InvitingTheDevil Read Free Page B

show? “I’m too realistic. I know I’m mousy. Men aren’t waiting on my doorstep to date me. My phone doesn’t ring off the hook. I don’t see how you can realistically turn the ugly duckling into a swan.”
    “You’re too cruel to yourself. You just haven’t learned how to bring out the best of you. I’m going to help you with that.”
    “I was always too focused on a career to bother with all the girlie stuff. My best friend would totally agree with you. More than once, she’s told me all the things you just said.”
    “So you’ll sign the contracts? Give it at least one year. If, after that year, I haven’t made good on my promise, you can walk away from modeling and concentrate on fashion design instead.”
    While he spoke, he’d reached across the table and placed his hand on mine. His touch was electrifying, his eyes piercing as if he was trying to read my mind, my heart, my soul. Yet he was completely mystifying. What did I know about Kalem except what the tabloids told me? And most of that was probably bullshit. The paparazzi had a habit of digging up dirt, true or not, and publishing it. I’d also seen photos of him entering some questionable clubs. I didn’t care. It had nothing to do with my new job and the possible modeling career. The man turned me on like crazy. He was insanely handsome, but I wasn’t about to mix business with pleasure. My need was great, I wanted him, did I ever want him. At the same time, I was determined to keep him at arm’s length.
    “Penny.”
    “Huh?” He squeezed my hand and his foot touched my leg, the toe of his shoe stroking my calf gently. As if tazered, I tucked my feet under the chair.
    “Your thoughts. I lost you for a minute.”
    I didn’t know what to say. His hand stayed on mine until our food came.
    Antonio served us personally. Kalem received special treatment in the bistro. “Pepper, Senorita?” he asked.
    I nodded. “Yes, please.” I used the saltshaker liberally.
    “Salt is bad for you. It causes you to retain fluid and is not good for the heart and arteries.”
    “I like salt and pepper.”
    “I see that. I’d like you to cut back on the salt. Use a substitute if you must. As a model, you need to keep your weight even.”
    “My weight hasn’t changed in years. I don’t see why it would now.” I couldn’t believe how flippant I was with my answers. The two glasses of wine had settled my nerves. The ruby liquid had also made me slightly giddy. I gazed at my plate. “What is it?”
    “Zuppa Toscana. Taste it. It’s delicious.”
    I took a small bite. He was right. It was scrumptious and I dug in.
    “I love the way you eat. I’m used to women eating daintily, tiny bites, ending up leaving most of their food. You eat like you’re enjoying your meal.”
    Mm, what else does he love about me? Was he coming on to me or just trying to draw me out of my shell? I looked up and nodded. His eyes were expressionless. “I enjoy my food.”
    “Would you like dessert?”
    “No thanks. I’m not much for sweets.”
    “Good. I would have had to leave you alone to eat it. I have a meeting in ten minutes.”
    His foot touched my leg again and rubbed up and down my calf. Damn, you’ll get my pants dirty. Stop it. No, keep doing it. I hadn’t drunk the third glass of wine. There was no accounting how I might have behaved if I had. I sipped water instead while I finished off the last of my Zuppa Toscana.
    Kalem signaled Antonio. “Put it on my tab, Antonio? My compliments on the food as usual.”
    He stood and didn’t pull out my chair but let Antonio do it. Fine—he had no manners. At least not with me. Gripping me firmly by the arm, he steered me through the bistro and out the doors. Once outside, he lifted my chin.
    “I enjoyed having lunch with you, Danea. I may call you Danea?”
    I nodded numbly, and forgot to thank him for lunch.
    “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
    I watched him stride away and round the corner before I hurried to