Checkmate Read Online Free PDF Page A

like a woman that any man would love to fall asleep and wake up with, holding her in his embrace and making love to her, over and over again. And I knew exactly what I was talking about…
     
    Pamela and I were crazy about each other. We were even going to get married; I felt like the happiest man in the world. The only problem was that she was an American and never wanted to move to Paris. I had to fly between the two continents just to spend more time with her. Once I arrived without a call and saw her sleeping with another man. Nothing could be worse than that. I was devastated. I didn’t make a sound, I just left the room, closing the door quietly behind me and made sure that her next morning would start with the picture of me kissing another woman in the very same restaurant where I had proposed to her. Too cruel? I don’t think so.
    Since then , I had been trying to avoid everything that would make me feel again. I changed girlfriends like gloves, showing up with a new one every two weeks or so. I didn’t sleep with all of them, sometimes we simply went out together, posed for the pictures, and went our separate ways. I didn’t need any of them. Frankly, I didn’t know what I needed. According to my brother’s words, I needed a woman able to bring me to my knees, but I had already let that happen once, and I was sure that was more than enough for one life. As for marriage, I thought it would be a mutually profitable union with an intelligent, beautiful and highly-interested in my connections woman, who would be able to conceive and give birth to my heir. Sounds too typical for a soulless bastard? Maybe.
    Until last night, I was sure I would nev er let any woman stay in my mind for longer than our sexcapade could last. So much for my self-assurance…
    The moment I saw Scarlett today, I froze speechless, feeling my eyes go wide. There were so many questions and thoughts running through m y mind, I didn’t know what to say. She was obviously scared to be in the same room with me – a witness of her night adventures – and her father, sincerely thinking that she was still his little girl. Her scared expression inspired my devilish nature and I started teasing her. I couldn’t wait to pay her back for leaving me this morning; usually it was me who left first. I also wanted to spend more time with her, and I wasn’t going to give up so easily. I love winning and I fully intend to win with her.
    “Do you think it’s a good idea, Mr. Altier?”
    I blinked and stared at the man on my right. What did he ask about?
    “The Sky Television promo strategy.” Scarlett smiled from across the table, obviously knowing that my thoughts were far from television or anything else that was going on around me.
    “I’d like to s ee a detailed plan first,” I said. “Scarlett, would you be as kind as to go through it with me? Maybe some time tomorrow?”
    Her face was unreadable, but I was sure she was n’t as calm as she was pretending to be.
    “Of course,” she said finally. “I will gladly help you with anything you need me to.”
    I raised my e yebrows, quite surprised to hear her response. Not that I didn’t like it, rather I loved the sound of it too much to hold back a grin that she promptly ignored.
    “You are too kind,” I said to keep her attention for at least a few more seconds.
    “I will do anything for my company.”
    Even sleep with its new head? I thought sarcastically to myself.
    “Even if I have to lock myself in the office for the rest of my life,” she said, as if answering my mental question.
    I nodded, smirking. “Consider it noted.”
    We stared at each other for a few silent moments, until her father spoke, “I’m glad I’m leaving the company in good hands.” He rose and smiled proudly at his daughter. Then he turned to me, “I’d like to have a word with you, Dominick.”
    I looked one last time at Scarlett, whose eyes were still on me and followed her father to my new