"I keep fucking up. It's what I do. Maybe you never should've told me you love me, 'cuz obviously I'm just fucking that up, too."The still calm of his...position in the worn chair didn't begin to convey the flash in his mind of bolting to his feet and whipping his drink, seeing her jump in fear as a glittering shower of broken glass shattered whatever thread remained between them. The stronger part of him wanted to touch her, hold her like the pieces of something rare and priceless and broken and. .. sleep well?" Yeah ... I did, thanks. You?" Okay, I guess," she said, noncommittally. "We got into some heavy stuff last night. I think that was on my mind." Sorry to hear that. Didn't mean to drop that on you." I know. But ... I'm glad you told me. No one else needs to know ... but I did. Thanks." Sure. You want to use the shower?" Yeah, thanks," she said, squeezing out of the narrow galley and into the lounge.Tom could see the outline of her clearly naked body through the thin material of. It was the place to buy or sell anything worth having and I never missed an auction ... and Sir Adrian knew it. Buying or selling goods of doubtful provenance from Brenner Alley was no crime, but this suggested more knowledge of my business activities than I ever wanted any governmental official to have!Fuck ... he had me already by the short hairs and I didn't even know what he wanted from me! He was acting as if he wished to be helpful, but still he was yanking my chain at every opportunity!. In fact I lured her in with a bottle of red I got from acorner shop and a promise of pizza. To be honest she didn't take muchpersuasion and while I poured wine I let her order the food, happy tohave her filling the impersonal flat with her bright chatter, welcomingthe distraction from the prospect of facing Melissa.So we sat on the living room sofa, feet on the coffee table, scoffingpizza, sipping wine and trying to find something worth watching."Do I have to like chick-flicks now?" Christ, no!.