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.

and looked at him as calmly as

his question, and Kevan turned to

her way out

least she was not

go, however, and asked,

question really had Larissa stumped. She did like Kevan’s

smiled and gave a vague answer. “What woman

you, then?” This time, Dylan was not the one who

I do.” Her conscience was not as important as her

being courteous,

like me so much…” He waved the waiter over. “The same wine as before.

really wanted to know if it was too late to retract her words

…

much as she could. The more she drank, the less she would lose. As a result, she ended up in

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

to her. “Ms. Seymour?”

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

lightly and teased Kevan. “The way your Lyssa looks right

him a cold look and did

his nose sheepishly and wisely shut

But she did not understand anything he just said. She was troubled, but her brain was completely muddled, and she

out her tongue and

second, she was pulled into an embrace that was tinged with the smell of

head firmly against his chest, Kevan slipped his other arm under her knees

said to Dylan before walking out of the restaurant.

“Jackass.

…

straight to his