Past Lies

by Kim Rees

  Anna blinked. “Your mother?”

  “As if you didn’t know. But she’s cut from the same cloth as you. An unhealthy obsession with money and men.” The lift pinged and wooden doors creaked back. Zach urged her forward. “And not necessarily in that order.”

  Anna had a vague memory of a tall, blonde woman, delicate, incredibly beautiful. She remembered Gregory telling her that Zach’s parents had been devoted to each other. “Gregory said—”

  “Yes. I know.” There was a bitter turn to his voice. He dropped her bag and pressed the button for the top floor. “Hardly the best judge of relationships, was he?”

  Anna’s heart thudded. Her memory was as sharp as if their first disastrous encounter had happened only hours before. A nervous glance found Zach’s face. His jaw was tight, his attention focused on the floor dial. Was he starting to remember?

  It was insane.

  She had confused lust and infatuation with something else…and in a rush of youth had decided to act upon it. With disastrous consequences. It was a lesson she had to keep close. Zach had already made one dangerous offer, one she still wanted to accept.

  The lift creaked and the doors slid open.

  “You know the way.”

  Silver-edged eyes held her and Anna couldn’t breathe. Heat flushed her face. She fought down another burst of memory. And failed.

  Silently opening the main door to his penthouse apartment, tiptoeing through the dark hall and finding Zach standing before the great bay window of the drawing room. A single lamp splashed light. He had obviously come back late from the office, thrown off his jacket, half rolled his sleeves and grabbed a drink. Formally dressed, he was beautiful. Casual, he was devastating. And her gaze devoured him.

  He downed the rest of his whiskey and grimaced.

  Anna found her courage and swallowed back in a dry throat. “Zach…”

  The empty tumbler hit the deep carpet.

  “Anna? What the hell are you doing here? Get out. Now.”

  “Yes. I know the way.”

  Her heels sank into the deep carpet. God, it felt like a walk to the gallows.

  The silence. Just the soft tread of feet and breathing. Anna tried to keep her own measured, controlled. Involving herself with Zach would be madness. Her hands knotted. Utter and complete madness.

  The doors opened on to the wide hall. Zach waited for her to precede him…but her heart was hammering and her mouth was dry. The place still looked the same. Smooth pale walls stretching up into high, beautifully corniced ceilings. Dark walnut floors. Paintings, simple and priceless. She had always loved Zach’s apartment. It oozed elegance. Just like its owner.

  “Anna. I told you. I can contain myself.”

  “Really?” She’d heard the dark humour in his voice. She had to get a grip. She wasn’t an awestruck teenager anymore. “I’ve seen little evidence of it.”

  An eyebrow lifted. His eyes sparked. “You have no idea.”

  Her heart squeezed. “Zach—”

  “Are you hungry?” He dropped her bag beside the hall table and turned to the kitchen. “Go. Sit. I’ll be through in a minute.”

  The drawing room.

  “Just a room,” Anna muttered under her breath. “That’s all it is.”

  She forced her feet through the open doors and into that too familiar space. She flicked on a switch, casting a pale light over the dining table. It was enough. More than enough. She knew this room, had visited it in dreams, in waking thoughts so many times. The same dark floors and pale walls. Sleek white furniture…

  “How did you get in?”

  Zach stalked towards her, anger twisting his features. She didn’t know this man, she didn’t… Anna tried to open her mouth. But she only found herself stumbling backwards, trying to evade his fury.

  “Keys?” Zach snatched them from her hands, turning them over in the bright wash of light from the table lamp.

  “These are Gregory’s.” Sharp eyes narrowed on her. “What do you think you’re doing here, Anna?”

  “I—”

  Stupid. She felt so stupid. She had been certain. Certain that he wanted something more from her than a casual fumble. The way he had looked at her, kissed her. Touched her. Her throat tightened and she fought the burn of tears. Her spine hit cool plaster. Was Isabelle right, after all? That Zach was a player? That he really couldn’t help trying to seduce every woman he met?

  She straightened, held the fury directed at her. Yes. And she’d be damned if he thought she was looking for him. “I thought you were out of town.”

  His sharp gaze slid over the ridiculously short dress and then returned to her face. Something glittered there. “And you thought to use my apartment?” An edge to his voice sent a shiver over her skin.

  He’d taken the lie. Anna’s insides were a knot of nerves. She jerked a nod. “Yes.”

  Closer now. She sucked in his scent with every breath. Her head felt light.

  “Use my bed?”

  An unexpected pulse throbbed low in her belly. Anna could hardly breathe. Her heart pounded. So close now she could almost taste him. She swallowed. Continue the lie. “Yes.”

  A low growl made her gasp. “Over my dead body.”

  And then his mouth took hers and Anna forgot everything, everything else.

  Her attention shot to that wall…and found a large cabinet obscuring it. Anna closed her eyes. Trembling fingers touched her lips. Yes. Hide it.

  “Here.” Plates slid onto the glass dining table. “There’s not much. I wasn’t expecting to entertain.”

  Anna stared at the plate of toast, thick with butter. She really didn’t feel hungry. But she sat and poured water into a tall glass. Everything felt…off. She was sitting with Zach as if nothing had ever happened between them…but her skin still itched. She sipped at the water, letting it slide cold down her throat. She was tired, weary down to the bone. And she had to ask the question. “So…” Her words dried.

  Zach stared at her. The hard gleam she found there made her heart patter. She blinked and turned her attention briefly to her glass. “Which bedroom is mine?”

  A smile curved his mouth, predatory and just so…Zach. “Which one do you want?”

  He never stopped. Just the relentless baiting as he tried to annoy her. And succeeded. “The one furthest away from you.”

  Zach lifted his glass. “I’m wounded.” He gave her another slow smile. “But it will be an interesting test to see how long you can resist me”

  “Could your ego be any bigger?”

  “Am I wrong?”

  “Yes.”

  “Ah-h, now it’s become a matter of pride.”

  “And what’s that supposed to mean?” Anna wanted to sink into a soft bed, pull cool sheets over her head and find sleep. But what she needed? That was something entirely different.

  Zach pushed himself all too slowly out of his chair, his gaze never leaving hers.

  Anna doubted she could stand.

  Her legs ran liquid and a tremor pulsed through her frame. Run. She should run. Find a bedroom. Lock the door. Barricade it with furniture. All day, it’d been proven over and over that her body still ached for him. But he couldn’t be part of her new life.

  Steel blue eyes speared her.

  He couldn’t.

  Zach belonged to her past.

  Her lips were dry, throbbing. Anna felt every breath. His hand…closer, stroking over her hair, so gentle a caress she almost moaned. Their relationship was fire and anger. Not this. Not tenderness.

  A thumb lifted her chin.

  His face, shadowed, unknown. “Come with me, Anna.”

  The dark promise in his voice stole over her senses…and for a moment, an endless moment, her resolve wavered. The heat of his skin against hers. Losing herself in the arms of a man who had tormented her thoughts for years. But afterwards…

  “After next week, we’ll never see each other again.”

  His twist of a smile cut through the shadow. “Pe
rfect.”

  It was so easy for him. Vainly, Anna wished she were the woman he thought she was. Then she could’ve happily spent the week in bed with him and not give leaving a second thought. But she wasn’t that woman and she never would be. “I need to phone Freddie.”

  Zach’s hand dropped away and cold steel glared at her. He stood back. “Your precious Freddie.”

  The stupid thought hit her that Zach was jealous. It faded just as quickly. She ignored the pain at its passing. No. That wasn’t Zach. He thought too much of himself to think about anyone else. “You’ve never liked the idea of something you want focused on someone else.”

  A wry smile pulled at his mouth. “I’m sure he didn’t compare.”

  Anna knew her face was red. She pushed herself out of her chair. Find her bag. Find her phone. He hadn’t believed the truth but she had no intention of feeding his already bloated ego. “A lady doesn’t tell.”

  “Lady.”

  There was that hint of derision again. The knot in Anna’s gut tugged tight. Cool eyes slid to his. “That didn’t seem to be bothering you a moment ago.”

  “Around you, my higher brain functions take a back seat.”

  That barb wounded. “My bag,” she muttered and made for the hall.

  Zach cursed. What the hell did I say that for? He watched Anna snatch up her bag and disappear into the study. There had been a flicker of hurt in her face. It stabbed him with guilt. He ran his hands through his hair and expelled a hot slow breath. “I said it because it’s true.” His laugh was bitter. “And I’m so smooth.” He covered his eyes. “She always, always does this to me.”

  Zach knew what it was. Had always known.

  The fury, the goading. It was foreplay. And it was driving him crazy.

  He glanced at the clock. Far past midnight. Anna could have the bedroom next to the study, the furthest one from his. That was the sensible and safest thing to do. He had to forget about sleeping with her. She had, after all, turned him down. Twice.

  He straightened, absently pulling at his tie. “Yeah. I should take the hint.”

  He snapped open shirt buttons. What he had done in the gallery. Only Anna could drive him to that insanity. The vanilla scent of her skin, the wet slide of silk—

  Zach cursed. “No.”

  Damn the woman, she was doing this deliberately. Teasing him.

  He was not going to fall for it this time.

  Why couldn’t she have been sensible and just accepted his offer? They could be—

  He rapped on the study door. Hard.

  “Anna?”

  Anna pulled the phone away from her ear, wincing as Freddie’s lecture continued. “Freddie…” Another rapid knock jolted through her frame. She stuck her phone on her ear again, staring down at the uncluttered desk that took up the small room. “Look. I’ll explain everything—”

  “Will you?” Zach’s soft growl.

  She stared at him, her heart in her throat. She hadn’t heard the door. Damn. And what she had just said… “—next week.” The words stumbled out. “I’ll explain next week. Bye.” She stabbed at the end-call button and switched the mobile off.

  “I’ll have that, thank you.” Before she could react, he took the phone from her lax grip. “Can’t leave you for a minute, can I, Anna?”

  Damn the man. “You won’t even let me have a private conversation now?” She straightened, met his hard gaze. “And I’ll have that back.”

  A smile cut his mouth and the sudden gleam in his eyes made her heart rate jump. “Take it.”

  He slid the mobile into his trouser pocket.

  Anna realised she was staring. She blinked and felt the anger surge. It was anger, that sudden rush of heat through her blood. “You’re…disgusting.”

  “Really?”

  Her thighs hit the desk. Anna started. She had hardly been aware she was moving, that Zach had backed her up. He was still an arm’s length away. Good. She wanted him to stay right there. “I’m not playing your game, Zach.”

  “No. You’re playing one of your own.”

  He traced down her cheek and all breath stopped. “Zach…”

  “I came in here to say good night. To leave you to sleep by yourself.” His fingertip, slipping, sliding over her jaw, her throat, along the exposed length of her clavicle. His hot eyes burned into hers. Anna’s skin was on fire. Her fingers clung to the edge of the desk, keeping her steady and stopping her own hands from stealing across the heat of his chest. “But you’ve made it obvious that you can’t be left on your own. Not even for a second.”

  He followed the curve of her breast, focusing on her mouth. A sudden throb low in her belly made her gasp with the delicious reminder of where he could take her. A dangerous smile curved his mouth.

  “It’s been hours since I tasted you, Anna.” His gaze scorched over her face, until his eyes found her again. Dark. Hungry. “And I did warn you. There would be penalties for misbehaving.”

  “I…” Words dried.

  Closer. The heat of his body washed over her. His intoxicating scent. So close. His hand stroked over her breast, a clever, clever thumb finding the nipple—

  Her mouth on his.

  Not thinking.

  Anna was not thinking.

  Hot. The lingering taste of the L’Evangile, of its blackberries, raspberries…and the taste of him. Something that made her arms curl around his neck, fingers tight into his hair and drive his mouth hard against hers.

  And then his hands, sliding rough over silk, lifting her, settling her on his desk and pressing hard.

  Anna groaned. “Is that my mobile?”

  Fierce eyes, edged with a dark humour gripped her. “No.” His hips moved. “I should be insulted.”

  “I wouldn’t—”

  His lips slid along her jaw, found the intricate shell of her ear. Talking was overrated. Her hands stroked their way down his spine, the strong muscle of his back. It was wrong to let herself succumb to this need. To lose herself in this man again. Once. It was the whisper in her head. It pulsed with Zach’s open-mouthed kisses over her throat, the curve of her bared shoulder. Just once. To know him. Not a rushed fumble. Not to regret…

  “Zach.”

  He froze. Muscles tensed under her fingers. “Don’t say it, Anna.”

  A smile lifted her mouth. This was her choice. This was freedom. “Pick a bedroom.”

  Chapter Eight

  Zach stared at her. Stared until Anna felt an embarrassed flush rise over her skin. “What?”

  “You’re serious?”

  “Yes.”

  He gave her a smile she felt all the way to her toes. His warm hand curved around her cheek, stroked over her skin. “I…”

  Anna’s gut tightened. “Don’t say anything, Zach.” Her gaze dropped away. He would make an offer, offer money, offer the strict role of his usual women. No. He couldn’t spoil the moment with that. Her choice was free. To satisfy the itch. Yes. After Freddie, he had lashed those words at her.

  “Anna?” Was that hesitation in his voice? He lifted her chin. Surprised, she found concern in his face. She blinked. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to… If you don’t…”

  She fought down the warmth, the need to hold him and whisper something he could never hear. “This, we are inevitable, Zach.” She slid off the desk and took his hand. Her fingers curled into its warmth and she tugged him forward. The mask slipped into place. “And I’ve always wanted to see your bed.”

  His hand tightened. The shine in his silvered eyes made her heart skip. No. Those thoughts didn’t belong.

  “It’ll be my pleasure to show you.”

  Yes.

  She couldn’t start a new life with no regrets.

  She squashed the other little voice that was screaming at her. Wanting her to be safe, to be sensible. To involve herself with Zach would only bring heartache.

  No. It couldn’t.

  Her heart wasn’t involved.

  She had lusted after him for years, t
hat she couldn’t deny. But she didn’t even like him. And she could hardly…hardly…that…with a man she didn’t even like. A smile curled around her mouth. She had broken away from Sofia. This was her way of breaking away from Zach. It would be over and the rest of the week wouldn’t have the fire and fury of that day.

  There, quibbling, cautious voice. Argue with that.

  “Anna?” Zach’s voice was a delicious slide over her skin, breaking into stupid thoughts. “You’re absolutely sure?”

  Her mouth flattened. “I can make a decision by myself, Zach.”

  “You just looked…”

  “What?”

  A muscle jumped in his jaw and it flared heat through Anna’s body. Lamplight angled his face. Memory of their first time swamped her, of how she had lost herself in him. She traced down his shirt, catching, flicking on the buttons. Her fingertips grazed the warmth of his skin and Anna sucked in a breath.

  “You…wanted to see the bed.”

  She hadn’t imagined the hesitation in his voice, had felt it through tensing muscles.

  “Yes.” Her smile felt wanton. “That and more.”

  “Then we’re wasting time.” His large, warm hand closed over hers and eased it into his own. There was just the short walk along the dimly lit hallway. Her shoes clicked against the dark walnut floor, but all she could focus on was her own uneven breathing.

  She was growing more nervous by the second.

  She should have stayed in the study, not stopped the rush of fire and passion that would have overwhelmed them. Her insides knotted. She hadn’t wanted that. Anna wanted the luxury of a bed, to experience the ecstasy of naked skin.

  Zach opened the door at the far end of the wall and stood back.

  Anna’s feet sank into deep pale carpet. Without thinking, she pulled her sandals free and let her bare toes curl into the softness. She sighed with relief and then her gaze skirted the room. Three huge floor-to-ceiling windows were shuttered against the night. A door led to a dressing room and she spied a bathroom beyond that.

  And there was the bed.

  Warm hands cupped her shoulders and she jumped.