Free Catching the Bad Guy (Book Two) (Janet Maple Series) by Marie Astor

even if it were, the statement would be nullified by David’s
well over ten-year age difference with Mila. But Ania did not know how old
David was, and Mila was desperate for a snappy retort. “Look at the time.” Mila
consulted her Guess watch, making a mental note to extort a more prestigious
watch from David. “I’ve got to run and get ready to meet David.”
    “Have fun.” Ania reached for her wallet
to pay the tab.
    “I sure will.” As payback for Ania’s
snootiness, Mila did not even bother offering to pay her share of the bill.
After all, she had only had a cup of coffee and house salad while Ania had
gorged on lamb chops. And Ania had already secured her prince charming; Mila
still had to marry hers.
    Two hours later Mila was rushing to meet
David in SoHo. They were supposed to look at an apartment in a recently erected
luxury building.
    Mila’s heart quickened when she spotted
David waiting for her. He was always so immaculately dressed: clad in a closely
tailored sports jacket, black slacks, and a dark violet collared shirt, he was
the image of sharp elegance. So what if he was nearing his forties? David’s
lean physique, youthful face, and, most importantly, his bank account made it
very easy for Mila to fall in love with him.
    “Hi, honey,” Mila greeted David and
wrapped her arms around his neck.
    He responded by locking his lips with
hers in a long, deep kiss. “Mmm, you smell sooo good, baby. I’ve been thinking
about you all day.”
    “I don’t believe that!” Mila pouted
playfully. “You must have plenty of important things to occupy your mind with
during the day.”
    “That being so, none of them are more
important than thinking of you,” he countered, wrapping his arm around her
waist. “Shall we go upstairs?”
    “I thought we were supposed to meet the
realtor.”
    “He’s waiting for us upstairs.”
    David nodded at the doorman who held the
lobby door open for them. “It’s this way,” said David, steering Mila toward the
elevator hall.
    Mila did her best to maintain her
composure. The building lobby shone with modern chic opulence. Sure, the lobby
of the Upper East Side building where Ania resided with her husband was
impressive, but it was also dated and was starting to show signs of wear. Here,
on the other hand, everything shone with newness and lightness.
    The elevator door swung open, and David
ushered Mila inside. “Up we go,” he said, pressing the last floor button.
    Once the elevator doors opened, David
took off his tie and placed it over Mila’s eyes. “No peeking,” he said.
    “But, David, I could slip!” Mila
protested. She was after all wearing four-inch Louboutin heels that she had
borrowed from her friend at the restaurant.
    “Not with me guiding you,” David
whispered, placing his hands on Mila’s hips.
    After several confusing steps, she heard
the sound of a key in a door lock. Then, she felt herself being lifted into the
air as David swept her up into his arms.
    “Now, you can look,” David announced, as
he placed her back on the floor and took the blindfold off her eyes.
    The first thing Mila saw was the giant
floor-to-ceiling windows. The room seemed to be endless in size, and the
ceilings were enormously high. The furnishings were light and elegant: an Italian
designer sofa, arm chairs and coffee table. A luxurious cowhide rug covered the
floor. “David! This is incredible!” Mila pressed her hands to her mouth.
    “Go on, take a look around.”
    She tiptoed into the bedroom and saw
that it was furnished with a vanity table, an armoire, and a king-sized bed
that was already lined with satin sheets.
    “You haven’t seen the best part,” said
David as he swung open the closet doors. The space inside was almost the same
size as Mila’s current apartment. Only this was meant for dresses and shoes,
with long rows of hangers and racks. “David!” Mila squealed.
    “And don’t forget the bathroom.”
    David walked into the hallway and