Page 26 of A Deception of Massive Proportion

He raised his gaze to hers. “No. I should be fine.”

It felt like he was putting the brakes on whatever he’d started yesterday. They’d gone on a date and had what she thought was an intimate moment. But now, he was shoving her away. She adjusted her fake glasses and squinted at him. “Did I do something to make you upset yesterday?”

He blinked and took a step back, like she’d surprised him with her boldness. She’d never been one to beat around the bush. His gaze traveled over her, and he shook his head. “No.”

“Okay. Just wanted to make sure. Because I thought something was maybe going on.”

Shadow stepped closer to her, his boots making the deck creak. He glanced at his security, as if to gauge if he could hear their conversation. “What did you think was going on?”

“I thought we had a date last night.”

He folded his arms. “Good. Because that’s what it was.”

Riley gripped the railing. “But today I’m feeling a bit of a pull back from you. Did it not go well, in your opinion?”

“I was worried I may have overstepped last night.”

Ah, there it was. He had worried she didn’t want his advances. She shook her head. “You didn’t.”

“But…is it uncomfortable to date someone who could be seen as your employer?” he asked quietly.

Riley paused for a moment, unsure how to answer. She was only pretending to be his employee. But if she were being honest with herself, she had a real interest in Shadow. Yes, she was trying to figure out who he was, but she also was intensely attracted to the man. Which was dumb. She couldn’t fall for him. That was the last thing she should be doing. Still, she wanted to see where things might go. She shook her head. “You didn’t hire me.”

“I hired Jalen, who hired you.”

She wasn’t quite sure if he was trying to get out of the situation he’d created with his flirting or if he wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to be sued for sexual harassment. “Would Jalen be upset if he found out we were dating?”

Shadow chuckled for some unknown reason before he came a step closer to her. “No.”

“Then I don’t see a problem. This isn’t exactly an office dating situation. I’m a temp.”

“You’re making it very hard for me to stay away from you.”

Her heartrate picked up speed. “I don’t see why you should.” Wow, talk about flirty. She was feeling particularly bold right now.

He smiled. “I can think of a few reasons, but right now none of them matter.”

She quirked her eyebrow. “A few reasons, huh? I’d love to know one.”

“I should be working on my new album right now, instead of talking to you.”

“You’re not talking to me. You’re letting Sir Barks outside.” Her gaze landed on the small dog who had curled up on the deck.

“Right.”

She couldn’t hold back her smile. “Do you ever need a sounding board when you’re writing? I’d be happy to listen to what you have.”

“Well, I’m not Miles Davis.”

A strange chill shot down Riley’s back as she stared at Shadow. Her conversation about jazz had not been with Shadow. Had Jalen told him about that? She stared at him, trying to work it through in her mind. Of course, he must have. Right? Still, something about it made her uneasy. “How did you know I’m a Miles Davis fan?”

Shadow froze, his expression hard to read under his mask. “Jalen told me.”

And that’s what she expected. “Right.”

“He said you’re not a fan of pop.” A smile tugged on his lips. “But if you want to hear the song I’ve been working on, you can come over. I’ll try not to be disappointed if you don’t like it.”

To hear a song Shadow Walker was writing before anyone else? That was an invitation she couldn’t turn down. “I’ll be right there.”

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