by Неизвестный
Roger knelt by her side and looked at his friend. "Shit, man, I didn’t mean to elbow you."
Adrian nodded, keeping his eyes closed. "I know. It was an accident."
The afternoon sun beating down on Colette’s back nearly fried her skin, and it certainly wasn’t helping Adrian any. "I think you should move out of the sun. Can you stand? We’ll go over to the gazebo."
With help from the others, Adrian stood. Colette grabbed an extra towel and draped it over her shoulders, then slipped an arm around his waist. Damn, his body was rock hard. When he swayed, she brought her other arm up and grasped his shoulder. "Can you walk?"
"Yeah."
Taking careful steps, she led him to the shaded gazebo. She sat first then helped him lie down, making sure his head rested on the extra towel she rolled up as a pillow on her lap.
Adrian readjusted the ice pack, opening his eyes to look at her. She smiled. "Feeling better?"
The corner of his lips turned up into a grin. "Hurts like hell, but I’ll live."
"I think you should lie still until the bleeding stops."
He nodded. "Good idea. Right now my head is spinning so fast, I’m worried I’ll walk into something and hurt myself again."
She chuckled. "Then I won’t let you walk until you’re ready."
His grin widened. He looked over at his friends who stood nearby. "Hey, why don’t you guys go back and have fun? I’ll be out of commission for a while longer."
Gradually, the crowd dispersed and Colette was grateful for the privacy.
He gazed up sideways at her. "You know, you don’t look a day over twenty."
She laughed. "How old do you think I am?"
"Roger told me you were thirty-five, but you sure don’t look that old."
He’d been checking up on me. This was better than she’d first planned. His eyes were now focused on her breasts just mere inches away from his face. If she leaned down further, and if he turned his face toward her just a little more, she’d be able to move her nipple across his tempting mouth....
Shivers of delight ran over her skin. His tongue snaked out and slid across his lips. Her nipples tightened, and when his gaze went there his eyes turned smoky blue.
The plan to seduce the Senator’s son became another challenge. Adrian wouldn’t know her purpose because his father hadn’t been in her life for the past several years. She hid her scars well and one day she’d give John Robinson some of his own scars to hide.
Soon.
Very soon.
CHAPTER TWO
Adrian stared at the barely covered nipples that loomed so near. What did he think he was doing? Wrapping his lips around Colette’s pointy nipples was out of the question. Yet, it would be so easy to accidentally bump his face against them.
The throbbing in his swimming trunks matched the pounding in his nose. Something needed to be said, needed to happen to break this electrifying moment. He couldn’t let Roger’s sexy aunt get to him. After all, she was not a Victoria’s Secret goddess sent here for his pleasure.
Stirrings from within his wet trunks reminded him it’d been a while since his sexual needs had been satisfied.
But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t. The widow Carmichael was dangerous. He’d heard the stories.
Adrian cleared his throat and turned his face away. When he adjusted the icepack on his nose, his hand brushed against her breasts, and her nipples practically burned his skin. She gave a quick intake of breath. Inwardly he scolded himself for not remembering how close those mounds of pleasure were.
"Sorry," he said, trying to sit up.
"That’s okay." She held onto his shoulders, keeping him flat on his back. "You shouldn’t move yet."
But he couldn’t stay lying down with her hovering over him, either. It was too risky. "I ... I just thought you might be uncomfortable."
He glanced up at her and she gave him a smile. Damn, she must know what I’m thinking.
"I’m not uncomfortable," she said.
She touched her fingers to his hair, smoothing the strands away from his forehead. Her warm touch sent electricity through him, setting fire to his blood quicker than any woman ever had. Was it because she was so attractive? So damn sexy? Yet there was some kind of invisible force pulling him to her. Her nearness made it difficult to breathe, and his breath came faster, heavier. He swallowed, but his throat stayed dry.
"So, Adrian, what have you planned now that you’ve graduated?"
He sighed with relief. Thankfully, she’d said something to take his mind off his lustful thoughts.
"Actually, I have a job lined up already. I start work next week at Crane, Burns, and Rowley."
"Really? How impressive."
"During my last two years at Harvard, I had an internship with them. They liked me and thought I’d be a good asset to the law firm."
"Well, I’m sure they were inspired by your talents."
Her brows lifted, her eyes twinkling. Was she flirting? Why would she? Other women practically threw themselves at him for a chance to ride the money train, but Colette Carmichael already had wealth, and he didn’t think she needed power. Obviously, she was looking for a play toy and had him in mind.
He chuckled. "Thank you. I was up against stiff competition." And speaking of stiff.… He squirmed.
She tilted her head, still keeping her eyes on him. "Do you think your job offer had something to do with your father being a senator?"
He shrugged. "The thought has crossed my mind. I like to think I got this job because they know I’ll make a damn good lawyer."
"I’m sure you will."
She pushed her sunglasses up to perch on top of her head. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders and curled provocatively around her breasts.
He fought an inward battle, trying to keep his libido from beating like a tom-tom.
Now that he’d graduated, he needed a little rest and relaxation before starting his new job. Although his idea of relaxing might have included a beautiful woman, he wouldn’t take advantage of Roger’s sexy aunt. Especially not with her reputation.
Women came easy and he was tired of playing their game. He wanted an intelligent woman. Once they saw past his body, all they were after was a part of his father’s money and power.
He glanced back up at Colette. Her emerald eyes sparkled with mischief. What was she planning with him? Would he be a pawn in her game?
Her gaze moved over his chest, then down the length of him. His erection was obvious by the intense strain against his wet shorts. He cursed his weakness. The woman knew what she did to men--it was written on her Cheshire grin.
Although extremely beautiful, the stories circulating about her worried him. Had she killed her husband for his money? Did she still seduce men to get more? That could be the reason she was after him--to get a piece of his father’s wealth.
"How do you feel?" she asked, her voice husky with desire.
He cleared his throat. "The ice is helping. It doesn’t hurt as much."
"I’m no doctor, so you might want to have it looked at." She drew her finger down the side of his face.
He pulled away and tried to sit up. "I will."
She helped him sit next to her. His nose still throbbed with almost the same rhythm as his erection, and almost as painfully. What was she doing to him? But more importantly, why did he let her?
It surprised him to see a mirror hanging on the wall of the gazebo, but he figured Colette had it there for a reason. He stood, paused as he waited for the dizziness to pass, then walked over to it and gazed at his reflection. Moving the ice pack from his nose, he studied the puffiness in the middle of his face. Why in the hell did it have to happen now? He looked like the damn elephant man!
In the mirror, her movement caught his attention. She walked up behind him and peeked over his shoulder. When she smiled, her face softened. No, she certainly didn’t look thirty-five years old now.
"I guess I should go have my nose checked out." And my head.
She nodded. "Do you want me to take you?"
Through his damp swimming trunks, she lightly caressed his buttocks, and the heat from her hand made an imprint. He sucked in his breath. She touched him with such skill it nearly knocked him to his knees. It also made him want to turn and hold her perfect body against his.
But he wouldn’t. This was Roger’s aunt. It was unethical.
Being as polite as he could, he stepped out of her reach. "Mrs. Carmichael, thanks for everything, but I’ve got to go."
He took a step backwards and stumbled against a support pillar. With as much finesse as he could muster, he smiled at her then turned and hurried out of the gazebo. Imprinted in his mind was the dejected expression on her face, and on his ass, the heat from her hand.
CHAPTER THREE
Why hadn’t it worked?
Colette let out a frustrated growl and pushed the bike pedals faster than normal in her daily exercise. Last night’s try at seduction hadn’t gone as she’d hoped. Yet it worked on the other men at the party. They hadn’t taken their eyes off her.
Was it possible her seduction hadn’t worked because Adrian was John’s son? Did that somehow make him immune?
She clenched her jaw and pushed the exercise bike faster. I need to get my necklace back.
But how?
She slowed the pedals as the question swam around in her mind. While John had her necklace, he controlled her, which meant her powers remained useless against him.
But it appeared she couldn’t even use her seductive powers on the very man she wanted. Only on the men John wanted to control.
A burning sensation began in her thigh muscles, so she slowed her leg motion. She breathed slower, trying to get her heart rate back to normal. Yet the more she thought about Senator John Robinson, the angrier she became.
How could she obtain her powers if she couldn’t seduce John’s son? The younger Robinson was vital to her plan.
A ring came from the hallway. Colette stopped the exercise bike and listened over the whirling of the tires. Had the doorbell rung? Between her laborious breathing and the fans blowing, it was hard to hear anything else.
The doorbell chimed again. She cursed and grabbed her towel, brushing it over her damp forehead, then down her neck.
"Mae? Would you answer the door?"
Where was her maid? Colette draped the towel around her neck, and left her home gym to walk into the foyer. She called out again, "Mae?" Her voice echoed through the house.
Groaning, she remembered. Her housekeeper had run into town this morning. Colette was the only one in the house. Now she’d have to answer the door looking like she’d just stepped out of a sauna.
Lifting up the edge of the towel from her shoulder, she dabbed her face. She opened the door, and froze. Adrian Robinson.
She bit her lip when another curse threatened to escape. This wasn’t the way she wanted to look when trying to seduce the man. She’d pulled her hair back in a ponytail, and she was sure most of her make-up was gone.
But she had one thing going for her--the white skin-hugging leotard and sports bra that showed off her tight stomach. Her body glowed with the sheen of perspiration from her workout. Didn’t that turn most guys on?
She smiled. "Hello, again, Adrian."
"Hello, Mrs. Carmichael."
Inwardly, she cringed. She hated being called that name. It reminded her of the deal she couldn’t get out of with John Robinson. "Please, call me Colette."
He nodded, but didn’t reply. He didn’t have to. She knew his thoughts, only because his blue eyes had turned darker. His bold gaze swept over her exercise outfit, lingering on the spandex stretched across her chest that emphasized her breasts. The deep cut of the sports bra also showed a sizable amount of cleavage slick with moisture.
While he checked her out, she did her own inspection. The black t-shirt fit his torso like a second skin, and his crisp, new blue jeans molded well to the lower half of his body, especially his crotch. On his feet were black leather loafers.
She slid her gaze back up his body. There wasn’t a hair out of place, his full mane slicked back in small waves. His eyelashes were as long as she remembered--and his lips, just as full and inviting. Underneath both eyes showed the slight bruise from his nose injury, but it didn’t distract from his handsome looks.
She folded her arms under her breasts, squeezing them a little more as she leaned against the doorframe. "What a surprise to see you again, Adrian. Is there something I can do for you?" she purred.
His gaze lifted to meet her eyes. He smiled and a small dimple in his chin flashed at her. Adorable.
"Actually, I came to return the icepack I’d borrowed." He held out the package.
She chuckled. "You really didn’t need to do that."
"Well, I couldn’t very well keep it."
She pulled away from the doorframe and stepped back. "Would you like to come in?" She swiped her hand, motioning for him to enter.
"No, thank you. I was on my way to another appointment and thought I’d drop this off." His gaze swept over her body again. "Besides, I’m keeping you from your workout."
"I was finished, anyway. Would you like to have a glass of iced tea with me?" She lifted the corner of the towel and dabbed her neck, then down lightly over the tops of her breasts. His eyes followed her movement.
"Thanks, but--"
She reached out and touched his arm, afraid of another rejection. "Please, Adrian. I would like it very much."
He swallowed. She liked that she made him nervous. But then why hadn’t she completely lured him to her? Had she lost her touch? Or had he been protected because John was his father?
"Well, all right, but just for a few minutes."
She let out a relieved sigh and smiled. Hooking her hand around his elbow, she pulled him into the house, shutting the door behind him. Beneath her hand, his muscles flexed.
"It’s a pleasure to see you again, Adrian. We really didn’t have much time to chat last night."
"No, we didn’t."
"So how’s your nose?"
She kept her eyes on his face. He kept his gaze straight forward, not looking at her. His towering height impressed her. She only came to the top of his shoulder.
"It’s not broken."
"I’m glad."
She led him into the kitchen and over to the bar, then let go of his arm. Turning her back to him, she left his side, swinging her hips as she walked over to the refrigerator and opened it.
"Adrian, will you get the glasses, please? They’re in that cabinet to your left."
She lifted the pitcher of tea and brought it over to the counter. He set the glasses down in front of her. "Let me get some ice, first." She turned back to the ice machine and picked up the small bucket and tongs beside it. Silence lagged between them while the cubes noisily clunked into the bucket.
He cleared his throat. "So, Colette, you mentioned yesterday that you knew my father."
She clamped her teeth together. This was something she didn’t want to discuss. Some way she had to get him off this particular subject.
Putting a smile on her face, she glanced at him over her shoulder. "Yes. Several years ago he and my husband were friends."
"Was that before he became Senator?"
She nodded, picked up the tongs and brought the bucket over to the counter. "My husband was one of his biggest supporters during the campaign." With the tongs, she dropped the ice into the glass.
"Really?"
She filled her glass with the cubes before answering. "Yes, I had just barely met Roger’s uncle at that time."
Adrian exhaled roughly. Did she witness it right? Why did he look relieved? Why was his expression more relaxed? She poured the iced tea in his glass before she filled hers.
He lifted the drink to his mouth and drank. She, too, sipped from her own glass, refusing to look away from the temptation. He lowered the glass and then licked his lips. She resisted the urge to help.
When she set her drink down on the counter, she sighed. "Mmmm, that hit the spot." She picked up the edge of the towel still draped around her neck and dabbed her forehead. "It’s definitely a hot day." She picked a cube out of the bucket and touched it to her neck. Tilting her head back, she slid the cube down her skin and over her breasts toward her cleavage.
She looked back at him. His gaze followed the ice cube. "Yes, and it promises to get hotter," he added in a softer tone.
She grinned. "I’m sure it will."
He rested his elbows on the counter and leaned forward. "Colette? Can I ask you a personal question?"
She flipped the ice cube in the sink before resting her own elbows on the counter and leaning in, giving him an ample view of her breasts. His eyes darkened.
"What is it you’d like to know, Adrian?"
"I’d like to know what you’re doing."
Her heart picked up rhythm. Did he know her purpose? And more importantly, why was he questioning it?
"What do you think I’m doing, Adrian?"
His dark eyebrows rose. "Don’t play coy with me. I’m on to you, lady."
Panic washed over her, making it hard to breathe. Her seduction wasn’t working ... but it had to work. She couldn’t give up.
She pulled away and walked around the counter, closer to him. His body turned as she came toward him until his back leaned against the counter. She stood in front of him, wanting to touch him, but not daring to--not yet, anyway.
Through her fear, she kept the smile on her face. "How are you on to me, Adrian?" She deepened her voice.
His gaze traveled over her face, then came to rest on her lips. She moistened them with her tongue.
"I know what you’re doing."
"What am I doing?"
He shook his head and grinned. "What do you take me for, Colette? An idiot? I know you’re looking at me as if I’m your next play toy."
She chuckled and stepped closer, her breasts merely a breath away from touching his chest. But she resisted for now. "And what is wrong with wanting to play?"
"I’m your nephew’s friend."
"You’re a man, I’m a woman. That’s all I see, Adrian."