Seduced by the CEO

by Barbara Dunlop

  “How incredibly considerate.”

  “We can’t have you turning into a princess.”

  “I don’t know about that. Maybe I’d be a good princess.”

  “Then let your brother-in-law buy you a penthouse.”

  “You have to pretend you don’t know about that. I shouldn’t have said anything. I promised you and I wouldn’t talk about them.” Her voice was pure worry.

  “But he seemed okay that we’re going out?”

  “Not particularly. But I’m an adult, and he can’t exactly hold me prisoner.”

  Riley glanced in his mirror, seeing Garrison’s headlights coming up fast. “He’s giving it an awfully good shot.”

  “He claims it’s safety, that him and Darci also—” Kalissa clamped her mouth shut.

  “I don’t think it’s a state secret that the Colborns have security,” said Riley.

  “It’s safer if I don’t talk about them at all.”

  “That’s a bit impractical. Are you going to talk to them about me?”

  “Depends.”

  “On what?”

  She gave him a saucy smile. “On what you do.”

  “You mean on what we do. Do women share that kind of thing with their sisters?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe. Probably. I’ve never been a sister before.”

  “Then I’ll be sure to give you something to talk about.”

  He steered the car into a huge, arena parking lot.

  “What is this?”

  Then she obviously spotted the sign. “The Fall Home and Garden Show?”

  He grinned. “I thought you might like to check out the competition.”

  A smile grew on her face. “This could be fun.”

  “And only fifteen bucks apiece to get in.”

  She feigned shock. “You’re spending a whole thirty dollars?”

  “I might even spring for some pizza.”

  “Be still my beating heart.”

  “And an ice-cream bar,” he added, finding an empty spot three rows from the entrance.

  They left the car and crossed to the main door. There, Riley purchased their tickets, and Kalissa went first through the turnstile.

  “Dude,” hissed a voice from behind him. It was Garrison, gesturing to the pop-up banners. “Are you sure about this?”

  “Completely,” said Riley.

  “Do you need me to float you a loan?”

  “No, I don’t need a loan. She’s going to love it.”

  “Have you seen her sister’s house?”

  “Once,” said Riley, hating the memory he recalled. “But I don’t think Kalissa is like that.”

  “They’re all like that.”

  “I’m taking my chances.” Riley moved through the turnstile.

  He shook off the memory of his teenage trip to the mansion, and Dalton’s disdainful face. Instead, he focused on Kalissa, coming up behind her and putting his hand on the small of her back.

  “What first?” he asked.

  “The outdoors section,” she said. “I’m thinking we should put a pond in your yard.”

  “I’d go for a gas fire pit.” He wasn’t crazy about ponds.

  “You don’t want a waterfall, maybe some ceramic frogs?” She started walking along the wide, crowded aisle.

  “I liked that gazebo thing in Oak Park.”

  She slowed to look at a rock pond display.

  “I’m not putting in a pond,” he stated.

  “But it’s adorable,” she sing-songed. “Look at the birds, and the little train.”

  “Maybe if I was seven.”

  “I thought you wanted kids someday.”

  “That means I have to buy a train?”

  “No. But you should put in a pond.”

  “Look at this?” he tightened the arm around her waist and propelled her to the fireplace display on the opposite side of the aisle. “Toasty warm, and all that comfy furniture.”

  “I do like the stonework,” she said.

  “Could you put a cover over it?” he asked, serious about the question. “Maybe set it up next to the spa?”

  She considered the display piece. “With some kind of a chimney, sure.”

  “I’m thinking of cool, rainy nights. A naked dip in the hot tub, then wrapping up in cozy, white robes, a mug of hot chocolate laced with brandy while we snuggle on a cushy, outdoor sofa.”

  “Forget about the train,” she said, her voice breathless. “You’re getting a fireplace.”

  He tightened his hold and gave her a kiss on the temple. “Who cares about the kids.”

  “They’d love a waterfall and a pool.”

  “For that, I’d need a bigger yard.”

  “It’s your fantasy. Fantasize a bigger yard.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “About what?”

  “The fire pit.”

  She pulled away to look up at him. “Really?”

  “Would you like it?”

  “Sure. Who wouldn’t? But they’re pretty expensive.”

  He glanced at the nearby displays. “There are more over there. Tell me what you like. What would suit my yard?”

  “Okay.” She nodded, her expression growing serious as she walked toward the other backyard mock-ups.

  He paused to take in the view from behind, her long legs and those cute, spike heeled sandals, the way her bright blue skirt flowed over her hips, the little geometric cut-outs near her shoulder blades, and the smooth, tanned length of her arms.

  His gaze settled on her profile, and the way her shiny hair curled around her cheeks and the nape of her neck. She was a cut above everyone else in the room.

  And then it hit him dead center of his brain. Garrison was right. Riley had screwed up.

  This was definitely not the way a woman dressed to wander the home and garden show.

  He caught up to her and put an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s get out of here.”

  She looked up. “Huh?”

  “Let’s go.”

  “But I like this one.” She pointed to a fireplace.

  “This isn’t much of a date.”

  “It’s a fine date.”

  Fine? Yeah, that’s what he was going for. Fine.

  She pointed. “Look at those colors in the ashlar stone.”

  He didn’t bother. “Let’s go find some dinner.”

  “We should at least pick up a brochure.”

  He pulled out his phone and snapped the barcode. “Got it. I know a great place.”

  “Last time you said that, we ended up in a hotel room.”

  “No hotel. Just a restaurant.”

  Her forehead furrowed.

  “Unless, that is, you want a hotel. Then I’m all in. We can do room service if you’d like.”

  She looked around the cavernous show. “We’ve barely seen anything here. What changed your mind?”

  “You.”

  “How did I do that?”

  “You’re not dressed for a trade show.”

  “Well, I didn’t expect to be going to a trade show.”

  “What did you expect?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He took her hand in his, holding it between them, moving up close and lowering his voice. “You picked that particular dress to wear tonight. What did you expect, Kalissa?”

  Her eyes were luminous as she gazed up at him. “Honestly, that I wouldn’t have it on for long.”

  Riley’s brain flat-lined. Then it restarted, and the breath whooshed into his lungs. He moved for the exit, pulling her with him.

  “Hello?” She quickly sorted her feet out beneath her.

 
“When I’m not meeting your expectations,” he said. “You should speak up.”

  She laughed. “The trade show was fun.”

  “This date is obviously not reaching its potential.”

  “Are we going for dinner now?” she asked with mock innocence.

  “Yeah, right.” They breezed through the exit.

  “What about Garrison?”

  “Garrison can take care of himself.”

  “I mean, what’s he going to think?”

  “He’ll think we’re leaving.”

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “My place. I will feed you. Eventually. But you can’t toss something like that out on the table and not expect me to react.”

  “I expected you to react.”

  “Good.”

  “I’m not naïve, Riley.”

  “Good again.” Every minute he was with her, he liked her better and better.

  The wind was rushing through the parking lot. The smell of rain was in the air, and thunder rumbled in the distance as they quickly made their way to the car. He opened the passenger door.

  She paused and placed the palm of her hand against his chest. “I really did like the trade show.”

  He covered her hand as the first fat raindrops hit the windshield. “You’re going to like my place a lot better.”

  She smiled. “I like confidence in a man.”

  “Good. Get in.”

  She sat down, and he pushed the door shut, all but trotting around to the driver’s side.

  Lightning flashed in the distance, thunder catching up as he started the engine.

  The rain opened up on top of them.

  “Nice timing,” she said.

  He checked out the flashes above them and put the wipers on high. “We’re driving straight into it.”

  “Better than running straight into it. Boy, did I pick the wrong shoes.”

  He stopped to look down at her feet. “I’ll carry you. I love those shoes.”

  She wiggled her foot back and forth. “Bit of a change from the work boots.”

  “Bit of a change,” he agreed, putting the car into reverse, telling himself he could wait the twenty minutes it took to get home. But then he was definitely peeling those shoes from her feet.

  A puddle was already forming at the exit to the arena parking lot. He splashed through it, and took a left onto the four lane road, heading for the lineup of traffic lights, hoping for as many greens as possible.

  “I was daydreaming about a spa day,” she said. “A new pedicure, maybe a facial.”

  The first light was green, and he silently celebrated. “Why not do it?”

  “It’s expensive. But someday...”

  “Someday when your company hits it big.”

  “Exactly.”

  He wanted to tell her he’d pay for a spa day. He’d happily pay for a dozen of them to make her smile like that. But Shane was busy trying to throw material things her way, and Riley didn’t want to be like Shane.

  The second light was green, and there was little traffic. He knew if he kept to the speed limit, the lights were fairly well synchronized along this stretch.

  “It’ll happen for you,” he told her.

  “We had to hire three more casual guys. Word of mouth seems to be making a difference for us.”

  “You do very nice work.”

  An air horn blasted through the dark.

  Riley instantly spotted the bright headlights bearing down on Kalisssa’s side of the car. Then he saw the skid of the oncoming truck’s tires as they hydroplaned over the water, jackknifing the trailer under the red light and into the intersection. It was headed right for them.

  He slammed on his brakes and cranked the steering wheel. “Hang on!”

  He turned them on a dime. The huge truck grill took out the driver’s door mirror, and the car bounced against the angle of the trailer. It barely registered that they hadn’t been crushed, when Riley’s back tire hit a curb, flipping the car onto its roof, spinning them twice around on the median.

  * * *

  The first things that registered in Kalissa’s mind were the strange voices above her head. For a second, she thought it was a television, then she wondered why there was a party going on in her bedroom.

  She tried to open her eyes, but the light was too bright.

  “Kalissa?” It was Darci’s voice. “Honey, can you hear me?”

  “Darci?” Kalissa’s throat was parched and sore, and her voice came out as a croak.

  “It’s me.”

  Kalissa felt a cool hand smooth across her forehead. “What are you doing here?”

  Could she be having a dream?

  “There was an accident,” said Darci. “You’re in a hospital.”

  Kalissa opened, her eyes, recoiling and blinking rapidly against the bright light. She quickly turned her face to the side.

  There were half a dozen people beside her bed, more beyond the glass windows of the room. Most wore hospital uniforms, many were moving around. Machines beeped and carts rolled along the corridor.

  “How—” And then she spotted Riley in the small crowd. He had bandages on his hand and forehead, and his shirt was torn.

  It all came back to her, the bright lights, the loud horn. She’d thought for sure she was about to die.

  “Riley?” she managed.

  “He’s here,” said Darci. “He only has scrapes and bruises.”

  “He could have killed her,” came Shane’s distinct voice.

  Kalissa shook her head. “He saved me. The truck, it was—” She stopped talking to swallow. Why did her throat hurt so bad?

  “You got hit on the head,” said Darci. “But they took x-rays, nothing is broken.”

  “My throat hurts.”

  A nurse appeared. “Would you like some water?”

  Kalissa nodded.

  The nurse quickly produced a plastic glass with a straw.

  “Can I sit up?” Kalissa’s body ached, but nothing was acutely painful. She felt a little silly lying here while everyone stood around her.

  The nurse nodded, and Shane pressed the button at the foot of the bed, cranking her up.

  She took a sip of the water. It was cool and soothing.

  “I don’t understand why my throat hurts.”

  “You screamed,” said Riley from a few feet away. “Pretty long and loud when we flipped over.”

  “Haven’t you done enough?” Shane demanded.

  “We flipped over?” Kalissa asked Riley, struggling to remember.

  He moved forward, giving Shane a glare on the way past. “How much do you remember?”

  “The big truck. The lights. The horn.” She stopped to take a shuddering breath. “It was coming straight for me.”

  “His tires were hydroplaning,” said Riley. “The driver couldn’t stop for the light. He’s pretty shaken up.”

  “Does he know we’re okay?”

  “He does.”

  “If you hadn’t turned so fast.” Kalissa tried to keep the tremor from her voice.

  Riley took her hand. “I turned,” he said.

  She nodded. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he’d saved her life.

  “You’re coming home with us,” said Shane.

  “No.” She didn’t want to go home with Darci and Shane. She still wanted to go home with Riley.

  “It’s not a choice,” said Shane.

  “I’m—”

  Riley gently squeezed her hand. “Let them take care of you.”

  “I don’t need to be taken care of. I’m fine. Nothing’s broken.”

  “You’re not fine. Not yet.”

  “I am.�
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  “Try to move something, anything.”

  She frowned at him. But then she braced her hand on the rail and shifted on the bed. Pain shot through her lower back, radiating down her arms and legs and up her neck.

  “Ouch,” she admitted.

  Darci patted her knee. “Just for a day or two. Let us pamper you.”

  “Megan needs me.”

  “Not like this, she doesn’t,” said Shane.

  Kalissa looked up at Riley. She might be in pain, but she still wanted to be with him.

  The look in his eyes told her he understood. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’m not going anywhere. You heal. I’ll be waiting.”

  She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and hold him close, but it was too painful to move.

  “You about done, Ellis?” asked Shane, voice hard.

  Riley straightened. “Not nearly. But she needs her rest. Take her home.”

  The two men glared at each other.

  She wanted to tell them to stop, to please stop, but she didn’t have the energy.

  Then Riley’s expression became gentle. He leaned down and gave her a kiss. “Call me when you feel like it.”

  “I already feel like it.”

  He smiled at her. “Sleep first, eat something, maybe take a long bath. I’m sending you a gift card for a spa.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but he put his finger across her lips.

  “Don’t bother,” he said. And then he was gone.

  Darci and a nurse helped her into her clothes. She felt even more silly riding in a wheelchair. Then again, she really didn’t feel like walking all the way to the parking lot.

  Garrison was in the hallway standing next to Shane, and he gave her an encouraging smile as they wheeled her out.

  “Next time,” Shane told Garrison in an undertone. “She rides with you.”

  “I’ll try,” said Garrison. “But, for what it’s worth, the guy’s got skills. He knows what he’s doing.”

  “You said he was reckless.”

  “I said he was fast. I don’t know how he avoided the semi. I thought she was dead.”

  Shane swore.

  “That’s enough,” said Darci. “We’re not going to keep rehashing it. Kalissa is fine.”

  “I’m fine,” Kalissa said from the wheelchair.

  Or she would be fine. She’d be fine after something to eat and a good night’s sleep.