Part 36 (2/2)

d.a.m.n. He'd caught a stellar wave this morning, adrenaline was pumping through his veins, his head was clear, and he'd been, if he was guessing right, propositioned by one hot woman.

What better way to start the day? And here he'd sworn off the opposite s.e.x. So what was it about this one that made him jump back into the game again? He'd decided that women were after nothing but his money and he was tired of wasting his time. A year of solitude had done wonders. He hadn't missed them a bit. Until Miss Golden-Blonde-and-Gorgeous tossed him a little curve on the beach and he was drooling like he hadn't had any in a year.

Well, as a matter of fact, he hadn't hadn't had any in a year. Which probably explained his sudden interest. Though lots of women more beautiful than Shay Peterson had offered and he'd said no. Something about her hit him right away. Fresh faced and innocent, yet with a sensual allure his body refused to ignore. Whatever she was offering, he wanted it. had any in a year. Which probably explained his sudden interest. Though lots of women more beautiful than Shay Peterson had offered and he'd said no. Something about her hit him right away. Fresh faced and innocent, yet with a sensual allure his body refused to ignore. Whatever she was offering, he wanted it.

Why the h.e.l.l not? It wasn't like he had anything better to do today.

'Nice place you've got here,' he said, surveying the hill top retreat while she fumbled for the door key.

'Huh?' She looked over at him, frowned, then nodded. 'Oh. Yeah. Thanks.'

She seemed distracted and a little ditzy. Then again, he didn't really care if they had brains or not. At least not for what they were planning to do. She was gorgeous, with her honey blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and full lips, and she smelled like a rain forest. Her body was nonstop curves and she was in great shape.

Who cared if she had a working brain cell? It wasn't like he was interested in a lifelong commitment. Though she did say she was a freelance reporter. And that took some smarts. He wondered if that was just a line to get him in the sack. It wouldn't be the first time a woman had used subterfuge to get him alone. He was pretty d.a.m.n popular, mostly because he was rich and available. Women flocked to him thinking they might be the one to snag his heart and become Mrs. Diavolo.

Right. Like that was ever going to happen.

She was struggling with the lock. He slipped his hand in hers and took the key. 'Let me do that.'

She jerked her hand away as if he was on fire. Skittish much? d.a.m.n, she'd gotten nervous all of a sudden. He turned the key and unlocked the door, then pushed it open and let her go in first.

Besides, this way he could watch her a.s.s. And a mighty fine one at that. He grinned.

'I hope you like eggs,' she said as she led him down a long hallway. She seemed a lot more relaxed now.

'I love eggs.'

The house was dark. All the shutters were closed.

'Don't you want to turn on some lights in here?' he asked.

'No, I like the mood. Come on in here.'

She'd d.a.m.n near run down the hall. Maybe she was really hungry. Or maybe they weren't going to have break fast at all. She might be stripping and planning to offer her self up for breakfast. Who knew when it came to women? He never could figure out what they really wanted.

When he rounded the corner, his heart skipped a beat and he went cold.

There was Shay, chewing her bottom lip as she leaned against the kitchen counter.

But she wasn't naked and she d.a.m.n sure wasn't alone. There were a half dozen beefy-looking guys flanking her. And a couple of women, too.

'What the h.e.l.l's going on?' he asked.

'Welcome home, Nic.'

He started to turn at a deep voice behind him, but then the p.r.i.c.k of a needle sliding into his biceps made him jerk.

'Hey! What the'

He couldn't even get the words out as he began to crumple to the floor. Strong arms circled him before he crashed in a heap. Nausea rolled in his stomach as he fought whatever drug they'd injected him with.

He heard them talking, but it was fuzzy, like an echo chamber.

'Derek, is that going to hurt him?'

Shay's voice. The only one he recognized. Then the guy's voice he heard behind him responding with 'No. Just put him to sleep for a while so we can move him.'

s.h.i.+t, s.h.i.+t, s.h.i.+t. This wasn't good. Kidnappingor something worse? He was losing it, couldn't stay conscious.

He'd been ambushed.

Ah, h.e.l.l. He knew his d.i.c.k would get him in trouble one day.

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