Page 9 of Dirty Deceit

She eyes me warily as if trying to guess if I'm being serious or not. I try to keep a straight face and jump into bed with her once again. I close my arms around her and tease her lips with mine. "I like breakfast in bed, Gemma." That makes her laugh, and she holds me tighter. I should probably message my own colleagues and tell them I'll be busy all day. They don't really need me at this phase of the project, and I'd rather spend it with the beautiful Gemma.

Mid-morning, we actually stopped for breakfast at the hotel's restaurant and then went off to do touristy things on the streets of Las Vegas. Gemma's never been, so I'm acting as her tour guide. I'm surprised that conversations with Gemma are really easy. She doesn't take herself too seriously and is very knowledgeable of different countries and cultures because of her profession as an interpreter.

We take a late lunch and she looks at her phone. "Oh no. Some of my friends are going back early. But they don't say why." She looks torn.

"Do you want to go back with them?"

"I… don't know." She gives me a look of anguish. "You haven't told me how much free time you have. I've been so selfish. You need to work."

"I'm flexible. I do have to work this evening, but if you stay the night, I can bring a late dinner up to your room around eleven."

"Okay, I'd like that. I'll see if I can get an appointment at the spa this evening and spend some time pampering myself."

I have reasons for wanting Gemma to stay the night, and they're not all about business. I want to spend some more time with her. Her laugh is like a breath of fresh air in my life, and I don't want to let that feeling go just yet.

"That sounds like a plan."

I drop her off at her suite and go back to mine. Ned and John are already waiting for me there and seem angry with me. They've known me for the longest time and can read me like a book. It will be hard to paint my relationship with Gemma, if I can call it that, as my own side project.

"Gentlemen."

"You've been gone all day, Murph. What the hell?" Ned asks, fury barely contained.

"Just some personal business to take care of. I know you didn't need me until tonight."

"It's not like you to run off by yourself when we're in the middle of a project," John adds.

"I know, I apologize."

I reach into the closet and take out the suit I'll wear tonight. It's Armani and top-of-the-line. I'm dressed to impress, and my presentation will be the one that will make the investors sign on the dotted line. I have to look my best to get the highest return.

I head into the bathroom to change.

"The team in New York will be ready tonight. Is this Gemma Taylor your personal business? We still get a cut, right?" Ned asks.

"I don't have all the information yet."

"Fine, be like that. Just make sure you have your game face on tonight. No more distractions."

My head nods of its own accord. I don't know how to agree to that because Gemma is definitely becoming a distraction for me. But business comes first.

Or does it?

Chapter 4

Gemma

Spending another night with Murphy was magical, but now I'm rushing to get ready so I can make my flight. I haven't looked at my phone all evening, and I need to know what's going on with the rest of the gang. I pick it up from where it's charging, and a whole bunch of messages pop up on the screen. My eyes jump to a specific text from my building's administrator.

Building admin: Miss Taylor, we will bill you for not letting us know beforehand that you were moving. Apart from that, you know that there shouldn’t be any moving on Sundays

What the what? I'm not moving. What's going on?

Me: I'm sorry, did you say I was moving? I'm not. Did you let someone into my apartment?

Building admin: Yes, the paperwork was complete, with your signature and ID at the bottom

Me: I never signed anything. You have to call the police. I'm getting on a plane in one hour, but I'm coming in from Nevada.

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