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The problem isme.
But I keep that locked down.
He seems to hesitate before giving my shoulder a final squeeze and leaving the conference room. With a heavy exhale, I gather my things and head out. The chauffeured town car delivering me back to the opulent Park Avenue apartment is jarringly quiet after the morning’s debate. The car pulls up to the imposing apartment building. I smooth my doubts away, mentally preparing to don the mask of Natalie Moreau once more.
Back straight, head high, I stride through the lobby, wondering exactly what Alessa de Luca is doing at this moment. Not thinking about me, that’s for sure. Turning the corner, a flash of crimson in my periphery makes me freeze mid-step.
Speak of the devil and she appears…
Alessa lounges on the lobby sofa like she owns the place, clad in a figure-hugging scarlet dress that hugs every curve, her matching coat thrown on the sofa causally. Her green eyes gleam as they rise from her phone—
To me.
“Well hello, stranger. I’ve been waiting ages,” she purrs, husky voice smooth as velvet.
My heart stutters but I keep my expression bright. “Alessa. What—what a surprise seeing you here,” I reply, trying to mimic polite warmth.
My insides are doing that flip-flop thing again. Nerves? Or something else?
She rises languidly, swaying toward me with a grace I know I’ll never have. “Surprised? Oh come now, Natalie, did you really think I wouldn’t track you down after you rushed off the other night?”
Up close, her spicy floral perfume envelops me again. I have to resist the urge to lurch forward into her personal space, and instead I arrange my features into an apologetic look. “Rushed off? I’m not sure what you mean. I had a lovely night.”
Alessa’s grin sharpens, ruby red lips stretching over those pearly teeth. “You’re quite adorable when you’re being coy, has anyone ever told you that? But yes, you most certainlydidrush off from the Ruby. And after I welcomed you so warmly into my club.”
She steps even closer.
“I’m so sorry,” I say carefully. “You’re…absolutely right, how thoughtless of me. I truly am sorry. Please—allow me to properly make it up to you over dinner on Friday to smooth things over?”
Alessa considers me for a long moment, full lips pursed. Tension coils through me as I await her response, acutely aware of the surveillance in the lobby recording our every interaction.
Finally her expression smooths. “Very well, I’ll accept your apology, contingent on dinner and…more of your delightful conversation.”
Her eyes trail down my body in a way that leaves little doubt as to her meaning. Heat blooms beneath my skin.
“Excellent. Shall we say seven o’clock on Friday then?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Alessa says, and I blink. “I think we’ll make it tonight. I’ll pick you up at six. I don’t want to waste another minute of time.” Alessa winks and brushes past me toward the door, trailing the scent of her perfume.
I watch her swaying hips for a few moments before I glance guiltily at the doorman, wondering if he’s staring at me in disapproval. But he’s just watching her leave, too.
I can hardly blame him. It’s quite a view.
I let out a long breath as I walk over to the elevator. Well, that wasoneway to accelerate the timeline, even if not exactly how I would have chosen.
Alessa showing up unannounced puts me on edge. Does she suspect me and my motives? Or is she simply trying to keep me off-balance as a power play? There’s no way to know, and she’s difficult to read.
And dammit, what is it about her that makes it so hard to think?
Pushing down my apprehension, I take the elevator up to the lavish penthouse suite and go straight to the bedroom, where there are no cameras. Alone and away from prying eyes, I sink onto the bed and drop my head into my hands.
What have I gotten myself into?
With a sigh, I straighten my spine. Enough wallowing. I have a job to do. I go to the study and alert the team, so that Kris Hays can suggest some strategies for tonight, and for a second I even consider a wire. Because I find myself wondering if I would benefit from a little extra protection after all…
Protection frommyself.
Alessa is too heady, and that means I might miss something important. Something that could save my life. But the thought of anyone listening into our conversation—no. I don’t like it.
