Hypnotic Seduction (The Seduction Series) (40 page)

Only several times in the last week.

And on every occasion, she’d forgiven him without reservation. Even after he admitted his orgy with Marcy’s friends, Hannah hadn’t judged him. She’d accepted him unconditionally.

Didn’t she deserve the same from him? Shouldn’t the fact she confessed her deception count for something? There’d been nothing to stop her from remaining silent and letting him go on acting like a lovesick puppy. Except she evidently realized she’d never be really happy unless his feelings were genuine—which they had to be.

One thing had become abundantly clear in his lifetime. Only people he cared about possessed the power to hurt him. It was why he’d sworn off relationships. He would never have felt so betrayed by Hannah if he didn’t love her more than he’d ever loved another human being.

He glared at the silent CD player on his nightstand.

Maybe if the product of her deception hadn’t helped him fall asleep in seconds and virtually eradicated his headaches, he might not feel so bitter.

Whether he liked to admit it or not, those damn subliminal messages obviously had a soothing effect on him. There was no question he truly loved her. So if he really cared, he’d have to try again to convince her of how important she was to him.

But how?

Candy and flowers hadn’t worked. Diamonds and perfume had made zero impact. Even hiring someone to serenade her had been totally useless. She’d said she wanted romance. Weren’t all those things how
guys
traditionally romanced a woman?

While he lay there searching his imagination for a way to convince her he loved her with all his heart, Hannah’s voice echoed through his memory.

You believe the only thing any woman wants from you is soul-shattering orgasms and expensive gifts. Why can’t you trust that I could love you for more than what you can give me in and out of bed?

She was right. Other women had always made him feel used. But Hannah never had.

Last night and today, in trying to prove how pure and selfless his feelings were, he’d simply confirmed her allegation. If he wanted to convince her he loved her, he obviously needed to show her without touching her or spending a dime.

“I guess the only thing left is to make a fool of myself over her,” he muttered, punching the play button on the CD player.

Apparently he hadn’t humiliated himself quite enough for Miss Hardheaded Hannah.

As he drifted off to sleep to the sound of waves crashing, he smiled. In all honesty, he wouldn’t want her any other way.

~*~

What were all those people staring at?

Hannah swung the Jaguar into her reserved parking space on Monday morning near a crowd of employees pointing up at the building. Raising her gaze to the large banner hanging from the roof, she gasped. It was so big it covered the entire top two stories of windows

It looked as if Jordan had gotten someone to sew several black king-size bed sheets together before painting a giant hot pink heart with J.C. Loves H.O. in it the same way a teenager would carve his and his sweetheart’s initials into a tree.

And here she thought the reason she hadn’t heard so much as a peep from him on Sunday was because he was furious with her. It must have taken him all day to get the sign made and secure it to the building’s side.

Her throat swelled shut. He was the CEO, and he’d opened himself up to being poked fun at again by his staff just to convince her of his sincerity. Only a man seriously in love would publicly humiliate himself for a woman.

She
should be shot
for not believing him after the sweet, selfless way he’d made love to her on Friday night.

Her cheeks flaming, she strode into the building, accompanied by a chorus of good-natured teasing. She met Callie in the lobby and shook her head. “I can’t believe Jordan did this. Everyone must be laughing their heads off.”

Callie chuckled. “I was thinking of another part of their anatomy. I’m glad he did it. It means there’s still a ray of hope for Bryce. Unfortunately, he’d need a ten-thousand-watt searchlight to notice me.”

“Your lunch date didn’t help?”

“Nope.” Callie sighed. “As usual, he treated me like his kid sister.”

Recalling what Renee had said, Hannah chewed on her lip. “Is it possible he’s....
”
She shook her head, banishing the idea. “Never mind.”

“Possible he’s what?”

“I don’t know. I heard a rumor he might be—you know....” She flipped her hand in a limp-wrist gesture.

Callie’s mouth dropped open. “No way. Believe me, Bryce is
not
gay. My brother only drove home the night he was killed because Bryce hooked up with some girl.”

“Quite honestly, I didn’t buy it, either. I just thought you should consider the possibility. Maybe it’s why—”

“Absolutely not. But I’m beginning to think it’s a sign I should just give up on him. If he hasn’t noticed me by now—”

“Don’t lose hope, Cal. We just have to find a way to make him see you differently. We’ll think of something. I never thought Jordan would ever notice me, either.”

“Well, thanks for trying. I feel so guilty about thinking you were after Bryce.”

Hannah squeezed her friend’s hand. “It’s okay. While we’re confessing, I owe you an apology, too. For a moment I thought you might have sabotaged the conference as revenge.”

“What’re you talking about?”

Obviously, Bryce hadn’t told Callie about it. “It’s not important. Let’s just leave it that I suspected you’d worked me over, too.”

“So when’s the wedding?”

“Probably never.” Hannah swallowed hard. “Especially after the stupid thing I did.” She spent the next few minutes telling her friend about the CD she’d had made.

Callie stared at her for a second and then burst out laughing. “Are you crazy? You can’t use the power of suggestion to make someone feel something he has deep convictions against. If I could hypnotize Bryce into wanting me, I would’ve sent him to see my sister years ago.”

“I know.” Hannah followed her friend to the elevator and pressed the
up
button. “But I figured if Jordan cared even a little for me, maybe the CD could convince him to admit he’d be happier
with
me than
without
me.”

As the doors slid apart, Callie smiled over her shoulder at Hannah, stepping onto the elevator. “Obviously he has.”

“But I don’t want to have coerced him into it.”

“Shouldn’t you have thought of that before you bought that ridiculous CD?”

“I did. It’s just....I love him so much, I talked myself into—”

“Hannah.” Callie patted her arm. “Relax. There’s no doubt JC loves you. Even if he
admitted
it because of the CD, you didn’t create the feelings he has. And who knows, maybe in time he’ll even want to get married.”

“You’re right.” Hannah sighed while the elevator whizzed to the top floor. “And even if he doesn’t, I’m going to love him and have as many children as he wants.” No matter how short the roller coaster ride might be, she wanted to take it with him.

“Good for you.” Callie hugged her after they stepped off the elevator. “If wedding rings came with guarantees, the divorce rate wouldn’t be sky-high. And if anyone deserves to be happy, you do.” She waved and continued toward her office.

“So do you!” Hannah called after her. Her hand shaking, she reached for the handle on the door to the executive suite.

She’d tossed and turned all night and still didn’t know how to apologize for trying to manipulate Jordan and for not believing him when he’d told her he loved her. If their positions
were reversed
, she would’ve given up trying to convince him. Any other man would’ve decided she wasn’t worth all that effort.

Sucking in a deep breath, Hannah swung the door open and found him leaning against the doorjamb to his office.

“Good morning. It’s about time you got here.” He smiled. “I saw you pull up to the building fifteen minutes ago.”

“Oh, Jordan,” she blubbered. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Maybe not. But I don’t have time to discuss that right now.” He led her to the desk. “I need a rush letter typed.”

“All right.” Wiping her eyes, she sank into her chair. Her apology would have to wait. There was no point in trying to talk to him while he was preoccupied with something else. “Is it recorded or did you write it out?”

“No. I’ll dictate while you type.”

She punched in her password to log onto the network and nodded. “Okay, shoot.”

He strolled behind her desk and propped himself on the side table next to her so he could read over her shoulder. “Dear Miss Oliver.”

Hannah glanced back at him and frowned. “
Jord
—”

“You’re not typing.”

Heaving a sigh, she tapped out the words.

“It has come to my attention that you’re unhappy and intend to seek employment elsewhere.”

“I really think—”

“Well, don’t. I’m paying you to type right now.”

She turned back to the keyboard and waited for him to continue.

“Seeing as your office is well-equipped, your hours are flexible, and your salary is as high as any department manager’s, I can only assume your dissatisfaction must be with the treatment you receive from your superior.”

“That’s not true.” No one had ever treated her as wonderfully as he had.

“If I want your commentary, I’ll ask for it.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, where was I?”

“….
your dissatisfaction must be with the treatment you receive from your superior
,” she read back.

“Next paragraph. Calder Pharmaceutical values exemplary employees like you and is dedicated to retaining their services. Therefore, I’m hoping, after receiving our heartfelt apology, you’ll reverse your decision to resign and forgive the CEO for his unprofessional behavior toward a subordinate.”

“Jordan, please don’t—”

He held his hand up, cutting her off. “Sadly, Mr. Calder’s only excuse for his inappropriate actions is he fell deeply, totally, irrevocably in love with you.”

She sniffled and stopped typing a moment to wipe away the tears running down her cheeks.

“You fascinated him from the first moment you walked into his office. He couldn’t understand why a prissy woman dressed like a middle-aged librarian would make his heart beat faster. Or why he would rather see one of your smiles than a dozen naked women. After your hypnotherapy, he was mesmerized and wondered if he’d been put into a trance—even before you gave him that CD.”

Lifting her fingers from the keyboard, she gazed up at him, her lip trembling.

“In short, he’s never been happier than when
he’s
with you.” He cupped her cheek in his palm and withdrew a small velvet box from the pocket of his trousers. “So as compensation and incentive to continue working for Calder Pharmaceutical, please accept this token of Mr. Calder’s commitment to you. He would appreciate it if you’d inform him of your decision ASAP. He looks forward to your response.”

He opened the box and revealed the most gorgeous sapphire and diamond ring she’d ever seen. Dropping to one knee, he slipped it on her left ring finger. “It was my grandmother’s.”

Hannah gazed down at the sparkling stones and smiled at him. “How would you like to close this letter?”

He brushed her lips with his and whispered, “How about,
Hypnotically
yours, Jordan Calder, Future Husband and Father of Your Children.”

She flung her arms around his neck. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness. Can you ever trust me again?”

“I already trust you.” He stood and pulled her out of her chair, wiping her cheeks dry. “You have it all wrong about love, Hannah.”

“How?”

“I was hurt and angry yesterday. Then I realized it’s not possible for two people
to never let
each other down. Love isn’t about trusting you’ll never hurt me. It’s about being sure you’ll never do it on purpose and forgiving you when you unintentionally do.”

“Thank you for being so understanding about the CD. I love you so much.”

“It doesn’t matter why I realized I can’t live without you. I’m just glad I did.” He enfolded her in his arms. “At least I’ll never doubt how much you wanted to marry me.”

Resting her head on his shoulder, she stroked the nape of his neck. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you when you told me you loved me. It’s just....the way we keep ending up naked—”

“Exactly. No other woman has ever made me lose control the way you do. The thought of coming to the office each morning and not seeing you—”

“Oh, no-o.” She buried her face in his chest.

“What’s the matter?” He tipped her chin up and stared into her eyes.

“You’re not going to like this. I still have to resign.”

“That’s okay. If you don’t want a career—”

“No. I still want to work. Just not here.” She told him about Kurt Preston’s offer to help her start Hannah’s Heavenly Cheater Cookies.

When she finished explaining Mr. Preston’s strategy to market her frozen cookie dough to more affluent consumers, Jordan smiled. “What a phenomenal idea. I wish I’d thought of it. In fact, I think it’s such a great plan, I’ll convince the board to sell me twenty-five acres on site here, and I’ll build you an industrial kitchen and packaging facility as a wedding gift. That way we’ll be able to have lunch together every day.”

She gazed down at the glittering ring on her finger. “That’s very generous, but we really don’t have to get married. I just needed to know you love me.”

He cupped her face between his hands. “Listen carefully. The thought of losing you scares the hell out of me and probably always will. But now I know living with that fear will always be easier than living without you. I’m not leaving you a way out.”

Oh, Lord, she loved this man.

“I want you as my wife more than anything.”

“Even more than the tin of cookies in my tote bag?” she teased. “I baked several dozen of your favorites yesterday. Mr. Preston asked for samples to send to potential investors.”

The amusement gleaming in Jordan’s eyes contradicted the deep furrow in his forehead. “Damn.” He snapped his fingers. “You mean I’m going to have to
buy
your cookies now?”