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spine, slender, straight, to her narrow waist, where the silk of her gown began. When had he last caressed that spine, slipped Ashley’s gown from her shoulders to savor the satiny smooth skin of her breasts? One year? Two? He lost count a long time ago. Instead of making love, they shopped for jewels and furs. Instead of indulging in rich desserts, they ate rabbit food. Instead of sweating together in a passionate embrace, he exercised to keep in shape, in case someday someone might want to see what he looked like out of his fancy suits.
    Oh, Ashley. How did we ever get together? Mac watched her animation as she flitted from one person to another, kissing a hand here, a cheek there. Ten years ago he asked her to marry him, but marriage didn’t appe ar on her agenda, especially when he mentioned children. They turned her off completely. But he still stuck with her, year in and year out. She laughed, she looked beautiful, she kept him from being lonely on business trips. At one point their life together had been good. When did it end? He couldn’t remember why or when the passion died. It just happened, and he blamed no one but himself.
    He dated others on occasion, but nothing serious. Ashley didn’t seem to mind as long as no one found out. The other women shared a common bond with Ashley—rich, pampered, spoiled. He had a knack for attracting the wrong type of women, the ones who flocked around him and his wealth. He’d been born into money and found it very hard to get out of the rut
    “You look rather bored this evening,” Ashley whispered, slipping her hand around his arm.
    “ Bored? What makes you think I’m bored?”
    “I haven’t seen a smile on your face even once this evening. Come on now. Don’t you have a smile, even for me?”
    He looked down at the blonde, the top of her head not even reaching his shoulders. His forced smile didn’t touch his eyes. “How much longer do we have to stay here?”
    “It wouldn’t be proper to leave so soon. I’ve watched you, darling. You haven’t moved from this spot or talked to your friends all evening.” She kissed her index and middle fingers and pressed them against his lips as a photographer snapped their picture. “You’re embarrassing me in front of our friends, Mac. And looking miserable ruins your appearance.”
    “I am miserable.”
    “Have another drink. You’ll feel better.”
    “It’s not a drink I want.” He took her small hand in his larger one, set the champagne glass down on the table, and nearly dragged her across the patio to the inside of the house.
    “Come on. We’re getting out of here.”
    “But I’m not ready to leave.”
    “Do you want to stay here by yourself?”
    Her lips turned into a pout. “No. Please, Mac. Won’t you stay just a little bit longer?”
    “Why don’t we go back to my place . . .” He stopped, remembering Merry Nicholas had taken up residence. He couldn’t take Ashley home with him tonight. “Why don’t we get a room at the Plaza, order a million things from room service, and, well, you know, enjoy the evening?”
    “That’s not my idea of a good evening and you know it.”
    Mac put his hands on her shoulders and held her in front of him. He stared into her lifeless brown eyes. He had no feelings left. Somehow, in the last twenty-four hours, his eyes had opened, and he realized he no longer wanted to continue this farce of a relationship. “You’re right. I’ve known it for a long time, and, God help me, I’ve put up with it But not any longer.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “It’s over. No more you and me.”
    “You can’t possibly mean that.”
    “It’s been over for years. I don’t know why we’ve hung on to each other.”
    “But you love me.”
    “I do?”
    “Of course you do. You’ve always loved me.”
    “Maybe once upon a time. But we’re not in a fairy tale and we’re not going to live happily ever after.”
    “Don’t do it, Mac. I won’t let you dump me.”
    “I