Deadly Desire Read Online Free PDF Page A

with whatever he said once again.
    My phone buzzed, jolting me out of my thoughts. I quickly glanced at the screen. Pierce’s driver, Anton, was here. My nerves ramped up a notch as I grabbed Cynthia’s black clutch and took a deep breath. No matter what had happened in his office, we were going on a real date now, and that’s all that mattered.
    Outside, I found a limo idling on the curb. Anton smiled and held open the door, and when I slid inside, I found myself face to face with Pierce. He wore a black tux, and the entire car was full of his cologne, a tantalizing scent that wrapped around me. Smiling, he handed me a glass of champagne just as Anton shut the door behind me.
    “Cheers, Emma,” Pierce said, lifting his own glass.
    I clinked my glass against his and took a sip. The liquid burst along my tongue, bubbly and sweet. I’d never had champagne before, but if this is what it tasted like, I hoped it wouldn’t be a long time until my next glass. Though on my salary, it’d probably be awhile.
    “You look beautiful,” he said.
    I smiled and smoothed down Cynthia’s dress. “Thank you. So do you.”
    He smirked. “I’ve never had a woman tell me I look beautiful before.”
    Inwardly, I groaned. For some reason, I couldn’t stop myself from coming across like a complete idiot in front of this guy. Though, truthfully, he did look very handsome. His facial hair was just long enough that it gave his chiseled jaw extra definition, and his dark hair curled around his face. His eyes were fierce and hot, and his biceps bulged against his tailored suit. He looked so good, I could have skipped dinner and had him to eat instead.
    It was almost as if he could read my mind because a knowing smile lit his lips. “After dinner, I thought we could enjoy some drinks back at my apartment.”
    I let out a long, slow breath. My mind went completely blank. I had no idea how to answer that. Of course I wanted to go back to his place. But I also didn’t know if it was such a great idea. No matter what had happened in his office, I barely knew the guy. Shouldn’t I try to play it cool?
    But I was saved from an answer when the limo rolled to a stop, and a second later, Anton was opening the door. I slid out into the vibrant Manhattan night and glanced up to see where we were. I gasped. We were standing just outside The Lux, an exclusive restaurant only the wealthiest could afford.
    I glanced down at my dress. No way could I fit in there wearing this. As nice as Cynthia’s outfit was, it wasn’t exactly a designer label. Plus, how did someone even act in a place like this? Were there rules and standards I wouldn’t know how to follow?
    “Relax.” Pierce pressed a comforting hand against my back. “We have a private table in the back, so we won’t be disturbed.”
    My shoulders eased just an inch as we made our way into the lush restaurant. Overhead, chandeliers sparkled, and soft music played from a live piano just inside the front doors. Just like the club from the other night, every man in the place wore a suit, and all the women were donned in the sleekest of dresses, their necks sparkling with diamonds.
    The table host led us past a sleek bar and to a table near the back, just like Pierce had said. We still had a view of the piano, but any sight of us was blocked from the rest of the guests. Sighing, I tried to relax, but I couldn’t help but wonder why he’d booked something so reclusive. While it saved me from looking like an idiot in front of all these wealthy women, had he only done it for himself? There was no way he could have known I’d be nervous about being somewhere like this. Maybe the reason no one knew he took women on dates was because he hid them in back tables where no one could see. Or maybe , a little voice inside me said, he’s ashamed to be seen with a girl like you .
    Pierce flicked his hand at the waiter and ordered before I realized what was happening. A moment later, the waiter reappeared