Deceiving Derek by Cindy Procter-King Read Free Book Online Page B

diet cola from the fridge. She’d worked for her
father for over three years. She could afford to rent a newer place
if she wanted. However, she loved the flavor of her Kitsilano
neighborhood with its tree-lined sidewalks and old houses remodeled
into apartments. The layout of her suite left something to be
desired, with the bathroom accessible only through the living room,
but Magee didn’t mind sacrificing convenience for the nobler
pursuit of character. If doing so entailed traipsing through the
kitchen and living room to reach the bathroom in the dead of night,
that was fine by her.
    She set the pop can on the counter and
tinkled ice cubes into a glass. A huge gray cat meowed at her
through the gable window spanning the length of the kitchen in the
top-floor apartment.
    Magee pushed open the window. The cat
sauntered in, front paws meeting the counter with a grace that
belied his bulk.
    “Hi, Monster. Time for your milk, baby?”
Magee picked up the cat and stroked his soft fur. Monster tolerated
her cuddling for thirty seconds before scrambling to the floor.
Magee filled a saucer with the evaporated milk she stored in the
fridge for the cat. Purring, Monster slurped his treat. Flying
flecks of heavy milk dotted the linoleum.
    “Magee?” Susannah appeared in the bedroom
doorway, several garments slung over her arm. “You’re feeding that
cat again?”
    “As if you don’t when he visits you. I can’t
let him starve.”
    A wry smile tipped Susannah’s mouth. “His
real owners feed him daily. In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s 7:35.
Aren’t your dinner reservations with Justin for eight?”
    Magee zapped a glance to the wall clock.
“Omigod, you’re right. He’ll be here in ten minutes.” She sloshed
the diet cola into the glass, then scurried to the bedroom. “What
are my choices?” Sitting on the bed, she sipped the cold pop.
    “Well, you said he’s taking you to The Dock.
That’s outdoors, but it’s a warm night. Perfect for something short
and sexy.”
    “I’m not trying to seduce him, Susannah.”
    “Why not? He’s your lover.”
    Magee rolled her eyes.
    Susannah held out a vintage, fuchsia leather
mini-dress. “How about this?” she asked.
    “Not on your life. That’s my hooker outfit
from last Halloween.”
    “It’s cute.”
    Magee jabbed an imaginary buzzer on the bed.
“ Bzzzt . Try
again.”
    Monster, evidently finished his milk,
strutted in from the kitchen, hopped on the mattress, and resumed
purring. Gripping the cool glass of cola in one hand, Magee petted
the cat as Susannah presented another dress.
    “ This?”
    Magee shook her head. “Too short.”
    “This?”
    “Too flirty.”
    “This?”
    Magee’s heart pounded. “Too tight!”
    Susannah planted a hand on her shorts-clad
hip. “Magee, other than your work clothes, every summer outfit you
own is either too short, too flirty, or too tight.”
    “Not the black skirt.”
    “You are not wearing the black skirt. Time is of the
essence here. Take a leap of faith and close your eyes.”
    Magee obeyed.
    Rustle, rustle .
    “You can open them again.”
    Magee opened her eyes.
    Susannah stood beside the bed, shaking out a
beautiful turquoise slip dress.
    “Susannah, yes! I forgot about that dress.”
Magee glided a finger over the cool silk. She bit her lip. “Uh,
maybe not. Look at the skinny straps. I don’t own a bra in a
coordinating color anymore.”
    Susannah shrugged. “Go braless. It wouldn’t
be the first time. You’re lucky in that department.”
    In other words, Magee’s barely-Bs didn’t
strictly require a bra.
    “But to not wear one this time?”
    “Honey, you’re not thinking clearly. Repeat
after me, ‘Justin Kane is my lover.’ ”
    “Justin Kane is…my lover.” A delicious thrill
vibrated through Magee as she spoke the words that would guide her
thoughts and actions over the next three days. Her body warmed in
strategic places. Even her cheeks heated to a burn.
    She placed her cola glass on