Page 14 of Dirty Deceptions

He picked up the phone, willing it to ring. “Neither of you remarried,” he explained. “She still talks about you whenever I see her. Maybe you should take some of your own advice and let Mom know how you feel.”

His father rubbed a hand over his face and stood. “Maybe. In the meantime, let me know how it goes with your girl.”

“I will.” He got to his feet and walked his father to the door. After saying their goodbyes, Alexander went back to the kitchen and picked up his phone. Screw it. He was texting her again. He didn’t care if he came off as desperate.

THINKING OF YOU...

He was surprised when he received a quick reply.

YOU ASKED, SO HERE YOU GO ;)

Alexander had no idea what she meant. When another message came through, this time no words, just a picture, he nearly dropped the phone. Lauren, naked in the bathtub covered in bubbles. All he could make out was one sexy leg propped up on the edge. “Fuck,” he grumbled. The woman sure as hell knew how to make a man crazy.

After a few more teasing texts back and forth, Alexander placed his phone back on the table. Yeah, his dad was right. He would do whatever necessary to keep Lauren.

Chapter Five

It was a nightmare, had to be. There was no other explanation. “How?”

Alexander slowly got to his feet. Lauren watched him smile at his administrative assistant and say, “Thanks, Betty, that’ll be all.”

“Of course, Mr. Costa,” she answered as she closed the office door, leaving Lauren alone with Alex.

“Mr. Costa?” As in Costa Enterprises. As in billionaire. That Mr. Costa. Her stomach pitched and for a second Lauren had to concentrate on not throwing up.

“Please, have a seat,” he offered, as he motioned at one of the two chairs across from his massive mahogany desk.

His calm manner made her want to hit him. With a ball bat. “I’d rather not.”

He sighed. “Lauren, I can explain.”

Anger bubbled up. “Please tell me that you had no idea that you were my boss when you came onto me at the bar.”

“It’s not that simple,” he muttered.

“So you did know.” Another horrifying thought struck. “Are you the reason I got the job?”

He shook his head. “I don’t do the hiring.”

“But you knew who I was the entire time and you never said a word.” Jesus, she was going to be sick. All over his pretty desk. It’d be a nice start toward karma giving her a little payback.

“Yes, I recognized you from your social media page.”

She stepped closer. Just a few more feet and she’d be able to reach out and smack him. “Do you fuck all the new hires or am I just the lucky one?”

He shot to his feet and rounded the desk. “Do not treat it like a meaningless encounter. It wasn’t. I care about you, Lauren. I didn’t set out to hurt you. I’m sorry for that. It wasn’t intentional.”

She rolled her eyes at that bit of nonsense. “So it just slipped your mind that I’d be calling you boss come Monday morning? I’m thinking you could’ve squeezed that in somewhere,Mr. Costa. Say, after you went down on me and before I rode you.”

She turned and started out of the office when a hand closed around her forearm pulling her to a halt. She swatted at him, glaring over her shoulder. “Let me go, damn it!”

He scowled at her and his hold tightened a fraction. “Never. You and I will talk, Lauren.”

“Screw you!”

He cursed, then bent and picked her up. She smacked his chest and hurt her hand in the effort. “Put me down,” she bit out.

“No. Now stop before you injure yourself,” he warned.

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