Dangerous Attraction Romantic Suspense Boxed Set (9 Novels from Bestselling Authors, plus Bonus Christmas Novella from NY Times Bestselling Author Rebecca York)
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“How’s Daniel doing? Does he have any new friends you could introduce me to?” Mila asked without much hope for a positive response. In the beginning she had hoped that Daniel might introduce her to some of his friends: rich people always hung out together, and if Ania had managed to capture Daniel’s heart, Mila was bound to become an overnight success, too. But Mila’s hopes had failed to materialize. While Daniel had many friends, most of them were trust fund leeching types who lived under the heels of their mothers. Afraid of being disinherited, these men–boys were wary of getting seriously involved with any woman not handpicked by their mothers. Some of these boys were plenty willing to go for a fling but, as Mila subsequently learned, that was all they were willing to go for.
Ania blotted her lips with a napkin. “I thought you were serious with David. Besides, all of Daniel’s friends are married or involved in serous relationships.”
Serious relationships with their mothers who control their allowances, Mila sneered inwardly. “You’re right. Besides, most of Daniel’s friends are much older than I am anyway.” This was not entirely true and, even if it were, the statement would be nullified by David’s well over ten-year age difference with Mila. But Ania did not know how old David was, and Mila was desperate for a snappy retort. “Look at the time.” Mila consulted her Guess watch, making a mental note to extort a more prestigious watch from David. “I’ve got to run and get ready to meet David.”
“Have fun.” Ania reached for her wallet to pay the tab.
“I sure will.” As payback for Ania’s snootiness, Mila did not even bother offering to pay her share of the bill. After all, she had only had a cup of coffee and house salad while Ania had gorged on lamb chops. And Ania had already secured her prince charming; Mila still had to marry hers.
Two hours later Mila was rushing to meet David in SoHo. They were supposed to look at an apartment in a recently erected luxury building.
Mila’s heart quickened when she spotted David waiting for her. He was always so immaculately dressed: clad in a closely tailored sports jacket, black slacks, and a dark violet collared shirt, he was the image of sharp elegance. So what if he was nearing his forties? David’s lean physique, youthful face, and, most importantly, his bank account made it very easy for Mila to fall in love with him.
“Hi, honey,” Mila greeted David and wrapped her arms around his neck.
He responded by locking his lips with hers in a long, deep kiss. “Mmm, you smell sooo good, baby. I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
“I don’t believe that!” Mila pouted playfully. “You must have plenty of important things to occupy your mind with during the day.”
“That being so, none of them are more important than thinking of you,” he countered, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Shall we go upstairs?”
“I thought we were supposed to meet the realtor.”
“He’s waiting for us upstairs.”
David nodded at the doorman who held the lobby door open for them. “It’s this way,” said David, steering Mila toward the elevator hall.
Mila did her best to maintain her composure. The building lobby shone with modern chic opulence. Sure, the lobby of the Upper East Side building where Ania resided with her husband was impressive, but it was also dated and was starting to show signs of wear. Here, on the other hand, everything shone with newness and lightness.
The elevator door swung open, and David ushered Mila inside. “Up we go,” he said, pressing the last floor button.
Once the elevator doors opened, David took off his tie and placed it over Mila’s eyes. “No peeking,” he said.
“But, David, I could slip!” Mila protested. She was after all wearing four-inch Louboutin heels that she had borrowed from her friend at the restaurant.
“Not with me guiding you,” David whispered, placing his hands on Mila’s hips.
After several confusing steps, she heard the sound of a key in a door lock. Then, she felt herself being lifted into the air as David swept her up into his arms.
“Now, you can look,” David announced, as he placed her back on the floor and took the blindfold off her eyes.
The first thing Mila saw was the giant floor-to-ceiling windows. The room seemed to be endless in size, and the ceilings were enormously high. The furnishings were light and elegant: an Italian designer sofa, arm chairs and coffee table. A luxurious cowhide rug covered the floor. “David! This is incredible!” Mila pressed her hands to her mouth.
“Go on, take a look around.”
She tiptoed into the bedroom and saw that it was furnished with a vanity table, an armoire, and a king-sized bed that was already lined with satin sheets.
“You haven’t seen the best part,” said David as he swung open the closet doors. The space inside was almost the same size as Mila’s current apartment. Only this was meant for dresses and shoes, with long rows of hangers and racks. “David!” Mila squealed.
“And don’t forget the bathroom.”
David walked into the hallway and swung open the door. “Voila!”
Mila nearly had a heart attack. The only time she had seen a bathroom like this was in advertisements for luxurious hotels, not that she had ever stayed in one. There was green marble everywhere, with a sunken giant bathtub taking center stage. “The bathtub is also a jacuzzi,” David observed casually. Mila was merely able to gasp by way of response.
“So, do you like it?”
“I love it!”
“Good. Because I’ve signed the lease. Now, why don’t we try out the new bed?”
About an hour later, after he had made love to Mila in every possible position imaginable, David exhaled contentedly. His eyes feasted on Mila’s lean, graceful body. Her head rested against his shoulder, and he buried his face in her hair. Everything about this woman was electrifying: her body, her face, and even her smell—especially her smell. The only problem was that he could not get enough of her.
David grabbed his watch from the nightstand. It was almost seven p.m., and he had an eight-thirty dinner with Aileen. He did not want to but he had to get moving. Tonight’s dinner was made that much more important by the fact that Cornelius Finnegan would be meeting David for drinks beforehand and joining them for dinner afterwards. Eventually, David might work up the courage to cancel a date with Aileen, but he wouldn’t dare to cancel on Cornelius Finnegan. At least not yet.
“I’ve got to get going, baby.” David carefully disengaged his shoulder from Mila’s lovely head.
“Don’t you want to stay over?”
“I wish I could, baby, but I’ve got a business dinner.”
“On a Friday night?”
“Money never sleeps,” David quoted Gordon Gekko. The words took him back to 1987, the year the movie Wall Street had been released. David had been a teenager at the time, full of hungry dreams, and when he saw Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko on the silver screen, he knew that he too would find his fortune on Wall Street. Funny how things looked different in retrospect: the kind of trading Gordon Gekko perpetrated in Wall Street seemed like mere child’s play to David now.
Mila said nothing and rose from the bed to gather her things. David could sense her annoyance. “But, baby, will you keep our nest warm for me? You can move in tomorrow.” David placed the apartment key in Mila’s hand.
Her eyes lit up. “Really, David? Tomorrow?”
He nodded. “As far I am concerned, this place is yours. And here is some cash in case you want to pick up a few things.” David placed a bulging envelope on the vanity table.
“Thank you, sweetie,” said Mila, linking her warm, full lips with his.
Reluctantly, David pulled himself away. He could not very well show up for a date with Aileen with a boner. “I really have to get going, baby.”
David stepped into the shower and turned on the coldest water possible. He would not have bothered to shower for Aileen, but he wanted to look spick and span for Cornelius Finnegan.
* * *
He did not have to wait long. Always punctual, Finnegan appeared in the doorway at exactly eight o’clock. “Hello, David.”
“Cornelius.”
“How is my daughter’s favorite fellow doing?” Cornelius slapped David on the shoulder. “You know, you’re all Aileen talks about these days.”
“Thank you, sir. But I’m sure you’re exaggerating. In fact, I think it’s the other way around,” David managed, praying to God that his compliment sounded convincing. Were it within his power, he would prefer never to hear a word about Aileen.
“Huh. You smooth talker,” Cornelius chuckled. “Let’s go get a table. There’s something important I want to talk to you about before our girlie gets here.”
David could feel his apprehension rising. He sincerely hoped that what Finnegan had to say would not have anything to do with the Emperial investigation.
“Well now, that’s much better,” remarked Finnegan once they were seated in a private dining room. The wood-paneled room only housed a few tables, all of which were empty at the moment. “I’ve asked them for some privacy,” Finnegan added, eyeing David meaningfully.
David took a small sip of his scotch. He wanted to keep his head clear when talking to Cornelius.
“Aren’t you going to drink your drink?” Finnegan asked.
“I’m just trying to cut down on liquor, but tonight certainly warrants an exception,” David agreed and took an obedient swallow.
“Good. I wouldn’t want to see you turning into one of those health-obsessed vegans or whatever they call them.” Finnegan finished the rest of his drink and signaled to the waiter who was standing by the far side of the room. “Bring us another round of Macallan, Johnny.”
Uneasy under the direct stare of Finnegan’s tiny, glinting eyes, David finished the rest of his drink.
“So, I trust that those dogs at the Treasury left you alone?” asked Finnegan.
“Yes, Cornelius. I’m most grateful for your influence on the matter.”
“I’m only glad to be of help. After all, my future son-in-law can only be a law-abiding citizen,” said Finnegan, slapping David on the shoulder.
The side door opened, and the waiter walked in with their drinks. “Set them down here, Johnny,” said Finnegan. “And then leave us alone. My daughter will be joining us later in the evening. Please let us know as soon as she arrives.” The waiter placed the drinks on the table, bowed and left the room.
Finnegan sipped at his scotch. “The old department chief at the Treasury was very much set in his ways—not the kind of man one could do business with. But the fellow I got there now used to work at the DA’s office, and he knows how things really work, so I don’t think you’ll be hearing from them anymore. And now that we have the Treasury under control, there is another matter that I’d like to discuss with you.”
David swallowed apprehensively. Would Finnegan be blunt enough to press him for a proposal date for his daughter?
“A childhood friend of mine has just been elected to the board of directors of a very prominent company. Let’s say this friend of mine were to come into some valuable information”—Finnegan paused, twirling his thick thumbs—” would there be a way for us to capitalize on it?”
A wave of relief washed over David. Now, there was a topic he was more than happy to discuss. “Certainly, as you know, information is the ultimate form of currency,” David spoke slowly, eyeing Finnegan meaningfully. “The regulations around insider information are strict, but there are a number of structures that could be formed in order to maintain anonymity.”
“Like the setup you strung together for Emperial?” Finnegan’s tiny eyes glinted. “Look, David, I hold the post of New York State attorney general, and before that I was the Manhattan district attorney. I know all about rules and regulations and, best of all, I have the contacts to make sure the regulators keep their noses out of our business.” Finnegan raised his glass to his lips. “Now you, David, are said to have the trading expertise to get the thing done.”
“Yes, sir,” David replied evenly. Did the old man really have to rub David’s nose into it?
“Now, Muller, I hope you didn’t take me the wrong way. I was just busting your chops. I want us to be partners, and I want us both to make money while doing it. So, how about you open up a new hedge fund and we get to work?”
“Certainly, I could do that. What kind of trading volume are we talking about?”
“David, do you really think it’s going to be just us? There are people I need to include to insure that our interests are protected. You are not the only one who wants to get rich.”
David stifled a smile: the regulators were even more corrupt than the rogues who were trying to get around the rules.
There was a light knock on the door and the waiter entered the room. “Sir, Miss Aileen is here,” he announced.
“Thank you, Johnny.” Finnegan wiped his face with a napkin. “I think I’ll be going now.”
“Aren’t you going to dine with us?” David asked, half elated, half alarmed. The thought of not being subjected to Finnegan’s scrutinizing eyes was a relief, but the prospect of being alone with Aileen’s passion was alarming.
“Not tonight.” Finnegan rose from his chair. “I believe that we’ve discussed everything we needed to discuss. Let me know as soon as you have everything up and running. And David, I trust that you will keep Aileen out of this? There’s no need for her to be troubled by any of this.”
“Of course, sir.”
At that moment the door swung open and Aileen was ushered into the room by the waiter. “Hello, girlie!” Finnegan exclaimed and kissed Aileen on both cheeks. “You’re looking mightily swell tonight,” he added.
“Oh, daddy!” Aileen blushed, glancing at David coquettishly.
Here, even David could not help feeling moved. Aileen was trying so hard for him: she had been losing weight and even though she was still plump, tonight she looked almost cute. She had put a lot of effort into her look. Her flared skirt concealed her wide hips and her freckles were almost invisible under expertly applied foundation. Her red hair was expertly pulled up and her eyes were shining with the happiness of seeing him. But no amount of mascara or perfume would ever make Aileen come close to Mila’s beauty.
“Hello, lovely,” David slipped into his British accent as he often did around Aileen. What could he do? The girl was a sucker for Jane Austen.
“I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone,” Finnegan grunted.
“Aren’t you staying for dinner, daddy?”
“What would two young folks like you want with an old goat like me? No, I’m heading home to keep Mrs. Finnegan company. Goodnight you two. David, I look forward to hearing from you.”
“What was that about?” asked Aileen after Finnegan had left.
“Oh, nothing important. Just a few investment ideas your dad asked me to look over.” David smiled with self-satisfaction. A plan for getting out of Finnegan’s hold on him was slowly beginning to form in his head.
Chapter Ten
Janet walked into Delmonico’s where she was meeting her childhood friend Lisa for lunch. Lisa was already sitting by the bar.
From grade school to adulthood, Janet’s friendship with Lisa had been tempestuous to say the least, but somehow it had managed to make it through even the roughest of trials.
Lisa smiled and waved, quickly slipping off the bar stool. “Janet!” Lisa opened her arms for a hug.
“It’s great to see you, Lisa,” said Janet, returning Lisa’s embrace.
The hostess showed them to their table.
Janet leafed through the menu. She was not very hungry, had not been hungry ever since Alex became her new boss.
&nb
sp; Lisa opened the menu. “I’m starving. I think I’ll have a burger.”
“Burger sounds good,” Janet replied. She was not about to bother Lisa with her work troubles, not when Lisa was only a month away from tying the knot with Paul Bostoff.
“That’s right. To hell with the wedding diet,” Lisa cheered.
“You don’t need a wedding diet. You look great.”
“Thanks. It’s the wedding preparations. We’re just so happy. Paul’s marketing company is doing really well. Jon is doing well too. He opened a white collar crime consulting business. Believe it or not, already a ton of clients have signed up.”
“I believe it.” Jon Bostoff certainly knew the subject matter firsthand.
Lisa reached across the table and squeezed Janet’s hand. “Thank you, Janet.”
“For what?”
“For putting an end to that madness that Jon got us all in.” Lisa halted. “I’ve never really spoken to you about this, but I know that I should have. I had my head in the clouds, or to be more specific, up my ass. Had it not been for you, things could have turned out really badly for all of us.”
“Do you really feel this way?” Janet asked. She was not sure how she herself would have reacted had she been in Lisa’s shoes. Lisa had been the general counsel at Bostoff Securities, and it was Lisa who hired Janet after Janet had lost her job at the DA’s office. Shortly afterwards, Dennis Walker had entered the picture. Janet had been torn between her loyalty to Lisa and Dennis’s offer. Dennis had promised immunity for Lisa but not for Paul Bostoff, Lisa’s fiancé and the company’s chief operating officer. The affairs of Bostoff Securities looked grimmer by the minute, even if neither Paul Bostoff nor his older brother, Jon Bostoff, realized it. The Treasury was not the only regulator investigating the firm: Dennis had warned Janet that the SEC and FBI were hot on the trail. In the end, Janet decided to accept Dennis’s offer. She had spent months agonizing over her decision, but, surprisingly, they had all survived, and even more surprisingly, Lisa and she were still friends.
“Yes. Jon had gotten himself into such a mess with that snake David Muller! Jon was so desperate for the firm to make money that he was willing to do almost anything for it. The whole thing was headed for disaster. But then why am I telling you this? You are the one who discovered it all in the first place.”