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Chelsea Handler Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang (epub
Brit Brinson [Dia of the Dead Dia of the Dead (epub)
Cody Goodfellow [Radiant Dawn Radiant Dawn (epub)
Cate Tiernan [Immortal Belove Immortal Beloved (epub)
C J Busby [Deep Amber 01] Deep Amber (retail) (epub)
Carl Ashmore [Time Hunters 01 The Time Hunters (epub)
Drew Hayes [Super Powereds 02 Super Powereds Year 2 (epub) i
Beth Harbison [Shoe Addict 02 Secrets of a Shoe Addict (epub)
Cara Lynn Shultz [Dark World The Dark World (retail) (epub)
Arthur, Keri Riley Jenson Gua Dangerous Games

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.”So much for stealth.I opted for door number three—truth, or a reasonable facsimile of the same.“We’re planning an excursion,” I said.“Want to join us?”“Wish I could, but I’m swamped with work.A very demanding client wants my personal attention.” Deming’s law practice was booming, a consequence of Boston’s thriving business sector and his brilliance, not necessarily in that order.“Hmm.Is this client male or female?” I was only half joking.Deming had been quite the Lothario before we got together.Even now, needy women constantly swarmed him.His manner hardly encouraged intimacy, but his film star looks, an exotic Asian/Swedish combo, prompted normally reserved females to forsake dignity and decades of breeding in the name of passion.Chill, Eja.Your insecurity is showing.Deming answered my question without pause.“Horton Exley.Horty.You’ve met him.Hasn’t changed a bit since his days at Yale.”I racked my brain for memory crumbs.“I don’t recall any Horton Exley.The one I knew was Ames.Younger brother or cousin probably.Smart, downtrodden, moderately good looking.”“Watch your step, Ms.Kane.You’re spoken for.”“Don’t I know it.” A warm sensation surged through embargoed parts of my person as I envisioned his arms around me.My voice grew husky at the promise of things to come.“Drop on over when you finish work.”Deming chuckled.“I might be late.Very late.”“No problem.I’ll leave the light on.Use your key.”“Will you make it worth my while?”I took a breath and whispered words of sweet surrender.“Count on it, big boy.”Chapter TwoI SEARCHED IN vain for a loose-fitting garment with some hint of style.My closet was awash with sweat pants and jogging outfits too unsightly to even consider.Since I loathed the mere concept of exercise, the pickings were slim.Unfortunately, I was not.A sudden brainstorm made me plunge into the back of the spacious closet where CeCe had once stored her shoes by type and season.I took a more minimalist approach to shoes and every other wardrobe staple.Unlike the Swann tribe, Eja Kane was stylistically stunted.It took persistence, but I found it: a pristine black jogging suit with white piping and tons of attitude.I’d purchased it in a fit of conscience after glimpsing a particularly unflattering photo.Almost immediately, buyer’s remorse had set in.The offending garment stared reproachfully at me until I’d banished it untouched to closet Siberia.Tonight it would finally get a star turn.The phone rang at 5:45 p.m., announcing Anika’s arrival in the lobby.Her attire, a loose-fitting emerald number, was as flawless as her complexion; her blond hair was pinned in a loose chignon that accentuated spectacular cheekbones.Both of us wore athletic shoes, although hers appeared to have been used before, probably during sessions with her personal trainer.Neither one of us wore jewelry.“You look perfect, Eja.” Anika lowered her voice.“But you might want to tie your hair back.Exercise is a messy business, you know.”Hair is my one point of vanity.While many women bemoaned their thinning locks, mine remained thick, dark, and wavy, a legacy of my staunch Russian forebearers.Anika gave me a conspiratorial grin.“Tell me.Are we really there to exercise, or is this an undercover assignment?”“No tricks,” I said, “strictly legit.If I get some background material, that’s a bonus.Trust me, this is a crusade.”“Fine, dear,” Anika said.“I sent Po back home.We can walk down Newbury and get there in plenty of time if we hustle.”Hustle we did.It’s shameful, but her sixty-year-old form floated comfortably ahead of my heaving body.We arrived at Shaolin City as the church clock boomed the hour and the dojo door closed.“You made it,” Justin Ming said with an easy smile.“And brought a most welcome guest.” He bowed to Anika.“Greetings, Mrs.Swann.”“You know each other?” I asked, gasping for breath.“I had a small part in the fitness event she sponsored at the Boys and Girls Clubs.” Justin flashed a fetching pair of dimples.“Nothing particularly memorable.”Anika extended her hand in a charming gesture.“Nonsense, Mr.Ming.The children loved you.I was merely window dressing.”Justin waved us in toward a well-appointed room where supplicants were seated in a circle around Master Avery Moore.There was absolute silence as if they were praying or meditating.I gave Justin a puzzled look.“They are expressing reverence for the master and freeing their minds to learn.” He raised his eyebrows.“Worth trying on occasion, wouldn’t you say?”Avery Moore nodded a welcome and addressed the group.There was a mix of genders and ages, but the common factor appeared to be total absorption in his words.This crowd was intense and very fit.Even the women had plenty of muscle.I noticed the gusher, the shapely brunette I’d seen earlier hovering about the master.Tonight she wore a red bandanna that highlighted her olive complexion.She occupied pride of place next to Justin and directly across from Avery Moore.From her air of familiarity, I supposed she was a regular.The master stood slowly and started speaking.“How many of us truly know ourselves? Kung fu is a discipline, something that will guide you to a path of health and happiness.” He inhaled and gazed at us with omniscient emerald eyes.“Learn the ten Shaolin Laws, and they will set you free.They bind us as a community.” With a flick of his hand, he summoned Justin Ming, who leapt to his side ready to obey.“Confidence.Awareness.Agility.These things lead to self-control and mastery.Study Sifu Ming for inspiration.”Justin Ming executed a series of quick, graceful maneuvers worthy of a dancer.For a big man, he certainly knew how to move.It wasn’t spiritual inspiration I saw on the faces of other women in the group as they watched Ming’s performance.They seemed transfixed, mesmerized, and thoroughly turned on, a carnal triumph of the flesh.The quest for his favors heated up as the snarky brunette turned febrile eyes on her competitors.One willowy blonde almost drooled.Their behavior was a common ailment that I understood so well.Deming also has a black belt in karate.A lithe, flexible man is capable of incredible acrobatics and can be dynamite in the sack.Master Moore ended his soliloquy and urged us to grab a mat and start stretching.Justin stood in the center, serving as our coach, cheerleader, and examplar of clean living.Anika dove right in, showing exceptional skill and zeal.While I was no superstar, I managed to finish the routine without disgracing myself or sustaining injury.Meanwhile the master walked about, complimenting and encouraging each student with a friendly smile or pat on the back.“This is not new to you, Mrs.Swann.Perhaps you will not be challenged.” Avery Moore pointedly omitted me from his comment.The man obviously valued honesty and feared that any greater challenge would kill me.“My skills are rusty, Master.Your guidance will be most helpful.” Anika knew how to ladle up praise when it suited her.Humility was prized in this community.“Private lessons might suit you better.That has been the preferred method through the ages, and progress is faster.” For a saintly guy, Avery Moore had a smooth sales pitch.Private lessons were a costly venture for anyone other than a Swann [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]