76638854 Mistress to a Rich Man Kathryn Ross

8/10/2019 76638854 Mistress to a Rich Man Kathryn Ross

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MISTRESS TO A RICH MANKATHRYN ROSS

CHAPTER ONE

THEY said that the female of the species was usually deadlietha! the male" #i$$y did!%t e&actly hold with that theoy' !otafte Simo! had' a( !ot o!ly put he $a!) $ala!ce i! the ed'$ut $( also succeeded i! $ea)i!* he heat"How he had ma!a*ed to do the latte' she was!%t sue" All she)!ew was that you did!%t i!sta!tly stop lo+i!* someo!e ,ust$ecause they said o!e mo!i!* o+e $ea)fast' -Soy this is!%two)i!* out'% $efoe casually pic)i!* up a! aleady pac)edholdall fom the hall cup$oad"

All i*ht' the way he had fi!ished with he had $ee! callouslysudde! a!d thee had $ee! times dui!* thei elatio!shipwhe! he had $ee! a little $it o! the selfish side" .ut thee hadalso $ee! wo!deful times a!d u!fotu!ately these wee thememoies that pla*ued he sometimes late i!to the !i*ht" /hywas the $ai! so stupidly selecti+e0 /hy could!%t she ,ustemem$e the $ad times' o at least co!ce!tate o! the factthat $ecause of Simo! she was *oi!* to ha+e to mo+e out ofhe apatme!t' as' despite the fact that she had a *ood ,o$ i!

ad+etisi!*' he $ills had mou!ted up to the poi!t whee shecould!%t affod to li+e i! Meio! Teace o! he ow!"A!d !ow to add i!sult to i!,uy it seemed that Simo! had u!up a!othe set of hu*e $ills o! he cedit cad"-It was my cad $ut a ,oi!t accou!t'% #i$$y co!fided to he $estfie!d Chloe as they met fo thei usual 1iday di!) i! the wi!e$a afte wo)" -I suppose I should ha+e ca!celled it whe! heleft' $ut I ho!estly !e+e thou*ht he%d do a!ythi!* li)e this"%-Ha+e you tal)ed to him a$out it02%Not yet"% #i$$y too) a sip of he wi!e' he e&pessio! *im"-He%s !ot a!swei!* his mo$ile" .ut I%m ha+i!* some time offwo) !e&t wee) to *o flat3hu!ti!*' so I%ll ty a!d tac) him dow!the!"%Althou*h it was o!ly fi+e3thity the $a was filli!* up as$usi!ess people fom the suou!di!* offices piled i! fo a swiftdi!) $efoe headi!* home" .y ei*ht the place would $edeseted a*ai!4 it was the same e+ey 1iday i! this pat of#o!do!"Chloe lea!ed fowad sudde!ly" -5o!%t loo) !ow' $ut thee%s ama! watchi!* you fom the !e&t ta$le" A!d he )eeps lea!i!*


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o+e as if he%s tyi!* to liste! to what you ae sayi!*"%-I%m !ot i!teested' Chloe" To $e ho!est' the way I feel i*ht!ow I thi!) I am off me! fo life"% #i$$y did!%t e+e! $othe to*la!ce aou!d"

-No!se!se" You%ll meet some$ody else a!d fall madly i! lo+e"%-I do!%t e+e! )!ow if I $elie+e i! lo+e a!y moe"% #i$$y fi!ishedhe wi!e a!d put the *lass dow! fimly o! the ta$le" -I eallydo!%t thi!) I%d tust my heat to someo!e else a*ai!" I! fact'!e&t time"""if thee is a !e&t time"""I%m *oi!* to $e uled $y myhead6*o fo someo!e with loads of mo!ey"%Althou*h the wods wee said with fim esolutio!' Chloe was!%tco!+i!ced fo o!e mome!t" She *la!ced o+e at he fie!d a!dlau*hed" -Yeah' i*ht' a!d this fom the *il who would le!d you

he last pe!!y a!d fo*et to as) fo it $ac)"%-/ell' this is the !ew me'% #i$$y said esolutely" -/ould youli)e a!othe di!)0% As #i$$y *la!ced towads the $a he eyescau*ht the *ia!t T7 scee! $ehi!d it" The !ews was o! a!dthey wee showi!* pictues of a ma! *etti!* out of a stetchedlimousi!e" As the camea 8oomed i! o! him #i$$y felt he$eath fee8e i! he thoat"""felt the cowds i! the $a meltaway"It was Cal Sheida!"""her father! .ut how could it $e0 Co!fusio!

a!d shoc) +ied fo positio! i!side he" He fathe was dead"""hemothe had told he so yeas a*o"She staed at the scee! dou$ti!* he ow! eyes fo a mome!t'$ut e+e! thou*h she had o!ly $ee! se+e! yeas of a*e the lasttime she%d see! him she )!ew it was he fathe" He had!%tcha!*ed that much' same ,et3da) hai a!d pieci!* $lue eyesthat #i$$y had i!heited" /hat was he fathe doi!* o!tele+isio!0 A!d whee had he $ee! fo all these lo!* yeas0A!d' moe impota!tly' why had he mothe told he he wasdead0%#i$$y' ae you all i*ht0% Chloe%s +oice seemed to $e comi!*fom a lo!* way away"-Not eally"""!o"% #i$$y shoo) he head a!d could!%t da* heeyes away fom the T7" -That%s my dad9%-/ho0% Chloe followed he *a8e"-That ma!"""Cal Sheida!"""/hat ae they sayi!* a$out him0%#i$$y stai!ed he eas' $ut it was impossi$le to hea what was$ei!* said o! the T7 o+e the !oise i! the $a"%That%s Cal :ui!to!"""He%s a! Ameica! mo+ie sta' #i$$y"%Chloe shoo) he head i! pu88leme!t"


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#i$$y loo)ed $ac) at he fie!d i! supise" Chloe wo)ed i! PRa!d she followed the media pa*es +ey closely" ;sually she wasspot o!' )!ew e&actly who was who" .ut this time she had *otit wo!*" -I%m telli!* you' Chloe' he%s my dad a!d he is !ot a!

Ameica!' he%s a #o!do!e"%Chloe fow!ed" -/ell' he is )!ow! as Cal :ui!to! !ow' #i$$y" Iwas eadi!* a! aticle a$out him ,ust the othe day"%-A!d what did the aticle say0% #i$$y as)ed !um$ly"-It said he stated out i! a made3fo3T7 dama fo a local!etwo) i! Califo!ia a!d e+eyo!e lo+ed him" The! he wasoffeed a stai!* ole o! .oadway" A!d si!ce the! he%s $ee! a$i* hit i! the States' $ut may$e !ot too well )!ow! i! Euopeyet" Howe+e' all that is set to cha!*e $ecause he%s eally hit

the $i* time !ow a!d is co3stai!* with


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the $est deals fo his clie!ts' his compa!y ha!dled all theipu$licity' a!d i! the pocess he ceated me*astas" He had alsomade himself a millio!aie $y the a*e of thity3thee a!d wassomethi!* of a cele$ity himself"

#i$$y had see! him o! T7 at pemiees a!d she had see! hispictue i! the pape" Thee had e+e! $ee! pictues i! *lossyma*a8i!es of his weddi!* to the $eautiful film actess Maiettaa!d moe pictues whe! they%d had a $a$y a few mo!ths late".ut althou*h they had seemed to $e the pefect *olde! couplethe maia*e had!%t wo)ed' a!d twel+e mo!ths late they weedi+oced" No easo! had $ee! *i+e! fo the split a!d !eithehad maied a*ai!" 1om what she could *athe his e& was stillhotly pusui!* he caee i! Hollywood' while Mac spe!t moe

a!d moe time i! Euope whee he had ope!ed a !um$e of!ew offices"/he! #i$$y had se!t him a! email with a! attached lette fohe fathe she had e&pected to $e *i+e! the same u!3aou!dthat the film compa!y had *i+e! he" So she had ta)e! thei!itiati+e a!d $oo)ed heself a fli*ht to the South of 1a!ce a!da hotel oom fo se+e! !i*hts" She )!ew he fathe would $ethee fo the Ca!!es film festi+al so if she could!%t co!tact himi!diectly she would tac) him dow! i! peso!' e+e! if it mea!t

ha!*i!* aou!d outside the co!+e!tio! ce!te !i*ht a!d day"Thee had $ee! !o eply to that fist email so #i$$y had se!t aseco!d telli!* Mac Clayto! he pla!s a!d ma)i!* it +ey cleathat she would see he fathe with o!without his help" She had$ee! supised to ecei+e a! immediate espo!se fom himapolo*isi!* fo !ot *etti!* $ac) to he soo!e"He had told he that he had passed o! he messa*e a!d thathe fathe was +ey much loo)i!* fowad to seei!* he i!Ca!!es' $ut due to pio commitme!ts would !ot $e ai+i!* i!1a!ce u!til two days afte he" Howe+e' i! the mea!timewould she do him the ho!ou of ha+i!* di!!e with him o! the!i*ht of he ai+al0

The pla!e touched dow! o! the u!way with a thud" She had toadmit that !ot ecei+i!* a diect eply fom he fathe had $ee!disappoi!ti!*" The di!!e i!+itatio! fom Mac Clayto! had$ee! a total supise" E+e! !ow as she *atheed he $elo!*i!*sshe could!%t help $ut wo!de why he fathe%s a*e!t wouldwa!t to ha+e di!!e with he"It did!%t ta)e lo!* to collect he lu**a*e a!d ma)e he waythou*h customs a!d out i!to the temi!al"


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Mac Clayto! spotted he immediately" 1om the fist mome!the email had ai+ed o! his des) he%d )!ow! she was *oi!* to$e tou$le" .ut whe! he saw he wal) acoss the aipottemi!al he )!ew she was *oi!* to $e dou$le tou$le" He had

hied a pi+ate i!+esti*ato to chec) he out' $ut the photo thathad la!ded o! his des) had cetai!ly !ot do!e he ,ustice" #i$$ySheida! was =uite stu!!i!* a!d thee was !o de!yi!* she wasCal%s dau*hte4 he could see the esem$la!ce" Tall a!d le**yshe wal)ed with a! ai of *aceful co!fide!ce acoss theco!couse' lo!* da) hai shimmei!* as shafts of su!li*htcau*ht its chest!ut hi*hli*hts" She was!%t e&actly a)e3thi!' $uthe cu+es wee i! all the i*ht places' a!d she woe copped

,ea!s a!d a pale $lue T3shit that emphasised he lo!* waist

a!d fim cu+es" He o!ly lu**a*e was a soft ca!+as holdallthat she caied o+e o!e shoulde"She was ma)i!* fo the e&it towads the $us stops whe! hecalled he"-Ms Eli8a$eth Sheida!0%She swu!* aou!d' cystal3$lue eyes wide a!d =uestio!i!*"-Yes0%He watched as she wal)ed a little close' he ma!!e way"-You se!t me a! email telli!* me you wee comi!*" I%m Mac

Clayto!"% He e&te!ded a ha!d towads he"-Oh9% It too) he a mome!t to put dow! he $a* a!d each tosha)e his ha!d" -I did!%t e&pect to see you hee"%As he ha!d was ta)e! i! a fim *ip a!d she loo)ed up i!to theda)!ess of his eyes #i$$y%s heat$eats stated to i!ceasedamatically" She )!ew fom photo*aphs that Mac Clayto!was ha!dsome' $ut she was totally u!pepaed fo ,ust howha!dsome he was i! the flesh" The *uy was dop dead*o*eous" Thee was somethi!* i!te!sely se&y a$out the +el+etda)!ess of his eyes a!d the way his thic) da) hai was$ushed $ac) fom a face that was had3$o!ed i! stuctue witha sto!* s=uae ,aw" A!d he was tall"""well o+e si& feet with the$ody of a! athlete' wide' poweful shouldes tapei!* to a flatstomach a!d lithe hips" .ut it was the ai of powe that seemedto pemeate his e+ey wod' his e+ey loo)' that was mostu!settli!*"-I thou*ht as you fathe is!%t hee I should step i!to the $eacha!d see you safely to you hotel"% .efoe she could stop him heeached a!d pic)ed up he $a*"-/ell' that is +ey )i!d" .ut it eally is!%t !ecessay"% #i$$y was


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sli*htly !o!plussed" She )!ew +ey well how +alua$le thisma!%s time was" Chloe had impessed that upo! he $efoe shehad left" Appae!tly Chloe%s $oss had o!ce tied to set up ameeti!* with him a!d $ee! *i+e! a +ey polite $ut fim $ush3

off $y his secetay" Mac Clayto!%s diay was full' had $ee! themessa*e" I! fact they had ,o)ed i! Chloe%s office that fo theli)es of thei small fim Mac Clayto! would po$a$ly $e $usyu!til the yea two thousa!d a!d fifty" -He%s a +ey i!flue!tialma!' #i$$y'% Chloe had told he ea!estly" ->etti!* a!appoi!tme!t with him is li)e fi!di!* *old i! the Thames"%So what was he doi!* hee' ma)i!* time fo he0 The Ca!!es1ilm 1esti+al was set to stat soo!' so the *uy must ha+e had amillio! moe impota!t places to $e"

Thee was!%t time to as) $ecause $efoe she could saya!ythi!* futhe he was leadi!* the way outside' his pace $is)"The heat of the afte!oo! was i!te!se4 it shimmeed o+e thetamac oad a!d was so o+ewhelmi!* that #i$$y felt heselffla**i!* as she stu**led to )eep up with his lo!* stides"

They eached a pale $lue ope!3top Mecedes a!d Mac ope!edthe $oot a!d flu!* he case i!" The! he too) the ,ac)et of hise&pe!si+e sa!d3coloued suit off a!d slu!* that o! the $ac)seat $efoe ope!i!* the passe!*e doo fo he"

-Now' I )!ow you told me i! you email that you had $oo)edi!to the Rosette hotel' $ut whe! I chec)ed it out I decided iteally was!%t suita$le so I hope you do!%t mi!d $ut I ha+e ta)e!the li$ety of cha!*i!* you to the Empoium hotel"% The wodswee so $is) a!d authoitati+e that it too) #i$$y a mome!t toe*iste the fact that' actually' !o' it was!%t OK"-/hy did you do that0% She did!%t *et i!to the ca"-.ecause the Rosette is a two3sta hotel a!d the Empoium afi+e3sta' so !atually I thou*ht you would $e moe comfota$lei! the latte"%#i$$y felt a flae of a!*e" She had always $ee! a +eyi!depe!de!t woma! a!d she did!%t li)e the feeli!* of $ei!*ta)e! o+e li)e this" -M Clayto!' I $oo)ed the Rosette hotel$ecause that was whee I wa!ted to stay"% She efai!ed fomsayi!* that she had chose! he hotel $ecause it suited he$ud*et at the mome!t" A fi+e3sta hotel was cetai!ly out of the=uestio!' especially as he e& still had!%t paid the mo!ey hehad spe!t o! he cedit cad"Mac Clayto! loo)ed +a*uely amused' as if he could!%t $elie+ethat a!yo!e would wa!t to stay i! a two3sta hotel' which made


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#i$$y%s tempe ise futhe" -You )!ow' M Clayto!' I doappeciate the fact that you ha+e come out of you way to pic)me up today' $ut I ca!%t help wo!dei!* why"%-I told you why"% He shu**ed" -I! you fathe%s a$se!ce I

thou*ht I had $ette ma)e sue you wee OK"%-I ca! assue you that I do!%t !eed loo)i!* afte"% She tilted hechi! up i! a sli*htly stu$$o! )i!d of way a!d met his eyesdetemi!edly" Thee was a pat of he that was tempted to tellhim a!*ily that he fathe had!%t loo)ed afte he si!ce shewas the a*e of se+e! so she cetai!ly did!%t !eed a!y ma!%shelp !ow" .ut she held he to!*ue o! that $ecause sta!*ely itseemed li)e a $etayal to he fathe"""althou*h why she shouldfeel such loyalty to him !ow she did!%t )!ow"

As Mac *la!ced dow! at he he !oticed the $ief flic)e of+ul!ea$ility a!d sad!ess i! the delicate $lue $eauty of heeyes" The loo) too) him $y supise" The! she seemed to pullheself up a!d the fie of co!fide!t detemi!atio! etu!ed i!he e&pessio!' ma)i!* him wo!de if he had i! fact ima*i!edthe mome!t"-A!yway' M Clayto!' I would appeciate it if you would ,ustdop me at the hotel thatI $oo)ed" 1o o!e thi!* it suits my$ud*et at the mome!t' a!d fo a!othe it is whee I ha+e told

e+eyo!e I will $e stayi!*"%-Ah"""I see"% It had!%t ta)e! he that lo!* to *et aou!d tome!tio!i!* mo!ey' Mac thou*ht wyly" Now this was moewhat he had e&pected fom he"#i$$y was mome!taily thow! $y the mea!i!*ful to!e of his+oice" -/hat do you see02%5o you wa!t to *et i!0% He !odded towads the ca" -I should!%teally $e pa)ed hee so I%d li)e to mo+e" /e ca! tal) as we *o"%-OK"% As she mo+ed past him a!d i!to the passe!*e seat hehad a *ood +iew of he +ey shapely ea" She was i!cedi$lyse&y"""it was a distactio! he did!%t !eed"

The leathe seat was hot $e!eath he s)i!' the su! pumpi!*dow! fom a clea $lue s)y" #i$$y umma*ed i! he ha!d$a*a!d fou!d a u$$e $a!d' the! pulled he hai up a!d awayfom he !ec) a!d secued it i! a po!y3tail"-I did!%t ealise it was *oi!* to $e as hot as this'% shemumued"-This is the South of 1a!ce"% Mac smiled wyly"-Yes"% She shu**ed" -I )!ow' $ut it is o!ly May" A!d it%s $ee!so cold a!d misea$le at home" /he! it%s li)e that it%s had to


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$elie+e that the su! is shi!i!* a!ywhee"% She tu!ed he faceup to the s)y" -This is wo!deful"""ma)es me wish I could staylo!*e tha! a wee)"%-/ell' the weathe ca! $e cha!*ea$le hee i! May'% Mac told

he huiedly" -/e ca! *et toe!tial ai! a!d the mistal ca!$low"% He did!%t wa!t he ha!*i!* aou!d too lo!*9 She couldcause eal ha+oc with his pomotio! pla!s fo Cal%s film9Mac *la!ced aou!d at he as he pulled the ca out o!to themai! oad" He could see the lo+ely shape of he face !ow' thehi*h chee)$o!es' the sli*htly tip tilt of he small !ose' a!d thesmooth pefectio! of he s)i!" She loo)ed li)e a tee!a*e withhe hai i! that po!y3tail' fesh a!d e&citi!* a!d""" Swiftly hecha!*ed the diectio! of his thou*hts away fom such

da!*eous *ou!d4 if he caied o! li)e that she could causeha+oc to moe tha! his $usi!ess pla!s" He tied to co!ce!tateo! the eal easo! she was hee"-So I ta)e it mo!ey is ti*ht at the mome!t' othewise you%d $estayi!* lo!*e"""a!d you%d $e i! a $ette hotel"%#i$$y loo)ed acoss at him' the impeti!e!t =uestio! ta)i!* he$y supise" -I ca!%t stay a!y lo!*e $ecause I%+e *ot to *o $ac)to wo) soo!" A!d I ha+e chose! the Rosette hotel $ecause thatis whee I wa!t to $e' tha!) you"%

-You mea! it will do fo !ow"%The dy dis$elief i! his to!e made he sit stai*hte i! he seat"-


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#i$$y was so shoc)ed $y the stateme!t that she could!%t fi!dhe +oice to a!swe" /hat $est effots0 she wo!deed ha8ily"She had!%t head a wod fom he fathe si!ce the day he%dwal)ed out"""!ot o!e wod9

-A!d !ow you )!ow Cal has hit the $i* time' fou!d fame a!dfotu!e' a!d sudde!ly you ha+e ai+ed o! his doostep'% Macco!ti!ued o! i! a laco!ic to!e a!d sla!ted a wy *la!ce o+e athe" -Call me cy!ical if you wish' #i$$y' $ut you timi!* leadsme to $elie+e that you ha+e moe tha! a =uiet little familyeu!io! i! mi!d"%-/hat I ha+e i! mi!d' M Clayto!' is !o!e of you dam!$usi!ess"% #i$$y%s +oice tem$led with shoc) a!d with fuy"-How dae you su**est somethi!* so epu*!a!t0 You do!%t

e+e! )!ow me"""you )!ow !othi!* of my elatio!ship with myfathe"%-/ell' I )!ow what you fathe has told me"%

Those wods se!t e+e! deepe shoc) wa+es cousi!* thou*h#i$$y" -/hat has he told you0%Mac *la!ced o+e at he a*ai!" He !oted the wide ho3o i! heeyes' the hi*h spots of ed colou i! he chee)s" -You )!ow'you should thi!) a$out ta)i!* up acti!*'% he said calmly" -Youae eally =uite *ood"%

-May$e it u!s i! the family"% She mutteed the wods u!de he$eath"-May$e it does"% He *la!ced aou!d at he"She shoo) he head" -/hat did my fathe tell you0% The wodsfelt li)e wood i! he mouth" Thee was a pat of he that did!%twa!t to hea this" She felt sic) i!side" It was $ad e!ou*h thatshe had *ow! up without at least heai!* fom he fathe' $utthat he should lie a$out the fact was +ey pai!ful" Why wouldhe do that?-He told me that all thou*h you life he has se!t you cads a!dlettes' mo!ey a!d e&pe!si+e *ifts' a!d that the cads a!dlettes ha+e always $ee! etu!ed $ut the *ifts a!d the mo!eywee )ept"%-I do!%t $elie+e he told you that"% #i$$y%s +oice was $ittle"-/hy ae you sayi!* these thi!*s to me02%.ecause they ae tue' you )!ow they ae tue" A!d the! o!you ei*htee!th $ithday he tied to ma)e diect co!tact withyou" He tu!ed up at you paty a!d you slammed the doo i!his face" Told him you hated him a!d !e+e wa!ted to see hima*ai!"%


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#i$$y ope!ed a!d closed he mouth" She wa!ted to tell himthat it was all a dam! lie' $ut calli!* he fathe a lia tothis"""appalli!* sta!*e was moe tha! she could $ea" -This is!o!e of you $usi!ess'% she said i!stead' he +oice tem$li!*" -I

lo+ed my fathe"%-#o+ed0% Mac Clayto! *la!ced aou!d at he' o!e da)eye$ow aised wyly" -That%s past te!se' is!%t it0%#i$$y swallowed had" -I still lo+e him !ow"% It was had to saythe wods' especially to Mac Clayto!' $ut they wee!o!etheless tue" No matte what' she did still lo+e he fathe"A!d he must ha+e had his easo!s fo doi!* what he haddo!e""" sayi!* what he had said" She despeately wa!ted to$elie+e that he had' which supised he somewhat $ecause up

u!til !ow she had!%t ealised ,ust how much she wa!tede+eythi!* to $e OK $etwee! he a!d he dad' wa!ted to flyi!to his ams a!d ha+e that old $o!d $ac) $etwee! them" Shehad missed him so much"#i$$y a+eted he face fom Mac Clayto! as she felt teaswelli!* up $ehi!d he eyes" She was dam!ed if she would *i+ethis ao*a!t ma! the satisfactio! of )!owi!* he had *ot to he"-/ell' a!yway' I thi!)' putti!* all that aside' it would $e $est ifwe could come to some aa!*eme!t $efoe the pess stat to

po)e thei !oses aou!d i! this'% Mae co!ti!ued $is)ly"-/hat )i!d of aa!*eme!t0% #i$$y as)ed a!*ily"Mac pulled the ca to a sta!dstill at the toll$ooth a!d thewsome mo!ey i!to the machi!e" The ti!)le of coi!s filled thesile!ce $etwee! them" -That )i!d of aa!*eme!t'% Mac saiddyly"-I do!%t wa!t you flami!* mo!ey"%-o to hell'% #i$$y said fuiously"-/e !eed to sot thi!*s out62-A!ythi!* I ha+e to sot out I will $e soti!* out with my fathe"Not you"%-1o a stat' you ca! of couse stay at the Empoium hotel a!d Iwill ta)e cae of the $ill62-You ae !ot liste!i!* to me"% #i$$y *laed at him' he eyeso+e$i*ht" -This is $etwee! my fathe a!d I" A!d I will !ot $estayi!* at the Empoium" If you ta)e me thee I will simplylea+e"%


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-You ae +ey stu$$o!' ae!%t you0% Mac eplied tesely"She said !othi!* to that"-OK' ha+e it you way" I%ll dop you at the Rosette"%Still she made !o eply' $ut co!ti!ued to stae out at the

passi!* sce!ey"They wee ta+elli!* alo!* the palm3li!ed Coisette !ow" I!odi!ay cicumsta!ces #i$$y would ha+e $ee! e!,oyi!* thedi+e' would ha+e $ee! di!)i!* i! the si*hts alo!* thepome!ade' the desi*!e shops a!d the $eautiful achitectue"

Thee wee la*e postes up e+eywhee pomoti!* the filmsthat wee $ei!* show! hee !e&t wee) fo the festi+al" O!e ofthem was he fathe%s film" Thee was a *ia!t pictue of hima!d his co3sta


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#i$$y%s lips twisted i! dy distaste" %.ut of couse'% shemumued flippa!tly" -A!d !atually I would o!ly ha+e accepteda suite with a $alco!y a!d sea +iew"% She was ,o)i!*' $ut o!e*la!ce at Mac Clayto! a!d she )!ew he thou*ht she was

seious" A!*e $u$$led thou*h he" This *uy eally was a pieceof wo)" Ao*a!t""" i!suffea$le a!d with a! opi!io! of he thatwas o$+iously lowe tha! low" /ell' what did she cae0 sheas)ed heself swiftly" He was !othi!* to he" So what if hewa!ted to thi!) of he as a *old3di**i!* me!ace0 She would lethim *et o! with it' ,ust as lo!* as he did!%t *et i! the way of heeu!io! with he fathe"""o' wose' i!flue!ce he fathe%sthou*hts9-My fathe does )!ow I%m hee' does!%t he0% she as)ed

sudde!ly"-Yes' I told you" I passed o! you email"%-Ri*ht"% #i$$y $it dow! o! he lip" -5o you thi!) he *ot it0%Mac pulled the ca up outside a small hotel" -Yes' he defi!itely*ot it"%He switched the e!*i!e off a!d the! loo)ed acoss at he" -Youfathe a!d I ha+e $ecome *ood fie!ds o+e the last couple ofyeas" I cetai!ly would!%t )eep a!ythi!* fom him"""especiallysomethi!* I )!ow mea!s so much to him"%

-You thi!) I mea! a lot to him02 The hus)y =uestio! was out$efoe she could help it"1o a seco!d Mac *limpsed a*ai! that +ul!ea$le loo) a$outhe' the flic)e of deep sad!ess i! he $lue eyes" A!d it had asta!*e effect o! him4 it made him wa!t to each out a!d touchhe' daw he close' hold he""" He fow!ed to himself" She wasa cold3$looded *old3di**e a!d a dam! *ood actess' heemi!ded himself"-You )!ow you mea! a lot to him" He was de+astated whe! helost you"% Mac said the wods fimly" -I%+e sat with him while hehas poued his heat out a$out the day whe! he last held hisdau*hte" .elie+e me' e+ey day he has spe!t apat fom youhas $ee! a we!ch fo him"%#i$$y staed up at him' he heat $eati!* so fiecely a*ai!st hechest that it hut" She wa!ted to $elie+e that so much"""Mac watched the e&pessio! i! he $eautiful $lue eyes a!dimpulsi+ely he eached out a!d touched the side of he face" -Itwill $e OK"% E+e! as he said the wods he was wo!dei!* whyhe felt he should comfot he" It was as if some sot of spellwee wea+i!* its way $etwee! them"


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#i$$y felt it too' a!d the touch of his ha!d a*ai!st he s)i! se!tsome +ey u!e&pected emotio!s aci!* thou*h he" O!emome!t she was thi!)i!* a$out he fathe a!d the !e&t shewas loo)i!* up i!to Mac Clayto!%s da) eyes a!d it was as if

she wee dow!i!* a!d spi!!i!* i! a coil of se&ual te!sio! thatcame completely out of !owhee"Co!fusio! a!d desie mi&ed i!side he' a heady' lethalco!coctio! that fou*ht o!e a*ai!st the othe' ma)i!* he heatace e+e! hade" She !oticed his *a8e mo+i!* towads thesoft!ess of he lips a!d she moiste!ed them !e+ously"/hat would it $e li)e to $e )issed $y Mac Clayto!0

The =uestio! shoc)ed he" You do!%t e+e! li)e him' she toldheself fiecely" He%s ao*a!t a!d i!sulti!*"

E+e! so it too) all of #i$$y%s self3co!tol to pull away fom him'$ac) fom the $i!) of disaste" This ma! was playi!* *ameswith he' she told heself a!*ily" He was sayi!* somethi!* !icea!d acti!* i! a sympathetic ma!!e $ecause fo some easo!he wa!ted to co!tol the situatio!"-Of couse I%ll $e OK'% she said' a!d fom somewhee shesummo!ed up a $is) co!fide!ce she was fa fom feeli!*" -A!dI%ll $e e+e! moe OK afte I ha+e met up with my fathe"%-I%m sue he will see you i*ht fi!a!cially' if that%s what you

mea!"% Mac%s lips twisted wyly" -You )!ow' fo ,ust a seco!dthee that little3*il3lost loo) of yous was +ey co!+i!ci!*" Icould almost"""almost""" $elie+e that you *e!ui!ely caed a$outyou fathe"%#i$$y%s $lue eyes !aowed o! him" A!d to thi!) that twoseco!ds a*o she had $ee! wo!dei!* what it would $e li)e to)iss him4 she must ha+e $ee! out of he ti!y mi!d9 -/ell' thatma)es two of us' $ecause fo almost a mi!ute thee I couldalmost $elie+e that you wee a cai!* huma! $ei!*"%Mac watched as she stepped out of the ca o!to the pa+eme!ta!d a small smile cu+ed his lips" He hated to admit it' $utthee was somethi!* a$out he fiey co!fide!ce that headmied" OK' he was too much of a had3headed $usi!essma!to $e ta)e! i! $y he' $ut she did i!ti*ue him"#i$$y we!t aou!d to the $ac) of the +ehicle' i!te!di!* to ta)ehe $a* a!d lea+e him without a!othe wod' $ut u!fotu!atelyshe could!%t ope! the $oot of the ca"-Need some help%0% Mac clim$ed out fom $ehi!d the di+i!*wheel a!d smi)ed" She made !o eply' ,ust stepped $ac) a!dwatched as he etie+ed he $a* fo he"


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-Tha!) you"% She held out he ha!d fo he lu**a*e' $ut hedid!%t pass it acoss fo he"-I%ll cay it i!side fo you"%-Thee%s eally !o !eed62

-Oh I thi!) thee is e+ey !eed'% he said calmly" -Afte all' Iha+e pomised you fathe that I will loo) afte you" So I ca!%t,ust lea+e you' ca! I02%I wish you would'% #i$$y *ated u!de he $eath".ut Mac did!%t hea he4 he was aleady headi!* off i!to thehotel without he"-#oo)' I will $e fi!e !ow'% she mumued as she followed himi!to the eceptio!"Mac did!%t say a!ythi!*' ,ust a!* the $ell o! the eceptio!

des)" #i$$y fell sile!t as they waited fo someo!e to ai+e"Thee was !o poi!t telli!* Mac to *o a*ai!4 he was o$+iously,ust *oi!* to do as he dam! well pleased" He was so a!!oyi!*"I! ode to )eep he mi!d off ,ust how a!!oyi!* he was' she*la!ced aou!d at he suou!di!*s" Thee was a lou!*e at theothe e!d of the eceptio! with se+eal settees a!d chais" Theplace was a $it da)' $ut the deco was stylish a!d it loo)edclea!" Thee wee some lilies o! the des) a!d thei sweet sce!tpemeated the ai"

-The place loo)s OK'% Mac said as he *a8e etu!ed to him"-I )!ew it would $e'% she lied with a shu*" I! fact she had ,usthoped fo the $est whe! she%d made the ese+atio!"A ma! came out fom the $ac) a!d Mac stated to tal) to himi! flue!t 1e!ch" This thew #i$$y a $it4 she had!%t e&pectedMac Clayto! to $e a$le to spea) 1e!ch li)e that' a!d itsou!ded so dam! se&y that she could feel the hais o! the $ac)of he !ec) stati!* to pic)le with awae!ess"-OK' you ae i! oom ?@@"% Mac tu!ed to loo) at he a!d'ealisi!* she had $ee! stai!* at him' she =uic)ly loo)ed away"-It%s o! the fouth floo" 5o you wa!t me to come up with you02%No' I cetai!ly do !ot'% she said =uic)ly' a!d s!atched up the)ey cad the eceptio!ist had put dow! fo he"Mac smi)ed a!d she had the feeli!* that eally he%d had !oi!te!tio! of escoti!* he to he oom' $ut was e!,oyi!*wi!di!* he up"-Ri*ht' well' I%ll see you to!i*ht' the!'% he said easily as he*la!ced at his watch" -I%ll pic) you up at se+e!"%-I $e* you pado!0% She loo)ed up at him $la!)ly"-I%m ta)i!* you fo di!!e'% he said calmly" -Had you fo*otte!02


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%/ell""" yes' let me see"% She put o!e fi!*e to he foehead' heto!e sado!ic" -I thi!) that mi*ht ,ust ha+e slipped my mi!d i!$etwee! you huli!* i!sults at me"%-Huli!* i!sults0% Mac aised a! eye$ow" -Me0 I thou*ht we

wee ,ust *etti!* each othe%s measue"%-/ell' I *ot you measue' that%s fo sue'% #i$$y said dyly asshe eached fo he $a* that lay $eside him o! the floo" -A!d Icetai!ly do!%t wa!t to ha+e di!!e with you" It would cho)eme"%-You ae so damatic"% Ma) smiled as if she wee the mostamusi!* peso! he had e+e met"-As well as my $ei!* a! acto""" a *old3di**e a!d' let%s see'what othe accusatio!s did you hul02

%A $it of a temptess0% Ma) su**ested dyly"/hat o! eath did he mea! $y that0 Had he eco*!ised the factthat fo a few wild seco!ds i! the ca she had felt attacted tohim0 If so' she mi*ht as well ,ust cul up !ow a!d die ofem$aassme!t" -/hat a sta!*e thi!* to say9% she mutteeda!*ily a!d hoped +eheme!tly that the colou i! he chee)swould $e ta)e! fo a!*e' !ot motificatio!" -/hy o! eathwould you thi!) that of me02%May$e it%s somethi!* to do with the fact that I%+e !oticed you

ae !ot afaid to $at those $eautiful eyes at me a!d use youfemi!i!ity to wi! a poi!t"% He mumued the wods almostseducti+ely a!d she felt he heat miss se+eal $eats as hiseyes mo+ed towads he lips" -It%s +ey"""$e*uili!* $ut'u!fotu!ately fo you' I am !ot fooled $y the act fo o!emome!t"%-You )!ow' you tal) a$solute u$$ish"% She ma!a*ed to say these!te!ce' $ut she was half woied that it mi*ht come out $ac)to fo!t she was so i!fuiated" -A!d ,ust fo the ecod I ha+e!ot $atted my eyes at you9 I! fact' I fi!d you so iitati!* thatI%d athe !ot loo) at you at all'% she added fo *ood measue"He smiled" -So I%ll pic) you up at se+e!' the!"%-Ae you liste!i!* to me0 I do!%t wa!t to ha+e di!!e with you62-No' I am !ot liste!i!* to you'% he said with la8y humou" -/eha+e impota!t thi!*s to discuss to!i*ht"%-#i)e what0% She was mome!taily distacted"-#i)e you fathe"% Sudde!ly Mac%s e&pessio! was seious"-Thee ae a few thi!*s we !eed to sot out"%%/hat )i!d of thi!*s02


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%/e%ll discuss that to!i*ht"%-#oo)' the o!ly peso! I wa!t to tal) to is my fathe62-A!d if you cae a!ythi!* a$out him you will $e dow! heewaiti!* fo me at se+e!"% Mac said the wods fimly' the!

tu!ed away" -5o!%t $e late"%Don't be late./ho did he thi!) he was0 He sou!ded li)e aschoolteache" #i$$y tu!ed a!d headed fo the lift" /ell' shehad told him she did!%t wa!t to ha+e di!!e with him a!d shedam! well would!%t" She put he $a* dow! i! the lift a!dpushed the $utto! fo the fouth floo".efoe the doos closed she had a last *limpse of Mac Clayto!*etti!* i!to his ca outside" A!d despite the fact that she wasso a!!oyed with him she could!%t help $ut thi!) how attacti+e

he loo)ed i! the casual $lac) T3shit a!d the sa!d3colouedtouses to his suit" She wo!deed if thee was a!y 1e!ch$lood i! him" Thee was somethi!* +ey Meditea!ea! a$outthe way he was so stylishly dessed a!d the da)!ess of hishai a!d eyes" A!d whe! he had spo)e! 1e!ch to theeceptio!ist it had sou!ded as if it came +ey !atually to him"

The doos swished closed" She supposed some wome! wouldfall fo those poweful Meditea!ea! *ood loo)s' $ut !ot he"She had Mac Clayto!%s measue" He was a hateful ma!' she

emi!ded heself focefully' lea!i!* $ac) a*ai!st the wall"Hateful!Thee was !o way i! a millio! yeas that she would fallfo someo!e as ao*a!t a!d i!suffea$le as him' that was fosue9CHAPTER THREEON THE fouth floo #i$$y pic)ed up he $a* a!d headed outi!to the coido" Thee was !o wi!dow a!d it was i! totalda)!ess" It too) he a mome!t to fi!d a li*ht switch' a!d the!$efoe she could each he oom the li*ht clic)ed off lea+i!*he stu**li!* to fi!d he way"It was a elief whe! she fou!d he doo a!d stepped i!side tofi!d a petty su!3de!ched $edoom i! pale pimose" The la*ewi!dows o+eloo)ed a ow of $ou*eois houses all with$alco!ies co+eed with tu$s of ed a!d pi!) *ea!iums"#i$$y flu!* he $a* dow! a!d we!t acoss to loo) out at the+iew" It was e&taodi!ay $ei!* i! 1a!ce waiti!* fo a eu!io!with he fathe' a!d i! some ways it did!%t feel =uite eal" It wasas if she had e!teed some lim$o la!d $etwee! he old life a!dthe futue" Also it was sta!*e that the eu!io! should $e heei! the Cote 5%A8u' $ecause this was whee they had spe!t


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thei last family holiday to*ethe" #i$$y o!ly had ha8ymemoies of it' $ut she emem$eed they had e!ted a!apatme!t i! Me!to! a!d he fathe had tau*ht he to swim"She emem$eed how much fu! it had $ee! a!d how patie!t

a!d lo+i!* he had $ee!"It was whe! they etu!ed home fom that holiday that hepae!ts had sepaated" Thee had $ee! !o clue to it$efoeha!d' !o a*ume!ts' !o a!*y atmosphee" O!e day theyhad $ee! a happy family"""o so she had thou*ht"""a!d the !e&the fathe was *o!e" A!d a few mo!ths late Sea! had mo+edi! with he mothe" At fist Sea! had seemed !ice' $ut #i$$yhad =uic)ly lea!t that $e!eath the smili!* facade lay a muchmoe si!iste chaacte" She had missed he fathe' had as)ed

fo him a!d that had esulted i! a swift a!d fuious espo!sefom he mothe%s !ew pat!e" #i$$y had tied !ot to as) tooma!y =uestio!s afte that"It was a yea afte he maia*e to Sea! that he mothe hadta)e! he to o!e side a!d told he that he fathe was dead"#i$$y had had !o easo! to dis$elie+e he wods" .ut !ow she)!ew he mothe had lied" A!d it was such a cuel thi!* to do"/hy had he usually *e!tle a!d lo+i!* mothe do!e such athi!*0 /as it simply to stop he as)i!* fo he fathe0 May$e

she had )!ow! he fathe did!%t wa!t to see he a!d it had$ee! some $i8ae act of )i!d!ess0These wee the =uestio!s that wee di+i!* he mad a!dpushi!* he to ma)e co!tact with he fathe" It cetai!ly had!othi!* to do with mo!ey as Mac Clayto! had so callouslysu**ested"Also' !ow that he mothe was dead' he fathe was he o!lyli+i!* elati+e" #i$$y%s eyes $lued with sudde! teas as shethou*ht a$out this" She still missed he mum4 he death had$ee! such a shoc)" .ut thee was !o poi!t thi!)i!* a$out thepast' she had to loo) to the futue !ow"She wo!deed whe! he fathe would ai+e a!d felt a flutte ofappehe!sio! deep i!side"Had he eally told Mac Clayto! that he had tied to co!tact hea!d that she had wa!ted !othi!* to do with him' had slammedthe doo i! his face0 /hy would he tell such a lie%0 /hy wouldMac ma)e it up0 No!e of it made se!se"She si*hed a!d lea!ed he foehead a*ai!st the wi!dow"May$e she should ha+e di!!e with the e!emy to!i*ht" It $eatsitti!* alo!e i! a estaua!t a!d may$e she would lea!


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somethi!*"The sudde! cha!*e of mi!d swept o+e he fom !owhee4alo!* with the ealisatio! that whethe she li)ed it o !ot MacClayto! was he o!ly li!) to he fathe" So fo the time $ei!*

she would ha+e to put up with him' $ut how was she *oi!* todo that0 The ma! do+e he mad4 she !eeded a state*y' apla!"She emem$eed how he%d accused he of usi!* he femi!i!ityto *ai! co!tol of the situatio!""" /ell' may$e that was!%t a $adidea9 May$e she could play that *ame' *it he teeth as heflu!* i!sults at he a!d use some su$tle flattey' some eyelashfluttei!*" He%d said he was!%t fooled $y he""" well' she wouldtest that theoy out"

She smiled to heself as she headed o+e to u!pac)" The ideaseemed se!si$le a!d' OK' she mi*ht $e playi!* with fie' $utshe could ha!dle Mac Clayto!' she told heself co!fide!tly"""could!%t she0

#i$$y%s co!fide!ce stated to falte as the time appoached fohe to *o dow!stais a!d face Mac a*ai!" She *a+e heself a!e&ta spay of pefume a!d chec)ed he appeaa!ce i! theche+al mio" /hat to wea should!%t ha+e $ee! too much of a

po$lem' as she had!%t $ou*ht a lot of clothes with he" Shehad two dessesB o!e was $lac) a!d plai!' the othe $uttefly3$lue with shoesti!* shoulde staps" .ut u!fotu!ately shehad!%t $ee! a$le to ma)e he mi!d up $etwee! them a!d hadtied them $oth o! twice $efoe fi!ally decidi!* o! the $lueo!e"Not that she caed what Mac Clayto! thou*ht of he' of couse'$ut she !eeded the e&ta co!fide!ce of )!owi!* she loo)ed*ood" He eyes flic)ed citically o+e he fi*ue" She wasco!sta!tly $attli!* to )eep he wei*ht dow!" #i$$y o!ly had toloo) at a ceam ca)e a!d it seemed to appea o! he hips" A!dat the mome!t she did feel as if she wee cayi!* a! e&ta fewpou!ds" The dess' howe+e' seemed to hide that fact" It wassummey a!d femi!i!e a!d it fitted to the cu+es of he $ody i!a way that was su$tly se&y""" It would do' she told heself fimlyas she s!atched up he puse a!d left the oom"She ai+ed dow!stais at a few mi!utes $efoe se+e!" Theewas !o si*! of Mac so she sat o! o!e of the sofas i! theeceptio! aea a!d flic)ed thou*h a ma*a8i!e' pete!di!* to$e cool a!d calm a!d collected whe! i! fact she was a!ythi!*


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emem$eed his wods i! the ca" -May$e you thi!) you ca!sell you stoy to the pess"%-#oo)' if you cha!*e you mi!d"% ood$ye' M /i*ht'%she said succi!ctly' tu!i!* he atte!tio! fimly towads Mac"He was weai!* a da) suit that seemed to emphasise thewidth of his shouldes a!d the powe of his physi=ue a!d heloo)ed so ha!dsome that #i$$y felt he mi!d *oi!* i!to a weid)i!d of fee fall fo a seco!d"She was acutely co!scious of the way he watched he as shewal)ed acoss to him" No ma! had e+e loo)ed at he with that)i!d of i!te!sity $efoe4 it was as if he was ta)i!* i! e+ey little

detail a$out he"-Hi"% He smiled at he' a!d it was a smile that fo a mome!t litthe da)!ess of his eyes" -You loo) lo+ely"%-Tha!) you"% She was supised whe! he lea!ed close a!d)issed he o! $oth chee)s" The touch of his lips a*ai!st he s)i!a!d the sce!t of his colo*!e e!+eloped he i! a heady wa+e ofi!to&icatio!' se!di!* se!satio!s of pue e&citeme!t slithei!*dow! he spi!e" It too) all of he ste!*th to step $ac) a!dsmile coolly up at him"

-So who is the *uy0% Mac co!ti!ued swiftly' loo)i!* past he towhee


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the $ee8e uffli!* it" She hoped it was!%t *oi!* to $e acomplete fi88 $y the time they eached the estaua!t" Macope!ed the passe!*e doo fo he $efoe *oi!* aou!d to thedi+e%s side"

-So how ma!y meeti!*s ha+e you set up while you ae hee0%he as)ed casually as he pulled the +ehicle out i!to taffic"-Meeti!*s0% She fo*ot a$out he hai a!d *la!ced acoss athim with a fow!"-Yes' meeti!*s"% He loo)ed at he poi!tedly" -/ith ,ou!alists"%He e!u!ciated the wods as if spea)i!* to a waywad child" A!das he spo)e he eached acoss a!d pulled the cad the epotehad *i+e! he fom he fi!*es"#i$$y watched as he ead it' the! thew it away i!to the

$lac)!ess of the !i*ht' a!d he s)i! $u!ed with a!!oya!ce"5am!' why had!%t she efused that cad0-If you ae auctio!i!* you stoy to mem$es of the pess' the!I hope you ha+e $i**e fish tha! him o! you hoo)'% Macco!ti!ued smoothly" -He%s !ot *oi!* to pay much"%-I%m !ot doi!* a!ythi!* of the sot'% #i$$y mutteed a!*ily"-So if you ae so i!!oce!t why did you lie a$out him $ei!* aepote02%.ecause"""% #i$$y *laed at him" %/ell"""$ecause' let%s face it' if

I%d told you I was as supised to see him thee as you wee' Idid!%t thi!) you would ha+e $elie+ed me' would you0%Mac was sile!t fo a mome!t" -Po$a$ly !ot'% he co!ceded"-/ell' thee you ae" I est my case"% She shu**ed sle!deshouldes" -Althou*h' whe! I thi!) a$out it' I eally do!%t )!owwhy you would $e $otheed a$out my spea)i!* to the pessa!yway"%He *la!ced o+e at he" -Ae you $ei!* deli$eately !ai+e0%-I am !ot $ei!* !ai+e4 I ,ust fi!d the whole thi!* $i8ae" 1oo!e thi!*' I do!%t )!ow a!ythi!* a$out my fathe%s life thesedays" I ha+e!%t see! him si!ce I was se+e!" I did!%t e+e! )!owwhee he was u!til last wee)"""actually' o! seco!d thou*hts Istill do!%t )!ow whee he is !ow"""a!d I ha+e epotes tac)i!*me dow! fo my stoy"% She shoo) he head" -It%s all +eysta!*e"%-You do ealise if you *i+e the pess a so$ stoy a$out youfathe a$a!do!i!* you' that it could seiously affect his caee"His !ew film' whee he plays the pat of a warm andsymathetic family man' could $e a complete flop at the $o&office"%


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#i$$y loo)ed acoss at him shaply" -I would !e+e do a!ythi!*that would hut my dad"%-/ell' that%s *ood to )!ow"%#i$$y thou*ht she edetected a sado!ic !ote i! his +oice" -You

ae detemi!ed to thi!) $adly of me' ae!%t you0% He eyes$la8ed $i*htly as she loo)ed acoss at him"He *la!ced aou!d a!d fo a mome!t thei eyes met" %No"""o!the co!tay' #i$$y' I do!%t wa!t to thi!) $adly of you at all"%

The *e!tle!ess of his +oice cau*ht he off *uad' made he feelco!fused" Huiedly she loo)ed away fom him a*ai!"-You could ha+e fooled me"% She tied to )eep he +oice cisp'$ut it had lost its i!te!sity !ow"

They wee di+i!* alo!* the Co!iche d%O' a twisty oad that

hu**ed the coast *i+i!* spectacula +iews out acoss theMeditea!ea!" A full moo! cast a sil+ey eflectio! o+e theoad a!d the sea4 the s)y was studded with the *litte of amillio! stas"-/hee ae we *oi!*0% #i$$y as)ed cuiously"-A little cou!ty estaua!t I )!ow' it%s !ot fa away !ow"-Tyi!* to hide me away fom the pyi!* eyes of thepapaa88i0% She as)ed the =uestio! wyly' still u!a$le to $elie+ethat a!yo!e would $e i!teested i! he"

-I thou*ht it $est to *o somewhee =uiet whee we ca! tal) i!peace"%They tu!ed a co!e a!d a spa)le of li*ht lit the !i*ht as theyappoached a small hamlet peched $y the sea" The! Mactu!ed the ca i!to a ca pa) !e&t to what loo)ed li)e a!i!timate little estaua!t"It was po$a$ly the )i!d of place whee lo+es di!ed' #i$$ythou*ht as they stepped thou*h the fo!t doo" It had all theam$ie!ce of a oma!tic hideaway" All the ta$les wee set withi!pi+ate woode! $ooths a!d the o!ly li*ht was fom the ca!dlesthat flic)eed thee a!d the soft *low of la!te!s that hu!* i!the wi!dows" O!ce upo! a time it mi*ht ha+e $ee! a seacaptai!%s house4 !ow its u!e+e! woode! floos had $ee! *i+e!a polished sophisticatio! a!d fesh flowes ado!ed e+ey ta$le"

They wee show! immediately to a $ooth a!d Mac odeedsome wi!e" #i$$y *la!ced dow! at the me!u she had $ee!ha!ded a!d !oticed thee wee !o pices o! a!ythi!*"O$+iously this was the )i!d of place whee it was ta)e! fo*a!ted that the ma! would $e payi!*"-So what do you fa!cy to eat0% Mac e!=uied as he lea!ed


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acoss a!d filled he *lass"-I%m !ot sue"% She *la!ced o+e at him"-You did *et a! E!*lish me!u' did!%t you02%Yes' $ut thee ae !o pices o! it"%

-/ell' suely you do!%t !eed a pice to decide what you wa!t toeat' do you0% His +oice was *im"-No' $ut I ,ust wa!ted to ma)e it clea that I will $e payi!* fomy ow! meal" I am a! i!depe!de!t )i!d of peso! a!d I pefeit that way"%She could see fom the da) *litte i! his eyes that thisthoou*hly amused him" -/hate+e you say' #i$$y"%/as he $ei!* facetious0 #i$$y staed at him fo a mome!t'u!a$le to ma)e up he mi!d" He held he *a8e steadily' the!

smiled at he a!d aised his *lass" -Hee%s to i!depe!de!twome!"% Thee was a sli*htly hus)y' se!sual =uality to his to!ethat made ti!*les of awae!ess sudde!ly shoot thou*h he"Huiedly she loo)ed away fom him a!d $ac) at the me!u"She hated the way he was a$le to ma)e he feel so"""o! ed*e"He was the most i!fuiati!* peso! she had e+e met9

The waitess ai+ed to ta)e thei ode a!d #i$$y ta!sfeedhe atte!tio! towads food" She was supised to fi!d that shewas +ey hu!*y' a!d the! she emem$eed that she had!%t

eate! a!ythi!* today apat fom a small $owl of ceeal $efoelea+i!* fo the aipot this mo!i!*"Mac spo)e i! flue!t 1e!ch to the waitess4 she seemed to)!ow him well a!d they lau*hed to*ethe a$out somethi!*"-You spea) +ey *ood 1e!ch'% #i$$y ema)ed o!ce they weealo!e a*ai!"-I was $ou*ht up hee" My mothe was fom Nice"%-That e&plai!s you Meditea!ea! loo)s'% #i$$y said with a!od" -/as you fathe 1e!ch as well02%No' he%s E!*lish" .ut afte my mothe died he stayed o! i!1a!ce4 he%s +ey at home hee" A!d I suppose I te!d to thi!) of1a!ce as my home as well" I ha+e offices hee i! the Coted%A8u a!d a house ,ust outside Nice"%-/hee do you spe!d the est of you time0% #i$$y as)ed"-You seem +ey i!teested i! my pi+ate life'% Mac cou!teedthe =uestio! with a aised eye$ow"-I was tyi!* to ma)e polite co!+esatio!""" .ut o! seco!dthou*hts"""% she shu**ed -"""I )!ow the a!swe to that a!yway"I%+e ead a$out you i! the papes"%-Ha+e you !ow"%


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%Yes """,ust i! passi!*"""a*es a*o'% she added hastily i! case hethou*ht she was paticulaly i!teested i! him"-So what ha+e you ead a$out me0% he as)ed la8ily"-I!teested i! you ow! pu$licity0% she espo!ded wyly"

-I!teested to see how much eseach you%+e do!e $efoecomi!* out hee"%-I did!%t eseach you" I ead a$out you casually as lots of othepeople ha+e"% It was a! effot to )eep the shap to!e out of he+oice" She was supposed to $e usi!* he femi!i!ity' sheemi!ded heself" -So let%s see6what ca! I emem$e"""0% Shepete!ded to thi!)" -/ell' I did!%t )!ow you mothe was1e!ch" .ut I do )!ow you ha+e a $each house i! Mali$u'Califo!ia' I $elie+e"% #i$$y had see! a pictue of it as well a!d'

fom what she emem$eed' the place was a hu*e ma!sio!fo!ti!* o!to the sea' with massi+e +ea!das' a su!)e! poola!d a


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pefect couple they made" Mac was so +ey ha!dsome a!dMaietta""" well' she was po$a$ly o!e of the wold%s most$eautiful wome!' she had a fi*ue to die fo a!d lo!* wheat3$lo!de hai" .ut althou*h #i$$y could emem$e those pictues

she could!%t emem$e a!ythi!* a$out the di+oce e&ceptsomethi!* a$out Mac payi!* a hu*e settleme!t"She slid the photo $ac) to him" -You must miss he while youae hee i! 1a!ce"%-Yes' $ut she is ai+i!* soo! with Maietta' so she will $ecomi!* up to spe!d a few !i*hts at my house"%2/ho6Maietta o Alice0% #i$$y as)ed' wo!dei!* ,ust howci+ilised thei aa!*eme!t was"-Alice" Maietta will $e +ey $usy" She is stayi!* i! Ca!!es fo

the film festi+al"%-I would ha+e thou*ht it would $e a +ey $usy time fo you aswell"%-It is' $ut I ha+e a lot of $ac)3up hee" My fathe a!d my sistesall wa!t to ha+e Alice o+e to stay with them"%-So you ha+e a whole host of eady a!d willi!* $a$y3sittes"%-Yes" That%s i*ht' a!d they ae all eally loo)i!* fowad toseei!* he a*ai!"% He put the photo away" -So"""what a$outyou0% Mac as)ed sudde!ly" -Ha+e you e+e ta)e! the

matimo!ial plu!*e0%#i$$y shoo) he head" -No' I%+e !e+e $ee! maied"% 1o amome!t she fou!d heself thi!)i!* a$out Simo!" She had eallythou*ht that he was the -o!e% a!d that they would ha+emaied a!d had childe! a!d li+ed happily e+e afte"I! ho!esty' if she had )!ow! up fo!t that he had!%t wa!tedchilde! she po$a$ly would !e+e ha+e a*eed to li+e withhim' $ecause she was a peso! who wa!ted a family life" .utSimo! had lied to he $y omissio!' always ma!a*i!* to dod*ethe issue" A!d late' whe! she had disco+eed the tuth' shehad $ee! too fa i!to the elatio!ship to wa!t to e&ticateheself fom it"So she had made e&cuses fo him' told heself that $ecausehe%d had a few $o)e! elatio!ships i! the past he was ,ustfi*hte!ed $y the thou*ht of such a hu*e commitme!t' that ifshe was wam a!d patie!t a!d helped him to see howwo!deful thi!*s could $e i! a lo+i!* elatio!ship he wouldcome aou!d to the idea of ha+i!* childe! i! his ow! time"A!d she had eally $elie+ed that' $ecause she had $elie+edthat he had lo+ed he"


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-#i$$y0% Mac%s *e!tle +oice $ou*ht he =uic)ly $ac) to thepese!t"-Soy" I was miles away"%-/hat wee you thi!)i!* a$out0%

-Nothi!* much"% #i$$y was *lad that thei food ai+ed at thatmome!t" She cetai!ly did!%t wa!t to tell Mac that she had$ee! thi!)i!* a$out what a! idiot she had $ee! i! the past"She could hadly $ea to ac)!owled*e the fact to heself' letalo!e tell him" #i$$y a! a distacted ha!d thou*h he hai"She had always thou*ht she was a! i!telli*e!t woma! a!d yetwhee lo+e was co!ce!ed he $ai!s seemed to scam$le" Hell'thee had e+e! $ee! mo!ths whe! she had caied Simo!fi!a!cially""" !ot to me!tio! the cedit3cad de$acle" She had

ca!celled that cad $efoe lea+i!* fo 1a!ce' $ut fom whatshe could *athe she seemed to ha+e fu!ded a whole !ew)itche! a!d helped him set up i! his !ew home whee+e thatwas9 A!d he had!%t etu!ed a!y of he calls to tal) a$out it"-A!d is thee a special ma! waiti!* fo you $ac) i! #o!do!0%Mac lea!ed acoss a!d poued he a *lass of wi!e"#i$$y hesitated" She was $y !atue a tuthful peso!' $ut fosome easo!' may$e pide' she did!%t wa!t to tell this ma! thatthee was !o o!e i! he life" She wa!ted to hide fom him

$ehi!d a wam a!d happy facade"""-Oh' yes"""% #i$$y shu**ed" %Simo! a!d I ha+e $ee! to*ethefo thee yeas !ow" /e ae +ey happy"%As she *la!ced o+e a!d met the da)!ess of Mac%s eyes shewished she had!%t added that last $it""" it was pehaps a $ito+e the top".efoe Mac could as) a!ythi!* futhe she swiftly cha!*ed thesu$,ect" -So whe! will my fathe $e ai+i!* i! tow!0%-He%s i! the States at the mome!t fi!ishi!* a tou of the chatshows to pomote his film" He%ll $e hee diectly afte that"%->osh9 You%e *etti!* +ey $a+e telli!* me whee he is9% #i$$yloo)ed acoss at him teasi!*ly" -Ae!%t you afaid I mi*htmisuse the i!fomatio!' ty to sell it o! the I!te!et osomethi!*0%-/ell' may$e I%+e decided it%s time to stat li+i!* da!*eouslywhee you ae co!ce!ed"% Mac matched he li*ht $a!tei!*to!e e&actly" -I! a!y case' most people will $e catchi!* him o!ca$le tomoow !i*ht a!yway"%2Shuc)s6!o pofit to $e made i! spilli!* that secet' the!"%-Afaid !ot"%


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#i$$y tasted he salad4 it was a$solutely delicious" -This islo+ely"%-Yes' the food is always *ood i! hee"%#i$$y wo!deed whom he usually $ou*ht to di!e with him

hee" He was so *ood3loo)i!* thee had to $e a woma! i! hislife' may$e e+e! a whole sti!* of them" As she loo)ed acossat him she wo!deed what it would $e li)e to $e dated $y MacClayto!" Not that she was his type' of couse4 he po$a$ly o!lywe!t fo stic) thi! model *ils" She fow!ed' a!!oyed $y thethou*ht" She did!%t cae what Mac Clayto! thou*ht of he' sheemi!ded heself fimly' $ecause she did!%t e+e! li)e the ma!".ut she did !eed him to each he fathe' she emi!ded heselfshaply' a!d that mea!t swallowi!* he pide a!d $ei!* !ice to

him"-So you%+e decided to li+e da!*eously whee I%m co!ce!ed"%She smiled at him a!d loweed he to!e to a sli*htly hus)y!ote" -That sou!ds pomisi!*" 5oes that mea! you ae *oi!* totell me whee my fathe will $e stayi!* whe! he ai+es0%%I do!%t see why !ot"% Mac%s +oice was e=ually low' e=uallywam a!d hus)y"May$e she could *et to li)e him afte all' she thou*ht ha8ily asshe loo)ed i!to his eyes" ->ood" I%m *lad we ca! $e ci+il a$out

this"%-A$solutely"% Mac smiled" -All you !eed to do is *o alo!* withmy pla!s a!d po+e to me that you do ha+e you fathe%s $esti!teests at heat' a!d I will help you eu!io! i! e+ey way Ica!"%

The la8ily ao*a!t wods set fie to #i$$y%s *ood feeli!*s" Heeyes !aowed o! him" -I do!%t ha+e to po+e a!ythi!* to you"%

The wods wee out $efoe she could stop them"-/ell' I thi!) you do" You see' you fathe hied me to loo) aftehis $est i!teests a!d that is what I i!te!d to do"%

The waitess ai+ed to clea the ta$le a!d $i!* thei mai!couse" Thee was a sto!y sile!ce as she se+ed them" #i$$ywas despeately tyi!* to ei! i! he tempe"As they wee left alo!e a*ai! Mac lea!ed acoss a!d toppedup he wi!e*lass"-5o!%t loo) at me with those distessed $lue eyes' #i$$y'$ecause I%m !ot *oi!* to fall fo you i!,ued3paty loo)" I ha+ea duty of cae towads you fathe62-5o!%t *i+e me that holie3tha!3thou outi!e' Mac Clayto!'$ecause it is!%t washi!*'% #i$$y mutteed" -I am !ot stupid" I


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)!ow dam! well that you ha+e po$a$ly i!+ested a lot ofmo!ey pomoti!* my fathe%s caee a!d his !ew film a!d theo!ly duty of cae you ae woied a$out is to you pofitma*i!s"%

Mac shu**ed' !ot o!e $it put out $y he ema)" -Yes' I%m a$usi!essma!"""a!d' yes' I ha+e spe!t a lot of mo!ey pomoti!*you fathe%s caee" .ut I also happe! to li)e you fathe a!d Ithi!) of him as a fie!d" So' a!y way ou!d you li)e to loo) at it'I%m !ot *oi!* to let you ui! thi!*s fo him"%-A!d I%+e told you I am !ot *oi!* to ui! a!ythi!* fo him"%-/ell' *ood' the! we ae $oth i! a*eeme!t a!d thee is !opo$lem"%

The +ey smooth!ess of his to!e iitated #i$$y" -So !ow we ae

i! a*eeme!t' ae you *oi!* to put me i! diect co!tact withmy fathe0 I wa!t to tal) to him'% she said succi!ctly"Mac i!cli!ed his head" -As soo! as he ai+es I will aa!*e ameeti!*"%-You li)e $ei!* i! co!tol' do!%t you02%That%s the way it is' #i$$y'% Mac a!sweed he calmly"-How is he' a!yway0% she as)ed sudde!ly' loo)i!* o+e at Mac'he eyes wide with cuiosity"-He%s fi!e' +ey e&cited a$out seei!* you a*ai!"%

So why could!%t he ha+e u!* he himself to tell he that0 #i$$ywo!deed"-A!d i! the mea!time I thi!) we should *o o+e e&actly whatyou ae *oi!* to tell the pess"%#i$$y put he )!ife a!d fo) dow! a!d pushed the plate away"-I%m !ot *oi!* to tell them a!ythi!*"%-Yes' well' that mi*ht $e a mista)e" I thi!) we should face thepo$lem head3o! athe tha! $ac) away fom it"%-Thee is !o po$lem""" e&cept i! you +ey fetile ima*i!atio!'%#i$$y mutteed"-OK' so emi!d me a*ai!' was that a ,ou!alist at you hotel owas it ,ust a fi*me!t of my ima*i!atio!0%#i$$y scowled at him"-You emi!d me of a school*il" I thi!) it must $e those fec)leso+e you !ose" All you !eed to do i*ht !ow is put that hai ofyous i! $u!ches a!d you%d $e pefect"%-7ey fu!!y"% #i$$y put a self3co!scious ha!d up to he hai a!dwo!deed sudde!ly if it was sitti!* OK" She had mea!t to *o tothe cloa)oom a!d chec) he appeaa!ce as soo! as they hadai+ed a!d she had fo*otte!"


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-You%e +ey li)e you fathe'% Mac ema)ed sudde!ly" -Healways li)es to $e i*ht as well" You%+e *ot the same fieytempeame!t' same damatic coloui!*' e&cept of couse youae much"""much moe $eautiful"%

The hus)y way he said those last few wods caused #i$$y%sheat ate to i!cease" It was!%t that she was ta)e! i! $y thecomplime!t" Mac was ,ust a smooth opeato4 he%d say that)i!d of thi!* to a!y woma!""" No' it was moe the way he wasloo)i!* at he that eally caused ha+oc with he emotio!s"

Thee was somethi!* a$out the way his da) eyes held hesa!d the! slowly' almost po+ocati+ely mo+ed to est o! he lipsthat made he $lood pessue soa" 5espeately she tied tofi*ht dow! the aw attactio! that seemed to spi!* up i!side

he fom !o3whee a!d co!ce!tate i!stead o! the moea!!oyi!* aspects of his wods" -You mea! you ty a!d $oss myfathe aou!d as well0%Mac lau*hed at that" -/ell' e+ey !ow a!d the! I ty"""$ut li)eyou he is i!cedi$ly stu$$o!"%

The waitess came to clea the ta$le a!d #i$$y used the time toescape fom Mac to ty a!d clea he head" She chec)ed heappeaa!ce i! the $i*ht li*hts of the estoom" Tha!)fully hehai had!%t tu!ed to fi88 a!d was sitti!* elati+ely smoothly"

Not that she eally caed what she loo)ed li)e' of couse""" MacClayto! was!%t he type4 he was fa too asseti+e a!d i!sulti!*"She e3applied he lipstic) a!d emem$eed how he had madehe feel whe! his *a8e had ested o! he lips""" To he hoohe ha!d tem$led a little" She flic)ed the lipstic) closed a!dput it away"

Youareattacted to him9 The wods lashed thou*h he $ai!li)e a +ey loud accusatio!" A!d she could!%t de!y them at all"OK' she fou!d him attacti+e""" of couse she did" He was a +eyha!dsome ma! a!d' moe tha! that' thee was a awse!suality a$out him that seemed to sti he i! a way !o othema! had e+e do!e" Somethi!* happe!ed whe! he loo)ed athe i! a cetai! way" She disli)ed him i!te!sely a!d yet hee&cited he' set he ade!ali! aci!* a!d he pulse s)y3hi*h" Itwas +ey sta!*e a!d moe tha! a little woyi!*" A! attactio!had to $e $ased o! moe tha! *ood loo)s' moe tha! the a$ilityto tu! you i!sides to molte! fie" How could she feel li)e thisa$out someo!e she eally did!%t li)e0

You ae $ei!* idiculous' #i$$y' she told heself fimly" Youca!%t $e attacted to him"""!ot e+e! se&ually9 1o a stat the


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ma! thi!)s you ae a *old3di**e9 He has said hoi$le thi!*s toyou a!d he is tou$le with a capital T"OK' e+ey !ow a!d the! thee was a chaisma a$out him thatfasci!ated he" .ut she had lea!t fom he mista)es i! the past

a!d she would !e+e' e+e allow heself to $e ta)e! i! $y a!yma! a*ai!" 1om !ow o! she was a !ew woma!' sto!*' uled$y he head' !ot he heat" A!d she had Mac Clayto!%smeasue' that was fo sue"A!othe thi!* fo sue was that tyi!* to use he femi!i!ity o!him was $ac)fii!* ma,o style" As soo! as she loweed he+oice hus)ily o tied to flit with him he espo!ded i! a similastyle a!d it seemed that his smooth masculi!ity was moeo+epowei!* tha! he wea) flitatio!s"

She was *oi!* to ha+e to play thi!*s +ey caefully"CHAPTER 1O;R#I..Y too) a deep $eath a!d steeled heself to etu! to theta$le"As she was lea+i!* the oom a +ey attacti+e $lo!de of asimila a*e to heself $umped stai*ht i!to he"-Pado!' madame!% The woma! stepped $ac) apolo*etically"-It%s OK' I%m fi!e"% #i$$y smiled at he"%Ah' you ae E!*lish' ae you !ot0%

/hy was it that whe! a 1e!chwoma! spo)e i! $o)e! E!*lishit was the most attacti+e sou!d0 #i$$y was cetai! the samecould!%t $e said fo he whe! she spo)e i! he stum$li!*1e!ch"-Yes' I am"% She !odded"-I !oticed you i! the di!i!* oom"%It was sta!*e' $ut #i$$y had!%t !oticed he"""$ut the! she had$ee! co!ce!tati!* so had o! what Mac had $ee! sayi!* tohe that she had!%t eally !oticed a!y$ody"-Tell me' is that Mac Clayto! you ae di!i!* with02%Eh"""yes'% #i$$y a!sweed i! supise"-I thou*ht so"""he is +ey attacti+e"%-I suppose so62 .efoe #i$$y could fi!ish the woma! had swepto! $y a!d i!to the $athoom"/ith a fow! #i$$y etu!ed to he ta$le" She supposed that alot of people would eco*!ise Mac' he was a hi*h3pofilecele$ity i! his ow! i*ht"She was *oi!* to tell Mac a$out the i!cide!t' $ut as soo! asshe esumed he seat opposite him he co!ti!ued $is)ly'-A!yway' *etti!* $ac) to the su$,ect i! ha!d"%


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-Yes%0 /hat was that0% #i$$y as)ed distactedly"-I thi!) you should *i+e the pess a shot stateme!t' somethi!*alo!* the li!es of how much you lo+e you fathe a!d howcicumsta!ces ha+e )ept you apat" You do!%t !eed to *o i!to

details62-Oh' I see"% He had he full atte!tio! !ow" -Pehaps you%d li)e towite a speech fo me' put a $it of emotio!al spi! i! thee whileyou ae at it'% she su**ested dyly"-Emotio!al spi!"""% Mac pete!ded to thi!) a$out that fo amome!t' a!d the! smiled at he" -Now' what do you su**est02%Oh' I do!%t )!ow"% #i$$y wa+ed he ha!d aiily" -I%ll lea+e thatup to you' shall I0 .ecause' ,ud*i!* $y the thi!*s you ha+e$ee! sayi!* to me' you do seem to ha+e a ema)a$ly +i+id

ima*i!atio!" May$e you could tell e+eyo!e I was lost at seaa!d spe!t twe!ty yeas li+i!* o! a deset isla!d0--Yes' well' fom you poi!t of +iew I suppose that $eats telli!*the tuth'% Mac said' cutti!* acoss he sacasm dismissi+ely"-That you ha+e wa!ted !othi!* to do with you fathe u!til !owa!d the o!ly thi!* di+i!* you little eu!io! is the fact that he!ow happe!s to $e i! the media spotli*ht a!d the mo!ey"%#i$$y felt he s)i! heat with fuy at those i!sulti!* wods"

Thee' she told heself fuiously" Now he was showi!* his tue

colous a*ai!9 %That is you +esio! of the tuth'% she told himti*htly' -a!d it is way off li!e"%-.it moe $elie+a$le tha! you deset3isla!d e&cuse' thou*h'%Mac eplied !o!chala!tly"#i$$y%s tempeatue felt as if it had shot thou*h the ceili!*!ow" -I do!%t ha+e to ma)e e&cuses fo my $eha+iou' $ecauseI ha+e!%t do!e a!ythi!* wo!*"% He eyes $la8ed i!to his"%If you say so"% Mac%s to!e was i!fuiati!*ly calm"#i$$y wa!ted to stom out of thee a!d ha+e !othi!* moe todo with him" It seemed the safest optio! as well9 Hastily shepulled heself to*ethe' $ut it too) e+ey ou!ce of he self3co!tol to ei! i! he tempe a!d emi!d heself that Mac washe o!ly eal li!) with he fathe a!d wal)i!* out o! him i*ht!ow was!%t eally a! optio!"-So what ae you *oi!* to tell the pess' the!0% She focedheself to as) the =uestio! calmly"-/ell' cetai!ly !ot that you cedit ati!* is low'% he eplied!o!chala!tly"#i$$y%s face was o! fie with fuy !ow" -Thee%s !othi!* wo!*with my cedit ati!*'% she $lusteed"


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-Thee is accodi!* to my eseach"%#i$$y staed at him i! co!ste!atio!" -/hat eseach02%Oh' I%+e *ot a dossie o! you this thic)"% Mac held his ha!dtwel+e i!ches off the ta$le" -I put a pi+ate i!+esti*ato o! the

case"%#i$$y was so shoc)ed she could hadly spea)" -I hope that is a,o)e0% she splutteed"-No"% I! co!tast to he' Mac sou!ded coolly composed" -1istlyI !eeded to ma)e sue you wee who you said you wee" A!dseco!dly I wa!ted to )!ow as much a$out you as possi$le sothat I )!ew who I was deali!* with"%-Really0% #i$$y%s head was eeli!* with this i!fomatio!" -Soyou )!ow all a$out my misspe!t youth' the!0% She tied to

ma)e a ,o)e' $ut he +oice was filled with aid disdai!"-;!fotu!ately my i!+esti*ato missed that $it out"% Maclea!ed his head i! his ha!ds a!d fi&ed he with a +eyi!teested loo)" -/ould you li)e to tell me a$out it0 I pomise itwill *o !o futhe"%-Much as I%m sue you ae the soul of discetio!' I thi!) I%ll pass'tha!)s' ,ust i! case it *ets i!copoated i!to the little speechyou ae pepai!* fo the pess o! my $ehalf"%%Pity"% Mac shu**ed" %I thi!) I mi*ht ha+e e!,oyed that piece of

i!fomatio!" I did lea!' howe+e' that you a!d you $oyfie!dSimo! ha+e split up"""which $e*s the =uestio! why you lied tome a$out that ealie0%

The !o!chala!t =uestio! made he stomach chu!" She !e+eusually told lies"""it was ,ust he luc) that whe! she did she wasi!sta!tly fou!d out9 A!d $y Mac Clayto! of all people' healeady had a lowe3tha!3low opi!io! of he" /ith difficulty sheheld his *a8e" -I did!%t lie" /e ae ,ust ha+i!* a $ea) fomeach othe' that%s all9 A!d we ae ma)i!* pla!s !ow to *et $ac)to*ethe6!ot that it is a!y of you dam! $usi!ess"%-Odi!aily I would a*ee" .ut I *ot to wo!dei!* why you hadsplit up' a!d whe! I saw the state of you fi!a!ces I could!%thelp wo!dei!* if Simo!%s depatue had a!ythi!* to do withthe fact that you ae hopeless with mo!ey """a compulsi+eshoppe' I $elie+e"%-You )!ow' Mac' I thi!) you ae =uite o$sessed with thesu$,ect of mo!ey"% He eyes $u!ed i!to his" -A!d I hate todisappoi!t you' $ut you theoy is wo!*" Mo!ey had !othi!*whatsoe+e to do with Simo! a!d I ta)i!* a $ea)9 A!d I am !ota compulsi+e shoppe"%


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-.ut you ae all spe!t up'% he eflected" -So I suppose that waswhe! you decided to come a!d fi!d 5addy0%#i$$y was so fuious !ow that she wa!ted to each out a!dwipe that i!fuiati!*' smu*' )!ow3it3all e&pessio! off his face"

She li!)ed he ha!ds to*ethe a!d ei!ed i! ti*ht co!tol"-You ema)s ae i!sulti!* a!d a$sud9% She *laed at him"-A!d do you )!ow what%0 I%m !ot e+e! *oi!* to *ace them a!yfuthe with a! a!swe"%She was =uite poud of the fact that he +oice was !ow +eycool a!d he ma!!e poised" Thee was !o way she was *oi!*to allow this ma! to upset he futhe"Mac met he eyes acoss the ta$le" He had to admit' he cooldi*!ity was impessi+e" Hell' the way she loo)ed at him with

those $i* $lue eyes e+e! made him feel mome!taily *uilty9 Hefow!ed" /hy should he feel *uilty0 She was the tic)stehee""" He had aleady cau*ht he out o! two lies this e+e!i!*"-I%m soy I had to py' #i$$y" .ut fo you fathe%s sa)e I had tochec) you out"%She *la!ced at he watch" -If you do!%t mi!d' I%d li)e to *o !ow"%2>o02-Yes' $ac) to my hotel" It%s $ee! athe a lo!* day"%-You ha+e!%t eate! much" /hy do!%t you let me ode you

somethi!* else0%#i$$y was supised that he had !oticed how much she hadeate!' a!d was e+e! moe ta)e! a$ac) $y that sudde! !ote ofco!ce! i! his +oice""" It was fa)e' of couse"-I%m fi!e" I eally e!,oyed the meal" It was ,ust the compa!ythat was a $it dod*y"% She flashed him a poi!ted loo) fom$i*ht $lue eyes a!d shu**ed" -.ut you ca!%t ha+e e+eythi!*'ca! you02%So they say"% Mac seemed !ot i! the least put out $y theema)" -Thou*h I%+e !e+e held with that se!time!t myself"%No' he would!%t' #i$$y thou*ht as she watched him put up aha!d to summo! the waitess o+e" Mac Clayto! was o$+iously+ey used to ha+i!* it all" Thee was a! u!mista)a$le ai ofpowe a!d detemi!atio! a$out him that stated +ey clealythat he *ot what he wa!ted" She still could!%t $elie+e he%d hadthe audacity to put a pi+ate detecti+e o! he9

The $ill was poduced a!d Mac put his cedit cad dow! o! thesil+e tay po+ided"-So how much do I owe you0% #i$$y as)ed =uic)ly"Mac wa+ed a ha!d dismissi+ely" -#et%s ,ust put it o! the


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a few mi!utes $efoe followi!*"%#i$$y shoo) he head" -I ca!%t $elie+e they ha+e followed us outhee"%-/ell' they ae defi!itely out thee" I%ll see you outside i! fi+e

mi!utes"%/as this eally !ecessay0 Thee was !o time to as)4 Mac wasaleady mo+i!* away fom the ta$le"She sat fo the e=uied amou!t of time a!d tied !ot to *la!cetowads the wi!dows" The! she stood up a!d followed thediectio! Mac had ta)e! towads the $ac) of the estaua!t"

This eally was sta!*e" /ho would e+e ha+e thou*ht that shewould $e fleei!* the papaa88i thou*h a $ac) doo0 Suely itwas!%t $ecause of he0 May$e they wee moe i!teested i!

Mac0Thei waitess was waiti!* fo he $y the $ac) doo a!d sheope!ed it fo he with a smile" The! #i$$y fou!d heself i! amoo!lit *ade! fa*a!t with the sce!t of la+e!de"


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step away fom him' $ut he cau*ht hold of he am" The touchof his s)i! a*ai!st hes made he tempeatue stat to ise"-It%s called playi!* two e!ds to the middle" You ae hopi!* to*et mo!ey out of the pess"""a!d hopi!* you fathe cou*hs up

to shut you up" I suppose a!othe wod fo it is $lac)mail'#i$$y"%#i$$y $ushed his ha!d away fom he fuiously" -How dae yousay somethi!* so epu*!a!t%0%%How dae you i!* the pess0%-I told you I did!%t"%-/ell' that%s sta!*e' $ecause I se!t ou waitess outside to seewhat was *oi!* o!' a!d the papaa88i told he they hadecei+ed a pho!e call fom a woma! a$out twe!ty mi!utes

a*o""" A$out the same time as you left the ta$le"%-/ell' it%s a coi!cide!ce9% #i$$y splutteed i!di*!a!tly"-


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come to 1a!ce to do' a!d that is see my fathe"%-I ha+e !o i!te!tio! of $ullyi!* you'% Mac said wyly" -A!d Ithi!) you ae the o!e who is employi!* distactio! tactics"""%1o a mome!t his eyes flic)ed dow! o+e the po+ocati+e way

he dess showed ,ust a hi!t of he cu+es" -You%+e deli$eatelywo! a +ey se&y dess to!i*ht a!d you )!ow e&actly what youae doi!* e+ey time you moiste! you lips"""$at you lo!*eyelashes at me"%-That is a$solute u$$ish"% He +oice tem$led a little a!d shecused heself fo the sudde! loss of composue" .ut it waseally had to thi!) stai*ht whe! he was sayi!* thi!*s li)ethat"""a!d loo)i!* at he with such i!te!sity"A soft $ee8e $lew a sta!d of he hai acoss he face a!d he

eached out a ha!d to $ush it $ac)" The touch of his s)i!a*ai!st hes se!t ti!*les of awae!ess ushi!* thou*h he"-Is it0% He shoo) his head" -May$e you ,ust !eed to lea! a littlelesso! a$out playi!* with fie """hmm02%Mac' I62/hate+e else she had $ee! *oi!* to say was cut shot as hislips cushed dow! a*ai!st hes i! a uthlessly pu!ishi!* )i!d of)iss"She should ha+e pushed him away9 .ut the sta!*e thi!* was

that a! i!sta!t flame of passio! flaed as soo! as thei lips met'a flame that was so i!te!se that it spu! all the way thou*h#i$$y%s $ody ma)i!* he feel wea) with a a*i!* desie"He ha!ds culed upwads aou!d his !ec) a!d she fou!dheself )issi!* him $ac) with e=ual hu!*y i!te!sity"

The mome!t was sli*htly u!eal" The sou!d of the sea $ea)i!*o! the $each $elow them thu!deed !ow i! he eas' a!d allthat seemed to matte wee the wo!deful se!satio!s of desiethat he was stii!* up i!side he" His lips wee wildlyi!to&icati!*4 his ha!ds as they sto)ed o+e the side of he facea!d the! mo+ed dow! he $ac) wee mastefully co!fide!t a!dyet so *e!tle that they melted e+ey i!ch of he" She lo!*ed to$e close to him"""lo!*ed fo so much moe"""

The! sudde!ly the da) +el+et soft!ess of the !i*ht was to!apat $y $i*ht flashes of li*ht" #i$$y stum$led $ac) fom Maci! shoc) a!d he eached to ta)e hold of he ha!d as me!holdi!* cameas' as)i!* =uestio!s' suou!ded them"-No comme!t' *uys'% Mac called as he tied to shelte he fomthem a!d huy he away thou*h the *ate out i!to the capa)"


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%I%+e *ot you woied' thou*h' ha+e!%t I0% #i$$y could!%t esistthe ,i$e"-I2m co!ce!ed' !ot woied'% Mac etoted shaply" -This is a+ey impota!t time fo you fathe"""$ut the! you ae well

awae of that' ae!%t you0 You )!ow e&actly what you aedoi!*"%-All I wa!t to do is see him'% she mutteed" -I do!%t thi!) that isu!easo!a$le"%-No' it%s !ot" A!d as lo!* as you play $y my ules' I will aa!*ethat fo you"%-You ules0% He +oice tem$led sli*htly" -I do!%t )!ow who thehell you thi!) you ae' odei!* me aou!d""" pou!ci!* o! me9%-Pou!ci!* o! you0% Thee was a hi!t of amuseme!t i! Mac%s

to!e !ow"-You had !o i*ht to )iss me li)e that'% she mutteed"-It was ,ust a )iss' #i$$y"% He said the wods *e!tly' a!d the!*la!ced aou!d at he" -You could ha+e pulled away"""$ut youdid!%t" I! fact' I would *o so fa as to say that you e!,oyed it"%-Oh' you thi!) so' do you0% He eally was a! ao*a!t so3a!d3so9 /ell' she would )!oc) him dow! a pe* o two a!d e!,oy it"-1o you i!fomatio!' actually' I was *oi!* to pull away"% Shesmiled at him as thei eyes met" -.ut I saw the pess

appoachi!* a!d I thou*ht why !ot *i+e them somethi!* tophoto*aph0%-I see"% Mac loo)ed $ac) at the oad" -It was a co!+i!ci!* act'I%ll *i+e you that"%She was sli*htly mollified to hea that his to!e had lost a littleof its cool ao*a!ce" >ood9 She si!ceely hoped that she hadde!ted some of that male e*o" Thee was !o way that shewa!ted him to )!ow ,ust how much he had tu!ed he o!" Itwas fa"""fa too em$aassi!*"-So is this you way of admitti!* that it was you who tipped thepapaa88i off0%His i!soucia!t =uestio! made he mome!tay feeli!* of tiumphdisappea +ey =uic)ly"-No9 It cetai!ly is !ot9% she said =uic)ly" -I told you I did!%tpho!e the pess"%-Ri*ht"% Mac%s +oice was filled with dy dis$elief" -You ,ustplayed up fo the papaa88i out of a phila!thopic !eed to *i+ethem somethi!* moe ,uicy to photo*aph"%-#iste!' if we ae *oi!* to *et peda!tic' you )issed me fist9%she etoted swiftly" -May$e you pho!ed the pess a!d wee


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mil)i!* it fo e+ey pe!!y"%-A!d why would I do that02%I do!%t )!ow"% #i$$y sou*ht a$out wildly i! he $ai!" -May$eyou thou*ht you%d *i+e the situatio! some emotio!al spi!"

5istact the pess fom the eal stoy $y thowi!* i! a $it of a*ood old3fashio!ed lo+e i!teest02%7ey amusi!*9% Mac shoo) his head" -I ca! assue you' #i$$y'that I ha+e !o i!te!tio! of *i+i!* you a pu$lic seal of appo+al"1o o!e thi!* I ha+e my positio! as you fathe%s a*e!t a!dpu$licist to co!side"%-/ould!%t wa!t to demea! youself i! the pess%s eyes with amee !o$ody' you mea!0 Soy"""silly me"% #i$$y%s +oice *ateddyly" -You eally ae =uite a pompous stuffed shit' ae!%t

you0% She *laed out towads the sea' a!d was fuious withheself fo feeli!* upset" /hat o! eath was wo!* with he%0She )!ew pefectly well that Mac had a low opi!io! of he a!d'OK' so she had e!,oyed $ei!* )issed $y him9 That had $ee! amista)e"" a stupid"""stupid mista)e9 .ut it was ,ust a )iss a!d$ette fo*otte!9-I%m a $usi!essma! fist a!d foemost' #i$$y'% he etoted$lu!tly" %A!d I su**est you $ea that i! mi!d $efoe you playa!y moe *ames" If thee ae to $e wi!!es a!d loses i! this'

the! I ha+e !o i!te!tio! of $ei!* the lose"%#i$$y made !o eply' ,ust co!ti!ued to stae out to sea" Shewas willi!* to $et that Mac Clayto! !e+e lost' that he waspepaed to $e as uthless as it too) to *et e&actly what hewa!ted"-I thi!) u!de the cicumsta!ces that we should mo+e you outof you hotel stai*ht away"%

The sudde! su**estio! made he loo) $ac) at him i! supise"-Cetai!ly !ot9 I ca!%t see the poi!t i! that at all'% #i$$y said=uic)ly"-The poi!t is that the pess ae all o+e you aleady" It is o!ly*oi!* to *et wose"%-/ell' that is a cha!ce I%m willi!* to ta)e"%-I%m sue you ae'% Mac said laco!ically" -.ut it%s !ot o!e I wa!tto ta)e" No' I wa!t you whee I ca! )eep a! eye o! you"%-That%s as may $e' $ut I%m !ot mo+i!* out of my hotel"%-If you wa!t to see you fathe' you will do as you ae told"%-Now who is usi!* $lac)mail0% #i$$y *a+e a sha)y' i!cedulouslau*h"-This is fo you $e!efit as well as you fathe%s"%


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-A!d I eally $elie+e that9% #i$$y mutteed sado!ically"-t ha+e a house !ot fa fom my ow!4 I )eep it fo specialclie!ts who !eed pi+acy whe! they ae o+e hee o! $usi!ess"

The secuity is +ey ti*ht thee" It has electic fe!ces a!d *ates'

a!d it is u! $y a +ey tustwothy staff"%%You wa!t to loc) me away $ehi!d electic fe!ces0% #i$$y wase!a*ed" -You must $e ,o)i!*9 That%s a $it li)e $ei!* se!t topiso!' is!%t it0 /ell' you ca! fo*et that9%-No' I wo!%t fo*et it a!d I%m deadly seious"%-/ell' so am I whe! I say that I would!%t wa!t to mo+e i!to youhouse if it was the last place with a oof left o! the Cote5%A8u"%-I ca! assue you that the aa!*eme!t will $e pefectly

ci+ilised a!d it will $e !othi!* li)e $ei!* i! piso!"% Macsou!ded la8ily amused $y he +eheme!ce' $efoe co!ti!ui!*fimly' -The house is the last wod i! lu&uy with ma*!ifice!t+iews o+e the Meditea!ea! a!d a heated outdoo swimmi!*pool" You ca! come a!d *o as you please a!d you will ha+eyou ow! coo)' clea!es a!d chauffeu"%She was mome!taily distacted" It sou!ded too *ood to $etue" -A!d it would all ,ust $e fo me"""02%Yes"%

-Thee would $e !o$ody else i! the e!tie house e&cept fo mea!d the staff0% She chec)ed a*ai!"-That%s coect"% Mac smiled to himself" He wa!ted he out ofCa!!es a!d away fom the pess a!d he felt he had he withi!si*hts of his hoo) !ow" He *la!ced aou!d at he a!d addedcasually' -I%ll $e thee !ow a!d a*ai!' of couse" The house is!e&t doo to mi!e a!d has a co!!ecti!* pi+ate $each"%Alam $ells a!* +ey loudly i!side #i$$y" She could!%t helpemem$ei!* the way Mac had )issed he a!d the wild passio!that had ta)e! them o+e" It was impeati+e that she )ept hedista!ce fom him9 %So what will you $e doi!*4 doppi!* o+e tocollect the e!t0% she as)ed dyly"-I mi*ht ha+e )!ow! that the fist thi!* you%d thi!) a$outwould $e mo!ey" You will of couse $e a$le to stay thee fee ofcha*e"%#i$$y ope!ed he mouth to say that she had!%t actually $ee!thi!)i!* a$out mo!ey' a!d the! closed it a*ai!" It was tooem$aassi!* to $oach what had mome!taily flic)ed thou*hhe mi!d"

Thee was a mome!t%s sile!ce"


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$etwee! us"%#i$$y $it dow! o! the soft!ess of he lip' a!d somethi!*"""may$e some spa) of pide""" made he add' -Yes' well' my$oyfie!d mi*ht !ot ta)e such a ela&ed +iew of thi!*s' a!d if

he fi!ds out a$out that )iss a!d the! heas I%+e mo+ed fom myhotel' he mi*ht !ot $e so easily pesuaded that !othi!* is *oi!*o! $etwee! us"% She smiled to heself' pleased $y the =uic)3thi!)i!* eply" OK' she was!%t a! impota!t cele$ity' $ut shewas!%t *oi!* to let Mac Clayto! thi!) that !o o!e *a+e a dam!a$out he"-/ell' may$e you should ha+e thou*ht a$out that $e3foe you)issed me'% Mac said dismissi+ely"-/ell' may$e I should'% she *ated" -.ut I ha+e !o i!te!tio! of

ma)i!* thi!*s wose $y mo+i!* out of my hotel a!d i!to ahouse that you ow!" That could $e see! i! a much moe seiousli*ht'% she $lusteed" -That could eally oc) thi!*s $adly$etwee! Simo! a!d l" A!d I do!%t !eed a!y futhecomplicatio!s i! my life"%Mac shu**ed' -I eally do!%t thi!) the pess will play up aoma!tic co!!ectio! $etwee! us4 if you wee mo+i!* i!to myhouse' !ot the house !e&t doo may$e they would $ei!teested" Howe+e' if they do pi!t somethi!* a!d you e&

eally lo+es you' may$e it will ,ust ma)e him all the )ee!e"Mi*ht e+e! ma)e him e*et letti!* you *o i! the fist place"%Mac sla!ted a wy loo) acoss at he" -.ut the! pehaps youaleady thou*ht of that whe! you a!* the pess0% he addedwyly" -May$e you thou*ht you%d )ill two $ids with o!e sto!e02%5o you thi!) I spe!d all my time deami!* up ways ofma!ipulati!* people0% #i$$y *ated' wildly iitated $y theema)"-I thi!) you ae a woma! of hidde! depths"%-


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-I suppose I wa!ted to chec) a!d see ,ust how much of that last)iss eally was fo the pess%s $e!efit'% he said softly"-5e!ted you e*o' did I0% She ma!a*ed to ma)e a flippa!teply' $ut she could!%t tea he eyes away fom his4 they

seemed to hold he spell$ou!d" She could hea he heatthu!dei!* a*ai!st he chest a!d she hoped si!ceely that hecould!%t hea it too $ecause it was wildly out of co!tol"""a littleli)e he emotio!s"He smiled at he" %No"""!ot i! the sli*htest' $ecause I do!%t thi!)the pess had a!ythi!* to do with the way you )issed me$efoe" I thi!) chemisty is a much moe ealistic e&pla!atio!"%#i$$y shoo) he head' a!d despeately tied to clea hese!ses" -You eally ae a! ao*a!t so3a!d3so' Mac Clayto!"

A!d I hate to $e the $eae of $ad !ews' $ut the tuth is you)iss left me cold" Othe wome! may fall at you feet' $ut fa!)lyI%m !ot li)e othe wome!"%-Yes' I thi!) I aleady *atheed that much"% He sou!ded +eyamused" -.ut if that is you espo!se whe! left cold"""I ca!%twait to wam you up"%#i$$y eached a!*ily fo the doo ha!dle" -


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at am%s le!*th' so why did she )eep )issi!* him $ac) li)e that0A!d why was the e&peie!ce so e!,oya$le0 No o!e had e+e)issed he li)e that $efoe""" tu!ed he o! with such ease$efoe" He seemed to $each he defe!ces with the ease of a

hi*h tide a*ai!st a sa!d wall" It was scay" How could a ma!she did!%t e+e! li)e do that to he0She fou!d he $edoom doo a!d pactically fell i!side" O!ethi!* fo sue' she would !ot mo+e out fom this hotel """ !omatte what9#i$$y stipped off a!d headed i!to the $athoom to sta!d u!dethe showe" She tied to clea all thou*hts of Mac Clayto! fomhe mi!d' $ut she )ept emem$ei!* the feel of his lips a*ai!sthes' his ha!ds a*ai!st he s)i!"

He was o$+iously a s)illed woma!ise' she told heself shaply"A!d if she *a+e i! to his )i!d of chams she eally woulddese+e to $e $adly $u!t"CHAPTER SID/HEN #i$$y fi!ally *ot i!to $ed she fell immediately asleep'a!d he deams wee a co!fused mi& of he fathe as she hadlast see! him a!d the! Mac"O!e mome!t she was a child a*ai!' chasi!* afte he dad'as)i!* him !ot to lea+e" The! Mac stepped i!" -I%m afaid you

fathe is!%t comi!* $ac) a!d he does!%t wa!t to see you a*ai!'#i$$y'% he said ste!ly"The wods made he toss estlessly i! the $ed"The! she was hee i! this hotel with Mac" -.ut if you do as youae told' may$e I%ll aa!*e a meeti!* fo you"% He had a +eydetemi!ed loo) o! his face as he said those wods' yet his+oice had a cuiously hus)y ed*e to it" -You play this $y myules' o !ot at all"% He eached out to ta)e hold of he a!d shestu**led to *et away' $ut he was too sto!*" The! he was)issi!* he a!d the !e&t mome!t they wee i! a! u!familia$edoom with a fou3poste $ed a!d he was stati!* to u!desshe" -I )!ew you%d come aou!d to my way of thi!)i!*"% Hewhispeed the wods a*ai!st he ea as she stated tosue!de willi!*ly to his caesses"His ha!ds wee wam a*ai!st he $ody' a!d his caessesdistu$i!*ly te!de"

The! sudde!ly he was pulli!* away a!d thee was the loud$a!* of a doo as he slammed it $ehi!d him"

Thee was to $e !o meeti!* with he fathe a!d' li)e Simo!' hehad *o!e without a $ac)wad *la!ce"


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pa+eme!t cafe whee the smell of feshly $a)ed $ead a!d*ou!d coffee $ea!s was too *ood to i*!oe"#i$$y sat dow! a!d odeed a coffee a!d a coissa!t a!d the!lea!ed $ac) i! he chai sa+oui!* the wamth of the mo!i!*

a!d the ela&ed am$ie!ce" Thee was !owhee li)e 1a!ce' shethou*ht with a si*h4 it was ,ust so ci+ilised"1o a while she watched the people wal)i!* $y' !oti!* howattacti+e a!d sle!de the 1e!chwome! wee a!d howele*a!tly dessed" The!' with a pomise that she would stat*oi!* $ac) to the *ym as soo! as she *ot home' she ope!edhe pape"

To he elief thee wee !o em$aassi!* photos of he )issi!*Mac Clayto!" Thee was a photo of he fathe' howe+e" She

stu**led to ma)e se!se of the aticle' $ut she could eally o!lyu!desta!d o!e wod a!d that was hospital9A flash of appehe!sio! a! thou*h he" /as he fathe ill0As the waite came out to se+e someo!e else #i$$y cau*ht hisatte!tio!" -5o you spea) E!*lish0% she as)ed hopefully"-A little"% He !odded"-I ,ust wo!deed if you could tell me what this aticle says'please0% She poi!ted to the pape a!d the waite lea!ed close"-It is a$out the acto' Cal :ui!to!" He has $ee! i!+ol+ed i! a

$ad accide!t"%-Is he OK0% #i$$y felt cold with fea"The waite shu**ed" -It ,ust says that he has $ee! ta)e! to ahospital i! #A"%-Tha!) you"% Somehow #i$$y )ept calm a!d paid he $ill' the!she huied $ac) towads he hotel' he heat aci!*"


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cuel twist of fate to ta)e him away" She wished sudde!ly thatshe had Mac%s telepho!e !um$e"

The! as she ou!ded a co!e she saw Mac%s ca pa)edoutside he hotel a!d he heat aced with elief"""with pa!ic"

/hat was he *oi!* to tell he0She saw him comi!* out of the hotel" He was dessed i! ,ea!sa!d a plai! white T3shit a!d as she watched he *la!ced at hiswatch as if he was i! a huy" -Mac9% She called o+e to hima!d he loo)ed up"-Thee you ae9 I was wo!dei!* whee you%d *ot to"%-Is my fathe OK0% She stated to coss o+e to him"%#i$$y' $e caeful'% he called".ut it was too late $ecause she had aleady stepped out'

completely fo*etti!* the taffic was comi!* i! a diffee!tdiectio!" The !e&t mome!t thee was a! almi*hty s=ueal of$a)es as a ca headi!* stai*ht fo he tied to stop"1o a mome!t the wold seemed to mo+e i! slow motio! as shetied to *et out of the path of the ca' lost he $ala!ce a!d fello!to the oad' hitti!* he head with a cac) a*ai!st the tamac"She loo)ed up ,ust as the ca s)idded to a halt a few i!chesfom he"Mac was $eside he i! a! i!sta!t a!d she !oticed that he

loo)ed +isi$ly sha)e!" -Ae you OK02%Yes" I thi!) so"% She allowed him to help he to he feet a!dpic) up he ha!d$a*4 o!ly +a*uely did she e*iste the fact that!ow thee was a heated e&cha!*e *oi!* o! $etwee! him a!dthe di+e of the ca"-It was my fault' Mac'% she mumued' feeli!* sha)e! a!d +eyfoolish"-He was di+i!* too fast"% Mac put a! am aou!d he a!dhelped he to the othe side of the oad" -.ut what o! eathwee you thi!)i!* a$out0 You could ha+e $ee! )illed"%-I )!ow4 it was stupid of me"% #i$$y tied to pull heselfto*ethe" -.ut I%m all i*ht"%-You scaed the hell out of me"% His to!e was so si!cee a!d so*e!tle !ow that it caused *oose3$umps o+e he s)i!" He put aha!d u!de he chi! a!d tipped he face up to his" -You%+e cutyou foehead"%-Ha+e I0% His touch a!d his to!e wee doi!* sta!*e thi!*s tohe emotio!s a!d she wa!ted to cy sudde!ly" -I%m fi!e' eally Iam"%-I thi!) we should *et you to a docto"%


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clea!ed it up"% Mac%s am ti*hte!ed aou!d he as she tied topull away" -How fa dow! is you oom0%-It%s ,ust hee"% As she tu!ed towads he doo she half steppeda*ai!st Mac a!d fo a mome!t fou!d heself aw)wadly

pessed i! his ams" The mome!t of i!timacy i! the da)!essmade he heat ace4 she was awae of the delicious sce!t ofhis aftesha+e' the wamth of his $ody' the touch of his ha!da*ai!st he $ac)"-Soy"%-That%s OK"% His +oice sou!ded +el+ety deep a*ai!st he ea"She stepped huiedly away" -Thee was !o !eed fo you tocome up hee' you )!ow" I%ll $e fi!e !ow"% She fum$led i! he$a* fo he )ey cad' a!d the! stu**led to fi!d the slot i! the

doo to i!set it"-Hee' let me help"% His ha!d was o+e hes' ta)i!* the cad"The touch of his s)i! made he se!ses swim"It was a teme!dous elief whe! the doo ope!ed a!d theystepped i!to the su!!y oom"-Tha!) you' Mac' you ca! *o !ow"% She )!ew she sou!ded a$it li)e someo!e +ey impeial *i+i!* out odes' $ut shecould!%t help heself"Mac smiled" -I%m !ot lea+i!* hee without you' #i$$y'% he said

calmly" -.ut let%s see to you foehead fist"% He eached outcau*ht hold of he ha!d a!d led he i!to the en suite$athoom"She was *oi!* to a*ue' $ut as she cau*ht si*ht of heeflectio! i! the mio o+e the wash$asi! she decided may$ehe was i*ht" He foehead was $adly *ashed at the side4 !owo!de he head was pou!di!*"Mac tu!ed o! the hot wate a!d the! tu!ed he fimly aou!dto face him" #i$$y felt a $it li)e a child $ei!* loo)ed aftea*ai!st he will" >e!tly he $ushed he hai $ac) fom he facea!d su+eyed the dama*e u!de the $i*ht o+ehead li*hts" Hewas loo)i!* at he so i!te!tly that she could almost feel hiseyes o! he s)i! a!d she felt acutely self3co!scious" It wasca8yB he head was huti!* a!d she felt ill' $ut i!stead ofthi!)i!* a$out that she was wishi!* i!stead that she had putsome $i*hte lipstic) o! this mo!i!*' made moe of a! effotwith he hai"

Thee was some cotto! wool $y he spo!*e $a* a!d he too)some out' a! it u!de the tap' a!d the! *e!tly swa$$ed theaea aou!d the wou!d" He was +ey *e!tle' $ut the hot watestu!* a!d she fli!ched"


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-Stay still' #i$$y"% He put o!e ha!d o! he am a!d co!ti!uedcaefully" -It is!%t deep'% he mumued' -$ut it%s a !asty $ump"%#i$$y was tyi!* to co!ce!tate o! somethi!* othe tha! the*e!tle touch of his ha!d a!d his close!ess' $ecause it was

ha+i!* a +ey petu$i!* effect o! he" -I%ll $e OK !ow"% Shetied to pull away' $ut he held he steady"-Stop $ei!* such a $a$y'% he mumued' his eyes o! hefoehead as he fi!ished what he was doi!*" -Thee"""% Heeleased he"-Tha!) you"% She stepped $ac) fom him hastily"

Thei eyes met a!d fo a mome!t thee was a sta!*e feeli!* ofi!timacy swili!* $etwee! them"He smiled at he *e!tly" -You%e welcome"% The! he tu!ed

away fom he to wash his ha!ds u!de the u!!i!* wate"-Ha+e you *ot a!y a!tiseptic i! thee0% he as)ed' !oddi!*towads the spo!*e $a* o! the wi!dow sill"-Yes' 5octo"% She could!%t esist the ,i$e" He sou!ded soauthoitati+e"Mac%s lips twisted i! a smi)" -/ell' I su**est you apply some"%She !odded" -So how is my dad' Mac0 /hat happe!ed to him02%I%ll tell you all a$out that late" I! the mea!time I su**est youpac) up you thi!*s"%

-I%+e aleady told you I do!%t wa!t to lea+e this hotel' Mac"""%She stated to ma)e the potest $ut he was!%t liste!i!*' he hadaleady wal)ed out of the oom $efoe she had fi!ishedspea)i!*"Hell' $ut he was i!fuiati!*" She ope!ed up he spo!*e $a*'too) out some a!tiseptic a!d da$$ed it o+e the *ash o! hehead" It did!%t loo) too $ad !ow that Mac had clea!ed thewou!d"-I su**est we *et a mo+e o!' #i$$y'% Mac said fom the$edoom"She put the tu$e of ceam away a!d headed thou*h to theothe oom" -#oo)' I appeciate you help today""" $ut62 #i$$ycame to a supised halt as she saw that he had put he ca!+as$a* o! top of the $ed a!d u!8ipped it" As she watched him hetu!ed towads thewado$e a!d stated to ta)e he clothes off the ha!*es tothow them i!to the $a*"-Mac9% #i$$y was hoified" -I%+e told you I%m !ot lea+i!* hee"Now' will you please stop0%He *la!ced o+e at he" -I thou*ht I made it clea last !i*ht that


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you ae !ot i! a positio! to a*ue a$out this"%-I )!ow what you said last !i*ht' $ut62-/ell' the!' you )!ow that if you wa!t me to help you *et i!touch with you dad you ae *oi!* to ha+e to ta)e my ad+ice

a!d come with me !ow"% Calmly he co!ti!ued to ta)e the estof he clothes off the ha!*es"#i$$y $it dow! o! he lip as fuy mou!ted i!side he" She hatedto *i+e i! to his domi!eei!* $ullyi!* tactics""" .ut what shouldshe do0 Mac was he o!ly poi!t of co!tact with he fathe"As much as she hated to admit it"""e+e! to heself"""she eallydid!%t ha+e a choice" If she wa!ted to spea) to o see he dad'she was *oi!* to ha+e to do as she was told" She cetai!lydid!%t wa!t to feel the way she had a little while a*o whe! she

had!%t e+e! )!ow! if he was ali+e o dead9Mac had fi!ished emptyi!* he wado$e a!d was tu!3i!*towads the chest of dawes !ow"-E&cuse me9 I%ll ta)e o+e fom hee' tha!) you"% She stepped i!smatly $efoe he could stat ta)i!* the co!te!ts of heu!dewea dawe out"-/ell' *et a mo+e o!"% Mac smiled to himself as he watchedh

Documents

76638854 Mistress to a Rich Man Kathryn Ross