Page 52 of Masquerade

A wicked look entered his eyes. “We owe them. It’s their fault we’re in this charade.”

“I was part of the conspiracy.” She’d needed to come out of hiding.

“You haven’t told me why yet.”

“Anna told you why.” Kate swallowed, her throat closing on a repeat of the lie. Selina had told him lies.

“Interesting.” He edged forward on the barstool and nibbled her lips. “Open up. I want to taste you.”

She opened her mouth to explain this wasn’t the time or the place. He angled his head and covered her mouth with his. He tasted of beer, a reminder of the mouthful she’d filched. His kiss was more stolen pleasure, and she closed her eyes, letting her senses be swamped by the ripples. He took the kiss deeper. Deliciously intoxicating. Her hands lifted. With an inner sigh, she settled them on his shoulders.

“Get a room,” muttered a grizzled old-timer leaning against the bar beside them.

They fell apart. Liam was laughing. “Good advice.”

“Will you behave?” Kate hissed.

He released her. “Did you recognise Selina in particular or scent danger.”

She was still in the circle of his arms. To Kate, the space suddenly carried the seeds of disharmony. Liam expected her to do her job well. He was too smart not to guess she’d learned something about Selina to make her act like his lover rather than his colleague.

“I recognised her,” she admitted.

“From Futureproof Mining mug shots?”

“There are older photos floating around the web.” She’d hoped to spare him this memory.

“What sort of photos?” He gestured for her to head towards the exit. “Or perhaps we should finish this somewhere else.” They started walking towards the apartment. “Without being paranoid, let’s save this until we’re somewhere where we can’t be overheard.”

Kate spent the journey framing her explanation. Not nearly long enough to devise a story to suit the facts and be truthful.

“Her presence here is suspicious.” She rushed into speech as soon as the front door closed behind them. Then sighed inwardly at the defensiveness in her voice. An obvious admission of guilt when all she’d done was follow the brief she’d been set.

He pulled open the fridge door.

“Want a drink?” He glanced over his shoulder.

“White wine.” Kate pulled wine glasses from the cupboard and stood studying him across the bench while he poured.

Delaying this conversation wasn’t an option. The role she’d just played irrevocably mixed the professional with the personal. Work wasn’t the only deal on the table tonight. She’d stirred the beast by responding to his kiss as if she’d been thrown a lifeline. One kiss from him and she’d been boneless, breathless and clinging—her hormones or pheromones out of control, probably both.

“I vote we sit down.” He headed to the living area, heeled off his boots and stretched out on the lounge.

Kate followed, taking the armchair opposite.

“You’re brooding.” Her conscience burned. Damn—she wasn’t confessing a major misdemeanour; she’d just been doing her job.

“Tell me about the photos.” He cradled the wine glass on his chest, his direct question reassuring her.

“It’s my job to research all the personalities on both sides of this dispute who are of interest.” That had been her starting point with Selina.

“Agreed.” He took a slow sip of wine, seemingly unperturbed by her investigation into his private life.

“I look at qualifications, past employment, professional affiliations and personal relationships which may impact on current activities.” She stared into her wineglass.

“How cold-blooded that sounds. So, you know Selina and I were lovers.” He’d shown more interest when she’d asked him to choose between pistachio and rum raisin ice cream.

Two could play it cool, she thought while her heart thumped against her ribcage.

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