Bent Out of Shape Read Online Free Page A

chaises, each double the width of a regular chair, were evenly spaced along the two long sides of the pool. Peter walked to one end of the room and slid a Japanese screen to reveal a hidden kitchen. Pale green glass tiles formed the wall over a granite counter top, and a tidy array of appliances and cupboards, all gleaming with polished steel fronts, fit into the compact space.
    “Bathroom’s over here, by the way.” Peter motioned to a door next to the mini-kitchen.
    Jamie cleared her throat. “Look, this is nice and all, but what exactly is the plan? We can’t stay down here forever, you know.”
    He opened a wine refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of pinot grigio. “Obviously.” He uncorked it with a pop that echoed in the chamber. “But, we can be comfortable for a day or so, which will give the guards time to assume the intruders escaped over the fence.” He poured the pale wine into two stemless goblets. “Mr Paul ought to be back by this time tomorrow and I know I can talk my way out of this then, but we can hang out down here for an extra night just to be sure.”
    “It’ll also give the guards time to tow away my car,” Jamie grumbled. “What the hell am I going to do about that?” She accepted a glass of wine from him and took a long drink.
    “We’ll get it all straightened out. Mr Paul can be a bit obsessive when it comes to his privacy, but the last thing he needs is a used Honda. He and I parted on very good terms, so when I am able to explain things to him, I’m sure he’ll realise that there was no bad intent and no harm done.” He settled into a lounge chair with a contented sigh.
    “Then why don’t we go talk to the guards now ?” Jamie asked. She paced up and down next to the pool, exasperated. “If everything’s cool, then why are we holed up down here?”
    Peter sipped his wine then licked his lips. “Mr Paul is out in the wilderness until tomorrow afternoon. He likes to leave his cell phone behind and stomp about in the woods with nothing but a compass to guide him and his favourite dogs, Zeus and Apollo, to protect him.” He shrugged. “Mr Paul’s out of the picture for now. The way I see it, we can either spend the night in a cell in the guard house or down here in the Sensual Cenote.”
    Jamie snorted wine through her nose. “The Sensual Cenote? Are we in a Lemony Snickett book? And what the hell is a cenote?” She winced and sniffled as she settled in to a chaise next to him.
    He examined his fingernails, but Jamie detected a hint of defensiveness about him. “Well, that’s what Mr Paul calls it, so that’s the name I’m accustomed to using. A cenote is a sinkhole filled with water. Not quite accurate since this is manmade, but it amuses Marcus Paul. Call it what you like, but we’ve got food, beverages and a bathroom. If we can tough it out for another day, Mr Paul will be back and I’m confident that I can smooth things over.”
    “Mm-hm.” Jamie nodded. She watched the waterfall rush over the artfully tumbled rocks into the far end of the pool. “You, the fired employee who forged your ex-boss’ signature and then trespassed on his property, will smooth things over.” She sipped her wine thoughtfully. “Ri-ight.”
    Peter took another deep swallow of his drink and placed the glass next to his chair on a wicker table. He reclined the chair until it was almost flat and lay there, the picture of relaxation. Jamie rolled her eyes. The room was silent except for the constant rush of the waterfall. She wiggled her toes and cleared her throat. Peter raised one eyebrow and smiled faintly, but kept his eyes closed.
    Exasperating lunatic.

Chapter Four
    Jamie rummaged through the stainless steel cabinets in the kitchen area. She found crackers, paté, fine chocolates and dried figs in one, dishes in another and a stack of fluffy towels in a third.
    “Whatcha looking for?” Peter asked behind her.
    “A swimsuit, if you must know,” Jamie replied irritably. “I