Passionate Secrets by Lana Williams

Author:Lana Williams [Williams, Lana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-09-26T07:00:00+00:00

~*~

“Women are complicated creatures.” Michael couldn’t remove Emma or their kiss...or rather, kisses...out of his mind.

Ashbury snorted. “You’re just now realizing this?”

They walked along one of the busy streets near the docks the next morning. Another lead had surfaced as to a location rented to Leon Smith, the name that had been used to lease several locations they believed the professor had used. Unfortunately, they’d missed him each time.

This morning, Michael’s man of business had discovered another lease agreement in a variation of the name, and they’d wasted no time in going to investigate the location.

“Are things not going well with Miss Vandimer?” Ashbury asked.

Michael wasn’t certain how his relationship was progressing with Catherine. In truth, it didn’t really matter. And that was the problem. She didn’t matter. At least not to him.

“My engagement is merely a business arrangement.”

“Are you telling me that, or yourself?”

Michael didn’t answer, uncertain what was wrong with him.

At his long silence, Ashbury tried again. “So if it isn’t your fiancé, of whom are you speaking?” He glanced at Michael. “Ah, you’re referring to Miss Grisby. How interesting.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. I simply find it interesting that she is the one who occupies your thoughts rather than Catherine.”

“She kissed me.”

“Catherine?”

“No. Emma.”

Ashbury chuckled. “She has more fortitude than I had thought. The question is, did you like it?”

“Well, I—” Michael stopped as he realized he was about to lie to his best friend. Why bother? Ashbury knew him well enough to ferret out the truth, most likely before they arrived at their destination. “Far too much, I’m afraid.”

“And?” The interested expression on Ashbury’s face surprised him. No judgment. Just interest.

“Emma Grisby turns me inside out quicker than...” He paused, unable to think of an appropriate comparison. He shook his head. “None of that matters. I am engaged. Soon to be married. I should not be kissing any other woman, let alone the one staying in my grandmother’s home.”

“It’s complicated.”

“As I said.” Michael was grateful his friend understood. “Much too complicated to allow any involvement.”

“With who?”

“Emma. Keep up with the conversation.”

“I merely wanted to clarify who was the problem.”

“She’s not a problem. It’s me, or rather, our relationship that’s the problem.”

“Do you have a relationship?”

Michael came to a halt. “Whose side are you on?”

“Squarely on yours. Merely clarifying the details of the—er—issue.”

“Right.” Michael continued, his pace slow as his mind churned. “In truth, it’s a business arrangement. Nothing more.”

“With Emma?”

“No. With Catherine. Please do try to stay with me.”

Ashbury gave him a bland look. “Yes, of course.”

“So it doesn’t matter what my feelings are on that score. Feelings have nothing to do with business.”

“None at all.”

“Excellent. Thank you for helping me resolve the issue.”

This time, it was Ashbury who stopped. “What exactly did you resolve?”

Michael stared at him as what had seemed so clear a moment before shattered. What had he resolved? Nothing. His feelings—he nearly shuddered at the thought of admitting he had them—had not changed. Something about Emma lit a spark within him that he could not deny.

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