Read Online Truth or Dare (Liar Liar #2) by C.A. Mason - Free Book Online Page B

held her face. The kiss was slow and thorough, intimate and sexy. I licked the inside of her mouth until I felt her heat through her thin silk blouse.
    “You can’t tell me that was a lie,” I whispered, skimming my moist lips over hers as she struggled to open her eyes. “That was the truth. The only truth that matters.”
    Gripping my biceps as though she needed something solid to hold on to, she shook her head. “You’re wrong. That was just… chemistry. We’re attracted to each other.”
    Open your eyes. We were fucking made for each other. “If that were true, we’d have had our fill of each other by now. We’d have satisfied our curiosity, satiated that craving. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungrier for you now than I was before I got you into bed.”
    “God,” she said, dropping her head onto my chest. “What the hell am I doing with you? I must be out of my mind.”
    I kissed the crown of her head. She was letting me touch her, letting me kiss her, agreeing to spend time with me. For now, that was enough. “Let’s hit the stores, shall we? I have a black card burning a hole in my pocket.”
    She smiled. “Hmmm, I’ve never shopped without a budget before. I hate to admit it, but this could be kind of fun.”
    I wrapped her arm around mine as I led her out of the office. “Trust me, it will be fun. I’ll even let you drive.”
    She grinned. “Now you’re talking.”
     
    ***
     
    After a six-figure shopping spree at the most exclusive furniture store in town, we’d both worked up quite an appetite. We were sitting in a booth at a restaurant that was a fine dining staple in town, one I couldn’t have afforded to buy a soft drink at years ago. A table of silver-haired ladies turned to look at us, whispering and shaking their heads in disgust.
    I threw them a dirty look before asking Maura, “What the hell is that about?”
    “I told you, everyone thinks I’m to blame for our breakup. Those women represent gossip central. I’m sure by now they’ve told everyone Jeff is the victim and I’m—”
    I got up, throwing my napkin on the chair.
    Maura reached for my arm. “What are you doing? Please, Blaise, don’t embarrass me. I have to live in this town.”
    “That’s exactly why I intend to put these rumors to rest once and for all.” No one was going to disrespect Maura in my presence.
    I approached the women, smiling at each one of them. They gaped at me as though they couldn’t believe I had the nerve to approach them.
    With one hand on my stomach and the other on the back of a chair, I said, “Allow me to introduce myself. My name’s Blaise Walsh—”
    “We know who you are,” a lady with a red hat said, touching her napkin to the corners of her mouth. “And we know what you are—a home-wrecker. Jeff and Maura were perfectly happy together until you swept into town making all kinds of promises to her.”
    I smiled. I’d long ago learned diplomacy would get me further than losing my temper, especially with people who deemed themselves superior to me. “I appreciate that you’re entitled to your opinion, but having all the facts might help you make an informed decision about the situation.”
    “We’re listening,” Red Hat said, pursing her painted lips. “But you’d better make it quick. Our soup’s on the way.”
    The only reason I was wasting my time on them was because they represented gossip central, and anything I said to them would make the rounds by dinner. “I met Maura when she planned an event for me. She”—I glanced at Maura, who was trying so hard to pretend she wasn’t eavesdropping as she scanned her phone—“literally took my breath away.” I chuckled. “Believe me, that was a first. I’ve been a bachelor a long time.” Touching the shoulder of the oldest lady in the group, I turned the charm up a notch. “Many would say too long.”
    She smiled at her friends. “Sounds like my grandson. I’m always after him to find a nice girl and