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HER SECRET 35
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2023-03-20 00:18:31
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YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) HER SECRET 36
'You were never in touch with any of us. We were like little toys you played with when you were at home. I don’t think we were ever a part of your life,’ Matt said, tossing his cigarette to the ground and crushing it out with his boot heel. ‘All I ever wanted to do was be able to love you, and you gave me reason after reason not to. Well, yes, you won. I don’t love you. God knows why, but Ma did. All I can do is believe there was something good in that.’‘Things were tough when you kids were growin’ up, Matt. There’s things you can’t understand.‘No. The problem is, I always understood too much.’Lester pulled a box of cigarettes out of his shirt pocket. He flipped it open, offering one to Matt. Matt shook his head. ‘Lost my taste for ’em. Do you have a pen? I want to go ahead and sign this check over to Leeann so I can leave first thing in the morning.’ He glanced at his father’s face and saw nothing of himself in it. ‘You should be with your family tonight. If you’d asked me, I coul
Last Updated : 2023-03-20YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 1
SYNOPSIS ‘I want you to have my baby. Give me an heir and I’ll offer Petros a deal which will save his skin!’‘You must be mad! ’ Carrie floundered for words; she was so shocked by his proposition. ‘I couldn’t marry you!’As he raised a dark, sardonic eyebrow Alexis’s low voice drifted across to her,‘I want an heir, not a wife!’But Petros had other ideas and Carrie and Alexis soon found themselves bound for a wedding neither of them wanted...CHAPTER 1A grey shadow of doubt settled unceremoniously onto Carrie’s slim shoulders. Was she doing the right thing? There zvas no other alternative. She’d gone over this with a fine-tooth comb since her return to Greece, and each time she’d come up with the same answer. Alexis Stephanides held the key; he was the only man rich enough!‘Miss O’Riordan, Mr Stephanides will see you now,’ said the pleasant dark-haired girl, in heavily accented English, as she emerged from the office with CHAIRMAN engraved on the gold plaque of the heavy mahogany
Last Updated : 2023-03-20YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 2
Alexis spim aroimd, his frown warning her, his voice threatening her to be silent. ‘Shut up! Stop your screaming: you know what I do to screaming children.’ He moved towards her like the sleek hunter he was and she backed away as if his touch would burn her.‘You touch me if you dare. I’m not a child any more,’ She spat the words out like an alley cat, wild and hurt.Alexis gave her a look full of contempt as he walked swiftly past her to the door. There, he turned slightly, throwing over his shoulder, ‘Then stop behaving like a child.’ He glanced down at the gold watch on his wrist. ‘I have a meeting. Friday is the deadline, Carrie. At noon!’Carrie stared open-mouthed. Eventually she foimd her voice. ‘That’s too soon.’His gaze travelled her full length. ‘If you truly love Petros, having my baby will be a worthy sacrifice!’ With that he left, leaving her shocked and devastated.***Petros was sitting by the pool when she reached the island. His tired face was gaunt with worry and ag
Last Updated : 2023-03-20YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 3
‘You are, Carrie, Why, I think it’s the first time I’ve ever seen you drunk,’ he admonished softly, amusement lifting his voice slightly.‘I am not drunk! I’m ill!’Urging her to move, he ignored her remark, keeping a tight hold around her waist as he hailed his limousine.The cold night air almost knocked Carrie off her feet. She shivered and looking around the illuminated street in a hazy stupor, she suddenly felt much worse.Alexis opened the car door, ordering her to get in. Feeling faint, she caught the heel of her shoe on the curb and would have fallen had he not come to her rescue again. Once inside the comfort of the expensive car he rapped out orders to the driver. ‘My hotel!’Carrie couldn’t understand why she felt so light headed. Her legs looked perfectly capable of moving, and yet they felt numb. She prodded one in sheer horror and fascination.‘Like I said, it’s called being drunk, my sweet, little Carrie,’ he admonished teasingly; he wasn’t annoyed, there was amusement
Last Updated : 2023-03-20YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 4
Alexis snorted angrily. He jumped up from the bed with a Greek oath, and delivered a message that chilled her soul. ‘I will make you eat those words one day my wicked Irish fireball. No one insults a Stephanides!’‘I just have.’ She always pushed him to the limit.He stood there, all muscle and tanned bare flesh but for the briefs. He was magnificent in his anger, and he was very, very angry with her, she had no doubt. For the second time in her life Carrie thought she had pushed him too far.His expression frightened her as his fingers clasped into fists at his side. Instead of reaching for his prey, he had thankfully reached for the telephone, crisply ordering a car to take Carrie home.Alexis turned on her, whispering dangerously soft words. ‘I want you out of my room by the time I finish my shower, or by heaven, girl. I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget!’ He strode into the bathroom, closing the door behind him with a definite click.Within minutes a shaking, confused Carr
Last Updated : 2023-03-20YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 5
Carrie wanted to cry out, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Her muscles were beginning to complain at such a long, fast swim. She hadn’t done this in years, and she knew how foolish she’d been.It was Alexis who eventually broke the damning silence. His voice was rough with emotion. ^Now you’re going to listen to me, and this time you’ll not get away from the awful truth about Petros and his debts. It’s far, far worse than you think.’Carrie bit her lip. She dared not meet his eyes; if it were true about her school fees and monthly allowance, she would never be able to face Petros again.‘Look at me, Carrie,’ Alexis said softly.She did, reluctantly, her tongue gliding across the salty skin of her lips. Swallowing deeply she shrugged and said rudely, ‘So talk, I won’t know if you don’t tell me.’He frowned heavily and his voice became a silky warning that he was losing his patience. ‘Don’t take that tone with me, Carrie.’Carrie sighed heavily and surrendered in a temporary
Last Updated : 2023-03-20YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 6
Carrie was spared the need to reply when Christos came out to greet them. ‘Carrie, my lovely, lovely girl.’ He kissed her soundly on both cheeks and then turned to Alexis. ‘My friend, I’m so pleased you could grace my taverna.’Alexis bowed his head slightly and smiled. ‘The pleasure is all mine. However I must apologize that Petros cannot be with us this evening. He is feeling a little under the weather.’Pleasantries were exchanged and eventually they were seated near tlie balcony overlooking the beach. Carrie could hear the splashing of the tide, feel the evening breeze around her shoulders and shuddered involuntarily as she looked up at the full yellow moon.‘A penny for your thoughts,’ Alexis asked inquisitively as he poured her a glass of wine.‘Oh, I was just wondering when you’re going to turn into a vampire. You’re the ideal candidate.’ She raised the glass to her lips.‘I am?’‘Yes, of course!’‘And pray tell me why?’ he tatmted silkily.Carrie went on, surveying him openly.
Last Updated : 2023-03-20YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 7
‘If that’s Jonathan I’d like to speak to him,’ she said hastily, but already Alexis was replacing the receiver.He shook his head. His voice had a warmth about it as if he was speaking to a child, and yet as he swept his glance over her shorts and T-shirt he wasn’t looking at or appreciating a child: ‘I’m sorry, Carrie, Jonathan is too busy, he’s transporting the puppy to the mainland. She’s still in considerable pain.’Carrie opened her eyes wide, her voice husky when she asked, ‘Why? What can be done on the mainland? I don’t imderstand.’Walking across to the old carved sideboard he poured orange juice into two crystal glasses and handed Carrie one as he sat at the table.‘She needs a plate in her back leg. They have far better facilities on the mainland, and at least that will give her a fighting chance. You realize they’re not sure if the operation will be a success? If it’s not - ’ He shrugged his large shoulders and left the words unsaid.Carrie sat down at the table opposite hi
Last Updated : 2023-03-20
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YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 23
‘G’day Kerrien, my darling girl, had a nice time?’ She was nodding and smiling encouragingly but Kerrien could say nothing. ‘Lovely day, thank you. It’s good of you to feed me again,’ she added. “Come on in. Make yourself at home,” she urged. ‘Must use the bathroom, if I may,’ Kerrien asked. Brett shoved his mother out of the room and Kerrien could hear the whispered voices rising and falling. ‘For heaven’s sake boy, do I get the champagne out or not?'*I don’t know Mum, she hasn’t given me an answer yet.” Kerrien listened in growing discomfort. She was beginning to feel coerced, trapped. If she said yes, it was going to be for all the wrong reasons. If she said no, she might just be acting foolishly out of some misplaced sense of romanticism. She went slowly back to the family room, where Brett was waiting for her. ‘Do I get my answer yet?’ he asked. The blue eyes were shuttered and she could read nothing from them. “Yes Brett, yes I will marry you.’ She wondered why she didn
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 22
Sleep was impossible and Kerrien paced her room for much of the night. Ashton was evidently going through some personal crisis which seemed to exclude both herself and the children. What was he talking about with her and Brett? News? Excited? He could only think that they were getting engaged. She wondered where he had got that idea. It was the very last thing she would have wanted him to think, when all the time she desperately wanted jum. She also wished that his future with Martine was less certain. Double wedding indeed! Ashton said little the next morning before rushing off to work. She caught him staring at her a couple of times, as if looking for some clue in her face. If he believed something special had recently happened to her, he did not voice his thoughts. ‘I won’t be home for lunch and don’t wait dinner for me tonight. I may be out. Have you decided when you’re going out at the weekend?’ he asked. ‘Saturday, if that’s OK,’ she replied. ‘I'll organize things before I go
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 21
‘I haven’t felt this way about anyone before,’ Brett said. She drew a quick gulp of air and her reeling senses came back to earth. ‘And you’ve had plenty to choose from, I suppose.’ The harsh words hit him like a slap across the face. “I’ve never tried to pretend anything different,” he defended, a hurt expression in his eyes. “Look, you may be innocent or try to give the impression of being innocent but I know a true response when I feel it. Yes, OK, call it experience. Tell me, do you intend going through your entire life celibate and end up a sour spinster?’ ‘I think I'd better go,’ she said, bristling at his accusation. ‘Kerrien, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it. I want you Kerrien, on whatever terms you insist on making. Think about it. I can offer you everything you’ve always wanted.’ His face looked almost child-like in its pleading, like Ben or Jodie begging for just a few minutes longer, before going to bed. She almost smiled at the thought. They may want to stay up longer, Br
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 20
‘I thought you had something vital to tell me,’ Ashton said at lunch. ‘Something that couldn’t wait a moment longer.’ ‘Perhaps I’ve got things in perspective a little better,’ Kerrien replied, twisting her fingers together in her anxiety. ‘What I have to talk about is important but something has come up that I must deal with and quickly. I have to see Brett and the sooner the better.’ He stared at her, peering into her eyes as if he could read something in them, as if he could somehow see into her mind to know what she was thinking. She was an enigma to him. One minute bursting with some news she needed to discuss urgently with him and the next, planning an evening out with her boy-friend. He had no doubt as to the reason for her sudden need to meet Brett. She had to give him an answer to the vital question and having made her decision, she obviously couldn’t wait to tell him. ‘Look, I know it isn’t really my evening off but things have been hectic lately and I am still owed some t
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 19
Kerrien sipped a cup of hot chocolate in the cafeteria, her hands wrapped round the comforting mug. She hoped that Kate and her friend didn’t have the same idea. Kerrien had no prejudices about people’s right to choose their sexual partners but somehow, Kate’s whole attitude to life suddenly seemed to have become clearer. All these nasty, sometimes spiteful . remarks were probably made because Kate didn’t know how to cope with the cards that life had dealt her. She did genuinely seem fond of the children but perhaps felt that Ashton would be less than understanding if he knew that his sister loved another woman. It took some getting used to but Kerrien was convinced that she was not mistaken. The way the two women had looked at and spoken to each other showed quite clearly that they shared a deep relationship. It may also explain why Kate was so resentful of Kerrien. Her easy going manner with people was something of a contrast with Kate’s own more restrained nature. She wondered if
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 18
“So what do you say Kerrien? Will you stay with us, for as long as you can?’ His deep, soft eyes were pleading with her. She felt again that urge to wrap her arms round him and hug him better but she knew that any physical contact with him would spell disaster to her own strength of purpose. ‘Think of the children,’ he added, knowing this was his trurmp card. She genuinely loved them and would never let them suffer. Besides, it would mean that she would still be around in his life and that meant a great deal more than he cared to admit. ‘I need to think about it. I’ll stay for a while, certainly. At least until you have made whatever arrangements you plan to make. Don’t worry.’ Her heart was near breaking as she spoke. She desperately wanted to be gone once Martine was living here. She couldn’t bear to see the other woman doing all the things she wanted to be doing, having the exclusive love of the wonderful man she herself loved so much. If he should ever find out how she felt, she
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 17
Once Ashton had left for work, Kerrien decided that she simply couldn’t face another evening staying at home. She dialled Brett’s number and swallowing her stubborn pride, asked if he was free that evening. She was taking a slight risk that she wouldn’t have to babysit but as she hadn’t taken any time off for ages, it was not unreasonable to expect a free evening. His response was very positive. If he had made other plans, it was not obvious. He suggested a movie and then a meal out. It sounded exactly what she needed to take her mind off things here. When Kate eventually turned up, sometime after eleven, Kerrien had started the lunch preparations. She made some coffee for them both. Kate seemed edgy and moody. Things were evidently not going as well as she would have liked. But, she obviously controlled her wandering thoughts and agreed to mind the children for the evening, if Ashton was out. The woman seemed subdued and uncommunicative, so Kerrien left her alone and went to play wi
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 16
The next few days were difficult. Kate bad only one topic of conversation — the wedding — and seemed totally unaware of the discomfort of those around her. The children were silent and withdrawn, reminiscent of the time when Kerrien had first arrived in Australia. Kerrien herself was thoroughly sick of hearing about the fabulous designer wedding dress Martine was planning, and whether Ben should be dressed in green or cream velvet. Either was equally revolting, or so Kerrien thought and she instinctively knew that Ben would agree! 'I think you should start looking around for another job,” Kate suggested brightly one morning. 'I see. Your idea or Ashton’s?’ Kerrien asked. ‘It must be obvious even to you that this situation can’t go on. Once they’re married, I expect they will be starting a new family and Martine is sure to want someone of her own choice, to look after the new baby as well as Ashton’s two. Besides, Ben will be at school and you surely wouldn’t want to be hanging arou
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 15
It was nearly lunch-time when Kerrien returned from her trip to drop Brett home. A quick hallo to Margaret and a coffee before she had left, made her later than she intended. She’d then taken a couple of wrong turnings, her mind pre-occupied. The journey took longer and longer, it seemed. There was strange feeling of unreality about everything, as if she was in the middle some sort of dream that would end when she awoke. The house was quiet and Ashton’s car was missing from its usual place. He must have gone to work, even though she’d thought he wasn’t on duty this weekend. Perhaps he had gone out — to be with his fiancée she thought miserably. She had to keep experimenting with the words, so that she would get used to it. How could he want to marry someone who was so negative towards those two lovely children? It was obvious to anyone with half a mind, that Martine couldn’t care less about them. It was equally clear that the children also felt the same way about their father’s fiancé
