chance, in their opinion, to deflect the negative press coverage the actress would more than likely receive. Laura didn’t agree, neither had Eric. However, time was of the essence. Egos and personal feelings had to be put aside. They had a job to do.
And even though she wasn’t happy about accompanying him to Rome, Laura knew her expertise in handling such matters would help Eric contain and disperse the crisis faster. In other words, make it go away.
But from the kind of day they’d had, it wasn’t going to be that simple. The actress was nowhere to be found. Messages via phone, text and email had all gone unanswered. With the media up their asses for a statement, none could be given until they had all the facts and a strategy in place.
Meanwhile, there wasn’t much more they could do tonight. Hopefully by tomorrow Helena would turn up and they could get on with the business of putting out the fire before it consumed everything in its path. The last thing she wanted was for this scandal to keep them in Rome indefinitely. Getting back to L.A. as soon as possible was a priority, at least for her.
The sooner the better, she thought wearily, as she stepped out of the shower. Wrapping herself in a white plush towel, she walked into the bedroom. Slipping on a sheer black robe, she twisted her wet hair with a clip and decided she needed a drink.
The suite was luxurious and suited Laura’s taste. The velvet covered chairs and rich damask pattern on the walls and upholstery, the Bohemian chandeliers, and the Biedemeier style furniture made her feel like a queen unwinding in her private quarters. Ever since she joined the public relations firm of Burke & Miller she’d become accustomed to the perks of the job, one of which was staying at world class hotels when travelling on business. It was a definitely a sweet deal. Pouring herself a shot of cognac, she headed to the terrace overlooking the Via Veneto. She flung the doors open and inhaled the rich night air.
She stared out to the horizon, trying to ease her mind toward sleep when she heard the knock at the door.
Who the hell is that at this hour?
Her annoyance for being disturbed turned into a gape when she opened the door and saw Eric standing there, looking disheveled and wild.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she demanded.
Eric’s eyes skimmed down her body reminding Laura that she was nearly naked, was naked under the sheer material. But she didn’t care. Let him see what he couldn’t have. That would be payback enough.
“I needed to see you,” he managed.
“What for?”
“Please let me come in,” he said, his blue eyes pleading and desperate.
Relenting, she stepped back and he closed the door.
“Make it quick,” she said as she crossed the room to pick up her drink.
Eric enjoyed her retreat, as his eyes roamed over the curve of her back, the perfect curve of her buttocks, her long legs. He could feel his nerves grind and scream with desire. “Christ Laura, you’re beautiful.” His voice had thickened like a drunk’s.
He noted she deliberately stepped out of the muted light, into the shadows, effectively manipulating his responses. She leaned against the terrace door and faced him, almost purring with satisfaction. His eyes locked on hers and he sensed she knew what her half-naked presence was doing to him. Desire, hunger, and need rushed to the fore. The chaos of sensations ravaging him produced the faintest of smiles on her lips.
Witch.
“Why are you torturing me?”
Laura sipped her cognac. “I’m doing no such thing. You came to me remember.”
“Aren’t you?” he countered, his voice tight. “You’ve been playing me all day.”
“Playing?” she inclined her head, as if amused. But he could see by the daggers in her brown eyes he’d pressed the right button.
“Yes,” he managed, her exotic scent assaulting his senses. “And on purpose.”
“I don’t know why you came,” she said calmly, placing her drink on
And even though she wasn’t happy about accompanying him to Rome, Laura knew her expertise in handling such matters would help Eric contain and disperse the crisis faster. In other words, make it go away.
But from the kind of day they’d had, it wasn’t going to be that simple. The actress was nowhere to be found. Messages via phone, text and email had all gone unanswered. With the media up their asses for a statement, none could be given until they had all the facts and a strategy in place.
Meanwhile, there wasn’t much more they could do tonight. Hopefully by tomorrow Helena would turn up and they could get on with the business of putting out the fire before it consumed everything in its path. The last thing she wanted was for this scandal to keep them in Rome indefinitely. Getting back to L.A. as soon as possible was a priority, at least for her.
The sooner the better, she thought wearily, as she stepped out of the shower. Wrapping herself in a white plush towel, she walked into the bedroom. Slipping on a sheer black robe, she twisted her wet hair with a clip and decided she needed a drink.
The suite was luxurious and suited Laura’s taste. The velvet covered chairs and rich damask pattern on the walls and upholstery, the Bohemian chandeliers, and the Biedemeier style furniture made her feel like a queen unwinding in her private quarters. Ever since she joined the public relations firm of Burke & Miller she’d become accustomed to the perks of the job, one of which was staying at world class hotels when travelling on business. It was a definitely a sweet deal. Pouring herself a shot of cognac, she headed to the terrace overlooking the Via Veneto. She flung the doors open and inhaled the rich night air.
She stared out to the horizon, trying to ease her mind toward sleep when she heard the knock at the door.
Who the hell is that at this hour?
Her annoyance for being disturbed turned into a gape when she opened the door and saw Eric standing there, looking disheveled and wild.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she demanded.
Eric’s eyes skimmed down her body reminding Laura that she was nearly naked, was naked under the sheer material. But she didn’t care. Let him see what he couldn’t have. That would be payback enough.
“I needed to see you,” he managed.
“What for?”
“Please let me come in,” he said, his blue eyes pleading and desperate.
Relenting, she stepped back and he closed the door.
“Make it quick,” she said as she crossed the room to pick up her drink.
Eric enjoyed her retreat, as his eyes roamed over the curve of her back, the perfect curve of her buttocks, her long legs. He could feel his nerves grind and scream with desire. “Christ Laura, you’re beautiful.” His voice had thickened like a drunk’s.
He noted she deliberately stepped out of the muted light, into the shadows, effectively manipulating his responses. She leaned against the terrace door and faced him, almost purring with satisfaction. His eyes locked on hers and he sensed she knew what her half-naked presence was doing to him. Desire, hunger, and need rushed to the fore. The chaos of sensations ravaging him produced the faintest of smiles on her lips.
Witch.
“Why are you torturing me?”
Laura sipped her cognac. “I’m doing no such thing. You came to me remember.”
“Aren’t you?” he countered, his voice tight. “You’ve been playing me all day.”
“Playing?” she inclined her head, as if amused. But he could see by the daggers in her brown eyes he’d pressed the right button.
“Yes,” he managed, her exotic scent assaulting his senses. “And on purpose.”
“I don’t know why you came,” she said calmly, placing her drink on
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