THE DEAL by Marsh, Nicola (electronic reader txt) 📕

“Having sex, you mean? Jeez, Matt, for a lawyer you can be pretty hopeless with words sometimes.”

That captured his attention. His gaze swivelled towards her. “Don’t you think it complicates things?”

She shrugged and turned away. “Why should it? You make partner, I make a lot of money. Done deal.” She rifled through her evening bag, in desperate need of a tissue. A tear threatened to seep out of the corner of her eye and she needed to blot it away, fast. Hopefully, the mention of the money might divert his attention away from their relationship and onto safer ground. It did.

“Yeah, whatever you say. By the way, why do you need thirty grand anyway?” He avoided touching her as he swung the door shut and followed her to the car.

“It’s not important.” She struggled to maintain composure, knowing this evening would be the longest of her entire life.

“Whatever.” Tension radiated from him like heat from a furnace and she was happy when they sped away from the kerb and he tuned into a playlist to avoid further conversation.

She wondered why he was so angry. She’d merely stated facts: they had a deal, which had been his idea, they had made love, but it would all end when he made partner. As far as she could see everything had worked out in his favour. He wasn’t the one who’d been foolish enough to fall in love along the way. If anyone should be upset, she should be.

“We’re here.” Short, sharp, to the point. No use mincing words when you were about to get everything you’d dreamed about. Lucky him.

She schooled her features into a polite mask as he opened the car door for her. “Good luck tonight.” Her voice didn’t waver, despite her heart breaking at the thought of losing him.

“Thanks. Let’s hope we both get our dues.” He stared at her a fraction too long before guiding her to the elevator and up to the penthouse where his father lived.

As the lift whizzed up to the top floor, she couldn’t help but remember riding the same elevator to the twenty-fifth floor where his office was located. She’d been as nervous then as she was now but for a different reason. The way Matt was standing on the other side of the elevator with his hands thrust into his pockets, there wasn’t a hope in hell of them resolving anything.

His low voice startled her. “Uh, once this deal is over, let’s...” The elevator door opened and Jeff, resplendent in formal attire, beamed at them.

“Great to see you, Son. And you’re looking as beautiful as ever, Kara. What did this guy here do to deserve someone like you?” He punched Matt playfully on the arm.

Try buying me to convince you to give him a partnership.

The way Matt glared at her, she had a horrifying feeling she’d spoken out loud. Instead, he ground out, “Just lucky I guess, Dad. So what’s going on?”

“All in good time, Son, all in good time. Come in and make yourselves at home.” Jeff winked at them before striding away.

“Fat chance of that happening,” Matt muttered as Lorna strutted across the room towards them.

“Well, well, if it isn’t my darling step-son. Come and give your mama a kiss.” The simpering voice didn’t match the coldness flashing in her blue eyes.

Kara almost recoiled as the cool blonde draped herself over Matt and kissed him on the lips, lingering a tad too long to be familial. She’d only met her briefly at a dinner party several months ago, the older woman barely giving her a second look. Surprisingly, she turned to her now.

“And if it isn’t sweet little Lara? Jeff sings your praises all the time.” She extended a bejewelled hand, as if expecting her to bow over it.

“It’s Kara, actually. How are you?” Determined to be polite, she yearned to smack the other woman’s hand away as it rested possessively on Matt’s arm.

“Fine. Though I’m looking forward to the fun and games. Big announcement tonight. Huge. Hope you like it.” She blew Matt a kiss before sashaying away, a tall thin figure in a stunning satin dress which must’ve cost as much as Kara earned in a month.

“I hate that woman,” Matt muttered, glaring daggers at the retreating back.

“Why wasn’t she at the King River weekend?”

Not particularly interested in the answer, Kara was happy to be talking with Matt again.

“Probably off with her latest gigolo. Who knows? Who cares? I wish Dad would wake up. If it’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a woman deceiving her man.”

That captured her attention. What would he think if she told him the truth right now, that she hadn’t been interested in the money, that she’d played along with his stupid deal for Sal’s sake and later, for her own? Not willing to go there, she deflected some of the heat back onto him.

“What about a man deceiving his father? Is that okay?”

Her accusation hung in the silence between them and for a split second she wished she could take it back. However, it was the truth and she was tired of the game playing.

His eyes narrowed, anger evident in the set of his shoulders and tense neck muscles. “I told you once before not to question me about this. I have my reasons.” He spun on his heel and strode away.

Yeah, selfish reasons, obtaining a partnership being the main one. She picked up a champagne flute from a passing waiter and drowned it in three short gulps, hoping it would dissolve the lump of emotion stuck in her throat.

She remembered when he’d told her not