Free Masquerade by Nicole Flockton Page A

sever their connection, otherwise working with him would be even harder than she thought it would be.
    She held the door open for him and he indicated for her to precede him into the room. She turned the lights on, but dimmed them so they created a soft glow. The full moon created a ghostly pattern on the river and was shining in through her window.
    “How would you like your coffee?” she asked as she made her way into the kitchen to turn her automatic coffee machine on. “I can give you an espresso, cappuccino, latte, or flat white.”
    She tried to control the shivers coursing through her as he came up to stand behind her. Even after all they’d been through that evening, his aftershave wafted over her.
    He whistled softly. “That’s an impressive machine. You must like your coffee.”
    Sophie placed a glass underneath the nozzle as the self-clean process started. “A housewarming gift from my father. He’s the coffee aficionado and expects everyone to have his tastes.”
    The machine finished its self-clean and she reached up to the cupboard above and pulled down two mugs. “Although I will admit I do enjoy the perks of the machine. It does make a mean latte.”
    “Well, in that case, I’ll have one, too, but can I grab an extra shot with it?”
    Sophie quirked her eyebrow and asked, “Planning on not sleeping tonight?”
    She wanted the earth to open up and swallow her. If that wasn’t a suggestive comment, she didn’t know what was.
    “Caffeine has never been a problem for me,” he replied blandly. “What about you, though? If you’re planning on having a coffee will you be able to sleep?”
    That was the sixty-four thousand dollar question. Like Alex, she could have a coffee late and it wouldn’t hamper her sleeping habits. What could be a problem tonight, though, was the man standing in front of her. She’d managed to banish the dreams she’d experienced after their one night. But now, she had a feeling that the dream would be front and center again tonight. She wouldn’t let Alex know he could be the cause of a sleepless night. She gave him a bland look.
    “Guess we’re the lucky ones. Caffeine has never been a problem for me, either.” She wanted to get out of the minefield their conversation was heading into. “Why don’t you go into the living room, I’ll bring in the coffees.”
    Sophie breathed a sigh of relief as he took her up on her suggestion. As the coffees were being made, she gave herself a lecture on engaging brain before mouth. If she did that, she might say intelligent, not suggestive, things.
    Sophie carried the mugs through to the living room and found Alex standing at her sliding door, admiring the city view.
    She placed the coffees on the center table and picked up the keys she’d tossed down when they’d walked in. She walked over and unlocked the doors.
    “It’s a nice night. We should sit out here.” She was hoping to make the invitation sound casual. She stood to the side as he made his way out.
    Sophie went back in and collected the coffees. When she walked out again, Alex was leaning against the rail, looking at the view, but not really taking it in.
    She placed the mugs on the small table and went to stand next to him.
    “I find after a really tough day there’s nothing more magical than soaking in the view and remembering I’m a small fish in a huge pond.”
    She’d given a little bit of herself away with those words, but this time she didn’t mind. If they were going to work together they had to feel comfortable around each other. It sounded good in theory — whether it was possible in practice, only time would tell.
    Sophie went back and picked up the mugs, handing Alex’s over to him. She took a sip, letting the scalding liquid slide down her throat.
    “We never did discuss how we were going to handle our work situation,” she mused.
    Silence stretched between them and Sophie wondered if she was going to have to repeat what she’d