"Greta? why do you look so surprised? I know you must be so upset that he injured your tailbone but he's so handsome that I can't stop thinking about him......"Amy muttered as she changed into her kitchen uniform.Greta grimaced,"Do you like him?" she asked as she opened her locker and put all her things in there.Amy smiled shyly, then she nodded her head with a blush on her cheeks."I don't know how to explain it, but my heart beats so fast whenever he is near me!"Greta raised an eyebrow, "Whenever he's near you? How many times have you meet him?" she asked curiously."Um....." Amy held up two fingers, grimacing. Greta glared, "Twice? you have only seen Ryan Lewis twice and you could tell your heart was pounding every time you're around him?" she couldn't believe what she was hearing.Amy scowled."That could happen! Even people could fall in love at first sight! Urgh! you said that because you were jealous, do you? she accused, her squinting at the change in Greta's face.Greta
Greta's cell phone rang after she arrived at her apartment, it was from her mother. She clicked the green button and put the phone in loudspeaker mode."Hi, Mom!" greeted Greta lightly, tried so hard to hide her tiredness."Gret, are you home now?""Yeah,I just arrived, what are doing? Is Daddy with you?" asked Greta while she took her chef shoes. She was grimacing when she saw redness on both of her feet."I'm here baby, how was your first day? it was father's voice."Hi, Dad! Um, it's good, I have a very kind partner and the restaurant was crowded though," said Greta, she stood up and walked to the fridge. She took out a can of beer then plopped down on the couch."That sound fun! And who is the Executive chef? do we know him? I mean usually we recognized some of the Mechlin stars chef," mumbled Gabriel Specter, Greta's father.Greta could see with her sense that beside her father, her mother must nod her head in agreement. Because they were indeed a goodies couple who went to all t
"Are you mad at me just because I told chef we're dating?" Liam teased as he brought his face closer to Greta who was busy kneading, this was the fourth time Liam had asked the same thing."How time do I have to answer that I'm not mad at all, if you ask me one more time, I will probably get really mad!" Greta said, throwing the eggshell in her hand in annoyance."Whoa, easy! so dare to be rude to me now? Greta, I'm your senior here the value of your apprenticeship depends on me, so you better be nice or else I won't hesitate to give a bad impression!" Liam hissed, his face looking very annoying. How could Greta ever think that Liam was a good partner? she really couldn't read people character.She looked at Liam for a long time, then shrugged off "okay is that so," she replied then continued with her work. There's no point in fighting or been tough on him. Since Greta has decided to live independently and purse her goals, she must accept all the consequences, including being experien
Greta bit her lip hard, trying desperately to keep the tears from falling.Don't you dare cry, I won't soften just because you're a woman, Ryan muttered with his arms folded across his chest Greta swallowed, her eyes stared intently at Ryan she swore in her heart that she would never shed a single tear in front of that arrogant man. Even though she didn't turn her head, for some reason she knew Liam was smiling slyly beside her."Liam, you're in charge of this, you know very well about it don't you?" Ryan said turning his gaze towards Liam's."Yes chef, I take full responsibility! Liam said, straightened his back. Greta frowned, suddenly she felt strange with the situation she was in now, was someone deliberately did that to her?"And you," Ryan turned his gaze to Greta, "If I caught you once again mess up an important event at this restaurant, you should immediately find another internship place with your work routine like that you will never be a good chef," said flatly."You both w
Greta and Ryan looked at each other, she suddenly felt the tightness in her chest, she took a deep breath and then rubbed her face frantically. Everything would make more sense if Liam did that bad thing to her, but Amy? How could it be......"I will talk to Amy," Ryan said flatly. "Don't!" Greta looked up in surprise. Ryan looked at Greta with a questioning look. Greta squeezed her fingers in confusion, "We don't know for sure yet....." Ryan snorted, "Are you blind? isn't the person we saw on the CCTV not her? I have to talk to her, I won't let this kind of people work for me," he muttered, from his face, Greta could see that he didn't want to be denied. Greta looked down massaging her forehead which suddenly felt dizzy."Prepare the cake for brunch you don't have to work until closing today, go home at 4:00am," Ryan said as he turned and walked away from her."Chef!" called Greta as Ryan was almost out of sight Ryan turned his head, looking at her with a very obvious 'don't stop me'
Greta was stirring her black coffee when her cell phone rang loudly, a video call from her sister in-law Rachel Specter. She pressed the green button then stuck her phone to the refrigerator door so she could talk while making toast."Hey, you haven't left for work yet?" Rachel asked cheerfully."I got the afternoon shift, what are you doing? Are you with Noah?""No he's at the office, I'm taking a photoshoot break, I have something to tell you!" Rachel's voice sounded so excited it made Greta stop her hand that was spreading peanut butter on the bread. She looked at Rachel with a curious face, "What is it?" Rachel seemed to move something out of her handbag and then showed it to Greta. "What's that?" asked Greta with a frown."You really don't know what this is?" Rachel shook her head in disbelief. Greta just grimaced while scratching her head."You're going to be an aunt!"Greta shrieked as she threw her toast on the marble table,"You're not joking,are you?! Did the other already
Greta looked up the sky was cloudy but it had not started raining yet. She pulled here coat close and walked down the sidewalk at her leisurely pace. Lately, she preferred to walk than ride a vehicle. By walking there were more things she could see and that could make her felt more at peace.Minutes later when she was just walking few meters away, it raining heavily, she looked up, surprised. She rushed to the nearest bus stop and stood in a corner so she wouldn't get splashed by the rain. Usually, she would feel annoyed but she didn't know why she felt peace in her heart. Her feet stepped to the front of the bus stop and then she reached out slightly pale from the cold that hit her skin.There was a feeling of tightness in her chest, a tightness that appeared at times that were often unexpected. For some unknown reason, Greta always felt lonely, maybe it's because her subconscious was still hit by betrayal that Mike did to her. As if rejecting the trauma she experienced, the other si
"Have you heard about Liam?" Terry asked as he met Greta in front of the locker room. "Yeah, how bad is he?" asked Greta stopped her step."pretty bad, he broke his right ankle, he's out of work for a while but I'm sure Ryan is looking for a replacement.Greta nodded, "okay I will change first," she said and then entered the locker room. She let out a long sigh, the absences of Liam meant she will have to work alone until they got a new pastry chef.Greta felt hesitant when she stepped into the kitchen especially with Ryan's presence standing near her work section."Good morning, chef," Greta greeted without looking at Ryan.Ryan looking up, "Good morning I will help you to dot the preparations after that we will spend two hours before lunch, rehearsed for the the show," he said quickly as if he didn't want to be interrupted by Greta.Yes, chef," Greta replied quickly looking at the list of desserts she had to make. When she and Ryan were both crouching I'm front of the storage cabine
Dante Di Sione felt the adrenaline pumping through his body as he walked into the tiny airport terminal. His heart was pounding and his forehead was beaded with sweat. He felt like he'd been running. Or just rolled away from a woman after bout of particularly energetic sex. Even though it was a long time since he could even remember having sex. He frowned. How long? His mind raced back over the past few weeks spent chasing across continents and fitting in and out of different time zones. He'd visited a dizzing array of countries, been presented with a whole shoal of red heerings and wandered uo against several dead ends before arriving here, in the carribean. All in pursuit of a priceless pices of jewellery which his grandfather wanted for a reasons he'd declined to share. Dante felt the tight clench of his heart. A dying man's wish. Yet wasn't the truth that he had been tantalized by the task he'd been given which he had taken on as a favour to someone who had given him so much?
"Come and sit in the shade,' Dante said lazily. I don't want you getting burned.'Willow pushed her straw hat back and smiled up into her husband's face. 'i'm unlikely to burn when you insist on applying factor fifty to my skin ar every opportunity, am I?''True. Infact , I think you need another application right now,' he murmured, rising to his feet and standing over her. 'come here.''Tjat sound like another excuse for you to start rubbing cream into my body.''You really think I need excuse, Mrs Di Sione? "he growl, lifting her off the sun lounger and heading her inside to the air-conditioned cool of their beachside house.Willow bit her lip with sheer pleasure as she felt his lips whisper over throat. This kung she couldn't remember over her throat, thinking she couldn't remember ever feeling so happy. Or lucky. So very lucky. For the past month they'd been honeymooning in a carribean beach house, while nearby the crystal waters lapped contentedly against sugar-fine-sands. Thay
"Hmm?" He blinked. "A while ago, when I said I didn't know Herb, did you say you knew that?" "Yes." "When did you know?" "Almost immediately." She frowned, as she worked on that sentence. "I'll help with Mutt. The dogs accept cats fairly well, but a strange dog has to be introduced." While they were doing that, Salty rang the bell for dinner and automatically Georgia showed Luke where to wash. "Did you leave me because I didn't tell you about the Molly Q sinking? I was afraid, if you knew, you 'd leave me." "No Because you asked me if Herb was good as you. You offended me. You made me sound like a bed-hopper. I told you I didn't know any Herb." "I was sure you didn't and I only meant to tease, to make you say I was a good lover. I would never try to offend you." She was silent. Luke wanted to hold her. He wasn't sure she'd allow it. He asked, " How's your arm?" " Just fine. You can hardly see the marks any more." " Lete see." So when he had her arm in his hands, he couldn
Just about then, since there was an hour's time difference, it was after four o'clock at the Montana Electronics company, Inc. In Indianapolis, Indiana.Luke was frowning at the walls as phone in his hand rang yet again. Where was she? How long did it take to go out . Where was she? How long did it take to go out and buy some steaks? The car had been delivered at eight-thirty and she hadn't been there since.A very strange feeling gripped Luke. He went back to the meeting, jerked a hand at Mac and backed out the door to wait in the hall."What's up?""I can't get hold of Georgia," Luke said. "I've been calling her since about ten morning and she doesn't answer. I have a bad feeling about this."Mac discounted that. "She probably went to a movie or apartment hunting, or shopping. Women never sit by the phone and wait for someone to call them. They had about all over the place. You'll be smart to take home some deli food for super tonight." The. Mac urged, "We better get back. This is g
"It is almost certain that since they are so interested in coming to us, we have more on this tham they and they are petitioners. We smiled quite smugly confident of her reply. She gave it: "Yes. I'll miss you terribly." He showered and she lay in bed, feeling everything acutely. He came in and dressed as she watched and he regarded her thoughtfully. " You'll be okay." " Yes." " Being with you everyday has spoiled me. I don't want to leave you?" She was silent. She didn't want to leave him, either. " Aren't you going to fix me some breakfast? You don't want me to go out into the cold, brutal jungle to face the ravening corporate maneuverings on an empty stomach, do you?" " No." She got out of bed and went for her robe. He patted her bottom. "I'm glad you'II be here when I get back." She didn't look at him but put on her robe and went to the kitchen. She washed her hands, fixed him bacon and eggs, toast and juice and coffee. He told her about the other two companies while he a
"In the morning?" Luke's father was a little uncertain and looked at Luke for guidance. "I see." Georgia looked back at Luke. "I suppose it slipped your mind?" "I didn't mention It?" He knew good and well hadn't and it made her furious! "I've been held here for almost two weeks." "What do you mean?" his mother asked slowly. "I've been held here against my will." And his mother said to her son, "Now, what?" To distract hos mother, Luke told her, "She's learning to cook." "Don't you cook, Georgia?" Georgia didn't reply but said to Luke, "It's exceedingly interested and excessively telling that you have a mother who comes here, finds you've imprisoned a woman and she doesn't say, "How shocking!" She says, 'Now, what.' That says a lot about you, Luke Montana. " His mother's head went up, his father looked at Luke and Like laughed. A genuine, amused, impulsive laugh. It made his father smile. It made Georgia madder. She smiled sweetly and said a sugar-coated, "I kn
"You wouldn't have to take your pictures down. They look very nice on my walls. And you look even better in my house." "What would I tell my parents?" She asked logically. "They are very old-fashioned." "Tell them...Tell them you have an unusually friendly apartment mate, I want you stay with me." She shook her head. "It's only propinquity. If you saw me under ordinary circumstances, you'd look right past me." "No." He was sure. "I'm not beautiful." He could not control a blurting laugh of disbelief, but he straightened his face as well as he could. He learned away and looked at her lying there in the sunlight. shiny with oil, her body soft and lax and well loved. "You're not bad." He grinned. Then he teased, "And that one hundred thousand you're getting from us is something to consider." "When will you know about the Molly Q? When will I be free?" He frowned. "Do you want to leave?" " To ask me to stay, now, is meaningless. I am your prisoner. I have to stay." Later, while
He watched her as she flipped quite a chunk of pages back to the place she was drawing him exercising. She sudied him minutely. That she would look ot him that way made him self-conscious. Conscious of himself. Aware of his body. That he was a male being closely studied by a female.Naturally that made him more aware of her body and that she was a female and a willing one, at that."You really ought to lift weights. Since we have the time, I could get you started. Stand u,"She put aside her pad and pencil and stood before him."This movement," he instructed, "will tone these muscles." He traced the line of muscles. "And this one does all these." He bent her and traced all those that simple movement would affect.One thing led to another and he relaxed them both.They retrieved Minny form the roof and bird watching can be exhausting, so the little cat curled by the glass sliding door and napped. The lovers fixed a lazy lunch and although they hadn't done any bird watching, they too, n
"We were..... watching the news." Georgia gave Minny an apologetic look. How could she say Minny wakened them?"Did you get a look at him?" Mac asked Luke."No.""You're losing your touch. Getting old. In your younger days, you have been over that rail and nailed him before he hit the ground. I think you ought to give up baking, Georgia. He's getting fat and sluggish.""You missed Georgia's Oriental chicken, Mac. It was great." He smiled at Georgia. Then he told Mac,"If you behave and make no maire little snide remarks about my age and weight, you might be able to talk me out of one of the rest of the meringue cookies."Meringue?" Mac perked up."They are perfect.""Would you like one?" Georgia asked Luke."That'd be great.""I'll get you some."Mac frowned at Georgia. "He's capable of walking all the way across the living room.""He's been chasing burglars," Georgia said back over her shoulder.He didn't catch one."Luke pried his muscular body up out of the chair, and Mac bragged a