by Tara Thomas
Had she? “I don’t remember.”
“That’s not good,” he said. “I don’t mind rendering you speechless, but affecting your mental capacity isn’t on my agenda.”
* * *
She’d like to know exactly what was on his agenda concerning her. She bet it was mind-blowing. But what was truly mind-blowing was the way he looked at her with such intensity. It was a bit unnerving and she was starting to understand why Kipling was so good in business. Not a lot of people could stand up to the scrutiny of his gaze. Fortunately, she’d had plenty of experience dealing with intense stares.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re looking for something or waiting for me to do something.”
“Am I?” he asked in such a way that proved he was, in fact, the most tedious man ever.
She decided not to even bother with a reply. She focused on a blank wall and willed the song to be over soon so she could start to pretend his arms really didn’t feel as good as they did and that his body didn’t seem oh so right pressed up against hers.
“Actually,” he said. “I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me.”
She stopped dancing completely. “Are you asking me out? Seriously?”
“For someone who didn’t want to cause a scene, you aren’t being the most discreet right this second.”
She glanced around and saw that they had quiet a few eyes watching them. She smiled at them and nodded to Kipling to start moving again.
“Why would you ask me out?” she said.
“You know, I didn’t peg you as the type to need an ego boost, but you’re smart and attractive.” The sincerity of his expression took her breath and she had to look away. “And I’m willing to bet underneath the layers of sarcasm, you have a delightful personality. I’d like to find out.”
Now there was no doubt he was drunk or at least on his way there. “I arrested you.”
“And you later released me.”
“I have actively investigated your family.”
“And you’ve found no evidence of anything shady,” he said, obviously enjoying their exchange way too much.
“You’re impossible.”
“Now, I wouldn’t say that. Difficult? Maybe. But not impossible. Not for you.”
“I don’t.…I mean … It’s not…” Why did this man leave her so flustered? “Not a good idea.”
Thankfully, she was saved from having to say anything else by the song coming to an end. She pulled out of his embrace, turned, and walked away, while ignoring the way he called after her.
ALSO BY TARA THOMAS
SONS OF BROAD
DARKEST NIGHT
E-NOVELLAS
SHATTERED FEAR
HIDDEN FATE
TWISTED END
AVAILABLE FROM ST. MARTIN’S PAPERBACKS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tara Thomas’s love of books and writing started as a child and though she wanted to be an author, she decided a degree in science was more practical. After fifteen years in the pharmaceutical industry, she returned to her first love and hasn’t looked back since.She writes erotic romance as Tara Sue Me. Her Submissive Series novels have been on both the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. Her novel The Master earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was awarded Best Romance of 2016 from Best Book Awards. You can sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Excerpt: Hidden Fate
Excerpt: Broken Promise
Also by Tara Thomas
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
DEADLY SECRET
Copyright © 2018 by Tara Thomas.
Excerpt from XXXXX copyright © 2018 by Author.
All rights reserved.
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / April 2018
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.