Surprise Seduction

by Jana Mercy

  “You’re George’s PA?” He made no attempt to hide his shock. Or if he did, he failed miserably. “How the hell did you manage that?”

  “I went to Sheila’s office after you fired me. George came in and offered me the position.”

  “Lucky little thing, aren’t you?” His tone became nasty.

  “Pardon?” She pretended not to understand what he implied, hoping she’d misinterpreted his snarl.

  “What is the likelihood of the CEO offering you a job within minutes of the president firing you? What did you have to do to earn this ‘position’?” His tenor grew increasingly snide.

  She jerked her arm free from his grip, glaring at him.

  “Oh, nothing much. Just had to dance naked on his desk.” The moment the words left her mouth, she knew she’d said the wrong thing. Chase’s eyes traveled down her body.

  She wore a rust colored dress that buttoned down the entire front. She’d worn it to catch Mel’s eye. The skirt was the shortest she’d worn yet, coming only mid thigh. By far not the shortest sported in the office. She couldn’t be accused of being inappropriate. But she had to resist the urge to tug the hem down another few inches with the way Chase looked at her.

  “Obviously, I’ve been interviewing assistants the wrong way.”

  Adrienne stood stock still as he closed the distance between their lips. She balled her fists. How dare he insult her the way he had?

  Despite her best efforts to remain upset, her anger faded when he pressed his body against hers, when his mouth covered hers. Curiosity got the best of her. Could he make her melt again, or had the reactions to his kisses been some magical trick of the day before?

  She wanted to find out. Needed to find out.

  Eagerly, she waited for the explosion of his kiss. Unlike the night before, she wasn’t disappointed. His lips devoured hers, instantly providing flashbacks of the passion she’d experienced the day before at his touch.

  Adrienne leaned against Chase. His body was hard. What did he do in his spare time to keep so fit? Her fuzzy brain wondered right before it lost the ability to think at all.

  He tasted so good, like chocolate and mints. How did he do that? Surely he didn’t pop some candy prior to every kiss?

  It didn’t matter how he managed it, her mouth drank the sweet nectar of his kiss, wanting more. More of everything he had to give.

  “You taste so sweet.” His words echoed her thoughts as his teeth nipped at her lip.

  Adrienne groaned and tugged on his hair, pulling his body closer, crushing her breasts between them.

  His palms cupped her buttocks and lifted her fully against him, her legs automatically wrapped around his waist when her feet left the floor. Her skirt bunched at the base of her hips.

  Chase’s erection pressed into her. Thrilled her.

  His mouth caught her soft sigh of pleasure.

  “Chase,” she breathed when his mouth left hers to trail kisses over her throat.

  “Yes, Adrienne,” he answered between kisses. “Let me touch you.”

  His hands still held her bottom. She dipped her head back exposing more of her neck for his mouth to sample.

  “Undo your buttons for me,” he whispered into the indention of her nape.

  Her fingers went to the top button of her dress and slide the button through its loop. Her gaze lifted to his. Hot, masculine desire burned there.

  She gulped.

  What were they doing?

  What was she doing?

  She peeled her unhappy and protesting legs off him. Unsteady feet touched the floor. She took a step back, fixed her dress button, and smoothed her skirt.

  “If that’s how you plan to interview for my replacement, I’d advise you to be sure to let Sheila know your requirements have changed. Shame for her to only send married or fifty-something women to you,” she mused, her finger rubbed across her swollen bottom lip.

  She was still close enough to feel his body heat, to breath in his masculine scent. It was a heady clean fragrance that clung to him like a proud aura. She couldn’t decide if the scent was pure Chase or had come from a bottle. Regardless, it made her want to bury her head against him and inhale over and over.

  Chase didn’t comment, just stared down at her in dismay, like he couldn’t believe he’d kissed her. Again. Part of her really couldn’t believe he had, either. She sure hadn’t expected to end up in his arms when she’d brought those files in for George.

  What if Mel had caught them again? She’d never be able to explain two kisses away without arousing his suspicions.

  “I’d better go.” She tried to step away from his closeness, but his arms closed around her once more.

  “Go out with me tonight.” He looked as surprised at his words as she felt.

  “No.” She had to do this. Had to do what was necessary to keep Drew from running Morrigans.

  “Why not?” His shock from moments before didn’t begin to compare with the incredulous glint in his eyes now.

  “I…” She glanced away from those piercing green eyes. “I just can’t.”

  “You want me.” It wasn’t a question.

  “What woman doesn’t want you?” She tried to lighten the tone by being flippant.

  “Why won’t you go with me?”

  “I’ve already told you. I can’t.”

  “You have plans?”

  “Yes.” She lowered her lashes to shield her eyes. His look pierced too deep to meet his gaze.

  “With Mel?” He asked the question she’d hoped to avoid.

  “It doesn’t make any difference who my plans are with. My answer is no.” She called upon all her strength and walked out of Chase’s office with her head held high and heart breaking at the look of disbelief and disgust on his face.

  “Thanks.” Adrienne smiled at Mel as he pulled her chair out. He’d picked her up at her apartment and they’d taken a taxi to the restaurant, an upscale Italian place. Adrienne liked the warm, friendly atmosphere with the soft music playing in the background.

  “Tell me again, how it came to pass that you’re no longer Chase’s secretary,” Mel prompted after the waiter took their drink orders. Adrienne steered clear of alcoholic beverages. After her last experience with the champagne, she’d decided it might be a good idea to avoid spirits at all cost.

  “Long story,” she laughed softly. “Suffice it to say, he fired me, and I can’t stand the man.”

  “And George Weston hired you? That’s classic.” She could hear the amusement in his voice as he continued. “Chase must have been ticked about that.”

  Based on Chase’s reaction this morning, she’d have to agree. “One might say he was surprised to see me this morning.”

  “I would love to have seen his face,” Mel admitted.

  “Why?” Did her question seem too eager? The hairs stood up on the back of her neck.

  “Chase and I go way back. Attended the same university, same fraternity.” He shrugged. “I’ve known him for years.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “I’m not surprised he didn’t tell you,” Mel said.

  “Oh?”

  Mel took a drink, swirled the contents of his glass, and considered her. “Chase and I have always had this thing about each other. It seems like I’ve been in competition with him for one thing or another my entire life.”

  A humorless laugh shook his shoulders.

  “It also doesn’t surprise me he’s hitting on you.” He took another sip of his wine. “That goodbye kiss probably wasn’t as innocent as what he’d like you to believe.”

  Adrienne gave a small laugh. “You may be right.”

  She swallowed a drink of her mineral water before forcing herself to smile. “Let’s not talk about Chase anymore. I detest the man. Tell me about you, Mel.”

  A flash of straight, white teeth rewarded her request.

  The evening went well. Mel seemed relaxed and talked non-stop but he didn’t reveal anything out of the ordinary. But
then what had she expected? That he’d spill Drew’s diabolical plans on their first date?

  She was a little surprised, pleasantly so, that he dropped her off with only a quick goodnight kiss outside her apartment door. She’d had to resist the urge to gag during his embrace as it was.

  She watched his retreating back, wished she’d gained something useful, sighed then went into her apartment. She closed the door, clicked the lock, and leaned back against its cool surface.

  Maybe next time.

  There would be a next time. Mel asked her out for Friday evening after work.

  She’d convince him she was really out to get Chase and wasn’t above doing illegal things to get back at him for firing her. She’d earn his trust and he would let her in on Drew’s plan. Before it was too late.

  “What took you so long?” Chase asked from his reclining position on her sofa.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Adrienne almost jumped out of her skin. She hadn’t noticed Chase relaxed on the sofa when she’d secured the lock and leaned against the apartment door.

  “How did you get in here?” She frowned at the man who’d stolen more than his fair share of her thoughts all evening.

  “Sheila let me in.”

  “Sheila’s here? I thought she had a date with Tim.” Adrienne glanced around the living room in hopes of spotting her roommate. She saw no one but the man dominating the entire room. But then Chase dominated whatever room he occupied. He was that kind of man.

  “She’s on her date.”

  “She just left you here?” Adrienne had a hard time digesting Chase had been alone in their living room.

  “She did hint I could wait outside the apartment door, but I preferred not to chance your neighbors calling the law for my hallway loitering.” He stood from the sofa.

  “Sit down,” she ordered, not really expecting him to comply.

  The gleam in his eyes spelled trouble with all caps. His glittering gaze journeyed over her silky black dress. He stared intently, but, much to her surprise, sat back down.

  “How long have you been here?” She didn’t advance any closer to him, preferring the distance of the room to separate them. Already, those mesmerizing green eyes caressed her body. Her nipples budded. God, she hoped he wouldn’t notice.

  His gaze paused on her chest, he grinned. “A couple of hours.”

  “You’ve been sitting in my apartment, alone, for several hours?” her voice rose to a high squeak. As much from his naughty boy look, as from the revelation he’d waited that long for her return.

  “What’s wrong, Adrienne? Afraid I’ve been sneaking a peek in your underwear drawer?”

  Her eyes widened. He wouldn’t.

  “Have you?” she asked, knowing he hadn’t.

  “Hell, no.” He didn’t seem to like her question. His reaction prompted her to push further.

  “Do you expect me to believe you?”

  “Yes.” His eyes flashed, like glowing green kryptonite. “Tell me, how did your date with lover boy go?”

  Did his interest stem solely from a rivalry with Mel?

  She hated herself for her doubts, but had to wonder. Chase hadn’t kissed her until after he’d thought she’d been making out with Mel in his office. If Mel hadn’t told her the truth, she’d swear she heard real jealousy in his voice. Darn him for playing with her heart.

  “He’s fabulous in bed, Chase,” she taunted. “Now go home.”

  “You didn’t sleep with him.” His tone implied no doubt. He stood from the sofa and began to close the gap between them. This time he wouldn’t heed a request to stay away. His eyes warned nothing would stop him. Her chin lifted in defiance of his dominant stance. She wouldn’t let him break her heart just to one-up Mel.

  “You’re right, we weren’t sleeping.” Carrying out her and George’s plan would be a lot easier if Chase wasn’t on the prowl, if he was angry with her rather than pursuing her.

  “I don’t believe you.” He continued advancing toward her. Her back flattened against the door. Her hands pressed against the cold steel, willing it to give way. There was no place to escape his overpowering closeness.

  Just as she feared there was no hope of keeping her heart safe from his masculine clutches.

  “Why not?” she ventured, curious at his confidence that she hadn’t accompanied Mel back to his apartment for a quickie.

  “Because you don’t have the look of a woman whose just been made love to.” He paused, his brows knitting together in thought. “Although with Mel, it couldn’t be anything but cheap meaningless sex.”

  “Good, that’s what I’m looking for,” she dared, refusing to back down.

  “No, that’s not what you want.”

  His body was so close his heat lured her. Warmth wrapped itself around her, entrapping her in his spell, inviting her to lean forward and touch.

  Pure temptation. The man was sinful he tempted her so much.

  She bit her lip, reminding herself that he only wanted what he couldn’t have.

  Or what Mel had.

  Her chin lifted. “You have no idea what I want, Chase.”

  “Oh, but I do.”

  Obviously he did, because when his lips touched hers, it was exactly what she wanted. Craved. Needed. Her entire life she’d wanted what his kiss gave.

  Her entire life she’d dreamed of that magic and heat inside her body.

  “Chase,” she moaned when his mouth rose, hovering above hers. When he didn’t immediately kiss her again, she met his gaze. Electric shocks zig-zagged through her.

  He breathed in short, ragged intakes of air. His heartbeat pounded against her. He was no more immune to their kiss than she’d been, but he seemed to wait for some kind of response from her.

  Tell him to go home. But his touch made her giddy.

  Forget him. But Chase overpowered her senses.

  Weak. That's what she was. One kiss and Chase owned her. It was impossible to deny her need for his touch.

  Just once more and she'd stop. Wasn't that what every addict promised of their next fix?

  “Kiss me, Chase,” she demanded, needing her next hit. Needing him.

  That’s all it took. His mouth covered hers with a passion and intensity that swept away her short supply of remaining resistance. She wanted this kiss, this pleasure, this man.

  Her hands snaked into his hair, running through the silky texture with abandon. When his mouth trailed down her neck, she arched to give him free access to the indention at her collarbone. His tongue delved into the hollow causing her to bow even more. Her hips pressed into his, feeling his hard length digging into her belly. He was so hard. So big.

  “Chase.”

  “Beautiful.” His head dipped lower.

  Her black dress had a fairly low cut vee in the neckline, providing him with easy access to his mouth’s destination. The valley between her breasts came alive as his tongue traced a sensual path. When he’d thoroughly mapped out the area, his tongue thrust erotically into the hollow.

  His expert hands lowered the zipper running down her dress back. She quivered. His tongue’s tantalizing movement never paused as her dress fell to her waist.

  She hadn’t worn a bra as the strappy dress had a built in one. Her pale pink nipples tightened to hard pebbles begging for his attention. Nothing shielded her from his hungry eyes, ravenously feasting upon her bare flesh.

  A smidgeon of modesty implored she cover her exposed breasts. She ignored it. Instead, she reached out and pulled his head to her aching chest. His mouth needed to be on the sensitive swells, not just between them.

  He complied, taking one puckered nipple in his teeth and gently laving it. Pleasure shot through her. She squirmed, twisting slightly so her other nipple could garner similar treatment.

  She moaned in pure bliss.

  Using his hands to manipulate both breasts into position, his hot mouth closed around her straining peaks. The ardent sucking sensations his mouth elicited racked her body with spasms
. Her hands, again, found their way into his hair as she held his head to her, urging him to continue his physical loving of her body. Her eyes closed of their own will. She whimpered.

  “These are so sweet.” His words came out in a breathless rush. His hands molded her breasts. His mouth sucked and nipped.