Mask of Desire

by P. L. Harris

  EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2017 P.L. Harris

  ISBN: 978-1-77339-398-8

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Lisa Petrocelli

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  For my sisters—Helen, Linda, Tracey and Robyn.

  Since I started my journey to becoming a published author, your encouragement and support has meant the world to me.

  Delwyn Jenkins—Thank you for your being a constant source of encouragement. If it wasn’t for meeting you at the 2015 Romance Writers of Australia Conference I don’t think I would have had enough belief in myself to submit my work to a publisher.

  MASK OF DESIRE

  Romance on the Go ®

  P.L. Harris

  Copyright © 2017

  Halloween

  An uneasy sensation pricked the nape of Tash Redman’s neck. This is a bad idea. She wiped her sweaty palms down her tattered costume. Her gaze scanned the room searching for the source of her apprehension. “I’m telling you, someone is watching me.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Sinead said, flicking her long, silky Morticia Addams wig over her shoulder. “You’ve only been in town for just over a week. Besides, no one will recognize you in that costume anyway. Especially under all that makeup.”

  Sinead was right, Tash did look pretty scary. Sinead had insisted on completing Tash’s “Dracula’s Bride” costume with a purple and black, shoulder-length wig, which hosted a full-length veil. Her face was also hidden behind white face paint, black eye shadow, false lashes, and shiny, ruby-red lips.

  Tash had only met her boss, Sinead, and her partner, since arriving in Brekin River on the New South Wales central coast. Everyone seemed polite, but pretty much kept to themselves. Just the kind of town she was looking for.

  A cold shiver ran up her spine. Why the hell did I let Sinead talk me into this damn Halloween party, let alone dressing in this Dracula’s Bride getup?

  This is not the way she wanted to spend her first Halloween in a new town.

  Tash’s pulse sped up as she scanned the crowd. Her stomach revolted when she spotted a young man disguised as Dracula, making out in the corner with a vampirette. Eeww, disgusting.

  The repulsive image was superseded by a sleazy, tarted-up zombie openly seducing Beetlejuice and attempting to stick her tongue down his throat. Gross.

  She hadn’t been to many fancy dress parties in her life, especially not Halloween parties. It wasn’t a holiday Australians normally celebrated—it seemed to be an American tradition—but Tash was impressed with the number of guests in costume. She took comfort in the knowledge that it would be nearly impossible to recognize anyone if she met them again on the street, and she hoped it would be vice versa.

  “You need to chill out. Why don’t you go get a drink?” Sinead asked, hanging off her husband’s arm.

  They made a cute couple, suitably dressed as Gomez and Morticia Addams. The perfect newlyweds doting on each other. There was a time Tash had felt the same about her husband Connor. She had been a lovesick puppy, devoted to him hook, line, and sinker. Tash closed her eyes, a wave of nausea threatening to fester in her gut. She put all her trust in her husband. What a fool she’d been. Never again.

  “Maybe I will. God knows I could do with some fresh air,” she said, heading in the direction of the bar, which was squished in the back of the lounge room. She ignored the line of gaudy men making cutesy faces at her.

  You’ve got to be kidding me, she thought, shaking her head in revulsion. She hadn’t been interested in men back in Sydney, why the hell would she be interested in them now?

  Her heart raced under the suffocating confines of the crowded room.

  The young bartender eyed Tash. “What will it be, love?”

  “Raspberry martini please.”

  “Sure thing. Coming right up,” he said with a cheeky smile.

  Tash wrestled with the red velvet cape knotted around her neck. It felt like a noose strangling her airway.

  “There you go,” he said, placing her drink on the bar. “Anything else I can get you?”

  “No, I’m fine. Thank you.” Her fingers gripped the thin stem of her raspberry martini and she headed out to the patio.

  Alone, at last. The cool air filled her lungs as she forced herself to take several deep breaths. Her eyes gazed at the stunning lush hills surrounding the party house. It truly was a spectacular location. She removed her cape and draped it over the guardrail. Leaning against the rail, the thin material of her dress hardly provided a barrier against the cold metal as it chilled her hot skin.

  What the hell am I doing here? She cursed herself. Sinead’s sob story did a real number on her. She was a sucker for a good sob story. She recalled Sinead’s pleading voice. “Oh, please come. You have to. I’ve already told her you’d be there and she won’t take no for an answer. She hasn’t many friends, she’s kind of a loner, and besides, you’re new in town, so this is the perfect opportunity to meet new people. Come on, Tash. Please come for me.”

  Tash gazed at the happy gathering of people. Not many friends, my ass.

  From behind, a deep, husky voice broke through her haze of annoyance. “Interesting outfit. I’ve been trying to work out who you are for some time now.”

  She stiffened and her entire body tensed. The timbre of his voice sent electric shocks through her veins. His words rang true in her head. For some time now. She had been right, someone was watching her and he was right behind her.

  She pursed her lips and turned. “Have you been—” She stopped mid-sentence. Shell-shocked. Tash stared at him open-mouthed. Heat flooded her cheeks and her belly.

  Holy fuck. He was sex on legs. Her nipples instantly hardened as his smile ricocheted right down to her groin.

  “Have I what?” he asked.

  “Um…” she hesitated, her chest tightened with an unnerving burn. “Been watching me?”

  “For a while now, actually.” He chuckled.

  She shivered. His gaze eagerly roamed her jittery body. “Why?” she gasped.

  She tensed as he leaned closer, his warm breath scooting over her hot skin. “Well, apart from trying to work out your costume, it’s my business to get to know every pretty new face in town.” His eyes widened and then through a grin he said, “And I can tell by that tattoo there is a lot more to you than meets the eye.”

  Damn it. My tattoo. She’d forgotten she’d exposed her tattoo when she removed her cape. She always kept it hidden. If people didn’t see it, she wouldn’t have to explain why she’d been a fool. The past was the past; no more Connor and no more working in dives to pay off his debts.

  Her gut tightened, and the stern focus in his cobalt-blue eyes held her in his clutches.

  Tash swallowed the knot in her throat. “Well, you don’t need to worry. I’m sure there are more interesting people than me with tattoos.”

  “I’m sure there are, but not everyone has a tattoo as sexy as yours.” He smiled. “I’m intrigued.”

  The rich tone of his voice bled warmth into her veins. It did strange things to her body.

  It’s just a voice, for God’s sake. A deep, sexy voice. She shuffled on the spot, conscious of her moisture-soaked knickers.

  “I, u-u-um,” she stutte
red, butterflies flooded her stomach.

  “The name’s Kayden,” he said, nodding his head in a seductive greeting. “Detective Kayden Langford.”

  Detective. No, no, are you insane? Not a good idea to let a detective into your life.

  Saved by his phone ringtone.

  “Langford,” he mumbled down the line. Annoyed by the interruption, his face wore a disgruntled frown.

  Her pulse sped up as she heard a loud voice scream. He paled and his expression blackened. Deep pain bombarded his gaze, his pupils dilating. “What the fuck do you mean, shot?”

  “Excuse me,” he said ending the call.

  “Is everything all right?” Tash pried.

  He started backing away. “No,” he paused. “It’s my partner.”

  Tash’s gut clenched as she watched his retreating figure.

  ****

  New Year’s Eve

  Tash gawked, wide-eyed at the shimmering black strapless evening gown laid out on Sinead’s bed. Her heart leapt into her throat. Her curves would be on display for all to see, not to mention her tattoo. She’d managed to keep it hidden from everyone in town. Except one man. Tash remembered the Halloween party as if it were yesterday. Kayden’s deep voice still melted her insides like chocolate.

  Sinead had no idea she even had a tattoo, let alone an elaborate vine that spanned her shoulder blades and snaked down her back. She had been so young and in love, blindsided by passion. She would have done anything for her husband Connor. She had.

  “You want me to wear that?” she asked, gaping at the beautiful garment. “To Detective Langford’s New Year’s Eve party?”

  Between sneezes, Sinead coughed up a croaky answer. “Yes, what’s wrong with it? I’m sure it will fit. We’re the same size, after all.”

  “I thought you were going,” she said. Tash’s heart sank with every sneeze that shook Sinead’s body.

  “Do I look like I can go?” she blurted out in a nauseating tone. “Would you go out looking like this?” she asked, pointing to her blood-red nose and bulging, puffy eyes.

  Tash ran her sweaty palms down her jeans. “I thought you said you wouldn’t drag me along to any more parties after Halloween,” she said in a huff.

  The last thing I want to do is go to a bloody New Year’s Eve party. Especially one hosted by the scrumptious Kayden Langford.

  “I know, but look at me,” Sinead said, clutching the tissue box under her arm. “I can’t stop sneezing. I can barely keep my eyes open, and my nose is so red and swollen it would give Rudolf a run for his money.”

  Tash grimaced. Sinead did look like she’d just risen from the dead. Watery eyes, a nose that looked like it’d been wiped with sandpaper, and a voice that would rival Frankenstein on a good day.

  Frustration pooled in the pit of Tash’s stomach. Before she joined Sinead’s Hair and Beauty, she’d been very specific about keeping out of the public eye. Brekin River was a new beginning, a way to keep her secrets close to her heart—a fresh start.

  As soon as her tattoo was exposed, few would understand it and too many others would use it against her. They’d judge her and make assumptions about her character, without knowing the whole story.

  “Listen, Sinead, I know this evening is important to you, but surely you have someone else who can cover for you?”

  “I’m all out of options. You’re my last hope, Tash,” she pleaded. “You know how much I want Kayden’s place by the lake for the new salon. It means everything to me.”

  “I know, but I’m sure you can arrange another time with him to discuss—”

  Sinead abruptly cut her off, midsentence and mid-sneeze. “There is no other time. He’s leaving town, now that he’s put the bastard who murdered his partner behind bars. The doctor said I’ll be out of action for at least a week. I had planned to talk to him tonight and get a good price. One I can afford. I know you’ll be able to secure the deal.”

  Tash’s gut churned at the mere idea of parading around in a tight dress. Her days of pretending were over. She had been addicted to Connor—his body, his scent, and his sex. If only the real Connor had shown himself before he almost single-handedly destroyed her future.

  Sinead flopped down on her bed, hiccupping between words. “I know you’ve only worked for me for a few months, and we’re still getting to know each other. What I’m asking isn’t a normal request from a boss, but I’m desperate. Maybe this will clinch the deal?” She picked up the most exquisite black velvet half-mask, adorned with shimmering diamantes, silver lace, velvet ribbon, and dainty blue feathers. “It’s a masquerade ball so no one will even know who you are, and I’m sure you can do something stunning with your hair that will fit with the theme.”

  Pain stabbed at Tash’s heart. She liked Sinead a lot. As bosses went, she was pretty great to work for. Almost like a big sister she never had. What harm would it do?

  If she kept the mask on, changed the color of her contacts, and did her hair in a different style, as well as covered her tattoo, no one would recognize her. No one did after the Halloween party. She could pretend she was Sinead’s agent, working on her behalf.

  “So, I would be kind of like your agent there, to sort a real estate transaction?” Tash asked.

  Sinead shrugged. “Sure, if that’s the way you want to look at it.”

  “Can I wear my own dress?” One that will hide my tattoo.

  “Sure, if you have a formal gown. Do you?”

  Tash’s chest tightened. “Well, maybe not as formal as that, but I’m sure I—”

  “It must be formal, that’s the dress requirement for attending the evening,” Sinead said.

  Tash’s heart sank. Nothing in her limited wardrobe came close to formal wear. She’d thrown them out with her past.

  “Fine, I’ll wear yours,” she moaned.

  Sinead’s high-pitched squeal rang out in Tash’s ears. Vibration ricocheted up her legs as Sinead jumped up and down.

  “Sinead, calm down. Too much excitement can’t be good for you in your condition,” Tash said. “Okay, I’ll do it, as long as we keep this between us.”

  After an exhausting coughing fit, Sinead gasped for air. “Okay. Yes, of course. Now, first you need to get his attention. I have no doubt that in this dress you will.”

  “Sinead…” Tash sighed, crossing her arms across her chest. “I told you, I am not in the market for a man, so can we just stick to the task at hand?”

  “Of course.” Sinead continued to sniff. “First, you’ll need to get Kayden alone.”

  “What…why?” she gasped, her eyes widened in alarm. “Jesus, what do you expect me to do to the man?” She agreed to go to the party and speak with him, nothing else.

  Mortification flashed across Sinead’s face. “Oh my God, that is not what I meant at all…unless…”

  “Sinead.” Adrenaline surged through her veins. Kayden, alone…mmm, yes, please.

  “Don’t be silly. I just want you to get him alone to discuss a good price, and you won’t be able to do that if there are nosy busybodies hanging around, eavesdropping on your conversation.”

  “Oh…okay.” Relief swarmed her body.

  “But it wouldn’t hurt to show some interest in the opposite sex while you’re there. If you’re not socializing with me, you’re moping around your house. You’re not a hermit, you know.”

  The constant drone of Sinead’s croaky voice was sending Tash’s head dizzy. “I know that, but as I’ve already told you, I’m not interested in men or socializing. Not now, not ever,” she’d stated plainly.

  “Okay,” Sinead huffed, holding her hands up defensively.

  If Sinead had any idea of the debt Tash’s husband left her with after his death, she’d understand why men were the last thing Tash needed in her life. A cold shiver shot up Tash’s spine. She silently prayed her past stayed hidden.

  Her ears buzzed with the sheer amount of information Sinead threw at her. She was very clear on what price she would pay, so all that was lef
t to do was seal the deal. Easier said than done.

  Tash grabbed the dress and held up her hand to stop Sinead’s babble. “Okay, I think I’ve got it. If I’ve any chance of pulling this off, I need to head home now to get ready,” she said on the way to the door.

  Sinead waved as she headed down the path. “Call me tomorrow.”

  Tash pulled out into traffic. “How the hell do I get myself into situations like this?” she muttered.

  Tash drove on autopilot, her pulse drummed vigorously. It was a simple task: meet Kayden, offer him a good price, and convince him it was in his best interests to sell to Sinead. Simple enough…but not for Tash.

  Goose bumps assaulted every inch of her body as memories of the Halloween party flashed across her mind. She’d only briefly spoken to Kayden, but it was enough to know that he was going to be a huge distraction she didn’t need. The naughty kind of distraction that made her wish she could take him home and have him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

  Tash’s heart had deflated when she’d heard of his partner’s untimely murder that same evening. Death was a fact of life she was all too familiar with. If it hadn’t been the car accident that killed Connor, she’d have murdered him herself.

  Anger kicked in. Her life had been ruined by Connor’s secret obsession with gambling. She shivered in disgust. The worst were the vulgar loan sharks that came to collect from her after his death.

  She jolted back to reality when her ears exploded with the high-pitched blast of a horn. She jumped and sharply swerved her car to avoid ramming another oncoming car.

  “Oh my God!” she yelled. Pulling off to the side of the road, she gasped, sucking air into her burning lungs.

  Tash gripped the steering wheel to steady her shaking hands, her fingers turning white from the constant pressure. Her heartbeat was rampant against her rib cage, like a football match playing inside her chest. Thanks to Connor, she’d nearly become a statistic herself. “Bastard,” she hissed. She squeezed her eyes shut and dropped her head on the back of her hands. Jesus, Connor. Even from your grave, you’re still able to put my life in danger. Will it never end?