Read Online Miami Spice by Deborah Merrell - Free Book Online Page A

the edge of the seat as Gianni
slipped from gear to gear and increased their speed until the
engine thrummed over sixty. Though once they headed into traffic,
he slowed them down to a mere forty. Sitting back, she tried to
relax and offer some semblance of small talk. Little had Erica ever
dreamed she would be riding in a sleek sports car with her somewhat
repulsive playboy neighbor—and this after having spent a night of
glorious lovemaking with his twin brother!
    “She’s my one luxury,” Gianni continued with
an expansive smile. Erica assumed he meant the car since women were
definitely not a luxury item in his book. “She provides all I need
to feel so open and free, like the king of the highway.”
    Of course, you could add king of the
bedroom, too , Erica snickered to herself. “Sort of like a
motorcycle,” she offered instead, “but much safer.”
    “Exactly, but it’s not quite the same. This
machine is classic sophistication. In a jag, you can wear a tuxedo
or scuffed leather and chains.”
    “Yes, I suppose so, but I rather doubt you
wear leather and chains when you go for a drive in this
machine.”
    Gianni turned to give her a somewhat
provocative glance. Though Erica couldn’t see them behind the
glasses, she remained positive his eyes baited her with a
mischievous glint. “Let’s just say, I save the chains and the tight
black leather for a different kind of ride, usually after
midnight.”
    Trying not to grimace, she whipped her head
in the opposite direction. A strained silence ensued as the city of
Miami flew by with its palm trees and glitz.
    “Just how far is the place you had in mind?”
she asked at last, suddenly aware of the many miles they had
spanned between here and the safety of her office.
    “Oh, not too much farther along.” He gave her
another sideways glance. “By the way, I haven’t told you yet, but
you look very lovely today.”
    “Well, thank you.” A compliment coming from
him sounded as hollow as his sincerity, and Erica would just as
soon enjoy the appreciative words and touches of his sibling.
    “Nico told me you took him to a jazz club
last night. He enjoyed himself.”
    Feeling her stomach tighten, she hoped the
brothers were not chummy enough to discuss their love lives. “Oh,
so you’ve spoken to Nico since your arrival back in town.”
    “Yes, he called me on my cell phone. He told
me you seemed very interested in my apartment renovation. So, what
do you think of ol’ Adriano? He doesn’t get out much, and I know he
certainly appreciated your hospitality.”
    What Nico lacked in dating experience, his
twin certainly took up with a vengeance. “I found your brother
quite charming, and so...different.”
    “From me, you mean?”
    “Well, yes.”
    “The only similarity we seem to share is that
we started from the same egg. Not all twins are tight as in best
friends, you know, or clairvoyant. Nico’s preferences and ways of
thinking are far beyond my interests.”
    You can say that again!
    “He has a definite talent and his art
reflects his creativity. I’m hoping to use his paintings as focal
points in your apartment.”
    “Oh, certainly. I think I used to envy Nico’s
talent. Yet as we grew older, I came to accept my own assets, quite
different from any of his.”
    Another round of you can say that again!
    Gianni donned a clever smile. “Did he tell
you at one point he thought about going into the priesthood?”
    That revelation jolted Erica for a moment.
Although, when she thought about it, she found Nico’s idealism and
devotion quite refreshing, if not noble. “No, he didn’t say, but
then an evening together doesn’t guarantee you’ll form a total
picture of a person’s true nature.”
    “Exactly. So, what about you, Erica Rael?
What deep, dark secrets do you possess?”
    “Nothing sinister,” she answered quickly.
    He brokered another sly glance from behind the
shades. “Oh, come now! You must have had some secret hopes and
desires at