Free A Vengeful Affair by Carmen Falcone Page A

had breakfast yet. Come with me.”
    “What about the food? It would be a shame to let it go to waste.”
    “It won’t. Nelson, the bodyguard, is quite fond of pastries.”
    She imagined the bodyguard feasting on the sugar-coated pastries and couldn’t suppress a chuckle. Once she’d sobered, she said, “I have to get ready. Can we skip the limo? I’d rather walk.” Vivian didn’t know how yet, but she was going to find a way to call the new number Roger had given her. She had to tell him about the progress she’d made the previous night. She didn’t want to be limited to the inside of a limousine—and, if she was being honest with herself, she didn’t want to be in an enclosed space with Javier beside her.
    “You have thirty minutes.”
    Vivian closed the door behind him. She had to get creative, and fast…
    …
     
    Javier looked at the message from his private investigator on the screen of his phone.
    No ties between Foster and your opponents yet. I’ll text with updates.
    Perhaps she wasn’t allied with his enemies—perhaps her interest in him really was all about Molly Richardson. But doubt haunted his thoughts. Could the person she had called from the restaurant be merely a friend or a lover? She’d had the Webb proposal when he’d found her in his office, and that was a small deal. Last night, she hadn’t even known who Edouard Broussard was.
    According to his investigator, she had worked in an art gallery before applying for the receptionist position. She didn’t have any family in the country. Her only blood relative was an aunt who lived in the United States and who had claimed not to know much about her niece.
    Javier cursed silently. No one seemed to know anything about the woman he’d taken custody of.
    He wanted to learn more about her. He knew he couldn’t trust her, but this knowledge didn’t prevent a part of him from wondering what would have happened if he hadn’t broken that kiss.
    The most erotic experience he’d ever had with his clothes on. The moment their tongues had swirled together, Vivian had surpassed any fantasy. She had been an active partner, matching his need, his passion, stroke for stroke. Yes, it was easy to imagine what it would be like to make love to her.
    They would have had a long night of passion, giving in to the desire that threatened his usual self-control. Images of Vivian in his bed, her naked body under his, her blue eyes darkening with pleasure, had tortured him through a sleepless night.
    One way or another, he had to do something about this. Javier tucked his phone in his pocket and headed to her room. When he got no response to three firm knocks, he pushed the door open and strode in. The room was empty.
    “Vivian?”
    He found her facing the Eiffel Tower. Javier stepped closer until he was behind her, breathing in her scent, the note of lavender inebriating his senses. The mild spring breeze played with the ends of her loose hair. He closed his fists, tightening his fingers until his knuckles whitened.
    Vivian broke the silence. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
    “Gorgeous.” He glanced at her profile, still and focused on the city awakening before her.
    A black pencil skirt molded her hips, and a white cashmere sweater fit snugly across her breasts. His hand fell to the indentation of her waist, and she moved to the side, away from his touch.
    Javier let out a breath in frustration. “Avoiding this insane attraction won’t make it go away.”
    “I’ll give it a try.” She crossed her arms and looked out at the city.
    “It won’t work,” he insisted. His fingers sizzled when he touched her arm and turned her to face him.
    “We’ll make it work.” She spoke with confidence, but her blue eyes revealed her uncertainty.
    “Reason won’t have much power over this.” His index finger trailed down her neck, and he smiled when he felt the mad beat of her pulse at the base of her throat. She could deny and lie all she wanted, but her body told