Love & Deception (Agents in Love - Book 1) Read online

  But those were thoughts for the future. Tonight, he wanted to get to know her better and convince her to agree to a second date.

  Chapter Three

  “Open your eye wider,” Shelley ordered.

  Carlie did her best not to flinch away from the mascara brush as Shelley did her magic. Never one to wear much makeup, Carlie feared she would look like a clown. Shelley refused to let her peek into a mirror until she finished.

  “You know, Nick’s been asking questions about you for the past two weeks. Whether you were single, that sort of stuff,” Shelley said, the stiff little brush coming within centimeters of Carlie’s eyeball. “I wondered how long it’d take him to get his courage up and ask you out.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” If Carlie had known Nick was interested, she might have taken a little more care with how she looked. Scratch that concern—more importantly, she wouldn’t have been forced to date Stephen if she had the confidence to ask Nick for help.

  Shelley shrugged and put the mascara wand back in its bottle, then grabbed a tube of red lipstick from the backpack she brought in from her car. “I didn’t want to get your hopes up, in case things didn’t work out.”

  Which translated to, she thought she could interest Nick in herself instead. After all, Carlie hadn’t missed the way she shamelessly flirted with him during class.

  Carlie still floated on a cloud of disbelief that he’d rather have dinner with her than Shelley. However, if he showed up in the next fifteen minutes to pick her up, she’d no longer be able to deny it.

  “I’m nervous,” she admitted, watching Shelley uncap the lipstick. “I haven’t dated much the last six years.” She didn’t count her relationship two years ago. That had been a purely physical attraction to someone she considered a friend. It hadn’t involved much actual dating.

  “Pout your lips.” Once she complied with the demand, Shelley applied the sticky color. “You don’t talk much about your past. You had a serious relationship six years ago? Did it end badly?”

  Even though Carlie trusted Shelley, she kept her private life a closely guarded secret from her for the same reason she didn’t tell Muhammad about her parents. Shelley couldn’t reveal what she didn’t know.

  “In a way,” she said awkwardly, struggling to keep her lips stiff. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Procuring a tissue from somewhere in her bag, Shelley placed it against Carlie’s mouth. “Blot.”

  Carlie obediently pressed her lips into the tissue while Shelley stood with a hairbrush in hand. She teased Carlie’s hair and sprayed it with hairspray before brushing it down again. Carlie wondered how many beauty supplies the woman kept on hand at any given time.

  “If you haven’t dated in a while, I could give you a few pointers.”

  Carlie grunted noncommittally, unsure she could ever follow advice Shelley gave. She’s way too...adventuresome.

  Her grunt must have passed for assent, because Shelley continued, “First off, if you like him, don’t let the night end without getting him to ask you on a second date.”

  Carlie rolled her eyes, though she knew Shelley couldn’t see her. “And how do I do that?”

  “Oh, you know.” Shelley set to work ratting her hair again, apparently not satisfied with the first attempt. “Flirt, Carlie. You do know how to flirt, don’t you?”

  “Sure I do.” She wasn’t about to admit that she never felt comfortable flirting. What could Shelley teach her in the remaining ten minutes before Nick arrived?

  Ten minutes. Carlie wiped suddenly sweaty palms against her slacks, wishing she had time to go home and change her clothes. Waitress chic wasn’t very sexy.

  “I hope so.” Shelley clearly doubted Carlie’s ability to handle a man like Nick. “Okay, so here’s the most important thing. No matter what, don’t let him get away without a goodnight kiss.”

  “On the first date?”

  She laughed. “The world moves fast, Carlie. If you want a man like Nick Kendall, you’ll have to keep up.” She passed the brush over Carlie’s hair a few more times and stepped out in front of her. “You look super hot. There’s no way he’ll resist you.” She pulled a small mirror from her bag and handed it over.

  Staring in amazement at her reflection, Carlie never imagined she could look so pretty. Her hair fluffed around her shoulders, soft and feminine. Smokey eye shadow brought out the color of her eyes, turning them from their usual dull hazel to a sexy, vibrant green. Although Carlie knew Shelley piled on the makeup, she didn’t appear to be wearing a lot. She smiled, revealing the small gap in her front teeth, and quickly closed her mouth. Unfortunately, Shelley’s makeup couldn’t cover all her imperfections.

  “What made you decide to help me?” Carlie couldn’t stop looking at her reflection. “You’ve made me so pretty. I thought you wanted Nick for yourself.”

  Shelley laughed. “I’m always searching for the right guy, but I’m not going to waste time with one who doesn’t want me.”

  Carlie looked past the mirror, meeting Shelley’s eyes. “Are you okay with me dating him? I’m not willing to lose a friend over a man.”

  “There’s no chance of that happening.” Shelley patted her leg. “I’m truly thrilled for you. Nick is super fine, and I bet he knows how to treat a woman. You deserve a nice night after putting up with Stephen last weekend.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “Of course I’m sure. All I want is for you to enjoy yourself.”

  “Thanks.” Carlie handed the mirror back and stood up, smoothing her t-shirt against her black slacks. “Now that you’ve worked so hard on my hair and makeup, I wish I had something nicer to wear.”

  Smiling, Shelley delved into her backpack, pulling out a beautiful green sweater with a scooped neckline. “Voilà.”

  “Do you always carry this much stuff around?”

  Pulling out a gold chain and a pair of large hoop earrings, she pressed them into Carlie’s hands. “You never know when you’ll need to look your best. Can’t land a husband looking like a waitress who worked all day.”

  Carlie couldn’t help but feel a bit chastised. She always went around looking like a waitress who worked all day. In her defense, coming into Carlie’s Creations to start baking bread at six in the morning and working until six or seven at night, plus spending an hour and a half in a dojo three times a week, didn’t leave much time for hair care and applying makeup. If Nick had been asking Shelley about her for a few weeks, he must not mind the waitress look as much as Shelley thought he should.

  She walked into the small bathroom across from the kitchen and pulled her t-shirt over her head, reveling in the softness of the sweater when she slipped it on. Although Shelley filled it up more than she did in front, the cut was flattering enough that she didn’t mind her slighter proportions.

  After putting on the earrings and fastening the chain around her neck, she opened the bathroom door. Only to be blasted with a squirt of too-sweet perfume.

  “He’s here.” Shelley practically jumped up and down with excitement. “I’m going to get out of here, but don’t forget what I said.”

  Carlie’s head was whirling and sweat coated her palms again. She couldn’t remember being this nervous in a long while. “What did you say?”

  “Oh...you’re hopeless, Carlie.” Shelley shook her head and slung the backpack across her shoulder. “Don’t let the night end without getting a kiss. Good luck. Flirt a lot.”

  As Shelley walked away, Carlie dried her hands on her pants again and breathed deeply in an attempt to slow her heart rate. This wasn’t a date, not really. She had to calm down. Nick wanted to get to know his future sparring partner. Shelley had to be mistaken about what she thought was going on. Somehow, it all got confused. This was simply a dinner between two people who planned to help each other out.

  She walked through the dark hallway, making her way to the front of the store. Shelley had turned out all the lights except the security lamp that always staye
d on near the front door, so shadows cloaked the place.

  Nick stood in the one pool of light. He’d put on a jacket and tie, which made Carlie even more grateful for the pretty sweater. He turned as she approached, and his eyes traveled up and down her body. “Wow!” Nick took a step toward her and cocked his arm at an angle. “You always look great, but...wow.”

  Pleased in spite of herself, Carlie slipped her arm through his. “Thanks. Shelley’s handiwork.”

  When he turned his head toward hers, his hot breath caressed her cheek. Nick placed his free hand beneath her chin, gently lifting her face until their eyes met. “You can’t give her credit for this. You’re beautiful.”

  Carlie licked her lips and hoped he couldn’t feel her trembling. Stephen certainly hadn’t made her heart pound so hard or her body shiver with anticipation at the nearness of him. A small part of her protested, warned that Nick could be dangerous. He was a stranger, and she avoided strangers at all costs.

  The bigger part of her told the other to shut up. Kissing someone dangerous held a certain appeal, and Carlie loved the warm glow his complement provoked in her heart. “You look fantastic too.”

  A peculiar grin crossed his face, but vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. “Then we’re well suited, Carlie.” Her name flowed like music from his lips, and Carlie feared she was close to swooning. But she didn’t swoon over men, that was crazy.

  “I haven’t eaten all day,” she said, suddenly anxious to break the intimate mood. “Are you hungry?”

  “For more than food,” he muttered, but led her to the door.

  ***

  Carlie focused on the large statue of Buddha in the center of the restaurant. Bamboo trees surrounded the base of it. Chinese lanterns hung at intervals across the ceiling, and a crystal chandelier dominated the center space above the statue. It was certainly higher class than her small shop, but Carlie found the excessive amount of red too stifling and hot. Or maybe it was her dinner companion that made the room seem to lack oxygen.

  She took another bite of mandarin chicken, though she was unable to enjoy it, nervous about the stall in conversation. They’d discussed karate as much as they could while waiting for their entrees. Nick seemed content to watch her eat, but the silence unnerved her.

  “What do you do for a living?” she asked.

  He picked at the chicken almond ding with chopsticks, though only a little food remained on his plate. “I invest in startups.”

  “Businesses?”

  “Restaurants. This place is my newest venture. That’s why I moved here, to make sure it gets off to a good start.” Nick glanced around the room. “What do you think?”

  That I wish I met you five months ago when I needed money for a new oven. She studied the room with fresher eyes before answering him. “The bamboo’s a nice touch.”

  “My idea. You don’t see live plants much in restaurants anymore.”

  Silence rushed to fill the space between them. Desperate to keep the conversation moving, Carlie jerked her chin in the direction of the chandelier. “I love how big that is.”

  “Really?” Nick lifted one eyebrow and his lips quirked at the corners. “I’ve heard size is important.”

  Embarrassment burned all the way up her neck and face. “I meant the chandelier. I wasn’t saying...” Holy crap. She was supposed to flirt. Another woman would have come up with a witty comeback, but Carlie had nothing.

  He laughed and reached across the table, patting her hand. “Relax. I figured that’s what you meant. Just trying to lighten the mood.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so nervous.”

  “It’s okay, but you really don’t need to be. I don’t bite. Well,” he glanced at the tablecloth briefly before looking at her again, heat in his gaze, “not on the first date.”

  “I...you...” Carlie gasped for a few seconds and then sighed. Shelley would be so disappointed in her. “I’m not good at this.”

  “You’re not trying to tell me you don’t date much, are you?”

  “Well, actually, I don’t.” She took a sip of water. The truth was the wrong path to take here. Guys wanted worldly, experienced girls who knew how to have a good time.

  Flirt!

  She winked at him, hoping it didn’t look like she had something in her eye. “At least, not men as sexy as you.”

  He winked back. “And big, don’t forget big.”

  He must delight in flustering her. She fanned herself with her hand. “You’re certainly forward.”

  “Life’s too short to be timid.” He leaned across the table and held her hand in his. “I’ve learned to go after what I want.”

  “And you want me?” Her voice came out as barely a whisper.

  Nick squeezed her hand. “Do you like to dance, Carlie? A beautiful woman should dance.”

  She couldn’t help but be charmed by him. Nick had no problem dishing out compliments. That was unexpected, but nice. “I haven’t done much dancing.” The last time had been at her wedding. Ryan didn’t like going out much—at least, not as a couple.

  Nick stood in a fluid motion and pulled her to her feet. “We need to change that.”

  He stepped into her and cradled her against his body. Carlie felt the hard muscles beneath his shirt and jacket and tried not to think of how good he’d look without clothes. The last thing she needed was to blush again.

  “We can’t dance here,” she protested. “This is a family restaurant.”

  “We can do whatever we’d like.”

  Nick placed one arm around her waist and held onto her hand with his other, turning her in a slow circle. For a woman who tried not to draw attention to herself, it crossed Carlie’s mind how ridiculous they must look to the other diners. The ambient music playing across the restaurant’s sound system included some sort of flute and certainly wasn’t what Carlie considered dance music.

  When Nick raised his arm and spun her before pulling her back into his tight embrace, looking silly ceased to matter. He pressed his cheek against hers, his breath gently blowing into her ear. Tremors of anticipation shuddered through her. The masculine scent of him made her ache with a need she didn’t know she had. Kissing on the first date didn’t seem so farfetched when he held her that way.

  “I don’t want to scare you off,” he whispered into her ear, “but I’ve been going crazy since the first day I set eyes on you.”

  “You have?”

  “All I wanted was to talk to you, and you were always with Stephen.” His hand rubbed the small of her back and his chest heaved beneath her with a sigh. “Shelley hinted you were with him and serious, so I just watched you without saying anything.” He paused for a second. “I’m not normally a patient man.”

  “But you think I’m worth waiting for?” she asked, uncertainty causing her voice to hitch.

  “Yes.” His voice was full of conviction, and Carlie couldn’t doubt him.

  She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, nuzzling into his neck with a contentment she hadn’t expected to feel. “I’m glad you watched me, especially since I needed you to come to the rescue yesterday.”

  “I wanted to kick that bastard’s ass.” Anger bit at his words.

  “Mmmmm... Let’s not talk about him anymore. I don’t want to spoil this.”

  She danced with abandon, concentrating on nothing except the music and the rapid beat of Nick’s heart against her chest. The flute reached a high note as the song ended and he stopped shifting his feet. Applause broke out around them. Carlie opened her eyes and jerked away, knowing she must be blushing yet again.

  “Honey,” complained a woman to the man next to her, “why don’t you ever do romantic stuff like that?”

  Carlie threw a sympathetic glance at the man. Maybe the four children clamoring for attention around them had something to do with lowering his romantic sensibilities.

  “It’s time for us to leave,” she told Nick, not wanting to face the other diners longer than she had
to. Most of them gawked as though they expected another performance to accompany their meal as the next song started, but Carlie had provided them enough entertainment for one evening.

  Nick chuckled and pulled out his wallet, throwing some money on the table. “Sure you don’t want to wait for a box to put our leftovers in?”

  Embarrassment ate away at her. “Don’t tease me. I’m not good with being the center of attention, and everyone’s staring.”

  To her relief, he twined his fingers in hers and headed for the exit.

  Chapter Four

  Nick paused at the door to the restaurant, and Carlie hoped he hadn’t forgotten something. She wasn’t going back into the dining room.

  He looked at her and shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice earlier. Where’s your coat?”

  Carlie thought of the brown monstrosity hanging on the hook of her office door. No way had she wanted to wear that on a first date with Nick. It was made to withstand the brisk winds and cold temperatures of November in Washington—extra bulky to protect her after having luxuriated in the warm temperatures of Florida.

  “I didn’t bring it. Don’t worry, I’m fine without it.” She grinned. “I’m a tough chick.”

  “I’m sure you are, but hypothermia isn’t an indication of a good date.” He slipped his suit jacket off and slung it around her shoulders before she could protest. “Wait here. I’ll get the car and be right back.”

  “But, Nick, you’ll freeze—” Carlie broke off as he walked out the door. She slipped her arms into the sleeves of the jacket, admitting to herself it wasn’t as nice as being in his arms, but special all the same with his scent surrounding her. The tips of her fingers barely poked out from the fabric.

  Nick strode back through the door, rubbing his hands briskly. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”

  Carlie reclaimed his hand and leaned into his shoulder. “A girl could get used to such chivalry, you know.” She paused a moment before rushing on. “You might want to save something for a second date.”