by Jan Bowles
Something clicked in his brain. Something that he knew he needed to understand. Just the simple way she’d dabbed the napkin to her lips made him search for answers. This innocent act seemed so familiar to him. Where had he seen it before?
The uneasiness he’d felt when they’d first met returned. Only this time its insistence wouldn’t quit. Where the hell have I seen her before? Where the hell have I seen those lips before?
Then it struck him like a freight train on a deserted track.
Oh yeah, he’d seen those lips before all right, just last night in fact. On that occasion their sexy fullness had been covered with bright-red lipstick. Shit. He’d acted like a dumb fuck. Why had it taken the best part of an hour to realize that the lady sitting opposite him was none other than Dana, the erotic dancer from Club Submission?
Don’t beat yourself up, man, this lady is a real chameleon. She’d fooled him. She’d fool her own mother with a transformation like that. It was definitely her. The same build. The same height. The same mannerisms. But hold on. What about the eyes? When Dana briefly lifted her golden mask at Club Submission, he’d been met with the most startlingly blue eyes he’d ever seen. Rebecca Miles had brown eyes. Shit. Perhaps he’d fucked up after all.
Wait a minute.
She’s wearing thick glasses. So what’s to stop her wearing colored contacts when she goes out at night?
Nothing.
It’s her.
Rebecca is Dana. Goddamn it, they’re one and the same woman.
He smiled and raised his glass. “To the future, Rebecca.”
She touched her wineglass to his. “To the future. You seem very happy, Mr. Stone. Amused even.”
“Knowledge is power, Rebecca.”
Chapter Four
Two months later
“Rebecca, I’m gonna call it a day.” Rob Ferino stood from his desk, his chair scraping noisily on the hardwood floor. He massaged the back of his neck and groaned before relieving the tension in his shoulders by rotating them. Rob was a real tall guy, she guessed about six seven, so suffered more than most when staring at a computer screen for hours on end.
She glanced at her watch. It was past seven in the evening, and she’d been working for almost twelve hours. “Sorry, Rob. I hadn’t realized the time.” She’d been with Cerberus Technology for just over a month now, and the team she’d organized was starting to gel. Rob would often stay behind far longer than strictly necessary. He was a great guy.
Rebecca poked at her glasses, which had the annoying habit of slipping down her nose. “Thanks for seeing the Beta program through to the end, Rob, now get on home to Samantha and the kids.” She laughed and shooed him away. “Scoot, mister. I’m almost finished here myself. I just need to check that these figures correlate correctly.” She grabbed a calculator and quickly began tapping endless numbers onto the keypad, guessing she must be getting tired, because she kept making silly mistakes. “Damn.”
He chuckled. “See you tomorrow, Rebecca.” He paused in the doorway. “Say, why don’t you come to my place on Saturday? We’re having a few friends round for drinks and a barbecue. We’d love you to come.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ve still got loads of unpacking to do.”
“Oh, go on. Live a little. Sam and the kids would love to meet you. She wants to see the lady boss who’s keeping her husband late every night.”
Rebecca couldn’t help but laugh at his comments and, almost on the point of saying no, finally relented. She guessed Rob wanted to introduce her to his wife in order to allay any fears she might have. A lot of women didn’t like their husbands working for a woman, especially if they stayed late on a regular basis. She held up her hands in submission. “Okay, okay, you win, Rob. Thanks for the offer, and I’d love to come.” Rob’s wife didn’t need to have any worries. He was such a sweet, genuine guy but so not her type.
He looked relieved, like she’d lifted a weight from his shoulders. “Great. We sure know how to party in Texas.”
When he’d gone she let out a long sigh and wearily shook her head. She generally didn’t socialize with her team, but she hadn’t let her hair down since arriving in Houston. Christ, she missed the friends and lifestyle she had in Boston. She missed Club Submission, where she was a regular. She missed not having a dominant male in her life. Perhaps meeting and making new friends would raise her spirits. It was strange, even though Boston held some sad memories, she missed it immensely—far more than she ever imagined.
Her eyes were getting tired, and Rebecca finally decided to call it a day. She yawned and lazily stretched her arms above her head then strolled around the office, checking that everything electrical was switched off. Her working environment consisted of a large air-conditioned space, which she’d helped design herself. She knew that a relaxed, positive atmosphere motivated her team to get results.
Satisfied everything was safe, she hung her purse over her shoulder then turned off the banks of switches until just the emergency lighting cast its eerie glow over the dormant computers and work stations. Outside in the corridor she scanned her security pass, making sure the door clicked firmly shut before heading toward the parking lot.
Cerberus Technology was based in a state-of-the-art building rising some five stories high, and situated to the southwest of Houston, in the town of Sugar Land. Her office was located on the top floor, and she and her team were currently involved in a top-secret project, code-named “Operation Fire Wall.” She needed to trust her staff implicitly, as technological espionage was rife in her line of work. This was why she’d insisted on choosing her own team. As she made her way along the well-lit corridor, she noticed Tyler Stone’s office door slightly ajar. Over the last month she’d gotten to know him a little better, and although their conversations had only ever been work related, her pussy would often go wet in his presence. Fucking hell, her boss was one sexy guy.
For some unknown reason she tried to slip quietly past his office door, hoping he wouldn’t notice. Her plan didn’t work because she heard his deep, sexy voice call her back.
“Rebecca, a word please.”
Had he been waiting for her to leave? Feeling sexually aroused by what appeared to be a command and not a request, she nervously pushed open the door and entered his office. He sat behind an impressive desk, a gold fountain pen in his hand, his piercing amber eyes seeming to penetrate her defenses.
Wearing a short-sleeved shirt open at the collar, he looked good enough to eat, which metaphorically speaking she did, allowing her gaze to devour the incredible muscle development apparent in his arms. Prominent raised veins threaded their way along his powerful forearms, emphasizing his masculine physique. She’d been right. Tyler Stone did work out, regularly. She was aware that her heart beat quickly, and she couldn’t help noticing that the hair on the back of his hands took on a golden hue as the evening sun streamed through the window blinds.
Never taking his eyes from her, he motioned to the chair opposite. “Sit down. I want to know how Operation Fire Wall is progressing.” His face wore the same self-satisfied look she’d seen when agreeing to work for him.
Rebecca eased herself into the hard-backed chair and self-consciously crossed her legs. Gathering her composure, she smiled across the desk at him. “Everything is just fine, Mr. Stone.”
“From now on call me Tyler.” He was asking her to use his given name, but somehow his tone came across as uncompromising, dominant even.
“Very well, Tyler.”
“You settled in okay?” When he leaned back in his executive leather chair, she realized his seat was set far higher than hers was. This meant he looked down on her and she had to look up to him. This was no accident. It was done by design. She figured it was to reinforce the pecking order at Cerberus Technology. He nonchalantly brushed a hand across his jaw, and she heard the stubble rasp beneath his fingertips. All the time his glowing amber eyes searched her face. What was he looking for? What did he want from her?
&nb
sp; “Thanks for setting me up with the rental accommodation, Tyler. It’s fine for now and it saved me a lot of worry, but I want my own home, just like I did in Boston. With what little spare time I have, I’ve been looking at the real estate in the area.”
“Any luck?”
“No, I guess I’m a little choosy.”
“Is that so?” He smiled as though she’d said something highly amusing, and the lines around his mouth deepened sexily. “I get the feeling you’re a hard lady to satisfy.”
Was he coming on to her? Rebecca decided to ignore the sexual innuendo that laced his words. “I’m looking for an upmarket property in a nice part of town. You know the kind of thing. Low gun crime. Nice neighbors. White picket fence.” She laughed a little nervously, well aware such a place probably didn’t exist.
“I can point you in the right direction. I’ve lived here all my life, apart from the six years I spent at Harvard.”
“Thanks, but surely you’ve got better things to do with your time.”
He steepled his fingers together and tapped them against his chin then spoke slowly and deliberately, “Here at Cerberus Technology we like our employees to be happy. A happy employee makes a productive employee. They’re the ones that deliver the goods and keep the shareholders happy. Why do you think I’ve insisted on having a swimming pool, gym, and sauna incorporated into the building?” He smiled a deep, sexy smile that had the blood pumping ever faster in her veins. “I’ll pick you up on Saturday at ten. I’ll find you the home of your dreams, honey.”
He was taking control of the situation, almost as though he knew that was what she really wanted. Maybe I do. Her pussy moistened with sexual need, and she couldn’t help visualizing what it would feel like to be fucked by Tyler Stone.
She found herself agreeing. “Very well. Saturday at ten it is.”
Chapter Five
Saturday morning, three days later
Rebecca carefully studied her reflection in the hall mirror. Should she undo another button on the neckline of her feminine black dress? Tyler Stone would be here any minute, and he’d promised to show her some prime real estate in the local area. The classic sleeveless design cinched in at the waist, making her curves appear more voluptuous. Feeling a little sexy, she popped another button, exposing just the right amount of cleavage. Deep down, she wanted Tyler Stone to notice her.
I’m so focused on my work. I’ve forgotten how to enjoy myself. I need a strong man in my life again. Mitch managed to mold both sides of my personality into something quite beautiful. He saw the real me, exposed and vulnerable, but when he found out I couldn’t…He didn’t want me anymore.
Rebecca turned abruptly from the mirror and berated herself. “Stop dwelling on the past.”
Tyler Stone was her boss, but truth be known, she wanted him to be more than that. There was definitely an attraction between them. Was this a date? He hadn’t said it was, but maybe…
“Well, girl. Let’s see if he notices the difference.”
When a horn sounded outside, she grabbed her purse and slipped on a pair of black pumps. A thrill of nervous anticipation tingled through her body as she stepped onto the porch and locked the door behind her.
Tyler stood waiting on the drive, nonchalantly resting his elbow on the roof of a bright-red coupe. When his all-knowing eyes swept over her, she could tell she’d knocked him for a loop. You like what you see, don’t you.
She smiled easily and sauntered across to him. “Hi, Tyler, you’re right on time. I like a man who’s punctual.”
A sexy smile lit up his rugged face. “You look good, Rebecca, real good. I like what you’ve done with your hair. Never did like it all pulled back.” He held open the door. “Allow me.”
“Thanks.” She demurely slid into the passenger seat, making sure her little black dress didn’t ride up too far. She wanted him to notice the sexy woman within, but she didn’t want to come across as a floozy. He carefully clicked the door shut, and she watched him walk around to the driver’s side. He was casually dressed in a pair of Wranglers and brown corduroy shirt. He looked so fucking sexy. It was the first time she’d seen him dressed down. At work, he always came across as the consummate professional and usually wore an expensive designer suit.
Sitting incredibly close, in the confines of the small coupe, she felt as though they were two planets on a collision course, circling one another until the gravitational pull proved too strong. Jesus, just what sexual havoc would be wreaked when they finally collided?
His expensive cologne filled her nostrils as he turned to face her, his questioning amber eyes flicking over her once more, making her pussy moisten with desire. “Yeah, you look good.”
“Thanks.” Just the way he spoke the words left her in no doubt that he wanted her.
“What happened to your glasses?”
“I’m wearing contacts, but I can’t wear them eight hours a day. They hurt my eyes.”
He nodded knowingly. “Colored contacts are all the rage. Have you ever worn blue ones? You have stunning brown eyes, but you’d look equally beautiful with blue.”
His face held that I-know-something-you-don’t-know look that she’d seen a couple of times before. Why mention blue eyes?
“On occasion I wear blue ones. Why?”
He shrugged. “No reason. Just interested. That’s all.”
There it was again, that nagging feeling he knew something she didn’t.
Tyler’s deep, sensual voice broke into her thoughts. “I see you’ve brought some real estate brochures with you.” He took them from her and casually flicked through the glossy literature. He shook his head. “I can see you need my help. These are all wrong.” He pulled one from the pile at random. “Take this for example.” He tapped the glossy image with an index finger. “High crime rate in this area.” He pointed to another. “This house is in a better area, but there are no decent schools close by.”
Rebecca raised a brow in surprise. “Why do I need schools? I don’t have any kids.”
“But you will. Believe me, you will.” He touched a finger to his temple. “You have to look to the future, Rebecca, otherwise you’ll end up moving again and again before finding what you really want. Trust me, I know about these things.” He gunned the Dodge Viper into life and began backing out of the drive. “I’ll take you on a tour of the area. Then you can make a more informed decision about where you want to live.”
Rebecca realized he was taking over again, but she kind of liked it. Needed it even. “You seem to have everything organized, and as for children I—” She suddenly stopped speaking. It was too painful to even go there.
There was so much he didn’t know about her. She was thirty-three, and it saddened her to think she’d never be able to conceive a child. She shook her head and pushed the intrusive thought back down as Tyler maneuvered the Dodge across an intersection. Sitting so close to the man, she felt the warmth radiating from his powerful body. His sexual energy seemed to beat in sync with her breathing, which drummed provocatively in her stomach, making her pussy wet with desire.
Aware of her elevated pulse rate, she finally broke the silence between them. “Do you try and find all your employees a place to live?”
He laughed, bringing those sexy crease lines into action again. “Certainly not.”
“Then why me?”
“You’re a real asset to Cerberus Technology. I want you settled in Houston, not pining for Boston.”
“So it’s for purely selfish reasons you’re taking the time to help me today.”
“Yeah, partly. And because I like you.”
Rebecca couldn’t help but smile. She liked Tyler Stone. She liked his sense of authority, but she also liked his sense of humor, too.
He pulled the car to the side of the road. “Here’s the first one of the day, Rebecca.” He looked across at the upscale property. “What do you think? Three bedrooms, landscaping, and even a yard for junior to play in.”
Chapter Six
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Later that evening
Tyler steered the Dodge Viper down the main street then cut through a series of interconnected roads, until he eventually turned onto a leafy tree-lined avenue. Welcome to Suburbia. Immaculate houses with their perfect white picket fences stretched endlessly ahead of him. Sugar Land was a property developer’s utopia.
Rob Ferino’s newly built home lay nestled at the end of a dead-end street, making parking difficult. When he saw Rebecca’s red Aston Martin sitting proudly on the driveway, he couldn’t help but smile to himself. In his opinion it was far too powerful for a woman, but he figured she’d never admit to it.
As the boss of Cerberus Technology, Tyler received plenty of social invites from his employees but generally turned them down, often using the excuse that he was too busy. Today was different. He’d known Rob and his wife Samantha since high school, and truth be known, when he’d learned that Rebecca was going to be there, he’d decided to join the party. That very morning, he’d had the pleasure of her company as they’d checked out the real estate for sale in the local area. Rebecca’s allure and charisma had seriously gotten under his skin.
After grabbing a case of beer from the trunk, he opened the gate and made his way along the winding path to the front door. He pressed the doorbell, which chimed annoyingly with “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” Jesus Christ, Rob, change the tune, man.
Sam Ferino opened the door, her infectious smile greeting him as always. “My, my, we are honored. A visit from our great leader.” She hugged him with genuine affection. “Always good to see you, Ty.”
She was a great girl. Her short blonde hair and elfin looks always reminded him of the young Mia Farrow. Just like she was in Rosemary’s Baby.
He kissed her cheek. “Great to see you, Sam. You look stunning, honey. I wouldn’t want to miss out on Rob’s barbecuing skills.”
She threw back her head and laughed. “Yeah, yeah, of course you wouldn’t. Just don’t spend the whole evening talking football and politics with him. We’ve got other guests.”
