Deceit Read Online Free PDF

affect her emotionally. “They were designed for SwanSea. Each designer was inspired by an aspect of SwanSea, whether it was a color, a texture, a pattern, or, with some, even just a feeling. Then they created a gown that would complement that aspect or conjure up the feeling that had inspired them.”
    “Maybe. At least that’s what the press release said. But when they designed the gowns, they knew you were the model who would be wearing them. I’m willing to bet that a large portion of their inspiration came from you.”
    “The gowns aren’t for me,” she repeated firmly. “Any model could wear them. And they’re to be auctioned off at the end of this two-week opening celebration. The proceeds will go to charity.”
    “Still, the ones I’ve seen you in so far look as if they’d been made solely for you. Especially the teal gown you were wearing last evening.”
    “You've seen me in other gowns? You saw me modeling today?” How could she have been unaware of him watching her? she wondered, disturbed at the thought.
    “I caught an occasional glimpse of you here and there. It was hard not to. You seemed to be everywhere. ”
    “I only remember three locations.”
    “Whatever,” he said in a tone that expressed boredom with the subject, then took her by surprise by abruptly turning toward her. “Has it been worth it, Liana? Doing everything you’ve had to do to achieve your success?”
    “Yes,” she replied without hesitation, understanding that they were talking about two different things, but also understanding that it would make no difference if he knew. She’d left a deep scar in him. She was well acquainted with scars. She had her own to deal with.
    Suddenly the imaginary match lit.
    He reached out and grasped her face between the long fingers of his hand. “This face,” he muttered. “This damnably beautiful face.”
    Her fragile shield of composure disintegrated with his touch, and in its place, a treacherous need sprang up, softening the urge to recoil and run. “It’s ugly,” she whispered.
    “Yeah.” He burst out with a hard laugh. “So ugly its image is permanently burned on the inside of the brain of every man who’s ever seen it.” He stepped closer, his body brushing against hers, and her nerves reacted, coming alive, crackling with pleasure and pain. “You're exaggerating. There’s nothing remotely attractive about me. My hair is board straight.”
    “It’s thick, and silky, and just the right length to wind around a man’s body.”
    Something molten and debilitating coiled through her. “My lips are too big—”
    “They’re full and sensuous and make a man fantasize about what it would be like to have his lips sealed to them for about a month.”
    “You’re wrong.” She stopped, cleared an obstruction from her dry throat, and tried again. “My eyebrows feather instead of going in a straight line.”
    “They make a man wonder if there’s something not quite tame beneath that perfect control you project.”
    Somehow she managed to continue to draw air into her lungs, but the air seared her insides like a desert wind, leaving her struggling for breath. Frantically she searched for something else to say. “My eyes are an odd color and too far apart.” “They’re arresting and impossible to look away from.”
    “My jaw is too strong.”
    “Yeah, but look how well it fits into my hand.”
     “My skin—”
    “Catches all available light. I’m sure Savion has told you it’s what makes you a dream to photograph. I’m sure he’s also told you that your skin is so soft, stroking it makes a fire start in his belly. And, honey, I bet he strokes you a lot. He’d have to be crazy not to.”
    His thumb and finger had begun to rub her jaw, and as he spoke, they worked up to her cheeks, pressing harder and harder until it seemed as if he were trying to scrub something off her skin. She wasn’t sure he was aware of the pressure he was exerting, but she was very aware