Temptation and Lies

by Donna Hill

  It was his mother, Grace, who provided the affection, some softness in their lives, but his father’s lessons and the way he lived his life were heavily ingrained in Steven.

  He knew he felt deeply for Mia, more than any woman he’d been with. She anchored him and he didn’t want to be with anyone else—this was a first for him. Having more than one woman at a time had been a way of life for him. It kept him from becoming too involved, caring too much. Steven Long was a playa to his heart, but as Blake had clearly pointed out, Mia had pulled his card.

  Did that mean he was in love? Or in deep like? It must be something, he thought as he tugged off his tie en route to the bedroom. He’d given up his bachelor pad and moved in with Mia. That had to mean something, which made how Mia had been acting all the more unnerving for him.

  He flicked on the bedroom light, took off his jacket and tossed it on the lounge chair near the window. He pulled the curtain back and gazed out at the street below.

  Twilight was settling over the city. That in-between time of day and night when your eyes played tricks on you and things weren’t quite as they seemed.

  Just as he was about to turn away, he saw Mia’s Lexus pull up in front of the building. He waited for her to exit. He loved to see her walk. When she didn’t get out, he grew curious. He peered a bit closer and the outline of her body was defined by the streetlights. She had her head down on the steering wheel. And several times she hit the wheel with her palm.

  Finally, she sat up, flipped down the mirror and checked her appearance. Then sat for a couple of minutes more before she gathered her things and got out. He watched her approach the building; the usual bounce and sway in her step was missing. Mia usually walked as if she was ready to take over the world—head held high, long smooth strides, determination etched on her face. But tonight her body language shouted defeat.

  He turned away from the window once he saw her enter the building. Something must have happened at the office or with a client or with one of her friends. Mia never got rattled, so it had to be something major. Whatever it was, they’d deal with it. He heard her key in the door and went up front to meet her.

  She came in and when she glanced up and saw him standing there, a smile to light up Broadway bloomed across her mouth.

  “Hey,” she greeted him. She pranced over to him and kissed him softly and briefly on the lips. “How was your day?”

  “Fine,” he murmured, totally confused by the woman he’d seen outside only moments ago who was obviously upset and the woman standing in front of him who acted as if the world was hers for the taking.

  She brushed his cheek with her fingertip and moved past him. “Hungry?” she called out over her shoulder.

  “No. I’m good. Late lunch.” He followed her into the bedroom. “So how was your day? Anything exciting happen?”

  “Not really.” She gave him the benefit of a quick look before sitting on the side of the bed to take off her shoes.

  Whatever was on her mind, she apparently didn’t want to share it with him. He turned abruptly and headed back to the bedroom.

  Moments later Mia heard the sound of the evening news coming from the living-room television.

  Briefly she let down her guard and the weight of her day consumed her. The tension she dealt with at Michael’s office while she planted the devices, followed by a two-hour lunch with him, Brenda and Ashley, all came closing in on her at once. They’d been seated in a booth for four and Michael took the liberty of sitting next to Mia.

  Although lunch was very businesslike and aboveboard, she couldn’t mistake the intermittent bump of thighs beneath the table or the brush of fingertips as they reached for the same item.

  She could barely concentrate on the conversation going on around her and then as they left Michael was right behind her and whispered, “I want to make love to you, and I will.”

  The words were as much a promise as a threat. Michael Burke never said he would do anything without fully intending to do it.

  When she and Ashley returned to their office, Mia was unusually subdued, but that didn’t stop Ashley from voicing her opinion.

  “I can see why you and a hundred other women would be attracted to Michael Burke,” she said, taking a seat opposite Mia’s desk without being asked. “And I also see that he still cares about you. But the only thing that really concerns me is that I see the same thing in you for him.”

  Mia’s eyes flashed in Ashley’s direction. She started to debate the point, but it was useless. She did have feelings for Michael. What they were she wasn’t sure, but they were there just beneath the surface. She covered her face then finally found the courage to look at Ashley.

  “I don’t know what to do,” she finally said.

  “Look, I can take over this account so you won’t have to deal with him.”

  “If I could have you do that, I would in a heartbeat.”

  “This is the part you can’t talk about.” It was more of a statement than a question.

  Mia nodded.

  “Then I’m fresh out of suggestions.” She pushed up from the seat. “But whatever I can do to help, let me know.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Is something bothering you?”

  Mia’s head snapped up. She turned toward the doorway. Steven was standing there.

  “Just a little tired, I guess. Kinda busy day at work. Nothing that a hot bath and a good night’s sleep won’t cure.”

  “You sure that’s it?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  He rocked his jaw a minute. He started to tell her that he’d seen her in the car and had been standing in the doorway while she sat motionless and totally unaware of him. But he didn’t want to hear her lie to him anymore.

  “Nothing. Just asking. Look, I’m going to run out for a while.”

  “Oh.” Mia focused on him as if seeing him for the first time. “Out?”

  “Yes. Out. I’ll see you later.” Without further explanation he turned and walked away.

  Mia sat there for a moment, too drained to react. It was probably best that Steven did go out for a while, she reasoned. She needed some time to push away Michael’s words, wash away the heat of his breath on the back of her neck, the touch of his hand at the small of her back and the look in his eyes that said, I’m coming for you.

  Her cell phone chirped. She dug it out of her tote and immediately recognized the number.

  “Hello, Jean.”

  “I’m calling to remind you that I’m going to need an update from you by the end of the week.”

  “Of course.”

  “How much progress have you made?”

  “I’ve made contact and I’ve established an opportunity to get inside the company.”

  “Excellent. I knew you would be the perfect one for this assignment. I’ll expect a complete update.” She clicked off without so much as a goodbye.

  However, as much as Mia didn’t want to admit it, Jean’s call was just the kick start that she needed. With Steven out of the house, it was the perfect time to check and sync all the devices. If she got really lucky, she might hear something worthwhile.

  Chapter 10

  Steven got in his BMW and headed off with no particular destination in mind. Driving usually cleared his head, especially when he was working on a difficult design problem. He usually didn’t take evening drives to get his head right regarding relationships. If he drove somewhere, it was either home or away for good.

  This was different. But everything about his and Mia’s relationship was different. He was treading in brand-new territory and he had no idea where the land mines were.

  He took the exit to the West Side Highway and headed south toward the Chelsea Piers.

  The area had been totally revitalized over the past few years with bike and roller-skating lanes, benches and trees. The set for Law & Order was inside the pier as well, just off 23rd Street.

  He slowed, pulled into one of the parking areas and got out. If there was one thing
that could always be counted on in New York, it was that there was guaranteed to be people out doing something no matter the time, day or the weather. Truly, the city that never sleeps.

  Steven set the alarm on his car and began to stroll along the docks. Anchored crafts bobbed in the water and the masts of the massive, once-military vessels, jutted toward the darkened skies.

  A young couple Rollerblading streaked past him, followed by several joggers. A stiff fall breeze blew in from the water. He drew up the collar of his jacket around his neck. Lights ahead drew his attention and he walked toward them.

  On one of the commercial strips was a small restaurant and bar located next to a bowling alley that was also still open for business. He decided to go into the restaurant.

  “Good evening,” said a young woman dressed in black. “Will you be having dinner or would you prefer to sit at the bar?”

  “The bar is fine. Thanks.”

  “Up the stairs to the left. Enjoy your evening.”

  Steven walked toward the bar and found an empty seat in the middle of the horseshoe-shaped counter.

  “What can I get for you this evening?”

  Steven glanced up.

  “Steven? Steven Long?”

  He focused on the attractive face and tried to place her. “I’m sorry…” he said helplessly.

  “Michelle Dennis. You used to date my friend, Renee McDonald.”

  Recognition popped in his eyes. “Wow.” He shook his head in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. Spaced out for a minute. How are you?”

  “I’m great. Doing a little moonlighting,” she said with a smile, giving an expansive look around.

  “You were modeling, if I remember correctly.”

  She laughed a sweet sound. “That, too. In my real life I work at the post office. So how have you been? I think the last time I saw you was about two years ago.”

  “I’ve been doing well. Business is booming. Can’t complain.”

  “That’s a good thing.”

  “How’s Renee?”

  “Renee is married and working on her second baby.”

  Steven let out a burst of surprised laughter. “You’re kidding. Renee?”

  “Yep.” She bobbed her head.

  “’Scuse me, can I get a little service down here?” a man called out from the other end of the bar.

  Michelle made a face. “Sorry. Be right back.”

  Steven took a brief look around. For the middle of the week, the place was fairly crowded with a combination of the straggling after-work patrons and the locals stopping in.

  It had been a while since he’d been out alone at a bar. Since he and Mia had gotten together, he’d shut down that part of his life. Funny how a bar was the first place he’d ventured to. He supposed old habits die hard.

  Michelle returned. “So what brings you out?” she continued as if they’d never been interrupted.

  He shrugged slightly. “Needed some air.”

  She leaned forward, exposing ample cleavage that Steven could hardly ignore.

  She lowered her voice. “Unfortunately, if you’re going to sit here, you have to order something. If you don’t, my boss will kill me.”

  “Sure. No problem. I’ll take a Coors.”

  “Coming right up.” She turned and bent into the fridge to retrieve the bottle, giving Steven a good solid look from the back. She turned and set the bottle down in front of him, along with a glass and a napkin. “Out for some air, huh?”

  He looked at her. When he and Renee had been together he’d seen Michelle several times. She’d always been with a guy, so he hadn’t paid much attention to her. Now he did. She was a good-looking woman. Not necessarily a showstopper, but there was something appealing and sexy in her open expression, engaging smile and inviting eyes.

  She wore her hair natural in short spirals that took years off her age—middle to late thirties—and her skin looked soft and supple to the touch, with a body that you wouldn’t toss out of bed.

  “Something like that,” he finally said, responding to her question. He took a swallow of the icy-cold beer. “How many nights do you work here?”

  “Just two and every other weekend. Helps keep the bills at bay.” Her gaze drifted over him. “I get off at ten.” She turned and walked a few paces away to serve a customer. She tossed Steven a last look.

  Steven looked up the overhead clock above the bar. Ten. He could keep himself occupied until then. Maybe a diversion was just the thing he needed to get his head right. He sipped his beer and relaxed to the music.

  Mia had her laptop open on the bed. She’d connected it to her PDA and logged in using the TLC access codes. Within minutes a string of programs opened. She keyed in the necessary information and soon she was inside Michael’s office computer.

  She did a cursory search of his files and didn’t find anything that struck her as out of place, which could mean that there was nothing for her to find or that she would have to open each and every file.

  However, after considering her options she thought that if Michael was involved in the escort business, he would minimize any trail from his office. More than likely anything incriminating would be on his home computer or gathered from her phone taps. But if he was using company funds to pay people, there might be something in these files.

  She took a second look at a folder labeled Accounts and opened it. At least one hundred files filled the screen. She groaned and began looking at them. The majority of them were businesses, many of which she was familiar with, at least by name. Others were for individuals. As she took one last look, a file marked Log caught her attention. She clicked on the file and a message opened requesting a password. Her heart thumped.

  Password. During her training, Jasmine, the head IT person at TLC, had been very clear about passwords. If you weren’t certain that you knew it like your own name, do not try to access the information. If the file is somehow encrypted, then whoever did it would know if attempts had been made to hack into the file. In cases like that, Jasmine was to be contacted.

  Maybe it was nothing, Mia tried to convince herself as she stared at the flashing request for a password. She was probably jumping the gun. Most likely this file was no more than an employee list, or his personal banking information.

  What if it wasn’t? Was she trying to blow it off because she really believed it was nothing or because she wanted to believe it was nothing?

  Reluctantly, she picked up her cell phone and dialed TLC headquarters. An automated service answered.

  “Welcome to Tender Loving Care beauty products for today’s woman. Please enter your ID number now.”

  Mia pressed in her ID.

  “Thank you. If you know your party’s extension, please dial it now. To order supplies, press 1; to schedule training, press 2; technical support, press 3. If this is an emergency, please enter your emergency code.”

  Mia pressed “3.”

  “Jasmine speaking.”

  “Hey, Jazz. I have something that I need you to look at. It’s encrypted and needs a password.”

  Jasmine laughed. “Piece of cake. Send me the file.”

  “Actually I can’t. I’m in the subject’s computer remotely.”

  “Go head, girl! Okay. I’m going to take over your computer. Give me your IP address.”

  Mia did as instructed and seconds later she watched her cursor move around the screen, open and close files and type in strings of code. For an instant the screen went black. When it came back on, Mia was looking at some sort of client list with payment schedules and amounts. All the names were women.

  Mia began to feel ill.

  “I’m going to take a screenshot of this and e-mail it to you, close the file and then I’ll release your computer back to you,” Jasmine was saying through the cell phone’s speaker. “Got everything you need?”

  “Yes, thanks,” she said absently.

  “Well, good night.”

  “Night.” Mia disconnected the call.

&nbs
p; Moments later her computer beeped, indicating a new arrival. She clicked on her in-box and saw the e-mail from Jasmine. She forwarded the e-mail to her office account. She’d print it out there.

  Little by little she shut everything down, trying to put a positive spin on what she’d seen.

  After putting everything away, she realized how late it had gotten. It was nearing midnight and Steven had yet to return. The fact that he wasn’t home was bad enough, but what was more damning was that she hadn’t noticed until now.

  Steven waited for Michelle to finish her shift. Good sense dictated that he should simply get up and leave. But old habits kicked in and he hung around. He needed some positive reinforcement and his gut instinct told him that Michelle would be more than willing to do just that.

  “Finally,” she breathed, coming up to the table where he’d been relaxing for the past hour.

  Steven glanced up from his drink. He pushed up from the seat. “I know it’s late, but have you eaten?”

  “I’m starved.”

  “Come on. There’s a great place about three blocks from here. If we hurry we can catch the kitchen before it closes.”

  “Lead the way.”

  They walked out into the brisk evening air.

  “Getting cold,” Michelle said, pulling her short jacket tighter around her. She slipped her arm through the crook of Steven’s and moved closer to him.

  “We can take my car if you want.”

  “No. The air will do me good. I’ve been cooped up in there for four hours.” She walked next to him quietly for about a block. “So tell me what’s been going on with you.”

  A half smile moved across his mouth. “Business has been great. We’ve expanded some of our developments out to D.C.—”