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require the inner ear to be destroyed for the implant. Which means if some better technology comes up, it can’t be used. There’s a lot of debate in the deaf community about them.”

      She hadn’t known that. “You decided not to go in that direction?”

      “For now. Amy hasn’t pushed. I want something better. I want her to hear.” He shrugged. “A very unpopular opinion and one I wouldn’t say to a lot of people. For some, being deaf isn’t considered a handicap. It simply… is. Like height. I don’t agree. I want my daughter to have every advantage. I’m not convinced the implant gives her that.”

      “You have a lot to deal with.”

      “Amy has more.”

      He was a good dad, she thought happily. A good man. Not that she had a huge frame of reference, but she didn’t think she was wrong about Wyatt.

      “Spike was asking about you.”

      She looked up and met his gaze. There was humor in his eyes.

      “Very funny,” she told him. “I’m not interested in Spike.”

      “You were.”

      Not in the way he meant. She was excited that someone had asked her out. “I don’t meet a lot of men like him in my travels.”

      “There’s a surprise. You probably don’t meet a lot of guys like me, either.”

      “No, I don’t,” she said slowly, thinking that was a real pity. Guys like Wyatt were worth knowing.

      DINNER PASSED in a blur of great conversation and laughter. Before Claire realized it, they were back at Nicole’s house, walking to the front door.

      Claire told herself not to be nervous. That the end of the evening was no big deal. Sure, Wyatt would probably kiss her and she would probably like it. Kissing at the end of a date was an age-old tradition.

      But she’d never been on a real date before. Not one that involved a guy picking her up where she lived and then driving her home. She’d gone out in foreign cities, meeting at a restaurant or joining a group. Nothing about her life was the least bit traditional.

      They reached the front porch. Claire did her best not to look as tense as she felt. She also avoided pressing a hand to her suddenly writhing stomach.

      “I had a really great time,” she murmured, finding it difficult to look into Wyatt’s dark eyes. “Thanks for dinner.”

      “You’re welcome.” He raised his hand to her face and lightly touched her cheek. “I can’t figure you out.”

      “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

      “I’ll have to let you know.”

      Then he leaned in and kissed her.

      His mouth was sure against hers, claiming her with a confidence that took her breath away. There was no wondering, no indecision, just flesh on flesh, breath mingling and her heart pounding about a million beats a minute.

      She put one hand on his shoulder, while he cupped her face with both hands. He held her as though she was precious, which made her want to give him whatever he asked for.

      He didn’t deepen the kiss, probably because they were standing on Nicole’s porch, in view of the neighbors. Not that she cared, but he might. Then he drew back just enough to lean his forehead against hers.

      “You’re going to be a lot of trouble, aren’t you?” he asked.

      “I’m actually very easy to get along with.”

      “Sure.”

      He kissed her again, then he was gone. Claire sighed, then floated into the house.

      Nicole sat in the great room, watching TV. When she saw Claire, she muted the sound.

      “I see I don’t have to ask how things went,” she said. “You had a great time.”

      Claire crossed the room and sank onto the edge of the large, sectional sofa. “I did. He’s wonderful. We went to Buchanans. Have you been there?”

      “Yes. It’s expensive. He was trying to impress you.”

      “Really?” Wyatt wanting to impress her?

      “Why are you surprised?” Nicole asked.

      “I just am. Are you mad?”

      “No. One of us should have a decent love life and that one is obviously not going to be me. So, come on. Details. I want details.”

      Claire curled up and pulled a pillow against her chest. “It was great. We talked and laughed. He’s easy to be with.” She grinned. “He wants to have sex with me.”

      Nicole winced. “I need to have a talk with that man.”

      “Why?” It was amazing news.

      “Because saying that is just plain tacky. And you’re my sister.”

      “No, it’s fine.”

      “Uh-huh. Just be careful. Wyatt doesn’t do relationships.”

      “He said that.”

      “At least he was honest. How do you feel about this?”

      Claire considered the question. “I like him. I just hope he was telling the truth about the sex.”

      Nicole laughed. “He’s a guy. Why would he lie about that?”

      As if Claire knew the answer to that. “So he wasn’t being polite?”

      “On what planet are men polite about sex? Is it different in the music world?”

      “Not exactly. At least I don’t think so. I really don’t have a lot of experience with… you know.”

      Nicole frowned. “I don’t know.”

      “Um, well, men.” Claire held the pillow in front of her face, then dropped it. “I’ve never done that. Been with one.”

      She felt herself blushing and wanted to crawl in a hole. Unfortunately she couldn’t escape the truth so easily.

      Nicole’s mouth dropped open as her eyes widened. “You’re kidding. You’re a virgin?”

      “Sort of.”

      “It’s really a yes or no question. Claire, you’re twenty-eight.”

      “I know. I didn’t mean for it to happen. It just did. I never dated much. I couldn’t get away from my schedule. I never met anyone and when I did, Lisa was always prepared to make sure things didn’t get too interesting. God forbid I should meet a man and stop playing the piano. I was busy and while I wanted a relationship, it just got more and more difficult to schedule anyone in. Then one day I realized I was in my twenties and I’d become a freak.”

      “You’re not a freak,” Nicole told her. “You’re… you’re… sexually challenged.”

      “Oh, yeah, that sounds better.”

      “It’s not a horrible thing.”

      “It is for me. It makes me feel like I’m not real. That I’m only part of a person.”

      “It’s amazing,” Nicole murmured. “You’re so beautiful and successful. I would think you’d have men hanging all over you.”

      “I wish. I seem to scare them off. Not Wyatt, though. So when he said he wanted to have sex with me, I thought maybe it would finally happen.”

      Nicole swore. “He doesn’t know, does he?”

      “No, and you’re not going to tell him.”

      “I wouldn’t know where to start. A virgin. Wow.”

      Claire grimaced. “Stop

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