âNina, you canât stay.â
âYouâre sacking me.â Not a question. Rather a flat-line statement.
He stopped less than an armâs length away, and instantly the space between them crackled with heat. The grooves in his mind slotted back into blistering memories of last night and the undeniable force that clawed at him whenever she was near.
He set his jaw. Got a grip. Slapped that mental wall back up.
âNina, you canât continue to work here.â
Her slim nostrils flared before she slowly nodded. âI understand. I do.â She glanced over their cold meals. âIf itâs all the same with you, I wonât stay for dinner.â
She turned and, as his throat and chest burned, walked through into the main room.
Cursing under his breath, he strode off to catch up. This woman would drive him nuts.
The pullâthis fierce physical attractionâwas too strong to ignore. No matter how many times she walked away he would have to bring her back. Because what heâd tried to block from his mind all the long day would happen. He knew it as well as he knew his own name.
They would make love again, and sheâd better prepare herself.
Dear Reader
Remember the movie Sliding Doors? Sometimes a closing door can be a blessing in disguise!
My heroine in FIRED WAITRESS, HIRED MISTRESS harks from a prestigious background. From a young age Nina Petrelle has expected, and received, the best of everything. Gabe Steele, on the other hand, comes from humble stock. Despite the difference in family bank balances, Gabe was Ninaâs brotherâs best mate. Fourteen-year-old Nina couldnât pinpoint why Gabeâs dismissive behaviour towards her should rankle so much, but she evened the score by jibing Gabe about his station in life every chance she got.
Then those doors slapped shut.
When Ninaâs father died, ultimately so did the Petrelle fortune. Nina, who would have continued along her privileged path, now struggles to meet bills. Conversely, the tragedy that struck Gabeâs world set a fire beneath his determination to succeed. It is as a cool, wealthy playboy that he meets Nina again.
A more mature and modest Nina scorns the hedonistic world in which Gabe now reigns supreme. Gabe, however, knows Nina is simply cut over their changed circumstances: beneath her waitress garb sheâs still that spoilt brat. As mismatched as they were in the past, they are doubly so now. Yet neither can deny the explosive magnetism which, time and again, draws them together and fights to keep them close.
Life is a series of twists and turns. When one door shuts, another will surely open. But travelling a new road isnât always easyâparticularly where pride and love are concerned.
Hope you enjoy FIRED WAITRESS, HIRED MISTRESS!
Warmest wishes
Robyn
One Christmas long ago, Robyn Grady received a book from her big sister and immediately fell in love with Cinderella. Sprinklings of magic, deepest wishes come trueâshe was hooked! Picture books with glass slippers later gave way to romance novels and, more recently, the real-life dream of writing for Mills & Boon.
After a fifteen-year career in television, Robyn met her own modern-day hero. They live on Australiaâs Sunshine Coast with their three little princesses, two poodles, and a cat called Tinkie. Robyn loves new shoes, worn jeans, lunches at Moffat Beach and hanging out with her friends on eHarlequin. Learn about her latest releases at www.robyngrady.com, and donât forget to say hi. Sheâd love to hear from you!
Recent titles by the same author:
Modern Heatâ¢
CONFESSIONS OF A MILLIONAIREâS MISTRESS
NAUGHTY NIGHTS IN THE MILLIONAIREâS MANSION DEVIL IN A DARK BLUE SUIT
Desireâ¢
FOR BLACKMAILâ¦OR PLEASURE?
BEDDED BY BLACKMAIL
Fired Waitress, Hired Mistress
by
This oneâs for the mega talented â209ers RWA Bootcampâ gals! Thanks Rachel, Alison and Nikki, for organising a great couple of days. Onward and upward, ladies!
With thanks, as always, to my fab editor Kimberley Young for helping to bring out the best in my work.
FROM the moment Nina Petrelle opened her eyes, she was painfully aware of three things.
One: she had a pounding great bump on the back of her head. Two: her ankle was stuck in what felt like a soggy, splintered vice. Three: cool, salty water was lapping the length of her prostrate bodyâ¦was filling her mouth and her lungs.
Choking on seawater, Nina came fully to. She sat bolt upright and, an instant later, yelped in hair-raising agony. Gritting her teeth, she clutched at her thigh. When the red-tipped arrows firing up her shin gradually eased, Nina withered back down.
But she wouldnât give in to the tears. Damned if she would. Instead Nina thumped both fists hard against the sand.