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before slipping the shoe on her foot.
Isn t that a worker s shoe? she protested, trying to find a polite way to tell him she d rather die than
wear such an unsightly thing.
Everyone wears tennis shoes. They re good for walking, running, sports, everything. They re an
essential part of your wardrobe. He tied the laces and told her to walk back and forth
Aurora was surprised at the comfort of the shoes. They might look horrid, but they were like walking
on cushions.
Do they fit? he asked.
She nodded and sat down, leaning to untie a lace and wondering why no one was serving them. A
young woman wearing a very short skirt lingered at the counter, staring out the window. Aurora lowered
her voice. That salesgirl is not helpful. If the cobbler who owns the shop returns, I m certain she ll be let
go.
Maybe. Joel laughed and rose. Want to try on a few more pairs? Sandals, high heels, loafers?
Aurora browsed the shelves, selecting various types of shoes that might go with her new clothing. She
returned to the chair with an armful of boxes.
Joel grinned. Some things never change.
What do you mean?
Women s love affair with shoes. A lot of things may change in the world, but people really don t.
We still have the same desires and dreams.
What is your dream, Joel? she asked as she slipped on a pair of low slippers with a strap that
apparently went between one s toes. Tell me something about your life, for I m certainly tired of thinking
about mine. You said you are a businessman. What exactly is it you do?
Spend far too much of my time in boardrooms and meetings and at my computer. I run facts and
figures and get people to come to agreements for their financial benefit and, of course, my own.
Do you enjoy your work? You sound as if maybe you don t.
34 www.samhainpublishing.com
Awakening Beauty
He paused, weighing a silver shoe in one hand. I enjoy the chase, the conquest, the kill. I enjoy
winning. And I really enjoy the money. I didn t grow up with it, so I still appreciate having whatever I need
or want.
Aurora watched his face, his expression suddenly harsh and remote. And what is it you want? she
prompted gently. Do you really have it?
He glanced at her, then put the shoe back on the shelf. I have everything I need.
Aurora recognized his tone. It was one she d used in her mind often enough when trying to convince
herself she was content with her life. She was a princess. She wanted for nothing except perhaps a little
freedom. She had no reason to complain. Those were all things she d told herself, but one day her pent up
frustration boiled to a head and led her on a foolish adventure into a forbidden tower.
She changed the subject. May I take these& and these? And really this pair would go well with the
striped top.
Sure. Take them all, he said. Are you hungry? I m starving. We could stop for something on the
way back to my hotel, but perhaps it would be better to order room service. You ve been through a lot and
might appreciate some quiet time to adjust to it all.
That would be wonderful, Aurora agreed, for her head was suddenly pounding from the sheer
number of things she d seen in the past few hours. There was simply too much to think about and try to
understand. For someone who d never been out of her own environment, the world was too overwhelming.
As they walked toward Joel s hotel, which was not too far away, they passed a park where children
played and their nannies, or perhaps their mothers, watched them. A stab of loss went through Aurora as
she saw a family strolling together. How many times had she walked in her garden with her own mother?
Now she never would again.
Then her gaze was caught by a couple sitting on a bench kissing in broad daylight. The young
woman s arms were wrapped around her suitor s neck. His hands were& well, they were all over her body,
touching and stroking and even grasping at her bosom.
Aurora looked quickly away, her body burning with embarrassment at the display but also with deep
desire. She thought of how Joel s kisses had felt and his arms around her, and she wanted to do what those
young people were doing. It was shameful.
Beside her, Joel chuckled. A little too much PDA for you?
What?
Public display. That couple over there.
Do people do such things now? she asked. Right where anyone can see them? There are children
all around. It s most unseemly.
Yes, it s still considered impolite to grope like that in public, especially when kids are around, but in
general, these days, people are a lot freer in their behavior.
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Bonnie Dee and Marie Treanor
I have never even seen anyone kiss in public, let alone do something like& that? Aurora snuck
another glance at the man and woman pressed together so closely a sheet of parchment wouldn t fit
between them.
Have you ever kissed someone? Joel s amusement at her expense was rather annoying.
Yes. My fiancé, Prince Karl, after our marriage arrangement was finalized. She was annoyed that
Joel thought she was so innocent even though it was true. She wanted to prove to him that she was an
adult woman with desires a virginal princess wasn t supposed to possess. I was quite prepared for our
wedding night. I know what happens and what a wife is supposed to do. In fact, I was quite eager for& it.
That wasn t exactly true. She d been rather more nervous than eager to lie with Karl. It occurred to
her she d never really thought of him as a real person. They d hardly spoken, and when they did it was
stilted and mundane. No doubt their lovemaking would have been the same, wooden and awkward.
Nothing like the instant attraction she d felt from the moment she beheld Joel. It was as if a force
beyond herself had invaded her. She responded to his touch with practiced ease and wanted to do oh-so-
many things with him a young lady shouldn t want to do.
Joel dropped the subject.
They passed out of the park and soon reached the inn where Joel was staying. By the time they d
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