Free Some Like It Hotter (Sweet Life in Seattle #3) by Andrea Simonne Page B

continues. “Historically, they were like an early form of plastic surgery. People used masks to hide deformities—not just for the face, but the body too. There’s evidence of it dating back thousands of years.”
    She picks up her cold coffee and takes a sip.
    “Are all your sculptures masks?”
    “No.” She puts the cup down, realizing she should be polite and offer Giovanni something, but doesn’t. “This is the first time I’ve made any.”
    “Why did you choose masks, then?”
    She shrugs. “I don’t know. They sort of chose me.”
    He’s still studying them, and she can’t stop herself from studying him, admiring his rear view. The way his pants hug his body in all the right places. The way his back muscles move beneath his T-shirt. Her eyes greedily roam over him, taking his measurement. When it dawns on her that she’s only memorizing him for future sex fantasies, she tries to stop.
    “What exactly are you doing here?” she asks, irritated with herself, though she still hasn’t stopped staring. His thighs look every bit as good from the back as they do from the front. And we won’t even discuss that ass.
    When he turns to her, his blue eyes are intelligent—too intelligent. Giovanni doesn’t miss much, and she can’t decide whether she likes this quality about him or if it bothers her. She’s used to dealing with men who are easier to manipulate.
    “I’ve decided there’s a price for my silence,” he tells her.
    “A price?”
    Her first thought is he wants something sexual from her. Even though it’s absurd and she’d never agree to it, a small part of her—the part that’s been using him as vibrator fantasy material—suddenly perks up and wags its tail.
    “Now that I’m your poker accomplice,” he continues.
    She gives him a saucy look. “What is it you’d like me to do?”
    His licks his lower lip, and there’s the hint of a smile on his face. “It’s not what you’re thinking.”
    “I’m sure it’s not.”
    Giovanni is quiet and appears to be wrestling with a dilemma.
    For a second, Lindsay wonders if he really does want sex. Wouldn’t that be something?
    Of course, I’d say no.
    Her eyes drift down toward his thighs again, but she forces them back up.
    “I’d like you to show me around Berlin today,” he informs her, leaning against the table and folding his arms.
    “Like a tour guide?”
    “Exactly like a tour guide.”
    “Um, I know Dagmar offered you that, but as you may recall, I didn’t.”
    “I don’t care what Dagmar offered.”
    Lindsay blows her breath out. “Seriously, you’d be better off going on a tour without me. I don’t speak German very well, and there are lots of great tours that can show you the city and tell you the history.”
    His expression grows impatient. “I already know all that, but I want you to show me the city.”
    “What makes you think I even know where to take you?”
    “You’ve been here three months. Surely you’ve done some sightseeing.” He frowns at her. “Haven’t you?”
    “I guess.”
    “Great, then you can show me around today.”
    “Why?”
    “Because that’s my price.” He unfolds his arms. “Take it or leave it, Lindsay.”
    “You’re completely serious, aren’t you?”
    His eyes flicker down over her camisole and low-slung jeans, both of which are covered with clay. She notices they linger a little on her bare midriff. “Go take a shower and get ready. I’ll wait for you.”
    She bristles at his bossy tone. “Look, I haven’t agreed to any of this. I happen to be in the middle of a project right now.”
    He appears to think it over. “On second thought, I’m going to leave for a short while. I saw a Starbucks down the block.”
    “Are you hearing a word I’m saying? I’m not going anywhere with you!”
    “If you want my silence you’ll do exactly as I tell you.” He heads toward the door. “Now, get ready while I get us some coffee.”
    “Hey, maybe you could also go fuck