Cat Got Your Tongue? by Rae Rivers Read Free Book Online Page A

first paintings I bought several years ago,” he said. “I’m surprised you recognized it with such ease.”
    “I like art.” She spotted a second painting on the opposite wall, automatically drawn to it. “Edgar Degas. Impressive.”
    Cole raised an eyebrow. “I’m impressed. The women I’ve brought here in the past barely gave the artwork a second glance.”
    “Chances are you distract them.” She could see why the women paid little attention to the art. Why would they when they could be paying attention to him?
    “You hungry?”
    Alex settled her gaze on him. “Always. You buying?”
    “Always.” He smiled and went to the doorway. “Let’s get some food and then we’ll come back here to finalize the more tedious part of our discussion.”
    “God, I love it when a man puts food before work,” she said with a casual laugh and followed him to the front door.
    He paused, his hand on the doorknob, and tilted his head in her direction. “Any preferences?”
    She didn’t hesitate. “Chinese.”
    Warren was waiting with the limo, expecting them. The Chinese restaurant they chose was full with other diners who’d had the same idea. It was warm and inviting and they seated Cole at a corner table, away from prying eyes.
    The waiter wasted no time, arrived with a bottle of wine, and took their order. They’d decided on red wine tonight and it was well suited to their mood and the ambiance of the restaurant.
    Several people seated around them had curious glances pinned in their direction. Beside her sat a handsome, wealthy, single man that owned the most expensive and prestigious hotel chain in the world, as well as several other properties scattered around the globe. She could see the attraction that sparked the curious stares and whispers.
    Not only were they looking at Cole, but also at her. She could only imagine what they were thinking and she grinned.
    “Something amusing you?”
    Alex tilted her head in his direction. “Just checking out your admirers.”
    “Anyone of interest?”
    “It depends on your definition of interesting.”
    “I had that clearly defined,” he murmured, regarding her across the table. “I do, however, find that I’m developing new interests all the time.”
    Something about the way he was looking at her made her wonder if he was talking about her. Her stomach lurched and she quickly dismissed the thought as being ridiculous.
    “Is it always like this?” she wondered aloud and scanned the room again. Not only were the women ogling Cole. The men seemed to have as much interest in the billionaire.
    “I wouldn’t know. I never pay much attention.”
    A flicker of concern trickled through her as her training kicked into action. “You should or you’re going to get in trouble.”
    “Maybe, but I can take care of myself. I’ve had enough experience over the years to know when someone’s a threat to me. For now, these people are harmless.”
    “And when they’re not?”
    “I have the necessary security in place for that,” he replied with certainty. “Or at least, I will have once your company has agreed to my terms.”
    “Your terms?” God, this man oozed confidence. “What about my terms?”
    He chuckled into his glass. “We’ll negotiate.”
    “Oh, definitely.” Her smile eased and she sipped her wine. “You really should be more aware of your surroundings, Cole.”
    “It’s not the public that worries me as much as the reporters. They’re relentless.”
    “That bad?”
    “Think wolves.”
    She laughed. “So I’d stand between you and them?”
    “Something like that.”
    Deciding they’d had enough bantering for the moment, she changed the subject. “Have the cops come up with anything yet?”
    “Nothing. They couldn’t lift any prints.”
    Cats never left prints—well, the smart and experienced ones didn’t and Steven Bryson fell into that category. “What did they make of the fact there was no visible forced entry?”
    Cole sipped his wine.