Read Online Passion in Restraints by Diane Thorne - Free Book Online Page A

similar shirts, stood behind the counters. The man was busy conversing with a couple while the woman appeared to be doing nothing as she sat on a stool near the register.
    “Where’s the ticket office?” Gwen asked.
    The employee lifted her arm and pointed at the exit. “Down hall. To the right.” She had a thick accent.
    Gwen smiled. “Thank you.”
    She left the shop and proceeded back down the hall. Two men dressed in expensive suits stood chatting to one side. The younger looking one had short black hair while the other appeared older with longer brown and grey wavy locks. He had a trimmed beard and brilliant blue eyes, which gave him a sexy and sophisticated appearance. Smiling, Gwen passed them. Two steps later, she spotted barred glass windows with signs. Only one of the booths appeared open with a female worker visible behind the transparent barrier.
    Gwen stopped. “Hi. I’m here to pick up my ticket for tomorrow night’s show.”
    The attendant flicked a button on the counter then leant forward towards a microphone. “Your name?” The round silver speaker in the centre of the barrier magnified her voice.
    “Gwenevere Stratten.” She stared at the young woman who typed on the keyboard and faced a computer screen. The lady had dirty blonde hair pinned back in a ponytail. A book lay open in front of her. Gwen couldn’t see much of anything else beyond the glass.
    “I don’t show that name in our system.”
    “Are you sure? I placed my order a few weeks ago.”
    Blondie shook her head. “Nothing under that name. Do you have your receipt number?”
    Gwen bit her lip as she recalled placing the order. She’d filled out an order form on her laptop from her hotel in London. Phillip had arrived and distracted her. She’d thought she’d finished the purchase, but she’d never received a confirmation e-mail.
    “I don’t have a receipt number. I didn’t get a response when I placed my order.”
    The attendant frowned. “If you don’t have a receipt number, I can’t help you.”
    “Are there any tickets left?”
    “Sold out. Nothing available.”
    “Seriously?” Gwen said louder than she’d intended.
    “I’m sorry. We have tickets for next week’s show.”
    “I’m only here a few days. Are you certain there’s not one anywhere?”
    “We’re sold out.”
    Gwen stared at the woman and resisted the urge to spit out a curse word. Now she really wished she’d taken a few minutes to confirm she’d placed her order. She was certain she’d completed the transaction. There had to be some record of it in the database. Maybe someone higher up could help her.
    “Is there a manager I can speak with? I filled out the form online to buy a ticket. There has to be a record of my purchase.”
    “Sorry.”
    “I came a long way and I may never get another chance to visit the Opera House.”
    Blondie moved her hand to the switch for the microphone. “There is nothing I can do.”
    “Please, can you call your manager to speak with me?” Gwen asked in an elevated tone.
    “He’s out of the office. Sorry.”
    “Wait. Do you know—?”
    “Excuse me.”
    Gwen heard a male voice and felt a light touch on her shoulder. She turned and found the two men dressed in suits staring at her.
    “I’m Stephen Bormann. Can I help you with anything?” The younger man with black hair said as he moved his hand away from her.
    “Are you a manager here?”
    “No, but I might be able to help you.”
    Gwen smiled. “I hope so. I travelled from the States and I’m only here a few days. I placed my ticket order over a week ago and I’m now discovering the box office has no record of it. To make matters worse, there are no tickets. Is there another way I could get in to see the show? I’ll pay double the ticket price if I have to, and I don’t mind standing if there isn’t any sitting room.”
    “Are you here alone in Vienna?” asked the bearded fellow.
    She gazed into his blue eyes and swallowed. Warmth