The Chocolate Heart by Laura Florand Read Free Book Online Page B

dozen schoolkids. You need perspective. More people’s lives are going to depend on your decisions in this hotel than there.”
    â€œThat’s why it’s a shitty gift. You can have it back anytime you want.”
    Her father’s lips pressed together in temper. “You’re such a spoiled brat. You’ve never been able to appreciate all the things you’ve been given.”
    Summer closed her eyes briefly. “I appreciate myself,” she said, in an odd, steady tone, like a mantra.
    Her father flicked an impatient hand. “At least I’ve gotten you off that island. That’s a step.”
    The light in Summer grew stronger, as if she was drawing on it. “Until April. I told the substitute I would be back by April 15, at the latest. You did say I could use the plane.”
    April. All the air was sucked out of Luc’s space. It was mid-January. That was only three months.
    Her father’s mouth hardened. “Why the hell did you even major in economics at Harvard? They don’t need a summa cum laude in economics on that island.”
    Luc struggled to imagine her analyzing the ins and outs of money and its movement. How sad. But it wouldn’t be the first time a child had tried to change his or her essence in order to please a parent. He had had two radically opposite fathers himself and knew all about that.
    â€œYou knew I got summa cum?” Summer raised her eyebrows.
    â€œNot that again!” her father exploded. “Five thousand jobs were on the line. That’s five thousand lives, Summer, out there in the world you’re so protected from. And you wanted me to put a stupid ceremony ahead of them? You are so spoiled. ”
    Summer gazed out at the street. “Yes, so you’ve said. But you have to stop beating yourself up about it. I hear I’m not the only kid whose parents ever spoiled her. You did what you could.”
    Sam Corey looked tempted to beat his head against the glass. But after a second he relaxed with a sudden huff and shook his head. “Now that we’ve got you back in the real world, do you think you can start dating someone with a brain in his head? I suppose it’s up to me to pass your phone number out to the best candidates. Knowing you, you’ll fall for the first man who looks at you twice.” His voice was filled with affectionate, amused contempt.
    Summer’s hand curled at her side. “I believe everyone I’ve dated has succeeded enormously, Dad. Didn’t you read the Penthouse article?” Her breaths were even and deep, as if she was practicing yoga. “These days, I’ve given up on dating men who succeed. I insist on being looked at more than twice.”
    â€œYou would,” her father said with such scorn that Luc took a sudden step forward.
    Summer turned abruptly. “Actually, Dad, there’s not a single person in this city I would allow near me, so it doesn’t really matter what you do.”
    â€œOh, so what’s that?” her father snapped, gesturing at Luc’s coat. “Someone you’re not allowing near you?”
    Against the white backdrop, his black coat seemed the only thing that protected her from disappearing into the ether. One small hand slipped up to hold its panels around her. “My flings aren’t your business, Dad.”
    Luc’s teeth set. Oh, I’m not going to be your fling, Summer Corey. I’m going to hold you in my hand. And you’ll look at me.
    It relaxed muscles he didn’t even know he had, the thought of that warm smile all for him.
    Her father frowned at her as if he had birthed an ostrich and had no idea what to do with it. “Well, don’t mess with him. I didn’t buy this hotel for it to become second rate. Three stars, no less.”
    â€œI’ll try to keep His Majesty’s happiness at the forefront of my mind. Which is a very ironic thing for you to ask me to do, but