It was written in the guise of an article announcing the deal brokered between Packard Enterprises and Golden Gates promotions. It detailed her job history, colorful as it was, to the present and hinted broadly about there being a relationship between her and Timothy. Nothing was left to the imagination. Everything she’d worked so hard to overcome had been splashed in excruciating detail. She should be angry. Furious even. But what she felt was…..resignation. She looked up into the worried eyes of Bryce as the realization hit her. It would always be something. Timothy was right to be angry that she’d placed more importance on what others thought of her than she did what he thought of her. As long as the people she loved knew the truth, it shouldn’t matter what some stranger thought. Evan believed in her and her abilities. She had the backing of her agency. She had people who loved her unconditionally. Timothy evidently didn’t care who knew they were involved, so why should she? For
He pressed a finger to her lips. “Shh. I don’t want to hear that word cross your lips. It’s me who is sorry. I was an ass. I said despicable things to you.” Her eyes widened, and she felt the ridiculous urge to cry again, as if she hadn’t done enough of that in the last few days. “First, I want to talk about this,” he said as he drew out the dreaded newspaper clipping from his pocket. She froze, her stomach seizing with dread. “Don’t look like that. I don’t believe a word of it. But it’s obviously an important part of your past. It hurt you and it’s affected a good portion of our relationship. I want you to tell me what really happened.” Her lips trembled and she twisted her hands nervously in her lap. “I got out of college, intending to rule the world. I loved it…I loved my job. I was in a big, busy city, and I was away from home, away from my family. At the time that was important to me. I was stupid.” “I think we all go through the desperate need to get away from our family,”
A blind date... Collins Templeton rolled his eyes at the idea of putting himself out for a woman he hadn't seen, knew nothing about, and would never meet again, given the work schedule he had lined up."Hell no." he said, "Definitely not doing that. It's not going to happen" "Why not?" his old friend, Leonard Cooper asked with a slight frown on his face. "Because I said so" Collins retorted. "She's a stunner," Leonard assured him."Stunners are two a penny in my world. All of them relentlessly ambitious." "That might be so in L.A., but this is home time in Australia, remember? Look, Favour's sister is something else." "Something else like what?" asked Collins with a confused look on his face. His derisive tone earned a chiding shake of the head. "You're jaded, mate. When was the last time you let yourself do something like this? A long time ago... Probably even never. Which is why you're here spending a week with me. A night out with a gorgeous down-to-earth beautiful woman wil
"Done!" Leonard readily agreed, grinning his head off. No problem in his mind.Collins relaxed. Let tonight take care of itself, he thought, having dealt himself a ready bolthole. __________A blind date... Jasmine Leclaire gave her sister a look designed to kill the idea on the spot. Stone dead. This weekend with Favour was a much needed time out from men— one in particular—and even being polite to any male at the moment would be an effort she didn't want to make. The look didn't work. It spurred Favour into attack mode, eyes flashing the light of battle."You know your problem, jasmine?" she began. "You've been so fixated on Robert for so long, that you've developed tunnel vision. You can't even see other men could be more attractive. And a lot better for you, too." So find me one, jasmine thought derisively, having done her own looking each time Robert had strayed, then forgiving him and taking him back because there simply wasn't anyone else she wanted to be with. Compared to
"It would be such fun, dressing up together," Favour pressed."I didn't bring dress-up clothes with me," Jasmine remembered, not so much seeking an excuse but simply stating the truth. "And that's because I didn't plan on going on a date with anyone" "You u can try mine on." The eager offer was rushed out. "in fact, now that I think about it, I've gota little black number that would look fantastic on you. It's a jersey so it doesn't matter you're more curvy than I am. It will stretch to fit." More curvy and taller. And their taste in clothes was different. Which was why they'd never swapped or borrowed. But what she wore tonight was not an issue, Jasmine decided, as long as she pleased Favour.Twenty seven today. Her little sister...who had her life more in order than Jasmine had managed in her twenty nine years. Still, Favour's career in the public service carried minimal stress and steady promotion, given areasonable level of performance. The advertising world was far more cut-th
Well, Jasmine, strut your stuff, he silently challenged as a long rippling mane of very lustrous brown hair rose from the driver's side, the kind of hair that would look good on a pillow. Feel good, too. A tingle of temptation touched his fingertips. He clenched his hands to wipe it away. This was not the lime to let a woman get to him. So she had great hair. No big deal.... The workings of the brain under it probably had no appeal at all.She turned to close the door and lock the car. Collins attention was galvanised. Leonard hadn't lied. He hadn't even exaggerated. Jasmine Leclaire was a stunner. Helen of Troycame to mind. Here was a face that could definitely launch a thousand ships. It seemed to simmer with sexual promise, aided by the erotic positioning of a deep pink flower over her right ear. The tingle in his fingertips moved to his groin and there was nothing physical he could do to remove it. He tried willing it away. Impossible mission. She moved to the back of the car t
"Nice car," he said, nodding to where she'd parked. "I like it" His eyes leased as he asked, "What does it say about you?" She already felt under attack from him and instinctively she fended off the probe that was asking her to reveal private feelings. "Ermmm... Does it have to say anything?" Jasmine asked "Cars always say something about their owners." Collins replied and withdrew his hand. Then gestured to his friend. "Now take Leonard here. His BMW says he's made it. He's solid. He likes proven performance." "Right on," Leonard agreed. "So what car do you own?" Jasmine asked Collins, wanting to learn something about him.He grinned. "I don't. If I need a car, I hire one." "Don't let him fool you, Jasmine" Leonard quickly inserted. "Collins is a bikie from way back. He's got a whole stable of bikes to suit whatever mood he's in and whatever he wants to do." "An open road man," she observed, thinking Collins had to have the kind of mind that would hale any form of confinement.
He paused to consider. His eyes beamed a speculative challenge as he answered, "Whatever two strangers want to make of it." "'Without a tomorrow." jasmine asked. "Tomorrow I'm gone." he replied. Well, that was laying it on the line. No future with Collins Templeton. Not that she had had time to even think of one or consider whether it might be desirable."Then I'll just take this one night experience with the man behind the name," she countered, pride insisting that his schedule did not affect her expectations from this blind date, which had been zero before she met him anyway. Sexual invitation simmered back at her. "I wonder if you will." She hadn't meant a one-night stand. Another wretched blush goaded her into being uncharacteristically provocative. "You win some. You lose some." It was a warning for him not to assume anything. He grinned. "The game is afoot. And you can't cut and run because your sister is watching and she'll kill you if you do." He laughed, trying to lig