The Coil Read Online Free PDF Page A

above the right corner of her smiling mouth gave her a dramatic air, and the small finger on her left hand was crooked, hinting at some past athletic endeavor gone amiss.
    They had arrived in Paris the night before and checked into her cousin’s favorite hotel. Her cousin, who was joining them for just three days, had postponed her arrival until tomorrow. Neither Sarah nor Asher was the type to wait around. They had gone sight-seeing, visiting the Louvre and other traditional tourist places for which they had never had time, and returned to change for dinner.
    The night portier caught sight of them through the glass lobby door. He pulled it open and bowed. “Mademoiselle Sansborough,” he greeted her. “A pleasant surprise. I did not realize you were staying with us again.”
    Sarah shot him a smile as she headed out under the awning. “Sorry, but I’m not Liz Sansborough. She was delayed.”
    Astonished, the doorman hesitated as if expecting the woman to laugh at her own joke. He quickly touched the brim of his cap. “Apologies, madame. Please forgive.” He noted the gold wedding band on her ring finger.
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” Asher Flores said genially as he followed. “They’re cousins, and they look so much alike everybody gets them confused.”
    Sarah suddenly shook her head. “Oh, damn. I left my purse in the room. Do you have your credit cards, Asher?”
    â€œA passel of ’em,” Asher assured her. Then to the doorman: “Think it’s going to rain? It’s been threatening all afternoon.” He stepped out from beneath the awning to check the sky. Layers of cumulonimbus clouds were roiling black and brown. Raindrops splattered down, and the metallic scent of ozone filled the air. “Well, that answers that.” He jumped back under the awning’s shelter.
    â€œAllow me, sir.” The doorman reached behind the door and produced a large umbrella. He popped it open and presented it to Asher.
    Under its shelter, Sarah put her arm through Asher’s, and they walked off jauntily just as the heavens opened and sheets of chilly rain pounded down. Drivers turned on their windshield wipers and headlights, while pedestrians ducked under awnings.
    Sarah laughed. “So much for an easy, relaxing time in the Gallic sun.”
    â€œDo you think this is punishment because we haven’t been back here together before this?”
    â€œYou wish. We’re not that important to the gods.”
    â€œWe are to me.” As traffic rushed past and the rain made a noisy tattoo on the umbrella, he impulsively pulled her close and kissed her.
    Laughing, she threw her arms around his neck. Parisian horns saluted loudly.
    Sarah had been reluctant to return to this city where so many ugly things had happened to them, but Langley had finally guaranteed Asher a month of uninterrupted vacation, and it was time to exorcise her demons. They needed to go away together, to renew themselves in each other, and what better place for romance than the two-thousand-year-old City of Light—and love?
    She kissed him back eagerly, sinking into him, feeling warm and happy and carefree as they lingered in their private cocoon beneath the umbrella.
    When he released her finally, she smiled into his eyes and said, “Let’s find that bistro and have some dinner. I’m hungry.”
    Other pedestrians had disappeared into shops and stores, escaping the rising storm, and Sarah and Asher were alone on the sidewalk as they hurried onward. Thunder boomed, shaking the earth. Drivers continued at an insane speed, tires spouting dirty waves onto the sidewalk.
    â€œOnly one more block,” Asher announced as they crossed a street. Their clothes were soaked.
    â€œWe can make it. I’m not totally miserable yet.”
    They jumped over a fast-moving stream, landed on the deserted sidewalk again, and increased their pace. The sky turned