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Excerpt(s)
Russia
Zura
Girard sat in a sumptuous first class seat on her way to Dubai in order to meet
a man whom she has never met in person but still feels like she knows him on a
deep level. Up
to this point the relationship with her client has been derived from their email
communications and a rare phone call.
Reputed
to be a ruthless businessman would be an expected moniker for a successful man
in a country new to capitalism.
However, the very unflattering terms applied to him in the media did not
match the gentleman she has been working with regarding the decoration of a
newly built second residence on his private island.
To
own a private island is a dream for everyone, but only a small percentage of
society has the means to make such a purchase.
One of three hundred manmade islands set in the Arabian Gulf off the
coast of Dubai. Before
problems with his government gained momentum the purchase for one of The World’s
island at over 15 acres had been made and an opulent estate home built. In
one of their earlier discussions, her client had let it be known that he was no
longer comfortable in the massive structure.
A desire was expressed for something with a more personal feeling to it,
less confining, and as a person with the means can do, the building of another
residence to fulfill these needs was now complete.
Lifting
the fine crystal glass Zura took a sip of the chilled fizzy water before
shifting her seat to further recline.
Instantly an airline staff member was at her side.
“Would
Mademoiselle like help with her foot rest?”
The quiet accented voice of the air host was close but not as to be an
invasion of her personal space.
With a nod the young man knelt down and helped set it all up so she was
comfortable beneath a light blanket.
The
light was turned off and her glass moved onto the tray further away so as not to
be knocked. “Would
Mademoiselle like anything else to make her comfortable?”
Shaking
her head, Zura thanked the host for his assistance then she closed her eyes to
try and relax. If
she was lucky doze some before landing in the hot dry country she was to be
visiting for an undetermined period of time.
She
hoped she could sleep but was so excited that at this time it did not seem
possible. It
was not just the thrill of a traveling or the new job, although the challenges
presented by a new commission were always a large part of her eager
anticipation. In
this case, however, the blame for her heart racing, quick shallow breathing, and
an occasionally wicked thought could all be laid quite honestly before her new
client, Vasiliy Beketov.
A
handsome, strong featured man in a typical dark business suit with his brown
hair cut short and sharp, almost piercing, lighter than light blue eyes that
rested against a face tan enough to prove he spent time out of doors was the
image most depicted in the media.
Dark serious suits highlighted shoulders, making them appear broad and
strong, capable of taking on the world and winning.
One picture she had seen showed him standing next to her father and the
other man towered over his lawyer so she guessed he must be comfortably over six
foot.
In
her dreams she had added more details.
He would be tan all over, hard and ripped, as her American friends would
say, and in possession of a magnificent cock always hard for her.
The bigger problem for her lay with his mind and soul, both drew her as
much, if not more, than his body tempted her libido.
The
first email had arrived about a month after he had been released from prison and
whisked off to parts unknown.
It had been short and to the point.
Etienne Girard, her papa, had recommended that the recently freed man
contact her regarding the decorating of a new residence.
The
fact that her father had recommended her was interesting.
Normally he took no interest in the career she practiced and excelled in
other than the usual parental pride.
It did not take long for her to determine it was because of her
alternative lifestyle choice that had this interesting man asking for her
professional services.
*
New
Zealand
Chapter
One
“Kiri,
I do not want to hear anymore about it!
The LuTi Shipping account is your responsibility, anything the company
insures is for you to personally inspect, add to their existing account and
promptly write up a new policy.
There is no way we are going to loose them as a client merely because you
are being missish about something so juvenile as you used to date the owners at
some point in the past.
Neither man has ever mentioned having a problem with you as their account
manager so move on, pack up and get your tush over to this island paradise of
theirs, do your job or resign.”
“Sometimes
you are a real asshole Tane you know that?”
“Yes,
so I am told on a daily basis.
Now are you heading out to the Dubai or not?”
“I
am going, but I think you should know that I am angry at you right now.”
“That
is obvious, you cursed and that never happens.
What I hope is that you will get over it sooner rather than later.
We have been friends before workmates so remember that.”
“Ggrrrrr!”
“Be
careful little girl and call me.”
“Yeah
yeah yeah.”
The
big ex-rugby player waited until the adorable blonde steamed out of his office
before picking up the phone.
Sitting in his chair he turned away from the door and looked out over the
boats sailing across Waitemata Harbour here in Auckland.
But he saw none of the beauty before him.
“Hello?”
A relaxed voice echoed over the line.
“Timu
Tuhaere, you are a shithead!
That little girl is angry as hell and I do not like being the one to
upset her.”
“That
is because you are a softy man.”
“This
is not funny Timu, I swear if Kiri gets hurt in this little plan of yours and
Luke’s then I am going to beat both your asses around the world from that
little island of yours and back again.”
“If
by the end of this month that beautiful woman is not happy then I will not put
up a fight, and neither will Luke.”
“Tell
me again why you need her to go down there?”
“Look,
you know that we both have been in love with Kiri since she was a teen and we
were home from university for the summer but her mother did not approve of me
– too much of an older bad boy I guess.
Kiri started bringing Luke to cover the fact we were still dating and
then it becomes complicated and too personal.
Just know that for the past five years we have both tried to leave her
alone but in buying this place we did a lot of talking and have decided this is
what would be best for all three of us.
Neither one of us wants her upset, at the same time we are both now too
set on this path to have it any other way.”
“Okay
but I meant what I said, do not hurt her in any way.
Clear?”
“Clear.
Shit Tane, you still doing the haka each morning?”
“Bet
your ass I do.”
The
other man laughed loud, Tane could not help but soften a little.
These three people were all his friends, Kiri from childhood and they
guys from university, he just hoped everything worked out for them, but that did
not mean he would not still worry about their survival.
“Kiri
cursed.” He
let that drop quietly and that was when he realized Luke MacAlister was on
another line listening to the call.
“Oh
man, she is angry.”
Luke was slightly less gruff than the other two men, but not by much.
“Hey
Luke.”
“Hello
Tane.”
“Yup,
I think you two have an uphill battle coming your way in the form of a little
blonde angel, she will not make anything easy for you.”
“That
is fine, anything worth having is worth a fight, isn’t that right Timu?”
“Right
you are Luke. Our
fight is about to begin Tane, wish us luck.”
“Luck.”
He hung up because there was nothing left to say, but there was plenty
rushing through his mind about the triangle that has existed for what seemed
like forever.
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