Masquerade by Jennifer Raines

Author:Jennifer Raines
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Family, Twins, Romance Writer, Hidden Identity, Workplace romance, Small Town Romance, Contemporary Romance, Australia
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Published: 2024-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Kate choked on her mouthful of fruity wine. He rolled off the lounge in a single movement, deposited his glass on a side table and was rubbing circles on her back before she could catch her breath. With tears running down her cheeks, she settled.

He crouched in front of her. “Feeling better?”

“Thanks,” she managed.

“Thank you for rescuing me from Selina tonight.” He dropped a light kiss on the back of her hand. “She’s not one hundred percent convinced I’m Niall, but you made her doubt.”

“You’re welcome.” She recovered her hand, resisting the urge to place a finger where his mouth had been. His readiness to share his past invited honesty in return. “I have my own war stories.”

“Will you tell me sometime?”

She nodded because he wasn’t pushing. Letting her choose how much of herself she’d share stirred a more deep-seated need to lower her barriers. Scooping Kate into his arms, he returned to lay full length on the lounge with her on top.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” She rested her cheek on his chest to soften her objection.

“Why not?” His hand glided down her spine, coaxing confidences.

Kate was being as truthful as she dared. She wasn’t an idiot. She knew where this was heading, where they were heading. A short-term affair. Not just lust; they shared mutual respect and liking. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be here. It would be foolhardy to surrender the caution of a lifetime and tell him all her secrets on the basis of a brief affair, but she was tempted.

“Am I right about Selina?” Questions came more easily tucked snugly against his chest.

His hand stilled. “You’re right. And, although I didn’t think it at the time, I was astonishingly lucky.”

“Not sure I’m keeping up.” She pressed her nose against his throat, his familiar scent quietening her outrage on his behalf.

His hand resumed its slow slide up and down her spine, affectionate rather than sexual.

“Dad died suddenly as we were preparing for our court appearance on that case. I fielded lots of calls. From Dad’s friends. From my friends who weren’t able to get back for the funeral. An old friend was in Canada. We didn’t talk much, but he sent a message. When I called back, I asked him about Selina.” The bleakness of the memory echoed in his voice. “You can probably see where this is going.”

Liam would have been reeling from his father’s death. With Selina’s betrayal, he’d lost his footing a second time.

“Research only tells part of the story.” Few onlookers guessed the impact of Andrew’s first online attack. Like a punch to her gut, the vitriol had dropped Kate to her knees. Andrew’s vindictiveness had added a new sting to her father’s attack. Not only was her writing worthless, she was a failure as a lover, companion, woman. How dare she walk away before Andrew was ready? “I’d like to hear your side.”

“You need to know how she works to protect yourself.” His fingers drew patterns on her back in a steady exploration.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.