Free Champagne Deception by Anisa Claire West Page A

communication for the rest of the meal.  Coretta relished how easy the silence was between them---and how wrought the sexual tension was.  Lorenzo watched her avidly with each sip of wine she took, each mouthful of food she swallowed.  Instead of feeling self-conscious, she felt sensual and returned his stares confidently.
    Abruptly looking down at his bowl of tiramisu, Lorenzo took a spoonful before stating, “We should get to the gallery as early as possible tomorrow.  So let’s get some rest tonight.  I’m a little tired from my trip to Umbria, and I’m sure you’re not over the jet lag yet.”
    Coretta tried to remain neutral as she pondered how the man could be a hot and cold running faucet.  His changes in mood from amorous to business-like were disheartening, and she was becoming increasingly frustrated.  Finishing her dessert with three quick spoonfuls, she answered, “You’re right.  Let me clear up and do the dishes.  You go upstairs and get some rest.”
    He smiled and shook his head.  “You’re not lifting a finger, Coretta.  You’re my guest.  I may not cook, but I can do dishes!”
    “Thank you,” she said with formality.
    Lorenzo politely rose when she did.  Giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek, he bid, “ Buona notte .”
    “Yes, good night to you too.”
    Fighting back irrational tears, she disappeared up the staircase and flopped on the too-big bed of the guest suite.  She didn’t need all this space to herself.  In fact, the master size bedroom was just a reminder that she was alone.  The sound of Lorenzo clearing the table and washing the china reverberated to the top level of the villa as she daydreamed that he would come to join her in a few minutes...lay down next to her and fill up the big bed…
    Burying her face in a pillow to indulge in a silent scream, Coretta heard another sound.  But it wasn’t Lorenzo working in the kitchen.  The rustling of trees whispered outside her bedroom.  Just the evening breeze.  Pattering footsteps instantly negated the notion that the sound was coming from the wind.  Squeezing the pillow tightly, Coretta craned her neck and listened.
    The footsteps stopped just below her window until only the swaying trees were audible.  Tap.  Tap .  Coretta looked at the window and saw two tiny pebbles hit the glass before falling to the ground.  Before she could react, three more pebbles tapped the window pane.  Then, just as she was rising to alert Lorenzo downstairs, a huge rock smashed the glass and landed loudly on the floor.  Shaking violently, she ran into the hallway.
    Lorenzo met her at the top of the stairs and held her by the shoulders.  “Coretta, are you okay?  What on earth was that noise?”
    Frightened, Coretta stammered, “A r-rock.  Someone threw a r-rock into the bedroom!”
    In disbelief, Lorenzo charged into the suite and stared at the portentous rock that had shattered the window into a thousand shards and scratched like claws across the hardwood floor.  He rushed to the window and stuck his head outside.  Not seeing anything unusual, he ran out of the room, down the stairs, and out into the courtyard.  Afraid to stay alone in the room, Coretta followed him as he shouted for her to stay inside.  But she refused to heed his warning and caught up to him quickly on the lawn.
    All was silent except for their panting breaths and the trees that appeared sinister in the moonlight.  Lorenzo whipped his head around, trying to find any clue as to who---or what---had caused a rock to go flying through the upstairs window.
    “It must have been Angelo!” Coretta hissed , trembling in the shadows.
    “No, that’s ridiculous.  I already told you Angelo is harmless.  Just trust me on that.  But someone is trying to get me!  I’m calling the police.  This is the second attempt on my life in the past 48 hours.”
    “How do you know someone’s not trying to get me too?  The rock was thrown through the guest quarters,