Love & Deception (Agents in Love - Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

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fine, and I bet he knows how to treat a woman. You deserve a nice
night after putting up with Stephen last weekend.”
    “If you’re sure.”
    “Of course I’m sure. All I want is for you
to enjoy yourself.”
    “Thanks.” Carlie handed the mirror back and
stood up, smoothing her t-shirt against her black slacks. “Now that
you’ve worked so hard on my hair and makeup, I wish I had something
nicer to wear.”
    Smiling, Shelley delved into her backpack,
pulling out a beautiful green sweater with a scooped neckline.
“Voilà.”
    “Do you always carry this much stuff
around?”
    Pulling out a gold chain and a pair of large
hoop earrings, she pressed them into Carlie’s hands. “You never
know when you’ll need to look your best. Can’t land a husband
looking like a waitress who worked all day.”
    Carlie couldn’t help but feel a bit
chastised. She always went around looking like a waitress who
worked all day. In her defense, coming into Carlie’s Creations to
start baking bread at six in the morning and working until six or
seven at night, plus spending an hour and a half in a dojo three
times a week, didn’t leave much time for hair care and applying
makeup. If Nick had been asking Shelley about her for a few weeks,
he must not mind the waitress look as much as Shelley thought he
should.
    She walked into the small bathroom across
from the kitchen and pulled her t-shirt over her head, reveling in
the softness of the sweater when she slipped it on. Although
Shelley filled it up more than she did in front, the cut was
flattering enough that she didn’t mind her slighter
proportions.
    After putting on the earrings and fastening
the chain around her neck, she opened the bathroom door. Only to be
blasted with a squirt of too-sweet perfume.
    “He’s here.” Shelley practically jumped up
and down with excitement. “I’m going to get out of here, but don’t
forget what I said.”
    Carlie’s head was whirling and sweat coated
her palms again. She couldn’t remember being this nervous in a long
while. “What did you say?”
    “Oh...you’re hopeless, Carlie.” Shelley
shook her head and slung the backpack across her shoulder. “Don’t
let the night end without getting a kiss. Good luck. Flirt a
lot.”
    As Shelley walked away, Carlie dried her
hands on her pants again and breathed deeply in an attempt to slow
her heart rate. This wasn’t a date, not really. She had to calm
down. Nick wanted to get to know his future sparring partner.
Shelley had to be mistaken about what she thought was going on.
Somehow, it all got confused. This was simply a dinner between two
people who planned to help each other out.
    She walked through the dark hallway, making
her way to the front of the store. Shelley had turned out all the
lights except the security lamp that always stayed on near the
front door, so shadows cloaked the place.
    Nick stood in the one pool of light. He’d
put on a jacket and tie, which made Carlie even more grateful for
the pretty sweater. He turned as she approached, and his eyes
traveled up and down her body. “Wow!” Nick took a step toward her
and cocked his arm at an angle. “You always look great,
but...wow.”
    Pleased in spite of herself, Carlie slipped
her arm through his. “Thanks. Shelley’s handiwork.”
    When he turned his head toward hers, his hot
breath caressed her cheek. Nick placed his free hand beneath her
chin, gently lifting her face until their eyes met. “You can’t give
her credit for this. You’re beautiful.”
    Carlie licked her lips and hoped he couldn’t
feel her trembling. Stephen certainly hadn’t made her heart pound
so hard or her body shiver with anticipation at the nearness of
him. A small part of her protested, warned that Nick could be
dangerous. He was a stranger, and she avoided strangers at all
costs.
    The bigger part of her told the other to
shut up. Kissing someone dangerous held a certain appeal, and
Carlie loved the warm glow his complement