Luring a Lady Read Free Page A

O’Brian slammed the door, leaned dramatically against it, then did a quick jig. “I got the part.” Letting out a whoop, she raced to the table to throw her arms around Mikhail’s neck. “I got it.” She gave him a loud, smacking kiss on one cheek. “I got it.” Then the other.
    â€œI told you you would.” He reached back to ruffle her short cap of dusty blond hair. “Get a beer. We’ll celebrate.”
    â€œOh, Mik.” She crossed to the tiny refrigerator on long, slim legs left stunningly revealed by a pair of neon green shorts. “I was so nervous before the audition I got the hiccups, then I drank a gallon of water and sloshed my way through the reading.” She tossed the cap into the trash before toasting herself. “And I still got it. A movie of the week. I’ll probably only get like sixth or seventh billing, but I don’t get murdered till the third act.” She took a sip, then let out a long, bloodcurdling scream. “That’s what I have to do when the serial killer corners me in the alley. I really think my scream turned the tide.”
    â€œNo doubt.” As always, her quick, nervous speech amused him. She was twenty-three, with an appealing coltish body, lively green eyes and a heart as wide as the Grand Canyon. If Mikhail hadn’t feltso much like her brother right from the beginning of their relationship, he would have long since attempted to talk her into bed.
    Keely took a sip of beer. “Hey, do you want to order some Chinese or pizza or something? I’ve got a frozen pizza, but my oven is on the blink again.”
    The simple statement made his eyes flash and his lips purse. “I went today to see Hayward.”
    The bottle paused on the way to her lips. “In person? You mean like, face-to-face?”
    â€œYes.” Mikhail set aside his carving tools, afraid he would gouge the wood.
    Impressed, Keely walked over to sit on the windowsill. “Wow. So, what’s he like?”
    â€œHe’s dead.”
    She choked on the beer, watching him wide-eyed as she pounded on her chest. “Dead? You didn’t…”
    â€œKill him?” This time Mikhail smiled. Another thing he enjoyed about Keely was her innate flare for the dramatic. “No, but I considered killing the new Hayward—his granddaughter.”
    â€œThe new landlord’s a woman? What’s she like?”
    â€œVery beautiful, very cold.” He was frowning as he skimmed his fingertips over the wood grain. “She has red hair and white skin. Blue eyes like frost on a lake. When she speaks, icicles form.”
    Keely grimaced and sipped. “Rich people,” she said, “can afford to be cold.”
    â€œI told her she has two days before I go to the building commissioner.”
    This time Keely smiled. As much as she admired Mikhail, she felt he was naive in a lot of ways. “Good luck. Maybe we should take Mrs. Bayford’s idea about a rent strike. Of course, then we risk eviction,but…hey.” She leaned out the open window. “You should see this car. It’s like a Lincoln or something—with a driver. There’s a woman getting out of the back.” More fascinated than envious, she let out a long, appreciative breath. “ Harper’s Bazaar ’s version of the executive woman.” Grinning, she shot a glance over her shoulder. “I think your ice princess has come slumming.”
    Outside, Sydney studied the building. It was really quite lovely, she thought. Like an old woman who had maintained her dignity and a shadow of her youthful beauty. The red brick had faded to a soft pink, smudged here and there by soot and exhaust. The trimming paint was peeling and cracked, but that could be easily remedied. Taking out a legal pad, she began to take notes.
    She was aware that the men sitting out on the stoop were watching her, but she ignored them. It was a noisy place, she