The Art of Deception

easily to her as every other emotion. “Your father and I had a long talk before I drove up here.”
    “Did you?” She gave her attention to a bowl of dried flowers. “How nice.”
    “He’s given me his word he’ll no longer…emulate paintings.”
    With her back to him, she smiled. The pain vanished without her realizing it, and with it, the doubts. They loved. There was so little else in life. Still smiling, Kirby decided she wouldn’t tell Adam of her father’s ambition with sculpting. Not just yet. “I’m glad you convinced him,” she said with her tongue in her cheek.
    “He decided to concede the point to me, since I’m going to be a member of the family.”
    With a flutter of her lashes, she turned. “How lovely. Is Papa adopting you?”
    “That wasn’t precisely the relationship we discussed.” Crossing to her, he took her into his arms again. This time he felt the give and the strength. “Tell me again that you don’t love me.”
    “I don’t love you,” she murmured, and pulled his mouth to hers. “I don’t want you to hold me.” Her arms wound around his neck. “I don’t want you to kiss me again. Now.” Her lips clung to his, opening, giving. As the heat built, he groaned and drew her in.
    “Obstinate, aren’t you?” he muttered.
    “Invariably.”
    “But are you going to marry me?”
    “On my terms.”

    When her head tilted back, he ran kisses up the length of her throat. “Which are?”
    “I may come easy, but I don’t come free.”
    “What do you want, a marriage settlement?” On a half laugh, he drew away. She was his, whoever, whatever she was. He’d never let her go again. “Can’t you think of anything but money?”
    “I’m fond of money—and we still have to discuss my sitting fee. However…” She drew a deep breath. “My terms for marriage are four children.”
    “Four?” Even knowing Kirby, he’d been caught off guard. “Four children?”
    She moistened her lips but her voice was strong. “I’m firm on that number, Adam. The point’s non-negotiable.” Then her eyes were young and full of needs. “I want children. Your children.”
    Every time he thought he loved her completely, he found he could love her more. Still more. “Four,” he repeated with a slow nod. “Any preference to gender?”
    The breath she’d been holding came out on a laugh. No, she hadn’t been wrong. They loved. There was very little else. “I’m flexible, though a mix of some sort would be nice.” She tossed her head back and smiled up at him. “What do you think?”
    He swept her into his arms then headed for the stairs. “I think we’d better get started.”

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    Taming Natasha
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    Unfinished Business
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ISBN: 978-1-4592-7530-0
    The Art of Deception
    Copyright © 1986 by Nora Roberts
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