When love comes knocking

"He just gets carried away" Derek's mother protested weakly. "He doesn't know what he really needs".

Bobby's brow's rose " He seems to know exactly what he needs" he said in his driest voice. "Big breast, long legs and a wet-lipped simper those were Derek's criteria".

Bobby Packer looked at his aunt with affection and exasperation "not again!"

She bridled "it's not Derek's fault! He just.........".

"An idiot when it comes to women" Bobby supplied more than a little tersely. "He falls violently in lust with the most unsuitable female in sight, showers her with gifts, promises her undying love, then wakes up one morning and realizes he has nothing in common with her. Worse than that, she knows nothing about computers, which means he can't even hold a conversation with her. So he dumps her and she goes off and wails tearfully and lucratively to the media. Temporarily anyway, why are you so concerned this time?".

"Bobby you of all people! Know perfectly well he's just had a well publicized payout on his internet firm more than twenty million dollars" Doris Packer hesitate, before saying in rush "And she's not his usual type. To start off with she's older than he is, and she's not a model or a game show hostess or a beauty contest winner"

Bobby's black brow's met in a frown" So you think she's after the money"

"Derek has a reputation for rather foolish generosity" his mother said unwillingly "What evidence have you got that she's a shark?" .

Not for the first time Doris Packer decided it was positively sinful that as well has being brilliant and inordinately successful, Bobby should look like something out of a fantasy six foot three, shoulders big enough for a couple of women to cry on, and the sort of Lean, potent vitality that stopped any woman's breath.

Most men would have been more than content with that. But Bobby also had perfect features, a mouth to send shivers down ever her spine, and grey eyes that were a stunning contrast to olive skin and sable hair.

Derek was good looking, but not even a doting mother's bias would allow her put him in Bobbys class.

She thrust a photograph at her nephew "look" She watched that sexy , sculpted mouth compress and his eyes narrow into ice chips as he scanned the image.

Finally he looked up " She's definitely a change from Derek's usual inamoratas . Who is she?".

"Miya Claire Martin's".

"Miya?".

"Well, that's what she calls herself" His aunt dismissed the pretentious name with a curled lip. "She's at least five years older than Derek, and you'll notice she isn't hanging onto or gazing worshipfully or seductively into his eyes" Doris pointed out, adding, "And he speaks differently about her". "So what is the problem?" Bobby was fond of the aunt who'd brought him up after his parents died, but he deplored her fierce, overprotective love for her only child.He had no illusions about his cousin; Derek was spoilt.

His open good looks not to mention his assets meant that most women succumbed to his laid back approaches. Because he'd never had to work for a woman's notice he'd probably been intrigued by the cool, touch me not air of the one in the photograph.

A little impatiently he said, "perhaps this time he's found a normal woman, one he can actually have a conversation with".

"Do you consider someone whose father was the town drunk normal?"

"That's hardly her fault".

She grimaced "I know that, but you have to admit she probably has a serious issues".

"How do you know her father's an alcoholic?".

"He was , He's dead now. She comes from Hokitioka, from a little town quite close to Sheriff Crowe, so I rang Sheriff and asked if she knew the girl".

Bobby concealed a smile. His aunt's network of old school friends were affectionately known in the family as Doris mafia. "And what did Sheriff Crowe tell you about her?".

His aunt gave him a suspicious glance "Sheriff not only knew her, she'd felt sorry for her when she was growing up, even admired her for her loyalty to her deadbeat father. After he dead she worked for an elderly solicitor for a few months, but there was some scandal". His s aunt hesitated then said in a rush, "Sheriff said it was all very hush-hush, but she thought it involved stealing".

Bobby didn't like the sound of that "by Miya Martins?".

"Yes. Anyway, if she did steal anything she got off lightly. Nothing was was ever done about it, but she left town under a cloud".

Bobby looked down at the woman standing beside Derek in the photograph, an enigmatic half-smilied curling her lips. Unlike his cousin's previous girlfriends Miya Claire Martins didn't ooze sexuality, but Bobby could see the attraction. That cool air was a challenge in itself; combine it with a sleekly elegant figure and a mouth that promised carnal delights galore, and Derek probably hadn't stood a chance.

Echoing his thoughts, Doris said bitterly"Derek's already spent the best part of thirty thousand dollars on her".

"A car?"

She paused then made up her mind to tell him" A diamond ring".

And that, Bobby decided, he liked even less. "Did he tell you that?"

"Of course he didn't. He must have bought it before he moved into that ridiculous penthouse, because the valuation documents came to my address".

Mildly shocked, Bobby asked"And you opened the letter?"

"I don't even look at the address" she told him indignantly. "Well, not until after I picked myself up off the floor!"

Bobby leaned back in his chair "So what do you want me to do?"

"I thought you could get someone from your security branch to look into this Miya of a person" his aunt said, a little diffidently this time.

"My security men are paid to look after my business interests, not my personal ones".

"I know, but in this case........" Her voice trailed away.

Bobby gave her a sardonic smile "I'll get them to check. As an employer I can't approve of stealing".

"And I thought you might make a play for her" his aunt said in a rush.

"There's no one quite so ruthless as a devoted mother" Bobby said cynically. "You must be seriously worried if you're prepared to sacrifice Derek's feelings as well as my time, my reputation, and his opinion of me".

"Since when have you cared about what Derek think of you?" She shot back, flushing.

Actually, he valued his friendship with his cousin, but if this Miya Martins turned out to be a thief he was quite prepared to do what he could to protect Derek from any entanglement.

And if Bobby had learned anything in his life it was that everything, even his aunt's affection, came with a price tag. "I'll get back to you".

She wasn't satisfied, but she knew when to stop pushing. Bobby had given his word, and that meant it would be done. If there was anything at all suspicious in Miya Claire Martin's past, he'd soon know.

Narrowing his eyes, Bobby looked over the heads of the crowd. Mangawhai's pre-christmas racing carnival was in full swing; New Zealand's summer had swept into town , and as well as the graceful thoroughbreds, elegant women in exquisite clothes were parading for an extremely attractive prize.

Bobby's gaze homed in on the woman wearing a simple, superbly cut dress in soft dove-grey that contrasted with pale purity of her skin and a black shimmer of hair beneath the frivolous hat. High heels emphasized long, glorious legs, and the silk clung to a narrow waist and curves that were alluring without being opulent. The only colour in the outfit was the , vivid red of the lipstick that emphasised the woman's sultry mouth.

Definitely not Derek's usual type.

From just behind Bobby a woman said"that's Alexa Erlon's entry. It's superb, but she won't win".

"Too restrained" her companion agree. "The judges always go for features and tulle and lots of overt glamour at these events. Who's the model?"

Bobby didn't try to resist the temptation to eavesdrop. Although they were a fees paces away from him the women's voices sharpened by a little too much of the freely available champagne reached him clearly.

"Nick Milissa's secretary. You know, the Milissa co-operation".

"She looks far too decadent for such a worthy institution well, stuffy is probably a better word for it".

The woman was right; Miya Claire Martins certainly didn't look as though she spent her days dealing with the poor and needy of the world.

"Oh, well" the other woman said with a gurgle of laughter, "I suppose even such an upright, philanthropic citizen as Nick Milissa likes something good to look at in the office".

Indeed, Bobby thought sardonically. Eyes narrowing, he scanned the face of the woman they were discussing. The demure outfit couldn't mask a subtle, exotic sensuality that made the other women on the dais fade into the background.

Bobby's mouth thinned. Derek, he thought mordantly, you're in real trouble with this one.

His security check had come up with a very nasty scandal. Like most workplace scandals it had been covered up, but Miya Claire Martins had been in it right up to her very pretty neck.

Once a thief, always a thief............

And blackmail was the most despicable of thefts, especially in this case. A man had killed himself because of it.

Somebody had to chisel Miya Claire Martins out of his too-impressionable cousin's life before she got her greedy hands on his money and broke his heart.

Getting Derek out of the way had been reasonably easy; Bobby had pulled strings to offer him the trip of a lifetime, crewing on a barquentine that was recreating a famous nineteenth century voyage of discovery. However, if things got brutal and basic, Bobby knew his relationship with his cousin would take a battering.

Still, better a few months of tension between them than Derek being cheated of the money he'd earned over the past few years through damned hard work and the application of his intelligence.

"She looks up for anything" the second woman remarked astutely. "But with great discretion. Perfect mistress material" both women laughed. "Is she attached?"

"Oh, yes, she's moved in with young Derek Packer" her companion said dryly.

Bobby stiffened. This he hadn't known, it must have happened just before Derek left.

"Bobby Packer? One of the...... Oh!, Yes, I remember now, the kid who set that internet company and has just sold it for gazillions to some big overseas corporation?"

To Bobby's company, actually. He was beginning to think that he should have stayed well out of it, although Derek had been ready to move on to something new.

"Yes, that's the one, Bobby Packer's cousin".

"An excellent move on her part, but why doesn't she aim higher? Bobby's unattached, and he's worth billions, not a measly twenty or so million".

Good thinking, Bobby thought with distaste. He might suggest it to Miya Claire Martins. But a faint tinge of colour heated his sweeping cheekbones at the woman's next words.

"Besides, he looks like a god " her voice dropped into a sexy purr. "I adore men who tower over me, especially when they've got olive skin and dark hair and pale , pale eyes that bore right into your soul and suggest all sorts of wickedly exciting things".

With a sly laugh the first speaker said, "Well, for her I suppose it's a case of better the millionaire in the hand than the billionaire in the bush. For all his brains Derek is easy pickings; his cousin is an entirely different kettle of fish".

Whatever she was going to say next was stopped by her companion, who said" oh, look, Alexander sutter beckoning us over".

Grimly, Bobby watched Derek's new fling walk gracefully across the platform to take her place beside the other contestants competing for the best-dressed award.

The information his security men had dug up would make Miss Butter wouldn't melt in her luscious mouth feel very, very uncomfortable.

And he'd have no hesitation at all in using it.

Tiny hairs on the back of Miya's neck lifted in a primitive reaction to danger. Her hand tightened around the dove grey bag and her stomach contracted in a fight or flee response that startled her. For a moment her smile faltered before she forced herself to breathe slowly and the world righted itself again.

Until she met an icy scrutiny across the crowd that sent her pulse shooting into warp. Bobby Packer, Derek's cousin. And he knew who she was. A chilly emptiness expanded beneath her ribs.

Applause from the crowd startled her until she realized that the next contestant had stepped up onto the dais. Relieved, she joined the polite clapping.

But breath locked in her throat. Embarrassed at being singled out by Bobby Packer, she angled her chin upwards in automatic defiance. Derek's cousin could project silent intimidation until the sun went down, but she wouldn't allow him to frighten her.

But that cold gaze made her so uneasy she had to fight a growing tension until the last contestant came onto stage, a lovely nineteen year old blonde who was bound to win the contest with her bright, summery, carefree look.

Sure enough she did, accepting her prize with a bubbly delight that reinforce the carnival atmosphere.

"Well, we gave it our best" the elderly woman who'd designed Miya's costume told her when the crowd had filtered away to get good places for the last race, the big one of the day.

Miya smiled down at her "I'm sorry I didn't do your dress justice".

"My dear, you wore it superbly. Here they want young and innocent and fresh, a salute to summer. You are sophisticated and stylish ya little bit mysterious, the sort of woman I'm designing for. I didn't expect to win, but even reaching the finals will be very good publicity for me".

She turned her head as someone came up behind Miya.

"Hello, Bobby" she said, a note of surprise colouring her tone. "I didn't realize you were back from wherever you've been these past months. I suppose you've got a horse running in the cup?"

"I have".

Deep and cool, his voice held a note of unsparing authority that sent little shivers through Miya. She stiffened her spine and tried to look calm and controlled.

"Is it going to win?"Iris asked.

"Of course" he said with such calm confidence that Miya wondered if he'd managed to fix the race.

"What's its name? I'll go and put a bet on it before the tote closes".

"Morgan".

"Very appropriate" Iris said dryly. "Thanks so much".

He said "you haven't introduced us, Iris".

The older woman looked surprised. "Oh sorry, I assumed you would know each other".

Reluctantly, Miya turned.

Her dark eyes clashed with glacial grey ones.

Bludgeoned by sensation, a bewildering mixture of apprehension and violent awareness, she dragged in a swift breath. She'd seen pictures Derek's cousin,, of course, and during the past few minutes she'd been uncomfortably aware of his coldly measuring gaze, but not even that had prepared her for the potent impact of his brand of male charisma.

"Miya, this is Bobby Packer" her companion told her. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you anything much about him, he turns up in the media quite often".

"Not of my own voilition" he said crisply.

"No one could call you a publicity hound" she conceded. "Bobby, meet Miya Martins, who should have won the prize up there".

"Indeed she should" Bobby's tone produced an unfamiliar meltdown in Miya's spine. He took the hand she automatically extended, his fingers closing around hers. "You were robbed".

"I don't think so" His touch set off strident alarm within her. And when she spoke her voice was pitched too low and sounded far too impressed.

A little too hastily she added, "The winner was just what they were looking for a holiday spirit. And she wore her clothes very well".

He said smoothly"do you plan to watch the next race?"

Before Miya had a chance to come up with some excuse, her companion said" of course we do, but first I'm going to but a bet on your horse" Purposefully she started off towards the tote.

"You're not betting?"Bobby Packer commented when Miya made no attempt to follow her.

"No"

He said"let me stake you, barring accidents, my horse will win".

"It's all right, thank you" she said, warily conscious of the interested glances they were attracting. "What about you? Don't you want to put some money on your horse?"

"I've already done that" he told her, flashing her a killer smile that curled her toes inside the impractical, beautiful shoes she was wearing. "Though as he's the favourite, he won't pay much" without altering his tone he said" you're a friend of my cousin's, I believe. Derek Packer".

"Yes" she said neutrally.

Derek had told her all about his older cousin, inadvertently revealing that his open admiration of Bobby had a thread of chagrin running through it.

Standing beside the man, every cell in her body humming, Miya could understand Derek's reaction; it would take a very sercure young man to keep his confidence intact against such formidable competition.

Bobby had been a billionaire before he reached thirty, Derek had told her enviously. "His parents left him a controlling stake in one of New Zealand's most progressive companies as well as a hefty inheritance that gave him a damned good start on his quest for world domination".

Then he'd given her a charmingly rueful smile. "But the real secret of his success is his drive and truly impressive brilliance, plus an uncanny knack for spotting trends".

He paused, then finished significantly" And his ruthlessness. He's a bad man to cross".

Wishing she'd gone with Iris, Miya pretended to examine the crowd. Instinct warned her that Derek had been right. Formidable determination was as much a part of of Bobby Packer as his height and his broad shoulders and his arrogantly handsome face.

No wonder he was a hit with women. Derek hadn't been quite so open about that aspect of his cousin, but Miya had read some interesting gossip.

And now she believed it all. He was well, overwhelming was about the only word that came to mind. And although he seemed pleasant enough, his glance held more cool assessment than admiration.

Feeling a chill, Miya glanced up to see if a cloud had swallowed the sun. She straightened her spine and matched Bobby's assessing gaze.

He said "I gather you're a model?"

If Derek had talked at all about her, Bobby must know perfectly well that she wasn't.

"Far from it" she returned. "Iris's established her new salon next to where I work, and when her model let her down she talked me into this because I'm almost the same size and colouring". She gave him a carefully bland smile.

"As soon soon as she gets back we'll promenade around so more people can see the outfit".

And then she was going. Apart from feeling absurdly conspicuous, her feet were killing her.