Page 3 of Dirty Deceptions

Chapter Two

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

Her brain was warning her that she was heading down a dangerous path. Picking up a stranger at a bar. She’d never been that reckless. That impulsive. She was the stay-home type. She’d rather read a good book than go out on a Friday night. But her new job had seemed like a good reason to break from her normal routine. And now here she was, in the arms of a man she didn’t know. A man she was wildly attracted to. A man she only knew as Alex. As insane as it was, she was also excited. No, exhilarated was more accurate. There was a secret thrill in the fact that they were veritable strangers. Just two people drawn to each other.

“You’re thinking too much, Lauren,” Alex whispered against her ear. “Let that incredible brain have a break. Just for tonight.”

She stopped moving and looked up at him. “But isn’t that foolish? That’s how women end up dead in a ditch somewhere.”

He cupped her cheek and smiled. “You’re not wrong, but I’m not a psycho. Just a guy who is madly attracted to you. I won’t hurt you, beautiful. Never.”

She believed him. And that concerned her. She didn’t take things at face value. “Look, I’m the type that actually reads all those pesky terms and conditions. I don’t skim. I’m not a skimmer. I’m cautious.”

His lips tilted upward into a devastating grin. Her hormones did cartwheels.Geez, chill, girl.Dang, the man was delicious.

“And that’s admirable, but maybe just once you can lay all those doubts and fears aside.” When she started to argue, he put a finger to her lips and continued, “Just walk out of this bar with me. Let me inside that protective bubble, Lauren. You won’t regret it.”

Do I dare?“If you kill me I willtotallyhaunt your ass,” she warned.

He chuckled. “Death isn’t on my mind.”

Her heartbeat sped up. His grin was sexy, but oh that laugh. No doubt he could have a woman naked inside of a minute with that deep, rich sound. “No?”

“All I want is the chance to get you alone,” he promised, as he dipped his head and kissed her forehead briefly. “You willing?”

Said the spider to the fly.But really, when had she ever taken a leap of faith? Just dove off without crossing every T and dotting all the I’s? Never. Wow, was she seriously that boring? Maybe that’s why Jake dumped her. No spontaneity there. No excitement. Lauren didn’t want to be that person. If she didn’t take a few risks, then she’d have nothing to look back on when she was old and grey.

She stepped out of his arms and took a deep breath, then let it out. “Let’s blow this joint,” she replied. His eyes widened, clearly he hadn’t expected her to say yes. Already she was throwing him for a loop. Oh, yeah, let the games begin.

****

Fifteen minutes later they were walking into her apartment. They’d driven separate. It didn’t escape Lauren’s notice the pretty silver Jaguar Alex had driven. No way it cost less than sixty grand. Okay, so the guy was loaded. Or he’d spent a pretty penny on a car while he lived in a dump. Was that why he’d agreed to go back to her place?

“You live near here?” She asked, trying not to sound too nosy. After all, was it spontaneous if she questioned the man to death?

“Across town,” he answered as he followed her into the living room. He moved around the small area, then went to the shelf with all her family photos. He picked one up and smiled over at her. “Is this you?”

Her cheeks heated. The photo was one of her with her favorite princess. “I was five there. Dad took me to Disney World.”

“You and Cinderella, huh?”

“She was my idle, what can I say. It was a pretty amazing day.”

He replaced the photo, then reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles and murmured, “You’re adorable, Lauren. Thank you for taking a chance on me.”

There went her pulse again. From a gentle gallop to a full-on sprint like she was at the derby.Take a breath, you hussy. Lauren stepped away from him, then headed for the kitchen. “Would you like a drink?” She opened a cabinet near the fridge and pulled out a dusty bottle of merlot. “I’m not sure if this is any good, but I’m willing to give it a shot.”

Alex’s hand snagged the bottle before placing it on the counter, then he wrapped an arm around her middle and turned her toward him. “I don’t want alcohol.”

“Coffee?”

He shook his head, then dipped his knees and swept her off her feet and into his arms. “I wantyou,” he explained, his voice deep and harsh. “All night long if I have my way.”

She couldn’t say no. Not one ounce of self-control and yet she wasn’t the least bit sorry. “Down the hall. First door on the left.”

He gave her a brisk nod, then strode from the room. He moved with purpose. Like a man did when his brain was no longer calling the shots. Damn, that was hot. As he entered the dark room, he asked, “Light?”

She reached over and flipped the switch, illuminating the room in the soft glow from the bedside lamp. “Make fun of my mermaid bedspread and the deal is off,” she warned.

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