The Heiress's 2-Week Affair

The Heiress's 2-Week Affair
Marie Ferrarella

“Candace is dead. ” Shell-shocked detective Natalie wasn’t sure what stung more – knowing that her twin had paid dearly for flaunting their fortune at a Las Vegas hot spot, or prising information from the man who broke her heart.Security expert Matt was the only man who knew the bejewelled tabloid queen’s exploits before she died. Natalie is prepared to forgive Matt long enough to solve her sister’s murder, but can she let herself fall in love with him all over again?

“What are you doing here, Matt?”

He avoided her eyes. He’d become good at lying, but he never could to her. “I told you—I wanted to bring you dinner.”

Liar. “Is that the only reason you’re here?” she pressed. “To make sure I eat?”

This time he did raise his eyes to hers. “That, and because I still like looking at you, Natalie. You are still one of the most beautiful creatures God ever created.”

Wow…he sure did know how to press her buttons.

“I can’t do this,” she told him suddenly.

“Do what?”

“I can’t sit here opposite you and pretend I don’t feel anything, that I don’t still -”

He didn’t let her finish.

Pushing his chair back, Matt was on his feet, sinking his hands into her hair, tilting her face up to his. Immobilising her lips by feverishly pressing his own against them in a kiss that set her body on fire.

Available in October 2009from Mills & Boon® Intrigue

Baby’s Watch by Justine Davis & A Hero of Her Own by Carla Cassidy

Christmas Spirit by Rebecca York & Beast of Desire by Lisa Renee Jones

Beneath the Badge by Rita Herron & Match Play by Merline Lovelace

The Heiress’s 2-Week Affair by Marie Ferrarella

Veiled Truth by Vivi Anna

Tall, Dark and Lethal by Dana Marton

Marie Ferrarella has written more than one hundred and fifty books, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website at www.marieferrarella.com.

THE HEIRESS’S 2-WEEK AFFAIR

BY

MARIE FERRARELLA

MILLS & BOON

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/)

To

Shana Smith.

Welcome

aboard.

Prologue

The burst of joy that bathed over her like warm summer rain when Natalie Rothchild opened her eyes began to recede as the reality of the situation slowly penetrated her consciousness.

The spot beside her on the bed was empty.

Empty and cool to the touch when she ran her fingers over it.

“Matt?” She called out his name, but only the echo of her voice answered her. There was no sound of running water from the bathroom, no indication that there was anyone else in the hotel room but her.

Her heart began hammering hard, so hard that it physically hurt her. It felt as if someone had shot arrows through it.

He couldn’t have gone.

But if he was here, where were his clothes? The ones that he’d torn off so carelessly last night, throwing them on the floor along with hers? The first time they’d made love last night, she’d all but caught on fire.

The ache within her chest grew.

“Matt?” she called out again. Fear and bewilderment filled her voice as she sat up. A chill ran down her spine. Something was wrong.

Last night, he’d told her that he loved her, told her that they’d be together forever. He’d said he wanted to marry her. She knew he’d meant it. Knew it wasn’t just something expedient to say because he wanted to make love to her. He’d said it after, not before. After was when it carried weight.

So where was he?

And why did she have this awful, sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, this uneasy sensation that something was very, very wrong?

As Natalie shifted to swing her legs out of bed, she saw it. Just beneath his pillow—his pillow—there was a bit of paper peeking out.

Natalie froze.

She wanted to leave it there. To ignore it. Because the moment she acknowledged it was the moment she had to read it. And the moment she read it, she knew that the euphoric state she’d allowed herself to slip into would burst apart like a soap bubble that had floated on the breeze a second too long, done in by the very thing that had made it float.

But she was Natalie Rothchild. Natalie, the sensible one. The one who faced her problems and life in general head on and fearlessly. Natalie, the rebel who refused to allow her family’s vast fortune to keep her from living a life of purpose.

Matt told her that was one of the things he loved about her.

He loved her.

Didn’t he?

Pressing her lips together, steeling herself, Natalie pulled the note out from beneath the pillow. She held it in her trembling hands and forced herself to read it.