Read Online Beautiful Liar by Tara Bond - Free Book Online Page A

with Alex my first night at the club. In chinos, a pink shirt and blue blazer, he looked almost aparody of a country gent. “You two work at Destination, right?” He stuck out his hand in a slightly formal manner. “I’m Hugh.”
    He shook hands with both of us, but his interest was most definitely in Jas—and I didn’t blame him. With her jet-black curls and smooth coffee-coloured skin, she was by far the most beautiful girl in the room.
    â€œYou’re Hugh Forbes, right?” Jas said. “Isn’t your dad an MP or something?”
    Hugh’s ruddy cheeks turned an even brighter shade of red. “He’s a minister.”
    I searched my mind and suddenly worked out who his dad was—a pompous right-wing ass. It was amusing to think of his son having a crush on a former stripper. I wondered what Daddy would have made of that.
    But whatever Daddy would have thought, Hugh was clearly smitten. His eyes were fixed on Jas as he said, “I wondered if perhaps I could, uh, get you a drink?” He sounded a little unsure of himself as he spoke, and I had a feeling he was worried about being rejected.
    Luckily Jas looked delighted.
    â€œThat sounds lovely,” she said, affecting a fake accent. Then she shot me a worried look. “You don’t mind, do you?”
    â€œNot at all. Go.” I made a little shooing sign with my hand. “Have fun.”
    I watched them walk off, Jas chatting away to an enamoured Hugh. I was pleased to see things working out for her—at least then it wasn’t an entirely wasted night.
    There was an ice bucket nearby, with a few bottles of beer upended in it, so I grabbed one, as much for something to do as anything else. Everyone was still crowded around the bar, laughing and talking. But I had no interest in joining in. These weren’t my kind of people, and I was sure I’d have nothing to say to them.
    I noticed then that the folding glass doors led to a terrace. I headed outside, wanting to be on my own. It was ice-cold and pitch-black, a starless night. I pulled my coat around me, blowing on my hands. My breath looked like white smoke in the freezing early-morning air.
    I surveyed the terrace. It was huge, at least forty feet long and fifteen feet wide. It had clearly been designed in keeping with the apartment, and there was a modern, almost Mediterranean feel to it. Blue lights beamed up from the huge white tiles.
    I walked over to the Ibiza-style rattan furniture, and curled up on one of the sofas, sinking into the soft cream cushions. It was cold, but somehow peaceful out here, with the sounds of the party behind me.
    â€œMind if I join you?”
    I looked up and wasn’t at all surprised to see Alex there. He was carrying an ice bucket with a bottle of champagneand two flutes. He set it all down on the low table and took the chair opposite me. He popped the cork of the champagne bottle and looked at me expectantly before he poured. I held up my bottle of beer and shook my head.
    â€œI’m fine with this.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “I’ve never known a girl to turn down champagne for beer.” He thought about it for a moment. “You didn’t down the shot, either.”
    â€œI don’t drink much.” I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted—after all, I’d never had champagne before. But children of alcoholics went one of two ways—either totally irresponsible, or too responsible. Given the choice, I’d rather opt for the latter.
    I’d worried that he might try to pressure me further, but he didn’t. Instead, he took a swig from the champagne bottle—clearly the glasses had just been for my benefit—and settled back in the chair, regarding me with interest.
    â€œSo what brought you to Destination?”
    I took a sip of beer, playing for time before answering. Obviously his father hadn’t told him the whole story, and I wasn’t sure