A Lover's Dream Read Online Free

of her own. “Hmm… I’m nagging you for information on a book that you want me to write? Do you see any logic in that, Count?”
    County rolled her eyes to study the line of chandeliers gracing the hotel’s high ceiling. “Why do I even try with you?” She sighed while signing for the room keys.
    Mick rolled her eyes and took a minute to study hersurroundings as well. The hotel was to die for, elegantly yet comfortably furnished. The cherry-wood paneling of the lobby simply emphasized the rich color and craftsmanship of the butter-soft leather sofas and armchairs. The establishment shrieked of exquisite tastes and accommodations. Mick silently toyed with the notion of tacking on a few more days to her stay. She deserved to treat herself to a more lengthy getaway in such a fabulous place.
    â€œThere,” County announced, accepting the room keys from the desk attendant. “Now.” She sighed again and turned to drop the card in Mick’s palm. “What?” she groaned, when she saw the pointed look on Mick’s face.
    â€œThe file.”
    â€œDamn it, Mick,” County whispered, her lashes fluttering as she bowed her head, “I swear you are the most—”
    â€œHold it. Just stop a minute,” Mick urged, raising her hand for emphasis. “Now, even you have to admit that no family is as syrupy sweet as that file made the Ramseys out to be. Hell, even the Shelanons had skeletons in their closets.”
    â€œBoy, did they!” County acknowledged, tapping one long spice-polished nail on her cheek as she recalled the family. “But in defense of that file, Mick, it was a promotional packet. I mean, you really didn’t expect them to place all their dirty little secrets in there all nice and neat, did you?”
    Mick folded her arms across the yellow lace-neck T-shirt she sported. “Now who’s being sarcastic?”
    County patted Mick’s cheek. “You’re growing on me.”
    Still, Mick was determined to hear County admit that she wasn’t being suspicious or overly cynical. “Families like this always have something to hide,” she insisted, as they took the elevator to their respective rooms.
    â€œWell, that’s why you’re the journalist, girl. Dig, dig, dig,” County advised in a merry tone. “Besides, you’ll have plenty of time to grill your sources tomorrow and I won’t even be there to kick you under the table when you ask how many people they’ve murdered.”
    Mick stood still before the elevator as the doors closed softly behind her. “What do you mean, you won’t be there?”
    County was already unlocking her door. “They want to meet you alone.”
    â€œWhy?”
    County shrugged, heading inside the room to check that her bags had been correctly delivered. “That photo I sent must have done the job,” she surmised absently.
    â€œI don’t like it,” Mick decided, pushing the room door closed.
    County tossed her card key to the message desk. “Neither do I,” she complained, perching her curvy frame against the edge of the sofa. “From what I hear, those two are a sight to behold. I hate like hell that I can’t be there to see for myself.”
    â€œHow you ever managed to get this far ahead in business with such a one-track mind still amazes me.”
    County took no offense. “Me too,” she admitted slyly. “Still, I can easily get over it in a place like this. Really classy of the Ramseys to put us up in one of Seattle’s finest hotels, and I’m damn well gonna enjoy.”
    Mick, however, wasn’t so in awe, as her suspicions still ran high. “Why didn’t they tell us beforehand that they only wanted to meet with me?” she questioned.
    â€œUgggh!” County bellowed, slapping both hands to her navy blue crop pants as she stood. “That’s it,” she said in a defeated tone