Page 80 of Masquerade

Kate flicked randomly through the pages then stopped. The female lead—wearing a Collette Dinnigan dress, revealing lots of smooth thigh and generous cleavage—met her hero as he stepped off a plane. When he pulled her in for a kiss, he got the message she was naked underneath the dress and steered her straight to the airport hotel’s penthouse suite. Pity Liam’s office building didn’t have a penthouse suite. Still, after she’d given Liam the book and they’d talked, she could act out the raunchy fantasy she’d whispered down the phone to him two nights ago. Heat suffused her body Fanning her face with her hand, she murmured a silentoh mybefore setting the book aside.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

“Are you still adamant you don’t want any mention of your parents?”

“Sorry, no.” Kate’s helium-filled balloon deflated. Suzy Cornish was a pit bull on this topic.

“All publicity is good publicity and‘daughter of Australia’s premier playwright comes into her own’would make a fabulous headline and pull in a different audience.”

“I told you what they think of romance.” Kate’s gut tightened. “That’s why I have a pseudonym.”

“It’s a great book. Their attitude might change when you show them your sales numbers. It’s not unusual for the children of famous writers to have pseudonyms and for the truth to somehow slip out.”

“I don’t want my success to be the result of piggybacking on their names.” Kate sighed. “I know not telling them it’s due for release makes me a wimp. I will tell them.” Liam’s attitude to romance had helped her to see how tired she was of avoiding or engineering conversations with her parents so her writing never came up.

“Pity.” Suzy was relentless. “Maybe for your second book then?”

“Give it a rest, Suze. You’ve known from the start this is nonnegotiable.” Liam’s pride in her would cancel out her father’s disdain.

“Can’t blame a girl for trying.” Suzy’s smile told Kate they’d be having this friendly talk again. “How’d today’s shoot go?”

“Good, I think. The marketing manager said this would be the last for this series.” Kate would be more comfortable when she got out of her current outfit, but Ms. Sexy Higgins would be making regular appearances from next month.

“Are you ready for the round of bookshop chats and writing group meetings?” Suzy had provided a list of must dos.

“I’m set to release dates and venues on my website over the next few weeks, plus the schedule of library visits.” Kate’s schedule would be tight, but with some juggling and Liam’s help she’d make it work.

“We’re also confirmed for the panel at the national conference.”

“I’m glad it’s here in Sydney this year.”No more nights away from Liam. “I’ve been to so many, and this will be my first as a published author.” Kate’s breathy whisper didn’t sound like her, and she knew she was back to grinning like an idiot. She’d thought being published was the best thing that could happen to her. Now, she had Liam.

“You’re going to wow them, Kate Higgins,” Suzy spoke with the conviction of experience.

The photo of Kate Higgins was on the dust cover and Kate’s website.

Note to self: stop calling her Ms. Sexy Higgins, or you’ll blurt that out at the wrong moment.

She’d introduce Liam to her book and her alter ego simultaneously. They could have some fun with the stilettos, his desk and not much more. “I might need to buy some new outfits.”

Andrew had lost the power to intimidate her. It was time to add a few splashes of colour to her clothes, to work a bit more shape into the designs and mix up the fabric selection. With spring on the horizon, most observers wouldn’t notice a change in style.

Kate Higgins/Turner was announcing herself to her lover and the world.

* * *

Afew hours ago, Liamhad been in a fog of happiness, wandering through the bookshop armed with a list of Kate’s favourite romances, looking for a birthday present for his mother. Calling what Kate and he shared an affair had become ridiculous as soon as they’d started shedding their protective shields and inching towards more. She’d been absent from his bed for four nights. Turns out he’d been counting. And been crazy-happy about her return.

That time was a world away.

He loosened his tie, threw his jacket over a nearby chair and paced. Finally, in frustration he dropped into his chair. “Holy hell, she wouldn’t betray you.”

Liam looked up at the light knock on his door, and Kate was in the room. He wasn’t ready for this. Maybe he’d never be ready. He’d told his secretary no visitors, so how the hell had Kate got through. Ten minutes—he’d been back from his meeting with George and the Minister for ten sodding minutes.

“You’ve changed.” Anger pushed through his grief. The woman Liam had spotted when he’d exited the bookshop had had Kate’s profile. And her body. His hands remembered the shape of her body. The calf-length, black suede stiletto boots she’d worn would have brought her pretty mouth level with his.

“Changed?” She pocketed the clear glasses Liam saw as a barrier between them—another trick to distract.

He circled a finger in the air. “You were wearing something different the last time I saw you.”

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