InvitingTheDevil Read Free Page A

expected otherwise? He was the master in this situation. For all I knew, he could have forgotten about his impulsive invitation.
    He kept me waiting fifteen minutes.
    “Nicely on time, Ms. Fitzgerald. I like that.”
    “I’ve been…” I clamped my teeth together.
    “Yes?”
    “I only just arrived myself.” There, that would take the satisfaction out of him at having me wait.
    “Did you now?”
    I saw his eyebrows rise and knew he’d caught me in the lie. He’d probably phoned down to the reception desk in the lobby and asked if I was there. Damn it, girl. Watch what you say to this man. He doesn’t miss a thing.
    “I hope you don’t mind me choosing the bistro nearby. I only have an hour,” he said as he started down the steps.
    “I go there myself sometimes. I love their spaghetti,” I said, wondering if he’d even heard me.
    I hurried alongside him trying to keep up with his long strides. I was not a short woman but he towered over me and I had to walk really fast.
    When we arrived a few moments later, the restaurant owner greeted Kalem personally. “Nice to see you, Signor Ostarizo. Your table is ready.” He merely shot me a nod of acknowledgment. Kalem headed for a small table in the far corner of the bistro. It was quite a private table. The owner pulled a chair out for me. I sat and so did Kalem.
    “The usual, please, Antonio.”
    “Si, Signor.”
    “You come here often, I gather,” I said, trying to start a conversation.
    “I do.”
    I was rather perturbed I hadn’t been asked what I would like to eat. I guess I’d have to make do with Kalem’s usual, whatever that was. Antonio didn’t give us menus. He returned quickly with a flask of red wine and two glasses.
    Kalem swirled the wine and tasted it. “Good, as always, Antonio.”
    Antonio filled their glasses. I wasn’t a wine drinker during the day, but I sipped it, hoping it would calm my nerves. My favorite was their spaghetti with meat sauce. It was to die for and about the only meal, I’d ever ordered there. Antonio returned quickly with fresh baked bread and butter. It smelled heavenly.
    Kalem took a slice of bread and buttered it, then handed it to me. “Have you ever had their bread?”
    “Garlic bread. Spaghetti is my favorite dish.”
    “Ah. Well, today you’ll appreciate my culinary taste. So how do you feel about your new career?”
    “Which one?”
    He laughed, a low throaty laugh that vibrated through every inch of me and settled in my crotch. Thank God, I’d remembered to put a panty liner in my panties.
    “Both.”
    “I’ve always wanted to become a top designer. I’m not sure about the modeling.”
    “Why not? You have the perfect figure for it. Your breasts aren’t too large, your derriere is rounded but perfect, you have a small waist and very shapely legs and arms.”
    He hadn’t studied me too much? Good grief. I felt naked suddenly.
    “Cat got your tongue?”
    “Thank you. I guess.”
    “You’re not used to compliments, are you?”
    “Not really.”
    “You’re very beautiful. The bone structure of your face is exquisite and now that your hair is loose, it brings out your real beauty. We need to add some color to it, some highlights. And you need some lessons in makeup. Are you wearing contacts?”
    “No.”
    “Your eyes are an unusual color. They remind me of a tropical ocean, the Caribbean. Cerulean blue. Very unique.”
    “I’ve never really taken notice. I thought they were just plain blue.”
    “I’ve made up my mind. I plan to make you famous.”
    “As a designer?”
    “As a model. You can design clothes in your spare time.”
    “Frankly, I don’t think I’m model material. That aspect of the fashion industry has never entered my mind.”
    “Let me be the judge of that. Enjoy your journey to fame. Before you realize it, your face and body will grace the covers of all the magazines.”
    I basked in his words, glowed under his scrutiny. Did he see something in me the mirror didn’t