The London Deception by Addison Fox Read Free Book Online Page A

elevator came to a smooth stop and she stepped out onto plush carpeting. She had to give Finn credit, the selection of office space in London’s most recent architectural accomplishment, the Shard, gave a sense of quiet flash and competent business acumen. And she was thrilled to make her first visit to the impressive building.
    Her brother Liam had BASE jumped it while it was under construction and she’d been jealous at the time. Now after actually visiting—and considering the size and shape of the building—she decided she’d leave the truly idiotic yearnings for adventure fully to her oldest sibling.
    Finn waved at her from a glass-enclosed office. She watched him work his way from the office, down a short hallway before moving into the reception area to greet her. The wide-open space—the windows on the far side of the building were visible through the glass of Finn’s office—was impressive.
    And lent a curious air of trust at the truly open design.
    She watched him move, the vague sense she’d felt in the conference room a few days before taking better shape in her mind.
    He was an attractive man—powerfully so—and an impressive one, too. His shoulders filled out the Savile Row suit to perfection and she could see the slim taper of his waist where the jacket hung open before he closed it with a dapper twist of a button.
    His chiseled jaw, thick sandy brown hair and ready smile gave the vague sense of an impish child even as the fine lines of the suit suggested he wasn’t someone to be toyed with. When she also considered the clear signs of intelligence that sparked in his voice with every comment, Rowan could only admit Finn Gallagher was one impressive package.
    She’d have to be stupid not to feel some sense of attraction to the man.
    And she was very rarely stupid.
    That long-ago night on Bethany Warrington’s roof flew through her mind but she ignored it in favor of focusing on the warm hazel eyes that drew her attention first.
    “Rowan. Thank you for coming.”
    His large hands enveloped hers before he leaned forward into the customary European kiss on both cheeks. The lightest slide of his beard—the day’s growth just beginning to show—met her lips and she couldn’t deny the rush of attraction that slid down her spine at the masculine scent that surrounded her. A touch of cedar over the fresh scent of the outdoors.
    Delicious.
    Just like the man himself.
    She allowed herself the briefest moment to enjoy the contact by making a full turn around the lobby. “Impressive office space. I wasn’t even aware the building was fully occupied yet.”
    “We got in early. I knew what I wanted in terms of space and it’s been everything I’ve hoped it would be.”
    She didn’t miss the flash of pride that lit his eyes and couldn’t argue with the sentiment. There was something thrilling about seeing the results of your efforts and hard work.
    That thrill had been the most unexpected joy after she’d come back to the land of the living. The transformation had taken time—and a lot of work with a therapist to understand her inner urges to steal—but she’d made a commitment to her grandfather and she wasn’t going to change it.
    And she was proud to know she’d come out the other side.
    “What’s that smile for?”
    She glanced around the office once more before smoothly sharing her more casual thoughts from the elevator ride. “I was just thinking of my brother. I’m pretty sure he BASE jumped here.”
    “We both did.”
    “You jumped off the building?”
    “Yep.”
    “Together?”
    “No. Despite knowing his reputation, I’ve never met your brother.”
    “Why would you do something like that?”
    He shrugged but she saw that spark of pride flare up once more. “Because it was here.”
    “I suppose that’s as good an answer as any.”
    They both lingered for a moment, awareness filling the small space between them. Rowan had changed for the visit, her peasant blouse and jeans