“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
Maya looked over the crowd and wished she was back at BookCrazy, holding her Friday night poetry reading with her best friend. The business dinner tonight was the turning point in Alex's career. She knew heavy hitters swarmed the halls for the chance at glory, and Alex needed to dazzle the crowd in order to get a hearing. She handed the hostess her coat and let Alex lead her into the packed ballroom. “I’m assuming you have a general plan of attack?” she asked. “Who are the two players you need to concentrate on?” He motioned toward a thick cloud of cigar smoke. A tight circle of conservative businessmen surrounded a man impeccably dressed in a gray suit and silk tie. “Hyoshi Komo is building the Japanese restaurant. His vote is key to gain the third partner in the waterfront deal.” “So, why don’t you go over there and give your pitch?” She plucked a salmon tart from the tray of a tuxedo-clad waiter and grabbed a glass of champagne from another. “Because I don’t want to be one of t
Her steps carried her around the next corner into a room that looked more like a gallery, filled with shelves of old, bound books carefully displayed. She held her breath as her fingers itched to caress the binding of old leather and relish the sound of crackling as she turned the pages steeped in history. “Ah, so to get you to notice me tonight, I should turn into a book, no?” She spun around. A man stood in the doorway, his eyes filled with a mischievous humor she knew to be a part of his core. His hair was long and caught back in a low ponytail, giving him the look of a pirate who had charmed women for centuries. His lips were full and his nose dominated his strong features in typical Italian style. Dressed in black pants, a black silk shirt, and expensive leather shoes, he exhibited a graceful, seductive air just by standing. Maya knew immediately the man was charming, warm-hearted, and deadly to women. The thought made a smile curve her lips. She had a soft spot for womanizing
Michael watched the gesture with barely hidden amusement. “It seems Richard thinks you are the perfect man for the job. Perhaps we can set up a meeting to go over your ideas.” “Thank you. I’ll call your secretary and arrange an appointment.” She caught the clear-cut simplicity in his tone, and knew Michael noticed. Alex didn’t play certain business games, namely being too arrogant to pick up the phone himself to call for an appointment. “Very good.” Michael took her hand and placed a kiss on her palm. “It was lovely to meet you, Maya.” His Italian accent caressed her name. “I’m having a dinner party for a few close friends two weeks from tonight. Would you join me?” She noted he directed his invitation to her so she turned to her husband. “Darling? Are we free?” This time, his movement wasn’t subtle. He took a step behind her and wrapped both hands around her waist, drawing her back against him. Her butt pressed against his groin. Iron thighs trapped hers. He rested both hands d