The Deception (Filthy Rich Americans 3)

“Stand,” he said.

I was rooted in place, the half-empty glass of champagne cold in my hand. All he’d done was rearrange some furniture, but there was something terribly sinister about it, and second thoughts kept me immobile.

He sensed my hesitation. “What’s your first question?”

When he reminded me of my goal, focus released my body. I stood, took a final gulp of the champagne, and sauntered over to set it on the table, my heels clicking quietly on the floor. “The image of the check to Dr. Galliat. How’d you get it?”

He pointed to a spot on the floor in front of the chair. “Here. Face the mirror.”

My breath came and went in shallow pulls, but I did as ordered. When I faced the mirror and lifted my gaze to the reflection, I saw the two of us. Me in my black cocktail dress, my dark hair spilling around my flushed face, and him in his finest suit standing behind my shoulder, looking down at me. He was Zeus, eager to make the mortal he’d captured submit to his desires.

I silently repeated the Hale family motto in my head, which kept me in place.

“I have several people in my employ,” he said, “whose sole job is to keep me informed. It’s a necessary part of my business. I’ve invested hundreds of thousands of dollars cultivating the best management team. I deserve to know if other companies are intending to poach them.”

“You mean you have spies.” I fixed my gaze on his through the mirror.

“They do more than just spy. For example, they may persuade someone to pass along documents I’ll find interesting or useful.” His attention went to my back. “Pull your hair to the side so it’s not in my way.”

There was the slightest tremor in my hands as I scooped up my hair, pulled it to the front and draped it over my shoulder, revealing the back of my dress. He liked his effect on me. Power curved his lips into a wicked smile.

My hands may have wavered, but my voice didn’t. “Do you have access to everything Royce does?”

“Access? No. Hold still. I’m not responsible for inadvertently touching you if you move.” His fingers found the zipper pull at the top of my dress, and he took care not to let them brush against any part of me. “I don’t know every detail. I only hear about the more interesting moves he makes.”

“Such as?”

The zipper was quiet, but there was the tug of the dress on my shoulders, and the cool air seeping in announced he’d unzipped me all the way to the small of my back. The sides of the open zipper peeled apart, and one pull from him sent the top of the dress falling to my waist, trapping my elbows at my sides.

“How he’d amassed a considerable stake in Ascension.” His gaze trailed over the cups of the black bra I wore. He leaned over, and although he wasn’t using his hands, his desire to do so was so fierce, I felt them anyway. They traced my shoulders, caressed my spine. They wandered and explored and relished, causing my mouth to go dry.

“What do you think he intended to do,” I swallowed hard, “with that stake?”

“He planned to buy them, but I beat him to it.” His gaze landed on the black line of elastic on my shoulder. “Lift that strap up.”

I didn’t understand his intent until I picked it up and he plucked it from my fingers. He’d had me lift the strap away from my skin so he would avoid violating our agreement. My heart pumped furiously in my body. I wasn’t just going to be naked—he was going to undress me first.

Royce had done terrible things to bring us together. Hopefully he’d understand when I did the same to keep us together.

Down Macalister pulled the strap as he walked around me, causing the bra cup to peel away and expose my breast to him, like seeing it through the reflection wasn’t good enough. He wanted his gaze to touch me with nothing in the way.

His voice was thick with lust. “Now the other side.”

I repeated my action, as did he, and the bra joined the dress that hung around my waist. He was distracted, so I used it to my advantage. Even though he’d promised not to lie, he’d changed the rules on me enough times that there was no trust between us.

“You bought Ascension just to stop Royce.” I refused to give an inch and let him see the nerves swirling inside me. “Are you happy with it as a business decision?”

“I was at first.” His shoulders lifted on a deep breath as he stared at the topless girl before him. His high cheekbones were razor sharp when he licked his lips.