Deception (Infidelity #3)

His warm lips stopped my rebuttal, seizing my words and dominating my thoughts. A surprised whimper escaped before morphing into a moan, as his hand moved to my neck and his kiss deepened. Fierce and proprietary, his hands roamed as his mouth took what was his. Shamelessly seeking, his tongue didn’t tease but sought its mate. The world around us disappeared as we tangoed—sigh for sigh and nip for nip.

My feet left the floor as my ass landed upon the edge of the counter. I wished I were wearing a dress as my legs surrounded his waist and my ankles locked him within my grasp.

This wasn’t concession but a blatant reassertion of possession, no longer one-sided—Nox wasn’t the client nor was I the employee. We were both demanding something of the other we’d never had. Something we’d skirted around, offered in lighthearted declarations, but learned last night we hadn’t truly given.

This kiss was about becoming one, melding together in a way that was unbreakable, in a way that wouldn’t be threatened by the outside world. Not by accusations or words on a piece of paper. Not by shadows that lurked in my eyes or ghosts in his past. Not even by the devil himself.

As my lips bruised and our ferocity simmered, my eyes fluttered open. Through veiled lashes I sought the blue I desired. Once our gazes met, mine was no longer veiled. My chin rose and chest filled with determination.

“When push came to shove,” I admitted, “I failed.”

His eyes closed as he shook his head. “You weren’t alone. We both did. What else could you have done? I was the one doing the shoving. I didn’t try to stop you.”

“We can’t let them do this to us. I told you that Alton is the devil. He’s influenced Bryce all of Bryce’s life. We can’t let them have that control.”

Though my legs slackened and his grip loosened, I was still surrounded by Nox’s embrace. The comforting peace of his masculine cologne urged me forward, to hop from the counter, tug on his hand, and pull him toward my room, the room where I’d barely slept, and allow myself to be swallowed up completely. Yet I resisted.

“I’m not sure they do,” he said.

“I know. They only have it if we let them.”

“No, that’s not what I mean. Deloris isn’t sure that note was written by Edward Spencer.”

I leaned back, furrowing my brow. “Why?”

“It has to do with the content. She’s dusting it for prints. She also doesn’t believe anyone from your family, or anyone they hired, could breach her security.” His brows rose. “That’s part of the reason I’m here.”

An unswallowable lump formed in my suddenly dry throat. Lowering myself back to the floor, I asked, “What do you mean?”

He stepped back, assessing me at arm’s length. “You look ready for class.”

“I am,” I replied as I sheepishly straightened my blouse. Sometime during the last five minutes it had become seriously misaligned. “I was.”

“When were you planning on heading to the campus?”

“Soon.”

“And where’s your phone?”

“Nox, why the twenty questions?”

“Apparently, during the night your GPS stopped working.”

It hadn’t. I’d purposely turned it off. I pursed my lips. “Huh. Really? That’s curious. I wonder how that happened?” I shrugged. “Perhaps I hit a button by mistake.”

“And I checked with Jerrod. He hasn’t received your call or text this morning.”

Though my heartbeat had increased, I tilted my head casually and sighed. “It’s a nice day. I had time to walk across the park.”

Nox linked our hands together and lifted my knuckles to his lips. “Well, isn’t that convenient?”

“Convenient?”

“Yes. I have a plane to catch to DC I need to be there for a hearing, but since it’s the Batplane and I’m Batman, I have time for a stroll through the park.”

“Nox…”

“I won’t be back from DC until Friday, but I’m warning you. If you decide to do any other strolls or accidentally turn off your GPS, when I get back, not only will I enjoy punishing your sexy ass, I’ll seriously look into that GPS implant.” He lifted his brow. “I would bet Mrs. Witt would know where that could be done.”

I bet she did.

Though I saw the gleam that I loved behind his threat, I also heard his sincerity.

His gaze narrowed. “Please, push me, princess. You see, I didn’t sleep well last night and I’d be happy to give you a reminder to behave before I leave.”

I gently shook my head. “Mr. Demetri, I do love it when you beg, but I’m afraid that if we did that… reminder thing, I’d miss class and you’d miss your hearing.”

As I gathered my things for the day, Nox lifted my backpack, and I asked, “You won’t be back until Friday?”

“No. There are a few days of testimony scheduled on a bill in the finance committee.”

Did I want to know more about the bill? Not really. What I didn’t want to do was be alone. “Then while you’re gone, I want to stay here. I don’t want to be in our apartment alone.”

Nox stopped midstep and scanned Patrick’s kitchen and living room.

“Stop,” I demanded.

“Stop what?” he asked innocently.

“I see what you’re doing. I can see the wheels turning. You’re not having additional security added to Cy and Pat’s apartment. If you balk, I’ll stay at my apartment.”

“That’s where I want you.”

“The one I’m letting Chelsea use.”

He swatted my behind. “Is that an ultimatum?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Only if you make it one.”

“Miss Collins, you drive a hard bargain.”

I lifted my brow. “Does that mean I won?”

“No, princess. I choose my battles better than that.” His gaze narrowed, yet the gleam I loved flickered in the swirls of navy. “And believe me, if we’re at battle, you’ll know it.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Promise. It’s a promise.”





THE RIGHT AMOUNT of briskness hung in the morning air to add a chill as we stepped from the lobby of Patrick’s apartment building onto Fifth Avenue. Since I’d spent last night in a hotel—alone—I hadn’t received my daily weather report from Hudson, the doorman at my building. Undoubtedly, had I been there, he would have greeted me this morning with ‘Good morning, Mr. Demetri. There’s a hint of autumn in the air. Stay warm.’ The thought brought a smile to my face as Charli zipped her jacket before tucking her hand back into mine.

I didn’t want to let her go last night, now, or ever.

When it came to Jo and memories of her death, I found myself helpless, just like I’d been that night. I clung tighter to Charli’s hand.

Lennox Demetri didn’t do helpless. It wasn’t in my DNA. I needed to put this behind me.

As we began walking toward the park, I squeezed her warm hand, not because I wanted the beautiful golden eyes to lock with mine—though I did. Not because I needed to know she was here beside me—though I did. I squeezed Charli’s hand to feel the warmth that reassured me that she was alive.

Last night, alone in the hotel room, I recalled holding Jo’s hand, her cold, pale skin. I remembered her lips, their unnatural color. I’d done it to her. If it weren’t for me, she would have been warm and her lips would have been pink.

“Why don’t you run?”

Charli’s voice brought me back from the edge and loosened my grip, no doubt restoring circulation to her petite hand.

“I do. You know I do.”

“You run on a treadmill. That isn’t running.”

“It most certainly is,” I replied, happy to be in a nonsensical discussion about nothing of importance. It was one of Charli’s continual gifts. She reminded me that life wasn’t always a level-five emergency, threats weren’t around every corner. Triviality had a place of importance. It added balance. Deloris saw that in Del Mar long before I did. It was a part of my life I hadn’t even realized was missing until I found it again.

“Well…” Her voice came through the city sounds—traffic and the murmurs of other pedestrians—as we made our way west. “…I guess you get the exercise.”

I pulled her hand closer causing her to bump into my arm. “Are you saying I’m out of shape?”