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mama. A still-sniffing Flame rose to his feet as he handed the baby to Kendall and motioned
for her to take a seat.
Of all the things she had expected to see when she charged through the house, this scenario
was, in a few words, not one of them. She cradled Spark in her arms and waited for the
explanations to begin.
In full melodramatic mode, Caressa executed a quick turn and clapped her hands twice in
front of her.  I m going to open a modeling agency!
 You re what? Richard stepped into the room, looking a bit flummoxed by her words.  You
can t do that!
His words had Kendall and Flame eyeing him in shocked anger. Caressa wasn t the smartest
thing to ever walk the face of the Earth, Kendall knew, but no one had the right to disparage
another person s dream. Flame had come up with the perfect business opportunity for her
sister.
Flame was angered by the lack of respect shown to the odd woman. Yes, she had hurt her
sister with her unthinking actions, but she still was a woman and deserving of respect. Before
anyone could say anything in her defense, Caressa surprised them all yet again.
 What makes you think that I can t do this, Richard? she questioned with eyes narrowed in
anger. All the jubilation on her face was wiped clear by his words.  Just because I didn t
attend Harvard Medical School doesn t mean that I don t have a decent education!
Kendall silently applauded her sister while Flame looked a little amazed himself. It seemed
that Kendall s sister was not all, as they said on the TV show, fluff. She, like her sister, had a
backbone, when she cared to remember it was there and how to use it.
She stalked right up to Richard and jabbed a finger into his chest, wrinkling his perfectly
pressed suite.  I m not a worthless ornament to parade about on your arm. Flame showed me
that I have strong points and value all of my own! I can do anything I put my mind to, with or
without you!
Richard turned a thunderous look to Flame, who in turn gave him a small knowing smile.
 This is all your fault you...you...home-wrecker!
 Don t speak to him that way! Instantly both Kendall and Caressa were yelling at Richard.
Flame paid him no notice.
Richard stared in shock at his beautiful, biddable Caressa. She had never raised her voice to
him before and now she was defending another man.  How many women do you need,
buddy? Richard all but growled at Flame.
 I think that it s time we went home and talk about a few things, Richard. Caressa spoke to
him like Flame had spoken to her earlier, the way a parent would controlling the tantrum of a
child.
 But... Richard tried to defend himself, but Caressa laid one finger against his lips to shut his
mouth.
 I think that it s time to go home, Richard, she repeated firmly.
Richard looked around the room and then gave Caressa a small nod.  At home then, my
dear.
Caressa walked over to Kendall and knelt before her sister.  I know that you didn t want to
see me for a while.
 Still don t. Kendall ruefully muttered to her sister with a small smile. It was true she didn t
want to be around Caressa, but she still loved her and was happy that she was standing up to
Richard.
 But I m grateful to you for allowing Flame to help me. She continued as if she didn t hear
Kendall s comment.
 As if I had a choice, Kendall muttered.
 I know you wouldn t have turned me away, Kendall. You may be angry with me right now,
but I m the only family you ve got and you love me. She bent down and gave Spark a little
kiss on his forehead before gracefully bouncing from her place on floor.  That one is going to
be a heartbreaker, she predicted. She then set her sights on Flame.
 I don t know what I would have done without you. She and stopped in front of the blushing
man. Looking up, she gave him a confident smile.  You helped me find my worth with a few
words. I will never forget it and will always be grateful. She reached up, pulled his face
down to her level and planted a soft kiss against his cheek.
Richard frowned, tapping his foot impatiently as he flipped back the sleeve of his suite jacked
to peer in an obvious gesture at his watch.
Flame glanced at Kendall to gage her reaction to the small kiss. On Testrios, he would have
been blamed for enticing the other woman to such a display of openly touching another
woman s property, and quickly punished by his Mistress. He waited to see what Kendall s
reaction would be.
Far from being angry, Kendall smiled at Flame s concerned expression. Flame knew then that
Kendall trusted him man fully. She had reason to. Why would he want her sister when he had
a woman that could melt his bones in bed and who loved him to distraction? He wanted only
Kendall. She accepted all of his faults and still loved him. Only her tarcus-brown eyes could
flash and make him weak in the knees and only her words could infuse his spirit with strength
and need. No other woman s touch meant nothing to him. Kendall was his all.
 You ve got yourself a fine man here. Caressa turned to her sister as she made her
pronouncement.
 The very best. Kendall agreed as she gazed into Flame s smoldering eyes.
Spark, sensing that there would be no bloodshed, had finally given in to his growing body s
needs and had fallen asleep. Kendall rose to her feet and headed for the baby s bedroom,
wanting to get him tucked into bed.
As she passed Richard, she murmured,  You had better treat her right or I will sic my Irish
Wolfhound on you. She nodded towards Flame who stood and watched his Mistress
converse with the half-man, a deep scowl darkening his features.  And his bite is definitely
worse than his bark!
 You both know the way out, I trust? she added as she ascended the stairs with the sleeping
baby cradled in her arms.
Caressa took Richard by his hand and began to lead him to the front door.  I ll need office
space, Richard, to make a go of my agency. I m thinking of calling it Crystal Faces. Isn t that
catchy? She kept up a steady stream of conversation as she and Richard exited the house.
 Something with lots of windows. I look best in natural light.
The door closed softly behind their retreating figures and Flame shook his head. Never had he
met two more difficult people. Of course Caressa had introduced him to the wonders of ice
cream and talk shows, but she was still a unique individual.
By the time Kendall had returned from placing Spark into his cube in his room, Flame had
retrieved the grocery bags and was staring in confusion at some of the contents.  What is
Redi-Whip? he asked as he examined the small can of whipped topping.
An instant blush heated Kendall s face and she refused to meet his eyes. That can represented
a little fantasy she had while strolling past her grocer s freezer. It involved the now eaten ice
cream, cherries, the whipped topping of course, and a few unique containers.  Never mind
about that! [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]