Some Like It Hotter (Sweet Life in Seattle #3) by Andrea Simonne Read Free Book Online

the elevator. “This is too much like the last time we were together.”
    “It’s our destiny.”
    “Hardly, and I’m not sleeping with you either. I’m only here to talk —that’s it.” Her brown eyes flicker with anger.
    He doesn’t blame her for being pissed since he basically strong-armed her into coming inside with him.
    I’m handling this all wrong.
    Giovanni’s intention was to fly to Berlin and speak to Lindsay, hopefully convince her to go along with his plan—the situation he’s trying to help fix—but so far, he hasn’t had a chance. First, that crazy asshole in front of her building was there picking a fight with him. The next thing he knows they’re at a casino. Absentmindedly, he flexes his left hand, notices a little bruising still. He should have used his right, or better yet, not have hit him at all. That was completely idiotic.
    Before he flew out here, Anthony told him Lindsay was an artist, and that her lifestyle was unconventional, but he had no idea it was this severe.
    “And you cost me a bunch of money tonight,” she’s still carrying on. “That was no favor you did me. I had four hundred euros in that pot.”
    “You’re lucky I intervened.”
    “I would have won that hand.”
    He shakes his head. “Do you know who that guy was sitting next to you?”
    The elevator doors open and he lets Lindsay walk out ahead of him. They head down the hall toward his room, the thick carpet nearly silent beneath their feet.
    “Which one?”
    “The Russian guy eyeing you like a steak dinner.”
    “Are you kidding? That was nothing. I handle guys like that all time.”
    They get to his room and he pulls his key card out to open the door. The nightstand lamp is on when they enter, and he sees the maid has turned down the bed. The room smells fresh like some kind of floral-scented cleaner.
    Lindsay walks in and looks around with approval. “Dagmar was right. Ooh la la. This is very elegant.”
    He doesn’t say anything. He barely even notices the room. It’s just another place to sleep as far as he’s concerned.
    Lindsay’s of a different mind as she continues her exploration, taking it all in. His eyes follow her movements. Unfortunately, her body in those jeans is putting too many thoughts in his head, thoughts that shouldn’t be there. As much as she doesn’t believe him, he really didn’t bring her upstairs to try and seduce her.
    She goes over to the large window, where the colorful lights of the city twinkle and glimmer outside. “Look at this magnificent view. I hope you’re not taking this for granted.”
    He sits down on the bed, amazed he’d forgotten what powerful appeal she had. He remembers it all too well now. They’d met at a party a couple of years ago, right after his brother won a science award. The attraction between them was immediate and white-hot. He took her to a hotel downtown where they spent the night together. She was more than he expected in every way—sexy, fun, and beautiful. The elixir that helped bring him back from months of living on adrenaline, chasing away those demons. He’d needed her that night, and she’d been perfect.
    He closes his eyes and tries to ground himself, still too keyed up. He hasn’t been sleeping well. The air-conditioned room feels surreal compared to the dry heat of central Africa.
    In his mind, he still sees his colleagues back at the small hospital he left behind only a few days ago. The armed guards who drove them there every morning. A civil war raged, but both sides agreed to allow medical workers through unharmed. Unfortunately, the attacks grew closer every day.
    It was never easy finding his way back from the constant rush of danger, the intensity of living on the edge.
    “Did you notice that guy’s tattoo?” he asks her.
    Lindsay turns back toward him from the window, thinking it over. “The one on his hand?”
    “They all have that mark. He’s a Russian mercenary—part of a particularly vicious