The Chilling Deception Read Online Free Page A

times at the most? You’ve got to admit, he’s tenacious. A lot of other men would have decided the game wasn’t worth it by now."
    The stain on Guinevere’s cheeks darkened. "For someone who was only recently having to see a therapist because of a failed relationship, you certainly sound casual about things now."
    Carla’s gaze softened. "Only because I know Zac is anything but casual in his feelings about you."
    Guinevere turned stiffly back to the window. "You wouldn’t be so sure of that if you’d heard the way he refused to come along on this trip to the San Juans."
    "Is that what’s wrong?" Carla demanded. "He isn’t going with you and Vandyke after all?"
    Guinevere shook her head. "No, he eventually agreed to take the job. But all I got in the beginning was a long harangue about how Camelot Services was starting to appear suspiciously like a rent-a-bedmate agency."
    Carla giggled. "Oh, lord, I can just see it now. My heart goes out to the Frog. He put his foot in his mouth by jumping all over you for agreeing to accompany Vandyke, right?"
    "Something like that." Guinevere sighed.
    "Then he finally realized you were offering him a vacation fling with you, and had to backtrack like mad. Must have been painful for him."
    "It wasn’t exactly pleasant for me either. I thought he’d jump at the chance to go with me," Guinevere said wistfully. "Instead all I got was a lecture, until he finally realized he shouldn’t turn down the job. Zac doesn’t have any major consulting projects scheduled until January. Apparently he decided he could use the work. How do you think I feel, knowing he’s only coming along for business reasons?"
    "If you think that, you’re not bright enough to be running Camelot Services."
    Guinevere glanced up, eyes narrowed. "Well, how would you interpret it?"
    Carla sat down behind Guinevere’s desk. "Simple. His initial reaction was sheer jealousy. It was only after he’d calmed down a bit that he realized you were offering him a weekend fling."
    "I am not offering him a weekend fling, Carla!"
    "Then you can’t blame him for going with you purely for business reasons, can you?"
    Guinevere groaned and leaned her forehead against the cold glass. "It must have been a lot easier in the old days. Back when a woman could simply ask a man if his intentions were honorable."
    "Men lied in the old days as easily as they lie today." Carla’s voice was laced with memories of her own recent experience. "Besides, the definition of ‘honorable’ has changed. It used to mean marriage. Is that what you want?"
    "I’ve only known him a few weeks!" Guinevere said with barely suppressed desperation. "Of course I don’t want to get married. I don’t want to marry anyone. You know that. I’ve got my hands full putting this business on its feet and I’ve gotten very used to my independence. I like being my own boss, Carla, both in business and in my private life."
    "Okay, so you don’t want marriage. What do you want?"
    "Damn it, I don’t know. I just know I don’t like this foggy, undefined kind of relationship. I’m a businesswoman. I like things clear-cut, rational, comprehensible. He’s a businessman. I thought he’d want the same clarity in his personal life."
    Carla’s mouth curved gently as she studied her sister. "What would make your relationship with Zac clear-cut, defined, and rational?"
    "I wish I knew." Guinevere thought about the question. What did she want from Zac? "I just wish I knew." She straightened away from the window, forcing a determined smile. "And on that note, I guess I’d better go home and pack. Vandyke wants to leave first thing in the morning."
    "You’re really concerned about him, aren’t you?" Carla asked shrewdly. "Not good to get emotionally involved with a client, Gwen. No wonder Zac was annoyed when you announced you were running off to the San Juans with Vandyke."
    "I’m not emotionally involved," Guinevere said bluntly. "Not in the way Zac first thought.