Free Victim of Deception by Lynn LaFleur

help you with something?”
    She wanted to get Kevin’s opinion about renovating the bedroom she liked so much. Getting Max to look at it first only made sense. Friend or not, she doubted if Kevin would have Max working for him if Max wasn’t good at his job. “Come with me please.”
    She led the way upstairs and down the hall. Outside the door to the bedroom, that strange chill flowed over her again. She paused and looked over her shoulder at Max. He was looking up at the ceiling, a slight frown on his lips. “What’s wrong?”
    “I feel cold air.” His gaze met hers. “You didn’t turn on the A/C, did you?”
    “No, I didn’t.”
    “Weird.”
    With a shrug, Max reached past her to turn the doorknob. He pushed open the door and Karessa stepped across the threshold. He followed her into the room. Turning in a circle, he took in everything from the ceiling to the floor, including the furnishings. When he faced her again, a sensual light filled his eyes.
    “It’s sexy and feminine, just like you.”
    She slipped her hands in her slacks pockets, unsure how to respond to his observation. Deciding it was best to ignore it, she returned to the subject of the house. “I’ve thought about making it my bedroom. Aunt Grace’s room is nice, but this room is…” She stopped, not knowing what words to use to describe how she felt about this room.
    Max nodded. “I understand.” He took one step closer to her. “What do you want me to tell Kevin?”
    “There’s a small sitting room next to this one. I’m wondering if it can be turned into a bathroom. I’d like to make a door in the wall there…” She pointed to the wall on her left. “So it could be my private bath.”
    “I doubt that would be a problem, but it depends on the plumbing. Eddy can tell you better than I can.” He slipped his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. “This is the first time I’ve been upstairs. Kevin assigned me to the kitchen.” He gazed at her again. “It doesn’t look like it needs much work. It’s almost as if…” He stopped.
    Karessa knew what he’d been about to say. “It’s almost as if someone lives here.”
    “Yeah.” Walking over to the dresser, he ran his fingers along the polished wood. “No sawdust. Have you cleaned in here today?”
    She shook her head. “The door was padlocked. I couldn’t find the key, so the plumber unscrewed the hinges for me over a weekago, but I haven’t cleaned anything. I don’t know how long it had been locked up.”
    “Even with the door shut, dust would seep in over time.”
    Cool air flowed over Karessa, making her shiver. She wrapped her arms across her breasts.
    “You okay?” Max asked.
    She nodded. “I just had a chill.”
    Eyes narrowed, he walked up to her. “Are you sure that’s all?”
    “Of course I’m sure. I…” She stopped when a sharp pain passed through her forehead. She winced and pressed her hand against her temple.
    “You have a headache, don’t you?” Max asked.
    “It isn’t bad.”
    “Yeah, right.” He stepped behind her and laid his hands on her shoulders. “Let me help—”
    She jerked away from him. “I told you not to touch me.”
    She heard him release a heavy sigh as she faced him again. “I wasn’t making a pass, Karessa. I only want to help.”
    “I don’t need your help.”
    “Max?” Kevin called out. “You upstairs?”
    “Yeah,” Max said, his gaze still on Karessa’s face.
    She turned to the door. Kevin walked down the hall toward them. When he reached the doorway, he stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened and his eyebrows disappeared into his hair.
    “Whoa!”
    “What’s wrong?” Karessa asked.
    “I can’t…go in there.”
    “What do you mean, you can’t come in here?” Max asked. “We’re in here.”
    “Yeah, but…” Eyes still wide, he quickly scanned every corner of the room. “I can’t do it, man.”
    “I want this room renovated, Kevin.”
    He held up both hands, palms toward her.