Masquerading With the CEO
Page 10
You lied to him too. Don’t be a hypocrite. Give him another chance. She stepped back, giving herself room to do what she had to do.
“Whatever those reasons are, I think it’s worth us exploring. When you look in my eyes, I see something there. Admit it, you like me.” He smiled and showed her the biggest dimples she’d ever seen.
“I never said I didn’t like you. I do.” She lowered her head. Don’t commit to anything. Just take things one day at a time. “Jake, let’s go slow—take our—”
Cutting her off, he kissed her hard and deep. Heat rushed from her head to her toes. What was she saying?
He raised his head and kissed her forehead. Relief showed through his gaze. “Let’s go into my office so I can show you how slow and easy I can be.” He gave her ass a light swat.
“Jake! You know what I meant, and that wasn’t it.” The man stared at her like he wanted to eat her alive. And a second later she found herself backing into his modern office as he moved in front of her, stalking her with those devilishly sexy eyes.
“So you don’t want me to show you slow, Clyde.” He slammed his office door behind him. “You know I’ve always wanted to use my desk for other things than work.” A wicked grin eased across his lips.
“That’s definitely not slow.” She bumped into the desk. “Fine, Mr. Eastwood. After this one time, we will start slow.” As she leaned against his desk, she caught sight of The Vault casino next door through the window and thought about his situation with Mark. “So what are you going to do about Mark?”
“As it turns out, it is illegal to steal employees.”
“That’s great, Jake. I hope you get all your employees back.” A big part of her was happy that her dad had chosen another person to design The Vault instead of her.
“Only if they want to come back. The only person who truly matters to me right now is you.” He cleared his desk with one swoop of his arm and lifted her on top. “Ever played Secretary and Boss?”
“No. But I’ll be the boss first.” Kylie slid off the surface, playfully shoving him against the desk. “Now. Get on up there before I dock your pay, admin.”
Jake cocked his head and said in his best Clint Eastwood accent, “I’m not afraid of any man, but when it comes to you—”
Kylie kissed him, shutting him up momentarily. “Don’t give up your day job, Jake. Acting is not for you.”
“What about stripping?” He began unbuttoning his pants when a pack of orange Tic Tacs fell to the floor.
She picked them up and shook them. “Hmm. I’ll let you audition. And if you’re good, I’ll pay you with these.” She popped one into her mouth.
“I want way more than a mint.” He grabbed her hips and pulled her against him. His stare shot right into her soul “I want you very, very much, Ky.”
Chapter Eleven
Six months later, the new decor was complete, and Kylie was the new senior designer at her father’s firm. Her goal had been accomplished, but now it wasn’t what she’d desired most. Jake was. She’d fallen head over heels. And he loved her too. Really loved her.
“Are you sure about this?” Jake asked.
“Are you?” she asked him as they rode in the back of the Rolls Royce.
The driver pulled up to the drive-thru chapel. Jake looked so handsome in his black tux and a white shirt. God, she could eat him up daily.
“Yes, but are you sure you don’t want a grand wedding instead? Every girl dreams of a big wedding.” He squeezed her trembling hand. “We still can do it if you want to.”
“No. This is perfect. Just the two of us at the drive-thru.” She laughed. “Unless you want a big wedding.”
“Nope. Just you.” He paused and wet his lips. “But I hope you don’t mind I invited a few guests and your dad to celebrate with us back at Masquerade. Your pushy friends insisted.”
“Really?” Her heart swelled and her eyes filled.
She loved Jake Royale. Not for what he was. Not for what he did. Not for what he owned. But for understanding her completely.
She loved the entire sexy package. Kylie leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you, Jake. You have no idea how happy that makes me.”
His eyes brightened. “Good. But before we arrive I have something for you.” He reached behind him and pulled out a large banana.
She laughed. “A banana? What’s this for?”
“When we dance our first dance as husband and wife you must put this in your mouth, Clyde,” he said, and then winked.
“Very funny, Eastwood,” she giggled, then hit his arm. “And I thought you wanted me to use it on you later tonight.”
His jaw dropped. “Um. That won’t be necessary.”
He pulled her against him and swept her away into a deep kiss. Tears welled up behind her eyelids at how happy she was with Jake. And with herself.
“I bought a wedding gift for you too.” She reached over the front seat and handed him a dozen packs of Tic Tacs. “I didn’t know what to get the man who already had everything.”
“You’re wrong. I had nothing, Kylie. Not until you.”
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Acknowledgments
Thanks to Liz Pelletier for inviting me to submit this Vegas story and to Kim and Suzanne for being patient editors.
Also, thanks to my writing buddies (you know who you are) for always being there for me.
Lastly, thank you to my family for understanding that writing comes before cooking and cleaning. (Well, for sort of understanding. LOL.)
About the Author
Dawn wouldn’t necessarily call herself a bayou girl, (A New Orleans lady sounds better, though it may not be true. LOL) but she does have the occasional gator park itself in her front yard.
Give Dawn anything chocolate and she’ll be your friend for life. When she isn’t fishing, golfing, writing or reading, you can find her on the beach or watching her favorite television shows such as Game of Thrones, True Blood, Supernatural, Hell on Wheels, and pretty much any home renovation show she can find.
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