Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

by Petrova, Em

  After he tipped his bottle back and finished the rest of his beer, she peered at him over her shoulder. “As defensive as Ally is, this may take a few meet ups. How much time can you invest in this project?”

  “I have time. Do you?”

  She nodded. “I have a busy week at work, but my evenings are free.”

  The more she talked, the more he wanted to hear her voice. “Where do you work?”

  “Platinum Sound Recording Studio. I’m the personal assistant to the CEO.”

  Her response surprised him. She was in the business, had an understanding of how it worked and what the people were like. He wouldn’t bore her if he went on a big rant about the band, the industry, or anything else related to music. She would get it.

  “So you’re used to dealing with musicians.”

  “Yeah. You guys are so cranky sometimes. And managers…” she rolled her eyes. “Don’t get me started.”

  She was still a firecracker—red hot in so many ways, including her temper. He couldn’t help but laugh. It sounded more like a grunt, but it made her smile. “Yeah, I’ve heard there are some assholes in the business.”

  “Assholes? Don’t be so modest, Theo. Call it like you see it. They’re douchebags.” She shook her head and sighed. “At least most of the ones I’ve dealt with are, except the one I encountered on Friday. He’s new to our studio but extremely pleasant and so courteous. Nothing like the other jerk I had to deal with.”

  “I can’t imagine anyone giving you a hard time.”

  “Oh, he did. It’s not my fault that he wrote down the wrong information. He thought we should reschedule a new client because the band he manages wants to start a new album. They haven’t written the first song.” She took a long drink from her glass then set it back on the ledge. “When I didn’t budge, he threatened to have me fired.”

  “What a prick.”

  “Yeah, but my boss took care of it. It’s all good.”

  Theo couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He didn’t doubt Cassie could chew a manager up one side and down the other. She was never one to take shit from anyone, especially a guy.

  It didn’t change the fact that Theo wanted to hunt down this manager and punch him for being a blatant, disrespectful prick. Who knew? He may do just that before he left town. It wouldn’t be the first time he came to her defense.

  Before either of them could say anything else, the door to the stairwell opened. A few staff members walked out, taking what appeared to be a smoke break. Lighters sparked to life and smoke streamed through the air.

  The distraction was enough to dull the anger building inside him. Unfortunately, it also dampened Cassie’s mood. “I better get going. You have my number, so text me this week and we’ll set up something for the weekend.”

  Damn, this is not how he wanted the night to end. They had much to discuss, and texting wasn’t the same as having her here in person. Still, he had to do this right. He had to be a gentleman.

  “You don’t want to stay for another drink?”

  Her eyes said yes, but her mind wasn’t listening. “Trust me. I would love to stay and drink, but Ally wants me to go to church with her in the morning. I don’t know why. It will probably fall to the ground if I step inside.”

  He chuckled. “That makes two of us, darlin’. My horns support my halo.”

  The corners of her mouth lifted. “I like the halo. It looks good on you.” She winked and sauntered closer. “But I wouldn’t mind seeing the horns before you leave Savannah.”

  She didn’t say anything else. Neither did he. She pushed up on her toes and kissed him on the lips. It was short, sweet, and the most seductive kiss he’d ever received. He’d do more than rip off his halo and show her how bad he could be. He’d rip off her panties and fill her full of his cock.

  Fuck, this was not going to end well. He had no doubts, but it wouldn’t stop him from trying. At least he wouldn’t have to wait until the weekend to see her. Hell no. They’d cross paths much sooner than she thought.

  Chapter Twelve

  A shimmering coat of sheer gloss made Cassie’s lips glisten under the vanity lights. Just a few swipes of mascara then she could head to the office. It would be chaotic this week. New clients always ate away her time, but this one would be a sufficient distraction. She needed a distraction, needed something to consume her thoughts other than Theo.

  There were few moments in the last thirty-six hours that he hadn’t plagued her mind. She relived detail after detail of their last conversation, including the way she flirted. God, had she flirted. The more they talked, the more she pushed her limits. There was tension between them, something that never existed before.

  Maybe that’s why she believed he was referring to them when they were talking about giving two people the chance they never had. He’d been flirting at first, and she played along just like old times. It was all in fun, or so she thought until she realized he was serious.

  The kicker of it all—part of her wanted their conversation to be about them. It shook her to the core, even made her stammer for a response. Thank God he mentioned Jonah and Ally before she made an ass out of herself. Still, it wasn’t enough to sway her from flirting more.

  If only she’d stopped there.

  No. She had to go and kiss him, didn’t even think it through before she planted her lips on his. Good God had it been hard to walk away after that, but not because what she did set her cheeks on fire. Desperation overcame her to kiss him harder.

  What the hell had gotten into her?

  She spun away from the vanity and collected her purse off the bed. Time was up. She could mull over this later. If she didn’t leave now, she could forget grabbing coffee. She’d be lucky if she weren’t late for work.

  Rushing to the front of the house, she grabbed her keys off the hook near the door. She jumped when a series of knocks rattled its frame. If not for the distinct rapping, she would ask who it was, but instead she yelled, “It’s open.”

  The door swung wide as Cori stood in the threshold. “Good. You’re still here.”

  “Was here,” Cassie scoffed. She grabbed the knob and closed the door once Cori backed away. “Talk fast and walk faster. I’m running behind.” She fiddled with her keyless remote, barely noticing her sister while they hustled toward the car.

  “You’re always running behind. Why the rush this morning?”

  “Because we have a new client coming in today. Tom is in Atlanta and won’t be back until tomorrow, so I have to run things.”

  The car alarm chirped as they approached the driver’s door. Cassie grabbed the handle and opened it before peeking back at Cori. Except her sister wasn’t behind her. She’d hurried to the passenger door and cracked it open.

  “Can I bum eighty bucks…and a ride downtown?”

  Cassie rolled her eyes then lowered herself to the seat. Cori did the same. She closed the door and buckled her seatbelt before folding her hands over her purse. “Thanks.”

  “What the hell, Cori?” Her little sister knew how to push the right buttons on the wrong day. “Why do you need eighty dollars? Didn’t you just get paid?”

  “Yeah, but try working for minimum wage and see how much money you save.”

  “If I still lived at home, I’d save plenty. You don’t even have bills yet.”

  Turning the key, Cassie started the car and shifted into reverse. They could argue about this on the way to town. The minutes were slipping away and she was no closer to getting to the office. But they would talk. No way was she giving money to Cori without a legitimate reason.

  Cori shifted in the seat. She crossed her bare legs and adjusted her shorts while grumbling, “I live with Mom and Dad three months out of the year. The other nine I live in the dorm. Normally, I have extra money, but I’m paying for my car repair.”

  “Okay. I’ll give you that much, but I know you party a lot. Hell, I’m running into you at clubs I frequent.”

  “Please. I spend money on ca
b fare. I always get free drinks.” Cori glared at her then turned back to the windshield and flipped her hair. “You’re not the only one who knows a bartender, sis. By the way, I finally met Mike the other night. He didn’t know he was talking to your little sister and I didn’t tell him as much. I can see why you go to Midnight Blues a lot.”

  Cassie parted her lips to chastise Cori but thought better. Her little sister wasn’t much different than she was at her age. Hell, Cassie was still living the party life. The only difference is she knew her limits. Responsibilities came first.

  “You shouldn’t do everything I do, Cori. I’m not exactly the best role model.”

  “You’re living your life the way you want. So am I.”

  “Yeah, but I’m not bumming money off people. It’s okay to have a good time, but you can’t do it every day.”

  “I’m not!” Cori’s voice rose. Her face contorted with anger, but when she looked back at Cassie, it softened. “The money is for a class I want to take this summer.”

  “Why not ask Mom and Dad? They help with everything else school related.”

  “Because they’re more concerned with my major in teaching. This class is for my minor.”

  Cassie entered the interstate and accelerated the car. When Cori didn’t finish, she glanced toward the passenger seat. “What’s your minor?”

  “Dancing. I want to be a dance instructor or maybe find a choreography job. I’ll still teach, just not with books.”

  Cassie sighed. She couldn’t expect Cori not to follow her dreams when she had. In fact, majoring in marketing and minoring in music both served a purpose for her job. Cori would be no different.

  “Fine. I’ll give you the money, but if Mom and Dad get pissed, leave me out of it. There’s two hundred dollars in my purse. Grab a hundred and keep the extra twenty for lunch.”

  “Thank you, Cass. I won’t tell Mom or Dad about this, and I will pay you back.”

  Shaking her head, Cassie concentrated on the cars weaving in and out of traffic. She would do anything for Cori as long as she did the right thing. “Finish the class. That’s all I ask. You’re an adult and can make your own decisions. I just want you to make the right ones. We only get one chance on certain things in life. Make good choices. Second chances are rare.”

  Silence filled the car until Cassie reached her exit. As she merged onto the ramp, she caught Cori gawking her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I was thinking about what you said. Do you have any regrets, anything you wish you could do differently if you had a second chance?”

  The question repeated in Cassie’s mind as she pressed the brake and waited for the light to change. She didn’t have many regrets. Certain things left her curious. Theo was a prime example. Yeah, they’d flirted a little when they were younger, but how would he have reacted if she’d been as bold with him then as she was over the weekend?

  God, she swore she could still feel the warmth of his lips…

  “Come on, Cassie. Spill. You know I can keep a secret.”

  The light changed before Cassie could answer. She pushed the gas and followed the row of cars ahead. Damn morning traffic. She was already late and she still needed to drop off Cori.

  “Where exactly am I taking you? You never told me.”

  “Remember the dance studio just a couple blocks from your office? I’m going there… Now will you answer me?”

  “Did you ask me something?”

  A gritty growl erupted from Cori’s direction, then she whined, “Cass…”

  The sound pierced Cassie’s ears. It would only continue if she didn’t answer, yet she refused to reveal her thoughts about Theo. Guess she really didn’t need to. There were far more important things she would change if she could.

  “All right. Yes. There is something I would do differently. I would tell Ally the truth about Jonah McCabe.”

  “What do you mean?”

  The traffic inched along slowly, leaving Cassie with no escape from the conversation. At least the spotlight was off her and on her best friend.

  “Ally made a move on Jonah before she left for college. He rebuffed her. It broke her heart and she left thinking he didn’t want to be with her.”

  “Was she blind?” Cori chuckled. “I was fifteen and saw it clearly.”

  “Friendship boundaries between men and women are often gray. It didn’t help that both were shy and afraid to admit the truth. By the time Jonah manned up, Paula Jacobs interfered.”

  Cassie switched lanes and bypassed the construction crew causing the traffic delay. It wasn’t easy reliving the past. She still blamed herself for not taking a stand against Paula. But like Jonah, she was naive and afraid that Ally’s mom would follow through on her threats.

  “Paula warned Jonah not to tell Ally how he felt. If he did, she would lie and tell Ally that Jonah and I messed around. Even though they never dated, Paula knew they had feelings for each other.”

  “What a bitch. I mean, I understand her not wanting Ally with Jonah, but she didn’t have to drag you into it.”

  “Ally and Jonah were perfect together,” Cassie shouted. She pulled into an empty parking space near the studio and shifted the car into park. “How can you say you understand Paula not wanting them together?”

  “Don’t be so defensive,” Cori snapped. “I understand why girls were attracted to the McCabes. They were hot as fuck, but they got a reputation for a reason. They were trouble. You and Ally are better off.”

  “Me and Ally? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “The four of you were close, but you got in trouble hanging out with them. I remember you being grounded. A lot.” The passenger door opened as Cori exited. She closed it behind her then rested her arms on the window once Cassie lowered it. “All I’m saying is Paula did her daughter a favor. It just sucks that she used you to do it.”

  “You’re wrong about the McCabes. Jonah was a good guy and Paula realized that after it was too late. Luckily, the McCabe boys are in town on business.”

  Cori’s brows knitted. “So?”

  “Ally and I ran into them at Midnight Blues on Friday. Theo and I have spoken and we’re forming a plan to make sure Ally and Jonah get their second chance.”

  “Ha,” Cori broke into fake laughter. “Good luck with that. By the way, thanks for the money and the ride. ” She smirked at Cassie before racing off to the studio.

  There was no point in saying anything else. Cori was right. Cassie would need luck. Ally wouldn’t agree to meet up with Jonah and Theo without a lot of persuasion. It would take a few days to work out the details. Doing as much meant texting Theo, but the more Cassie talked to him, the more he overtook her thoughts.

  If it were any other guy, she wouldn’t complain about the attraction. This time she had something to prove—that the hair comb she purchased at the antique store didn’t live up to its legend. If it did, she hoped her true half hadn’t come into her life, because the men she was currently drawn to weren’t suitable life partners, if such a thing existed. Mike was too jealous, and Theo…

  He was trouble with a capital T.

  ***

  The muggy morning air disappeared behind the glass door as it closed behind Cassie. Her heels clicked against the floor, each swift step bringing her closer to the receptionist’s desk. The large, oval clock above forced her to accept the facts. She was late. Twenty minutes late. She’d spend the rest of the day playing catch-up.

  “You’re late.”

  Cassie peered at Nora, who leaned her elbow against the desk and rested her chin in her hand. Her brows rose higher, then she winked.

  “God, I know I am. This is not the best way to start off the week.”

  Nora nodded. “Bet you haven’t had coffee yet either.” When Cassie shook her head, Nora clenched her teeth and sucked in a breath. “Well, we can’t have your day go straight to hell. Guess it’s a good thing Monroe’s knows our orders well.

  A smile grew on Cassie
’s lips when Nora lifted a to-go cup from the corner of the desk. The logo for Monroe’s Coffee, Cakes, & Croissants was plastered on the side in its usual spot. Her mouth watered at the thought of what was inside the cup—a Bavarian white mocha latte.

  “Is that what I think it is?”

  When Nora nodded, Cassie clapped her hands together then reached for the cup. The minute her fingers wrapped around it, she brought it to her lips and sipped.

  “Your first appointment is already in your office,” Nora replied. She wiggled her brows and grinned. “You lucked out. Even the manager is hot.”

  “God, Nora. Thanks a lot.” Cassie covered her eyes and squeezed her temples with her fingertips. “Now when I meet him, I’m going to think about your goofy response and laugh in his face.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Cassie lowered her hand and continued past the front desk. She could still hear Nora giggling as she made her way down the corridor toward her office. She wasn’t looking forward to this meeting, not without a sufficient supply of caffeine flowing through her body. The mere thought made her take another drink of her latte.

  Although she and the manager had a pleasant conversation last week, the twenty-minute wait he’d encountered would irritate a patient person. She knew little about him or the band he represented, which meant she could open the door to an ass chewing.

  This wasn’t the way she wanted to begin a new working relationship.

  Once she grabbed the door handle and opened it, she put on a smile and prepared for the worst. A man stood at the corner of her desk, facing one of the leather chairs. He was partially sitting with his arms crossed, but lowered them and stood when he saw her.

  “Good morning.” She kept her voice chipper. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting so long. I would have left earlier had I known I’d run into road construction.”

  “No need to apologize, Miss Clarke. A couple of my guys are running late too.” I hope it’s okay if we start without them. They won’t be much longer.”

  “Of course.”

  He approached her and stuck out his hand. “Josh Decker at your service. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”