False Pretenses Read online

  You’re not going to find out, Alyssa, so shut it down.

  “Stay on your side, and I’ll stay on mine.”

  The speculative expression said the words were a poor choice. “So if I don’t…”

  “I’ll relocate your balls with my knee.”

  He chuckled. “Well warned.”

  * * * *

  Alyssa might have behaved like sleeping at Nathan’s side presented no big deal, but the real experience left her stiff, clutching the covers up to her neck, and listening to his quiet breathing. She’d elected to sleep in a long tee and panties, out of sight by the time he stepped from the bathroom. To her alarm, Nathan had no such qualms about revealing his body. He had slid into boxers and left his chest bare while she pretended to have drifted off. From her side of the bed, she took in the fresh scent of soap and sexy maleness every time she inhaled. Sleep eluded her, but Nathan didn’t appear to have an issue.

  Frustrated, she rolled to her side facing Nathan and stared at the broad expanse of his back. A sense of longing came over her to reach out and touch. Before she knew what she was doing, her fingers brushed the warm skin, and she gasped.

  “I thought we agreed to stay on our own sides.”

  She jumped at his voice. “You were pretending to be asleep.”

  “And you weren’t earlier?”

  “Whatever.”

  He shifted to face her, and she did her best to keep her eyes on his face and not the smooth, hairless chest. Did he shave it, or was it naturally that way? She licked her lips and was gratified to find him focusing on the movement in the dim lighting. No, you’re not trying to turn him on, Alyssa. Go to sleep.

  The mattress creaked when he moved closer to her, sinking under his heavy weight. She tumbled nearer without meaning to and rested her palms on his chest. Tingles brought goose bumps to her arms when his hand landed at her waist. She might as well be naked for all the protection the tee provided against his burning touch.

  “We didn’t agree to this,” she informed him.

  “You started it.”

  Despite herself she chuckled. “I don’t know why I can’t imagine a big-time executive like you teasing me like a little kid.”

  He lowered his head, bringing his mouth into proximity with hers. “I do more than tease.”

  “Meaning I don’t?” Okay, seriously, girl, don’t challenge the man.

  “Prove me wrong.”

  “I’m not falling for that, pal.”

  His gaze dropped to her hands, still resting against his warm skin. With effort, she removed them and curled her fingers into her palms to keep from going back.

  “We don’t have to deny ourselves, Alyssa.”

  Why the heck did he have to keep speaking her name in that sexy deep tone?

  No doubt oblivious to her torment, he continued. “We’re adults. We can explore what’s before us.”

  Her stomach muscles tautened. “What’s before us?”

  “Attraction. You’re a beautiful woman, and from the way you’re looking at me as if I’m your next meal—”

  “I am not looking at you like I want to eat you! Wow, somebody’s full of themselves.” While she protested, she bit down on a laugh. He’d spoken the truth, and there had been no arrogance, just an observation. If she said, “Let’s get it on,” he would comply. After all, Nathan didn’t worry about falling in deeper than he intended. Not from what she saw anyway. She bit her lip. “Don’t you feel weird having sex in your mother’s house?”

  “Not the first time.”

  She glared at him, and he smiled.

  “Teenage hormones.”

  She rolled her eyes, attempting to give the impression she didn’t give a damn about his past, but he squashed her act with one touch of his fingertip. From her cheek to her lips, he traced a path. She turned her head.

  “You shouldn’t do that.”

  “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t.”

  “Because.”

  He raised his eyebrows. She fought not to turn her head back so her lips would graze his palm. He would not be put off, but squeezed her hip where his other hand lay. His thigh brushed hers, and she tensed against the hardness of his muscles. Just feeling that little bit led her to thinking about what lay above and between his legs. Was he hard there too? Don’t even, Alyssa.

  “I think it would be a bad idea to complicate matters.” She lowered her gaze from his face so he wouldn’t see the desire bubbling inside. “I don’t jump into bed with men I hardly know. Not that I’m judging you…”

  “Of course not,” he teased.

  All of a sudden, the space between them compressed even more, although she didn’t see him move. His breath warmed her lips, recalling how good it felt to kiss him. One wouldn’t hurt, would it? She could taste him and enjoy it, then roll over and go to sleep. Shocked at the sharp turn to her thoughts, she jerked away from him and flipped over. Nathan’s hand rose as she spun, but it settled in place the moment she stilled.

  “If I tell you to move that…”

  “I will,” he assured her.

  She chewed some more on her lip. Damn the man for making her want him. She drew her knees up and squeezed her eyes shut. No amount of deep breathing and willing her mind would make her relax.

  “Wound that tight, you’ll never rest. Here, let me help you,” he offered.

  “I know what kind of help you want to give me.”

  He slid in close and spooned her. She clenched her jaw and bit off a squeak of alarm. Now she knew, the hardness extended to his member. The shaft jutted against her ass as he folded himself around her, but he made no move to do any more than hold her. His embrace tightened with an arm slung over her waist and a palm splayed across her belly. The other arm he lay on the pillow above her head. On one hand, he heightened her desires, but his nearness evoked peace as well. In degrees, she began to settle down.

  She thought he kissed her hair, but decided it had to be a figment of her imagination. How had they gotten to this point, to be comfortable enough with each other that they could lie in bed together as if they were a real couple? Would it have gone the same way if Trinity were here instead? Maybe her cousin would have taken everything in stride, or then again, Nathan might have respected Trinity’s love of her boyfriend and kept his distance in private. Alyssa, as a single woman, was fair game.

  With these thoughts, that any available woman would do to satisfy his lust, she managed to cool her horny body and fell into a fitful sleep, and by the time she woke up in the morning with sunlight streaming into the room, Nathan was nowhere in sight. She rose and showered, then found a sundress to wear to breakfast. Now the challenge would begin.

  * * * *

  In the dining room, Nathan’s family was seated around the table. Annoyance rose in her a little that no one had waited for her. Nathan stood the moment he spotted her and strode around the table dressed in a business suit. Without thinking, she frowned at him.

  “I thought you said you were going to dress down while we’re here.” She gasped after she blurted the words and started to apologize. He cut her off with a kiss that took the strength from her knees and forced her to cling to the lapels of his jacket. The fool had the nerve to appear pleased, which pissed her off even more.

  “Good morning, my love. I’m sorry. I did promise you, but I have an unexpected meeting. The second it’s over, I will be at your disposal to dress me as you see fit—or undress.”

  Piper gagged. “Keep that in your room! The least you can do is say good morning. Maybe they don’t teach you manners where you’re from.”

  Nathan’s eyes blazed in anger, but Alyssa squeezed his arm. “I apologize, Mr. and Mrs. Corde. Leo and Lydia. Good morning. I hope you two had a good night’s sleep?”

  Alyssa chose the spot next to where Nathan sat, and he held her chair for her. She made no effort to greet his bitchy sister whatsoever, even while the woman stared daggers at her.

  Lydia was the first to speak up. “Good
morning, sweetheart. I’m sorry we started without you. I wanted Nathan to wake you, but he said you didn’t sleep much last night and to let you rest.” The insinuation came through crystal clear, and Alyssa couldn’t help blushing.

  “No problem.” Alyssa spotted the food on trays on a side table and started to get up to serve herself, but Nathan rested a hand on her thigh. Arrows of desire pinged her pussy, and she turned slightly to get him to let go. He ignored her fidgeting to whisper in her ear.

  “Just tell Talia what you’d like.”

  She glanced up to find the maid standing at her elbow. Goodness, they move like ghosts, flitting in and out. “Um eggs, bacon, and a biscuit, please, Talia. Thanks.”

  “Of course, miss.”

  The others seemed not to be fazed in the least to be served in their own home as Aziz and Talia moved about the table refreshing coffee, bringing second helpings. The food sat not even five feet away from them. In fact, the table extended wide enough to have placed the dishes in the middle.

  “I have an idea,” Lydia announced. “Why don’t us girls go shopping? You and I can keep Alyssa company, Piper, while Nathan’s working. How’s that sound?”

  Alyssa dredged up a smile, and Piper whirled a finger in the air, but she didn’t refuse to go. In fact, from the determined set to her jaw, Alyssa wouldn’t be surprised if she had a verbal attack coming. Well, she could bring it, because Alyssa did not take crap from anyone. She knew she was a decent person, and she had no plans to try to swindle Nathan out of his money. Besides, who could think of money when a man like him kissed the way he did? She squirmed in her chair once more and was rewarded with another squeeze from the man himself. He would get his own lecture later about going too far!

  Chapter Five

  At the front door, where Nathan had insisted she accompany him out of sight of the others, he pulled his wallet from his pocket and flipped it open. She shrank back. “What are you doing?”

  He thumbed through a thick stack of money. “I don’t have much cash on me.”

  She folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t want it.”

  He forced her to extend her palm and dropped several hundreds into it. Alyssa’s mouth went dry when she counted out two thousand, but he wasn’t done. A credit card topped the stack. “Use this if you need more, and if they give you any issues, call me. I’ll clear it.”

  Her jaw went slack. “Nathan, I do not need this money, and even if I did, it’s too much.”

  He curled her fingers closed. She couldn’t help getting caught up in his gaze, mesmerized by their depth and warmth. “You are going shopping with my mom and sister. They love to buy things, and the stores they frequent aren’t…”

  She frowned. “Wal-Mart?”

  “They’re exclusive. That cash probably won’t be enough. Spend as much as you want. There’s no limit on the card.”

  “No limit?” She blinked at him. The last credit card she owned had a limit of five hundred dollars, and she’d maxed it out countless times before learning discipline to go with cash or don’t buy. She would not go backward by using his card.

  “Wouldn’t my family expect me to be generous with the woman I love?” he argued.

  “I know, but—”

  “You would fight me, but I assure you, I would not give up until you allowed me to take care of you in the way that I can. So, let’s skip all of that and go straight to you accepting the money.”

  “Nathan!”

  His serene smile made her sigh to keep from smacking him.

  “Fine, but I’ll use the money, not the card. I’ll consider it expenses while on the job.”

  “Good girl.” He patted her ass and kissed her lips and then was gone before she could tell him about himself.

  Alyssa turned on her heel and headed to her room to freshen up a little before the shopping spree with his mom and sister. Nathan Corde was used to getting his way, but before the week ended, she would set him straight. Every woman did not fall for his charm, least of all her.

  An hour later, she, Lydia, and Piper were whisked into the city by yet another employee of their household, the chauffeur. When Lydia started mentioning names like Dolce & Gabbana, she knew the two thousand would not cover a sock, let alone the dresses the older woman chattered about wanting to buy.

  “What do you think of this dress?” Lydia suggested, holding up a strawberry-print piece that included the bright red fruit, butterflies, and flowers. Alyssa held her physical reaction in check and smiled, reaching for the dress.

  “That’s nice.” She took a peek at the price tag and stood corrected. She could buy more than a sock. This D&G dress was just thirteen hundred dollars. Her mouth went dry reading the numbers, and she marveled over the fact that Lydia hadn’t blinked twice at it. Correction again. Lydia never even looked at the tag. She didn’t need to.

  In her excitement, the older woman wandered off along the aisle, and Alyssa started after her, but Piper blocked her path. “For what it’s worth, she meant that dress for herself, not you. Mom loves flower patterns. The more colorful, the better.”

  Alyssa softened. “Thanks. Whew, I didn’t know how I was going to tell her it’s not my style.”

  Piper cocked her head to the side and sneered. “Not just the style, huh? I bet that cost more than you make in a month.”

  “And what? I’m supposed to be ashamed of what I make just because you’re rich? Please, don’t even worry about me losing sleep over what you can afford versus what I can.”

  “I’m sure you don’t. Lose sleep, I mean.”

  Alyssa gritted her teeth. She shoved the dress at Piper. “You have two seconds to get out of my face.”

  “Or?” Thin, shaped eyebrows rose.

  She was right, of course. Hitting the bitch would ruin everything, but that didn’t mean she had to bite her tongue. Alyssa leaned her weight into one leg and put her hand on her hip. She mugged Piper from her red polished toes, peeking out through high-heeled sandals, to her long silken tresses. “Even if I pay five dollars for a dress, I’d look a hell of a lot better in it than any designer piece you drape on your skinny ass.”

  With those words, Alyssa ran a hand over her curves and smacked her round booty. To her satisfaction, Piper’s cheeks puffed out, and her color turned crimson, giving her the appearance of a tomato. Alyssa chuckled and moved past her to find Lydia.

  The two of them traded insults for much of the day in between Alyssa trying to spend as little money as possible. Frustrated with the prohibitive price tags, she suggested a middle-class store, and was surprised but gratified when Lydia agreed. She managed to purchase a dress and a couple of shorts sets, a pair of flip-flops with fake bling that were cute, and a few hair bands to keep her unruly hair in order. The fact that Piper behaved as if she might catch a disease just mingling with those of lesser fortune provided greater satisfaction. Lydia’s happy bounce never wavered.

  “Okay, I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m starving,” Lydia announced at one. “Let’s find somewhere to eat.”

  “Sounds good,” Alyssa agreed, and Piper echoed the assent.

  The same restaurant she and Nathan attended the day before turned out to be the choice, and to Alyssa’s delight, the host bustled up, and after greeting Lydia and Piper by name, he turned to her with a warm smile. “Ms. Alyssa, good to see you again.”

  “Jeff, hello. Thank you, same to you,” she answered.

  Lydia nodded as if the situation was as it should be, but Piper glared. Alyssa glided past her, head held high, as Jeff led them to the private room. She had scarcely put in her order before her phone rang, and she read Nathan’s name on the screen. She slid her chair back. “Excuse me a moment, please.”

  She left the room and strolled a little along the hall and around a corner. When she pressed the connect button, the sound of Nathan’s voice echoing across the lines brought her body to life and activated her imagination of his handsome face.

  “Hey,” she breathed.
/>   “Alyssa, everything going okay?”

  She wanted to forbid him from saying her name. One would think she’d never been attracted to a man. “Yes, everything is fine. I actually had fun with your mother. She’s a shopaholic, but she was a good sport to go with me to the regular stores.”

  “Regular stores?”

  “Never mind. Work going fine?”

  “Yes, I’m finished for now. I had a local businessman contact me a few months ago about a possible venture here in the islands, and when he heard I’d come down, he requested a meeting. I promise I won’t let it get in the way of us.”

  She pushed a trembling hand through her hair. “Well, this isn’t real, right, so no biggie.”

  “I want it to be as real as possible.”

  She would not rise to that bait. “Do you want me to come back? We’ve just sat down to lunch. If you’re close, you can join us. We’re at the same place you took me last night.”

  “I am close.” Why did his voice drop as if he sought to seduce her? “I look forward to seeing you. Please ask the waiter to bring my usual. I’ll be twenty minutes at the longest.”

  Alyssa shifted from one foot to the other, trying to calm her idiot body. “O-Okay, sure.”

  “See you then.”

  He hung up, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Then the thought of him arriving so soon hit her, and anticipation took over. He would no doubt greet her with a kiss, and a hand at her waist or back. Longing turned her around to the point that she walked in the opposite direction to where she intended. She started back the way she came and then stopped at a familiar voice coming from behind a door to her left. Maybe this was the room and she’d forgotten. Shaking her head in confusion, she pushed at the panels, glad it wasn’t shut all the way.