Read Online Spiraling Deception by Noree Kahika - Free Book Online Page A

safety
instructions.
    Within minutes, the engines roared to life,
the jet effortlessly taking off, and we were up in the air. Even I
had to admit that there was something to be said about bypassing
long lines at airports and navigating security checks, not to
mention this plane was definitely first class all the way. No
clambering crowds and hard, narrow seats.
    “ First time in a private
plane?” Roman pulled my gaze from the view out the
window.
    I cleared my throat and nodded. “Yes, it is.
I have to admit, this is a very cool way to travel. Thank you for
the ride to Paris, by the way.”
    “ You’re very welcome,
Charlotte.” His answering grin was a little mischievous, making him
look at least several years younger than I suspected he actually
was.
    “ Charli,” I corrected.
That damn little flutter in my stomach started up again at the way
he stared at me.
    “ Charli.” He nodded
conciliatorily. “So what are your plans while you are in
Paris?”
    “ Well, after we check in
to our hotel, I guess we’ll start on some sightseeing. It’s going
to be hard to fit in everything we want to see in only two
days.”
    He nodded in agreement and then ran his
thumb across his bottom lip, as if he was contemplating something.
“When do you fly out?” he asked after several moments of
silence.
    “ The morning after
tomorrow.”
    “ Hmm,” he murmured, and
then pulled out his cell to look at something.
    I gazed once more out of the plane’s window.
We were flying low enough that I could still make out the sweeping
scenery from below.
    The sound of Roman’s voice drew my attention
back to him. “I know of this quaint little restaurant on the
Champs-Élysées that I’m positive you’d enjoy. It is renowned for
its superb traditional French cuisine and has an unobstructed view
of the Arc de Triomphe. Unfortunately, I have meetings to attend
to, both today and tomorrow and a business dinner this evening.
However, I’m free tomorrow evening. I’d like to take you to dinner
tomorrow night, Charli.”
    “ Oh…uh…” I sputtered
hesitantly. He’d completely taken me off guard and immediately my
eyes swung to Courtney and Jake, who were deep in their own private
conversation.
    “ Charli?”
    I bit my lip before I looked back at
him.
    Once we arrived in Paris, I expected it
would be the last I’d ever see of Roman Knight, and part of me
couldn’t wait. He was infuriatingly arrogant, offensively
aggressive, and way too full of himself. And that stunt he pulled
last night—the man made my blood boil.
    But this morning, he’d been actually
pleasant, with the exception of the limo ride, of course. And his
genuine concern over me missing breakfast was surprisingly
sweet.
    I could feel his impatient gaze on me. I
held up my hand to signal him to give me a moment as I stared out
the window to consider his invitation.
    He was overbearingly cocky and deliberately
intimidating but for some weird reason, he intrigued me. Although
at times annoying, his touch also made me feel giddy, breathless,
and desirable. There was no denying we had chemistry between us.
And that kiss last night…wow…that kiss. Absentmindedly, I ran my
forefinger along my bottom lip. That kiss we shared last night
was…hot. It stirred feelings in me that I didn’t even know
existed.
    However, spending any more time in the
presence of Roman Knight would result with me either falling
recklessly into bed with him or being arrested for assault and
battery. But when it boiled down to it, the thought of never seeing
him again literally gave me a sharp pang of pain in my chest.
    “ Charlotte,” he called
once more. This time there was no mistaking the impatient tone to
his voice.
    Deciding to test the waters, I said, “Well,
I’m not too sure what we have planned but I could ask Jake and
Court if they’d like—”
    “ Let me be clear,” he
interrupted in a low voice as he leaned toward me. “I wasn’t
offering to take the three of you out.