Page 52 of Corporate Escapades

“That's not very nice. You think she’s trying to seduce me?”

“Why else did she suddenly start dressing in such skimpy clothing?”

“So, this was a sudden change?” he mused. Paris had noticed too.

“You didn’t really notice her before, did you?”

“I guess you have a point there. Pick your poison,” he requested.

“Truth.”

“Tell me, Paris, do you really have a thing for Tom?”

“We’re terrible people,” she replied. “It would appear we both like our handlers.” She grinned.

“Tom? You’re telling me you genuinely like him and that you’ve never noticed how vain he is?”

“Vic, it’s not new. I’ve had feelings for Tom since the day I met him. He’s a stunning male specimen. I’d give anything to taste his lips,” she purred, “and I maintain that I don’t think he’s vain.”

“Here,” said Vic, handing her another shot. “I don't get what you see in him, but who am I to judge? To scandal,” he said as he raised his glass to hers.

Paris drank the shot and then shook her head at him. “Whatever. It’s only a scandal if something happens. Even then, I’m not sure it qualifies.”

Vic eyed her up and down. She was gorgeous. There was no question about it.

“You like what you see?” she asked.

Realizing he’d been caught, he gave her his most charming smile and reached for her hand. “You’re very pretty,” he said softly and squeezed her hand ever so slightly. He watched as the corners of her mouth curled upward. “How come we haven’t managed to be closer over the years?” he coaxed.

“I think in part we’ve had other goals for what we wanted,” she replied quietly. His touch was doing unspeakable things to her insides. It was unsettling to think that he could make her feel anything so intimate.

Launching himself forward, he pressed his lips to hers. Her eyes went wide, and she instantly pushed him back and moved further away. Turning his head slightly to one side, he squinted at her as he contemplated her body language. She wasn’t scowling at him. What he read was shock and, at the same time, desire.

“What was that?” she demanded.

“Here is how I get women,” he replied. “I’m very good at reading body language, and I know when precisely to make my move. Tell me you aren’t feeling this, and I’ll pretend it never happened,” he said in a low and even tone. He watched her. She didn’t move a muscle, but her breath had quickened. “I can tell you’re interested. When was the last time you were with anyone intimately? This doesn't have to be anything more than sex, but you have to tell me no,” he stated, “or I’ll come over there.” She still didn’t budge or utter a syllable.

Leaning forward, he stretched out his hand and lightly touched her elbow. Then, moving slowly, he gently dragged the tip of his nail down her arm and paused at her wrist. Her breathing was still quick, and her pupils dilated. She couldn’t find the words to tell him no. She didn’t want to say no. Abruptly; he closed his hand around her wrist and squeezed firmly.

Paris lost control. Her whole body tingled with desire. When his hand closed, she could no longer contain the feeling. She pushed off the arm of the couch and lunged toward him. He pulled her into his embrace. Their lips smashed together as they hungrily drank each other in. If she’d been told two hours earlier that this would happen, she wouldn’t have believed it.

Vic’s fingertips worked their way up underneath her shirt and slid gently along the underside of her breasts, testing the waters further. She moaned lightly and tore open his shirt so she could feel his bare chest. Her hands felt soft and warm against his skin. He felt oddly safe in her presence.

Paris was further drawn in by the firmness of his chest as she ran her fingers over it. He had always been in great shape, but until now, she had never wondered what it would be like to touch him in such a wanton manner. Sliding her fingers down his body, she made her way toward his waist.

Holding tightly, Vic scooped her up and carried her to his room, closing the door behind them.Consequences be damned,he thought. She would be his, if only for one night. He would worry about the rest when morning came.

The morning light arrived, and Mya awoke feeling rested and ready to begin the day. She’d slept well and was ready to hike to the waterfall. Heading toward the bathroom, she saw Vic’s door open and watched as Paris backed herself out and went into her own room, clearly not realizing she had an audience.

“Morning, Mya,” called Chase. He came out of the room behind her and headed toward the kitchen, cup of coffee already in hand. Pausing for a moment, he asked, “Do you want some coffee? I’m about to make a second pot.”

Mya lifted her wrist to check the time on her watch. It was barely seven in the morning. “You already drank an entire pot of coffee? What time did you get up?”

“I couldn’t sleep. I was up at five. Went for a swim and sat out on the dock watching a couple of fishermen.”

She took in his hot pink swim trunks. They had palm trees on them. Indeed, he was still wet from his swim. “No coffee for me. Don’t go overboard,” she warned. “We’re hiking today.”

“Oh, I know,” he replied as he shooed her away with his free hand and continued back to the kitchen.

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