Page 6 of Wild King
Her eyebrows shoot up into her forehead at my ballsy claim. “You’ve got a big job on your hands then.”
“I’m up to it. My villa is right over there, so let’s get this night started.”
It takesher a little while to loosen up, but this woman practically glows when she lets herself have a good time. After a couple drinks, we’re laughing at that joke Ronan loves about the Statue of Liberty and Father Time. It’s a stupid one, but it never fails to make people chuckle.
“My brother has told that joke at every party he’s ever been to,” I say, barely getting my words out before she holds up her hand to stop me.
“Remember, we aren’t sharing any personal details.”
Okay, she wants to keep things truly impersonal between us. Well, other than the sex I’m predicting that’s going to be the best either of us has ever experienced. I’m not usually aloof, but I can do this.
Nodding, I say, “Got it.”
Then an idea comes to me. “What if we lie? That could work. We can mention things about our lives, but only if they’re out and out lies.”
My mystery woman thinks for a moment and then nods her agreement. “Interesting. I think we might be the poster children for a post-truth world. I’m not sure many people getting together choose to only lie to one another.”
“I’m all for the truth,” I say as I pour more champagne into her glass. “I have nothing to hide.”
She levels her gaze on my face and says, “Either do I. That’s not what this is about, though. So lying is our thing. Sound good?”
I shrug and take a sip of champagne. “Fine with me. I’m not usually someone who lies, but I can fly by the seat of my pants.”
That makes this beautiful woman sitting next to me on the sofa roll her eyes. “A man who doesn’t lie? Nope. Not a thing. That would make you as likely as a unicorn.”
As she talks, I watch her perfectly full lips and wish they were on my body instead of speaking about how men suck. Of course we do. What is it they say? Women are from Venus, and men are from Mars? I never read into what that really means, but I remember mythology from high school and based on what I learned about Venus and Mars in that class, I think that explains how different we are and why women find us insufferable bastards.
I’d say it’s part of our charm, but I don’t get the feeling she’d enjoy my attempt at humor.
“I’m not sure about unicorns, but if someone has nothing to hide, they have no reason to lie. You give the word and I’ll be all about the truth of who I am and my life.”
That makes her smile, but she shakes her head, nonetheless. “No, let’s stick with lies. You know, I don’t lie on a regular basis either, so this might be fun. It’s like we get a chance to create a whole world on our own.”
I get the sense she really isn’t a liar back in the real world, something I think I like. There are a lot of things about this woman I like, in fact. She’s stunning with a great body I can’t wait to enjoy. She’s quite easy to get along with, and that’s not a compliment I can give to every woman I’ve ever met.
But I think the best thing about her is she isn’t pretending to be someone who just wants to have a good time while she’s secretly hoping this will turn into something serious later on. That’s very sexy and alluring.
“Okay, then tell me who you are but make it full of lies.”
She thinks for a few seconds and then flashes me a sexy smile. “I’m an assistant to a publishing executive. I hate my job,which is why I’m on vacation here. I have seven sisters and love them all, along with my parents.”
Hmmm. So I don’t know what to think about that job information, but since she’s lying, I bet she’s an only child. People tend to say the exact opposite when they try to lie, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t a single sister or brother.
Curious if she may be coming off a bad breakup, I ask, “Divorced?”
She quickly shakes her head. “No.”
Something about that feels off, like she forgot she was supposed to lie, and a second later, she chuckles. “Okay, that’s a bit of truth. I’m okay with you knowing that, though. I’ve never been married, so no divorce.”
“This lying gets involved, doesn’t it?” I ask as I lean back against the sofa cushions. “How the hell do serial liars do it? It’s hard enough coming up with lies and remembering to lie, but imagine having to remember everything you told people. That sounds exhausting, to be honest.”
Smiling, she shakes her head. “I couldn’t do it. I like to think I have a good memory, but I can’t keep track of everything I say to everyone during a day. But have you ever noticed liars are always so charming that people don’t actually pay attention to what they say because it’s like they’re under a spell?”
Before I can answer her question, she adds, “That’s why I’m pretty sure you’re a natural liar.”
I lean forward and set my champagne flute on the table in front of us. Turning my head, I smile at her. “Because I’m charming? I thought I was rude.”
“You are. Charming and rude. It’s an interesting combination.”