“It’s okay, Lara,” Maria called softly after her. “Whatever you want. I didn’t mean to push you either way. It’s just that I’ve never had a chance to be a real mother to you all these years. You always had too much responsibility, and we were more like prisoners in the same cell than mother and daughter. I’ve wanted to do things for you, and with you, like a normal mother. It’s probably a little twisted, but I thought this might be a way to let you know that I’m here for you.”

Lara looked back at her and was suddenly filled with warmth as she saw Maria’s expression. “You’re crazy,” she said huskily. “No one could have been a better mother than you. Do you think I don’t know that?”

She closed the door quickly behind her. She drew a deep breath as she hesitated outside the door. It was one thing to toy with the possibility of having sex with Logan Tanner. That had been almost dreamlike and vaguely exciting. But her interchange with Maria just now had been unexpected and brought that possibility into stark reality because that was what all sex was to Maria: carnal intimacy, technique, and control. Yet somehow the acceptance of that reality had made Lara’s excitement deepen and come alive. Even her body felt…different.

Ridiculous. Forget it.

She started downstairs. She’d have breakfast and then get to work. Music always took her mind away from everything else, and she obviously needed that where Tanner was concerned. By the time she saw Tanner again, she would be in full control and—

“Do you want an omelet or just oatmeal?” Tanner was coming toward her across the foyer. “I’ll give you one or the other, but if you want anything fancier, you’ll have to fend for yourself. I figured you’d probably want something light to start your day anyway.”

She stopped short in surprise. “I do.” She recovered immediately. “What are you doing here this early?”