[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.And that same uneasy feeling pricked at him now.Here on Merrilee’s secluded island, Doug wasn’t alone and he wasn’t talking about other guests of the resort.They wouldn’t be in hiding.He glanced around but already knew he’d see nothing out of the ordinary.He also knew the rustle of bushes he’d just heard wasn’t a bird or animal.Instead of going directly to Juliette’s, Doug decided to test his theory.He circled back toward the pool, choosing a rarely used path that was overgrown with vines and greenery.Not a trail someone following him could take without being heard and, sure enough, when he’d made it halfway, the rustling noise began, then stopped suddenly, repeated itself and then silence descended.Whoever was behind him had begun to follow and stopped when the person realized Doug was on to him.A rank amateur to be sure.Doug darted back to see if he could catch the interloper, but whoever it was had obviously anticipated Doug’s move and was nowhere to be found, giving him cause to rethink the amateur label.Whoever had followed him might have made more noise than a bull in a china shop, but had been quick enough to avoid capture.Silence now surrounded him, unbroken but for the chirping of birds and an occasional laugh from someone walking by.But Doug never discounted gut instinct and if he needed proof, hadn’t Merrilee said she’d fit some people in at the end of the week who’d seemed more desperate than most? He hadn’t a clue who’d come down here, but he knew one thing for sure.All candidates led to Juliette.And none would appreciate finding her with the reporter who’d broken the original story and who had the potential to destroy them now.He needed to narrow down the list and fast.Another journalist was his first thought.Not likely.If the person had managed to get the story, he was talented enough to remain out of sight and hearing.And besides he’d be watching Juliette more than Doug.It could be Congressman Haywood if Stuart had blabbed to his business partner about what Juliette had seen and heard in the church.Not a likely candidate either.He’d send Barnes, Juliette’s ex, to exert influence if she was wavering.Which led him to Stuart Barnes checking up on his errant ex-fiancée.More likely.And as a squeaky clean senator-to-be, one dumb enough to get involved with the Mob, he wouldn’t be smart enough to let other people do his dirty work.And once he put the pieces together he’d be more interested in Juliette than Doug.The Mob.Damn.Doug hadn’t any idea if they knew about Juliette or not but he wasn’t taking chances and took off at a run.He had to get to Juliette and make sure she was safe.Then he had to reveal his own truths—not just because he loved her but because she needed the knowledge to protect herself from all converging outside forces.Including Doug.But with the word Mob echoing in his brain, at this moment he’d settle for just seeing she was safe.CHAPTER NINEJULIETTE LET the room service waiter out of the room and set the table on the terrace for two.He’d delivered the setting and promised he’d return with her breakfast order, fresh mimosas included, as soon as she called.As soon as Doug arrived.She inhaled deeply.Orange bird-of-paradise surrounded the patio and she’d accented the table with fresh hibiscus.Their fragrant, aromatic scent lingered in the air.She was filled with more hope and optimism than ever before and she had Doug to thank.In her sleep last night, she dreamed she’d heard him say those three magic words.And if she was lucky she’d hear the phrase again, but this time she’d be awake and Doug would be looking into her eyes and meaning every word.In the meantime, her feelings floated out there, changing her perspective.Juliette saw things more clearly now—she had from the minute she’d told her story to Doug.Clarity came from talking out loud to a neutral third party, far away from Chicago and her problems.And she’d realized she didn’t need to hide the story, she needed to inform her father.The man had an uncanny knack of understanding and sorting out problems.He’d be disappointed in Stuart and his choices, but he would never put a criminal in the Senate.She shook her head, amazed she hadn’t seen the solution sooner.Confide in the man who’d instilled her with values and let things sort themselves out from there.She wondered if she was deluding herself about the simplicity of it all.Wondered if love was just making her view of the world rosy, or if she’d truly found some sort of realistic resolution.Another thing to discuss with Doug, along with her newfound feelings.She smoothed out a wrinkle in the tablecloth, excitement building at the thought of seeing him again.But she had no desire to have him find her still rumpled and messed from last night’s activities.Heading inside, she selected her outfit for the day and, after laying it out on the bed, stripped off her clothes and stepped into the steam-filled bathroom, then shower.Hot droplets pelted her skin and she reluctantly let the water rinse away any remnants of last night’s lovemaking.But knowing last night was just the beginning allowed the tingling anticipation to build all over again.“Juliette.”She thought she heard her name being called and grabbed for the shower curtain to cover herself.“Juliette.” The voice sounded again, only this time she recognized it as Doug’s.“In here.” Knowing he was her visitor relaxed her.Until the bathroom door slammed open and she realized she’d given him permission to join her.In the shower.“You’re okay?” he called into the bathroom.“Why wouldn’t I be?” She slipped open the curtain, poking her head out but still keeping herself behind the opaque barrier.He leaned against the doorframe, disheveled and out of breath.“You’re alone.” His relief was tangible.She shook her head, damp strands touching her shoulders.“Who would be with me? What’s wrong with you?”“You shouldn’t leave your door open,” he muttered, moving closer.She inhaled the potent scent of sweat and man.“Been running a marathon?” she asked jokingly
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]