Rachel clear her throat loudly waking Noah who was suddenly nervous. "I'm going to get some bred up there," Noah said.Rachel nodded then slight awkwardly. "By the way, I have got an invitation to Greta Specter's birthday," Rachel muttered as she lifted the hot coffee from the table.Noah immediately tensed up,busy with Rachel's problems made him sometime forget his intentions to find out who his parents were."Greta! when?" we can go over to my house first, then fly back to New York for Greta's birthday," Rachel said casually.Noah nodded, "Okay, umm which jam do you like?" he asked, opening the drawer where he kept all the jam."Half strawberry half chocolate," Rachel answered impatiently, she was already starving. "Okay," Noah said as he spread the bread with a pensive face."You still the went to tell me about your purpose in coming into the Specter's residence?" Rachel asked with a probing look.Noah sighed, he put the toasted bread on the table then pulled the chair and set on
"That's not funny you know!" Rachel snapped a little nervously. Noah restrained himself from laughing louder "What I mean is, we should talk about our fake relationship," you don't want to look stupid when people ask us, do you?" murmured Noah more relaxed.Rachel cleared her throat, she took a glass of champagne and sipped slowly. "I have been thinking about that too, okay let's start from where we met, how we met and everything!" said Rachel after she got back her confidence.They spent thier time on the plane chatting about their plan. Now and then they appeared to be arguing over disagreement and after that they could laugh together, laughing at how distant people would think that they are real couple.Two hours later they were in a car heading to Elliot's residence. Noah looked very calm, while Rachel looked even more tenser."Are you sure about this?" Noah asked, while driving Rachel's rented car. "Really we are almost at my parents house and you are still asking that kind of qu
"Good evening everyone," Rachel greeted as she and Noah entered the dinning room where her father, her stepmother, Uncle Arthur, his wife and his son who looked quite handsome infact, were sitting and having small talk.All eyes looked up at Rachel and Noah with quite surprising faces. Rachel's stepmother didn't expect Rachel to take her words seriously when she said she was going to bring her fiance home."Rachel!" sit down! you didn't say you're being a friend!" shrieked Rachel's stepmother as she waved to the maid to prepare another seat."No, I have told you before but I'm sure you would have thought I was joking! and this isn't my friend, this is my fiance! Everyone, miximilian Schmidt," Rachel said with a proud face, she didn't know why she should be proud with this lie.Rachel's father stared disapproving. After all having a man on a matchmaking dinner night was impolite.Noah nodded politely to everyone. "Good evening everyone, sorry to interrupt your dinner," Noah said in an
"No you're!" snapped Rachel in disbelief. "What if I am, will you?" asked Noah looked at Rachel with serious face.Rachel gulped, she felt a little bit nervous but she quickly change the subject. "So how are we gonna do now?" asked her, one eyebrow raised. "Don't worry, there's no reason for your parents to decline me, they will agree then we can buy some time while funding the truth about your mother's accident, can we go to bed now? I'm so tired!" said Noah, stretching both of his arms.Rachel nodded, "yeah you're right let's go!" she finished her wine and rose from her seat. 'Go where? asked Noah, frowned. Rachel rolled her eyes, "Bed of course! you said you were exhausted!" she said while walking ahead of him.Noah just shrugged his shoulder as he followed Rachel though several hallways they finally arrived at Rachel's room.The atmosphere became very awkward when the two were already in the room. Rachel nervously removed her stilettos and stepped closer to the bed.Noah cleared h
Noah opened his eyes to exactly five in the morning. If he went to bed on time he could always wake up on time too. With eyes that suddenly became very refreshed. He got out of bed and walked slowly to the bathroom. He spent some time washing his face and brushing his teeth. After that, he quickly put on his running shoes to the sofa.While busy wearing shoes, suddenly Noah heard a loud snoring from Rachel's mother. He couldn't help but laugh because Rachel's snoring did resemble a man's snoring. Jillian had once told Noah that Rachel had a habit of snoring like a man when she was too tired but Noah didn't expect her to snore so loudly like that.Noah straightened up, peeking at Rachel who was lying on her back with the blanket she'd kicked fallen to the floor."She really can't sleep normally....." Noah muttered. He drew closer to Rachel's body up to her chin.He studied Rachel's beautiful tired face. Suddenly he felt sorry for the woman in front of him. All her life she must continu
Mrs Elliot," greeted Noah politely as he met Olivia. "Good morning Maximilian so you and my husband share the same hobby!" exclaimed her lightly. Noah smiled, ''yes apparently," said Noah got up on his feet."I bet my husband has told you already about our decision to accept your proposal," said Olivia. Noah nodded politely, "yes, Mr Elliot has told me and I'm so grateful for it, I promise I will make Rachel happy, thank you very much for your blessing".Noah pretended to see his we watch, "Excuse me, Mr and Mrs Elliot, I have an online meeting in thirty minutes I'm afraid I have to leave,"Olivia looked at his husband then nodded lightly. "Yes sure, you must be very busy with all those five stars hotels!" Noah smiled humbly, he really lived his role as Maximilian Schmidt.Noah walked away from Rachel's father and Olivia who was watching him from behind. There was anger in his heart at Rachel's father indifference to his daughter.How could a parent do that his flesh and blood?"Noah
"Come on, my friend is waiting inside," Noah said after he turned the car engine. Rachel quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car without speaking. Noah stood by the passenger door waiting for Rachel and soon they walked side by side into the bar not far from the capitol building.The bar was filled with several capitol employees that we're drinking during the day. Noah looked around, looking for his friend's location.Before he could find it, not looking after someone bumped into him and hugged him tightly.Rachel glared at the woman that was hugging Noah. There was no way she was his friend who worked at the NSA, she was too beautifully and fashionable for someone who worked In an institution like the NSA. Rachel kept arguing with herself while watching Noah stared at that woman in surprise."Lilly?" you look so different! I almost didn't recognize you!" Noah said has he looked at his friend from head to toe. Lily laughed cheerfully, I'm no longer the tomboy Lily you u
"She did charge her face look at this, she was registered in one of the plastic surgery clinics in south Korea," Lily pointed out something on her laptop screen. Noah and Rachel bent down, reading that data Lily had found."How did you do that?! I mean, I have been trying to found out about that woman for the past few years and haven't found anything," Rachel muttered in admiration.Lily blew her gum into a big balloon, then blow it up with her finger. "There's a reason why the NSA recruited me!" she said with a proper annoyance."Can you find out more about that woman, I want to know everything about her!" Rachel said, her hands clenched on the table.Lily snorted then laughed loudly, "you think I'm a free service provider! I helped you because of Noah asked to, but if you ask for additional services, there's a price to pay....."Whatever it is! tell me I will pay you the right price!" Rachel said impatiently.Lily's one eye rose, she stared at Rachel for a long moment, then she gave
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