Page 8 of The Liar

Yeah, but I didn’t understand the question.

“If you’re asking me whether I think it’s acceptable to see other people while married to each other, then the answer is no.” I had no idea why she’d even ask that. I adored her, and as far as I was aware, the feeling was mutual.

Even if I was still just keeping up a ruse and didn’t love her, I wouldn’t disrespect her by being with another woman, and I hated the very idea that she might want to touch another man.

She was mine.

Her chin jutted out. “I saw you with a blond woman today. Holding hands.” She gritted the words through clenched teeth. “You looked… cozy.”

Oh, no. Fuck. I was in trouble.

“You didn’t mention it earlier, when I asked about your day,” she continued. “Why not?”

She prowled toward me, and my eyes wandered to her hip. Thankfully, I couldn’t see the outline of her service weapon there. At least she was giving me a chance to come up with a valid explanation rather than shooting first and asking questions later.Considering how fiery she could be, I had to give her credit for that.

“It wasn’t what it looked like.” I thought quickly. I couldn’t tell her the truth. That wasn’t an option. But I didn’t want her to believe I’d been unfaithful either. That would kill her—and me. Especially when she’d been strong enough to come straight out and ask me for the truth.

She was an incredible woman, and I was a lying sack of shit.

Joanna propped one of her hands on her hip. “What was it, then? Was she an old friend? If so, I’d love to meet her. I’ve met so few of your friends.”

Because the only friends I could introduce her to were part of my cover. Everything about my life was a lie, except for the way I felt about my wife.

“There’s no reason for you to meet her,” I said firmly. “There’s nothing between us. She’s someone I used to work with, and she was having a bad day, so I was trying to comfort her.”

That wasn’t a complete lie. It was about as truthful as I could be.

Unfortunately, Joanna’s expression said she didn’t believe me.

“She worked in the bar you were at before you started at Henry’s?” she asked.

“Yeah.” I cupped her face, gazing into her dark eyes, my gut tightening at the fear and hurt shining in them. “I love you, Jo. You’re the only woman for me. I would never do anything to betray your trust.”

The words tasted like sawdust. I wished they were true, but one day, she’d learn who I really was, and then she’d discover the many ways in which I’d let her down. But none of them were like this. I’d never betray her with another woman.

It did the trick though. Her gaze softened and she turned her face into my palm, brushing a kiss over the sensitive skin.

“I’m sorry for doubting you,” she whispered, the last of her suspicions fading away. “I was scared, and I didn’t want to get hurt or be made a fool of. My parents and friends have already asked why we got married so quickly. I don’t want to prove them right in thinking I’m a naive romantic.”

Guilt thickened my tongue, making it impossible to speak. The fact is, I had taken advantage of her romantic nature. I needed access to her colleagues and romancing her was the easiest way to get it. When she realized that, she’dfeel like a fool. But there was nothing wrong with her. I was the asshole.

“I love you,” I told her again, because that, at least, was true. “You’re entitled to feel anything you want, but believe me when I say that you don’t have to worry about me cheating on you. I want you and only you.”

Whether she’d still want me a few months from now remained to be seen.

I couldn’t think of anything else I could say that wouldn’t either reveal too much or be a lie, so I stepped closer, trying to bring her into the shelter of my arms, so I could comfort her the only way I knew how: by worshiping her body.

She relaxed into my embrace and rested her head on my shoulder. I was tall, but so was she. For a woman, at least. Tall and lean, with an athletic figure and compact curves. A core of steel with a hint of softness overlaying it.

Absolute perfection.

I lowered my lips to hers, but after the first brush, she buried her face against the side of my neck. I frowned. It was almost as though she didn’t want to kiss me.

My chest constricted. Did she still not trust me? Had my reassurances not been enough?

I couldn’t lose her. Not just because of my job but because she meant more to me than any woman ever had.

“Jo?” I murmured against her hair.

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