Incest is incredible.” I hooked Natasha's arm and pulled her close to me. “Look at them. That's my paralegal, Cheryl. You've met her.”“Vaguely...” Natasha said. “A few years ago. She was married to that handsome man. The one who looked like a construction worker but was suave. I swear he was hitting on me with his wife on his arm.”“That's her,” I said. “He passed away a few years ago. His son is a lot like him. He knows how to take a woman and make her feel great.”“Yes, yes, suck on Mommy's. The big test as to whether a woman is a princess or not is whether she drinks beers, and Eliya lapped 'em up. I wasn't coming on to her or anything and we just talked about her studies, Spain, her travels and all the rest of it. We got home, had coffee and a cognac then decided it was time to turn in.I had my shower and then headed back out to the lounge in my boxers to turn on the alarm system. As I passed her room, she stopped with me with a 'Hey!' I ducked my head in. She was propped up in. Um, wound up, you know?—and like I get really annoyed when I can’t figure out something. Like a burning anger, I guess. And I can’t concentrate when I feel like that.”“Hmmm ... that sounds like it could be one of the pills’ bad side effects. I’ll look into that tomorrow. Maybe your dose is too high. When you think of being in classes with naked people, how do you feel about that now?”Tom sat and thought for a dozen seconds. “Ugh. What it is—dread, I think. Yeah. Danger. Darkness. Blackness just. So much for 'smart casual' I thought, glad that I'd worn my best suit and a new silk tie. Vanessa smiled nervously, feeling very much on display."Paul, get them some drinks," Mary told him. "I'm just going to check on dinner." What can I get you? Vanessa?" A white wine please, Sir Paul." Paul," he corrected. "I hate this Sir Paul thing. So formal. We have a nice chilled Sancerre."Vanessa flinched at the mention of the word, bringing back the fading memories of Donald. "That'll be fine, Paul.".