Read Online Masks by Evangeline Anderson - Free Book Online Page A

closer. His dangerous, spicy scent filled her head just as it had that night in Zoe’s “office” and Chloe felt herself blushing harder than ever. Still, she was determined not to let him get the upper hand this time.
    “Is that why you took control so quickly? Because I was doing such a great job? Or was it just that Zoe told you what a shy little wallflower I am and the only way you’d ever get anywhere with me was if you took matters into your own hands?” She was trying to sound snarky but the words came out wounded instead.
    “Chloe, please, let me explain. It wasn’t like that.” Mark’s deep voice was pleading and he stepped forward and put one large hand over hers. Chloe felt her pulse skyrocket at his touch but she refused to show it.
    “You’ve got about three and a half minutes left and then I’m going back to my classroom before the kids kill Zoe. And I’ll only be rescuing her because I want to kill her myself,” she warned him. “So you’d better get talking. How did the two of you cook this up? Or was it just Zoe’s idea?”
    “It was her idea but I went along with it.” The look on his face was shame now, shame and regret so profound that it threatened to melt her heart again but Chloe was determined to be strong.
    “So, let me guess, you were one of her clients ?” she said, putting the roses down on a nearby desk and crossing her arms over her chest.
    Mark gave a short, startled laugh. “Hell, no! She was one of mine.”
    “Excuse me?” Chloe raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief.
    “I told you I’m a computer geek, right?”
    She nodded.
    “Okay, so I have my own company—computer installation, troubleshooting, repairs. It’s called ‘Geeks for Hire’.”
    Chloe’s jaw dropped despite herself. “You’re that Mark Jacobs? But…I see your billboards driving home all the time and I’m always humming that stupid jingle you have for your TV ad…”
    “Yeah, yeah.” Mark looked pained. “ Think your computer has a leak? Time to call the computer geek. Computer crashed or you lost a wire? Better call the geeks for hire ,” he sang, in a surprisingly melodious baritone. “Don’t get me started on that.” He grimaced. “That was the ad people’s idea. But anyway, one day while all my guys were out, your sister called because her computer had crashed—the one in her townhouse, you know?”
    Chloe nodded stiffly, wondering exactly where he was going with this. She was almost afraid to find out.
    “So,” Mark shrugged. “I ended up taking the call myself, though I mostly run the place behind the scenes. When I got there, I saw her ‘dungeon’ room and couldn’t helpasking what in the world she did for a living.” He laughed. “Man, was I surprised. Never met a real-live dominatrix before. Your sister’s really something.”
    Chloe could just imagine what had happened next. “So you went to her ‘office’ and had a ‘session’ with her and then you decided you’d like to try the other sister too, is that it?”
    Mark looked shocked. “Of course that’s not it. Look, if that’s the problem, let me assure you right now that Zoe and I have never been anything but friends.”
    “Is that right? And why should I believe you?” Chloe tapped her fingernails against her arm impatiently. After all, what man wouldn’t want to have sex with her exotic, free-spirited twin?
    “Look,” Mark spread his hands in front of him. “I think your sister’s great, don’t get me wrong. But she’s definitely not my type. Call me old-fashioned but my idea of a good time isn’t being tied up and flogged or having someone walk all over me in spike-heeled boots.”
    “No, but I guess you don’t mind tying other people up, do you?” As soon as she said it, Chloe wanted to take it back. But it was too late.
    “Honestly, that was the first time I ever did anything like that.” Mark reached for her hand again and this time Chloe let him hold it. “I swear to you,” he