Foreign Affair (3 page)

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 in 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.”

Lena shrugged, her stomach tightening at her friend’s words because they were a pretty good assessment. “And you think there’s something wrong with that?”

“Nothing.” Stephanie shrugged. “If that’s what you want. I just could never settle for only having experienced one man. I mean, do you have any idea how much good sex you’re missing out on?”

“Hey.” Lena raised a finger at her friend as she came to sit down beside her. “I have good sex.”

“Do you now? That’s not the impression I’ve reached after talking to you in the past few months.”

Lena sighed and looked away. “All right. Maybe it hasn’t been the best lately. But what do you expect after eight years?”

“I’d expect more than one orgasm a year.”

“Well, some women just aren’t as prone to orgasms as others.”

“Like being prone to allergies? This is an orgasm, Lena. Everyone has the potential to have one. Though, some men need to be handed a map of a woman’s body and be given a clue with a capital C.” Stephanie went to the closet and browsed through the clothes she’d hung earlier.

Lena didn’t respond, a little annoyed because Stephanie’s comments had been more than slightly accurate. She went to search her own still
-
unpacked suitcase for something to wear.

Stephanie plucked a dress off a hanger and turned around. “This will do.”

“Wow.” Lena shook her head and turned away from the small piece of fabric some might call a dress.

“What should I do with my hair?” Stephanie lifted the heavy weight of it off her shoulders. “Should I put it up?”

“Yeah, that would look good,” Lena agreed. “I think I’ll leave mine down.”

“Cute.” Stephanie glanced up, clearly amused. “When did you cut it, anyway?”

“A few months ago. It’s actually grown out a lot.”

“It’s nice, but I like it better long.”

“Gotta love your brutal honesty, Steph.” She glanced back into the suitcase. “But, for now, why don’t you help me decide what articles of clothing to throw on my body?”

“I swear to God, this thong is cutting me in half.” Lena resisted the urge to reach down her pants to adjust it.

While Lena had showered, Stephanie had run down to a local boutique to pick up the scrap of black lace.

“You will never, ever convince me to wear one again.”

“Hey, in those pants there’s no way you could’ve gotten away with granny panties.” Stephanie pushed her shoulder bag higher onto her arm.

“Hmm. And speaking of… I don’t know how I even got into these pants.” She looked down at the clingy, black pants and the pink V-neck sweater that exposed her expansive cleavage.

“Lena, you look hot. If I swung that way, I’d be all over you.” Stephanie’s heels clicked in a rhythmic staccato through the darkened streets.

“Thanks, Steph. It means the world to hear you say that.”

Stephanie adjusted her breasts inside her bra and gave a broad grin. “You know I’d kill for tits like yours. Mine are barely there, and what you can see are due to a bra that makes you wonder where they went when you take it off.” She shrugged. “I just want us to stand out tonight.”

Lena once again looked at her friend’s outfit, and a shudder ran through her. “I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”

She wouldn’t be caught dead in an animal print dress that stopped just below each butt cheek. Stephanie had taste in clothes that could make a hooker jealous.

Lena spotted Tyler the moment they stepped inside the lobby of his hotel. He waved to them and then made his way over.

He looked good. Even better than at lunch. Lena just about smacked herself when she realized the sensation pulsing through her body could only be described at lust.
So not going to go there.

“Don’t you look nice?” Stephanie purred when they met in the middle of the lobby.

“Thanks.” Tyler’s eyes were appreciative as he took them in. “You two look fantastic.”

Sure, he smiled when he looked at me, but it was Stephanie who got the longer look
. Could it be more obvious which one he would rather get into
bed?

She ran that thought through her head again and gave a small gag of self
-
disgust. Who cared if he wanted to get it on with Stephanie?
You are engaged, woman
.

They left the hotel and set off for the walk into town. Tyler told them about a little jazz café he wanted to take them to. They arrived to find the place flooded with locals.

Lena ordered her dinner, surprised to find that Tyler ordered the same thing. They’d picked the Gouda cheese croquet to start and stewed shank of lamb for their entrée.

Stephanie, being the vegetarian, had the terrine with mozzarella, tomato, eggplant and spinach.

“Let me try a bite?” Lena gestured to Stephanie’s plate after their food was set in front of them.

Stephanie slid her plate over, and Lena stabbed a bite with her fork, lifting the piece to her lips. She moaned in appreciation and closed her eyes. When she opened them, Tyler’s gaze rested on her.

“What? It’s good.” Her cheeks heated under his amused stare.

He nodded, and his smile widened. “I could tell.”

Her stomach flipped again. She tightened her grip on her fork and turned back to her own food. A half hour later they were done with their food and enjoying a beer.

“Who wants dessert?” Tyler asked, taking another sip of beer. “They have a great hot pudding here—”

“Ugh, please no.” Lena grimaced, placing a hand against her stomach. “I couldn’t eat another bite. This beer is pushing it.”

“All right.” Tyler glanced out at the dance floor where couples were moving to a fast jazz song. “Well, do you know how to swing dance?”

Lena shrugged and followed his gaze. “I took some lessons on a whim once.”

“Really? Maybe we should burn off that food.” He raised an eyebrow and stood, offering his hand. “Dance with me, Lena.”

He wanted to dance with her? Seriously? Lena’s stomach was doing all kinds of aerobics now.

“Dance with you?”

“Yeah go for it. Dance with him.” Stephanie nudged her, eyes shining a little too bright.