Living in Secret: Living In..., Book 3 Read Online Free Page A

arrangement.”
    Connor narrowed his eyes. “What kind of arrangement?”
    The other man smiled. “The kind of arrangement where you fuck away your feelings.”
    “Jesus.”
    “What? I hear it works.”
    “And naturally you’re speaking from experience.”
    Again the other man’s gaze went to the woman behind the bar, the look in his eyes softening. “Yeah. But it didn’t work out for me so well. I got stuck with my feelings.”
    Clearly this was a good outcome judging by the expression on his friend’s face. But it wouldn’t be for Connor. He didn’t want to be stuck with the anger. Or the desire, for that matter. What he wanted was for both to be gone so he could get on with his damn life.
    Then again…
    What have you got to lose?
    “Got a buyer for this place yet?” he asked, another graceless change of subject.
    Kahu didn’t take his eyes off Lily. “An old friend of mine is keen. He’s just getting the finances together and then he’s going to make me an offer.”
    Connor paused. “Are you sure you want to sell?”
    His friend flashed him a grin. “I’m sure. Like you, I want to move on. But this time it’s going to be moving on to something different. Something new.”
    “In Sydney? Really?”
    Kahu laughed. “It’s not Sydney that makes it different, mate. It’s Lily.” He finished his beer, put it down on the table and gave Connor a brief, meaningful look. “And I don’t think you quite understand that yet, do you?”
    Connor stared at him. “What are you talking about?”
    Kahu shook his head. “With any luck, you’ll find out. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go help Lily with her…stretches.” He got up from the table and Connor watched as he strode through the tables and crowds scattered around the room, heading toward the bar.
    And he kept watching as Kahu rounded the bar and came up behind his slender dancer, putting his hands on her hips and pulling her close. She smiled, lifting an arm to wind up and around his neck. Eleanor said something, making Lily laugh. And Kahu’s arms slid completely around her, holding her as if she was something precious.
    Connor tore his gaze away, a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Like loss or grief, he couldn’t tell which.
    Either was a problem and either he didn’t want.
    At that point, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He reached down and pulled it out, glancing down at the screen. A text from Victoria of all people.
    Will you be going to the last fling party?
    A second passed where he wondered what on earth she was asking him then he remembered. Kahu was throwing a party here at the club. He hadn’t wanted a goodbye party, settling for a “last fling” party instead, which Connor had to admit, was far more appropriate for Kahu.
    It was promising to be a big one, for members only, prompting a flurry of membership applications Kahu had duly turned down. He’d hinted to Connor it was likely to be the kind of party Connor would find “uncomfortable”. Which meant something sexual no doubt.
    He’d still planned on going because Kahu was a friend and he’d been going to the Auckland Club pretty much since Kahu had taken ownership of it.
    Yes, he texted back.
    Okay. I’ll let Kahu know I won’t be there then.
    Connor stared down at the screen and her reply, feeling that anger turn over inside him once more. He’ll be disappointed if you don’t come, he texted back.
    You’ll be there. We agreed on distance.
    He cursed under his breath, texting back a quick response. It’s one night, Victoria. I’m sure we can manage one night.
    And he meant it. Kahu would be disappointed if either of them didn’t make it and hell, surely they could both handle a couple of hours for one of their closest friends?
    There was a long pause and he wondered if perhaps she wasn’t going to reply. Then at last his phone chimed a response.
    Okay. One night. We don’t have to talk to each other.
    No, damn straight they didn’t.
    His phone