High Stakes Seduction - Book 1

by LeCoeur, Ami

  "Why thank you," Janet replied, her cool gaze melting slightly. "I love the new Scarlett line. I just wish you had my size in that gorgeous pantsuit the mannequin in the window was wearing."

  I touched her arm, conscious of the people listening in around us. "It looks like I’ll have to order two of those suits," I said with a conspiratorial wink. "Let me know which color you’d prefer and I’ll be sure to order the other for myself. I adore your taste in clothing, but we can’t be showing up at the next gathering in the exact same outfit."

  To my relief, Janet laughed at my little joke and that seemed to ease the tension within the small crowd. Conversation started up again around us, with a few people making inquiries about the store and our inventory. I answered their questions with ease and I made a mental note to thank Priscilla profusely for her intense and exacting training.

  After a few minutes of carefully keeping the conversation on Antonio Mancini’s contributions to the fashion industry, I finally turned my attention to the twins, excusing myself to take a seat beside Poula. They looked bored out of their minds, ignoring the conversations that continued above their heads.

  "This isn’t exactly your kind of party, is it?" I asked, leaning in to speak quietly to them.

  The young woman stared at me blankly for a moment before responding. "It was our manager’s idea," she explained in a thick European accent.

  Her brother sat forward, his dark hair falling over his shoulders. "He’s flitting about talking business, leaving us here to do nothing. And then all these people," he gave a dismissive wave of his hand, "hanging over us, wanting to be seen with us, but ignoring us all the same."

  "It is our designs," Poula said almost petulantly. "We should have a say in what we do with them. But he tells us to just sit here and make small talk with people who don’t know how to talk to us."

  "I’m sorry you’re having such an awful time," I said sympathetically. I glanced up just in time for a photographer to snap a picture.

  "Do you work with Mr. Antonio Mancini?" Carlo asked.

  "I do. My name is Angela." I extended my hand to each of them. "I am an associate in his store."

  Poula and Carlo shared a long glance that made me wonder if there was any truth to the idea of twins being able to share their thoughts. Though they were obviously fraternal, there was no denying that these two were twins. When they turned back to me, I admired their almond-shaped hazel eyes and the smattering of freckles splashed across their narrow noses.

  "Would you speak to Mr. Mancini for us?" Poula asked.

  "I would be delighted to," I smiled. "Why don’t we chat over dinner?"

  I signaled a passing waiter and we ordered drinks and appetizers. The twins turned out to be, as I expected, just like any other young adults our age. They were eager to try new things, but nervous about being thrust into the more conservative adult environment. By the time I excused myself, I’d managed to get them laughing and chatting about their design plans, as well as just about everything else that interested them. I'd even introduced them to a few of the people who had stopped by. They were enjoying themselves at last.

  I smiled inwardly, pleased with my accomplishment. I looked around for Antonio. I hadn’t seen him for most of the night, but I’d promised Carlo and Poula that he would want to speak with them personally.

  I felt a warm hand at the small of my back, the smooth touch sending shivers along my spine. I smiled, turning to tell Antonio the good news, only to find myself face to face with a tall, dark man with a dazzling smile.

  "Bonsoir, beautiful," he said with the hint of a silky French accent. "I have been watching you all evening, waiting for my chance to make your acquaintance before you disappear."

  "Oh," I said, flustered by his proximity and the warmth of his smile. I took a step back. "Very nice to meet you, Mr.…?"

  "Francois," he said, taking a step forward. "Please, call me Francois."

  He reached up, stroking my cheek gently with a finger. I laughed nervously and took another step back, but he matched my step with one of his own. His hand was still around my waist and he practically danced me backward until we were just outside the main banquet area, away from the crowd.

  "It’s lovely to meet you, Francois, but I need to get back to—"

  "Your date has done you a disservice tonight, leaving such a beautiful woman on her own. You never know who might come and sweep her off her lovely feet." He leaned in close, and I felt his hand slide around to my hips.

  "You need to let me go now," I said in a low voice. I put a hand to his chest, smiled brightly, and gave him a gentle push.

  He ignored the warning. He slid his fingers down over my hips and I grabbed his hand.

  "Let. Me. Go."

  He stared at me for a moment, his dark eyes locked on mine. Whatever he saw finally made him back off, and I breathed a sigh of relief, though I remained on my guard.

  "Forgive me, my dear," he said, stepping back with a gallant bow over my hand that he still held onto. "I did not mean to offend you. But I meant what I said. Your date is not treating you in a manner deserving of your beauty and charm."

  He gave me that dazzling smile of his, dropped my hand, and pivoted, almost walking right into Antonio.

  "Monsieur Grebault," said Antonio. "I hope you’re enjoying the evening."

  "Just admiring the sights," he replied, sizing up his competition. He tipped his head slightly in my direction before walking back to join a trio of men standing in front of the bar.

  Antonio slipped his arm around me as he drew me out into the party again. And, while it remained there for the rest of the evening, save for when I introduced him to Carlo and Poula, there was a tension between us now—an edginess that had not been there before.

  Several times during the evening, I felt eyes on me. When I looked up, there was Francois watching me with his wickedly roguish grin. A few hours later, as Antonio escorted me to the front foyer, I saw Francois for the last time. He winked, and I saw his lips move. I’m sure they formed the words, "You’re welcome."

  Chapter Twenty- Four

  I leaned back against the seat inside the limousine and shut my eyes for a moment, glad the stress of the last couple of hours was over. It had been fun while I talked with the twins, but after my encounter with Francois, things had turned a bit surreal.

  Antonio cleared his throat and I turned to look at him. He watched my face, not saying anything.

  "Everything seems to have gone well with the twins and their manager," I said when he continued to stare.

  "I saw Francois Grebault tracking you with his eyes this evening," he said to me darkly, raising the privacy window.

  Mmm, I didn't like his tone.

  "What did he say to you when you were alone with him?"

  I frowned, surprised by his words. I felt the weight of his gaze on me again, as he waited for a response.

  "I—he was just flirting with me."

  "And?" he persisted.

  "He told me I was beautiful."

  He looked at me silently for a moment. "Did you like it?"

  "What?"

  He shifted closer to me. I felt the soft fabric of his suit brush against my arm, and an image of him pulling me into his arms flashed through my mind.

  "He is very charming. Did you like his attention?"

  "Antonio, I—"

  He reached out, slowly gliding the back of his hand down my cheek. I shivered, catching my lower lip in my teeth. He paused, watching me with his dark, gleaming eyes. His almost predatory gaze both frightened me and thrilled me. His eyes fell to my breasts, rising and falling as my breath came faster.

  "Antonio," I whispered, as his fingers trailed down to my throat, following the curve of my neck to my shoulders. I felt goose bumps following the lines he drew down my arm and found myself gazing at his soft, inviting lips.

  The hungry look in his eyes ignited a fire within me. I tried to fight it for all of a second, before giving in, leaning forward to
taste his lips with my own. He pushed me gently but firmly back against the leather, holding me there with one hand on my shoulder. I felt the cold of the leather against my bare back, which excited me even more. His hand slid over my hip, finding its way down to my thigh and through the slit in my gown. In one swift motion, he slid his hand under my thigh, pulling me closer, his other arm winding around my back. His hand caressed my thigh, leaving a trail of electric fire everywhere his fingers touched. I groaned, his fingers against my bare skin causing my breasts to ache for his touch. I arched my back, tipping my head back, lips parted.

  I reached up and took his face in my hands, pulling his lips to mine. He growled deep in his throat, his lips bruising mine with his insistence as each breathless moment passed. My teeth grazed his tongue as it slipped between my parted lips, making magic in my mouth.

  A voice inside me screamed for attention—warning me to stop.

  But… his lips… his touch… his scent… was driving me wild. A moment later I gasped, as his fingers brushed ever so lightly through the thin fabric of my designer panties.

  I pulled back, my face flushed, my breathing ragged. He was watching me with those piercing eyes, his lips parted. We stared at each other, almost as if we were trapped in a dare. Would he make the next move?

  Did I want him to?

  Or did I….

  A thrill of anticipation ran through me as Antonio narrowed his eyes, pursing his lips as he sucked in his breath. A moment later, I felt him tug at my lingerie and then slide a single finger between my wet and eager slit. My eyes fluttered closed and my head fell back as I moaned deeply in my throat. His other hand traced up my spine, sinking into my hair and pulling my head further as he rained kisses along my neck. His finger moved inside me slowly, deliciously, I could feel my muscles pulsing around it. It was soon joined by a second.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled myself fully onto his lap, throwing back the skirts of my gown as I straddled his legs. His fingers turned inside me as I settled down onto them, raising and lowering myself so they slid in and out with more and more fervor. I felt a low rumbling in the back of my throat, as I moaned again, wanting more.

  He pulled away slowly. His fingers stopped moving. "Angela," he said in a husky voice that was nearly a growl.

  I stared into his eyes, trying to read his expression, then deciding I didn’t care.

  I reached down, holding his hand as I rocked my hips against him, working his fingers further inside me. I leaned forward, pressing my breasts against him as I tipped my head to suck on his sensuous lower lip. He hesitated for only a moment before sinking his fingers in deeper, twisting and turning them as he rubbed his palm against my throbbing clit. I moaned again, grinding myself against him.

  Throwing my head back, I was half conscious of my hair coming undone and tumbling down my back. I put a hand to my chest, yanking the loose neckline down to reveal my aching breasts. Antonio leaned down, taking a nipple between his teeth and teasing it with his tongue. As he sucked on my sensitive flesh, I felt a familiar building, a need tightening in my center. I moaned loudly, one last time as the convulsions took me, my muscles clenching around Antonio’s fingers as wave after wave of passion ran over me.

  I don’t know if time stopped, or if everything simply went black. I had no concept of how much time passed before I raised my head from Antonio’s shoulder, my shuddering body finally falling back under my own control.

  I felt Antonio’s fingers gently caressing my back and felt the cool air against my glistening skin. "Angela," he murmured in my ear.

  I sat up in his lap, gazing languidly at him. "I—"

  The limousine pulled to a stop, saving me from saying the words I might later regret. I looked out the window to see my house. Reality came crashing back down on me and I struggled to untangle myself from Antonio’s arms.

  "I—Um. Thank you… ?" I said stupidly as I fumbled with the car door. I managed to get it open and jump out, leaving Thompson staring after me as I hurried away with what little dignity I could muster, cursing myself and vaguely hoping I hadn’t ruined the gown.

  Chapter Twenty- Five

  "Congratulations on winning the Carlo and Poula account," said one of my colleagues as I stepped onto the sales floor. I had been receiving accolades all week. Not that I had done all that much. I accepted the wishes with as much grace and humility as I could. But all I'd really done is treat the twins like real people. And, the truth was, I didn’t care about my achievement.

  I couldn’t get Antonio Mancini out of my head.

  I couldn’t get what I had done with Antonio Mancini out of my head.

  I kept picturing the scene over and over. Half the time I was incredibly turned on by the memory and found myself blushing and wet. The other times, I was embarrassed and frightened by the brazen woman who had thrown herself onto Antonio Mancini's lap.

  So, as much as I'd wanted to crawl into the woodwork, I went about my daily routines at the store as best I could. I had, thankfully, avoided any contact with Antonio since running out of the limo.

  Maria was another story. I glanced at my watch and headed to the break room to call my sister, praying she wouldn’t ask me for more juicy details about the other night. It was bad enough that Nevia had given me a sideways, knowing glance as she passed by me on her way to the car.

  I thought I’d spun enough of a tale to keep Maria happy, but she's my sister and knows me too well. That's why I always try to make sure there are elements of truth to every embellished story I've told. But she always knows when I’m holding back. I feel horrible when I have to lie to her, but this time I kept convincing myself it was to make her happy.

  I sighed, digging around in my purse for my phone, but before I could pull up our home number, it buzzed in my hand.

  "Hey," I answered automatically, expecting it to be Maria.

  "Miss Angela Tilson?"

  "Yes."

  "This is the admitting desk at the hospital. Your sister, Maria, has had an accident. She’s in stable condition and resting now, but you’ll want to come and see her as soon as possible."

  I was already racing out the door. "Tell Priscilla that my sister’s had an emergency," I said as I passed one of the other clerks.

  "Taxi!" I cried, trying to wave down one of the yellow vehicles when I reached the sidewalk. "Taxi!"

  "Miss Tilson," said a voice behind me. I turned to find Thompson standing there and noticed his limousine parked not far away. "Do you need a lift somewhere?"

  "Maria’s been hurt," I said, realizing there were tears blurring my vision. "I need to get to the hospital."

  Thompson’s jaw tightened and he grabbed my arm. "Let’s go."

  Chapter Twenty- Six

  "Hi," muttered Maria hoarsely when I arrived. She was lying on the inclined bed, a sheepish smile on her split lip. One eye was swollen shut and her left arm was in a sling that rested across her belly.

  "What happened?" I asked, rushing to her side. I took her good hand in mine, squeezing it, trying not to remember the last time I'd seen her in a hospital bed.

  "I fell trying to pick up a newspaper from the stoop."

  "Oh my god, Maria, you know better. Why were you out on the stoop?" I asked, then shook my head. "Never mind. Are you okay?" The panic I'd felt since I got the phone call was starting to recede. I willed my breathing to slow down, and my hands to stop shaking.

  "Just banged up a little," she said. Then she looked away, and I knew that wasn’t all. "I got tired of being inside. Ever since the accident… Well, you know. It was time. But I hurt my back. It doesn't feel any different to me, of course, but the doctor says it’s pretty bad. Thank goodness Mrs. Jenner was home with her kids. She called the ambulance for me."

  "Excuse me, ladies." We both looked up to find Thompson standing in the doorway. "I just wanted to see how you were doing, Miss Tilson," he said with a nod to Maria.

  She gave him a shy smile. "I’ll be okay. They'll be releasing me
soon. But the doctor wants me to come back for some further evaluation and tests."

  "Then you’ll be needing a ride home," Thompson said, shifting from foot to foot.

  Maria glanced at me and I gave her a little nod. "Yes," she replied. "That would be great."

  "I’ve already alerted Mr. Mancini," Thompson said to me. "He’s told me to be at your disposal."

  I hated Maria being hurt like this. There wasn't a lot to keep her busy during the day, and until this accident she'd seemed happier to stay inside. It was time to look into getting a ramp built so this kind of thing didn't happen again!

  Chapter Twenty- Seven

  True to his word, Thompson hung around the hospital with me all afternoon. I was uncomfortable with him at first, given my "relationship" with Antonio–especially the last ride I'd had in the limo. But then, we were both employed by the man. And, while Thompson had seemed somewhat reserved and distant in the past, we managed to chat a little and that helped to smooth out some of the awkwardness.

  Later, when the limo pulled up in front of our house, he practically jumped out of the car to open Maria’s door while I went inside to get the wheelchair.

  Thompson lifted Maria out of the limousine in one strong, sure move. Holding her firmly against his chest, he stepped around the wheelchair. Maria leaned her head against his shoulder and smiled at me. "I’m all right, Ange," she said as Thompson carried her to the house.

  I smiled back, shaking my head. The doctor said Maria might suffer spasms from her injury over the next week, but with Thompson there, Maria didn’t seem to care about her diagnosis.

  I hurried to the door to open it and watched as Thompson gently settled Maria onto the couch. He propped her up with cushions, fussing like a grandmother, and then headed to the kitchen to get her something to drink.

  "It looks like you’re in good hands," I whispered to Maria with a wink. She got that shy, wistful look again—the one I'd noticed every time she glanced at Thompson when she thought he wasn't looking.