Designed by Desire. Pamela Yaye

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СКАЧАТЬ opened his wallet, took out two hundred euros and slid it discreetly toward the hotel manager. “How does your conscience feel now?”

      “Much better, Monsieur Childs. Thank you.” Swiftly pocketing the money, he returned his attention to his computer screen, a hint of a smile on his thin lips. “Just give me a moment.”

      Collin pumped a fist in the air, nearly spilling his espresso, then remembered who he was and where he was and dropped his hand to his side. “I appreciate it, sir.”

      “I trust that you will keep this information to yourself and use complete discretion when approaching this guest.” He spoke softly, as if he was confessing his deepest and darkest secret. “There is a woman named Brianna staying in one of our seventh-floor suites, but she’s due to check out at noon.”

      “Damn, that’s what I was afraid of.”

      “Is there anything else I can do for you, Monsieur Childs?”

      Collin shook his head. “Thanks again for your help.”

      Swiping a copy of Le Monde off the front desk, Collin tucked it under his arm and walked into the sunlit waiting area. The space was filled with suede couches, towering stone sculptures and leafy potted plants. Collin sat down on a black lacquer chair, opened his newspaper and reclined comfortably in his seat. From where he was sitting, he had a clear, unrestricted view of the main floor.

      Perfect. He’d read the paper and keep his eye out for Brianna. They had some unfinished business to discuss before she left town, and this time Collin wasn’t letting her get away.

      An hour later, Collin was restless and tired of waiting. To pass the time, he’d read the local newspaper, a business magazine and even a couple of trashy tabloids. He didn’t care about the Oscar-winning actress who’d been shipped off to rehab by her family or the soccer superstar who just had his latest run-in with the law; he wanted to talk to Brianna about what she thought she saw last night and repay her for covering his enormous bar tab.

      Collin downed the rest of his espresso in one quick gulp. He was starving, hungrier than a kid at fat camp, but worried that if he left to grab a bite he’d miss Brianna.

      The elevator pinged and a group of tourists—along with Brianna—flooded the lobby. Collin saw her instantly. She was hard to miss. For a fashion designer, her fitted, off-the-shoulder sweater, jeans and heeled boots were simple, but with her face of an angel and curves for days, Brianna garnered the attention of everyone on the main floor, men and women alike.

      Irresistible was the word that came to mind as Collin watched her stroll past the waiting area. Her steps were confident, her posture gracefully refined. Her eyes were striking, and those curves made him drool like a dog with a bone.

      I should have taken Brianna dancing last night instead of sitting in the lounge, listening to Evangeline whine about being snubbed by the Hiltons, Collin thought. Evangeline and Brianna both had flawless brown skin and were roughly the same height, but that’s where the similarities between the two women ended. Evangeline shouted, and Brianna spoke in a soft, soothing voice; Evangeline wanted to gossip, and Brianna liked to talk about her family. That’s what made the designer stand out and what piqued his interest. Brianna was unlike anyone he’d ever met, and Collin was curious to know more about her.

      Starting right now.

      Collin didn’t move. Timing was everything, and although Brianna walked through the lobby looking like a model in her own right, Collin didn’t jump to his feet and chase her down. He wanted to talk to her, but he didn’t want to look as desperate as the middle-aged business man nipping at her heels. He’d wait for the perfect moment to approach her.

      Collin got his chance ten minutes later. Brianna walked out of the hotel gift shop carrying one shopping bag too many and paused beside the antique desk, just steps away from where he was sitting. He then stood, strode out of the waiting area and sidled up beside her. “Hello, Brianna. You’re looking especially beautiful this morning.”

      Brianna turned around, realized it was him and took off across the lobby. She was marching as stiffly as a soldier and wearing the requisite scowl to match.

      To catch her, Collin had to break into a jog. “If I knew you were going to make me run, I would’ve worn my cross-trainers,” he joked, falling into step beside her. “Slow down, Brianna. Power walking isn’t really my thing. I’ve got bad knees!”

      “You said you traveled a lot for work, but I had no idea you were a comedian,” she said, her tone rich with sarcasm. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really have to go.”

      Collin slid in front of her, thwarting her escape and earning himself another icy glare.

      “What are you doing?”

      “Trying to talk to you.”

      “Where’s Evangeline? Upstairs keeping the bed warm while you grab brekkie?”

      “I have no idea where she is, but I’d guess at her mansion nursing one hell of a hangover.”

      Brianna raised an eyebrow, a dubious expression on her face.

      “After you stormed out of the bar, Evangeline and her posse started doing body shots, and since that’s not my speed, I bounced.”

      He broke into a grin intended to make her smile. When she did, he felt victorious and Collin knew he was making progress. “I’m glad I listened to you and bet on France. They played an incredible game last night!”

      Her eyes brightened. “I told you Spain didn’t stand a chance.”

      “Thanks to you, I won big, and to show my appreciation I’d like to take you to lunch.”

      Brianna glanced at her gold wristwatch bracelet and shook her head. “I have to be at the airport by three, and I still have some packing to do.”

      “Take a later flight or, better yet, leave tomorrow morning after we’ve had brekkie.”

      A smirk lit the corner of her lips. “And why would I do that?”

      “Because I want to celebrate my winnings with you.”

      “Your pop-star girlfriend is going to have a fit when she finds out.”

      “There’s no special woman in my life,” he told her, wishing she’d believe him.

      “You and Evangeline looked awfully cozy last night.”

      “Like I said, she’s doing the new print ad for my company. That’s it.”

      Brianna shrugged a shoulder. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. I’m just a girl you met at the hotel bar. It doesn’t matter what I think.”

      “It does to me.” He took a step forward, close enough to smell her intoxicating floral perfume. “I don’t want you to think I’m a player, Brianna. Let me take you out. Then you’ll see what a great guy I am.”

      “And the humility award goes to...”

      Collin gave a hearty laugh. “I’m just speaking the truth.”

      “What СКАЧАТЬ