Executive Seduction

“I’ve already taken a look.”

Her hand went to the zipper on the jacket, lowering it and raising it compulsively, giving Aidan a glimpse of her breasts encased in tight white knit. “How bad is it?”

If she didn’t halt the peep show, it could get bad. In two minutes, he was going to round the desk and take off her damn jacket, and he might not stop there. “Most of the e-mails were from women, and supportive. A few were from men, offering to console you. One guy sent a one-word message.”

“What was that?”

“‘Ouch.’ And some jerk specifically asked you to dinner, as long as you let him pat you down before you got in his Lotus.”

Finally, she smiled. “A Lotus, huh? That might be worth a pat-down.”

It would be a frigid August in Texas before Aidan allowed that to happen. “Now you have to decide if you want to go ahead with the pre-New Year’s Eve taping next Wednesday, or let me pre-empt with one of your other shows.”

She mulled that over a minute before saying, “I’ll do the taping. It will give me the chance to apologize to the fans.”

Aidan reached behind him and grabbed the next item of business that he definitely didn’t like. “Speaking of New Year’s Eve, you’re still scheduled to participate in the children’s charity fund-raising auction.”

She rubbed her forehead. “I’d totally forgotten about that. Are you sure they still want to auction me off?”

“According to Stella, they called this morning to confirm it. But you can back out.” He hoped she would. He didn’t like the thought of some guy paying for a date with her.

She stared off into space for a minute before saying, “It’s for a good cause, so I’ll do it. Besides, it’s only dinner afterward. What’s the worst that could happen?”

She might encounter someone who wanted to take her mind off her troubles before he had that opportunity. But he still had time, and patience. “I’ll let Stella know. That’s it for now.”

“One more thing.” She leaned forward and folded her hands on the desk in a death grip. “Did you record the show on your TV?”

“I did this time because it’s a live airing.” He recorded her show every time so he could analyze her…in non-business-related ways. “Why?”

“Because I didn’t. I was so nervous, I forgot. If it’s okay, I thought I might watch it at your place this afternoon. I could do that here, but I’d rather witness my downfall in private.”

He wasn’t certain she was emotionally ready to see the tape, especially not alone. “Are you sure you don’t want to give it a couple of days?”

“No. I’d rather get it over with. I’m hoping it’s not as bad as I think it is. If you’ll let me have your key, I’ll have it back to you before you leave this evening.”

Aidan refused to leave her at his house by herself. He depressed the intercom and when Stella answered, said, “Tell Freed something’s come up and I need to reschedule our meeting for after lunch instead of during.” Without waiting for his assistant’s response, he turned his attention back to Corri. “I’ll go with you.”

“That’s not necessary, Aidan. Unless you’re afraid I might pilfer all the valuables before I leave, or leave a trail of mangled vegetables in my wake.”

He stood and came around the desk. “I’m not worried about any of that. Since you’ve never been to my house, you don’t know where it is.”

“Now that you put it that way…” She pulled a set of keys out of her pocket. “I’ll drive us.”

Aidan wasn’t going to argue that point. He’d let her call the shots for now, until he found the right time, and the right way, to convince her to give up some control.

Three

Chagrined, Corri handed over the remote control to Aidan and lowered her head. “I’ve definitely seen enough.” And she had, right down to the maniacal look in her eyes when she went after the cucumber.

“Are you sure? I can play it back in slow motion, so we can get the full effect of the cleaver action.”

She had a good mind to push him off his perch on the arm of his expensive beige suede sofa, right onto his gorgeous butt. “I’m glad you think this is funny, because I don’t. I looked like a raving lunatic.”

“You looked moderately pissed off.”

Moderately was definitely an understatement. “I can’t stand the thought of your mom and dad watching this.”

Aidan pointed the remote, selected Erase and wiped out the recording with the push of the button. “Now you don’t have to worry about them seeing it here. And since they don’t own all the latest technology, I doubt they have it recorded.”

Corri hated deceiving people as wonderful as Dermot and Lucine O’Brien. But then she’d been lying to them about Kevin, and that brought about more shame. “I dread seeing them again, and that’s if they even want to see me again.” Just one more thing Kevin had taken away from her.

“You’re practically one of the family, Corri,” he said. “My mother considers you her second daughter.”

And that in itself presented a huge problem. “Was one of the family, Aidan. But not now.”

Feeling restless, Corri came off the sofa and strolled around the large den, stopping at the floor-to-ceiling window to take in the impressive view. The house was situated in a gated community several miles from downtown. She’d definitely been surprised by the location, and the surroundings in general, including a pristine lake and several fountains. The interior design was patently masculine, with contemporary decor that suited Aidan.

“Anything in particular you want to do now, Corri?”

Startled, she spun around and almost lost her balance, saved only by the fast grab of Aidan’s lapels. He gave her that look again, the one he’d brought out last night when she’d thought he might actually kiss her. The one he’d given her on St. Patrick’s Day.

Since the window was at her back, she had nowhere to run, even if that’s what she wanted to. Funny, she didn’t feel like moving at all. But she needed to move—away from him instead of toward him, otherwise she might be making another foolish mistake. “You could give me the grand tour of the house. Unless you need to get back to the studio.”

“Freed can wait.” He braced his palm above her head. “I’m in no hurry to get back.”

Neither was Corri, although she probably should be. But considering she’d have to return to an empty house and no doubt obsess over the show, spending a little more time with Aidan would provide a welcome diversion. “Lead the way.”

“Follow me.”

Corri trailed behind Aidan through the formal dining area and into a huge kitchen straight from her dreams of what a kitchen should be. The appliances were stainless steel, top of the line, right down to the double oven and state-of-the-art refrigerator. She ran her hand over the black granite countertops and muttered, “Incredible.”

“I take it you approve.”

She turned and leaned back against the counter, discovering Aidan had put the center island between them, probably a good thing. He looked so appetizing, she could very well forget herself in the kitchen again. “It’s amazing. Have you ever used it?”

“Only the microwave. But you’re more than welcome to use it anytime. In fact, maybe we should initiate it soon.”

He rounded the island and walked toward her, all cool, deliberate confidence dressed in a blue designer suit and sporting a heated gleam in his green eyes. This time, Corri could easily move aside, get out of his path. But again, she didn’t care to do that, not even when he planted his palms on either side of the counter and leaned into her. “It’s definitely not my mother’s kitchen, but it will have to do.”

And after months of shutting out the memories, Corri waited anxiously for a repeat of that March day, knowing she shouldn’t. And when Aidan finally kissed her, she realized she hadn’t forgotten one detail, either, although the reality was much, much better than the recollection.

Aidan O’Brien had taken the art of kissing to all-time heights. He started out slowly, softly, almost a tease before he slid his tongue inside her mouth. The heady sensations brought about those inevitable chills, that predictable heat, the sense that she would gladly remain this way for hours. In his arms. Under his spell.

Without warning, he lifted her up onto the cabinet, taking his place between her parted legs. With one hand, he lowered the zipper on her jacket, slowly, slowly, then formed his palms to her sides, his thumbs lightly stroking her ribcage.

Had Corri been able to claim any reticence to that point, it would have disintegrated the minute Aidan palmed her breasts, stroked her nipples through the knit, made her want to know how his hands would feel on her bare skin.

But as quickly as he’d broken down all her resistance, he broke the kiss and dropped his hands to her hips. She saw the desire in his eyes, heard it in his voice when he said, “I could have my fly down in two seconds and make love to you right here, right now.” He lifted her jacket’s zipper back into proper position. “But…”