The Monte Carlo Affair: Across A Crowded Room (IATO Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

now she knew there wasn’t anything wrong with her. At least she could thank Mosel for that tidy bit of information. She also realized what the difference in her feelings was. She’d never stopped loving Jason. But the more time she and Mosel spent together, the more he ingrained himself deeper in her heart.
    What if he’d actually been involved with her father’s murder?
    She sipped her drink, determined to stay focused on her role. “I don’t want anyone to think I’m getting preferential treatment or using you in any way.”
    “Let me worry about all that.”
    She slipped her glasses back on. Perhaps she could lie better from behind the dark lenses. “You know my friends are coming from the States? I already scheduled time to be with them. I hope it doesn’t seem excessive.”
    He stood and ran his hand up her arm. “Don’t worry so much what people think, meine liebling .”
    He reached around her waist with his other hand, surrounding her, brushing back strands of loose hair from her face. “Anyway, I know what your real motives are.”
    “Do you?” Emily’s heart jumped involuntarily with concern. Hopefully, the pounding in her chest would be mistaken for ardor.
    He lifted her glasses back onto her head and looked her straight in the eye. “Oh, yes, I do.”
    Mosel pulled her down to the sundeck. “You’re trying to seduce me with your rare beauty, intelligence, and innocence. Did I tell you it’s working?”
    He bent over her, tipping her chin to his, and lightly kissed her mouth, his tongue running across the seam of her lips.
    “Mmm, you taste like salt.” He pulled back and licked his lips.
    “I–I’ve never seduced anyone in my life.” Okay, a little lie . Just once. She could hardly count something that had gone so badly that she still hadn’t fully recuperated from the after-effects. She swore she’d never try her hand at seduction again. And here she was neck deep in another seduction.
    “A joke. I was only teasing, ma chérie .” He laughed and pointed. “Your mouth is open.”
    “And you switch languages like you switch women.” Or political allegiance. Emily smiled wryly and shrugged nervously. His reputation was as outrageous as his behavior.
    He pretended to be wounded.
    “Sorry, but all the men at work tease me about being gullible.”
    “No, liebl ...” He stopped. “I’m sorry.”
    One more time Emily was reminded why she was attracted to him. Remembering his position, an arms dealer of international stature, was hard when he seemed so charming, so very normal, so damn endearing. He was mysterious in a certain way, withholding a wealth of undiscovered secrets. Add charisma and sparkle to his undeniable good looks and such a man was irresistible to both women and men. His secret was a promise of untapped potential, somehow guaranteeing any ensuing trouble might be well worth the risk.
    She reconsidered her reasons for being there. The job she performed, both personally and professionally depended on it. Her responsibility to the agency came first. As fantastic as he seemed, she had to remember what this man and his associates were like.
    Even though his many kindnesses surprised her, Emily fought to maintain her perspective about Mosel. He was an assignment. For the time being, her assignment was pleasant and attractive. But that didn’t mean he could be trusted. This type of intrigue might be foreign to her, but she constantly reminded herself, he was her mark.
    “The men at work are forever pulling tricks on me. I guess it would be fair to admit I am a bit naïve.” Emily laughed, uncomfortable about playing into the role, even though she fit into it perfectly. Now she understood why Jason picked her for this mission. She didn’t have a lot of acting to do, so far. It wasn’t a challenge for her to pull off innocent. On so many levels, her naivety flickered through. The seductress part would be a stretch for her. Harder for her to play and even harder to figure