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BOOK 2
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Being Yours BOOK 2
Devlin shifted, avoided her gaze. “What?”“You didn’t.”Now he crossed his arms, and Mitch watched with some amusement as Justine goaded someone other than himself for a change.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Devlin claimed stoutly.“You did!” Justine clapped a hand to her mouth, but a laugh escaped. “You slept with her. Oh, Dev. That’s so . . . desperate.”“No, despei'ate is knocking it out in the stock closet!”“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” But her eyes slid guiltily to the couch behind them and Devlin hooted.“And your couch!” he added, doubling over while he laughed, slapping his thigh. “Talk about despej-ate. Ah . . . sorry, Mitch,” he added politely. “No offense meant.”“No offense taken,” said Mitch with the straightest face he could manage. “But just because we know Mitzy has, uh . . . excellent taste in men”—he broke off to give a mock glare to Jussie when she scoffed—“doesn’t mean much in the way of her character. Unless someone here knows something
Being Yours BOOK 2
“Late’s okay,” she murmured, reaching for him, but he just laughed and held her off.“No, sweetheart. I meant, if we don’t go now, I’m likely to mess up that drop-dead-gorgeous dress.”“I don’t care if you do,” she assured him, trying to press up against his body. She wanted more, now.“I care.” He groaned when her breasts brushed against his chest. “I want you so badly, I’m shaking with it, but I don’t want to be worried about your pretty hair or smearing your makeup.” He lowered his voice, skimming his fingers over her neck, lower.“Just a kiss, then,” Justine begged.“One won’t be enough. And when I take that dress off you tonight—which I’m going to—it’s not going back on.Heat flooded her face, her mouth dropped open. Her eyes were wide, wild, and . . . expectant. “Oh.”Quite satisfied with his world, Mitch leaned forward, whispering in her ear exactly what he planned to do to her once he got the black velvet off.Her eyes glazed over, her fingers dug into his shoulders. “Tell me
Being Yours BOOK 2
“Jussie, sweetheart, shut up and take me. I’m dying here.”She laughed huskily and moved on him. His hands helped, encouraged, roamed over her, stroking, smoothing over her breasts, her belly, her bottom. Her breathing quickened, panted, and she rested her forehead to his. “Oh, Mitch—” But that was all she managed before she shattered in his arms.In the next breath he shattered in hers, coming to an explosive release that shook his entire body.Hojne, he thought as he clasped her close and shuddered.He’d finally come home.- - -Mitch pulled the car through the lot, still grinning. “I can’t see a damn thing,” he said, swiping at the window as he slowly drove past the building.Justine glanced at his ridiculously pleased smile and had to laugh. “Just don’t get us pulled over. I don’t want to explain that your idiotic grin has nothing to do with alcohol.”Mitch’s amusement faded at the sight of Devlin standing alone in the night, waving his hand to get their attention. He pulled over
Being Yours BOOK 2
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said to Mitch. “You took longer than I thought.”“Hopkins?” Mitch lowered his gun as Devlin moved aside with Mitzy. Relief filled him when he realized it had been Hopkins in the other car. “You came? Why?”Hopkins didn’t look at Mitch. Without so much as blinking, he lifted what he had in his hands—a gun—and aimed it at Mitzy.She screamed. Behind Mitch, Justine gasped.And for the first time in his life Mitch went blank. Absolutely, mind-numbingly blank. The gun slackened in his own hands. Mitzy, while a definite pain in the ass, hadn’t lifted a finger to Hopkins in threat, so he didn’t understand why the man he’d trusted so completely was pointing a gun at her. “What the hell—”Hopkins fired. Devlin bellowed and caught Mitzy as she slumped against him.“That’s for screwing me over,” Hopkins said quite calmly as he looked down at Mitzy in disgust. “For sneaking around behind your father’s back and dipping your nose in where you had no business being. A
Being Yours BOOK 2
Justine pulled one hand free, dipped it down the neck of her shirt, and took off the gold chain. Her two rings dangled as she offered it to him. “Aren’t you ever going to ask me to marry you again? I’ve been waiting and waiting you know.”Mitch smiled through misty green eyes, and took the necklace. His large hands never faltered as he removed the rings from the chain. “I never stopped being married to you in my heart.”“Yeah, well,” she said huskily. “You never got to see the best part of my wedding outfit, and believe me it was hot, so I think it’s only fair that we do the whole thing over again—”His mouth cut off her words. They kissed and laughed and cried, and then kissed some more. “I wanted to convince vou,” Mitch said a minute later when he lifted his head and caught his breath. “I was going to use ice cream.”She laughed, then sobered. “There’s us,” she whispered. “I don’t need anything else. Ever.”Touched, he cupped her face, needing to touch her, see her, feel her. “I’ve
Being Yours BOOK 3
PROLOGUENo. Oh, no. No/ Brand slammed his fist into the pillow. It wasn't possible. He swore, silently and with passion. He couldn't have, wouldn't have . . .The woman who lay beside him in the bed wrinkled her nose in her sleep. Brand inhaled a long draught of air. He had to stay in control. This square attic room with its sweating walls must stay in focus. He couldn't allow it to turn upside-down.Slowly the room—or was it his head?—came to rest the way it was meant to be. He forced himself to keep calm as he lay on his side and gazed at his companion of the night. If that was what she was. He supposed she must be. Her long, dark hair was spread out on his pillow and her chest rose and fell steadily, as if she had been asleep for some hours.Brand dashed a hand across his eyes. Surely to heaven he must be dreaming. Just as he had been dreaming last night that his Mary was once again beside him. Although Mary had been merely pretty, and this woman with the heart-shaped face, impossi
Being Yours BOOK 3
'Oh, but there is no need. I mean, are we not . . . ?' She stumbled to a halt.'No,' Brand said. 'We're not.''But—we are married.''I'm aware of that. But you needn't worry. I've already taken advantage of you once. I don't plan to do it again.''You would not be taking advantage.' She held herself stiffly^ unwilling to betray her hurt.'Of course I would. You're scarcely more than a child.''That is not what you thought three nights ago.'Brand put a hand over his eyes. 'Isabella, you have to understand. Three nights ago I had only just lost my wife. I didn't know what I was doing, and you offered comfort. For which I was grateful.''Comfort? That was all?''No, of course it wasn't all. You know that as well as I do. But it didn't mean anything, Isabella. Other than that I'd temporarily lost my sanity—along with the wife I had waited four years to marry.'Oh. Yes, of course. Brand was still in love with that fluffy blonde Mary—which was as it should be. All the same, she couldn't hel
Being Yours BOOK 3
She waved her chopstick at the pyjama-clad fence posts. 'I'm trying to explain to these men that we don't need any new beds.''Then you're explaining wrong. I told you I was having the double taken out.''Yes, but I didn't think . . . Brand, we are married. This is ridiculous.''No,' said Brand. 'It's sheer self-preservation. And a damn sight more comfortable than the floor.''But—''This isn't open to debate, Isabella. Now, get out of the way and let the men do their job.'The two delivery men exchanged smirks. She felt her cheeks turning pink.'Brand, please . . .' She searched his face for some sign of softening, and didn't find it. He was standing with his legs apart and both hands on his hips, looking like the Rock of Gibraltar on a power trip. This was one battle she wasn't going to win.The delivery men's smirks grew broader. Her face grew pinker. Biting her lip, Isabella turned her back on Brand and his accomplices and stalked back into the bathroom.'Damn,' she muttered, stabb
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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
