Page 5 of Dirty Deceit

"Yes, I'm going for business. I'm a business investor, and there's a group of people there that want to grab my attention." He cracks his knuckles again. I don't know if I should think that is endearing or gross. For now, I think I like it. Makes him seem tough. "What do you do for a living, Gemma?"

"Oh, I'm an interpreter. French and Spanish."

"Do you work from home, or do you do it at places like the UN?"

"From home, thankfully. I love the flexibility, and the money is not bad either."

I cringe a little inside. Maybe I shouldn't be giving out my life story to this man, as attractive as he is.

"Where else do you travel for business, Murphy?"

"All over the country, really. We want to expand, so maybe next year Europe as well. But traveling can be exhausting if you do it too often."

"Are you going to take some time off when you're in Vegas?"

"I would like to spend some time with you if you're willing."

I feel my face flush, and I know I'm blushing furiously. My heart starts beating faster, and I don't know how to answer his comment, so I just stay quiet.

Murphy

I've been engaging in small talk with the lovely Gemma, who, thankfully, traded places with the mother of the kid who was making a racket since we boarded the plane. Here's my problem. I don't know if Gemma will be my next lover or my next con. She looks pretty refined and works in a very profitable profession. However, she confessed someone else paid for the first-class tickets.

She's elegant, and her clothes are expensive. So are her purse and shoes. She carries herself with grace and is trying to flirt with me. I didn't ask where in New York she lived, but I'll find out soon enough, which will give me more clues about her status. That's why I just asked her to spend some time with me. I can't deny I'm sexually interested as well, but I always put business before pleasure.

"Did I come on too strong? You're very beautiful, and I want to get to know you, Gemma."

"No, it's fine. It's just that we're only here for tonight and tomorrow. I don't know where I can fit you in."

"Let me give you my card. If you get some time to yourself, even if just an hour, let me know so we can get together. Where are you staying?"

"The Bellagio."

"What a coincidence, so am I. That makes things easier." I hand her my card, and she looks at it thoughtfully. I can be pushy, but women like it, and I think she's going to take the bait. She goes into her purse and takes out a shiny cardholder. She opens it and hands me her business card.

Gemma Taylor, translator/interpreter.

The cabin crew start to serve lunch, and I take advantage by making small talk with the lovely Gemma. I notice that she doesn't drink any more alcohol, which is a shame. I could get much more information that way. It doesn't matter either way. I decide I'm going all in with Gemma. The poor girl won't know what hit her.

"Let me order more champagne for us. We need to celebrate." She seems uncomfortable, but I signal the flight attendant and order the champagne.

"What are we celebrating?" She asks, a cautious tone in her voice. I wait for the champagne to arrive before answering.

"We're celebrating the fact that we found each other, of course." I lift my glass and wait for her to clink my glass with hers.

"I can't promise much, but I will drink to us." She says, tapping her glass to mine.

Her face grows redder, and the blush expands down her long, elegant neck—a neck I want to kiss and bite if she'll let me. I'm not afraid to say that I'm a skilled lover, and she'll love the time we spend together in the bedroom. At 47, I've had a lot of one-night stands to perfect my technique, and I have no doubt I'll sweep her off her feet. Something that will help me separate her from whatever money she's got saved.

After the crew removes our trays, there's a bit of turbulence, and I take advantage and grab Gemma's hand, reassuring her that she's safe with me. She squeezes my hand and puts her other one on top of mine. She looks at me with thankful eyes, and I feel a twinge of guilt. Can I really do this to her?

When the turbulence clears, I let go of her hand and find that I miss holding her. I need to be careful because Gemma could prove very dangerous, even to a criminal like me.

Chapter 3

Gemma

Hailey is on the stage, and strippers are doing all sorts of nasty things to her up there. She seems to be loving it, and, really, that's all a friend can ask for. I, however, am itching to get my cell phone out of my purse and text Murphy. I swear I'm like a teenager with a crush. But we still have one more surprise for Hailey, so I have to stay put.

---