Free Circle of Deception by Carla Swafford

BBY EXAMINED THE ceiling of the elevator as she rode up with Rex. The temperature rose with each floor they passed.
    “You’re beautiful in that dress.”
    Pulled by his soft voice, she looked up and touched the back of her neck. She took a deep breath. Why didn’t they ventilate these boxes? “Thanks.” She forced her gaze to look at anything but him. The picture of him filling out the perfectly cut jacket was forever branded on her retinas.
    “Abby―”
    As soon as the steel panel opened, she hurried to her suite and shut the door behind her, blocking Rex and all thoughts of him. They never locked their doors in the OS Sector. Who would dare steal from them? She only hoped he wouldn’t try to follow her. If he just gave her a few minutes to regroup.
    In seconds, she stripped off the dress and carefully hung it in her closet. She decided to wear a simple flair skirt and wraparound top. The royal blue and bright white complemented her olive skin. What would Rex think of her dressing in two feminine outfits in one day?
    She laughed. Why did it matter? They were playing a part and nothing more. As soon as he learned about the baby, he wouldn’t have anything more to do with her. He’d deserved to know but it was so long ago. She shook her head. Standing there and debating the right and wrong of what had happened was hopeless.
    Had she screwed up again?
    Straightening her shoulders, she opened the door and headed back to Jack’s office. Relieved not to run into Rex and deal with the mixed bag of emotions he invoked, she walked in and stared. Nothing remained of the wedding. Seeing everything back in place brought a weird feeling of desolation over her. Refusing to dwell on it, she looked at Jack and Rex.
    “What?” Their sudden silence brought out her insecurities. “Did I interrupt your secrets?”
    “Come and sit down. We don’t have a lot of time. The party starts at eight. As usual, we’ll have a few operatives on hand. If you have any trouble, just signal to one of us.” Jack leaned back in his chair.
    “We really don’t need to go over the plan again.” Rex stood. The white sport shirt and dark slacks showed off his broad shoulders and firm buttocks. She caught herself before sighing out loud.
    “Humor me. We’ve ensured the news of your recent nuptials reached Brody, and he knows you both will be at the party. Play it safe. Get him interested in the two of you. That will be your ticket to one of his private parties at his farm. Then maybe you can find hints on who designed the ammo and where the facility is located.” Jack handed a large brown envelope to Rex.
    Abby knew inside the envelope was everything needed to don their new personas: Mr. and Mrs. Rurik Volkov. A few short minutes later, they drove out of the underground garage, heading toward I-20 and Birmingham.
    Abby appreciated well-built cars, and the Cadillac CTS provided by The Circle for their cover didn’t disappoint. She leaned back, enjoying the luxury of the soft leather and new car smell. Her old Honda Accord didn’t compare.
    Rolling her head on the support to watch Rex, she decided the car suited him perfectly. Her gaze dropped and returned to his profile. He oozed sex and danger.
    “Do I have cake on my face?” he asked.
    “Was this your idea?”
    He glanced her way and then returned his attention to the interstate. “No.”
    “When did Jack tell you?”
    “This morning when he woke me up.”
    “I wish he’d warned me.”
    She was married. Yet not really. But they were expected to act married. Her fingers curled into her skirt. The freedom of knowing she could touch him and pretend it was part of the job had her aching to feel his warm skin beneath her fingertips, to taste the curve of his neck, and to inhale the manly scent only Rex possessed. Her nipples tingled with the thought of rubbing her naked breasts against his chest.
    “That’s one of the things I’ve always liked about you.”
    “What?” That she