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

provoked in her heart.
“You look fantastic too.”
    A peculiar grin crossed his face, but
vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. “Then we’re well suited,
Carlie.” Her name flowed like music from his lips, and Carlie
feared she was close to swooning. But she didn’t swoon over men,
that was crazy.
    “I haven’t eaten all day,” she said,
suddenly anxious to break the intimate mood. “Are you hungry?”
    “For more than food,” he muttered, but led
her to the door.
    ***
    Carlie focused on the large statue of Buddha
in the center of the restaurant. Bamboo trees surrounded the base
of it. Chinese lanterns hung at intervals across the ceiling, and a
crystal chandelier dominated the center space above the statue. It
was certainly higher class than her small shop, but Carlie found
the excessive amount of red too stifling and hot. Or maybe it was
her dinner companion that made the room seem to lack oxygen.
    She took another bite of mandarin chicken,
though she was unable to enjoy it, nervous about the stall in
conversation. They’d discussed karate as much as they could while
waiting for their entrees. Nick seemed content to watch her eat,
but the silence unnerved her.
    “What do you do for a living?” she
asked.
    He picked at the chicken almond ding with
chopsticks, though only a little food remained on his plate. “I
invest in startups.”
    “Businesses?”
    “Restaurants. This place is my newest
venture. That’s why I moved here, to make sure it gets off to a
good start.” Nick glanced around the room. “What do you think?”
    That I wish I met you five months ago
when I needed money for a new oven. She studied the room with
fresher eyes before answering him. “The bamboo’s a nice touch.”
    “My idea. You don’t see live plants much in
restaurants anymore.”
    Silence rushed to fill the space between
them. Desperate to keep the conversation moving, Carlie jerked her
chin in the direction of the chandelier. “I love how big that
is.”
    “Really?” Nick lifted one eyebrow and his
lips quirked at the corners. “I’ve heard size is important.”
    Embarrassment burned all the way up her neck
and face. “I meant the chandelier. I wasn’t saying...” Holy crap.
She was supposed to flirt. Another woman would have come up with a
witty comeback, but Carlie had nothing.
    He laughed and reached across the table,
patting her hand. “Relax. I figured that’s what you meant. Just
trying to lighten the mood.”
    “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so
nervous.”
    “It’s okay, but you really don’t need to be.
I don’t bite. Well,” he glanced at the tablecloth briefly before
looking at her again, heat in his gaze, “not on the first
date.”
    “I...you...” Carlie gasped for a few seconds
and then sighed. Shelley would be so disappointed in her. “I’m not
good at this.”
    “You’re not trying to tell me you don’t date
much, are you?”
    “Well, actually, I don’t.” She took a sip of
water. The truth was the wrong path to take here. Guys wanted
worldly, experienced girls who knew how to have a good time.
    Flirt!
    She winked at him, hoping it didn’t look
like she had something in her eye. “At least, not men as sexy as
you.”
    He winked back. “And big, don’t forget
big.”
    He must delight in flustering her. She
fanned herself with her hand. “You’re certainly forward.”
    “Life’s too short to be timid.” He leaned
across the table and held her hand in his. “I’ve learned to go
after what I want.”
    “And you want me?” Her voice came out as
barely a whisper.
    Nick squeezed her hand. “Do you like to
dance, Carlie? A beautiful woman should dance.”
    She couldn’t help but be charmed by him.
Nick had no problem dishing out compliments. That was unexpected,
but nice. “I haven’t done much dancing.” The last time had been at
her wedding. Ryan didn’t like going out much—at least, not as a
couple.
    Nick stood in a fluid motion and pulled her
to her feet.