Read Online Deceiving The Groom by Lisa Shadow - Free Book Online Page A

moving to the bar fridge, taking two of the shot bottles and a tray of ice. The bar fridge was generously over stocked, thanks to Geoff. Unscrewing the tiny lids, she poured them both over the ice in one glass, and filled both glasses with chilled cola.
    “Sorry about that, Claire.”
    Her attention flickered up to him. Sorry? Was he really sorry?
    “I promise no more interruptions tonight, but that little piece of business could not be avoided.”
    His eyes were once again that warm brown that promised he was just as warm, just as sweet. Yet she’d just witnessed his true nature for herself. There could still be an explanation. “It sounded serious. Foreclosure?”
    Claire moved towards Liam at the window. Her red dress swayed around her knees.
    “Yes. Unfortunate, but an occupational hazard.”             
    Liam’s gaze travelled over her moving frame. She felt it almost as powerfully as if they were hands that had reached out and smoothed over her.
    “Business or residential?”
    Liam tugged at the button on his shirt. “Sorry?”
    “The foreclosure, was it for a business, or was it a residential home?” Claire’s voice sunk low.
    A line squeezed between Liam’s brows. “What does it matter?”
    Claire stood before him, meeting his eyes and watching him intently. “I just thought it must be hard. Foreclosing on someone’s home.”
    Liam’s gaze remained even, not a flicker passed over his features. “I don’t feel sorry for foolish people who make poor decisions. I save my sympathies for those who deserve it.”
    For those who deserve it… Like her father, Penny, her.
    The ice clinked in the glasses in her hands, not half as cold as the chill sinking into her bones. It all became clear. She’d been inventing emotions where there were none.
    Liam didn’t have feelings. He’d told her hadn’t he? He liked to keep sex separate from his life. Emotions separate. Just because she ignorantly felt something and he seemed to enjoy sleeping with her, didn’t mean she could expect more from him—like him actually possessing a soul.
    She held a glass to Liam and he took it from her numb fingers. Bringing the glass to her lips she tasted the plain cola. She reached out with her free hand and took Liam’s silver tie into her palm and let it slide, stepping closer.
    “You look very nice tonight, Liam. You scrub up well.”
    Liam’s brow smoothed and a smile lit behind his eyes. His finger brushed under her spaghetti strap and he gave it a playful tweak. “Really, because you in red… You have no idea.” His voice drew silky.
    Unwelcome heat thawed some of the chill from her bones. He leaned closer, his breath whispering against her skin. “So, what would you like to do tonight, Claire?”
    Claire tilted her head back, her lips just a brush away from his. “Oh, I think I’m in the mood for a gamble.”

Chapter Six
     
    Waking up was like swimming through mud. Liam blinked. Light pierced his eyeballs. Shit bags, his head hurt. He squeezed his lids shut again. His head pounded, and his mouth tasted like wool. He rolled onto his back and groaned.
    What the hell happened last night? His stomach churned. He tried to make his dry tongue swallow. He remembered going to dinner and having a few drinks, but sometime after the show they went to, things blurred into blackness.
    He rested his arm over his eyes. How much had he drank? Sweet Jesus—Claire.  He bolted upright and squinted. The room came into glary focus. He peered around. There was no sign of her. Had his drunkenness scared her off? He wouldn’t blame her, he couldn’t stand a drunk. So how’d he gone so overboard?
    He glanced at the bedside table. A full glass of orange juice sat on a folded piece of paper. Liam leaned over and tugged it from under the glass. Juice slopped over the edge onto the paper. He shook it and wiped his hand over the liquid, then flicked it open.
    His eyes refused to read but he forced the words into his hazy