False Pretenses Read Online Free PDF Page A

down pat. “I text you just to say I love you at various times of the day.”
    He fingered her palm. That was the kind of thing she dreamed of having with someone, a closeness that reached across space and time, trust and loyalty that didn’t waver. Would Nathan be faithful to the woman he dated, or would he tell her up front she would never be the only one?
    “I’m not into open relationships,” she blurted, and he started in surprise.
    “Neither am I. I do not share my woman.” Switching directions, he added, “My favorite food is French fries.”
    She laughed. “Seriously?”
    “Does that seem weird?”
    “I don’t know. You don’t look like the French fry type.”
    “Meaning?”
    He didn’t appear to be offended, so she told him the truth. “The corporate kind of man who knows which of the fancy forks to use when at a formal dinner.”
    His boyish smile took her breath away. “Ah, but that’s the appeal of the French fry. You can’t enjoy it unless you eat it with your fingers.”
    “And it’s not good if it’s not a little greasy.”
    “Agreed!”
    After another hour or so of getting to know each other, Alyssa began nodding off, and Nathan rose and dragged her to her feet. By now his arms around her had started to feel normal and comfortable.
    “Time for bed,” he announced.
    She yawned, leaning on his chest, and they strolled back to the room. “Good night,” Alyssa murmured and stumbled into her room. She shut and locked the door and then leaned on it. Even the chilly panel didn’t cool her hot body. Everything about him excited her, from his smile, to his voice, to his eyes, and his touch…
    She didn’t know how she would bear the coming week. At least if she revealed her attraction, she could put it down to great acting. If nothing else, she needed to guard her heart and know, in the end, it would all benefit her business.
     
    * * * *
     
    In the late afternoon, Alyssa and Nathan checked out of the hotel and were driven to another location. When Alyssa stepped into the lobby of the new place, she wrinkled her nose in confusion and turned to Nathan. “I thought we were going to your parents’ house? What’s the name of this hotel?”
    He grinned, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “This is our family estate here in the islands.”
    Embarrassment and wonder washed over her at the same time. The ground floor where they stood spread out so open and big, it rivaled the best and most expensive of hotels. Just past the front door, an arrangement of real palm trees stretched up from the first floor almost to the third. Double dark oak doors lined the walls on the first and second floor, while windows lined those of the third. One side of the third led off into some other part of the house. The very fact that she saw all of this from where she stood blew her mind.
    While she wanted to continue to gawk at the house that must be worth millions, a maid glided down the stairs and approached them. Her straight back and serviceable uniform impressed Alyssa all the more. “Mr. Corde, welcome home, sir.”
    “Talia, thank you,” Nathan responded. “This is my girlfriend, Alyssa. Can you show her to her room?”
    The woman didn’t bat an eyelash at the fact that Alyssa’s skin was as brown as hers. She smiled and nodded her greeting. Alyssa found her voice and answered in kind.
    “Mrs. Corde gave instructions for Ms. Alyssa to be placed in your room, sir. Aziz has already taken the luggage up. Ms. Alyssa, I’ll show you the way.”
    “Wait, in Nathan’s room?” Alyssa squeaked.
    Nathan cleared his throat. Before either of them could speak further, a woman called out from behind them, and Alyssa and Nathan turned. The woman hurrying up the few steps to the doorway appeared to be an older female version of Nathan. Alyssa knew this must be his mother.
    “Nathan, darling,” she cooed and raised her cheek for Nathan to kiss. He did so and drew his mother in for a warm hug. She didn’t reach