Free Deception (Carrington Hill Investigations Book 1) by Kate Allenton Page A

Trip sitting in a chair reading papers. He lowered the report and stood. His hungry stare sent her heart racing. His mouth parted as his gaze travelled down the rest of her body, inch by agonizing inch, as if he were devouring her. Seconds ticked by, though they seemed like minutes, until his gaze met hers again. “You look stunning.”
    She twirled for him. “You don’t think I look like a hooker? ”
    “You’re beautiful.” He picked up a box from the table and stepped toward her as he opened the lid. “I know we were pressed for time before, but I still wanted to do things right.”
    He pulled a ring out of the box and slid the unfamiliar white gold band onto her finger. If she had to guess, the large diamond in the middle was about three carats, flanked by two more; though they were at least a carat each. “What, no confessions of undying love?”
    He lifted an amused brow. “Maybe next time. You’re absolutely beautiful. May I kiss you?”
    Just breath e , she reminded herself. It’s all smoke and mirrors, and besides, he probably compliments all of his women the same way . He wrapped his arms around her. The look in his eyes was anything but innocent. Damn, she was in trouble.
    “You’ve never asked before . Why start now?” She placed her palms on his chest as he pulled her closer. His firm lips met hers, and his touch was gentle. He pulled back and held out his elbow. She hid the disappointment rolling through her body. He was capable of so much more than the peck he’d just given her. She linked her arm through his.
    “I don’t remember if I told you, but thank you for helping us.”
    “Thanks for letting me,” she said. His reminder cleared her head. It wasn’t as though she’d forgotten why she was there, but damn, his closeness screwed with her body and mind. All thoughts of this being anything more than it was instantly vanished.
    T hey reached the landing at the top of the stairs, and she glanced down. About thirty people waited below, talking in small groups. The women were wearing cocktail dresses, the men in suits. “I thought it was just family.”
    He lifted her palm and kissed her knuckles before placing her hand back in the crook of his arm and led her down the stairs. “And a few key players in the company. I thought we’d knock them all out at once.”
    There was an edge to his voice, as if he were saying, “hey, one of these ‘key players’ will soon find their butts in jail, all compliments of my new wife.” She smiled the best smile she could muster, considering the butterflies in her stomach were having a field day. Her gaze gravitated toward the only person she knew in the room. She almost stumbled when she saw a woman on his arm. She let Trip lead her over to the seemingly happy couple. She had to bite her tongue not to tear a new asshole into the cheating bastard. She struggled to keep from balling her fist and knocking Ethan on his ass.
    “Lexi, I’d like you to meet…” Trip was interrupted.
    Ethan appeared beside her and pointed to his twin. “This is Emmitt, my twin, and this is Celia, his wife.” Emmitt, well, what could she really say? The man looked just like Ethan. Tall, dark, and handsome was hardcoded into their DNA. Celia gave Lexi a friendly smile with her perfectly painted lips. She wondered if she was being too critical. Maybe she was. Only time would tell as she got to know the in-laws.
    “Emmitt and Celia both head up my marketing department,” Trip explained. “And this is Lexi Carrington…” He looked down at her, and the familiar sparkle flared in his eyes as he winked. “… my wife.”
    Emmitt glanced from Ethan to Trip and then to her. He cleared his throat and held out his hand. “ Wow, this is a surprise. It’s a pleasure to meet you, and I guess congratulations are in order.”
    Celia held out her hand and shook Lexi’s. “Welcome to the family. If you need anything, anything at all, please don’t hesitate to give me a