Lena’s jaw dropped, the word Paris spinning around in her head. “You’re taking me to France? Is this a joke?”
“No.” Stephanie shook her head. “I asked for some time off from this project. So I want to take a vacation.”
Lena stared at her in amazement. “But I can’t go to Paris.”
“What? You have to,” Keith snapped.
“I—I have to work, for one reason....”
“I rearranged your schedule,” Keith intervened. “I’ve known about this for about a month. You’ve got the next two weeks off. Your work arranged to cover for you.”
“You did what?” Lena’s eyes widened. “But how? This is so sudden. I’m not even packed.”
“Well you’d better hurry up and do it before the limo gets here.”
“Limo?”
Stephanie grinned. “I hired one. But we’re going to miss our flight if you don’t hurry your butt up, so let me help you.”
“I can’t believe this,” she muttered as they finished packing. “Is this really happening?”
“Oh yeah.” Stephanie nudged her in the side after tossing another shirt in the case. “This is happening.”
Once Lena snapped her suitcase shut, Keith pulled her in for another hug and gave her a quick kiss.
“I wasn’t too keen on this whole trip, babe. But we’re not married yet, so it’s kind of hard for me to say no.”
Stephanie rolled her eyes. “You know, you’re kind of a control freak, Keith.”
“Yeah, and you’re kind of a bitch.” Keith gave her a hard smile.
Lena, refusing to get sucked in by their usual bickering, instead grabbed her jacket. “Can you guys at least try to get along?”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll work on that. Right after we get back from Europe.” Stephanie grabbed her arm and ushered her out the door.
A second later Lena found herself stuffed into the back of a shiny limo. And then, as she waved good-bye to Keith and the limo pulled away, it all began to sink in.
“I’m actually going to Paris.”
“Yes, you are.” Stephanie gave a wicked smile and pulled out a bottle of Dom Perignon. “This is your get out of jail free card, Lena. So you’d better get ready. We’re celebrating.”
“Apparently.” Lena accepted the glass of champagne and watched Keith walk back into the house as the limo pulled away.
“And since I’m using my money to fund this trip, I have one condition for you.”
“And that is?” Lena would have agreed to anything at this point. She was going to freaking Europe!
“There is to be no talk whatsoever about Keith. You are a single woman these next two weeks. Flirt. Have fun. It’ll be like a two-week, European bachelorette party.”
Lena hesitated. Hell, all she had to do was agree, it didn’t mean she’d actually flirt with anyone.
She raised her glass and clinked it into Stephanie’s. “You’ve got a deal.”
“Good.” Stephanie winked. “And, by the way, speaking of party? We’re going to Amsterdam first.”
Chapter Two
“Will you please get up? You’re sleeping the entire day away.”
Lena groaned and pulled the pillow over her head. She may as well have had a hangover for how awful she felt. What a long flight that had been.
“It’s not daytime, Steph. It’s the middle of the freaking night.”
Stephanie spun from the mirror and pounced on her, dragging the blankets off Lena’s curled up body. “It is the middle of the night in Portland. We, in case you haven’t noticed, are in Amsterdam. Amsterdam, Lena. It’s ten in the morning here. Now get your ass out of bed before I drag you out.”
Lena answered with her face still buried against the pillow. “Can’t we just take a couple more hours to sleep?”
“No, we can’t sleep. I want to go eat Dutch pancakes and drink wonderful coffee.” Stephanie grabbed Lena’s leg and jerked her toward the edge of the bed. “Once you have your coffee, you’ll feel fine.”
Lena pulled her leg back from Stephanie and then sat up on her own.
“Jesus.” Stephanie sat back on her heels, her face settling into an expression of wonder. “What did you do to your hair?”
“Don’t make me hit you. You know I’m not exactly Mary Poppins in the morning.” Lena yawned and patted down the hairs on her head that were sticking straight up. “I’ll go shower.”
An hour later they strolled down the streets of Amsterdam, careful to avoid the astonishing amount of bicyclists. Cars rarely passed by.
Lena had traded in her pajamas for jeans and a black sweater, with a heavy wool coat to combat the cold. She nursed a latté as they walked the streets of the city. The weather must’ve been just above freezing. It almost hurt to breathe. Not that she cared. She was in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam.
“This is too amazing. Saying thank you seems somewhat inadequate.” Lena glanced at her friend, giving her a big grin. “So where do we go now?”
“This great café.” Stephanie stepped to the right and allowed a bicyclist to pass on the left. He smiled, waved, and pedaled on by. Stephanie’s gaze followed him down the road. “People are so friendly here. Not to mention hot.”
“I don’t really look anymore.” Lena shrugged and paused to lean over the rail of the bridge they were on. “But this view is gorgeous.”
The canal shimmered in the muted winter sunlight. Tour boats glided through the icy water. Beyond the canal lay buildings that had probably been around longer than America had been a country.
Lena inhaled the cool air and watched her breath drift upward as she exhaled. “Do you smell that? It smells like aged Gouda…” Her nose scrunched. “And cigarettes.”
“Hmm, speaking of…” Stephanie dug into her purse. She emerged a moment later with a pack.
“When did you start smoking?”
“Last film I worked on,” Stephanie replied. “I planned on quitting, but then I realized that we were going to Europe, and everybody over here smokes. So I figured, what the hell. I’ll quit when I get back.”
Lena narrowed her eyes, watching her friend. Stephanie was stunning. Her mother was half-Japanese and half-Caucasian, her father German. Her long, black hair swung halfway down her tall, slender frame while blue, almond-shaped eyes and olive skin made her appear exotic.
“I was here once when the temperature hit below freezing.” Stephanie waved her cigarette toward the canal. “That was frozen, and there were kids skating on it. Totally fantastic.”
Lena turned her gaze back to the canal and sighed. “Oh, how fun. You know, we should try to go to the Van Gogh museum.”
Stephanie crushed out her cigarette. “Sure, but first, let’s eat.” When they entered the café, Lena gave it a dubious look. Thick smoke hung in the air, and soft music played from a stereo behind the bar. They found a booth near the back and settled in.
Lena removed her sunglasses and grabbed the paper menu off the table, relieved to see it also offered the English translation of the food. “I’m starving. Do you think they’re serving lunch yet?”
“Hello, hot guy at the bar,” Stephanie whispered, ignoring her question. “And he was showing strong signs of interest when we walked in.”
“Now that’s a surprise,” Lena murmured. “You could draw looks from the blind.”
Stephanie raised her eyebrows and smiled at the man, making Lena glad that she had her back to him.
“Okay, he’s coming over.”
“What?” Lena dropped the menu, her pulse quickening. “Are you nuts? He could be a complete wacko.”
“Well, hello, my fellow Americans.” The voice, a deep and sensuous baritone, lifted the minuscule hairs on the back of Lena’s neck.
I will not turn and look.
“Oh, now that’s too bad.” Stephanie pouted. “I was hoping you’d be foreign and not another boring American. Accents are so delicious.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you.” He didn’t sound apologe
tic in the least. “Was that an invitation to sit down a second ago?”
“You’re a quick one.” Stephanie slid over in the booth and made room for him.
Lena saw his backside first as he walked past her. Okay, so he looked good from behind. His hair was brown and cut short, but it had some curl to it. A hunter green crew neck sweater covered thick, broad shoulders and muscular back. Hmm. A possible swimmer? Her gaze traveled down to the solid looking butt tucked into faded jeans.
The front of him would be a big mess. No man could look that good on both sides. He probably had yellow teeth, acne scars and crossed eyes.
He turned around.
Sweet Jesus. This icon of a man could make the statue of David appear to be an overweight nobody. It shouldn’t be legal for a man to look this good. Lena’s defenses went on red alert, a common reaction when she was confronted with an impossibly good-looking man.
His brown eyes met hers across the table, and he gave her a broad smile, displaying perfect, white teeth. She gave an inaudible harrumph. What, did he promote toothpaste too?
“So where are you from, Mr.…?” Stephanie asked as she trailed a manicured nail up his sleeve. She didn’t seem nearly as bothered as Lena by their new friend.
“Bentz,” the man replied. “But formality is wasted in a place like Amsterdam. Call me Tyler. I’m from New York.”
“New York?” Stephanie replied. “I love New York. Great shopping. The name’s Stephanie, and this is my best friend Lena.”
Tyler shook Stephanie’s outstretched hand and then turned to Lena, who’d tucked hers back into her lap.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Bentz.” Lena gave an inward groan, wishing she didn’t sound so damn stiff.
Tyler cocked an eyebrow and pulled his hand back, keeping his gaze locked on her.
Lena didn’t answer and shifted uncomfortably in her seat, turning her gaze away from the amusement in his brown eyes. The hot body she could ignore, but the steady intensity in him struck a chord in her.
Stephanie grabbed another cigarette and lit up.
“So, where did you say you girls were from?”
“Portland, Oregon. Well, she is. I’m from Seattle.” Stephanie blew a stream of smoke into the air and declared, “I think I want a beer. Do you think they sell joints in here?”
Lena’s stomach flipped, and she jerked her gaze to her friend. “You’re not really going to smoke marijuana, are you?”
“Don’t be a prude, Lena.” Stephanie rolled her eyes. “I know you took a hit on a joint in high school. And besides, we’re in Amsterdam. It’s practically expected of you.”
“You just had to bring that up,” Lena muttered, her cheeks warming. She glanced at Tyler. “I never inhaled.”
“Mmm hmm.” Stephanie laughed. “You wouldn’t believe how defensive she gets about that.”
Tyler smiled, glancing down at his menu. “Well, I’m just going to have a Hoegaarden.”
“A what?” Lena asked, curious despite herself.
“It’s a white beer,” he explained. “It’s great over here. Make sure you ask for a lemon though.”
“Oh. Like a hefeweizen? That’s my favorite.” Easy girl, it’s just a beer. She forced a casual shrug. “It’s too early for beer, though. I’ll just have water.”
Stephanie gave her a pensive look. “No beer? What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing. I just don’t want to drink some hole garden, or whatever you call it. I’m just here to grab something to eat.”
As if on cue, the waitress appeared and took their orders. After she left, Tyler turned back to the women. “So, what brings you two to Amsterdam? Business or pleasure?”
“Hopefully pleasure.” Stephanie’s voice turned husky. “I’ve been searching for a way to unwind for the last couple months. And I think I may have found it.”
“Oh, Jesus,” Lena mumbled under her breath. Stephanie sure didn’t waste any time. She’d baited the hook and was trolling the waters.
“And you?” Tyler turned to her. “Pleasure as well?”
“What?” Lena gave him a sharp glance. “I’ll have you know I’m en—”
“Lena.” Stephanie interrupted her, stopping her before Lena could declare her engagement.
Lena scowled, remembering their deal that they were just two single women on this trip.
“I’m enjoying myself on this vacation. Nothing but hotels, tourist traps and lots of pictures. In fact, Steph, remind me to pick up one of those snow globes, will you?”
The other two stared at her, their expressions twisted to show their puzzlement. Could I sound like more of an idiot?
Before turning back to Tyler, Stephanie nodded as though she were beginning to understand what was going on in Lena’s head.
“And why are you here? You look too well dressed to be backpacking.”
“I did the backpacking scene in college. I’m just here for a few days on business.”
“Well, that’s too bad.” Stephanie pouted. “Although, what a place to mix business with pleasure.”
Overkill, Steph. Overkill. Lena’s jaw clenched as she slid out of the booth. “I’ll be back in a few.”
Tyler watched Lena scurry away, noting her perfect backside. Well, well. Maybe Amsterdam did have its perks.
He’d begun to regret his decision to take the assignment here. He was bored out of his mind, and it had only been two days. Most of the work had been completed in the first day, and he hated doing the tourist thing by himself. He still had until Tuesday before he was due to fly back to New York.
Maybe, if he could convince her, Lena could help pass some of the time by. She intrigued him. He wanted to spend more time with her. Get her to come out of her shell a bit. Lord knew what he’d find underneath that protective demeanor, but he knew it would be worthwhile to find out.
Stephanie had just finished saying something, and he had no idea what. She didn’t seem to be waiting for a response, so he smiled and then asked, “Hey, how long will you to be in Amsterdam?”
Stephanie gave him a suggestive smile. “A week. Why, Mr. New York, you got something in mind?”
Lena returned five minutes later to find her food on the table and Stephanie sitting all too close to Tyler, laughing at something he’d just said.
“Tyler just invited us both to go out to a bar tonight, and I’ve said yes,” Stephanie informed her. “I know you wanted to check out the nightlife.”
“Oh, well, of course I do.” Lena’s laugh sounded shrill even to her own ears. She couldn’t believe this. All she wanted to do was avoid this man, and now Stephanie had set up an entire night out with him?
Stephanie paused with her fork halfway to her lips. “You know there’s a reason I went into drama, and you didn’t.”
“You’re an actress?” Tyler asked.
Lena smiled at Stephanie, but inquired her question to Tyler. “Have you ever heard of the movie Delicate Dreaming?”
Tyler shrugged, shaking his head no.
“Ah, it was one of her first movies. Indie film.” Lena turned back to her sandwich.
Stephanie giggled and set down her fork. “I’m an unknown, struggling actress, and Lena likes to give me a lot of crap about it.”
Lena gave a reluctant smile. “No, you give yourself far more crap than I do.”
Tyler glanced across the table at her. “You should smile more often.”
Lena focused on chewing the bite of food in her mouth before replying, “I’m not sure if that was a compliment or an insult.”
His eyes flashed with humor. “You can take it however you want, but I meant it as a compliment.”
Lena clenched her teeth as her thumbnail pierced the bread of her sandwich. She refused to let him bait her. She would just shut up and ignore him as they finished their lunch.
“So, what hotel are you staying at?” Stephanie asked Tyler later as they walked out of the café.
He told her the name of a four-star hotel, and Stephanie whistled i
n approval. Lena remained silent. She knew of the hotel, and knew it to be a very pricey and posh place to stay. The lucky bastard.
“Well then, Tyler…” Stephanie stepped toward him. “We’ll see you at nine.”
“Sounds good.” He didn’t avoid the kiss Stephanie planted on his lips. After she pulled away, he turned to Lena as if to see what she might do.
Surprised at his boldness, Lena gave him her best are-you-kidding-me look and took a step back from him, folding her arms across her chest.
He laughed and pulled a card out of his pocket. “Here’s my card. I wrote my hotel number on the back if you need to get a hold of me before then.”
Stephanie took the card from him, and they watched him walk away.
“Well, he could be a lot of fun.”
“Fun?” Lena inquired. “Is he just for fun, or is he someone you’re really interested in?”
“Interested in?” Stephanie burst out laughing. “Lena, we’re in Amsterdam on vacation. I’m not thinking long-term. And I don’t have time to be interested in anyone, anyway. I’m just looking for some good, casual sex. Besides, didn’t you see the ass on him?”
“Unfortunately,” Lena mumbled under her breath and followed her friend across the street.
Lena yawned as she applied mascara to her thin lashes, an unlucky genetic trait from her mother. She blinked at her reflection to help them dry and then set down the wand, turning to where Stephanie was lathering lotion onto her bare legs.
“Do you really think it’s a good idea to get involved with Tyler?”
Stephanie shrugged. “Will you drop it already? We’re on vacation. I look at it like another thing to indulge in. You have the rich European foods, and I’ll have the rich European men.”
“Tyler doesn’t seem rich, and he isn’t European,” Lena pointed out.
“I never said it had to be Tyler.” Stephanie gave her a curious glance. “Not that I’m vetoing him as a potential.”
Lena accepted the response with a mild laugh. “Wow, I wish I could look at sex like that.”
“No, you don’t.” Stephanie straightened and tossed the bottle of lotion onto the bed. “Because you’re the good girl, happily engaged to the one man you’ve ever been to bed with.”
Foreign Affair Page 2