A Taste of Passion ; Ambitious Seduction

by Chloe Blake

  A cough of surprise escaped Leonardo as he realized she’d gotten the drop. His eyes watered as one cough kept replacing the previous one. Damn, he hated being ill. Grateful for the room-temperature bottle of water pressed into his hand, he drank. A quick look at the woman’s calculating eyes that were contrasted with a concerned smile had him seeing red. Two could play at her little game.

  “Thank you for the water.”

  “My pleasure,” she said with a smirk. “I couldn’t have my partner suffering.”

  “Partner.” He nodded. “It has a nice ring to it.” Yeah, just like standing inside a bell tower when it chimes. “If you don’t mind working with me on such an intensive case, then I could certainly give it a shot.”

  The true Kamilla came out for a second with an eye squint. Of course she wouldn’t believe the lies he’d spouted. The senior partners were the ones he’d been attempting to convince.

  Most likely sensing the bubble of tension that had exploded between them, Henry clapped his hands and stood. He rounded his desk and stood in front of them. “I’m glad we’ve settled this. If you need any help, please don’t hesitate to ask.” Why did his tone sound disapproving? Would they make them take the fall if he and Kamilla didn’t get the Singletons to sign? He wouldn’t put it past them. “Shall I remind you of the substantial bonus? And a potential shot at partnership?”

  Leonardo couldn’t care less about the money. He possessed more than enough. The manipulative man hadn’t mentioned which one of them would be up for partner when they succeeded. It didn’t matter. He’d made up his mind when he’d applied to the firm a little over five years ago that he’d get the position. He never failed. Ever.

  Kamilla’s eyes glittered for a moment before a husky laugh broke free from her mouth. “No need to remind me. It will keep me working hard to get the job done. But the true satisfaction—” she paused and patted Leonardo’s arm “—will come from once again working as a team to accomplish the firm’s objective.”

  She’d upped him again. It would’ve never happened if he’d been healthy. Damn cold. With a grace he knew other men of his bulk didn’t possess, he stood, towering over her. “We should get started on our plan of action. I heard the Singletons will be back from Tokyo next week.”

  The flash of surprise that crossed her features at his intel on the power couple pleased him.

  “That reminds me. I’m redistributing your current clients.” Henry held up his hands to ward off any protest. “Don’t worry, you’ll get them back once Singleton Financial has signed with us. Until then I want you both focused.”

  Leonardo responded with a downward jerk of his head. There was that subtle threat again. Would either of them have a job if they didn’t acquire the Singleton Financial account? It didn’t matter, because he’d win. No matter what he had to do.

  Chapter 4

  Kamilla closed the door to Leonardo’s office. The man had the whole place to himself. Sometimes it paid to be so mean that no one wanted to share space with you. She swallowed hard as she tried not to stare at the desk where they’d had sex. It had been almost two months since she’d walked into this room. When they had to meet, she insisted on using the large glass-walled conference room.

  Daily pep talks ensured that her defenses against their attraction would never lower to the point of throwing herself at him again, but she’d prefer not to risk it.

  A quick flick of her tongue against her lips returned the moisture to them. “Is it me or was that meeting coded and peculiar?”

  For once that crinkle between his brows indicating his agitation wasn’t directed at her. “It wasn’t just you.”

  “Did they just threaten us with our jobs?”

  He sat behind his desk and sneezed. “The most subtle threat I’ve ever received.”

  She walked to the small bar, bent behind it and pulled out an electric kettle. “I’ll be right back.” After a quick return trip to the coffee room, she plugged the filled device into the socket and switched it on. “If it’s so important to them, then why not just approach the Singletons themselves?”

  “Do you know who you work for?”

  Her back straightened at the question and she opened her mouth to say something sarcastic when he held up his hands to ward her off.

  “Calm down. I didn’t mean offense.”

  She relaxed, but kept her mental guard up. It’s what made being around the man so exhausting. “Then what did you mean?”

  The kettle clicked, indicating that the water had boiled, and she flipped two mugs over. In one she placed a tea bag and then poured out water into both mugs. She grabbed a lemon from the bowl sitting on a shelf in the bar and cut it. Using the manual juicer, she squeezed the juice and poured it into the hot water. Then she squirted two tablespoons of honey into both mugs and stirred.

  Careful not to spill the scalding liquid, she made her way to his desk and placed the water, lemon and honey concoction in front of him.

  She took the seat across from him and looked up to find an expression on Leonardo’s face she’d never seen before. Could the tilted head and wiggly brows be confusion? He was always so overconfident and sure about everything. She hated it.

  Realization dawned that she’d made him something she’d only seen him drink when he’d been sick. It had happened once since she’d known him. He’d first returned to Cleveland and had to face the treacherous winter. He’d recovered in record time and ever since, she’d drank the same brew when she got a cold. Way more often than he ever did.

  “You could say thank you,” she snapped in an attempt to cover her embarrassment at having served him. She wouldn’t have done it if he’d asked, but he looked miserable and it tugged at her heart. The man should be in bed, not dealing with manipulative bosses.

  He picked up the mug and held it out to her. “If I didn’t see you make it myself, I’d think it was poisoned.”

  On more comfortable ground, she winked. “Have you never heard of sleight of hand? Drink at your own peril.”

  He blew on the hot liquid and then took a sip. “Thank you.” A small grin came to his face. “For not killing me...today.”

  She laughed before taking a drink of her own tea. She wouldn’t think about how at ease she was with him at the moment. She’d enjoy it knowing that, like a clearance sale, it wouldn’t last. “Tell me what you meant by the comment about me knowing the firm.”

  He took another sip and placed the mug on the desk before wrapping his hands around it. With the slight bags under his eyes and reddened nose, she restrained herself from getting up and placing her hand against his forehead to see if he had a fever. The man needed to rest, but she wasn’t about to tell him. He had enough sense to discern it for himself. But then again Leonardo had to be the most stubborn man she’d ever met.

  “The partners didn’t get to the top of the corporate food chain by being kind and generous to everyone they encountered. There are rumors about just how dirty they can get when it comes to acquiring what they want.”

  She squirmed at the unsettling discussion. “Of course I’ve heard some of the rumors.” She hadn’t wanted to believe any of them were true. Working for people who would use blackmail and other underhanded, not to mention illegal, actions in order to obtain and maintain their position had never sat right with her. She’d brushed the talk aside as nothing more than vicious gossip.

  “I have no doubt they’d fire, or even sue, us if we didn’t get the Singletons to sign.”

  She took a gulp of her tea and, forgetting it was hot, scalded her tongue. This day was not going as she’d envisioned. First she was forced to work with Leonardo again, and then she had it confirmed that her bosses were the boogeymen. Now her tongue throbbed in pain.

  “But we’ll get the job done.” When had she started thinking of them as a team? Probably around the time she realized her ass had been set on fire and sh
e could get terminated instead of promoted if she failed.

  His lids drooped as if he were fighting to stay awake. “Only if what the partners did to the Singletons wasn’t so grievous that they refuse to forgive them.”

  She sighed, having come to the same conclusion when she’d heard about their wanting to leave the firm. “Is this errand a way to get rid of us? Their best associates? Their biggest moneymakers?”

  He lifted a hefty shoulder before he drank. “I have no idea. I learned about business from my parents, and they’re honest with their dealings. Being underhanded, despite what people may think, is not my way.”

  Was he fishing for reassurance? “I don’t think there’s a single soul in this building who thinks that. We all know you’re mean and surly, even on your good days, but you’re honest, direct and straight as an arrow.”

  What road had the conversation taken that she’d complimented him? Just yesterday she would’ve rather knocked out two of her front teeth than be kind to him. Why was he being nice? Almost normal. Could it be a result of the sex? Incredible as it had been, did it have the power to change his attitude toward her? She’d been too busy eluding him to notice it before.

  It had to be the cold making him seem more human.

  He merely grunted at her. Typical. “All I know is that it’s always best to have a plan B.”

  A moment of terror struck. She had no other plans. She’d worked her tail off and sacrificed having a life in order to be seen as partner material. If she didn’t make it and she got sacked instead, she had no idea what she’d do. Calming herself with deep breaths, she remembered her bar certification and remarkable reputation would get her another job. She’d always landed on her feet, even if sometimes it had been in marshy areas.

  “I’m going to stay positive.” Standing, she indicated the Singletons’ file with a wave of her hand. “We’ll come up with a plan. In the meantime you need to go home and get some rest. You look like crap.”

  He chuckled and the sound resonated in her chest, spreading warmth through her. She shook it off because she had no business feeling anything when he was around. “Is that why you took pity on me and served me the hot drink.”

  “Don’t get used to it, Astacio.”

  “Not even in my sweetest dreams.”

  Grabbing her mug, she resigned herself to leave. “Get some sleep. I don’t need a zombie helping me to lose my job. I’d rather get the promotion to partner.”

  “Over my dead body.”

  Kamilla laughed as she looked over her shoulder. “If you insist.” She could get accustomed to a nicer Leonardo. Even like him. Maybe... No. She wouldn’t let her mind go there. Nothing had changed. They were still chasing the same position, and only one of them would get the chance to succeed.

  Now that she knew she had more to lose than she’d initially thought, she’d make sure she got the promotion. By any means necessary.

  Chapter 5

  Leonardo parked in front of his brother’s home. For such a worldly man, Miguel had chosen a simple building which melded into its surrounding environment. Nice, but much too rural for Leonardo to be comfortable with. His condo in the heart of Cleveland suited him. The steady stream of activity calmed him more than the chirping of birds and crickets ever could.

  He rolled his shoulders, tense after working and arguing with Kamilla the day after she’d sent him home to rest and let his body recover from the ravages of his illness. He had no idea who he’d been more irritated with as they’d worked, himself for having been weak enough to sleep it off or her for her cocky, know-it-all smile when she’d met him in the conference room. She’d been right. The extra sleep had done him wonders, and although he wasn’t up to 100 percent, he felt more like himself.

  At least things were back to normal between them, as evidenced by their constant bickering. This time he did it because it entertained him to do so, not because he wanted to keep her at a distance. The opposite was the case, and he had no idea how to rectify it. Or if he should. Things had become blurred when they’d slept together. A part of him wished it had never happened, but the majority rebuked the thought.

  The door opened to Miguel’s perpetually grinning face, and he pulled Leonardo into a hug. “Hey, bro.”

  Leonardo embraced him. His family was the most important thing to him. And just like he did life, he cherished them. “Hey.”

  “Good to see you.” Miguel glanced down at his watch. “What’s going on, it’s seven in the evening. Why aren’t you still at work?”

  The words weren’t meant in a sarcastic way. He could be known to work until eleven at night. He’d set his mind on reaching his objective and he’d sacrifice his time to get there. “My partner told me to knock off early.”

  His brother quirked a brow. “And you listened? Wait, did you say partner?”

  They’d reached the living room and sat. “Mom would scold you big-time. Don’t you offer your guests a drink when they enter your home?”

  Miguel laughed, something that came readily to him. Because he was the youngest, they’d all spoiled him. It didn’t help that Miguel had gotten Leonardo’s share of the family charm. Kamilla had been right on point when she’d mentioned it the other day. It didn’t normally bother him that he lacked people skills, but it had irked him when she’d remarked on it.

  “You, Nardo, are not a guest. You know right where the kitchen is and are welcome to anything in there.”

  Leonardo struggled to keep from reacting to the nickname his brother had garnered him with as children. He could tolerate the nickname Leo from some people, but he found Nardo unacceptable. Only his brother knew how to get on his nerves with a single word.

  Kamilla’s face popped into his mind. She had the uncanny ability to do the same. If only she wasn’t so damn beautiful, witty and good at her job, he wouldn’t think about her so much. “Fine, be a bad host. Do you have lemon and honey?” His throat still felt a little scratchy.

  Miguel got up and slapped him on the shoulder. “I thought you looked worn down. Not feeling well?”

  Leonardo couldn’t help smiling at the memory of Kamilla placing the mug in front of him. It had been an act of pure kindness, something neither of them ever showed each other, and it had softened something in him. “Better than yesterday.”

  “Good. I won’t tell Mom. You know how she freaks out when you get sick.”

  Leonardo cut his brother a look as he reached for the kettle. “Which is never.” Ever since he’d been young, his parents had worried about him. Two heart surgeries when he’d been six to correct a congenital defect could do that to parents. He rubbed the scar on his chest through his shirt. “Besides, I’m fine.”

  Miguel studied him for a moment. “When was the last time you had a checkup?”

  This is why he rarely visited the family he loved so much. They were always on him about his health. “I’m a grown-ass man. I know how to take care of myself.”

  “I’d believe it if you didn’t work so hard.” Miguel pointed an accusing finger in his direction. “For nothing, I might add. Dad’s ready for you to get over this independent kick and come start the law firm for him.”

  Every moment he spent slaving away for his firm brought him closer to his ultimate goal of leaving. Making partner would reveal his readiness to take on the most important job of his life. Opening a law firm under the Astacio name to represent the subsidiary companies his family owned. His grandparents and parents had dipped their hands into every aspect of business that had interested them, from pharmaceuticals to fashion, and they’d succeeded.

  Over the years he’d worked hard in order to prove himself. Not to his formerly overprotective parents or to the world who thought he’d gotten everything handed to him, but to himself. He needed to know that, no matter what happened, he’d be able to handle whatever came his way.

  Leonardo brought his attenti
on to the singing kettle and went over to it. “I’ll make it there eventually. I just need to do this first.” When silence filled the room instead of one of Miguel’s smart-mouthed comments, he looked up. His brother was staring at him with concern in his easy-to-read hazel eyes. Did he look that bad? “What?”

  Miguel’s expression cleared to its normal jovial grin. “I was wondering what Lanelle would say if I told her you were sick and haven’t been to the doctor to get checked out.”

  Every muscle in his body flexed as he glared at his youngest sibling. “You wouldn’t dare.” Their middle sibling was even more protective than his parents. Her caring nature extended to all aspects of her life, from the people she aided as a philanthropist to her family. If Miguel said anything to her, he’d be swept off his feet by Hurricane Lanelle to the hospital for a forced examination.

  “Fine,” Leonardo mumbled as he poured the water into the mug. “I went to the cardiologist last month for my annual assessment. All the tests came back normal.”

  “Good,” Miguel said. “I don’t understand why you couldn’t have said that before I put the fear of Lanelle into you.” His laughter filled the large kitchen. “For such a sweet woman, our sister is a force to be reckoned with.”

  Leonardo chuckled. “Damn straight.” He wouldn’t want her to be any other way.

  Stirring his drink, he walked behind Miguel to the living room, now ready to talk about why he’d dropped by unannounced. Loathe to come to Miguel for help, Leonardo had no other option.

  Miguel sat forward. “You look a little stressed.”

  Leonardo knew every intricacy on how to set aims and get them met. Once he had a plan, he’d go to any length to implement it. What he had no clue about, as both Kamilla and one of the partners had mentioned yesterday, was charm.

  Kamilla had been right. Although they both did stellar work on the Singleton accounts, they preferred meetings with her present. He needed to change this. He refused to contemplate how much of it involved impressing Kamilla.