Kristi Gold - Hotel Marchand 04 by Damage Control Read Free Book Online Page A

determined to wear her down, one heated look at a time. And darned if it wasn’t working.
    If Renee allowed logic to come into play, she could view this as part of her job. She’d served as tour guide for certain guests before, although none had been quite as special as Pete. But if she handled the situation carefully, she could probably convince Pete to utilize the hotel for a few spot scenes in his movie. A fantastic promo opportunity that would be, and well worth the battle to resist the director.
    “I’ll try not to be too long,” she said, and when Adam went back to his program, she mouthed to Pete, “You owe me.”
    She didn’t stick around long enough to receive a response, but she could imagine what he was probably thinking—that he had a few creative ideas on how to pay up, and that could cause Renee major problems, and possibly earn her a lot of pleasure.
     

    “T HESE TOURISTS are totally clueless.”
    Seated on a bench in Jackson Square, Pete turned his attention to Renee from Adam, who was having a fake tattoo applied at a booth a few feet away. “They’re clueless about what?”
    She shifted toward him slightly and rested an elbow on the back of the bench. “With you wearing that baseball cap turned backward, and those sunglasses, you look like an average dad. They have no idea they’re in the midst of creative genius.”
    He really liked that dad part. “Creative genius? That’s a switch. When you were trying to convince me to direct your movie, you told me I was selling out with my films.”
    She gave him a serious glare. “I did not. I said you should try something with a little less commercial appeal. I also said your movies had just enough edge to garner critical acclaim, which they do.”
    Pete found it odd that she’d remembered those details, considering her insistence that she had few recollections of their time together. “For the record, this current project isn’t my usual fare.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “Really? No high-action, bang-up, shoot-’em-up psychological thriller?”
    “No. It’s a post-Civil War saga that encompasses several years. A fairly emotional work.”
    “That’s too bad.”
    He’d never known Renee to speak in riddles, until now. “I thought you’d be impressed.”
    “I am, but I was hoping you might consider using the hotel for a few scenes.”
    Always the businesswoman, Pete thought. “That won’t work, but the company could put the crew up in the hotel while we’re shooting here.”
    She looked extremely pleased. “We’d love to have them. Have you cast everyone yet?”
    Right now he could cast her in the starring role—the consummate fair-haired belle with nerves of steel. “I have commitments from the main players, but we have several secondary roles to fill.” Just another reminder that his time with her would be brief before he had to get back to work in earnest.
    Adam came rushing toward them at a sprint, and when he reached the bench, proudly displayed the black bat spanning his cheek. “It’s cool, huh?”
    Pete stifled a laugh. “Yeah, bud. It’s great.”
    “Very nice, Adam,” Renee said.
    Taking Renee by one hand, Adam tugged her to her feet. “It’s your turn, Renee. You promised.”
    Renee glanced back at Pete with a “help me” look plastered across her pretty face. “I have no idea where to put it.”
    Pete had several ideas, but he didn’t dare voice them, nor did he want the seedy artist to have access to any part of Renee’s anatomy that involved removing pertinent clothing. “You could always put it on your neck.”
    “I suppose you’re going to suggest a pair of lips.”
    A damn good excuse to kiss her there. “No, but that’s not a bad idea.”
    “Sorry. I’m going to pick out a flower. Probably a rose. You can have the lips applied wherever you’d like on your body.”
    Man, oh, man, she’d walked right into that one. If his nephew wasn’t present, he’d tell her exactly where he’d put them.