The Vendetta Read Online Free PDF Page A

good company right now.”
    “You’re wrong, Lisa Schumacher.” His voice resonated deep inside her. “I’m fascinated by you. You are one of the most interesting people I have ever met.” He reached up, put his hand under her chin, and raised her face to his. “What I want to know is, what do you want?”
    Startled, she met his eyes. You .
    Before that thought popped out of her mouth, however, her stomach grumbled. Loudly. She grinned in relief. “Well, apparently I want dinner.”
    The corner of his mouth lifted. “OK, we’ll start there. Can your stomach stand the delay if I clean up first?”
    A part of her was unwilling to let the evening end so she said, “I think so.”
    He stood up and held out a hand. Her heart pounded, but she placed her hand in his. Something clicked into place inside her.
    “Good,” he said. “Come with me.”
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    Lisa heard the knock on the suite’s bedroom door as she stood at the mirror, hoping the repairs she’d made to her appearance from the few items she’d had in her purse would do. This morning she’d opted for a soft black turtleneck and jeans, which were just fine for a day at work, but somewhat lacking for a casual date, even at a ski resort. And her feet were bare because she hated to put her bulky snow boots back on. On the other hand, if she tracked mud and snow all over this pristine suite, Nick might be offended and allow her to skulk back to her own apartment.
    She made a face at her reflection. Unlikely.
    And, too, if Nick was offended by something she did, Ty would find out, and then bye-bye to her good job at Art and Bean. It would take forever to find something else that suited her so well. She was so close to being able to walk her own path, but she wasn’t quite there.
    She leaned toward the mirror to stroke a slick of lip gloss on her lips. If sucking up to a high rolling art collector would push her further in the direction of freedom, then that’s what she would do. Though she didn’t think Ty had quite meant seduction by candlelight when he’d told her to “take care” of this art world star. And she did have her limits when it came to sucking up.
    She pushed a strand of long honey hair behind her ear and then shrugged. She could at least use the time to find out a little bit more about the enigmatic Mr. Carnavale of Rome, Italy. He’d said she was one of the most interesting people he’d met. Well, she felt exactly the same way about him.
    The knock sounded again.
    “Coming, coming.” She padded across the plush carpet and opened the door.
    She smiled. She couldn’t help herself; he was a gorgeous, gorgeous man. All thoughts of skulking away disappeared.
    “Hello,” she said.
    His eyes flared with warmth. “ Buona sera, piccola .”
    Unaccustomed shyness clogged her throat as her gaze swept over him. His charcoal sweater deepened the gray of his eyes. The open collar of his lavender shirt drew her attention to his wide shoulders and strong arms. Lavender. Her mouth lifted. Only an Italian could carry off that color with such casual masculinity.
    She took a breath then pointed down at her feet. “Does it matter if I don’t have shoes?”
    He looked down. “Not to me. But won’t your feet get cold?”
    “They might, but I didn’t want to clomp around your lovely suite in my big old snow boots.”
    He took her hand, sending a frisson of electricity up her arm. “Come into the living room. I’ll be back in just a second.”
    Lisa followed him into the cavernous space. He disappeared into the other bedroom while she went over to the bank of floor to ceiling picture windows that faced the looming mountain. On the slopes she could see the tiny yellow headlights of the Caterpillar tractors that groomed the runs for the next day’s skiers. Nestled below, the ski village’s lights sparkled with nightlife.
    “Wow,” she whispered. “What a winter wonderland.”
    She flicked on a few more lights, and the outdoor