Seduction on the CEO's Terms (8 page)

They dined at a table with three CEOs and their wives, Ali entering into light conversation with the women about West Coast versus East Coast fashions. Ali engaged them while Joe spoke with the men at the table, and after a sumptuous meal, all business was concluded.

A seven-piece orchestra began playing what Ali could only describe as nondescript music. The mellow tunes allowed for close proximity on the dance floor, and as men swept their partners to the center of the room, Ali found Joe deep in conversation with the head of Paladino Wines.

When she was tapped on the shoulder from behind, she turned to a man with hopeful eyes. “Would you care to dance?”

Ali hesitated for one second, glancing at Joe, who seemed oblivious to anything but the deep conversation he engaged in. She couldn't see refusing the middle-aged man, whose name tag revealed him to be a master sommelier. “Yes, thank you.”

The man pulled out her chair and waited as she rose and headed for the dance floor. “My name is Juan Delgado,” he said.

“Ali Pendrake.”

He nodded with a smile and guided her to the dance floor, then took her into his arms as the music played on and literally swept her off her feet. Juan Delgado was not only a wine professional but a marvelous dancer.

Juan took dancing seriously, and there was no time for talking. Ali was curious about him, the man with kind eyes and exquisite dance steps. She'd never felt so weightless while dancing before.

“You dance with spirit, Ali,” he said as the dance ended. “If I could confess, I'd love to dance with you all evening.”

Juan continued to hold her waist, and his interest deepened to another level, one Ali recognized as dangerous. She glanced at her table and found Joe gone. Scanning the room, she locked gazes with him on the edge of the dance floor, his face tight, his body held in a rigid stance.

Ali had never seen that expression on Joe's face. Her pulse raced with dread. Had she done something wrong?

She turned back to Juan. “You're a wonderful dancer, Juan, and I did enjoy the dance, but I'm afraid I'm not here to dance. I must get back to my table. I'm…working.”

“Aren't we all?” The casual tone in his voice belied the passion in his eyes.

Ali broke all contact with him. “Really, Juan. I have to go. Thank you for the dance.”

Ali turned and walked straight into Joe, smacking into his chest. “Oh!”

He took her hand. “I need to speak with you,” he said, leading her off the dance floor, then out of the ballroom entirely. Ali's heels scraped the floor trying to keep up.

Joe kept walking at a brisk pace, and Ali's mind whirled with confusion. Once he found a secluded alcove in the hallway, he pulled her inside and turned her, pressing her back to the wainscoted wall.

Ali had no time to react. Joe braced the wall behind her with both hands, brushed his hips against her, then crushed his mouth to hers, claiming her in an all-consuming kiss.

The kiss went long and deep, and tears of joy filled her closed eyes. Her mind screamed her love for him, her body turning to jelly in an instant.

Whatever this was, Ali had never experienced such intense passion. This kiss was urgent and fiery beyond her wildest dreams.

Joe didn't let her come up for air. He kissed her again and again, his musky scent filling her nostrils, his powerful
body taking full control. Ali relished every second of his passion. Then finally, when both of them were ragged and nearly breathless, Joe broke away to look at her, his eyes gleaming with dark intensity.

“I like you, Ali.”

“I like you, too, Joe.”

“Wanna blow this damn convention?”

She thought he'd never ask. “Blow it?”

“I want you, Ali,” he said, his voice a deep rasp.

Ali's brows rose in response.

He cupped the nape of her neck and eased her head back, planting tiny mind-blowing kisses along her throat. “I want to make love to you all weekend.”

“Oh, Joe,” she whispered. Her heart nearly burst from her chest.

“I don't want to see you in the arms of another man. I want that right for myself.” His next kiss curled her toes. “You have to know I didn't plan this, but it's happening and I can't stop it.”

“I know,” she whispered. “I know. I don't want you to stop.”

Joe gazed into her eyes for a brief moment and smiled. “Then let's go.”

He grabbed her hand and led her to the elevator. They waited impatiently, and once the elevator dinged and the doors opened, Joe strode inside, punched the button and took her into his arms again. He kissed her like there was no tomorrow, and they were both breathless when they reached the sixteenth floor. Joe kissed her all the way to the room, both stumbling, and Ali thought she'd truly died and gone to heaven.

They fumbled with the keycard to open the door between kisses, and once inside, Joe shoved the door closed behind them. “I'm usually smoother than this.”

Heart pumping like crazy, Ali smiled. “You're doing just fine.”

Joe laughed. “Then in that case.” He lifted her up in one fluid motion and strode into the bedroom. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Once he reached the king-size bed, he lowered her gently, and Ali released her hold on him.

He took his glasses off and then reached down to take hers off, as well. Then he pulled off the band that confined her auburn hair. He fingered through her tresses, watching the hair spread out across the pillow. “Amazing.” He stood tall, straightening out, his gaze fixed on her. Loosening his tie, he removed his tux jacket and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt.

Ali's breath caught. How many times had she dreamed of being with Joe like this?

Joe kicked off his shoes and joined her on the bed, crushing her again with kisses that left no room for doubt about where they were heading.

All the while, Ali held back. She wanted to strip Joe of his clothes, wiggle out of hers and unleash her own fiery passion. But Fake Ali couldn't do that. She had a role to play, and she reminded herself of the journey that had gotten her to this point.

Let it go, Ali. You're where you want to be.

Ali shoved her guilt and self-loathing out of her mind. With Joe beside her, it was easy to do.

He parted her lips and drove his tongue into her mouth. Ali let out a little moan of pleasure. The kisses went on and on until Joe's body went completely rigid with need.

He pulled away and yanked off his shirt, tossing it aside, then worked the back zipper of her dress. He eased it up and over her head, leaving her naked but for her black bra and bikini panties.

Joe took a good look and inhaled deeply, “Ah, Ali.”

Ali gazed at him, consumed with love.

“You're beautiful.”

So was he. His chest bare, she filled her gaze with broad shoulders, powerful arms and a ripped torso. Every ounce of her wanted to jump his bones right now, but Ali only reached for him and laid his hand on her breast.

Joe took it from there—his passion intensified, his eyes narrowed. The look he shot her was so steamy her insides melted.

He released her full breasts from their bonds and palmed her firmly, his hand rough against her soft skin. Next he grazed over her nipple, the tip pebbling hard. Over and over he touched her, his hand flat against her skin as he moved, explored, caressed and admired her body.

Her breaths shot out in short bursts, her pulse raced. “Oh, Joe,” she murmured.

“Hang on, Ali.” And before she knew it they were both fully unclothed. Joe slid his hands all over her naked body, kissing her senseless. Gliding his hand lower, anticipation built and every nerve ending tingled with intense awareness. This is the moment she'd wanted for so long—the moment when she and Joe would come together.

He cupped her between the legs and touched her gently at first, then with more and more intensity. Fireworks shot off in her head, and she moved under his ministrations. He stroked her like he would a keyboard with quickness and efficiency, his fingers masterful.

Ali returned his kisses, moved in harmony with him and clung to him as he lifted himself over her. Protection—that had almost magically appeared—was fixed in place. He spread her legs apart.

Ali held her breath and welcomed him with an arch of
her back. And then Joe was joined with her, his erection full and thick, driving into her with a slow deliberate thrust.

Joe's body shook. A low guttural groan of pleasure released from his throat. The union brought tears to Ali's eyes. Then she forgot all else as Joe deepened his thrust, filling her full.

He cursed, and she knew it was from the sheer awe of satisfaction he experienced. She felt it, too. Nothing in her life would ever compare to this.

He gazed down at her, and she curved her lips in a smile of encouragement. Then Joe let loose, his thrusts quick and fiery. He braced his hands on her hips and lifted her even higher, his body coated with moisture, his expression beautifully intense.

Ali relished his lovemaking, moving with him and enjoying each bit of stirring pleasure he brought her. She gave him full command of her body. His stamina amazed her, and she thought of all those early-morning workouts in the pool.

Ali's body reached an explosive point, and she threw her head back and arched way up, letting go of her control. Her release came in exquisite short bursts of surrender. She huffed out quiet little moans and looked up at Joe.

Controlling his own need, he held back until she'd been fully sated. Then his pace and rhythm changed to a frenzied assault, his thrusts hard and demanding until he, too, met with a powerful orgasm.

She watched his face change, his passion release and his body contract. It was stunning and magnificent, and Ali was sure she'd never witnessed anything so inspiring.

Joe eased down onto her, taking her head in his hands, and kissed her soundly. “Did I mention how much I like you?”

“You mentioned that,” Ali answered with a chuckle.

Joe rolled off her, and her heated body cooled considerably without him. He turned toward her, his head braced on his hand. He seemed to have something on his mind. Ali recognized when he was in deep concentration. Then he blinked and shot her a serious look. “Stay with me tonight.”

The only way she'd leave is if he threw her out. “Yes.”

Joe took her into his arms, and they lay in silence together. Shortly after they climbed under the sheets, Joe fell asleep first and Ali watched him take deep breaths, wrapped in his arms.

She wished every night could be this perfect.

J
oe's natural alarm clock woke him at six in the morning to the soft sound of Ali breathing. Her back was toward him, and the uniquely feminine curve of her body next to his was a sexy sight to behold. Her hair fell in wispy waves past her shoulders. On impulse, Joe reached out and touched a few strands, curling his fingers into the thick locks.

He closed his eyes and breathed in her scent.

He hadn't wanted this to happen. He'd fought it with all of his might, telling himself she was off-limits. And he'd been immune to her for a long while, looking at her through eyes that had once been deceived by a gorgeous face and killer body. He'd associated Ali with Sheila, perhaps unfairly, and he didn't want to go down that road of employer/employee ever again.

As a defense mechanism, Joe had dismissed Ali in his mind as nothing more than his very loyal business associate.

Then something changed.

Ali
had changed, and he began viewing her differently. The changes in her weren't subtle, and he hadn't figured them out entirely. But Ali had become important to him—and not just because of how well they worked together.

Her neighbor Royce had given him a nudge, the irritating man who had more than friendship on his mind. Then last night, as she danced with her partner, who had all the grace of a swan, another man had approached Joe and asked if Ali was unattached.

“Is she fair game?” Those were the man's exact words.

Joe shot the guy a hard look, deciding right then and there that he couldn't let Ali go. He'd booted the man with a cold and foreboding “no” and claimed her the moment the dance ended.

Joe nibbled on her shoulder, impatient for her to wake up, and when she turned around, he wasn't disappointed. Her green eyes sparkled when she gazed at him, the light in those orbs as brilliant as the sun.

He smiled. “Good morning, beautiful.”

Ali's grin went wide, then as abruptly as she'd brought it on, she pulled back on her smile. The light in her eyes faded. “Good morning, Joe.”

They'd had an incredible night of lovemaking, yet all the while, Joe felt something was wrong. Not that he could call her on it. He wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. He was where he wanted to be, in bed with an intelligent, gorgeous woman.

He caressed her arm, gliding his hands up and down. “How did you sleep?”

“Very well. You?”

“I always sleep well. But this morning, I woke up and there you were. Sorry, but I couldn't keep from touching
you.” He leaned closer and kissed her. “You okay with this?”

Ali smiled again, and Joe felt better seeing genuine joy on her face. “I'm great with this.”

She turned and braced up on her elbow, her hair flowing over her bare shoulder. She painted a lovely picture draped in the sheets. He could go on looking at her, but when the sheet slipped down and exposed her full breasts, his body reacted instantly.

She covered up, almost shyly, and Joe's sanity returned. “Ali, listen. I don't know where this is going and I want to be fair to—”

“Shh,” she said, pressing two fingers to his mouth. “Joe, let's not analyze this. If this is only for the weekend then I'm good with that. And if Monday comes and we have to go back to business as usual, I'll be fine.”

Joe took all of that in, wondering if he'd misunderstood her the other night when she'd told him she didn't do one-night stands—not that Joe wanted that with her anyway. He realized he was ready for more. Maybe even a relationship with Ali.

It'd be tricky at work, but they'd find a way.

“And what if we don't?”

“Don't?” she asked.

“Don't go back to business as usual?”

The brightness in Ali's eyes returned full force, transforming her expression into one of pure joy. “I could manage that, too.”

Purposely now, she let the sheet slide lower down, and Joe's mind went on temporary vacation. He kissed her on the lips then rolled them both until she was under him. “How am I going to see you at work and not think of you like this?”

Ali pressed her hands to his chest. Oh God, it felt so
damn good. He wished she'd done more of that last night. “I could ask you the same question.”

Joe wanted to make love to her slowly, leisurely this time, and devour every inch of her body. He wanted to kiss her into oblivion and then bring them both to simultaneous satisfaction.

But all of that would have to wait. “We can't do this anymore,” he said, climbing off her.

Ali appeared stunned. “The convention?”

“Hell no,” Joe said, unable to hide his smile. “We're blowing it off, remember?”

“Then?”

“I need to make a trip to the hotel gift shop. I told you I didn't plan any of this. I'm out of protection.”

Ali nibbled on her lower lip in that adorable way of hers. Then she smiled. “I'll be waiting.”

“Sleep, Ali. I'll take my swim, make that pit stop and be back here before you know it. I'll send up breakfast.”

Joe rose from the bed and then leaned down to kiss her again. She watched him move around the room bare naked, her eyes softly following him, and that was enough to send his wicked mind into overdrive.

He dressed into swim trunks, threw his arms into a shirt and headed out. His mind conjured images of Ali waiting for him in bed. It was damn hard to leave her.

Doing one hundred laps in the hotel's junior Olympic-size pool would be his only salvation.

He needed a cold splash of reality.

 

Ali rested her head against her pillow and sighed. Blissfully happy, she thought about the past twenty-four hours. Joe had finally come around, but was the cost of his ardor too high? She didn't have an answer, and right now, maybe she shouldn't care. All of her dreams were coming true.

Too restless to lie there, Ali rose from bed and realized all of her clothes were still in her hotel room. She donned the dress she wore last night, finger-combed her hair, slipped her feet back into her pumps and left the room.

Once she got to her hotel room, just steps down the hall, she flopped onto her bed, in a quandary. “What now?”

She didn't want Joe to come back and find her gone. She would love to dress in her sexiest lingerie and seduce him the minute he returned to his room. The whole scene played out in her mind in erotically vivid details.

But that wasn't in the plan. And she couldn't tempt fate. The woman Joe was attracted to wouldn't take the reins like that. She wouldn't be the aggressor and let loose. It saddened her to think that Joe might never be attracted to the Real Ali.

She'd give him more credit than that but for the fact that they'd worked together for one year and the Real Ali had never interested him. She'd fallen in love with her boss, and he'd never known it. He wouldn't allow himself to see the truth, much less give the idea any credence at all. He'd had his heart broken by a woman who'd worked for him, and he wasn't going there again. She understood that.

Ali glanced at the digital clock. She didn't have much time. She rose and quickly showered then dressed in a pair of slacks and a soft scoopneck knit top. She pulled her hair back and put on her fake eyeglasses.

She entered Joe's room, and shortly after, room service knocked. She let the waiter in and watched as he set up the table by the large bay window. The food smelled wonderful, and Ali's stomach growled.

Joe walked in just as she nibbled on toast and sipped orange juice. “Hi,” she said. “How was your swim?”

He swept into the room, looking magnificent, his dark hair wet and curling at the nape of his neck, his shirt
rumpled and buttoned up only partway. Glancing at the clothes she'd put on, he tossed a bag onto the nightstand then strode over to her. “Too long.” He bent down to take her face into his hands. Searching her eyes first, he brushed his lips to hers. “I missed you. Couldn't you sleep?”

“No, I, uh…I couldn't.” She was still recovering from Joe's admission that he'd missed her. “I didn't have any clothes and with room service coming—”

“It's okay, Ali.” He kissed her deeply this time, his mouth making love to hers in a slow deliberate way that curled her toes. Her mind went on autopilot, and she returned his kiss. She was becoming accustomed to Joe kissing her, taking liberties that only made her love him more.

“You should have seen the look on the clerk's face when I walked in dripping wet and bought condoms.”

Ali laughed. “I wish I'd been there.” Then she thought about it. “On second thought, no, I don't.”

Joe grinned. “No, I guess you don't.” He lifted the covers from the food plates and seemed satisfied with what he found. “Go on and eat if you're hungry. I'll take a quick shower and be right back.”

“I'll wait for you,” she said softly. “We'll eat together.”

Joe inhaled and peered at her as if she'd granted him knighthood. “Thanks. I won't be long.”

Ali heard the shower going on, and all sorts of erotic images played out in her mind. She imagined steamy water raining down his body, his skin sleek and slippery as he soaped up.

Ali rose from the table and peered out the window, trying to thwart her wayward, X-rated mind. The view from the sixteenth floor was inspiring. She wrapped her arms around her middle and enjoyed the rise of the sun over the
Pacific Ocean. The San Francisco Bay was a sight she'd only seen on postcards.

“I'll take you wherever you want to go today.” From behind, Joe put his hands on her shoulders and planted little kisses on the nape of her neck.

Goose bumps rose up her arms from the thrill. He smelled fresh and clean, the subtle scent of lime on his skin.

Could she tell him she only wanted to see him between the sheets again? “I'll go wherever you want to take me, Joe.”

Joe chuckled. “Then we won't get very far.”

She turned around in his arms and stared into his eyes. “Oh, no?”

“The bedroom beckons, Ali.” Then he gestured to the table. “And so does the food. C'mon,” he said, taking her hand. It was only then she realized he had nothing on but a fluffy white towel around his waist. How would she get through the meal? “I know you're hungry. Sit,” he ordered. “Eat up.”

“Yes, boss.”

Joe squeezed his eyes shut. “Ouch. Let's forget I'm your boss this weekend.”

She wanted to ask him, but then who are you? My boyfriend? My lover? But Ali was too distracted by his ripped upper body to formulate any questions. And his lower body and the pleasures he'd evoked last night made her head swim. “I can do that.”

She sat down and he joined her, sitting across the table. She had the most appealing view of a nearly naked Joe with San Francisco's famous skyline in the background. A girl couldn't ask for more.

Joe waited for her to fill her plate before he took his share. They dined on eggs Benedict, roasted potatoes and
crepes with fresh summer fruit compote. The coffee was heavenly.

Once they finished the meal, Joe rose from the table and reached for her hand. She lifted up and stood before him, puzzled by the solemn look on his face. “I'm not the crafty old lecher trying to seduce my hot secretary, Ali, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to make love to you again.”

Ali gulped air. She knew what Joe was trying to say. “I'm not doing anything I don't want to do, Joe. As far as I'm concerned, the sights in this room are pretty darn appealing. I don't need anything else.”

He drew her in slowly, placing both hands on her waist. “I know how to compromise. We'll do a little of both. Well,” he amended, “we'll do a
lot
of exploring in here and some exploring out there.”

He sealed the deal with a long, lazy kiss. “How does that sound?”

Explore away, Joe, and leave no stone unturned, she wanted to say. “Wonderful.”

Joe led the way, removing her clothes between kisses, and once inside the bedroom, he backed her up against the bed. They fell down together amid laughter, and Joe took his sweet time, discovering all of Ali's erotic zones.

He stroked her throat, tonguing his way up to her chin. Then he kissed her again and again in a sensual frenzy of lips and tongues. His hands inched their way down, and he caressed her breasts, flicking the tips until she bit down with silent urgent need.

Next, he traveled farther down, kissing her torso, her hips, her navel, gently easing his way lower. When he parted her legs and positioned himself, raising her hips to meet his mouth, he made love to her soft folds, until she nearly melted on the spot.

Joe didn't let up. He touched her everywhere, his hands roaming over her skin as he whispered soft endearments, his words muddling in her mind. He stroked her legs and arms with the same heat and passion, and once she was certain he'd caressed her everywhere, he stroked her apex again and again, this time pressing his palm against her silken, needy flesh.

“Joe,” she huffed out, holding back her innermost desire to unleash her passion.

Joe removed his towel, and she watched as he rose above her like a magnificent animal ready to claim his mate. He was so beautiful that she wanted to cry.

Then he made love to her, entering her body and deepening his place in her heart. He owned her soul, and there was nothing she could do about it.

After, they stayed in bed and munched on the leftovers from breakfast, then on each other again. Morning became afternoon, and after they'd dozed in each other's arms for a few hours, she heard Joe stir beside her.

She opened her eyes to find him stretched out before her, his hands clasped behind his head. He'd put his glasses on, and the sexy picture he made with the silken sheet draped across his lower body and a look of pure contentment on his face, stole Ali's breath.

“It's almost three,” he said.

Was that a hint for her to leave? She wasn't sure where she stood with him. They'd had hot sex, but he hadn't made any declarations to her other than soft stirring murmurs during the throes of passion. “Hmm. I guess I should go.”