Circle of Deception by Carla Swafford Page B

Stretched out alongside her, propped up by one hand near her head, Jack grinned big. The loop on his bottom lip glinted.
    She groaned and covered her eyes. “Please don’t tell me I screwed up again.” Oh no, oh no, oh no . . .
    He chuckled and moved off the bed. She squinted at him from between her fingers. Thank you, God! He’s wearing clothes.
    “The only thing you screwed up was drinking too much before a mission.” With a stretch, he twisted at the waist and then straightened his shirt. His khaki pants flowed over muscled thighs that pulled at the cloth in the right spots. What a beautifully toned man.
    “I don’t have a hangover. One margarita isn’t too much.” She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. “Shit, Jack. I only got in bed two hours ago. That’s why I feel like crap.”
    “That’s your problem. Time to get up. Rex is downstairs and waiting.”
    Abby tossed the sheet to the side. The oversized T-shirt she’d worn to bed covered her well enough for a mad dash to the bathroom. The mirror confirmed she had dark circles beneath her eyes. Refusing to think about the horror they’d gone through the night before, she splashed cold water on her face and pulled on a bathrobe. When she returned, she glared at her boss and then noticed the clothes draped over her bed.
    “What’s this? I don’t need you picking out something for me to wear.” From the corner of her eye, she spied a couple of her suitcases next to the door. “What are you up to?” She lifted a suitcase, its weight telling a story. “You packed for me,” she said.
    “You sleep like the dead. I could’ve strangled you before you had a chance to defend yourself.” Jack opened the door into the hallway as he grabbed the suitcase from her hand. “You and Rex have a party to go to after a brief meeting downstairs. You’ll be newlyweds flying in early from Vegas and staying at the Wynfrey in Birmingham for the evening. To be all fresh and ready to meet your mommy dearest the next day.” He added, “We had to move it up. Another shipment is scheduled in the next few weeks for Inferno. Brody will be at the party. A perfect opportunity for you two to meet and become fast friends. So don’t give me a hard time. Wear what I left you. I’ll meet you in my office.” He quietly shut the door.
    Men! They love giving orders . She sighed. Problem was she wanted to keep her job. She hurried through a quick shower and applied makeup. Then she dressed in the outfit Jack had left on the bed.
    What in the world?
    The dress was nothing like anything she’d ever owned. Cocktail length, the cream silk hugged her in all the right places, dipping low in the front and the back going high into a stand-up collar. The style was reminiscent of what a 1950s movie star would’ve worn. Beneath it she wore a lacy bra and garter along with a barely-there thong. The whisper-thin hose stopped at midthigh, and she slipped into matching high heels. She enjoyed feeling sexy. This was a new experience.
    She looked through her jewelry for anything that would accentuate the clean neckline. Giving up on finding anything perfect, she settled for a thin gold chain and small pearl earrings.
    At the last minute, before leaving the room, she pulled her hair back and used the fanciest hairclip she owned. The mother-of-pearl overlay gave it a sophisticated look.
    With a finger hovering over the DOWN button next to the elevator, she hesitated. Jack never did anything without a purpose. Sure he said a party, but what else was he up to? And why dress for it so early? Her hand glided down the sleek material. No matter his plans, she loved wearing the dress. Shoulders back, head held high, she inhaled deeply, releasing all her tension and pressed the button. She could handle him. She could handle anything either brother threw at her. As the door slid closed behind her and the car began its descent, she shook her head. The best way to handle the niggling feeling was to quit