BLURB:
He’s an art thief on the run…with her heart
Look closer, into Hotel Totally Five Star Venice, where art curator Monique Le Bres has just walked through the doors of the newly opened swanky luxury hotel to assist with their art collection.
Alessandro Bonnard, the world-renowned art connoisseur and collector has been sent incognito to supervise Monique and oversee her acquisitions for the hotel.
Concealing his true identity, Alessandro is intrigued by the art-loving vixen with an appetite for kinky sex. He pursues Monique, charming her at every turn — taking her to places she’s never been — both in and out of bedroom.
Monique falls hard for the man who has utterly captured her body and soul. Only to find out he isn’t who she thought he was after all…he’s an art thief on the run…with her heart.
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Excerpt:
Smiling, the hotel clerk handed her the large gold room key.
“Signorina Le Bres, benvenuti a Venezia.” She welcomed Monique warmly. “Signor Amatus will be here un momento to escort you to your suite.” The mix of English and Italian words was enchanting to Monique, so far from the small dirt filled town back in Kansas that she’d dragged herself out so many years ago where the only foreign language spoken was pig Latin if you were lucky and grow up on the right side of the tracks. Monique hadn’t even been that lucky, the rusted out trailer she’d shared with her mother couldn’t have been further from the right side of anything.
“Grazie.” Monique took the gold key, noting how large and heavy it was in the palm of her hand. Almost ominous of what lay ahead. No slick electronic keys at this hotel. No, this was one hundred percent Italian luxury. The key began to heat in her grasp as she glanced around for the man who was supposed to greet her.
The elevator door dinged, catching her attention.
Monique’s mouth dropped open. A good looking twenty-something man dressed in employee issued suit exited. His robust laughter had caught her attention with his momentarily flirtation with a sexy young woman dressed in the hotel uniform that made Monique smirk as the man patted her ass when he passed. A first rate flirter for sure, she made a mental note to steer clear.
Monique’s smirk turned into a frown as the man kept walking straight towards Monique.
“There he is, Signor Amatus,” the clerk behind the counter called to Monique while she stood somewhat transfixed as the flirter approached. He really was young. Could he really be her supervisor? Not at all what she’d been expecting. Maybe mid twenties if she was generous. Barely legal age back in the states and good ten to fifteen years younger than her she was quite sure.
“Ah, Signorina Le Bres…”
“Yes, I am Monique Le Bres.” She extended her hand. He wasted no time sliding it into his and reaching it to his mouth. Pausing before kissing the back of her palm, his gaze stayed fixed on hers.
“Incantanto,” his words almost a whisper.
These Italian men were skilled at the art of flirtation; there was no denying that. But the sooner she made it clear to him that she was all work and no play the better it would be for both of them.
“I am Donovan Amatus, please allow me welcome to you to Hotel Totally Five Star Venezia. I am sure you will be molto comfortable here.”
The wicked glint in his eyes made her blush and fume at the same time. “I’m the new art curator,” Monique scrambled to say something, trying not blurt out what she was really thinking. That it was actually both flattering and maddening all at the same time to be flirted with by this young stud with the wandering eyes only moments after her arrival at the hotel.
“I know, si. Art Curator,” he said, releasing her hand but not before running it lightly over his lips. “I will be your liaison while you are here, answer any questions you have. Work with you side by side. Fianco a fianco,” he repeated the words in Italian, his tone so intimate that she was lost for a moment as she studied his nametag.
Donovan Amatus, Del controllo qualità.
Quality Control Manager. A vague memory of her letter of employment and that name stuck in her head but she was damned if she could reconcile the young man in front of her with her supervisor. Surely there had been some mix up. This young man couldn’t possibly be supervising her and the forty million euro budget the CEO had entrusted her with.
“The key Signorina?” he prompted.
Speechless she just stood there.
“La chiave, the key, per favore?” He repeated and then reached to take the key from her grip. “Follow me Signorina Le Bres.”
“Oh, please call me Monique.”
“You Americans are so friendly,” he said with a smile as he led her toward the elevator, placing his hand firmly around her waist.
Summoning her most professional demeanor she slipped from his hold and stepped into the elevator.
“I am sure you will be very happy working here at the hotel Totally Five Star Venezia.” He said as he punched the fifth floor button.
Monique tried to focus on what she was there for, her dream job and not the leering eyes of her so-called supervisor. “Yes, I’m sure I will. Mr. Conroy’s letter of employment said I could start to work tomorrow.”
“Assolutamente,” he confirmed. “Tomorrow. But first I show you your room, bene?”
*****
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Kate Deveaux is a contemporary erotic romance writer and die-hard romantic. A former wedding planner, she has always been “in love” with love! Kate is currently working on several fictional stories – each filled with sexy romance, heroines who are no shrinking violets and heroes who make your heart skip a beat. She currently resides with her husband in the U.S. When Kate is not busy writing, she can be found on the tennis court –yes, there’s even ‘love’ in that game too.
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*****
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Thanks a bunch Lucy, thrilled to be here!!!
Best,
Kate
xx
Thanks for hosting!