Deceive 2 (Book 2 of the Deceive series) (2 page)

As we approach her he says to me, “We don’t open until ten but Clara here is the restaurant manager and she was in early for a staff meeting. I thought I would introduce you.”

I extend my hand and she politely accepts. She has to be a good fifteen years older than me, her blond bob perfectly coiffed, her lips a shade of red not normally seen so early in the morning. Clara respectfully entertains us for a moment before her phone rings again and she politely returns to her work.

When she is out of earshot Marcus says quietly, “I hope you don’t want me to fire her as well. She’s the best we’ve got.”

I smile and begin to answer when he stops mid-step and turns to face me. I’m taken aback by his abruptness. Looking around, I see that we are alone in the restaurant, but by the way his eyes are boring into me, I wish we were in a more private setting.

“Why
Scarlett?
” he asks. I can’t quite tell if the expression he is giving me is cold or wounded.

I sigh, knowing we would have to discuss this at some point. “It’s the name I always use when I check into hotels. Because I work in the industry, I don’t want people coming across my name and giving me special service. I like to see how hotels really operate. Once before, when I used my real name, a manager knew who I was and I was accused of spying on them. So now, I have a pseudo. ” I smile through my embarrassment as I continue, “Scarlett Sterling.”

“Scarlett Sterling?”

“I chose it after my two favorite movie characters of all time,” I sheepishly admit. “Scarlett O’Hara and Agent Sterling.”

He cocks a brow.
“Gone with the Wind
and
Silence of the lambs
?”

I shrug. “I’m a walking contradiction.”

He tilts his head back and laughs. The sound of it is so jarring with the tension between us and yet, it makes me smile.

“So I’ve gathered,” he answers. “And I understand. Carrying the Knight name doesn’t come with much privacy in this city. I’m not as quick to relish in the acclamations as my father and grandfather have.” He shrugs lightly, gazing out the window to the ferries on the water. “Maybe that will change when I’ve contributed to the hotel’s success.”

A member of the cleaning staff passes by us, breaking him from his trance. Marcus takes me by the elbow and leads me back to the elevator. He pushes the button and as we wait for the door to open, I say quietly, “I don’t believe that to be true.”

He rotates his body to face me, his expression quizzical. “You think I enjoy the fame that comes with the Knight family name?”

“No, I believe you won’t change even after you’ve built your own success.”

He smirks. “And why do you say that? You haven’t even known me for twenty four hours.”

My heart beats in my throat. “You didn’t have to use your middle name with me last night. I’m sure you thought I was a simple business woman from out of town who would never tie the name Marcus to the Knight dynasty.”

The elevator bell dings. “You are wrong about one thing.” As the door opens, he looks at me with the same delirious desire he had in his eyes the night before. “You are anything but simple.”

He steps inside, but it’s a moment longer before I can get my legs to move.

“Coming?” He lingers on the word, giving emphasis to the double entendre. And now—I’m afraid I won’t be able to walk at all.

I keep my eyes down as I stand beside him, the door closing us in. Instantly, he curves his body so he’s facing me. My back is pressed against the wall. I look up and match his eyes, and I know my expression mirrors the lust in his. I try to hide it from him, but he’s standing so close that I’m pretty sure I fail miserably. When Marcus speaks I can taste the sweet mint of his breath.

“Tell me you can’t stop thinking about last night.”

“I can’t stop thinking about last night,” I breathe.

He steps even closer, his chest pressing against my breast. “Tell me you can still feel my fingers on the curve of your back as you pressed your ass against me.” Ever so gently, he traces my mouth with his thumb, my pouty plump lips tingle from our love making. “I can still recall the tremble of your lips when you were just about to come.”

Unable to speak, I close my eyes. With only his words, he has transported me back to last night and I am reliving every succulent touch of his hands and mouth that skillfully aroused my body.

He places his palms against the back wall, his forehead almost touching mine. He takes in a deep, savory breath. “I can’t get the scent of you out of my head. I could smell you on my skin, making it hard to sleep.”

Vibrations move through my body as the elevator lowers us to the ground. My arms are like concrete, my hands pressed on the wall behind me. I quiver as he gently leans down and trails his nose against my ear. “You can tell me to stop.”

But I can’t. Or I won’t. I know that I should, but it’s the last thing I want. I tilt my head to his, encouraging his lips to find mine. My silence is my answer.

“There is just one thing left to do before you are officially hired on here.”

At any moment the elevator will stop and we will be caught in this most inappropriate position. But I can’t seem to pull away from him. I only want more.

“What’s that?” I whisper.

“Fill out the paper work.” His lips trail the side of my jaw. I lean back my head and sigh as his lips caress my throat in soft brushing strokes. When his mouth reaches my ear again, he whispers, “But I’m not ready to do that yet.”

I freeze and brace myself for the worst. Maybe he doesn’t think I’m fit for the job. Maybe he will talk his sister out of hiring me.

“Don’t be nervous.” He smiles against my skin. “You are more than qualified for the position. But once I’m your boss…” His mouth slides over my jaw, up my chin and lands softly on my mouth. “I can’t do this.”

I groan lightly as his lips brush against mine, tantalizing my delicate skin and torturing me. He doesn’t press down for a kiss. Instead, he softly sweeps his velvety lips back and forth, ever so gently over mine like a secret whisper between us. I’m frozen in place, my eyes closed as the sensation of his delicious mouth electrifies my sex. I moan, wanting to push my tongue into his mouth and taste him. My lips part just enough so that the heat of his breath mingles with mine.

“If you want more…” His words tickle my lips. “You will have to initiate it.”

I am just about to show him how much more I want when the bell dings and the door opens to the lobby. He quickly pushes away from me and the only thing the crowd hovering around the elevator sees is me trembling against the wall.

M
arissa knight won’t stop talking
. She shuffles papers left and right, obscuring the desk that was conspicuously tidy during my interview.

In two weeks’ time, I have quit my job at Embassy, officially taken on a Seattle residence, and started my job at Knight Hotel.

And not once in that time have I spoken to Marcus Knight.

I received a respectful bouquet of orchids when I arrived at my new home, along with a card that read, “Welcome to the Knight team. I look forward to our future together.” I left a message on his voicemail thanking him for the thoughtful gesture. Other than that, all communication between Marcus and I has been through Marissa. I have no way of knowing if that is just a coincidence or by his insistence. I fear every time she calls me that it will to tell me I can take my whoring ass back to Embassy, but instead I am repeatedly surprised by the kindness in her voice. Either Marcus hasn’t told his sister about our previous tryst, or she doesn’t care.

I can’t stop thinking about what he said. He made it clear that if I wanted something more between us, it would be up to me to take the lead. I wake every night in a sweat, my thighs trembling as I remember his touch, and all I want is to reach out to him, to continue what we started. But how can I do that now that he’s my boss? And yet, how will I be able to work with someone I can’t stop thinking about?

I was tempted to turn down the job at first. Though, on a professional level, I know it would have been the worst mistake of my life. I decided that I would not let one man deter me from a successful, profitable future. I deserve this job. I worked my ass off for this job.
They
are lucky to have
me
. So no, I will not let “
Mr. Chivalry, a.k.a. best fuck I ever had
” take this away from me. I can be professional. I can keep my panties on.

“I’m sorry?” I say as I emerge from my daze to find Marissa staring at me.

“I asked if you received an email yet from Mr. Gladstone.”

I fumble with my phone, my cheeks flushing as I search my inbox.

She makes a quick note on a post-it as she says, “Personally, I think web designers are a dime a dozen, but Marcus swears by this man’s work, said he did the site for Opal Hotel, which we all know is our biggest competitor.” She picks up a stack of papers and starts rummaging through them, a deep creviced scowl on her forehead. “I don’t see why we would want to have the same man design our website that designed our rival’s. If word gets back to Opal, they will think we are just shadowing them, when we all know that Knight Hotel has the opulence to dominate them. It’s Opal that constructed their hotel to look like ours. Let’s not forget that.” She sighs and drops the remaining papers on the desk.

“Can I help you find something?” I offer. What looks like the remnants of a tornado, but in 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 could, he would see the two of us pressed together like magnets against the glass, our naked bodies consumed by one another. The vision in my head is so vivid, I begin to tremble. I’m grateful for his gentle touch.

“I don’t mind,” I say quietly.

He pulls out my chair and while he isn’t looking, I turn myself just enough so that I’m facing away from the majestic view. Without his hard, passionate body against mine, the window still holds a trace of fear for me.

He introduces me to the waitress who arrives with an expensive bottle of chardonnay. I peak a brow at Marcus when she leaves. “It’s good to be the boss.”

He chuckles and a small black tendril of hair falls across his forehead. He brushes it back. “I do write their pay checks.”

Taking a sip, I peer at him over the chilled glass. “As well as mine, Mr. Knight.”