Deceit by Fayrene Preston Page A

The most obvious answer was that she was repulsed by his touch. Except, she had appeared traumatized, and he had been reminded of a small wounded animal trying to protect itself. “Where’s your key, Liana?” The sudden sound of his voice shattered the lulled state of suspension into which she’d fallen. Her eyes flew open, and she automatically reached into the bodice of her evening gown and pulled it out.
    His hand made a fist around the metal warmed by her body, and his eyes darkened. “Do you always carry your key between your breasts?” “When I don’t want to bother with a purse.”
    He stared broodingly at her for a moment. “Would you flinch away from me if I touched your breasts?” Their confrontation on the bluff had drained all her energies. The simple truth was the only possible answer. “Yes.”
    Holding her eyes, he lifted his hand and stroked a petal’s outer rim of the lily pinned over her heart. The topaz center glimmered golden. "It might be worth it.”
    “You’d like to see me flinch?”
    “Given my preference, I’d rather see you under me, hot as hell and wild out of your mind.” Helplessly, she shook her head. “Why do you say things like that?"
    “Maybe because it’s so damned much fun getting a reaction out of you. ’’
    “Fun? You’re having fun?”
    “Oh, absolutely,” he said grimly. He inserted the key into the lock and opened her door.
    The light beside the tall, silk shrouded bed cast a warm glow into the room. The bed and the oblivion it offered beckoned, but from experience Liana knew that sometimes even sleep wouldn’t let her forget. She heard the door click closed behind her. Instinct told her he hadn’t left.
    “You’re going to need help undressing.” He walked up behind her and quickly, easily unzipped her dress.
    She gasped and barely managed to grab the dress to her before it fell to the floor. Holding it tightly to her breasts, she felt exposed. She took several steps away from him, then swung around. “Don’t ever do that again!”
    He shoved his jacket aside and planted a hand on his hip. “You know, you’re as confusing as hell, lady. This time, at least, I was only trying to help. ”
    “Don’t make a big thing out of .it, Richard. I don’t like to be undressed, that’s all. ”
    “Your men must hate that a lot, but then again, maybe it’s just one more thing that fascinates them about you. I know you sure as hell have my attention. This afternoon you dissolved like sugar for me. Tonight, you can’t even stand my hands on you.”
    “This conversation is pointless. You and I are pointless.”
    “Pointless, Liana? Well, you’re probably right. But then what difference does it make when we’re having so much fun.”
    She drew a deep, steadying breath. She had to get him out of her room before she broke down. “Richard, the past is past. It accomplishes nothing to dredge it up. I’m here to work. You’re here for a holiday. I think it’s best if we avoid each other.”
    “You came to that decision all by yourself, did you? Very good, sweetheart. There’s just one thing. A small thing really.”
    She didn’t want to know. That’s why she couldn’t figure out why she asked, “What?”
    “I still want to touch your breasts, quite badly as it happens. And you might as well know something else, I don’t want to stop there. You asked for a truce, Liana, but we haven’t even really gotten started, and a cessation of anything between us is unacceptable to me at this point in time. I’ll tell you when we’ll stop. I’ll tell you when we’ll begin.” His eyes glittered hard as diamonds as he raked his gaze over her. “Goodnight, Liana. Sleep well.”

    Four
    Liana woke the next morning with a headache and a stiff knee. Neither was enough to keep her from the day’s shooting; she couldn’t ever remember missing work.
    Today would be the first time.
    After the tumult of yesterday, she simply wasn’t capable of facing anyone, much