Secrets and Seduction Las Vegas (Sexy Italian Imports Book 1) Read Free Page A

shrugged and said the first thing that came to her mind. “He and I had…an animated discussion recently. He must still be a little worked up.”
    “You’re quite the diplomat, Dr. Val.” He winked.
    She smiled. The mayor had been a family friend since she was a child. He was a kind, gracious man, and she liked him more every time they spoke. She couldn’t say the same for Antonio Daniato. He was an ass.
    And the ass was sitting on the back bumper of her SUV when she left the restaurant a half hour later.

Chapter Two
    Antonio watched her walk toward him. In her gray jacket and skirt, she looked thinner than she did at the dog park. She put on sunglasses against the bright summer sun. Only nine in the morning, but it was already damn hot, at least ninety degrees.
    Leaving the relatively cool spot in the shade off the back of her Lexus, he stood. “Can we talk?”
    She stopped three feet from him. As if he would bite.
    “Of course.” Her tone sounded clipped, professional.
    “Your office?”
    “Why my office?” she asked, tipping her head.
    He wanted to see her eyes, but it wasn’t possible through her dark glasses. Those amazing blue eyes. If he created her as a character in a book, he’d describe them as the color of the summer sky when she smiled, and the turbulent sea when she was angry. Or scared, like back in the restaurant. Damn right she should be scared.
    He crossed his arms. “Unless you want to talk here and risk being seen by the mayor.”
    She nodded, opened her phone, and pressed buttons. Was she checking her schedule or calling her Mafia connections to come and have him disposed of?
    She snapped her phone closed. “I’m free for another half hour. Do you want to follow me?”
    “I know where your office is.” Earlier, after he dropped off Sherry, he called a friend at the license bureau and got Valerie’s office address and vehicle description.
    She paused. “You do? How…” She shook her head then pressed a button on her key, and the door locks popped. “All right, I’ll meet you there.” She walked a wide path around him and slid into her Lexus.
    Walking toward his Harley, he heard her doors lock and smiled. She was wise to be so careful. He kick-started the motorcycle and took off. The heat rising from the pavement smelled like burning oil and instantly dried his throat.
    In his mirror, he saw her pull out of the lot behind him.
    Valerie. Pretty name. Pretty face. After their initial encounter, he studied her picture on his camera, at first to memorize her face so he would recognize her if he saw her again. Then she began to intrigue him. What motivated a beautiful young woman to become a blackmailer? She had a successful career, and she was somehow involved with the mayor. But the way she arrogantly taunted him at the restaurant—was she looking for a thrill?
    Within minutes, he pulled up to her office, parked his bike in a shaded spot under a palm tree, and walked to the front door. Impressive building. New construction, adobe design, an upscale office in an exclusive part of town. Being the Psychologist to the Stars must pay well. Or was this bought with blackmail money?
    The receptionist looked up from her computer as he entered the waiting room, and her eyes widened. A security guard got up from his seat in a corner and watched him. He must look rough in wrap-around sunglasses and black leather jacket.
    Before being mistaken for a criminal, he said, “I have an appointment with Dr. Kane.”
    The guard and the receptionist exchanged glances. She picked up the phone and spoke then pointed the way. “You may go right in, sir.”
    Valerie must have entered through another door.
    He walked into her office and closed the door. She sat behind her antique wooden desk and gestured to the chair in front of it. “Have a seat.”
    God, she was sexy. He could almost feel all that long, black hair sliding through his fingers. He’d look down into her eyes and brush his lips over her