Executive Seduction

She pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Aidan. Normally he never watches the show.”

“He didn’t. His boss’s wife did.”

“Lovely.”

“I made a few threats of my own, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

That called for a drink of wine, which she took before asking, “What kind of threats?”

“I told him I’d tell his boss that his new senior staff reporter was engaged in activities not job-related when he was supposed to be in Baltimore.”

“Then he did get the promotion.”

“He didn’t tell you?”

“No, he didn’t.” But that explained the breakup; he didn’t need her anymore. “And he was with another woman.” Something that came as no surprise to Corri.

“Yeah. Some cheerleader. And I’m sorry to be the one who had to break the news to you.” Although he didn’t sound at all sorry.

Corri kicked off her flip-flops and curled her legs beneath her. “I’m not shocked, Aidan. As I’ve said, mine and Kevin’s relationship had disaster written all over it from the beginning.”

He studied her straight on. “I don’t understand. If you knew it wasn’t going to work, they why in the hell did you agree to marry him?”

She really hadn’t planned to tell Aidan—or anyone for that matter—the reasons behind her engagement. Frankly, she was embarrassed over the whole thing. But since he’d played white knight for her this afternoon, he deserved an explanation. And if that destroyed their friendship, then she probably deserved it, considering her stupidity. “It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got all night, so let’s hear it.”

Corri drew in a deep draft of air, finished her wine and set the empty glass on the tray. “The trip to Jamaica back in March involved a conference with several of the magazine’s executives, including Kevin’s boss. Kevin explained that Ed and his wife were very conservative, so he convinced me it would be better if we said we were engaged.”

Aidan held up his hands. “Wait a minute. The engagement was a farce?”

It sounded so sordid to Corri, most likely because it was. “You could say that.”

“Then why didn’t you set everyone straight when you came home?”

This was where it became complicated. “Kevin wanted to keep up the pretense until he secured his promotion, and that took much longer than he predicted. I attended all the parties with him as his fiancée because he believed it would look better if it appeared he was settling down.”

Aidan leaned forward and raked a hand down his face. “You’re a smart woman, Corri. I can’t believe you went along with it for nine months.”

“I planned to end it much earlier, but after Freed got wind of the engagement and decided to incorporate the whole impending marriage scenario into the show, and then my ratings soared, I couldn’t do it. Instead, I chose to keep up the act.”

“Freed’s only producing your show because I handed it to him. You should have come to me.”

“And I still might have lost my dream job. You and I both know the ratings were shaky before I left on the Jamaica trip.”

He fell silent, and when Corri couldn’t take it any longer, she said, “I know you think I’m insane. And believe me, I’ve questioned my sanity over the past few months.”

“That whole scene today. Was that an act?”

She stared at her hands now folded in her lap, too ashamed to look at him. “No, it wasn’t. I was really hurt by what Kevin did. The anger was real.”

“Then you did care about him.”

She had, at least in the beginning. “I wouldn’t have done what I did for someone I hated. Although I have to admit, there were times when he did things to me…” She drew in a deep breath and blew it out on a sigh. “Never mind. It’s no longer an issue.”

A flash of anger crossed Aidan’s face. “Tell me what he did to you.”

“It’s not what you think.” In reality, he hadn’t done anything to her, or with her, in a sexual sense. A fact she wasn’t ready to disclose. “When we originally agreed to the engagement, we also agreed to continue dating. Kevin interpreted that as dating not only me, but several other women throughout the country. I finally decided I wasn’t ever going to be enough for him.”

“Kevin’s never been in a steady relationship with anyone for any length of time,” Aidan said. “He’s not going to change, and that’s no reflection on you.”

Corri had definitely learned that the hard way. “You know, I’ve always been a confident person, comfortable in my own skin. But Kevin made me doubt myself, and that’s what I’ve hated most.”

“You’re a beautiful woman, Corri, even if my brother was too blind to see it.”

“He can be very charming.”

“He’s spoiled,” Aidan said. “When we were growing up, he got away with murder while the rest of us had to toe the line. That’s my mother’s fault. Kevin was the sickly twin, and they almost lost him when he was born, so she’s always gone out of her way to defend him, no matter what he’s done.”

“Oh, my gosh. Your mother.” Corri covered her face with her hands. “She always watches the show. She must think I’m horrible.”

Aidan draped an arm over the back of the sofa and lightly touched her shoulder to gain her attention. “You don’t have to worry about that. My parents are in Wisconsin, visiting with my dad’s sister. They won’t be back until Christmas Eve.”

Corri felt some measure of relief, although having to face the O’Briens was inevitable. At least she had a few days to prepare. After Christmas, she would drop by and have a talk with them. “I hope no one will tell her before I have the chance to explain everything.”

“I doubt any of the siblings are going to make her the wiser. And I’m fairly sure Kevin isn’t going to be the one to drop that bomb, at least for a while.”

Mental exhaustion began to set in, bringing about Corri’s yawn. “I’m just too tired to think about anything right now.”

Aidan patted her thigh and stood. “Then I’ll let you go to bed.”

When he offered his hand to help her up, Corri took it without hesitation and came to her feet. “I wouldn’t blame you if you decide not to be my friend any longer.”

“You don’t have to worry about our friendship, Corri. And even if I’m still having trouble getting a handle on what you’ve told me, on some level I understand it.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. We’re both obsessed with our careers, and we’re willing to go to great lengths to succeed.”

Considering Aidan was only thirty-five, he’d accomplished quite a bit. And that prompted several questions in Corri’s mine. “What lengths have you gone to?”

“It’s another long story. I’ll save it for some other time. Now walk me to the door before you drop where you stand.”

When they made it to the entry, Corri gave him a hug before pulling back. “Thanks so much for listening.”

Surprisingly, Aidan kept his arms around her. “Now I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told you before.”

Corri wasn’t certain she could take anymore shocking news. She wasn’t sure she could think with Aidan so close. “This sounds serious.”