The Seduction Game

by Maltezos, Anastasia

  The gloom she felt settling in her heart dimmed the brightness of the sunny morning.

  He said he wanted honesty first and foremost. She knew he would never forgive her if she told him he had been an experiment.

  Kate realized she would never know more about him. His struggles to survive with an eight-year-old sister after his parents died. His will to overcome his challenges. His cynicism toward marriage and love. His driving need to succeed.

  Kate would never know more about him because after today she would never see him again. She felt lonely just thinking about it. She hadn’t felt like this for anyone in years. The realization that she was possibly letting go of the first interesting man she’d met in a long time depressed her.

  Back at home, she went upstairs to her bedroom and eyed the short platinum wig, black tights, and lavender body suit on her bed.

  She didn’t feel well. Did she even have to meet him as Katrina? He liked Kate, the schoolteacher. Wasn’t that enough?

  Her unease grew. It was too late to go back now. He’d already met her as a fake and a phony. Going back to him now and telling him the truth was too late.

  She’d have to complete her research and meet him as Katrina.

  And after today, her life would go back to normal.

  * * * *

  Adam and his best friend, Kyle Wilder, were getting ready to hit the courts and put in a few games of racquet ball.

  “Sorry, buddy, but I didn’t think she was actually going to do it.”

  Adam frowned at his friend before he tossed his keys and wallet into his locker. “You could have warned me,” he said, slamming the door shut and locking it. “In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never been on the other team. Has Dana finally turned you against me?” Adam couldn’t help scowling. “And don’t tell me it slipped your mind. She probably swore you to secrecy, didn’t she?”

  Kyle made a face. “I take it the date went bad.”

  “No, it didn’t go bad. Actually, I had an interesting evening.”

  “Then why do you look like hell?”

  “I was up all night working on the Ryerson account. Edward’s still undecided about going with us. I think his granddaughter, Ellie, has been taking up all his time.”

  “Is that the client you’ve mentioned whose granddaughter lost her parents, and she went to live with him? The young girl who got pregnant?”

  “That’s the one.”

  “Poor kid.”

  “Edward’s been having a really hard time dealing with her lately, and at our last meeting, he spent most of our time talking about her and how worried he is.”

  “That’s a shame. Having a kid at sixteen is going to be rough on her. I hope she knows what she’s getting into.”

  Adam’s face was grim. He had just lied to his best friend of eighteen years. The Ryerson account hadn’t kept him up all night. Kate had. Yes, he had the Ryerson file in front of him, but all he had seen was a woman with a sharp tongue, a sharp mind, and hair a man could drown in. And her lips were another matter altogether. More than once he thought of their kiss and the gentle sway of her hips, and his loins tightened uncomfortably.

  Adam swore under his breath and Kyle gave him a curious look. “Are you worried Edward won’t sign?”

  Adam shook his head. “He’ll sign. Easy Business Works is just the software his resorts need to make them more efficient.”

  “So why do you look like hell? It must be tough being a genius software developer.”

  Adam tensed. He knew Kyle was digging. His friend never missed a thing. Kyle could read people, memorize details, and notice things most people missed. Adam shot him a sardonic look. “That bruise on your forehead tells me being a private investigator is no walk in the park either,” he countered dryly.

  Kyle touched his temple and shrugged. “I told you that thug got in a sucker punch. He’s doing time and I have a throbbing headache. Not a bad deal if you ask me.” He gave Adam a shrewd look. “So are you going to tell me what’s really bothering you?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Are you going to see her again?”

  Adam grimaced. There was no way out of this. He realized where his sister got her persistence from. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  They walked through the locker room doors down the hall that led to the racquet ball courts. They made a striking pair and more than one woman stared at them. They were both tall and powerfully built, Kyle with blonde good looks and Adam with darkly handsome features. Adam wished he’d cancelled today’s game. The gym was notorious for being a pick-up joint and he wasn’t in the mood for being hit on. A busty redhead sashayed past him, giving him an inviting smile.

  “I asked her to have dinner with me tonight and she refused.”

  Kyle stopped dead. Two women walked past them, smiling up at them. Both men were oblivious to their unabashed interest.

  Adam glared at Kyle. “Are you just going to stand there?”

  “Did I hear you correctly? Did you just say you asked a woman out on a date and she said no?” He let out a low whistle, annoying the hell out of Adam. “Well, I’ll be. Adam Tyler, the alpha male, has finally met his match.”

  “Save it.”

  The two women walked away, but not before the brunette purred a sultry, “I would have said yes.”

  Adam gripped his racquet tighter in his hand. “Come on. Let’s find a court.”

  Kyle laughed. “Are you kidding me? We have to talk about this. I don’t think there’s ever been a woman who said no to you.”

  “You’d get along great with Kate. She thinks talking’s good, too,” Adam said dryly.

  Kyle chuckled. “I like her already.” They passed the first court. It was occupied by two couples. “Is she pretty?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mm. Maybe you should set her up with me?”

  Adam gave his friend a menacing look. “Like hell I will.”

  Kyle’s brow rose. “Hey, easy, buddy. I was only kidding.”

  Adam had the grace to look ashamed. “I know.”

  “Then why do you look like you’re ready to clobber me with your racquet?” His expression turned serious. “Something tells me you should pursue this woman.”

  “It would never work. She’s the kind of woman who needs a ring before she sleeps with someone.”

  “Did she tell you that?”

  “No.”

  “Then how do you know?”

  “I can tell. Besides, she’s still in love with her ex-boyfriend.”

  “Did she tell you that, too?”

  “She didn’t have to. She still has all his things in her bathroom.”

  Kyle gave him a strange look. “Look, this isn’t any of my business, but have you ever thought it was time to settle down?”

  Adam stiffened. “What didn’t you and my sister discuss?”

  Kyle shrugged. “If you think about it, Dana did have some very good arguments. It’s no secret you’ve had some bad breaks with your ex-girlfriends. You hook up with women who self-destruct on you. Granted they’re all gorgeous and sexy, but they all turn clingy and needy and drive you crazy. Maybe you have been dating the wrong kind of woman.”

  “Maybe you and Dana have been spending too much time together.” Adam’s irritation was just about to boil over. And there was no way in hell he was going to tell Kyle he’d sent Kate roses and she hadn’t even called him up to thank him. “Look, it was one date, one night. When she wasn’t getting under my skin, she was insulting me.” He ran a rough hand though his hair. “And when we finally got along, she said she just wanted to be friends.”

  “And you still asked her out?”

  “It’s complicated.” Was it? Adam wasn’t so sure anymore. The only thing he was sure of was that Kate excited and intrigued him more than any other woman had.

  Kyle flicked a blue glance over Adam’s shoulder and a wicked glint appeared on his handsome face. He whistled appreciatively. “Now she can get unde
r my skin any time.”

  Adam’s dark gaze followed his friend’s. He found himself staring at a woman playing in a court alone. Her back was facing him, and she moved effortlessly as she hit the ball with precise moves. His gaze roamed over her shapely body covered in black tights and a lavender body suit. He flicked an appreciative glance at her backside. She was definitely a knockout, from the back, anyway. His gaze dipped lower to her firm calves, and back up to her small waist. Her hair was short, just above the shoulders, and so blonde it almost looked white. She turned a little to the side and he caught a glimpse of her breasts. She had great curves, all in the right places.

  What intrigued Adam more, however, was that she played one hell of a game. He was impressed.

  “She hits better than you,” he said to Kyle.

  The woman, as if sensing them through the glass wall behind her, caught the ball deftly in her right hand and turned around. Her gaze found Adam’s and she smiled provocatively.

  “Speaking of which, I think she just hit on you,” Kyle said.

  Adam watched her through hooded eyes. Something about her struck a familiar cord in him.

  “Go talk to her,” Kyle urged.

  “Another time. Let’s find a court before they’re all taken.”

  Adam couldn’t for the life of him get rid of that strange feeling. He practically had to tear his gaze away from her as he began to walk away.

  “Are you kidding? She’s sexy and she plays great racquet ball. Look at her.” Adam did look at her. She had returned to her game. His brow knotted into a dark frown. All of a sudden, she missed her step. Before either man knew what happened, she collapsed onto the court. Adam dropped his racquet and ran to her.

  The woman sat on the court, rubbing her ankle. Her delicate features were partially shielded by the glossy fall of her pale hair, and when she turned and looked up at him, he felt his breath catch.

  My God, this woman could pass for Kate’s sister. Yes, there were differences like the short, blonde hair and the blue eyes, but everything else about her was the same. He looked at her mouth and blinked. They were the exact same lips. A fuller bottom lip, moist, pink, her top lip well defined. Lips that were made for smiling. Lips that were definitely made for kissing.

  “Are you all right, Miss?”

  “I’m not sure. I think it may be sprained.”

  Her voice was throaty, sultry, hinting at a suggestive message as she slid a leisurely blue gaze across his wide shoulders and chiseled arms. Adam stiffened. Her voice was nothing like Kate’s well-modulated, even tone.

  “Let me take a look,” he said.

  “Please do,” she replied breathily, lowering her gaze to his hands. Adam tentatively took her ankle, turning it from side to side, all the while glancing at her face to see if she registered any pain. Nothing. Only a blatant interest in her rescuer, he thought wryly. She smiled at him, as though they shared some secret, her striking gaze resting unabashedly on his mouth.

  “No broken bones,” he said, rising. He knew Kyle was waiting for him, and he wanted to get in a good game before the evening rush came in.

  “Lucky me,” she purred. She reached for his hand, stopping him from rising, and smiled coyly at him.

  The blue of her eyes were too blue, a vivid aquamarine, he noticed. They almost looked unnatural.

  “You have a nice touch. Are you a doctor?”

  She may have looked like Kate, but she didn’t act like her. He thought about the pretty schoolteacher, her soft gray eyes mirroring her sharp intelligence, her simmering passions. He’d tasted what lay beneath her cool façade, her unwavering reserve. He recalled how Kate’s delicate features had darkened at the mention of her father and how his heart had swelled with unbidden compassion. He almost had to visibly shake the image away as he stared at the blonde woman seated on the court.

  “No, I’m not a doctor.” For civility’s sake, he added politely, “You play very well.” Just because one woman got under his skin didn’t mean this one deserved his hostility.

  “I do a lot of things well.”

  The innuendo didn’t go unnoticed by him and he smiled politely at her. “I’ve never seen you here before.”

  “First time. Are you a regular?”

  “Every Sunday.”

  “Then it won’t be my last,” she said, smiling. “I’m Katrina.”

  “Adam.”

  “Married?”

  “No. Are you always so forward?” he asked, smiling to take the edge off his tone.

  “Only when I see something I like. Do you have anyone special in your life?” He paused. Kate was special, but she wasn’t in his life. She didn’t even want to have dinner with him. His face hardened. “No.” He thought he caught a glimpse of disappointment on her face, but it disappeared so quickly he decided he must have imagined it.

  She rose gracefully and tentatively stood on her injured foot. “I think I’d better call it quits today. It feels a little sore.”

  “Do you need help getting to your car?”

  A brief flash of alarm darkened her features and her gaze wavered under his. “N…no. Thank you.” She leaned towards him and placed a hand on his arm. “You’re very kind.”

  “It was no trouble.” There was that feeling again. That strange twist in his gut that told him something wasn’t right.

  Her breasts were a mere three inches from his chest and he avoided looking down at the abundant cleavage she displayed. He bit back a grimace. What the hell was the matter with him? Here was a beautiful woman who was obviously interested in him and he was acting like, hell, he didn’t know what he was acting like, because he’d never acted like this before.

  “Adam, I would like to show you my appreciation for coming to my rescue and buy you a drink tonight. I’ll be at Fantasies tonight at nine o’clock.” She leaned a little closer and her breasts almost brushed his chest. He felt another familiar tug in his gut, a tug that reached his loins. “Meet me there.” And without another word, she turned around and sauntered out of the court.

  Adam didn’t even have time to contemplate why she walked out of the court without so much as a limp, all he could see was the gentle sway of her backside, and he imagined the waist-length, light brown, silken hair reaching the sultry curve of her hips. Kate’s hair.

  Disgusted, he shook himself out of his reverie. He had to stop thinking about Kate Moore.

  “Well?” Kyle asked the moment Adam reached his side.

  He made a firm decision. “I’m meeting her tonight.”

  Chapter 6

  Fantasies was in full swing by the time Adam arrived. He looked around, trying to find Katrina amongst the crowds, but couldn’t see her anywhere.

  He strode to the bar and ordered a whisky shot. He downed it, then leaned back against the bar and narrowed his dark gaze at all the people around him. He caught a group of women on the side giggling and stealing glances at him. He raised his glass in a silent salute and they all smiled. His lips curled sardonically as he glanced around. Everyone was either looking for that someone special or looking for a night filled with lust and pleasure.

  Judging by the predatory looks he was getting from a number of women, he seemed high on the list for that prize. Maybe another time, another night he may have felt inclined to talk to them, but tonight was different. Since he’d met Katrina something didn’t sit well in his gut and he needed to get to the bottom of it.

  He noticed a couple kissing to his left and he wondered cynically if that was the love of a committed couple or if they had just met.

  Love. It came with a price. Pain, humiliation, betrayal. Dana had been too young to remember how their mother betrayed their father. How she had had countless affairs, letting their father work himself to the bone to support them, but his father loved his wife and would do anything to make her happy. The boating trip had been a gift he had scrimped and saved for over a year to surprise his wife with a long weekend at sea, but it had ended with their deaths when a sudden squa
ll capsized them and sent them both to a watery grave.

  Then there was Diana. Beautiful and elegant, cold and calculating. Diana Rowlings was the first woman Adam ever loved, and the last woman he ever loved. Not even Kyle knew why they’d broken up. Adam met Diana at a party a few months after his parents died. They shared a drink and a dance and that was all Adam needed to fall madly in love with her. She was poised, intelligent, graceful, everything he had ever wanted in a woman. After a couple of months of dating, he asked her to marry him.

  “I don’t see a future for us,” Diana had said.

  She had coldly rejected him, saying she didn’t love him and that she was going back to her ex-boyfriend, a man who was everything Adam was not. Rich.

  Adam had been devastated. That night when he’d arrived home, he discovered the babysitter at her wits end with a wailing, inconsolable Dana.

  “Adam, don’t ever leave me alone again,” Dana had cried onto his shoulders after he’d lifted her into his arms. “The new babysitter is mean. She wouldn’t let me watch TV.”

  That’s when he realized he was all Dana had. He had to look after her. Give her the things he never had growing up. Stability, security, and a strong, solid role model. He’d never been blind to his parents’ faults. They’d always been too wrapped up in their own world to provide him and Dana a loving home.

  Even though his parents had scared him off marriage, he’d been so blinded by Diana Rowlings, he had taken the risk for her. And then she scared him off love. He had vowed never to be in the same loveless marriage as his parents, and never to be hurt again by a woman.

  Amidst the loud music in the crowded club, his thoughts veered to Kate.

  He saw a small part of him in her. She was as wary of relationships as he was, but that’s where their similarities ended. Kate was vulnerable underneath her bravado. He was cold, hard, and had yet to feel anything remotely related to love for a woman. All he’d felt was pure, unadulterated lust.

  Until he’d met Kate Moore. She had sparked a thread of life in his cynical heart that he thought was long dead. And he found himself facing the stunning realization that the pretty schoolteacher had gotten under his skin.