Dark And Dangerous Read Free

she dumped
her keys back into her purse and stiffened as he took her elbow again. The
gesture made him smile.
      "My car is back this way." He led
her along the sidewalk. "So where do you live?"
      "Out of town a ways. I've rented a small
old cottage," she told him.
      "I suppose, as an artist, you live
secluded?"
      "That would be right. But I have the sea
view for company."
      "But no cat? I'm disappointed." He
enjoyed her laugh. It was rich and free.
      "No, but I do have wild birds that comes
to visit me. After I fed them once, they became my new best friends. Now, if I
forget to close my doors they just come hopping inside to see if I have anything
edible."
    He laughed at that. She
was unlike anyone he had ever met.
      "Well, at least you wont get lonely," Nathan said.
      "No, that's true."
    He stopped her in front of
a gleaming Porsche. "This is me." He held the door for her as she got
in. Sinking into the soft leather seats, Kayley sighed. She had to admit it was
a little better than her old rust pile. It was just annoying that the man had
to have her dream car. She looked at him as he slid into the drivers seat and started the car.
      "I forgot to ask what is it you do for a living? "
      "I own a resort."
      "Really?"
      "Yes, Yasmin, Damian and I inherited it
from dad. He decided to retire early, so he could just enjoy his life with mom.
Yasmin wasn't interested in the resort, so Damian and I bought her share."
He drove smoothly through the quiet streets.
      "Where is the resort?" Kayley
asked.
      "It's situated out of town on a bluff,
overlooking the Ocean." And this was just the chance he had been waiting
for. "I was thinking, we like to make some publicity events a few times a
year. And you would be perfect for that." Plus it would have the added
benefit of him seeing more of her.
      "Me?" she said surprised. "I
don't think you would get much publicity from that."
    He looked at her. "I
don't know if you noticed the turn up tonight? Anyway, we like to exhibit local
art at the resort, and I've already seen what kind of a buzz your art can
create. I think it would be a good idea. I just have to talk to Yasmin about
it. Otherwise she's going to be pissed at me. And lord knows she has a
temper."
      "Yasmin? I find that hard to
believe."
      "I know. I doubt I would believe it, if
I hadn't personally experienced it. Just one of the joys of being
siblings."
      "Yes, I suppose it is."
    He heard the wistfulness
in her voice, and wanted to reach out and comfort her. But he knew she wasn't
relaxed enough with him.
      "Besides, I have signed a contract with
Yasmin to have my paintings shown for at least one year."
      "That doesn't mean you can't have other
exhibitions at the same time," Nathan countered logically.
      "You're right. But I still think it
might be a little too close to each other."
      "I don't think so. Chances of our resort
guests walking into Yasmin's gallery are slim. But even if they do, that will
just be more publicity for all of us."
    She couldn't disagree with
that. He was right. "You should turn right up here." Kayley pointed.
      "I'm going to talk to Yasmin the first
thing in the morning about displaying your paintings, and after I've charmed
her, I'll get in touch."
    She didn't have a clue
what was happening in her life, but it seemed to be completely out of her
control.
      "Okay, that's fine."
    Nathan hid a smile. He
could hear her head was spinning. "Where were you born?" he asked,
throwing her even more off balance by the sudden change of subject.
      Surprised, she looked at him. "I was
born in San Francisco."
      "And your family still lives
there?" He saw her shutters come down again, and cursed himself for
asking.
      "I wouldn't know." She looked out
the car window, and watched the moon spill its light over the land.
      "I grew up here," he said, sensing
her withdrawal, and changed the subject again.
      "Did you?" Kayley looked back at
him.
      "Yes. I've traveled