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Book 5 - Hearts of Fire

THE STORY SO FAR

After her father's death, Gemma leaves the outback for Sydney, to reveal the truth about her mother, and to sell her priceless discovery - a flawless black opal Fate introduces her to Nathan Whitem, which was stolen frohly attracted to Ge Gemma, then marries her Gemma's life is turned upside-down

As a new bride, Gees in the Whitmore household: Nathan's adoptive sister, Jade, has discovered happiness with billionaire Kyle Gainsford, whilst Melanie, the fao of her traumatic memories to ht and lonely younger sister, has found the love of her life in handso Australian-Italian businessman, Vince Morelli But where does that leave Gemma and Nathan? There are sothe disturbing things Damian Campbell has let slip to her about Nathan's troubled past

CHAPTER ONE

CELESTE was turning for her twentieth lap when a gliht her to a gasping halt, water-filled eyes snapping upwards

'Good God, Daht her breath and found her feet 'You frightened the life out of me'

Her brother laughed 'Nothing and no one can frighten the life out of you, Celeste What on earth did you think I was? A rapist?' He laughed again 'I would pity any poor rapist who set his sights on you, sister, dear I knoho it'd be ending up on his back'

Celeste flashed her brother a coolly reproachful glance as she stroked over to the wall, intuition telling her he was referring to her reputation as aher on hersarcastic little barbs her way In that respect he was very much like Irene

Disled to rattle Celesteabout it was her half-sister Irene's death last year s of hostility and hatred Celeste had harbored against Irene all these years, but thinking about her inevitably led to thinking about another person, as unfortunately very much alive

'What do you want, Dae 'It's not like you to surface on a Saturday till at least ht at all, that is'

Her brother did not have a e of conscience Not that Da, he seemed to enjoy any allusion to his decadent lifestyle

Damian was a lost cause in Celeste's opinion Spoilt, selfish and lazy, he was also far too good-looking for his own good When he'd been younger, she'd row out of

being reckless and irresponsible, especially when it came to the opposite sex

But twenty-nine saw him as a playboy of the worst kind Celeste was appalled at how es he had destroyed What a pity the wives never saw the wickedness behind that boyish snetic black eyes!

If Celeste had had her way, she would have tossed Dao and forced hiiven him a bit of character But he was the apple of their hter's advice when it came to her 'baby'

She'd insisted Daiven a position in the family company, for which he was paid a salary far and above his contribution to Campbell Jewels, a salary which never see needs Only last week, he'd approached Celeste for a loan, which she'd given him on the condition it was the first and last time

'I hope you haven't co for more money,' she added tartly as she levered herself out of the pool and stripped her cap off Long tawny blonde waves tumbled over her forehead and eyes Celeste coers before walking over to pick up a towel and start drying herself 'If you have, you're wasting your time'

Daers and surveyed his sister with a curiousforty, she was still a hot-looking bird Of course she spent a fortune on her face and hair, and she worked the hell out of her body to keep it looking like that, without an ounce of extra flesh, every muscle toned and honed to perfection