Free A Lover's Mask by Altonya Washington

skirt.
    â€œAside from assisting in his brother’s disappearance and the disappearance of evidence—”
    â€œOr so it’s suspected,” Spivey interrupted.
    Jenean nodded. “Anyway, we’re looking for any inconsistencies within his business dealings.”
    County nodded and put on a good show of being interested in the rundown on the Ramsey elder. Alas, her thoughts had turned once again to his son. Today was Friday. Fernando was coming and she felt as anxious as a kid waiting for the school’s out bell to ring.
    â€œCounty?”
    Again, Contessa shook her head and commanded herself to focus. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
    Jenean exchanged a knowing look with Spivey and then fixed her boss with a sympathetic smile. “We know you’re seeing his son, County. If you’d prefer we not—”
    â€œNo, no, no, don’t do that Jenean.”
    â€œBut County we can understand if—”
    â€œNo Spivey,” County ordered, her lovely wide gaze sparkling with determination. “This is our business and we’ve been working on this damn book too long to just chuck it.” She told them, nodding when the concerned expressions Spivey and Jenean wore faded to satisfaction.
    Silently, she chastised herself. She was becoming some sappy, daydreaming woman, letting herself be wooed by the king of Casanovas. But, damn it all, she didn’t care, not when what he offered was so sweet and innocent.
    Innocent? Contessa almost chuckled, having linked the word to what she shared with Fernando. The description however, was, for the most part, true. Their time together was simple and easy—dinner, a show, a jazz concert, a movie…or they stayed in. Aside from taking her hand to help her from the car or keeping his palm at the small of her back as they walked, he hadn’t touched her. County believed such gentlemanly behavior was more torturous than a full-blown kiss.
    I could never lose my heart to a man like Fernando Ramsey, she told herself, only to have a louder voice tell her, foolish girl, you already have.
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    â€œDo you think this is fair to her, man? She’s finally happy to be in Seattle and you’re keeping her away.”
    Quay closed his eyes and clutched the receiver in a tighter grip. He’d phoned Quest to discuss business and the conversation quickly turned to when he was coming home.
    â€œLook Q, I’ll tell you what I told Ty. When she talks about Seattle, I think about breakin’ someone’s neck.”
    Quest massaged his eyes while reclining in the chair behind his desk. “I hate ’em too Quay, but no way in hell am I gonna let them have power enough to keep me from home.”
    â€œI’ll kill ’em if I see ’em Q.”
    â€œYou’re entitled to feel that way,” Quest told his brother, grinning as an idea came to mind. “Tell you what, if you see Marc or Houston, you can have at ’em for five minutes before I pull you off.”
    â€œI need more time!” Quay laughed.
    â€œAll right, fifteen minutes!” Quest promptly extended.
    Quay rapped his knuckles on the message table he relaxed behind. “Done,” he said.
    â€œSeriously?” Quest probed.
    â€œQ man, I know it’s time and I know I’ve been hiding out down here. It’s just so easy, you know? It’s so good being all alone—alone with the only person who completes me.”
    â€œI know exactly what you mean,” Quest said, smiling as visions of his own wife filled his mind.
    â€œHow is she?” Quay asked, knowing where his brother’s thoughts were centered.
    â€œCrying because she’s getting fat,” Quest shared with a low chuckle, “and drivin’ me out of my mind because I want her more now than I ever did.”
    Quay grinned, folding one arm across his chest and enjoying listening to his brother. Clearly Quest was even more in love with