Three days later John was staring at his computer screen. Christal was at home after a marathon of sex. She was probably happy with the reprieve. His nerves were totally fried at what their future was going to be. Whatever happened was up to her.He tried to focus on his work rather than on what his woman was going to do. The last three days he’d held back claiming her. The mating heat had been between them during most of their fuck fest, but he held it back. John didn’t want them to blame the mating or him for Christal staying with him.In the space of one month he’d found his woman, hurt her, taken her, fallen in love with her, and was now on the verge of losing her. His parents were not lying when they said wolves moved fast, refusing to waste a single moment of life.Leaning back, he turned his chair to look over city life. When he was first outlawed he hated the city, but then he had come to love it. The hustle and bustle of activity stopped him from thinking about the pain of ev

He left afterward. Looking at the clock she saw she’d missed lunch. John was probably out of his mind. Rushing to the phone she started to type in his number and stopped. Calling him wouldn’t do the trick. She wanted to do something else. Putting the phone down, she entered the kitchen and started setting up her basket.John deserved the best, and she finished icing the chocolate cake. She hummed as she set to work. By the time it came to end of the day, she headed out toward John’s place of work. At five o’clock she was leaning against his car holding the picnic basket in front of her. Every time the elevator stopped, she tensed waiting to see him.For the next half an hour John didn’t appear. He was one of the last men to leave the building coming toward her with Dick in tow. His friend slapped his arm, pointing at the car.She smiled, waving at him. John frowned, approaching her.“Why are you here?” John asked.“I thought we could go on a picnic. I’ve packed dinner.” She turned to

Helena remembered only too well Bryan’s visit to England five years ago. And the fury in the accusing look he’d shot in her direction when he’d arrived and seen what Emma had done to her normally rich brown hair…‘And I’ve always been envious of your amazing green eyes,’ Emma continued longingly. ‘Plus, you’ve become one of the most successful interior designers in London.’‘Mainly due to you and other mutual friends employing me,’ Helena pointed out dryly.‘That’s irrelevant,’ Emma said firmly. ‘Your grandfather should be proud of you and your achievements!’Helena couldn’t help smiling at her friend’s chagrin on her behalf. ‘The thing is, my mother couldn’t have any more children after me, so that pretty well took care of there ever being a male heir.’‘Your grandfather is only a land-owner, for goodness’ sake, not nobility!’ Emma scoffed.And, being descended from nobility herself, Emma was in a position to know the difference!Helena smiled wistfully. ‘Same thing as far as Grandfa

His mouth tightened. Ten years ago, he had not approved of or understood Emma’s affection and friendship for the gawky English girl she had only known for less than a year and had absolutely refused to allow his sister to complete her education in England so that she could remain in England with her new friend. Emma had eventually complied with his decision, of course, and instead continued the friendship by telephone and letter.Then, at the age of eighteen, a much more stubbornly determined Emma informed him that she intended to attend an English university, and she had instantly met up with Helena Bosch again. If anything, the friendship between the two women had become all the stronger as they had matured.Admittedly, Helena had grown into a confident woman of passable beauty, and Emma reported that she was very successful as an interior designer, but Bryan still did not approve of her as a friend for his young sister. Even less so after Helena's brief marria