Beyond Love Lies Deceit (8 page)

“I was hoping that you would be able to accompany me.” He adds on, pulling my gaze back to his face.

“What?” I blurt, not sure how to react.

“We are trying to close a deal with a small tech business on the East Coast. The CEO and primary stock holder is proving rather difficult to sway due to other competitors advances. I could use someone with your talents to help me make sure when it’s all said and done, he ends up on our side of the playing field.”

“Talents?” I question, not sure what to make of the comment.

“Sometimes it takes a woman’s touch.” He gives me a sweet smile which immediately brings one to my own face as well.

“Is that so?” I laugh lightly.

“It is. Grumpy old men tend to have a hell of a lot harder time saying no to a pretty woman then to someone like me.” He shakes his head on a light laugh. “Do you think you could make it work?”

“You’re the boss Mr. Scott. I will do whatever you need me to.” I respond. “When would we be leaving?”

“The private jet will fly us out tonight.” He says, laughing when my eyes go wide.

“Tonight?”

“In three hours to be exact.” He laughs again. “You’re welcome to go ahead and wrap up whatever you are working on and head home to pack. I will have a car pick you up at seven sharp.”

“Actually, can I just meet you there?” I ask, knowing that if he shows up where I claim to live, he will find that I don’t actually live there.

While I succeeded in fooling Ryan on my place of residence, I doubt I could manage to get to my real home, pack, and then be able to make it to the Regency by seven considering it’s nearly five now. Not to mention there is something so different about deceiving Ryan than there is Luke. Luke is different and while I know lying to him is inevitable, I don’t want to do it when it’s avoidable.

When this all blows up, because it eventually will, I would like to contain the blast radius as much as possible. People are going to get hurt, one way or another, but if I can keep Luke from being one of those people, then that’s exactly what I am going to do.

“It’s actually a private air strip and gaining access is not as easy as you might think. However, if it’s easier, you can just meet me back here once you’ve had a chance to pack and we can head over together.”

“Okay, that should work.” I agree, knowing that my actual apartment is much closer than the Regency and I should have no trouble getting there and then back here in time.

“How should I pack?” I ask, having no idea what type of attire is going to be required for this trip.

“We’re meeting with the board of Cyntech first thing tomorrow morning; your normal work attire should suffice. I would suggest bringing at least two professional outfits as we may be there for a couple of days. Tomorrow night we have reservations at Sachkets for drinks. I would suggest a nice cocktail dress or something similar. Our time there will hinge on how everything goes.”

“Got it.” I nod, my stomach already swirling at the thought of spending two days alone with Luke on the complete opposite side of the country.

“Meet me in the lobby at seven.” He instructs, pushing away from the counter and crossing the small space towards the door. Turning just inside the doorframe, my stomach twists tighter when his eyes once again meet mine. “And thank you.” He adds, a half smile pulling up one side of his mouth.

“For what?” I ask, confused by his comment.

“For agreeing to accompany me. Typically I would do this alone but something tells me I am going to need you.” His smile widens causing a fluttering sensation to swarm my chest.

“Of course.” I force a smile, despite the weakness that seems to have formed in my knees at his words.

It might just be my imagination but I swear he put an emphasis on the word
need
and as he throws me another nod and quickly disappears down the hall. It takes everything I have to reel in my nerves and shake off the feeling that thought leaves me with.

I know better than to get involved with Luke. Even if he wanted it to, I could never deceive him that way. I could never let myself be with him knowing every single thing he knows about me is actually a lie. Hell, he doesn’t even know my real name.

And while it’s easy to get lost in the fantasy of what this situation could be like, I know that at the end of the day it’s just that; a fantasy. Luke Scott could never want a woman like me. And since when have I cared if someone wanted me?

Therein lies my real problem. Luke stirs something in me, something that makes me feel almost normal. When he looks into my eyes, I am no longer
this
person. I am no longer part of this reality. I am simply a woman; a woman who longs for the man staring back at her, a woman who dreams of experiencing the ultimate fairytale; the handsome man swooping in and rescuing her from her damned fate to ride her off into the sunset where they will live happily ever after.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and push the thought away. For the first time in a very long time I find myself wanting something beyond my revenge. I think that’s the most unsettling part for me; knowing that the person capable of making me feel this way is tied directly to my road to vengeance.

There’s no way I walk away from this situation a winner. No matter the outcome, I’ve already lost too much to ever consider myself victorious. But the thought that at the end of this I might have a chance at a normal life is something I have never considered before.

At least not until Luke.

He makes me long for a life I thought was out of my reach. He makes me want so much more for myself and yet, I hardly know him. It’s not about what he has done but rather, how he makes me feel. It’s in the simple everyday actions that I find this to be the truest.

Just being in the same room as him, feeling his eyes on my face, is enough to show me that beyond all the hatred and anger, the lies and deceit, there is a woman that still longs for the one thing everyone wishes to find; love.

––––––––

S
amantha

I can’t believe I’m actually here; New York. I knew coming here would be emotional, considering this is where Sean died, but I was absolutely not prepared for how good it feels being so far away from the West Coast, almost like existing in a completely different world.

I cross the space of my large hotel bedroom, which is included in the penthouse suite, to the massive set of double windows that sit along the back wall. I can’t imagine what a room like this cost but considering its location in the heart of the city, I would say staying here one night is more than I make in a month. The thought is a bit nauseating really.

What is it with rich people throwing their money away on unnecessary things? Would it be so bad to just stay in a normal hotel room like a regular person? Even still, I can’t deny the beauty of my lush surroundings or the amazing view of the city that stretches out before me. The view is breathtaking and completely intimidating at the same time.

When Luke first mentioned the trip, I just assumed I would be staying in my own room. I never imagined we would be staying in a hotel room that looks more like an apartment or that I would be sleeping in a room just feet from where Luke will be staying. The thought makes my stomach twist tightly; mainly because it excites me but more because that excitement terrifies me.

I hear a light knock on my door, jumping slightly as the noise startles me.

“Yes.” I manage to croak out, my voice breaking at the end.

“Hey.” Luke gives me a sweet smile the moment he steps into the half open doorway.

“Hey.” I smile, turning inward to face him.

“I have a few things I need to work on before our meeting tomorrow. I’m going to head down to the lounge.  I just wanted to make sure you have everything you need.” He glances at the view behind me before meeting my gaze again. “It’s incredible isn’t it?” He gestures to the window, not allowing me to answer his first question before asking another.

“It really is.” I agree, turning slightly to look back out over the city.

“I remember when I used to come here with my mom as a kid.” He says, pausing.

I tense when I realize that he has not only entered the room completely but is now standing just two feet from me, sharing in my view of New York.

“She would always make sure whenever we came here with my father on business that we got the highest room she could find in the city.” He continues. “After the sun would set, we would sit next to the windows and look out over the city. Each time she would pick a building and then she would tell me a story of how it came to be. She loved history.” He gives me a side glance, answering my question before I can ask.

“She was part of a group in California that restored historic buildings. She said it was so important to understand and appreciate the past so that we never forget what came before us, what made us who we are today.” Despite the incredible view below me, I can’t keep my eyes from the side of Luke’s face as he speaks.

It’s clear to see he loved his mother very much and I immediately think back to the reports I read on her death. Heart Disease I believe. As I study Luke’s profile, it’s easy to see that he is still haunted by the loss.

I can’t help but feel like this is a side of Luke Scott few people see. It’s strange really, seeing such a powerful intimidating man let down his guard. There’s something so beautiful about his vulnerability.

“Anyways.” He shakes his head, pulling himself from the moment. “I guess I should go. If you need anything room service will take care of you.” He seems to close down as quickly as he opened up, the sudden change leaving me with a feeling of whiplash.

“Will you be gone long?” I ask, hating that the question somehow seems desperate.

“I’m not sure.” He answers, giving me a half smile. “Try to get some sleep.” He backs slowly away from the window, eventually turning his back to me completely as he crosses the room towards the door.

“Luke.” His name almost feels unfamiliar on my lips because I am so used to calling him Mr. Scott.

He turns back to face me just as he steps into the hallway.

“Would it be possible for me to do a little exploring while we are here? I have a few places I would really like to see and I was hoping maybe I could squeeze in a couple of hours of sightseeing.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged.” He smiles. “Goodnight Allie.” The use of the name leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth but I swallow it down, nodding as he turns and disappears down the hall.

Hugging my arms around myself, I peer back out over the city, catching my own reflection in the window as I do. I stare at myself; study the lines of my face, the darkness of my eyes. I wish I recognized this girl. I wish I knew who she was but I don’t. It may be my face that I see, but that doesn’t change that the person staring back at me is nothing more than a stranger.

****

“S
o you think it went well?” I peer up at Luke as we make our way out onto the busy sidewalk, almost immediately colliding with an oncoming patron who shows very little remorse for nearly running me over.

“New Yorkers.” He smiles, clearly catching the brief anger that flares in me over the man’s reaction. “Don’t worry, they aren’t all like that.” He glances back towards the direction of the man and then back down to me.

“Everyone seems so... stressed.” I admit. “Like they can’t get where they are going fast enough.” Coming from the West, it is a completely different feel than what I am used to.

“True, though I suppose most people that live here find that energizing. I love the hustle and bustle of the city. Mainly because it’s so different but also because everything seems so alive. Not that L.A. doesn’t have that too but it’s just not the same. There’s not a place on earth like New York.” He grabs my elbow, steering me to the left past a long strip of massive stores.

“And to answer your question, yes, I think it went very well.” He smiles down at me, before turning his attention forward again.

“So what happens now?” I ask, gently brushing into his arm as I try to avoid yet another patron who finds it necessary to walk in the center of the sidewalk.

I feel him tense at the contact and immediately correct the action.

“Sorry.” I apologize, glancing up at the side of his face to see his forehead creased in concentration.

He remains silent for another long moment before finally answering my question.

“Tonight we will meet with Mr. Porter and his son to discuss finalizing Sco-Tech’s offer. I’m hoping we did enough today to have them ready to discuss terms.” He veers to the right, his hand going to the center of my back as he guides me in the same direction.

Heat immediately forms at the point of contact and begins slowly spreading through my limbs. I try not to let the feeling consume me but the task proves easier said than done. When he finally drops his hand an immense amount of disappointment immediately takes its place.

We continue the walk back towards the hotel in silence. It’s clear Luke is in his head. I can sense the wheels turning every time I glance in his direction. I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking about. What I wouldn’t give to spend five minutes in that beautiful head of his poking around. If there is one thing I can say about Luke Scott, he sure knows how to keep people at arm’s length.

It’s confusing and infuriating and yet, completely understandable as well. I mean, I am his assistant after all. It’s not like this is a personal trip. We are just here on business. He didn’t invite me for any reason other than helping him close this deal.

But if that’s true, why do I get this intense feeling every time his eyes meet mine? It’s like he’s two different people. Mr. Scott, my boss and then Luke, an incredibly attractive man that has me feeling things I know can’t just be all me. There’s something there, I know he feels it too. I don’t know what he’s done that justifies drawing that conclusion but I just know.

“Allie.” I glance up at Luke, realizing immediately that he’s talking to me and I, so lost in my own thoughts, completely missed whatever was said.