“I’m Daniel Keane,” he said. “This crazy girl hanging off Mr. Ashford is my wife, Aryana.” “This is my fiancée, Sandra Dennis,” Creighton said dislodging the young girl from his neck. Aryana turned and looked at Sandra, eyes wide and mouth open. “Hello,” Sandra said to her, reaching her hand toward the girl who took it in stunned silence. “I think this is the first time I’ve seen her speechless,” Daniel chuckled, his tone thick with an Irish accent. “Are you ready to get some supper?” Creighton asked, wrapping his arm around Sandra’s waist as Daniel followed suit, pulling his wife out of her sudden stupor. “Crey, I can’t believe you are getting married,” she said suddenly, her own tone identifying her Italian heritage. “This is fantastico. I never thought you would get serious, always the celibe.” Daniel led the four of them toward the restaurant as Sandra turned to Creighton. “Celibe?” “Bachelor,” he smiled. “Oh, I thought she was calling you celibate.” He laughed at her conf
“She seems like a nice girl,” Sandra said after a few silent moments.“She’s a little nit,” he growled. “She’s in need of a good spanking.”“Not by you, I hope?” she asked and smiled when he turned a shocked, angry eye to her. He relaxed when he saw the amusement pass through her eyes and slid his arm around her waist. The lift was empty except for the two of them, allowing them to speak freely.“The only woman I plan on spanking is you,” he told her, pulling her to face him, his hands caressing her buttocks as his lips found hers. The lift arrived at their destination all too soon for their taste, and the doors opened onto the evening’s cool breeze.Sandra followed Creighton out onto the observation deck of the metal monster’s third floor, and gasped as they walked toward the railing. The sights were spectacular. She could see the entire city from here, the lights of the night twinkled below them, the shimmer of the moon as it reflected off the Seine was breathtaking.“Give me your c
She placed the necklace, bracelet and earrings on the dresser and removed her iPod from the drawer where she stored her panties, shuffling through the playlists. Taking the small device back into the living area with her, she smiled at the sight of her future husband pouring the hot coffee into two matching white teacups, his feet bare and the tie around his neck absent.“You look stunning,” he told her, carrying the cups to the table where they had just made love a few hours before. “What exactly do you have on under that thing?”“That is something you’ll have to find out for yourself,” she answered with a giggle, turning on the music.“Are you going to dance for me?” he asked with a wide grin.“No, I thought we could dance together.” Creighton looked crestfallen for a moment and she laughed, but he took her in his arms and slowly moved her around the living room floor. The soft sounds of the Broadway love songs filled the room and she soon found herself the recipient of an urgent,
Creighton allowed her to ride out her climax for several long seconds before he moved up above her, pressing her into the soft carpet. He wrapped her hands within his, pulling them above her head and pushed into her in one fluid movement. He kissed her neck again, moving out of her completely, nipping at her ear and thrust into her full and hard. Another kiss to her temple, and he pulled out, continuing to kiss her in a different location across her face and neck, thrusting in and out with each movement of his lips until Sandra felt completely lost, her legs bending at the knee, her hips lifting higher against him. “Please,” she whimpered, moaning hard and deep as she came again. He hardened inside her, barely two seconds before his savage growl echoed through the room. His penis twitched inside her tight vagina, pulsating and spewing his seed into her. They lay together several minutes, hot, sweaty and panting on the floor. Creighton leaned his head into her neck and nipped her del
“We returned to Kansas the following August and again last May. I was finally able to meet you on our last trip. You were talking to your assistant about moving back home with your grandparents in order to help save for your trip to France. I listened for a while before I had the opportunity to interrupt. I introduced myself but before we could even shake hands, your sister appeared from out of nowhere and literally pushed her way between us. I was getting very irritated with her constant interruptions and admittedly was quite rude to her, but by the time she took the hint and finally left, you were gone. Your assistant apologized for Cathy’s behavior. He said she had a habit of doing that, pushing you aside to take center stage.“When I returned to England, I arranged a contest where the winner won an all expense two-week trip to Cote d’Azur. It was a contest of one.”“I thought as much,” she said softly, a sly smile crossing her lips. “I suspected you had a hand in it when you told
Memories of the day before filtered through her mind and she sighed happily. She felt alive and excited, like bouncing on the bed excited. This man had seen into her heart, had awakened her and made her whole. She was engaged, in love and happier than she could ever remember being.“You look content,” Creighton said next to her ear, causing her to smile.“I am,” she told him honestly.“Good,” he said again, his voice thick with sleep. “I was afraid you’d regret your decision in the light of the day, considering everything I told you last night.” He stretched out his legs and rolled to his back, pulling her over with him. “Still want to visit the Louvre?”“Yes, very much.” She snuggled into his chest, her head resting across his heart, smiling at the rhythmic sound.“Want to get some breakfast first? The Louvre has a museum café that is quite nice, or we can go to a restaurant. We can see the museum and then have brunch. Whatever you would like.” Sandra turned her head to look into the
“What did you say?” Cathy said in a shocked tone.“I said, shut up. If you want me to talk with you, then quit yelling at me.”“Fine, I’ll quit yelling, but I have a lot to tell you about that boyfriend of yours.”“Alright Cathy, tell me what you know and then we can compare notes.” Creighton reached for his beard trimmer and started to touch up the hair on his chin and upper lip.“Did you know that he is the one who came here to build that factory last year?” Cathy asked, her voice filled with her usual, I know something you don’t know, tone.“It was two years ago actually and yes I am aware of that,” Sandra replied calmly, smiling at the audible gasp she heard on the other line.“You knew?”“Yes, of course, Creighton told me. What else do you know about him?” Cathy stuttered as she tried to compose her shock.“Well, I…that is…”“Okay, since you don’t seem to have your notes at hand, let me tell you what I know,” Sandra began. “Creighton has four siblings. His grandfather was a very
They stepped through the door and found themselves in a different world from the one they had just left. The shelves were crowded with older books on one side, newer ones on the other. There was a section in the corner for children to sit and read, with mismatched furniture and a bookcase of coloring books and toys as well as new and old reading books. Two long simple tables and a dozen chairs of faded wood were set up for reading and research. There were three older computers on a wooden counter in the center of the shop while four worn sofas sat in various locations throughout. Near the front of the store was another counter with a large coffee machine and a glass display of pastries at one end, a newer computerized register at the other. A rather attractive young man stood behind it making coffees for the customers at one end and checking out their purchases at the other.Sandra looked around, admiring the window displays of up-and-coming writers and the smell only books have. It w
Sandra hung up the phone with a slam, then glanced to her grandparents who were sitting at the kitchen table. She was starting to get angry with all the rejections and dead-end avenues. She called Davies and told him she wanted him to get the plane ready to go to France, only to be told the police had restricted his flying. They were concerned that whomever it was that had killed her husband would try and sabotage the jet.She was getting frustrated and felt like she was being held back. If she didn’t know better, she would think she was being placed under lockdown. She could understand the police’s concern, but she had more men around her then they had at Fort Knox, and she would be willing to take all of them with her if she needed to.“I can’t leave the house, I can’t go to France, I can’t even gather eggs,” she grumbled as she joined the older couple. “What am I supposed to do? I can’t sit here and wait until doomsday to find out what happened to my husband.”“Honey, you’re going
The room was warm as the setting sun shone through the blinds. Two detectives sat on the sofa, watching as the man continued to pace the floor. Trying to keep him calm was growing increasingly harder with each hour.Creighton could only assume the horror his family was going through, not to mention Sandra. They had been having difficulties, but this made all of that seem trivial. He had to call her, he had to contact her somehow and let her know he was alive, but the police were refusing to allow him the chance. They had to keep him concealed for the time being, though it was steadily becoming impossible. The man was acting like a caged animal, anxiously trying to find a means of escape.“How much longer do we have to sit here?” he growled, looking to those gathered around.“We need you to remain patient for a little longer,” a bald-headed man told him. “Monsieur Ashford, we understand what you’re going through…”“Like hell you do,” Creighton snapped. “I have a pregnant wife at home w
“I know she’ll be happy when it’s over,” Emma said, returning to the room, her eyes red from the tears she’d been wiping away. “She can’t let Brandon go to school, and she has to keep the children inside instead of letting them go out to play.”“I’m sure they are going stir crazy,” Cathy said with a frown. “Especially Grace. That little girl is used to having the freedom of the farm to run and play.”“The only good thing is the weather,” William told them. “It’s been really wet, and she doesn’t like getting her dresses dirty.”“Sounds like her aunt,” Andrew said with a soft chuckle.“Maybe we should take this meeting over to my sister’s,” Cathy suggested with a sideways grin.“Let me call Derek and Kristin,” William said, standing and walking to the phone on the wall. “They wanted to know what you found out.”“Just have them meet us at Sandra’s,” Andrew told him. “We can discuss this all there.”“I thought Sabrina and Irena would be here,” Cathy said, looking at Emma who was wrapping
Parker and Harvey held off the reporters for as long as they could alone, then eventually had to call NHT’s security. Within a few short hours, there were enough burly looking men to scare off anyone trying to get near the house. Sandra kept her children inside, though it really wasn’t difficult. The rain had eased by supper, but just like the past several days, it picked up again this morning.Max growled as he laid of the entry. The noise of cameras clicking, and the soft hum of voices mingled among the breezes of the day. She had tried to watch television, but every station was reporting on the accident. Eventually, she had no choice but to surrender and put on Grace’s favorite princess movie. At least it kept them from listening to those who insisted that there was no hope in finding any answers this soon.Sandra drew a deep breath as she wiped the moisture from her forehead. She had decided to keep herself busy and baked two apple pies, along with nearly a hundred sugar cookies.
“No, it’s about assuming you knew what I would want. You did this, claiming it was for us when it was for you. You can’t stand the idea that your little sister has something you never would. It was bad enough when I felt like I was competing with Creighton for your attention, but now I’m watching you compete with Sandra for the mother of the year award.”“Stop comparing me to Sandra!” Cathy screamed. “It’s not my fault she’s perfect. She’s always been everyone’s favorite. I can’t tell you how many boyfriends I’ve dumped after I found out they were using me to get close to her. I didn’t want Creighton, but after he chose her over me, it made me angry. I was competing with her again, and she was too stupid to realize it. He chose that simple, no makeup, no fuss girl over me. She shares his bed, when I’m a better lover then she would ever be. She has his money, his admiration, your parents’ admiration, even my grandparents enjoy spending time with her over me. She even has a perfect body
“Maybe Michelle heard from him,” the boy said hopefully.“I haven’t spoken with her, but I want to call in the morning. She may know something more than the police do.”The two were silent for a long time as they considered their own thoughts, until Sandra realized the tea was gone. She looked to Brandon who looked like he was finally able to fall asleep, then stood and took the cups to the sink.“Come on, son,” she told him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “Let’s see if we can get some sleep.”“Mum, can I come sleep with you?” Brandon asked once they reached the second floor of their house.Sandra smiled and hugged the boy, nodding as he looked up to her.“You can sleep on your daddy’s side,” she told him. “Just don’t tell him I let you in our bed. He may get jealous.”Brandon smiled as he walked with her into the bedroom. Sandra helped him between the covers and tucked him in, then left to check on Grace. The house was silent and soft snores of her little girl could be heard
Sandra paced her bedroom trying to stop her mind from racing through the events of the day. Derek had come home after his mother called him, insisting on picking up Brandon from school. Sabrina called to say the reporters were going crazy with the news of the Tornado’s fire and that she and Giovanni would be home as soon as they could get there.Irena spoke with her parents and insisted on calling in a prescription for Sandra’s nerves, though she refused to use it. She needed to stay alert and concentrate in order to determine what was going on. The last thing she needed was to surrender to the effects of a drug.After speaking with Andrew, William informed the rest of the family about Cathy’s surgery, though he wouldn’t go into detail. He assured them he would check into the reports from his end and stay abreast of the investigation. Once Cathy felt like traveling, they would drive out to Yorkshire to be with the family.Nana tried to get Sandra to let her stay overnight, but she was
Sandra opened her eyes and looked around. She was in her bedroom, yet she couldn’t remember laying down. The house was silent and the soft pattering of rain outside reminded her that the dog had made a muddy mess of the entry. Then she remembered her grandfather and William coming over, and slowly began to piece together the last thing she remembered.There had been an accident on the Tornado and three bodies were found. She knew in her heart it wasn’t Creighton. She couldn’t even begin to guess who would have been on their ship, or how it ended up at sea, but she knew her husband wasn’t the one killed. Now all she had to do, was convince the others into believing her.Sandra stepped down the stairs to hear Grace talking to her great-grandfather, the dog running from one room to another as he chased his rope and the smells of food drifting out of the kitchen. She stepped into the living room and saw Papa sitting beside Grace, one of her own books open in front of him as he listened to
Sandra stared at the two men for a long moment as their words began to sink in. When she spoke with her husband earlier that morning, he was still at the hotel. He didn’t mention having plans of returning to the yacht. Why would he go back there when he told her he was packing to come home?Then she thought about the bodies found. One was female. Who was it? Did Creighton lie to her about not being involved with Garcon’s assistant? Had he gone there to meet with her, perhaps a final rendezvous before coming home to his family?“Did you hear what we said?” Papa asked her.“It’s impossible,” she began, her anger taking over her words. Sandra looked down at Grace who was trying to wipe the muddy water from her little dress. She hadn’t understood what her grandparents were saying. All she cared about was her soiled outfit.“Sweetheart, go upstairs and find a clean dress,” Sandra told the little girl. “Put that one in the hamper and warsh your hands. We’ll make lunch when you’ve finished.