The Forever Dream Read Online Free PDF

tiny, with that fragile, pixie delicacy. He'd have to be very careful not to hurt her, to be especially gentle until she was used to him. He felt himself swell in response to the thought of that tightness surrounding him, before he realized that he was doing it again. He firmly banished Tania Orlinov from his mind and concentrated on pleasing the woman beneath his body.
    There was little doubt that he'd succeeded some minutes later as he held Nina gently in his arms, his hand stroking the ash-blond hair of the head on his shoulder. "I almost did it, didn't I?" she gasped. "I could feel it in you, Jared. There was something different tonight."
    "Yes, there was something different tonight," he said, his voice gentle. "Now, go to sleep, Nina."
    She sighed happily as she curled up against him, her lids closing drowsily.
    His hand continued to stroke her hair even after her breathing had deepened and he knew she was sleeping. His eyes were alert and wide awake in his dark face. Something different? Yes, despite all his efforts there had been something different tonight. Tania Orlinovs hold
    on his emotions was stronger than he'd imagined. There was no question in his mind now that she was going to belong to him. Only the timing was in doubt.
    He was suddenly as impatient and restless as a boy. He didn't want to be wise and discreet. He didn't want to wait until there wasn't an object or a person on the face of the earth he couldn't have just by lifting a finger. For a little while it was probably going to be almost like being a god, he thought distastefully. He'd never wanted that kind of power. All he'd ever wanted was to be left alone so he could work in peace. He wasn't worried about the loneliness that degree of power would bring—he was used to that. He couldn't remember a time when he wasn't conscious of that aloneness, which was now a part of him. No, it was the boredom that he feared the most. Without challenge a man's mind and spirit could wither and die even if his body lived on.
    He shrugged restlessly, carefully removing his arm from about Nina Bartletts shoulders and shifting himself away from the warmth of her body. Despite his impatience he'd have to wait for his pleasure. Tania Orlinov would still be there for him in six months' time. To take her now wouldn't only be unwise, it could possibly constitute an actual physical danger for both of them.
    It was an entirely sane, prudent decision, typical of his usual cool, analytical approach to life. That being the case, it was entirely illogical for him to lie awake for the next several hours, his silver eyes gazing into the darkness and his memory replaying the hauntingly melodic strains of the Piper.
    Chapter 2
    “A hundred thousand dollars?" Tania gasped, her eyes widening with shock. "That's what you said, isn't it?" She glanced down at the card in her hand. "Mr. Betz."
    He nodded. "We realize your time is very valuable, Miss Orlinov. We expect to have to compensate you accordingly."
    "I see," Tania said slowly as she sank into the padded straight chair before her dressing table. Her dark eyes were bright with curiosity as she motioned the funny little man into a wing chair across the dressing room. "How very interesting. And what am I supposed to do to earn this hundred thousand dollars?"
    Edward Betz sat down in the chair she'd indicated, his highly polished black shoes placed precisely in front of him. "It will be a relatively simple task. We just want you to act as companion to a gentleman for the next six weeks. We'll issue a certified check for half the amount in advance and the remainder at the completion of the assignment."
    "Companion?" she echoed blankly. She absently wiped the nape of her neck with the hand towel draped around her shoulders. This interview was becoming increasingly bizarre. Her gaze traveled warily over her visitors conservatively dressed figure. There had been nothing in the manner of the man's approach to indicate he was something of a