Seduced by Sunday by Catherine Bybee Read Free Book Online

his arms over his head. “What do you think of our hosts?”
    Meg gave up on her book and pushed her lounge chair back intothe shade. No use burning up this early in the week. “Mrs. Masini is a kick. She adored you.”
    “Nothing says
I haven’t lost it
like charming the old ladies.”
    “Gabi is sweet, but that guy she’s going to marry seems out of place.”
    Michael turned his head her way, looked at her between squinted eyelids. “Something about him didn’t seem right to me.”
    “Too much listening, not enough talking.”
    Michael leaned up on his forearms. “Did you notice when I asked him about his vineyard he tried to change the subject?”
    “Yeah, why was that? I’d think if I owned my own label, I’d shout it to the world. He seemed excited enough to share his wine when we first sat down.”
    Michael shook his head. “I don’t get it. Decent wine, too. I can see him avoiding the conversation if his wine sucked.”
    Meg tapped a finger against the chair. If she had her cell phone, she’d be looking up Alonzo Picano’s name on the Internet to learn more about the man. Then again, she could make a phone call home and have Judy check out the name.
    “You’re tapping.”
    Meg stopped the rapid pace of her fingers. “I’m going through online withdrawal.”
    Michael laughed. “I’ll be joining you there tomorrow.”
    “We’re pathetic.”
    “I noticed you said nothing about Val.”
    She started tapping again. “The man is annoying.”
    “You can tell that with the few words he managed at dinner?”
    “He studied us the whole night.”
    Michael closed his eyes. “You have half that right. He studied you.”
    “Which was rude. I’m with you.”
    “The man isn’t blind.”
    “It didn’t help that when Mrs. Masini asked why we weren’t married you nixed any possible monogamy questions.”
    His chest rumbled.
    “It wasn’t funny.
Friends with benefits.
Seriously, does anyone say that anymore?”
    He continued to laugh.
    Meg found the ice water at her side and didn’t think twice.
    Michael sprang from the lounge chair like a cat avoiding a bath.
    Meg had the good sense to put her chair between them, but didn’t get far before Michael picked her up and ran toward the ocean.

Chapter Five

    Resorts such as Sapore di Amore always housed gyms that rivaled any paid membership fitness center, but unlike the clubs in LA, these were empty. While Michael slept in, taking full advantage of his vacation, Meg pushed herself out of bed. The chef on the island was sure to put an extra five pounds on her if she didn’t at least make an effort to burn some of the delicious calories off.
    She’d considered a swim, but without a spotter who knew her lungs didn’t always play well, she’d be risking more than she’d gain.
    The twentysomething attendant at the gym handed her a bottle of water and a workout towel and greeted her by name, even though Meg hadn’t yet set foot inside the gym.
    She couldn’t help but be a little impressed with the attention of Val’s staff.
    Once inside, upbeat music pumped through hidden speakers, the views outside the glass panels presented a lush garden view.
    Meg managed a long stretch and moved to one of the ellipticals to warm up. She took her time and paced herself.
    “Good morning, Miss Rosenthal.”
    So much for a peaceful workout.
    Without stopping, Meg turned her head toward his voice and paused.
    Why couldn’t Valentino Masini be tucked into a Dri-FIT short-sleeved shirt and shorts? Then she could see for herself if the man sported a farmer’s tan.
    The fact that he was perfectly polished in a suit and tie shouldn’t have surprised her. “Working out in a tie must really suck.”
    His gaze dropped, briefly, then met hers. “The ocean is my gym.”
    The instant image of him trying to swim in a business suit made her smile. “I didn’t know they made suits to swim in.” She realized, after the words were out of her mouth, how they sounded.
    “The