High Stakes Seduction - Book 1

by LeCoeur, Ami

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  My cellphone vibrated in the designer pouch Priscilla let me use on the sales floor in case Maria needed me. I’d hired a nurse to stay with her for a couple of weeks so I could go back to work, but I was still worried.

  But when I looked at the screen, my breath stopped as my body tensed. It wasn’t Maria calling.

  "Angela," came the silky voice.

  Antonio.

  "I need to speak with you."

  "Um, we’re a bit busy right now," I lied, trying to stall. But, even I knew I didn't sound very convincing.

  "Priscilla can handle it." He ended the call.

  I sighed, set my jaw resolutely, and headed for the elevator.

  ###

  The loud voices hit me the moment the elevator doors opened on the twenty-third floor. I could hear the angry sounds down the short hallway from Antonio’s reception area. Hilary smiled apologetically. "He’ll be with you shortly," she motioned to a chair.

  I sat in the waiting area, absently flipping through the pages of yet another fashion magazine, trying to ignore what had become a shouting match on the other side of Antonio’s office door.

  I jumped when the door was thrown open and a tall, slim man stormed out. I recognized the District Attorney, Brad Stephens, immediately. He was a prominent figure in the city for his work with local children’s charities, but it was his alleged under-the-table dealings with certain consulting firms that had recently thrown him into the spotlight. He was one of the many people shown with Antonio in the photos from Mr. Conner’s private detective.

  Stephens looked like he was on the warpath, and I made myself as small as possible in hopes that those furious eyes did not turn on me for any reason.

  Hilary and I shared an awkward look as the DA disappeared around the corner. Then we both turned towards Antonio’s door. After a moment, Hilary rose and stepped into his office.

  "Send her in," I heard Antonio say in a tone that I’d never heard from him before.

  Hilary gave me a sheepish grin and shrugged as I rose and walked through the door. Antonio had his back to me when I entered. His hands were in his pockets and he was staring out the window.

  While I'd been the one to avoid him the past week, I stood there awkwardly as I waited for him to acknowledge me. Maybe it was silly, but on some level, I didn’t appreciate being ignored.

  After a few moments of standing in silence, I opened my mouth. "Is there something you needed me for, Antonio?"

  I saw his head and shoulders rise slightly as he started to turn in my direction. He stood there another moment, then finally turned to speak to me. I almost took a step back when I saw his face. Tension radiated from every part of his body, but it was his eyes that struck me. They burned with a darkness and anger that I had never seen before.

  "There’s a charity event next weekend," he said in a measured voice. "You’ll need to be available from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon."

  "I can’t do that, Antonio," I said, almost involuntarily as I shook my head. "My sister isn't fully recovered from her accident. I can’t leave her for an entire weekend."

  He turned away from me, moving around his desk to sit down. "You’re a resourceful woman, Angela. Figure something out."

  The callous, dismissive tone instantly melted away any awkwardness I had previously felt. "I understand these events are part of my job requirements." I forced the words out. "But taking care of my family comes first."

  He stared at me for a moment, his jaw working tensely. "Just get it handled, Angela."

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  My phone buzzed as I fumed, deciding that the elevator was taking far too long to return me to the ground level.

  "What?" I snapped.

  "Whoa there, Sis," came Maria’s voice.

  "Oh my god, I’m so sorry Maria," I said as the tenseness in my shoulders fell away, my anger melting into frustration, and then into concern when I realized she was calling me well before my scheduled break. "Is everything okay?"

  "I’m fine. Sorry to worry you. I was just going to leave a message."

  "About what?" I asked, trying not to feel concerned.

  "You don’t need to pick up the pain meds I’d asked you for. Dr. Quesh’s receptionist just called to let me know an earlier appointment is available this afternoon. The nurse will take me and I can get the meds myself."

  Now I felt really guilty. Neither one of us had slept worth a darn since Maria had fallen. She just couldn't get comfortable, and I was just generally on edge. Some part of me kept thinking about the accident that took Mom, and my vivid imagination became a curse as I imagined all the ways Maria could also be taken from me. She was all I had now, and that put a totally different perspective on everything.

  "Are you okay, Ange?" Maria seemed to sense my distance.

  I gave a small laugh. "Yeah, I just—Antonio wants me to go away with him next weekend for a business trip."

  Maria practically snorted in my ear. "Oh Sis! That’s amazing! You told him yes, right?"

  The elevator opened and I stepped out, slowly making my way back towards the sales floor. "I told him no, Maria. I can’t leave you for an entire weekend."

  "Oh,” she huffed. “Don’t you dare use me as an excuse, Angela Tilson. You are going on this trip."

  "It’s one thing to leave you with a nurse for the day, but an entire weekend?"

  "Why not, Angela. Give me one good reason for you not to spend an entire weekend with Mr. Prince Charming?"

  One? I could give her forty, with "mob connections", and "I’m afraid of losing control like I did the other night" somewhere near the top of the list.

  "Maria, I can't leave you alone for the weekend—where would we find someone to stay, and honestly…" how could we afford it, I continued silently in my head.

  "We’ll figure it out, Angela." She gave a small laugh, then her voice grew soft. "I'm doing better, and besides, you’d regret it if you didn’t go. I don’t want to be the reason for your regret."

  I stopped walking, trying to think of something to say, but Maria spoke again.

  "Just think about it, okay?" Then she ended the call.

  I felt the beginnings of a headache poking at my brain. My whole body felt heavy under the weight of everything. Dad’s debt. Maria’s health. Antonio’s demands.

  That night in the limo.

  "You don't look well, Angela," came Priscilla’s crisp, stern voice. "Perhaps you should go home. We can manage. Come back tomorrow when you’ve sorted yourself out."

  I was about to argue with her, until I felt the warmth of a tear trailing down my cheek. "Thank you," I whispered instead.

  Priscilla laid her hand on my shoulder and gave me a small smile. "We’ve all been there. Get some rest."

  ###

  Half an hour later, sitting in the back of a cab, watching traffic go by, my phone buzzed again. I looked at the screen to find the message:

  "I’ve made arrangements for a nurse to stay with your sister for the weekend. Thompson will pick you up on Friday morning at 7:30AM. – A"

  Chapter Thirty

  Clouds rolled by above the emerald green canopy of a lush forest. I’d been staring out the window for the better part of an hour as Antonio tapped away on his laptop and conducted business calls. We’d barely said five words to each other. Hell, I'd had longer conversations with Thompson than what I'd had with Antonio during this drive. That was a first.

  I heard the click of the laptop shutting, but resisted the urge to look at him.

  "We’ll arrive at the country club momentarily," he said. I kept my eyes on the scenery. "This is an invitation-only Monte Carlo night and charity art auction. As usual, I will be engaged with clients and colleagues for most of today. You may mingle and enjoy the club at your leisure. There is a spa, a golf course and driving range. Do you play?"

  "You brought me here to play golf?" I said, only slightly sarcastically, over my shoulder.

  "I brought y
ou here as my associate. Socializing is as much a part of sales as the product itself. You may recognize many of the people at this event. Speak with them. Represent me appropriately."

  Finally, I turned in my seat to look Antonio directly in the eyes. "Of course, Antonio. I’m more than just eye candy, after all."

  Chapter Thirty-One

  "Antonio!" sang a tall blond woman who sauntered toward us just moments after we checked in at the front desk. She practically glided across the floor with sensual, feline grace. In fact, seeing how intently her icy blue eyes focused on Antonio, a cat stalking its prey is exactly what she reminded me of.

  "Naomi," Antonio replied, tipping his head slightly, just the hint of reserve in that silky voice of his, as he accepted the kiss she planted on his cheek. "So nice to see you again. And so sorry for your recent loss."

  Naomi looked at him blankly for a moment. Then awareness covered her face and her eyes grew large. She dropped her head immediately and began to blink rapidly. A moment later, she raised her face again, this time with a hint of tears in the corners of her eyes.

  "Oh, Tony, it's been awful. You have no idea." She slipped her hand through his arm. "But, I wouldn’t miss this. I rescheduled my Paris trip the moment I found out you’d be here." She slipped her hand through his arm. "Come, let's find a drink. You can console me properly as we catch up."

  And then they walked way.

  He just walked away.

  With that… that woman.

  I stared after them, hoping I didn’t look as stupid as I felt. Beside me, the valet cleared his throat. "Oh right," I mumbled, looking at the hotel room information in my hand. "I guess I’ll go to my room then."

  A wave of anxiety washed over me when the valet opened the room door. The suite was huge. Gorgeously decorated. And complete with a king-sized bed. My stomach knotted. Was Antonio planning for us to stay in the same room?

  "Which of these bags belong to you, ma’am?" asked the valet.

  "Pardon me?"

  "Your bags. Which of these are yours?"

  I pointed to the black leather carry-on and matching suitcase, which the young man quickly removed from his rack.

  "I’ll take the rest to the gentleman’s room, ma’am. He’ll be staying right next door." He nodded to a door on the right.

  "Thank you," I said, fumbling in my purse for a tip.

  I slumped on the bed after he left, trying to figure out if I was relieved or disappointed that Antonio had gotten us separate rooms. And who the hell was that blond woman who had immediately attached herself to him? He had warned me about taking care of myself, but he hadn’t even bothered to introduce me? I refused to feel jealous about the woman, but I sure as hell could be mad at him for being so rude!

  I blew out an angry breath, trying to shift my emotions, not even trying to sort them out for now. Finally, I pulled out my phone to call home.

  "So does your room have a hot tub and vibrating, heart-shaped bed?"

  I grinned. It was amazing how easily Maria could cheer me up with her excitement and imagination. "I don’t think the bed vibrates, and it’s not heart-shaped. But there is a hot tub."

  "Ha! I knew it! You better tell me everything when you get back!"

  I laughed. "I will, I promise. Are you doing okay?"

  "Of course. The nurse is very nice. In fact, you’re interrupting our card game, and I'm winning at the moment. You go have fun and don’t worry about me, okay?"

  "All right," I said and told her good bye.

  I stood up, stretching to get the kinks out from all the sitting, and wandered over to the window. The sun streamed in and I gazed out over a lush field of green with a forest in the distance. To the right, I could see the edge of the golf course. I sighed, glancing at my watch.

  "Time to go to work, I guess."

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  The dining lounge of the club was almost filled to bursting with people. It was just as Antonio had said, several new faces and many I recognized. I stopped to chat with a few acquaintances, all the while keeping an eye out for Antonio. I found him a few minutes later.

  He was still with her. The blond she-cat. No wonder they called them cougars. I knew I was being snarky—after all, I had no claim, I was simply an employee. But that didn't stop me from wishing, at least on some level, that Maria's fantasies could be real.

  They were sitting at a table, chatting away like they were more than just old friends.

  I made my way toward them as casually as I could manage, hoping my smile looked genuine. "The room is lovely, Antonio, thank you," I purred, purposely ignoring the way Naomi’s hand had suddenly found Antonio’s leg the moment she spotted me. Two can play the stalking game.

  "Angela," Antonio said, rising from the table. He turned to Naomi. "If you’ll excuse me a moment, I need to speak with my associate."

  He took me by the arm, none too gently. "Walk with me."

  "You’re not really giving me a choice," I replied, trying to keep up and not stumble over my own feet.

  He led me away from the crowd, into an empty hallway that opened onto a secluded garden terrace. When he finally let me go, I turned on him angrily.

  "I have no idea what you are playing at, Antonio," I seethed. "I have no idea where I stand with you or what you truly want with me, but I’m tired of you treating me like this."

  "I see," was all he said, watching me with the same appraising look he’d had when I first sat in his office.

  "And I really don’t appreciate you leaving me with your luggage while you run off with some… some… woman... you can’t even bother to introduce me to."

  "I see."

  "You see? That’s all you have to say?"

  "No," he said, taking a single step forward.

  His sudden closeness unnerved me. I stepped back, only to find a wall in my way, and before I could think of what to say next, he was kissing me.

  His hands pressed against my shoulders, pinning me to the wall as his mouth bruised my lips. I moaned, and his hands slid down my arms and around my waist, suddenly pulling me into him. Involuntarily, my arms wound around his neck. His tongue parted my lips, entwining with mine as his kisses grew more intense. His hand cupped my breast, coaxing my nipple with the lazy swirls of his thumb. I sighed softly as his lips moved to my throat, his teeth nibbling at my neck sending shivers down the length of me.

  My hands dropped to his hips, hooking into the belt of his pants. He pressed me harder against the wall and slid a hand down to my thigh, raising my leg to hook it around his body as he lifted me up. I felt the heat of his rigid manhood straining against his pants, and found myself responding with a throbbing ache. It didn't make any sense, but I wanted him. I needed him. Inside me.

  No. Not like this.

  My eyes flew open and I caught my breath. "No," I whispered, then repeated myself more loudly.

  Antonio stopped, though he still held me pinned against the wall. I searched his eyes, trying to read his expression. Then the corner of his mouth twitched, matching the arrogant sparkle that flashed across his gaze.

  My anger returned in a rush of heat, an emotional leap from what I’d been feeling just moments before. "Put me down," I whispered.

  For a moment, he didn’t move, and I felt a spark of fear rise in me. But then his grip on my thigh loosened, his hand sliding sensuously over my skin as I lowered my leg. He stepped back, still watching me with that infuriating… irresistible… smirk on his lips.

  "Why are you doing this?" I whispered, my insides still quivering.

  His lips curved into a frown and he looked away. "Angela," he said, exhaling my name in a heavy breath. "I’m—"

  At the other end of the veranda, two waitresses appeared, chatting away, carrying trays of drinks. They giggled in embarrassment when they saw us, hurrying on their way.

  I turned back to Antonio, but it was too late. Whatever I’d just seen pass across his face, whatever he’d been about to say, was gone; once again hidden behin
d his mask of reticence.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  My legs had stopped shaking just enough for me to return to my room and soak my bewildered body in a steaming hot bath. I tried to push Antonio Mancini to the back of my mind, but instead, I'd found my fingers slipping between my thighs to finish what he had started.

  Now I was standing in the dining lounge again, this time wearing the navy blue off-the-shoulder dress Priscilla had picked out for an evening dinner. I saw Janet Trinn sitting a few tables over and she waved, inviting me to join her.

  "Mmmmm… lovely dress," cooed a voice dripping with sarcasm.

  I turned to find Naomi standing right behind me, wearing a gray strapless top and matching pencil skirt. It hugged every curve perfectly, and I could tell by the haughty smile she knew how striking she looked.

  "Angela, is it?" she asked. "We weren’t properly introduced, were we?"

  I knew this was a rhetorical question, so I didn’t bother with a response. I noticed she hadn’t offered her hand in greeting, so I kept my own hands tucked in front of me as well. "I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name," I said, and turned to walk away.

  Naomi grabbed my arm and stepped close, all in one smooth motion. "You don’t belong here," she whispered in my ear, all the while looking like an old friend sharing a secret. "And you certainly don’t belong with Tony. So you might as well get rid of whatever silly Cinderella notions you have in that low-class head of yours."

  Tony? I pulled my arm away, turning towards her. "You don’t know me," I said through gritted teeth hidden behind a smile. "And you have no right to presume to judge me."

  "Oh, I know you," she said, speaking in a low voice, still wearing her cheerful smile. "You’re just another girl from the sales floor who’s after Tony’s money. You think, because he beds you, takes you to a few parties, that you mean anything to him?"

  "I’m his—"

  "You’re nothing," she interrupted, her smile as bright as ever as she waved to passing guests. "Especially now that I’m here."