Never Understand Part One ( Johnthen Trent Adult Romance 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

in your career”.
    So you can see why I work like a maniac on the fitness. I still run six miles every morning before I start thinking about what to do in the rest of the day. I use a few free weights and stretching routines in the apartment after that. My budget doesn’t stretch to gym membership, but I do what I can, and it’s the only thing I’m really dedicated to.
    I’m finishing up my stretching in the apartment when the phone rings. Massimo.
    ‘Can you come in today, Jana? Lunchtime? I need you lunchtime, is that OK?’
    Unexpected and short notice – but it’s not like I’m busy. I shower, dress for work and get on my way. I’m glad I can help Massimo and it gets the extra shift over with. It’s just about 12.30 when I arrive at the polished glass door of La Serenissima. I can see Massimo behind the door, and he unlocks to let me in.
    It’s like an explosion has gone off in my head, with questions flying everywhere. Massimo is unlocking the door, and yet it’s lunchtime, so why is the door locked? La Serenissima is closed Mondays. I hadn’t given it a thought, but the restaurant is closed on Mondays. What am I doing here? And why have I dressed in my work clothes of white shirt and black skirt, when Massimo is wearing jeans, black cashmere sweater and loafers? I glance behind me as I go through the glass door, as if I’m doing something clandestine; as if Massimo and I are up to something. There’s something guilty in his eyes for sure. I stiffen next to Massimo. What’s he up to?
    The restaurant is dark save for the spotlights above the bar, which create a pool of warm, cheerful light. It’s eerie and mysterious to be here in the dark, and it’s so quiet. I’m lost for words, but I guess I’m looking nervously at Massimo, as if to say, ‘What the hell?’
    ‘It’s OK. I pay you for the shift,’ says Massimo, guiltily. ‘Someone wants to speak to you.’ He doesn’t elaborate. He merely flicks his eyes towards the other end of the restaurant, near the bar. Then he disappears.
    In the shadows, I make out the tall, slim form of a man, lounging back on one of the restaurant chairs, and I know instinctively who it is.

Chapter 5: La Serenissima, New York City Monday 8 May
     
    It is of course Mr Dark and Mysterious from the night before. The bright, warm light of the spotlights catches the gold and green of his eyes as he steps out of the shadows, and I can’t help but look at him again. He’s wearing a suit, flowing over his sculpted physique just as it did before, but it’s not the same suit. It’s not quite the same cut. His shirt is crisp linen, not silk and there’s no tie this time.
    I walk over, warily, acutely aware of my drab working clothes. It hasn’t escaped his notice either. He’s checked me with an instantaneous flick of the eyes, but he’s smiling at least, beckoning me to join him at the bar. I look round. Massimo has vanished into his office, quite deliberately, I’m sure. I’m alone with this man.
    ‘I’m John,’ he says. ‘My assistant, Carmen, realized she’d forgotten to tip you yesterday,’ he says. ‘She’s mortified, so I came over to make amends. Will you join me for a drink?’
    Mortified my ass! That hard-faced woman knew damn well she left no tip. ‘It’s no problem,’ I say, staring at lying eyes. “John” was compounding the insult by summoning me across town to tell me this. ‘Massimo told me you left a tip with him.’
    ‘God knows what you thought of me,’ he says, smiling a little once more. Somehow I get the impression he doesn’t smile that much. Mostly there’s that danger about him. Which makes it all the more charming when he does smile… like now. It’s a beautiful smile in a beautiful face. Winning, charming. But dangerously charming and with those luscious lips, most women would forgive him anything.
    Not me, however, even though there’s hardly anything to forgive. He is being an arrogant jerk. I give him a bogus