Song Fiction- Halfway around the world

I use to keep this fiction for a long time..is a song fic wrote by a friend of mine as we like Westlife.. Hope everyone like it..and give me some comment…

Baby I will soon be leaving
And I know that you are feeling down
But every week I’ll send a letter
To let you know my love will never change
I promise you I always feel the same

Amy sat down in the sofa next to Shane, and he smiled at her as she did. One whole month? She sighed, and he nodded. Yeah, afraid so babe. But you know that I’ll call you and talk to you every day, don’t you? Shane looked into her blue eyes. Amy nodded, and he kisses her softly. Good
She sat all snuggled up in his arms, wanting their short but precious time together to last longer. He looked down at the girl in his arms and felt how his heart skipped a beat. This was the worst part about being in a band and being away so much, you were so far away from the people you love. A smile grew on Shane’s face as he thought about the surprise he had in store for her in a few weeks. “What are you smiling about?” she asked and sat up . Oh nothing, he said innocently and she raised an eyebrow. Yeah right ! she laughed. But I can’t tell, Amy. That would ruin the surprise. He said and saw how her eyes shined. A surprise? For who? She asked and Shane laughed waving his finger. Nope, that’s secret. Fine, be that way, she said, crossing her arms across her chest. “ Aww, honey! I can’t tell but it’s good. I promise that much, Shane said, pulling her close to him.

Okay! I’ll trust you then, she said. Shane grinned and started ticking her. Cool ! he said. Shane!! Knock it off ! she laughed, trying to get him to stop. They both laughed as they fell off the sofa and down on the floor. Shane ! Stop, please! You’re killing me here! She laughed, panting for air. He stopped and started kissing her instead, oh, much better this, Amy smiled at him and he brushed a few strands of hair from hr face. I know, she said and he grinned down at her. Shane smiled and kissed her again.

So remember in your heart
Baby when we are apart
There’s no need for crying
Coz even if I am

Halfway around the world
That won’t stop me from loving you
Halfway around the world
Still be feeling the way I do
Now I wanna hold you baby
Coz I’m gonna miss you like crazy
Even if I’m halfway around the world

Are you sure, Amy? Shane asked and she nodded in return. Yeah you’ll be much better off if you go there alone. So will I, she said, looking down. Tears started to form in her eyes, and she bit her lip to hold them back. Amy, my angle, don’t cry, Shane lifted her chin and kissed her gently. She smiled, but her tears still fell from her eyes. Sorry , I can’t help it. I wish you could stay for a while longer. He nodded, and wrapped his arms around her, I know, babe, I know. I wish I could stay too, but I can’t I’m gonna miss you so much, Amy . Shane whispered, and felt her body gently shiver as she cried. I’m gonna miss you too, I love you, she whispered back. And I love you too, Amy. More than anything. She looked up at him and into his hazel eyes. She wanted his face to stay fresh in her mind when he left, even though she knew she could never on her life forget. I have to go, the plane isn’t gonna wait forever, she said and hid the sadness in his voice with a little laugh. Amy smiled and nodded, yeah, you better get going. He turned to walk out the door, but stopped and came back to kiss her again.

Sure you don’t want to go to the airport with me? He asked again and she nodded. Yes, much better for us all if we just say goodbye here, she answered. Ok remember that I’ll be back here soon, a month will pass quickly. And I’ll call you every day and make sure you’re all right and doing fine. I love you so much, Shane said, looking into her blue eyes and blinking back the tears in his own. I love you very much, Shane. I’ll be missing you and I’ll be right here when you come back. You can call me anytime you want, day or night, I’ll be here. Goodbye and have a safe journey, she said and kissed his cheek. I know. Goodbye honey, take care of yourself. I love you, he said and hugged her so tight she could barely breathe. I love you too , she whispered as he put her down. Shane put his bag into the waiting taxi, and waved at her standing at the door. She waved back as tears ran from her eyes. He got in the taxi and it drove away, and Amy knew she wouldn’t see him for another month.

Baby when the miles are growing
You and I will still be growing strong
No matter what your friends are saying
Don’t give up on what you’re waiting for
Coz one day I’ll be knocking on your door

Three weeks had passed, and Shane called her every night. I’m coming home in just a week, and I can’t wait to see you again! He told her during one of their calls. Me neither, Amy repled happily as she stroked her stomach. She had the best news for him, but she didn’t want to tell him over the phone. And I’m sorry that I can’t make it back to your birthday, but we’ll celebrate when I do come home, Shane said, smiling to himself. He tried to imagine her face when he knocked on her door in almost two days sure we will, Shay, Nicky motioned for Shane to get a move on from the door, and he nodded in return. Listen, babe, I ‘ve gotta go now, but I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I miss you, he said into the phone and could almost hear her beautiful smile. Okay, have fun then ! I miss you too, she said. Bye Amy, I love you. I love you too, Shane, Bye! She said, and they hung up. Amy dumped down on the sofa, and smiled happily to herself. The doctor’s words still repeating in her mind,
Congratulation Ms Kinder, you’re pregnant! She couldn’t be happier, and stroked her stomach whispering softly. Can’t wait for your daddy to come home, so I can tell him. He’ll be so thrilled!

Come on mate! The plane’s leaving in a few minutes, and you don’t wanna be late do you? Nicky said, playfully smacking Shane over his head. No I don’t ! Can’t wait to see her again, she’ll be so surprised ! he said as they boarded their flight back home. This was his birthday surprise for her, he wasn’t going to be away for her birthday. He was coming home. Shane looked his watch, June 21st. in just 2 days time he’d once again look into her beautiful blue eyes, and see her sweet smile.

So remember in your heart
Baby when we are apart
There’s no need for crying
Coz even if I am

Halfway around the world
That won’t stop me from loving you
Halfway around the world
Still be feeling the way I do
Now I wanna hold you baby
Coz I’m gonna miss you like crazy
Even if I’m halfway around the world

Amy woke up and saw the sun shining outside. Looks like I’ve been a good girl this yer, she told herself and smiled. Her lips were smiling but her eyes were sad. Oh, if only Shane could be here, she thought as she stood y the window looking out. She sighed, and headed for the bathroom. She came out an hour later, and went downstairs to make herself a birthday breakfast. Just as she was taking the kettle off, there was a knock on the door. Who could that be? She wondered as she went to open. Amy opened the door and let out a little scream of surprise. Shane stood there smiling at her with a huge bouquet of red roses. Surprise Amy ! Happy Birthday, honey!! He said, and hugged her tight. Shane ! You ‘re here?

Aren’t you supposed to be in Asia ? she asked as they hugged. Yeah, but I kinda lied to you when I left. We weren’t supposed to stay for a month, just 3 weeks. And I couldn’t stay away on your birthday, he explained, and kissed her passionately. You are so wonderful ! I love you! She said, letting him in. Shane laughed and kissed her again. I love you too. And I’ve got a present for you. Amy looked at him with big curious eyes. What is it ? she asked. You’ll see. Come with me.

If I could you know that I would find a way
To stay for good but I must go now
I wanna hold you baby
I’m gonna miss you like crazy even if I’m….

He took her hand and led her into the living room. “Here”, he said, pulling out a chair. Sit down, Amy looked at him, but did as he asked her. Shane put the roses on the table, and knelt down in front of her. Oh , she gasped, holding one hand over her mouth. He smiled up at her and took a little blue box out of his pocket. Amy, darling, he said, taking her hand. Being away from you so much have made me realize something. I can’t live without you, and wouldn’t want to spend my life without you in it. I love you so much, and I never want to be without you. Will you marry me, honey ? Shane looked at her and smiled. I…I… Yes, she stuttered and smiled back at him. He opened the box to reveal a gorgeous silver ring with a diamond shaped like a heart, then he slipped it on her finger and kissed her hand. Shane, it’s beautiful ! she said, standing up. Can’t compare to you in a million years, he said, and kissed her softly. Well, since we’re already doing this wonderful news surprise thing…” Amy looked at him, and he titled his head. What? He asked curiously. Shane, I was at the doctor;s a week or so after you left. You were? Why? You aren’t ill are you? Shane interrupted her, and took her hands. No, I’m not ill, she smiled. I’m not ill, although my mornings could be a that better, she said, looking into his eyes. A huge smile appeared on his lips, and lifted her up and swirled her around. I’m going to be a dad? He asked when he finally put her down. Yes, Shane. You are , I’m pregnant. Amy smiled when he saw his face. I don’t believe this, I couldn’t be happier!! he said, kissing her. Me neither, she smiled at him. God, how I love you Amy! Shane said, hugging his fiancée. You’ve made me so happy, no matter in the world I might be I’ll always come back to you and our child. I could be halfway around the world, and still my love for you would keep growing stronger and stronger, he said, looking into her blue eyes. Amy nodded and smiled. I know, Shane. I know… They kissed and sat down in the sofa cuddled up in each other’s arms. Shane carefully put his head on her stomach and smiled. Did yu hear me, little one? He whispered softly and Amy smiled stroking his hair. I might travel a lot, but even if I’m halfway around the world, I’m always coming back to you and your beautiful mum. I love you both more than anything else in the whole world! he looked up at Amy and she smiled down at him, You’re wonderful, Shay, she whispered. Come here, gorgeous! He said and kissed her softly.

Halfway around the world
That won’t stop me from loving you
Halfway around the world
Still be feeling the way I do
Now I wanna hold you baby
Coz I’m gonna miss you like crazy
Even if I’m halfway around the world

Halfways around the world – A Teens

The Billionaire’s Proxy- Chapter 20

She’d always known Bradley could be vicious but firing her was going too far.

“But I didn’t tell Jon about your plans for WindCorp,” she protested.

“So you deny he found out the information from you?”

Robyn’s throat closed on her words of denial. Of course Jon had found out from her—or at least from the notes in her briefcase. While she hadn’t told him in so many words, she was still responsible for him finding out. And she was glad. Suddenly the promotion she’d have given anything for meant nothing to her anymore. Not if it meant she had to do the kinds of things Bradley wanted for WindCorp. Not if it meant destroying the lives of hundreds of employees and their families, not to mention the livelihoods of the towns in which they lived.

She drew herself up to her full height and met him eye to eye. “I don’t deny he found out from me. It wasn’t deliberate but I’m prepared to take responsibility for my actions. Given the same opportunity I would do it again. And don’t worry about trying to fire me. I quit. I wouldn’t work for you anymore for all the money in the world.”

Slow steady applause arrested them both. Her heart lurched at the sight of Jon’s sartorial elegance framed in her doorway.

“Well said, Robyn. But I believe my dear step-brother has it wrong. It’s you who’ll be leaving, Bradley, not Robyn. Your underhanded action in bringing today’s meeting to order is in direct breach of your conditions of employment. The executives have called for your resignation.”

***

Jon closed the door to Robyn’s office firmly behind Bradley’s retreating back. He wouldn’t give up without a fight and Jon had no doubt there’d be a massive legal battle around the corner, but right now he didn’t care. All that mattered was the woman who stood before him. The woman who’d proved her loyalty to him, and to WindCorp, by voting his proxy today.

“We need to talk,” he said, crossing over to her desk. “I’m sorry you had to go through that today, but it was necessary to be able to show the board just how underhanded he could be. I’d never have had their agreement to remove his powers if it hadn’t played out the way it did.” He dragged at the tie at his neck and flicked open the top button of his shirt.

“You knew about it all along?”

“For the past four months, yes.”

“You used me.”

“I used a person I thought was using me. I was blind as far as you were concerned. Blind and stupid. I thought you would vote with Bradley. I misjudged you terribly and I’m sorry for that too,” he said softly. “Tell me, if you could still have that promotion, would you take it?”

She didn’t even need to think about it. “No.”

“I understand,” he sighed, “but there’s a massive hole in that department now and it needs a committed leader to shape its future. I know, with guidance, you can be that person.”

He could see she was tempted.

“I’ll give it consideration,” she eventually murmured.

“And what about me. If things were different would you still want me, would you still give us another chance?”

“What do you mean?” He saw her eyes lighten and shine, heard the lift in her voice.

“Please, Robyn, forgive me today—forgive me the past six months—and I promise you that every tomorrow will be better.”

“Forgive you, Jon? I’m just so glad that you can forgive me. I should have stayed with you at Tautara. It was wrong of me to put my ambitions ahead of my heart. Believe me, I’ve learned my lesson.”

Jon stepped around the desk and pulled her into his arms. It felt so very right. And when he spoke, she knew she’d made the right choice.

“Robyn, the past week has proven to me how much I love you. How much it would destroy me to live without you. Will you marry me? Will you stand by me and help me run WindCorp to be the best of what we both want?”

“Is that what you truly want?” She hardly dared hope.

“Yes.”

In that single word he gave her the answer her heart craved. The answer she needed to turn her back on the expectations of her family and embrace the one truth she held most dear.

She loved Jonathan Windthorpe and he loved her in return.

“Then, yes, I’ll marry you. I love you Jon—I’ll love you forever.”

THE END

The Billionaire’s Proxy- Chapter 19

Robyn stood outside the meeting room waiting for the executives to filter in. It had been two long and lonely days since she’d returned from Tautara. She’d felt numb from the moment she’d left Jon’s cabin, even more so when she’d opened her briefcase on her return to Auckland and found the proxy on the top of the papers she’d stored in there. Signed over to her.

It made her sick to realize that Jon had obviously read the information in her case, and yet he’d still given her the proxy. She had to admit that the documents made her look as if she was complicit in Bradley’s scheme. And yet Jon had still given her the ultimate gift in trust.

Trust she’d thrown back in his face when she’d chosen to leave. Pain carved a sharp line through her body. But she couldn’t have stayed. Staying would have meant she’d be giving up her promotion, giving up the chance to make something of her life. She had dinner planned with her parents tonight to celebrate. Already she felt as if she’d earned the right to bask in their pride.

But what about Jon?

She thought back to his request to stay with him at Tautara. It was a test. A test she’d failed. Six months ago, a promotion was what she thought she’d wanted and she’d been so blinded by ambition she hadn’t grasped the one thing she wanted above all else. Jon.

But she could try to make it up to him. She could ensure that Bradley’s plans would not come to fruition. She already had a strong idea of which way the voting would sway, and Jon’s proxy would be the decider.

WindCorp had always prided itself on being focused on providing “for New Zealanders, by New Zealanders.” Bradley’s discussions with several overseas parties regarding outsourcing all of their manufacturing showed his clear intention to cease operations in New Zealand. The loss of jobs would be massive. And without manufacturing, Jon would have very little input left in the company. But with her promotion she could stop all of that.

Robyn ticked the last attendee off her checklist and followed him into the meeting room. The meeting was called to order and progressed through the agenda at an efficient rate.

“Next on the agenda is the matter of Robyn Mackenzie’s promotion.”

Her ears buzzed as her credentials were lauded, as her undeniable loyalty to WindCorp was expounded. She continued nervously taking the minutes, as one by one the board voted and…she had it! They’d voted to give her the promotion! Finally she had the right to ensure that WindCorp could continue with the charter Jonathan’s father had always seen for the company.

Tension gripped her as the chairman asked for any matters arising. This was it.

Bradley took the floor. She had to admit, he was convincing. As he showed charts and projected budgets for the company she could see some of the executive slowly swing in his favor. When the vote was called she was shocked to see just how convincing he’d been. The final deciding vote now rested with the proxy trembling in her hand.

Bradley looked at her with a smile. “Any proxies?”

“There’s one. On behalf of Jonathan Windthorpe—” Robyn paused and took a steadying breath. “—signed over to me. And I vote against,” she enunciated as firmly as she could.

The complacent smile on Bradley’s face froze and twisted until his expression turned positively feral. Robyn ducked her head and stared fixedly at the table. A sudden commotion at the door made her life her gaze.

Jon! He was here! Her heart skittered in her chest as Jon’s painfully familiar figure entered the room.

With Jon’s presence the proxy was null and void. He voted for himself and unequivocally quashed Bradley’s push to move manufacturing offshore. Bradley’s face contorted in anger, but he remained silent for the rest of the meeting.

Robyn went back to her office and sorted through the mail on her desk. She was relieved that while hope for their love had been irretrievably stomped into submission by her actions, hope for WindCorp still thrived.

Movement at the door to her office caught her attention and her heart stopped. Had Jon come to talk to her? The flutter of hope slammed to a halt. It was Bradley.

He wasted no time in getting to the point, his voice laced with vitriol. “I hope your foray into the bush with Jonathan was worth it, because that’s about as close as you’ll ever get to management in WindCorp again. You can forget about your promotion. It’s clear you breeched the terms of your employment. Why else would Jon have turned up today? You’re fired. I want you to clear your desk and be out of here by the end of the day.”

The Billionaire’s Proxy- Chapter 18

Dawn crept across the now clear sky, but Jon was oblivious to its beauty. In his arms was a woman he silently acknowledged he irrevocably loved. Yet, he had loved her before and that hadn’t been enough for her. Had any of that changed?

The papers in her briefcase still bore mute testimony to her duplicity. As much as he wanted to keep his relationship with Robyn separate from the machinations of the company, could he trust her? The test would be in what she decided to do. She said she’d come here to help him. So now, would she choose Bradley, or him?

It was full light by the time Robyn stirred. His body leapt to life as she stretched languorously beside him but instead of urging her to full wakefulness he pushed himself out of bed before he succumbed to her charms again. It was hopeless. He wanted her as much now as he’d wanted her the many times they’d made love during the night.

He could not allow himself to be drugged by his addiction to her again. Before he could reveal his true feelings to her, he had to know exactly where she stood. In his life or out of it.

He drove his body away from hers, toward the bathroom, toward the sobering cold spray of the shower. Toward reason.

As he came out of the bathroom he heard the sat phone ring.

By the time he disconnected the call he couldn’t decide if it was precisely the news he needed, or if it was an unwelcome coercion to carve the truth from Robyn. Eventually, he forced himself back to the bedroom.

She lay in the tumble of sheets that were still redolent with the scent of their lovemaking. Each crease was a silent witness to their hunger for one another. Each fold was a testament to the passion that demanded acknowledgement.

Jon took a moment to steel himself for what was to come. Took a moment to savor, however fleetingly, what they’d shared. He leaned forward to lightly touch her shoulder. Her skin was like satin—he would never grow tired of the texture or the exquisite sensation that touching her brought him. A piece of him wanted to forget all about the phone call, to sink back into the bed and into the welcoming warmth of her body. But he knew he couldn’t ignore the call or the damning information she’d inadvertently brought to him.

It was time for them both to face the truth.

She turned into his touch, a soft sigh and a smile on lips he wanted to plunder and take for his very own.

“Robyn,” he pulled away from her touch, “Luc Tanner just called. The presidential visit has come to an early end. They flew out about an hour ago.”

“They’ve gone?” The cloudiness of slumber was rapidly replaced by her sharp analytical mind. “So the airways are open again?”

He watched Robyn carefully—saw the play of emotion across her features. It was time to push for his answer. To push for the truth he dared believe might be his for the taking.

“You don’t have to leave. Stay here with me.”

She didn’t even hesitate. “Jon, I can’t. You know I have to get back to work.”

So, there he had it. The truth. The absolute, irrefutable proof their lovemaking had meant nothing to her. He meant nothing to her. Pain warred with the anger that flared inside him as fast and furious as petrol on a bonfire.

“To work? To Bradley, you mean.” He took a couple of steps back, anything to give him the distance he needed.

Robyn remained silent in the bed. The bed in which he’d bared his heart and soul to her. The bed in which they’d shared such intimacies that would forever go unspoken.

She hadn’t even given staying with him a thought, Jon acknowledged with a hollow pain in the region of his heart as he gathered a belt, a pair of jeans and a long sleeved T-shirt and threw them on the bed.

“Here, your clothes will still be soaked. Use these and get dressed. The chopper will be at the landing site in forty-five minutes.”

“Jon—” Robyn reached for him.

“Don’t.” He spun away from the seduction of her touch. “You made your choice. I only hope you can sleep with it.”

The Billionaire’s Proxy- Chapter 17

And she had missed him—in more ways than merely the physical. Knowing he’d suspected her and Bradley of being lovers had been a painful blow. There’d only ever been one Windthorpe man for her and it had always been Jonathan—no matter what he thought. Letting him go had been one of the toughest decisions of her life. But she could no more pull away from him at this moment than she could stop breathing.

His hands held her hips firmly, halting her movement. Determined not to ease up she squeezed her inner muscles against him, urging him to do what they both needed to ease the conflagration building inside. She tilted her pelvis ever so slightly so her sensitive nub rubbed against his pubic bone. Instantly a spiral of pleasure sent spasms through her body, making her clench him with an intimacy that only lovers shared. It was his tipping point. He instantly let go of her hips and allowed her body the movement she desperately craved—allowed her the pleasure she knew belonged to them both.

His broad hands slid up to her rib cage, his thumbs caressing the sensitive underside of her breasts then scraping up and over her nipples in tandem, teasing the taut points into an ache that went soul deep.

She increased momentum, desperate now to find release—desperate to draw from him the culmination of the longing she’d suppressed for far too long.

Her climax hit her hard and fast and her voice rang out as pleasure soared within her. Jon’s body stiffened beneath hers and she felt his hips thrust against her as he scaled the peak with her.

She collapsed against him, letting her body melt into his. She could feel her heart hammering in her chest, or was it his? Even the ragged breaths they drew were synchronized.

Eventually Jon stirred beneath her. “C’mon. Let’s take this inside. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

Robyn lifted herself off his body on legs that barely seemed capable of supporting her. Jon swung his legs over the side of the tub and, as he had before, scooped her into his arms.

She didn’t feel cold anymore, and even the constant rain outside the sheltered deck could not diminish the light that shone within her now.

Jon pushed open the French doors leading to the bedroom and laid her almost reverently on the bed. He disappeared for a moment, returning from the bathroom with two large fluffy towels, proceeding to dry her with one. Not to be outdone, Robyn grabbed the other towel and dried him as he hovered over her body, one hand stroking the coiled strength of his shoulders and his upper arms, while the other dragged the towel across the parts of him she could reach.

He grabbed the towel from her hands and hooked it loosely around her wrists, stretching her arms up over her head—leaving her prone to his look, his touch, his mouth.

He settled his body between her legs and when he lowered his mouth to her breasts Robyn knew it didn’t matter where she was anymore. As long as she was with Jonathan, she’d come home.

The Billionaire’s Proxy – Chapter 16

Jon settled onto the bench seat and welcomed the heated water as it lapped over his skin. Every instinct in his body demanded he draw Robyn into his arms, to comfort her, to warm her. She’d scared the living daylights out of him when she’d fallen into the river, and her lethargy as they’d neared the cabin was even more frightening. That fall had made him face facts. He still loved her. Deeply. And he needed to find out if she still felt the same way about him.

“You never asked me to stay.” Her words echoed in his mind. Had the long-standing rivalry between him and his step-brother clouded his reason? Could he have fought for Robyn? The answer to both was an unrelenting “yes.” He’d allowed his family bitterness to stand in the way of reason. He had to separate what he felt for Robyn from the business

But first he had some groveling to do.

“I’m sorry I provoked you before. I didn’t mean to drive you away,” he said.

“I overreacted. It was stupid to rush off like that so unprepared.”

“You took ten years off my life when you fell in the river. How are you feeling?”

“A bit sore,” she answered, tipping her head back again and closing her eyes. “My feet and calves in particular. Next time I go hiking I’ll make sure I train first.”

A small smile tugged at his lips at her attempt at humor.

“Here,” he said, reaching for one of her feet under the water and pulling it to sit on the top of his thigh, “let me massage your feet for you. It’ll hurt at first, but you’ll feel better in the long run.”

Jon began a deep rhythmic stroke along the underside of her foot, massaging up to her ankles and then back down again to the tips of her toes before starting over again.

“God, that feels good.” Robyn groaned a deep-throated sound that hit him straight in the solar plexus and made him instantly hard.

Through the water he could see the dusky pink tips of her nipples straining against the sheer fabric of her flesh-colored bra and he recognized the stain of color that gently spread up her chest and to her throat as the mark of desire. Despite their differences, she still wanted him. Probably about as much as he wanted her. A glimmer of hope glowed to life deep in his chest.

Jon stroked higher up her leg, working into Robyn’s calf muscles. Her foot flexed in his lap, brushing against the evidence of his desire. Her eyes flew open. Instead of shock he could only see the answering echo of his need for her. He pressed his hard flesh against the softness of her instep and saw her pupils dilate even further, her lips part on a breath. He reached for her other foot, still maintaining eye contact, and mirrored the attention he’d paid to the aching muscles of her other leg.

“I meant it when I said I’m sorry,” Jon said softly. “To be honest, the past six months have been hell.”

“For me, too. I’ve missed you.”

Jon stopped massaging her leg and reached forward to pull her into his arms, hope swelling into anticipation when she made no protest. She settled astride his lap—her shielded core only centimeters from his arousal.

He lifted a hand and smoothed her damp hair from her face.

“Show me,” he whispered, “show me how much.”

“Like this?” she breathed softly into his ear before licking at his lobe then trailed a series of tiny bites down the column of his neck.

“Yes,” he groaned as he nuzzled the hollow between her neck and her shoulder, forcing himself to hold back the tide of need that threatened to swamp them both.

She reached behind her and unsnapped her bra, sending it sailing through the air to land ignominiously on the deck then slid off him long enough to slip off the scrap of fabric that was her panties. Naked, she shimmied back onto his lap. Jon gripped her hips to position her at the tip of his shaft. His ears filled with the addictive sigh of satisfaction that eased from her throat as he slowly lowered her onto his length. He settled deep inside of her, relishing the sensation of her clamping against him, feeling a sense of rightness in his world that had been missing for six long months.

Robyn sighed as her lower body began to undulate as if she no longer had the strength of will to control herself.

“Oh, Jon, I’ve missed you so very much.”

The Billionaire’s Proxy – Chapter 15

The sheer cold shock of the water knocked the breath out of Robyn’s chest as she foundered on the hard uneven surface of the river bed. How the water could still be so freezing cold defied belief. She struggled to keep her head above water while she tried to gain a foothold, anything to get some purchase on the slippery rocks and get upright again.

Strong hands suddenly hooked under her arms and lifted her clear, holding her steady as her feet found some stability in the raging water.

A shiver rocked through her. Strange, the rain actually felt warmer than the river coursing around her legs, and Jon’s hands were even warmer.

“Come on, I’ll take you back to the cabin. You can’t go on like this.”

She wanted to argue with him, to tell him where he could stick his cabin, but the lure of a hot shower spoke volumes to her frozen skin and chattering teeth.

“Okay,” she managed begrudgingly.

They completed the journey back to the cabin at a surprisingly quick pace. She wasn’t sure if it was Jon’s intention to keep her moving to warm her up, or whether he was simply eager to get out of the weather. It was depressing to realize how little distance she’d actually traveled in her attempt to strike out for Tautara on her own. At the rate she’d been going, even if she’d made it safely across the water, she’d have been lucky to get to the lodge by evening.

She was so lost in her thoughts, she never noticed the broken branch across the path until her foot caught in it, pitching headlong toward Jon’s back. He spun around even as she cried out and arrested her fall, pulling her hard against his body. She relished the sensation of warmth and comfort as his broad hand spread across her back.

“You okay?” he said, his voice gruff.

“I’ll be okay. I’m too tired to look where I’m going—and now I’ve made you all wet.”

“It’s okay. We can both warm up in the hot tub when we get back. It’ll do us the world of good.”

He took her by the hand and to her shame she clutched onto him like a grateful child.

“Hot tub?” Robyn didn’t remember seeing a tub in the bathroom. While the fittings had been undeniably luxurious they hadn’t extended to a tub.

“Yeah, through the French doors from the bedroom. C’mon, we’re only about five minutes away.”

It was the longest five minutes of her life. The constant drum of the rain through the dense foliage, the slipperiness of the path and the tiredness that assailed her all conspired to make her feet drag and her head swim. By the time the cabin came into view it was all she could do to ascend the steps to the deck.

“Here, you look shattered.” Jon hooked an arm around her waist and led her around to the side of the cabin. He propped her against the wall. “Stay there while I take the cover off.”

Robyn knew she should move, do something—anything—to get the soaking wet clothing away from her body and to remove the boots that had begun to chafe during their trek back, but everything was too much effort. Get a grip on yourself, she silently chastised, and forced herself to bend down to attempt to undo her laces. Her fingers were stiff and uncooperative. Long strong fingers gently brushed her hands away and Jon eased the stubborn laces loose on her boots and slid the wet leather from her feet. Her socks and jeans were swift to follow, then her top. The silk would never be the same again, she realized with a woeful thought as he peeled the fabric from her upper torso.

Without pausing he scooped her up in his arms and carried her over to the tub, gently settling her in the water.

She drew in a sharp breath as the heated water stung her skin, then closed her eyes and relaxed her head back against the cushioned headrest on the side of the tub. A swish in the water made her look up.

A new kind of heat drew suddenly from her inner depths to bloom across her skin. Jon stood before her in the water. Like her, he’d stripped off his wet clothes, but unlike her, he’d removed his underwear. Which left him totally naked.

The Billionaire’s Proxy-Chapter 14

And just like that she was gone. It was what he’d wanted all along, he tried to tell himself. But he knew he lied.

Jon rubbed his cheek. Man, she packed a wallop. And he’d deserved it. He’d goaded her mercilessly and he’d had no excuse other than pathetic jealousy. The thought of his step-brother touching Robyn the way Jon had, tasting her—it had driven him temporarily insane.

A slither of shame slid uncomfortably down his spine. He owed her an apology. A big one. And he had to go after her. What if she strayed off the track, or worse, hurt herself? No one would know.

He checked around the immediate perimeter of the cabin and there was no trace of Robyn. He’d hoped to find her sitting on the edge of the front porch steps, waiting for him to be reasonable. But that wasn’t Robyn’s style. She was way more self-sufficient than that, and she was mad enough to walk all the way back to Tautara as she’d said. Niggling concern for her condition made him edgy. She wasn’t dressed for the trek back to the main part of the estate and it had turned chilly. Sure the trails were marked, but without food and water or even a rain jacket, she’d be struggling before too long.

She had a thirty minute head start on him but he knew he could shorten her lead. His decision made, he stuffed a small backpack with energy bars and a couple of water bottles. He hitched on the pack and hit the ground off the front deck at a run. Hopefully he’d catch up to her before she got too far and maybe she wouldn’t still be so angry with him. And if she was, well, he’d duck this time.

The drizzle had intensified to a steady rain and the track was slippery in places. Jon cursed as he slid for the third time. He’d seriously believed he’d have caught up to her by now but she’d been in such a rage it must have propelled her along the trail at a faster rate than he’d given her credit for.

In the distance he could hear the roar of the river. The crossing wasn’t overly deep, but it could be tricky for anyone who was attempting it for the first time, let alone doing it on their own.

Concern for Robyn’s safety spurred him along the pathway and he broke through to the clearing just as she reached the middle of the river.

Water foamed and bubbled up to her thighs and he watched with his heart in his mouth as she wavered slightly before regaining her balance.

“Robyn! Stay where you are. I’ll come across to you and lead you to the other side.”

“I don’t need you!” she yelled over her shoulder, looking back at him as she took another step forward.

And that step was her undoing. Before his horrified gaze she slipped on an unstable rock and pitched into the chilled mountain water. He saw her hit the water with a frightened cry.

It wasn’t deep and the current wasn’t too strong here. She should be able to make it to her feet without any difficulty.

Unless she’d hit her head.

Jon unhitched his pack and threw it to the ground, suddenly desperate to reach her.

The Billionaire’s Proxy- Chapter 13

“Don’t, please,” she begged. “Don’t sully what we had together. It’s not like that between Bradley and I. Why won’t you believe me?” Robyn argued back, her heart heavy. Was Jon’s opinion of her really so low?

“Believe you? I want to believe you. But can you honestly tell me you wouldn’t do just about anything to get that promotion you’re so determined on getting in Bradley’s department?”

“I—” Robyn hesitated.

Jon pressed on. “You can’t tell me that this entire trip is based on your loyalty to my dear step-brother. I know how terrified you are of flying and I also know it would take a heck of a lot to get you to do what you did yesterday. How can you expect me to believe there’s no more to your visit than dedication to your job?”

“But I am dedicated to my job and to WindCorp. Jon, give me your proxy. Let me prove to you I can do what’s best for the company,” she implored.

“How can I trust you not to side with him?”

“Did our relationship mean nothing to you? You can trust me.”

“Did it mean nothing to me? You left me for a job!”

“You never asked me to stay.” Her voice dipped so low he could barely hear her. “What’s happened to you Jon? I never thought that what happened with me and Bradley could turn you into someone so angry and bitter.” Tears filled her eyes and emotion choked her throat.

“Bitter? I’m not bitter—not anymore. But I don’t appreciate being taken for a fool. Tell me, Robyn. Does your heart race when Bradley stands this close to you?”

Jon moved so quickly he took her completely by surprise. He loomed over her, the heat of his body radiating out to consume and ignite her.

“And when he does this,” he reached out and traced one finger over the curve of her breast. “Does he set a fire in your blood?”

Robyn felt her nipple tighten into an almost painful bud of desire. Need flooded her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Need—and something else. Something not as physical. Something that begged for Jon to want this attraction between them to be more than just another way to get back at his brother.

She desperately gathered her thoughts. She couldn’t allow him to confuse her—to fog her mind with wanting him.

He stroked his nail across the hardened nub that pressed against the thin fabric of her top and she gasped at the pleasure-pain of the jolt of sensation that speared through her at his touch.

Jon bent his face to hers, his lips bare millimeters from Robyn’s. “And do you cry his name out when you come? Or are you thinking of me?”

Slap!

Robyn took a step back and nursed her stinging palm. God, she’d slapped him. She’d never slapped anyone in her life before. But she’d never been this angry before, nor this frustrated.

“How dare you!” Robyn finally managed through lips that could barely move. “I’m not standing for this. Not anymore. I’ve tried to be civil—I’ve tried to be professional. But you keep dragging up the past. Let it go, Jon, or one day you’re going to wake up a very lonely and cynical old man. I’m out of here. You can drive yourself crazy all you like with your stupid allusions on your own.”

She spun on her heel and stumbled through to the sitting room and quickly pulled on the hiking boots she’d worn yesterday. Damn him for getting to her like that.

“Robyn! Stop. Where do you think you’re going?”

“Back to Tautara, where else?” She tied the laces and marched to the front door. “I’m sure as hell not staying here with you.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I overstepped the mark. You had every right to put me in my place.”

“Yes, I did. But your apology means nothing to me, Jon. Just like I clearly mean nothing to you anymore. I came here to help you, dammit! But you’re too stubborn and too bitter to need anybody, aren’t you?” Her voice broke on her words, their finality punctuated by the solid slam of the front door closing behind her.

The Billionaire’s Proxy- Chapter 12

She must have been up before dawn, Jon decided as he entered the kitchen. She’d cleared away all evidence of her bed in the sitting room, and by the aroma coming from the compact wall oven, she’d already grilled bacon and made scrambled eggs for breakfast. His favorite.

Something warm and familiar flooded his veins, something he’d ruthlessly quashed when she’d broken off their relationship to take up her role as Bradley’s right hand.

What was she up to? Playing house? Trying to recapture the closeness they’d once shared—perhaps even with a view to rekindling the love he’d thought she’d reciprocated? Instantly he eschewed the idea, as much as he wished it could be true. If he knew Robyn at all anymore, it was more likely that she was trying to soften him up to get him to sign that blasted proxy. He smiled, a wry curl of his lips totally lacking in humor. Well, she could try.

He poured himself a coffee and leaned back against the kitchen counter, sipping the fragrant brew. A glance outside showed the weather had deteriorated. A leftover of spring’s inclement chill caught in the air and a steady drizzle had begun to fall. Well, it wouldn’t matter to him what the weather did, he’d be in his waders enjoying the river. Robyn could amuse herself for the day—no doubt by working through those papers in her case.

Jon grimaced. The coffee suddenly soured on his tongue. He could have borne her ambition had it not been so heavily laced with disloyalty at the same time.

A movement at the door made him look up. Robyn stood there, looking uneasy. Guilty conscience perhaps? She must have taken the shortest shower on record, he thought. His coffee hadn’t even begun to cool in his cup. Her hair, usually straightened and sleek, had begun to curl in a cloud around her face, making her appear softer, more vulnerable. As if he could give in to impulse—forget the chasm of suspicion that yawned between them, and simply step forward, tangle his fingers in those soft brown curls and drag her to him before slanting his lips against hers to plunder her unadorned mouth.

Something of his thoughts must have reflected on his face because he heard the skip in her breathing as she made eye contact with him and he saw the sudden widening of her eyes and the faint flush of color that spread across her cheeks.

Jon slammed the shutters down on his wayward thoughts. He needed to stay in control, especially if he was going to expose Bradley and his crooked assistant for exactly what they were.

“You haven’t started breakfast,” Robyn commented unsteadily as she moved to the oven, sliding out the dishes that had been warming and placing them onto the table.

“I thought I’d wait for you seeing as how you’d gone to so much bother.”

“It was no bother.” Robyn dished up a generous portion of bacon and egg onto his plate and slid a dish with buttered toast on it toward him. “Toast?”

“Thanks.”

The civility with which they had breakfast stood in stark contrast to the dinner they’d shared the night before. As with last night, Robyn got up straight after eating to clear the table.

“So,” Jon leaned back in his chair, determined to provoke something from her that wasn’t this guarded form of homemaking. “Are you this domesticated with Bradley?”

“What? No. Of course not.” Indignation painted a flush of pink across her cheeks and throat.

“He does the cooking then? Strange, he never struck me as much of a chef.”

“No, he doesn’t. And I don’t. I told you. Bradley and I aren’t that way together. I’m his Executive Assistant. That’s all.”

Did she protest too much? Jon wondered. He wished he could savor the hot flare of satisfaction that bloomed inside him at her denial of a relationship with Bradley. But how could he believe her when his ears had been poisoned by Bradley’s insinuations—by the not-so-veiled hints at how much he enjoyed “working” with Robyn?

“You were my secretary before that, though, weren’t you? And yet you were so much more.”