Tempt you...not! (Reckless in Love Book 3) Read online

  I’m going to do everything I can to extract as many sensual moans and sighs from her as possible.

  She breaks away when the elevator dings. Her face is flush, her chest rising and falling rapidly. It’s like those damn regency romance novels my sister Olivia reads. The ones where they can never stand too close, lest their lust grabs hold, leading them to tarnish their reputations.

  And yes, I know way too much about regency romance. My sister and her friends would gossip about their conquests, always talking money until one of them went into salacious detail about a particularly adept lover. It was then I realized that being skillful was just as coveted as having a large bank account.

  And at that time, I looked like a freak, so I needed all the help I could get.

  I thought by raiding my sister’s reading stash, I’d get coveted inside knowledge into what women like in bed, but reading about the courting habits of dukes and barons, didn’t help me much. Practice did. And now, at twenty-nine, I can boast that not only do I have the trust fund that makes a woman’s eyes bulge, but I have the looks and skills to boot.

  Still standing in the elevator, I say, “Maybe we should take this to your room?”

  Erica blinks back at me as though she’s suddenly realized where she is. “Yes, ummm, follow me.”

  I make sure to walk a good two steps behind her, so I can watch the sway of her round ass while she rummages through her purse for her keycard.

  We stop in front of a door, and she lets us in.

  “I’ll just be a few minutes,” she says, disappearing into the bathroom.

  A look in the mirror tells me I’m still as charming as ever. Women melt for my grin and icy blue eyes, attributes I acquired for my mother.

  Five years ago, I was lanky, my smile looking too good-natured. Too innocent. My face looked worse than a pizza, and it wasn’t until my sister finally intervened that things turned around for me.

  With her help, my face cleared, and I grew more confident. I started working with personal trainers, at her behest, gaining lean muscles and athletic endurance.

  And in the end, her plan worked. My Ugly Duckling transformation turned me into a God amongst other men, or at least that’s how women treat me.

  The bathroom door opens, and Erica emerges, looking exceptional with her smokey eyes and berry-colored lips.

  But it’s not her pretty face that has my attention. Her black dress fits tightly, the fabric stretching across her small, braless breasts, her nipples protruding through the fabric.

  It’s a sight to behold.

  Her waist is trim, giving way to the flare of her hips.

  I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a woman so badly before.

  Closing the distance between us, I lift her, setting her down on a desk in the corner of the room. I grab a condom from my pocket, placing it beside her.

  She looks relieved when she sees the shiny, golden square.

  I spread her knees as wide as they will go, stepping between them to plant a kiss on her lush lips.

  She accepts greedily, her fingers threading my hair. It doesn’t take much to bring her out of her shell, and it’s then that I remember her words at the club.

  “Tempt me,” she had said like she had denied herself for so long that she couldn’t take it anymore.

  My hands find a tiny zipper at her back, and I pull it down, revealing two perfect breasts. I kiss her neck, rubbing my face on her soft skin. She smells of lavender and vanilla, a hint of her arousal escaping the confines of her clothes.

  I rub her supple breasts as her hands reach to undo the buckle of my belt, which almost paralyzes me. Having her hands so close to my cock is fucking unbearable. All I want is to lift her skirt and bury myself in her.

  But I can’t do that without getting to taste her first. I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t get to sample everything her body has to offer.

  “You’re so sexy,” I mutter before taking a taut nipple into my mouth and sucking it gently.

  She moans, her back arching slightly toward me.

  I lavish her other breast, savoring the feel of her sensitive nub responding to my caress. Every touch of her is tantalizing, leading me to want more.

  I snake a hand up her dress, pulling her damp panties aside and rubbing the slick folds of her flesh. I marvel at how wet she is. How much she wants me. I slide a finger inside her, which brings about an urgent gasp. Her hands press down frantically on my shoulder, telling me exactly what she wants.

  But I want to hear her say it.

  I chuckle. “Is there something you’d like me to do?” I ask, hoping to hear her utter all her filthy desires.

  “I want you down on your knees, Chaz.”

  “Anything for you.” I comply with her demands, kneeling before her. “And the name is Chad.”

  I hike her dress up further, pulling her lace panties to the side to get a breathtaking view of her perfect pink pussy.

  She smells fantastic, and I can’t wait to make her cry out in pleasure.

  But her legs draw together slightly.

  “Chad?” she asks.

  I gently press her knees apart again, but she resists.

  “I thought you asked me—”

  Before I can get the words out, she returns with, “Is it just Chad?”

  “Ummm…Chadwick?”

  “Chadwick Archibald?”

  I smirk, waggling my brow. “That’s the one.”

  Her legs jerk closed, her knee slamming against my jaw.

  That certainly wasn’t the response I expected. My name has opened far more legs for me than it’s closed.

  I cradle my jaw in my hand, opening and shutting my mouth to make sure it still works properly.

  “Is there a problem,” I snap, brow furrowed in anger.

  But I instantly soften when I see the fear in her eyes.

  “Get out!” she demands, pointing toward the door.

  Now this is interesting…

  “Do we know each other?”

  “You need to leave.”

  “Yes, fine, but please tell me, what is this about?”

  “Oh, fuck-oh, fuck-oh, fuck,” she chants, hopping off the desk and walking in a small circle. “He was right. Why did I have to be so stubborn?”

  As I start to walk away, she grabs my wrist and locks onto me with panicked eyes.

  “Please, don’t tell anyone!” she says desperately.

  I manage a tight smile, just wanting to get the fuck out at this point. “Of course.”

  Alysanne

  I check my hair in the bathroom mirror as Rachel gets to work on my makeup.

  Today, I present to a room full of people that have all undoubtably viewed my spring break video.

  And one who’s seen my snatch up close and personal.

  The last time I saw Chadwick, he was twenty-three, and I was twenty. He greeted me politely, and me, being a bitch, laughed in his pimple-ladened face.

  I was terrible back then, but the universe exacted its revenge in the form of internet popularity. It humbled me in a way I desperately needed.

  But I guess the world wasn’t done with its retaliation, and somehow, Chadwick re-entered my life in the absolute worst way possible. With the body of a God and a wicked tongue that was mere inches away from my lady bits.

  And so fucking eager to please.

  Never in a million years had I expected Chadwick Archibald to have a ‘glow up’ moment, transitioning into a sexy stud capable of attracting even Rachel’s attention.

  And now, I have to represent my company in front of the who’s who of space innovations, looking down at the man that was on his knees drooling in between my legs, hoping he doesn’t recognize me.

  “There, all done.” Rachel smiles reassuringly.

  When I found out my grievous error, I pounded on her door, to her consternation. Luckily, she struck out at the bar, so I sent her to get some store-bought dye and a flat iron to change up my look.

  Just don’t make
eye contact. Say what you have to say, then get the hell out of there.

  “Oh, one more thing!” Rachel hands me a pair of black-rimmed glasses to complete my disguise.

  This will have to work, because if it doesn’t, well…it’ll be spring break all over again.

  Chadwick

  “Chadwick!” General Dunlap holds a meaty hand out for me to shake. “Good to see you!”

  “It’s good to see you as well.”

  “Didn’t expect ya to be here.”

  “My sister Olivia usually handles these matters, but she got called away to handle another contract.”

  That contract being fillers that triggered an allergic reaction, making her face swell to three times its size.

  “We can’t wait to hear what Archibald Tech has to present.”

  I smile back, but my mind is lightyears away. The collaborative effort proposed by Barton Mills, the CEO of Empire Explorations, is supposed to bring humans further into space than ever before. Unfortunately, I can’t stop my mind from wandering to that tasty little brunette I met last night: Erica.

  Ever since I left her room, I can’t get her out of my head, and it’s only serving to drive me insane.

  “Chadwick, always a pleasure.” Major Hutton barges in. “And might I add, you’re in luck.”

  “Oh?” I say with a cocked brow.

  “Raymond Bastion decided to send his daughter in his stead. That should make it easy for you to shine.”

  I maintain my smile, but the feeling twisting in my gut is not one of comfort. I rather mislike misogynists, and this helps me understand why my sister is such a bitch.

  Major Hutton holds his phone out to the general, and I can only assume it holds the infamous spring break video of the Bastion girl.

  Alysanne was a hellcat in her youth, rivaling Hollywood divas and even Marie Antoinette.

  Her debauchery culminated with the release of a video taken during spring break of her friend lapping beer as it ran down her body. I’ve watched it half a hundred times, pausing at the parts where tongue connects with flesh and wondering what it would be like to be the owner of said tongue.

  She relaxed after that, focusing on school and business. My sister was livid at the attention it received, and conspired to release a video of her own.

  Father gave her a big promotion to thwart her efforts, making her the company’s figurehead, even though I was older and more experienced.

  “Ya wanna see this?” Major Hutton holds out his phone to me, and I decide that the situation does not call for manners.

  “No,” I say in a deadpan tone, then move to take my seat without waiting for a reply.

  The whole exchange reminds me why I detest these functions, but my father insisted I go, saying the future is in space, and we aim to be a part of it.

  The presentations begin, and I try not to let my mind wander, but it’s all terribly boring. I just can’t seem to pry my mind from Erica. The way her body moved so fluidly. Her breathless moans. Her smell.

  Finally, it’s my turn to present, and I put on a good dog and pony show, discussing lightweight metals and radiation barriers before reclaiming my seat.

  “Next up, Alysanne Bastion,” the host announces, which is met with a few chuckles from the audience.

  Coming to her aid would only make her look weak, I remind myself. Our families might be rivals, but I don’t engage in underhanded tactics to gain an advantage.

  I listen to her more than I do the others, partially to size up our greatest competitor, but also because no one else seems to be affording her any respect.

  She’s well-spoken, in a cream-colored pantsuit that is stylish without being flamboyant. If she didn’t have her past, every pair of eyes would be glued to her. Well, not that they aren’t, but they’re not paying attention to her. They’re leering.

  Not that I blame them. She’s a gorgeous woman, smart, with a girlish face. Watching her full lips pronounce words like ‘constraint’ and ‘intermodulation’ is borderline arousing. Still, I give her the respect she deserves and stop just short of undressing her with my eyes.

  There is something familiar about her, though. I can’t seem to put my finger on it.

  We met years ago at a function where she ridiculed me, but there must have been a more recent event. There’s just something so familiar about here…

  Oh—fuck…

  “Is it just Chad?” her voice echoes in my mind.

  And now I know why she threw me out of her room.

  Sexy and sultry Erica is Alysanne Bastion.

  Her eyes scan the crowd as she talks, noticeably skipping over me. Her hair is different, and my guess is those aren’t real glasses. She doesn’t want me to recognize her.

  Before she finishes, Barton Mills gets up from the back of the room to ask her a few questions.

  Up until now, he’s been silent, so his interest in Alysanne is curious. He’s said to have MENSA-level intelligence with none of the awkwardness that eggheads usually have.

  He asks her about the communication satellites her family has been working on. She answers well enough, then returns to her seat.

  I need to see her again.

  She’s the daughter of my father’s arch-nemesis, but I can’t bring myself to care.

  Alysanne Bastion is leaving with me today.

  I just have to convince her of that.

  Alysanne

  Shortly after I’m done with presenting, I go to the bathroom to vomit.

  How could I have been so stupid, so naive, to believe that they’d give me a chance?

  For twenty long minutes, I presented Bastion Communications’ innovations for space exploration to the smirks and quiet japes of the crowd.

  At least Chadwick didn’t appear to recognize me. I don’t know if I would actually survive that humiliation.

  Barton Mills had a couple of questions, but it’s possible he merely asked due to how the others were treating me.

  His company has been mapping out space in a way no one has before, and the government has started using his projection. He’s the one that called for a collaborative effort of both government and private entities alike because space is greater than any one sum in the whole.

  Fuck! I am so stupid for not listening to Slate.

  The damage is done, though. All that’s left is to go home and grovel.

  I exit the bathroom, prepared to make a beeline for the exit when Major Hutton steps in my path.

  “Alysanne, how good it is to see you after all these years,” he enthuses.

  I force a smile, vaguely remembering him at one of my father’s cocktail parties several years back. “It’s good to see you too.”

  “I know how unnerving these can get. If you don’t mind, I’d love to help you out. Offer you some friendly advice. I really want Bastion Communications on board with where this is all going. I could help.”

  My stomach lurches with dread, hoping I’m reading too much into the situation.

  “I’d hate for you to go home and disappoint your father, Alyce.” He takes a step forward, bringing himself uncomfortably close to me. “I’d love to give him a call telling him just how impressed I am by his little progeny.”

  RED ALERT! RED ALERT! Pervert confirmed.

  I feel his hand on my ass, and every part of me wants to lash out, kick him in his balls, and stab my fake nails into his eye sockets.

  But I’m paralyzed, unable to do a damn thing as his hand reaches lower down my ass.

  “Excuse me, Major Hutton, but I don’t believe you gave me the same treatment in the conference room.”

  I look over to see Chadwick Archibald glaring daggers at the major.

  Something about the surprising interlude snaps me out of my frozen state, forcing me to action. I stomp a three-inch heel down onto the major’s mirror-shined shoes, causing him to jerk his leg up.

  “You little—”

  “I’d be careful if I were you,” Chadwick cuts in. “Ms. Bastion seems to ha
ve taken on a leading role at Bastion Communications. It would be a terrible shame if your reputation were disparaged to her father.”

  Apparently, Chadwick Archibald isn’t just smoldering hot. He’s also a pretty standup guy.

  “Have you lost your mind, boy?” Major Hutton rasps out. “I’m gonna have a talk with your father—”

  “And tell him what, exactly?” Chadwick crosses his arms over his chest and dons a condescending smirk. “That I stopped you from groping Alysanne Bastion?”

  Hutton’s face grows dark. “She wanted it.”

  Chadwick’s face registers surprise, and his eyes dart from me to Major Hutton. “Oh…”

  “She knew her presentation sucked, and she wanted to see if I’d put in a good word to her father. Of course, I grabbed her ass. What hot-blooded male wouldn’t?”

  That fucking prick.

  Chadwick nods his head in agreement, and rage threatens to consume me.

  Did I actually believe Chadwick Archibald was going to come to my rescue?

  “Well, pardon me for intruding,” Chadwick says, his hands up in mock surrender. “Except that, you see, I actually followed Ms. Bastion to congratulate her on her presentation, and that’s not exactly what I heard…”

  Is it possible that Chadwick Archibald just got a few degrees hotter?

  Major Hutton’s face turns red, his mouth gaping like a bass.

  “I think you had better leave,” I say to the human excrement.

  Without another word, he turns and rushes away without so much of a glance back over his shoulder.

  Leaving Chadwick and me alone.

  After a long moment of looking at each other, he says, “That was a great presentation, Erica.”

  My lip twitches up into a smile. Chadwick Archibald is most certainly an enemy, of a sort, but today, in this moment, he’s my hero.

  “You know, you could have clued me in last night. You didn’t have to go all 007 on me.”

  “Listen, what happened—”

  “It’s fine. I honestly don’t know what I would have done if I had suddenly realized I was diving face-first into enemy territory. Literally.”

  I bring my hands to my mouth to stifle my laugh.