by Jess Dee
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Discover the Seduction series… Planned Seduction
More steamy Brazen Bonding Games
Casual Affair
One Week with the Marine
Rogue
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 by Jess Dee. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.
Entangled Publishing, LLC
2614 South Timberline Road
Suite 109
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.
Brazen is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC. For more information on our titles, visit www.brazenbooks.com.
Edited by Heidi Shoham
Cover design by Liz Pelletier
Cover art from iStock
ISBN 978-1-64063-143-4
Manufactured in the United States of America
First Edition July 2017
To anyone who has lived through the heartache of grief and loss, this book is dedicated to you.
Chapter One
Lexi Tanner made her way resolutely through the lobby. If everything went according to plan, the only thing standing between her and one hundred thousand dollars would be the polite-looking receptionist.
She flashed the man her most dazzling smile. “Hello there. I’m looking for a guest here at the hotel. Could you tell me what room Mr. AJ Riley is in?”
The young man flashed a dazzling smile straight back. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t give you that information.”
She’d figured this might happen. “Perhaps you could ring his room and let him know he has a visitor?”
“I’m not sure he’s there, ma’am. I saw him leave a couple of hours ago.”
“Well, I guess it’s still worth a try.” If it was at all possible, she wanted to see Riley today. She was too excited to wait until Wednesday for her official appointment with him. After reading the news article and discovering they were staying in the same hotel, Lexi couldn’t resist following through on the unexpected opportunity to meet the CEO of Riley Corporation. It would be fantastic if she could introduce her project to him now, in an informal setting.
The man lifted a receiver and dialed. She tried to see which buttons he pushed, but the counter hid the phone.
He covered the mouthpiece with his hand. “And whom may I say is calling?”
Lexi floundered. She didn’t particularly want a hotel clerk introducing her over the phone. “I’m a representative from the conference. I want to thank him for his generous sponsorship.”
He shook his head. “Mr. Riley’s not answering. Would you like to leave a message?”
Biting her lip, Lexi considered this possibility. Unless Riley’s secretary had given him a rundown of all his appointments over the next few weeks, he wouldn’t have a clue who she was. She didn’t feel like explaining it on an answering machine or, worse, in a memo scrawled on hotel notepaper. Nope. She’d prefer to introduce herself in person. “No, thank you. I’ll try again later.”
She walked away, trying not to feel too peeved. If all else failed, she’d see him in Sydney. But since they were both in Melbourne now, she’d do what she could to meet him before then. The morning tea break wasn’t too far off. Perhaps he’d be back by then.
A thought occurred to her. If Riley had left his hotel room, perhaps he was downstairs, in this very lobby, right now. Who knew?
She scanned the grand entrance of the hotel. She’d searched the internet for pictures of him, but Riley was something of an enigma when it came to publicity. He was fastidious about his privacy, turning his head whenever a reporter came near. The only thing Lexi knew for sure was the man had dark hair, a beard, and wore expensive-looking suits.
She imagined he’d also have a warm smile. Anyone who donated the kind of money to charity that he did had to have a kind smile. She just hoped he’d share that smile with her when she asked him for sponsorship for her charity.
The quick once-over of the lobby failed to reveal anyone she thought might be the man she was looking for. Unfortunately, it also failed to reveal the small suitcase on the floor in front of her.
As the chandelier above her spiraled out of sight and the carpet loomed ever closer, something clamped around her upper arms with the power of iron manacles, effectively halting her downward plummet. While her body came to a screeching stop, her head kept moving, propelled forward by the force of her fall, until it slammed into something solid—a wall of hot, male muscle.
Struggling to catch her breath, she grabbed hold of the first thing she could to steady herself. Her fingers closed around soft handfuls of luxurious cotton, and the wall of muscle beneath was warm granite under her hands.
“Steady,” a voice sounded in her ear as she straightened. It was low and deep, and despite the precarious situation she found herself in, it sent shivers whistling down her spine. “I’ve got you.”
The iron manacles eased their pressure but didn’t release her. Lexi shifted back so she could look into the face of the man who’d broken her fall.
When her gaze locked with his, her heart ceased beating. His blue eyes weren’t just cold—they were icy, reminding her of a glacier glinting beneath a winter sun. As she stared, aware of her heart beating once again, slowly at first, then faster and faster until it raced, she wondered how such cold eyes could fire up her body with a look.
“You okay?” Again, his voice unsettled her. It made the back of her neck prickle.
Winded and unable to speak, she nodded. It had nothing to do with her fall. His presence left her panting, searching uselessly for oxygen. His aftershave wafted around her, compounding her problem. Every time she managed to inhale, she caught his scent—spicy, earthy, and dangerous and tinged with a splash of power.
She nodded again and cleared her throat. “I…uh…I’m okay.”
The man was gorgeous. Drop-dead, heart-stopping, breathtakingly gorgeous. Not to mention intriguing. Thick black hair framed tanned skin and highlighted his straight nose, which screamed of affluence and arrogance. His chiseled and beautiful face had high cheekbones and a generous mouth. His lips stole her attention, though. They were set in lines so hard she wondered if he’d forgotten how to smile. He wore his features in a rigid mask, and they showed no signs of softening.
She let go of his shirt. “Thank you. For catching me.”
He said nothing, merely nodded and released her from his grasp, allowing a little distance between them. He stood a few feet away yet towered above her. A charcoal suit jacket hugged shoulders broad enough to hide the entire lounge behind him.
Wrinkles marred his shirt at the two points where she’d clasped it in a death grip. Without thinking, she stepped forward and smoothed the creases. Beneath her ministrations, his stom
ach jerked then tightened.
She dropped her hands and stepped back. “I’m…sorry. Your shirt… I…” She what? Tried to show her gratitude? Attempted to cop a feel? Blushed a little? Got seriously turned on? All of the above?
Damn it. She’d only tried to straighten his shirt. He’d gone and…and…well, flexed his stomach muscles. Jerked under her touch.
God help her, he stared at her now with undisguised hunger in those icy eyes. Looked at her as if she were breakfast. His lips parted, and a hint of color tinged his cheeks.
Desire shimmied through her unchecked.
His chest expanded as he breathed deeply and then exhaled with a sharp hiss. The sound reverberated through her body, finely tuning those parts of her that were not already humming with need.
From behind, someone clapped him on the back, oblivious to the encounter unfolding between them. “Mate,” said the newcomer, not noticing Lexi, “he’s ready to talk figures.”
Though he inclined his head to listen, the glacial gaze remained fixed on her. He nodded briefly in response and added a short, “Fine, let’s do it.”
That voice. It reverberated through her. An image of him whispering the same words to her swam before her eyes. She pictured him leaning down and tangling a hand in her hair, his voice a suggestive breath in her ear. “Let’s do it.”
Oh. God, yes. Let’s.
Only when she noticed the sensual gleam shimmering through the icy stare did she realize she’d whispered the words out loud—and he’d had no trouble understanding their meaning.
“Perhaps another time,” he answered, his voice a low growl.
Mortified, Lexi tried to say something but couldn’t think of a single appropriate answer. She couldn’t think at all with those eyes feeding on her. Before she had a chance to speak, something resembling surprise flickered over his face. He blinked and straightened, snapping whatever invisible connection had cocooned them together.
Just like that, the moment passed.
“I’ll get the car and meet you outside,” his friend told him. “See you in five.” He walked away.
The man gave her a sharp nod. “Please excuse me. I must go.”
“Uh, yes, of course.” Lexi shook her head to clear it. “Thank you again for breaking my fall.” She gave a stilted smile while her heart hammered unevenly. “It was nice to meet you.”
She walked toward the auditorium. The prickling sensation down her back told her the ice-blue gaze followed her progress past the lounge and through the doors leading to the hall. Not once did she allow herself the pleasure, or humiliation, of looking back.
…
AJ Riley glanced at the sheet he’d been handed as he climbed into the car, barely able to focus on the bold print. The fine print streamed off the page in a jumble of letters.
“Are you sure about this?” His oldest friend and partner, Matt Brodie, asked.
The only thing AJ was sure about was the throbbing in his cock. Erect and stiff, it jutted up like a tent pole, ready for action. Unfortunately, he’d left the action and her hot, sexy body in the hotel lobby. Which left him aroused and out of luck.
Good thing he’d done up his jacket.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” He forced his attention back to Matt. “The kid’s built up a damn good company, but he’s gone as far as he can. We can turn the business around. If he agrees to stay on as director as opposed to outright owner, he’ll make himself a lot of money. Fast.”
Matt nodded. “Agreed.” He motioned to the pages in AJ’s hands. “If we apply a little pressure, we can have the numbers sorted by close of business today.”
“Let’s do it,” AJ reinforced, and his partner replied. He didn’t hear him. His concentration was shot.
Oh. God, yes. Let’s.
He was pretty sure the woman hadn’t meant to say the words out loud. The look of horror on her face bore testament to the fact. In truth, her words hadn’t made a damn’s worth of difference. Her thoughts had been scrawled across her face and body, the heaving breasts and hard nipples a dead giveaway. She’d been as aroused as he. As aware of the immediate connection.
He’d reacted the same way several months ago, at a photographic exhibition where he’d first seen Lexi Tanner. His body had jolted to life the instant he’d laid eyes on her—and he hadn’t liked the feeling then, either. He’d kept his distance, leaving before anyone attempted to introduce them.
This time, her presence hadn’t just jolted him; it had almost electrocuted him. Like a thousand-volt jump start to his groin.
What about the look on her face? She didn’t know him, yet the instant she’d seen him, something had flashed in her eyes. Had it been recognition?
AJ hadn’t meant to catch her. He hadn’t even realized she was in the hotel. He’d seen someone trip and couldn’t let her fall. Instinct had taken over. How could he know that once he’d grabbed hold of her, he’d find it almost impossible to let go?
Once before, he’d held someone, determined never to let go. That time, he hadn’t had a say in the outcome. This time he had. He’d released her.
…
The conference—The National Congress on the Psychosocial Affects of Childhood Leukemias and Cancers—had yet to convene for the day, and people milled around outside the auditorium, sipping tea or coffee. Lexi approached them, shaken. The encounter with the man had lasted less than two minutes yet left an indelible impression. Attraction had never flared so fast. Her body still fluttered in anticipation of what he might have done to her. “Let’s do it,” he’d said, and she’d responded. In reality, he’d addressed someone else.
Desire washed over her, leaving her aroused and a little stunned. Sex wasn’t something she took lightly. She’d never sleep with someone on a whim. She had to know the man well before he got to see her naked. Problem was, she never seemed to have the time to meet someone special or nurture a new relationship. As a result, she was cursed with persistent loneliness.
Yet, this guy… Given half a chance, she’d drag him back to her room and have her way with him. She wouldn’t just have her way; she’d make love to him like there was no tomorrow.
For God’s sake, try to look professional. You’re about to walk into a room full of work associates. Think about Riley.Get your focus back. The business mogul had simply slipped from her mind, like everything else, the second those hands clasped her arms. She was a goner. Lost in the feverish haze of desire.
“So did you find him?” a voice asked over her shoulder.
She answered “yes” instinctively, her mind occupied by flashes of those eyes.
“You saw AJ Riley?” Her friend and colleague, Leona Ramsey, gasped, walking around to stand next to her. “Did you speak to him?”
“Yes.” Lexi shook her head. “I mean no.” Leona knew she’d been tracking down Riley. “The hotel wouldn’t even give me his room number.”
Her friend gave her a strange look. “So you didn’t meet him?”
“Didn’t come close.” Lexi frowned and gave Leona a run down of her conversation with the receptionist.
Leona clicked her tongue. “Well that’s too bad. What do you plan to do now?”
“Try again at tea. Maybe he’ll be back at the hotel by then.”
Leona narrowed her eyes. “Are you okay? You look flushed.”
“I’m fine.” I’ve fallen in lust and can’t think of anything other than a night of sinful, sweaty sex. But yeah. Other than that, I’m fine.
“You sure?”
“Positive.” Although I’d be a lot better after three or four orgasms.
“You’re shaking,” Leona pointed out.
Yeah, that’s what happens when I get turned on. “Just hungry. I didn’t eat very much at breakfast.”
Leona lifted a platter of scones with jam from one of the tables and offered it to Lexi. “Looks like you could do with one.”
“I could.” Lexi took the food gratefully and bit into it. It was sweet and buttery and dry, not at all like
the salty male flesh she wanted to sink her teeth into.
Determined to carry on a normal conversation, she asked, “You all prepared for the talk?” Leona was about to address the five-hundred-odd audience about the latest developments in the treatments of childhood cancers and leukemias. Lexi managed to keep her attention focused on her friend’s answer for at least thirty seconds before her stomach lurched and, unbidden, she heard him whisper in her ear, “Let’s do it.”
Chapter Two
The tea break found Lexi back at the front desk, asking the same receptionist to dial AJ Riley’s room. He gave her a quizzical look. “You haven’t seen him?” he asked.
“No.” If she had, she wouldn’t be here right now.
“Oh, I thought… Never mind.” He smiled as though to hide his confusion. “I can try his room. He returned earlier, but I believe he left again.” After a couple of moments, he shook his head. “There’s no response. Would you like to leave a message this time?”
“No.” She sighed. “I don’t suppose he told you what time he’d be back?”
“Most of our guests don’t leave that kind of information with us.”
Of course they didn’t. Still, it was worth asking. “Thank you. I’ll try again later.” She left as frustrated as before.
This time she managed to walk through the lobby without making a complete debacle of herself. Although she subtly scanned the area twice, there was no sign of either Riley or the stranger she’d so delicately bumped into earlier. She chose to ignore the pangs of disappointment that fluttered through her stomach.
Her next attempt at contacting Riley proved to be as successful as the first two, and later that night, she sat at dinner with Leona, feeling disheartened and disillusioned. The sooner she could meet Riley, the sooner she could convince him to donate the hundred thousand so she could start up a project very close to her heart. She’d lived through the exact trauma she hoped to help countless kids deal with.
It was a good program. She’d spent months drawing up the plans, which had approval from both the hospital board and the ward staff. A couple of nurses had even signed up to help. All she needed now was the funding to get it off the ground—and she’d yet to make contact with the most probable source of that funding. The sooner she met with Riley and had the opportunity to convince him to sponsor her program, the sooner she could offer help to those who needed it most.
