Free Lara and the City of Angels by Elle Chardou Page A

perfect, a gentleman and he treated her like the most precious person in the world.
    Part of her knew she must seem like a fool. It had taken Sean ages to get her to accept a date let alone coax her into his bed. However, her relationship with Kristian seemed effortless and everything worked and flowed so smoothly between them. The days seemed to pass like hours in Louisiana and she adored finding out more and more about this man as he was everything she thought she would have in a confidant, a lover and a husband.
    Kristian leaned toward her and their kiss happened naturally as he pressed his lips down on hers. They were silky and soft, like the rest of him; his masculine scent mixed with a luscious fragrance by P. Diddy filled her nostrils and she found herself wrapping her arms around his neck. Their kiss deepened as his tongue sought out hers and the feeling was electric. Her whole body warmed up yet she had the chills at the same time.
    He was the first to pull back. “Sorry. I should have asked if it was okay to do that. I didn’t want…I would never dream of hurting you and you’re still a married woman. I don’t think it’s right to do anything that might harm you getting back together with your husband.”
    Lara laughed at this statement though it was a completely inappropriate response. “I’m sorry. Your words are heartfelt and I really do appreciate them but at the same time…I have a lot to tell you about my husband and perhaps your opinion of him won’t be so revered after you hear what I have to say. It has nothing to do with getting even but it’s something I’ve needed to get off my chest for a long time.”
    He nodded. “Come on, let’s get to work so we can get back here as soon as possible.”

     
    ***
     

     
    T he work evening passed faster than Lara could have anticipated. She only had a few scenes but she enjoyed watching the others work from the sidelines. Sometime after one in the morning, the director called “cut and print”; she couldn’t leave fast enough with Kristian. Not because the cast and crew weren’t fun but she truly did look forward to spending some quality time with him alone.
    They drove back to his place instead of hers and he encouraged her to make herself comfortable as he walked into the kitchen.
    She kicked off her high heel sandals and slipped her feet underneath her on the sofa. His house was similar to hers in build and set up but the furniture was completely masculine and the place smelled like various scented candles. Unlike her rental, his actually felt lived-in and homey. She reminded herself to ask him where he’d purchased his candles from as she’d heard there was a candle store on Main Street.
    Kristian walked back into the living room carrying two glasses of wine and an open bottle he set on a coaster on the table. He quickly pulled out coasters for their wine glasses before he handed her one. “I hope you love Pinot Grigio. It’s my favorite summer wine and the only white wine I drink.”
    “I adore it or haven’t you noticed yet?” Lara questioned in a light-hearted manner. “I hate some men think just because I am a woman, I must love those sugary sweet shit wines like White Zinfandel or Muscato. This is definitely the life: enjoying a glass of wine with a very sexy man well past my bedtime in such a gothic environment. I still can’t believe this is now my life.”
    He sat next to her so they could cuddle together while they both sat up on the sofa. He slipped her lean legs over his thighs as he began to massage her feet. “I never thought I would ever have you here. I mean, in my house and on the sofa the way you are now. I knew you were sad—don’t get me wrong—but so many marriages are unhappy so that meant nothing.”
    “True but it means something to me because despite all the hardships my parents have gone through, they truly love one another. There is mutual respect and they care about the other the way Sean can’t