Dangerous Disguise

Dangerous Disguise by Marie Ferrarella Page B

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Authors: Marie Ferrarella
Tags: Suspense
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Nothing broke off while I was down there,” he added, holding up one hand and wiggling his fingers for her. A wicked grin on his lips.
    Maybe her concern was misdirected. And the longer she remained, the less resistance she was going to possess. Maren began to get up again.
    “Well, then, I’ll just—”
    He placed his hand over hers, stopping her from rising. “But having coffee with you would go a long way to restoring me to my former self.”
    “If you ask me, you’re already restored.”
    “Please?”
    Maren sighed. She knew she should just leave. It was late and there was a full day ahead of her, not the least of which involved finalizing plans for a wedding reception that was going to be held in their upstairs banquet room a week from Saturday.
    But she hadn’t been able to sleep when he’d called her and something told her she wouldn’t get to sleep easily once she went home. She might as well stay here for a few more minutes. Maybe verbally define their respective roles in regard to one another.
    Sinking back into the seat she’d never fully vacated, she fixed him with a long look. “You’re a very strange man, Jared Stevens.”
    For some reason the sound of the phony name grated on his nerves. “I know a lot of people who would agree with you.”
    “Female people?” The question had just popped up on its own.
    His eyes were smiling as they met hers. “Some of them.”
    She didn’t get him. Why bother trying to win her over? With his looks, he had to be fighting women off at every turn. What was his angle? Was it just that he was drawn to a challenge? Wanted what he felt he couldn’t have? Was she just a game, a prize, a carnival Kewpie doll he meant to knock down off her shelf? It made her feel better to think this way. It helped reinforce the need for her to maintain distance between them.
    “You know, a man like you, I’d think you’d have an active social life, yet every time I look, you seem to be here—” she nodded around at the kitchen “—putting in more hours than you’re being paid for.” In all honesty, he was turning out to be an excellent addition to the staff. If only he didn’t make her feel itchy.
    For a second his expression was unreadable. “Guess I’m just married to my job.” And then his eyes smiled as he watched her. “Kind of like you.” He leaned across the corner of the table, his face less than an inch from hers. “A beautiful woman like you should be out there, in the thick of it.”
    “‘It’ doesn’t appeal to me,” she informed him tersely.
    He wondered if she realized how sensual she looked, taking that stance. Things, he decided, would have gone a whole lot better for him if the woman wasn’t so damn beautiful.
    But he was having a stronger reaction to Maren than he usually had to a beautiful woman. That was the problem. And while playing up to her, he kept getting himself tangled up in his own trap.
    “And just what does appeal to you?” he asked.
    “Making something of myself. Building a career, a reputation. Making Rainbow’s End the best restaurant that I can.”
    She told him everything she’d believed to be true. Her career had meant everything to her. But in the wee hours of the morning, before the light came to chase away the shadows, something inside her whispered that work wasn’t enough.
    Something was missing.
    And Jared hit the target right on the head when he countered softly, “You can’t take that home with you at night.”
    Her eyes met his. Why was he doing this? Why was he rocking the boat? “By the time I get home at night, I’m too tired to do anything but fall into bed. I don’t need anyone else in it.”
    In his mind’s eye, he could see himself falling into bed with her, and his gut tightened in response. “Doesn’t sound like much of a life.”
    He saw temper flare in her eyes as they narrowed. “It suits me.”
    “Does it?”
    “I don’t remember agreeing to a round of ‘Truth or Dare.’”
    The

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