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BOOK 2
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Being Yours BOOK 2
Sleep hadn’t come as easily for him, but rage had. He’d spent most of those years filled with it, promising vengeance on the man he felt had destroyed his mother’s happiness.Mitch had vowed this, even as he continued to blame himself for what had happened to his happy little family. He knew damn well it would have killed his mother to know how much he believed the fault to be his. That he believed his father had left because of him.But by then she’d sunk so far into her own loneliness and depression, she didn’t, or couldn’t notice.Mitch had stayed angry and filled with the need for revenge for as long as he could, but the anger had eventually succumbed to sheer aloneness. He tried, desperately, to get his mother to crack the shell she’d put up around herself, to no avail.In the end he’d been left to fend for himself, but he’d learned quickly enough. He’d gotten good at being alone, had even liked it.Until Jussie had come into his life; sweet, caring, beautiful Jussie.She’d reope
Being Yours BOOK 2
Mitch thought of Jussie, and the life he hoped to have with her. "I’ve never been so sure of anything in all my life.”He’d finagled the parking spot right next to hers, Justine discovered a short time later. It came as a shock, seeing the convertible that looked so like his old one, only this car had been completely cherried out.It wasn’t the one from their youth, but it was close enough to have her squirming with the memories.Mitch had taught her to drive in that car, among other things. Heat flooded her face as she remembered some of those other things now, and despite the cold morning breeze, she felt hot. Unable to help herself, she glanced at the backseat, remembering more than a few dark nights. Long, drugging kisses. Steamy embraces that had led to fumbling for leg room. Muffled laughter, and then more fumbling . . . God.She closed her eyes and tried for calm, but it was nowhere to be found. Nowhere.Maybe it was someone else’s car, she thought hopefully, but she knew bette
Being Yours BOOK 2
“Okay?” Jack repeated with a surprised laugh. “Last time you lost you ranted and raved for an hour, and now just okay?” He shook his head and pretended to check her for a temperature. “You sick?”No, but she had a feeling Jack was going to be if he kept his hands on her. Mitch looked positively furious. Jack’s hands were smooth, practiced. They lingered.And she felt nothing, though she knew it was her lack, not Jack’s. Any woman with a set of eyes would be falling all over herself for his attentions. He was good-looking, kind, sophisticated. Romantic.But she couldn’t keep her eyes off Mitch.No one else said a word.“We’ve got to get together on those figures, sweetie,” Jack said. “Year end is only days away.”Slowly, Mitch quirked an eyebrow. “Sweetie?” he mouthed, his gaze boring right through her. He’d once been patient to a fault, and mild-tempered, despite his strenuous and demanding occupation. But bad attitude screamed from him now.“Yes, Jack,” she said quickly, wondering wh
Being Yours BOOK 2
“I was earmarked to die. Just like the other guy.” He heard the soft gasp and took heart. “I didn’t know that, of course. Not until directly after our wedding. The feds took me away.” And after extracting a promise to see the case through, they’d made him stay away from her. “They kept me safe. I went immediately into the Protection Program.”There was a long moment of silence. “And you disappeared.”“Yes.” He turned to face the door, then put his palms on it, wishing he was touching her face. “I had to, for your sake, and Devlin’s. You two were all I cared about, and with me around, you would have been in grave danger.”“You never even contacted me.”God, the wealth of hurt in her voice twisted his gut. “I couldn’t. It would have put you at risk. But the feds were supposed to. They promised to explain, to tell you what had happened, and I believed they had done so.” All the old anger surged back. “There was a mix-up.” Was it safe to let her out? Would she listen to the rest?“Why did
Being Yours BOOK 2
“Damn thing’s stuck,” someone muttered with disgust, trying the handle one last time.Finally, footsteps faded away, leaving a tense silence.Then came Jussie’s shaken, released breath.Mitch had surfaced abruptly, but he still had to shake his head to clear it. Gulping in air, he stared down into the darkness to make out the faint outline of her stiff body. Her blouse had been pushed, by him, off her shoulders, and was open to the waist. Her skirt rode high up on her thighs. One shoe had been kicked off.He’d nearly mauled her like a reckless, sex-starved teen.Mouth grim, body uncomfortably hard and hot, he reached down and pulled her to her feet. “Jussie,” he whispered with regret, tugging her clothes back into place. God, he’d nearly taken her right there. Their first time in two years, and he’d ... he couldn’t even think about it. She deserved candles, soft music, sweet words, and hours and hours of loving.Instead she’d gotten a cold concrete floor against her back, fast, desper
Being Yours BOOK 2
Calling his name, she stepped to the bottom of the curved oak staircase and put her hand on it. Despite her fear, curiosity took over. How many times had a young Mitch slid down that tempting banister, face wide with that heart-stopping grin?It terrified her to discover how much she’d softened toward him. “Mitch?” she called quickly, blocking her thoughts.He came out of a room on the second floor and stood at the top of the stairs looking down. “Jussie?”She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.He had a tiny white towel anchored at his waist. Water dripped freely off his body, from his tousled hair, running in rivulets over his chest. He’d stopped short at the sight of her. Heat flickered in his gaze as it roamed over the clothes she wore—the same he’d nearly torn off her earlier in the storage closet.He sent her that crooked smile. “You came to tuck me in. How sweet.”Unable to speak for fear her tongue would fall out, she shook her head. God, he was all lean muscle, long limbs
Being Yours BOOK 2
“No, I don’t want—”A click of the switch flooded the room with light.“—the light.” Jussie blinked warily and stared at him.Mitch discovered she wore one of his T-shirts and little else. It thrilled him.He took one of her hands and brought it to his lips. “I can’t deny that I was able to come back because of what happened to the agent. He died, and after the case came to a close, I was free. But I’m here now, where I’ve wanted to be for so long. Are you going to tell me it doesn’t matter? That you don’t feel anything for me at all?”She opened her mouth to speak, but he said quietly, “Careful, Jussie. You’re a rotten liar. Besides, I know exactly how you responded to me today in that closet. And it wasn’t with indifference.”She flushed and tried to pull her hand back, but he lingered over it while his gaze held hers. “Was it?”“It’s not as simple as sex.”“No. Making love isn’t simple.”“It wasn’t love—”Her denial was the last straw. “Think again,” he snapped back, dropping her h
Being Yours BOOK 2
“You mean you haven’t—”“There’s been no one else. Ever” he repeated softly.Her eyes warmed, lost a little of her confusion. “I’m glad,” she whispered, then laughed nervously. “Not about . . . your, uh, problem.” Her gaze rested on the vee of his jeans, then widened slightly at the unmistakable bulge she saw there. “But that there’s been no one else.”They stared at each other.“I think . . . I’ll get dressed now,” she said.He pushed her gently toward the door. “In the bedroom.”At her bafflement, he slid his hands into his pockets. “I need to shower now.”“You already did.”His smile was wry, crooked, and more than a tad self-mocking. “Yeah, but now I need a cold one.”The Christmas spirit had taken hold at the Daily News. Wreaths decorated every door and hallway. Goodies and chocolates were laid out in the snack rooms. Festive holiday music filled the air.Still, there was much to be done. To prove it, Justine threw herself wholeheartedly into work. She moved from one meeting to a
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Being Yours BOOK 9
Lohano Tiki drove his bright yellow Ferrari up the long gravel incline and parked in front of the huge pillared portico that was the entrance to the Black Orchid Palace.He climbed out of the car, and quickly ducked down to check his hair in the wing-mirror.Good. Nicely wind-ruffled and carefree.A handsome, square-jawed face looked back at him, tanned a deeper colour by the desert sun.By the Nevadan desert sun, to be exact.His shirt was dazzling white and casually opened at the throat to reveal a strong dark column of neck and the first few wisps of dark chest hair.His jacket was white linen, faultlessly tailored, his slacks a dark green. His loafers came from Rome. His only piece of jewellery was a modest, leather-strapped watch from Switzerland.He was dressing to impress Koki’Hana as much as his rebellious and strong-willed granddaughter.He sprang lithely up the four rounded steps, that were spread out like a fan and led to the huge, impressive, carved oak doors of the palace
Being Yours BOOK 9
George Dixon watched the large crocodile of people emerge from the intermediary house by the east wall.As the owner of fifteen per cent of the Orchid House, he’d been asked to attend the full day’s festivities, of course, but he’d only just decided to put in an appearance.It was three-fifteen p.m.The extra waiters and waitresses hired for the lunch had been circulating in the grounds all afternoon, laden with trays of champagne, fruit juice and little nibbles. He hijacked a waiter and grabbed a glass of cold Moet et Chandon and a few smoked salmon pastries that melted in the mouth.He was lounging against the fountain that was the centre-piece of the outer grounds. Round, made of stone, and full of fish and water-lilies, it shot a fountain of water nearly thirty feet into the air.It was cooler there.George didn’t much like the heat. He was a small but very fat man, with a round belly and short, stocky legs. He could only imagine what the heat must be like inside the hot-houses.G
Being Yours BOOK 9
King Koki’Hana reached the end of the welcoming line, and finally shook hands with the last person to be presented - a tall, thin Portuguese man, whom Electra had introduced as their head groundsman. It was his job to keep the gardens outside the glasshouses looking good.Koki’Hana quite liked meeting the people who made businesses tick. Oahu, like all the islands, was a large ethnic mix of people - Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Polynesians, Portuguese and American. Here at the Orchid House, he was pleased to see that Electra Stapleton’s only criterion for picking her staff was their having the right qualifications for the job. He operated a similar policy where his own business affairs were concerned.‘Well, Alii Koki’Hana, I’m sure you can see now why the Orchid House is such a success,’ Electra said quietly. ‘My staff are simply the best in the world.’ She said with it quiet pride but total sincerity.King Koki’Hana nodded. ‘So I see. And you are rapidly expanding, I underst
Being Yours BOOK 9
Bevis expertly aligned the small light aircraft with the portable runway lights Electra had lit ten minutes ago, and lightly touched down. He taxied neatly to the end of the runway, turned, and then parked the plane near a stand of hua trees, where it was partially hidden.He went through his checklist, making sure all the systems were shut down, then locked the cockpit, grabbed his overnight bag, and jumped lithely to the ground.At thirty-eight, he looked a good ten years younger, and still retained the well-built but fat-free body that would be the envy of many men his age. His short hair was still as dark as a raven’s wing, with not a hint of grey at the temples.He gathered up the landing lights, turning them off as he went, and stowed them away in their small wooden shed, hidden in the small copse of trees, padlocking the door after him.During the short walk to Electra’s luxurious bungalow, ‘Makai Hale’, he ran a tired hand through his hair. It was good to have a break from the
Being Yours BOOK 9
Electra stroked the damp copper hair off his forehead and looked around desperately. There was only the diminishing storm, darkness and fear. She couldn’t move him - she wasn’t strong enough to get him into her car. Besides., she didn’t know if she should move him, and wished she knew more basic First Aid.She felt as if she’d been cradling the stranger in her arms forever, but it had actually been less than five minutes since the lightning strike.The rain had been gradually dwindling, and now had stopped altogether, but she could still hear the distant rumble of thunder, away to the east, as the storm headed out to sea.Suddenly another sound began to impinge on her mind, and she looked up hopefully as a small set of lights dipped and disappeared in the distance.A car! At last!Coming from the same direction as she had been. Somewhat belatedly, she realized her own car was still blocking the road, and she carefully lowered the stranger’s head to the ground and got to her feet.Her
Being Yours BOOK 9
Hawaii, or the Big Island as it was known to the locals, played host to fewer tourists than its sister island Oahu, but boasted similar moutainous lush greenery, great surfing and multi-cultural dining, all with the added bonus of spectacular black beaches, courtesy of the volcanoes.A mountainous land of plantations, myth and Polynesian mystique, it slumbered like a giant emerald in the vast blueness of the Pacific ocean.However, Hilo, its major city, was as big, busy and cosmopolitan as any city in the developed world.The Big Island, like all those in the chain, also had its fair share of hotels and tourist resorts, but, unlike Oahu, it still relied heavily on the more traditional sources of money, such as fruit plantations and coffee, to fill its coffers.Near the pretty village of Kailua, set well back in the coolness of the hills, away from the hustle and bustle of hotels and shops, lay the impressive and sprawling edifice of the Black Orchid Palace.No higher than two storeys,
Being Yours BOOK 9
Electra Stapleton turned the last page of the contract she was reading, and initialled it in the right-hand corner. She’d made a few important changes, and she made a mental note to herself to get one of her lawyers to draw up a revised draft.Not that Nationwide Flowers Inc. would complain. She’d given them all they wanted, but had cleverly slipped in a few little goodies that would be beneficial to the Orchid House too.For instance, ensuring that their chain of florists used one of the Orchid House’s flowered wrapping sheets whenever they sold one of their orchids. The free publicity that would generate would save her hundreds of thousands of dollars. And cost Nationwide Flowers not a penny.She was a bit worried about the shipment date, though; it was rather tight. She reached for her computer keyboard and punched up the details on the company’s regular transporters. Before she’d taken over, the Orchid House had had only one - a privately owned aeroplane company that had shipped a
Being Yours BOOK 9
Haldane Fox glanced up as the oddly melodious 4 ping 5 echoed around the cabin.‘Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are now beginning our descent to Honolulu Airport. Please observe the “No Smoking” signs, and “Fasten Seat-belts” signs. Your cabin crew will be around to help anyone having difficulty with their belts. I trust you enjoyed your flight with us, and wish you all a pleasant stay on Oahu. Aloha'Haldane sighed wearily and reached for his seatbelt. It had been a long flight, from London to New York for a short stopover, then on to LA for yet another stopover before the long haul across the mighty Pacific Ocean to the fabled Hawaiian Islands.He yawned widely, trying to shrug off the fast-approaching affects of the dreaded jet-lag.A stewardess, the same one who’d been serving him throughout the flight across the pacific, lingered by the side of his seat.‘Everything alright, sir?’The soft voice made him spin his head and look up. The stewardess’s smile caught in her th
Being Yours BOOK 8
By the time they arrived at the hotel, the security gate had been forced open, and a fire engine and two police cars were in the parking area. Apart from the fact that the firemen had broken down the main door, to all other outward appearances the Alcaszar appeared to be untouched. It wasn’t enough to stop Matt from leaping from the car and running across to the main doors where a group of firemen was standing, though.By the time Alex joined them, however, he appeared to be calm. “It’s only damaged the courtyard,” he told her. “Apparently it started among the wood that was stacked there, probably caused by a careless cigarette butt. They say it’s probably been smoldering for hours.”From the tone of his voice Alex knew immediately that he didn’t believe it was accidental but that he wasn’t prepared to talk to the police about his suspicions. She glanced up at him. His eyes had darkened to the steely gray that she now knew from experience was a sign that he was very angry. She took hi
