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eBook Category: Romance
eBook Description: When apprentice interior designer Kristine Maitland is asked to redecorate an isolated Florida beach house, she has reservations about the assignment. But Kristine's uneasy premonitions prove true when she is trapped alone with her arrogant client, the powerfully handsome millionaire Nick Kalen. Nick is used to getting what he wants in business and in love and Kristine finds herself losing her heart to his teasing kisses and sensuous embraces. When they return home to Toronto together, Nick's passionate promises weave a seductive web of temptation around Kristine. But all too soon Kristine learns that Nick is not a one-woman man, and is torn between her love for him and her fear that he is not to be trusted. Dare she heed the Whispers of her Heart?

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: 1981
Fictionwise Release Date: October 2006

4 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: eReader (PDB) [170 KB] , ePub (EPUB) [144 KB] , Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [145 KB] , Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [942 KB] , Palm Doc (PDB) [163 KB] , Microsoft Reader (LIT) [164 KB] , Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [195 KB] , hiebook (KML) [398 KB] , Sony Reader (LRF) [201 KB] , iSilo (PDB) [133 KB] , Mobipocket (PRC) [168 KB] , Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [210 KB] , OEBFF Format (IMP) [211 KB]
Words: 50409
Reading time: 144-201 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

Kristine Maitland turned the key in the lock of Una-Jack Interiors, then jumped back in surprise as the door the same time.

"Sorry, Kris," Una laughed. "I'm early today."

"I can see that," Kristine smiled. "What's up?" Something had to be going on for Una to leave her bed this early on a blustery Toronto morning.

"I'll tell you in a minute. Come on in, it's freezing out there." Una closed the door, and the two girls walked into the office of the interior design company that was owned by Una and Jack Philpot.

As Kristine slipped out of her coat, the weak November sun filtered in through the picture windows, sending shadows over the gray walls and pale gray carpet. There were soft black leather armchairs for visitors, and three desks, one for Una, one for Jack and one for Kris. Curved black burlap dividers gave each person a separate office and privacy without blocking them from a visitor's view. The paintings on the wall, bright in contrast to the gray of the walls, had been selected with great care by Una and Jack from some of the local galleries. The complete decor was softened by the large potted plants which gave the air an earthy aroma.

Behind the office was a kitchen, a bathroom and a small living area for the use of the staff. Upstairs was an apartment, rented to a newly married couple. Una and Jack had lived there when they first purchased the expensive Yorkville property, but when profits had grown, they'd moved out of town to a house in the country, surrounding themselves with dogs and eventually two children.

"Kris, are you busy today?" Una asked, sitting down at her desk, and making a face at the pile of paper work in front of her.

Kris hung up her coat. "No more than usual," she said, shaking her head so that her hair, a misty shade of red-gold, flowed in soft waves around her shoulders. "I've got an appointment with Mrs. Stuart of Stuart's Stationery this morning; other than that I'm free for the rest of the day. I'm going to get caught up this afternoon so that I can have a nice relaxing weekend, curled up with a good book."

Una smiled, her large mouth and even white teeth making her olive-skinned face almost pretty. "Well, I won't be taking up your weekend. All I want is for you to attend an appointment for me."

"It all depends..." Kristine had no formal training in interior design, but her knowledge and interest in art, as well as her instinctive flair for color and decor, had persuaded Una that she'd be a valuable third on their staff. Kris felt she was still learning. Una and Jack had been helpful, giving her exposure to their easiest, smallest clients, but she still needed their advice a lot of the time.

"You know Jack's in Bermuda at that conference? Well, he called me last night. There's a chance for me to go down for a few days. I've even persuaded Jack's mother to look after the kids. He's booked a flight for this afternoon."

"Then do I have much choice?" Kristine answered, a glint in her light brown eyes.

"Not really." Una grinned, then searched her desk with quick movements and dug out some papers. "The client's name is Mr. Nicholas Kalen. I've never met him, but I talked to his secretary. It sounds like the old boy's cracked up. You know how these executive types are. He sits back and runs a chain of supermarkets, but the pressure's phenomenal. He's been advised by his doctors to take more leisure time."

"Where do we come in?" Kris asked, not sure she could handle clients this important. Una and Jack should deal with them and leave the sweet, little old ladies to her.

"Well," Una glanced down at the work order she held. "I'm not sure yet. I set up an appointment to see him at four this afternoon, and now..." She moved her green eyes expressively. "I'd like you to go along and see what he wants."

"What do you think he wants?" Kris asked.

"Oh, he's probably got a mansion somewhere that needs redecorating." Una shrugged, and handed Kris the work order. "Either that or a bachelor pad. Maybe the old boy's going to have another attempt at love, if that's what's missing from his life. I don't know."

Kris smiled. "I might need your help."

"You'll get it. I'll only be gone until Thursday. All you have to do is find out what he wants, what type of man he is, his hobbies. You know the drill."

"I know, but I've never handled a high-powered executive before."

"This one's a high-powered cracked up exec. He'll probably be tranquilized to the hilt. You'll have no trouble. Just make him fill out one of our questionnaires and take the particulars."

"I hope you're right." Kris looked rueful. "Where do I find him?"

"The address is on the top of the work order. That's his office."

Kris glanced at the address. It was the twentieth floor of a prestigious Toronto office block.

"Well..." Kris sighed.

"You'll be great." Una smiled, getting up from her desk and putting some papers into a black leather briefcase. "Just bat those pretty brown eyes at him, and he'll be putty. There's probably not much limit on the expense, so we could have a great time. It's not often we get adventurous clients. Now, I must fly."

"Don't get too sunburned," Kris said with mock jealousy as she saw her to the door.

"I'm going to get scorched," Una laughed. "See you Thursday morning."