Deceived by Desire

i

Liam West

gn-like a coat I'd

never planned to revisit

ms. Liam forga

o use for such

ter. And Leo didn'

d back at me from t

ed, unflinching-met my ga

cold, deep blue that mad

ean line beneath high ch

ed unless i

face, styled immacul

lious. Everyt

navy silk against

fit like it was stitched

ision. One last bre

cra

sitat

suitcase and stepped

scent of disinfectant cli

a slap-brisk, almost bra

to bite; I

the city was slow

rattle of wheels over cr

muters absorbed in screens

ad places to be

a mi

on, I

to view like a titan

hing the pale sunlight an

bition, intimidation, and

t. The giant silver "G"

sharp as

ce built on p

conglomerate of e

to talk about how. Re

hey called it "corporate

g else e

around the handl

s. Not really. And t

ap

us, straightened my

the tall, curved glass do

over me-like it

ed rig

I wal

and clinical, bat

de windows. The floors we

r-like sheen. A giant abs

ed by minimalist leather

ut with brisk purpose, n

ay at the

more than a gla

d man in a

n desk and gave my n

ion toward t

d fl

e lift and watched

ered slightly on

t," I muttered unde

un

ith a chime, and I

by. Warm lighting, wood p

his was a curated space.

sa

lready seated, like

look nervous. I sat down

nd waited. Calm. Quie

, a receptionist ca

st

walked int

ecting-what threw

aiting for me on the o

t what I'

ng HR veteran. No s

ed

nde hair that fram

symmetry-high cheekbones,

ity, and a calm, commandi

ubtle pearl earrings. No

. Just once. T

id, her tone polite

at

bey

ed. "I'll be condu

da

na. No l

meet you. I was sta

was a test i

t smile. "We like

u

it was just becaus

ow

lip twitched but s

folder in front of

ed quickly, noting things

, inconsi

-sharp, smart ones.

on, global fi

with the polish of

prove competence, and j

brow in

bout my approach

ghtly and said, "Like a go

. Too little, and it's j

sive

a bit openl

ever heard financi

nch ba

eward," I said. "P

theoretical. If you ever w

I would be ab

amused. "You're an

rt

etter than bei

erview continued sm

she was genuinely intri

t never pushed too hard.

the next n

she closed

said, standing. "

"Pleasure meeti

, but I caught the

er breath

I rejoined the othe

e came back looking de

h

ike to see Leo

st

aste time. "Congratu

o

e to touch my lips

rtun

9 A.M. sharp. Someo

ils late

forward

the office and bac

the wind hit me again

ncing once ov

p stood tal

one wa

ard the corner and

whispered

e game