Seduced by the CEO

“It’s on the house.”

“On the house?” Jariah frowned, confused by the hostess’s words. “Why?”

“Because you’re a personal guest of the owner.”

Oh, of course. I bet all of his female guests eat for free.

“Thank you. Good night.” Jariah tucked her black clutch bag under her arm. Walking through the lounge, she noted that every table was filled and that patrons were smiling, chatting and laughing. The waiting area was jam-packed, and as she strode past the aquarium, several men wearing wedding bands winked at her. Jariah rolled her eyes and kept on moving. Getting involved with a married man was asking for trouble, and Jariah avoided drama at all costs.

The evening air was thick and held the scent of rain. Where had the summer gone? Jariah wondered, striding through the restaurant parking lot. In a few short weeks, Ava would be back in school, and she’d be...

Jariah shuddered to think what she’d do if she still didn’t have a job. Her car needed repairs, and Ava needed back-to-school clothes and supplies. If she didn’t land an accounting position soon she’d have to stop doing all the things she loved—like taking Ava to the amusement park, sponsoring children in need and going for cocktails with her girlfriends.

“Jariah, wait up!”

Searching the parking lot for the face that matched that deep, husky voice, she slowed her pace and narrowed her eyes. And when her gaze landed on Nicco Morretti— looking all kinds of sexy in his fitted blue shirt and jeans, her feet froze to the ground.

Standing there with her heart pounding and her limbs shaking, Jariah decided that it should be a crime for a man to be that good-looking. A sin, actually, because all the thoughts that flooded her brain involved handcuffs, a blindfold and whip cream. The restaurateur oozed an intoxicating blend of masculinity and sensuality, and he moved like a tiger prowling the jungle.

“Good evening, Jariah. It’s great to see you again.”

Nicco stopped, just inches away from her face, and when Jariah got a whiff of his cologne her heart murmured inside her chest. The sexy CEO made her hyperventilate—his gaze was so powerful she felt vulnerable and exposed. Jariah hated the effect Nicco Morretti had on her, and wondered how she could be attracted to a guy who’d hit on anything with a pulse.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” His voice was low, and he appeared apologetic. “Something important came up as I was leaving the office, and I couldn’t get away.”

Jariah didn’t believe his story, not for a second, but she didn’t question him. Why bother? He’d only lie, and besides, it didn’t matter why he was late because she was leaving. Remembering their earlier conversation gave Jariah pause. She forced a sympathetic smile. “What did you want to discuss?”

“Not out here. Let’s head back inside Dolce Vita.”

“I was just leaving.”

He cocked his head to the right. “I see that.”

Jariah detected a hint of anger in his voice, and wondered what that was all about. If anyone should be upset it should be me. You’re thirty minutes late! Confused by his reaction, she looked at him inquiringly.

“I invited you here so we could have a bite, and maybe get something—”

“I’m not hungry,” she interrupted, annoyed by his blasé attitude. “I lost my appetite about thirty minutes ago.”

“Then let me buy you a drink.”

The feel of his hand along her bare shoulder weakened her resolve.

“I feel terrible for showing up late, but something came up that required my immediate attention,” he explained. “I got here as soon as I could.”

His explanation sounded plausible, reasonable even, but Jariah wasn’t moved. Unsure of what to do, she vacillated between going home to her daughter and taking Nicco Morretti up on his offer. This isn’t a date, she told herself, pushing her reservations to the back of her mind. It’s a business meeting and nothing more. I don’t even like the guy. But her tingling, inflamed body suggested otherwise. Her heartbeat roared in her ears, invisible beads of perspiration dotted her forehead and her sleeveless blouse stuck to her skin.

“Come back inside. I promise to make it worth your while.”

To Jariah’s utter disbelief and amazement, the word “yes” flew out of her mouth.

“Right this way.” Nicco gestured to the restaurant with one hand and placed the other on the small of her back. “You look incredible tonight. Even more beautiful than I remember.”

I do? The tips of her ears tingled, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Commanding her legs to move and her hands to quit shaking, Jariah tried not to notice how dreamy Nicco Morretti looked or how delicious he smelled. Even though she was attracted to him, Jariah was determined not to be his next victim.

Tell that to your hot, lust-inflected body! her inner voice jeered. You want Nicco Morretti so bad you can’t even walk straight!

Chapter 4 (#ulink_7e9bfa21-c965-559c-b9be-f4e6c9b4f6f1)

Nicco was having a hell of a time concentrating, and not just because Jariah Brooks was sitting across from him in his favorite corner booth at Dolce Vita looking like a million bucks. He found her worldly, sophisticated vibe appealing, and although the restaurant was loud and busy, he was having a kick-ass time in her company.

Boisterous conversation filled the restaurant, and all of the young, stylish diners were drinking, dancing and snapping pictures with their cell phones. From his seat, he had a bird’s eye view of the lounge, and chuckled to himself when he spotted his head chef walking around greeting regulars, shaking hands and admonishing the tuxedo-clad waiters.

Like last night, the star power was definitely in abundance at Dolce Vita but to his surprise Jariah didn’t get flustered or giddy when his celebrity friends dropped by their booth. She shook hands with each new arrival, but she seemed far more interested in her meal than chatting up A-list stars.

As Nicco surveyed the crowd, he wondered if he was being watched. Were the jerks who’d vandalized Dolce Vita here tonight? Were they sitting at a table plotting their next move? Or at the bar keeping close tabs on him?

Anger burned inside him, and Nicco gripped his tumbler so hard he feared the glass would shatter into a hundred pieces. The police had given up searching for suspects, so it was up to him to find out who had trashed his restaurant. And he would. No matter the cost.

At the bar, Nicco spotted a slim, bald-headed man wearing dark sunglasses in deep conversation with one of the female bartenders, and he sat up taller, straighter. The stranger resembled his ex-friend and former business partner, Tye Caldwell. Nicco considered going into the lounge to find out for sure, but decided against it. Tye wouldn’t be stupid enough to show his face at Dolce Vita after what happened last summer, would he? Nicco squinted, and peered inconspicuously around the young Asian couple sharing a steamy French kiss. The lights were low, and the lounge was packed, which made it impossible for him to get a good look at the well-dressed man. Thinking about, Tye—someone he’d once considered family—filled his heart with pain. Nicco felt a twinge of deep sadness. First Tye screws me over, and then Gracie. Are there any honest, trustworthy people left in the world? he wondered. If my closest friend and confidant could betray me, then anyone can.

“I’m glad I let you talk me into ordering the vitello. It’s so moist and creamy...”

Nicco ditched his thoughts and turned his attention to his lovely dinner companion with the knock-out curves. He was a leg man, but couldn’t resist admiring Jariah’s other impressive physical assets. The twenty-seven-year-old beauty was glowing, radiating an inner light that literally lit up the whole restaurant. She smelled like cherry blossoms, spoke with confidence, and despite her youth, carried herself in a composed, mature way. Her ruffled, orange blouse was eye-catching and showed off her toned arms and a hint of cleavage.

“I’m glad that you’re enjoying your meal,” Nicco said, eying her over the rim of his glass. “If you’d like, I could order you another entrée.”

“No, thank you. I’ve had more than enough food for one evening.”

“Does that mean you’re not having dessert?”

“I can’t. I’m teaching a step-aerobics class in the morning, and if I pig out tonight I won’t be able to keep up with my students.”

Her beauty dazzled him, made him forget everyone else in the room. Nicco didn’t know if it was the wine or the lively atmosphere in the lounge that helped loosen her up, but it was obvious Jariah was in great spirits. While waiting for their entrees to arrive, she’d asked smart, insightful questions about his company, and impressed him with her vast knowledge of the stock market. Jariah spoke with enthusiasm and passion about her volunteering work, and chatted excitedly about the new projects she’d developed at the Miami Food Bank.

“I’d love to discuss your business proposition now,” Jariah said, setting aside her plate.

Clasping her hands together, she looked him straight in the eye, her gaze unwavering and intense. It held him in its powerful grip, refused to let him go, and for the second time that night Nicco hoped he didn’t look as stupid as he felt. “I’d rather hear more about your hobbies and interests,” he said, artfully dodging the question. “What do you do when you’re not teaching fitness classes at Premier Fitness?”

“Not much. Now, back to your business proposition—”

“Come l’aragosta era? Fido di che sia stato anche il suo amare, Sig. Morretti.”

Chef Gambro, an overweight man of fifty, bounded over to the booth and clapped Nicco vigorously on the back. Speaking in Italian, his voice stern, but his manner playful, he explained that he was on a date and didn’t want to be interrupted. Nicco saw Jariah tense, then raise a perfectly arched eyebrow, and wondered if she’d understood what he’d said.

Gambro turned to Jariah and took her hand. Lifting it to his mouth, he reverently kissed her palm. Gazing at her adoringly, he complimented her effusively in his native tongue, but before Nicco could answer on Jariah’s behalf she responded—in Italian. Her tone was refreshingly light, but she spoke in a voice as lively and as animated as Chef Gambro’s. Dumbfounded, Nicco leaned forward in his seat, unable to believe his ears.

“Grazie per un pasto meraviglioso, Chef Gambro voi. Tutto era spettacolare, e il vitello era il migliore che abbia mai avuto...”