High Stakes Seduction - Book 1 by Ami LeCoeur Read Free Book Online

timing," he said, slipping an arm around my waist and spinning me around to walk with him. "Don’t look back."
    I glanced up at him and he gave me a sidelong glance that I took as a warning. He was weaving through the crowd purposefully, but still taking the time to casually nod and greet people as we passed. I did my best to smile politely and try not to stumble in my heels as we escaped into the almost empty front foyer.
    "Well done, Angela," Antonio said as Thompson pulled the limousine away from the gallery. "I'm very pleased with your demeanor and performance tonight. I'm sure you'll do as well with the other events. Now, for tomorrow, we'll start your apprenticeship with Priscilla, our floor manager. Welcome onboard."
    I felt like laughing, even though I was frowning. "Well, I’m happy I passed your little test, Mr. Mancini," I said biting my lip, "But I have a few questions for you."
    "Priscilla will answer your questions."
    "That’s not what I meant," I said, but he silenced me with a single raised finger as he reached into his pocket to retrieve his buzzing cellphone.
    Frustrated once again, I folded my arms and turned away angrily as he responded to the text message. In the meantime, I stared out the window, quietly seething over my predicament. My mind was in turmoil, confused about what I’d overheard, angry at the way Antonio treated me, and angrier at myself for going along with any of this in the first place.
    Was this situation and money worth it? It might take me a lot longer, but would it really be so bad to work off my father’s debt some other way? Some way that didn’t leave me feeling guilty, worried, and confused?
    I gasped as a tickle gently brush along my neck. I’d been so absorbed by my own thoughts that I didn’t realize he had ended his call.
    "You really do look beautiful tonight, Angela."
    I turned my head to find Antonio had moved closer to me. He was watching me with deep intensity, not with the appraising, distant look I had come to expect. His gaze held that strange something else I had seen earlier. The look that softened the lines of his face, implying that there was more to this man than simply business—or anything else I might suspect of him.
    My anger and frustration melted into a smile. "Thank you, Antonio."
    He chuckled, the corner of his lip lifting slightly. "I thought you might have forgotten my first name."
    "Oh." I put a hand to my lips. "I’m sorry."
    "Don’t be," he smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair away from my face. "This may be a business relationship, but there is no need to remain formal. I already asked you to call me Antonio."
    The warmth of his breath brushed my shoulder and the sweet scent of champagne mixed with the woody scent of his cologne. The limousine was suddenly too warm, and I silently cursed myself, feeling a blush rising in my cheeks.
    "Wait for my call," he said. Then he laughed as I stared at him blankly. "I'll arrange for Thompson to pick you up tomorrow. Until then, I thank you for a lovely evening, Angela. Have a good night."
    "What?" I realized that the car had come to a stop and looked out the window to see my little house sitting at the end of the driveway. I was suddenly embarrassed, ashamed to have him see where I lived.
    In a house he owned . I reminded myself.
    That thought sobered me and I found myself scrambling out of the car the moment Thompson opened the door. "Good night," I said without looking back. I couldn't bear to have him see the tears that burned my eyes.

Chapter Fifteen
     
    The limousine didn’t pull away until I’d closed the front door behind me. Through the window I watched the tail lights disappear down the street, my thoughts in turmoil.
    "Well," came a voice, "was it fun?"
    "Maria! Why are you still awake?"
    She wheeled into the front foyer, her eyes bright in the dim moonlight. "I couldn’t sleep. I heard the limo pull up and thought I’d come out to check up on you. Soooo….? Tell me, tell me!"
    I