by Tawny Weber
“I’m not angry. I’m just busy,” she lied, gesturing to her laptop. It was closed, with Dottie laying across it like a feline guard. “If you don’t mind, I need to work for a while before we go to Caleb’s engagement party.”
Simon gave her a long look. Her nerves tightened as she wondered if he’d push or accept her dismissal. For all that he’d seemed easygoing when they’d first met, and even on the drive to town, she was starting to realize that was all an act.
There wasn’t one thing easy about Simon Harris.
She tried to quiet the nervous nagging in the back of her mind, taunting her that she’d made a huge mistake by bringing him.
Pretending he’d already agreed to leave, Maya grabbed her laptop, sliding it from under the cat so fast Dottie didn’t even open her eyes. She felt Simon stop and look back at her, but she ignored him.
Not there, she told herself. Pretend he’s not even there. She opened her computer and clicked on a random document, pretending to read through tear-blurred eyes.
But as soon as he closed the door between their rooms, she dropped her head back against the pillow and groaned.
This was supposed to be a simple, albeit painful, trip home. Celebrate her brother’s engagement, visit her hometown, save her father from a miserable relationship.
Now she was worried her brother’s fiancée was conning him, hacking her father’s computers and plopped right back in the same nasty competitive rivalry with her high school nemesis that she’d hated when she lived here.
But, her stomach cramped, all she could think about was what the hell was she going to do about Simon.
SIMON WAITED UNTIL HE was in his own room with the door closed before he let out a stream of violently whispered cusswords.
Pacing, he shoved one hand through his hair and tried to reel in the anger. This was ridiculous. Maya was just a means to an end. His ticket to a big promotion and the furthering of the most important thing in his life—his career.
It didn’t matter if she was bent out of shape over something ridiculous. She’d get over it, or at least act like she did because she needed to keep up a pretty front for her family.
So what was the problem? She was being pissy. So what?
The what was, he admitted after his third time storming past the bed, that she’d hurt his feelings.
This was crazy. He’d lost control of the situation. Maya had an arrest record. Her father was a known criminal, wanted in eight states and under FBI investigation. He was here to build a case. Not to get so emotionally invested in a woman that he was teetering on the edge of falling for her.
Shit.
Shocked, Simon dropped to the bed and closed his eyes.
Emotionally invested? Falling for her?
Where the hell had that come from?
He didn’t do emotions.
And the only thing he invested in was his job.
Just because Maya inspired some weird protective instinct in him, that she made him forget why he was here and instead focus totally and completely on her? That didn’t mean he was losing his edge. Then again, just an hour ago he’d made the decision to shift the focus to building a case instead of busting her father.
A nitpicky distinction, but one that he knew spoke volumes about where his commitments were.
Simon shoved his hands through his hair and frowned. No. All that proved was that he was exhausted after a night of the best sex he’d ever had. The kind that made him hard and sweaty just thinking about it.
So he and Maya were sexually compatible. That wasn’t any reason to start thinking stupid. Especially emotionally stupid.
This wasn’t emotions. It was simple irritation. He’d left her naked in bed, worn out after a night of count-the-orgasms pleasure. And instead of greeting him with appropriate appreciation, she’d been in a silly snit.
Knowing he needed that shower to cool off, Simon glared at the adjoining door as he stripped his shirt over his head.
Blow him off, would she? He kicked off his shoes, then stomped toward the bathroom, stripping as he went. They’d just see about that.
SIMON LOOKED AROUND the ballroom of the Black Oak Inn. Combining New Year’s Eve and the engagement celebration, tonight’s theme was New Beginnings. From the red rosebuds to the promise candles, the couple was clearly reveling in their future together.
The pretty people were out in force, all dressed in their New Year’s Eve party-wear. Everyone was smiling and having a good ole time, which only made the miserable frustration eating at his gut worse.
He’d give anything for a quick look at that history book.
“So you’re dating my niece,” Her Honor, the Mayor said. Simon knew she had a name, but she’d invoked her title from the get-go of the conversation. So far she’d made sure he knew she was not only in charge of the town, she was the matriarch of the family. “I detect a Southern accent. Where are you from, Mr. Harris? And what does your family do?”
“I’m from Georgia,” Simon lied with an easy smile. “My family is fifth generation banking.”
“And you’re in investments? Do you make a sufficient income at that?”
“I get by,” he sidestepped, looking around for Maya. Or Tobias. The latter because he wanted to dig a little more, see if he could get any hint of the guy being in on the illegal lower receivers running through his shop. The former because, dammit, he missed her. Actively, physically missed her.
Maybe he was sick?
“Does Black Oak have a doctor?” he asked, interrupting the mayor’s litany of reasons why the Parker family was so important to the town. Apparently to their aunt, Maya and her brothers being Blacks was merely a formality.
“Doctor?” Cynthia frowned and took an unobtrusive step backward. “There’s a clinic in the next town over. A few miles past the Manor where you’re staying. Are you ill?”
Simon made some random noise, which she seemed to take as agreement, since she only lasted a few more seconds before she offered a muttered excuse and left.
As soon as she did, he saw Maya on the far side of the room. She’d been blocked from view by her aunt. The knots of tension in his shoulders unraveled and Simon sighed in relief.
She was so damned gorgeous in a simple dress with sheer sleeves and an open back. The black fabric was cut high at the top and short at the bottom, highlighting legs he would give anything to feel wrapped around his shoulders again.
As if she heard his wishes, or at least his need for her, Maya glanced over. The look she gave him was far from friendly, making it clear that she wasn’t through being angry with him.
But, still, she headed his way.
“You’re looking a little rough around the edges,” Maya observed when she rejoined him. “Not having fun?”
She didn’t sound like the idea of that bothered her too much.
“Oh, sure, lots of fun. So far your brother suggested we check out the weapon upgrades he’s made in the sheriff’s office, your father asked me to come by tomorrow for a little lunch chat and I’m pretty sure your aunt just threatened me.”
She frowned.
“You’re having lunch with my father? Just the two of you?”
“Is that okay?”
Her golden eyes were wide and she pressed her lips together as she stared up at him. What was she worried about?
“Why would you want to talk with my father? That’s a really bad idea,” she said, trying to sound reasonable. But Simon caught the note of worry in her tone. Whether it was for him, or for her father, he wasn’t sure. “You’re better off keeping as much distance from him as possible. I don’t want him to know we’re not a real couple. He’s really good at getting information, at twisting things and getting people to do and say things they didn’t plan before they realize it.”
She had a damned good handle on her old man, Simon mused. And a bad one. Because, dammit, they were a real couple. He just had to convince her of that.
“I’d rather you cancelled,” she told him
.
“I’m not easily manipulated, Maya. I can handle lunch.”
“I doubt that.”
“What’s the big deal? It’s not like I’m hiding state secrets,” Simon lied. “Don’t you trust me?”
The look on her face said duh.
His joking grin faded.
“What the hell?” he asked, genuinely shocked. Sure, he was lying to her about who he was and what he did. Yes, he was using her and hiding the truth. But she didn’t know any of that. So why the hell didn’t she trust him?
“What’s the problem?” he asked, stepping close enough that the rich, spicy scent of her perfume drifted around him in temptation. Giving in, he wrapped his finger around one long, black curl and pulled her closer. “You afraid I’ll let something slip and ruin the fake lovey-dovey image of us that you sold your family and friends?”
“Haven’t you already?”
“Huh?”
He followed her gaze, seeing Tobias in his two thousand dollar suit. And then there was Lilah, ruining that fine fabric by clinging tightly in her zebra-striped sequins and feather accents.
“Missing your entertainment?” she asked, sending the other woman a sneer. “You should know that she has quite the reputation. Better use industrial strength condoms.”
“You think there’s something going on between me and your father’s girlfriend?” he asked, not sure if he was shocked again, or just horrified. He gave her a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me look. But she was glaring at the couple and didn’t notice.
“Let’s go,” she said.
“Go where? We’re supposed to stay until midnight, remember? When the happy couple will toast their future.” And when he, because they were in public, was guaranteed another kiss from her. Since he was desperate to taste her again, he was willing to argue if that’s what it took to keep them here.
“Please. Let’s go,” she said, waving the question away with a flick of her hand. “Now. Before it gets ugly.”
“Why ugly?”
“Because my father, for all his questionable taste in women, isn’t a fan of sharing. When they see us, Lilah’s going to gush all over, making a big deal out of your little assignation together. Which will piss my father off, which will ruin Caleb and Pandora’s party.” She gave him a look that clearly said she blamed him for potentially ruining her brother’s marriage.
“Is that what this is all about?” he asked, actually shocked. “You’re really jealous?”
Looking remarkably like her cat, Maya hissed and tried to pull away. Careful not to hurt her, he shifted his grip to her wrist and held tight.
“Let go,” she said quietly, tugging.
“Not until we settle this.”
“What’s to settle? We’re done. We came, we attended, now we can leave.”
Not until he straightened this out. Simon had no clue why, since he was basically a professional liar, but he’d be damned if he’d let Maya think he’d go straight from the delicious, welcoming warmth of her body into the arms of that tramp.
“Come with me,” he insisted, taking her hand and hauling her through the patio doors.
The tiny garden was dark, except for the twinkling of fairy lights here and there. Probably they didn’t figure they’d needed much illumination since it was freezing out here.
Wanting to convince her instead of turn her into a popsicle, Simon pulled Maya into his arms before she could say anything.
Once she was there, he couldn’t resist. His lips took hers in a fast, hot kiss. His hands firm against her back to keep her close, he slowly pulled away and looked into her surprised face.
“And what’s your point?” she asked with a chilly look. But her nipples were poking into his chest, begging for attention, and she sounded breathless, so he figured he’d already made the point.
Still…
“I’m hot for you, Maya. Like I’ve never been for another woman. Whatever else is going on here, whatever it is between us, this—” much to the gratitude of his straining erection, he pressed himself tighter into the warm cradle of her hips “—this is special. Whatever we’re making happen here, it’s special.”
As soon as the words were out, Simon’s inner man cringed and wanted to grab them back. What was he doing? Had he lost his mind? Words like that, they were the equivalent of a commitment or something. Insane!
Then Maya shifted. Just her hips.
His mouth went dry.
Screw insane. He wasn’t blowing this.
“A man has filet mignon, beautifully prepared and waiting, he’s not going to ruin his appetite with tainted beef jerky,” he said quietly.
“Tainted…” Maya’s eyes were as round as the moue of her mouth, then she pressed her lips tight together. That didn’t stop the laughter from escaping, though.
Simon grinned.
She giggled a little more, then curled her hands around his neck, her finger weaving through his hair. “You’ve got an excellent point.”
“I do. And I mean it. I have no interest in Lilah.” At least, not sexually. But Maya didn’t have to know that. “You have nothing to worry about.”
To prove his point, he kissed her again. A soft, gentle sweep of his tongue over her lips. Her mouth parted, breath washing over his in invitation. He pressed deeper, swirling, plunging, taking them both on a wild ride of passion with just the touch of their mouths.
Finally, he pulled away.
“C’mon,” he said, his words husky with need. “Let’s get out of here. We can bring in the New Year together. Just the two of us.”
He made it three steps into the ballroom when he caught a familiar sight out of the corner of his eye. His fingers still entwined with Maya’s, he peered over and around the milling crowd, trying to figure out who it was.
As Caleb announced that it was time for champagne in preparation for the New Year’s toast, one of the guests caught Simon’s eye.
Sonofabitch.
Tension slamming through him like a bullet through flesh, Simon automatically came to attention. His mind raced, his hand tightened around Maya’s. He met the dark, sardonic gaze of the man across the room and winced.
Yeah. He was totally screwed.
And not in the deliciously pleasurable way he’d planned.
SIMON STOPPED SO FAST, Maya actually ran into the hard expanse of his back.
“Hey, I thought you were in a hurry,” she teased, shifting around to nudge him with her shoulder. “What happened to all that need and want and desperation?”
Not that she was worried they were gone. Not after that kiss. Whatever this was between them, there beneath all the lies and sidestepping and games, the sexual heat was one hundred percent real.
Then she caught sight of his face.
She’d seen that look before on other faces. It was a classic oh, shit look.
“Simon?”
The tension running through him didn’t change. Nor did he move.
“Babe? You okay?”
She looked around, trying to see what had stalled their progress toward sexual nirvana. She wanted to find it, fast, so she could kick it out of their way.
Because she really, really wanted her sexual nirvana, dammit.
She didn’t see anything, though. At least, nothing worthy of slowing their progress. The partiers were shifting toward the champagne fountain. Caleb and Pandora were wrapped together in a happy kiss that distracted her enough to make her sigh.
When she’d hit a wall with her father’s accounts, she’d shifted to Pandora’s. Unlike her future father-in-law, Pandora wasn’t an expert at guarding her books. It’d taken a whole thirty minutes for Maya to assure herself that whatever Aunt Cynthia might think, Pandora was clean.
So unless Simon was trying to scope out kissing tips, that wasn’t what’d caught his attention.
“Hey, Simon,” she prodded. “Weren’t we in a hurry?”
“I think we’ll be delayed,” he muttered.
That’s when she noticed the man st
riding toward them.
Oh, my.
He looked yummier than the chocolate fountain over on the dessert table. Tall, dark and intense, he was gorgeous with a capital G.
“Who’s that?” she asked with a hum of appreciation. Not that she’d change partners for her trip to nirvana, but the view was definitely worth labeling for future reference.
“That is Hunter,” Simon said, biting the words off like they tasted nasty.
“Again, who?”
“My…” He trailed off like he was coming out of a daze, then glanced at her and grimaced. “A friend.”
If the tension radiating off of him was any indication, they had an interesting friendship.
“Simon,” the guy said, his voice as sexy as his dark, brooding looks. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Hunter.”
“I thought you were on personal time.”
“I am. I’m here as Maya’s date. And why, exactly, are you here?” The words were friendly enough, but there as an ugly undercurrent in Simon’s tone that was a little scary.
“I’m a guest of the groom. Caleb and I were college roommates,” the other man explained.
Before Maya could ask how they two of them knew each other, there was a loud chiming of dinging crystal as someone called for the toast.
“We should get together,” the other man told Simon, making it sound like a suggestion when it was clearly an order. “Talk.”
Maya’s gaze shifted to Simon. Clearly, he’d heard the order, too. “Sure. But not now. It’s almost midnight. Time to toast the happy couple and welcome in the New Year.”
Hunter’s brow arched. His gaze shifted to their joined hands. He gave Maya a look that felt like he’d just scanned her entire history and catalogued it for future reference. Then his gaze returned to Simon. His expression didn’t change, but the room suddenly felt very dangerous.
“I really do need to go join my brother,” Maya interjected before either man could say another word. Before the ugly that was simmering under the surface exploded all over her brother’s party. “It was a pleasure to meet you, though.”