Nicole: Star Crossed Lovers (A Wish for Love Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

bed.  Neither would speak of feelings or of any long-term liaison - a state of affairs that greatly suited Daniel.  However, after two months, just as Daniel began to tire of her, she became more and more demanding.  A few months before filming started, at nine in the evening, there was a buzz from the intercom. Daniel, who had had an exhausting day with some major backers, was surprised.  He was expecting no one.  He'd just had thirty-six hours of grueling work without sleep and had to get up early the next morning. 
    The doorman announced, "Miss Stewart would like to come up." 
    "Let her in." Despite his reluctance for a rendezvous, he couldn't insult her by refusing to see her.
    "What can I do for you, Diane?"  Daniel spoke with his back to her as he looked out over the darkened expanse of Central Park.
    "I can't hide my feelings any longer," behind his back her voice trembled.  "I love you.  You are the only man in my life, and I can't live without you." 
    Daniel turned.  She was sitting on the edge of a large armchair, twisting her fingers, a single tear etching its way down her cheek.  He was taken aback by the blunt confession.  He looked probingly into her eyes, seeing there neither anguish nor love.  He was staring into a void.  She was playing a game.  Everything she said, her false sincerity, all were part of a plan, calculated to break him.  If she only knew to what little avail it all was, how far she was from his heart.
    "I'm sorry you feel like that," he said.  "I don't want to hurt you but what I feel for you has nothing to do with love.  You knew that from our first encounter, we've spoken about it more than once and we were both aware that our trysts, pleasant as I must admit they undoubtedly were, were just that and no more."
    She began to weep silently, and Daniel handed her a tissue.
    "Please, Daniel, let me stay with you tonight," she whispered. "I'm so miserable.  Please.  I'll make you happy tonight.  You’ll see."
    Daniel doubted he could feel anything that night but the fatigue and tension that had built up over the past few days, but he pitied her.  The glamour hid a lonely, insecure woman.  The money, the fame and the celebrity had not brought her happiness.
    "Sure," he softened, "stay the night if you wish, but we’re through.  We'll meet on the set - as friends!"
    "Alright."  She rose to her feet, draping herself over him. 
    Daniel felt he'd made a mistake.
    *  *  *
    Now he was in Australia, only two weeks away from the end of a seventy million-dollar production.  In front of him stood Diane, ready to fall into his arms, while his thoughts and emotions were tied to a woman who adamantly refused to see him.
    He pulled himself together.  "Let's go.  We can't hold up the production."  He left the caravan, climbing into the Range Rover as Diane sat down beside him.  It took less than a minute for them to get to the location by the seaside.  He noticed the crew staring and became conscious of Diane's hand resting lightly on the nape of his neck.  He ignored her, jumped out of the car, and began giving directions.

Chapter Three
     
    The day passed in a trice, and Daniel was pleased. When he reached his suite in the hotel he called Nicole but there was no answer.  He tried calling her parents' house but no one answered there either.  After several unsuccessful tries the phone rang and Daniel took it with alacrity, disappointed to hear the voice of Ralph Townsend, owner of a yacht where several scenes had been shot. Ralph was good-looking and rich as Croesus, thanks to a huge inheritance.  Daniel had never been enthused by Ralph's slick and fawning character but he had to admit that he was a perfect host.
    "Daniel, how are you?  I’m calling to remind you about the soiree on the yacht this evening."
    He deliberated a minute.  He had no wish to miss an evening in Nicole's company, sure that despite her heated refusal to see him she could not ignore him