Sweet Subterfuge

“Such as…” Dylan’s smile became sly as his gaze shifted over to Kevan. “Having good relations with Mr. Rogers here and having him help out in dealing with them.”

Larissa’s ballooning anticipation burst like Dylan had punctured it with a needle.

“Um…” She glanced furtively at Kevan, who seemed completely indifferent. “It’s better not to bother Mr. Rogers, right?”

Kevan spoke up at this time. “What, you don’t think I’m good enough for the task?” He gazed at her with a half-smile on his face.

Larissa quickly explained. “Of course not. You’re a busy man, Mr. Rogers. How could I trouble you with something insignificant like that? Besides, I’ve only known you for a few days…”

She did not know which part of her words had ruffled Kevan’s feathers.

“Indeed.” Kevan’s smile got a little bigger, but his gaze became cold. “How could you trouble me with something as trivial as this? However—” His words suddenly took a turn. “You did me a big favor yesterday, I should repay you somehow. Why don’t you tell me what you need me to do?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Larissa did not hesitate to refuse him. “You’ve helped me to this morning. We’re even. Neither of us owes each other anything.”

Kevan still had that half-smile on his face. “Are you sure, Ms. Seymour? After this, the deal’s off.”

The moment he finished speaking, Larissa said, “I’m sure.”

“Very well.” Kevan looked away and lifted his wine glass. He tilted his head back, and the dark red liquid seeped into his mouth. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped down the wine.

Larissa had just glanced over casually, but Kevan’s amazingly symmetrical face as well as his languid sensuality actually made her stare. Her mouth went dry, and she could not help but swallow.

Although Kevan did not notice her losing her composure, Dylan sure as hell did.

“Do you think Mr. Rogers is good-looking, Ms. Seymour?” His abrupt question shocked Larissa back to reality.

looked

and Kevan turned to look as

her way out of

she was not

go, however, and asked, “Then do you like men like Mr.

did like Kevan’s face, but… that was

gave a vague answer. “What woman wouldn’t like a

then?” This time, Dylan was not the one who asked, but Kevan himself.

I do.” Her conscience was not as

Kevan knew that she was just being courteous, he

waiter over.

to gape. She really wanted to know if it was too late to retract her words from before.

…

words, the only thing Larissa could do was drink as much as she could. The

When she got drunk, she would not make a scene nor cause trouble, but would

out to her. “Ms.

responded with a questioning hum that was dragged out. Her expression was blank, and her head was tilted to

teased Kevan. “The way your Lyssa looks right now could really incite criminal behavior.”

him a cold look and did not answer him.

his nose sheepishly and wisely shut

But she did not understand anything he just

stuck out her tongue and licked her wine-stained lips—

an embrace that was tinged

one hand to press her head firmly against his chest, Kevan slipped his other arm

Dylan before walking out of

his retreating silhouette, Dylan huffed with a pout. “Jackass. I see how it is. Love over friendship, huh?”

…

straight to his room.