Arousing Past

by Francesca St. Claire

  A Total-E-Bound Publication

  www.total-e-bound.com

  Arousing Past

  ISBN # 978-1-78184-154-9

  ©Copyright Francesca St. Claire 2012

  Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright November 2012

  Edited by Rebecca Douglas

  Total-E-Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2012 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

  Warning:

  This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Total-e-burning and a sexometer of 2.

  This story contains 41 pages, additionally there is also a free excerpt at the end of the book containing 5 pages.

  AROUSING PAST

  Francesca St. Claire

  Joe Bradley was the love—and heartbreak—of her life. But that was all in the past. Now he’s back claiming a place in her heart that he no longer deserves.

  Eight years later, Melissa has moved on and made a life for herself. Then Joe re-enters her life, claiming a place in her heart that he has no right to expect. But how is she going to cope with the constant reminder of the past when he’s now her new boss?

  From the moment they meet again Melissa realises the old attraction is still there, but she’s determined not to give in, even if it means quitting her job. Her will power is put to the test when she’s forced to stay at the hotel over the weekend and Joe promptly lures her into joining him for dinner. When the conversation turns intimate and personal, Melissa leaves the table and runs back to her room in tears. Joe follows her there, and while consoling her they end up making love, and Melissa revealing a secret from the past.

  Joe does not take the news well.

  The following week while decorating her new home, Melissa realises she is in love with Joe, and always has been, but wonders if she’ll ever be more than an old fling to him. Just then Joe arrives, exuding charm, declaring his love, and asking for a second chance.

  Will she still deny what her heart wants so badly?

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Pictionary: Hasbro, Inc.

  Budweiser: Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company

  Chapter One

  Today she would see him again…the first time in eight years.

  Eight years. And yet she remembered the last time they were together as vividly as if it were yesterday.

  “The new boss is here…” Nicole announced as she rushed into Melissa’s office, interrupting her thoughts. “Are you going to the welcome party?” Nicole asked, taking a chair across from Melissa’s desk.

  What choice did she have? As department head she had an obligation towards her future boss. Besides, her absence would be noticed and excuses would have to be thought up. Such behaviour would be too unprofessional, and all for nothing. In the end, she’d still have to meet him.

  After the initial shock that followed the announcement of Joe Bradley as the new CEO of her hotel, she’d considered quitting her job. Reason, pride and curiosity had stopped her from acting cowardly. She’d tackle this new challenge with the same professional finesse she’d used through every hurdle of her life.

  Not every hurdle. Well, no, but she would overcome this new challenge just fine. Besides, Joe Bradley meant nothing to her anymore.

  “Melissa?”

  “Huh?”

  “I asked if you’re going to the welcome party.”

  “Sorry… I’ve got too much on my mind. Yes, of course I’m going. Why do you ask?”

  “I thought you had a date.”

  “Not until later.” After I’ve met Joe Bradley.

  “Good. We’ll go together. Two hot babes in a sea of suits and uniforms are bound to impress the hot, single and”—she wiggled her eyebrows humorously—“available new boss.”

  Melissa almost snorted. Impress Joe Bradley, indeed, fat chance of that happening. From what she’d heard, Joe Bradley didn’t get impressed easily these days. In or out of the boardroom… His reputation as a tough, demanding manager was only upstaged by the multitude of partners he dated—each new woman outdoing the previous one both in looks and glamour. Instinctively, she combed her fingers through her blonde hair. Stop! This wasn’t a date and she wasn’t going to the reception because of Joe Bradley.

  Her college sweetheart.

  My first love.

  This was strictly business only. He was reputed to be a brilliant professional and she was looking forward to working with someone who she could admire, even if the admiration was limited to one level. Sure!

  “Are you changing?”

  Melissa examined her ash-grey pencil skirt and double-breasted short jacket, matched with a pair of pumps and a silk white top, and decided she had the precise appearance she wanted to portray—modern, elegant and professional. He surely couldn’t fault her clothes.

  There had been a time when Joe Bradley had admired and complimented her choice of clothes and accessories. And there had also been a time when she’d dressed to please him. The thought of him admiring her physique brought on an old forgotten tightness in her chest. I must ignore him! He’s not important to me now. It doesn’t matter what he thinks of me. Right! If she kept telling herself that her agitation was nothing to concern herself with, she’d be okay. Joe Bradley is no longer important to me on a personal level. Good. All she had to do now was keep reminding herself of that and she’d be fine.

  “These clothes will have to do. They’re all I’ve got with me.”

  Nicole eyed her with puckered lips and assertive eyes. “And as always, impeccable taste.”

  “Thank you. I’ll bear this compliment in mind when you next want me to try on leopard tights.”

  Nicole laughed, a rich, throaty gurgle that always made those listening smile. “Touché.”

  “Will you come by my office?”

  “Of course! Wouldn’t miss our grand entrance for the world,” Melissa teased, but the minute Nicole was out of sight her self-assurance crumbled and she slumped her shoulders.

  Why did Joe Bradley have to come to her hotel and disturb her well-earned peace of mind? Why?

  * * * *

  Joe Bradley stood with his assistant David King, and Chef Donatello, next to the bar set up in one of the function rooms where the reception party was taking place. He’d been through this process of introducing himself to the staff several times before. Although in different hotels, in different cities and with different people, they were all similar to him.

  But not tonight. Tonight was different…Melissa would be there.

  After eight years he was going to see her again. Would she look the same? Would she talk to him? Of course she would, she had no choice but to meet him. He was her boss now. He had no illusion she was only
coming because she had to—she wouldn’t be happy to see him.

  How can I blame her after I’ve dumped her? Left her high and dry?

  Hey, that wasn’t exactly how it happened—she had been the one doing the dumping after he’d announced his move across country following a job offer he couldn’t—wouldn’t—refuse. And it’d hurt, oh, it had hurt. But he’d always been good at disguising his feelings, even then. Melissa had been the only one not fooled—or intimidated—by his cool, standoffish attitude, that had always worked so well at discouraging people from looking too deeply into his heart. Longing for that connection was what had brought him here tonight. He had no definite plan yet…except he wanted Melissa back in his life. For good.

  A series of happy coincidences had precipitated his move to Boston, though he’d been engineering it for some time. Now, it was up to him to win her back.

  It had all started when a new front office manager had been transferred to his previous hotel. He’d arrived with a letter of recommendation from his former boss, Melissa Ryder. The sight of her name and signature on the letter, together with the end of another lukewarm relationship, had got him thinking of happier times. Happiness he hadn’t been able to match in spite of the highest accolade at work and a very successful social life. Shortly after, his squash partner—an orthopaedic doctor—had mentioned an upcoming convention in Boston, and had praised Melissa Ryder for her highly professional handling of their booking. When a job offer had landed on his lap a couple of weeks later, a job that would take him to Boston—to Melissa—he’d readily accepted it. Not for the prestige and higher salary, but for the chance to be near her.

  “The kid in Garde Manger is quite talented. He could go far with the proper guidance,” Chef Donatello commented, interrupting his thoughts.

  His gaze drifted to the buffet table where an assorted array of sandwiches, fresh crudités, cheeses and miniature pastries were artistically displayed. “Looks good. What’s his name?”

  “Brian Santos. The new menu is ready to taste. When you’ve got a chance I’d like your opinion on it.”

  “Sure, I’ll be happy to sample any of your dishes anytime you want, just don’t give me curry,” he said, grimacing.

  Chef Donatello smiled bemusedly. “I’ll try to remember. Meantime, welcome aboard.”

  “Thanks.”

  Donatello moved away and others took his place. Department heads, supervisors, staff from every department. All came to see the new boss. Many also came to feast on the buffet and get a couple of free drinks, a few to take a break. And they all wanted to come. They all wanted to be there.

  But not her.

  Just like the other time…she won’t come.

  All his friends had been there to say goodbye, to wish him well. But not Mel! She’d never come. He’d been pretty hurt by her absence, by her ready dismissal of him, by her unwillingness to be happy for him. But he’d had to admit she’d been right, a long-distance relationship between them wouldn’t have worked. With a fourteen hour schedule, six days a week, there had been hardly any time left for a relationship—much less a long distance one.

  He recalled David’s words earlier on. “Melissa is as good a professional as they come.” When he’d pushed further, David had added to the picture he was trying to create of the new, older Melissa. “She doesn’t play politics. She does not socialise with anybody at the hotel other than her friend Nicole Childs, our Human Resources manager, and me. She’s a friend of the family.”

  That was something new about Mel. What had happened to the social butterfly and easygoing girl he had once known? He frowned as his gaze wandered to the door.

  And just then she walked in.

  She’s still beautiful.

  No, she was more stunning now than she’d been at eighteen, nineteen and twenty. Maturity had enhanced her natural good looks of delicate features under a crown of pure gold. Her big blue eyes looked straight at him and he found himself wondering how in hell he had walked away from such beauty.

  “Welcome to Boston, Mr Bradley.”

  Mr Bradley?

  He searched her eyes for an explanation. They were still that velvet-blue colour so rare and exquisite, full of deep and dark mystery.

  “Hello, Mel.”

  Her heart slammed against her ribs. His voice…so familiar, so beloved at one time. She couldn’t talk. She couldn’t say a word. He’d called her Mel. Her nickname, the one he used to call her. Slowly she noticed the warmth of his rich, honey-coloured eyes. The curved lips. Lips she had kissed thousands of times. Eight years…and she still remembered the touch of them on hers. She had dreamt of those kisses. Often wondered how many women had enjoyed them, and like her fantasised about them long after he’d moved on to his next love interest.

  “It’s Melissa,” she said. “I prefer to be called Melissa.”

  She would not let him weaken her with stupid nostalgia. Past was past. She had buried it under hard work and determination.

  “Do you two know each other?” David asked.

  From the corner of her eye she noticed Nicole’s frown. Shit! “Not really.”

  “Yes.”

  Their conflicting answers seemed to puzzle her colleagues further.

  “We were in college together.”

  “We attended the same college, but Mr Bradley was two years my senior.”

  “But surely not old enough to be called Mr Bradley by a fellow college student…even if you’re two whole years my junior,” he said, putting some of the charm he was known for into his smile, the charm that had served him so well in his private and professional life.

  Please don’t do this to me.

  It wasn’t fair. He didn’t have the right to be pulling at her heart strings with humour and kindness. He was teasing her, for sure, but he was also being considerate, picking up on her desire to keep their past private.

  Nicole stepped forward. “Melissa is very formal with people she doesn’t know well. Unlike me,” she said, laughing as she held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Nicole Childs, your Human Resources manager. Welcome to Beantown.”

  “Thank you, Nicole. By your unmistakable twang I presume you’re not from around here,” Joe said.

  “Guilty. I’m a North Carolinian from head to toe, although Massachusetts now runs a close second in my heart.” Nicole’s eyelashes dropped slightly as her voice rasped. “I hope you’ll stick around long enough to fully appreciate this beautiful state.”

  Melissa scoffed a laugh at her friend’s not-so-subtle innuendo. “Not everybody is as keen on our great state as you are, Nic.”

  “Well, I am,” Joe swiftly interjected. “And I’d welcome an expert guide…” he announced, locking his direct, disarming gaze with Melissa’s. “To show me the sights.”

  Words failed her. Joe’s eyes told her exactly what he wanted— her —and a familiar ache throbbed in her chest.

  “Great. When do we start?” Nicole forged ahead, and Melissa was happy for the interruption.

  David picked two glasses from a passing waiter. “Melissa?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Nic, can you make do with something as mild as a sauvignon blanc?”

  “If there’s no other choice…” she said, taking the glass from David. “I’ll have my Margarita when we go to Emmet’s later.” She winked at him before turning to face her new boss. “Are you joining us?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “We’re all going for drinks at Emmet’s later,” Nicole explained, but after looking at Melissa, she corrected, “Well, all except Melissa.” She telegraphed a knowing nod to her friend.

  Thanks a lot, Nic.

  “Or we could go check out the new place on Beacon street…I heard it’s good.”

  Shut up, Nic!

  That’s where Tim was taking her. Imagine how awkward it would be showing up for her date with her co-workers in tow, new boss included? She breathed easier after David stated he wanted an early night and Emmet’s wo
uld do just fine for a quick drink before heading home.

  Standing there, seeing him after almost a decade, hearing his smooth, deep voice… God, she was a teenager again, a freshman in college and he already a junior. The one who had French kissed her for the first time, who’d touched her in places no other boy had touched before, the one who’d taken her virginity…and later broke her heart.

  Pushing away those memories, she said her farewells and promptly walked out of the room.

  Mission accomplished.

  She could carry on with her life now, a life which didn’t include Joe Bradley on a private level. Nicole was welcome to him. Anybody was welcome to him. Her love affair with Joe Bradley was a thing of the past. She had Tim now. Tim Meyers was a man who deserved a chance, and she was going to make sure he got it.

  * * * *

  Facing the mirror in her bathroom, Melissa pulled the pins from her tight knot, freeing her hair. She shook out her hair so that it fell over her shoulders and down her back. She applied lip gloss and a little blush to her high cheeks. She wanted to be attractive for Tim, he was worthy of her effort.

  Effort?

  Well, she did have to work harder on her passion for him, but she’d succeed. Oh why could she not get as excited to see him as she should?

  Damn Joe Bradley!

  It was entirely his fault. Since the moment she’d heard the announcement of his appointment, she had been overwhelmed with emotion. Memories of their time together, of their split, and the ensuing months kept crowding her mind night and day. Every look, every promise relived and reached again, and again to exhaustion, just like before. How she still remembered so well those precious times and the heartache that followed. She hadn’t had a moment’s peace in two weeks.