Page 16 of Masquerade

“Good.” George rubbed his hands together. “Think about it, Liam. Genosearch will pay all expenses, you’ll do a few photo shoots to support an extension of the campaign—a win-win for both companies. You and Kate will deal with a select few locals who will know exactly who you are and why you’re there.”

“What could go wrong?” Liam’s raised eyebrow reflected his disbelief.

––––––––

Liam’s tall figurestriding towards the service counter at the library caused Kate’s heart rate to careen. His hair was wind-tossed, his scarf loose at his throat and he was shrugging off his overcoat. He’d already abandoned his tie, and with it, his daunting aura. The silk chokehold hung haphazardly out of his coat pocket, ruining the image she’d clung to of the stereotypical, unemotional lawyer. Finding the rumpled Liam attractive was a complication she hadn’t allowed for. It made her more aware of him as a flesh and blood individual with needs and wants and feelings. Pigeonholing him as an insensitive, legal machine became much harder.

Yum,as the female lead in Kate’s current work in progress would say. Finding herself in furious agreement, Kate’s stomach lurched. Liam’s close connection to his boss, a man she admired, and his unexpected selection of her number one project had softened her resistance to him. While the memory of his hand almost tangling in her hair had given her a sleepless night.

“Hello, Liam.” She’d planned to be on the front steps when he arrived, not her territory or his. “I thought I said I wouldn’t be free until after eight.”

“I finished earlier than expected.” He rolled his shoulders. “I texted you.”

The fluid grace of his movements elicited an inward groan. No point denying the pull in her abdomen. Any self-respecting female romantic lead—certainly every one of hers—would be salivating by now. More than ready to sacrifice several steps on the pathway towards physical intimacy to experience a single, curl-your-toes kiss.

Needing to break eye contact, she pulled the phone from her pocket and checked it. “I turn it off when I’m in a library.”

“You work in a library.” He glanced pointedly around the room. “I’m guessing you do a fair bit of research in this and other libraries?”

“And your point?” She was becoming flustered.

“Is it ever on?” He stepped up to the counter.

His scent mixed spicy sweetness with a woody base. It teased her with its promise of virile male—earthy—real. “I picked up Anna’s urgent come-see-me the other day.”

“I’d like to have your excuse.” He pulled out his phone and turned it to silent. “Modelling good behaviour for your readers is a laudable enterprise.”

For a stunned moment, Kate thought he’d guessed she wrote romance and was referring to heractualreaders. Then he gestured to the silent people curled into lounge chairs or tucked into corners, only half of them poring over books rather than phones, and she ordered her overactive imagination to settle.

“I wish,” she murmured. He used the word readers to refer to borrowers, not customers or clients or users—the latest management buzzword. His appreciation of people as individuals was more disarming than anything she’d learned so far. She waved a hand towards the exit. “At this hour, your options while you wait for me are the pub across the street or the family restaurant a few doors down. They serve good coffee.” A few minutes away from him, filled with stern instructions to self, and she’d have her heart rate under control.

“Trying to get rid of me?” He caught her waving hand and held it between both of his. “I haven’t been here before. I like books. It’s no hardship to browse until you’re ready to leave.”

CHAPTER FOUR

“Fine.” The pulse inher temple throbbed. His touch was light, and he released her as soon as she wiggled her fingers. She focused on the computer screen as if it was flashing a life-and-death warning. “I’ll see you at closing.”

---