“No.” His single word hurt her even more, if that were possible, his refusal to soften it cheapening her more than she’d thought possible.“So what was that all about?” Emma asked, gesturing to where they had lain, where he’d found her, held her, made love to her, forcing the confrontation,steeling herself to hear the confirmation of her worst fears. “What just happened there, Alex?”“Sex.” Black eyes stung her, a warning note in his voice telling her she’d crossed the line. His lips set in a rigid line as she shook her head, refused histake on the history they’d so recently created.“It was more than that and you know it,” Emma rasped, shocked by his callousness, reeling from the ferociousness of his sparse summing-up, yet refusing to buy it, because she knew there was more to him, had witnessed the real Alex only moments before, and all she knew was that she wanted himback. “Alex, please, don’t do this...” Emma attempted, her hand reaching out for his arm, but he recoiled as if s
“It would have,” Emma said softly, watching his wince of regret at her refusal to accept it, actually grateful when Katrina and Hugh ducked inside theemerald canopy and broke the painful moment, because whatever Alex was trying to say it was too little, too late—even a garden full of flowers wasn’tgoing to fix this.“Join us for a drink,” Hugh offered. “Alex’s just about to put Alex to bed...”“I’ve got too much to do here.” Emma smiled as she shook her head. “But thank you for the offer.”“I think we might have to stay over.” Katrina pretended to grimace. “Hugh’s had a couple too many champagnes to drive.”“I’ve had one,” Hugh said, but Katrina had clearly already made up her mind.Emma was tempted to tell her that she needn’t bother, that Alex didn’t need to be guarded on her final night here, but instead she offered her goodnights andheaded to the mountain of tools that needed to be sorted.“You really ought to think about finishing up,” Alex called. “There’s a storm brewing and
She gave tiny gasps in her throat as her fingers knotted together in his hair, as still he teased her more, histeeth grazing the silk, his tongue moistening her more, and even if it was everything she wanted, it still wasn’t enough. Realisation hit her that, despitewhat had taken place in the garden, she’d never seen him naked. Need propelling her, she pulled back a touch, saw the question in his eyes as slowly he stood up. Her fingers, nervous at first, but bolder as desire took over, wrestled with thebuttons of his shirt, pushing the sleeves down over his muscular arms. Closing her eyes in giddy want, her pale breasts pressed against his chest. She felt thenaked silk of his dark skin against her, skin on skin, as she opened his belt and unzipped his shorts. She held her breath in wonder as Alex now shed thegarments that stood between them, and if he’d been beautiful before, he was stunning now.Never had she seen a more delicious man, his body toned and muscular, his dark, oliv
“No.” Alex shook his head, his face contorting with agonized concentration as he recalled every detail of the last time he had seen his daughter. “At least, I don’t think so.”“You don’t think so?” the policeman pushed, and Emma could have slapped him for his insensitivity. But Alex was calmer, explaining Alex’s problem in ameasured voice, but his voice was loaded with pain.“My daughter has problems—behavioural problems.” Katrina opened her mouth to argue, but Alex stood firm, shaking his head at Katrina, clearly indicating that now wasn’t the time for futile denial. “She doesn’t react in theusual way—you never really know what she’s thinking. Look, you have to tell your colleagues that they could be just a metre away from her, could be callingher name, and she won’t answer them, she won’t call out...” His voice broke for about asecond and Emma watched as he attempted to recover, his eyes closing for an agonising second as he forced himself to continue. “You have to tell them that
Chapter One. She needed a man. Preferably one with one with one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to spare. Maya Baker stared into the small homemade campfire in the middle of her living room floor and wondered if she had officially lost her mind. The piece of paper in her hand held all the qualities she dreamed her soul mate should posses. Loyalty, intelligence, humor, a strong sense of family and love for animals. A healthy income. Maya grabbed a bottle of cabernet sauvignon and thought about her dilemma. Het flower shop was mortgaged to the hilt. The Cafe expansion would take careful planning anr there wasn't a dime to spare. She looked over the Victorian loft apartment and easily calculated there was nothing to sell. Not even on ebay. She was twenty seven and probably should be living in a stylish condo, with stylish designer clothes and a date every weekend. Instead, she took in homeless dogs from the local shelter and bought chic scarves to update her outfits. She beli
Chapter Two. Alex Smith had a fortune at his fingertips. But to get the one thing he wanted he needed a wife Alex believed in many things, working hard to accomplish a goal. Controlling anger and resorting to reason when a moment became confrontational. And creating buildings that were solid and beautiful. Smooth angles and sharp lines blending together. Bricks and concrete and glass attesting to the solidity that people craved in ordinary life. The Short moment of wonder when a person looks upon the final creation for the first time. All of these things made sense to him. Alex did not believe in marriage, love or even family. This things made no sense to him, and he had decided not to incorporate them into his life. Unfortunately, uncle Billy had changed the rules. Alex 's guts coiled, and his sick sense of humor almost caused a laugh to spill from his lips. He rose from his leather chair and stripped of his jacket. He quickly changed into his gray sweatpants and matching tshi
Alex Smith glanced around, satisfied with the result his conference room provided a business atmosphere.. The contracts were well laid out, with an elegant silver tray filled with tea,coffee and a variety of pastries. Formal, yet friendly which would reflect the tone of their marriage. He ignored the deep pitch in his gut when he thought of encountering Maya Davis again. He wondered how she had grown, the stories his sister shared painted her an impulsive, reckless woman, she didn't fit the image he needed but his sister Olivia insisted she would be perfect. Stubborn memories of a free spirited kid with a ponytail bobbing teased his thoughts, even though he knew she owned a flower store, hr still thought of her as Olivia's play mate, despite the fact that he hadn't seen her in years. But time was running out. They shared a distant past, but he could sense that Maya could be trusted. She may not fit the idea of his perfect wife but she needed the money and he needed a wife, fast.
"God your parents really screwed you up." she muttered. "Thank you." "What if i don't fit in all these categories?" "We will work on it." Her eyes narrowed, and she bit her lip. Jordan flashed back to the first time he kissed her, when he was sixeen. How his mouth had pressed against hers,feeling her tremble. His fingers lightly caressing the bare skin of her shoulders. Then she had smiled and told him she loved him. Wanted to marry him. He should have kissed her or said something sweet and nice instead he had laughed. Even at sixteen he knew no relationship could ever be beautiful, they all eventually turned ugly. He shook off the memory and concentrated on the present. "Why don't you tell me what you are looking for in this marriage?" "One hundred and fifty thousand dollars upfront. In cash." He leaned closer to her intrigued, "Hell, that's alot of money. Gambling debts?" An invisible wall slammed between them. "No." "Shopping spree?" Temper flared in her eyes. "None of y