Page 1 of Sinful Lies

1

ZARA

“Another, please.”I clutch the edge of the bar to keep myself steady, trying to ignore the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears.

My boss worked me into the ground over the past few weeks getting everything ready for the new senior partners that are joining the firm, so the least he can do is provide me with bottomless champagne.

Spencer & Meyershas booked one of the most luxurious cocktail bars in Manhattan for the occasion, and it’s a pretty good turn out with most of the firm in attendance as well as a few of our best clients and associates.

I should be happy that the firm is growing and bringing on more senior partners. But it’s hard to be happy when one of those new partners is the reason for the nightmares that still have me waking drenched in sweat most nights.

His beady eyes bore into my back, prickling my skin, and a thin sheen of sweat breaks out on the back of my neck.

He’s everywhere—in the halls of my office block, at the coffee cart at lunch, sometimes I could swear evenon the subway home—but I’ll be damned if I let him break me again.

“Here you are, miss.”

I flash a smile at the bartender as I take my fresh glass of champagne. As I’m about to take a sip, a hand touches my waist, and I startle and squeal, spilling some of my drink down the front of my cream blouse.

“Have you missed me, Zara?”

I whirl, coming face-to-face with the devil himself.

“Giovanni.”

“You’ve grown up.”

I hate the way his gray eyes strip me bare as he towers over me in his custom navy suit, with his gold Rolex and perfectly-styled dark hair.

To most, he’s the picture of success, but to me he’s evil incarnate.

“Last time we saw each other, you were only an intern. Now look at you.”

Fighting the urge to launch what’s left of my champagne at his face, I swallow down the bile in my throat as his eyes roam over my body making me feel as if I’m standing stark naked in the middle of the room.

I clutch my glass so tightly I’m worried it might shatter.

He places a hand on the bar, leaning forward until his mouth almost brushes my ear. “Well, aren’t you going to congratulate me on making senior partner?”

“Congratulations.”

His eyes flick down to my chest. “I must say, having you beneath me is a nice little bonus I wasn’t expecting.”

The innuendo makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

He chuckles. “I had hoped to have a word at the boardmeeting the other week, but you ran out of there so fast I was worried you were upset by my arrival.”

More like disgusted.

“I’ve been very busy.” I’m trying my best to sound strong and confident.

“I hope Daniel hasn’t been working you too hard.”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Giovanni’s eyes light up. He takes another step closer to me. “Have a drink with me, Zara.”

I’m backed up against the bar with nowhere to go. “I’m good, thanks.”

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