A Lover's Mask Read Free

her.
    County tilted her head, not pretending to misread him in the least. “What about your dates?”
    â€œThat was business, not pleasure.”
    â€œAnd what am I?”
    â€œDefinitely not business.”
    County pushed one hand inside the pocket of her black moleskin trousers. “So you think I’m that sort of girl?” she asked in a challenging tone. “To go home with a man I hardly know?”
    Fernando drew closer, practically shielding County’s view of the room with his massive build. She studied the breadth of his shoulders beneath the gorgeous fabric of his navy wool boucle textured suit coat and wondered if all that size really belonged to him.
    â€œWe can talk all night, but in the morning you’re mine,” he spoke just loudly enough for her to hear.
    Contessa shut out the voice that sang, “danger, danger” and cleared her throat softly. “Does that line usually work?”
    Fernando grinned, leaning closer still to retrieve her coat from the bar. “I’ve never used it before,” he admitted. “I suppose we’ll find out in the morning.”
    Contessa prayed he couldn’t hear her breathing and told the singing voice to shut up. She let him help her into her coat, then curved her fingers into the crook of the arm he offered. She prayed again that he didn’t hear the low moan she uttered at the feel of the rock solid biceps that flexed ever so gently. Hell, it’s New Year’s, she reasoned. Together, they left the yacht.
    One week later…
    â€œI know Jay pulled out all the stops,” Mick guessed when she and County spoke by phone one January afternoon.
    â€œHe did at that.”
    Contessa’s unenthusiastic response earned a raised eyebrow from Mick. Her curiosity roused and then her suspicion.
    â€œIt was a party on a boat and not a very good one,” County remarked when Mick remained silent. “Jay’s losing his touch,” she added nastily in reference to their friend James Aston. “I left before the balloons fell” she saw fit to share.
    Mick got more comfortable in the lounge she occupied and smiled at County’s rambling—very uncharacteristic. “Mmm, you say you left before the balloons fell, eh? Alone?”
    â€œDammit, now what’s that supposed to mean?” County snapped.
    Mick let silence carry the conversation for almost twenty seconds. “Jeez, it’s me who’s pregnant. I thought I was suppose to be the touchy one.”
    â€œI’m not touchy.”
    â€œI disagree. Your New Year’s must’ve been a bust.”
    â€œHell, Mick, what’s your hang-up with New Year’s all of a sudden?”
    â€œIt is usual conversation for supposed friends who haven’t talked since before the holidays,” Mick retorted, her own temper beginning to simmer.
    â€œThe holidays,” County sniffed indignantly. “Holidays are for families. You have Quest and—”
    â€œYou’re still my family,” Mick interrupted, shaking her head when she heard Contessa sigh over the line. “I’m surprised to be doing all of the talking anyway. You usually have my head spinning with one of your scandalous tales of an all night romp with one of your—”
    â€œDamn, you must really think I’m a slut,” County hissed, massaging the tension that had suddenly formed in her neck.
    Mick was unnerved, having heard the subtle change in her friend’s voice. Again, she let silence take control. “I’m sorry, Contessa. I’m truly sorry,” she swore.
    County rolled her eyes, knowing the last thing she wanted to do was upset her pregnant friend. “Listen, it’s just business aggravations and I’m the one who should be apologizing.”
    â€œDo you want to talk about it?” Mick asked, not believing for a minute that business woes were at the root of County’s mood.
    â€œNooo, I