Page 17 of Dirty Deceptions

Lauren didn’t want Chloe playing devil’s advocate. Not today. “The minute he realized I was his employee he should’ve gone to a different bar. End of story. Did he? No. Did he tell me I’d be doing the boss? No.” Another horrifying thought struck. “Shit, what if everyone at the office thinks that’s how I got the job? Like I’m the office floozy?” She slapped a hand on her forehead. “Could this day get any worse?”

Chloe tsked, then took hold of her hand and squeezed. “First of all, chill. You’re spiraling. That's never good. You always break out in hives when you get this wound up.”

All the fight left her body at once and she slumped against the back of the couch. “I just feel betrayed. I was starting to like Alex.” She scowled. “Alexander, I mean.”

“Did he give you any explanation at all?”

“He told me that it was refreshing to date someone who didn’t know who he was. That he was the son of a billionaire.”

“Okay, that makes sense. I suppose if you’re as good looking as he is—and I’ve seen his picture in the paper, that guy is gorg—and you have that kind of money, being anonymous for a change sure takes the pressure off.”

“You’re doing it again,” she warned.

“What?”

“Defending him. Don’t defend him.”

“I’m being honest. I’m not going to sit here and pretend with you. Yeah, he lied by omission, but his reasons seem sincere.”

“Maybe, but I still feel used.”

“No, you feel hurt,” she corrected, in a gentler tone. “Because you care about him.”

Damn, she hated when Chloe was right. “Yeah, I do.”

She tucked a lock of shiny blonde hair behind her ear. “And did he laugh in your face? Act like an ass when you found out?”

She thought back over the conversation she’d shared with Alex in his office before replying, “No. He appeared genuinely sorry for the subterfuge. Wants to fix it. See me again.”

“Then maybe you should give him a chance.”

Did she dare? “I don’t know. I just feel so dumb. While I’m thinking this guy is some exciting stranger that I want to get to know better, see again, he knew all along who I was. Knew I would walk into the office and see him there. He could’ve told me. There were plenty of chances, Chloe. I didn’t have to find out like that.”

“That’s what paybacks are for.” Her friend grinned. “The thing is, are you prepared to never see him again?”

“I—” A knock on her door prevented her from finishing her sentence. “I’m so not in the mood. Can you get that? It’s probably Mary from across the courtyard. She’s always forgetting her key and needs my spare to let her in.”

Chloe shot to her feet and crossed the room to stare out the peephole. “Shit, it’s not Mary.”

“No?”

“Nope. Damn, he’s better looking in person.” Chloe turned her way, eyes alight with mischief. “If you don’t want him can I have him? Pretty please?”

Alex? Lauren stood and took the room in few quick strides, then opened the door. “You couldn’t even give me a day? Really?”

He looked her over and quirked a brow. “Uh, you always answer the door like that?”

Too late she’d forgotten that all she wore was a black tank top and a pair of red underwear with little white hearts all over them. “Crap,” she grumbled as she went to the couch and snagged the blanket off the back. After she wrapped herself in it, she glared at Alex. “Leave.”

“No,” he growled as he moved into the room and slammed the door shut behind him. His gaze strayed toward Chloe. “Hi,” he greeted.

Chloe grinned. “Damn, you’re adorable.”

“Chloe!”

Her friend laughed. “Sorry, but it’s true.”

Alex smiled at her friend, bringing Lauren’s little green monster roaring to life. “Thank you. I wonder if I could get a few minutes alone with Lauren?”

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