Page 2 of When He Lies
“Enamored?” Simone tested the word. “I don’t think so.”
“Fine.” Ryan’s stare did not waver. It was a very intense and focused stare. Such a deep, dark brown. “He wants to fuck you.”
She sucked in a sharp breath. Her hand jerked away from his chest and fell to her side because, surely, a shocked and appalled reaction was what she should give him? “You are mistaken.” Nah, you’re not. The jerk has been putting the moves on me since I came to London. “We have a very professional relationship.” Frederick was getting on her nerves, and his focused attention had made her speed up her game plan. Luckily for her, Ryan Quinn had strolled through the office doors just in time. Almost like a prince charming. While coming for an appointment with Frederick, Ryan had spotted her, and he’d paused immediately by her desk. Ryan had gazed at her as if truly smitten and immediately asked her out, in front of Frederick.
Since she’d declined Frederick’s multiple offers for an, um, outing under the guise of being his employee and not mixing her personal and professional life, Frederick had been pretty pissed by Ryan’s bold action.
He’d been even more furious when she accepted Ryan’s offer. Again, right in front of him.
That brought her to this location. The big party. Her boss’s family home. And being just steps away from her goal. So close that Simone could taste success. It tasted like the champagne she’d sipped moments before.
“You might be professional,” Ryan returned, his voice a little on the growly side.
How odd. He wasn’t normally growly. This was, in fact, their third date, and he’d been an absolute gentleman on their previous outings. Voice incredibly polite. Not growling. Not with just the faintest hint of savagery lurking beneath his words.
“But the man wants to fuck you,” he finished.
Her shoulders rolled back. A deliberate move in the strapless dress. One designed to try and shift his attention. “I am not interested in fucking him, I assure you.” She gave a little sniff. “I don’t fuck my employers.”
“Are you interested in fucking me?”
Her jaw dropped. “I—” Yes. Her immediate thought. But…No. No, no, she was not. Because she truly did not mix her personal and her professional worlds and getting involved with Ryan, even if it was just for one hot, sweaty, passionate night…
Oh, the temptation.
Maybe she’d had a few fantasies about him. Maybe she’d wondered what he’d look like all naked and sweaty. Maybe she’d woken up one night, with his name on her lips, and her body aching.
But she was in too deep on her current mission. She couldn’t afford to screw anything up. Lust was not worth failure. Pleasure was not worth pain.
“Because I would very much like to fuck you, Simone,” Ryan told her. Calm. Easy. “Just getting that out there for the record.” His head inclined toward her. “But how about we settle for a tour of the gallery right now? I’ve heard that Frederick has quite the impressive collection.”
A squeak escaped her. Not quite faked. He’d thrown her off-balance. A hard thing to do. She’d pegged him as the perfect gentleman. Eminently controllable. Except there was something about his expression...The flare of heat in his eyes warned her that she might have missed a few layers when she’d analyzed him before.
Bored billionaire. He was supposed to be another one of those. She’d carefully checked his background. He’d inherited money, just like Frederick had. Only Ryan invested his money in other people’s companies. His investments had allowed Ryan to double, then triple his own wealth. Frederick currently wanted a considerable investment from him. That was why Ryan was there that night. Why he’d been invited to the London office in the first place. Frederick wanted his money.
“Simone?” Ryan quirked a dark eyebrow at her. “Would you like to tour the gallery with me?”
Her gaze darted to the gallery doors. Doors that were blocked by two of the security staff members. “Guests aren’t permitted inside the gallery.” Her stare slid back to Ryan.
“But you’re not just a typical guest, are you?” A playful wink. “You’re the boss’s trusted administrative assistant. And I bet you know those guards or they know you, at least. Surely you can get us a quick glimpse inside? A special privilege?”
Ah, she surely hoped that she could get them inside the gallery. Talk about a perfect opportunity. She’d hoped to be able to sneak into the gallery. She’d just thought that she’d have to convince Ryan to enter with her. That she’d have to work really hard to stir the man’s interest in exploring with her. Instead, he was taking her straight to her goal. Honestly, Simone could have kissed him right then and there.
Instead, she gave Ryan what she hoped looked like an uncertain smile. “We can try, but I, uh, might have to tell a little white lie.” Her speech was halting, deliberately so.
“I don’t mind white lies.”
Good to know. Especially since she told them all the time.
Nodding, Simone headed directly for the gallery doors. She did, indeed, know the guards. Simone had made a point to know them. So there was no particular surprise from her when Hugo Thomas stepped into her path.
“I’m sorry, but the gallery is off-limits to guests, Simone,” Hugo reminded her. He sent her a warm smile. “You know that.” The overhead lights hit his dark hair.
The second guard, Alexei Morozov, didn’t speak. Just watched them with his narrowed, light green eyes. Alexei made her nervous. There was something about him that seemed dangerous.
A vibe. Instinct. She never ignored her instincts. There was no world where she ever wanted to be alone with Alexei and his big, scarred fists. The Russian barely spoke to anyone, but he was always around at important events. Always close and at the ready for Frederick.
But she knew how to put on a show, so Simone plastered a broad smile on her face. “I’m not a guest. I’m an employee. You know that, Hugo.” A light, tinkling laugh. “Frederick asked me to give his dear friend and business associate a private tour.” That would be the white lie part. Frederick would never allow her into his gallery. Employees truly were not permitted. Guests, in general, were not, either but…
