patricia. Christina slipped her hand through Alexander’s arm, saying softly, “Why so pensive?” Alexander smiled at her shaking his dark head, making the few streaks of silver scintillate. “I was just thinking how relieved I am that my son has found the woman of his heart. He’s so sensitive – well, what else could one expect from a poet. Fortunately, Adam does not give his heart easily, so although there was an endless string of women hitting on him, he never responded in kind, so far as I know.” “Well, you have to admit, Alexander, your son is quite a hunk. And, if you’ll permit me a personal remark, he unmistakably takes after you. But I was thinking, with his poet’s sensitivity, he would probably run a mile from predatory females, which must’ve been reassuring for you.” Alexander smiled at the beautiful woman holding his arm, gazing into his eyes, concern for him clear to read on her lovely face. “You’re right. And now that he and Annabel are married, my son is safe from anyone’s depredations.” About an hour later, Adam and Annabel said goodbye to the others. “I suppose you two are going to have a nap this afternoon?” said Alexander, a little wistfully, Adam thought. “No, Dad. By all means, if you’d like to come up to the condo, please do.” Annabel had to steel herself not to glance at him in surprise. “Wonderful. Christina has something to discuss with her agent, and warned me it could take the better part of the afternoon. So I’ll settle her in Nick’s suite to have the discussion, and I’ll come over to you, Son. I’ll look forward to that.” Annabel smiled at Alexander and said, “I hope you’ll stay to tea… What is your favorite thing to eat at tea time?” “Cinnamon toast, or anchovy toast,” said Alexander. “Annabel, you magical woman; are you going to give me one of my faves for tea?” “Play your cards right, and I might give you both your faves,” said Annabel, with a smile for Alexander. She had been taken aback when Adam invited his father. She had thought Adam would want to have a nap with her, banish all unhappy thoughts. But perhaps he had been too upset to think of making love. Unhappily, she shrugged a shoulder. When they arrived home, Annabel went into the bedroom to take off her pretty blue-green silk dress, putting on a cotton sundress instead. Adam followed her, and she hoped he had an ulterior motive. But he went into the bathroom, and she heard him turn on the tap of his basin. Upset, Annabel decided she wouldn’t let him see how hurt she was that he did not want to continue their honeymoon. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Adam came out of the bathroom walking slowly over to his wife. “Annabel… I think I owe you an explanation for inviting my Father, when you so clearly expected us to spend the afternoon together, in bed – making love. My darling, right now I can’t. Judy’s vicious lies upset me so very much…” “And when you came to me to have her lies exposed, all I gave you was furious indignation because you were so upset and needed me to reassure you that I love you.” “That was entirely understandable,” he said, hugging her. “Adam, tell me, has this happened to you before, that something very upsetting to you made it impossible for you to make love?” “Yes, once. But I got over it pretty quickly. And I hope I will, this time. My darling, I can’t tell you how sorry I am this has happened. Will you bear with me?” “Of course I will. Surely our marriage isn’t defined by our lovemaking alone? There’s more to us than that… however enchanting that part of our life is. Tell me, what do you want to do? Go to your library and write?” “My love, I can’t write now. If I could, I could also make love to you, do you understand what I’m saying?” “Yes, Adam, darling. You need to find your way back to your usual, tranquil self. If there’s anything I can do to help you, will you please say?” He nodded, hugging her for a brief moment, and leaving the bedroom. Annabel felt this was much worse than she thought. She knew he was deeply sensitive, but hadn’t expected this. All she could do was wait it out. Meanwhile, Annabel busied herself preparing an elegant tea for Adam and his father. After drinking her first cup of tea with them, she excused herself saying that her Editor had asked her for an outline of her next book. She went to their bedroom, picked up her laptop and began the unenviable task of writing a synopsis of a book she hadn’t quite planned yet. Two days later, Adam still showed no signs of wanting to make love to his wife again. She did her best to divert him from brooding over this, suggesting long walks on the beach, inviting Alexander and Christina to dinner one evening, Hank and Miranda the next, Adam and Mimi the evening after. Adam was unfailingly charming, an excellent host, but at the end of the evening, he hugged and kissed Annabel, sighing, “Please, my love, will you be patient a little longer?” Invariably, she nodded, smiling reassuringly. **** Alexander decided to give a dinner party at the Café de Paris for Adam, Annabel, Luke and Angela, Alex and Lisa. No one was surprised when Christina acted charmingly as Alexander’s hostess. They all had a wonderful time, and when Adam and Annabel finally walked home via the beach, he was delighted to see his wife smile lovingly at him, her hand in his. Their walk took quite a while, since Adam kept turning Annabel to him, wrapping her in his embrace and kissing her mouth hungrily. When they were close to their building, Adam whispered urgently, “Ah, my love. How I want you…”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Astonished, Annabel gazed up at him, only to find his hands on her hips, moving her body closer to his pelvis. When she felt his hard length against her lower body, she sighed, “Adam, darling…” “Come with me, my love, quickly. As you may have guessed, I’m in a hurry to get home.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 19. The next few weeks passed blissfully for Adam and Annabel. Their days fell mostly into a delightful honeymoon pattern. They showered together, went for a beach walk, came back and had breakfast. At least Annabel made sure Adam did. Annabel was delighted to see that Adam’s Muse had returned to him. He had been so very unhappy when he couldn’t write; couldn’t… Fortunately, his libido was back to normal, too. In fact, Annabel would have said it was even better than before. Her own writing was progressing slowly, and she was surprised by and grateful for Adam’s interest in her work. Very often, with a few questions, he was able to give her the impetus to overcome whatever posed a plot problem. “You’re my best-ever critic,” she said to him one day, and she meant it. He shrugged elegantly, with a shy smile for her, his usual way of receiving compliments. They were sitting on the sofa, and she took his hand into hers, bringing it to her lips. Leaning over, he turned her face to his with one long finger under her chin, kissing her mouth briefly. “You’re a much better writer than you think you are,” he said, and began to discuss the possibility of assigning the role of murderer to another character. “Of course, the one person who benefits most from the sudden demise of the childless Lord Seabrooke is his nephew, who will succeed him. Of course, again, he has an unbreakable alibi, which I suppose your brilliant sleuth will be able to break in the last chapter? I’d like you to consider another possible culprit – his mother. “She’s Lord Seabrooke’s sister and acts as hostess-housekeeper for her brother, who detests his wastrel-nephew… She quietly suffers her brother’s many putdowns of her beloved son, she comes on so self-effacing, couldn’t say boo to a goose, and all that. And you’ve no red herrings drawn across her path anywhere to make your readers suspect her. Good. “Think about it? All this time she has submerged her own forceful personality, her ruthless ambition for her son, her determination that her son shall succeed to the title sooner rather than later, no one suspects her driving ambition for him. Will you think about that possibility? That the mother kills Lord Seabrooke – knowing that her son has a perfect alibi – he was in Paris at the time.” “Adam, that’s brilliant, much better than the plot I had devised. I was mainly concentrating on having the son appear totally blameless. After all, he was in Paris at the time of the murder… Only later we find that he rented a small private plane to get back to London to kill his uncle, and then quickly back to Paris again. Well, I can wipe all that out, although my sleuth will probably waste some time checking on that possibility. And all the time, his

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley mother, quiet, unassuming, diffident, meek even… Oh, Adam… Your idea is so much subtler than the plot I had planned to use. Thank you.” He smiled. “If you want to keep things convoluted, then by all means have the son come back secretly by plane on the night of the murder, but the police discover this. They now consider him the prime suspect, and question him seriously as to his whereabouts. His mother, desperate because her adored son’s alibi doesn’t hold after all, finally confesses to the murder. Your brilliant sleuth, of course, suspected the mother but had no way of proving that she had done it. His only possible ploy seemed to be accusing the son…” “Adam, what a great idea. Have you ever thought of writing whodunits?” He gently shook his head. He was delighted when he felt her reaching for him and lavishing soft kisses all over his face, ending with his mouth. Smiling enigmatically at her, he murmured, “I wonder if you can read my mind? No? Well, then let me explain to you a little more clearly what I had in mind for us…” Hugging her, Adam rose to his feet, raising her body with his, sliding his other arm under her knees. “Are you beginning to get a glimmer of what I have in mind for us?” he asked again, sweeping her up in his arms. “Yes… It’s beginning to get clearer now…” “Once I get you into our bed, I’ll be charmed to enlighten you completely,” he murmured against her mouth.. They forgot they had been invited to Hank’s for drinks, and also forgot entirely about dinner. When they finally woke up, Annabel had to devise a hasty supper of soup and some of her pâté with Adam’s favorite bread, washed down with the red wine he had opened earlier. The next morning, Adam went over to Hank’s condo and apologized most contritely for their absence. “We had intended just having a nap, but we slept on and on… in fact, we slept through dinner as well, and ended up with a late-ish supper. Are we forgiven?” “You most certainly are,” said Hank with an enigmatic smile. “I had only invited Adam and Mimi along with you two, and you know they always leave early so that they can be on deck for little Eve’s supper… So that left Miranda and me all by ourselves…” Hank raised a dark-blond eyebrow at Adam, and gave him a very pleased grin. Adam grinned back, saying, “I’m very glad our absence worked out so well for you.” He was at the point of taking his leave, when Miranda came into view, elegantly attired in one of Hank’s big bath towels. “Hey, Adam. Sorry you and Belle couldn’t make it last night… although, perhaps, I should admit that I’m not all that sorry…” said Miranda, with a charming little yawn. Hank lost no time in putting his arm around her and kissing her. “You’re right, Miranda. As you can see, Adam, we’re not really sorry at all.” “Then let me no longer disturb you… May I acquaint my wife with this very delightful turn of events?” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “By all means,” said Hank happily. Miranda gave him a wide, brilliant smile. “I’m going to try to con Adam and Mimi into giving a reception for our engagement, to which you and Belle will be invited, and you’d better show up.” “We will, we will,” said Adam hastily. With a wave of his hand he went back to his own condo. A few days later, Tom telephoned. When Adam answered, Tom said, “Annabel asked me quite a while ago to let her know when Marco Alvarez sent some more cityscapes – particularly of Santa Fe, where she loved it when she visited Jordan there. She met Marco and was impressed with his work. Well… I’ve got three Santa Fe paintings of his, so…” “Thanks, Tom. We’ll drive over this afternoon. I’m so glad you let me know. By the way, don’t let her pay you – I will.” “Ah, you honeymooners… As if she cared about being given presents… All she wants is that you make her a gift of yourself.” “See you later, Tom,” said Adam somewhat hastily. Tom grinned. His right-on-the-money remarks were often too personal for Adam. **** That afternoon, on their way to Tom, Annabel said, “I totally forgot to tell you. While you were walking the beach with Luke and Jared, there was a call for you. A young woman – going by her voice. She said, ‘Adam? Adam?’ And when I said: no, you weren’t home, she said, sounding so crestfallen, ‘Oh. Please tell him that Moira Winters called. Yes, he knows my telephone number.’ Then she hung up.” Annabel saw Adam’s long, sensitive hands tense on the steering wheel, but his face remained tranquil. “Thank you, honey.” Thank you, honey? Just as Annabel plucked up her courage to ask who Moira Winters was, they arrived at Tom’s gallery. Adam slid the car smoothly into one of the angled parking places, helping Annabel from his recently acquired white Miata. A smiling Jeff opened one of the great glass doors to them, showing them quickly into Tom’s office, where they were plied with excellent coffee and Tom’s latest creation in the cookie line. “Belle, darling, you just sit here quietly with your gorgeous hunk,” said Tom. “Jeff will bring out the paintings.” When Jeff entered with the three paintings, one of which was quite small, Annabel examined them excitedly, exclaiming in delight, “Oh. I know where that is… On the Camino Real. And that one, that was close by the hotel where we were staying. John Arbuthnot is so generous when his painters go on location. Jordan and Marco each had a double room, which was handy, it meant I could double up with Jordan.” “Sure you didn’t double up with Marco? That’s one sexy devil,” said Tom, with a sly glance at Adam, pleased to see his instant frown. “Tom.” Annabel said, sounding upset. “Don’t even joke about such things.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Just teasing, honey. You rise so beautifully to the bait…” said Tom. “You’re the most teasable woman I’ve met in a long time. Before she married the other Adam, Mimi ran you a close second for being teasable, but now that they’ve been married for …what is it? Must be close to four years… she isn’t so teasable any more, doesn’t blush at the drop of the proverbial hat. But, fortunately, you do. Well? What do you think?” “Oh, Tom, they’re all wonderful. But I think the small one – it glows like a jewel. I saw Marco begin to paint that, and I wondered how on earth he would be able to get those delicate hues… But oh, yes, he did, and how… “Yes, Tom. I’ll buy the small one, if I may. And thank you for giving me a private preview of Marco’s work…” Annabel dug around in her shoulder bag to find her checkbook, but Adam forestalled her. “Annabel, I want to give you this painting. So please stop diving into that mini-suitcase.” Adam got to his feet, took out his wallet handing Tom a credit card. “Adam… You don’t have to do that,” Annabel said, clearly overcome by Adam’s generosity. “I know I don’t have to do this, but I want to,” said Adam easily. “Then thank you so very much, Adam darling,” she murmured, moving to him, turning his face to hers so she could kiss his mouth. “Ahaa. That’s the kind of thank you I like to see,” said Tom, teasing again. “Don’t abbreviate it for my sake, by any means.” “Tom…” said Annabel predictably. Adam smiled a secretive little smile. “Will you and Jeff come by this evening to install this painting?” Adam invited. “We’d love to, wouldn’t we, darling lad?” said Tom. Jeff – always more laconic – smiled and nodded. Jeff, hastening to open one of the gallery’s doors for them, preceded Adam, who had his arm around Annabel. When they were once again seated in Adam’s car, Annabel said, “Adam, that’s so generous of you. But I feel so guilty, as if I had planned to get you to give me this painting… I promise you, I fully expected to pay for it myself.” He glanced at her, smiling. “I know that, my love. I just wanted to give you something you really wanted.” “But darling, you do that every time you take me to bed,” Annabel whispered, her hand straying to Adam’s muscular thigh. He dropped his hand from the steering wheel, covering her fingers with his, a corner of his beautiful mouth curling in amusement. “Adam, who is Moira Winters?” she asked, hoping to sound casual. “Someone I was close to, oh, about two years ago… I’m surprised she tried to get in touch with me again. When I broke it off, she was very upset and moved far away. I think I heard Antigua or Barbados. Some sort of eventscoordinator job. “Perhaps that job folded. Maybe she’s hoping I could help her find some other work, but how could I? I’m a poet, not an employment agency.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Unless she hopes to audition for the job of your live-in partner, or wife?” said Annabel quietly. “Well, if she does, I’ll tell her very quickly that that position is filled, to my entire and enchanted satisfaction,” Adam said, glancing quickly at his wife. Traffic was getting a bit heavier, needing all his attention. “She said you knew her telephone number… do you?” When he nodded, his face a little austere, she went on, “Perhaps, then, you might as well call her and acquaint her with your marital status? I really don’t want any more women panting in pursuit of you…” “Women?” “Why yes, darling, that awful Nelles woman, remember?” Annabel said, sounding a little unhappy. “Moira isn’t like her. In some ways, she wasn’t unlike you. A little shy – certainly not aggressive or demanding. So don’t worry, my darling. I’ll just tell her that I’m married now, and that’ll be the end of it,” he said, taking one hand from the steering wheel reaching for hers. Catching her fingers, he brought them to his lips, slowly returning her hand to her lap. Annabel thought: A woman not unlike me…a shy woman…and I don’t have to worry? Adam’s deep voice rescued her from her thoughts. “Earth to Annabel.” he said softly. “My darling, you were miles away, where on earth were you?” “I’m sorry, I was thinking about this mysterious telephone call for you. She seemed to assume, as a matter of course, that I must be the maid… And that you, therefore, would be free to take up with her again… Adam, I know it’s unreasonable of me, please forgive me, but I am upset…” He stretched out his hand, covering hers where it lay on his knee. “There’s no reason for you to be upset, my love, I do assure you of that. If, by any remote chance, Moira telephoned to pick up with me where we left off, I’ll soon disabuse her. Remember, I broke it off, a long time ago. Don’t you realize that meant I was through with her?” He drove into the parking garage, smoothly bringing the Miata to a stop. Getting out, he walked to the passenger side, holding out his hand to her. Annabel gazed up at him, reaching for his hand. On an impulse, he bent his tall, supple body down to kiss her lovingly before helping her out of the car. When they got to the eighth floor, they found Hank camped on their doorstep. The moment he saw his friends, he quickly rose and said, “Adam – would you mind if I asked Belle to help me with a little dinner party à deux that I’m trying to arrange for Miranda for tonight?” Hank sounded quite shy, Adam thought. Smiling, he said, “By all means, ask Annabel. I’m going to write for a while, anyway.” “All right, Hank, I’ll come now,” Annabel said, delighted that Hank evidently cared enough about Miranda to want everything to be just perfect for her. “I’ll leave the door unlocked for you, darling,” said Adam, disappearing into their condo. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Annabel went with Hank, spending about half an hour making sure all was well organized, the table set perfectly. “What are you doing for dessert?” she asked, amused to see the heightened color on Hank’s sculpted cheekbones. “Or were you thinking that you would be the dessert, mmm?” she teased. Slightly embarrassed, Hank muttered, “I forgot all about dessert. Belle… Can you come to the rescue? Please?” “Of course, Hank. Something light and frothy… raspberry mousse, perhaps? I doubt that Miranda, a model, is into big slices of cheesecake with whipped cream… Let me just go home for a nanosecond, and I’ll bring you some mousse.” Annabel hurried out of Hank’s condo and quickly went across to theirs. The moment she opened the door, she stood mesmerized by the tableau that met her eyes. On the sofa was Adam, and a tall, elegant, blonde woman kneeling beside him, kissing him passionately. Moira…. That must be Moira… Annabel thought distractedly. She hardly took in the fact that Adam was trying to break the woman’s hold on him and had averted his face as far as he could. Very quietly, Annabel said: “Adam – I have to get a dessert out for Hank. Excuse me, please. And get that woman out of here.” Later, Annabel wondered how on earth she had been able to put one foot in front of the other, walk calmly to the kitchen, passing Adam and the woman, who now were definitely separated. Adam, in fact, had got to his feet. She picked up some frozen raspberry mousse, wrapped it in a plastic bag and left the kitchen. When she drew level with Adam and the woman, she gave Adam a searing glance, and somehow managed to walk past him, out of the door. As if in a dream, she saw Adam push the woman aside, heard his impassioned voice, “No, Annabel darling, No. This isn’t what you think…” She heard no more, and somehow managed to walk across the hallway to Hank’s condo. When she was back in his kitchen, Hank looked curiously at her, finally asking, “Belle honey, what’s the matter? You’re paper white, and you’re shaking. What on earth happened to you in the few minutes it took you to fetch this dessert for me? Honey, come sit down before you fall down.” With his arm around Annabel’s shaking shoulders, Hank guided her to his sofa and sat her down. “Now, Belle honey – tell me what on earth happened?” Still so very pale, and shaking uncontrollably, Annabel whispered, “Hank, this morning there was a telephone call for Adam from a woman, who asked me to tell him she had called, then she added that yes, he knew her telephone number. Later, in the car, I told Adam about the message, and he merely said ‘Thank you, darling’… And I wondered who this woman could be. Later, Adam told me that they had been close once, a long time ago, but he had broken it off. But just now, when I came into the condo, Adam was sitting on the sofa, and beside him a tall, blonde woman was kneeling, kissing him.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I’ll never know how I managed to walk past them, get your raspberry mousse, and walk out again. Adam called after me, ‘No, darling – this isn’t what it seems…’ Well, of course he would say that… But I ask you, Hank… What else could it be? Oh, Hank…” Annabel hid her face in her hands beginning to sob despairingly. Hank’s front door flew open, and Adam entered. The moment he saw Annabel, he knelt by her, an arm around her slender, shaking back. Hank hastily went to his balcony, closing the sliding doors firmly behind him. Adam whispered urgently to her, “Annabel, darling, please believe me, it meant nothing… Moira came into the condo… I’d left the door open for you… remember? I was sitting on the sofa, my eyes closed, some lines of poetry going through my head. Suddenly, Moira was kneeling beside me, kissing me, telling me that she wanted us to get back together. “I was totally taken aback, can you understand that? As soon as I realized what was happening, I fended her off. That was when you walked in, and I could see that you put the worst possible interpretation on this. Honey, please tell me you believe me?” But Annabel, inconsolable and heartbroken, continued to hide her face in her hands. Finally, she lifted her tear-stained face to him. Adam was devastated to see how pale she was, how wet with tears her cheeks, how desperately unhappy her eyes. Her voice husky from crying, her throat choked with tears, she faltered, “When we were first together, I asked you if there were women who might think they had a claim on you, and you said there weren’t any. In the brief time we’ve been married, you’ve been assaulted by that deranged Nelles person, and now, which is worse, by a quite normal woman, who is clearly of the opinion that she has a serious prior claim on you. “Why didn’t you tell me at the time that this woman might try to resume your old affair? Yes, you told me you’d broken it off… Clearly, she hadn’t taken that very seriously, because the moment she’s back here, she homes in on you like a pigeon. “Adam – I can’t live like this. Of course I can ignore deranged sluts like Nelles, but this Moira is quite different. From the little I saw, you didn’t reject her all that quickly. Please, if you want her, tell me now, and I’ll move out of your condo and go… I don’t know where, but that needn’t be a concern of yours any more. If you want her rather than me, I mean…. Please, Adam, tell me? I really have to know…” “Annabel, you’re my wife… How can you think for even a moment that I could ever… No, my love, only you, only you… I promise you.” Adam seated himself next to Annabel, pulling her into his arms, holding her heart-to-heart. He took out a snowy, folded handkerchief and began to wipe her tears away. She hesitantly took his handkerchief and delicately blew her nose, whispering, “Adam, where is this woman now? And, for that matter, how did she get into the building without our condo being buzzed?” A little helpless, Adam said, “I’m not sure, darling. I told her to leave my home and never come back. But I didn’t stay to check that she left, I was only Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley concerned with you, catching up to you. I just hurried into Hank’s condo, but if you want me to, I’ll go back and make sure Moira is gone. Perhaps we could ask Hank to do this for me, because right now the last thing I want to do is leave you. Annabel, my dearly beloved… I never lie. You know that. I promise you, this woman means nothing to me. Nothing. Please tell me that you believe me, because if you don’t… then we have no trust between us… Annabel?” With a trembly sigh, she whispered, “Adam, this has been a terrible shock to me… Please give me a little time to get over it. And yes, I know you would never lie to me. But I wonder are you totally aware of your own feelings for this woman? Do you still care for her without realizing it, perhaps? I have to know.” “No, my darling. I don’t feel anything for her, I promise you. Remember, I broke it off, not she. Since that time I’ve never even thought about her. In fact, I had forgotten so totally about her that, when you asked me if there were women who might think they had a claim on me, I never even thought of her. That’s why I didn’t mention her. And also because no way would she have any claim on me. I promise you that. And I’ll find out how she got into our building without being announced.” Adam tightened his embrace, bending his dark head, beginning to kiss his wife’s mouth, softly, gently, because he felt this was not the moment for passion. She had been so devastated by seeing Moira kiss him, he understood quite well that she needed some time to get past that. He hoped she’d get past this quickly. Aloud, he said, “My dearest, how would it be if I asked Hank to make sure Moira has left our condo. No way would I expose you to seeing her ever again. Will you be all right here for a few moments by yourself?” With a final caress, Adam lifted Annabel from his lap and settled her into a corner of Hank’s sofa. He rose and went in search of Hank, who had sat down in one of the loungers grouped on his balcony. “Hank…” Adam said, as he approached. “I apologize for what went on in your condo just now. A woman with whom I had had an affair a long time ago, just came back into my condo, and tried to resume the affair I had broken off…” “Yes, Adam, Belle told me what she saw. I’m sure there’s an explanation for it all, which you don’t owe to me; you owe that only to Belle. Is there something I can do for you?” “Yes, Hank, there is. Could you possibly go to my condo and make sure that Moira has left? I don’t want to bring Annabel back if there is the slightest chance that Moira is still hanging around hoping for a further confrontation with either of us.” “And if she’s still there?” “If you could remind her that I broke off the affair several years ago? Tell her that I’m very happily married to Annabel, whom I love more than I can say. I never want to see her or hear from her again. I know it’s asking a lot of you,

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley but I feel so reluctant to go in there myself, and let Annabel start wondering, again, whether…” “No, Adam, that isn’t a lot to ask. I’ll be glad to do that for both you and Belle.” He and Adam entered the living room. Hank, with a quick smile for Annabel, went to his front door and left. Adam sat down again beside his wife, his arm around her shoulders, which hadn’t quite stopped shaking, he noticed to his dismay. “My love,” he whispered to her, a finger under her chin, turning her face so that he could give her a kiss. This time, he deepened the kiss when he felt her lips part for him. After a while, he said, his own voice shaking, “Annabel, my one and only love, my wife… Please believe me, I love you, only you…” She gazed at him, her eyes huge in her still so pale face. They both glanced up when Hank’s front door opened. “I checked the entire condo, including the balcony. The lady is definitely gone. My guess is that, when she saw you hurry after Belle, she realized there was nothin’ doin’ for her any more.” “Thank you, Hank. I owe you, big,” said Adam gratefully. “Adam, perhaps we should go back to your condo, because Hank is expecting Miranda, and no doubt he still has a few things to do? Put wine or champers in the cooler? Have a shower? Whatever…” “Thanks for reminding me, Belle. I’m going to start all that right now,” said Hank. “And thanks for the raspberry mousse. Am I supposed to put that back into the freezer?” “No, Hank. Just in the refrigerator. If it is still a little frosty when you start serving the main course, just leave it out on the counter for the last half hour before you serve it. It’ll be fine. And thanks for everything.” “My shoulder is at your disposal at all times for crying on, but I hope you won’t need it ever again,” said Hank, with a very friendly look for Belle, who had always been a favorite of his. “Thanks, Hank,” said Adam again. “I wish you the very best of luck tonight with Miranda. Bye for now.” Adam turned to his wife. “My love, shall we go home?” Annabel nodded, slipping her hand into her husband’s.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 20. When they entered their living room, Annabel could not suppress a shudder when she caught sight of the sofa. Indelibly imprinted on her mind was the picture of the tall, blonde woman passionately kissing Adam. Adam realized immediately what had caused Annabel’s frisson of distress. He quickly walked her past the sofa, into their bedroom. He turned back the duvet, lifting her in his arms placing her gently against the pillows, quickly removing her sandals. He stretched out beside her, saying quietly, “If the colors are compatible, would you like me to ask Jordan if he’ll agree to exchange the sofa in your old condo for this one? You have, I take it, no unhappy memories of your own sofa?” “No, Adam, none,” she whispered almost inaudibly. Her voice a little stronger, she went on, “Would you really be willing to do that?” Adam hugged her more tightly. “Of course, my love. And if Jordan doesn’t want the exchange, I’ll simply buy another sofa and give this one to Mike, who can probably use a new one, if only to sell it. Which reminds me, I’ve got to find out how it was possible that Moira got into the building without our condo being buzzed.” Sounding exasperated, Annabel said, “Need you ask? That was, of course, Billy-Joe again. Anyone who offers a big tip can get him to open the door. I’ve been wondering if we should speak to the other owners and, if they have the same experiences with Billy-Joe, perhaps he should be given other work; clean the pool, the patio, perhaps? He most certainly is a menace in the lobby. “We’ll certainly have Leandros on our side. When Irene was home alone, while Leo was in New York, Billy-Joe let in an ex-mistress of Leo’s. The woman terrorized Irene, screaming that she – a discarded mistress – and Leo were using Irene, who was pregnant at the time, as a rent-a-womb. Irene got so very upset that she gave birth prematurely, and her daughter was stillborn. I was surprised, then, that Leo didn’t demand Billy-Joe’s instant demise. But they were probably grieving too deeply… “One time, that little creep let in an old flame of Nick’s, who bulldozed her way past their nanny, and literally tried to rape Nick, who was fast asleep on the balcony, wearing a tiny string bikini, I’ve been told. “Adam, I think our experiences plus Irene’s ordeal are more than enough reason for having Billy-Joe removed from the lobby.” Adam nodded. “You’re right, and I’ll speak to Dave of Security tomorrow. Right now, I want to stay here with you.” Slowly, Annabel turned to Adam, gazing more closely at him, asking quietly, “And you, Adam, darling? How did all this affect you? Please, I don’t want to violate your privacy, but I’ve been wondering what it must’ve done to you, being suddenly confronted with this woman with whom you had once

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley been close, and who now turned up to suggest… what? Did she think you and she could pick up from when you broke it off with her? Please, darling, can you bear to tell me…?” Adam wrapped Annabel in his embrace, bestowing soft kisses on her throat, her face, her mouth, lingering there for a while. Finally he said, “I’m not sure what Moira came here for. She entered by the simple expedient of opening the front door, which I had left unlocked for you. “I was engrossed in some poetry coming to life in my head, and if I heard the door, I probably thought it was you. And you always seem to know when I’m writing poetry in my head, and you never interrupt me, so… I can’t tell you how surprised I was when I became aware of someone kneeling beside me. By then, she had her arms around me and began to kiss me. Only then did I fully realize, to my dismay, that it wasn’t you. Moments later, I realized it was Moira. “Let me say here that, when I broke it off with her, I had a very good reason. While I was away, visiting my Dad in Glens Falls, she had slept with one of my friends, because she was lonely for me, she said. I ask you. I must say I was grateful I had always used condoms with her – and none ever failed. “So, when I found her suddenly kneeling beside me, kissing me, I was not pleased, I promise you. When I threw her off me, she began to prattle about loving me, all the predictable nonsense. Anyway, I didn’t stop to listen. I was intent only on finding you. “I can’t tell you how deeply I regret what happened, and if Billy-Joe had done his job just this once, I would’ve refused to receive her. I hope you know that?” “Yes, I do know that. What do you want me to do now?” “What do I want you to do?” he asked, surprised. “Yes, to help you eradicate all this from your mind. Because it seems to me that, every time your personal equilibrium is disturbed by some woman’s onslaught, for days afterwards you’re unable to work, to write. And I wondered if I could help you get your personal, private stability back a little sooner? In other words, if I could help you wipe this from your memory more quickly? Sometimes I think, what a pity we humans haven’t got a ‘delete’ button.” Deeply touched, he hugged her more closely. He said, “It seems to me that you could dismiss the earlier assault by Nelles fairly easily, because she was so obviously someone with whom I wanted nothing to do. But this time, I felt you were very deeply disturbed. And that’s the very last thing I wanted.” Annabel frowned, nodding slowly. “It was probably because she was what I’d call a normal woman, not totally flawed like Nelles. I know that you shrink in disgust from such a woman. But this Moira… You said yourself that, in some ways, she wasn’t unlike me. So this time I was very upset, because it did occur to me that, perhaps, you regretted the earlier separation.” Glancing at Adam, she wondered what he was thinking. She was reassured to see him shake his head impatiently. Adam held her more tightly seeking her mouth with his. But before he kissed her, he felt he should make one thing utterly clear. “My love, you’re the Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley only woman I’ve ever loved with all my heart. The only woman I’ve ever asked to marry me. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. These are things I’ve only ever said to you. And I promise you I’ll never say them to anyone else. I love you, Annabel my darling. Tell me, are you sure you love me, too?” “Adam,” she sighed. “You know how much I love you…” “Yes, I guess I do,” he said gently. “Shall we get all these clothes off us, and have a nap? Or…?” “Oh, yes, Adam. Or….” **** Later, Adam looked at his wife, fast asleep in his arms, and thought, we’ll have to get up soon. Tom and Jeff are coming. He decided to kiss Annabel awake, and began to drift soft kisses all over her throat, her face, ending with her mouth. “Come on, sleepyhead. Tom and Jeff will be here in about an hour.” Annabel slowly awoke, gazing drowsily at her husband. When she heard ‘Tom and Jeff,’ she suddenly was wide-awake. “Adam, I’ll have to get up quickly. Thaw some goodies for them.” “First we’ll shower together, and then you can go to town on the kitchen, all right?” The shower was, as always, spectacular. Annabel had to hurry to get ready for their friends. Tom and Jeff installed the painting opposite the sofa, so that Annabel could see it whenever she was seated there with Adam. Tom and Jeff stayed chatting, excusing themselves an hour later, as they were invited to dinner at Nick and Nadine’s. **** The next morning, Adam telephoned Leandros, obtaining his immediate and enthusiastic agreement that Billy-Joe be banished forever from doorman duty in the lobby. Dave Hillman, Chief of Security, was dismayed to hear of Billy-Joe’s many transgressions, committed clearly for the purpose of obtaining substantial gratuities from people who would otherwise have been denied access to the building. “I think it would be more prudent to dismiss Billy-Joe entirely, otherwise he might still find ways of letting undesirables into the building via the patio entrance. In any case, Mr. Tremayne, Mr. Melissinos, you know that the other staff are totally reliable, so visitors will always be announced, and it will be for you to allow them to enter.” Well pleased with the success of their mission, Leandros and Adam thanked Dave, and went back to their condos. **** Since Annabel had lent her car to Jordan for the duration of his stay in Ocean Breeze, she decided to walk to the small supermarket and take a taxi back. She knew that Adam would gladly have offered her the use of his new car, but she was reluctant to accept, as she was used to automatics and Adam’s Miata was a stick shift. Smiling, she ran down the few steps to the

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley sidewalk, and turned toward Main Street. She heard quick footsteps running after her, then a breathless voice saying, “You’re Adam’s wife, I know… he told me. But I have a greater claim.” Astonished, Annabel turned, and saw Moira Winters drawing level with her. “My husband told me that he had broken things off with you when he found out that, while he was visiting his father, you had slept with one of his friends, because you were so lonely for Adam. Does that describe it fairly accurately, Ms. Winters?” said Annabel scathingly. “I’m sure I’ll never live that one error in judgment down,” Moira groused. “But there’s something else, something I wanted to tell Adam but never got the chance when you interrupted us.” “I fail to see how I could possibly interrupt anything in my own home, Ms. Winters,” said Annabel coldly. “Surely it was you who were trespassing in my home, molesting my husband, who was too deeply engrossed in his poetry to realize an undesirable had gained access to our apartment. If you had something momentous to tell him, you should’ve done that, rather than forcing yourself on my husband. You will excuse me. I’m in rather a hurry to get my shopping done.” Moira seized Annabel’s arm, forcing her to stand still. “You have to listen to me. After Adam broke it off, I found I was pregnant. I tried to get in touch with him to tell him, but he had moved, I couldn’t find him… Yes, I’m the mother of Adam’s child. And I think it’s high time he took his responsibilities seriously and severed all connections with you, and moved in with me and our son.” Annabel inwardly raged, but by a supreme effort she managed to keep her cool. This woman must not see how deeply she has hurt me with her news… With glacial contempt, she said, “After a DNA test proves that my husband is the father of your child, we’ll have our lawyer make whatever financial arrangements are legally required. Is that clear?” “A DNA test,” Moira spat. “What for? Adam and I were faithful to each other.” Annabel said dismissively, “Except, of course, the time you had it off with his friend… Something that may have been a more frequent occurrence than the one time you had to admit to because Adam’s friend confessed that he had been sleeping with you. How many other times did you sleep with Adam’s friends because you were ‘lonely for him’? You disgust me. Believe me, there will be a DNA test. Now, give me your address and telephone number, and I’ll see that our lawyer handles this distasteful matter.” Furious, Moira said, “Distasteful. I don’t want a lawyer to arrange financial help for Adam’s and my son, I want Adam to leave you and move in with us.” Her contempt clear to read on her pale face, Annabel remarked, “That, I assure you, is not going to happen. By law, if the DNA test proves that my husband fathered the child, you are entitled to financial help from us. That is Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley all you would be entitled to. And that is all you would get. Any hope that my husband would leave me for you…” Annabel raked Moira with a look of dismissive contempt, “…is unrealistic, I guarantee.” “Oh, really? Well, Adam will have to come to where our son and I live, to submit to the DNA test that you insist on.” Moira’s eyes glittered angrily as she played what she thought was her trump card. Annabel, her expression scathing, said quietly, “Again, you are misinformed about how DNA tests work, and preposterous in your ignorant attempt to get my husband to leave here and move to wherever you live. DNA tests are routinely administered to the two – or more – people involved at their places of residence. The test is then completed once the samples are collected. Those who took part in the test are then advised of the result. I can tell you now that the DNA test will prove that one of your part time paramours is the father. I am certain of that. Think back, Ms. Winters…you’ll be forced to remember that my husband invariably used a condom and that not a single one of them ever failed. “Have I succeeded in refreshing your memory, and brought a little accuracy to your heated imaginings? Then step aside, please. I have had all I can take of your oppressive company.” Astonished dismay writ large on her face, Moira Winters actually stepped aside. Annabel walked past her, her head held high. When she drew level with the St. George Art Gallery, temptation proved too strong for her, she laid her hand on the impressive bronze door handles. Jeff hurried to open the door to her and said: “Annabel… This is an unexpected…” His voice petered out as he saw Annabel’s deathly white face. She gripped Jeff’s forearm and said, “Please, Jeff, help me quickly to Tom’s office. Something terrible just happened.” Jeff hurriedly put his arm around Annabel leading her into Tom’s office. Surprised, Tom looked up from a catalogue he was perusing, leaping up in alarm when becoming aware how very pale Annabel’s face was, and how she needed Jeff’s help to seat herself in one of Tom’s comfortable chairs. “Luv. What on earth is the matter?” And, in a quick aside to Jeff, “Brandy. Hurry.” At the end of her endurance, but determined to remain calm enough to tell Tom what had happened, she sighed deeply. Jeff was there with the brandy. Tom insisted that Annabel take a big sip. When she felt the brandy’s warmth begin to spread throughout her, she smiled her thanks at Jeff. Taking another sip Annabel told her friends all about Moira Winters, ending with, “As you can imagine, I’m very upset. I hoped I could sit here for a few moments until I can function well enough to go get my groceries…” “We’ll send Greg to the market for you, you got a list? Good. Now you just stay here and calm yourself. You’ll have to be very calm when you tell Adam about this, don’t you see?”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Oh yes, Tom, I agree. In fact, I was wondering whether we couldn’t do this whole DNA thing without bothering Adam? Surely Marcella could handle it all.” “Sure she could, except the blood or hair samples for the DNA test. Adam will have to give that little sample, honey.” Crestfallen, Annabel sighed. “Oh, yes, of course. Well, do you think it would be less upsetting for Adam if Marcella were to tell him about the woman’s allegations, talk to him in a lawyerly way?” Tom thought for a bit. “Honey, initially I do think Adam should be told by you, in as unemotional a way as possible. Can you do that?” “Tom, I’ll have to. Every time Adam is assaulted by some female trying to get close – remember the dreadful Nelles? — it upsets him to such a degree that he can’t work, can’t… I was so relieved when the little contretemps with Moira caused him no distress. And now this. And, of course, Moira doesn’t merely want financial help with her son, ah, no. She wants Adam involved. Well, it won’t happen. I’ll see to that.” Concerned to see Annabel’s continued violent trembling, Tom plucked the grocery list from her icy, unresisting hand, murmuring to Jeff, “Get Greg to do her shopping, will you? She’s far too upset to function. I’ll have to calm her sufficiently so she can tell this latest bit of news to Adam, sounding as deprecating as possible. Well, it’s surprising the wives in the building aren’t upset more frequently by other women hitting on their husbands. Such to-diefor hunks.” Jeff grinned, “Yes, you’re right. Hunks, indeed.” Greg came back with the shopping over half an hour later. By that time, Annabel had calmed herself sufficiently to realize that she should pay Greg, a bagatelle that was grandly waved away by Tom with a “Later...later.” He looked gravely at Annabel, saying, “We’ve got more serious matters to deal with now, honey. Are you sure you’re calm enough to go back to Adam and tell him this latest gossip? For, until the DNA test is done, that’s all it is. By the way, where’s your car? You walked? Honey, I’ll drive you home,” said Tom, seriously concerned at the thought of Annabel walking home, upset as she still was, although she had herself under fairly tight control now. “Tom, you’re too good to me. But, loaded down as I would be with the shopping bags, I won’t say no. Thank you so very much.” Jeff and Greg hastily loaded the grocery bags into the trunk of the Bentley. Tom seated Annabel, and quickly took the wheel. When they arrived at the apartment building, Mike, everybody’s favorite doorman, came out to help with the bags, putting them on a little cart. “Thanks again, Tom,” said Annabel, hugging him quickly, following Mike into the elevator. “By the way, Mrs. Tremayne, all the doormen are disgusted to hear what Billy-Joe has been doing, letting undesirables into the building in order to make big tips. You should’ve let me know what was happening, I’d soon have put a stop to it.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Well, we kept on thinking that Billy-Joe was none too bright, so we didn’t want to lose him this one job that he seemed to be somewhat capable of doing. But all the time that dumb front was just that, a front. And he was raking in big bucks…” Arriving at Annabel’s door, Mike took four of the grocery bags into his arms. As soon as Annabel had the door open, he strode to the kitchen depositing them there. Annabel followed with a fifth bag. “Thank you so much, Mike,” she said softly. “Here, this is for you.” She found a twenty in her wallet, folding it into Mike’s big hand. “Mrs. Tremayne, that isn’t necessary, but thank you,” said Mike quietly, quick to realize that Mr. Tremayne was nowhere to be seen, so he was probably in his library writing poems… A strange profession for a grown man.. Mike thought. Annabel closed the door after Mike, and went back to the kitchen to stash away her groceries. She drank some cold water, hoping it would help her stay as calm as she needed to be. It was getting on for twelve-thirty, Adam’s usual time for leaving the library, unless things were going exceptionally well for him, when he would lose all concept of time. Her heart clenched at the thought she’d have to destroy his peace of mind again, with this appalling news of Moira’s. She hoped that, if she stayed very, very calm, Adam might not be too upset. She’d suggest strongly they let Marcella handle everything. She heard the library door open and close, Adam’s footsteps on the parquet as he walked into the living room. Annabel hurriedly left the kitchen going to him, her hands outstretched. “My love,” he said softly, taking her hands, pressing his mouth to their palms. “Adam, my darling,” she whispered, hugging him. He wrapped her in his embrace, his mouth on hers. After a while, Annabel smiled at him. “The way we greet each other, anyone’d think we had been apart for weeks. But I must say I love the way you greet me when I come back from grocery shopping.” “Come sit down with me for a while,” he suggested, settling her on the big sofa. “Unless the sofa bothers you?” Smiling, she shook her head. “No, I’ve got over that. I think your sympathetic understanding helped a lot…” “You’re sure?” When she nodded, melting into him, he sighed contentedly. “Did you have a good morning, darling?” she asked, a little hesitantly. She knew he did not like talking of his poetry. “Yes, a very good morning. Hey, is it my imagination or are you a little tense? Hmmm?” Trying not to show how it upset her that he had noticed, she smiled again, “Only a very little bit tense, Adam. Should we have a glass of wine before I even think about something for lunch?” “Excellent idea. The Riesling?” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Thank you, darling,” she said, admonishing herself. Be calm. Be calm. When they were comfortably seated with their wine, he said, “And now – tell me why you seemed a little tense” Calm. Calm. She implored herself. Giving him an enchanting smile, “Nothing much, really. I was walking to the store, when someone ran up behind me and said that she knew I was Mrs. Tremayne. I looked around and saw Moira Winters. Then she said that she had a greater claim on you. In a triumphant announcement, she said that when you had broken it off with her, she had been pregnant. And now she has a son, allegedly by you, and she wants me to get out of the way so that you and she and her child can be a family. “Adam, my darling, I told her that if a DNA test should prove that the child is yours, then our lawyer will make whatever financial arrangements we are legally required to fulfill. That will be all. “She was very taken aback at the idea of a DNA test, which makes me believe she’s quite aware you can’t possibly be the father. Anyway, you told me you had always used condoms, so I threw that in her face, and she didn’t like it at all. “I told her to give me her address and telephone number, and in due course the DNA test would be carried out. I said it would all be done via our lawyer. She didn’t like that either. Nor did she give me her address. I think she realizes her scam would soon be exposed by such a test. “Anyway, darling, it’s just another ploy to get to you, and it won’t succeed, that’s for sure.” Adam had paled visibly beneath his tan, but he seemed to draw strength from Annabel’s casual, calm recital of the facts, and he was pleased that the idea of a DNA test had bothered Moira. “Did she not realize we’d insist on a DNA test? How strange it was so upsetting to her.” “Probably because the child is practically an Albino. A man as dark as you are, with black hair, midnight-blue eyes, olive skinned, couldn’t possibly father such a child. She probably knows that, or the child actually resembles one of her temporary paramours when she was sleeping around because she was lonely for you… Have you ever heard such a stupid story? “Adam, don’t waste a single thought on this. She was just trying another ploy to get you back, and we’re determined that she won’t succeed. Chances are we’ll never hear from her again, because she realizes she was making a false claim, in the desperate hope you might be fooled by it…” “Annabel, I can’t tell you how grateful I am to you for handling this so calmly and competently. If she had come here and sprung this on me, I would’ve been totally devastated. The idea of a DNA test would never have occurred to me. You really think she’s given up?” Annabel smiled at her handsome husband. She hugged him more closely, saying softly, “It doesn’t really matter one way or the other, my darling. Now that Billy-Joe has been fired, she won’t be able to buy her way into this building again. We’ll refuse to receive her, and if she is so ill advised as to go Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley for the DNA test, she’ll have to deal with Marcella. I could almost feel sorry for Ms. Winters…dealing with Marcella. Almost, but not quite. “Adam, darling, are you hungry? Shall I tell you what’s available and you can decide what you’d like to eat?” “My love, after what you did for me this morning, I feel strongly that I should take you out to lunch. Would you like to go to the Casa Rosada?” “You know I love the Casa, but I’ve got a lot of food in the house. If we eat here, you can take your coffee back into your library and get back to writing…” He smiled to himself, thinking, If we have lunch here, I’ll surprise her by not taking my coffee back to the library. Instead, I’ll take her back to bed. “Temptress,” he said lovingly. “Let me help you get lunch ready, then. And don’t bother to make coffee for me to take back to my library. I have quite different plans for us. Can you guess?” “I’ll let you surprise me,” she murmured against his mouth.

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Chapter 21. A few weeks later, Jordan told Annabel that he and Didi would soon have to leave for Phoenix, as John Arbuthnot had offered Jordan another solo exhibition, and he would have to paint on location for this. “I’ll speak to John and Lynn and ask them how to best approach Didi’s mother about us getting married. D’you think you and Adam could come to Phoenix for our wedding, Sis?” “Oh, Jordy, I’m so very pleased for you. Adam has changed my life so totally, and makes me so incredibly happy. I’ve been wishing that you, too, could find the mate of your dreams, and you have. Of course, we’ll come to your wedding, Jordy; you know that. And it shouldn’t be too difficult. We’re both writers, although of a very different caliber, but we’re much freer than people with 9-to-5 jobs. Oh, Jordy, this is wonderful.” “Well, Sis, take it a little cool – I haven’t got Didi’s mother’s permission yet to marry her,” said Jordan, somewhat cautiously. “Jordy… Do you mean that her mother actually has to give her permission? And if she doesn’t, Didi would say, ‘Sorry, goodbye’? Surely Didi is early twenties, she no longer lives at home like a teenager? She’s definitely of age, and she’s free to marry you if she wants to.” “Oh, Didi wants to. But you don’t realize the influence, the authority her very traditional mother has over her. No, I’ll have to play this very, very carefully. And I’ll need John and Lynn to speak for me, which should help quite a bit. Of course, Didi and Summer are far more modern than their mother, but…” “Jordy, honey, if there’s anything I can do to help you? Have you thought of an Ocean Breeze wedding, and then having a formal ceremony at Didi’s mother’s house? Then you guys would be married, a fait accompli, and her mother might be annoyed at your and Didi’s audacity in flouting her authority, but it’s a done deal. Then she can have you take part in whatever ceremonies she wants to lay on for you. Meanwhile, you and Didi can refuse to be separated until the ceremonies are completed. You two will be legally married, she’s your wife. She’ll go with you on your painting trips, and when you and she come back from those trips, you’ll graciously submit to the mother’s need for ceremonies… What do you think?” “Sis, that’s a wonderful idea. I’ll talk to Didi right away. Would your lawyer be able to arrange this quickly and quietly?” “Sure. And by all means telephone John and Lynn and invite them, and Didi’s mother, to the wedding, which will take place two days later. You’re both adults, so no one will be able to stop your wedding plans. Not that John and Lynn would dream of it, of course.” “Sis…” was all Jordan said, but the hug he gave Annabel spoke volumes. That evening, Jordan and Didi dropped in on Adam and Annabel, their faces aglow with happiness.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Annabel, I want to thank you for your brilliant idea in suggesting that Jordan and I get married here. You’re absolutely right. I am of age, free to marry whom I want to, when I want to.” “And you want to marry Jordan now,” said Adam smiling, going to find a bottle of champagne. He put it in a cooler, arranged four flutes beside it on the tray, and came back to the living room. “We’ll drink to your forthcoming nuptials. And tomorrow, Jordan, you and Didi will go to Marcella Mellis to make all necessary arrangements. When all formalities are complete, and Marcella has told you when Judge Fortescue can marry you two, then you’ll call John and Lynn and invite them, as well as Didi’s mother. Then it’s up to her to attend the wedding or boycott it in a rage of cultural disapproval.” Didi giggled. “A rage of cultural disapproval – that describes exactly what my mother will be like. She has been plotting for ages to have me marry the elder son of her neighbors, who is studying to be a Hatááłii. That means ‘ a singer.’ It’s a man who conducts ceremonial healings, and so on. He doesn’t like me any more than I like him, but that doesn’t deter my mother. Well, I’m tired of having her trying to run my life. I won’t ask her for permission to marry the man I love.” A week later, Jordan and Didi were married in a quiet, private ceremony in Judge Fortescue’s chambers. John and Lynn Arbuthnot had flown to Ocean Breeze in John’s Lear Jet. Didi’s mother had obstinately refused to attend. In fact she had sent word through her sister, Lynn, that she would have the marriage annulled. This was taken to be an expression of her powerless rage at being unable to prevent Didi following her heart. “We’ll just never go visit her again,” said Didi calmly to Lynn, who had always been her favorite aunt. The four were sitting on the balcony of Jordan’s condo, Lynn enjoying the ocean view, which she had always loved. “If you young people would like to fly back with us, you could start painting for your solo show that much sooner, Jordan,” John suggested. “Having Didi with you, the trip could be part honeymoon. Hmmm?” “John, that’s an excellent idea,” said Jordan. “May we borrow that small place you keep in Phoenix for your painters working for a one-man show? Then we can plan my painting trip from there.” “Of course, Jordan. It goes without saying that Lynn and I won’t tell Didi’s mother where you guys are living.” Lynn smiled at her niece, delighted to see her incandescent with happiness. “Your mother will soon calm down, she has taken herself far too seriously for some time. This is the first time she’s been forced to realize she has no power over her childrens’ lives, no authority to force her daughters to obey her slightest whim. Don’t worry. I’ll do what I can to help you.” A few days later, the Arbuthnots, Jordan and Didi flew back to Phoenix. “I’ll miss Jordan,” said Annabel softly. “On the other hand, it’ll be nice having my Alfa Romeo back. It’s certainly easier than walking to the market.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “My love,” said Adam, instantly concerned. “I’ve told you repeatedly, you’re most welcome to borrow my Miata…” “The Alfa is automatic, and I’m not at all sure I can drive a stick shift, didn’t I tell you that? And driving your brand new car… If anything happened to it, I’d never forgive myself. Even if someone dinged it in the parking lot, I’d still feel totally crushed…” “Annabel, honey, the Miata is just a car. You can drive it any time you want. Yes, come to think of it, I do recall you saying a stick shift might give you problems. But isn’t the Alfa a stick shift? Anyway, I can teach you in two minutes flat.” “Well, now you won’t have to – I’ve got my old Alfa back. You were right, the Alfa is usually a stick shift, but Dad ordered an automatic. He had osteoarthritis in his right wrist and thumb, and the slight kick of the stick shift was too painful,” said Annabel. She had been to the lobby, picking up their mail, and began to sort it. “These are for you, Adam.” She handed him a handful of letters. “Thank you, honey,” Adam said absently, sifting through the envelopes. “Ah, a letter from my Dad. The telephone bill. And a note from Alex, I wonder what he wants…?” Adam opened Alex’s envelope beginning to read the brief letter. “Annabel,” he said to his wife, who had opened a thick envelope, from which spilled a number of photographs. She hastily put them together and stuffed them back into the envelope. Intent on what he wanted to tell Annabel, Adam had not noticed the letter in his wife’s hand. “Alex suggests that I should attend the Poets’ Conference that Swanage & DeVilliers are hosting in New York City in a week. He says they hope you’ll be able to come, too.” Dismayed, Annabel gazed unhappily at her husband. “In a week? Adam, I’ll be in the middle of my final editing of the book with Nigel. You know he has delayed his vacation so that he and I could work on it. I’m so very sorry, but I can’t possibly leave now. Oh, theoretically I could take my laptop with me and work with Nigel from your hotel room, but I couldn’t hope to do any real work that way, let alone concentrate on any rewrites Nigel may think it needs. For that I need a certain amount of solitude, you know that. Anyway, these conferences rarely run longer than three days, don’t they? Maybe it would be better if you went on your own.” Disappointed, Adam glanced at his wife. “Go without you? Leave you here alone, working, while I…” “But Adam, you’ll be working, too. That conference won’t be just a gabfest with endless cocktail parties and banquets thrown in. Anyway, why don’t you wait until Rick Swanage invites you…?” Unhappy, Adam held up a big, square envelope, saying, “Rick just invited me. This is the official invitation, but there’s a little note in his own writing apologizing for the short notice, and asking me pressingly to attend ‘with my beautiful wife’…” Upset, because she felt vaguely that, to him, it was more important that she join him in New York than that she finish editing her book, Annabel said, Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Perhaps you might consider calling Rick and explaining that Nigel and I will be knee deep in editing my new book. If you tell him that Nigel has postponed his vacation in order to do the editing with me, surely he’ll understand that I can’t be in two places at once? If he still insists that I attend, then let Rick explain that to Nigel. I sure don’t want to.” Contrite, Adam put his free arm around his wife, hugging her. “My love, forgive me? I was so intent on having you come with me that I forgot about your very real concern for your book. Of course I’ll call Rick and explain that you can’t come because you’re editing with Nigel. And, as you say, if Rick insists, let him explain to Nigel.” He glanced at his wife, anxious to make sure she knew he respected her commitment to her work. She smiled at him, reaching up to kiss his mouth. As always, he responded instantly and passionately. “Annabel, my darling,” he said. Reluctantly, he let go of her, getting to his feet, to return to his library. After Adam left the living room, Annabel looked again at the thick envelope with photos – baby-photos. She thought one thing was certain – this was not Adam’s child. It was too blond, too pale, having very light grey eyes. She’d quickly put all this into Marcella’s hands. She hastily wrote a note:

Gone to the market, darling, back soon.

xoxo, A.

and hurriedly drove to Marcella’s office. To her great relief, Marcella was free and could see her. After the two friends had greeted each other, Marcella said, “Am I required to wear my lawyer’s hat, or is this a friendly visit?” “Of course it’s a friendly visit, Marce, but you’ll need your lawyer’s hat.” With that preamble, Annabel told Marcella in succinct detail about Moira Winters, her attempts to win Adam back, and her outrageous claim that the child pictured in the photos was Adam’s. “Not in a zillion years,” was Marcella’s comforting response. “Has the stupid bitch never heard of dominant and recessive genes? Adam’s dark eyes, hair, olive skin are dominant. Has the woman got recessive genes, light hair and eyes?” “Well, not as light as this baby, she’s more darkish blond with bottle blonde streaks than the pinkish-apricot hair of the kid. And her eyes are a darkish grey-green, the kid’s eyes are a very pale grey. “Marcella – please. We’ve got to keep all this from Adam… This woman’s vicious attempts to saddle him with the paternity of this pale kid will upset him terribly. Only if the woman decides to do the DNA testing will we have to tell Adam, because he’ll have to give a sample, right?” “Of course, honey. I realize Adam, a poet, is very sensitive, and of course you’re not sensitive at all, is that what you’re trying to tell me? Come on now.” “No, but please, Marce, help me keep this from Adam. He has to go to a Poets’ Conference in New York in a week. How can he function there, if this

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley woman succeeds in upsetting him with her claim of paternity? Oh, Marce, I’m so upset… Adam told me that with this woman, he always used condoms, and there was never one that failed… So she has to be lying, right?” “Honey, of course she’s lying. This is, in her limited mind, her best shot at getting Adam back, although I myself wouldn’t give a broken button for her chances. Now, Belle, you listen to me. I’m your lawyer. It’s my job to handle such things for you. Don’t give another thought to this bitch and her child by whomever, but not by Adam. You just concentrate on your gorgeous hunk… “By the way, why aren’t you going with Adam to this poetry-fest in New York?” “Because Nigel, my editor, has postponed his vacation so that we could get my book ready for printing. Adam isn’t pleased at having to go alone, but he realizes that my work is important to me. I can’t just shove it aside because they’ve sprung this Poets’ Conference on us so suddenly.” “Ah, I see. Honey, you just go home, and I’ll spend a little while writing a truly devastating reply to the bitch. I’ll explain a little law to her and insist on her providing DNA samples of herself and this kid to a reputable laboratory of our choice. With a sleazebag like this, I want to avoid any chance of her skewing the DNA results.” “Marce, honey, thank you so very much. I feel so much better. And thank God that Adam didn’t see these photos. If he noticed them peripherally, and asks me, I’ll say the photos were sent by a friend you and I have in common, and you have the photos now.” “I hate to connive with you at this, but for Adam’s peace of mind, it’s probably a good idea. Meanwhile, don’t let this bitch disturb your peace of mind.” Annabel drove home, via the market, where she picked up a few of Adam’s favorite things for dinner. She felt light-hearted – sure that Marcella would protect Adam from the predator. When she returned home, Adam was still in his library. Reassured, Annabel went to the kitchen to make a seafood salad for their lunch. She had nearly finished, when she heard Adam come out of his library. He went to the kitchen and took her in his arms. “My love… I came out for some orange juice and found your note. What did you have to buy? I thought you shopped yesterday.” “I did. But I decided on a special dinner for you, and I had to get the stuff for that.” “Honey, you don’t have to go to any trouble to make special dinners for me, any dinner that you cook for me and eat with me is special for that reason alone. By the way, my love, I noticed you had a thick envelope with photos…what were they?” Annabel tensed. Of course he had noticed. Trying to sound casual, she said, “Oh, photos a friend of Marce and mine sent to me. While I was on my way to the market, I dropped the photos off to her, so that she could see them, too.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Adam had seated her on the sofa and now sat down beside her. “And this innocent activity has you all tensed up? Annabel… Please tell me the truth. Why did you take those photos to Marcella? Oh, wait. Were they photos of my alleged child? Honey, why didn’t you tell me… show them to me? I know you were trying to spare me distress, but don’t you realize that it is far more distressing to me to find out you’re plotting behind my back with Marcella to keep me safe from Moira? “Don’t you realize that I can handle her with one hand tied behind my back?” Adam held her by the shoulders, gazing reproachfully into her eyes. Annabel’s eyes were suffused with tears and her luscious mouth trembled, when she looked guiltily at him. “Adam, I know you’re writing poetry. I didn’t want anything to disturb you, upset you, or prevent you from writing. I know that anything to do with that woman would distress you terribly. So I went to Marcella, explained precisely what has been going on, and gave her the letter with the photos. She said she’d enjoy writing a devastating letter to ‘the bitch’ – her words, not mine. And from one look at the photos she could see that the child couldn’t possibly be yours. Please, Adam, don’t be angry with me.” He tightened his embrace. “Angry with you? For trying to protect me from distressing news? Of course not. But I do want to see these photos. You see… I may recognize the features of the child, its coloring, and pinpoint the actual father. I could put this whole thing to rest at one glance.” Annabel hid her face against his throat. “Adam, I’m so very sorry, do you want me to call Marce and…?” Adam shook his head. “No, my love, I’ll just give her a quick call. With my help she may be able to make her letter to Moira a lot more devastating than she is now planning. Excuse me a moment, honey. I’ll be right back.” Adam rose to his feet heading for the library. When he returned to the sofa, Annabel searched his face for a clue as to how the phone call had gone. He smiled. “After lunch, we’ll visit Marcella briefly. I’ll look at the photos and, if possible, give her the name of the actual father of this child. Now, would you like us to have a glass of wine with whatever it is you’re making for lunch?” “I’d love it, Adam. We’re having a seafood salad.” “Do you want us to eat in the dining room, or from trays, sitting beside each other on the sofa?” Seeing Annabel’s radiant smile, his heart turned over. “On the sofa?” Her voice was hesitant. “An excellent choice. If you’ll make up the luncheon trays, I’ll get the wine.” It did not take long for them to sit down beside each other, toasting each other with their wine. After they had finished eating, he said, “You realize that our visit to Marcella will postpone our nap time. But if we did without tea and cinnamon toast, we might just manage…” “Anything you want, Adam,” she whispered. “Anything?” he asked, one slim, black brow raised. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Anything,” she whispered against his chest “I’m beginning to regret the necessity of visiting Marcella.” Half an hour later, they were in Marcella’s office. The moment Marcella laid the photos out before Adam, he laughed. “The father of this child could only be Bob Lundqvist. Exactly the same coloring – that very white skin that never tans, those pale, pale eyes. This must be the result of the one sleepover Moira had to admit to, because Bob confessed to me what had happened. I broke it off with Moira, to her impotent fury, while Bob and I remained good friends. Listen, Marcella, I’ll also give you Bob’s address. You might wish to write to him explaining what Moira is trying to pull. Chances are that Bob is already paying his paternity dues. Then, if she tries to collect a second payment from me, would that be fraud or something? By all means, nail her for it, if that’s what she’s trying to do.” Marcella smiled. If Moira had seen the smile, she would have been justified in feeling very, very worried. “Consider it done, Adam. It’ll be my pleasure.” She went to Annabel, hugging her. “At a guess, it would seem that your Poet isn’t quite as oversensitive as you thought, mmm? Will you promise to stop being so overprotective?” “Oh, Marce, I felt so foolish, stupid, interfering, and very contrite,” Annabel said, hugging her friend back. “My love, shall we go home? I was thinking of our tea…” said Adam. “Our tea? But I thought…” Adam winked at Marcella, as he said to his wife, “Don’t think, my love, just come with me.” He put his arm protectively around Annabel’s slender back, hugging her, walking out of Marcella’s office. When the door had closed behind them, he bent over her, kissing her mouth softly. “That’s all you get until we’re in our bed.” “Your bed, Adam. I like to feel that I’m sleeping in my lover’s bed.” “Sounds good to me. Come?” “With you? Always.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 22. The next week was a blur of professional activity for Adam as well as for Annabel. They had got into the habit of walking the beach early in the morning. When they returned home, Annabel made coffee, pressed orange juice and created something interesting for Adam to eat. She herself stuck with her old habit of coffee and juice only, although usually Adam succeeded in feeding her a few bites of his toast. Breakfast over, Adam disappeared into his library, and Annabel sat down with her laptop to check her e-mails. **** One morning later that week, before she could settle down, the telephone made its hoarse little sound. Angela had shown Annabel how to turn the sound down, so that Adam wouldn’t be disturbed by the telephone’s insistent noise. The caller was Nigel Sheppard, her Editor. “Annabel, you should’ve said that you wanted to accompany Adam to the Poets’ Conference. Rick Swanage just got off the line, berating me for keeping you chained to the computer for editing. Listen, if you want to go with Adam, no sweat. I’ll just tell Rick that I’m taking it easy for the week, but he still owes me my postponed vacation.” “Nigel, that is so good of you, but no. I’m well aware that I don’t really rate you. You’re the editor of all their literary giants, and I just write whodunits…” “With an erotic tinge, don’t forget.” Nigel’s voice sounded as if he were grinning. Annabel smiled into the receiver. “Seriously, I’m grateful that you’re willing to keep me for old times’ sake. But I surely don’t want to mess up the time you’ve set aside for editing my new one. Adam realizes that my book is as important to me as his poetry is to him, and he knows you and I have quite a bit of work to do to. Of course I’d like to go with him, but this time I’ll stay home, chained, as you say, to my laptop.” “Are you sure, Annabel?” Annabel nodded, then, realizing Nigel couldn’t see her, she went on. “Nigel, I want you to know that neither Adam nor I called Rick about this. He probably said something to Adam about seeing him and me, and Adam would’ve said that he would be there without me because we’re so busy editing. Rick may have thought to do us a favor by asking you to hold off on the editing. But that wasn’t something we wanted. No, not at all.” “Oh, I knew that,” said Nigel easily. “You know how Rick likes to throw his weight around. Now, about your book, I started reading right away, and honey, I couldn’t put it down. I know it’s a tired old phrase, but what a brilliant switch, making the mother the murderess instead of the son with the cast iron alibi, as you had outlined initially.”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “That was Adam’s doing, Nigel. I was talking to him about my difficulty in finding a way for my brilliant sleuth to break the alibi. Adam said, ‘Wouldn’t it be more unlikely if the mother had killed Lord Seabrooke…’ The more I thought about it, the more I liked it. It required a few very minor revisions, and I was all set. Then Adam had another idea, let the son’s alibi be broken, anyway. And the mother confesses to save her son.” “I like the way Adam’s mind works. Do you think he’d be willing to plot your next book?” “I already told him, his plots are far more subtle and convoluted than mine… By the way, could I have a dedication page, and thank Adam for his ideas?” “You’d have to word that very, very carefully to get it accepted. But Rick seems to be taking a personal interest in your work now, so…” “Not really, Nigel. He does take a very personal interest in Adam’s work, and if he can do something nice for me, which makes Adam happy, then he’d probably do it. But he would do that for Adam, not for me.” “Well, I’ve got to go back to read the last few chapters of your book, I’ll email you later today. Incidentally, have you a glimmer of an idea for your next one?” “Nigel… Have a heart. I’ve just finished this one, and by the way, the only title I can come up with is ‘All in the Family’ – and I think that’s a total nono, right?” Nigel laughed. “Total is right. As is ‘Family Plot’.” Annabel grinned appreciatively, saying, “Nigel.” The Editor laughed. “I’ll think for a bit and get back to you. And I was only teasing about your next one. I know you need some time to get these characters out of your head.” “Yes, fortunately you understand that. Thank you. Bye, Nigel,” Annabel broke the connection. **** A few days later, Adam flew in grand style to New York. When Nick heard that Adam was to take part in the Poets’ Conference, he suggested Adam fly with him and Leandros in Nick’s Lear Jet. They had some business to attend to in New York. Nick said they would be happy to fly a day earlier to make sure Adam got to his Conference in good time. “Nadine will drive us to the airport, to save Annabel the trouble of driving you,” said Nick. Adam was grateful. “That saves you the bore of having to drive me to the airport,” said Adam, pleased he could spare her this chore. Annabel privately thought that she’d willingly have done this ‘chore’ to be with Adam a little longer. Now that the time had come for Adam to fly to New York, Annabel was almost sick with apprehension at their being apart. She was careful not to let him see how she felt, but he sensed it. “We’ll be apart for three whole days… That’s not so bad, is it?” “It’s more like five days, Adam. The day you fly there, three days of the conference then the next day you fly back,” she said, trying to smile. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I’ll call you every night, promise,” he said, kissing her again. He added, “I really have to go, my darling. I can’t keep Nick and Leo waiting for me.” “Have a wonderful time, Adam.” “I hope I’ll have an interesting time. I couldn’t possibly have a wonderful time without you, and you know it.” Bending his head one more time to give her a loving, lingering kiss, he hurried to the door. A wave of his hand, as he turned to the elevator bank. The moment Adam was gone, Annabel wished she had gone with him. She consoled herself with the thought that she had acted professionally by staying here to edit her book. But she missed Adam already. She decided to order the New York papers from the News Stand at the Hilton. If there were articles about the Poets’ Conference, she could read about it. And Adam was so photogenic. If there were any photos, she felt sure he’d be included. Annabel went to the bedroom exchanging her shorts and top for a sundress with a little jacket. She went down to the garage to get her car, and saw Nadine drive in. They smiled at each other. “Put them on the plane and waved goodbye,” Nadine said cheerfully. Seeing Annabel’s quietly unhappy face, she added, “Annabel, don’t tell me. You wanted to take Adam to the airport yourself? I should’ve realized.” “A totally irrational idea, Nadine, I know that.” “Where are you going now?” “To order the New York newspapers for the duration of the Conference, so that I’ll at least be able to read about it in the New York Times. Probably the afternoon papers will be more likely to have photos, if any.” “Hey, tell you what – jump in. I’ll drive you over to the Hilton. When you’ve ordered the papers you want, we’ll have tea on that screened-in terrace they have.” “Thanks, Nadine,” said Annabel, seating herself next to her. “That’s a wonderful idea. I know it’s silly to feel so bereft because Adam has a three-day Poets’ Conference to attend, but that’s how I feel.” “I know the feeling. Fortunately, Nick is now primarily a writer and is only very rarely in his Greek Tycoon mode, like this time. He and Leo enjoy keeping their hand in with some joint ventures. I enjoyed it when they were busy on that Akropolis luxury hotel complex in Tarpon Springs. Have you and Adam been there?” “No, but I’ve heard of it. You know that we couldn’t go away for the traditional honeymoon trip, because Adam was working so hard on his next book of poetry, or rather, his slim volume of poetry. And I was under the gun for finishing my book. But we had planned to go to the Akropolis some time later.” “Tell us when you’re going and Nick’ll call and make sure they roll out the red carpet for you.” “Oh, Nadine, that isn’t necessary.” “I know that, but I also know that Nick’ll want to do that for you guys.” Nadine pulled into the parking area for semi-permanent guests, and walked with her friend to the elevator taking them to the main floor. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Annabel quickly made arrangements for the New York papers to be held for her daily. She and Nadine strolled to the screened area where afternoon tea was served. They spent a pleasant hour there, and drove back to the apartment. “Would you like to have dinner with me?” Nadine asked. “I’d love to, but I can’t, Nadine. This morning, my Editor left several lengthy e-mails for me, which I decided to deal with once Adam had left for New York. That’s why I couldn’t go with him. My book is at that critical stage… Ah, well… It’ll keep me busy while Adam’s away. Thanks again, Nadine. See you soon.” A few hours later, Adam telephoned. “Annabel, I wish you were here. I miss you already, so very much. Rick has given me this huge suite, clearly in the expectation that you’d be with me.” “Adam, I wish I had been totally unprofessional and left my book so I could be with you. I had no idea I’d feel so totally bereft.” “Do you, my love? So do I.” The lovers stayed on the telephone for half an hour, whispering endearments and soft words of love. Then, most reluctantly, they disconnected. Instantly, Annabel felt an overwhelming loneliness for Adam, and she wondered whether he felt the same. The next day, she walked to the Hilton to pick up the New York papers. Once she was home, she perused them avidly for news of the Poets’ Conference. Indeed, the Times carried a brief report of the dinner party given by Swanage & DeVilliers to inaugurate the conference. To her great delight, there was a fairly big photo of the preceding cocktail hour, showing Rick Swanage with Adam, who looked gorgeous and sexy in his evening clothes, and a beautiful, petite woman with what seemed to be white hair and huge, pale eyes. Her name was given as Tiia Liivaste, a poet of Estonian ancestry. Annabel folded the paper so that the photograph and write-up showed, setting it on the coffee table. A day later, there was an interesting article in the Times about the various sessions, seminars and discussion groups that had been held. There was mention of Adam, who had been asked to read some of his poetry. Annabel frowned in sympathy. She knew Adam hated reading his poetry in public. He thought poetry too private for that. But, of course, he couldn’t refuse Rick’s request. The afternoon papers had more photographs. Clearly they had zeroed in on the best looking poets, which meant that Adam was prominently featured, again teamed with the Estonian poet. The tabloid hadn’t bothered to get her name, and referred to her only as ‘Adam Tremayne’s companion.’ Annabel felt a little sorry for her – a poet in her own right, somehow reduced to groupie status… That evening, when Adam called, she told him that she had seen the New York papers. Clearly, he had not. He said, “Well, I can understand the Times reporting on the conference, but the tabloids having photographs?” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I’ll save them for you,” she offered. “I’d be interested to see what the Times writes about the conference, but you can throw the tabloids away,” he said dismissively. “Throw photographs of you away? I couldn’t do that, Adam. It’s obvious that they’re delighted you’re so photogenic, so they keep taking shots of you. But that lovely woman poet with the unusual name…they call her your ‘companion’ – which must be pretty annoying for a poet in her own right?” “Oh, Tiia Liivaste,” he said casually. “She probably hasn’t seen the photos either. At least she’s said nothing about them.” “How’s it going, Adam? I thought of you earlier today when you had to read your poetry. I know how you hate that. You’re of course quite right, poetry should be read in private, by one person alone.” “Or at the most, one person reading to one other. That’s how I got through it, pretending I was reading to one person alone. Rick told me later that it had gone very well.” “When you’re back, perhaps one night you’ll read your poetry to me?” “Oh, sure, if you want me to,” he said, his voice friendly-casual. “Only if you want to. It had never occurred to me to ask you before, because I thought you hated reading your work. But if you like reading to one person alone, then I’d like to be that person.” “Of course.” Despising herself for asking, Annabel said, “Do you miss me?” “Of course I do. Do you miss me?” “So very much. I haven’t a fascinating conference to keep me from missing you.” “Honey, I didn’t say the conference was fascinating, believe me, it isn’t. Just the occasional seminar is deeply interesting. And the conference doesn’t keep me from missing you.” “I can’t help being glad that tomorrow is the last day, and the day after tomorrow you’ll be back. Since you won’t be flying back in style with Nick and Leo, please don’t forget to give me your ETA tomorrow night, Adam? I can hardly wait to meet your plane.” “Oh, yes, of course, my love. But I may be here another day. Rick collared me earlier today and told me he wants to discuss the publicity for my next book. He’s just discovered that Alex Tremayne is my cousin. He wants to hire him to publicize my new one.” “Oh, darling,” she said, her voice dismayed. “Well, honey, since I’m right here now… In fact, I had thought of trying to find time, as soon as this hoopla is over, to see Alex, and perhaps have Dad drive down from Glens Falls.” “But they were here for our wedding, not all that long ago…” She hated herself for sounding so plaintive. Next I’ll be whining, ‘Do you still love me?’ Always so reasonable, Adam said calmly, “Yes, that’s true. Well, if it upsets you that much, then I won’t, of course. I’ll just have this meeting with Rick and Alex at Rick’s office, then I’ll go to the airport and take the next flight back to Florida.” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Annabel thought that he’d blame her for missing a chance to see his Dad. No, she couldn’t do that to him. Trying to sound calm and casual, “No, Adam, of course you’re right. It may be months before you get another chance to see your Dad. And I know how fond you are of Alex – it wouldn’t be any fun seeing him only in a business meeting. But I can’t help wishing I had gone to New York with you, because the three-day absence, which is really a five-day absence, counting the travel, is now going to be a six-to-seven day absence. Darling, that’s a whole week…” “But surely you’re busy most of the day with Nigel, editing?” “Yes, most of the day,” she moaned gently. “But my nights are so lonely. Aren’t yours?” Annabel bit her lip. How could she ask that? Adam said gently, “Of course my nights are lonely, too, Annabel, my darling. Don’t you know that? And as I said, if you’re too lonely for me, then I’ll come back as soon as I’m through with Rick’s meeting. I’ll call Dad back and tell him not to drive down.” “No, no. Don’t do that. If you’ve already made all these arrangements to see him and Alex, then by all means…” “If you’re sure?” he said hesitantly. “I’m sure, darling.” “Then, put your arms around yourself to give yourself a hug from me. By the way, what are you wearing, darling?” “Adam… are you having phone-sex with me?” “What if I were?” he said, his voice sounding most seductive. “Oh, darling, don’t. It’s hard enough lying here night after night in our big bed without you….” “I’m not wearing anything,” he murmured, a flirtatious smile clear to hear in his deep voice. “That’s it,” she said fiercely. “I’m flying up tomorrow, and when you get back from your conference meetings, I’ll be there.” To her dismay, he said, “Oh honey, now don’t do anything rash. We won’t be able to see much of each other. I’m spending all my time at the conference. When that’s over, I’ll be at Rick’s office. I won’t be free to see Dad and Alex until the late afternoon. Of course, I’d be happy for you to join us, but we won’t be able to spend any time together. Don’t you see that?” “I was thinking of when finally everyone says goodnight, you and I could be together in your suite, in your bed… Had you thought of that? Or have you other plans for the night as well?” He was silent for some time. At last, he said, his voice sounding so tired, crushed almost, “You know better. Tell me you know better.” Feeling defeated, she said, a little too hastily, “Yes, I know better. I’m sorry if I upset you. But I’m pretty upset myself.” She thought she heard some knocking somewhere. A moment later, he said, “Excuse me a second, honey. There’s someone at the door.” Adam must have gone to the door, because a moment later she heard a distant murmur of voices. There was a longer pause, then she heard what was probably the door closing. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “I’m sorry,” he said contritely. “It was Tiia, asking if I had some Aquavit in my little refrigerator here. She was certainly welcome to it, I hate that stuff.” Annabel thought frantically: it’s nearly midnight. And this Tiia feels free to come to my husband’s door for liquor? She said, striving to sound casual and calm, “Isn’t it a little late to come bugging a fellow poet for booze, darling? It’s nearly midnight.” “Yes, you’re right, it is a little late. Tiia probably didn’t realize it, because she’s a total insomniac, she told me that she reads or writes poetry for most of the night.” “I see. And you sound tired. Perhaps I’d better let you get some sleep, Adam darling.” “Are you sure you feel all right now, Annabel, my love? About my staying on the extra days, I mean.” “Shall we say that I accept your need to stay on? I can’t honestly say that I feel happy about it,” she couldn’t resist saying. “Annabel, if that’s how you feel, then I won’t,” he said unhappily. “No, you go ahead and do what you planned to do. Your Dad must be so pleased to have a chance of seeing you. And Alex…” “…If you’re sure, my love. You’re so busy with Nigel, you’ll see – the days will fly by faster than you think,” he said fondly. Wanna bet? she thought. But she said, “Of course they will. You will let me know your ETA, won’t you please?” “I will. Perhaps Rick’s office can pull a few strings and get me back more quickly than I could manage. I’ll let you know. And now, goodnight, my love, and sweet dreams.” “Good night, darling. My sweet dreams will have to wait until you’re back and I can sleep in your arms again,” she whispered. “I love you,” he whispered back, waiting for her to disconnect. To her own dismay, Annabel found that she could not bear to sever the connection. “Come on now, honey… hang up,” he coaxed. “I’ll miss you so much, the moment I disconnect,” she moaned gently. “I’ll be back sooner than you think.” “That would only be true if you were putting your key in the lock right this minute,” she whispered. At last, she hung up. The next day, the tabloids had photos of Adam and Tiia dancing at the hotel’s nightclub. Adam looked stunningly sexy in his evening clothes. Tiia, who seemed to be clinging to Adam for dear life, looked impossibly gorgeous in an almost-there evening dress, which plunged in front to her waist and had no discernible back. To Annabel’s dismay, Tiia was again described as Adam’s ‘companion.’ She could hardly wait for Adam’s call that evening. She intended asking him how he could sound so desperately tired while talking to her, yet felt fit enough to dance the night away with Miss Limpet. On second thought, she’d sound like the original suspicious wife. Perhaps better ask if he had slept well…

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley She frowned. No. That was inviting a little white lie. Well, she could say the tabloids had photos of him and that Limpet on the dance floor and… That evening, Adam telephoned very late. It was past midnight. Annabel was in a frenzy of disquiet, wondering if she should call his hotel, then deciding against it. When, at last, the bedside telephone sounded, she snatched it up. Nervously, she said, “Hello? Adam?” “Of course Adam, my darling. Were you expecting other men to call you this late at night?” he teased. “Oh, Adam. I wondered if you had forgotten to call me, it’s awfully late.” “Is it? Why yes, you’re right, it’s past midnight. The witching hour.” “I wish I could witch you back here with a wave of my wand.” “Wouldn’t that be your broomstick, my darling? I’m not sure whether witches have wands,” he continued to tease. With an effort she calmed herself, saying, “Yes, darling, I’m probably mixing my witches and fairies, the same way you often accuse me of mixing my metaphors. I guess the conference is over now, right? And all the poets will disperse again in all directions. I sure wish you’d disperse in this direction very, very soon, Adam. I miss you so very much.” “No more than I miss you, my darling,” he said lovingly. “Tomorrow morning, Alex and I will meet with Rick to discuss publicity, as I told you. Rick has invited us to have lunch with him. After that, I guess my time will be pretty much my own, and Alex will take me to his co-op on CPW…” “What’s CPW?” “Central Park West, honey, the westernmost boundary of Central Park. Anyway, Dad’ll drive straight to Alex and Lisa’s co-op, then we’ll have a family dinner, cooked by Lisa. Dad’s staying over with them. Rick insisted I keep the suite until I fly home.” “And when will that be, Adam? I keep on feeling you should be here by now…” Annabel allowed a little of her unhappiness to come through in her voice. Adam picked up on it immediately. “My love, I did tell you yesterday that, if you couldn’t bear for me to stay here a moment longer, I would cancel Dad’s trip, and I’d fly home to you after the business meeting with Rick and Alex, tomorrow. I can’t cancel Dad’s trip this late, honey… He’s on his way, breaking the trip in Albany, where he has friends.” “Of course you can’t. It’s just that I miss you so much more than I thought I would. I’ve decided I’ll never again stay here when you’ve got a poets’ conference to go to. I’ll go with you. At least at the end of the day you’d come back to the room, or the suite, which Rick so kindly put at your disposal.” Then, she couldn’t prevent herself from adding: “It might cut down a little on late night visits from other poets, if they knew your wife was with you.” “Oh, honey, mostly we don’t visit each other’s rooms. Just Tiia, who… Oh, I see. Were you annoyed because she came so late, asking for Aquavit?” “Not annoyed, darling. A little surprised, perhaps. But you said that she’s an insomniac, so what seems unsuitably late to me probably seems like

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley the middle of the afternoon to her. By the way, there were more photographs in the tabloids again.” “Oh, really?” he said, indifferently. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to flashes going off whenever I show my face outside the conference rooms.” “Well, you are a most gorgeous hunk. I don’t blame those paparazzi for concentrating on you, and trying their best to get shots of you and Tiia, who’s probably the most beautiful woman poet there.” “Yes, I guess she is. But surely you know that none of this means anything to me at all, I love you, you. And I can’t wait to get back to you. Don’t you know that, my love?” “Yes, I do, Adam. I was just a little upset when the tabloids had this big picture of you and Tiia, dancing… and she was clinging to you for dear life…” She heard his “Damn” in an undertone. Then he said, “Rick insisted on taking a few of us with him to the hotel’s nightclub. Tiia was the only woman poet he had invited, and when she asked me to dance with her, what could I do?” “I don’t know, Adam. Tell her you were too tired? It was just that I wondered why you hadn’t mentioned it…” “For exactly the reason you think. It meant nothing, but I realized it might upset you if you thought there was a lot of late night carousing going on, which there wasn’t… and isn’t. I wished that Rick hadn’t invited me, but it’s difficult for me to refuse him, surely you realize that?” “Yes, of course. Was that why you were so tired, last night, when we talked? Or did Rick invite you to come out to that nightclub after we had disconnected?” “After,” was all he said. “And believe me, I didn’t want to go, I was tired…” “And you told me you were lying naked on your bed, I recall. Poor darling, what a drag having to climb back into your evening clothes… Well, at least you won’t have to do any more of that, now. The conference is definitely over, right?” “Yes, it is. I’ve asked Rick’s office to find me a flight back to you the day after tomorrow. At least, I hope Rick doesn’t have any more surprises up his sleeve…” “Adam, he surely can’t have any more cozy chats lined up for you? Even if he does, tell him I miss you and I want you back, now, pronto.” The moment the words were out of her mouth, she realized she sounded like a nagging, clinging wife. Well, so be it. Adam said quietly, “I will, my love. I promise you. And now, if you don’t mind, I think I would like to get some sleep. I’m unaccountably tired. And you must be, too, waiting up all this time for me to call you.” “Yes, of course. Goodnight, Adam. I love you…” she whispered. “Goodnight, my darling. And I love you…” he whispered back. Annabel lay awake for a long time.

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Chapter 23. When, at last, Adam called Annabel to give her his ETA, she was surprised to feel uneasy, troubled, apprehensive, even. At two-thirty, she went to the parking garage, and got into her Alfa Romeo. She planned to drive slowly, because the plane wouldn’t touch down for another hour, but she had to get out of the condo, and be on her way to him. Arriving at the airport terminal shortly after three o’clock, Annabel went to the bar for a Perrier and lime, hoping the cool drink would calm her. When, at three-thirty, she heard a plane roar overhead, she felt almost sick with excitement. In a very few minutes, she’d see Adam again. She found a ledge opposite the gate Adam would come through, and stood on it, happy that she could look over people’s heads and would see him the instant he emerged. He was among the first passengers to appear, because, at six-foot-three, he needed the extra legroom provided by the business class. “Adam, Adam,” she called. Turning his head, he saw her, an enchanted smile transforming his already handsome face, making it utterly captivating. He waved and began to make his way toward her. At that moment, she realized that there was a petite woman with flaxen blond hair clinging to his arm, trying to keep pace with him. Annabel could hardly believe her eyes. How dare that woman attach herself to Adam? Well, she’d soon put a stop to this… When, after some spirited elbowing, Adam reached his wife, he lifted her off the small ledge, holding her in a taut embrace. “Annabel, my darling. Oh, it’s so good to be home again.” Usually too shy and reserved to do more than kiss her lightly in public, he kissed her surprisingly passionately, tightening his arms around her. Finally remembering where they were, he gentled his embrace, keeping one arm tightly around her, “My darling, please meet Tiia Liivaste, a fellow poet. Tiia, this is my wife, Annabel.” With the barest hint of a smile, Annabel said, “How do you do?” Tiia smiled brilliantly, “It’s so good of you to have me here overnight. There was no direct flight to Palm Beach, where my friends live, so…” Tiia gestured helplessly with her small, pretty hands, glancing charmingly at Annabel, her big, gray eyes pleading for understanding. “So you asked my husband if you could come as far as Ocean Breeze? I see. But I’m afraid your gratitude for my having you stay with us overnight is a little premature. No one ever stays with us in our condo, Ms. Liivaste. We put up people, whether our own guests or people who have wished themselves on us, in my old condo on the third floor. But this may be difficult for you, because there is no restaurant attached to our building. Once we get home, we will be incommunicado, I’m sure you understand. Therefore, I think you’ll be much better off at the Hilton. Not only have they room service, restaurants

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley and all that, but they’ll also arrange for a shuttle to the airport in time for your flight to Palm Beach.” She gave Tiia another wintry smile, turning to Adam. Softly, she said, “Adam, shall we go pick up the luggage? If you agree, I think I should drive, once we’ve got the suitcases. You look more than a little tired to me, darling.” Adam, who had been in an agony of apprehension how Annabel would react to Tiia’s determination to fly with him to Ocean Breeze and wish herself on them, began to smile. He thought: That’s Annabel. Icily polite. Then, WHAM, the Hilton. Tiia won’t be staying with us, spoiling our reunion. Picking up his wife’s hand, he brought it to his lips. “Thank you, my love.” Annabel smiled a secretive little smile. “For you, my darling, anything.” When they had their luggage, Annabel led the way to where her car was parked. Tiia took it for granted that Adam would drive, trying charmingly to seat herself in the front passenger seat. Annabel forestalled her. “Into the back, please. I’ll be driving, and I want my husband to sit beside me. And please, don’t chatter at us from the back. Adam is clearly very tired. I want him to have a nap if possible. Ah, there’s Adam back from stashing the luggage. Climb into the back, please, Ms. Liivaste.” Adam glanced at his wife. Rounds One and Two to Annabel, he thought. To his great surprise, and no doubt to Annabel’s, too, Tiia most charmingly changed her mind. “Dear Adam, if you wouldn’t mind taking my luggage back to the terminal? I’ve decided to hire one of those small private planes to fly me to Palm Beach. It’s too much trouble for me to unpack in a strange hotel here…” “Surely no more trouble than unpacking in a strange condo here, as you seemed intent on doing, Ms. Liivaste,” said Annabel, her tone glacial. “My husband is tired, he is not about to lug your suitcase back to the terminal for you. You’re young and healthy. You walk back with your suitcase. “Goodbye, Ms. Liivaste. I’m sorry that you were unhappy with the only arrangements Adam and I were willing to make for you, that is to say, have you stay anywhere but in our condo.” Adam made a gesture indicating that he was willing to take Tiia’s baggage back to the terminal, but Annabel would not have it. Hurrying to the trunk, opening it, she found Tiia’s luggage, putting it carefully on the sidewalk. “Fortunately, they aren’t heavy, you’ll be able to manage just fine. Goodbye,” she said, walking to the driver’s side of the car. As she sat down behind the wheel, she gave a tiny smile to Adam, who smiled back at her, showing all his very white teeth. “Oh, Annabel, my very special woman.” Annabel carefully reversed the car, then drove away. Tiia still stood there beside her two pieces of luggage. “Don’t worry, Adam, darling, some hapless man’ll soon come along to help her,” Annabel said dismissively. “I thought we’d drive back by the ocean.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Give you a chance to breathe some fresh air, and perhaps, you’ll be able to have a nap?” “The only nap I want is later, at home, with you,” he murmured. “That sounds promising,” she said softly. After they had driven by the ocean for a while, Adam did fall asleep. Annabel drove as quietly as possible to make sure he slept on. When they were close to Ocean Breeze, Adam woke, stretched luxuriously and touched his wife’s slender thigh. “Adam, that’s my driving leg,” she said, taking one hand off the steering wheel, putting it over Adam’s fingers where they were caressing her skin. He glanced lazily at her, saying, “Hurry up, my darling, you’re driving below the speed limit, and I’m in a hurry to get you home.” “Same here,” said Annabel, casting a brief, but very loving glance at Adam. A few minutes later, Annabel drove into their parking garage slot. Adam got his suitcase out of the trunk. The two walked, arms around each other’s waists, to the elevators. Adam was delighted to see that one was waiting, as he planned to kiss his wife all the way to the eighth floor. When they entered the condo, the telephone was buzzing. “Let me, darling.” said Annabel. To her surprise, the caller was not Tiia, as she had expected. It was Rick Swanage. “Annabel, may I have a word with Tiia Liivaste, please?” “Rick. You can stop pimping for Tiia right now, because I won’t allow you to force dear Tiia’s predatory company on my husband any longer,” said Annabel icily. “Pimping. How dare you say that to me, Annabel.” “I dare say it because it’s true, Rick. Are Tiia’s sales that impressive that, at her request, you force my husband to get up from his first sleep, climb back into his evening clothes and accompany you and that man-eating slut to the hotel’s nightclub, because she told you she wanted to dance with Adam? What would you call that, Rick? I call it pimping. And you can stop right now. And dancing wasn’t all she wanted do to with Adam, of course. Were you going to force him to sleep with her, too? “Tiia isn’t here, we never have people staying with us in the condo. We value our privacy too highly. I am astonished and appalled that you dared assume you could force her on us. We suggested we book her into the Hilton, and told her we would be incommunicado. When she realized she wouldn’t be staying with Adam and wouldn’t be able to stray into Adam’s bed by accident, she decided to fly on to Palm Beach. So, if you want to inquire from darling Tiia whether your ploy to force her on Adam worked, I’ll save you a call and tell you that it misfired totally.” “Annabel, I assure you, my intentions weren’t in the least…” Rick said anxiously. “Not in the least what, Rick? Importuning? Of the procuring kind? In my opinion, they were. And Rick, don’t bother to telephone here over the weekend, whether on Tiia’s behalf or on actual business. Our telephone will be Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley on answering machine. We’ll check our calls when we feel like it. Goodbye Rick. I had not thought I’d ever have to say this to you, but you disgust me. I’m going to disconnect now.” “Annabel. No. You’ve got entirely the wrong impression. Please, let me talk to Adam.” “No, Rick. And I know this is not of very great importance to you, but for what it’s worth, I shall not be writing for Swanage & DeVilliers any longer. And if Mr. DeVilliers wonders why, I shall tell him exactly why. Goodbye.” Annabel replaced the receiver, turning away from the telephone, to see Adam staring at her, spellbound. “Annabel, you accused Rick of pimping?” “Yes, I did, because that’s exactly what he was doing, on behalf of that helpless little whore. Are her sales that stellar?” “No, they’re about the same as mine, we were comparing notes, and if anything, with my last book I’m slightly ahead of her. Why?” “Because I thought her books must fly off the shelves so quickly that Rick can’t keep printing them fast enough. Otherwise, why would he force you to come to a nightclub after you had gone to bed, so that that predatory slut could dance with you, which, according to the photos in the tabloids looked like vertical sex, incidentally.” “Annabel… Please, let’s not go on any more about those dreadful photos in the tabloids. I was furious when I realized they were taking shots of us.” “I’m sure that little amateur prostitute noticed, and climbed into you all the more avidly.” “Please, Annabel. Never mind all that. You resigned from S & DeV, because Rick was pimping for Tiia? But darling… They’re one of the best publishing houses. Where will you go? You like working with Nigel, you might not like the Editor another publisher assigns to you…” “Adam, it won’t come to that. I’ll tell Nigel exactly what’s happened, and he will go to Philip DeVilliers, who is content to let Rick, that young hotshot, do a lot of minor stuff – but when it comes to losing writers, for cause… Don’t worry. Philip is a little straitlaced. When he hears that Rick has been pimping for that whore, he will be very, very annoyed, to say the least. Also, just possibly, he may decide to remove the cause of all these troubles, Tiia. So, please don’t worry about my resignation from S & DeV, my darling. “And now, could we please stop talking about publishers and start talking about us, Adam?” “If it’s all the same to you, my love, I’d just as soon not talk at all.” Adam held out his arms to Annabel, who fled into his embrace, tears in her eyes. The moment she felt his arms around her, she hid her face against his throat and sobbed. “Honey… Please don’t cry. It breaks my heart when you cry, you know that.” Adam lifted her face to him beginning to kiss her tears away. “Well, my heart has been breaking all week. Every time I saw another photo of you and that man-eating slut... Then, when I said I would fly to New York to be with you the last day of the conference and for the family reunion, Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley you told me not to do anything hasty. So I wondered what was going on that you didn’t want me there.” Annabel was furious with herself. She had been so determined not to cry, not to tell him how unhappy she had been, and now… But it had been such a shock seeing that whore hanging on to Adam’s arm… Hastily, Adam said, “My love, of course I wanted you there. But the last day was crammed with meetings, then there was this boring, endless, final dinner. And Rick had a final, endless, boring post-conference party in his suite. The next day, the meeting in Rick’s office began at eight-thirty. I ask you…” “If I had been there, you could’ve been late,” Annabel whispered. “Yes, in fact I would’ve been very late,” said Adam lovingly. The telephone burred again. Adam went over to check who it was. “Annabel, it’s Nigel. Hadn’t you better take this?” “All right, Adam, if you think so.” She went over to the telephone lifting the receiver, turning it so that Adam could hear, too. “Annabel Tremayne.” “Annabel, I’ve just had a frantic call from Rick, who told me you’ve resigned from the firm, because you misunderstood something he had done. What had Rick done? Neither you nor I have been in touch with him, right? He was doing that poet’s conference that Adam was at. Oh, wait…” “Guessed right, as usual, Nigel. Rick threw a woman poet at Adam. Or rather, at the woman poet’s insistence, he tried to throw Adam at her. He even arranged for her to fly to Ocean Breeze with Adam, telling her confidently that she could stay overnight with Adam and me. I soon disabused her, and she decided to fly on to Palm Beach. “When we got home, Rick called here to speak to Tiia. That’s the woman poet, Tiia Liivaste. I told him she wasn’t here and he could stop pimping for her right now…” Annabel halted, when Nigel gave a shout of delighted laughter. “You told him to stop pimping. Oh, Annabel, you priceless woman, I love it. And then you resigned from the firm? Small wonder he’s worried sick at the thought that Philip DeVilliers might get to hear of it. I’ll make very, very sure that he does. You leave this with me, honey. And don’t take any more calls. I’ll explain to Philip that you two are incommunicado until Monday. Oh, I love it. Bye, honey, best to Adam.” Click. Annabel realized that Nigel, in his excitement, had hung up on her. She turned to Adam, relieved to see that he was grinning at her. “As Nigel said, ‘Annabel, you priceless woman.’ Now come to bed, will you? I’m seriously in need of a nap. I find I can sleep only with you in my arms.” “But Adam, you’re so very tired. I’ve never known you fall asleep in the car. Why don’t you finish your much-needed sleep? Later, when you’re feeling a lot better, we can have a nap together.” His face inscrutable, his dark eyes black as obsidian, his deep voice aloof, “Are you refusing me?” “Oh, no. Adam, darling, of course not. I was only thinking…”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “You’re thinking too much and not feeling nearly enough, my wife. I ask for the last time, are you coming to bed with me?” “Well, of course, if you put it like that…” “There’s no other way to put it, in my opinion. Either you want me, or you don’t. Do you want me?” “Adam, of course I do. You know that.” “No, I didn’t, after what you said about my having a nap by myself. You’re quite sure that you do want me? Because if you don’t, please say so, and I won’t ask again.” “Adam, I love you. Of course I want you, so very much… I’ve missed you so dreadfully. I was so very upset when I saw that bitchy slut hanging onto your arm, when you came off the plane. And I remembered how very tired you had sounded every time you called me, so late at night. That’s the only reason I thought you might like to finish your nap. Because I thought you’d be too tired…” “Too tired for what, Annabel? Too tired to sleep with my wife, whom I haven’t seen in a week? Or is this payback time because Tiia made a play for me?” “No, of course not. You can’t believe I would be so mean. And if you’re sure you aren’t too tired, I’ll be enchanted to lie in your arms, Adam, darling.” “Let’s go have that nap, then,” Adam said, and when she gazed up at him, Annabel saw the sapphire highlights dancing in his midnight-dark eyes again. Once they were in the bedroom, Adam frowned slightly, “I need a shower… Want to share?” Determined not to upset him again, she said hastily, “Love to, Adam,” although she had showered just before going to the airport to pick him up. Seeing his pleased smile, she was glad she had acquiesced so quickly. Adam hurriedly disrobed stuffing everything but his suit into the laundry hamper. All he wanted was a shower with Annabel. Just then, she came into the bathroom, hugged him briefly, stripped and put her clothing into the hamper. “I’ll unpack your suitcase later, and separate your laundry from the stuff for the cleaners’,” she said. Surprised, he hugged her as he turned on the shower. “Honey, there’s no need for you to do that, I will.” “No, you won’t. Let me spoil you a little and do things for you.” “There’s only one thing I want you to do for me right now, and that is…” He found it impossible to continue speaking, when Annabel reached up and pressed her parted lips to Adam’s open mouth. When they had kissed a while, Adam moaned, “Oh, honey, no. I’d so much rather get you quickly into bed…. If we…” “Just as you like,” she whispered, hugging Adam more tightly. “Annabel, please…” he sighed, surrendering to what she made him feel. When they finally left the shower, Annabel said mischievously, “Tired out as you are, you’ll probably need a few hours’ sleep by way of recovery time. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Well, I haven’t been sleeping all that well while you were away, so I guess a nap will do both of us good.” “I wouldn’t be too sure of the recovery time I need, my love,” said Adam, pulling his wife’s hips against his pelvis. She gasped when she felt his burgeoning erection, whispering “Adam… Surely you can’t…?” “Can’t I?” he murmured, sweeping her with him into bed. When he had settled her against him to his satisfaction, he filled his palms with the luscious weight of her breasts bending his head to lick, lave and kiss her nipples. After some time, he lifted his head, whispering hotly against her mouth, “Touch me…” Annabel smiled into his eyes, darker than she had ever seen them. Gently and quickly, she let her hand trail down his sculpted body until she found his penis – his very hard penis –wrapping her fingers partially around his heavy, spectacular length. She lifted her mouth to his, finding his tongue with the tip of her own. Pleased with his sexy moan, she teased and explored a little longer, then began to drift soft kisses along his taut jaw line. “Adam…” she whispered, beginning to kiss his throat, his chest, desire building as she trailed her mouth down his delectable body, the soft cloud of her hair caressing him everywhere her mouth had been moments before. “Annabel…” he sighed, unbelievably turned on by the thought of where her mouth would end up. When she reached his navel, she lavished attention on it, licking and laving its edge, probing with the tip of her tongue, kissing with parted lips. “Honey, please… What you’re doing to me…” he whispered, his pelvis responding hotly to the teasing mouth, the caressing, firmly gripping hand. Moments later, her tongue began to lick the velvet-smooth tip of his huge erection, taking him into her mouth, as her hand slid down his shaft to fondle his sac, caress the two spheres, tautly swollen with his seed. She took him still deeper into her mouth, licking and laving, then sucking. Adam nearly came off the bed, moaning, “Oh God, honey, no more… please, no more. I can’t…. It’s been a whole week… I very nearly…” Hastily, he withdrew from her. “You very nearly what, darling?” she asked, knowing what he would answer. With another sexy moan, he complained, “I nearly spilled my seed in your mouth. You must’ve felt that…” “Was that what you wanted to do, Adam?” A little embarrassed, he turned his head away, groaning, “Yes…” “Well, then, why didn’t you?” A little impatient, he said, “Because I want this to be good for both of us, of course.” “Yes, I realize,” she said softly, bending down beginning to lick and lave his erection again. It seemed to her that it was even heavier than before. To her surprise, he hastily removed her mouth from him. “My love, please. I’ve just managed to get a vestige of control back, but if you…” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Please, Adam, darling, please – now?” she implored. Since her plea coincided exactly with what he most wanted to do, he slipped her beneath him with an easy, accomplished movement, kneeling for a moment between her slim, elegant thighs, touching her most intimate folds and finding her drenched for him. “Annabel, I want you so very much…” he moaned, entering her with one hard, deep thrust. “Adam… oh, you feel so good…” she whispered against his mouth. And that was all they could manage to say to each other, because from then on they could only feel what they made each other feel. Utter, unqualified bliss. He found a familiar rhythm for them, which escalated too soon to a frenetic, even more heated pace. There was nothing he could do to slow them down at all. Adam was relieved to feel the beginnings of contractions deep inside Annabel, causing him to pick up his tempo even more, thrusting faster and ever deeper, until he felt her intimate muscles starting to clench and relax rhythmically around him, ever fiercer, more intense, as she sighed his name. At that moment, he felt the familiar tingle at the base of his spine. An instant later, he spilled into her, flooding her depth with the hot torrent of his seed, emptying himself in gush after unstoppable gush. He felt the transcendent bliss of being tautly surrounded by her as his seed spilled out of him with pulsing force. Adam smiled as he felt again the surpassing rapture he had only ever felt with Annabel. When, at last, he could think again, he wrapped her in his embrace, holding her tightly to him, sighing, “My wife…” Annabel hugged him tightly, whispering, “My lover… my husband…” Deeply content with her in his arms, he sighed luxuriously, unable to say another word. To him, the moment was too perfect as it was, and words were not needed. He wove his long fingers into the luxuriant mass of her blonde hair, gently holding her head against his shoulder, pressing his mouth to her temple. He was not surprised when, a while later, he heard her soft, regular breathing. She had fallen asleep in his arms in her favorite sleeping position – melted into his body. Well pleased, he lowered his long, black lashes, and fell quickly asleep. **** When Adam awoke, it was nearly midnight. By the faint light of the moon, he could see that Annabel was still asleep in his arms. He thought, I hate waking her up, but I’m starving… He bent his dark head to her and softly, gently began to kiss her awake. He was seduced to instant, impassioned desire feeling her lips part for him in her sleep, the moment he kissed her mouth. He allowed his tongue to mate with hers for a few moments, saying softly, “Annabel, it’s midnight… Could you possibly take pity on me and invent something to eat? I’m starving.” Shocked, she startled awake. “Adam, I’m so sorry. I’ll get up right away and cook something.” “No, no, don’t go to any trouble. A sandwich will be fine…” Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Adam, you decided that you’re starving, I’ll decide what to give you to eat,” she said, lightly brushing her mouth over his, before slipping out of his embrace and getting out of bed in one fluid movement. “Where’s my robe? Oh, in the bathroom of course, neither of us bothered with a robe when you were intent on getting me into bed,” she murmured half to herself, but Adam had heard. “You weren’t intent on getting into my bed?” he asked, not entirely joking. She recalled how very upset he had been earlier, when she had suggested he have a nap by himself. Hastily, she said, “You know very well that I wanted you as much as you wanted me. Well, I guess I had better hurry to the kitchen au naturel and start inventing a late supper for us. No, no, Adam, there’s no need for you to get out of bed. You stay there and rest a little more. I could bring you a tray.” “No, thanks, my love. Just tell me when supper’s nearly ready, and I’ll set two places for us on the coffee table. I don’t think I want to eat in the dining room, this late at night.” “As you wish. See you in a bit, then.” She hurried out of the bedroom trying to remember some of the things she had in the refrigerator that would be quickly ready for starving Adam. Ten minutes later, she stuck her head around the bedroom door – and found Adam asleep. She decided, reluctantly, to wake him. “Adam, darling?” she whispered, approaching his side of the bed. Automatically, his arms reached in the direction of her soft voice. “Mmmm…” he moaned softly. “Adam, I’ve got some soup and some of your favorite bread with my pâté ready… Will you come and eat something? Or would you prefer that I bring you a tray in bed?” Lazily, he opened his eyes. “Annabel…” “Of course, Annabel. Did you expect someone else, perhaps?” she murmured against his mouth. Wide awake now, he hugged her tightly, caressing her back with one hand. “You’re the only woman I ever want to find in my bed, you know that,” he said, his tone impassioned. Letting her go, he swung his legs off the bed. “I’ll come,” he said, rising to his feet, hurrying to the bathroom, wrapping a towel around his waist. “Adam, please bring my robe.” “Now why would I do a silly thing like that, and rob myself of the gorgeous view of you sitting naked beside me?” he smiled. But he brought her robe, helping her into it. Their midnight feast was delicious, and Annabel privately decided to keep the Beef Wellington a secret until she served it tomorrow at dinnertime. By then, perhaps, they would have returned to their usual routine of dinner at seven-thirty or eight. Perhaps Adam would have caught up on his sleep. When he declared himself totally replete, Annabel hastily took their plates and cutlery into the kitchen, placing everything in the dishwasher. Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Peripherally aware that Adam was standing at the kitchen entrance, she looked up seeing him patiently holding out his arms to her. “Come back to bed, my love?”

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

Chapter 24. The next morning, Adam thought how utterly blissful their reunion had been, and how easily they had, again, fallen into their usual habit of a morning walk on the beach. Invariably there was a breeze, and the air was still fairly cool. Breakfast, a morning’s writing, a light lunch, then a nap. Life was good, he decided. **** On Monday there was a telephone call from Philip DeVilliers, who advised Adam that he had arrived the evening before, and was staying in a suite at the Hilton. “If it doesn’t inconvenience you and your wife, I would very much like to pay you a brief visit. I particularly want to ask your wife to reconsider her decision to leave Swanage & DeVilliers because of Rick’s unforgivable lapse in the most basic of good manners. And it goes without saying that I hope, very much, that you, yourself, haven’t also decided to leave because working with Rick is no longer possible. The decision would be most understandable, but I would regret it enormously. “Well, Adam? Please tell me when it would be convenient for me to call on you and Annabel.” “Philip, please come have coffee with us, around eleven. I assure you that I had no intention of leaving your firm because of Rick’s importuning…” “I believe your wife called it, more accurately,’ pimping’?” said Philip, a grim little smile evident in his voice. “So she did,” said Adam, sounding a little apologetic. “Your wife showed a writer’s instinctive predilection for exactly the right word. I’ll be very pleased to have coffee with you at eleven. See you then.” They disconnected, and Adam went in search of Annabel. He found her in the laundry room, sorting clothing into loads. “My love, please could you do that a little later? We’ve just had a call from Philip DeVilliers, who asked when it would be convenient for him to come here and try to dissuade you from leaving his firm, so I invited him for coffee at eleven. I hope that doesn’t present you with insurmountable difficulties?” “Of course not, Adam, and I’ll be pleased to reconsider my decision.” **** Coffee with Philip DeVilliers was delightful. Annabel thought privately that she would infinitely prefer to deal with the utterly sophisticated, discreet, cultured Philip than with Rick. Philip was, apparently, sensitive to her mood, because he asked, “I was wondering, Annabel, whether you and Adam would find it difficult to deal with Rick after his importunings on behalf of Tiia Liivaste? Incidentally, as I already told Adam, I think your choice of words was more accurately explicit. In any case, if that should be so, please be assured that I’ll be delighted to have you under my personal aegis. You’ll never have to deal with Rick again, except at future authors’ parties, when he will, of course,

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley be present. I understand from Nigel that you and he enjoy a good working relationship?” “Oh, yes indeed, Philip. And if you’re sure that it wouldn’t present too much of an invasion of your time…after all, I’m only a writer of whodunits, not a literary talent such as the writers you personally deal with. I would so much rather be your writer than Rick’s,” said Annabel, a little awed at Philip’s generous and surely unusual offer. “Adam?” Philip inquired. “It goes without saying that I, too, would infinitely prefer being your poet than having to deal with Rick ever again,” said Adam, his tone a little hesitant. Philip quickly picked up on this. “You’re hesitant?” “Well, yes, I am, as Annabel is, too,” said Adam. “You’re the senior partner, I understand that you handle Adam Stewart, the Nobel Lit. laureate; and Luke MacLean, such a stellar talent. I’m not nearly in their class…” “You’re altogether too modest, Adam,” said Philip complacently. “You’re the most deeply exciting poet of your generation, surely you know that? Being in Adam Stewart’s and Luke MacLean’s company is exactly right for you. That is my professional opinion, not a polite word of flattery because I’m your guest, I assure you.” “Then I accept with gratitude your very generous offer to have me deal with you exclusively. Please allow me to thank you formally for your intuitive understanding of the situation created by Rick’s unusual behavior in New York,” said Adam. “Good,” said Philip. “When I get back to the Hilton, I’ll call my Personal Assistant, the redoubtable Miss Vickers, and have her inform Rick that on my explicit order, he is to stay away from both of you.” “Philip, Adam and I would be delighted if you’d have lunch with us.” Annabel invited shyly. “My dear Annabel – that is most kind of you, but I’m expected at my sister’s. Jane lives in one of the cottages at Ocean Breeze West, do you know it?” “Why yes, I do. I’ve often thought what an inspired idea it was to dot half a dozen cottages on what must be close to twenty acres of unspoiled land. Those tall Georgia pines. Your sister is lucky to live there.” “I think so, too. Of course, she’s a little older than I, and no longer of an age where she would enjoy walking the beach in what amounts, these days, to semi-nudity, what with bathing suits becoming ever-briefer,” said Philip, twinkling at Adam. “For my peace of mind, Annabel very kindly wears one-piece bathing suits on the beach. She realizes that it would upset me dreadfully having total strangers ogling her, mentally removing the few scraps of fabric that constitute today’s bikinis,” said Adam, only half-joking, as Philip was quick to realize. “Ah, my dear Adam, your wife is, of course, a lady. That must be a most reassuring feeling when walking the beach.” “Indeed it is, Philip,” Adam sighed.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley “Well, I must no longer trespass upon your hospitality. I’m sure that you, Annabel, are anxious to check your e-mails from Nigel. And you, Adam, I hope that these new arrangements will give you the peace of mind to start writing poetry again.” “Indeed, you’ve given me that, Philip, and I do thank you,” said Adam. “And no way could you ever ‘trespass’ upon our hospitality, I want you to know that, Philip,” said Annabel. She held out her hand to Philip, who did not shake it, but brought it to his lips. “Good bye for now, my dear Annabel.” Adam accompanied Philip to the front door and said a most cordial goodbye. When he returned to the living room, he smiled. “All’s well that ends well.” “Ah, borrowing from Shakespeare now, I notice. But you’re quite right. That describes the situation exactly,” Annabel teased. She went on, “Adam, could you come here a moment? I need a hug…” He hurried over to her. “My love, I thought you’d never ask,” he murmured.

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Epilogue Annabel’s book came out later that year to more rapturous reviews than she had ever received before. When she told Adam that this was due to his suggestions for a subtler plot, he modestly waved her praises away. Working under the aegis of Philip DeVilliers had a salutary effect on Adam’s poetry. His latest book of poems was ready for publishing much faster than he had thought possible in the days when he had had to cope with – and often fend off – Rick Swanage’s overenthusiastic interferences. A few months later, at the next Authors’ party, Annabel and Adam met Rick, and were glad they could be pleasantly polite, and leave it at that. Tiia Liivaste, clinging to Rick’s arm to Rick’s evident delight, said a frosty ‘hello’ to them, throwing Adam a melting look, which was wasted, because only Annabel noticed it. **** When they were home again, Adam felt sure he was right in noticing that Annabel seemed to find it difficult to work as hard on her new book as she usually did. “Is something bothering you, my darling?” “Not ‘bothering’ exactly, Adam. But yes, there’s something…” “Well? Tell me?” “Adam, I don’t know how you’ll feel about this. I think I must’ve been more upset than I thought about Tiia – that’s the only reason I can think of to explain why the Pill didn’t work…” “The Pill? Annabel… My love, are you telling me what I think… what I hope you’re telling me?” “You’re hoping I’ll tell you that I’m pregnant with our child?” she asked tremulously. “Adam, are you saying that you want me to have your child?” “Of course that’s what I’m felling you. I’ve been wondering how to ask you if you would be ready to throw your Pills away. But then you seemed not to be in the best of health, you picked at your food, you were so often so very tired. Were they early signs of your pregnancy?” “Yes, they were. Are you sure you’re happy about this?” “I’m ecstatic, my love, surely you know that,” he whispered against her mouth. **** Six months later, after a surprisingly short labor for a first child, Annabel gave Adam a son, Alexander Philip, named for his grandfather and for Philip DeVilliers, who was delighted to be baby Alex’s godfather. The christening was, indeed, a family reunion. John and Lynn Arbuthnot flew from Phoenix with Jordan and Didi, and their three-month-old daughter, Ooljéé’ Nizhóní, which means ‘Beautiful Moon’ – but Jordan quickly told his sister that his daughter was called Nini by the family.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Adam’s father came from Glens Falls declaring himself enchanted with his grandson, who resembled his handsome father so closely. Alex and Lisa Tremayne arrived from New York to see their second cousin, who seemed more like a nephew to them. Philip DeVilliers arrived from Long Island, where he lived in some grandeur. He was so loaded with gifts for his godson that Adam privately remarked to his wife that it was as well Philip had his own plane, or he would have had to pay a fortune in freight on a commercial airliner. At Adam’s invitation, Philip brought his sister, Miss Jane DeVilliers, to the christening. She was delighted to meet her favorite poet and his wife, and was enchanted by their baby son. **** Later that night, when they were in bed, with Annabel snuggled in her preferred position, melted into Adam, he sighed, “If you’re content for us to have just this one child, our son, we can stay here in the condo. But my darling, if you want a daughter as well, we’ll have to start thinking about moving. There are only two guest suites in these condos. One is your library; the other is our son’s nursery. So, my darling, what do you think?” Not quite sure whether Adam was serious or not, Annabel gave his question some thought. “What would you like, Adam?” “I asked you first,” he countered. Annabel thought awhile. “Then, if it’s all right with you, I think I’d like to leave it at this, just our son. But is that all right with you, Adam?” she asked uneasily. Relieved, he hugged her closely. “My love, particularly the last month – six weeks – of your pregnancy were such a great worry to me. As time went on, I came to realize there was a possibility that things might not go so well for you... You asked me several times why I wasn’t going to my library to write. My darling, I couldn’t. I was consumed with anxiety for you, for the ordeal that awaited you. Annabel, I couldn’t bear to go through all that a second time. If you’d be content with us having just this one wonderful child, our son, then I’ll be ecstatic.” She said softly, “Adam, that’s what I want, too. For us to have just this one wonderful child… Alex, our son, as you said. You said you were ecstatic? Could you show me what you meant by that?” “Gladly,” he murmured. “Come here, my love…”

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About the Author: Kate Hofman Born in The Netherlands, I lived in London, England, till I was eighteen. BFA – Art History, Major. Interior Design, Minor. Moved to Montreal, Canada. (I figured I might as well be paid for being fluent in French). Married Arnold Hofman, a truly fabulous man. Owned and operated an art gallery for twelve years. Widowed ten years ago by Arnold's untimely death. Nina Bruhns urged me to write. I did as I was told, and in the next 4½ years I wrote two dozen books. I figured that’s what it would take to learn to write. And I was wrong! But Rose Brungard took pity on me and gave unstintingly of her own expertise, sending long explanatory e-mails, which helped me a lot. I also owe my grateful thanks to Thea Devine, who taught me to play “What If” when the writer wonders where to take the story next. And more recently, I have been given generous help, advice, and encouragement by Jennifer Mueller, whose books I love. She also designed the cover art for my books with Romance At Heart.

About the Poet: Emma Keatley I very much like to read and discovering new and upcoming authors when they are first published so I can spread the word about them to as many people as I can................ just one of my passions. I hail from London and come from a big noisy and very loving Irish family. I love to laugh and enjoy going out with like-minded people. I enjoy the cinema, most music and "trying" to cook, going to the theatre. My dream of actually seeing some of my work being published is overwhelming and I deeply grateful for the chance I have been given............

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Adam Tremayne’s

A Sensual Seduction

*Poetry by Emma Keatley ©Copyright 2007 by Romance at Heart Publications E-Novels Edited by Kate Hofman & Emma Keatley Cover Art by Rose Brungard Publication by Romance at Heart ©2007 http://rahpubs.com/

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Poetry Copyright © 2007 by Emma Keatley Cover art by Rose Brungard Edited by Kate Hofman & Emma Keatley First published by: Romance At Heart Publications http://rahpubs.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Romance At Heart Publications, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. Romance At Heart Publications First Electronic Edition By Romance At Heart Publications: December 2007

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How this came about… Adam sat in his office working on his poetry, his head back, eyes closed deep in thought. His lips moving, words softly spoken as if tasting them for the first time, sentences forming and a picture emerging in his mind........... "How hot your kissing becomes, Your bodies trembling and shaking, A furnace has been lit, Fanning the flames of both your desires." Adam liked the way the words sounded, like the picture forming in his mind. "And all this from the "FINE ART OF KISSING"......... Now, open your eyes................ You’re smiling aren’t you? Being kissed and kissing is a glorious thing........... so go out and find THE MAN / WOMAN you pictured, and let your lips bring you joy, love, and a very fine time, too!" Liking this scene Adam wrote it down and decided he now needed a title for this new work.

The Two of Them – Us …Lovers By Adam Tremayne Welcome, the rest is inside…

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Dedication: To CJ England & Pat Sager, These two ladies were my first audience, it was with their love, encouragement & support that I started to write and share my Poetry & Odes, they are my biggest fans, my dearest friends, my reason for writing...............Thank You ladies. Emma Keatley

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Feelings by Adam Tremayne I look at you from afar, worship your body with my mind, the room is full of others tis only you i see, your smile is glorious your voice delicious your eyes sparkle with laughter. When you turn and look at me do you see me at all i wonder? can you tell that i adore you so? you inflame me, ensnare me, luring me ever closer into your web. Feeling the way i do makes me a man amongst men, i am forever in your web, though the difference is i am not here to die, i'm here to live with you and only you. You, my love, have unleashed the beast as well as the man, my feelings for you will run hot, deep, wild, sometimes primitive, yet never cloying, never obsessive, these will be my feelings for you, yesterday, today, tomorrow into infinity

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Senses of Love by Adam Tremayne Seeing To be able to see you smile, to see you lose yourself in our lovemaking, seeing your eyes go blind in pure Ecstasy when you climax from our joining, seeing the different expressions on your face, happiness, sadness, the sheer love of life you have................that is what i can see.

Hearing To hear you saying my name, with that hitch in your voice, is sensational, to hear you sigh in contentment, to scream in passion to hear your every word................that is what i can hear.

Smelling To smell my scent upon your body, to smell the perfume that you wear, to smell the fragrant shampoo you use to wash your hair, to smell the very passion that you give only to me.................that is what i can smell.

Tasting To taste your very essence is so Divine, to taste your rising excitement is arousal itself, to taste your tongue dueling with mine, to taste your skin, your whole body...................that is what i can taste.

Touching To touch you from head to toe, with my fingers, hands, tongue, lips, mouth and my whole body,

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley to caress your back, stroke your arm, run my fingers thru’ your hair...........................that is what i can touch.

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A Lover's Embrace by Adam Tremayne Looking at the lovers, It's hard to tell where one body begins and the other finishes. Locked in an eternal embrace, Bodies, arms, hands, legs, feet entwine in love’s most splendid duel. Her head thrown back in ecstasy, His mouth devouring her throat. Bodies shine and glisten, Sounds of bodies slapping together riding the very vortex of orgasm Frantic touching, tasting and mating. Who can not be moved by this vision of beauty? Would you not give your very life to have but a minute of what they share? A lover's embrace, locked together in carnal bliss, Is this not what we aspire to, but so few actually lay claim to?

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A Man Completed by His Woman by Adam Tremayne Tonight we are to become one What i wonder will please you, my love? Candles and a roaring fire and the sound of a soulful sax playing in the background. Tonight i will be a man completed by his other half I have waited til forever, and now the time has come To touch To taste To hold you To caress you Our lips, hands and fingers will learn each other’s bodies Our likes, dislikes, our very own desires. Where to start? Our lips gently touching and tasting for the first time. A finger trailing down your body, watching your eyes dilate and widen. A slow sweep of my hands down your back Barely touching your skin. Licking the tip of my fingertip and slowly rubbing your nipple. Every breath you take Every sigh you make Every moan and twist your body makes is amazingly beautiful...

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My Woman's Seduction By Adam Tremayne the night is dark, the wind is blowing, her dark blue-black hair sways gently into the night, her lover is all around her, and she is unaware, she feels her skin tighten and goose-bumps break out all over her body, silently she shakes and trembles, her body is surrounded by an invisible mist, it's caressing her so gently, her back starts to bow, and long sighs begin to escape from her lips, she is held enthralled, unable and just as unwilling to break from its bonds, her nipples pebble, unbelievably she feels hands and lips upon her body, no-one is there, she looks and doesn't care, she is caught in his silken web, and will accept him and no other, all her life she has waited to give herself to a special man, she can't see him yet, but knows he's found, she is willing to take the plunge, come show yourself, she whispers in her mind, and there he is, as dark as the night, a man, an animal, at one with the beauty of darkness,

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Wet, Hot & Hungry" by Adam Tremayne do you see me ................ I'm waiting for you ................ thinking of you made me soooooooooo hot i needed to coooooooooooooooool down ................ steam arising and temperature soaring ................ come and cool me down ................ and heat me up again ................ do you like to play with water ................ Oh yeah…you dooooooooooooo ................

so come on baby and let’s rock ................ i need your help with my zipper ................ your small fingers and nimble hands will do the trick ................ help me peel them away from my hot skin ................ i feel i will explode anytime soon ................ and i want to be there with you ................ come on down and play a while ................ waterfalls are soooooooooooooo much fun ................ and showers are there for gymnasts and sauna are for fun...

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley ................ let us sate our hunger together ................ and frolic in water and the day has just begun................

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Velvet Seduction By Adam Tremayne A cell phone in hand, a time and a place to be confirmed, the game will begin as soon as he rings, what will be the game today, she wonders to herself, there is such magic in his voice, like centuries old whiskey sliding down your throat, when he whispers, it gives her goose-bumps, when he laughs, it ripples throught her body, when he talks, her nerve endings tingle, when he sings in that low and sexy voice, she immediately thinks of roses, chocolate and a bed and scarves, not necessarily in that order, the games they play, are naughty, but soooooooooooo nice, not dirty, but delightful, she feels sorry for the women, whose men don't take the time to play........ Ohhhhhhhhh already she is feeling so hot, her man is about to ring and her body is about to sing........ Oh be still my eyes and let me feast upon my favourite colour, Today i will go for a deep purple, tomorrow it will be lighter, the day after who knows, i certainly don't! Purple is such a mysterious colour, Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley good, bad but never indifferent........ sexy, savvy, sassy and bold, ripe and wanting, so much better than gold........ Touching the void, tipping the scales, super-nova is what purple calls. Pulling you this way and then that, hot and seductive, never plain or dross. Let the colour fill your senses, it's never dull and certainly relentless, Come to me Come to me, Fill me up and never let me fall........ THE COLOUR PURPLE CERTAINLY HAS IT ALL........

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from ole London Town By Adam Tremayne Oh how i look at him, the words pour into my mind, i will write a thousand and one words about him, well maybe more, i see him and think of sensual scenes, all hot and bothered am i, i wish, i wish , i could meet him face-to-face, but it's not gonna happen any time soon........... so i will dream, and words will flow, magic in all it's glory i will write........... if he does this for little ole me, i wonder what he'll do for little ole you!!!!!!!!!!!!

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"I SEE HIM STANDING OVER THERE" By Adam Tremayne WHEN I FIRST SAW HIM, i thought to myself........Oh yeah, he was standing over there, slightly in the shadows, he looked dark and mysterious, i was immediately drawn, i was hooked, he was the lure, he spoke to no-one, i watched and waited, many "ladies" tried to catch his eye, he was charming and polite, and didn't take the bait, he held himself almost totally aloof from every-one, and just like that, i wanted, all i could see was cowboy boots, faded jeans and a white t-shirt, a stetson riding low over his brow, his face was half turned to the light, i could see some stubble and a strong jaw, he was leaning against the wall, one leg casually crossed over the other, one arm behind his back out of sight, the other holding a slim cigar by his side, his very presence was pulling at me, my head was screaming danger!!!!!! my heart was telling me to walk over to him, so i did, when i reached him, i stopped and stared, no words would form,

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley so i reached out my hand, i waited and he looked me in the eye, and took a hold of my hand, standing up close and personal, i asked his name, "Lucas," he said, and yours? "Cally," i replied, shaking with nerves, Don't be afraid," he said, "I won't do anything you don't like," and just like that, i lost myself and said, "Take me, I’m yours" "I've been waiting for you, little lady, to make your mind up all night, it was you and no other, but you had to ask," he said. "Why?" i asked "Cos I'm the Devil, and pleasure is my game, and all you have to do is ask........ so Cally do you ask?" "Yes!" no hesitation no games, no coyness........ so the night begins here........ and takes you where ever you will allow yourself to go........

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Midnight Lovers" By Adam Tremayne Watching the waves, lapping gently along the shore, The Lovers, spoke quietly, Love words, Gentle words, Words of longing and joy, Words of promises and plans. These Midnight Lovers were in fact forbidden Lovers, In secret they meet and plan Living for stolen moments of "togetherness", Building dreams for tomorrow. Waiting and watching, Wondering when their time will come. Bodies buried deep into one another, No beginning, No end, Red hot kisses, Body slapping against body. Not enough time to pay their love the homage it demands, waiting, Planning, Dreaming, Clock-watching Days, nights, weeks and months, Ever nearer their time. Will it ever come? Fate would surely not be so unkind to them after all this time, And still the waves lap upon the beach, Lovers speak quietly and plan and dream. Midnight Lovers........are you them?

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Summer Loving By Adam Tremayne The day is hot, the sun is high in the sky, temperatures soar, heartbeats rocket, bodies touching, lips locked in passionate kissing, sweat tricking down their skin. Hunger and lust being slaked, as the sun beats down, the couple is entwined in love’s embrace, the gods smile, fates are destined to be kind to the Lovers. They cannot get enough of each other, They want to be close and closer still, Bodies pumping with explosive results, Where does one begin and the other end? No part of the body is left untouched, Un-kissed, Licked, Slightly bitten, Sucked, Aroused beyond reason, This is as good as it gets, Burning intensity, Unbridled passion, Nothing forbidden, Pleasure, Pain, "the little death" Fulfillment of every known desire, The long hot summer of loving has just begun........are you ready?

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'SUMMER TIME BLUES' By Adam Tremayne The radio is playing some sexy sax, notes wailing and hanging on high, the day is hot and ice is the order of the day, fans try desperately to keep the temperature down, it's not happening because we are around, we give each other the 'look', we give each other the 'are you ready for some loving?’ signal. We meet across a crowded room, brazenly, daringly, wantonly, we see no else at all, each other is what we want, into each other’s arms we fall, we move our bodies to the sound of the sax, long, bluesy, hot, it's the music to fill our souls. Our arms are wrapped around one another, Mine hands slowly move down her body, slowly, sensuously, intent on only bringing each other pleasure, her head is ever so slightly thrown back giving me access to her throat. All the while the music plays almost willing us on, not a drop of air can be found, so hot are we that it's almost impossible to move any more. I look down at her and the time has come to make our move, we walk towards the door, down the hall into a bedroom, lock the door, divest each other of our clothes, kissing, nibbling, biting, moaning,

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley arms and legs entwined, I lift her up and she wraps her legs around me........ Up against the wall i hold her, she digs her heels into my butt, i slide into her waiting heat, she screams and then bites on my neck, i pump fast and furious into her gloriously responsive body, she kisses and sucks on my neck, her arms moving up and down my back, her nails are scoring my skin, the 'pleasure- pain'........ SUMMER TIME BLUES........our loving begins........

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SOMETIMES MURPHY WINS By Adam Tremayne Take 1 We have all heard of "Murphy's Law", we hate it, we curse it, we wish it upon others, But "Murphy" takes no prisoners, makes no exception, treats us all accordingly, Who is "Murphy" you ask, Why, he is the man other men aspire to, the man the women want to snare, he is wily, and devil may care, men are envious, and women jealous, he is hated, and fated, whispered about, and fought about, untamable, sometimes unlikable, it just adds to his mystique and fork-law, if you gave him to us, we would stumble and fall, no, let us see him from afar, wishing and wondering and dreading his return........

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dark desert by Adam Tremayne You can see the Wolf by moonlight, so strong, so cunning, so smart, so brave, look at him........ do you see him........ or do you fear him? His eyes are beautiful, dark, mysterious, luminous, dangerous, hypnotic........ and sometimes wild........ His coat shines and gleams in the dark, soft, luxurious, sensuous, thick your hands just itch to stroke it........ He is a dying breed here in the Desert, hunted by man, hated by man, misunderstood by man, feared by man revered by the the true creatures of the Desert........ His body is sheer poetry in motion when he runs, graceful, fast, sleek, deathly, His mate is his equal........ his heart........ his reason for being, Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley take him on at your own risk, no rules, no hesitation, a true killing machine........ and this is his play ground........ Do you dare?

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The Two of Them – Us …Lovers by Adam Tremayne Well, first there is the Man himself. Close your eyes and picture his face, Work your way down, Brow, Eyes, Nose, Cheeks, Mouth, Chin, Jaw...................... Now back up slowly and zoom in on his mouth........ Are his lips closed? Are his lips slightly parted? Would you like to lick those lips? Now picture the following...... You gently take his head in your hands, Tilt his head down towards you, Gently blow along his lips, Then allow your tongue to lick his lower lip, Gently bite down and nibble his lower lip, Then suck it slowly into your mouth. Now you have his full and undivided attention............STOP, Look up into his eyes, Are they smoldering, Dilating, Darkening? Now his eyes are questioning........... Question now is do you stop or carry on? Well, like all good things in life, you carry on....... So back to his lips, Take your time and place your lips upon his, Romance At Heart Publications

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Let them settle, Can you taste him yet? Move lips slowly and place small, long kisses along his mouth, Take all the time you need, Make sure to get the corners of his mouth, Can you feel his mouth moving................hmm......... Now, place your lips on the centre of his mouth Kiss him long and leisurely, Worry his lips just a little, allowing them to part. Place your tongue upon the entrance and hover, Open your mouth over his and let your tongue travel inside. Now, begin to duel with his tongue, Sucking gently, Flirt and play, Get to know each other. How hot your kissing becomes, Your bodies trembling and shaking, A furnace has been lit, Fanning the flames of both your desires............ And all this from the "FINE ART OF KISSING"......... Now, open your eyes................ You’re smiling aren’t you? Being kissed and kissing is a glorious thing........... so go out and find THE MAN / WOMAN you pictured, and let your lips bring you joy, love, and a very fine time, too!

Well, first there is the Woman herself. Close your eyes and picture her face, Work your way down, Brow, Eyes, Nose, Cheeks, Mouth, Chin, Jaw......................

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Now back up slowly and zoom in on her mouth........ Are her lips closed? Are her lips slightly parted? Would you like to lick those lips? Now picture the following...... You gently take her head in your hands, Tilt her head up towards you, Gently blow along her lips, Then allow your tongue to lick her lower lip, Gently bite down and nibble her lower lip, Then suck it slowly into your mouth. Now you have her full and undivided attention............STOP, Look down into her eyes, Are they smoldering, Dilating, Darkening? Now her eyes are questioning........... Question now is do you stop or carry on? Well, like all good things in life, you carry on....... So back to her lips, Take your time and place your lips upon hers, Let them settle, Can you taste her yet? Move lips slowly and place small, long kisses along her mouth, Take all the time you need, Make sure to get the corners of her mouth, Can you feel her mouth moving................hmm......... Now, place your lips on the centre of her mouth. Kiss her long and leisurely, Worry her lips just a little, allowing them to part. Place your tongue upon the entrance and hover, Open your mouth over his and let your tongue travel inside. Now, begin to duel with her tongue, Sucking gently,

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Flirt and play, Get to know each other. How hot your kissing becomes, Your bodies trembling and shaking, A furnace has been lit, Fanning the flames of both your desires............ And all this from the "FINE ART OF KISSING"......... Now, open your eyes................ You’re smiling aren’t you? Being kissed and kissing is a glorious thing........... so go out and find THE MAN / WOMAN you pictured, and let your lips bring you joy, love, and a very fine time, too!

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

WHAT IS SHE? Part 1, The Saga by Adam Tremayne I watched and i wondered just how many emotions "she" had............ there was serenity there was rage there was life there was death there was light there was darkness there was peace there was danger there was tranquility there was so many things, never ending and so precious, frightening and hypnotic, enticing and inviting, unknown and fascinating, always there, mysterious, adventurous, uncharted and unexplored, luring, calling, bringing with it anticipation, expectation, hunger, knowledge and wonder, awe and plunder, respect and admiration, loved, hated and fated, sacrificed and tantalized, worshipped and feared, ridden and never mastered, wild, untamed and un-nameable, unstop-able, unmovable, she takes you in............... but never really lets you go............

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley who is "she" what is "she" where is "she" well can you guess, or do you already know? "she" is of course the SEA..........................

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

AND WHAT IS SHE? Part 2, The Saga By Adam Tremayne She can be gentle or brutal, wild and almost non-existent, beguiling and definitely lively, slow and fast hard and soft so near and yet so far can be the giver of life and the bringer of death furious in her wrath beautiful in her grace she skips into our lives bringing destruction on a vast scale you never really know where she will strike she has no awareness of good or bad she treats us equally we are no match for her she is Divine a Goddess we have no control over her we fear her we can sometimes feel her and not always hear her she can surround us bring us joy or great pain she is not always a lady... what is she? where is she? can you guess? she is everywhere and nowhere...

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley she is of course the WIND never to be taken lightly, never to be ignored, mother nature is her mother stand back and watch in awe...

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

AND WHAT IS SHE? Part 3, The Saga

By Adam Tremayne Looking around I saw destruction on an epic scale, no-one and nothing had been spared, I wanted to weep and wail, scream and roar with the unfairness of it all. Why now and not before? Why these innocent people, this community. Only hours ago the children had been out playing, the parents watching and laughing at their antics. Laughter had been the order of the day, the sun shone brightly and no cloud of grey was to be seen. The women had been baking for days, the men had watched them doing so, their mouths watering and salivating with the aromas of spices in the air. Soon they would all gather in the town square, the bunting was up, the tables and chairs set out, the small band was practising the new tunes they were going to play. The children were excited and talking ten-to-the-dozen. The women were dressed in their best finery and the men were wearing suits. The elders of the town would be seated in the places of honour as befitting their age. The town’s founder families were also seated in these places. Next there would be the Mayor and the Council-Men with their families. Then the rest of the town's people would sit and gossip. It was after all a happy occasion................the town’s 150th birthday. They had built a tight knit community, they were proud of their town, very little crime, welcomed new people with open arms. They looked after their community and were always ready to help their neighbours. They had built up a good infrastructure,

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley business was good, from March to October they welcomed holiday-makers, sight-seers. They sold their fruit and vegetables at the weekly market, people for three hundred miles would come and buy or sell their wares as well. The local Café and Diner would employ the local high school and college kids and mothers would work there as well. The three coffee shops were always full, home made bread, cakes, cookies, jams would fly off the shelves. The local church held coffee mornings and crèches to look after the small children when the crops were being brought in from the fields. Al-fresco picnics, swimming in the local river and singing all summer long. The church was always packed on Sundays, after the service the congregation often socialised after the long hours of the week in the fields. This was the time of Plenty. People made a fine living then. they would stock up and prepare for when the area they lived in would be virtually cut off from December to February. The Winter was long and hard, snow and blizzards the order of the day. Visitors would be far and few between. So it was with great anticipation that the town's 150th birthday had been planned. Then suddenly, when all the town's folk and visitors from far and wide were gathered in the Square, a freak gust of wind came down and savaged the town. It was all over in seconds, but during that time it was chaos and bedlam, screaming and shouting, fright and fear, terror in a town that had never known terror before. People scattered to the protection of buildings and cars, huddled together, praying for their loved ones. And just like that it was over. A hush came... the "Quiet after the Storm". The town was awash with debris, tables and chairs scattered everywhere, food, crockery, glasses smashed. You could hear people calling and crying for their loved ones.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Slowly and surely the people came out of their shelters. Looking around and seeing no-one was seriously hurt, the town's people did what they did best. They cleared the square, some of the women made coffee and looked after the well-being of the people that had been hurt. Children were taken to the church and given love and comfort. The older children and some of the adults got the children into groups to distract them, giving toys to play with, or jobs to do. Within a couple of hours the worst of the destruction had been cleared away. Now they all gathered at the church and gave thanks, they had been so lucky, no-one dead, and all that had been broken and destroyed, would over time be replaced. The very next day the town's people gathered in the square again... Yes, they held their party again. Yesterday would never be forgotten. Today they would pick up the pieces. Tomorrow they would always look forward to. A small town with the heart of a lion, the determination of the people, a will of iron, had stood and faced and overcome.

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley

"YOU LIKE IT.............YOU WANT IT"

By Adam Tremayne you see the man standing there.......... proud and furious.......... he's being sold as a love slave.......... the women mill around him.......... staring.......... touching.......... he will not bend.......... he will survive.......... the woman who buys him will become the slave and he the master.......... he sees a young woman.......... looking at him.......... really looking.......... it is plain to see she does not like what she "SEES".......... he tosses his head.......... in a challenge to her.......... she blushes but does not look away.......... that was the "LOOK".......... it suckered him and took him in.......... now she smiles.......... really smiles.......... she's going to buy him.......... he is furious and helpless too.......... she has him.......... this is her round.......... he knows the battle is lost.......... and the war has begun.......... so bring it on my mistress.......... for now i am your slave.......... but shortly we will see who is the victor.......... and who is the prisoner of desire.......... watch out my beautiful one..........

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley and let the games begin.......... Until Death Do We Part....... we are together now....... and together we shall stay....... we stand here free at last to be as one....... no more hiding....... no more lying....... it was our fate to come together....... many tried, but ultimately failed in their quest to keep us separated....... finally, just when it looked like all was truly lost....... the Gods decided to step in....... it all changed then....... we shall give thanks....... and pay them homage....... they saw the injustices we suffered and endured....... the pain....... the blood we spilt....... they have given to us a chance....... we shall heal each other....... with love....... and our tears will mingle together and cleanse our souls....... we can touch and caress each other....... let our tongues mate and duel....... unite and give total pleasure....... we will stand under the waterfall....... naked....... bare....... and free....... we will make love....... slow....... deep....... and forever....... fast....... quick....... and hard....... it will take forever to learn our bodies....... our needs....... our wants....... time now has no meaning to us because it's ours....... Until Death Do We Part....... but eternity will keep us together....... as the Gods will it and so shall it be.......

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley look at him....... he's mine....... together we played the afternoon away....... i call him my "DELIGHT"....... my afternoon delight today....... his skin is beautiful to touch and taste....... and the smell of him is incredible....... you know....... male and essence of male and of course essence of me....... us....... look at the sheets....... all rumpled and crinkled....... he's resting now....... tonight we will play some more....... just knowing that we'll enjoy more time together is soooooooooo sexy....... a turn on....... sooooooooooo hot....... and he's mine....... are you jealous? i know i would be....... he does not stray....... yes he looks....... but never touches....... now that is such a rush....... it's me and only me that rocks his world....... as he does mine....... does he rock yours? Ice fairly dripped from her voice, Fire burned from his eyes No ground to be ceded, Not an inch given Locked in a combat where winner takes all Sparks and energy vibrate at will Dancing around each other, Words bitter from her and honeyed from him

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A SENSUAL SEDUCTION - Adam Tremayne’s Story and Poetry Novel by Kate Hofman with Poetry by Emma Keatley Sexual need and tension taut Her chest heavy, his groin aching A light touch here and a caress there, Is she weakening, does she dare? He is lightening, all fire and flames, She is no longer frozen but melting He needs to master her and mate She needs someone to love not hate The licking of flames are drawing her near, He wants her to come to him of her own free will He is not as un-affected as it seems, Hunger is clawing at him, his blood boils Only she will do and no other, Now, who is the winner, the victor Coiled tightly and body aching, Finally, finally he makes his move Wrapped tightly around each other, They mate in a sexual frenzy After the last gasp, They lie naked in each others arms Never sated, their time together just begins "Who won?" you ask, "Why, they both did," i reply If you listen carefully you can hear their cries, Their sighs, their screams of release The next generation will be strong, fearless and bold, Just look at their parents, this story is told!

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