Lured In (Dark Paradise, #1)

by Avent, V. R.

  “Perhaps a Dirtay?” Carmen asked, motioning her head and darting her eyes in Mr. Sexy’s direction, which was her way of telling me to get dirty with him.

  “I’ll have a Perfect Angel,” I said looking back at Carmen, who pouted and dryly said, “Perfect angel, my ass.”

  “Ms. Winterfield, I’m afraid we have no such drink,” the waitress said behind a dark smile.

  “Surely the bartender can make the drink,” Mr. Sexy demanded. The waitress gave him a puzzled look before turning an evil-eyed glare in my direction.

  “What are the contents of the drink?” the waitress asked dryly.

  “Equal parts Jose Cuervo Eighteen Hundred Anejo and Eighteen Hundred Coconut and very little mint. Shake it well with crushed ice, strain, and garnish with a cherry. Also, salt and sugar mixed and lime and orange wedges for chasing,” I said happily. The waitress gave me another phony smile.

  “Make that two, Lindsay,” Mr. Sexy said. He was staring at me again—had he ever stopped?

  Carmen and Matt ordered T-bone steaks with asparagus and shrimp Alfredo.

  “I’ll take the salmon. Is it possible to have it stuffed with jumbo lump crab and peppered bacon?” I asked.

  Before she could answer, Mr. Sexy said, “Of course it is,” looking at waitress with a make-it-happen look.

  “How would you know what they can or can’t do in the kitchen? Maybe the chef doesn’t take special orders,” I scolded.

  “Surely the chef can accommodate your request,” he said, looking from the waitress to me.

  “Salmon stuffed with jumbo lump crab and peppered bacon, and what else would you like with that, Ms. Winterfield?” the waitress asked, frowning.

  “Asparagus and shrimp Alfredo with peppered bacon–wrapped lobster bites.” I handed her my menu gleefully.

  “And you, sir. The usual?”

  “No, I would like to have what Ms. Winterfield is having. It sounds delicious.” He continued, “Oh, and Lindsay, bring back a few bottles of Dom Pérignon Oenothèque and the Oenothèque Rosé.”

  “And water,” I added.

  The waitress smiled and headed to the back with our orders.

  “So, Ms. Winterfield, care to tell me how I came to be called Mr. Sexy?”

  Fuck! He is so relentless.

  I ignored his question and tried to distract him with a few of my own. “Why did you promote me to president, knowing that I don’t have the experience or degree necessary to fill the position? And how is it that you are the CEO?”

  Knowing I was looking at him, waiting for him to answer my questions, he slowly pulled his drink to his luscious lips that he purposely licked seductively and took a sip.

  Mmm. That is truly a set of delectable lips. I bet they’re soft, too.

  “I don’t remember seeing your name on any of the documents,” I quickly added to distract myself.

  I sat in a conference for over four hours with this man, who made me hot, bothered, and wet, and I don’t even know his name. How pathetic of you, I scolded myself.

  “Trust me, I was mentioned on the documents.” He grinned wickedly—he’d obviously figured out that I didn’t know his name or who he was. I was late to the meeting, so I’d missed the introductions. He continued with a charming smirk, “It wasn’t under Mr. Sexy.”

  I looked at him and smiled. “Where on the documents exactly?” I asked. Of course he didn’t respond.

  “Where on the documents?” I directed my question to Matt, who was in deep conversation with Carmen, all coquetry and smiles.

  “Where what, Abi?” Matt was still looking blissfully and passionately at Carmen.

  “I don’t remember seeing his name on any of the documents from the merger deal.”

  “Whose name?” Matt was smiling at Carmen, who had just kissed him.

  “Just ask me my name, Ms. Abigail Marie Winterfield.” Mr. Sexy leaned into my right ear seductively. He released an amazing, sensational wave of his warm breath upon my neck. The sensation was the same as in the conference room earlier. He must’ve taken notice of how I had responded then. Just as before, my heartbeat had picked up speed in a quick second, causing me to sigh deeply through my nose while biting down on my bottom lip.

  “Ask me my name, Ms. Winterfield,” he softly demanded again, barely nuzzling my neck with his nose while releasing another round of warm breath that kissed my neck ever so gently. I squeezed my thighs closer together as my pussy started responding to him once more. The way he demanded me turned me on, and I still did not know his name. I was slightly panting and could feel the blood boiling in my veins. The waitress returned with our drinks and the requested bottles on a rollaway table.

  Thank you, God! Again!

  “We have two more Dirtys.”

  “No, Dirtay,” Carmen corrected her in a sexy tone.

  “Dirtay,” The waitress rephrased with a favorable smile. “Two Perfect Angels, which I hope are made correctly.” She blushed at Mr. Sexy. “Water and three bottles of Dom Pérignon for the table. Do enjoy.”

  “Toast?” Carmen asked. We all raised our glasses as she toasted, “To being happy and free and having great friendship.”

  “And being a great president, who I trust can handle any position,” Mr. Sexy added, piercing me with his lovely eyes.

  We clinked our glasses and proceeded to drink.

  “So how do I drink this?” Mr. Sexy asked me, referring to the Perfect Angel.

  “Watch me; it’s all about the proper position,” I said flirtatiously. Since you want it dirty—dirtay—I’ll give you dirtay.

  I poured the salt and sugar blend on the bridge of my right hand, between my thumb and index finger, and stacked the lime and orange wedges on top of each other with my left hand. Seductively and slowly, while looking intensely at Mr. Sexy, I licked the salt and sugar and tossed back the shot, leaving the cherry behind. I grabbed the stacked wedges, sucked them together, and let some of the juices flow from my lips. I licked my lips, grabbed the cherry, and sucked Jose from it. He repositioned himself and tugged at his necktie.

  Our eyes were fixed on each other as I said, “This is the only way you handle it.”

  “Perfect Angel, my ass!” Carmen said in amazement. Completely different tone from when she said it when I placed the order.

  Matt laughed, clapping his hands, and said, “Welcome back, Abi.”

  “Your turn, Zach,” Carmen whooped out.

  Zach! His name is Zach.

  I looked at him with a smile of victory, as I now had his name, and said, “We’re all waiting, Zach.”

  He smiled back wickedly and said, “I’m sure I can master the positions correctly and handle it very well.”

  Doing exactly as I had, not missing a beat, he had my heart pounding, among other body parts. Daaamn! I squirmed in my seat.

  “Well done, Mr.—Zach.” I stopped myself before I could say the word.

  “Oh, Zach it is now, huh? I thought it was Mr. Sexy?” Zach said, stealing my victory away from me.

  “No. I’m afraid I don’t remember such,” I countered with flirty eyes and a smile. He smiled in response.

  I looked at the bottles of Dom Pérignon, and Zach asked if I wanted to try it. I nodded while locking eyes with him, and he poured and passed me a glass of the rosé. I smelled it as if it were wine, although I knew it wasn’t, took a sip, and allowed my palate to savor its magnificent taste.

  “Wow, this really does taste good,” I said, nodding in approval.

  We all drank some of the D. P. and must have had at least two glasses each before the waitress came back to the table with our meals.

  We began eating while Matt and Carmen continued their deep conversation. Zach kept staring at me, and finally he asked me if the chef had prepared my meal to my liking.

  “Yes,” I said as I stuffed a big piece of bacon-wrapped lobster in my mouth.

  “Great. I’m glad the chef gets to keep his job tonight,” he said—jokingly, I thought. He took another bite
of his stuffed salmon and leaned over, as he had done so many times that day, and whispered, “Ms. Winterfield, I am Zach Austin McConnallay, and I am very pleased with the meal you have chosen for me.”

  I blushed, smiled like crazy, and said, “Very nice to finally meet you, Mr. McConnallay, sir.”

  He sighed deeply through his nostrils and released a wave of warm sensation from his breath on my neck. He gave me a seductive look and ate more of his food, leaving me panting again.

  Damn, how does he do that? Surely he knows that shit turns me on.

  I locked eyes with him and took another bite, licking the corners of my mouth intentionally. I drank my drink and seductively licked my lips before and after. He repositioned himself in his seat a few times in response.

  Noticing that he was sexually aroused and kept shifting in his seat as a result, I leaned over and asked, “Un-com-for-table?” letting every syllable flow out of my mouth seductively.

  Then I saw a figure staring at us. Zach noticed my eyes and then the change in my mood. He looked to his right, and his body language said it all. He knew her and knew her well, and she him. He looked at her and then back at me, and I looked at Carmen and Matt, who looked at me.

  “Excuse me!” the beautiful blonde said rudely. “I need to talk to Zach. Now!” She looked over at Matt and said, “Nice to see you, too, Matt.”

  Carmen’s face turned into a grimace, and Matt placed his hands over hers to calm her down. Zach stared at the woman without saying a word.

  Carmen whispered to Matt, “Who is that?”

  “Old flame,” I heard him say.

  “Looks like that flame is still very much alive. More like a fire to me,” I replied dishearteningly.

  Zach turned back to look at me but didn’t say anything, and he walked away with Ms. or Mrs. Sexy, the beautiful blonde.

  “What the fuck!” Carmen blurted out of her intoxicated mouth, looking in their direction. I looked to Matt to see if his eyes, face, or body language would give away what had just happened. All I got was Matt shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head, just as surprised as we were.

  “Excuse me,” I said, getting up to go to the ladies’ room.

  “Need me to come with you?” Carmen asked.

  “No. You stay here and finish playing bedroom eyes with Matt,” I said with a forced smile.

  “You sure, Abi?” She asked genuinely.

  I nodded my head and headed to the ladies’ room to hide from the humiliation.

  It was times like these that I wished I had a close relationship with my mother. She would know what to say. I called my mom, anyway, to check in on my daughter, and just to hear my mom’s voice. My stepdad answered the telephone.

  “Abi!” he called out joyfully. “How are you doing, sweetie? Is everything OK?”

  “Just fine. I was calling Mom to check in on Gabi, but I’m glad you answered. Do you know anything about why my position changed during the merger deal?”

  “Because you deserve it, sweetie—that’s why. And how do you know about that? You had already left the meeting before your promotion was discussed.”

  “It got back to me, Dad. You know I’m not qualified for that position.”

  My mom picked up the other phone in the house and countered, “Oh, sweetie, you are so qualified for the position. Just look at what you did for Capitol Health when you started. Don’t get so down on yourself like this, Abi. I can hear it in your voice, you know.”

  What you can hear is the sound of humiliation, I wanted to cry out.

  “We’ll discuss me not accepting the position over dinner Sunday night. How is Gabi, mother?”

  “She’s sleeping, Abi. Sweetie, don’t give up on this position. OK?”

  “Sunday, Mom. Got to go.”

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

  “Holy Fuck!” I screamed out when I turned and found Zach standing there. “What the hell are you doing in here?” I continued in a not-so-friendly manner that made him throw up both his hands in front of his face. “You know what, don’t even answer that question. Just keep quiet and move out of my fucking way.” I was enraged and looked at him with my I-hate-the-fuck-out-of-you eyes. “I knew it. I fucking knew it. You are just another philanderer,” I said.

  “Abi, can I explain?”

  “Fuck you and your explanation. How dare you flirt and show interest in me when you have a woman? Now I’m standing here looking like a fucking homewrecker to onlookers. What kind of woman do you take me for?”

  Not giving him the opportunity to defend himself, quite frankly because I didn’t want to hear what came from his mouth, I left him standing there and went back to the table to find Carmen and Matt lip-locked.

  I sat down, grabbed two hundred-dollar bills from my wallet, and put them on the table.

  “Later,” I said.

  “Abi, wait, I’ll come with you,” Carmen said, looking apologetically at Matt.

  “No, Carmen. Stay with Matt. You know I need to be by myself.”

  Matt got up and gave me a hug. “We have to do this again. OK?”

  “You know it,” I replied.

  “I’ll call you first thing in the morning.” Carmen said.

  “You mean late afternoon,” I said, smiling at her and Matt.

  Zach came up behind me, asking again if he could explain.

  “Let her be,” Carmen demanded.

  I left Sens and hailed down a cab. I looked once more at Sens and saw Zach standing in the doorway before the cabbie pulled off.

  Chapter Four

  I woke up around eleven the next morning. My mom had called to tell me that Gabe had picked Gabi up and would drop her back off on Sunday night.

  “OK, Mom,” I said, lightly grunting at my body aches.

  “What’s the matter, Abi? Is it something I can help you with?”

  “No, just hung over. I think I enjoyed myself too much last night.”

  “Well, I love to hear that you enjoyed yourself. I’ll see you tomorrow night for dinner.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  I hung up the phone and headed straight to the bathroom to take a bath. I started a hot bath. While I was in the bath, Carmen called to check in on me. I assured her that I was fine and would see her later.

  After I got out of the bath, I decided to check the messages and calls I had ignored last night. A number that I didn’t recognize had called me more than fifteen times between late last night and early that day. I listened to the first message and was very surprised to hear Zach’s voice. I’m going to kill Carmen for giving him my damn number!

  Around 12:30 p.m. my doorbell rang. I put on my short robe to cover my skimpy lace garments and opened the door. It was Mr. Bill, the concierge. He had come up to hand deliver flowers to me.

  “For you, Ms. Winterfield,” he said, smiling.

  I looked at Mr. Bill with narrowed eyes before accepting the flowers. “Thank you, Mr. Bill.”

  I closed the door, placed the enormous arrangement of the multicolored calla lilies on the floor by the front of the foyer door and read the handwritten note.

  Abigail Marie Winterfield,

  I’m so sorry about last night. Please, please allow me to explain and make it up to you.

  Z. (Mr. Sexy)

  P.S. Please turn me over.

  On the back were Zach’s cell, home, and office phone numbers and his e-mail addresses.

  How the hell does he know where I live? Carmen!

  I dropped the note on the floor and went about my business.

  Carmen called later and said she was in the lobby. I keyed in the security code in the phone so she could enter the elevator to come up. I let Carmen in and she immediately noticed the over-the-top flower arrangement.

  “From who?” she asked, pointing to the flowers.

  I rolled my eyes, shook my head, and took a deep breath. “Zach,” I said, twisting my lips and rolling my eyes again. “You know, the one you gave my number and address to last nigh
t.”

  “I didn’t give Zach your number or address. What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I checked my messages earlier, and Zach had left several messages. And then Mr. Bill delivered those flowers with that handwritten note from Zach.” I pointed out the note on the floor.

  “I didn’t give it to him. And how are you, too, Ms. Cranky?”

  I walked to the sofa and sat down, and Carmen bent down to pick up the note. She read the first couple of words and turned to me, smiling. She sat down on the sofa beside me and read it aloud.

  “Wow! Damn, Abi. All the numbers and the e-mail addresses. I wonder if the philanderer does this to all of the women he upsets on the first date?”

  “It wasn’t a date, Carmen. And he told you I called him that?”

  “Yes, right after you left.”

  “It’s the truth.”

  “That girl doesn’t mean anything to him. As a matter of fact, Abi, last night was the first time he saw or heard from her in more than two years.”

  “I don’t care about him or her, Carmen. Can we drop the subject, please?”

  “Holy shit! He got to you, didn’t he?”

  “No!” I said loudly. He had managed to penetrate the security I’d built around me.

  “Yes, he did. Abi, those feelings yesterday are a bit deeper than him turning you on. He cracked the safe and stole your heart. Love at first sight?”

  I looked at Carmen with my leave-it-the-fuck-alone eyes. Her gaze was steady as she looked back at me.

  “OK, Abi. I’ll drop it, for now. But call him at one of the numbers. Hell, even e-mail him.”

  We laughed, and I began to cheer up.

  “So you and Matt seemed pretty intense last night.”

  Carmen smiled and her face lit up. “Oh, Abi. I confess. I’m still in love with him.”

  “And he is very much still in love with you.”

  Carmen closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, and smiled. This was the Carmen I knew, always happy and smiling. When she and Matt had called it quits, she was devastated and entered a depressive funk. Even after she moved on and started dating other guys, she constantly compared them to Matt.

  “I think you should tell Matt how you feel,” I suggested.