‘I take it you’re not going to declare Abi’s sudden wealth?’ Dylan asked cocking her head to the side.

  ‘As far as I’m concerned it’s hearsay. You know Abi’s word isn’t to be trusted. Robyn wrote that on paper in black and white. So I can’t help but assume Abi’s lying about her big windfall as well.’

  Dylan pulled Harper up by her arms to meet her half way. Soap suds slowly slid down their bodies.

  ‘And you call me sneaky?’ Dylan said.

  ‘I think I called you a lot more than that.’

  Dylan laughed. ‘Yeah, that’s true.’ She gave a small shake of her head. ‘Robyn must be spitting feathers right about now.’

  ‘Serves her right, that’ll teach her to think she’s above the law.’ Harper dabbed her finger on Dylan’s nose leaving behind a small mound of fluffy white bubbles. ‘At least now the case will be straightforward. She’s agreed to the terms of the mediation. So hopefully no more threats about custody. Boy am I glad. This case is enough to put me off marriage for life.’

  ‘I hope not,’ Dylan said, taking Harper’s hand in her own.

  Harper’s eyes dropped to Dylan’s mouth. She would do just about anything to guarantee a lifetime of kissing her lips. ‘Okay, maybe not.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it.’

  ‘So that’s Abi’s life sorted. What about you? You got anything in the pipeline?’ Harper asked.

  ‘Actually I have …’

  Harper reached under the water and slid her leg up Dylan’s thigh.

  Dylan let out a playful squeal and clamped her hand over Harper’s to stop her going any further. ‘No, not that.’ Dylan grinned ‘You really are insatiable aren’t you?’

  Harper pouted. It was true. She was. Usually she could take or leave sex. But being around Dylan, she felt like she was on heat. ‘It’s your fault. You shouldn’t be so sexy.’

  Dylan brought Harper’s hand to her face and gently kissed each of her finger tips. The warmth that spread through Harper’s body had nothing to do with the temperature of the water.

  ‘Back to your question. I’m thinking of starting my own practice.’

  Harper’s eyes widened. ‘Really?’ she asked trying to keep the surprise out of her voice. She was obviously a crap actress. Dylan sensed her doubt a mile off.

  ‘You sound surprised.’

  ‘To be honest, I wasn’t convinced you wouldn’t end up back working for your dad.’

  Dylan didn’t miss a beat. ‘No way. I want to be a part of something that I’m proud of. Which brings me to you. I want us to be partners.’

  ‘I thought we’d agreed to that already,’ Harper teased.

  ‘I meant—’

  ‘I was kidding. I know what you meant.’ She stroked Dylan’s cheek. ‘Can I think about it? It’s quite a big decision to make.’

  Dylan’s face dropped. ‘Sure.’

  Harper felt a sense of sadness when she saw the disappointment in Dylan’s eyes. Harper was not an impulsive person by nature. Everything in her life was structured and well thought out. Could she really resign and take a step into the unknown with Dylan. It didn’t take long for her heart to make the decision for her. Harper reached for the bottle of champagne by the side of the bath and refilled their glasses. She held hers mid-air. ‘I’d like to propose a toast.’

  ‘To?’ Dylan replied half-heartedly.

  Harper smiled. ‘To our partnership of course.’

  Dylan stared at her in disbelief. ‘Are you having me on?’

  ‘Nope.’ Harper clinked Dylan’s glass. ‘Here’s to us and a long and happy future.

  Dylan leant forward and pressed her lips against Harper’s. ‘I’ll drink to that.’

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Six months later

  ‘I can’t believe this is real,’ Abi said, spinning in circles in the spacious living room of her new three bedroom house.

  ‘Believe it, you deserve it,’ Harper said watching her with a sense of pride. Over the last few months Abi had gone from strength to strength. After the divorce was finalised she seemed to have a new lease of life, especially after she told Robyn where to go when she’d tried to worm her way back in. Robyn had taken it quite literally and moved to Italy for a work promotion, only visiting Jake once a month. If Abi was upset about it she never said anything. She hardly mentioned Robyn at all. They all seemed to have landed on their feet. Blue and Anderson’s solicitors was finally up and running. The added bonus for Harper was Shay making the move to their company as well. It would have been hard to leave her behind. Dylan had brought in her secretary, Cathy and the four of them had fallen into step behind each other easily.

  Harper liked working with Dylan. She was constantly surprised by her dedication to help those that were in need. Dylan had finally restored her relationship with her father after a few weeks of no contact. He had told Harper when they met, that he was proud of his daughter and the good she was doing. Harper believed it to be a genuine statement.

  ‘Right! Glasses, or cups at the ready, please,’ Dylan said, smiling at Harper before popping the cork on the champagne bottle. She poured the fizzy liquid into four plastic cups, while Tia served young Jake with some apple juice for the occasion. Harper walked to Dylan’s side and slid her arm around her waist as Dylan toasted, ‘May we all, from the moment we entered this doorway ... enjoy only love, happiness and prosperity.’

  The women cheered in agreement. Harper leant closer and whispered in Dylan’s ear, ‘I love you.’

  ‘Love you too,’ Dylan replied. Harper’s heart skipped a beat as it always did when Dylan said those three little words.

  The sound of a van pulling up outside caused them to turn their attention to the front door. ‘I think the removal people are here.’ Abi walked a little closer to the window. ‘Oh no it’s not.’ She corrected herself. ‘It’s a delivery van.’

  All eyes watched as the burly man moved to the back of his van and took out a large parcel. Seconds later he called through the open door, ‘Anyone home?’

  ‘In here,’ the women called back in unison. The four of them looked at each other and laughed at the synchronicity.

  The man appeared at the living room, breathless as he struggled to get the large flat parcel inside. ‘Where’d you want it?’ he said, as he dragged it into the middle of the room.

  Abi’s face creased in confusion. ‘I don’t know what it is,’ Abi started.

  ‘Just against the wall please,’ Harper said to him, before turning to Abi. ‘It’s a housewarming gift for you.’

  A wide smile spread over Abi’s mouth. ‘For me?’

  Harper signed the delivery note and the man made a quick exit.

  ‘Go on, open it,’ Harper encouraged.

  Abi walked over to the package and gently tore the wrapping from the massive frame. She gasped when the painting revealed itself. Her eyes filled with tears as she beheld the magnificent old painting of the Norse goddess with her stern eyes and majestic hair.

  ‘Syn! You gave me Syn? Oh my God, Harper,’ she shrieked ecstatically. Abi flung her arms around Harper and gave her a long endearing hug. ‘Wow!’

  They both looked at the regal oil painting.

  ‘She’ll be here to watch over you. Just as she has been all this time.’ Harper glanced down at the engagement ring on her wedding finger and smiled. Just like she has over me.

  The End

  Just One Destiny

  Chapter One

  Carissa’s eyes widened. ‘Uh-oh. I know that look. What’s on your mind?’

  ‘You’ll know soon enough.’ The smile on Lara’s face broadened as she put a glass to her lips, tilted her head back, and jiggled the ice cubes until one slid effortlessly into her mouth.

  Carissa was mystified. Ice was a new one. Even for them. She couldn’t help but wonder if Lara had been reading the latest edition of Les Pleasure. It wouldn’t have surprised her. Lara was the type of woman who liked, no, loved to experiment—whether it be with props from Ann Summers or her many different lifestyle choices. Which was one of the countless reasons Carissa had fallen for her. Being with Lara meant not knowing what was going to happen from one day to the next. And unlike her best friend Trudi, who found the idea of living on such a roller coaster abhorrent, Carissa was all for it. To her it was the ‘not knowing’ that made life just that little bit more interesting.

  White heat rippled through her body when Lara slipped off her nightshirt. Carissa’s gaze followed its descent as it made its way down Lara’s naked body and crumpled at her feet. In one deft manoeuvre, Lara climbed onto the bed and crawled towards Carissa, her supple movements as graceful as a cat.

  Carissa pulled back the cover. Rays of sunlight flickered through the idly shifting curtains and the cool gentle breeze caressed her breasts causing her nipples to harden. In that instant, she eagerly anticipated the moment Lara’s body would fit perfectly together with her own, like interlocking pieces of a puzzle.

  Carissa stared at Lara. Dark haired and olive skinned. Arctic blue eyes, set beneath long thick lashes. Eyes that were clouded with unconcealed desire. Her tousled hair only served to remind Carissa of what had taken place between the sheets barely an hour ago.

  Lara’s hand reached out and caught Carissa’s small, taut bud between her index finger and thumb. She eyed Carissa like a cobra mesmerising its prey. Her voice low and husky—a testament to her intentions. ‘I see you’re ready ….’

  Carissa made a small sigh of surrender and let her head sink back onto the pillow. She didn’t think she had the energy for another workout that involved multiple orgasms, but how could she turn down hot, sweaty sex with the woman who made each and every one of her senses spin?

  Carissa’s fingernails raked Lara’s back when she positioned herself between Carissa’s legs and delicately bit her earlobe. Her breath was cool against Carissa’s warm face, her lips wet and cold. With an exaggerated slowness, Lara’s head dipped and she trailed a blaze along the nape of Carissa’s neck … along her collarbone … down her chest, until she reached her right breast.

  Carissa squealed and squirmed, drawing in a sharp intake of breath when the ice cube made contact with her nipple. Lara’s response was to eye her with amusement and mumble something inaudible.

  Carissa cocked her head slightly. ‘Say that again.’

  The ice cube disappeared to the inside of Lara’s cheek, causing it to bulge. ‘I said I want to do something memorable to you.’

  ‘With an ice cube?’ A hot flush crawled up Carissa’s neck, all the way to her cheeks.

  ‘Yes, with an ice cube. Now can you be quiet before it melts.’

  Carissa lifted her head an inch from the pillow and stole a glance over the top of Lara’s head to catch sight of the clock on the wall. Tick. Tock. Tick. It was getting on for nine o’clock. She cursed inwardly, annoyed by the need to be elsewhere when she would rather be here, entwined with Lara. She hesitated before giving Lara the bad news. ‘This is going to have to wait a couple of hours.’

  ‘A couple of … No, it can’t.’

  Carissa wriggled beneath Lara’s weight. ‘It has to. I’ve got a job interview at ten, remember?’

  Lara’s face registered confusion, then annoyance. ‘For God’s sake.’

  ‘I don’t think I’ll be longer than an hour and a half, two at the most.’ Carissa wiggled her eyebrows. ‘I’ll even bring back a bag of ice cubes if you’re lucky.’

  Lara ignored the bait and pushed herself onto her back. Letting out a sigh, her gaze drifted up towards the ceiling. ‘Don’t bother.’

  ‘Eh? Come on, Lara, you know I need this job. We’ve got plenty of time …’ Carissa reached across Lara, took an ice cube from the glass on the bedside table and popped it in her mouth, ‘… to do what you want later.’

  ‘Whatever,’ Lara mumbled.

  ‘Are you in a mood with me now?’

  The question hung in the air, leaving an uneasy silence for a few seconds.

  ‘No,’ Lara finally said.

  Carissa let the tips of her fingers trail along the sexy black tribal tattoo imprinted on the full length of Lara’s side. Her fingers dancing as if she was playing the piano. Under normal circumstances, Lara’s response would be to murmur in delight, but not this time. Her face remained sullen, which told Carissa all she needed to know.

  Yep, she’s in a mood. ‘You are, aren’t you?’

  Lara rolled abruptly to her side and drew the quilt over her body. ‘I said no. Now can you drop it?’

  Carissa studied Lara, trying to work out what was on her mind. When she spoke, her voice was tentative. ‘What’s wrong with you?’

  ‘Wrong? Why has there got to be something wrong?’

  Carissa averted her gaze in response to Lara’s sharp tone. Discussing an emotive subject right before something as important as a job interview wasn’t ideal, but the air needed to be cleared. The problem, whatever it was, was something that neither of them had cared to address lately, but it was obvious that tension was simmering beneath the surface. They’d been walking on egg shells around each other for quite some time.

  ‘If there isn’t, how else can you explain the last few weeks?’ Carissa said. ‘You’ve been a bit—’

  ‘I’ve been what?’ Lara’s intonation rose at the end and formed a question mark.

  The muscles in Carissa’s face twitched. The way they always did when she was nervous about something. Like now, when she was afraid that her instincts were right. ‘I dunno. Detached. Like you’re here, but you’re not. If you see what I mean.’

  ‘No, I don’t. I think you’re imagining things.’

  ‘If you say so. No doubt you’ll tell me when you’re ready.’

  Lara’s voice was weary, full of resignation. ‘Hadn’t you better go?’

  ‘If you want to play it like that.’ Carissa dragged herself off the bed and grabbed her suit from the wardrobe. ‘Let’s hope you’re in a better mood by the time I get back,’ she said over her shoulder as she left the room.

  ***

  Now in a reflective mood, guilt crept into Carissa’s mind as remnants of her tiff with Lara trickled into her thoughts. It made sense why Lara would be upset with her. It was Lara’s day off after all and here Carissa was on yet another job interview. The last week had been a roller coaster of them, but it was a necessary evil that Carissa was more than familiar with. She’d had six in as many weeks and it wasn’t getting any easier. Facing rejection after rejection wasn’t exactly an ego boost.

  Eyes unblinking, she looked at a framed reproduction of Monet’s water lilies that hung on the wall opposite. In her mind, she repeated her interview to-do list. Smile. Don’t talk too fast. Keep your head held high. Ask a few questions, but not too many. I don’t want to come across as a chatterbox. And whatever I do, I mustn’t look too eager.

  Nothing turned potential employers off faster than a desperado. Carissa knew this to be true from one of her most recent experiences when she had practically begged for a job as an apprentice, only to receive a humiliating rejection via email the next day.

  And I mustn’t say I can start work straight away. Maybe in a couple of weeks? No, that’s too long. A week will do.

  As she sat mulling over the dos and don’ts of interview techniques, she tried not to stare at the perfectly groomed receptionist who looked like she belonged on the cover of Vogue, not working the front desk in an office.

  It was half past ten, which meant it had been thirty minutes since Carissa had walked into LJ Interior Designers. Half an hour past her interview time.

  ‘Excuse me?’ Putting some warmth into her smile, Carissa pushed herself to her feet and tentatively approached the receptionist. ‘Do you know how much longer I’m going to have to wait before I see Mr Mitchell?’

  The receptionist looked up at Carissa through round glasses that emphasised her blue eyes. ‘Mr Mitchell?’ she repeated.

  Carissa raised her eyebrows. ‘Umm … yes.’ She nodded. ‘I’ve got an interview. Remember?’

  ‘An interview?’

  Jesus Christ! She can’t have forgotten me already.

  ‘Umm … Yeah, a job interview. You asked me to take a seat around half an hour ago,’ Carissa answered, wondering why she was saying ‘umm’ so much. It made her sound inept and unqualified.

  ‘Why did you wait so long to remind me?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Carissa averted her gaze, mainly because she was embarrassed for looking like an indecisive idiot. Why didn’t I ask sooner? ‘I just assumed Mr Mitchell was running late.’

  ‘Well, he hasn’t called to see you. I’ll see what’s happening. What’s your name again?’

  ‘Carissa Dunne.’

  The receptionist nodded curtly and picked up the phone sitting to her right. She dialled and gave Carissa an appraising glance.

  ‘Mr Mitchell, it’s Abby. Sorry to disturb you, but I have a Carissa Dunne out here. She’s been waiting in reception for half an hour. She says she has an interview.’

  Carissa heard a deep voice on the other line.

  ‘Yes,’ Abby said. ‘For the job … yes … all right … I’ll let her know, thank you.’

  She set the phone down and turned to Carissa with a blank expression on her face. ‘I’m sorry, but the post has already been filled.’

  ‘Excuse me?’

  Abby raised her eyebrows as though she was annoyed at having to repeat herself. ‘The post has already been filled,’ she said with an excessive slowness that Carissa thought was completely unnecessary. ‘An email was sent out last night cancelling all remaining interviews.’

  ‘I didn’t receive an email,’ Carissa said, trying to keep the frustration from her tone.

  ‘You should check your inbox.’

  ‘I did,’ Carissa insisted. ‘Right before I got here.’

  ‘Then I don’t know what else to tell you.’