by E. J. Adams
Seduce Me Forever (Seduce Me Part Four)
Seduce Me Series
by
E.J. Adams
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
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Copyright © 2014 E.J. Adams
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Published by E.J. Adams Romance
Table of Contents
Books in Seduce Me Series
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
Books in Seduce Me Series
About the Author
Books in Seduce Me Series
Seduce Me (Seduce Me Part One)
Seduce Me Again (Seduce Me Part Two)
Seduce Me All Over (Seduce Me Part Three)
Seduce Me Forever (Seduce Me Part Four)
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Chapter One
I had stood my ground with Brandon. My desire for him was not quenched, but I was not ready to trust my heart to him again. The phone message from Jeremy was sweet and reminded me that there were nice guys left in the world. Nice guys who wouldn't cheat.
Okay, the sex was less than spectacular with Jeremy. But, to be fair, I was still reeling from Brandon. My mind was filled with thoughts of Brandon. Filled with thoughts of sex with Brandon.
So, comparing sex with any man to sex with Brandon probably wasn't going to help me. I didn't think any man could measure up to him in the sex department. I wondered if a nice guy, who was a great kisser, could offer me a level of sexual pleasure that would satisfy me. Did pretty good sex with a really nice guy outweigh earth-shattering sex with an Adonis who cheated?
That, for me, was a mystery of the universe at the moment. I guess there was only one way to find out the answer to the question. I'd have to table that discussion with myself for another time. I had the more immediate conversation with Lauren Caldwell from Adele fashion magazine.
That was my second surprise phone message. Lauren Caldwell was the Vice President of Human Resources at Adele fashion magazine in Los Angeles. I had been offered an entry-level position with Adele when I had graduated from college. I declined the offer to take my high-profile, mega-bucks, beyond-dream job at Jacqueline fashion magazine.
But the entry-level offer was almost six months ago. A lot had changed in that short time. Adele had taken notice of my success with the Digital and Social Media strategy at Jacqueline. They wanted to steal me away so that I could do the same at Adele. I assumed the job offer would be a good one. However, I wasn't at all sure they would be willing to pay me anything close to what I was making at Jacqueline.
I nervously wrapped my fingers on my desk as the phone rang. I was returning Lauren Caldwell's call. I was intrigued at what the offer might be.
Was the universe somehow trying to tell me that I had a future in Los Angeles? A future without Brandon Mitchell and Jacqueline? A future that could include Jeremy due to an amazing job opportunity at Adele? Did I even want that?
On the third ring my call was answered.
“Lauren Caldwell,” answered the voice on the other end of the phone.
“Ms. Caldwell, this is Ashley Sullivan returning your call,” I said.
“Yes, Ms. Sullivan. Thank you for returning my call. I know that I didn't leave any details, but I hope that this is more than a courtesy call to decline discussing an offer,” Ms. Caldwell said.
“To be honest, I'm not sure of my intentions. I'm interested in learning more about your offer,” I replied.
“Well, that is an encouraging start. We'd like to bring you out to Los Angeles to visit the office. We want you to meet the staff and have your questions answered. It will also give us an opportunity to present our formal offer to you. What I can tell you is that we are prepared to beat your current salary and benefits package,” explained Ms. Caldwell.
“I haven't shared what my current salary and benefits package is,” I said.
“Let's just say that we have a pretty good ballpark figure on what it is and how we are prepared to entice you with a sweeter offer,” she replied.
Perhaps I was still a bit naive, but I wasn't clear on how Adele would have any idea about what I made. They were a private company. Jacqueline was part of a private company. And the two magazines were fierce competitors. I decided not to dwell on it.
“I appreciate that very much. I must admit that I am flattered in your level of interest. I need to also say that I am happy at Jacqueline. I am happy living in Manhattan.”
“We expected that to be the case. We also believe that if you visit with us and see all that we have to offer, a position at Adele will be very attractive. If nothing else, you can get an all-expenses paid getaway to L.A. for a few days,” she said in completing her pitch to me.
“It would be hard for me to get away during the week with everything I have scheduled right now. A trip would also raise questions here that I am not prepared to address at the moment. I would like to explore this option with you further, but not at the risk of my current position,” I replied.
“Understood. We were thinking that we would have you out over the weekend. The key staff have already agreed to meet with you on Saturday. Ms. Sullivan, we all believe you would be a tremendous asset at Adele. We are willing to accommodate you as much as possible.”
As Lauren Caldwell spoke, I was finding fewer reasons not to go. A weekend getaway on the other side of the country might be just what the doctor ordered. I agreed to meeting with Adele that coming weekend.
“Excellent news,” said Ms. Caldwell. “Give us a few hours to finalize the plans and I will email you all the details later today.”
“That sounds fine. I look forward to meeting you this weekend,” I said.
“The pleasure will be all of ours. See you Saturday.”
My head was spinning. I wasn't sure how I felt about the trip. I was both excited and burdened with a tinge of guilt.
Jacqueline had been very good to me. I was paid amazingly well, had a fabulous apartment that I shared with my best friend, and generally enjoyed living in Manhattan. The only thing that soured the whole experience was the state of things with Brandon. My relationship with Brandon had been amazing, and then he cheated. That fact complicated everything.
I reasoned that I owed it to myself to explore my options. Once I knew what the situation at Adele looked like, I could compare that to my experience at Jacqueline. Maybe seeing Jeremy while I was in Los Angeles would also give another point of reference with respect to my person
al life. I decided that going to Los Angeles for the weekend was a good choice. I'd decide on the rest later.
Chapter Two
Chelsea and I sat down to dinner at our kitchen table. I had picked up a pizza from the pizzeria around the corner from our apartment. Half cheese and half anchovy. I loved anchovies. Chelsea hated them.
I had a flashback to all the times I had shared a pizza with Phil Reed. Half anchovy and half pepperoni. No one in my life ever wanted anchovies on their half of the pizza.
“Wow, Ash. Is it a real serious offer?” Chelsea picked up a piece of cheese pizza and put it on her plate.
“It sure seems to be. I'll know better this weekend,” I answered. I took a bite of my anchovy pizza.
Chelsea made her yuck face at me.
“I'd hate to see you move that far away, but if the job is that amazing then it may not be a bad thing for you. A fresh start.”
“I'd miss you to pieces,” I said, “but we can visit each other often. Especially if I'm making even more than I do now. And don't worry about the apartment. I can take care of the rent until the lease is up,” I offered.
I didn't want to force Chelsea to have to find a new apartment during the school year. I also knew that she'd need to find something much smaller and not nearly as nice, even if she found a roommate.
“But, we don't need to worry about any of that right now. Let's cross that bridge when we come to it. I may not even take the job.”
“Now you listen to me, Ashley Sullivan. I don't want you spending one second thinking about me or what I will do. Living in this fabulous apartment with you has been a real gift. You know it still makes me feel weird not contributing to the rent. You make the best decision for you. Period.”
Chelsea was the greatest BFF in the world. She always thought of me first. She always had my back. The biggest downside to a possible move to Los Angeles would be moving away from her. She'd been in my life since the first day of college and now I couldn't imagine a day without her.
“Have you decided whether you are going to call Jeremy?” Chelsea asked as she polished off her first slice of pizza.
“I'm thinking I will. I checked the itinerary for Adele and I'll have Saturday night and all of Sunday free. I have the vacation days so I decided to take next Monday off and fly back then. A long weekend, after what I have gone through, won't raise any suspicions at the office.”
“So, do you think that you may give Jeremy another go in the bedroom?” Chelsea asked rather hopefully.
“I haven't given that part much thought. Not this weekend. I know that much. There is too much I am trying to process. That would just complicate things further,” I said.
“Complicate or offer a nice distraction?” Chelsea pressed.
“Complicate,” I reiterated.
“But you're not ruling it out altogether?”
“No. But it's not like I'm making plans for it either. Like everything else in my life right now, I'll just have to wait and see what happens.”
“He is cute. And you said a great kisser. Great kissers can become quite skilled at sex. I think it is in their DNA. He probably just needs more practice,” Chelsea offered with confidence.
“So you think I should give him all the practice he needs to unleash the sexual beast within him?”
“All I said is that with more practice I bet he'd be pretty good in bed. Probably better than just pretty good,” Chelsea replied with a smile.
“I'll take your comment under advisement. Now, tell me, how are things going with Wes?”
Chelsea had been dating Wesley exclusively for nearly a month. Not that this was a first for her, but she seemed to like him better than any guy she had ever dated before. She smiled at the mention of his name.
“He's really great. Handsome, smart, funny. I've already told you how a-ma-zing the sex is. Have I also mentioned that he is hung like a horse?”
I laughed. “More than a few times.”
“I think this one has a chance of being a healthy, long-term relationship.”
“Well, I certainly hope so. You deserve it,” I said.
I picked up another piece of anchovy pizza and took a big bite.
“Yuck. I'll never get you liking anchovies,” she said as she turned up her nose.
“I think you've said that before,” I replied.
“Just as true now as it was before,” Chelsea said.
I realized some things were constant in my life. I was grateful for them. It made the changes swirling around me a little bit easier to deal with. I hoped that would keep me moving forward and making the best decisions.
Chapter Three
I managed to get through the rest of the week by keeping busy with current projects. Thankfully, Brandon was out of town on business. Knowing that he wasn't around the office made my week easier. I left early on Friday afternoon to leave plenty of time to get to the airport for my flight to Los Angeles.
I made it through security and settled into a seat at the gate. Adele had spared no expense for my trip. I had a first class ticket and they booked me a suite at a fancy hotel near their office. I knew for certain that the offer would be serious.
A family piled into the seats near me. I heard them before I saw them. Two parents with three out of control kids. I only hoped that they were sitting at the very back of the plane. I was especially thankful that I would be in first class.
I popped in my ear buds and selected a John Legend album. His soulful and sexy voice carried me away from the hysterical parents trying to gain control of their unruly kids. I was part way through track three when I heard the boarding call for first class passengers. I made my way toward the gate. After boarding, I settled into the plush and spacious seat.
Champagne, cheese, and crackers were served. The family from the waiting area scurried past. I watched as they made their way to the back of the plane and out of hearing range. I smiled and eased back into my seat.
After dinner I drifted off to sleep. I woke just in time to prepare for our landing into LAX. It was almost 8:30 pm LA time.
After we landed I made my way off the plane and to ground transportation. Adele had sent a car service to pick me up and bring me to my hotel. The driver was friendly and had a nice southern California tan.
Upon arriving at the hotel, the first thing I noticed in the lobby were all the pictures of famous people who frequented the hotel. Wondering if any of them had ever stayed in my room, I checked in and made my way upstairs to my suite. Very nice furnishings. Plus, I had an amazing view of the Los Angeles skyline.
I showered and put on a pair of comfy pajamas. When I wasn't trying to sex it up, I preferred my pajamas with sheep on them. I padded across the suite and pulled out a package of materials that Adele had put together for me. Adele was second only to Jacqueline in sales and prestige. It was also clear that they intended to be number one before long.
I felt a little funny having this information. I was, after all, an executive at Jacqueline. Adele was going to play hardball in wooing me to their team. I was flattered, to be sure. But I had mixed emotions about it. Only natural I suppose.
My phone rang. It was Lauren Caldwell.
“Welcome to L.A., Ms. Sullivan. How was your flight?” she asked as I answered the phone.
“It was fine. Thank you,” I replied.
“Wonderful. Have you settled into your hotel yet?”
“Yes. It is absolutely lovely.”
“I'm glad that you like it,” Ms. Caldwell said. “Please enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the morning. I just want to confirm that the car will be at the hotel to pick you up at 11:00 am to bring you to the office.”
“Yes. Thank you. I'm looking forward to our day together tomorrow,” I replied.
“As are we. Sleep well and we will see you tomorrow,” she said.
“Thank you. Goodnight,” I said.
“Goodnight,” said Ms. Caldwell before we ended our call.
I returned to reading the Adele ma
terials. When I finished, I decided to watch some of the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. I had always loved Jimmy Fallon and was enjoying him as host of the iconic late night show. A perfect choice, I thought.
After a little television, I read a few chapters in a new romance I had downloaded to my Kindle. It was so good that I had trouble putting it down. The sex scenes reminded me of my nights with Brandon. I wanted to smile and cry at the same time.
I decided on sleep instead. I had a full day ahead of me and I wanted to be well rested. I snuggled under the Egyptian Cotton sheets and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Four
I had a nice breakfast in the hotel restaurant. I thought that I had spotted George Clooney in the restaurant, but I couldn't be sure. As I waited in the lobby for the car service to arrive I was keeping an eye out for celebrities. The car arrived and I left without any more celebrity sitings.
The ride to Adele was only about fifteen minutes. I'm not sure that we traveled all that far, but the traffic was heavy for a Saturday morning. The driver told me that a section of the block was shut down for a movie crew. It had everything all tied up.
As we pulled up to Adele, I was impressed by the building. It was a modern glass structure that glistened in the California sunshine. A woman was waiting for me as I stepped out of the back of the towne car. I assumed it was Lauren Caldwell.
“Lauren Caldwell,” the woman said as she extended her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Sullivan.”
She had a broad and warm smile. She was my height and looked to be in her early forties. She was slender and fit. A runner's physique.
“Thank you. It's nice to meet you as well,” I replied as we shook hands.
“Let me escort you upstairs and introduce you to Ronald Vargas. He is our Vice President of Business Development. He will give you a tour of the office and discuss how your proposed position fits into the magazine's strategy.”
