Designed by Desire. Pamela Yaye

being crazy around here,” he confessed, releasing a deep sigh. “Last night, a loudmouth reporter approached me outside Nobu, and if not for Zoe dragging me away from him, I would’ve given the jerk a good old-fashioned beat down.”

      “Don’t let the paparazzi get to you, Kyle. They’re only messing with you so they can sell photos to cheap, trashy tabloids.”

      “I know, but this situation is just so damn frustrating,” he confessed. “I’m doing everything in my power to find out who’s behind Bailey’s attack, and sitting here waiting for information to roll in has me on edge.”

      “That’s why I want to stay in Paris for a few more days. It’s the perfect place to escape.”

      “I hear you,” Kyle said. “I need a break, too.”

      Brianna scoffed. “Boy, please! You and Zoe just got back from Tahiti!”

      “I know, but we had such a good time at the Childs International Resort, we’re anxious for some more fun in the sun!”

      “Just don’t skip town until I get back from Paris. I want to discuss my new line with you,” she said. “I hate to toot my own horn, but the sketches I did this week are pretty amazing, and I think you’re going to love them, too.”

      Kyle chuckled. “All right, all right. I’ll cool my heels until you get back from the city of lights, but once you’re back in town, my baby and I are out of here!”

      Brianna couldn’t help but laugh at her brother.

      “I better go. It’s almost six o’clock,” Kyle said. “I got tickets for Phantom of the Opera, and if I’m late, Zoe will kill me. And withhold the lovin’!”

      “When did you start going to Broadway musicals?”

      “When I found out my baby loves them.”

      “You are so whipped,” Brianna teased.

      “I know, and it feels great!”

      Brianna shook her head in disbelief. Six months ago, her brother would never have been caught dead at a musical, and now he was willingly taking his fiancée and had probably splurged on premium seats. Brianna was thrilled that her brother and Zoe had hooked up, and although she’d lost faith in love years ago, she wished them nothing but happiness. “Have fun, and let Mom and Dad know I’ll be back in a couple days.”

      “Will do. Stay safe and take care of yourself.”

      Brianna slid her cell phone back into her purse. She looked up just in time to see Collin leave the reception desk.

      He was headed toward her, and his gaze was so intense, so piercing, it felt like they were touching. Since her divorce, she’d been on a handful of dates, but this was the first time Brianna had met someone she was this attracted to. Someone she couldn’t stop fantasizing about making love to. Just that morning, she’d woken up with an image of him in her bed, kissing her passionately and driving her insane with his tongue....

      Oh, God, I’m turning into a desperate sex fiend.

      Brianna told herself to stop, to quit envisioning Collin shirtless and covered in chocolate, but when he flashed his pearly whites at her, her thoughts went straight back to the gutter. Collin was as handsome as he was charming, and there was no doubt in Brianna’s mind that they were going to have a great time together. The expression on his face proved it. His eyes held a mischievous gleam, and his grin was undeniably sexy.

      And when Collin slid a hand around her waist and ushered her out the hotel’s sliding-glass doors, Brianna decided her brother wasn’t going to be the only one having fun tonight.

      Chapter 4

      “You’re lying!” Brianna accused, trying to suppress the laughter bubbling up inside her. Le Jules Verne, the five-star restaurant in the Eiffel Tower that offered spectacular views of the city, was not the place to bust a gut. The patrons were as refined as the decor, the gentleman playing the baby grand piano looked as stern as a military commander and everyone in the dining area spoke in hushed voices. Brianna didn’t want to draw attention to their cozy table beside the window, but it was hard not to crack up at Collin’s outrageous stories, and the innocent expression on his face only fueled her laughter.

      “I don’t believe you crashed the Woman’s International Sex Show in New York last month. I think you just said that to make me laugh.”

      “If the organizers didn’t want men there they should have locked the doors of the grand ballroom,” he said with a dismissive shrug.

      “No one asked you to leave?”

      “No, in fact, I was a huge hit. The organizers forced me to stay!”

      “I bet they did. So, did you learn anything or did you just stroll around the room flirting with attendees and pocketing phone numbers?”

      “I learned a little somethin’ somethin’.” Collin winked at her. “The conference was a real eye-opener, and my only regret is not crashing it earlier. I would’ve loved to see the dominatrix do her thing.”

      Brianna sucked in a quick breath. His gaze was intense, moving over her skin like a caress. Her flesh was tingling, prickling with the heat of her desire, and she had the sudden urge to kiss him. To lean across the table, slip her tongue into his mouth and taste him once and for all.

      But instead of acting on impulse and getting them both tossed out of the upscale restaurant, she asked Collin about his job. It was a safe topic, and listening to him talk shop would give her body time to simmer down. Brianna hoped she could finally get her act together. The problem was, she’d been like this all day. Giddy, short of breath, battling lustful thoughts.

      Since leaving the hotel that morning, they’d walked from one museum to the next, strolled along the bustling, tree-lined promenades and taken in the marvelous sights and sounds of the most romantic city in the world.

      But the best part of the day had been laughing with Collin.

      He possessed more knowledge than a French tour guide, and he led her through world-famous cathedrals and art galleries, sharing surprising information about the history and architecture of each building. Brianna had been to the Sainte-Chappelle before and always enjoyed admiring the stained-glass windows, elaborate carvings and wall paintings, but that morning, as they’d ambled through the building, she couldn’t take her eyes off Collin. She loved hearing his voice, loved staring at his mouth and lips even more. And as she sat there listening to him talk, she found herself wondering what it would be like to touch him. To stroke him. To feel his body pressed flat against hers....

      “I admire the relationship you have with your family.”

      Brianna forced her thoughts back to the present. “Are you and your brother close?”

      Collin cleared his throat. “We used to be.”

      “What changed? Did you guys have an argument or something?”

      “No,” he said, tapping his fingers absently on the glass table. “I think he might be having marital problems, but he refuses to talk about it.”

      “It’s hard when you can’t help someone you love, isn’t it? I’m dealing with some family issues of my own, and I’m finding it hard to be strong for everyone else when all I want to do is cry.”

      The words were out of Brianna’s mouth before she could stop them, and when she saw the sympathetic expression on Collin’s face, she wanted to die. What did I say that for? Brianna thought, cringing inwardly. I shouldn’t be talking to Collin. He doesn’t know me or my family.

      But as Brianna sat there, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, she realized Collin was the perfect person to talk to. He didn’t know who she was, and after Saturday, they’d never see each other again, so why not tell him how she was feeling? Brianna didn’t know if it was the fact that they’d spent the past six hours together wandering