Love & Lies

by Michelle Iannarelli

  Love & Lies

  Copyright 2016 © by Michelle Iannarelli

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the above author of this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. This book contains sexually explicit material and is for a mature audience. The author acknowledges the trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Cover Model: Miguel Pimentel, www.facebook.com/OFFICIALMIGUELPIMENTEL

  Photographer: Golden Czermak, Facebook.com/FuriousFotog

  Design: Dynamic Design Team, www.dynamicdesignteam.com

  Editor: Out of the Blue Editing

  Formatting: Champagne Formats

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Love & Lies

  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

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Secrets & Lies – Excerpt

  Also by Michelle Iannarelli

  Acknowledgements

  This book is dedicated to Miguel Pimentel.

  Miguel, from the first moment I saw you, I knew I had to have you as one of my cover models.

  So I searched and asked my social media friends to help me find the gorgeous man in the photo.

  For the record, I have never done anything so crazy but it was like I knew it was meant to be.

  They say to be careful for what you wish for because one day you just may get it…and I did!

  I feel so blessed and lucky. You are a wonderful, humble and sweet man.

  Miguel, thank you again for being a part of this journey.

  Love & Lies

  Undercover Love Series – Book 1

  By

  Michelle Iannarelli

  “Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.”

  – Anonymous

  ALEX TRIED TO CALM the butterflies that were doing a dance in her stomach. Today was the day she would finally meet one of the richest, most powerful and insanely gorgeous men in all of the country, Miguel Cruz.

  The elevator doors opened and Alex took a deep breath and stepped out. She stopped at the reception desk and introduced herself.

  “Hello, I am Alex DiPietro.”

  “Good morning, I’m Trudy.”

  “Nice to meet you, Trudy. Today is my first day at Cruz Contracting. I am the new CFO.”

  “I will have Lacey escort you to Mr. Cruz’s office. Welcome aboard!”

  “Thank you.”

  Alex looked around. Everyone was busy working. She hoped the people who were in her department worked as hard and would be as pleasant and friendly as Trudy.

  “Ms. DiPietro?”

  Alex turned around to find a very tall blonde woman towering over her.

  “Yes, I’m Alex DiPietro.”

  “I’m Lacey, welcome to Cruz Contracting. Follow me please.”

  Alex nodded and smiled. Then she leaned down and picked up her briefcase before following Lacey through the office. Alex began to wonder if they would ever reach their destination when they came to another elevator. Lacey inserted her key card to open the elevator doors.

  “You will get one of these too. Make sure you always wear it and heaven help you if you lose it. Mr. Cruz is a fanatic about regulations and security breaches.”

  “Thank you for the warning. Is there anything else I should know about Mr. Cruz?”

  “Mr. Cruz is very good to his employees. In fact, he paid to have my car repaired last year when it broke down. My husband had just passed away and I was really struggling. I didn’t even ask, he just took it upon himself and paid the bill.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you. It’s been a rough year for us but Mr. Cruz has been very supportive. He can be very kind but he can also be a control freak and has the patience of a two-year-old.”

  “Control freak, sounds kind of kinky.” Alex giggled.

  “Get in line, there’s a whole bunch of us women and a few men here who would love to have the pleasure of knowing what he’s like in bed.”

  The elevator had come to a halt and the doors were about to open. Alex turned and looked at Lacey.

  “I don’t think I can do this.”

  “You can and you will. Trust me, his bark is worse than his bite. You will do just fine here.”

  Alex smiled. “Thank you for your kindness, Lacey.”

  “It was nice to meet you. Good luck.”

  “Nice to meet you as well and thank you.” Alex stepped out of the elevator. She righted her skirt and stared at Mr. Cruz’s door. She needed a moment to compose herself before knocking.

  Miguel was on the phone when he heard a knock at his door. He was annoyed that his new CFO was running late…a whole two minutes late.

  “Eden, I have to go, someone is knocking on my door. I love you.”

  Miguel hung up the phone, walked over to the door and pulled it open. Alex looked up and their eyes met. For a moment they just stared at one another, but only for a moment until Miguel began shaking his head.

  “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to meet me at the airport.”

  Alex opened her mouth to speak but Miguel spoke over her, “You know what, never mind.”

  “Mr. Cruz, I’m certain that I was told to come here, to your office. I don’t even have a bag packed. How long will we be gone?”

  Miguel huffed as he walked over to his desk and picked up the phone, “Miles, come to my office, now.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Cruz.”

  “Miles will take you to the airport. I will meet you there.”

  “What about my clothes? I didn’t bring anything with me. I wasn’t expecting to go on a business trip on my first day.”

  Miguel looked Alex up and then down. He could see her cheeks becoming red as he looked her over. Great what next…was she going to tell him she was a virgin or even better a lesbian? He reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet and then handed Alex five hundred dollars.

  “Miles will take you to pick up whatever you need.”

  “Although that is very kind, I can’t accept your money, Mr. Cruz.”

  Miguel was beginning to wonder if this woman was even worth bringing with him on his business trip. He liked a woman who just took care of his needs, no questions asked and basically kept her mouth shut…well unless she was using it on him. After about thirty seconds he decided she was hot as hell and he would regret letting that piec
e of ass get away. Miguel placed his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Look, I am paying you a lot of money to do what I ask and right now I am not asking, I am telling you to take this money, buy some clothes and get yourself to the airport. Understand?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Alex wanted to run and hide, talk about control freak. She walked out of Miguel’s office and waited for Miles.

  Miles arrived, took one look at Alex and shook his head. He wondered if Miguel would ever settle down and have a family or if he would spend his life paying for sex because he could treat it as a business transaction.

  “Miles?”

  “Yes Ma’am.”

  “Mr. Cruz…”

  Miguel poked his head out of his office. “Miles, take her to pick up a few things. I will have Ben drive me to the airport.”

  “Will do. How long before you head out?”

  “I thought I would give the new guy a few more minutes to show up and explain why he is late before I fire him and head out.”

  “Hey, give the guy a chance. You wanted the best and you said he is supposed to be the best, hands down.”

  “I wish I had met him, then I’d know if he was going to be worth the wait.”

  “You hired someone you didn’t meet?”

  “The Board conducted the interviews. I was in…”

  “We can talk about this later. I best get this lovely lady shopping.”

  Miguel nodded to Miles and Miles winked. Alex looked back and forth between the two, she knew they had something going on that they didn’t want to discuss in front of her.

  “Can I carry that for you?”

  Alex looked down at her briefcase, then she looked up at Miles. “No thank you.”

  “Alright then, let’s head to the car.”

  ALEX SAT IN THE back of the limo with Miles at her side. After about ten minutes she finally decided she couldn’t handle the silence any longer so she cleared her throat and then began to speak, “So what exactly is your position at Cruz Contracting?”

  Miles glanced over at Alex who just sat there staring at him awaiting his answer.

  “I am Mr. Cruz’s assistant.”

  “Assistant? Like his personal assistant, right hand man, babysitter to his employees…”

  “It’s complicated.”

  Alex’s eyes opened wide when she heard that response. “Are you and Mr. Cruz…”

  Miles turned in his seat and glared at Alex, “Are you crazy, woman?”

  “Well you said it was complicated, I thought maybe…”

  “Listen to me, I don’t pass judgement on anyone and do you think someone like you is really in the position to pass judgement on…”

  “Someone like me? What the hell is that supposed to…”

  Miles didn’t agree with Miguel’s choices when it came to women and his relationships but he shouldn’t take it out on the women, this woman. He decided he needed to apologize and move on before he lost Miguel’s escort for the trip and that was something he didn’t even want to think about. Miguel would kick his ass if he let her get away.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry?”

  “Mr. Cruz, Miguel and I, we go way back. I’m basically his right hand man and best friend, nothing more.”

  “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I’m just so nervous about all of this. I knew when I accepted the position that I may have to travel from time to time but I never expected to be traveling on my first day. I am totally unprepared and well Mr. Cruz, he intimidates me.”

  Alex looked down at the floor. Miles knew how she felt. When he was a scrappy little twelve year-old Miguel intimidated him too. He reached his hand over and patted her hand which was resting in her lap. “He’s a pussy cat, he just wants you to think he’s a tiger.”

  Alex looked up at Miles and smiled. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.”

  Miguel grabbed his briefcase and headed out the door. He was fuming that Alex not only was a no show but didn’t even have the decency to call. That would be the last time he allowed the Board to hire someone without his input and approval. His guess was that a few of the cougars on the Board were probably charmed by him and perhaps more. Miguel didn’t even want to continue to think about that. All he wanted to do was get on his plane and unwind the best way he knew how…with a bottle of whiskey and some sex. In fact, he couldn’t get himself to think of anything but sex since he met his escort for the weekend.

  “Mr. Cruz.”

  Miguel was shaken from his thoughts, “Yes, Lacey.”

  “How did it go with Alex?”

  “Well, let’s just say that after today, Alex DiPietro is lucky to get a job washing dishes in this city.”

  “I see.”

  “Have a good weekend, Lacey. I’m on my way to the airport.”

  “Safe trip, Mr. Cruz.”

  “Thank you.”

  Alex and Miles arrived at the airport. Alex wanted a few minutes to herself to freshen up and calm her nerves before they boarded the plane.

  “Excuse me, a…Miles, right?”

  “Yes, Miles. I’m sorry but I don’t think I got your name?”

  “Oh…”

  “I’m happy to see that you made it on time.”

  Miles and Alex turned around and there he stood…the intimidator.

  “Have I ever been late?”

  Miguel looked at Miles and shook his head. “Only once and you know how that ended.”

  Miles did know how that ended and he also knew that Miguel would never let him forget it. His tardiness almost got him and Miguel killed.

  “Yeah, once.”

  Alex looked between the two and again she saw that look she had seen back in Miguel’s office. She wasn’t sure what it was but their silence spoke volumes.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  Alex was far from ready but she knew she couldn’t ask Mr. Cruz to wait while his new CFO ran to the bathroom to vomit because he made her so damn nervous. She managed to squeak out three little words, “Yes, Mr. Cruz.”

  “Miguel, you can call me Miguel.”

  “Alessandra, but I’m sure you already knew that, seeing as you’re the boss and all.” Alessandra? Whatever made her say that? Nobody had called her Alessandra since she graduated from high school. The nuns always called her by her full name. She guessed she was more nervous than she thought.

  Miles leaned down and grabbed Alex’s bags. “Let’s go.”

  Alex turned and followed Miles. Miguel trailed behind admiring her ass as she wiggled it through the airport. He was getting himself excited just thinking about spending the weekend with her.

  ALEX SAT LOOKING OUT the window as the plane took off. She loved to fly. When she looked away from the window she saw Miguel sitting on the couch holding his drink. He looked very stressed and he was gritting his teeth.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Cruz, but are you alright?”

  Alex’s voice brought Miguel back to reality.

  “I’m fine, I just don’t care to fly. You would think by now after all the times I’ve flown that it wouldn’t bother me.”

  Alex stood up and walked around the couch and placed her hands on Miguel’s shoulders and began to massage them, then his neck. At first Miguel tensed up but after a few minutes he relaxed.

  Miguel wanted to resist but her hands just worked such magic helping him to relax. He didn’t like to get too personal with his escorts, he wouldn’t allow himself to have feelings for anyone.

  Alex couldn’t believe she was actually touching Miguel. She had lusted after him for the past few years, ever since she’d read about him in a business magazine. His story about being a poor child from the streets to a billionaire captivated her and the fact that he was gorgeous just added to her fixation.

  “Miles, can you give us some privacy.”

  Miles stood up and walked out. Alex’s stomach knotted. She was alone with Miguel now, all alone.

  Miguel stood up, removed his jacket, tie and shirt. A
lex couldn’t help but stare. He was so beautiful.

  “Come here.”

  Alex walked back around the couch and over to Miguel.

  “Yes, Mr. Cruz.”

  “Lose the clothes.”

  “Www…what?”

  “You’re not one of those girls that’s into role play and is going to play hard to get so that I have to force you?”

  Alex’s heart started to pound. Sex? Did he really want sex…with her? What a jerk. Her first day and he expected sex.

  “Umm…no.”

  “Good.”

  Miguel reached for the buttons on her blouse and began to open them. He liked to watch the girls strip off their own clothes but he wanted Alex and he was getting impatient.

  Alex said no, she meant no to sex. Yes…no to sex. Miguel kept unbuttoning until her blouse was completely open and he pushed it off of her shoulders dropping it to the floor. Alex stepped back, she needed to put her blouse back on…before she could finish that train of thought Miguel kissed her neck and that train derailed. So much for self-respect, sexual harassment and her boyfriend.

  Miguel took Alex’s hand and placed it on his belt and then he continued to undress her. He unzipped her skirt and let it fall to the floor. Once he slipped his fingers inside her panties and sucked her nipple into his mouth Alex lost all her inhibitions and couldn’t seem to get his pants off fast enough. She pulled them down along with his shorts. Alex’s eyes opened wide and her mouth dropped open at the site before her.

  “Something wrong?”

  Alex couldn’t speak she just shook her head.

  Miguel lifted his hand up and touched her cheek. “I kind of like the whole shy thing but we need to move this along. I have a conference call in an hour.”

  Alex felt like Miguel tossed a cup of cold water in her face with that statement. He wasn’t attracted to her at all, he just wanted to get off and fast. Miguel reached for his pants and then pulled out a strip of condoms and handed one to Alex.