Page 7 of False Pretenses

Nathan held out his hand, and Alyssa slipped her sandals off and then took it. From the first step, her feet sank into the warm white sand, and she followed him along the beach. As they strolled, the sun glowed orange on the horizon, creating a breathtaking view. The night breeze brought the scent of mangoes and lime, and she inhaled it, allowing the atmosphere to ease away some of her worry and stress.

“What about you?” he asked after a few moments of silence.

“Me?”

He nodded. “Over dinner I told you a little of my family. I’d like to learn more about you, and if possible, help you to relax.”

She ducked her head, annoyed he could pick up on how tense she’d been. All through dinner, as they discussed various light subjects, she hadn’t been able to get his family off her mind, especially his father. On top of that, knowing she had to perform for all of them tangled her stomach even more. Sure, she’d been desperate enough to volunteer for this madness, but in the face of it, the situation had changed.

Nathan squeezed her hand to bring her back to the present, and she sighed. “Nothing much to tell. I have no siblings, and I grew up with Trinity and her dad and stepmom.”

His eyebrows rose in the waning light. “Your parents?”

“They were killed in a plane crash when I was ten.”

“I’m sorry.”

She thanked him, and while the tragedy had happened eighteen years ago, she still felt a strong sense of loss at not having a mother.

“What was that like?”

His question surprised her. Most people on hearing she’d been orphaned at a young age shied away from the subject. Studying Nathan, she tried determining if he was insensitive or just nosey. His calm expression gave few real clues, and since she had no reason to ignore him, she answered his query.

“It wasn’t bad. I mean, after my initial grief and depression. Trinity’s dad is an awesome man. He loved me like a daughter, and he offered to let me live in his house forever, even after I grew up. He’s not a blood relationship to me. Trinity’s mother was my mother’s sister, but she left them early on, and he remarried when Trinity was five. Even after

my mother died, she never came to the funeral or to see us.”

“I didn’t know she had such a past. When she mentions her mother, she sounds like she loves her very much.”

“Her stepmom,” Alyssa agreed, “she’s pretty special, but I was determined to stand on my own two feet, and when I found out I had a small inheritance from my parents, I used it to start my business.”

“Interesting. I would enjoy hearing more about your business.” He stopped walking and faced her. “For now, since we don’t have a lot of time, I think we should practice a little more.”

All the relaxation Alyssa had achieved went floating away over the waves of the ocean. When he laid gentle hands on her upper arms, a tremor passed through her that was not all nervousness. He drew her close, and she peered up at him through her lashes. She could say no and tell him they didn’t need all these displays of affection to appear to be in love. Everyone wasn’t that open. The problem was, she wanted to kiss him again, and deeper than the last time.

She licked her lips and waited, but he didn’t close the space between them. Was he nervous as well? Getting bold, she let her sandals fall to the sand and rose up on the balls of her feet. Her hands on his chest, she leaned in and touched her lips to his. Nathan’s hand roamed from her arms to her waist, and he tugged her to him. His lips parted above hers, and the moment his tongue touched the tip of hers, he swept her away on a cloud of yearning that made her cream her panties. Back up, Alyssa. You don’t know what you’re doing, girl.

She pressed tighter to his chest and slid her palms along the contours of his hard muscle. Taut nipples met her fingertips, and she came close to losing her breath. Nathan nudged her chin even higher and deepened the kiss. His tongue snaked along the insides of her mouth and curled with her tongue. A moan rose in her throat, but she tamped it down. At last, she found the strength to pull back, but he sucked a bit, a move that caught her bottom lip between his. The sounds they made when they separated had her wanting to go back, but she stepped out of his hold.

“That was more like it,” he commented, amusement in his tone.

She glared at him. “It was more than necessary. I doubt you’ll need to put your tongue down my throat while your family’s around.”

“Would be convincing.”

“Not on your life, pal.”

He grinned and stuffed his hands in his pockets, but not before she spotted the tent there. She turned her back on him and rubbed a hand over her mouth. When she bent to get her sandals, he beat her to them, stooping way too close. He took his time straightening, and to keep from looking like the scaredy-cat she felt, she held her stance, refusing to be intimidated. Nathan’s suppressed grin and raised eyebrows said he recognized the act for what it was.

“You said you just ended a relationship?” His gaze steadied on her face.

“You’re insinuating I’m inexperienced?” She tilted her head to the side and placed a hand on her hip, challenging him. The sexy eyes crinkled at the ends.

“I would never.” He reached out to grasp a lock of her hair and twirled it around his finger. “From that kiss, I think it’s safe to say you’re not new to the game.”

“Oh, it’s a game, huh?”

“It can be.”

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