Peyton Riley by Bianca Mori Read Free Book Online Page B

and down and lingered at the pleasant shape her curves made—thank goodness for tight sweaters. "I must say, I hardly come across such genuine interest in my work."
    "You must be joshing with me." She smiled very prettily. "I am quite sure, a man such as yourself—you must be surrounded by admirers all the time."
    He had to laugh at that. "Ah, but you make it sound as though there are science groupies, out to throw themselves at me, offering to have their breasts signed in my presence. That, unfortunately, does not happen, I am sorry to say. Although—" he surveyed her lowered lashes and fleshy lips with delight—"there is always a first time, is it not?"
    She giggled, bit her lip and tucked a flaming red lock behind her ear. "Mr. Van Der Luyden…"
    "Please. Call me Anders." She seemed to glow at that. "And you are?"
    "Caroline," she said, lowering her gaze.
    "Well, sweet Caroline. You seem quite the scientific mind. Would you care to join me for lunch some time?"
    "Oh—but I cannot presume—"
    He waved a hand at her protestations and smiled fondly. "Thursday. Next week, at The Abragat."
    "Mr. Van Der Luyden, I cannot intrude on your day, I am sure you are very busy." She ran her hand through her hair in distress.
    His expression turned stern. "You are quite right, Caroline. I am very busy. And when I choose to clear my calendar for a pleasant lunch, be sure of the priority I account you, and realize what it means." He stepped closer until they were chest to chest. "Thursday. Next week. The Abragat."
    She bit her lip once again and batted her eyelashes. "Of course. See you then, Mr. Van Der Luyden."
     
    Carson scowled as she walked down the street and completely ignored him. After a few minutes, and after Van Der Luyden had set off his own way, he hurried to catch Peyton, who did not break her pace.
    "Well?"
    "Pretty good, huh?" she said, sounding—and feeling—smug.
    "Pretty good? Pretty good ?" He stopped on the sidewalk corner in front of a riotous display of spring blooms, furrowing his hair with his hands. "What was that all about?"
    "What was what all about?"
    "'Oh Mr. Van Der Luyden, tee-hee-hee,' " he said in a falsetto Cockney accent. "The Lady Edith accent was a bit much, don't you think?"
    She smiled, eyes dancing with amusement. "I was getting the measure of him."
    "You were practically letting him measure your tits with his hands," he hissed. "I thought you'd strip right there when he mentioned autographing your breasts."
    "You heard?"
    "He wasn't exactly being discreet," he said through gritted teeth.
    "Well, I learned a lot from that conversation." She bent over and inspected the flower display. "I never knew spring was tulip season. Look at these!"
    "Don't change the subject!"
    "I learned that he likes to be flattered and that his ego—his vanity—is a weak spot. He'd had work done on his face, too, you can tell up close. That's something we can use."
    "We could have learned that through research, asking people who know him, reading gossip—you didn't have to serve your tits on a platter to him!"
    She spun, anger flashing in her eyes. "Will you stop about my ti– what the fuck Carson, are you jealous?"
    He looked like he'd been slapped in the face. He breathed hard through his nose and consciously unclenched his fists, but did not answer.
    "Once you've stopped acting like a caveman you'll realize that I just got you a meeting with our mark next Thursday." She stepped close to him and narrowed her eyes at his tight-lipped face. "Don't apologize all at once." Then she shoved him with one hand and turned to walk towards the bus stop.
    "Peyton—" he called, his voice constricted.
    In front of the bus shelter she turned and coolly watched as he approached. "Get Gustave. I think I know how to do this takedown."

Chapter 7
     
    When Peyton had filled in Gustave on her plan over the safe phone, she did not imagine she'd be whisked off to Belgium to wait in a countess's drawing room in two days' time,