“I’ll take care of it,” said Garrison. “I know a bunch of guys at the precinct.”
“Thanks for your help in there,” said Riley.
“Thanks for yours,” Garrison returned. “It caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting trouble in a place like that.” He paused. “Lesson learned.”
“I should have worn black,” said Kalissa. “Lesson learned.”
“The dress is replaceable,” said Riley.
“What am I supposed to do, stay locked inside my house?” It wasn’t like she could stop looking like Darci.
“I’m going to recommend you two do an interview,” said Garrison. “Something on network television. We’ll get the story out there, with your picture together, so people know there’s two of you. That way this kind of thing will stop happening.” He changed lanes and then retrieved his cell phone.
Riley leaned in and squeezed Kalissa’s hand. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m peachy. Hungry, but peachy. Any chance we’re going by a drive-through?”
“We are not getting fast food tonight.”
Garrison spoke into his phone. “There was a disturbance at the restaurant.”
“You’d rather I starve?” asked Kalissa.
“She’s fine,” said Garrison. “She’s with me. We’re in the car.”
“We’ll go someplace else,” said Riley. “Someplace quiet and discreet.”
“That place was quiet and discreet.”
“Got it,” said Garrison, and he ended the call. He pocketed his phone. “Shane wants me to bring her to the penthouse.”
“No,” said Riley with a definitive shake of his head. “Our last date ended with her at Shane’s penthouse. It’s not happening again.”
“Maybe I should just go home,” said Kalissa, trying not to sound self-pitying.
“Take us to the Emerald Hotel,” said Riley. “It has a secure floor, and we can order room service.”
Garrison answered with a nod. Then he gave a wry smile. “Well, that’ll be a fun conversation for me to have with Shane.”
“Tell him I insisted,” said Riley.
“Tell him I insisted,” said Kalissa. She’d only seen the Emerald Hotel from the outside, but it was stately and elegant. She had high hopes for the room service menu.
Maybe they could salvage this date after all.
* * *
Riley checked in while Garrison waited.
Kalissa had taken a seat in the corner of the lobby. She was hunched over, clearly self-conscious about her stained dress. It was probably just as well she was keeping a low profile, Riley decided. She looked like an extra from a low budget horror flick—an adorable extra, for sure. But at first glance, somebody might dial 911.
“She’s not going home tomorrow,” Riley said to Garrison as they walked away from the counter.
“She’s never going home,” said Garrison.
Riley agreed on that. Making her relationship to Darci public would solve one set of problems, but it would create another. The sister-in-law of a prominent city billionaire couldn’t live above a landscaping shop in a sketchy part of town.
“Tell Shane to arrange whatever it takes,” said Riley. “I won’t fight him on it.”
“I doubt I’ll have to tell Shane anything.”
“True enough,” said Riley as they left the check-in counter. This was one instance where Shane’s take-charge attitude was a plus. “Can you let Megan know she won’t be home tonight?”
“Will do.”
Kalissa saw them approaching and came to her feet.
“I’ll call you in the morning,” Riley said to Garrison.
“Stay put until we talk.”
“No problem.” Riley would happily keep Kalissa safe and cloistered inside a hotel room for as long as it took.
Garrison peeled off with a wave, and Riley took her hand. “Elevator’s this way.”
“My life is completely out of control,” she said as she fell into step with him.
“For tonight, it’s completely under control.”
“I’m in a five star hotel, in a stained dress, with no luggage and a vigilante grandmother after me.”
A uniformed attendant checked the key card before allowing Riley to swipe it and open the secure floor elevator.
“Is he armed?” Kalissa whispered, glancing back as they walked through the doorway into the cherry paneled, gilded mirror elevator.
“I have no idea.”
There was a single button on the panel for the thirty-second floor.
“Even if he’s not,” she said. “I bet he can keep the rogue grandmothers out.”
“I’m betting he can too. You’re not nervous are you?”
“I’m annoyed, and I’m sticky, but I’m not nervous.”
He took in the big stain. “We really are going to have to replace that dress.”
“Do you suppose the room will have bathrobes?”
“I’m sure it will.”
The elevator came to a stop, the doors gliding open.
“Because I’d really love to take a shower and change.”
“Go for it.”
The suite was a very short walk, and Riley swiped the key.
The door opened to a big, bright living room with peach and gold sofas, an oak dining table for six, and a gas fireplace with a pale, fieldstone hearth. There were paintings on the walls and decorator touches in the lamps and knickknacks. A set of double doors at the far end led to the bedroom.
Kalissa stopped in the foyer and stared around the place. “Why didn’t you just get a regular room?”
He latched the door behind them. “There are no regular rooms on this floor.”
“This is enormous.”
“I doubt we’ll get lost.”
“How much—”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“But—”
“You’re safe here. That’s all that matters. And nobody is going to bother us.” He shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it on the arm chair. Then he loosened his tie. “We’re going to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.”
She looked down at her ruined dress. “I’m definitely getting out of this.”
He pointed to the bedroom doors. “Try in there.”
She drew a resigned sigh, then she gave him a brave smile and headed into the bedroom.
Riley eased down on the sofa, shaking out his skinned knuckles and checking his phone for messages.
“They have robes,” she called from the depths of the bedroom. She sounded excited.
Riley chuckled to himself. In a place like this, he could probably have an entire wardrobe sent up for her. But she was going to look great in the simple white bathrobe.
He heard the water go on, and he couldn’t help picturing her in the shower, water glistening on her skin, soap suds coursing over her breasts, down her stomach, lower...
He shook his head, telling himself to focus on something else. There were a few messages from work, and he opened one of them, hitting a link to a financial report.
“Riley?” she called.
“Yeah?”
“You’ve got to come and see—”
He was on his feet halfway across the room before she finished the sentence.
“—the shower heads in here. Oh, hi.”
Her smile was bright, and she was completely naked, standing inside the oversize, tiled cubicle.
“They shoot out from everywhere.” She pointed to the half dozen spray nozzles.
He stripped off his tie and started on the shirt buttons.
“You’re coming in?” she asked sweetly, her eyes dancing with mischief as she backed under the spray.
“I hope you’re not too hungry,” he told her, tugging off his pants.
She gave a mock pout. “It’s happening a lot lately. I’m getting used to it.”
“Here’s a tip.” He stepped into the hot spray. “Don’t get naked and wet.” He slid his arms around her hot, dripping body. “And don’t be so incredibly gorgeous if you want me to focus on food.”
She grinned and wound her arms around his neck. “Who says I’m hungry for food?”
She was hot and slick and soft against him, all curves and sweet spots. He ran his hands from her shoulders, to her back, over the curve of her rear, down the tops of her thighs.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.
He hugged her tight, cradling her head against his chest, desperate to absorb and memorize everything, her scent, her touch, her taste. He blocked the spray with his back, tipping her chin, kissing her deeply.
Her tongue tangled with his, while her hands slid down his body, kneading his thighs, moving between them while the water rushed along his skin.
“Oh, sweetheart,” he groaned. “Don’t—”
“Don’t?” There was a smile in her voice, and her grip tightened. “Are you sure? Don’t?”
He groaned, gritting his teeth against the avalanche of sensations. “You’re playing with fire.”
“So, burn me.”
He drew back to look at her.
Her eyes were opaque, her pupils dilated. Her skin was flushed, her lips dark red and parted, and her hair was mussed in a damp halo around her face.
“Do it now,” she whispered. “Right now.”
He lifted her, stepping forward so that her back was braced against the tile wall, wrapping her legs around his hips. Waiting was no longer an option, and he entered her in one smooth stroke.
“Riley,” she moaned, clinging to him as he moved. “Yes. Oh, so yes.”
“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
He kissed her neck, tasting its sweetness with the hot water droplets. He braced her firmly, increasing his pace, desire singing through his bloodstream, pushing him forward, blocking out everything but Kalissa.
“Faster,” she told him. “Harder. Just...Oh...”
He increased their pace, the water pounding on his back, her breath in his ear, her scent surrounding him.
And then she cried out, her entire body convulsing around him.
He followed her over the edge, clinging tight as wave after wave of ecstasy nearly buckled his knees. The pulses gradually subsided, and he realized his grip on her was too tight.
He eased back. “Sorry.”
“For what?”
“It felt like I was crushing you.”
“I didn’t notice.”
He smiled into her face and smoothed back her wet hair. “You are amazing.”
“You’re no slouch yourself.”
“That was fast.”
Her grin widened. “That was great. And I figure we’ve got all night.”
“You figure right.” He gave her a kiss.
“Do you think a girl could get a steak around here? Or maybe some chicken or pasta?”
He backed up so they were both under the spray again. “I’d say this girl could get pretty much anything she wanted.”
* * *
Kalissa sat next to Riley on the king sized bed. They were both wrapped in hotel robes, finishing their wine while she flipped through news channels on the flat screen.
“Who do you think would want to interview us?” she asked.
She understood Garrison’s plan, but she wasn’t sure there’d be that much public interest in her and Darci.
“Any of the talk shows in Chicago,” said Riley.
“I don’t much like talk shows.”
“You don’t have to like them to be on one.”
She continued flipping channels, through a couple of sitcoms and some sports games. “I like garden shows.”
“No surprise there.”
“And the ones with people buying real estate. That looks like a lot of fun.”
“You want to buy some real estate?”
“It’s not in my immediate future. But the people always seem really happy on those shows. It’s usually a couple, sometimes some kids. They’re embarking on a new chapter of their lives. I don’t know, there’s an energy to it all.”
“Maybe you and Darci should go real estate shopping together. You could bring along a camera crew.”
“Oh, sure. They could show the pathetic, impoverished relative being rescued by her benevolent, wealthy sister.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
She knew it wasn’t. And she was trying not to be sensitive. But she valued her independence, and it felt like it was eroding away.
He reached over and touched the bottom of her chin, gently urging her to look at him. “Hey.”
“I know it’s not what you meant.” She regretted her reaction.
“Darci doesn’t want to upset you. Even Shane doesn’t want to upset you.”
It wasn’t what they did, it was who they were that was messing with her life.
“I’ll handle it,” she said with determination. “I am handling it.”
“I’ve no doubt you will,” he said. Then his tone changed. “But you do understand that your life has changed.”
She focused her gaze on her lap, rolling the robe’s flat belt into a spiral. “It doesn’t have to change that much.”
“It already has.”
She fought a growing panic in the pit of her stomach. “I don’t care about their money. I don’t want their money.”
“I think they know you’re not a gold-digger.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“Under normal circumstances, yes. But these are not normal circumstances.”
She didn’t answer. She wanted to argue that tonight was an anomaly. What were the chances she’d run into another rabid Shane Colborn fan who felt it their duty to protect his marriage?
But she still remembered the day at the discount store. It was going to happen again, probably not every day, and probably not so dramatically, but there were going to be mix-ups. And she might find herself in embarrassing or dangerous circumstances again.
Riley tucked her hair behind one ear, giving him a better view of her profile. “You have to let Shane protect you.”
“You hate Shane.”
“I don’t hate Shane. I don’t like him. Okay, maybe I hate him. But that doesn’t make him wrong.”
“He wants me to landscape his mansion.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
She unrolled the belt and started over. “He wants that to be my full time job.”
“If I had a mansion,” said Riley. “I’d want you to landscape it too.”
“Would you try to buy me an apartment?”
“I’d buy you anything you wanted.”
“Then thank goodness you’re not a billionaire. I’d be a spoiled princess in no time.”
Riley was silent for a long time, and for some reason, the silence felt tense.
She let go of the belt and rolled up on her knees, facing him. “If you had a mansion, I’d definitely landscape it for you.”
He gave what looked like a weak smile. “Glad to hear it.”
She wiggled in, cupping his face in her hands. It was rough with stubble, and his hair had dried in a mess. His eyes were soft gray. She loved his eyes. She loved his mouth. It was so incredibly kissable.
“Again?” he asked in a tone of surprise.
“I was only going to kiss you.”
“You’re trying to distract me.”
That wasn’t true. She’d wanted to look at hi
m, touch him, breathe him in. But she wasn’t ready to admit how badly she was falling for him.
So, she smiled and pretended it was only about sex. “Is it working?”
He glanced meaningfully down at her gaping robe. “What do you think?”
“I think you turn me on.” She kissed his mouth.
He pulled her into his lap. “I think we need to have this conversation.”
“You want to talk about sex?”
“I want you to be safe.”
“I am safe.” She turned so that she was straddling him.
He took a long look at her body through the parted robe.
But then he pulled the two lapels together and held them there. “I want you to go with Garrison tomorrow and then do whatever Shane tells you.”
“And if he tells me to stay away from you?”
“Ignore that part.”
“He’ll move me into his building.” It felt fundamentally wrong to let Shane and Darci do that.
“You know you can’t stay where you are.”
She put her hands over his, easing them from the robe until it fell open again. “I’m staying exactly where I am right now.”
“You are shameless.”
She leaned forward. “Can we talk about this tomorrow?”
His lips brushed hers. “Say yes.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, I’ll do what I’m told.”
His hands moved to bracket her hips. “Do you know how incredibly sexy that sounds?”
“I’m half naked in your bed, and we’ve been apart for two weeks. Everything I say sounds incredibly sexy.”
She kissed him, shifting so that their bodies pressed together.
He spoke softly against her lips. “You are also incredibly right.”
Then he enfolded her in his arms, and she let reality slip away.
Eleven
Kalissa knew she had well and truly fallen through the looking glass. She stood next to Megan gaping at the two bedroom apartment.
“It’s only a temporary rental,” said Darci. “It would be nice, when we buy, to get something on a higher floor.”
“I can see the lake clearly from here,” said Megan, gesturing out one of the bay windows in the spacious living room.
The apartment was fully furnished, with a forest green sectional sofa, coordinating green and white striped armchairs, glass and brass tables dotting the living area, with a big, round glass topped table in the dining alcove. In the middle of it all, was a round, gas fireplace with beach rocks and a see-through chimney.
Seduced by the CEO Page 15
