Kiss of Ice (St. James Family) by Lavender Parker Read Free Book Online Page A

doors rumbled closed behind them two days later. Annata and Christophe had spent the better part of their time in Paris putting out fires and getting the office running efficiently after the shock of Jean Pierre's heart attack. When her French failed, he would swoop in and continue her train of thought. When his French faltered, she would return the favor. She hated to admit it, but William was right. She and Christophe worked great as a team.  She didn't want to imagine having to deal with this situation alone. However, if she'd had to, she would have. She jabbed the button for the lobby and the elevator began its descent.
    She swept her hand across her forehead. Her brain felt like mush. Speaking in French the past two days had completely sapped her of her energy. The rush of taking control and being the boss had kept her high on adrenaline. Everyone came to her for answers and to know what to do. It was exhausting, but she loved it. She hadn't even stopped to eat all day, she realized. “ Avez-vous faim? ” she asked, continuing to speak in French. She turned to look at Christophe. He was leaning against the wall of the elevator, his eyes closed.
    “ I'm starving,” he said, not opening his eyes.
    “ You look like you're about to pass out,” she said, switching to English.
    “ We can go out, if you like,” he said, forcing himself up and blinking his eyes. Annata snorted out a laugh.
    “ If you don't get in a bed soon, you're going to be completely useless to me tomorrow.”
    “ You're absolutely right.” He smiled, his face lighting up. “Does it matter whose bed?” Annata narrowed her eyes at him, but couldn't suppress a smile of her own. The elevator doors whooshed open into the lobby and Annata stepped out, her heels clicking on the marble tiles. Christophe followed closely behind her as the doorman opened the large glass door for her. 
    She nodded at the smiling old man. “ Merci beaucoup. ” Christophe sidled up next to her, yanking on his tie to loosen it. 
    “ I think I should try your bed and my bed, and see which one is more comfortable,” he said in her ear as they made their way to the black car waiting for them at the curb. She rolled her eyes.
    “ That sounds like sexual harassment, Van der Kind.” She nodded to the chauffeur as he opened the car door for her.
    “ Fatigue must be getting in the way of my better judgment.” Christophe said, smiling. Giving him a disbelieving look, she slid across the leather bench seat and dropped her briefcase next to her feet. Christophe slouched gracefully next to her. The car door slammed shut and, for a moment, they were alone. The silence was heavenly. Annata took a deep breath, feeling her body relax for the first time that day. She glanced at him. His eyes were already closed, his head against the back of the seat.
    “ You could have left early,” she said, softly.
    “ You stay, I stay,” he said, not opening his eyes.
    “ We're a team now?” she asked, sarcasm in her voice. He shrugged, opening his eyes to look at her.
    “ You're stuck with me, St. James.”
    “ For the next day or so,” she said. “And then you'll go off again, back to where you came from.”
    “ You can't wait to get rid of me,” he said. “Am I that bad?”
    She snorted, and checked her manicure, avoiding his eyes. “Oh, no. You're good. You and I both know it.” She dropped her hand and turned to the window. “That's the problem.” The chauffeur began to drive. Through the tinted glass, the lights of Paris whirled past. “ C'est une belle ville, ” she murmured.
    “ Paris est la ville de lumieres, Madame, ” the chauffeur responded, gliding the car through traffic. “You visit before?” He continued in broken English.
    “ Yes. But I never have time to explore. Je suis occupé. ”
    “ Ah. You need French way of life. You are too American.” The chauffeur nodded vigorously.
    “ That's good advice.” Christophe replied, and she felt the weight of