Dealing in Deception

by Samantha Joyce

  “You have a funny way of showing me you want me, making fun of me constantly.”

  “That’s how I treat all my man-candy. I pretend I hate them so they’ll want to sleep with me more. It’s a tactic I use on all my prey.”

  “God, I feel like such a piece of meat.”

  “That’s ’cause you are. Get used to it.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Gladly.”

  My bed shook as we laughed together. I scooted higher and studied his face. Sweat still beaded on his forehead, and his cheeks were flushed. He looked like he had that day in the snow at the Garcias’ estate, boyish and sweet. It was weird, yet familiar, being here with him like this. I’d never had a man in this bed. I didn’t invite guys to my place. Having them here was too personal, too close. I might slip and reveal something.

  Like last night. I’d slipped big-time. I was more exposed with Bax than I had been with any other person, and it had nothing to do with our clothes piled beside us on the floor. He’d seen a piece of me I hadn’t revealed to even myself. That raw hurt, the part of me that wanted, that needed. The part that was broken.

  And he didn’t run. He’d kissed me and touched me and pulled the pieces back together. I wasn’t fully fixed. That kind of thing didn’t happen overnight. I’d always have cracks, like a shattered Ming vase held together with Krazy Glue, but I felt more whole than I ever had before.

  “Hey, you look far away.” Bax pushed a piece of damp hair off my forehead. “Are you okay? You had a tough night.”

  I played with a curl of dark hair on his chest as I thought about his question. “Actually, I am. You know, you’re the first person I’ve ever told about my mom.”

  “Really?”

  “I was always so ashamed of my past. Guilty because I shouldn’t have left her alone with my brother, ashamed of our poverty and lifestyle, afraid because of who she was. I’ve spent my entire life worrying the same thing could happen to me.”

  He wrapped a tendril of my hair around his finger and let it go. “Could it?”

  “There’s a possibility it’s genetic, but it’s usually related to some sort of repeated psychological trauma, like abuse.” I flopped onto my back and studied the white ceiling. “Still, it scares the hell out of me.”

  “Is that why you have the job you do? I’ve always wondered why you chose to be other people for a living.”

  “I guess. At first, it was an accident. Someone mistook me for a famous person. I played along ’cause it was kind of fun. It spun out of control pretty quickly, and I ended up being outed, but still . . . I realized at that moment that I liked being someone who wasn’t me. And if I created these women with my own free will, they were a choice, not a disorder that had been thrust upon me. I felt like I could keep one step ahead of it this way.” I rolled onto my side, facing him. “Does that make sense?”

  He traced my jaw, sending tingles down my throat. “It makes perfect sense, for some reason. I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that. No one should have to endure that kind of horror. But I’m touched you chose to share it all with me, and it doesn’t change how I feel about you. If anything, it makes me like you more. To survive what you survived . . . I meant what I said earlier: I think you’re incredibly strong.”

  “You didn’t give me much of a choice when it came to telling you, not after you called me from the hospital. You’re so stubborn when it comes to doing the right thing, you know that?”

  “I know.” He leaned forward and kissed me softly, running his hand down my side and settling on my bare hip. “It’s part of my charm.”

  “Annoyingly, it is,” I said. “So, you know all my drama. Tell me about your baggage. Your fiancée . . . what was her name again?”

  “Clare? Why do you want to know about her?”

  “Well, you were going to marry her, right? I know you said she left you for another guy, but there has to be more to it than that. Did she want to save the world, too?”

  He pulled back, his fingers twisting into a loose fist on the pillow. “No, definitely not. She thought I was crazy when I quit my job because I wanted to do something more useful than crunching numbers all day. I mean, she tried to support me at first, but she was in school for fashion design during the day and bartending at night. That didn’t go a long way toward paying the bills. And Clare had always wanted more. She hated our small apartment and almost-always-empty bank account. She wanted everything you have, actually, the designer everything, the fancy loft, and the glamorous lifestyle.”

  I wrapped my hand around his fingers. “Some of it’s great, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Until now, I didn’t realize how much I was missing.”

  “Clare didn’t see it that way. We met in our junior year of high school and that was it. We became inseparable. Everyone, including us, knew we’d end up getting married after graduation.”

  “Ugh.” I stuck out my tongue. “I’ve always made fun of couples like that.”

  “You mean, you’ve never felt that way with anyone? You’ve never been in love?”

  “I sort of made a point of dating guys who wouldn’t get attached. If they didn’t get close to me, they’d never learn about my past, never realize where I came from. That’s why I stuck to celebrities, or rich men who cared more about frosting me in jewels and showing me off than getting to know me.”

  Bax released a hiss of air between his teeth. “You know you won’t get any of that fancy jewelry stuff with me, right? I mean, I might have an expired bus pass you could have . . .”

  “Well, you’d better get out of my bed, then.”

  “Yeah.” He sidled closer, until our chests pressed together, his voice low and husky. “I guess I should.”

  “Mmm . . . probably.” I closed my eyes as he trailed his fingers up and down my side. “You’re completely useless to me. Unless you have other things to offer.”

  “I’m sure I can find something.”

  I reached down and wrapped my hand around him. “I think I found it.”

  “You definitely did.” He gasped as I tightened my grip.

  “You know,” I said, my voice low, “you didn’t finish your story. You only got to high school. What happened after graduation?”

  He bit his bottom lip as I dragged a nail gently down the length of him. “Not much more to tell. We moved in together after high school. Got a dog, got engaged, and grew into different people. She left for someone more successful. The end.”

  “Oh no,” I said, a wicked smile on my face. “I think it’s just the beginning.”

  I rolled on top of him.

  Bax

  I awoke with two thoughts running through my head. One, the bed I was lying on was far too soft to be my own, and two, it was sorely lacking the scent of dog breath that usually woke me up in the mornings.

  Blinking against the light poking through the curtains, I ran my tongue around my dry mouth and took in my surroundings. Beside me, the most beautiful woman I’d ever known slept naked with the sheet wrapped around her hips. My mouth somehow went even drier. The sight of Veronica bare from the waist up made me stir in all kinds of places. I wanted to run my hands and tongue over that soft skin that smelled like strawberries, the same as I’d done most of the night. She tasted so good, I felt like I’d never get enough of her.

  But the steady rise and fall of her chest stopped me. She’d finally found some peace after all the crap she’d had to endure the day before, and I couldn’t take that away from her.

  Instead, I ignored my body’s pleas and walked to the bathroom. I took a shower so cold, I might as well have gone outside and plunged naked into the snow. I dried my hair with a towel and used my finger as a makeshift toothbrush. The only clothes I had were the same ones I’d worn to the shelter. They still smelled like potatoes and ham, but at least the rest of me was clean.

  I wandered back into the
living room, stopping to admire the no-longer-bare bookshelf. I’d been so absorbed in Veronica’s grief—and then her body—last night that I hadn’t noticed she’d carefully arranged the souvenirs I’d bought her the day we’d explored the city. The Lincoln Memorial miniature sat front and center, and I rolled it across my palm with a smile before setting it back in its place.

  Although she now had items on her living room shelf, the same couldn’t be said for Veronica’s kitchen. I’d wanted to do something nice for her, make her breakfast, but all I found were bottles of whiskey, cans of soup, and an almost empty tin of coffee. What the hell did this girl eat?

  Considering we were downtown, there had to be a coffee shop somewhere. Hopefully, it was close, as I’d left my coat at the shelter the day before when I’d chased after Della. I grabbed Veronica’s keys and headed out of the loft to the elevators. On my way down, I texted my neighbor and asked her if she’d feed and walk Ari for me again. I’d already had her take him out last night and warned her I wasn’t sure what time I’d be home, so she agreed without any trouble.

  Luckily, there was a coffee shop on the corner across the street. I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself as I sprinted to the glass doors.

  By the time I made it back to the loft, Veronica was in the kitchen, a violet silk negligee on her body, and a distressed look on her face.

  “Hey.” I set the paper bag and coffee tray on the counter, tossing her keys beside them. “You okay?”

  “Yeah . . .” She sucked on her lower lip, then released it. “I thought you’d left.”

  “Nope. Just went to get us breakfast. I don’t know what you eat here, but I figured whiskey and soup weren’t going to cut it.”

  She slammed into me with such force, my back hit the counter. She pressed her mouth on mine, her tongue slipping between my teeth. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her even closer, running a hand down her back and cupping her ass.

  Veronica pulled away, shivering. “You’re freezing.”

  “It’s cold out there and I didn’t have a coat. Not that I’m protesting your method of warming me up, but what was that about?”

  “I . . . I don’t know. I just . . . I thought . . . I thought you were gone and that you were like every other guy.”

  I took her hand and pressed it to my chest, holding her eyes with mine. “I’m not.”

  “Yeah, I’m getting that.” She hopped up on the counter and peered into the paper bag. “What did you get?”

  “Croissants. Not a lot of selection left. We kind of slept through breakfast.”

  “Well, we were up most of the night,” she said with a smirk.

  “That we were.”

  Veronica pulled a pastry out of the bag and bit off the end, her eyes closing with pleasure. “Mmm . . .” she said between bites. She polished off the first one and reached for the second. “I don’t usually let myself have a lot of carbs, but this is worth it.”

  “Is it?” I shimmied between her bare legs, settling my hands on her upper thighs. “That one’s mine, you know.”

  “Oh?” She grinned so devilishly, all parts of me snapped to attention. “Come and get it then.” She shoved the rest of the croissant in her mouth, the crumbs spilling down her chin and onto her collarbone.

  “Don’t think I won’t.” I took the bag out of her hand and placed it on the counter. Tracing the crumbs on her lips with my fingers, I ran my tongue down her chin and collarbone, stopping at her breast. I teased her nipple until it hardened under the light silk and she gasped. Then I traced my way back up and kissed her.

  She tasted buttery and salty, the remnants of croissant still on her lips. I grabbed her ass and pulled her closer, and she wrapped her legs around me. My fingers explored her softer spots through the negligee, and I slipped one of the straps down her shoulder before kissing her neck. I licked her salty skin, trailing my tongue between her breasts before biting her nipple gently through the fabric.

  “Oh, Bax,” she whimpered, the sexiest sigh lingering in her words. Her legs tightened around me and I reached between us and under her nightgown to discover she wasn’t wearing any underwear. She was so ready for me. God, this woman was a fucking fantasy come to life.

  “Veronica,” I moaned, pulling the strap of her negligee farther down with my free hand to reveal one of her perfect breasts. I sucked on her nipple and ran my tongue around it in slow circles until she shuddered. “I was wrong,” I said between licks. “There’s a fantastic breakfast here. I really didn’t need to go to the store.”

  “Shhh,” she said. “Don’t go ruining this with your cheesy jokes.”

  “Shutting up now.”

  She reached between us for the zipper on my pants, and I strained against the fabric so hard, I couldn’t wait to be free so I could dive into her. I needed to be in her now. I needed to be in her forever.

  Then my phone went off.

  “Fuuuck,” I said, pulling back and fumbling in my pocket.

  “Are you seriously getting that?”

  “No, but I’m turning it the hell off.”

  I spun the phone in a trembling hand, my breath coming out in heavy pants. I was about to hit Ignore when I realized who was calling and paused.

  “Bax? Who is it?”

  I looked into her emerald eyes, my phone still vibrating against my palm. “It’s Herberto.”

  “Oh! The meeting! Answer it!”

  “Right.” Much to my dismay, Veronica straightened her clothes and crossed her legs as I hit the Answer button. “Hello?”

  “Bax? Is that you? It’s Herb!”

  “Oh, hello, Mr. Garcia.” I pulled a long breath so he wouldn’t suspect what I’d been up to before he called. “How are you?”

  “I’m fantastic. Were you busy?”

  I eyed the wet patch on the front of Veronica’s negligee where my mouth had been only seconds before with a hint of sadness. “Uh, no.”

  “Wonderful. Because I have good news.”

  “Really?” Veronica raised her eyebrows at my question and I gave her a nod.

  “Yes,” Herberto said. “I’ve spoken to my lawyers and accountants. Although they have advised me I’m taking a huge risk, they also reminded me I have so much money that I may do with it as I please. And I wish to invest in your company, Baxter.”

  “You . . . you do?”

  “Yes. Now, you need money to get off the ground, right? Research, a factory, employees . . . Do you think five million will be enough to get you started?”

  I sank into a kitchen chair, my knees finally giving out. “Five . . . five million dollars?”

  Veronica jumped off the counter, her mouth a wide O shape. “Seriously?” she whispered.

  I nodded slowly.

  “Yes,” Herb said. “I realize you may need more down the line, but that should get you going, huh?”

  “I should say so. Th-thank you, Mr. Garcia.”

  “Please, call me Herb. That’s a yes, then?”

  “Of course it’s a yes.”

  Herb’s voice burst so loudly from my phone, I had to hold it from my ear. “Wonderful! I shall send the contracts over. And I’ll be having my assistant issue a press release. You’re okay with that, right? I want to bring attention to your cause as soon as possible. I expect with my name and money attached, we may generate some interest quickly.”

  “Yeah . . .” I muttered. “Anything you need.”

  “Good. Keep an eye on your e-mail for the contracts.”

  “I will.”

  “Talk to you soon, Baxter. I’m very happy to be working with you and your wife. We’ll have you both over for dinner soon to celebrate. Please tell her we say hello.”

  “Okay.” I stared at the phone after he said good-bye, my body numb.

  Veronica waved a hand in front of my face. “Well? Bax, what did h
e say?”

  “He . . . he said he’s giving me five million dollars to start the company.”

  “Oh my God! Bax! That’s amazing!” Veronica threw her arms around my neck, and I buried my face in her berry-scented hair, trying to bring myself back to reality.

  “We need to celebrate!” Veronica said. “I don’t have any champagne, but I have whiskey.”

  I caught her hand. “It’s a little early, don’t you think?”

  “But it’s a special occasion.” She shoved her bottom lip out in a pout that got me right back to where I’d been before my phone had rung.

  Pulling her until she was right up against my knees, I ran my hand under her negligee, up the side of her body. “Or we could celebrate by finishing what we started.”

  “Hmm . . . I’d have to think about that.”

  I rested my hand on her breast. “I’ll just wait here while you do that.”

  “You know, for a good guy, you can be awfully bad, Baxter Linton.”

  “I try.” I pinched her nipple, and she sucked in a breath before straddling me on the chair. She pressed into my hardness, and I moaned.

  “Okay, then,” she said, reaching for my zipper. “Let’s celebrate your way.”

  We ended up celebrating in not only the kitchen but also the living room, the bedroom, and the shower. Who the hell needed champagne?

  • • •

  “Are you sure I should be coming to this engagement party?” Veronica combed a finger through her hair and peered up at me. We stood outside of Ally and Scott’s apartment, the hum of laughter and chatter bleeding through their white door.

  “They’re getting married soon. They don’t care how it happened anymore. And they think your sister was the one who dated Scott, right? It’ll be fine.” I rubbed her shoulders, not used to having to convince her to meet people. Usually, she’d brush past me and open the door with a flourish. But things had changed between us, and now she actually seemed to want to make a good impression with my friends.

  It had been a little over a week since Herberto had called to give me the good news. The time had flown by in a blur of paperwork, press conferences, meetings, and blissful nights with Veronica. We’d barely been apart, but that worked for me, because the moments I wasn’t touching her felt empty and long, like my heart only pumped steadily when she was around.