To Tame the Hound

8/18/2019 To Tame the Hound

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to Tame the Hunter


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I f you purchas ed this book without a cover you s hould be aware that this book is s tolen property. I t was reported as

„ u n s o l d a n d d e s t r o y e d “ t o t h e p u b l i s h e r , a n d n e i t h e r t h e a u t h o r n o r t h e p u b l i s h e r h a s r e c e i v e d a n y p a y m e n t f o r t h i s

„ s t ri p p e d b o o k .“

I S B N 0 - 3 7 3 - 8 0 . 6 7 9 - 5

T O T A ME T H E H U N TE R

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A ll r i gh ts r es e rv ed . E xc ep t f or u se i n a ny r ev ie w, t he r ep ro d uc ti on o r u ti l iza ti o n o f t h is w o rk i n w h ol e o r i n p ar t i n a n y f o r m b y a n y e l e c tr o ni c , m e ch a ni c al o r

o t h er m e a ns , n o w k n o wn o r h e r ea f t er i n v en t e d, i n c lu d i ng x e r og r a ph y , p h o to c o py i n g a n d r e c or d i ng , o r i n a n y i n f or m a ti o n s t o ra g e o r r e t ri e v al s y s te m , i s

f o rb i dd e n w i t h ou t t h e w ri t te n p e rm i ss i on o f t h e e d it o ri a l o f fi c e. S i lh o ue t te B oo k s, 3 0 0 E as t 4 2n d S t re e t, N ew Y or k , N Y 1 0 .0 1 7 U . S. A .

A l l c h a r ac t er s i n t hi s b oo k h a ve n o e xi s te n ce o ut s id e t h e i m a gi n at i on o f t he a u th o r a n d h av e n o r e la t io n w ha t so ev e r t o a ny o ne b e ar i ng t h e s a m e n am e o r n am e s.

T h ey a r e n o t e v en d i st a nt l y i n sp i r ed b y a n y i n di v id u al k n ow n o r u n kn o wn t o t h e a u th o r, a n d a l l i n ci d e nt s a r e p u re i n ve n ti o n.

T h i s e d i ti o n p u b li s h ed b y a r r an g e me n t w i t h H a r le q u in B o o ks S . A .

® a n d T M a re t r ad e ma r ks o f H ar l eq ui n B oo k s S A . u se d u nd e r l i c en s e. T ra d em ar ks i nd i ca t ed w i th ® a r e r e g is t er e d i n t h e U n i te d S t at e s P a t en t a n d T r a de ma rk

O f f ic e , d i e C a n a d ia n T r a de M a r k s O f f ic e a n d i n o t h er c o u n t r ie s .

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P r i n t e d i n U . S . A .

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F o r D o n an d G u s, w h o u nd e r s t o o d a n d e n c o u r ag e d a n d t he n s k i p p e d t o C a n ad a .

L o v e y o u b o t h a n d I ’ l l b e t y o u d i d n ’ t k n o w t h e s e b o o k s w o u l d b e d i s t r i b u t e d u p t h e r e , t o o , d i dy o u ?

Y o u c a n ’ t e s c a p e .


5/67

One

S e le n a C al dw el l s i pp e d t h e co ol w h it e w i ne a n d n a rr o w ed h e r h a ze l e y e s c on si de ri ng ly a t t h e m a n w h o h a d

just handed her the glass.

„ It w o n’ t d o y ou a n y g oo d, y ou k no w, “ s h e ch id e d c on ve r sa t io na ll y . „ I ’m fu ll y a w a r e o f t h e r e a s o n y o u’

r e s ho wi ng a ll t hi s i nt e re s t i n m e , a nd i t’ s h ar dl y a f la tt er in g o ne .“ S h e m a de a s wi sh in g, d is mi ss in g

m o v e m e n t w i t h h e r f r e e h a n d , a n d t h e t i n y g o l d f l e c k s i n h e r e y e s s e e m e d t o g l e a m f o r a m o m e n t . „ N o w

w h y d on ’ t y ou t r o t o n b a c k t o t h a t s t a t u e s q ue r e d he a d y ou ’ r e s u pp o se d t o b e w i th t on ig ht a n d l e a ve m e

a l on e ? I ’ m n e it h er a m us e d n o r l ik el y t o b e s w e p t o f f m y f e e t . B u t t h an k s f o r t h e w i ne , a n y w a y. M y g l a s s

w a s q ui t e e mp t y. V e r y s h a rp o f y o u t o n o ti c e t h at f r om h a lf w ay a c r o s s t h e r oo m! “ H e r l ip s c u r v ed i n a

f a in t, t a un t in g s m il e o f c ha l l e ng e .

O n e v e r y b l a ck b r o w c l im be d b e hi n d t h e d a r k f r a m e s o f Y o r k S u t h er l a nd ’ s g l a s s e s , a n d h i s h a r d - ed g e d

m o ur n l i ft e d i n e i t h e r a s u bt l e a c k no w l e dg m e nt o f h e r i nt ui ti ve g u e s s o r e l s e a m o c ke r y o f i t S e l e n a co u ld n ’t

be certain which.

„ I’ m going t o c ru sh R ic ha rd A nd er so n, S el en a, “ Y or k w ar ne d v er y g ent ly in t ha t d ar k- ti mb re d,

e b on y -v e l ve t v o i c e. I t w a s a v o i c e t h a t c a r r i e d t h e a u t h or i ty a n d a r r o g a n t m e n a c e o f a l a r g e j u ng le c a t I t

w ou ld s e ld om n e e d t o b e r ai s e d. „ Yo u d on ’ t s t ri k e m e a s t h e k in d o f w o m an w h o w a n t s t o b e o n t h e l os in g

s id e. W hy d on ’t y ou d ro p h im ?“

S e le n a s h oo k h e r h e a d in a dm ir at io n a n d ou tr ig ht a w e . I t w a s n ’ t e v e r y d a y o n e e n c o un t e re d t h i s k in d o f r a w , a g gr e s s i v e p o w e r, e v e n h e r e i n S o u th e r n C a li f or n ia w h e r e c o ol d i sp l ay s o f p o w e r w e r e a s f a s hi o n ab l e

a nd c o rr e c t a s b e in g s e e n in t h e ri gh t c lo th es a nd i n t h e ri gh t p l ac e s.

„ I k n o w a b ou t t h e b u s i n e s s r i va l ry g oi ng o n b e t w e e n y o u a n d R i c ha r d , M r . S u th e rl a nd , “ s h e r e t u r n ed

f ir ml y, „ b ut i t d o e s n ’t i nv ol ve m e in a n y w a y . E ve n i f i t d id ,“ s h e a d d e d qu el li ng ly , „ a c a nd i d o b s e r v er w o u ld

h a ve t o a g r ee I ’ m a lr ea dy on t h e w i n n i n g s i d e . N o t t h a t i t m a t t e r s t o m e o n e w a y o r t h e o t h e r , o f c o u r s e ,

but it’s obvious that Sutherland, Inc. is the underdog in this particular conflict“

„ B e c a us e m y f ir m i s s m al l er t h an A n d er s on & C o mp a ny ? T h a t o nl y m a k e s u s hu ng ri er , S e l en a .

H u n gr i er a n d m o r e d e t e r mi n e d . A n d e r s on c a n ’ t h a n d l e h is c o m p a n y t h e w a y h i s f a t h e r d i d . H e h a s n ’ t

g o t t h e t a le n t o r t h e b r a in s o r t h e f l a ir . I ’ m g oi ng t o – “ Y o r k b r o k e o f f , a s i f s u dd e nl y d ec i di n g no t t o s a y

t oo m u ch .

W hi ch w a s j u st f i ne w i th S e l en a . A s f a r a s s h e w a s c o n ce r n ed t h e le an , d ar kl y p o we r fu l m a n i n f ro n t o f

h e r h a d a l r e a d y s a id m o r e t h a n e no u g h.„ I f y ou ’ r e a ll t h a t h u ng ry , M r . S u t he rl an d, I s u gg e s t y ou t r y s o m e o f t h e l o bs t er c a n a p e s o v er o n t h e

buffet table,“ she drawled invitingly. „They’re excellent And I think you’ll find it’s much safe r to nibble on

o n e o f t h em t h a n to t r y b it in g o f f m or e t h an y ou c a n c h e w e l s e w h e r e . N ow , i f y ou ’ ll e x c u s e m e … ?“

W i th ou t w a i ti n g f o r a r e s p o n s e S e l e n a w h ir l ed o n o n e w e l l - sh o d h e e l a n d s w e p t q ui ck ly a w a y t h ro u gh

t h e l iv el y t hr o ng o f e l e g a nt l y d r e s s e d c o c k t ai l p a r t y g u e s t s . S h e h a d o n ly o n e g o al a n d t h a t w a s t o l o c a t e

R i c ha r d A n d e r so n i n t h e l au gh in g, c h a t t er i n g c r o w d .

B ut e ve n a s t he t id e o f p eo pl e f lo we d a ro un d h er , fo rm in g a b uf fe r b et we en h er se lf a nd t he tall,

a g g r es s i v e m an s h e h a d l e ft s t a nd i ng i n t h e mi dd le o f t h e fl o or , S e l e n a c o ul d f e e l t h e in t en s it y o f S u t h e rl a n d’

s g r a y - g r ee n g a z e a s it f o ll o we d h e r a c r o s s t h e r o om .

U n f or t u na t e ly s h e w a s b e gi nn in g t o k n o w t h e s t r en g t h o f w il l b e hi n d t h a t i n t en s i ty . Y o r k S u t he r l an d w a s

i nt e nt , a ll r i gh t, i n t e nt o n w i nn i ng . A n i n t er e s ti n g p s y c ho l og i ca l t y p e, s h e t o ld h e r s e l f w i t h a f l a s h o f w r y

humor.

S e l e n a h a d en c o u n t er e d h im o n t w o o r t h r e e o c c as i o n s d u ri ng t h e p a s t t h r e e w e e k s a n d h a d p e g g e d hi m

v e r y a c c u r a t e l y f r o m t h e f i rs t . Y o rk S ut h e rl a n d s a w t h e w o rl d i n si m pl e t e r ms : w i n n e r s a n d l o s e r s . H e h a d

n o d ou bt i n w h ic h s e g me n t h e i n te nd e d t o f in d h im se l f. T h e m a n h a d a ll t h e s h ar p , s a v a g e i n st i nc t s o f a b or n

winner.

He w a s r a t h er f as c in at i ng , S e l en a th ou gh t – n o t f o r t h e f i r st t i m e – a s s h e m a d e h e r w a y t o t h e s i d e o f

t h e r o om a n d t oo k u p a s t a n c e b e s i de a g ol d b r o ca d e b a c kd r op c u r t ai n t h a t l i ne d t h e w a ll . B u t i t w a s d ie

s o rt o f d ea d ly f a sc i na t io n o n e f e lt f o r a n y w e ll - ad a pt e d p r e d at o r, s h e r e mi nd e d h e r s e lf g ri ml y. I t w a s a

s o u r c e o f i r ri t at i on t o h e r t h a t s h e c ou l dn ’ t s e e m t o s h a k e t h e g r ow i ng i n t e r es t a n d c h a ll e n ge h e a r o u s e d .

T h e r e w a s n o d e ny i ng t h e j a gu a r q ua l it y o f t h e m a n . Y o r k w a s t h i rt y - s ev e n y e a r s o l d, S e l e n a h a d b e e n

told, and wa s rapidly bringing his architectural-engineering firm into the limelight. Ba sed here in Pas adena,

C al if or ni a, S ut he rl a nd , I n c . h a d b eg un t o l an d i mp or ta nt c o n t ra c t s t h a t to ok i t b ey on d t h e b o rd e r s o f t h e L o sA n ge l es m e tr o pl e x. H i s f i rm w a s n o w c o mp et in g f o r b u si n es s u p a n d d o wn t h e e n ti r e W e s t C o a s t a n d

w ou ld , a t t h e c u r re n t g r ow t h r a t e , s oo n b e n at io na l, r a t h er m a n r e gi on al i n s c o p e .

S e l e n a f e l t c e r t a i n t h a t Y o rk S ut h e rl a n d w o ul d n’ t s t o p u nt il t h e c o mp a n y h a d b e c om e mu lt i na t io na l .


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I t w a s t h e n a t u r e o f t h e m a n t o k e e p w id e ni n g h is t e r ri t o ry u nt il s o m e i mm o va bl e o b j e ct f i na ll y g o t i n t h e

path of the irresistible force he seemed to wield. A true winner. It could only be hoped, Selena told herself

f ir ml y, t h a t t h e i m mo va b le o b j e ct s h o w e d u p r e l a ti v el y s o o n f o r S u t he r l an d ’ s s a k e . H e n e e d e d t o l e a r n a

lesson in the fine art of losing gracefully. Then, again, she decided philosophically, perhaps the winners of

t hi s w or ld w e r e n ’ t m e a nt t o e x p er i e nc e t h a t p a r ti c ul a r p he n om e no n .

A l i tt le r a ti o na l h um il it y, a t o u c h o f a m o r e r e l a x e d, e a s yg o i ng a t t it u d e t o w a r d li f e’ s c h a l le n g es , c o m b in e d

w i th h i s b a s i c s t r e ng t h s , w o u ld m a k e Y o r k S u t he r l an d m o r e t h a n a l o of l y f a s c i na t i n g. I t w o ul d m a k e h im

downright irresistible!

S h e g r i m a c e d a t t h e t o o - h o ne s t r e al i za t io n , c o ve r i ng t h e w r y e x p r e s s i on b y t a ki n g a s i p o f h e r w i n e a s

s h e s c an n ed t h e h an ds om e c r ow d . T h e o rn at e, g il de d b al lr oo m w a s d ap pl ed w it h t h e g lo w o f c ry st a l

c ha n de li e rs , a n d t h e e x p en si ve l y c l ad g u e st s m in gl in g b e lo w s e e m e d r i gh t a t h o me i n t h ei r s ur ro un di ng s . T h e

g al a w a s b ei ng s p o n so r ed b y a l oc al P a s a d e n a o rg an iz at io n d e v o te d t o r ai si ng f u nd s f o r t h e a r t s . I t w a s

i n ev i ta b le t h a t R i ch a r d w o ul d b ri n g h e r a n d e q ua l ly i n ev i ta b le m a t Y o r k S u t he r l an d w o ul d s o m e h o w a r r a n g e

t o a t t e n d . S el e n a w a s b eg in ni ng t o h a v e t h e p ri ck li ng s e n s a ti o n o f d a n g e r t h a t c o m e s t o a n y a n im a l w h e n i t

i s b ei ng s t a lk e d. Y e t s h e ’ d o nl y m e t hi m b ri ef ly t w o o r t hr e e t im e s- -

T he m an w ho w a s b eg in ni ng t o s e e m l ik e h e r n em es is w a s o ut o f s i gh t a t t h e m om en t. S el e na t ol d

h e rs e l f i t w a s R i ch a rd f o r w h om s h e w a s s e ar c hi n g t h e c r o w d , b ut i t w a s t h e i m a ge o f a s l ee k , c o r po r a te

jaguar that stayed in her mind.

T h e r e w a s n o th in g o ve rt l y h a nd s om e a b ou t Y o rk S u th e rl a nd b u t S e l en a d ou bt e d t h a t f a c t w o rr i ed h i m i nt h e l e a s t . I t w a s t h e s e n s e o f gr o wi n g c l ou t , p o w e r , a n d s u c c e s s t h a t h e r a d i a t e d a n d c h o s e t o e m p h as i z e . I f

h e h a d b e e n i n a n y w a y a n x i ou s o r u n c e r t a i n a b o ut h i s p e r s o na l l o ok s , h e w o ul d p r ob a bl y h a v e o p t e d f o r

c o n t a c t l e n s e s i n s t e a d o f t h e h e a vi l y f r a m e d g l a s s e s h e w o r e . A n d t h e t h ic k , m i dn i gh t -d a rk h a i r w o ul d h a v e

been styled by a professional hairstylist rather than cut by a traditional, conservative barber.

T h a t h ea v y pe l t o f b la c k h a i r w a s e c h o e d i n t h e d a r k n e s s o f e y e b r o w s t h a t c o u ld i n ti m id a te w i t h on ly a

c a s u a l a r c h . B e hi n d t h e l e n s e s o f t h e g l a s s e s, l o ng j e t -c o l or e d l a s h e s h o od e d a d i r ec t , p i nn in g g r a y - g r e e n

g l an c e t h a t g a ve t h e i mp re ss i on t h e m a n w a s n ’t v ul ne ra bl e i n a n y w a y .

A survivor.

R o u gh - h ew n f e a t u r e s e t c h e d t h e f i e r ce l y m a l e l a n d s c a pe o f hi s f a c e . A f o r c e f u l ja w , a s s e r t i v e b l ad e o f

a n o s e, a n d s h ar pl y c u t c he e k bo n e s l e ft n o r oo m f o r an y t r a c e o f s of t n e ss .

T h er e w a s a s i ne wy g r a ce i n t h e l ea n, s tr on g b od y, a s up pl e c oo rd in at io n t ha t s po ke o f h ea lt h a nd

e x e r c i s e . H e w a s t h e k in d o f ma n , n o d o ub t , w h o r el ig io us ly s w a m e v e r y d a y o r w h o r a n a c o u p l e o f m il e sw i th o ut f a il e v e r y m o r ni n g. I t a l l m a d e f o r a h a r d l i t h e ne s s t h a t l e nt h i s c l o th in g a n i m p ec c a b le a n d u n i qu e

s ty le . T on ig ht t h e c lo se -f it ti ng b la ck e ve ni ng o ut fi t Y o rk w o r e c o nt r as t ed d ra ma ti ca ll y w it h t h e c ri s p

w h i t e n es s o f a f o r m al s h i r t. A l l v e r y tr a di t io n al .

Y o rk ’ s i nt ri ns ic s t yl e w ou ld b e t ra di ti on al a n d c o ns e rv a ti v e, S e l en a r e fl e c te d , r e ga r d le s s o f w h a t h e

w or e. I t only s er ve d t o m ak e h er m or e a w a re o f him in t he f la sh y, u lt ra mo de rn S ou th er n C al ifo rni a

e nv ir on me nt H e w a s a j a g ua r p ro wl in g a mo n g p e a c o ck s .

T h e r e w a s on ly o n e r e a s on s u c h a c r e a t u r e w ou l d h a v e s i ng l ed h e r ou t S e l e n a w a s n ’ t u n d e r a n y i ll us io ns

a bo ut t h at f a c t S h e h a d b e en s ee in g R i c ha rd A n de rs on f or a lm os t a m on th a nd w a s w el l a w a r e o f t h e

u nd er ly in g h os ti li ty a n d r i va l ry b e t w e e n t h e t w o m e n . T h e c u r r e n t e ng i ne e ri n g c o n t r a c t f o r w h i ch b o th f i r ms

w e r e c o m p et i n g w a s l u c r at i ve , b u t n o o n e n e e d e d t o t e ll S e l e n a t h a t d i e a ni m os i ty b e t w e e n S u t he r l an d a n d

A n de r so n h a d i t s r o ot s i n s om et hi ng d e e p er t h an r o u ti ne b u si n es s c om pe ti t io n.

L ik e i t o r no t, i t a p p e ar e d t h a t a s l on g a s s h e a n d R i c ha r d c o nt i nu ed t o d a t e s h e w o ul d b e c a u gh t u p i n

t h e s op hi s ti c at e d w a r f a r e Y o r k S ut he r la n d w a s w a g i ng . H e s a w h e r a s a n ot h e r m e an s o f r e a ch i ng h is g o al .

A lm os t f r om t h e fi r st S e l en a h a d r e c og ni z ed t h e f a c t t h a t Y o r k w a n t e d t o t a k e h e r a w a y f r o m R i c ha r d

A n d e r s on . I t w a s a r a t h e r p ri m it iv e t a c t i c a n d c e r ta i n ly n o t v e r y fl a t te r i ng t o t h e w o m a n i nv o lv e d. Y o r k d id n

’ t w a n t h e r f o r he r s el f . H e o nl y w a n t ed t o s c o r e a n ot h e r vi ct or y a g ai n st R i ch a rd .

No, she wasn ’t being stalked becau se of her devastating beauty. Selena had acknowledged that from die

beginning. She was thirty-one years old and had no illusions about having been blessed with such beauty

t h at n o m a n c ou ld r e s is t h e r ! S e l en a s mi le d t o h e rs e l f a t t h e t ho ug ht a n d h e r i n ne r l a u gh t er f l a re d f o r a

m om en t i n h e r ha ze l e y e s.

R e a s on a b ly a t t r a c t i v e m ig ht b e a l e g i ti m at e d e sc r ip t io n , s h e t h ou g ht w h e n s h e w a s i n a c h a ri t a b le m o o d

t o w a r d h e r s e l f . B u t s h e kn e w on ly t o o w e ll h o w m u c h e v e n t h at li mi te d a c c o l a d e o w e d t o a p a i r o f c o n t a c t

l e ns e s, t w o y e a r s s p e nt w e ar i ng b r a c e s o n h e r t e e t h i n h ig h s c h oo l, a t te nt i on t o h e r d ie t, a n d a p ai nf ul lya c q ui r e d s e n s e o f s t y l e .

I t wo ul d h a v e b e en n i ce t o h a v e ac q ui r ed a c l a s s ic b o ne s t r u ct u r e a nd a f e w e x t r a i n c h es o f h e ig ht f r o m

h e r f o r e b e a r s , b u t S e l e n a g o t a l o n g s u r p r i s i n g l y w e l l w i t h w h a t s h e h a d . T h e a n i m a t i o n o f i n t e l l i g e n c e a n d


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h um o r i n h e r f a c e c o m p e n s a t e d m o r e t h a n s h e r e a l i ze d f o r t h e l a c k o f p e r f e c t f e a t u r e s . T h e y c o mb i ne d t o

a t t r a c t o n a m o re s u b tl e l ev el t h a n s h e e r b e a ut y c o ul d h a v e d o n e. A n d t h e r e w a s a n a d de d a p pe a l i n t h e

f a in t t il t o f t h e g o ld - fl e c ke d h a z el e y e s ; a s u g ge s t io n o f w a rm t h a nd l a u g ht e r t h a t w a s o f t e n r e f l e c t e d in t h e

curve of her mouth.

A s h in in g c a p o f c h e s t nu t b r o wn h a i r w a s p a r te d i n t h e mi dd le a n d c u t t o f r a m e h e r f a c e i n a s im pl e

s t yl e t h a t m ov e d w it h c a s ua l e a s e w h e n e v er s h e t ur n ed h e r h ea d .

S e l e n a h a d le a r n e d t o e n h a n c e t h e s m al l h i nt o f d r a ma h e r d ar k ha i r h a d p r ov i de d w it h a t a s t e i n c l o t h es

t h at f a vo r e d s t ro ng , r i ch c o lo r s. T h e go w n s h e w o r e t o ni gh t w a s a p e r f e ct e x a m pl e . I t w a s a s i lk c r e p e d e

C h in e d o n e i n a r i ch s h a d e o f y e ll o w t h a t c o nt r a s t e d b ea ut i fu l ly w i th t h e c h e s t n u t c o l or o f h e r h a i r . R uf f l e d

a t t h e d e e p n e c kl in e a n d l o ng -s l ee ve d, i t w a s a n a r ro w s w a t h o f c o lo r t h a t f e l l t o h e r a n kl e s . S m al l g o ld

e v en i ng s a n d a ls a n d d e l ic a t e t o u c h e s o f g ol d a t t h r o a t a n d e a r s c o m pl e t e d t h e s t r o n g y e l lo w l in e, a l i ne t h a t

w a s c u t w i t h a d e v a st a t i ng s w e e p o f r o y al p u r p le a n d g o l d in t h e s h a p e o f a c a r e l e s s ly f l u ng s il k s h a w l . I t

c e rt a i nl y w a s n ’ t t h e m os t e x p e ns i v e d r e s s in t h e ba l lr oo m t hi s e v en i ng b u t i t w a s d e f in i te l y o ne o f t h e m o s t

striking.

The gown flowed lightly over small, tip-tilted breasts, a narrow waist, and rounded hips. With only five

f e e t t h r e e i nc h es o f he ig ht t o h e r c re d it , k ee p in g t h e f ig ur e i n l in e t oo k s o m e e f fo r t . U n li ke Y o rk S ut he rl a nd ,

S e le n a d id n’ t b o th e r w i th t h e d is ci pl in e o f r o ut in e e x e r ci s e . I n g e ne r al , s h e s i mp ly d id n’ t c a r e f o r r ou ti ne a n d

d is c ip li ne . L i f e w a s t o o f ul l o f t he in t e re s t in g a n d t he u n ex p e c t e d .

S h e w a s i n t h e p r o c e s s o f c o n s i de r in g t h a t a s p e c t o f h e r n a t u r e w h e n s h e f in al ly s p o t t e d R i c ha r d ’ s f a i r h e a d a s t h e c r o w d p a r t ed f o r a m o me n t. H e c a ug h t h e r e y e a n d s m il ed a c r o s s t h e r oo m, s t ar t in g t o w ar d

h e r . N o t a n e a s y t a s k , a s h i s p r o m i n e n c e i n t h e c o m m u n i t y c a u s e d s e v e r a l a c q u a i n t a n c e s t o s t o p h i m w i t h

c la im s o n h is a t te n ti o n. T hi s w a s n ’ t t h e f i rs t t im e d ur in g t h e e ve ni n g t h a t h e h a d b e e n s e p a r at e d f r om h e r .

A m on th a g o S e l e n a w ou ld h a v e r a t e d h e r c h a n c e s o f h a vi ng R i c ha r d A n de r s on a s a n e s c o r t a s e v e n

m o r e r e m o t e t h a n t h e o d d s o f Y o r k S u t h e r l a n d b e i n g g e n u i n e l y i n t e r e s t e d i n h e r . B u t t h a t w a s b e f o r e s h e

a n d t h e ha n d s om e b o s s o f A nd e r s o n & C om p a ny h a d be e n d r a w n t o g e t h er by a m ut u al i n t e r e s t .

„ I ’ v e b e e n l o o k i n g f o r y o u , h o n e y , “ R i c h a r d m u r m u r e d a s h e d r e w c l o s e a n d t o o k h e r a r m . „ C o m e o n ,

let’s g et out of h er e for a f ew minutes. Wha t a crowd!“ His vivid blue e ye s smiled down a t h er

affectionately.

R i ch a rd w a s c l o se t o S u t he rl a nd ’ s a g e , p e r ha p s a y e a r y o un g er . B o th m e n h a d a s s u me d t h e r e in s o f

a r c hi t e ct u r al - e ng i n ee r i ng f i rm s a t a n e a r l y a g e , bu t t h e r e t h e r e s e mb l a n c e s to p p e d.

W h er e S ut he rl an d w a s d ar k a nd bl un tl y a gg re ss i ve , R ic ha rd w a s f ai r, a lm os t p at ri ci an . H e h ad t h ew e a l th y b a c kg r o un d o f a w e l l- e s ta b l is h e d P a s a d e n a fa m il y b e hi n d h im , a n d t h e g o od b r e ed i n g a n d e d u ca t i o n

s h o we d . T h e r e w a s n o ne o f t h e h a rd - ed g ed l oo k t h a t m a r ke d Y o r k. R i ch a rd h a d i n h er it ed A n de r s on &

C om pa ny f r om h is f a t he r , w h o h a d d i ed t w o y e a r s e a rl i e r. T h e s o n h a d b e e n p r op er ly g ro om e d f o r t h e

position. York had built his own firm from the ground up. Selena was a great deal more comfortable around

R ic ha r d, i n s p it e o f t h e d i f f e r en c e s in t h ei r b ac k gr ou n ds , t h an s h e w a s a r ou n d Y o rk S u t he r la n d.

„ I g o t a m b u s h e d b y y o u r b u s i n e s s f r i en d ,“ s h e t o ld h e r e s c o r t d ry l y a s t h e y s l i pp ed o u t o f t h e b a ll r oo m

a n d i n t o t h e o r n a t e l o b b y o f t h e m a g n i f i c e n t o l d h o t e l . P e r c h e d a t o p a h i l l w i t h a c o m m a n d i n g v i e w o f t h e

S a n G a br i el V a l le y , t h e g ra n d b ui ld in g w a s a P a s a d e n a l a n d m ar k .

R i c ha r d w i n c e d a s t h e y m o v e d a c r o s s t h e c h a n de l ie r -l i t l o bb y . „ I s h o ul d n’ t h a v e l e f t y o u a l o n e . D i d h e

bother you?“

„ N ot p a rt i cu la rl y . B ut w h a t h a s t h a t m a n g ot a g a i ns t y ou , R i c h a rd ? O r i s h e a l w ay s t h a t w a y t o w ar d

competitors?“

„ I ’ m a f r ai d i t ’ s h i s n a t u r a l a p p r o a c h t o a n y c o n t e s t . H e l i ke s t o w i n ,“ R i c h a r d m u t t e r e d g r im ly a s t h e y

s t e pp e d o ut s id e o nt o t h e t e r r a c e .

B e lo w , t h e f o rm a l g a r d e n s l a y i n s h a d o w e d d a r k n e s s , b u t b e y on d , t h e g l ea m in g l i g ht s o f t h e c o u n tl e s s

t o wn s a n d ci t ie s t h a t a ll w e n t u nd e r t h e n a me o f L o s A ng e le s b la z ed i n t h e ni gh t. I t w a s s ti ll w i nt e r b ut h e r e

in C al if or ni a i t s e e m e d m o re l ik e s pr i ng . T h e r e w a s a n ip i n t h e a i r b ut S e l en a w as n ’ t u nc om fo rt ab ly c ol d . A

f e w m i nu t e s h e r e o n t h e t e r r a c e w o ul d b e a p l e a s a nt c h a n g e f r o m t h e w a rm , c r o w de d ba l lr oo m .

„ D o yo u th in k h e ’ s – “ s h e h e si t at e d, s e ar c hi n g f o r t h e r i g ht w o rd , a n d w o un d u p u si ng t h e o n e s h e

m e a n t „ – d a n g er o u s ?“

R i c ha r d l a ug h ed , s li pp in g a n a r m ar o u nd h e r w a i s t „ H a r d l y. W h a t c a n h e d o ? H e ’ s p r o ba b ly a b i t u ps e t

a t t h e m om e nt b e c a u s e h e d o es n ’ t l ik e t h e t ho ug ht o f lo si ng a n ot h e r c on t r a ct t o m e s o s o o n a f t e r A n d er s on

& C om p an y w a l k ed o f f w i t h t h e l a s t o n e ! I t w a s a p r oj e ct S u th er l an d t h ou gh t h e s ho ul d h a v e h a d . H ed o es n ’t a l w a ys l ik e t h e i d ea t h a t h i s f i rm i s s ti ll a l ot s m al l er a n d t h a t A n de r s on & C om p an y h a s b e e n

a r ou n d a l o t l on g e r. W e ’ r e b o un d t o h a v e a n e d g e o v e r h i m, a n d n o w t h a t h e ’ s n ib bl in g a ro u n d a t t h e b ig

t im e, h e ’s a nn oy ed a t t h e l oo ks o f t h e c om pe ti ti on . T ha t ’s h is p ro bl em .“ R ic ha rd s hr ug ge d w it h t h e


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i n d if f e re n c e o f t h e m a n a t t h e t o p f o r t h o s e s ti ll s t ru gg l in g b e l o w.

„ I t hi nk h e ’ s b e n t o n c a us i ng t ro ub le , R ic ha r d, “ S e l en a s u g g es t e d c a re f ul l y. S h e d id n’ t w a n t t o i m pl y t h a t

t r ou b le m i gh t b e m o r e t h a n R i c h ar d c o ul d h a nd l e, a n d f or h e r o w n p r id e ’ s s a k e s h e di dn ’ t w a n t t o i mp ly t h a t

t h e t r o ub le p ro mi s ed b y Y o r k S u th er l an d m ig ht b e m o re t h an sh e c ou ld h a nd l e! R i ch a rd h a d t h e r ig ht

attitude. What could the other man do, practically speaking? Still, deep down inside in a very hidden, very

f e mi n in e p a r t o f h e r , s h e k n e w Y or k w a s o n t h e pr o wl a n d n ot h in g s h e c o ul d s a y w a s g o i ng t o d a m p e n t h e

f l ic k er o f w a r i n e s s t he m a n ha d a r o us e d in h e r du ri n g t h e p a s t c ou p le o f w e e k s .

T h o s e f i r s t f e w m e e t in g s w i t h Y o r k h a d b e e n e n ti r el y c a s u a l, e n ti r el y h a r ml e s s , i f j u dg e d b y c o n c r e t e

e v i d e nc e . B u t s h e h a d s e n s e d w h a t l a y b e h in d t h e p o li te , t e s ti n g r e m a r k s . A n d t o ni gh t t h e k id g l ov e s h a d

c o m e o f f c om pl e te l y. Y o r k h a d m a d e i t c l e ar t h a t h e w a n t ed t o t a k e h e r a w a y f r om R i ch a rd A n d er s o n.

W h en h e ’ d f ou nd h e r t e mp or ar il y a l o ne i n t h e c r o wd a n d t h r us t t h e g l as s o f w i ne i nt o h e r h an d, s h e h a d

k no wn m e r e c ou ld n o l on ge r b e a ny do ub t a b ou t h is i nt en ti on s.

„ W h at c a n h e d o ? “ R i c h ar d s o o t h e d . „ I d o n ’ t t h in k h e ’ ll r i s k a n yt h in g r e al l y o u t r a ge o u s . A f t e r a ll , t h e

m a n h a s a b u s i n es s r e pu t a ti o n t o p r o t e c t A n d i f h e w a n t s t o c o nt i n ue m in gl in g wi t h t h e s o r t o f p e o pl e h e ’ s

w it h t on ig ht , h e ’ ll w a t c h h is s t e p! “

„ Wh ic h b ri ng s u p t h e i nt er e st i ng q ue st i on o f w h a t h e is d oi ng h e r e t o ni gh t, “ S e l e n a o b s e r v e d . „ H e h a rd l y

s t ri k es m e a s a p a tr o n o f t h e a r t s ! I c er t ai nl y h a v e n’ t h e a r d h i s n a m e m e nt i on ed a s a c ol l ec t or o r a m aj or

c on tr ib ut or t o f un d- ra is i ng p r oj e ct s l ik e t hi s o n e! “

R i ch a rd l a ug he d . „ I ’ m a f ra i d h e ’ s m o re i n t er e s te d i n s o c ia l c l im bi ng t h an a r t . H e ’ s s m a r t e n ou gh t ok no w t h a t b ei ng s e e n a t t h is t y pe o f fu nc ti on i s a p l us f o r h im , t ho ug h. “

A n d h e k n e w w e ’ d b e h e r e , S e l e n a a d d e d s i le n tl y . I t w a s d if fi c ul t t o s l a p t h e la b el o f „ s o c ia l c li m be r “ on

Y o r k S u t he r l a nd . T h e t e r m im pl ie d a b a r e l y c o n c e a l e d de s p e r at i o n a n d a f a w ni n g a t t i t ud e t h a t s im pl y d id n’ t

f it t h e m a n . N o , s h e t r u s t e d h e r o w n i nt ui ti on t o o m u c h t o a c c e p t t h a t s i mp l e e x p l an a ti o n o f h i s b e h av i o r.

Y o r k h a d h i s o w n r e a s o n s f or be i ng h e r e t hi s e v e ni n g a n d t he y pr o ba b ly d id n’ t h a v e m u c h t o d o w i t h s oc i a l

climbing.

B e s i de s , a n y m a n t r u ly i n t e r e s te d i n c l i mb in g t h e s o c ia l l a d d e r w o u l d h a rd l y h a v e w a s t e d s o m u c h t i m e

c or ne ri n g h e r! S h e w a s a s m u ch a n a li en i n t h is c r o wd o f w e al t hy , e s ta b li s he d p e o pl e a s h e w a s ! W el l,

a lm os t a s mu c h o f o n e .

„ D on ’ t w o r r y a b o ut h im , S e l en a , “ R i c h ar d d e c l a r e d . „ I f h e c a u s e s a n y p r ob l em s , I ’ ll t a k e c a r e o f h i m. “

S h e h e a r d t h e e a s y c e r t a i n t y i n h i s w o r d s a n d w o n d e r e d a t i t . W e r e t h e y t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e s a m e m a n ?

B u t s h e h a d t o u ph ol d h e r e nd , s o s h e s m il ed a t t h e g oo d- lo ok in g m a n b es i de h e r . „ Yo u’ r e r i gh t. T h e r e ’s n o tm uc h h e ca n d o, i s t h er e ?“

„ N o pe . “ R i c h ar d d r e w h e r c l os e r wi t h a n in vi ti ng e x p r es s i o n . „ I ’ m n o t e v e n g oi ng t o s t a r t w o rr y in g i f h e

m a k e s a p a s s a t y o u ! “

„ T ha n ks a l ot ! A l it tl e j ea l ou s y i s g oo d f o r a m an ! “ s h e p ro t es t ed , l au gh in g.

„ H e’ s no t y ou r t yp e, “ R ic ha rd a s su r ed he r, b en di ng h is h e ad to t a ke h er li ps . „ Th at m uc h i s e a s y t o s e e .“

„ Um mm .“ S h e l e t h e r a g r e e m e nt h o ve r b e t w e en t h em a s h e k i s s e d h e r, f ol di ng h e r c l o se . A f t e r a ll , i t

w a s t h e t r ut h, w a s n ’ t i t ? Y o r k S u th e rl a nd w a s n ’ t h e r t yp e a t a ll . F a sc i na t io n h ar dl y c o ns t it u te d a t t ra c t io n !

I t w a s v e ry p l e a sa n t in R i ch a rd A n d er s on ’ s a r m s . H e w a s a n a t t ra c t iv e m a n w h o w a s n ot w it ho ut a

c e r t a i n f i n e s s e i n t h e f i ne a r t o f r o m a n c e . S e l e n a t o o k p l e a s ur e i n h i s w a r m e m b r a c e s a l th o ug h s h e h a d n’ t

y e t r e a c h e d t h e p oi n t o f w a n ti n g t o p u r s u e t h e r om a n c e i n to a f ul l -f l ed g ed l o ve a f f a i r .

Not that Richard hadn’t attempted to persuade her. She knew he wanted an invitation to her bed; knew,

t oo , t h a t h e t ho ug ht i t w a s o nl y a m a t t er o f t i m e. S e l e n a w a s g r at e fu l t h a t h e w a s w il li ng t o l e t h e r s e t t h e

pace of the relationship. His understanding and sensitivity wer e two of the characteris tics she appreciated

m os t i n h im .

„ I s u p p o se w e sh ou l d b e ge t t in g b a c k . “ R i c h ar d s i gh e d, l if ti ng h i s h e a d r e l uc t a nt l y . „ A lt h ou gh w i t h a l it tl e

provocation I could probably be persuaded to stand out here all night…!“

„ I w ou ld n’ t d r e am o f i nt er fe r in g b e t w e en y ou a n d yo ur d ut y t o t h e a r ts , “ S e l en a m ur m ur e d t e as i ng l y.

„ Y ou c o ul d t r y, “ h e c o mp l ai n ed g o od - na t ur e dl y , g ui di ng h e r b a c k t o w a r d t h e l o b by .

S e l e n a w a s a b o ut t o m a k e a q u ic k , l ig ht r e t o r t b u t t h e w o r d s d i ed o n h e r t o n gu e a s s h e s a w t h e s li gh t,

s h a d ow y m o v em e n t a t t h e f a r e n d o f t h e t e r r a c e . A m a n h a d s t oo d t h e r e , l o st i n t h e p r o t e c ti v e d a r k n e s s o f

t h e or n am e nt a l s h ru b s . T he r e w a s n o s ig n o f hi m n o w bu t i ns ti nc t t ol d h e r i t w a s n ’ t j us t a n y g u e s t w h o h a d

s t e p p e d o u t o n to t h e t e r r a c e . I t h a d b e e n Yo r k S ut h e rl a n d.

D a mn t h e m an ! W ha t d id h e h op e t o a cc om pl is h b y s t al ki ng h e r t hi s w a y ? S h e c er ta in ly d id n’ t s e eh e r s e l f a s R i c h ar d A n d e r s o n ’ s v u l n e ra b l e p oi n t! W h a t k in d o f m e a ni n g le s s v i c t or y w o u ld i t b e t o t a k e h e r

a w a y f r o m R i c h a r d? T h e a n s w e r c a m e in t h e n e xt b r e a t h . I t wo u ld b e a p sy c ho l og i ca l v i c to r y . A s m a ll o n e ,

perhaps, given Richard’s varied social life and the ready availability of other women, but nevertheless a


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d ef in it e c o u p. W e ll , s h e w a s n ’ t a p a w n t o b e u s e d . S h e w o ul d t a k e a l e a f f r om R i ch a rd ’ s b oo k a n d t r e a t

Y o rk S u th e rl a nd a s i f h e s im pl y d id n’ t m a t t er v e r y m uc h .

T h e y r e e n t e r e d t h e g li t te ri n g b al l ro om a n d a l m os t i m me d ia t el y R i c h ar d w a s o n c e ag a i n c o m m a n de e r e d –

t hi s t i me b y a n el d er l y a n d i nf lu en ti a l m e m b e r o f t h e s o c i e ty m a t w a s s p on s or i ng t h e ev e ni n g’ s g a l a .

„ If y ou ’ll e x cu s e m e f or a f e w m in ut es ?“ R ic ha rd s ai d w it h w r y a po lo gy a s t h e m at ro nl y w om an

c lu tc hi ng h is a r m be g an t o d r ag hi m a w a y .

„ O f c o u r s e . “ S e l e n a s m il e d b e ni g nl y . S h e u n d er s t oo d t h a t t h is e v en i n g w a s a s m u c h a b u s i ne s s e v e n t a s

a s o c ia l o n e f o r h e r e s c o r t H e h a d a p u r p os e h e r e t on i gh t a n d t h a t w a s t o g a r n e r c o nt r ib u ti o ns . R i c h a r d h a d

h is d u ty .

S h e w a s a c ti v el y c on s id er in g t h e p o ss ib il it y o f a n ot h er t ri p t o t h e b u ff e t t a bl e a n d w a s t ry in g t o t a lk

h e r s e l f o u t o f it w h e n Y o r k m a te r ia l i ze d a t h e r s i d e .

„Will y ou d a n c e wi t h m e , S e l en a ?“ h e a s k e d ca lm ly a s i f h e fu ll y e x p ec t e d a n a ff i rm a ti v e a n s w e r .

S h e s mi l ed b ri ll ia nt ly u p a t h i m. S u c h a g g re s s i o n d e s e r v e d a b lu nt a n s w e r . „ N o, “ s h e r e pl i e d s im pl y a n d

w i th o ut a n y c o m pu n ct i on a t a l l .

H i s h a rd m ou th q ui rk ed . „ Y ou ’ ll b e p e r fe c t ly s a f e o ut o n t h e d a n c e f lo or .“

„ Yo u n e ve r gi ve u p, d o y ou ?“

I t w a s hi s t ur n t o m a ke a b lun t r ep ly . „ No .“

S h e ti lt ed h e r h e a d to o n e s id e a n d st u di ed h im a s i f h e w e r e a n i nt e re s ti ng s p ec i me n u n d e r a m ag ni fy in g

g l as s . T he c h al l en ge h un g i n t h e a ir b e t w e en t h em , b ai ti ng h e r a nd a ng er i ng h e r . „ I’ ll m a k e a d e al w i th y ou ,“she offered softly.

T h e r e w a s a t i ny s i le n ce w hi le h e c o n si d er e d t h a t. „ I ’ m l is te ni ng ,“ h e d r a w le d .

„ I ’ D d a n c e o n e d a n c e w i t h y o u i f y o u’ ll g i ve m e t h e s a t i s fa c t i on o f a d mi t ti n g t h e t r ut h a b o ut w h y y o u ’ r e

i n t e r es t e d i n m e ,“ s h e d a r e d ge n tl y .

„ Ag re ed ,“ h e s ai d a t o n ce , r ea ch in g o ut t o t a ke h e r a r m. S h e f el t t h e h ea t o f hi s h an d a s i t c l os e d a ro un d

t h e ye ll ow s il k a n d s h e d r e w in h e r b r e at h w it h a s m al l s e n s e o f s h o ck . „ Fi r st t h e d a nc e … “ h e s a id c oo ll y.

„ O h, n o, “ s h e c on t r ad i c t ed , n o t m ov i ng . „ F i rs t t h e h o n e s t e x pl a na t i on . “

T he l ong , s a bl e l a sh es s hi ft ed b eh in d t h e l e ns e s o f h is g la ss e s, h oo di ng t h e g r ay -g r ee n e y e s a s h e

c o ns i de r ed . „ I s e n s e a n i m pa s se , “ h e g r o w le d s o f tl y . „ N ei t he r o n e o f u s i s g oi ng t o t r u st t h e o t h e r t o c a r r y

o ut t h e t e rm s o f t h e ba rg ai n, s o n ei t he r o n e of u s i s g oi ng t o p a y of f fi r st “

„ Ah , w el l, i t m ig ht h a v e b e e n in te re st in g, “ S e l en a t o s s ed b a c k e a si l y a n d t ri e d t o d i se n ga g e h e r a r m f r o m

t h e m a n ac l e of hi s f i ng e rs . H e d id n’ t l e t h e r go .„ It p ro ba bl y w ou ld h a ve b ee n, “ h e a gr e ed , s ta rt in g f or w ar d w it h h e r a r m s ti ll f ir ml y i n h is g ra s p,

„ b ec a us e y ou d id n’ t i nt en d t o c a r ry o ut y ou r s id e o f it , d id y ou ?“

„ N o, “ s h e a d mi t t ed u n he s it a ti n gl y . „ Y o u’ r e h ur t in g m y a r m , M r . S u t he r l an d .“ H i s f o r w a r d m o me n tu m

w a s m a ki ng i t d if fi cu lt t o d ig i n h e r h e el s .

Doing s o would c au se a s ce ne a nd R ic ha rd would n ev er forgive h er f or t hat , r eg ar dl es s o f die

circumstances!

„ St op f ig ht in g m e , M i ss C al dw el l, a n d y ou w o n’ t g e t h ur t, “ h e ad v is e d d ry ly a s h e s w e p t h e r t hr ou gh m e

d oo rs a n d ou t i nt o t h e lo bb y.

„ I h a v e t h e f e el i ng o n e h a s t o k e e p f ig ht in g y o u o r e l s e o n e w i ll g e t t r a mp l e d! “ S e l e n a b i t o u t , i n f ur i at e d

a t t h e e a s e w i t h w h i ch h e h a d s w e p t h e r o u t o f m e ba l lr o om . I n a n ot h e r mo m e nt t h e y w o u ld b e t h ro u gh t h e

l ob by a n d b a c k ou t o n t h e t e r r a c e . S t il l s h e c o u ld s e e n o w a y o f s t o pp i ng h im , s h o rt o f s c r e a mi n g t h e h o te l

down.

„ N ot t r ue ,“ h e ob j ec t ed a s h e r e a c h e d th e t e r r a c e wi t h h e r i n t o w an d f in al ly c a m e t o a h a l t „ N ot t r u e a t

a ll ,“ h e w e n t o n i n t ha t v e l v et y v o i ce a s h e s e a r c h e d h e r t h or ou g hl y a n n o y e d f a c e . „ I w o u l dn ’ t d r e a m o f

t ra mp li ng y o u. T h e r e a r e a n y n um b er o f o t h er t h in gs I w o ul d r a t h er d o … to y ou …w i th y o u… . “

S e le n a s h iv e re d s ud de nl y b e n ea t h t h e d a ng e ro u s g l e a m t h a t w a s l ig ht in g t h e n e a r -g r e en e y e s . I n t h e

s h ad o wy d a r kn e s s o f t h e t e r r a c e Y o rk S u th e rl a nd ’ s a u r a o f m e n a c e w a s t ak in g o n f a n ta s t ic p ro po rt i on s.

S h e h a d t o g e t a g ri p o n h e r ne r v e s!

„ I d on ’ t b el i ev e y ou , M r . S ut he rl an d, “ s h e g o t o ut v e ry b r av el y, h e r e y e s m e e ti n g h is u nf li nc hi ng ly . „ D on ’

t t r y t o t e l l m e y o u ’ v e b e e n o v e r p o w e r e d b y m y e a r th - s h ak i n g c h a r m s ! T h e o n l y r e a s o n I ’ v e b e c o m e t h e

s u bj e ct o f y ou r a t te n ti o ns i s b e c a u s e y ou t hi nk y ou c a n m ak e u s e o f me t o g e t a t R i ch a rd . “

„ T ha t ’s t h e ‘ h on e st r e a s o n ’ y ou w e r e t ry in g t o b a rg a in o ut o f m e w it h t h e p r om is e o f a d a n ce ? “ H e

smiled slowly.„ Do y ou d en y i t? “ s h e gr it te d.

„ Is i t s o h ar d t o b el ie ve I might w a nt y ou f or , s ha ll w e s ay , m or e b as ic r ea so ns ?“ h e c ou nt er ed

meaningfully.


10/67

„ Y es , d a mn i t! I ’ m n ot y ou r t y pe an d y ou ’ r e n ot m i ne . F u rt h er m or e – “

„ Y ou ’ r e R i c h ar d A n d e r s on ’ s t y p e, t h ou g h? “ h e i n t e rr u pt e d d e l ib e ra t e ly .

„ My r el at io ns hi p w it h R i ch a rd i s n o ne o f y ou r b us i ne s s, “ s h e d e c l ar e d w it h f i n e h a u t eu r a n d t h e n s p oi le d

t he e f f ec t b y a dd in g n as ti ly , „ Fo r t h e r e co rd , R i c ha rd a nd I m et b e c au s e o f a m ut ua l i nt er es t a nd o ur

r e la t io ns h ip h a s e v ol v ed n a tu r al l y o u t o f t h a t f ou n da t io n . N o t b e c a u s e h e s p o t t e d m e o n h i s ri v al ’ s a r m a n d

d ec id ed i t w ou ld b e am us in g t o t ry t o t a ke m e a w a y f r om h im !“

„ W h at m u tu a l i n t e r e st ? “ Y o r k d e m a nd e d , t o ta l ly i gn or in g t h e r e s t o f h e r l e c t u r e .

S h e g l a r e d a t h im s u s pi c io us l y, u n c e r t a i n a b o u t h o w m u c h t o g e t i nv ol ve d i n t h e a b s u r d d i s cu s s io n b u t

e qu al l y u n c e rt a i n a b o ut h o w t o e s c a p e i t „ G o a he a d , “ h e i n v it e d in t h e s m a l l, t e n s e s i l e n c e. „ T el l m e a b o ut

t h e b a s is o f t h is p ro fo un d a n d s ol id ly b a s e d r el at io ns hi p y ou h a v e w i th R i ch a rd A n de r so n .“

„ Ar t, “ s h e f in al ly r e t or t e d s uc c in ct ly , s a ti s fi e d t h at h e c ou ld n’ t c o un t e r t h e s t a t em e n t b y c la im in g a n

e q ua l i n t e r e s t .

„You’re an artist?“ he pressed.

S e le n a e y e d h im c al cu la ti ng ly . „ N o, I m a n ag e a l oc al a r t is t s ’ s up pl y s t o re . “

„ An d A n de r s on j us t w a n d er e d in o n e d ay t o b uy a p a i nt br us h ?“

T h e m o ck e ry i n h is w o r ds g o a d ed h e r . „ A r e y o u e nj oy in g y ou r se l f a t m y e x pe n s e, M r . S u th e rl a nd ? “

„ I’ m b eg in ni ng t o, y e s, “ h e a d mi t te d w i th a f l i ck er in g s m il e.

„ Th en b y a ll m e an s c a r ry o n w it ho ut m e! “

F or t h e s e co nd t im e t h at e ve ni ng S e le na a t te m pt ed t o w hi rl o n o ne h ee l a nd w al k a w a y f ro m Y or k S u th e rl a nd . T hi s t im e, h o we v er , s h e di dn ’t g e t f a r . H e n e v e r r e l e as e d hi s g ri p o n h e r a r m .

„ P l e a s e w a i t ,“ h e u r g e d in a t o n e t h a t m i gh t h a v e p a s s e d a s a p ol o ge t i c if i t h a d n’ t b e e n i n s u c h d i r e ct

c on tr ad ic ti on t o t h e c om ma nd in g s t re ng th o f h is f in ge rs . „ I r ea ll y w ou ld a p pr e ci a te a n a n s w er t o m y

question.“

„ Wh y s ho ul d I b o t he r ?“ s h e s n a p pe d .

„ B e c a u s e e v e ry t hi n g a b o ut y ou , i nc lu di ng y o ur r e la t io n sh i p w i t h A n d e rs o n , i n t e r e s t s m e . “

„ Yo u m e a n ev e ry th in g a b ou t R i ch a rd A n de r s on i n t e re s t s yo u a n d a t t h e m o me nt I h a p pe n t o b e i n vo lv ed

w i th h i m. T h e r e f o r e , I i n t e r e s t y o u. “ S e l e n a ’s h a z e l e y e s s p a r kl e d w i th t h e f o r c e o f h e r a n n o y a n c e. Y e s ,

t h at w a s t h e r ig ht w o r d. S h e w a s a n no y ed w i th t hi s m an , n ot a f ra i d of hi m!

„ Y ou r l og ic i s i m pe c ca b le i f o n e a c c e p t s t h e b a s i c p re m is e ,“ Y o r k s a id t ho ug ht fu ll y.

„ A r e yo u g oi ng t o d e ny t h e b as i c p re m is e ? T h at y ou r o n e g o al i s t o f in d a w a y t o d e f e a t R i c ha r d? “ s h e

challenged.„ A m a n c a n h a v e mo r e t ha n o n e g o al a t a n y gi v en t i me , “ Y o r k re m i nd e d h e r c al m l y.

„ Yo u’ r e i mp os si bl e. W h y c a n ’ t y ou a t l e a s t b e ho n es t w it h m e ? “

„ Y ou h a v e n ’ t a n s w e r e d m y q u es t io n, “ h e p e rs i s t e d v e r y q u ie t ly .

„ Ab ou t t h e b a si s o f m y r el at io ns hi p w i th R i c ha r d? I s e e n o r e a s on w h y I s h ou ld !“ S h e s t e pp e d b a c kw a r d

a br up tl y, h op in g t o t a k e hi m o f f gu a rd a n d, t o h e r a st o ni s hm en t , s h e s u c c e e d ed . H e r e l e as e d h e r a r m .

„ Yo u w a n t a r e a s on ? “ h e m us e d, w a t c hi n g t h e s m al l f l a sh o f t ri um ph c r o s s h e r f e a t u r es a s s h e f ou nd

h e r s e l f f r e e . „ H o w a b o u t i f y ou d o n’ t g i v e m e t h e a n s w e r I ’ ll f ol l ow y o u b a c k i n si de , t h r o w y o u o v e r m y

s ho ul de r, a n d c a rr y y ou o ut h e r e w h e r e I wi ll k e e p yo u u nt il y ou f in al ly d e ci d e to t a lk ? “

S e le n a a r c h ed a s pe c ul a ti v e e y eb r ow , no t f oo le d b y t h e a l mo st w hi ms i ca l t o ne o f h is v o ic e . A s h o r t d a s h

w ou ld t a k e h e r ou t o f hi s r e a c h, b ut h e c ou ld e a si l y c a t c h up w i th h e r i n t h e l o bb y. „ S t ra n ge ly e n o ug h I c a n

a lm os t i ma gi ne y ou d oi ng m a t, e v e n t ho ug h i t w ou ld m a k e f oo ls o ut o f b ot h o f u s i n f r on t o f e v er y on e !“

H e s h r u gg e d a n d sa i d n ot hi ng , w a it i n g.

„ D o e s t h e a n s w e r m e a n s o m u c h t o y ou , t h e n ? “ s h e p ro d de d w o nd e ri n gl y .

„ Y e s . “

S e l e n a l i ft e d o n e si l k- c la d s h o ul d er i n a n a n s w e ri n g s h ru g . W h a t ha r m w a s t h e r e i n s i mp ly t el li ng h im t h e

t r ut h ? P e r h a p s i f s h e d id h e w ou ld r e al i ze h o w l it tl e c h a n c e h e s t oo d o f i nt er ru pt in g h e r r o m an c e w i th

R i c ha r d A n d e r s o n.

„ Al l r i gh t, I ’ ll t e l l y o u . “ H e r l ip s c u r v e d s li gh tl y i n a f l ee t i ng s m il e . „ I d o n’ t m in d l o si ng s u c h a s m al l

battle.“

„ Sm al l b a t t l es m a k e u p w a r s , “ h e w a r n e d s o ft l y .

„ O n l y i n y o u r b o o k . N o t a l l o f u s s e e e v e r y t h i n g a s a w i n - l o s e p r o p o s i t i o n , “ s h e r e s p o n d e d t a r t l y . „ T h e

a n s w e r to y ou r q ue s ti on i s s im pl e. R i ch a rd w a s t ry in g t o p e r s u ad e a l oc al a r t i st t o a c c e p t a c om mi ss io n f o r

t he a r tw or k i n t h e n e w A nd er s on & C om pa ny building d ow n n e ar S ou th L a ke A v en u e. S om eo ne t ol dR i c ha r d I mi gh t h a v e s o m e i n fl u en c e, s i n c e I ’ v e g o t t en t o k n o w a l ot o f a r t i s t s i n t h i s a r e a i n t h e c o u r s e o f

m y w o r k . I a c t e d a s a k i nd o f i n t e r f a c e b e t w e e n d i e t e m p e r a m en t a l p a i nt e r a n d t h e l og ic al b u s i ne s s m a n.

W hi le a l l t h e ne g ot i at i on s w e r e g oi ng o n, R i c h a rd a n d I h a d a n o p p or t un i ty t o d i s c o ve r t h a t w e h a d a g r e a t


11/67

d ea l i n c o mm o n. W e ’ r e b ot h h e av il y i nv ol ve d i n t h e a r t w or ld a n d w e b ot h h a v e a f o ot i n t h e b u si n es s

w o rl d . T h e r e y o u a r e . S i mp l e a n s w e r f o r a s i mp l e q u es t i on . W e ’ v e b e e n d a t i ng r e g u la r ly e v e r s i n ce , “ s h e

c on cl ud ed i n l iqu id a c c e n t s .

„ I s e e… “

„ I’ m e v e r s o g la d y ou d o, M r . S u th er l an d . H a vi n g r a ns o me d m ys e lf , I ’ ll t r y sa yi ng g oo d -b y e. A g ai n. “

„ N ot y e t, “ h e mu rm ur ed , r e ac h in g o ut o n c e m o re to c a t c h h ol d o f he r . T hi s t i me h e h a d c ir c le d h e r w ri s t

before she’d realized his intention. „There’s something else we must discuss…“

„ Yo u’ r e b eg in ni ng t o t r y my p a ti e nc e ,“ S e l en a h i ss e d . „A n d I b e li e ve I ’ v e s p en t e no ug h t i me o ut h e r e o n

the terrace tonight!“

„ Y ou r f i rs t t ri p o ut d o es n ’t c o un t .“ H e d r e w h e r i ne xo ra bl y c l os e r, a p p a re n tl y f a s c i na t e d b y t h e a n g er i n

h e r. „ Y ou w e r e w it h t h e w ro ng m an .“

S e l e n a’ s e y e s n a r r o w e d s h ar p l y a t m a t , h e r a n g e r me t a mo r ph o s in g i nt o a n o t h e r e mo t io n s h e d i d n’ t w a n t

t o a c k n o w le d g e . I t m ig ht h a v e b e e n f e a r , j ud gi ng b y t h e f a i n t t r em b li n g t h a t r a c e d a l on g h e r n e r v e e n d i ng s .

O r i t c o ul d h a v e b e e n s om e th i ng e l s e . E x c i t e me n t ? F a sc i n at i o n?

B e la t e dl y s h e p u t u p h e r h a n ds , h e r a m e t h y s t a n d g i lt n a i ls s p l ay i ng a c r o s s h i s s h o ul d e rs i n p r o t e s t T h e

g r ay - gr e e n g a z e l o ck e d w it h h e r o wn , b la zi ng w i th m as c ul i ne p r om i se .

S e le n a h a d o nl y t i me e no ug h t o c al l h e r se l f a f oo l f o r h av in g g o tt e n i nt o t h e s i tu at io n a n d t h e n i t w a s t o o

l a t e. H i s m ou th w a s c la im in g h e r s .


12/67

Two

C l a i m i n g w a s a n a l l t o o a c c u r a t e d e s c r i p t i o n , S e l e n a r e a l i z e d , h e r n a i l s b i t i n g d e e p i n t o t h e b l a c k f a b r i c o f

h is e v en i n g j a c k e t . I n t h a t m o me n t s h e c o ul d n o t h a v e s a i d w h e t h e r t h e s m al l p u ni s hm e nt s h e m a n a g e d t o

i nf li ct w a s i n r e ta l ia t i on f o r h i s b r e at h t a ki n g a g g r e s s io n o r a m e a n s o f m a i nt ai n in g h e r b a l a n c e b e n e a t h t h e

onslaught.

S h e ne e d n ’ t h a v e wo r r i ed a b o ut f a ll i ng . H i s a r m s w r a p p e d a r o u n d h e r, r o u gh p a l ms m ol di ng t h e s l e n d e r

l in e o f h e r b a c k b e n e a t h t h e y e l lo w s il k . A n o th e r t r e m o r w e n t t h r o ug h h e r a s h e s l id h i s h a n d s d o w n h e r

s p in e t o f i n d t h e s m a ll , s e n s it i v e p l a c e j u s t a b o v e t h e c u r v e o f h e r h i p s . A n d t h e n h e w a s p r es s i ng , u rg i ng

h e r c l o se r in t o t h e h e a t o f h i s b o dy .

O n h e r l ip s h i s m o ut h m o v ed w i t h h e a v y s e ns u al i t y, e xp lo ri ng , s t a ki n g a c l ai m , t h r ea t e n in g t o o ve r w he l m .

S e le n a’ s s e n s e s s e e m e d d a ze d a s s h e a ut om at i ca ll y t r i ed t o a dj u st a n d r e a c t t o t h e s i tu at io n. T h e r e w a s

n on e o f t h e p l e as a n t w a r mt h s h e e x pe r i en c ed w it h R i ch a rd ’ s a r ms , n or d id Y o rk S u th e rl a nd ’ s e m b r a c e

r em in d h e r i n a n y w a y o f t h e s o me t im e s c a su a l, a l w ay s f r us t ra t in g l ov em ak in g s h e h a d k no w n w i t h h e r

e x - hu s b an d t h r e e y e a r s a g o.

T h e t h o u gh t o f h e r e x - h us b a n d a c t e d l i ke a s l a p, b r i ng in g h e r w hi rl in g t h o ug h t s i n to s h a r p f o c u s f o r a n

i ns t an t T h e ma r ri a g e t o C a l e M a s t er s h a d en d ed in d i vo rc e a y e a r a n d a h al f a f t e r i t h a d b e g u n. I t w a s n o t

a s u b j ec t s h e c h o s e t o r e vi e w v e ry o f t e n. W h a t h a d m ad e h e r t hi nk o f it n o w ?S h e k n e w t h e a n s w e r t o t h a t S h e w a s i ns ti nc ti ve ly m ak in g c o mp ar i so ns , r el at in g Y o rk S ut h er l an d’ s

a s s au l t on h e r s e n s e s t o t h e k in d o f se n su a li t y t o w h ic h s h e h a d b e e n ex p os e d i n h e r m ar r i ag e .

B ut e ve ry th in g s h e h a d k n ow n w i th C al e, a s w el l a s t h e li gh t r o ma n ce s s h e h ad a ll ow ed h er s el f t o

become involved with since the divorce, faded before the flaming demand she face d tonight.

H e w a s s e e ki n g t o f o r g e a b o nd , s h e r e a l iz e d, s t ri v in g t o o v er w h e lm h e r d e f e n s e s a n d t a k e h e r c a p t i v e.

E v er y th i ng w o ul d b e s o m u c h s i mp l er f o r h i m if h e c o ul d m a n a g e t h a t S e l e n a t r i e d t o p u ll a w a y , t r i ed t o

s h a t t e r t h e b o nd s b e f o r e t h e y c o ul d b e c o m e t o o s t r o n g.

„ Y or k ! S t op i t . Y o u h a v e n o r ig ht !“

H e c a u g h t t h e n a p e o f h e r n e c k i n h i s p a l m , h o l d i n g h e r h e a d s t i l l a s s h e s t r u g g l e d t o b r e a k t h e e l e c t r i c

c on ta ct . B en ea th t he c ur ve o f h er c he st nu t ha ir his fi ng ers mov ed in a soothing, p er su as iv e w ay ,

d el ib er at el y g en tl in g h e r a s i f s h e w e r e a w i ld c r e a t u re h e w a n t e d t o t a m e .

„ Do n’ t f ig ht m e , S e le n a, “ h e c oa x e d h us ki ly , h is m ou th b a re l y g ra zi ng h e r l ip s. „ T h er e ’ s n o n e e d… “S he h e a r d t h e t hi ck v e lv et o f h i s v oi ce a nd g a sp e d a t t h e a ud ac it y o f t h e m a n. N o n e ed ! T h er e w a s

e v e ry n e e d to f ig ht h im ! H e w a s d a n ge r ou s … . Bu t hi s m ou th c l os e d o n c e m o r e o v er h e r s a n d t h is t i m e t h e

w a r m t h o f h i s t o n g u e b e c a m e a n i n s i s t e n t , d e m a n d i n g p r e s s u r e . E v e r y t h i n g w a s h a p p e n i n g m u c h t o o f a s t .

H e r in st i nc ts w e r e to g iv e g ro un d a n d f al l b a c k i n a n e f f or t t o r e gr o up h e r f o r c e s .

S h e m a d e h e r s el f s t a n d v e r y s ti ll , r e m ot e l y p a s s i v e i n h i s g r a s p, b u t t h e s e e k i ng , p r ob i ng p r e s s u r e o n h e r

m ou t h r e f u s e d t o r e c og n i ze s u c h t a c t i c s . H i s t o n g u e s k a t e d a l o n g h e r l o w e r li p in a s e d uc t i v e, p r o v o ca t i v e

a t t e m pt t o f o r c e a n o p e n in g . W h e n s h e r e f u s e d t h e a d m it t a n ce , h e r e t a l ia t e d b y s l id in g h is t h u m b a l on g t h e

l ine o f h e r j aw a n d up t o t h e c o rn e r o f h er m ou th w h e r e h e p r e s s e d.

S im ul ta ne ou sl y Y o r k c a ug h t t h e s o f t ne s s o f h e r l i p e v e r s o g en tl y b e t w e e n h i s t e e t h a n d n i p pe d. H e

n e v er h ur t h e r , S e l e n a r e al i ze d v a gu el y, b u t i n e v e r y s ma ll a t t a c k t h e t h r ea t w a s i mp li ci t. H e w a n t ed t h e

i nt im ac y o f h e r mo ut h a n d w a s d e t er m in e d t o t a k e it S h e to ld h e rs e l f s h e wo ul d o nl y g iv e e n ou gh t o p ut h i m

o f f h is g u ar d a n d e n ab l e h e rs e l f t o g e t f r e e .

H e s it a n tl y s h e p a r t e d he r li ps , o nl y t o r e a li z e i m me d ia t el y t h a t s h e ha d m a d e a m i s t a ke .

„Selena!“

H e r n a m e w a s a g r o an o f s a ti s fa c ti o n a n d i n te n t. T h e so un d w a s n e ar l y l os t a s h e to ok a d va n t ag e o f h e r

small s ur re nd er t o s w ee p i nto t he d ar k r e ce s s es o f h er m ou th . S el en a s hi ve re d a s hi s t on gu e m ov ed

t ri u mp ha n tl y t h ro u gh t h e n e w l y c o n q ue r e d t e r r i t or y , s e e k i n g o u t a n y l a s t v e s t ig e o f r e s i s t a n c e . U nw il li ng t o

g iv e u p t h e f ig ht , s h e s t ru gg le d v ai nl y i n h is a r ms .

I t w a s a n i ns id io us b a tt l e b e c a u s e it s p a rk e d i ts o w n d an g er o us k in d o f e x ci t em e n t. T h e m o re s h e f ou gh t

h im , t h e m o r e vi ol en tl y a w a r e o f h e r o w n a w a k e ni n g d e s i r e s h e b e c a m e . S e l e n a s a w t h e t r a p w a it i ng f o r

h e r a n d b e g a n to p a n i c.

H as ti ly s h e sl id h e r ha n ds u p f r om h is s h ou ld e rs t o t h e st r on g c ol um n o f h is t h ro a t a n d sa n k h e r n ai ls i nt o

t h e vu l ne r a bl e a r e a b e n e a t h h is j a w . T h e e f f e c t w a s i m m e d ia t e .„ W h at t h e h el l … ?“

T h e a f f r o nt e d m a l e n e ss i n h im w a s p al p ab l e. Y o rk l if te d h i s h e a d t o g l a r e d o wn a t h is v ic ti m, e y e s

glittering a nd n ar ro we d. H is h an ds t ig ht en ed o n h er a s s he f a ce d him w it h all t he c om po su re a t h er

http://slaiming/http://slaiming/


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command.

„ T h at ’ s e n ou g h, M r . S u t h er l a nd ! I w i s h t o r e t u r n t o t h e b a l l ro o m. Y o u r p ri m it iv e a p p r o a c h t o t h e a r t o f

l ov em ak in g d o es n o t a p pe a l t o m e i n t h e l e as t ! “

„ Y ou m e a n it s c a r e s t h e h el l o u t o f yo u, “ h e c o u n t er e d ti g ht l y. E v e n i n t h e d i m li gh t s la n ti n g o ut o n t o t h e

t e r r a c e S e l e na t h ou gh t s h e c ou ld d e t e c t a n a n gr y r e d s t ai n h ig h o n h i s c h e e kb o ne s , a n d t h e r e w a s n o d o ub t

a t a ll a b ou t t h e f l as h o f c on tr ol le d f i re b eh in d d ie l e n se s of h is g l a s se s .

„It a n n o y s t h e h el l o ut o f m e! “

H i s h a n d s ti ll g r i pp e d h e r n a p e a s h e s e a r c h e d h e r o v e r - br i gh t e y e s . „ B e li e v e i t o r n o t , a nn oy i ng y o u i s

not my intention,“ he finally allowed, some of t he hardness disappearing from his voice. „I only wanted to

m a k e y ou a w a r e o f m e …“

„ We ll , y o u’ v e c er t a in l y a c c om p l is h e d t h a t ! D o y o u a l w a y s r e s o r t to s u c h a g gr e s s i v e t ac t i c s w h e n y o u’ r e

e n g a g ed in a b u s i n e ss c o mp e ti t i on ? “ s h e s h o t b a c k i ro ni c al l y.

„ Yo u t hi nk t h a t k i ss h a d s om et hi ng t o d o w it h m y i nt en ti on t o c r u s h A n de r so n ?“ h e in qu ir ed d ry ly .

„ Wh y e l s e w ou ld y ou b e e x pe nd in g a ll t hi s e n e rg y o n m e ? “ S e le n a c h a rg e d w as p is h ly .

T h e r e w a s a s l i gh t p a u s e du r in g w h i ch s h e a s s u m e d h e w a s s e a r c h in g f o r t h e w o r d s w i th w h i c h t o d e n y

t h e ac c us a t io n , b ut w h e n h e s po k e ag ai n, h e m a n ag e d to s u rp r is e h e r .

„ Wo ul d i t b e s o b a d i f m y i n te r es t i n y ou h a pp e ne d t o d ov et ai l v e ry n e at l y w i th m y p l an s f o r A n de r s on &

C o mp a ny ? “ h e f i na ll y a s k e d c a r e f u l l y.

S e le n a s t a r e d a t h im a n d t h e n r a i s ed b e se e ch i ng e y e s t o h e a v e n . „ M y G o d ! I d on ’ t b e li e ve t hi s ! O f course it would be bad! It would be disgusting, abominable, infuriating, and totally reprehensible! Are you

o u t o f y o u r h e a d ? W h a t y o u ’ r e r e a ll y a s k in g i s i f I w o ul d m i n d b e i ng u s ed ! T h e a n s w e r t o t h a t i s y e s , I

would mind!“

„ E ve n i f w e d i s c o ve r i n t h e p r o c e s s t h a t w e ’ r e m a d e f o r e a c h o th e r ? “ he t a u n t ed li gh tl y.

„ Im po s si b le ,“ s h e g r a t e d . „ I f e v e r t w o p e o p l e w e r e n o t m a d e f o r e a c h o t h e r , t h o s e t w o p e o p l e a r e y o u

a nd I .“

„ I s t h a t w h y y o u w e r e t re mb li ng j us t n o w i n m y a r m s? “ h e w h is p er e d, t h e s t ro n g h a n d o n h e r n a p e

m ov in g w it h h yp no ti c t e n d er n e s s do w n h e r t h ro a t t o t h e r uf fl e d f r on t o f t h e ye ll ow s il k g o wn .

„ A w o m a n c a n t r e mb l e f r o m a n g e r a s w e l l a s p a s s i on , M r . S u t h e rl a n d. “ S e l e n a h el d h e r b r e a t h a s h i s

t o uc h c a m e t o a h al t o n h e r d e l i ca t e c ol l ar bo ne . S h e w a s t o rn b e t w e e n t h e d e s ir e t o f l e e a n d t h e n e e d t o

d e m o n st r a t e t h e f a c t t h a t h e co u ld n ’t i n ti m id at e h e r . C h in l i ft e d c oo ll y, s h e he l d h i s h o od e d g a z e .

H e s m il ed c ro o ke d ly . „ A nd r ig ht n o w no th in g o n t h e f a c e o f t h is e a r t h c o ul d g e t y ou t o a dm it t h a t w h a ty ou w e r e f e el i ng a m o me n t a g o w a s t h e b eg in ni ng o f p as s io n a n d no t a n ge r , c o rr e c t ? “

„ P e r f e c t l y c o r r e c t . “

„ I’ m w il li ng t o a dm it t h a t w h at I f e l t w a s d e s ir e ,“ h e d r aw l ed s o ft l y.

„ I c o n g ra t u l at e y o u o n y o ur a bi li ty t o c h a n ne l y o u r pa s s i o ns s o t h a t t h e y s e r v e y o ur b u s i n es s i n t e r e s t s! “

S e l e n a f l a r e d t i gh tl y . „ B u t I s u pp o s e th a t ’ s n at u r al f o r s om e o n e l ik e y o u. “

„ S om eo ne l ik e m e ? “ h e p ro mp te d, h is s mi le f ad i ng .

„ A w in ne r. T ha t ’s w h at y ou a r e, i sn ’t i t, Y o rk S ut he rl an d? A m an w ho s e e s e ve ry th in g i n t e rm s o f

w in ni ng a n d l o si n g. Y o u ’ r e de t e r mi n e d t o m a k e yo u r w a y t o t h e t o p a n d y o u ’ ll u s e a n y o n e o r a n y th i ng y o u

c a n t o g e t t h e r e . Y o ur i mm ed ia t e g oa l i s t o w i n o ut o v er An d er s o n & Co mp an y, i sn ’ t i t? “

T h e h a r s h c o n t ou r s o f hi s f a c e s e e m e d t o h a r d e n b u t h e d i dn ’ t d e n y t h e a c c u s a t i o n . „ I i n te n d t o d e f e a t

Richard Anderson. Totally.“

„ We ll , I r e f u s e t o b e u s e d i n t h e p ro c e s s! “

„ E sp e ci a ll y s i n c e yo u t hi n k i t ’ s A n de r s o n w h o w il l w i n ?“ h e p r o dd e d .

„ I ’ m n ot c h o o si n g s i d e s i n t h e h o p e s o f f i nd in g m y s el f o n t h e w i nn in g t e a m , M r . S u t he r l an d . I t j u st s o

h a pp e ns I li ke R i ch a rd a g r e a t d ea l m o re t h an I li ke y ou !“

S he s te pp ed b ac kw ar d a s mal l p ac e, p re pa ri ng t o p ut a g re at a mo un t o f d is ta nc e b et we en t he m.

S o me h ow h is f in ge r s, w h ic h h a d b e en h ov er in g i n t h e r u f fl e o f t h e d r e s s , s l ip pe d d o wn t h e s il k t o t h e t ip o f

o n e b r e a s t T he h e a t o f hi s h a nd b u rn e d t hr ou gh t h e ma te r ia l , s en di ng s h o c k w a v e s t hr ou gh h e r b od y a s h e r

n ip pl e r e a c t e d t o t h e t o uc h .

K no wi ng h e m us t b e a w a r e o f h e r b o dy ’s r ea ct io n w a s e no ug h t o h ol d h e r p ar al yz ed f or a n i ns ta nt

l on ge r. T h e i r e y e s m e t f o r a t i me l es s m o me nt , a n d i n t h e d ar ke ni ng g r e e n d e pt h s o f Y o rk ’ s g a z e S e l en a

r e a d t h e s i gn s o f a r a w a n d r a vi s hi n g h u n ge r .

T h e r e w a s n ot h in g t h a t c o u ld b e s a i d . S e l e n a c o ul d t hi n k on ly i n t e r m s o f e s c a p e a n d s p u n a w a y f r o mY o r k ’s t o uc h a n d t h e pr o mi s e i n h i s e y e s , m ov in g b li nd ly a c r o s s t h e t e r r a c e t o w a r d t h e re l a t iv e s a f e t y o f t h e

l ob by . A n i n st a n t l a t e r s h e w a s t e m p or a ri l y o u t o f r e a c h o f t h e p r e d at o r i n t h e s h a d o w s . W i t ho u t p au s i ng t o

g l an c e b a ck , s h e m a d e h e r w a y t o t h e ba ll ro om .


14/67

I t w a s a g r e a t r e l ie f n o t t o c a t c h a n o t h er gl i mp s e o f Y o rk S ut h e rl a n d f o r t he r e s t o f t he e ve n i ng .

B y n i ne o ’ cl oc k t h e n e xt m or ni ng t h e i m ag e o f Y o rk a s a p r ed a to r y j a g ua r w a s s a f el y b u r ie d i n t h e

f ar th es t c or ne rs o f h er s ub co ns ci ou s. S el en a w en t a bo ut h er w or k w it h h er c us to ma ry e nt hu si as m,

s u pe r vi s in g c l e r k s , a d vi s in g c u s t o m e r s , a n d h an dl in g t h e m y ri a d p r ob l e ms l a r g e a n d s m al l t h a t o c c u r r e d

e v e ry d a y i n h e r b us y w o rl d . B u t wh il e t h e f a nt a s y w a s b ur ie d, h e r co mm on s e n s e w a s n o t .

I n t h e c le a r l ig ht o f a Ca li fo rn ia m or ni ng i t w a s e a s y e no ug h t o t el l h e r se l f s h e h a d o v e r r e a c te d t o Y o r k ’

s s t al k in g p r e s e n c e ; st il l, w h e r e t h e r e w a s s m o k e …

T h e r e c o u ld b e n o d ou b t a b ou t t h e m a n ’ s i n te nt i on s , s h e t h o ug h t a s s h e c h e c k e d t h e s u pp l y o f a c r yl i c

paints and silkscreening materials prior to filling out an order form. Sutherland was out to thoroughly crush

R i c h ar d . T h e i de a s h ou l d h a v e b e e n l a ug h ab l e, g i ve n h e r kn o w le d ge o f t h e A n d e r s on f o r t u n e a n d R i c ha r d ’ s

s ta nd in g i n t h e c om mu ni ty . B u t s h e c o ul dn ’ t q ui te b ri ng h e rs e l f t o l au gh i t o f f c om pl et el y, i n s p i te o f R i ch a rd

’ s f ai l u re t o t a k e t h e t h re a t s er i o us l y .

W el l, t h e on ly t hi ng s h e c ou ld d o w a s s t a y c l e a r o f t h e h un ge r, s h e d e ci d ed r es ol u te l y a s s h e s t r a ig h te n ed

f r om h e r t a s k a n d s t a r t e d t o w a r d t h e c o u n t e r w h e r e t h r e e c l e r k s w e r e b u s y h an dl i ng c u s t o m e r s . R i c h ar d

c ou ld h an dl e h is o w n b u si n es s p ro bl em s, i f h e h a d t h e m. H e c e rt a in l y d id n’ t n e e d h e r a d vi c e ! H e r o nl y

e xp er i en c e i n t h e w o rl d o f b us in es s w a s m an ag in g A rt is ti c E n de a vo rs . H e r m ou th l if te d i n a s mi le o f

u nc on sc i ou s p r i de a s s h e g l an c ed a r ou nd t h e l a r g e a r ti s t s’ s up pl y s h o p . I t w ou ld n’ t b e l on g b e f or e s h e

w ou ld s e ri o us l y b e a b l e t o c o n s id e r o wn i ng t h e p l a c e . T h e F l e t c h e r s h a d t a l k ed o f t e n a b o u t s el l in g in o r d e r

t o b e f r e e r t o p u rs u e t he i r j e t -s e t l if es t yl e.A s i f t hi nk in g o f t h e o w n e r s o f A r t i s ti c E n d e a v o r s h a d t r i g ge r e d a s w i t c h s o m e w h e r e, t h e p h on e r a n g

behind the counter and a moment later a clerk called her.

„ I t’ s M r . F l e t c h e r, S e l e n a .“

„ I’ ll t a k e it i n t h e o ff i ce , A l is on .“ S h e h u rr i ed t o w ar d t h e c r a mp e d r o om a t t h e b a c k o f t h e s t o r e w h e r e

s h e h a d a s m a l l d e s k a n d s e v e r a l f i l e c a b i n e t s . O n e o f t h e f i r s t t h i n g s s h e i n t e n d e d t o d o a f t e r t a k i n g o v e r

o wn e rs h ip o f A rt i st i c E n de a v or s w a s t o e x pa n d t h a t po o r e x c u s e o f a n o ff i c e. I t m ig ht s e r v e f o r a m a n a g e r

but a small bus ine ss exe cut ive deserved something more sophisticated.

„ Go od m or ni ng , J oh n, “ s h e g r e e t ed h e r b o s s ch e er f ul l y. „ Ca ll in g t o t el l m e y ou ’ r e on y ou r w a y t o U t a h? “

„ I ’ m c a ll i ng t o t e ll y o u U t a h i s o u t , T ah i ti i s i n ,” J o h n F l e t c h e r a n n ou n c e d g ra n dl y . „ L ou i se c h a n g e d h e r

m in d l a st n ig ht . W e ’ ll b e l ea vi ng a t f ou r o ’ cl oc k t o mo r ro w a f te r no o n. “

„ Ta h it i ! W h a t ab o u t y o ur c on do mi ni um a t t h e sk i r e s o r t i n U t a h ? I t h ou g ht y o u a n d L o ui s e a l w a y s w e n t

s ki in g i n t h e w i nt e r . It ’ s o n e o f t ho s e t i me - s h a r e a r r a n ge m e n t s , i s n’ t i t ? I f y ou d o n’ t u s e t h e t w o w e e k s y o u’r e s ch ed ul ed f or , y ou w on ’t b e ab le t o g e t ba c k i nt o t h e c on do u nt il y ou r t ur n c o me s up n ex t ye a r. “

„ W hi c h b ri n gs u p t h e r e a s o n f o r t h i s c a l l, “ J o h n F l e t c h e r r e t o r t e d w i t h a c h u c kl e . S e l e n a a u to m at i ca l ly

s mi le d i n r e s p on s e. S h e w a s f on d o f J oh n a nd L ou is e F l et c he r . A m id dl e- ag ed c ou pl e o f i nd ep en de nt

m e an s , t h ey t ho ro ug hl y e n jo ye d t h e go od l if e t h ei r m on e y c ou ld b u y.

A r t is t i c E n d e a vo r s h a d b e e n bu t o n e o f m an y f l ig ht s o f f a n c y t h e F l e t c h e r s h a d i n d ul g ed . I t w o ul d h a v e

d o ub t l es s b e e n s o ld t w o y e a r s a g o w h e n t h e n o ve l ty o f r u n ni n g t h e b u s i ne s s a n d m in gl in g w i t h t h e a r t i st i c

c l ie n te l e h a d w o rn o f f, e x c e p t t h a t t h ey h a d r ec e n t l y h i re d a n e w m a n a g e r f o r t h e s t o r e .

T he n e w m a na g er h a d t hr ow n h er s el f i nt o t h e w or k w it h t h e e nt hu si as ti c d es pe ra ti on o f a w om an

r ec ov er in g f r om a n a st y d iv or ce . S el e na h ad a rr iv ed i n P a s a d e n a f ro m S a n D ie go , w h e re s h e h ad l ef t

behind a job in an art gallery and an ex-husband who had succumbed to the wiles of another woman. She

h a d b e e n mo r e th a n a li tt le g r at e fu l f o r th e pr om i se o f a n e w c a r e e r i n a n e w t o w n, a n d h e r h a rd w o r k h a d

paid off. Within six months Artistic Endeavors had nearly doubled its income.

T h e pr o bl e m, o f c o u r s e , w a s t h a t i t s o w n e r s d id n’ t r e a l ly n e e d t h e m o n e y . B y t h a t t i me , h o w e v e r, t h e y

h a d re a li z ed h o w m uc h t h e s t o r e w a s c om in g t o m e a n t o S e l en a a n d a b ar g ai n w a s s t r uc k . T h ey w ou ld

c o nt i nu e t o h ol d o n t o t h e b u s i ne s s u nt il s u c h t i m e a s t h e ir n e w m a n a g e r c ou l d a f f o rd t o b u y i t f r o m t h e m .

W it h a n y l u ck a n d w i t h t h e g e n e r o u s s a l a r y t h e y p r o vi d ed h e r , S e l e n a e x p e c t e d t o b e a b l e t o m a n a g e t h e

purchase in another few months.

„ O ka y , I ’ m l i st en in g, “ s h e s a i d i nt o t h e r e c e i v e r . „ W h a t ’ s t h e r e a s o n f o r t h e c a l l ? D i d y o u w a n t m e t o

o rg an iz e a b o n v o y ag e p ar ty d ow n a t t h e d o c ks f or y ou ?“ S h e’ d d o ne m a t a s a s ur pr is e f or o ne o f t h e

F l e tc h er s ’ m a ny t ri p s a n d t h e y h a d l ov ed i t V i rt ua ll y a ll t h e s t o r e’ s r e gu l ar c u s t om e r s h a d s h ow n u p a t

s h i p s i d e , a n d t h e w i d e v a r i e t y o f u n p r e d i c t a b l e a r t i s t i c t a l e n t i n t h e g r o u p h a d m a d e f o r a u n i q u e f a r e w e l l .

I n cr e di b ly d e c o r a t e d b a n n er s , s t r e a m e r s , a n d s o m e f a ir l y w i ld m u s ic h a d d o mi n at e d t h e n or m al l y s e d a t e

L o ng B e a c h d o c k s t h a t d ay .„ N o t t h i s t i m e, u n fo r tu n at e l y, “ J o h n s i g he d w i s t fu l ly . „ W e ’ r e f l yi ng . W h a t I ’ m c a l li ng a b o u t i s t o s e e i f

y ou w a n t to m a k e us e o f t h o se t w o w e e ks a t t h e co nd o i n U t a h. “

„ M e! “ S e l en a g as p ed , s t a rt l e d. „ I d on ’ t e v e n s ki , J o hn !“


15/67

„ Mi ng le w i t h t h e c r o w d s i pp in g h o t t o dd i e s i n t h e lo d ge a n d n o o n e wi ll e v e r k n o w t h a t y o u d id n’ t s p e n d

a ll d a y fa ll i ng d o w n a s n o w - c o v e r e d hi ll !“

„ W ha t a b ou t t h e s t o r e? I c o ul dn ’t j us t l e a ve i t! “

„ D on ’ t b e ri d ic u lo us . Y o u h av e t o l e a r n t o s t a r t a c ti n g l i ke a n o w n e r s o m e d a y . W h a t a r e y ou g oi ng t o d o

a f t e r t h e p l ac e i s y o ur s ? N e v e r t a k e a v a c a ti o n? “ h e s c o f f e d. „ B e si d es , y ou k n ow A li so n a n d t h e o th e rs c a n

m a n a g e f or a c o u pl e o f w e e k s . Y o u ’ r e t h e o n e w h o t r a i ne d t h e m! “

„ Fl ed gl in g e n t r e p r e n e u rs a r e n ’ t s u p p os e d t o i nd ul ge t h e m s e lv e s i n l e ng t hy v a c a t i on s , “ S e l e n a p o i nt e d o u t

o n a n o t e o f la u g h te r .

„ On ly i ne ff ic i en t o n e s c a n ’ t a f fo r d t o d o i t, “ J o hn c o r r ec t e d s t au nc h ly . „ A t a n y r at e , t hi s i s C al if or ni a, n o t

New England. The work ethic is different out here.“

„ I k n ow , “ s h e c o n c e d e d l ig ht ly . „ Pl a yi n g i s a s i m po r ta n t a s w o rk i n g. I r e al l y a p p r e c i a t e t h e o f f e r , J o hn ,

but you’ve taken me by surprise. Give me a few hours to think about it, okay? Is there anyone else who

m ig ht w a n t t o g o ?“

„ Wi th y ou , y o u m e a n ? “ h e a s k e d su g ge s t i ve l y.

„ N o! I m e a n i n st e ad o f m e ! S om e on e w h o sk is , f o r i ns t a nc e !“

„ I’ m s u r e i f I s t oo d o u t i n t h e m id dl e o f C ol o ra d o B o u le v ar d I c ou ld f in d s o me o ne , b ut i t’ s y ou w h o

s ho ul d g o, “ h e re s p o nd e d d r yl y . „ L o ui s e s a y s s o . “

„ N ow m a t ’s a t o ug h a r gu m en t .“

„ I k no w. I ’ d p ut h e r on t h e ph on e t o c on vi nc e y ou b ut s h e’ s o ut b uy in g a n e w w a rd r ob e o f su n dr e ss e s t or e p la c e a ll t h e s ki g e a r s he bo ug ht l a s t w e e k .“

S e l e n a l a ug h e d. „ L e t m e t h i nk a b o u t i t, J o hn , “ s h e b e g g e d. „ I ’ ll g i v e y o u a n a n s w e r t h is e v e ni n g . A r e

you j us t going t o l et t he co nd o g o t o w a s te thi s y ea r if I do n’ t t ak e you u p o n t he o ff er ?“

„Yup.“

„ S a d t h ou g ht . “

„ N o t w h e n w e s t a r t e d p ic t ur i ng t h e b e a c h e s i n T a hi ti , “ h e i nf o rm e d h e r pr o mp t ly .

„ I s e e y ou r p oi nt . T h an k s f o r t hi nk in g o f m e. I pr o mi s e I ’ ll d o m y b e s t t o t a lk m y se l f i nt o it . Te ll L o ui s e I

’ ll c a l l h e r l a t e r t on ig ht “

„ W e’ ll b e w a it in g, “ J o hn t ol d h e r c h ee r fu l ly b e f or e h a ng in g u p t h e p h o ne .

T w o w e e k s a t a s k i r e s o r t i n U t a h . A n d s h e d id n’ t e v e n s k i ! S ti ll , i t w o ul d b e a n e x pe r ie n ce , S e l en a

t ho ug ht a s s h e s l o wl y r e p l ac e d t h e i ns t ru me nt o n h e r e n d . I t w a s t r u e t h a t A l i so n a n d t h e o t h er s c ou ld

probably manage without her for that length of time. There hadn’t been much of an opportunity to take av a c at i o n d ur i ng t h e p a s t t w o y e a r s … .

O n t h e o t h e r h a nd , i t m i gh t b e a li tt le l on el y t r a p p e d a m o n gs t a b u n c h o f a r d e n t s k i e r s w i th o ut a n y o n e t o

s h a r e t he j oy s o f n on -s ki in g w it h h e r . W ha t wo ul d R i ch a rd s a y ? Wo ul d h e w a n t to c o m e w i th h e r ?

S h e s h ie d f r om d ie t ho ug ht a l mo s t a t o n c e . I f s h e w e r e t o i nv it e R i ch a rd h e wo ul d a s s u m e t h e o bv io us –

t h at s h e w a s i nv it in g hi m t o s h a r e a b e d a s w e ll a s a c on do mi ni um . A n d w h o c ou ld b l am e h im ? B u t s h e

k n ew s h e w a s n ’ t y e t r e a d y f o r t h a t s t e p i n t h e r e l at i on sh ip . S h e n e e de d a l it tl e m o r e t i me t o d e ci d e h o w

d e e p h e r f e e l i ng s w e n t . T h e m e m o ry o f h e r d i s a s tr o u s m a r ri a g e st il l h ov e r e d a t t h e e d g e o f h e r t h ou g ht s

w h e ne v e r s h e t ho ug ht o f a c om mi t me nt t o R i ch a rd . Wh y c ou ld n’ t s h e f e el in h is a r m s w h a t s h e h a d s e n s e d

a w a i t e d h e r i n t h e e m b r a c e o f Y or k S ut h e rl a n d l a s t n i gh t ?

I ns t an tl y s h e r e p r e s se d t h a t t h ou gh t, r i si ng t o h e r f e e t w i th a n a n no y ed r e s t l es s n e s s . S mo ot hi ng t h e

n a r r o w s k i rt o f t he bl u e -a n d- w h it e s t r i pe d s u i t s h e w o r e, S e l en a w e n t d e te r mi n ed l y b a c k to w o r k .

S h e st il l ha d n’ t m a d e u p h e r m in d a b o ut w h e t he r o r n ot t o a c c e p t t h e F l e tc h e rs ’ i nv it at io n a s s h e l e t

h er se l f i nt o t h e s un ny t hi rd -f lo or a pa r tm e nt s h e w a s r en ti ng i n t h e li ve ly S ou th L a ke A v en u e a r e a o f

P a s a d e n a . T h e p r o xi mi t y o f t h e C a li f or n ia I n s ti t u t e o f T e ch n ol o gy , t h e w o r ld - f am o u s H u nt i ng t on L i b ra r y

a n d A r t G a l le ry , a n d t h e b e a ut if ul h o m e s o f t h e n e a rb y O a k K no ll a r e a m a d e f o r a n e c le c ti c , i n te re s ti ng

m ix . Al l i n al l, S e l e n a h a d o f t e n r e f l e c t e d, s h e h a d f o u nd a p l e a s a nt o a s i s i n t h e s p ra w li n g, d y na m i c L . A .

region.

I t w o ul d m e a n b uy in g a f e w w a r m cl o t he s , s h e th o ug h t a s s h e s l ip pe d i n to a s l en d e r, a n kl e -l e ng t h, T - s hi r t

d r e s s . T h e c om f o rt a b le , f i gu r e- h ug g in g k ni t m a t er i a l w a s a v i vi d m a r oo n w i t h a b r i gh t, w i d e h e m o f e l e c t r ic

pink. Selena slid her feet into a pair of sandals and went out into the kitchen to start her dinner.

T h e ri ng in g o f t h e do or be ll c a m e j us t a s s h e w a s a b ou t t o t h ro w t h e h a n df ul o f p a s t a i nt o a k e tt l e o f

boiling wate r. It could have been worse, she decided, turning off the heat under the wat er and heading for

t h e d oo r . W h oe v e r it w a s c o ul d h a v e c au g ht h e r j u st a f t e r s h e ’ d g o tt e n t h e p a s t a i nt o t h e w a t e r !„ Wh o i s i t ?“ s h e a s k ed , g la nc in g t hr ou gh t h e t in y p e ep ho l e w i th t h e a u to m at i c c a ut i o us n e ss o f a L o s

A n g e l es r e s i d e nt .

„ Y o rk S u t he r la n d, “ c a m e t h e g r a v e l - an d - ve l v e t r e p ly .


16/67

S e l e n a ’ s h a n d f e l l a w a y f r o m t h e d o o r k n o b a s i f t h e m e t a l w e r e m o l t e n . I t t o o k a s t a r t l e d h e a r t b e a t o r

two to regain her equilibrium. Forcefully she reminded herself that her imagination had run away with her

l a st n ig ht . T h e m a n w h o s t oo d o ut s id e h e r d oo r w a s on ly a b us i ne s sm a n, n ot a g en ui ne j un gl e c a t .

„ W ha t d o y ou w a n t ?“ sh e d e ma n de d , n ot o pe ni ng t h e d o or .

„ I h av e t o t al k t o y ou, S el en a. “

„ I n t h e m id dl e o f d i nn e r! “

„ Y ou r g r ac i ou s h os pi ta li ty i s o ve rw he lm in g m e, “ h e m u rm u re d d ry ly .

„ I o nl y d i sp e ns e g r ac i ou s h os pi ta li ty t o t h o se w h o k n ow h o w t o b e g ra c io u s t h em s el v es ! “

„ S el en a, p l e as e op e n t h e d oo r, “ h e s a id w i th d e li b er a te p a t ie n c e. „I m u st t a lk t o y ou . W h at I h a v e t o s a y

c o n c e r n s y ou d e e pl y . “

„ I ’ ll b e t . S a y i t , t h e n .“

„ D am n i t! I ’ m n ot g oi ng t o s t a nd h e r e t a lk in g t hr ou gh t h is d o o r . I f y o u ’r e s o f r i gh t en e d o f m e , c o m e o n

o ut i nt o t h e s af e ty o f t h e ha ll . O r w e c a n g o d ow n t o t h e p ool a nd s it i n t h e f ul l v ie w o f yo ur n ei gh bo rs !“

„ I a m n ot f ri gh te ne d o f y ou a nd y ou k no w i t! “

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