Tall, Hard and Trouble by Cerise Deland

Author:Cerise Deland [DeLand, Cerise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0157CR652
Goodreads: 26797082
Published: 2015-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Two

The Cavaletto was a marigold-yellow stucco building in front of a gondoliers’ station. A block off the Piazza San Marco and near exclusive designer shops, the calle was choked with pedestrians. Coco tripped along in the ridiculous heels, trying to keep pace with Grant’s strides. She’d known he’d be angry.

Hurt. Yes, she’d understood that, too.

From the day I left him in Washington.

They entered the front door of the hotel and she sighed, happy to be out of the heat and the off the cobbles.

Grant led them past the receptionist and into the wood-paneled bar. Dark and intimate, the place invited quiet conversation. Coco had no inkling theirs would be.

“Grant, let’s not drink here. I’ll ask the bartender for a bottle of wine and two glasses. He can send it to my room. I’ll check in.”

“No.” His face was set in solemn lines. “Come to my suite. It’ll be faster. We’ll get this over with.” Ordering from the bartender in clipped tones, he turned and she followed him as he wheeled her suitcase toward the front desk. She watched him ask the person on duty to keep it and her camera bag. He took the chit from the woman, pocketed it and looked at Coco. “Let’s go.”

He grasped her arm and led her toward the elevator.

Like most lifts in Europe, this one was tiny. Fit for two. And her arm tingled where it touched his. She barely breathed. He however was almost huffing. Using up all the oxygen. As usual. She smiled in spite of herself.

“What’s funny?” he bit off as the elevator jiggled to a stop.

“Nothing,” she confirmed, knowing what came next was not going to offer either of them any happiness afterward.

He put his card key in the slot and pushed open the door. Though he stepped aside to let her pass, she brushed her shoulder against his chest and he shivered. So did she.

I do affect you. Still. She rejoiced at the thought as she made her way across the room. The walls, a deep grass-green, contrasted with the blood-red of the sofa and chairs. An old monastery converted to a five-star hotel, the place was one she loved. But it works no magic for me today.

When she faced him, he stood in the center of the room, tossed his card key to the dresser and stared at her, his legs braced for whatever blow she was about to deliver. She didn’t ask to sit and he didn’t offer.

Fine. She could do this standing even if her knees wobbled.

“I have known Nasar for many years. When he began to build his new museum, I knew he would want the best security systems and the best-trained men to guard his treasures. To me, that meant only you.” You, to help me figure out the mess I’m in. With my job. My vocation. And my life.

“I’m honored.” His tone was sarcastic.

“I know you would have preferred to get this gig without my recommendation.”

“You got that right.”

“But now you’ve signed the contracts.

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