Free True Deceptions (True Lies) by Veronica Forand Page B

I’ll kill you if she gets hurt.”
    Alex laughed. “I’ll be fine. I’m so excited. I’ve spent too many months in museum basements. Do I get a new identity?”
    Simon flashed Alex a smile that lit up his face, a smile he’d never directed toward Cassie. “You’re Italian and a gemologist. You’ll only speak to me, and your hair and face will be partially hidden. Capisce? ”
    “ Si, caro. ”
    Henry frowned. “Don’t caro him.”
    “It’s all a game. Relax. You’re my only caro.” Alex leaned forward and kissed him. He held her close and deepened the kiss until watching them became uncomfortable.
    Simon interrupted the newlyweds. “It’s not a game, and I expect everyone at this table to take it seriously.” He stared directly at Cassie as he said it, like she believed the whole thing was a joke.
    “What about me?” she asked.
    “You stay in the hotel with Henry.”
    She didn’t want to sound insubordinate, but what was she doing in Sofia if her assignment involved sitting in a hotel room with a stranger? “I’m not leaving the hotel?”
    “No.” He looked as though he wanted her a hundred miles away from Sofia.
    Great. Alex had transformed from fun friend to capable operative, and Cassie still got treated like arm candy. A knot formed in her stomach, caused by frustration and jealousy. Lots of jealousy.
    Stop whining and do the job, Wallace, or Watson, or whoever I am.
    As Simon and the countess discussed more details for the next hour, Cassie poured herself some wine. She didn’t want to be on the assignment, yet she didn’t want Alex replacing her. Alcohol would calm her down. Just a glass. When their meeting ended, Simon disappeared into the bedroom.
    Alex and Henry sat together on the couch, unable to keep their hands off each other. They eventually took their groping into the second bedroom. Cassie sat in a chair by the window, looking out over the city. Simon approached her and lifted the half empty wineglass from her hand. After taking a sip, he placed it on the bar, out of her reach.
    “You’ll be safe with Henry. I trust him with my life.” He rubbed her shoulders and eased her stress.
    “I guess.” Confusion swirled through her brain, making everything unclear. “Why am I here? Tucker made it sound like I needed to accompany you.”
    “Tucker needs to feel necessary, and he does that by messing with other people’s lives. I usually travel with a female companion, and Henry doesn’t like Alex acting as my lover. You’ll have your moment, but this trip doesn’t involve anything more technical than some diamonds, assault rifles, and ammunition.” His thumbs pressed into the spot between her neck and shoulder blades. Heaven. Her head fell back into his solid chest, and she closed her eyes, enjoying a few minutes of his attention.
    He stepped back and took her hand. “Come on. It’s time for bed, and you can’t sleep on the couch when we have guests.”
    Helping her stand, he led her to their room. Was he going to continue his seduction behind closed doors? She wanted him, but knew deep down he’d overwhelm her. She simmered, and he blazed.
    After slipping inside the bathroom to change into her nightgown, she froze at the door to the bedroom. Simon, hands behind his head, torso exposed, lay on the bed wearing only his boxer shorts. One muscular leg hid under the sheets. The other hung off the bed, with his boxers pushed up his leg an inch below exposure. Not one tattoo on his body, just smooth tan skin stretched over well-developed muscles.
    She climbed under the covers and tried not to touch any body parts, especially the unclothed ones. The scent of minty toothpaste and some lethal combination of soap and Simon drew her face in his direction. The temptation was too great. Her foot stretched toward his. As soon as she felt his leg, he pulled her to him. Her head tucked into his shoulder, and his hand caressed her hair. She tried to sleep, but his presence aroused her. What