A Taste of Passion ; Ambitious Seduction

by Chloe Blake

  Her thrumming body had voted for being kissed, stripped and sexed. Her mind, on the other hand, had problems with having anything to do with Leonardo. The competition for partnership put aside, they were opposites in almost every sense of the word. Except their political views. They also liked to have blues music playing in the background when they worked. She’d noticed a copy of a book she’d read and enjoyed back in college on his bookshelf. So maybe they had a few things in common. But they were still too different to work as a functional couple.

  His tall muscular physique, as he sauntered toward her to leave for Monroe’s office, left her mouth parched and her fingers flexing to replace his suit jacket with her touch. With his stern clean-shaven face, closely cropped hair and radiation of power and control, an outsider may have believed he’d once been in the military. They’d be wrong, but he was just as disciplined. Another commonality between them.

  They needed to clear the air about what had happened. Their still-lingering sexual attraction. It would be the healthiest thing to do for her mental health. Maybe.

  After they gave a brief greeting to Monroe’s administrative assistant, he gave them permission to enter their boss’s open door. Kamilla knocked and, when Monroe nodded, they walked in together. For once looking like a team with their uniform stride rather than rivals. She had to keep in mind their rivalry. They weren’t friends, lovers or even amicable colleagues. At least not until recently.

  Monroe waved toward the two seats in front of his massive dark cherrywood desk. “Have a seat.” The African American man didn’t appear a day over fifty, even though they’d celebrated his sixtieth birthday two months ago. Many had called him a handsome man and Kamilla could see the appeal, with his distinguished pepper-gray hair and matching goatee. He epitomized wealth with his tailored suit, gold cuff links, designer eyeglasses and subtly patterned tie that she wanted to stroke because of its fine silk.

  “How are you two doing?” The man had held on to his Southern manners even after moving North.

  “We’re well, sir,” Kamilla answered for both of them.

  His smile drew out the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. “Good to hear. How far have you gotten on Singleton Financial?”

  Instead of answering with a vague response like she’d been about to, Leonardo jumped in. “Do you know why the Singletons want to take their business elsewhere?”

  He’d get them fired before they had the chance to prove they could complete the task. She jumped in to soften the question. “It’s just that it would help us to encourage them to stay.”

  Monroe rocked back in his seat, placing his clasped hands against his flat stomach. “I understand. Their decision to leave came as a surprise to all of us. They’d been happy with our work.” He raised his palms upward. “I was on the green with Alfred last month and he was very pleased with how you handled their latest subsidiary.”

  They had needed the jewelry company assessed and then integrated into their system by contract. Something hadn’t sat right within her about the company, but all of their financials looked good. She’d have to remember to go over them again with Leonardo to see if he got the same feeling.

  Monroe leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. Unlike Leonardo, the man was always in motion. “Since they haven’t come to us with a complaint, and their possible separation is merely circumspect, we will not directly approach them.” He leveled each of them with a look. “But that doesn’t mean two of the associates who have worked with them and heard rumors about their possible departure from the firm cannot inquire and intercede.”

  The disconcerting politics of the situation made Kamilla dizzy. So the partners couldn’t deal with Singleton Financial directly even though they’d be the ones most affected by the loss. She stole a glance at Leonardo. The slight twitch of his jaw muscle was the only thing that gave his annoyed reaction away.

  They waited for Monroe to tell them why they’d been summoned.

  “The Singletons will be in Aspen, on vacation for one week. That will be the best chance you’ll have to approach them, because they’ll be leaving the country soon after.”

  Just when she was about to ask him how they’d infiltrate the couple’s most likely much-needed vacation time, Monroe spoke again.

  “The firm is sending you two on an all-expense paid trip to the same resort where Alfred and Sophia will be staying. They own the hotel. You will pretend to be on vacation.” He slid a piece of paper to each of them. “Here are your itineraries. They’ve undertaken the same activities every time they’ve visited for the past five years. Alfred once told me it was his only opportunity to have consistency in his ever-changing world.”

  He stared directly into Kamilla’s eyes and then at Leonardo, who still resembled a stone carving with his lack of movement or reaction. “Do what you need to in order to get them to sign the contract next month.”

  Their boss rotated his seat slightly to the left and started reading from his computer. They’d been dismissed, so they stood and left the room. She could feel heat radiating off Leonardo as she passed him to walk through the door.

  Although she had no desire to be around when he exploded, they had to discuss their plan for the impromptu trip. If her job weren’t on the line, she’d be happy about the impending journey to Colorado.

  When they entered Leonardo’s office, she jumped when he slammed the door. Unaccustomed to such overt anger from him, she remained standing while he paced the length of the room. When he didn’t speak for a full two minutes, she cleared her throat. “We may be pimped out, but at least we get a holiday out of it.”

  His inferno of anger blazed in her direction. “It’s not funny. They’re treating us as if we’re puppets. Easily controlled by the pull of a string. I have half a mind to cut them all.”

  Her stomach tightened with dread at the thought of him leaving. She needed him. She was a better lawyer when they worked together. Even if she could convince the Singletons to stay with the firm, if he left they may drop them as soon as they found out Leonardo was no longer part of the team.

  She’d never seen him so livid and she didn’t blame him. Not knowing if what she’d say would tip him toward packing his things and leaving or letting out a roar, she took a seat, watched and waited.

  After a few minutes of observing him struggle to control his rage with stiff strides back and forth as he massaged the back of his neck, his fear-inducing scowl relaxed into a more neutral expression. He sat behind his desk, still resonating with anger, yet more controlled. “When are we supposed to leave?”

  She blinked at him as her jaw dropped. He still wanted to go?

  He grinned. “Close your mouth. As much as I like seeing you speechless, I’d hate for you to lose your job. Which would definitely happen if I’m not around to help you.”

  “In your dreams, Astacio,” she bantered, happy to return to solid footing with him. She picked up the paper Monroe had given her. Leonardo’s lay torn and crumpled in the trash bin, where he’d slammed it. “On Sunday. They’re scheduled to arrive at the resort on Tuesday and we need to be there ahead of them to make it seem more natural.”

  He snorted. “I’d smell the setup a mile away.”

  She nodded at his astute point. “Me, too. That’s why we need to spend the next three days figuring out a way to make our running into them seem accidental. And how to approach them.”

  The indent in the middle of his forehead appeared when his brows creased together. “I have an idea, but I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

  Kamilla narrowed her eyes. “And how is this different from any other idea you’ve ever had?”

  “Because if this is going to work, things might have to get a little...personal.”

  Chapter 8

  Kamilla tossed a pair of light blue long johns into her suitcase. “The man has lost his ever-loving mind.”

&nb
sp; Cass didn’t even ask whom she was referring to. Whom else did she complain about with such vehemence? “What happened?”

  She might as well tell her the whole story. It wasn’t as if she’d taken an oath of confidentiality or anything. And maybe Cass could help her find a way out of the mess. “This afternoon we were told by Monroe that we’ve been scheduled to head out to Aspen to meet up with the Singletons. Our mission is to convince them to stay with the firm, since the partners can’t do it themselves.”

  “Okay. I don’t understand why, but I figure, like everything else at your firm, some kind of convoluted politics is involved.”

  “You’ve got that right. Leonardo and I are caught smack in the middle.” She grunted as she debated which pair of black trousers to include. “Not a fun place to be in. A couple days ago, two of the other partners basically threatened us. If we don’t get the Singletons to sign, then we’ll be out of a job. If we do, then one of us will make partner.”

  She could swear Cass sucked some of the enamel off her teeth. “Those people are bastards, pure and simple. Did it convince you to give in your resignation like I’ve been advising since you started working for them? You can do so much better doing something you actually like.”

  Kamilla sat at the end of her bed, in the midst of the hurricane of clothes, and sighed. No matter what she’d been through with the firm, she’d never considered leaving. Making partner had always been foremost on her mind. Financial security. Job stability. Two things she’d never had in her life. She needed them. Would do anything to attain them. Even unwittingly work with unscrupulous leaders in order to become one of them.

  “Their behavior isn’t surprising.” At least not to her. She still hadn’t gotten over how pissed Leonardo had become after the meeting with Monroe earlier today. “That’s not what’s got me upset.”

  “Oh?” Cass asked, hinting at her doubt.

  “Well, it does, but not as much as Leonardo’s plan.”

  This time her “oh” held a more interested pitch.

  “The Singletons own the resort we’re going to. They seem to have a routine they follow every year. He thinks we should leave tomorrow in order to get there a couple of days before they’re due.”

  “Doesn’t sound bad. At least you won’t be hanging around in the den of vipers that employs you.”

  Kamilla smiled. God save the world from a best friend who thought she’d been wronged. Cass wouldn’t be happy until she found a new job. “Do you want to hear his plan or not?”

  “Fine.”

  “He proposes we stay there as a couple. I’m talking sleeping in the same hotel room and hanging out together so everyone in the hotel sees we’re there on vacation rather than to lay a trap to meet with the Singletons.”

  She waited for her friend’s shrieked response of repulsed incredulity. Seconds of silence passed. “Well?”

  “What?”

  Had Cass been listening? “Isn’t it a horrible idea?”

  “Not at all. You’ll get to encounter your target accidentally. The only issue is how to bring up their wanting to leave the firm once you get to them. You’re a magician when it comes to convincing people to do things they don’t want to.” Cass giggled. “Remember in high school when your crazy ass talked me into ditching school to go buy concert tickets to the Mary J. Blige concert?”

  “We would’ve gotten away with it if you hadn’t ripped your pants trying to get through the gate.” Kamilla let out a hoot of laughter. “Hilarious.”

  “Not from where I stood. My point is that pretending to be a couple is a good idea. You could even try to have a good time and relax while you’re there.”

  “With Leonardo? I might end up in jail for doing bodily damage. We’ll kill each other.”

  “Hmm.”

  Kamilla rolled her eyes. “Just say it.”

  “You two slept together.” She mentioned the event as if stating that her children had curly hair. “I’m sure something has changed between you. At least it would if you sat down and talked to him. Attraction doesn’t hover for two years, preventing you from dating other guys, and then explode in one night of working together if you didn’t at least like each other.”

  “Not true. I’ve been on a few dates. It’s not my fault things didn’t work with any of them. Plus I’ve been extremely busy at work and—”

  “Cut it out, Kam.” Cass cut her off without compunction. “Just admit you like him and are excited about pretending to be his woman because it’s what you’ve wanted since you first met him. This partnership competition crap was just a front and you know it. Everyone likes you. Even in your foster homes and at school, people would bend over backward to make you happy. Your personality is like potent champagne and folks like being around your sparkling ass.” Kamilla could imagine Cass’s arms flailing. “His meanness when he first met you hurt. Unlike everyone else, he didn’t fall all over himself to get to know you.”

  Kamilla pouted remembering the put-down he’d given her about being so proud of graduating from Harvard that she sported her pin. Other Yalees she’d met over the years had added a smile to their ribbing, and she’d made fun of them in return. “He started it.”

  “That’s what I just said. He was a jerk. Did you try to befriend him after that?”

  She slammed her back down on the pile of clothes. “No.”

  “And why not, again?”

  Kamilla hated when her best friend played psychologist. She had half a mind to not answer. “Because I thought he was a spoiled brat who’d gotten everything he’d ever wanted in his life and I was jealous. Are you happy?”

  Cass heaved a sigh. “Not at all. Your background of living in the system and having to work for everything you have is your single greatest strength and weakness rolled into one. It’s made you who you are and yet you’re super sensitive about it.”

  Kamilla rubbed at the tightness that had formed in her chest and cleared her throat. “What’s your point?”

  “If he hadn’t come from a famous, hyper-rich, close-knit family, would you have reacted the same way? Especially considering you were attracted to him?”

  Was it fair he had so much and also wanted to snatch away the job she’d worked so hard for? “We’ll never know, will we?” Time to change the subject. “Help me come up with a different plan to help us win over the Singletons while I pack.”

  Thirty minutes later Kamilla was speaking to her energetic nieces with her bag packed and no alternative to Leonardo’s scheme. Was Cass right? Did she want to be with him? It would’ve seemed so when she’d lain on his desk, enjoying every amazing inch of him.

  She couldn’t afford to desire him. She didn’t need to analyze it; she just had to keep herself guarded and reach for her goal.

  Chapter 9

  About to board the plane the next day, Kamilla still hadn’t formulated a plan that wouldn’t involve being close to her enemy in order to get a job done. Her face contorted into an involuntary grimace. Maybe he’d slid into a more amicable position this past week, but she still considered him competition.

  Cass was right about one thing: she and Leonardo had to have a talk about that scorching night. Had it meant anything to him? Did she want it to?

  An important question she hadn’t been able to answer was, did she want it to happen again? Her body screamed yes as a repetition of what she’d told him that night over and over again. Her mind knew better. What would come from hooking up again? A satisfying pleasure she’d never experienced with any other man she’d been with. Would it be a bad thing to have a sexual encounter in Aspen? Far away from work and closer to Vegas, where everything stays secret.

  Knowing that even on his good days, he tended to be a bastard couldn’t keep her in camp have-sex-with-Leonardo-again. She didn’t need a man with a penchant for cruelty in her life. She’d had enough of it when she was younger from a cou
ple of her foster parents and other kids in the system who’d been jealous for no reason. She’d had the same amount of nothing, sometimes less, than they did. As a grown woman, she deserved and would have nothing but respect when it came to her personal life, because that’s how she treated others.

  More bubbled under the surface than Leonardo showed everyone. The man who did pro bono work for those who couldn’t afford his services hid somewhere beneath the nastiness she’d experienced from him over the years. She just wished he didn’t hide it so well.

  Leonardo looked over at her as they walked. “Are you still not speaking to me?”

  She ignored the thrill tripping down her spine at the sound of his voice. After picking up her speed, she paused to hand the airline worker her boarding pass.

  “Have a wonderful flight.”

  Kamilla flashed a smile. “Thanks. You too.” Then she recalled the woman wasn’t going anywhere. “I mean...thanks.” She hated hearing Leonardo laugh at her, so she rushed onto the walkway, which would keep her safe from the cold November Cleveland air. On the plane she headed for business class and hoped they’d plopped Leonardo in coach. An aisle seat right in front of the toilet, where people passing would hit him every time they went to use the bathroom. A crying baby next to him would do nicely.

  She found her seat and placed her carry-on into the overhead compartment. Heat burned into her back as a hard body leaned into her. “You can’t stay angry with me for the whole trip.” He whispered into her ear. “You know the plan is good. Is the fact that I came up with it what’s eating you?”

  An elbow to the gut had him stepping back with a grunt.

  Comfortable in her seat, she broke her vow of not speaking to him. “I’m sure you’re accustomed to flying first class instead of slumming it in business. Feel free to ask the airline hostess to upgrade you.” Then she made sure to look him in his dark eyes. She knew she’d made a mistake when her belly decided to flutter. Not something new when she got this close to him, but it still disturbed her because she wasn’t supposed to feel anything where he was concerned.