Free A Lover's Mask by Altonya Washington Page B

and then smiled as the room came alive with male laughter.
    Fernando even chuckled at the news. Hoover Lyles was a former customer who was quite successful until his overpriced travel agency was labeled a sham. The extravagant prices bought vacations which were far from extravagant.
    â€œWhat’s he got ’em doing?” Fernando asked, leaning against the edge of his desk and waiting for Barry’s response.
    â€œWell, the girls told me they weren’t even sure at first,” he shared, skepticism creeping into his dark brown eyes. “They were told not to say a word about the offer because it was so secretive. They were finally approved after forwarding a portfolio and résumé.”
    â€œPortfolio and résumé?” Chase Shefford, another manager, asked.
    Mbeki grunted. “Sounds shady,” he said.
    â€œWhat are they doing?” Fernando asked.
    â€œThat’s the strange part,” Barry said and leaned forward to brace his elbows on his knees. “The job hasn’t even started yet and they’re already getting paid. Tell you the truth Fern, I don’t even think the girls know what they’re doing.”
    This began another round of discussion amongst the managers. While their voices were raised in debate, Fernando caught Barry’s eye and waved him close.
    â€œDo what you have to and find out exactly what type of position this is,” he ordered.
    Â 
    Contessa didn’t realize she’d been crying until she’d closed the door to her condo, removed her gloves and touched her face. Obviously, she’d been trying to remain cool in front of her employees. She’d looked disappointed enough when Fernando didn’t show for his weekly visit. When someone mentioned that it was Valentine’s Day and they were all excited to see what he’d do for her, she felt her heart drop. Clearly, he wasn’t ready to spend time with her on such an emotional holiday. County told herself she was fine with that. After all, she wasn’t ready either, right?
    â€œGet it together,” she ordered herself shortly and hefted one of the huge Ramsey files she asked Spivey to give over before she left the office. She’d have plenty of time to go through it this weekend she noted grimly and dropped the file to the credenza.
    Unbuttoning the fur-trimmed leather trench, she was about to remove it when something stopped her. There was an infrequent flashing originating someplace deep within the condo. It moved in a frantic fashion and flickered in the most mesmerizing way. The effect beckoned her closer instead of commanding her to turn and race out of the house.
    In the living room, she found a beautifully set table for two before a roaring blaze in the fireplace. Roses had been sprinkled upon the floor where the table sat. The room smelled lightly of the scent. Her curiosity mounting, she stepped closer, observing the romantic scene. Soft music drifted about, something lovely and unrecognizable. Oriental perhaps? Whatever the genre, it only intensified the allure of the environment.
    â€œI’m sorry I missed you at the office.”
    His voice resounded below the music. Contessa turned to find him leaning against the living room’s entryway.
    â€œI had a meeting that ran late,” Fernando explained, easing his hands into the pockets of the gray nylon sweats he wore, “I wanted to get this done before you got home.”
    â€œWhat is this?” County breathed, her hand raised to wave weakly toward the room.
    Fernando chuckled and smoothed his knuckles across his beard. “You so hard you don’t think about Valentine’s Day?” he mused.
    County’s lashes fluttered as she turned to observe the table again. Swooning was a definite possibility as she was thoroughly affected by the seduction surging in the air. She jumped, feeling Fernando behind her as he moved to help her out of her coat. She prayed for her