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coldness, an emptiness. I m sorry. I know she s been your friend for a long time, but I don t trust the
woman.
Joel had no idea what to say. He wasn t about to defend Vee, which would only upset Aurora, but
didn t intend to abandon a friend simply because of a vague feeling. On the other hand, if he was truly
going to commit to a real, solid relationship with Aurora, maybe he should consider her feelings more. He
would certainly not like it if she had a close male friend who d once been her fuck buddy, not at all. In fact,
just the thought of this imaginary man sent a shaft of white-hot rage through him. He wanted to kill the
guy.
Joel considered his next words carefully.  If having me work closely with Vee makes you
uncomfortable, I ll find another campaign manager. It s not as if I can t hire someone else.
 You would do that? Her brows knit together and she shook her head.  No. I couldn t ask you to. If
she s the best there is and she can help you win, then you must have her. I may not trust her, but I trust
you.
He thought about the diamonds Aurora had said she d never seen let alone purchased, and about Vee
claiming that sweet, naïve Aurora was a gold-digger.
 And I trust you, he said.  If you tell me she sets off some inner alarm, I ll rely on your judgment.
After this birthday party, I ll tell her I changed my mind. I don t want to say it before the party and ruin it
for her.
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Bonnie Dee and Marie Treanor
He owed Vee that much at least. But as he lay there holding Aurora while her breathing deepened and
her small body grew heavier draped over his, Joel wondered if he d been telling himself for too long that he
 owed Vee. Yes, she d once helped further his career, but did that mean he must be beholden to her for the
rest of his life?
The more he thought about their relationship, the more he realized she d shaped it to her will every
step of the way, so subtly manipulating him he d hardly been aware of it. Not to say he hadn t made plenty
of bold business choices on his own, but whenever Vee had had a really strong opinion about something,
he d listened and usually deferred to her. It was because she offered sound, practical advice that advanced
both their interests. But it was also because he d subconsciously felt indebted to her.
It was time to sever his relationship with Vee at last. Perhaps they could remain friends at a distance,
polite acquaintances who occasionally kept in touch, but nothing beyond that. He was on a new course
now, the route he d half believed he d never take. Wife for he had no doubt Aurora wouldn t remain a
girlfriend for long family and home. Hell, maybe he d finally get a real house and even that dog he d
always kind of wanted.
The big, black bird perched on the window ledge, peering through the glass with eyes as red as the
fiery coals of rage that burned inside her. She wanted to crash through the glass, explode into the room and
demolish the lovers who curled so smug and stupid in their bed. Foolish mortals seemed to have completely
forgotten how dangerous she was. Her attacking vines and her fire were eclipsed in their tiny brains by
worries about their inane love life. She wished she could confront them right now where they lay: sup on
the girl s essence, kill her and then make her idiot lover forget she had ever existed.
But the time was not yet right. Only a little longer and then she would have the necessary strength to
make Princess Aurora suffer torment so great that a sleep of a mere thousand years would seem like a
blessing rather than a curse.
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Chapter Twelve
As Aurora stepped out of the shiny black car that Joel had rented for the evening a limo, he called
it she felt as if she d finally arrived at the ball she d been meant to attend so many years ago. She was
dressed in as royal a gown as she d ever worn as a princess and stood beside the most handsome prince
imaginable. Only her parents were missing from this scene. And of course she would ve been surrounded
by people she knew in a palace both beloved and stifling.
When she d first awakened from her long sleep, it had felt like only a few hours had passed. The
shock of discovering her world had disappeared was overwhelming. But soon the memories of her past life
had begun to fade, as if they had indeed happened to a girl long, long ago. Maybe that blurring was part of
the same fairy magic that had put her to sleep. If so, it seemed a bit of kindness at odds with the cruel joke
of stealing her life away.
Ah, but she had a new life now. Aurora hugged Joel s arm and looked up at his profile, chiseled and
masculine, but with soft lips that begged for a kiss. She licked her own lips.
He glanced down at her, blue eyes twinkling.  Stop it, he whispered.  I can hear your thoughts. You
are a naughty, insatiable girl.
Lights exploded like stars in Aurora s vision as people with boxes in their hands pointed them at the
couple. She frowned, blinked and shielded her eyes.
 It s all right, Joel said.  They re taking our picture, making likenesses of us to put in the newspaper.
Vee always invites the media to her events, and they always come. Just smile and look beautiful. That s
easy for you.
Together they strolled down a red carpet, separated from the crowd on either side by thick, velvet-
covered ropes strung between short poles. Aurora did as Joel bid; she waved her hand and bestowed a smile
on the people on one side of the carpet, then the other. She d had a lifetime s worth of practice waving
from balconies, paths and doorways to cheering townsfolk and peasants who visited the castle on special
days just to see her, according to her doting parents. And she d graciously accepted many a bow or a
curtsy from noblemen and women.
Just as then, she seemed to attract more than her share of attention. As she and Joel neared the front
door of the grand house, she became aware of a rush of cameramen and women to this end, all pointing and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]