Deceive 2 (Book 2 of the Deceive series) Read Free Page B

actuality is her work space, is enough to make my heart quicken.
    She falls into her chair and looks up at me. “I don’t want us to appear weak. Opal cannot see us as inconsequential.”
    I glance quickly at the clock. It’s not even nine in the morning and I already need a third cup of coffee to keep up with Marissa Knight. Or perhaps a stiff drink.
    “I will speak to Mr. Gladstone,” I say assuredly. “As well as contact my…” I turn at the sound of the door opening and see his longs fingers wrap around the door frame before he even steps inside. His navy pinstriped suit makes the deep blue of his eyes ripen to a bright cobalt hue. His hair is shorter. Black waves fall over his forehead as though he just ran his fingers through it. He smiles pleasantly at his sister before his gaze falls on me.
    “Welcome back, Ms. Caldwell,” he says politely.
    “Anna. And thank you, Mr. Knight.”
    “Marcus.” He gives a short laugh. “And you’re welcome.”
    “We were just discussing the web design,” Marissa chimes in, drawing my attention back to her. The heat of him right behind my chair is palpable as he moves closer into the room.
    “Yes, as I was saying, I will speak with Mr. Gladstone as well as communicate with other contacts I have.”
    “You don’t believe Mr. Gladstone is best for the job?” Marcus asks.
    “I believe he’s very qualified,” I say, turning my professional smile on as I look back at him. “Have you heard of Sandra Bloom?”
    Marcus cocks his head, giving me a look of amusement. “Of course I have. Everyone in the hotel industry has.”
    “Well, it just so happens that I have worked with her on numerous projects and consider her a personal friend.” I beam as the look in his animated eyes changes to disbelief. “I’ll put a call into her now.” I stand, but Marcus doesn’t move, caging me in between the door and the desk. I force myself to look up at him, thankful his sister can’t see the mix of emotions on my face.
    “Seems like you’re off to an impressive start here,” Marcus says with a gleam in his eye.
    I tilt my head and raise an eyebrow in challenge. “Did you underestimate me, Mr. Knight?”
    He chuckles, shaking his head. “Not for a second.”
    I step to the side as Marissa thanks me for my diligence.
    “Of course. My cell is on, let me know if you need me.”
    Marcus reaches past to open the door for me, his hand gently grabbing my elbow as I pass.
    “Have lunch with me today,” he murmurs softly against my ear.
    My eyes dart to Marissa, who is back to hunting around her messy desk, her focus far from us. I’m not sure what I see in his expression. Is he asking me as my boss, or as a onetime lover? And which would I prefer? No, I know which one I prefer. But this is a matter of what is right, not what I want.
    He must see the conflict on my face. Leaning back, he drops his hand from my arm. “As a congratulations on starting the next chapter of your career here with us, of course.”
    Why do I feel disappointment when I know I shouldn’t? “Yes,” I say. “Thank you.”
    A few hours later, Marcus is leading me to the elevator. I’m preparing for the same wave of lust that rolls over me every time I am in this small enclosed space with him. Today, though, it’s slightly muted as we cram into the back amongst the crowd of guests. I stifle a laugh when Marcus gets whacked in the stomach accidently by an elderly woman’s oversized, heavily studded purse. He winces.
    When we reach the restaurant, Marcus places his steady hand on the small of my back and leads me to a table furthest away from the other diners. I falter and he realizes I’ve take notice of his choice in seating. His hand grazes my elbow and holds me up. His voice is low to the point of a soft rumble as he says, “I hope you don’t mind. You said you like the window now.”
    He’s mistaken my hesitation for my fear of heights. I’m grateful that he cannot see inside my mind. If he