Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Being on my own has never bothered me. But lately, my life is starting to feel empty and that’s just one more reason I need to get the hell away from Atlas. “If I knew why Karma is taunting me, I’d be a psychologist. Now, get lost before you scare her off.”
He grunts and stands. “Find her tonight.”
Just as I’m finishing my scotch, the bartender sets a glass in front of me filled with pink liquid. “This is from the lady over there.”
“Point to her,” I instruct the bartender and pick up the drink. I take a sip of the sweet cocktail that has a bite to it.
He nods to a woman in a sequin dress. Her curves remind me of Atlas and for a moment my mouth goes dry. But I force myself to remember that it’s not her. She’s here flirting with rich boys.
I cross to the room where Miss Karma is.
She gives me a cheeky grin. “Did you enjoy the drink?”
“Do you want to tell me what it was?” I gesture toward the dance floor and hold out my hand to her. This woman has been hacking me for several weeks and has taken the time to meet with me in person. Clearly, she wants something.
She puts her hand in mine and I lead her to the dance floor.
I put a hand on her hip when she steps into my arms. Something about her feels familiar, like hearing your favorite song on the radio again after not listening to it for years.
“Did you come all this way to dance with me, sweetheart?” I ask as we sway along to the violin music.
“It’s one of the reasons.” Her tone is breathy, like we’re doing a hell of a lot more than just dancing.
“What are the other ones?”
Her gaze drops to my lips and she licks her own. “I think you already know.”
“There are easier ways to get my attention than hacking.” It’s the one piece that doesn’t fit. Why go to the trouble of hacking me if she just wants a one-night stand?
She shrugs, a move that causes her dress to ride lower on her chest, giving me a peek at delicious cleavage. Freckles dot the valley, reminding me of Atlas.
“I’m the woman who loves a challenge,” she answers as the song ends.
When we leave the dance floor, I grab two flutes of champagne from the waiter and pass her one.
She accepts it and lifts her other hand to touch her mask. That’s when I spot it. The tiny freckle that Atlas has. In the exact same location.
Fuck me. Miss Karma is Atlas.
She’s been flirting with me for weeks as Miss Karma, teasing me just like she did in Mexico. Back then, I walked away. But tonight, I’ll call her bluff. I’ll teach her what happens when she plays with fire.
5
ATLAS
The way Eric keeps flirting with Miss Karma sends jealousy through me. Why couldn’t he ever flirt with me this way?
I take a small sip of my champagne and try not to grimace. I’ve never liked the taste of bubbly, but Eric knows that. I don’t want to give him any clues as to my real identity.
Eric leans close to my ear. His breath is warm against the skin of my neck. “Let’s go somewhere more private.”
The words send a thrill of anticipation through me. I wish he knew who I was. That Eric would say those words to me for real. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“Do you want to be seduced?” Something flickers in his eyes. It’s the same look he had on his face in Mexico. Desire.
I swallow another sip and nod, not trusting my voice.
He slips an arm around my shoulder and pulls me close. Tucked up against him like this, I’m reminded of how protective Eric was on that trip. How he wouldn’t let any flirty guys get within ten feet of me.
We make our way through the throng of successful executives and their families before finally arriving at the elevator.
Inside, he mashes the button for the top floor then takes a step toward me.
I step backwards, like I did outside. It thrills me the way he backs me up against surfaces, so I have no escape. No way to retreat from him.
For a second, I worry he’ll reach for my mask and I’ll never get a chance to seduce him.
But instead of going for the mask, he lowers his head. “Those red lips have been tempting me all night.” He presses a kiss to my jaw. “If you don’t want this, you better push me away now.”
I press my chest against his, my breasts suddenly feeling achy. “All I’m hearing is talk.”
Then his lips are on mine, devouring me. Consuming me. He teases the seam of me with his tongue. The moment I open to him, his tongue is tracing the plains of my mouth.