No Ordinary Love (High Rise Novella Three)

by Bliss, Harper

  Alex was at a loss for words. She knew the person sitting in front of her inside and out, but she’d never expected this. She’d always believed Nat’s loose ways were a means to waste time until the right woman came along.

  Then it hit her.

  She looked into Nat’s bright blue eyes and realised her best friend was scared out of her mind. Nathalie Orange was afraid Isabella would break her heart the way Claire had done and she was reacting in typical Nat fashion.

  “I know it’s scary. All these new crazy feelings crashing down on you and the insecurity accompanying them, but there are other ways to deal with them.”

  “Like regular exercise, you mean? Alessandra Pozzato’s cure for everything.” Nat went on the defence. Alex knew she’d hit the nail on the head.

  “Please, talk to Isabella about this before you ruin something really good.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Pizza. Isabella and I are fine. I like her, a lot. Despite the fact she’s fifty and, by the odd chance we’re still together in ten years, she’ll be sixty by the time I’m in my mid-forties. That’s a woman’s prime, you know.” Nat eased back into her chair, her eyes darting to the table with the girls. “Look at them. The very image of youth. Not a laughter line visible on their face and all they do is giggle.”

  “You speak as if you’re about to start menopause. That’s very dramatic, even for you.” Alex eyed the girls. They did nothing for her.

  “Drama is my job.” Nat sighed. “And I’ve come to know too much about menopause for someone my age.”

  Alex dug her wallet out of her bag and put some bills on the table. “Come on. I’m getting you out of here before you do something you’ll regret.” She extended her hand and Nat took it. She made Alex work for it and didn’t cooperate when she dragged her out of her chair.

  “How many?” Alex asked when they were on their way back home.

  “How many what?” Nat’s face was the picture of innocence, as if she didn’t know what Alex meant.

  Alex stopped to look her in the eye. “How many girls since you started dating Isabella?”

  “Does it matter?” Nat shrugged.

  “It should.” Alex suddenly felt like someone’s mother. “I know you Nat. I know why you do what you do. I’ve also never seen your eyes so vibrant and your demeanour so gentle as when you’re with her. Do this for yourself.”

  “I won’t fuck it up. I promise. I just need some time to get used to the idea of getting seriously involved with someone again.”

  “Okay.” Alex slapped Nat on the behind. “Now get your ass home so I can lock you in your office until dinner time.”

  “No wonder Maddie spanks you. You’re insufferable sometimes.” Nat leapt out of Alex’s way before she could slap her again. Alex smiled and followed her flatmate home.

  MADDIE

  Maddie and Isabella shared a taxi to Copyright, the book store hosting the launch of Nat’s first translated book in Chinese. Isabella looked out of the window, a sparse smile on her face.

  “You must be excited for her,” Maddie said. “Hell, even I’m excited.”

  “Sure. It’s all very thrilling.” Isabella didn’t turn to Maddie when she spoke.

  “What’s wrong?” Maddie hadn’t heard of any trouble. She did sometimes wonder if the fact that she was Isabella’s best friend kept Alex from sharing certain information about Nat with her. But that was Alex’s business and she couldn’t blame her if she did.

  Isabella sighed. “It’s not that I had expected her to be, but…she’s not faithful. And now that her books are being published in Chinese, she’ll get even more offers she won’t be able to refuse.” She fidgeted with her hands in her lap. “It’s as if everyone in this city wants a piece of Nathalie Orange and all I get are leftovers. I’m not sure I can live with that.”

  “But…” Maddie was stumped for words. “You guys seem so happy.”

  “We are. That’s what makes it so frustrating.” Isabella finally faced Maddie. “I don’t know if she expects me to know or if she thinks I’m stupid. Either way, it hasn’t been a topic of conversation yet.”

  “Are you sure?” Maddie had heard all about Nat’s three-year stay in Trampville, but she’d thought that had ended once she’d gotten into bed with Isabella.

  Isabella nodded. “Of course I’m sure. It’s not as if she goes to great lengths to hide it. She just won’t talk about it. When we’re together it’s this frenzy of sex and lust and hormones and, frankly, I find myself unable to bring it up. And yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds coming from my mouth.”

  The taxi driver sighed as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders because he was stuck in cross-harbour traffic.

  “What will you do?” Maddie imagined Alex cheating on her and winced at the idea.

  “She claims she moved to Hong Kong because of the anonymity, but I see how she revels in the attention she gets. She loves the spotlight, no matter what she says. And she’s grown so accustomed to a certain lifestyle. I’m not entirely sure I fit into her plans.”

  “But you’re in love with her.” Maddie moved a little closer to Isabella, as if proximity could make it right.

  “That I am.” Isabella sucked her bottom lip into her mouth.

  After a long minute of silence in which Maddie had no idea what to say, Isabella took a deep breath and continued.

  “I’m quite sure she doesn’t deliberately want to hurt me. I’m smart enough to figure out her reasons and I do know she’s in love with me too. There’s no way she’d be with me otherwise, but the differences between us are so huge.”

  Traffic started moving again and the car picked up speed. Maddie checked her watch. They’d make it in time. She needed that glass of champagne waiting for her.

  “I’ll fight for her, but I’m not convinced we’re meant to be.”

  It was odd to see a woman dressed to the nines look so defeated. Isabella always scrubbed up nicely, but no matter the state of their relationship, she’d outdone herself for Nat’s big do. Her lips were painted a crimson red, accentuating their sensual curve. Her long brown hair was pinned to the top of her head in an elaborate display of hair origami. She wore a maroon tight-fitted dress with low back cleavage not a lot of fifty-year-old women could pull off and the heels of her Jimmy Choo’s were at least six inches long. Nat needed her head examined for not wanting to share her bed every night with a woman so gorgeous and sophisticated.

  “I’m sure she’ll see the error of her ways soon. How can she not?” Maddie shot Isabella an encouraging smile. “She’s not blind is she?”

  “She is sometimes. She’s also young and successful and all she has to do is bat her eyes at a girl and the poor thing is as good as hers.”

  “But you’re a catch.” Maddie pressed her hands on Isabella’s finicky fingers. “And don’t you forget it.”

  The cab pulled up in front of the giant bookstore located on the ground floor of another of Hong Kong’s high rises.

  Maddie spotted Nat and Alex near a table in the back, surrounded by a throng of girls. She got Isabella’s point.

  “Let’s knock’em dead.” She gently elbowed Isabella in the side and started sashaying her way through the crowd.

  Even Alex had dressed up for the occasion. She looked sensational in her skin-tight black jeans and knee-length boots. A boat-neck top exposed her collarbones, which made up for the fact that her delicious arms were covered by the sleeves of a beige blazer.

  Maddie couldn’t help but notice how Nat’s gaze shifted from her posse of admirers to her approaching girlfriend. No doubt Isabella had dressed to impress, and it was working. It was her way of saying to Nat that she could take an army of her girls.

  “You look fantastic.” Maddie kissed Alex on the mouth. Her hair was down and cascaded to her shoulders and Maddie wanted to take her home already. She had plans for those boots.

  Even Alex couldn’t keep her eyes off Isabella. She wolf-whistled and winked at Nat, who had a huge
smile plastered on her face. If Isabella hadn’t just told her about their issues, Maddie would have been none the wiser. Isabella certainly looked the part of the breathtaking partner of a celebrated author.

  “Did you know about their problems?” She whispered in Alex’s ear. “About Nat’s infidelity.”

  “It recently came to my attention.”

  “At least we are all right now.” She found Alex’s hand and curled her fingers around it.

  “We most definitely are.” Alex’s smile was joyful and free of worry.

  A waiter approached and offered them a glass of champagne. The four of them faced each other and clinked rims. The party was about to begin.

  TO BE CONTINUED…

  High Rise Novella Four will be released in March 2013.

  Dear reader, if you enjoyed this ebook please leave a review, however lengthy or brief, at the site where you purchased it. Your opinion matters and will help other readers as well as the author.

  About the author

  Harper Bliss has travelled the world in search of sexual satisfaction. She now resides in a hot Asian country and dedicates her time to writing down the stories that have inspired and aroused her.

  Harper has had short stories published in anthologies by Xcite Books, House of Erotica and Storm Moon Press. She is the author of the High Rise series and several other novelettes and novellas for Ladylit.

  You can e-mail her at harperbliss@gmail.com

  If you want to receive exclusive content and free erotic stories, you can subscribe to the Harper Bliss mailing list

  Website: www.harperbliss.com / Twitter: @HarperBliss / Facebook: facebook.com/HarperBliss

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  Other Harper Bliss books

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  This book bundles Fool for Love and Undisclosed Desires, the 2 first High Rise novellas.

  Undisclosed Desires (High Rise Novella Two)

  Nat, a successful American writer who came to Hong Kong following the love of her life, chases every girl she can after a brutal break-up. Her neighbour Isabella, who has shied away from relationships since her divorce five years earlier, finds herself compelled to help. They strike up an unlikely friendship and are soon faced with a growing desire for each other. But can their differences in age, aspirations and lifestyle be overcome?

  New Girl (FREE!)

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  Fool for Love (High Rise Novella One)

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  The ladies in this collection just can’t get enough.

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  This story shows the point of view of the character Rose from Summer Heat.

  Summer Heat

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