Landon couldn’t help but grit his teeth upon hearing what her next assignment entailed and the fact that it would take her out of the country. It wasn’t that she couldn’t take care of herself, but there were other factors involved that she might not be able to control…just as he hadn’t been able to control the lengths to which a business rival would go to in order to prevent a merger that resulted from today’s signing.
“My father was right about something,” Landon confirmed, reaching out to ensure that the elevator doors stayed open long enough for both of them to step inside. He pressed the button that would take them to the lobby before continuing. “Our corporation is growing and becoming more competitive. We’re going to need to hire a security staff and someone to oversee some of our future ventures.”
“I’m sure you and your father will choose your employees wisely.”
Landon wanted more than that, and she was well aware of that fact. He reached out and hit the switch that would bring the elevator to a stop. Sure enough, the cable lines caught and held them fast as the emergency stop switch rang a warning. He was quicker, backing her up against the laminated wall and trapping her in between his arms.
“Last night wasn’t enough.”
“It has to be for both of us,” Kelli whispered somewhat woefully, finally lifting her lashes to reveal her blue eyes so clouded with indecision. “I signed a contract with a government contractor, and I have to see it through. I have a reputation to protect.”
“There are ways to—”
“It doesn’t matter if there are loopholes in the agreement.” Kelli lifted her hand and pressed her cool palm to his cheek in her bid to gain his understanding. It wasn’t working and his anger started to simmer. “I gave my word. I won’t go back on that now. Besides, you seem to forget that I followed your every move this past week. I remember distinctly overhearing you discuss employer and employee relationships. You don’t cross that line, Mr. Smyth. I’m not the only one with a reputation.”
I gave my word. There were so many facets to Kelli’s personality. He hadn’t come close to seeing and learning them all. He would have enjoyed getting to know her better, but there were obligations she needed to fulfill. He understood that more than most.
“It was truly a pleasure, Ms. Garrett,” Landon murmured before he gently pressed his lips to hers in farewell.
Chapter Five
Seven months later…
“I’m not going to hire someone to oversee security who hasn’t served in the military,” Landon exclaimed, effectively shutting down this conversation. He and his father had gone through several resumes in their bid to construct a security team now that their corporation had officially doubled in size and currently had more lucrative deals on the table. “I’ll have Susan bring in another round of applicants next Wednesday. We’ll start from scratch. What we need here is leadership, someone who has the credentials that the rest of the team can identify with.”
“This one has military service,” Richard Smyth pointed out, holding up a thick manila folder. He opened it to the front page and started to read off the applicant’s accomplishments.
“Dad, I think we need to call it a day.” Landon pushed his black leather chair back on its wheels and stood in exhaustion, bringing to close another long week. Recently, he’d been working fourteen-hour days and most weekends, this one included. “My flight leaves for Aruba in three hours and I still need to go home and pack.”
Aruba.
Landon couldn’t think of the Dutch Caribbean island without seeing his blue-eyed brunette lying naked on his bed.
Yes, his.
He’d thought of little else since they parted ways at the airport.
“I think we should pick someone from our existing group to start heading up the security team.” Richard tossed the dossier onto Landon’s desk. He wasn’t in the day-to-day business decisions, but he did like to be included in major changes within their family organization. “You shouldn’t be going back to Aruba without security, so I’ve made an executive decision.”
“Dad, you don’t have the authority anymore to make an—”
Landon broke off his declaration when his father swung open the office door to reveal the woman who’d taken over his thoughts every waking moment for the last seven months. She was wearing the same exact dress she had been the night she’d asked him to dance, thwarting whatever plan Curtis Pynaker had in mind.
Kelli Garrett was breathtaking as she stepped into the office and paused long enough to embrace his father in a warm hug.
Was that a blue flower in her hair?
His curiosity went by the wayside at the familiar way Kelli was addressing his father, as if they were old friends. Exactly what had he missed?
“Meet the head of our new security team,” Richard said rather proudly, a broad smile on his face as he grabbed the doorknob. “I’ll leave you two to sort out the details of the trip, and I’ll see you both next Wednesday.”
And just like that, Kelli was standing by herself wearing that beautiful, white formfitting dress with nothing on underneath. Well, most likely besides her holstered weapon.
“Lock the door, Kelli.” Landon had already started to remove his jacket, well aware that neither one of them was leaving this office without some sort of satisfaction. “It appears we have an interview to conduct.”
“Technically, I’ve already been hired.” Kelli turned the small lever on the door handle anyway, securing them inside. Her blue eyes practically sparkled as she leaned back against the wooden structure. “No interview needed, though there are details that will need to be sorted out before we continue with this…relationship.”
“Such as?” Landon asked, tossing his jacket over the arm of his chair. He took his time pushing away the various items on his desk, giving them a wide clearing for what he had in mind. “Wages? Hours? Responsibilities?”
“I was thinking more in terms of guidelines for a professional work environment,” Kelli responded, reaching under her dress and removing that ever-present holster. She set it gently on top of the bookcase without ever breaking their gaze. “I keep you safe by you simply following every instruction I give you during the course of your trip.”
“Agreed, with one exception.” Landon began to loosen his tie. “I allow you satisfaction in the bedroom by you simply following every instruction I give you during the course of our sexual endeavors. We can further agree to an equal partnership in our marriage.”
Kelli had just slipped out of her heels when the last word registered, causing her to slightly stumble. It was quite adorable to finally see her somewhat taken aback by his declaration.
“There’s this clause we have here at the office about employer and employee relationships, so I took it upon myself to discover a loophole that would allow us to continue to explore our relationship.” Landon shrugged out of his shirt, discarding it over his jacket as he reached for his belt. “By the way, you didn’t return my calls when you arrived back in the States.”
“I was busy accepting a business offer I couldn’t turn down,” Kelli explained, still regarding him warily as he unzipped his pants. “Landon, we can’t get married. We hardly know—”
“You said it yourself, little siren. I follow your directives during our business trips, and you follow mine in our love life and we’re equal in our relationship. It’s a fair exchange, though I can see where we would want a six-month probation to iron out the kinks.”
“Was that a pun?” Kelli’s light, addictive laugh rang out through the room as he slowly closed the distance between them. “Mr. Smyth, I’ve already negotiated my contract. But I’m open to making a few concessions.”
“And the six-month probation period?”
They both were aware that he was talking about a short engagement. He needed an answer before they took this any further.
“Yes, I definitely agree to those terms,” Kelli whispered happily as she wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting herself up
on her tiptoes so that her lips were inches from his.
The tightness he’d experienced in his chest over the last seven months eased, finally allowing him to breathe in her sweet fragrance. Everything was right in their world. He wrapped his arm around her waist with every intention of taking her over to his desk to seal their contract.
“Then let’s finally put this deal to bed, little siren. We have a plane to catch.”
– The End –
Thank you for reading Seducing Danger, a hot and sexy short story set on a steamy tropical island where anything is possible!
The Keys to Love series releases next, and you don’t want to miss the mystery and love the Kendall family unlocks! You can find out more information:
HERE
Their homecoming wasn’t so welcoming. Four brothers and one sister each gave twelve years of their lives to serve their country and fulfill their family’s legacy of service. As each of them return to their home of record, they weren’t prepared for what awaited them—an unforgivable sin that has been hidden for twelve long years. Secrets and lies are concealed in the dark shadows of the very town they were raised in, and the Kendall family will have no choice but to rely on one another to unravel the sinister evil that they all hold the keys to unlock.
Books by Kennedy Layne
Surviving Ashes Series
Essential Beginnings (Surviving Ashes, Book One)
Hidden Ashes (Surviving Ashes, Book Two)
Buried Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Three)
Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four)
Rising Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Five)
CSA Case Files Series
Captured Innocence (CSA Case Files 1)
Sinful Resurrection (CSA Case Files 2)
Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3)
Campaign of Desire (CSA Case Files 4)
Internal Temptation (CSA Case Files 5)
Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files 6)
Redeem My Heart (CSA Case Files 7)
Red Starr Series
Starr’s Awakening & Hearths of Fire (Red Starr, Book One)
Targets Entangled (Red Starr, Book Two)
Igniting Passion (Red Starr, Book Three)
Untold Devotion (Red Starr, Book Four)
Fulfilling Promises (Red Starr, Book Five)
Fated Identity (Red Starr, Book Six)
Red’s Salvation (Red Starr, Book Seven)
The Safeguard Series
Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One)
Faithful Addiction (The Safeguard Series, Book Two)
Distant Illusions (The Safeguard Series, Book Three)
Casual Impressions (The Safeguard Series, Book Four)
Honest Intentions (The Safeguard Series, Book Five)
Deadly Premonitions (The Safeguard Series, Book Six)
About the Author
First and foremost, I love life. I love that I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister… and a writer.
I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.
Thank you for having joined me on their journeys…
Email:
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www.kennedylayne.com
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