by Andre, Bella
She responded heatedly to the embrace. Her heartbeat thundered as his hands drifted down her body and pulled off her nightgown. He caressed the ripe flesh of her breasts, lowering his mouth to take the hard crests between his lips, sucking with slow, teasing motions that urged her hips to press into his, her thighs opening to welcome him.
In her dream, he made love to her with all the passionate intensity she remembered, exploring every inch of her skin with his hands and lips and tongue, driving her into a wild frenzy of need, until she begged him to take her.
Then with a single, powerful thrust he drove deep inside of her. The pounding rhythm escalated so rapidly she dug her nails into his shoulders as the tension grew, her head arching backward into the pillow as the tempo increased faster and faster, making the blood pound through her veins. Then the climax came, hard, pushing her over the edge until a scream broke from her lips, and she heard her name being whispered in her ear as she floated through the air.
Knowing once she opened her eyes the image would be a distant memory, she breathed in the scent of male sweat and musk, reveling in the feel of his sleek muscled length pressing against her, his weight covering her.
Then she realized she wasn’t dreaming.
Chandler’s eyes flew open in disbelief as she took in the sprawling male figure on top of her. His lips curved in a satisfied smile. “Logan!”
His hand stroked her breast with lazy motions. “It better be me, lady. If you had screamed the wrong name, I would have had something to worry about.” She blushed at the wild, open response she had given him. “What are you doing here? It’s the middle of the night. Have you gone crazy?”
“I was crazy to let three weeks drag on in the first place.” He moved upward and pressed her deep into the pillows, moving her wrists above her head so she was trapped beneath him. Smoky gray eyes burned in the darkness. “I was crazy to let my pride and your stubbornness come between us. I spoke with your father today.”
Chandler kept her voice neutral. “What did he say?”
“He offered me his company. The whole enchilada. No strings attached. Gave me a tidy little speech about trusting me to make him a profit.”
“What did you say?”
His lips traveled down her neck. “I told him to go to hell.”
“What?”
A laugh rumbled his chest. “I told him I never wanted the contract in the first place. That’s when I realized you were behind the whole thing. You convinced your father to give me what you thought I wanted.” He trailed kisses along the side of her jaw, then moved over her lips, his tongue slipping inside her mouth to kiss her hungrily. She clung to his shoulders and met each thrust of his tongue with one of her own.
When he broke away, Logan spoke in a fierce tone. “You little fool, don’t you know the only thing I ever wanted was you? Not your father’s company or his money.”
Chandler smiled radiantly as the realization finally dawned on her. Even after he was offered a contract with her father--which did not include marrying her--he declined. Logan Grant had given up the opportunity to rule a financial empire because he wanted her more.
“What about Richard?” she asked.
“Thorne will never bother us again. Now he’s going to be looking for a new job.”
She winced. “You fired him?”
“Yes. He’s a good worker, sweetheart, but I can never trust him again. And I want him far away from you.”
She nodded, knowing it was the only logical action Logan could take. “I love you,” she whispered. She ran her hands over his hard features. “I was afraid I’d lost you, that I had pushed you too far when I said I would never believe you again.”
“You could never lose me. The moment I realized you had set up the offer, I knew I had to come to you.”
“So you decided to sneak into my bedroom in the middle of the night?” she asked teasingly. The crisp hairs on his thigh tickled her as he entangled his legs with hers.
“Of course. What else do rational, logical businessmen do when they are crazy in love, and want to make love to their women?” His palm settled over the curve of her hip. “I’ll never give you a reason not to believe in me. I love you too much.” He paused. “You’ve changed me, Chandler. You looked past all the barriers, found my soul, and loved me anyway. I like the man I am with you.” He smiled.
His lips rubbed over hers, sweetly, lovingly, as all the emotions suddenly burst from between them, shedding all the doubts and fears for the very last time. What was left was a pure, lighthearted joy and a raging passion that sent Chandler’s soul soaring high above the heavens.
“I think we still have something important to discuss, Mr. Grant.” Her eyes sparkled with happiness.
His palm coasted from the curve of her buttocks to dip to her inner thigh. She moaned. “Yes, Ms. Santell?”
“The contract.”
His finger lightly tested the liquid heat as he found her core. Her breath came in short pants. “Ah, yes, the contract. I’m sure we’ll be able to work up something beneficial to us both. Of course, this time there will be no escape clause. The arrangement will be on a more permanent basis.”
“No trial period?”
A wicked grin transformed his features. With one quick movement, he moved inside of her and joined his body with hers. Slowly, he started a teasing rhythm that coaxed throaty moans from her lips.
“This trial period ends on our wedding day,” he growled, raining tiny kisses over her cheek.
“Where do I sign?”
Logan interlaced his fingers with hers and started a sensual journey of love as old as time.
Epilogue
Chandler escorted her last student out and shut the door behind her. The studio was blessedly quiet after an especially large class. She rolled her shoulders, grabbed the broom, and began to sweep the bare wood floors.
Olivia popped her head of the office. “All clear?”
Chandler laughed and waved her in. “They’re all gone.”
Her assistant let out a relieved breath and walked in. “Good. Dexter is having relationship problems and says Camel pose is helping him work through his blockage.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
She wrinkled her nose. “It is when he shares a blow by blow of their problematic sexual relationship. You’re usually the one students flock to. How’d I get this one?”
“Your warm and generous personality?”
Olivia snorted, marched over, and grabbed the broom from her fingers. Her straight black hair brushed her shoulders, and bright blue eyes regarded her with suspicion. “As if. Why are you cleaning up? Don’t you have to get home to your hunky fiancé?”
She couldn’t help the silly smile that pulled at her lips. Just the word got her all mushy inside. She’d turned into such a girl about the upcoming wedding. Studying her engagement ring in different forms of light. Poring over glossy magazines and pondering ridiculous details like favors and cake. “He had a dinner meeting. He’s working like mad so we can get a full two weeks for the honeymoon.”
“Italy, huh?”
“And India. There’s an ashram I’ve been wanting to visit for a long time. I figured he’d call me crazy, but he made the arrangements right away.”
Olivia paused with her sweeping. “I’m glad you found each other. I love seeing you so happy.”
Chandler studied her friend, noting the strain around her eyes, and almost sad smile. “Want to talk?”
She shook her head. “After you counseled over a dozen students tonight a week before your wedding? Nah, I’m good.”
“Boys, huh?”
That got her a laugh. Olivia was the first person she’d hired, and had become not only indispensable but also a friend. She had none of the typical qualities someone deep into the practice usually exhibited, but there was a solid center inside that calmed the students and urged them to push their barriers. Olivia made people feel safe. As if her own journey had been difficult enough to allow he
r to be kind to others. But Chandler learned early that her friend disliked private sharing. She wouldn’t counsel. Refused to participate in group confessions. She was an excellent teacher and supporter. But no one crossed her boundaries.
Chandler knew she was divorced, had no children, and had also walked away from the corporate environment to simplify her life. That was enough.
“Let’s just say I got screwed again and not in a good way. Maybe it’s a sign. I need to concentrate on my own journey. “
Her heart broke from her friend’s expression. “I’m sorry. But you know what I always say, right?”
“Closing a door opens a window?”
“No.”
“Tomorrow’s another day?”
“No. Chocolate and wine solve most of life’s problems. I have Godiva in my top desk drawer. It’s yours.”
Olivia grinned. “Thanks. Are we all set for the stress seminar? I know you wanted to run it. Sure you trust me to take over your baby?”
“Absolutely. The merger was hard on many of the employees, so they need something to boost morale. It’ll be a challenge though. You know how bankers are.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “I married one, so yeah, I know. Dry as dust, a bit selfish, and clueless on real life communication. I got this.”
“Just your typical, rational businessman ready to blossom, right, Olivia?”
They both turned at the rich, amused voice coming from behind them. Her heart jumped at the sight of his beloved figure. Pinstripe suit a bit rumbled, silk tie still perfectly straight, hair mussed, and those full lips curved in a purely masculine grin.
“Oops.” Olivia said. “Sorry.”
He waved off her concerns and crossed the room. “Why? You’re right. I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do with this group.”
“Just whip them into shape. That’s what I did,” Chandler teased.
One black brow shot up. She smothered a laugh at the idea of making the man of steel do anything against his will. But for love? He’d give...everything.
His expression softened as if he knew her thoughts. “Seduction is more powerful.” His gaze burned as it roved over her figure, and she caught her breath as the familiar hunger raced through her. “And more pleasurable.”
Olivia coughed and hid a grin behind her hand. “Hmm, I better get going. Glad it worked for you guys, but no way in hell I’d date a banker or executive. See you tomorrow.”
The door shut.
She waited a beat. Then ran into his arms.
He pulled her close against his hard body, both a haven and a heaven, and his delicious musky scent rose to her nostrils. “I missed you,” she whispered. “How was the dinner?”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Managed to close the deal. How was class?”
“At our maximum capacity. We need to expand.”
“Excellent. Any lost men I need to worry about?”
She laughed into his shirt. “Just you. Only you.”
Logan tipped her head up. “Not lost anymore.” He kissed her, his tongue diving in to claim, taste, possess. She gave it all back full power, and he lifted her up so her legs wrapped around his hips. “Spoke with your father,” he murmured between kisses. “He asked to invite more business associates.”
He nibbled on her jaw and walked across the room. “No more guests. This wedding is for us, not him.”
His teeth nipped at her ear, and she shuddered when his tongue came out to play. “He’s excited. Keeps telling me if you’re not pregnant right away my sperm won’t measure up to his expectations.”
Chandler smothered a laugh. The relationship with her father had strengthened gradually over the past few months. She was slowly beginning to trust him again, and he seemed genuinely happy she’d found the right man to love, though he still drove her crazy. “Tell him to mind his own business.”
“I did. But I do love a good challenge.” He rested her on one of the mats, stripped off his jacket, and devoured her with his gaze. “Let’s do some yoga.”
She blinked. “Yoga?”
“Yeah. Naked yoga.” He tugged off her shirt, ripped down her stretchy pants, and had her bare within seconds. She melted into the mat, already wet and ready for him. “I need some extra attention from my instructor.”
She pulled him down to her. “How about a lifetime?”
He kissed her long and slow and deep.
“Deal.”
THE END
Other works by Jennifer Probst
“A passion that is explosive as the love that unfolds is tender, a beautiful happily ever after that encompasses everything; Jennifer Probst delivers a fiery and wild romance that goes straight to your heart.” ~ Maldivian Book Reviewers – 5 stars
“A charming, fast-paced story full of non-stop sexual tension that crackles off the page. The Marriage Bargain will hook you and leave you begging for more!” ~ Laura Kaye, Author of Hearts in Darkness
“Absolutely amazing! I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put it down.” ~ Kris, Bitten By Paranormal Romance
“THE MARRIAGE BARGAIN is one of the cutest stories I have read in a while. The story is highly amusing and kept me chuckling throughout when I wasn’t mopping the tears away.” ~ Kay Quintin, Fresh Fiction
"Loved it! 'The Marriage Bargain' had all the ingredients for the making of an amazing story: Childhood friends reunited, Marriage of convenience, Love spell gone astray, opposites attract and great chemistry." ~ Sara, Harlequin Junkie Reviews "I just had to read Jennifer Probst's book after all the buzz about it on Twitter and Amazon and Goodreads, etc, and especially after I'd got an eyeful of that super-sexy cover.... And I can happily say I wasn't disappointed. Yes, what's inside the book is as sexy and gorgeous as that cover." ~ Heidi Rice, USA Today Bestselling Author
PURCHASE
From “one of the most exciting breakout novelists” (USA TODAY) comes the first novel in an irresistible new series—a spin-off of the bestselling Marriage to a Billionaire series—featuring a matchmaker who falls for a man who doesn’t believe in love.
Kate has given up on love—at least for herself. She is both blessed and cursed with the ability to sense a romantic connection between two people—a gift that her family passed down for generations. When Kate launches her own matchmaking company, Kinnection, with her two best friends in a cozy New York town, she has to put aside her own romantic disasters to make her business a success.
But when a furious man stalks into her office and accuses her business of being a scam, Kate is given the ultimate challenge to prove herself. Slade puts himself in her hands and asks Kate to find him love. Enraged at his arrogance but stubbornly eager to prove herself, Kate agrees, dedicating herself to the journey of finding him love…only to find herself falling for him along the way.
PURCHASE
COMING EARLY 2014
THE POSSE SERIES
To find out more about Jennifer Probst please visit her website.
Dedication
To all the readers who embraced my stories and gave me a chance. This is all for you.
Special thanks to Bob Mayer and Jen Talty for their insight and intelligence in the long journey of being a writer.
And finally, to my two boys, Jake and Joshua. This was Mommy’s very first book. Remember to always follow your dreams. Never let anyone tell you ‘you can’t.’ Always be kind. And thank you for already making this world a more beautiful place.
Dear Reader,
Many writers don't get the opportunity to publish their first book, let alone the chance to publish it twice. When the opportunity came to regain my rights back, I knew I wanted to re-issue the book with a fresh look. Heart of Steel was the very first novel I ever penned. It went through two different publications, and remained one of my favorite books. After all, we never forget our first.
As time passed, I realized elements in the story were outdated, especially my powerful CEO. I also wanted an opportunity to tweak, add an epilogue
, and round out the book to incorporate a possible series. I’ve received many emails from readers who want more for this couple, and it may be time to answer the call. One day.
I decided to re-title the book Executive Seduction, which better incorporates my vision for the book, but the main story still remains the same. If you’ve bought Heart of Steel, you are getting the same characters and plotline. This is my chance for Logan and Chandler to reach new readers.
I believe Executive Seduction is still a keeper; a true love story about change, redemption and the power of love.
I hope you all enjoy my very first novel - ready for a new age and audience.
Jennifer Probst
Author’s Note
I hope you enjoyed my very first book, re-titled Executive Seduction. I love hearing from my readers and am always interacting on social media. You can write me direct at my email address: [email protected] or visit me on the web at http://www.jenniferprobst.com
I have an awesome street team called The Probst Posse. If you enjoy my books and like getting excerpts, free stuff, cover reveals, and the inside scoop, join us. Email my assistant, Lisa, at [email protected] and tell her to sign you up!
EXECUTIVE SEDUCTION
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
COPYRIGHT 2012 by Jennifer Probst, Updated 2013
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Cool Gus Publishing