Read Online It All Began in Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler - Free Book Online

not knowing where you were going when you got to Paris. And the fact that you were so obviously upset.”
    â€œThe red eyes, I suppose.”
    â€œRed but beautiful.”
    This time Sunny laughed. “Of course, you were right, I was running away. I am still. I’m running away from a marriage that will no longer take place.”
    â€œHe left you at the altar?”
    It was Sunny’s turn to shrug, and this time the V-neck of her dress, unlike Kitty Ratte’s, revealed a hint of firm rounded breasts. Nothing to do with Hollywood implants, Sunny had grown them herself, to her chagrin, at the age of thirteen, when she was horse-mad and a tomboy and hated being female. Of course she had changed her mind since then, since she had discovered the power of breasts, what they did to a man, and certainly what they did to a woman, under a man’s, especially Mac’s, touch.
    She said, “Mac had important work to do, he canceled the wedding. It wasn’t the first time, but it was the last.”
    â€œYou still love him though.”
    â€œI don’t know,” Sunny said in a small strangled voice.
    â€œYes, you do. It’s part of what happened, who you are, what kind of woman. I’ll bet you don’t give up on love so easily, Sunny Alvarez.”
    Her head drooped on her long neck, her hair, silken and black, swung forward to hide her face.
    â€œYou know what?” Eddie pushed her hair gently back behind her ear, disentangling a strand that had caught on her diamond drop earring, which, of course, were the ones Mac had given her last Christmas. “We have similar stories, you and I.”
    Her eyes slid toward him. She held back the tears. Just.
    â€œMy home is Stockholm, but my business takes me around the world. Too much travel. Too much separation. Finally, my wife couldn’t bear the loneliness. She found another life. Now we are in the middle of a divorce.”
    â€œDo you still love her?”
    â€œI always will.”
    â€œThen why are you letting her go?”
    â€œBecause, my sweet Sunny, she deserves her freedom with a man who can make her happier than I ever could.”
    â€œYou must have been happy in the beginning?”
    â€œBeginnings are always happy. Love, lust, insane longings for each other.”
    His eyes linked to hers. Sunny recognized that look and felt that warning flutter, that dangerous delightful flutter in the pit of her belly. Don’t go there, she warned herself,
don’t go there, Sunny, you’re too vulnerable, too “Alone” . . .
    He patted her hand, turned and spoke to the waiter who’d brought a bowl of chopped chicken for the dog, who was sleeping peacefully. Sunny was still thinking about what Eddie had said. She knew she’d better change the subject. “So what do you do, Mr. Johanssen?”
    â€œI’m in the shipping business, tankers, containers, that sort of thing. Quite boring for someone like you, involved in Hollywood showbiz.”
    Sunny laughed. “Did no one ever tell you the truth aboutHollywood? That more often than not it’s even more boring than shipping containers and just about as mundane.”
    â€œBut you love it.”
    â€œI admit, I love it. I love California, I love Malibu, and my home in the marina with its view of all the boats I’ve even dreamed of sailing away on.”
    The vibrating of her cell phone brought her out of the trance she was falling into. It was Allie. She answered it.
    â€œAllie, oh Allie . . .” she said.
    â€œWhat’s up?
Really
up? I mean, have you truly
left
Mac?”
    â€œI have. And I need you. Can I come and see you tomorrow?”
    â€œWhere are you?”
    Sunny told her.
    â€œI’ll come to you. I’ll be there tomorrow evening, I don’t think I can get out of here earlier. Listen, book me a room, a double.”
    â€œIs Ron coming with you then?”
    â€œNo, I’m bringing