A Calculated Seduction

A CALCULATED SEDUCTION by

Melissa Schroeder

WHISKEY CREEK PRESS www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Published by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS Whiskey Creek Press PO Box 51052 Casper, WY 82605-1052 www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Copyright  2004 by Melissa Schroeder Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN 1-59374-252-5

Credits Cover Artist: Scott Carpenter Editor: Chere Gruver Printed in the United States of America

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT A CALCULATED SEDUCTION “Melissa Schroeder is a wonderful storyteller mixing just the right dose of romance and humor between well-drawn and compelling characters. A Calculated Seduction is fast paced, witty and hot, and a definite best read.” - Rayne Forrest, author of MOUNTAIN HIGH, and ACROSS TIME.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE HIRED HAND “THE HIRED HAND is a cute, funny and extremely sexy tale that grabbed my attention from the very beginning.” Jennifer Ray for The Road to Romance “If you want a sharp, funny, well-written book to curl up with next to the toys this is IT.” 5 Stars, O rating- Julie Esparza, Just Erotic Romance Reviews. “If you love steamy romances, THE HIRED HAND promises to deliver a satisfying read.” Shawna Moore, author of Saints and Sinners “THE HIRED HAND is a phenomenal story that is so hot, so piping hot that it is sure to leave you gasping for breath and your heart beating like a wild drum. The uncertainities that Marlow has and her vulnerability are very real and instantly arouse the reader’s sympathy. Liam is an I-wish-I-could-eat-him sort of a guy, awfully hot and wickedly delicious.The passion that Melissa Schroeder weaves between her main characters is like hot lava, flowing with a slow burn and heating up everything

on the way.” - Blue Ribbon Rating 5, Dee Herga, Romance Junkies.

Dedication To the Cats Critters. Without your help and encouragement, I would have never believed. Thanks, ladies.

Chapter 1 “Self-centered egotistical jerk,” Dulcy Menendez muttered. She checked her watch for the fifth time in five minutes, then glanced around her office. Everything was in its place. Every bit of business done for the day. But there she sat, Friday night with nothing to do, just waiting for Ethan MacMillan to grace her with his presence. Ethan MacMillan. Just thinking his name irritated her. Mainly because, even though she was convinced he was the most arrogant man she’d ever met, she was attracted to him. She couldn’t help it. Each time he looked at her with those dark gray eyes, her nipples hardened and her whole body heated with anticipation. It had happened the first day she met him and each time she came in contact with the man, she had the same reaction. Even if he did piss her off every time he opened his mouth. Within five minutes of meeting her, the newly appointed President and CEO of MacMillan Boots had informed Dulcy he expected her to stay at the office when he was working late. She didn’t mind working late. She did mind sitting in her office with nothing to do. And that’s exactly what she was doing. Staring at her computer, the walls, anything to keep her thoughts off the clock. She glanced at her watch again and then shot the evil eye at his door. Eight-thirty. Did the man have no concept of time? Since he had taken the reins from his uncle, Ethan had made her life a living hell. As Executive Assistant to the President, Dulcy 1

A Calculated Seduction expected to work through lunch and past five some days. It was just part of the job. But occupying a chair just so some idiot with a thousand-dollar suit could feel important, well, that just didn’t sit well with her. Dulcy didn’t have an active social life. Okay, she had no social life. Still, he had no right to insist she wait for him to finish when he didn’t need her. A lot of times, he walked out of his office and acted as though he’d forgotten about her. As if she were office equipment he’d forgotten to turn off. She’d called her nephew, Richy, to tell him they would have to put off his sleepover at her house until Saturday night. Richy hadn’t complained, but she knew he was disappointed. This job was becoming unbearable. Why, she could probably find a better job in the blink of an eye. Only thing was, she didn’t want another job. She loved working at MacMillan Boots and for William MacMillan. He’d been one of her father’s best friends and when Jason Menendez had died three years earlier, he’d offered her a job. The shrill ring of her phone interrupted her thoughts. She groaned out loud when she saw the caller ID. “Hello, Clarice,” she said to her stepmother. “Dulcy, darling, I’ve been calling your apartment for hours. What are you still doing at work?” “Mr. MacMillan’s still working.” “Well, since you weren’t at home, I finally decided to try you at work. I thought you might be ignoring my phone calls.” “You didn’t think I might have had a date?” Her little tinkle of a laugh grated on Dulcy’s nerves. “Darling, I just love your sense of humor.” “What do you want, Clarice?” Her voice was harsher than she had intended, but she really couldn’t help it. Why was it so funny she would be on a date on a Friday night? Okay, so it’d been three months since she’d had a date, but still, Clarice had no right to laugh. “There’s no reason to get all bent out of shape, darling.” 2

A Calculated Seduction She sighed. Clarice wasn’t intentionally mean. She was just shallow. “What do you need?” Silence greeted her question. “Clarice?” “I have a slight problem.” “And?” “I can’t pay my rent.” “And?” “I need an advance on my allowance this month.” Dulcy didn’t say a word. Irritation inched up her spine. It was only the fifteenth of the month and Clarice had already borrowed against her next month’s allowance. “Shouldn’t you have paid it on the first?” “Mr. Warner is very nice man. I convinced him to wait a couple of weeks. Ow! Be careful.” “Clarice, what the hell are you talking about?” “This imbecile giving me a pedicure hurt me.” “Clarice, are you telling me you have someone giving you a pedicure in your apartment? How can you afford that and not your rent?” “Denny’s paying for it.” Well, that explained it. Clarice’s latest lover was a man with money to spare and a wife who didn’t care. “Can’t he pay your rent?” Clarice gasped. “There’s no way I could ask him to do that.” No, never that. A trip to Cancun, the Mercedes she drove, the Botox treatment last month and pedicures in her apartment, but never the rent. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Why did this woman and her daughters think she was their personal keeper? “I take it you talked to Charles?” Charles Foster was their family attorney and handled all their money. He was the one man Clarice and her two daughters, Barbie and Tori, couldn’t charm. “Yes, and he told me no.” Of course he did. All three women had no concept of money. “Will you talk to him?” While Clarice couldn’t charm him, Dulcy could talk him into giving them more money. “Charles is out of town for his daughter’s wedding in Houston, so it will have to wait until Monday.” 3

A Calculated Seduction “Can you float me some money?” The woman had some nerve! “Clarice, you know I have no money. Why do you think I work?” “I don’t know. Especially with that trust fund of yours.” “I don’t get any money from the trust fund until I turn twenty-five. I have eleven more months.” She didn’t mention all three of them forgot her twenty-fourth birthday last month. “Oh, I always thought you convinced Charles to give you an advance.” She gritted her teeth. It never occurred to Dulcy to ask for money. Her parents hadn’t raised her that way. They taught her from an early age to be self-sufficient. Her father probably never imagined he would drop dead of a heart attack three months before her nineteenth birthday, leaving her without funds for six years. “I don’t know if I can get you the money.” “Oh, pooh. You can. If you don’t, I’ll be thrown out of my apartment, and then I’d end up in your little studio.” Visions of Clarice, her yippy Chihuahua and her stepsisters constantly dropping by rose in her mind and Dulcy shuddered. “Okay, no reason to threaten me. I’ll get you your money.” She slammed down the phone. “Troubles, Miss Menendez?” Ethan MacMillan’s deep voice rumbled behind her. She cringed. It figured, after he had ignored her for the last three hours, he’d overhear her conversation with Clarice. Slowly, she turned her chair to face him. Dressed in tailored black suit pants with a red dress shirt, he leaned against the doorjamb, his muscular arms crossed, his gray eyes focused on her. He’d lost his jacket sometime during the day and had rolled his shirtsleeves up, revealing the sinewy length of his tanned forearms. “No…no. Just family stuff.” She licked her lips and he followed the movement with his eyes. Her face warmed. Since the first day she’d met the man, he made her nervous. He never said much, but the way he watched her, silent and intense, sent a wave of tingles along her nerve endings. 4

A Calculated Seduction “Family? I thought your parents were deceased.” She drew a blank. She just didn’t know what to say. It always took at least five minutes for her to gather her senses when she encountered him. Her pulse accelerated and her nipples hardened. What the hell was he talking about? Oh, yeah, her family. “Yes, but I have my stepfamily.” “Stepfamily?” She really hated that he repeated her statements as questions. It always sounded like he was accusing her of something. “I still have my stepmother and stepsisters.” He raised his eyebrows. “Your father was married what...nine months before his death? I can’t think why you would want to bother with them.” “They’re my family.” She shifted in her seat, completely uncomfortable with him looming over her. He was big and masculine and had a warrior’s body, which he had needed while he served in the Marines. Her nerves jumped and a rush of heat swept through her. “Is there something you wanted?” she asked, her voice a tad bit huskier than usual. His eyes bored into her, unblinking, not straying one bit. She licked her lips again. His eyes broke contact to follow the movement again. “No. You can go now. I’m sorry if you had to cancel any plans for me.” A mocking smile curved his lips. She thought of her eight-year-old nephew and smiled. “He’ll wait.” His lips flattened and his eyes lost their sparkle. “Be here early, Monday.” He turned and left her gaping at him, slamming the door behind him. “Have a nice weekend, Dulcy,” she muttered as she shut off her computer. **** Ethan let loose an aggravated sigh and shoved his hand through his hair. Every day he inched a step closer to embarrassing himself. 5

A Calculated Seduction He didn’t believe in fraternization with secretaries. Especially those under investigation. And even though he knew it was a bad idea, he’d come close to asking Miss Menendez to dinner, to his bed. His dick jerked. “And that’d be really sharp, MacMillan. Screwing your main suspect.” Never in his life had he felt this need to conquer a woman, to own her body and soul. He didn’t know what inspired such a reaction. Dulcy Menendez was a little mouse of a woman. She wasn’t small but she had dull brown hair, usually worn in a braid, dark brown eyes and glasses too big for her face. He couldn’t comprehend why his blood heated when she smiled her crooked smile. He walked to his window and studied the landscape outside when he noticed Miss Menendez rushing out the door to her car. In three months, he’d never detected a man in her life. Other than the man he suspected she was helping embezzle from MacMillan Boots. After meeting her, with her innocent eyes and her quiet nature, he’d pegged her for a goody two shoes. He’d been so convinced she was a “nice girl”. Then Bill had taken him aside and told him she was a suspect. And Ethan, after years of investigating people when shown the things she did, was stunned. Completely flabbergasted she would do something like that. To make matters worse, he was attracted to her. God, she was built just like he preferred his women. A decent amount on top but a nice round bottom, shaped like a pear. What he wouldn’t do to take that rear end in his hands. He shifted his feet to ease the tightness in his pants while he watched her taillights as she drove out of the parking lot. At first, he thought his attraction stemmed from going without a woman for so long. It had been over a year since he broke off his engagement with Fiona. There hadn’t been a steady woman in his life since then. But he knew better. If that were the problem, he’d jump the first available woman. Other women didn’t interest him. Dulcinea Menendez did. 6

A Calculated Seduction All he had to do was find out who she was working for. And he needed to do it before he jumped Miss Menendez’s bones. He shut down his computer and headed out for the evening. Long days of running figures and resisting that cute little body of hers were stressing him out. As he turned to lock the door, he noticed her briefcase sitting on the floor beside her desk. He picked it up and placed it on the desk. Deciding he couldn’t let the opportunity pass him by, he compressed the buttons and was pleased to find it unlocked. He rifled through the few papers she had, but most of it had to do with her family. A snapshot was hung on one of the pockets with a paperclip. Miss Menendez stood next to a blonde-headed boy in a baseball uniform. Both wore huge grins. He flipped it over. Richy and me, followed by a date last spring. He recognized the boy from the photograph on her desk. Hmm, must be the stepsister’s kid. He closed it up and bent to place it on the floor. He could take it to her. It was Friday evening and she might need something in the briefcase. Stopping by her apartment on the way home would be easy. It was on his way and he needed to check on her. It was just part of the job. **** Dulcy sighed when she pulled her sedan into her designated parking space after nine that night. She was tired, hot and starving. Gathering her purse, she turned to open her door. A slight movement caught her attention. She screamed before she recognized her downstairs neighbor. Her heart beat against her chest and she drew in a breath to slow it down. “Maude!” Dulcy opened the door and got out. “What on earth are you doing here?” “I was worried about you, sweetie. Getting home so late and all.” Dulcy smiled at the older woman. She’d been the first person to welcome Dulcy to their North Richland Hill apartment complex. Somewhere in her early sixties with short curly gray hair and bright blue eyes, Maude had moved in several years earlier 7

A Calculated Seduction after the death of her husband. With her children scattered across the country, she mothered Dulcy. “You scared me half to death.” She headed for her studio apartment, which was directly above Maude’s bedroom. “I had to work late because Mr. MacMillan stayed late.” Maude followed her up the stairs. “That doesn’t sound like Bill.” “Not Bill, Ethan. You know I’m working for him now.” She jangled her key ring until she found her apartment key. “Ohhh...yes. The dark and handsome Ethan.” She unlocked her door and turned to face Maude. “How did you know he’s handsome?” Maude’s eyes widened. “Why, you just told me. Besides, he’s Bill’s nephew.” “Well, I’m going to eat whatever isn’t a biology project in my refrigerator and then soak in the tub.” “So, nothing to do tomorrow?” “Richy’s spending the night.” “But nothing during the day?” “No...nothing that I...oh no. I’m not going shopping and I’m not having a makeover.” Maude, a former beautician, was adamant about cutting off her long hair and lightening it. She’d even made noises about waxing. Dulcy really didn’t want anyone pouring hot wax on her body. Maude pouted and crossed her arms. “But I have nothing to do and sometimes I get lonely.” Dulcy groaned. Guilt always worked, even when she knew Maude was lying. “What about Bill?” She’d introduced the two a few months back and they’d hit it off. “Busy with his nephew.” She sighed and looked down at the ground. There was no way Dulcy could fight that dejected look. “No waxing.” Maude looked like she would argue, but relented. “Okay, but you will let me give you a bob and we will go shopping for clothes. Oh, and those blonde highlights.” 8

A Calculated Seduction Dulcy cringed thinking about it. “We’ll see.” Maude said she’d drop by with some brownies later and happily bounced down the stairs. Dulcy unlocked her door, shutting it behind her with a kick of her foot. Her muscles, stiff from sitting at her desk for close to eleven hours, ached with each step. She walked through her tiny apartment, shedding her clothes as fast as she could on her way to the bathroom. To save money, Dulcy had moved out to North Richland Hills a year ago. The apartment, a one-room studio, was modern and trendy. She hated it. But until she inherited her trust fund when she turned twenty-five, she had to economize. The tension from the long day, and even longer week, began to drain. She unbraided her hair, rubbing her scalp. She needed to remember that at the end of the day, she was a day closer to her inheritance, a day closer to starting her cancer research charity. In nothing but her red panties, she wandered over to her dresser and pulled out a nightshirt and donned it. She padded over to her kitchen and pulled out the makings of a ham and cheese sandwich. As she assembled her meal, she thought about Ethan MacMillan. There was something about him that just wasn’t right. After years of ignoring Bill’s requests to join the business, he suddenly shows up and takes over his office. What was he after? Stupid question. MacMillan Boots was a multimillion-dollar business. Bill had no children to inherit and Ethan thought he would just move in, after years of neglecting a relationship with his uncle, and take everything. Indignation on Bill’s behalf rolled through Dulcy. He’d been the one person who’d offered her work when her father died. Most of the people from her father’s circle of friends didn’t see the use of hiring a nineteen-year-old with only a year of college under her belt. The thought that Ethan had callously disregarded every attempt Bill had made to reach out to him, angered her. She took an angry bite out of her sandwich and moseyed over to her answering machine. Two hang-ups and three pleading calls from Clarice. She sat down in front of her television and flipped 9

A Calculated Seduction through the channels, finally settling on an old movie. After finishing her sandwich, she decided a good hot bath was all she needed. She retrieved her bath oil from the cabinet, drew water for a bath and lit several candles. She pulled off her nightshirt and was about to tug down her panties when her phone rang. She hesitated, listening to see who it was. “Dulcy, this is Barbie. I need you.” Knowing her stepsister would just keep calling until she got a hold of her, she grabbed a towel, covered her breasts and went to answer the call. As she listened to Barbie go on about her latest crisis, which involved her latest lover, her gardener, a knock sounded at the door. Thinking it was Maude with her brownies, she opened the door without looking out the peephole. Ethan MacMillan stood on her doorstep, larger than life. Immediately, her pulse skittered and her nipples hardened. She froze and lost her grip on the towel.

10

A Calculated Seduction

Chapter 2 For a second or two, or three, Dulcy didn’t move, couldn’t move. Shock held every muscle in her body immobile. Her mind stalled of thought. Then she screeched and slammed the door in Ethan’s face and leaned up against it. “Dulcy? What on earth are you doing?” Barbie asked. Of all the people to see her naked, it had to be Ethan MacMillan. Oh, God. She had to face him Monday morning. What was she thinking? She’d have to face him now. Her whole body heated. She knew she was blushing from her forehead to her toes. “Dulcy?” “What?” “What the heck is going on over there?” “I...someone just saw me naked.” “So what?” “So? It was a male someone and he saw my breasts.” She sighed and closed her eyes. Mortification caused her stomach to roll. “And it was my boss.” “Oh, well, I guess that blows any chances of getting a date with him.” Irritation crept up her spine. “What does that mean?” “Well, Dulcy, you really aren’t...well you are lacking in that department.” Her face burned hotter because she knew it was true. “Maybe I’ll date that judge and have him pay for mine, like he did for yours.” 11

A Calculated Seduction She clicked off the phone, ignored the flash of guilt she felt, and waited. Hoping against hope he would leave. No footsteps sounded and she knew he was still there. Knowing him, Ethan MacMillan was standing at the door, calmly waiting for her to answer. She’d never known a man with so much control over his emotions. She grabbed her nightshirt and put it on. As she walked through her postage stamp sized living area, she dropped the phone back in its cradle and slowly approached the door. Embarrassment flooded through her. A man like Ethan probably had his pick of good-looking women. Seeing a woman’s breasts was probably an everyday occurrence for him. So she’d act nonchalant. Like it was an everyday occurrence for her, too. Except it wasn’t an everyday occurrence. The last time a man had seen her breasts was so long ago, she was embarrassed to count the years. For the second or two she’d stood there, unable to move, his eyes had widened slightly and focused on her breasts. Her nipples tightened against the soft cotton fabric of her nightshirt when she remembered the way his eyes had darkened. She crossed her arms, trying to hide the fact her boss staring at her breasts turned her on. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the doorknob and yanked it open. Ethan stood, her briefcase in one hand and her towel in the other, his face void of expression. “You left your briefcase at the office, Miss Menendez.” No inflections, just a comment. Like he was commenting on the weather. “Thank you, Mr. MacMillan.” She took the offered briefcase and towel. “Ummm... You didn’t need to bring it all the way out here.” “No problem. The house I’m renting is just minutes from here.” Then nothing. He didn’t say a word and just looked over her shoulder into her apartment. “Was there anything else you wanted...er...needed, Mr. MacMillan?” 12

A Calculated Seduction He swallowed and then cleared his throat. “N...no. I’ll be going.” But he didn’t move. His eyes quickly dipped down to her chest and back up again. Her nipples tightened further. A flash of wet heat shot to her sex. She raised an eyebrow because if she said a word, her voice would surely crack. “Yes.” He visibly swallowed. “I’ll be going.” He hesitated once more, then turned and headed down the stairs to where he’d parked his car behind hers. She watched him get into his Jag and drive away. She shut the door and set her briefcase down. Just when she’d convinced herself brooding good looks didn’t attract her and at least she could control the urge to jump his bones, this had to happen. Well, she had two days to forget about him seeing her breasts. And maybe, just maybe, she’d forget the delicious wave of heat bouncing through her hormones. **** As Ethan walked up the path to his front door, he still couldn’t get the image of Dulcy in nothing but a pair of little red panties out of his head. He licked his lips. He was amazed he even noticed the tiny scrap of material, what with those two perfectly formed breasts in the vicinity. He shut the door behind him and walked to the kitchen. No matter what he did on his drive from her apartment, he couldn’t get the picture of her breasts out of his mind. He’d only seen them for a second of two before she slammed the door in his face, but what he had seen, he liked. Small and pert with coral nipples, slightly puckered, probably from the cool night breeze. It took every ounce of his control not to drop down on his knees, bang on the door and beg her for another peek. Or a lick. He cursed when his cock hardened. At the end of each day, he wondered how he functioned at work with all the blood drained out of his brain. It was going to make working with her unbearable. The woman was already driving him crazy, and now that he knew what 13

A Calculated Seduction her breasts looked like, it would be hard to carry on a conversation with her without licking his lips. He knew the next time he saw her, the memory of her sweet, luscious body would be superimposed over her clothes. He was just lucky she’d been so stunned, she hadn’t noticed his dick standing at attention. If she’d taken just a peek, he would have lost control. She would’ve been flat on her back in a matter of seconds. He opened the fridge and grabbed a beer. Deciding a nice cold shower was in order, he headed to the master bathroom. The phone rang and he changed his course to pick it up. “MacMillan.” “Yeah, MacMillan, it’s Todd. Got that info you needed on the stepfamily.” Todd was one of the few people in his security firm who knew why Ethan was at his uncle’s company. If Miss Menendez or her accomplice knew anyone in the biz, he didn’t want it getting back to either one of them. “What’cha got?” “Stepmommy and stepsisters are all up to their gills in debt. Although they each get quite a large stipend each month, it doesn’t support their lifestyle.” Some paper rustled, and he knew Todd was sitting at his desk in their Houston office, trying to find his notes. Not an easy task, given he used his desk as a filing cabinet. “They had all that money left from Menendez?” “Oh, no. Most of that is from her first husband, a Mr. Victor Deekes. He died of cancer about seven years before she hooked up with Menendez. According to what I found out, she allowed Menendez control over her money. He set it up as a trust for the three of them. All handled through an attorney.” “And Dul...Miss Menendez?” “Eleven more months and she’ll be loaded. And I mean loaded. Her father left her everything and she gets it when she turns twenty-five.” “Strange he would hold off on the money that way. Any indication why he did it?” 14

A Calculated Seduction “No. But the late Mr. Menendez was a self-made man. Started out with nothing and built his interests, a lot of it in real estate. And the stipulation was added to his will when Dulcy turned eighteen, apparently with her agreement. The heart embolism was, of course, a surprise. He’d just had a check up and no indication of any other heart problems. So it hadn’t been planned she’d drop out of school like that. She apparently landed on her feet.” “Yeah. Efficient, smart.” He tried to think about the investigation, but all he could think of was Dulcy at nineteen, innocent and alone. So very alone. He rubbed his chest and willed away the emotion. It didn’t give the woman the right to steal from his uncle. Irritation followed and he took it out on Todd. “Why did it take you so long to find all of this out?” he demanded. “Hey, give me a break here. I think I came up with the info pretty quick, boss. What about you? You should have been checking her out to begin with.” He’d been checking her out. Just the wrong kind of checking out. He really hadn’t seriously thought she could be a suspect. “Okay, is she overextended? What kind of debts does she have?” “None.” “None? What do you mean none? Everyone has some debt.” “Boss, this is one tight woman. She pays all her bills on time, carries no balances on her credit cards and has a tidy little savings.” “Then, why?” “Why, what?” “Why help someone help embezzle? She has no outstanding debts, is about to inherit a load of money, why steal?” “Maybe you’re wrong.” “No, Uncle Bill is positive.” He thought about the phone call he overheard. “Tonight I heard her talking to someone she owes money to. Maybe someone off the record.” “Could be. I could send out some feelers to some of my contacts in the area.” Todd was silent for a moment and Ethan 15

A Calculated Seduction knew he was mulling the idea over. “You sure this is your culprit? You know most people go off the record when they have nowhere else to turn. Usually in debt up to their eyeballs. With all of the transactions operated under different users, it’s hard to tell. Of course, she’s privy to all of that. “Uncle Bill said he thinks she’s helping someone. She knows a lot, but not everything. Bill’s the only one who would know that much. She needs someone who could give her information from the accounting area. She has to have someone in that division and that’s probably the person she’s helping. I’ll go through the list to try to figure out who she might be involved with.” “Yeah, well be careful of women doing anything in the name of love. My last ex damn near castrated me in the name of love.” “You shouldn’t have been cheating on her with her hairdresser.” After giving Todd a few more instructions, he hung up the phone with his stomach in knots. From the outside, Dulcy Menendez was a dedicated worker, someone who walked the straight and narrow. He rubbed his hand over his stomach. There had to be a man involved. It was the only reason a woman like her would do something so stupid. Envy crawled through his system. How would it feel to have a woman like that risk everything in her life because she loved him? Having the scrumptious Dulcy Menendez doing what he wanted... He definitely wouldn’t have her embezzling money. He’d have her down on her knees in front of him, her mouth on his cock. He took a final swig of beer and decided wishful thinking wasn’t getting him anywhere. **** Ethan’s tongue encircled her nipple. Then he grazed the tip of it with his teeth. She shuddered as her sex dampened and her whole body vibrated with sexual frustration. His fingers tweaked her other nipple. His callused fingers heightened her arousal. He moved from her breasts and kissed a path down her stomach, dipping his tongue in her belly button. Her pulse beat 16

A Calculated Seduction out of control. He settled himself between her legs and smiled up at her as she watched him lower his head to her pussy. Bang, bang, bang. Dulcy rolled over and tried to ignore the noise. It was Saturday morning and she was sleeping in. She didn’t care if a five hundred piece band walked through her apartment. She was not getting out of bed. She burrowed her head beneath her pillow and willed her dream lover to return. Unfortunately, the noise increased and was accompanied by Maude’s voice. “Dulcy! Don’t think you can get out of this! You promised,” Maude yelled through the door. She opened her eyes and closed them with a moan. If she ignored Maude, maybe she’d leave. The door was silent for a moment and Dulcy snuggled under her covers. Bang, bang, bang. “Open up or I’ll get that weekend manager who likes to catch women half dressed.” Dulcy jumped out of bed, grabbed her glasses and almost tripped as her feet were tangled in the sheets. She stomped over to the front door and yanked it open. Sunlight seared Dulcy’s eyes and she snapped them shut. Maude chuckled and Dulcy opened her eyes to give the woman a dirty look. She wore one of her old powder blue beautician’s jackets, her hair and make up were perfect, and she held a bag filled with God only knew what. “Well, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you’d had a hot date who kept you up last night.” Her voice held her usual cheerful tone. God, it should be against the law to be that happy in the morning. She grumbled and stepped back to let Maude in. She shut the door and then went in search of the coffee she smelled. After getting a cup of it, she slowly walked to the living area and collapsed on her sofa. “I’d like a cup of coffee too, but don’t worry yourself, I’ll get it,” Maude said sarcastically. 17

A Calculated Seduction Dulcy didn’t care. If she had to put up with the torture of having her hair cut and colored, she didn’t have to be nice. Besides, she thought squinting at the VCR clock, it was eight in the morning. “Maude! It’s eight in the morning. I do not do eight on Saturdays.” Maude didn’t say a word as she settled herself next to Dulcy. She took a sip of coffee before saying anything. “Dulcy, we have a lot to do and if you’re getting Richy tonight, we need to get to work.” “You said just a haircut.” There was no way she was pouring hot wax on her. “And highlights and a few other little things.” She shot Maude another dirty look. “Why me? Why do you want to bug me?” “Well,” Maude said, and looked out the window. “I’m just sort of at loose ends today. With Bill busy with his nephew...” she shrugged. Great, guilt. And she did feel guilty. Maude had always been there to talk to, to laugh with. They did all the things she figured a young woman might do with her mother. “Okay, but no wax.” “You’d look so much better with your eyebrows—” “No, no way. I do not do wax.” Maude finally looked at her and smiled. Her eyes twinkled with excitement. “Okay, but we need to get to work.” She grabbed her bag and marched to the small dining table. Dulcy followed and then stood by while Maude retrieved an assortment of items from her bag of torture. She pulled out a plastic hat covered with holes. “What are you going to do with all of that?” “Don’t you never mind.” She placed that on the table and continued to empty the bag. After she finished, Dulcy was amazed there was any room left on the table. An assortment of bottles, boxes, scissors and combs littered the surface. “If it takes this much to make me beautiful, why don’t I just give in and go to the plastic surgeon?” 18

A Calculated Seduction “Very funny.” She grabbed the chair and pulled it to the sink. “Sit down and let’s get started.” The first argument stared over the length of her hair. But after ten minutes, Dulcy gave in and Maude whacked a good twelve inches off. Snipping the extra inches away added body and lightened the weight of her thick hair. Then Maude placed a strange looking cap on her head and tortured her with a plastic hook. Sticking the hook into each hole, she yanked strands of Dulcy’s hair through. Once done with that, she lathered her hair with foul smelling goop. After that, Dulcy stopped resisting and decided she’d gone so far, why complain. Maude even had her talked into waxing. “I have to say,” Maude said three hours later, “with those blonde highlights in your hair and your eyebrows shaped, your eyes are more noticeable.” Dulcy studied herself in the mirror, moving her head from side to side, marveling at the body added to her hair. “Yeah.” Her eyes did indeed look like they had changed color from ordinary brown to topaz. Without the extra weight holding it down, her hair bounced. **** “Ethan will definitely be amazed.” “Ethan?” Then everything connected. She turned around and looked at Maude. “Maude, did you and Bill cook this up together? Because I have to tell you, you two picked the last two people who should be thrown together.” “Why not?” “Why not?” Why not indeed? Because he was tall and handsome and sometimes, when he looked at her with those gray eyes of his, her heart jumped into her throat and she forgot her last name. “Ethan can have his pick of any Dallas deb. Why would someone like that be interested in me? Besides, he’s not my type.” “Not your type?” Maude shook her head and crossed her arms. “Honey, from what I’ve heard, that man is any woman’s type.” She snorted and walked out of the bathroom. Just thinking about Ethan had her thinking about last night. And last night 19

A Calculated Seduction brought memories of how his eyes heated at the sight of her breasts. Tingles chased along her spine down to the tips of her toes. “I’m sure he’s more into...women who are more attractive. Besides, he’s my boss. I like to keep everything on a professional basis at work.” Of course, she’d never heard flashing your boss was professional, but by Monday, she was sure Ethan would have forgotten everything. **** Monday morning, as usual, Dulcy arrived at work before everyone else. She liked to get in, look over any email from the night or weekend before, and check over Ethan’s schedule for the day. It was a habit she’d developed while working for Bill. With Ethan, it was essential. The man never seemed to rest and if she didn’t get in early, her day would be longer than it’d been since he arrived. As the elevator climbed to her floor, she thought about her weekend with her nephew. Richy had not been any happier about her change in appearance than her stepsister, Tori, had been. He was worried now that she looked like a girl, if she’d be able to make it to his baseball games. Tori just gave her a disapproving look, shaking her head as if to say, no matter what, you pale in comparison to me. Which no one had to tell Dulcy. She may look different with her new hair and clothes, but Dulcy would never compete with her beauty contestant stepfamily. She stepped off the elevator and headed down the hall. When her father had married Clarice, she hadn’t been upset. It had been so many years since her mother’s death, she was happy he had found someone. And, although they were never intentionally mean, having two tall, gorgeous blondes around never did help anyone’s self-image. Especially that of an average, mousy nerd of a sister. She sighed as she reached the office door and paused when she noticed the light on. Testing the doorknob, she found it unlocked and opened it, hoping Ethan hadn’t beaten her to the office. She wanted to be busy with work when he arrived. 20

A Calculated Seduction Slowly, she opened the door and smiled when she found Bill MacMillan sitting at her desk behind her computer. “Mr. MacMillan!” He started and turned around. A frown transformed into his trademark smile when he recognized her. “Dulcy, how are you doing, young lady?” She dropped her briefcase and rounded her desk. He stood when she reached him and held out his arms for a hug. He hugged her tight, almost squeezing the breath out of her. “Let me take a look at you, Dulcy.” She stood back but took hold of his hands. “Why, I do believe Maude got a hold of you this weekend.” “Well, I had the outfit, but yes, she convinced me to cut my hair.” She’d bought the red suit years earlier but never had the nerve to wear it. It hugged her larger than fashionable hips and bottom. “Do you like it?” She moved her head from side to side, really amazed at how much lighter it felt. “You know, you look just like your mama. She sure was a beauty, just like her daughter.” She blushed, even though she knew he was just joking with her. “I’ve missed you.” “Now don’t tell me that handsome nephew of mine is making you work too hard.” “Oh, no.” She didn’t want them to get in an argument about Ethan so soon after being reunited. “It’s just not the same without you.” His blue eyes studied her for a moment, long enough to make her uncomfortable. “Is there another reason for the transformation, Dulcy?” “Another reason?” He sighed, then his lips curved up slightly. “Do you have the hots for my nephew?” “Yes, Miss Menendez, do you have the hots for me?” Ethan asked from the doorway. 21

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Chapter 3 Dulcy’s sun-kissed skin turned rosy and Ethan’s pulse accelerated, his blood warmed. Attraction zinged along his senses as his cock twitched. The woman was dangerous and didn’t even know it. Which made her even more lethal. Her manner was usually distant, but he was sure after Friday night, it would be hard for her to keep that distance. Do you have the hots for my nephew? Now he wished he had let her answer. Did she have the hots for him? And what the hell were the two of them talking about to have Bill ask that? And why the hell did he even care? “Now, Ethan, don’t embarrass the girl,” Bill admonished. He turned to look at his uncle. Just a few years shy of seventy, Bill still had the look and strength of a man who loved life. He was an inch shorter than Ethan, had a shock of white hair and blue eyes. Ethan still regretted the years they’d spent apart, the years he’d spent avoiding his parents. “I’m not embarrassing Miss Menendez anymore than you were.” “How was I embarrassing her? I was just giving her a compliment on how nice she looked.” He turned his attention back to Dulcy. She did indeed look different. She’d had all of her hair cut off and it curled just under her chin. Also, she’d done something to lighten it or something. Her dark brown eyes seemed somewhat lighter with golden flecks, bringing a sparkle to her face. And the way she was dressed! 22

A Calculated Seduction She finally wore a suit worthy of her body. Fire engine red, it hugged her hips and that great rounded ass. The color of the suit deepened the honey in her skin, making it glow. Without his permission, his eyes dipped down to her cleavage. The fitted jacket showed just a hint of her breasts, but he knew what they looked like. Soft, sweet, with rosebud nipples. He licked his lips. She cleared her throat and he looked up. Her face matched her suit and his smile widened. She blinked once and then turned away. He watched as she hurried to make the coffee. The feminine sway of her hips mesmerized him. His eyes dipped lower. The skirt stopped mid-thigh. Other than the other night, he’d never seen her legs. She’d always worn long skirts that barely showed a hint of ankle. Now he couldn’t take his eyes off them. Not overly long, but supple with just a touch of muscular definition to them. His balls drew tight at the thought of having them wrapped around his waist. Now Uncle Bill cleared his throat. Ethan turned to face him. One bushy white eyebrow was raised and one side of his lips curved into a crooked smile. Uncomfortable with what Bill’s smile implied, Ethan decided to change the subject. “What are you doing here, Bill?” “Just thought I’d go over some things with you about the promotion we’re doing with the Professional Bull-Riders’ Association.” By supporting various events with the PBA, MacMillan Boots promoted their boots and western wear. “We went over those this weekend.” “Oh...I forgot about that.” He scratched his head and a knot of worry formed in Ethan’s stomach. Bill had been the one person he could always count on. Sharp as a tack, he’d started MacMillan Boots with very little money and a keen mind for business. Since his return, though, Ethan had noticed Bill’s memory failing him more often than not. He supposed it was a natural sign of aging, but it still didn’t make it any easier to accept. He’d spent too many years away. 23

A Calculated Seduction “It doesn’t matter. I don’t have anything this morning, do I, Miss Menendez?” He glanced at Dulcy. Worry clouded her eyes as she looked from his uncle to him. He knew she was also worried about Bill. “No, nothing until after lunch. You told me you wanted the morning free to work on that new computer program.” “Come on, Bill, I’ll show you the promotion and maybe you can help me with the computer.” Bill laughed and followed Ethan into the office that used to be his just a few months earlier. Ethan hadn’t done much to change it, having left most of his personal mementos at his Houston office. The office had a view of downtown Fort Worth, and on a low smog day, you could see as far as The Stockyards, a popular tourist spot where the worldfamous Billy Bob’s honky-tonk was located. Over forty years of Bill’s mementos filled the room. Pictures of him as a young man working at a boot factory in Justin, Texas to pictures with Bill’s deceased wife, Adelaine, graced the walls and credenza sitting behind the massive oak desk. He even had one area filled with pictures of Ethan from his preschool years through his time as a Marine. “It must feel kind of strange coming into the office.” “No. Not really.” Silence filled the office and feeling a little uncomfortable, Ethan busied himself with turning on his computer. “I know I asked you here to help me, but I want you to understand Dulcinea Menendez is off limits.” Ethan looked up, surprised at the steel in his uncle’s voice. He straightened, crossed his arms over his chest and looked him in the eye. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “I mean you can’t play around with a gal like her. She’s the type of woman who wants to settle down, have a few kids.” A jolt of jealousy soured his stomach. The thought Miss Dulcy Menendez would get married and live happily ever after bothered him. Why, he didn’t know, but it bothered him all the same. “If you think so highly of her, why do you think she’s embezzling from the company?” 24

A Calculated Seduction Uncertainty filled Bill’s eyes and he looked away. “Yeah, well, I never said she did the act. The good Lord knows she won’t need the money in less than a year. Just helped someone. And even though she is pretty sharp, I can see her being used and not knowing it. Maybe she thinks she’s helping the person.” Bill shrugged. Ethan knew how he felt. Her personality just didn’t fit the role of conspirator. But someone with access to the files had moved accounts around, trying to cover the tracks of the embezzler. Only Bill, Dulcy and now Ethan, had access to those accounts in such a way they could hide any movement of money. “And you think I should stay away from her because you think I’m not good enough for her.” “Now, Ethan, I never said that, but you’re ruthless when you’re looking for an answer. It’s one of the reasons you’re so good at what you do. But, I don’t want you to think you can use her to get the embezzler.” “Bill—” He held up his hand to forestall Ethan’s argument. “I don’t want that girl used. She has enough to worry about with that family of hers. And I remember just how devastated she was when her father died. Never asked Clarice for a penny and dropped out of college. She’d planned on switching schools to be with that Jason Fellows. I convinced her I needed her here, but she wouldn’t take the high salary I offered. She’s got gumption and I don’t want you to mess with her.” Ethan nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me about her trust fund?” Bill’s eyes widened. “I guess I kinda forgot.” Ethan let it go, but he still couldn’t fight the irritation racing through him at the thought Dulcy Menendez had been engaged. **** Luckily for Dulcy, Bill kept Ethan occupied for the next few hours. Not only had she embarrassed herself on Friday night, her boss now thought she had been discussing him with his uncle. She’d had plenty to keep her busy. Most of the day, she worked on the new promotion Bill had contracted just before 25

A Calculated Seduction Ethan came on board. He’d gotten the top moneymaking bull rider that year to promote their boots and western wear. No small feat for MacMillan Boots. They weren’t the smallest boot company out there, but they were far from the biggest. Bill had convinced Gerald Dillon to become their spokesman. And he’d done it with less money than Gerry had been offered from some of the bigger companies. Bill could convince anyone to do anything. He lived for the sale. Dulcy was different. Although she liked her job, she knew she never wanted to move up into a competitive position like sales or marketing. She didn’t have the shark teeth for it. Her job was to look over the ad print, make sure the contracts were signed and generally make sure Gerry was happy. Mr. MacMillan’s door opened and Dulcy looked up from the press release. Both men were smiling. Even though he drove her crazy, she was happy Ethan had returned to help Bill. More and more, Bill’s memory seemed to be failing. The last few months he worked, he’d never been able to remember his password. She’d gotten so frustrated, he began to use hers to get into the confidential files only privy to the two of them. Her attention shifted to the younger man. Lord, he was handsome. Not by today’s standards, where she found some movie stars too pretty for her tastes. She preferred her men more masculine. And Ethan was definitely that. Even in his professional attire, she could make out his hardened muscles. With each move he made, he oozed sexuality. All that jet black hair, given to curl now it had grown a bit in the past few months, and his gray eyes lightened when he smiled. The now familiar zing shot straight to her hormones at the sight of that rare smile. Just staring at him had her nipples tightening and her panties damp. His face was not perfect with his broken nose and the scar right above his eyebrow. The same eyebrow, which was now arched in question. “Dulcy, you’re coming Saturday night, aren’t you?” Bill asked. 26

A Calculated Seduction “What?” Her face heated when she realized from their expressions they knew she’d been studying Ethan. “Saturday night...the Gala to welcome Gerry into our family. You are coming, aren’t you?” “Oh. Yes, of course. I’m coming.” “Good.” He turned to head out the door, then turned back around. “You know, since you two live so close together, it would make sense if Ethan just picked you on his way to the hotel.” Ethan’s eyes widened a little at the suggestion but no other expression let her know what he was thinking. She turned back to Bill. “Oh, I don’t want Mr. MacMillan to go to any trouble.” “It would be no trouble for me to give you a ride.” His voice deepened when he said the word ride. If she didn’t know better, she would’ve thought he was insinuating something other than a ride in a car. The image of straddling Ethan, sinking down on his cock, rose in her mind. She swallowed and willed the image away. “But...I get there so early to make sure everything is—” “Now, Miss Menendez,” his voice dripped with sarcasm. “Are you telling me you need to be there before the boss?” She looked at him and his mocking smile. “Why not? I get here every day before you.” He laughed out loud, a rather rusty sound, as if his body wasn’t used to the emotion. She realized it was the first time she’d ever heard him laugh. “That’s a good one, Miss Menendez. See ya later, Bill.” Still chuckling, he turned and went into his office, shutting the door behind him. “You know, I think working here has been good for him. He didn’t have a happy childhood. My brother and his wife were not cut out to be parents.” Bill shook his head. “And then there was me and Adelaide, wanting to have children so desperately, never getting any.” “But you had Ethan.” “Well, what little I saw of him. His father got mad at me, and, well, he never really forgave me. Their marriage was not the best and they lived apart for most of it. Sad thing was, that boy in there 27

A Calculated Seduction was ignored for most of his childhood. Except when they needed to get back at one another. We tried to convince his parents to let us have him for part of the year, but Sid thought of him as a possession.” Her heart ached for the child he’d been. Shifted from one parent to another. She’d met Sid once before his death four years ago. He was a sad, bitter man. What little she saw of him, she didn’t like. When Bill started his business years ago, his brother and he were in it together. They had a few rough years and Sid had wanted out. He had met Diane Simmons, a wealthy socialite whose daddy wanted someone to groom for his chain of clothing stores. Bill had tried his best to keep him with the company, but Sid wanted out and almost broke Bill financially with the price tag. Five years later, MacMillan Boots was going gangbusters and Sid regretted selling out. But Bill expected more money then Sid was willing to offer. Their relationship was never the same after that. She shuddered when she thought about what life must have been like for a child with a father like that and the cold mother Diane must have been. “Well, no reason to go all mopey on you. I need to get going. Maude and I are golfing today. If I’m late, the woman will snatch me bald-headed.” She smiled and said goodbye. As she settled back at her desk, she began to worry about Saturday night. She hadn’t even thought about what to wear and now she had to go with her boss. She’d accompanied Bill to many functions, but this was different. Ethan MacMillan was different. A six-foot-two hunk of man. All muscles and brooding personality. Just the thought of being in his car, smelling his sandalwood aftershave, seeing what he looked like in a tux, sent a shiver through her. He was devastating in a business suit, but in formal wear, he’d be life threatening. And she had to spend the whole time with him. She would have to stand next to him, knowing other women wondered what the two of them were doing together. And all the while, she knew the only thing that would be in her mind. Ethan MacMillan had seen her breasts. 28

A Calculated Seduction **** Ethan spent most of the morning dealing with the regular issues of running MacMillan Boots. With the upcoming Gala, he knew a lot of the little details were being taken care of by Miss Menendez. Strike that, Dulcy. He just couldn’t think of her as anything else. He’d seen her breasts. Heck, he’d spent most of his weekend nights dreaming of her. When he’d first taken the job, he’d had a hard time ignoring his baser instincts. The ones that told him to shackle her to his bed and fuck her until she couldn’t walk. And it was getting worse. During his shower that morning, Ethan had fantasized about Dulcy joining him. Just imagining her breasts with water running down them, dripping off those wonderful nipples as she kneeled in front of him, taking his cock in her mouth... Good God! He was doing it again! He had to get that woman out of his mind. A sharp little knock at the door sounded and she entered. Most of the day, she’d avoided eye contact. “Mr. MacMillan, they faxed over the itinerary for Saturday night.” She handed him a few sheets of papers. He glanced at them, but really didn’t read them. “You’re lucky Bill is escorting Gerry.” “Not fun to be around, I take it.” “Oh, he’s a load of laughs if you like spending time with an octopus.” Anger rose fast and hard. “He touched you?” Her eyes widened behind her glasses and then she chuckled. “Oh, no. Gerry would never be interested in me.” “And why is that?” “Umm, I’m not sure. I just know he wouldn’t leave Janice in accounting alone. Well, until her body builder hubby showed up. Gerry was a choir boy after that.” “Oh.” It was the only thing he could think of to say. Really, he couldn’t think of anything else. She was finally making eye contact and he’d lost his train of thought. Her eyes were no longer muddy brown but gold, almost topaz really. 29

A Calculated Seduction “Mr. MacMillan?” Her brow furrowed in concern and then he realized what he had been doing. He’d been staring at her like a fourteen-year-old with a crush on his Sunday school teacher. A very hot Sunday School teacher. He cleared his throat and shifted in his chair, trying to ease the ache in his balls. “Yes, well if that’s all, I have some calls to make.” His voice was rougher then he intended. “Sure thing, Mr. MacMillan.” She turned to leave and he couldn’t help watching the feminine sway of her rounded hips. That suit hugged her hips and bottom, accentuating her attributes. When she finally closed the door behind her, he cursed. Desire throbbed through him, unquenched and unrelenting. He leaned his head on the back of his chair and took a deep breath. If he didn’t find the embezzler soon, he’d have to find himself a woman. The problem was, the woman he wanted was his prime suspect. The phone rang, breaking his morbid thoughts. “MacMillan.” “Yeah, Todd here. Not much to go on, but I do know one of the computer nerds apparently dated your Miss Menendez for a month or two a few months ago.” “Oh really.” “Yeah, and that would fit.” It would fit. All of the suspicious transactions had been from various servers, different IDs. They had thought all along that someone in the computer department might be in on it. With Dulcy’s knowledge and the mystery man’s access, it would be easy. Ethan’s stomach coiled tight. “Anything else?” “Yeah. And there was another one this morning.” He sat straighter in his chair. “What user?” “It’s your trust fund baby. Miss Dulcinea Menendez.”

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Chapter 4 Ethan’s stomach wrenched. “From her computer.” “Yes, in fact...” Todd said and papers rustled. “Ah, here we go. Over the last two months, her computer was used several times.” “What times in the morning?” Was she actually helping that scum while he sat in his office? “Most were very early, before work hours. A few times around six, some around seven. It might mean she knows we suspect her.” “Changing times. Yeah, we could miss that.” He chewed on that bit of information. “We have no proof.” “No. We can’t prove she used her computer. It could have been anyone, including you or your uncle.” “Get a grip, Denison. You know damn well we have no reason to embezzle.” “Hey, I’m just giving you the arguments a lawyer would. Although her password should be secure, you can’t prove you or Bill didn’t use it. Also, think about all the people in the computing area who could easily access her information. You said yourself the security in that place was like a sieve.” A little spark of hope flamed to life. Maybe someone had used her computer. If they had her password... “Chances are it’s her though. Still, nothing on her finances but that family of hers... Have you met them?” “No.” 31

A Calculated Seduction “Ahh, well you might want to. Both stepsisters were former Miss Dallases and one was a runner up for Miss Texas. Mom made it to the top ten.” He grunted while he mulled over his options. “So, you think it’s her.” “Yeah, or at least someone she knows who has access to her computer. Have you seen anyone hanging around?” “No. Other than my uncle.” “Well, if I were you, I’d put a tail on her. That way, you might be able to catch who she’s working with. She date?” “How the hell should I know?” The thought of her, with her perfect breasts and those little red panties, on a date Friday night sent a wave of jealousy through him. “Yeah, wait. She said she had plans Friday night. She was here late, but said ‘he would wait’. I had to drop something off that night, but there was no one there. Although I didn’t go inside.” He grunted. Some man could have been in there with her. That same man could have been the one to peel off those lacy panties, slide his fingers over her succulent flesh, taste her skin, sink his cock into her tight, wet pussy. “Any changes?” Todd asked, bringing him back to the conversation. “Changes?” “In car, home, looks. You know the drill, MacMillan.” Think, MacMillan. It was kind of hard to do with only a few drops of blood in his brain. The drill. Changes in her lifestyle or appearance. Yeah, that was it. Dulcy, with her stylish suit and cute little haircut, materialized in his mind. “Yeah. Had a makeover this weekend. New clothes.” “Sounds to me like she’s trying to impress a man.” Yeah it did, he thought, as the little ray of hope extinguished with the signs of her guilt. “So, what do you suggest?” “Boss, you know better than I do. You’re the best at it. You need to get closer to Miss Menendez.” 32

A Calculated Seduction “We’re going to the Gala together on Saturday, thanks to my Uncle Bill.” “Well, there ya go.” After hanging up the phone, he thought about the situation with Dulcy. He couldn’t believe a woman like her would give up everything for a guy. And now he had to pretend to be trying to seduce her. He stood, frustrated with himself and with Dulcy. Thanks to her, he had to get closer to her, lie to her, try to find out all her secrets. He’d done it hundreds of times before, but he drew the line at sleeping with the women. It had never bothered him to do a little lying between a few kisses. Every one of them had turned out to be implicated somehow. But with Dulcy...well, with her it was going to be hard to remember where to draw that line. **** For the next two days, Dulcy silently fretted about Saturday night. She wasn’t really comfortable going with Ethan MacMillan, but she didn’t see a way out of it. Oh, she was sure he didn’t see it as a date and she wondered who he’d planned to take before she’d been dumped in his lap. That one thought conjured up a whole other image of being in his lap, in his chair, in his office. Naked. “Dulcy?” Her face heated when she realized Pete had come into the office and she hadn’t really noticed. Here she was, sitting at her desk, daydreaming about screwing her boss. “From the look on your face, you were thinking naughty thoughts.” She smiled as he settled in one of the chairs in front of her desk. Peter was just a couple of years older than she was herself. Unlike so many of the other men in the computer department, he usually spent time on his appearance. Just a shade under six feet, he kept his light brown hair military short and his chin free of whiskers. Today, he’d dressed in a dark gray suit, red shirt and black tie. 33

A Calculated Seduction They’d shared lunch a few times, and she even went to the movies or out to dinner with him a couple of times. Why couldn’t she be attracted to him, instead of Ethan? Oh, yeah, Pete was gay. “You never mind my thoughts. What are you doing here anyway?” “I’d planned on seeing if you wanted to go together Saturday night, but word has it, you have a date with the boss.” Her face heated again. “I have no such thing. Bill just wanted us to go together.” “Uh huh.” “Really, I went with Bill all the time and no one thought it was a date.” “I hate to break it to ya, hon, but Bill is an old man. Now, the new boss is six-foot-three of hunk.” “If you like him so much, why don’t you go out with him?” “Oh, because I get strong heterosexual vibes off that one. Besides, he wants you.” Heat slid through her, charging her hormones, warming her blood. “He does not.” He said nothing for a moment and just watched her. “Yes, he does. You don’t pay attention, but you should’ve seen the way he was watching you when we were talking yesterday in the break room. The man was practically screaming he’d staked his claim.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not his type.” “Why do you say that?” “He reminds me of someone one of my sisters would date.” “Good Lord. Why do you say that?” “Tall, handsome, rich. Their three requirements.” “Ah, but you forgot the fourth. He doesn’t strike me as the kind of man who likes to be led around.” He stood and studied her for a moment. “Do you have anything to wear Saturday night?” “Yes.” Pete groaned. “Not that horrible beige thing?” She crossed her arms. “I like that dress.” 34

A Calculated Seduction “Dulcy, I love you. You know that, don’t you?” She nodded and he breathed in a deep breath. “You’re the only person who likes that dress. Why don’t we run to the mall for lunch tomorrow? We’ll do some noontime shopping. Unless you’d like to run out Friday night?” “No, I have Richy again this Friday night.” She’d worn that dress to the last three functions and maybe it was getting a little worn out. “How about Saturday?” Pete was already shaking his head. “Got plans. How about Sunday?’ “No. Brunch with the family.” Pete made a face and she laughed. “Guess we can do it sometime next week at lunch,” he said. “That sounds great. But it will have sleeves. The last dress you tried to get me to buy had no sleeves, no back and barely a front.” He chuckled. “It’s a date then.” He turned to leave and practically ran into Ethan standing at the door. She wondered if that man made it a habit to eavesdrop on his employees. Pete apparently wasn’t nervous. But heat rushed to her face. It had to be nerves. “Hello, Mr. MacMillan,” Pete said with a smile on his face. He shoved his hands in his pants’ pockets. **** “Anderson,” Ethan practically spat out. Jealousy pumped through him as he studied the man. He had a date with her on Saturday night and here she was making one with this nerd for who knew when. “Is it a habit of yours to spend your time bothering Miss Menendez when you should be working?” Although Dulcy’s eyes widened in alarm, the jackass smile widened at Ethan’s lethal tone. “No, just usually on my own time. Don’t forget about our date tomorrow, hon.” And he drifted past Ethan out the door. “Miss Menendez, would you care to explain why you’re picking up men while working?” Okay, so he sounded like a jerk, but he just couldn’t help it. That slick-talking jerk had rubbed him the wrong way and he didn’t want anyone poaching on his goods. 35

A Calculated Seduction Uncertainty flashed in her eyes. Then they narrowed in anger. “For your information, Mr. MacMillan, I’ve been working more overtime than this company could ever afford. If I take five minutes to talk to a friend, that’s my own business. Besides, Pete was on his way out the door and just stopped in. It is past five. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going home. It’s been a long week and since I have to work Saturday night, I think I have every right to leave right now.” With choppy movements, she shut down her computer and locked her desk. Anger rolled off her in waves. His heartbeat accelerated and damn near busted one of his ribs as he watched her. He’d never seen her so pissed, or so arousing. She grabbed her purse and briefcase and stood, shoving the chair under her desk. With angry little steps, she marched until she stood within a foot of him. “Now, if you will excuse me, I’m heading out for the day.” Her face was flushed, her voice irritated and he just couldn’t help himself. He stepped forward, grabbed her by her upper arms and drew her to him. The scent of peaches reached him, aroused him. He’d never be able to eat a pie again without thinking of her. Without pausing to explain, he crushed his lips to hers, allowing all the frustration he’d felt for the past several weeks to fuel the kiss. This was no simple peck or even a lover’s sensual brush. Bruising and intense, he didn’t expect her to respond. But she did. Oh man, did she ever! Instead of retreating like any sane woman would, she returned the kiss with an intensity that almost buckled his knees. She dropped her purse and briefcase and wrapped her arms around his neck. He slid his around her little waist and pulled her closer, his lips still devouring her. His hands crept slowly down her slender back and continued to her rounded ass. He took a cheek in each hand and squeezed, eliciting a moan from her. Heat curled in his belly, forcing any blood still in his brain south. His cock was hard and heavy and ready to burst. He traced the seam of her lips with his tongue and she immediately opened it with a moan. He invaded and her tongue 36

A Calculated Seduction tangled with his, enjoying its minty taste. She pressed her soft body closer, rubbing against him and causing him to groan. Pain and pleasure flowed through him. He needed her and he couldn’t wait. Slowly, he backed her to her desk. His lips left hers and kissed a path down her neck. Soft and succulent, her skin tasted of peaches. Dulcy bent her head to one side, allowing him further access. “Ethan.” Her voice, husky and dripping with unspent passion, sent shock waves slicing through him. His hand encircling her waist lifted her onto her desk and he stepped in between her legs. His fingers worked the buttons on her jacket and within moments, he was shoving it aside. He stepped back to see the treasure he unearthed, when the phone rang. Dulcy’s half-closed eyes widened and he could recognize the moment awareness of the situation descended. Her face flushed with embarrassment and she grabbed the phone, avoiding all eye contact. “MacMillan Boots, Ethan MacMillan’s office, Dulcy speaking.” Her desire still showed in the huskiness of her voice, but her stiff posture told him everything he needed to know. She regretted the kiss and now she felt guilty. “Gerry, Mr. MacMillan is a little...” She glanced down at his cock standing at attention. He would’ve laughed if that one little glance didn’t send another rush of heat straight to his groin. He could feel moisture already wetting the head. He stepped back and walked away from her because he couldn’t keep his hands off her. Even now with her embarrassment and him knowing what he did was totally out of line, he wanted to grab the phone, throw it out the window and feast on all her curves for the rest of the night. “He’s a little busy at the moment. Gerry, I told you that. I don’t care. There is no reason to bother Mr. MacMillan about something so silly.” Her voice rose and took on a schoolmarm tone. “I told you I took care of it. Yes, well, I’m sure you’ll be happy. Okay. Bye.” When he turned around, she had already buttoned her jacket and straightened her glasses. A tinge of red still colored her cheeks, but she looked him in the eye. 37

A Calculated Seduction “Problems?” he asked. His voice still held a hint of arousal and was rougher than usual. She shrugged and gathered up her things. “Just Gerry being Gerry. He called about the limo.” “He hasn’t been calling a lot, has he?” Dulcy turned around and looked at him, wondering how he could carry on a normal conversation. Her heart was still beating a million miles a minute and her breasts were heavy and tight. Her body vibrated with arousal. She shifted her legs, trying to ease the ache in her sex. Every thought in her mind centered on ripping off his shirt and running her hands over his chest. Other than the bulge in his pants, he showed no discomfort. “No. The problem is he always wants to talk to you. There’s no reason, but Gerry thinks he deserves your undivided attention.” She pushed her glasses back up her nose. “If that’s all?” Irritation clouded his eyes. “No, that is not all, Miss Menendez.” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “I think we should discuss what just went on.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the front of her desk. The same desk she almost had sex on. Good night! She’d almost had sex on her desk. With Ethan MacMillan. There was no way she could sit there tomorrow and not think about that. “It was just a kiss.” Her voice sounded uncertain, even to her. “That was not just a kiss.” She sniffed. “Well, what would you call it?” He stood, then shifted from one foot to the other. “I’d call it one of the most erotic occurrences in my life.” She snorted. “You don’t believe me?” he asked. “No, I don’t.” “Well, maybe,” he said as he stalked closer. Wickedness darkened his eyes, a wolfish grin curved his delicious mouth. “Maybe we need to test that theory with another kiss.”

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Chapter 5 “What?” Dulcy screamed as she inched closer to the door. From the look on her face and the tone of her voice, Ethan was mildly irritated. You’d think he’d asked her for her firstborn. The image of Dulcy rounded with child, his child, flashed through his mind before he could stop it. Oddly enough, his cock twitched again. He shook his head to clear the image, but the affects of it still lingered. “Dulcy—” “No, Mr. MacMillan. We need to pretend this never happened.” “Pretend it never happened?” “Yes. It was just...just...” He continued to pursue her as she moved closer to the door and he realized he must resemble a leopard stalking his prey. Stopping, he decided to reason with her. “Dulcy.” “Miss Menendez,” she said, but at least she’d stopped trying to get out of the office. He ground his teeth. “Miss Menendez, there is no reason to think that this—” “This is not going to happen again, Mr. MacMillan.” From the militant look on her upturned face, she actually believed that load of crap. “I cannot have things like that going on where I work.” He nodded, not knowing what else to say. He wasn’t agreeing, just trying to calm her nerves. There was no way he would ever agree not to touch her, not to kiss her again. 39

A Calculated Seduction “Now, I’m going home and tomorrow morning, we pretend like nothing happened.” Fat chance. “Is that understood?” He nodded again, knowing he was lying even if he didn’t say a word. Acting as if he’d never touched her skin, tasted her passion...impossible. Relief softened her features and she smiled. He fought the urge to kiss her again. “Good. I’m going now.” She slipped out the door without another word. There was no way he would be able to forget what happened. The sooner he cleared her of the embezzling and nailed the jackass she was helping, he’d teach Miss Menendez exactly why there would be no forgetting this incident. As he walked back to his office, he took a deep breath and the peachy scent of her filled his senses. She was ripe for the picking, he was sure of that. **** Dulcy shivered as she hurried through the parking lot to her car. November in north Texas could be warm to freezing, depending on Mother Nature. The day had started out balmy, but at close to six that evening, the blue norther had caused the temperature to plummet. Even by the time she reached her car, her heart was still beating out of control. After several attempts, she finally managed to unlock her car door. Dulcy’s hands still shook as she sat in the driver’s seat. Her whole body hummed. In all her life, she’d never been kissed like that. Jason, her ex-fiancé, had been sweet and gentle. Her one and only lover had not prepared her for the overpowering sensuality of that one kiss with Ethan. Kissing Ethan had been more erotic than sex had ever been with Jason. Shaking her head, she started her car and drove out of the parking lot. She needed to quit thinking about it. Just move on. Forget everything that happened after Pete left them alone. Forget his hands skimming down her back, his lips hard against hers. 40

A Calculated Seduction Forget that she was ready to jump on her desk, strip off her clothes and... She slammed on her brakes to avoid the stopped car in front of her. Good going, Menendez. Explain that one. Oh, officer, I’m so sorry, but I was thinking about jumping my boss’s bones and lost track of where I was. Sighing, she followed the car in front of her to eight twenty. What she needed was a good night’s sleep. But thinking about his hands on her bottom and his lips on her neck, she knew sleep would be hard to come by that night. **** Thursday afternoon found Ethan in another meeting about the upcoming promotion with Gerry Dillon. Ethan hated meetings. Irritation built into a headache. He thoroughly detested being cooped up in an office with people he found more boring than his ex-fiancée’s parents. The only thing worth it was Dulcy’s presence. As the various departments reported on various projects and promotions linked with Gerry Dillon, Ethan kept his anticipation of Dulcy’s report in check. She handled the planning of the Gala, all the little details everyone else hated. He sat there, just waiting for her to take control of the meeting so he could stare at her without people speculating. Anticipation curled through him. She was next on the agenda. Sad, MacMillan. Real sad. He studied her, patiently listening to some whiny department head nervously explain about the influx of orders that would inevitably swamp them after their national campaign began next week. She smiled reassuringly at the man, who stuttered when he noticed. Ethan saw red. Why the hell did the woman have to give her attention to someone other than him? He knew he was attractive. He’d have to be stupid not to notice the looks, or the offers, he received from women. And he didn’t care if he sounded like a three-year-old. He wanted to be the only one Dulcy smiled at like that. 41

A Calculated Seduction But she hadn’t smiled like that at him lately. She was apparently sticking to her absurd idea they would both forget about what happened last week. He’d been a perfect gentleman, trying his best not to arouse her temper, or her suspicions. She had no reason to be suspicious of him. Well, he was investigating her. She didn’t know that. All she knew was he wanted her. She sat to his left, taking notes with Anderson on her left. Each time she moved, a wave of her scent reached him. Musky peach. He leaned closer, trying to drink in the essence of her. She licked her lips, then grazed her lower one with her teeth. Heat singed a path to his dick and his balls tightened. Lord, he wanted her. For the first time in his career, he seriously thought about breaking ranks. Maybe if he confronted her about the embezzling, she’d come clean and they could stick Pete Anderson in jail. And he really relished the thought of doing that. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact Dulcy sat next to Anderson. And, if you asked Ethan, she was a little too close. Of course, no one asked his opinion, but if the idiot didn’t quit leaning over and whispering in her ear, Ethan was going to break his nose. “Mr. MacMillan?” Belatedly, he realized everyone, including Dulcy, was staring at him. Good going, MacMillan. He centered his attention on Danny Conners, the department head giving the presentation. “Yes?” “I asked if my ideas for handling the problems with distribution and sales after we launched the campaign worked for you.” “Oh.” Brilliant, MacMillan. Dulcy shifted beside him and another cloud of her scent reached him. More blood drained from his head and shot straight to his dick. He was thankful for the conference table. He glanced at Dulcy. She was staring at him as if he’d grown another head. Great, now she thought he was an idiot. A low chuckle caught his attention. He looked past Dulcy to Anderson, who wore a smirk Ethan would gladly have smacked off his face. 42

A Calculated Seduction He forced his concentration away from Dulcy and her accomplice and granted it to Conners. “Everything sounds fine. Make sure to follow up with the district managers.” He turned back to Dulcy. “Now, Miss Menendez, you have anything to add about the Gala?” She shot him a look he couldn’t decipher and stood. She walked to the opposite end of the table, where the podium stood. The sway of her hips in her bright yellow suit sent another wave of heat straight to his dick. He bit back a moan. The woman had no idea just how sexy she was. Which, of course, made her even more tempting. Anderson let loose another chuckle and Ethan looked at him. The man didn’t even know enough to suppress his amusement. He just sat there staring at Ethan, his eyebrow lifted and a knowing look in his eyes. Dulcy called attention to herself by starting the report of expenditures, Ethan settled back to enjoy staring at her with no interruptions. **** Dulcy’s concentration was the pits. She came to that conclusion when she listed the food and drink they’d serve at the Gala twice. Sweat gathered at the small of her back and her pulse beat out of control. Every hormone in her body bounced. She laid the blame at Ethan’s feet. How in the world was she supposed to concentrate with him sitting at the opposite end of the table, practically eating her up with his eyes? Didn’t he know everyone in the meeting certainly knew what he was thinking? Because she definitely knew. She knew he was thinking about his hands on her skin, his lips on hers... Oh, good golly. Maybe she should make a doctor’s appointment because the heat skidding along her nerve endings wasn’t normal for her. She didn’t drool over studs with great abs and really impressive cocks. Unless she counted Ethan. She was positive his abs would definitely be well defined, with a thin line of hair bisecting his stomach and disappearing beneath... 43

A Calculated Seduction Good Lord. There she went again. Just a stray thought about body parts and her mind jumped to Ethan. And his abs. And those delicious eyes and his very large hands. She could imagine those hands sliding across her skin, cupping her breasts... She cleared her throat. Thinking about things that weren’t going to happen was dangerous. It would make her wish for those things. That would push her dangerously closer to falling in love with him. And she would not be stupid enough to do that. “Dulcy, do you think you ordered an adequate amount of food? If you’re expecting that big of a crowd, I would think that wouldn’t be enough,” Marcy Williams, head of accounting, said. Marcy smiled through her comment, sneaking peeks at Ethan to see if he noticed. The day Ethan walked in and took over MacMillan Boots, Marcy had announced she’d have him in her bed. A surge of satisfaction warmed Dulcy when Ethan didn’t even look at the woman. Woman? Barracuda was more like it. “I’m going on the advice of the catering manager, who has been doing this kind of function for over twenty years. He’s going on the number of RSVPs we’ve received, and the cutoff date was Monday.” When Marcy looked to open her mouth again to argue, Dulcy cut her off at the pass. “And, we’ll work with him up until the day of the function. This isn’t a final count, and he’s suggested we plan to feed about ten percent over the RSVPs.” She smiled at Marcy’s frown. “Any other questions?” “Looks like we’re done here,” Ethan said. “Any problems with the Gala itself, be sure to get a hold of Dulcy.” A murmur of agreement rose and people began to leave. Marcy, the bed-hopping executive, slithered around the table to where Ethan sat. Dulcy gathered her notes and smiled at Pete who approached her, stepping around Mr. Conners, who was still whining about the upcoming promotion. “Well, that was an interesting meeting,” Pete murmured in her ear. 44

A Calculated Seduction “Aren’t they all?” She turned and headed toward the door, Pete directly behind her. “I’m stopping by the break room for a soda. Want to go with me?” He held the door open for her. “Sure. Had to skip lunch today to work on that new program for the computer. And I want to know what all that was between you and the boss man during the meeting.” **** Ethan silently fumed when Dulcy and Anderson slipped away at the end of the meeting. When Marcy Williams approached him, he realized it would be a good way to allow his hormones to settle. Standing up in front of your executives with a boner wasn’t the way to win any respect. Talking to Ms. Williams was the best way to cool his libido. She was an attractive redhead with a great body and a quick mind. She was the type of woman who would be happy with a relationship that included dinner and sex, no attachments. Usually his type of woman. But she left him cold. Her green eyes were a little too calculating. Instead, he found himself drawn to Dulcy, with her innocent eyes and sinful body. Ms. Williams moved closer and hiked a hip up on the table, allowing Ethan a view of the top of her stocking. “What I was wondering, now that we’re alone, is if you’re going to need an escort for the Gala? I find myself free for the evening.” “I’m sorry. Ms. Menendez and I will be attending together.” At her lifted eyebrow, he felt compelled to squash any rumors that might develop. “We have to be there early, so we decided to go together.” She still didn’t look convinced, but didn’t argue the point. “Be sure to save a dance for me.” He smiled the smile he knew she expected. It was the smile that could get him anything he wanted—women, information, money. Odd how it never seemed to work on Dulcy. “I’ll definitely do that, Ms. Williams.” She smiled and sashayed out the door. 45

A Calculated Seduction Ethan sat in the now empty conference room, wondering about his earlier thoughts. He had to keep his mind off Dulcy and that sweet, tempting body. What he needed was an embezzler, as soon as possible. If he didn’t keep that in mind, he knew his professional reputation would be at stake. He rubbed his hand over his chest. He didn’t want to contemplate what else he could lose in the process. **** “You’ve got it wrong, Pete. The man isn’t interested in me,” Dulcy said, as she slipped her coins into the machine. He’d been badgering her about Ethan since they’d left the conference room and Dulcy was ready to scream. “Dulcy, I saw the way he was looking at you. Jeez, anyone could feel the heat between you two. I’m amazed he didn’t grab you by your hair and drag you from the room. Besides, I saw your reaction and I know you. Something has gone on between you two.” She thought of the kiss they’d shared, the way he tasted, his body against hers... Her face heated to the roots of her hair. She pretended to be highly interested in twisting the top off her soda bottle. “Ha, I knew it.” His eyes danced with mischief. “Something did go on between the two of you.” “Pete. Let it go.” He studied her for a minute, then relented. “When you’re ready to tell me, I’ll be waiting for details. And from the look of MacMillan, they should be some kind of details.” **** Saturday evening, Dulcy found herself happily at home enjoying one of her favorite black and white movies. She snuggled deeper into her sofa, munched on popcorn and sighed. This was the life. No meddling friends, no stepmothers or sisters, no sexy bosses. There she went again. She couldn’t seem to go five minutes without thinking of him. She would promise herself not to think about the way he smelled, or the way his voice sounded when he 46

A Calculated Seduction was irritated with her. Or that smile she was sure could make a woman melt at twenty paces. Every fiber of her body called out to take the man up on his offer. But she couldn’t do that. It was just lust and she didn’t want passion without love. Passion without love ended in disaster. She had the scorch marks across her heart to prove it. And it had to be lust. Because if it was something else for her, she knew it wasn’t anything but lust for him. And that would leave her the odd person out again. So she would keep all her bouncing hormones under control. She’d convinced herself of that lie, just about the time the doorbell rang. She groaned. Tonight was her night for relaxing and Marge was out with Bill. No one but her irritating family would show up on a Saturday night and expect her to be home. Granted it was true, but this one time, she would pretend not to be here. She had popcorn and Cary Grant. She did not want to be interrupted. A few seconds ticked by. Nothing. Good, she would see them tomorrow at brunch, no reason to mess with them tonight. She sighed and leaned back against the pillows. She jumped when the banging started again, followed by the one voice she didn’t expect to hear. “Dulcy, I saw your car downstairs. Open up,” Ethan said.

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Chapter 6 For about ten seconds, she didn’t move. She was too astonished. What the heck was Ethan MacMillan doing at her apartment at nine on a Saturday night? She looked down at the walking shorts and T-shirt she wore. Why the hell did he show up now, when she looked like a slob? Irritation and embarrassment skated along her nerves. It was just like him to pull something like this. He banged on the door again. “Dulcy, come on and open up.” She jumped off the sofa, almost spilling her popcorn in the process, and hurried to the door. The banging started again the moment she reached it. Agitation crept up her spine. The man had some nerve to show up on a weekend night, bang on her door and act irritated she didn’t jump to do his bidding the moment he showed up. She twisted the locks and flung the door open. Her rebuke died on her lips. Ethan wasn’t dressed in his usual attire, just a pair of faded jeans, long sleeved black T-shirt and sneakers. Oh, Lord. As her eyes traveled back up his body, her pulse accelerated. The denim hugged his legs and sex. She licked her lips. The T-shirt clung to his abs, showing off their muscular definition. She lifted her eyes to his face. Jesus, even his scowl sent shock waves lancing through her. How was she supposed to keep her hands off him when he showed up on her doorstep looking like that? **** 48

A Calculated Seduction Ethan felt like a fool. After an irritating conversation with Todd, he’d been restless. More and more, he began to question their investigation. Dulcy Menendez couldn’t be an embezzler any more than she could be a horse. He could tell by looking into her clear topaz eyes. When he’d told Todd what he thought, Todd had accused him of being slightly biased. He’d known Todd longer than any of his other employees. Ethan really hated it when Todd was right. And that’s why he was mad. At himself, and Todd. Ethan had been giving her the benefit of the doubt. She was under investigation and his job was not to give her any excuses. He knew better than to trust emotions when involved with women. His own parents had been the perfect example. They both wanted one thing—money. When his father failed at business, their marriage had fallen apart. Growing up with two people who refused to divorce, but hated each other, hadn’t been fun. But it had taught him never to trust emotion. His ex-fiancée had solidified the lesson. Fiona was a rich man’s daughter and wanted to be a rich man’s wife. Problem was, she didn’t expect fidelity from him. Probably because he knew not to expect it from her. “Eth...er, Mr. MacMillan. What are you doing here?” Her eyes widened behind her glasses when she realized how rude the question sounded. “What I mean was—” “No, that’s okay. I was driving around and thought I’d stop by. If I’m interrupting...” “Oh, no. Just watching a movie.” She didn’t move or ask him in. She just stood there, the warm light casting a glow to her skin. Her shirt was loose, too big to even show any interesting curves, but her little shorts hugged her thighs and gave him a great view of her shapely legs. His cock twitched and he had to fight the urge to grab her and kiss her until she forgot her last name. “Dulcy?” “Oh, oh. Would you like to come in?” The tone in her voice wasn’t especially welcoming. But she stepped back and pulled the door open. The warmth of her 49

A Calculated Seduction apartment seeped into him the moment he stepped across the threshold. Not just the temperature. She had decorated the place with reds, yellows and oranges. Various lamps and candles littered her end tables and coffee table. Anyone who walked in would feel comfortable upon entering. “I was just watching Father Goose.” She shut the door and followed him to the couch. “Why don’t you have a seat? Would you like a soda?” “That sounds great.” He settled on the yellow flowered couch. His eyes took in the room, the knickknacks, the pictures, then his eyes roamed to the bed in the alcove. Immediately, a vision of Dulcy, rolling around in the bed, her hair a tangle of curls, her skin warm from his loving, exploded in his mind. His blood warmed and drained to his dick. He gulped, then drew in a deep breath. What was he doing here? What impulse drove him over here on a Saturday night? He couldn’t rein in his usually controllable urges. He’d grown up in a family where spur of the moment actions weren’t appreciated. Restlessness consumed him. He’d paced through his house and decided a drive would be good. Without realizing it, he ended up at Dulcy’s apartment complex. If he’d been that lonely, he could easily have called Ms. Marcy Williams. She’d definitely made sure he knew she was free this weekend. She’d stopped by his office late last night to complain of her dateless weekend. But the idea of spending time with a woman, who wanted nothing but a good time and sex, left him feeling oddly flat. He wanted to spend time with a woman who wanted more, expected more. A woman like Dulcy. “Here you go,” Dulcy said, handing him a glass filled with ice and soda. She settled on the chair, not the couch. An uncomfortable silence descended. The only sounds were the television and the ice clinking in their glasses. Ethan avoided eye contact. Dulcy cleared her throat. He looked at her. Her hair was pulled off her face by some kind of stretchy headband. She wore no 50

A Calculated Seduction makeup, but he couldn’t deny his pulse beating out of control and the slow roll of lust churning his gut. “Mr. MacMillan, you want to explain what you’re doing here?” Embarrassed by the impulsive actions that drove him to her apartment, he shrugged. Not wanting to tell her this compulsion started out with the investigation and thoughts of his parents’ loveless marriage, he said the first thing that popped into his mind. “I was wondering about the Gala.” She frowned, then sighed. “What about the Gala?” Good question. “I wanted to make sure everything is going as planned.” “Mr. MacMillan—” “Couldn’t you call me by my first name, Dulcy? It’s after hours. I promise not to tell anyone.” He smiled and her frown deepened. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Fraternization is frowned upon at the company.” Relief lightened her expression and he bit back a growl. “Liar.” She set her drink down on the end table with a click. “Mr. MacMillan...” he opened his mouth to argue, so she changed tactics. “Ethan. I know it’s not discouraged per se, but when there’s a supervisor involved, especially the CEO, it wouldn’t be a good idea.” “Dulcy, you would only be using my first name. It isn’t like I asked you into my bed.” Her face flushed. He glanced at her bed, the memories of his fantasy coming back to life. Then he looked back to her face. The shade of red wasn’t particularly attractive. So there was no reason for his heart to stutter at the sight of her. He swallowed and tried to remember the mission. This woman was helping someone steal from his uncle. He needed her relaxed. From the wary look in her eyes, he was far from gaining her trust.

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A Calculated Seduction Guilt would work. “Dulcy, I…I find myself in a town where I don’t know anyone. Bill and Maude asked me out with them tonight. How sad is that?” Her face softened into a smile and she chuckled. “They asked me too. Apparently, we’re both pretty sad if two senior citizens think they need to entertain us on a Saturday night.” She picked up a glass bowl filled with buttery popcorn. “Help yourself to the popcorn. I always make too much anyway.” He grabbed a handful, popping a few kernels in his mouth. “So, you had no plans for tonight?” She shook her head without taking her eyes from the television screen. “I find it hard to believe Anderson didn’t want to go out tonight.” Her head whipped around, her eyes narrowed and the smiled faded from her face. Not a smooth move. But the jealousy pumping through him took control of his rational thoughts and shoved them to the back of his mind. And he had to know where the man was. Was he embezzling from him right at that moment? Was he out with another woman? Was Anderson going to show up and interrupt Ethan’s seduction? Whoa. Not a good idea to think along those lines. Even if his cock hardened at the thought of grabbing her and dragging to her bed. He was investigating her, not sleeping with her. Of course, if he did manage to get her into bed, they wouldn’t be doing much sleeping. Dammit. He’d never slept with a suspect and didn’t plan to start. Contemplating things like that would only lead to trouble. Trouble that would keep him occupied for the entire night. “I’ve told you, Pete and I are good friends.” She broke his thoughts of beds and seductions, both of which involved the woman, with that one comment. “So, you can call him by his first name?” **** Dulcy stared at Ethan and wondered if he’d been hit in the head lately. The conversation they were having made no sense, 52

A Calculated Seduction especially when you factor in he was here on a Saturday night. Irritation balled in her stomach, souring the popcorn she’d just been enjoying. It never failed. She would either embarrass herself, or he would irritate her. Or both. And there was no reason for her nipples to tighten, or her heart to skip an Irish jig when she was so irritated by him. She was sick. “Pete and I are on the same level in management. Plus, I don’t have to worry...” About being seduced by him. She could think it, and good Lord she was thinking about it too much. And there was no way she would say it to Ethan MacMillan. He saw her as a challenge, that was it. She was an oddity to someone like Ethan because she resisted him. Women threw themselves at him all the time. If he knew he was winning the battle, there could be some major problems. Major problems that would no doubt include a night of great sex and a broken heart—hers. “Don’t have to worry about what?” he asked, his voice had dipped an octave and danced along her nerve endings. She shook her head, unable to form any words. All the moisture had dried up in her mouth and her heart not only skipped a beat, but tripled in speed. Why the hell was she worrying about her heart? She wasn’t even close to falling in love with the man. But you could fall in love with him, whispered the voice in her head. Shut up. Distance. That’s what she needed. She ignored the warmth that flooded her senses at the sight of his windblown hair. There was something just so male about him. From the way he walked, to the clothes he wore, to the very scent of him. Yes, that was the most disturbing thing about him. His cologne, the Texas night air, and brooding male mixed together had sent her hormones jumping. “Mr. Mac...Ethan. You have to understand, there are already rumors running around the office.” His smile dimmed. “I don’t need any aggravation. When my father died, I promised myself I’d 53

A Calculated Seduction make it on my own. I had to. So, when Bill offered me a job I wasn’t qualified for, I refused and worked my way up the ladder. I won’t have people thinking I kept my job with you for other reasons.” He studied her silently. The only sound in her apartment was a loud commercial for a local car dealership. She resisted the urge to sit in the chair. Her body warmed, responding to the heat evident in his eyes. Just one look, and her body craved his touch, wanted his lips on hers, his hands on her skin. Her panties dampened as he continued to stare at her. After a moment, he looked away. She breathed deeply and sat down. He sighed. “I guess I should head home.” They stood at the same time, almost knocking into each other. Her knees bumped against his. His chest grazed her breasts. The heat in her stomach slid lower. Her sex pulsed as a rush of warm blood rushed through her. She yearned to lean closer, allow him to pull her against his chest. Before she could make a fool out of herself, she stepped back. She bumped into the chair. She glanced up and froze. Sexual intent so potent, she felt it to the tips of her toes, darkened his eyes. Need like she’d never felt before prickled her senses and left her breathless. But before she could act, he stepped away, allowing her to walk in front of him. Had she been mistaken? Maybe she’d misread his intentions. Down deep, close to her soul, she knew she hadn’t. She knew he wanted her as much as she wanted him, but he still controlled his emotions. He apparently hadn’t been so moved he just grabbed her and threw her on the bed to have his way with her. Images of the two of them on her bed flashed through her mind, sending a wave of tingling heat throughout her body. Oh, she had to stop this. A man who could control his actions to that extent would never jump into bed without an alternative reason. She was relieved when she opened the door without begging for him to kiss her. She’d feel better when he was gone. 54

A Calculated Seduction Temptation would no longer threaten her sanity with him out of her vicinity. “I guess I’ll see you on Monday,” she said to his chest. He slid his finger beneath her chin and raised it. “It you’re going to say goodnight, Dulcy, say it to me, not my chest.” Amusement laced his voice. The moment she made eye contact, he leaned forward and brushed his mouth against hers. She shivered. This was unlike the kiss in the office. That kiss was heat and anger and pure basic lust. The heat was there, and definitely the lust, but there was something else. Something forbidden. Something much scarier than the lust that had controlled them before. With a tenderness she didn’t think he’d possessed, he nipped at her lips. Little kisses, so tender it almost did her in. His eyes remained open, shining with a different kind of heat than before. There was a gentle, almost reverent, quality to it. Before she could deepen the kiss, he was moving away from her. He took a determined step back. “I’ll see you Monday, Dulcy.” He turned away and she watched as he walked down the steps and got in his car. After he drove away, she closed the door and leaned against it. Her lips still tingled. Oh, this was horrible. She could protect herself from his lust. But she’d be a fool to think she could control her feelings after a kiss like that. Because, lurking beneath her skin, deep in her soul, she craved the sweetness he’d offered. She lifted her fingers and pressed them against her lips. Her heart tumbled and almost dropped to her toes. She couldn’t fall in love with Ethan MacMillan. No matter what she wanted, she knew he saw her as a game, a contest to win. Now, if she could just remember her own warning the next time he kissed her.

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Chapter 7 “Well, what I can’t understand is why you’re going to the Gala with your boss,” Barbie said at brunch the next day. They were seated on the terrace at one of Dulcy’s favorite restaurants in Dallas. She enjoyed the magnificent food as well as the relaxed atmosphere. But for some reason, she’d hardly eaten any of her Denver omelet. Dulcy sighed and waited for the waiter to refill her coffee cup. The bright sunlight hurt her eyes. She hadn’t had much sleep because thoughts of Ethan and his parting kiss had haunted her. Every time she closed her eyes, she’d see the heat in his. When she finally fell asleep, dreams of him drove her insane. Waking with the memory of his hands on her breasts, her mouth on his skin... “Earth to Dulcy,” Tori said, snapping her fingers in front of Dulcy’s face. She cleared her throat. “Sorry, what did you say?” “I said, I saw a picture of your new boss in the paper. He was with Bill at some kind of charity function. That man is yummy.” Yeah, he was. And she could have had him for dessert, but she turned him down. If she hadn’t been so positive she’d only wind up being hurt in the end, she’d have feasted on him. She would love to lick him from end to end, concentrating on various body parts. Her face heated. Really, she needed to control these lurid thoughts. Especially when she was with other people. “Mr. MacMillan is very attractive. But this is just like when I went with Bill. Both of us have to be there early and he lives close to me.” She shrugged. 56

A Calculated Seduction “I’d like to meet him. He’s definitely my type of my man,” Tori remarked. Irritation prickled her skin so her words came out more forcefully then she intended. “He’s not your type.” Tori glanced at her, surprise lighting her blue eyes. “And what would you know about my type?” “I know you wouldn’t like a man you couldn’t control. I promise you, there wouldn’t be any hope of doing that with Ethan MacMillan. I’ve never seen a man more in control over everything in his life.” “I don’t date men I can control,” Tori said. “I just meant that your Mr. MacMillan and I have more in common than the two of you.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Dulcy, honey, you look great with your new haircut, but sweety, you could never handle a man like MacMillan,” Barbie said. “He’s way out of your league.” “And what does that have to do with the two of you?” She looked from one stepsister to the other. Both of them were so perfect, it almost pained her to look at them. Two years apart in age, people always mistook them for twins. Blonde hair, long and curly, always dressed in warm bright colors, the two of them never had a hair out of place or showed any nervousness. Something they’d learned at their mama’s knee. “Girls,” Clarice admonished. “You’re going about this all wrong.” “Clarice, what the heck are you talking about?” “Honey, we’re worried about you.” She studied the perfect faces that studied her in return. “Worried? Why would you be worried about me?” “You’ve been working a lot of late nights, all with this new boss and now you’re going to the Gala with him. I know a few people in Houston who know him and they say he goes through women faster than I go through money.” She sipped her mimosa. “And then there was that fiancée.” Her world tilted. He’d been engaged? “Fiancée?” 57

A Calculated Seduction her.”

“Fiona Jackson. He broke it off and she claimed he cheated on “Oh.” She didn’t know what to feel. Betrayal he’d never told her? Happiness he was no longer engaged? The two emotions tumbled together and her stomach rolled. She set down her fork. “You three are acting very strangely. What’s up?” “Just like I said, Dulcy,” Clarice said. “No, really. What do you need? Charles is going to be back tomorrow, so I can’t do anything until then.” “Dulcy, we’re just looking out for your best interest.” She looked from her stepmother, to Tori, to Barbie, her heart warming. This was the first time they had voiced any worry at all about her. All three of them had depended on her father. They had also loved him almost as much as Dulcy did. One of the only reasons she put up with them. That common bond of love for her father would never be broken, no matter how much they irritated her. “Well, you don’t have to worry about me. I don’t date people from work. We are attending together, just like Bill and I did for the last couple of years. There are details to check and I can’t do it all myself. Sometimes it helps to have the boss there. People jump faster for the boss than they do for an assistant.” All three of them visibly relaxed and continued their meal as if the few tense moments had never appeared. But, as she drove home, she tried to shake the feeling they might be right. Her attraction to Ethan MacMillan was spiraling out of control. If she weren’t careful, she’d forget all her good intentions. Because, no matter how you cut it, good intentions didn’t keep you warm at night. **** The elevator dinged to a stop at Dulcy’s floor Monday morning. Wearily, she stepped into the brightly-lit hallway and headed to her office. She’d lost more sleep Sunday night, the disturbing and uncomfortable chat at brunch the main problem. She kept thinking of everything that had occurred between her and Ethan and that her stepmother and stepsisters could read her so 58

A Calculated Seduction well. When had it happened? When had she gone from infatuation to almost being in love with a man who clearly did not believe in commitment? As she approached her office, she was surprised to find the light on. She wondered if Bill had stopped by again. She wondered if Bill was bored. That could be the only reason he’d show up early. When he was CEO, he was never here this early. She opened the door to find her office empty, but a chair squeaked in Ethan’s office. Was Bill in Ethan’s office? With his memory loss of late, she worried about him. She set her briefcase on her desk and wandered over to the door. Sitting behind the desk, a pair of reading glasses halfway down his nose, sat Ethan MacMillan. The same man who never made it to the office before eight in the morning. She cleared her throat and he glanced up, looking over the top of his glasses. A slow, seductive smile curved his lips. Wet heat flooded her sex, her body pulsed to life. “Dulcy, didn’t hear you come in. How are you this morning?” His voice vibrated along her nerve endings. “Okay. Mr. MacMillan, what are you doing here this early?” “Can’t the boss come in early?” he joked, but she recognized an underlying seriousness to the question. It confused her. It was as if he questioned her early morning habit. “Of...of course you can come in early. You’ve just never been here this early before.” She shifted from one foot to the other under his intense stare. Her nipples tightened against the lace of her bra. The silence stretched and she had the feeling he thought her guilty of something. Just what, she had no idea. “Well, if you don’t need me.” His eyes darkened with her statement, but he just shook his head. She hurried out the door. Work. That’s what she needed to get her mind off the man and his very large hands. **** Ethan stared at the closed door and wondered just how he was supposed to finish this investigation. All the woman had to do was 59

A Calculated Seduction lick her lips and he was ready to throw his integrity out the window and beg for a night in her bed. He could imagine sinking his cock deep into her tight, wet warmth. He threw his glasses on his desk and sighed. After little sleep and more aggravating conversations with Todd, he was ready to give up. Whoever she was working with was crafty and had to have some idea they were onto them. And what other reason did Dulcy have for coming in early? Everything with the new computer program was fixed, and the Gala was pretty much done until they had the final head count. No, the only reason she would have to arrive at this hour would be to help her accomplice. And Ethan was determined she wouldn’t suffer for her naiveté. He would do everything in his power to keep her out of jail. A little seduction was in order, and if her feelings were hurt in the process, well, that was better than jail, wasn’t it? **** Wednesday afternoon Dulcy eyed the pile of dresses sitting on the stool in the changing room of the department store Pete had dragged her to. He’d complained about each one she chose, and he only chose one—the only one left to try on. She slipped the black velvet over her head, wiggling to move the narrow skirt over her hips. After zipping it up, she put on her glasses and stared at her reflection. The woman staring back at her was a stranger. The tight skirt of the dress had a slit so high, she didn’t know how she would sit in it and not show most of her leg. The soft, dark fabric hugged her hips and accentuated her waist. “Are you done in there yet?” Pete asked from just outside the door. She gasped and opened up the door. “Pete, you’re not supposed to be in the ladies dressing room.” He smiled and ignored her admonishment. “I was right. That’s the dress for you. Come look in the mirror.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her in front of the mirror. “Peter Anderson!” 60

A Calculated Seduction “Dulcy, chill. We’re the only ones here and besides, nothing in here interests me anyway.” She snorted and looked at her reflection again. “I don’t know. It makes me look hippy,” she said, settling her hands on her hips. Pete turned her, this way and that, studying her as if she were an art exhibit. “Hun, you are hippy.” “That’s mean.” “No, it’s the truth.” He turned her until she was facing the mirror and met her eyes in her reflection. “Dulcy, you may not like what you see, but men do. At least smart heterosexual men. There is nothing wrong with full hips. You have skin women pay huge bucks to have. You’re funny and sexy and the best friend a gay guy could have. And you’re gorgeous.” A lump clogged her throat and her eyes stung. “You’re only saying that because you love me.” “Yes, I do love you. But you are still one of the sexiest women I know. And that’s the truth. Now, stop those tears. I think the salesclerk will really think it strange to see both of us come out crying.” She laughed and blinked back the tears. “Get out of that and give the rest of those horrible dresses back to the clerk. We have shoes, hose, and a strapless bra to buy.” Pete and Dulcy returned about fifteen minutes late from shopping for her dress. They’d spent so long arguing about lingerie and footwear, she hadn’t even had time to eat. Still thinking about the heated words they exchanged when she resisted buying stockings and a garter belt made her blush. The saleswoman had looked as if she were insane. They walked side by side down the hall, Dulcy carried a multitude of bags and Pete held her dress. Ethan stood at the door to their office, anger darkening his features. He glanced at his watch, then shifted his gaze back to Pete and Dulcy. “Oh oh, looks like your lover boy is upset with you,” Pete said in a whisper. 61

A Calculated Seduction “Shut up.” She elbowed him as he drew closer to her. He ignored it. “He’s not my lover boy.” Pete chuckled and slung his arm across her shoulders. He leaned closer to her ear. “Do you think we should give him a good show for his money?” Before she could interpret the question, Pete stopped and pulled her closer. He touched his lips to hers in a brush of a kiss. He straightened, with a smile brightening his face, and handed her dress to her. “See ya later, hon.” He winked and then sauntered down the hall, ignoring Ethan as he strolled past him. Her attention shifted from the younger man to Ethan, who stood in the doorway, glowering at her. Even at that moment with his irritation so strong, she could almost feel it slapping her in the face, he made her hormones jump to life. God, he was gorgeous. He wore a gray suit with a cream-colored shirt and green tie. It deepened the color of his eyes and highlighted the few wisps of gray in his hair. Oh, why couldn’t she remember what an overbearing pain he was? Instead, the only thought crossing her mind was how good he would taste. She sighed and decided to get the confrontation over with. “Is there something you need?” she asked as she brushed past him. The spicy scent of his cologne filled her senses and warmth pooled in her belly. She couldn’t look at him. Her face still heated every time they talked that morning, although he had been a perfect gentleman. Not once had he mentioned the kiss. And somewhere, deep inside where she really didn’t want to look, she was annoyed that apparently, it hadn’t bothered him as much as it did her. But each time his smooth voice washed over her, her nipples tightened. “Do something for me?” he asked. “Yes, Miss Menendez, you could do something for me, actually to me, but you refuse.”

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Chapter 8 Dulcy glanced up at his sharp tone and realized he was angrier than she first thought. “That’s borderline sexual harassment.” She crossed her arms. “No, sexual harassment would be if I threatened your job. I’m not suggesting that. What I would like is you on my desk but there is no threat to your job if you disagree.” His eyes were almost black. “But coming back late from lunch with Anderson is not a good idea.” “First of all, it really wasn’t a date.” He grunted but said nothing else. “And second of all, I needed a dress for Saturday night. That’s what I was doing at lunch and it took a little longer because I had to find shoes to match and a...” strapless bra. She didn’t want to tell him that though. It’s not like he would be seeing it. Well, probably not. No, he would not see it. Maybe. “And a what, Miss Menendez?” She cleared her throat. “Well, something I’d rather not talk about. Now that we seem to have that settled, I need to double check with the catering department at the hotel and make sure they have the final head count.” As a dismissal, it was lame, but she couldn’t think of anything else while he stared at her mouth. Tingles crept down her spine as her whole body heated. Nervously, she licked her lips, then worried the bottom one. His nostrils flared and she remembered the night he’d stared at her lips. “Stop it.” He finally stopped watching her mouth and looked up. What she saw in those eyes sent another tumbling wave of heat 63

A Calculated Seduction through her, sinking into her belly, warming her skin from the inside out. Passion so hot, so unbearably raw, darkened his eyes. She had to get away from him, put some distance between them. Turning abruptly, she sat behind her desk and tried her best to ignore him. She knew he studied her and she could feel the scrutiny as a whisper of hot breath on her skin. She had to ignore it. If she didn’t, she would fall for the man and he was way out of her league. Handling a warrior like Ethan took finesse and a lot of guts, neither of which she possessed in great quantities. He walked past her desk, paused for just a second, and then continued to his office. She jumped when he slammed his door. She stuck her tongue out at the closed door. Good, maybe if he stayed mad at her, he wouldn’t kiss her again. Because that wasn’t something she wanted. Not really. Unfortunately, she remembered the taste of his lips, the touch of his tongue against hers. Her shoulders slumped. She shouldn’t want to be kissed by him again, but she did. The way he looked at her, all that hot passion darkening his eyes... She shifted in her chair. The ache between her legs increased. Mooning over the boss wasn’t a smart thing to do. She knew she would forget those kisses and his hands soon. But a little part of her didn’t want to forget. It had to be her hormones. Grumpy, yummy executives were not her type. **** Ethan paced his office. He couldn’t believe he’d made such an ass out of himself. Dulcy Menendez was just a suspect. He had been on his best behavior all day, but seeing her walk down the hall with Anderson... He took a calming breath, but it did no good. Jealousy pumped through him when he relived Anderson brushing his lips against hers. It took every bit of control he had left, and that wasn’t much, to keep from grabbing the slick dressed pretty boy and punching him. The memory of his smug smile and the proprietary arm on her shoulders boiled his blood. His intercom buzzed, interrupting his vivid fantasy of breaking Anderson’s arm. 64

A Calculated Seduction He strode to the desk and pressed the button. “What?” “Mr. MacMillan.” He ground his teeth. The fact she could act so professional after that kiss rubbed him the wrong way. “Miss Menendez.” “Mr. Denison is on line one.” Without a word of thanks, he picked up the phone. “Todd, what did you find out?” “Well, hello to you too, Ethan.” The amusement in his voice irritated Ethan. “Don’t screw around with me and tell me what you have.” “Pete Anderson has been working for the company for three years. Before that, he was employed by the family business.” “And that would be?” Ethan bit out. “Anderson Technologies.” Ethan whistled. Anderson Tech was the one of the biggest software companies in Texas. “Yeah. Apparently there was some kind of a rift between him and Daddy and he left. Your Uncle Bill snapped him up.” “Good?” “Well, yes. I mean he was trained by one of the best in the business.” “Why would he leave then? I mean, most people can put up with irritating relatives for a fortune like that.” “Not sure. From what I’ve been able to find out, there was a huge argument. Pretty public, too. One thing though, you know this job doesn’t pay as much as what he was earning there.” “His father cut him off without a cent?” Sounded like Ethan’s father. “Sure did. But even without all that money, he has a pretty nice house in north Dallas.” “Anything else?” “No, other than your Miss Menendez, he’s had no steady women.” “She’s not my Miss Menendez.” 65

A Calculated Seduction “Whatever you say, boss, but I’ve seen a picture of her.” “What do you mean you’ve seen a picture of her?” “It’s my job, boss, and I know your type. She’s your type.” The fact Todd knew him so well, aggravated his already rising temper. “So, dowdy little secretaries are my type?” Todd chuckled. “A sure sign I stepped on your toes. I just thought it was interesting it took you so long to check her out.” “I don’t pay you to think.” And he hung up. Okay, so it wasn’t the most mature thing he’d ever done. He shoved both his hands through his hair and released an aggravated sigh. Something had to give, he just didn’t know how much longer he would last. Dulcy’s little rap sounded at the door and without waiting for an answer, she opened it. She was holding a file folder, her brow wrinkled in concern. “We have a problem, Mr. MacMillan.” He ground his teeth at the use of his last name, but let it go. “What’s up?” “It seems a store out in Tucson special ordered three hundred red boots. Problem is, we shipped them three hundred red lace-up work boots. They needed them yesterday.” “Three hundred red boots?” “Yeah, some dance team wants them for their photos.” “Okay, call down to shipping and see if they can get the order out tonight.” Ten minutes later, Dulcy returned, her frown still in place. “We have them, but there’s another problem now.” “What is it now?” “It seems we’ve had some calls from several of our customers. All the orders have been screwed up.” “Lord, it’s that new computer program.” She nodded. “I guess we’ll be staying late?” Her brow raised in question. He nodded and she left him alone. For the first time that day, his mind was on something other than Dulcy. He had to make sure he saved the reputation of the company. **** 66

A Calculated Seduction Six hours later, Ethan leaned back in his chair, massaging his neck. Tension thrummed inside his head and down his back. “So, we’ll give you a twenty percent discount on those and ten percent on your next order.” “Well,” said the store manager on the other end of the line, “I really appreciate this, Mr. MacMillan.” “No, it’s I who am in your debt. The glitch in the new computer system has caused a whole load of problems. Thank you for your understanding.” And this was the tenth call he’d had to make. Dulcy’s sharp little knock sounded and she entered, her crooked little smile in place. Instantly, some of the day’s stress melted away at the sight of her and his blood warmed. She carried two white plastic bags and from the smells, she’d ordered food for the two of them. His stomach grumbled, reminding him he’d skipped lunch. As the manager droned on about his customers, he watched Dulcy empty the bags, then set up their dinner. Her economical movements fascinated him. She was not overly graceful, but there was something about her. Something so innate in her gestures. Maybe it was her hands. They looked delicate and small, but able to handle just about anything thrown her way. Including sliding down his chest, past his abs and wrapping around his cock— “Mr. MacMillan?” the manager asked. “So sorry. It’s been a long day. I’m just glad we could sort this out for you.” After a couple more attempts, he finally hung up. “Chatty?” Dulcy asked. She’d pulled one of the two chairs in front of his desk closer and picked up a pair of chopsticks. “Apparently, he was a little amazed I called. Me being the president and all,” he said with a smile. “I hope you don’t mind, but I decided both of us deserved a break.” “No, don’t mind at all. What’d ya get?” 67

A Calculated Seduction “Well, since I wasn’t sure what you liked and you were a little busy on the phone, I took the liberty of ordering a few things I liked. Some noodles, some dim sum, some sweet and sour and a few other things. Hope you’re hungry.” “As long as there’s a fork.” She rummaged through one of the bags and handed him a fork and spoon. “There’s some egg drop soup also. I can’t believe you don’t know how to eat with chopsticks. I figured a man like you would have learned at some time.” He shoved a forkful of fried rice into his mouth and enjoyed the flavor of soy and garlic. “A man like me?” “Well, you were in the military and I would describe you as a man of the world.” “Well, I was stationed in some highly exotic places in the military. First, there was North and South Carolina. Highly interesting in their culture.” She giggled and pulled out some noodles. “Well, I’ve only lived here in the Dallas Fort Worth area. So, South Carolina seems pretty exotic to me.” “Would you like to live somewhere else?” She thought about that while she ate some soup. “Naw. I like it here the best. I thought at one time I might relocate to Houston, but that all changed.” She shrugged. “Houston?” he asked, but before she could answer, the phone rang. “MacMillan.” As he dealt with yet another irate store manager on the phone, Dulcy continued to eat. After a few minutes of the same promises of discounts, Ethan hung up the phone. “I don’t know if we’re going to make a profit this quarter.” She smiled and attraction lit through him. Just her little smile and electricity jolted his nerves, his dick twitched and his heart almost stopped beating. Good Lord, he had to stop this. The woman was attractive but he wasn’t in love with her. He had no need for petty emotions that ended up torn to pieces when real life intruded. 68

A Calculated Seduction “You’ll make a profit. With Gerry endorsing us, we’ll make a ton of money. Do you want an egg roll?” He nodded and she handed him one. “You said you almost relocated to Houston.” “Yeah, well, I was thinking about transferring down there before my dad died. Afterwards, I dropped out of school, so I just stayed here.” She just about buried her nose in the carton of food and he wasn’t going to let this go. “Why were you thinking of going down there in the first place?” “My fiancé attended school in Houston. I’d thought to join him.” “What happened to him?” “He left as soon as he found out my money wasn’t coming anytime soon.” “Oh.” She still avoided meeting his eyes. “You can understand why I might be uncomfortable talking about it.” “No, I really can’t.” Her head snapped up and anger lit her eyes. “So you don’t think I should be embarrassed to be dumped by my boyfriend?” “But he wasn’t your boyfriend, he was your fiancé, and he’s the one who should be embarrassed.” “Oh, and why is that?” “He was only dating you for money. There has to be something wrong with him.” A moment of silence filled the office, then she laughed out loud. “That’s what your uncle said.” “Well, my uncle was right.” They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes. “So what are you going with all that money?” “I’m impressed. Not many people know about that, other than Pete.” He ground his teeth at the sound of the man’s name. “Uncle Bill told me.” 69

A Calculated Seduction “Oh. Yeah, I guess he would know. Well, I plan on starting a fund to help with cancer research. Granted, I want some of the money myself but I really don’t need much to live on.” “You plan on running a charity fund with your money?” “In a way, I guess it is but a lot of the money will be used for research. Some of it will be used to generate more money. Oh, and later, I plan on expanding it into a camp for families of cancer victims. I’m thinking of calling it the Shelly Menendez Cancer Fund for Research.” For a second, it didn’t register. This woman simply could not be helping an embezzler. She was about to inherit a load of money and she planned on starting a research fund in her mother’s name. No way. Didn’t add up. Something was wrong with the picture, he thought as relief flowed through him. She had to be innocent. “Did your mother die of cancer?” A flash of sadness darkened her eyes. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her it would be okay. He wanted to kiss away the painful memories. “Yes. It was horrible. She lasted for months after they said she would die. Daddy always said the woman was more stubborn than any mule he met.” “Well, it seems her daughter took after her.” A smiled curved her lips. “Are you calling me stubborn?” A hint of flirtation colored her voice and it sent his hormones into overdrive. He shifted in his chair, trying to relieve the pressure in his balls. He’d never heard her use that tone with anyone before. “Yes, I think I was.” She laughed. “Well you and my daddy would have agreed with that one.” That one little laugh had his heart bumping against his chest at hyperspeed. He decided he needed distance away from this confusing woman. “I think you deserve a break, Dulcy. Go on home. I’ll field any problems that might come up.” “You’re sure?” “Yeah. And thanks.” 70

A Calculated Seduction “For what?” “Dinner and the conversation.” “Anytime, Mr. MacMillan.” Once she was gone, he wondered exactly if she knew he planned on calling her bluff on the offer. **** Friday night, Dulcy smiled at her nephew, Richy, as he waited in front of the microwave for the popcorn. He’d brought his latest favorite DVD and he was excited to share it with her. “It’ll ding when it’s ready.” “I know,” he said with the confidence of an eight-year-old. She shook her head, amused with him. If her sister had ever done anything right, it was giving birth to her son and fighting for custody. Golden-haired and green eyed, he was the spitting image of his mother. Although small for his age, his laid-back personality made him a popular boy. She retrieved a couple of glasses, filling them with iced tea. The microwave dinged and Richy opened the door and grabbed the bag. “Be careful. The bag’s hot,” she warned. He scoffed as he opened the bag carefully and dumped its contents into a bowl. She knew she treated him like he was a baby, but she really couldn’t believe how grown up he was. Pretty soon, he’d want nothing to do with his goofy single aunt. She followed him into the living room and they curled up on the couch under an afghan she’d knitted with her grandmother. “So Mom says you have a hot date Saturday night.” The disdain in his voice almost made her laugh, but the serious expression on his face stopped her. “No. I’m going with my boss to the Gala welcoming Gerry to the company.” “Mom thinks you have a hot date with Mr. Bill?” She chuckled at the horrified expression on his face. “No, sweetie, I’m accompanying my new boss, Bill’s nephew.”

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A Calculated Seduction The previews flashed on the screen but Richy really didn’t seem interested in them. He munched on his popcorn and took a few sips of tea. “So, I guess he’s kinda young?” She nodded, wondering at the concern she saw in his eyes. “It’s just that...well except for your friend Pete, you never go out with guys. Now you’re going out with this guy, and...I don’t like it.” Realization hit her over the head. Every time her sister had a new man, she dropped Richy anywhere she could. His father, a workaholic, would pass him around relatives. She knew she’d been his only constant. “Richy, first of all, I’m not dating him. And, secondly, you never have to worry about where you stand with me. I will always be there for you.” She never looked away from his eyes. The worry vanished with her promise, a smile lightening his features. “Now, let’s get to watching this movie.” **** “Nothing else?” Ethan asked Todd late Friday night. Still angry with himself and Dulcy, he’d stayed late at the office, trying to find something to nail lover boy on. He usually didn’t take such a strong dislike to someone, but there was something about him. Probably the fact Ethan had spent the last five hours trying to figure out whether or not Pete Anderson had slept with Dulcy. “No. Of course, if he left his daddy’s company because of embezzling, it could be in an offshore account.” “Hmm.” He wandered around his office while Todd droned on about the procedure to find those bank accounts. Something had been wrong with Dulcy. She’d been mad at his accusations but...maybe she’d been trying to get him out of her hair. “And if we can get it through those...” Todd continued, but Ethan barely paid attention. He sat behind her desk and began shuffling things around. What did she do today? “Locked her desk!” “What?” Todd asked. “She locked her desk today. Hold on.” 72

A Calculated Seduction He never remembered her locking her desk before today. Setting the phone on the desk, he grabbed her letter opener and jimmied the door open. Nothing in the first drawer. He opened her file drawers and his heart dropped. There in the front of her files was a print out of all the current accounts and their balances.

Chapter 9 Ethan stared at the green and white striped paper filled with columns of numbers. Somewhere in his brain, in his heart, he’d hoped she was innocent. With those big gray eyes, and her cute little nose, and those beautiful breasts... Jesus, he had to start thinking with the bigger brain. Todd’s voice buzzed from the phone and Ethan picked it up. “Ethan, what the hell—” “Quit yelling, Denison. I’ve got proof she might be involved.” Not might, was. “She’s got a printout of all the accounts that have been tampered with. Any luck on finding where the money is going?” “No, but I’m still working on it. It’s transferred out using the passwords with no indication to where or by whom.” “Keep at it and give me a call when you find out. I’m not letting this go.” “Sure thing, boss. You still going on your date with her tomorrow night?” “Yeah.” And he was going to make sure Miss Dulcinea Menendez learned a few lessons by the end of the night. **** 73

A Calculated Seduction After sending Richy off with his momma, Dulcy began the task of getting ready. Just after five that afternoon, the doorbell rang just as she’d stepped out of the shower. She grabbed a robe and headed to the door. Maude stood on her doorstep, another bag of torture in her hand. “Time to get beautiful,” she said as she bustled past Dulcy. “Good thing you already had your shower.” “Don’t you have a date to get ready for?” Dulcy asked. Maude dumped the bag on the kitchen table and turned to face her. She patted her short curls. “I don’t have much to do to get ready. My makeup’s done. Besides, it’s not really a date. We’re only companions.” Dulcy snorted, but didn’t say a word. “And you have a date with Ethan and you need to look great.” Her enthusiastic mood made Dulcy suspicious. “Is there something you’re not telling me?” Maude folded her arms in a defensive gesture but said nothing. “You are hiding something! What?” “Well, Richy told me...he told me Barbie’s going to be there tonight.” “Is that all? Jeez, you’d think it was the end of the world,” she said with false bravado. “Dulcy, I know how you feel about your stepsisters.” She shrugged, trying to quell the envy she felt for her sisters. Guilt followed swiftly. They were not to blame for her being ordinary. She was born with run of the mill features, a product of genes. It didn’t make it any easier to bring home a date in high school and have them drool over her gorgeous stepsisters. The only one who hadn’t was Jason. Sweet, caring Jason, who’d faded as soon as the terms of her father’s will became public. “Honey, you don’t need to worry about Ethan.” She shook free of her thoughts and smiled at the older woman. “Maude, I’m not worried at all about Ethan. He’s not my type and I’m not his. We are going as working partners. Just like I did with Bill a million times before.” 74

A Calculated Seduction “I think you’ve shut yourself off because of that ex-fiancé of yours.” “I have not shut myself off, Maude. Good night! I’m only twenty-four years old. Besides, I have a rule about dating anyone associated with work. You know that. Now, what did you bring?” Maude sighed but said nothing else about the subject. “Well, I brought some things to do your hair, but I don’t want to scare you. Why don’t you head on in and get your face done and I’ll get my stuff ready for you?” **** As the company limo turned into the apartment complex parking lot, Ethan tried to calm his racing heart. Never in his life had he been so nervous when picking up a date. Even when he took Ellen Caldwell to the senior prom his palms didn’t sweat. Here he was, at the age of thirty-two, about to charm secrets out of Dulcy Menendez and he didn’t know if he’d make a fool of himself or not. “We’re here, Mr. MacMillan,” the driver said. “Thanks, Ted.” He didn’t move, but looked up at the door. His stomach tried to revolt, but he knew it had nothing to do with his earlier anger. After thinking about it, he realized Dulcy probably thought she’d been helping a friend. Anderson had used her tender heart. She just didn’t know any better. But it didn’t make deceiving her any easier on Ethan. “She lives in two oh five, Mr. MacMillan.” “I know,” he snapped. “I’m sorry, Ted. I’ll only be a moment.” He stepped out of the limo and took another deep breath. He could do this; he was Ethan MacMillan, security expert. A man ruthless enough to use an innocent to further his investigation. He knocked on her door. “Just a minute.” At the sound of her voice, every nerve he’d settled leapt to life. Immediately, his cock hardened. He was pathetic. All because she had told him to wait for her. Isn’t that just like a woman? Never ready on time, never a thought he’d be so nervous, he was biting his thumbnail. He stuck his hands in his pockets and turned his back to the door. What was 75

A Calculated Seduction taking the woman so long? It’s not like she had much to do to make herself presentable. The door opened quietly behind him and he spun around. Any logical thought flew from his mind and all the blood drained from his brain. She was breathtaking. The black velvet dress she wore hugged her breasts and hips. It was long sleeved, but bared her smooth shoulders, dipping down between her breasts. The straight skirt was slit and revealed a black stocking-clad thigh. At least, he hoped it was stockings. She cleared her throat and he realized he hadn’t said a word. He looked up at her face, her topaz eyes wary. Then he realized she wasn’t wearing her glasses. “Where are your glasses?” Smooth, MacMillan. Not, you take my breath away. Can I jump your bones right now? No, you ask about her eyewear. She chuckled. “Maude confiscated them.” “Oh.” Oh, yeah, sweep her off her feet. Her hair was a riot of curls around her face, her makeup perfect, her full lips painted red. “Are you ready?” Yeah. No blood left in his brain. “Well, I’m standing outside with my door locked behind me. I’d say that’s a yes.” He was nonplussed for a second and then laughed. Women usually didn’t get sarcastic with him, but this one did it on a regular basis. He held out his arm and she graciously accepted it. As she walked beside him, her scent, peaches and cream, surrounded him. He stepped aside when they reached the stairs and allowed her to walk down in front of him. This was an assignment and he had to remember that. The woman was dangerous to his libido. How could he complete his work if his brain had no blood in it? Ted was standing by the car door, a smile on his face and an appreciative gleam in his eyes. “Good evening, Miss Menendez,” he said, his eyes dipping down to her cleavage. Ethan fisted his hands, but kept them at his side. 76

A Calculated Seduction “Hello, Ted. I didn’t know you would be driving us this evening.” “It’s always a pleasure. And might I say, you look beautiful tonight.” “Thank you, Ted.” She sat in the car and Ethan glared at Ted, who had finally torn his attention away from Dulcy’s breasts. His lecherous expression changed to worry, then fear, as Ethan stared him down and then got into the limo. “What was all that about?” He looked at Dulcy, who sat across from him. Because of the position of the seat, the slit in her dress had fallen open and he could see most of her leg. She shifted and he moved his attention back to her face. “What was...oh, Ted was, well he was staring at your...” and he gestured to her breasts. She flushed from her chest to her forehead. “Mr. MacMillan.” The tone she used made him feel like a little schoolboy. And, even that turned him on. “He didn’t.” He decided not to argue with her because he really couldn’t think. That crooked little smile she gave him warmed his blood. “You just don’t pay attention to men, Dulcy.” Her eyes widened and her full lips parted. “I do, too.” “No, you don’t. Men are always looking at you. They check you out.” She snorted and he laughed. “Yeah, what men?” She crossed her arms beneath her breasts, plumping them further. Sweat gathered on his back and he drew in a deep breath, trying to calm the impulse to reach out and run his fingers over her creamy honeyed skin. “Well, how about Anderson?” “Pete?” He shook his head. “Believe me, he’s not interested in me and he doesn’t count.” “Okay, how about that copier guy that came in yesterday? He kept trying to get you to talk to him.” 77

A Calculated Seduction “Hmm. Of course, you did notice the ring.” No he hadn’t. “Yeah, he was married.” “Didn’t mean he wasn’t interested.” She rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Why do I get the impression you haven’t dated much since you broke it off with your fiancé?” “I date,” she said defensively. “I’m just selective.” “Ah, so you think someone like Anderson is good for you.” “I’ve told you before, we’re just friends.” Were they or was she covering up for him? If she thought he was on to her, she might lie about their involvement. She shifted in her seat, and he heard the creak of leather, the sliding of silk against silk. He repositioned himself so he wouldn’t embarrass himself. His tux pants drew tighter over his erection and he had to do something before they reached the hotel. Walking in with a massive boner wasn’t something he wanted to do. **** By the time they reached the hotel, Dulcy’s nerves were worn. If things continued on the same path, she’d be nothing but a puddle of anxiety by the end of the evening. When Dulcy had opened the door and seen Ethan standing on her balcony, she’d been momentarily stunned. The man filled out a business suit well, but he was devastating in a tux. The cut was expensive, but the color, charcoal gray, was what mesmerized her. It was the exact color of his eyes. Her nipples grew hard and her sex pulsed at the memory. She glanced in his direction as they walked down the hall. The combination of his spicy cologne and his own personal scent drifted toward her. With every whiff, her head swam. It was either that, or the fact she hadn’t eaten since lunch. She’d been too nervous and being the muncher she was, Dulcy knew she would eat too much tonight. The function didn’t start for another thirty minutes, but both of them had wanted to get there early to make sure everything was set up properly. They walked through the door and Ethan whistled. Decorated in red, black and silver, the MacMillan Boots company colors, the large ballroom had been transformed into a 78

A Calculated Seduction cowboy wonderland. Imitation miniature mesquite trees, strewn with sparkling white lights, dotted the room. Giant-sized posters of Gerry Dillon, hung from the ceiling. One was a close-up of him, while the rest were scenes from each of his four bull-riding championships. A small balding man, his belly almost as wide as his height, rushed forward, his forehead dotted with sweat. “Miss Menendez, so wonderful to see you again,” he said, glancing pointedly towards Ethan. “Thank you, Mr. Brown. Mr. MacMillan, I’d like to introduce Mr. Dirk Brown. He’s the catering manager here.” Ethan smiled and extended his hand. “You did a wonderful job here, Mr. Brown.” All of his muscles visibly relaxed with Ethan’s approval. “You don’t have a problem with the trees?” Ethan wandered away while Dulcy made the final checks with Mr. Brown. After answering some questions, she walked over to Ethan, who was prowling the room. There was no other way to describe it, the man moved with the lethal grace of a leopard. He stood with his back to her, looking out the oversized windows that led to the patio. His shoulders filled out his coat. Her eyes traveled down his back and she wondered about it. Was it lean and muscular, where she could watch every muscle move? Before she reached him, Bill’s voice rang out through the room. “Dulcy, Ethan! This is fantastic!” Dulcy turned and smiled at him. Dressed all in white from his ten-gallon hat to his cowboy boots, Bill strode forward and hugged her. “You did a fantastic job, Dulcy!” He released her and kept her anchored to his side. “You certainly have outdone yourself with this. Don’t you think so, Ethan?” She looked at Ethan, who wore almost the same exact smile as Bill. Dulcy was struck by how much uncle and nephew resembled each other.

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A Calculated Seduction “Why, don’t you look nice, Ethan,” Maude said when she finally made her way to them. Her red calf-length dress had a fitted bodice, flared at the waist and complimented her ivory skin. “Thank you, Maude.” “Have you seen Gerry yet, Dulcy?” Bill asked. “Ethan and I arrived a few minutes ago, but I haven’t seen him. You know Gerry. He’s not going to be on time for anything but a ride.” “Now, Miss Menendez, I never knew you were particularly interested in my ability to ride,” Gerry said from behind her. Her face warmed as she turned to greet their guest of honor. “Mr. Dillon, how are you this evening?” “Just fine, Miss Menendez.” His eyes roamed down her dress all the way to her shoes. Then, they traveled back up, pausing briefly at her breasts. “I’m sure you know everyone here except Maude Bellows. Maude, this is Gerry Dillon.” Gerry stepped forward, took Maude’s hand and brought it to his lips. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He immediately turned his attention back to Dulcy. “I’d like a tour of the room, if you don’t mind, Miss Menendez.” He held out his arm and Dulcy slid her hand up his elbow. “What would you like to see first?” **** “Ethan quit glaring at their backs, you’ll leave scorch marks,” Bill said. “I just don’t trust the guy. Dulcy told me he came on to a few employees.” And the feeling of ownership, of overwhelming jealousy was too new for him to sort through. He just didn’t understand them. “I’m sure she can handle herself,” Maude remarked and he glanced at the older woman. “Dulcy’s a lot tougher than people give her credit for.” Ethan grunted, then turned back to watch Gerry Dillon as he placed his hand on the small of her back. He bit back a growl, 80

A Calculated Seduction knowing it would not be good for the company to tear his arms out and beat him over the head with them. He’d convinced himself he could put up with Gerry’s attention until the man slid his hand down to pat Dulcy on her rounded ass. He stepped forward, but Bill placed a restraining hand on his arm. He looked down at the hand and then at Bill’s face. “She can handle herself, Ethan.” “I know she can, I just don’t like anyone handling my employees.” “Go take a breather and I’ll take care of it. You go over there, we could lose our star.” He nodded and with one last glance at Gerry and Dulcy, he headed to the bathroom. **** “Gerry, if you don’t take your hand off my ass, I’m going to break it and various other body parts you’re fond of,” Dulcy said. She couldn’t believe the idiot was actually trying to cop a feel. He chuckled, but moved his hand. “I never knew you were so good looking, or so sassy.” His blue eyes sparkled, a sexy grin curving his lips. She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and stepped away from him. “Gerry, I’m not your type.” “I haven’t met a beautiful woman who wasn’t my type. Besides, it’s not like your dating that stone faced executive.” “Ethan? N...no, I’m not.” “Well, what’s wrong with me?” He took a step closer, backing her up against the wall. Irritation crawled up her spine, stiffening it. She wasn’t afraid of him because she knew exactly what a wellplaced knee would do to his ardor. “You have to ask? First of all, your type is usually a big Texas blonde with even larger attributes. Gerry, you’re a flirt who will never settle down. You don’t have a serious bone in your body.” She leaned forward, trying hard not to laugh at the mutinous look on his face. He looked like a three-year-old who had been denied a treat. “And office gossip has you lacking in stamina.” 81

A Calculated Seduction His face flushed red, but a surprised laugh burst out of him. “What is it about you that makes me feel like a little boy who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar?” She threw her hands in the air and started to walk away. “I give up.” “Hey.” He grabbed her arm and she turned to find him smiling at her. “I’m just kidding with ya. Can’t blame a guy for trying.” “No, but I can shoot him.” He laughed and released her and she turned away, running into Bill. His eyes were narrowed as he studied Gerry over her shoulder. “You having problems him, Dulcy?” he asked. “No, Bill. Gerry was just being Gerry.” She smiled and he relaxed. She glanced around and noticed the room had started to fill up with guests, but it was one blonde-haired beauty who caught her eye. Her sister had dressed in a short red dress, a tacky little matching cowboy hat on her head and her arm wrapped around a brown-haired man. They were making their way to her and she squinted, trying to discern who was her sister’s escort. When she realized who he was, they were too close for her to run the other direction. They stopped within a couple of feet of her. “Dulcy, you look just cute as a bug.” “Not the words I would have chosen,” her companion said. It had been years since she’d seen him, but he looked almost exactly the same. The same understanding smile curved his lips when he broke off their engagement. “Hey, Dulcinea, how are you doing?” “Hello, Jason.”

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Chapter 10 Jason’s facial muscles relaxed as if he’d been unsure of Dulcy’s reaction. Like she would make a scene! It was one of the things that always bothered her about him. Whenever he felt unsure of himself, he picked a public forum. “It’s great to see you, Dulcy. You look fabulous.” “I told you she looked different,” Tori said as she cuddled closer to Jason. He’d been the one boyfriend who didn’t pay attention to her stepsisters when Dulcy was in the room and he looked highly uncomfortable at the moment. Gerry shifted beside her and draped his arm over her shoulders. “Miss Menendez, why don’t you introduce me to your friends here?” “Gerry Dillon, this is Jason Fellows and my stepsister, Victoria Sanders. Jay and Tori, this is Gerald Dillon, bull rider extraordinaire.” He squeezed her shoulders as he chuckled. “Nice to meet both of you, but Dulcy and I have some things to look into. We’ll catch up with y’all later.” He pulled Dulcy away and steered them in the direction of the patio when a very angry Ethan MacMillan stepped into their path. **** “Where do the two of you think you’re going?” Ethan asked, his teeth clenched so tight, his jaw hurt. The man had his hands all over her and was trying to sneak her into a darkened corner to find out if she was wearing pantyhose or stockings. Ethan knew, because that’s what he wanted to do. 83

A Calculated Seduction “Why, I’m escorting Miss Menendez to the patio for some fresh air.” Gerry wore a mocking smile that had Ethan’s hand itching. Dulcy rolled her eyes and batted Gerry’s arm away. “Gerry, behave. He was just...well...” “I was saving you from a boring evening with your stepsister and that guy. What was with him anyway, drooling over you like that?” She was silent for a moment and then placed a hand on each rounded hip and turned on Gerry. “What do you mean ‘what was with him’? Am I not the type of woman to drool over? Jeez, you really know how to make a girl feel great.” Thank God she was finally yelling at someone else. Ethan was beginning to think he was the only male she ever yelled at. Gerry gave her a sheepish grin and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Been hit one too many times in the head during a ride. Sorry, didn’t mean it that way. What I meant is he seemed to know you.” Her shoulders slumped slightly. “Yes, I did know him. I didn’t know he made it up from Houston that often. Anyway, I guess I should be thanking you.” She leaned forward and gave Gerry a kiss on the cheek that had Ethan seeing red. “Thanks. Spending time with them would have driven me over the edge. Now, I need to freshen up before the crowd gets too big. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She walked away and Ethan stood mesmerized by the feminine sway of her velvet-encased hips. What he wouldn’t give to slide his hands around those hips and take a cheek in each hand, slide his cock into her... He studied her rear as she headed out the door. No panty line. The woman was walking around in stockings and no underwear. “You got it bad.” He grunted but didn’t make any other comment as he watched her turn the corner. “If you’re interested in the gal, you need to let her know. Otherwise, someone’ll snap her up.” 84

A Calculated Seduction He crossed his arms and faced Gerry. Somewhere in his late twenties, his blonde hair overgrown and his face tanned by the Texas sun, Ethan knew a lot of women found him attractive. “I don’t think she’s interested in you, Gerry. You’re not her type.” The butthead laughed. “Yeah, I know, but neither are you. In fact, I would say she was more not your type than the other way around. She’s the ‘get married and have a houseful of kids’ type. You’re not.” He wasn’t, but it irked him to hear Gerry say it. “You don’t know that. Besides, I never said I was interested.” Gerry’s blue eyes danced with humor. “Oh, so you don’t mind Pete having his arm wrapped around her?” Ethan cut a look at the entrance and sure enough, there was Anderson, all snuggled close to his date. He stalked in their direction as Gerry’s laughter grew louder. **** “Now, why don’t you tell me what has you so flustered,” Pete said, as he wrapped his arm around Dulcy. Her nerves had been riding on thin ice since Ethan picked her up. She’d been worried about the Gala, about Ethan, about everything. Throw Jason and Tori into the mix, and she was sure she’d have an ulcer before the night was over. “Let’s head over to the bar and I’ll tell you about it,” she said. “Not only did Tori show up, dressed all in red—” “How appropriate.” She chuckled. “Well, I have to agree on that one. Anyway, she brought Jason.” “Jason? The ex-fiancé Jason?” He whistled. “So, why did she do that?” “Who knows? I have a feeling it was more his idea because he never really could stand my stepsisters.” “Don’t try to make me like him.” His eyes twinkled with mischief and she smiled. The muscles clenched in her back relaxed just a bit. They reached the front of the line and ordered their drinks. 85

A Calculated Seduction “You could always go home,” Pete said, as they wandered through the crowd. “First of all, I can’t. I have a job to do. Besides, I wouldn’t give Tori the satisfaction.” She sipped her champagne while Pete ignored his club soda. “She was the one who told me the only reason he was interested in me was my money. She was right, but it didn’t help to hear it from her.” She’d finished her drink and headed to the bar for another as Pete followed her. Once she had her drink, she took his hand and meandered through the crowd once again. Part of her job was to act as hostess and she would not let MacMillan Boots down. Even if the thought of another ride in the limo had her body tingling and her head swimming with ideas about straddling his lap and screwing him in that back seat. “Well, maybe she didn’t invite him here to get back at you,” Pete said when they were alone. “I don’t know if she’s smart enough to come up with a plan like that.” Dulcy giggled. Her second glass, or was it her third, of champagne was starting to affect her. “No. I agree.” Pete took her glass away from her and she frowned at him. “You’ve had enough of that. You need to keep a level head tonight.” “I couldn’t agree more, Anderson.” Dulcy peeked over Pete’s shoulder and giggled again. “Oh oh, we’re in trouble, Pete. It’s the boss man.” **** Ethan’s temper was riding a thin line. It had taken him over forty-five minutes to make it to Dulcy and Anderson. As he weaved his way through the crowd, he kept one eye on them and had to be cordial to their guests. He counted at least two glasses of champagne and nothing to eat. He didn’t want Anderson taking advantage of her. Anderson turned. The relief Ethan saw on his face puzzled him.

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A Calculated Seduction “Mr. MacMillan. Dulcy is not a drinker and she needs some food to sober her up. She won’t listen to me, but she will listen to you.” “I’ll take care of her.” Dulcy was frowning at both of them. “How very male of you two to decide that.” “Dulcy, go with Mr. Macmillan. They have pigs in a blanket over there.” Her expression lightened. “Munchies. Still don’t like you telling him I’ve been drinking.” She’d crossed her arms, accentuating her breasts even more. All her creamy white skin held him mesmerized. His hand itched to touch, to caress. Anderson looked down at her, his hand on his hips. He acted completely disinterested. What was wrong with the man? “I didn’t have to tell him. Now, go with the boss and stay away from stepsisters and ex-fiancés.” Before he could interpret that statement, Dulcy had grabbed his hand and was leading him to one of the food tables. She stopped at the one with the pigs in the blanket. Releasing his hand, she grabbed up a plate and filled it with quite a bit of food. “Aren’t you getting anything?” she asked. He ignored the question. “What did Anderson mean back there?” “What...oh. One of my stepsisters brought my ex-fiancé with her tonight.” He raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. She had picked up a fat chocolate covered strawberry and was wrapping her lips around it, humming with pleasure, her head tilted slightly back and her eyes closed. The sound singed a path to his cock. She finished it off and then opened her eyes. “You really should try these, they’re wonderful.” She smacked her lips. “I need something to drink.” Before he could stop her, she was at the bar, ordering another drink. He hurried to stop her, but he hesitated. If she was a little tipsy, she might tell him things she normally wouldn’t when she was sober. 87

A Calculated Seduction She was downing another glass by the time he reached her side. “Dulcy, you need to take it easy. Don’t let anyone think you’re doing this because of him.” Her eyes widened. “I’m not drinking because of him.” She smiled up at him, just a curve of the lips and it shot straight to his groin. “You called me Dulcy.” “That is your name. Why are you drinking?” She rose to her tiptoes and had to grab hold of him to keep from falling. “Can you keep a secret?” she whispered in his ear. Her breath tickled his ear and he shivered. “Yes.” His voice was almost a whisper. “Well, so can I.” She stepped away from him, laughing as she attempted to steal away from him. “Dulcy.” He grabbed her arm. “You need to slow down on the drinking and have some more to eat.” Belatedly, he realized she’d lost her plate somewhere along the way. He turned her to face him. She tilted her face up, a sloppy smile on her face, her skin flushed, her topaz eyes half-closed. Something completely unfamiliar moved through him. It warmed him from the inside, heating his blood, but not with lust. Well, not really. There was a fair amount of lust there, but mingling with it was something he didn’t recognize. He didn’t know why his knees felt weak or his heart pounded. For a moment, he stood there, looking down at Dulcy and thinking he didn’t want to go through another day without her by his side. “I think you need to call it an evening.” His voice was hoarse. “What do I need to call an evening?” He chuckled and it hurt. It hurt so much to laugh when he didn’t know what was going on inside of him. All those feelings, jumbling around, messing with his brain. Gently, he took her arm as he searched for his uncle. Ethan hadn’t planned on making all the announcements and really, there was no reason he couldn’t leave. Bill was the master of ceremonies and he needed to get Dulcy away from the hotel before she embarrassed herself. 88

A Calculated Seduction He spotted Bill and Maude talking to another couple and hurried in their direction. Catching Bill’s eye and signaling with his head for him to meet him in the hall, Ethan walked Dulcy to the door. Before they reached the exit, a big blonde, her hair teased to perfection, her perfect face heavily painted, intercepted them. She was leaning against a well-dressed young man, who studied Dulcy as if she owned the world. “Dulcy, I didn’t think you would be leaving this early,” the blonde said. Her muscles tensed beneath his hand. “Well, Tori, my job was more behind the scenes. Everything is running smoothly and Ethan and I had a long week.” He showed no reaction to the use of his first name, but the other two did. “Dulcy, honey, we need to get going,” he said. “But I thought there was to be dancing later,” the man said. He knew he was her ex, but refused to acknowledge the anger that boiled his blood. The man had his chance with Dulcy. He messed it up. “There is, but like Dulcy said, we’ve had a long week. Both of us just want to slip beneath the covers and relax.” Her stepsister’s eyes widened and the ex’s narrowed. He stepped forward as if to challenge Ethan, but Dulcy stopped him. “Oh, pooh. I don’t want to go to sleep. Let’s order some Chinese, just like the other night. I’m starving.” “Sure thing, Dulcy.” He tried his damnedest not to smile, but it was hard. The ex’s face had lost all expression and his mouth was hanging open. “If you’ll excuse us.” They walked around the other couple and out the doors. “What took you so long?” his uncle asked when they met him in the hall. “We were waylaid by Jay and Tori,” Dulcy said. “I think she had some work done on her face.” Then she giggled. “Oh, I understand why you want to leave now. Dulcy can’t hold a drop of liquor and rarely indulges.” “Yes, I gathered that much,” Ethan said. “I wanted to get her home before she embarrassed herself and blames me.” 89

A Calculated Seduction Bill chuckled. “Well, I know she’s in good hands.” Dulcy snorted and Ethan shot her an exasperated look. He grabbed her hand and led her down the hall toward the entrance of the hotel. He had to get her home. If not, he would surely take advantage of the situation. The only problem he had was deciding who was going to take advantage: the investigator or the man. **** Once they were settled in the limo, Dulcy kicked off her shoes and leaned back in the seat. “That really was wonderful.” She sighed. Her head was spinning but her whole body was heated. Being alone with Ethan, well, it turned her on. Her blood pulsed through her, arousing her. A delicious ache snaked through her. Ethan didn’t say anything, just stared at her feet. “Mr. MacMillan, is there something wrong with my feet?” He looked up. “Back at the hotel, you called me Ethan.” “Okay, Ethan, why are you staring at my feet?” His face flushed and he cleared his throat. “Well, I’ve never seen your feet before.” And, that was supposed to explain why he stared at her feet? Like he was doing again. “Of course you’ve seen my feet before. You see me everyday.” “But you wear shoes.” His eyes remained fixed on her feet and it was making her feel uncomfortable. Not in an icky uncomfortable way, but in a way that made her whole body pulse. She shifted to ease some of the pressure that slid from her belly to between her legs. Her head was no longer spinning from champagne. Ethan’s intense stare was draining all the blood from her brain. “Ethan, stop it.” “Stop what?” His voice had deepened, sending a rush of shivers down her spine. “Okay, I’m putting my shoes back on.” She bent to retrieve her shoes, but he stayed her hand. She looked up and locked eyes with him. His were darker than night, no longer gray but black. Was it desire? It had to be. Gently, he cupped her foot and brought it to his lap. 90

A Calculated Seduction “Your feet. They’re so tiny, with this wonderful arch,” he said, his voice rougher than before. The sound of it slid along her skin, leaving a path of tingles in its wake. He pressed his thumb on the arch. A shock lanced through her, heat curling in her belly, more liquid gushing to her sex. He picked up her other foot and applied the same treatment. His thumb pressed and rubbed little circles against her silk-clad foot. Her skin prickled with arousal and she moaned. He chuckled. “You like that, do ya?” For an answer, she moaned again as he applied a little extra pressure. Then she felt his hands on her ankles and he pulled her forward, to the edge of her seat. His eyes were half-lidded, drugged with desire for her. Her, mousy little Dulcy Menendez. His big hands wrapped around her waist and lifted her on his lap. She sat straddled on his lap and just looked down at him. The scent of him filled her senses, the clean smell of soap mixed with his cologne and the night air. He was just so beautiful, she couldn’t believe she was there. His eyes were thick lashed and brimming with lust? She wasn’t sure and she just didn’t care. Even if all he felt for her was lust, she would take that. She was positive, at that moment, she loved this man. Anything else just didn’t matter. His hands moved to cup her rear and she moaned his name. She settled atop him, his hardened cock nestled against her. Without any panties, she could feel the heat of him, his long, hot length pulsing against her. Her nipples tightened painfully against the lace of her bra. All she could think about was stripping out of her clothes and rubbing her breasts against his hard chest. He cupped her face and slowly brought it to his, never breaking eye contact. He nibbled on her bottom lip, then pulled her closer and took possession of her mouth. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, and without hesitation, she opened it, willingly allowing him to venture where he wanted. Without thinking, she gyrated her hips. He moaned, sending another hot rush of shivers through her. She did it again with the same response, so she slowly built a rhythm as she felt him grow even harder beneath her and she felt herself grow damp. Bolder, 91

A Calculated Seduction with a growing confidence she’d never felt before, she ventured her tongue into his mouth, tangling with his. Heat spiraled out of control. Tension gathered in her belly as he slid one hand slowly down her chest, his knuckles skimmed over her turgid nipple and she moaned. He continued his descent until he could reach inside the slit of her dress. His fingers touched her dewy curls and he broke away from her. “Dulcy.” His voice was raspy with desire and lust and a hint of something she didn’t understand. “I...you’re not wearing...I thought...” Ethan MacMillan, executive, professional, CEO of MacMillan Boots, a man always in control, couldn’t complete a thought because he was out of his mind with desire for her. She grabbed both sides of his face and took his lips in a bruising kiss. All of the love and desire she felt for this man filtered through that kiss, trying to let him know what she felt. She released his face while she continued kissing him. Quickly, her hands slid down his chest to his groin. She scooted back a bit, and yanked his zipper down. His erection sprang free. She wrapped her fingers around it, stroking him. He leaned his head on the seat and closed his eyes. A drop of moisture already wet the head. She grazed her thumb over it and spread the liquid around. His breath quickened and he grabbed her hand. “You keep that up and I won’t last long.” She looked into his eyes, darker than a moonless night. “I don’t know how much more I can control myself, Dulcy.” The sound of his baritone voice washed over her. Her whole being tingled, all the way to her soul. Without a word, she lifted herself off his lap and positioned her body over his penis. She took him in her hand and slowly brushed the head, back and forth between her folds, wet with desire. She never looked away from him, but stared into his eyes, neither saying a word. Then, she slid down his shaft. Slowly, inch by inch, she took in his length. She began to move, slowly at first but the tension within her built, blood rushing to her sex. 92

A Calculated Seduction “Oh, yessss, Dulcy,” Ethan groaned. She quickened her pace. She gyrated her hips a little and he moaned her name again. He pulled the front of her dress and her bra down. Her breasts sprang free, and he took one distended nipple in his mouth. He swirled his tongue around the tip, then grazed it with his teeth. One hand brushed the nipple of her other breast. He pinched it and a delicious ache spread from her breasts to the rest of her body. His hand stole down between her legs as the painful pressure sharpened. One flick of his thumb on her clitoris and she exploded into a million little pieces, her body convulsing. He grabbed her hips and increased the pace. He groaned her name as he followed her a moment later. **** Ethan stirred as the limo came to a stop. He slowly opened his eyes and took a deep breath. The scent of peaches and musky arousal filled his senses. Dulcy still sat atop him, his cock still encased in her wet heat. She moaned a little and snuggled closer. She placed a tender kiss just beneath his jaw. In all his days, he’d never had such an erotic experience. He shouldn’t have made love to her, but there had been no way he could have stopped once they got started. It complicated things, but the truth was, he didn’t give a damn. Dulcy was warm and soft against him and just thinking about her little moans had him growing within her again. He squinted out the tinted window and realized Ted had driven them to his house, instead of Dulcy’s apartment. Ted apparently assumed Dulcy would be spending the night. A heavy sigh escaped him when he thought about the talk he would have with Ted. He didn’t want a word of this getting out in the company. Gossip in a small corporation like MacMillan Boots would spread like a brush fire and it would hurt Dulcy’s reputation, not to mention her feelings. “Ethan,” she said. She kissed his neck again and then let out a little snore. He chuckled, thinking about how good it was going to be waking up with her in the morning. But first things first, he had to 93

A Calculated Seduction get her into the house without too much fuss. He lifted her off of him, placed her on the seat beside him and zipped up his pants. As he rearranged her dress, pulling up the bodice, there was a knock on the window. “What?” “Are you ready, sir?” Ted said. “Yes.” Ted opened the door and Ethan got out, then scooped Dulcy up into his arms. “Miss Menendez is a little sleepy.” A small smiled curved his lips. “Yes, sir. Mr. MacMillan told me she would be going home with you tonight.” Ah, so that’s how they ended up there. “Ted, if you want to keep your job, you’ll keep your mouth shut about this.” His expression sobered. “Of course, sir. I’d never gossip about Miss Menendez.” Ethan nodded and headed up his front walk. Footsteps sounded behind him. He looked back over his shoulder. “I thought you might need help unlocking the door.” “Thanks, Ted.” Once they were inside and Ted was on his way, Ethan sighed and headed for his bedroom. He placed her on his bed. She rolled away from him, snuggling into his pillows. Chuckling, he watched her wiggle her ass, trying to find just the right spot. She stilled, then sighed and let out another little snore. That dress couldn’t be that comfortable to sleep in, but he just didn’t know how to get it off her without waking her up. He stripped out of his clothes, all the while watching her sleep. There was something so good about her, so sweet, so tender. The same undefined emotion shifted through him, throwing him off balance. He roamed to the other side of the bed. The moonlight illuminated her face. She’d folded her hands and tucked then beneath her head, just like a child. He shook his head, trying to deny what coursed through him. There was no fighting it, but he decided to ignore it for tonight. He pulled the covers down and slipped in beside her. She immediately snuggled closer to him, burrowing her nose beneath his chin. 94

A Calculated Seduction Their situation was complicated. No matter what problems came out of it all, they would figure it out. They had to, because the one thing he discovered was living without Dulcy was not an option.

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Chapter 11 Dulcy stretched her arms above her head and snuggled deeper under the covers. She didn’t want to wake and ruin the delicious feeling of silk against her skin. It had to be a dream, because she had good old cotton on her full-size bed. She rolled to her right and came in contact with something solid and warm. And very hairy. Slowly, she opened her eyes and found herself face level with Ethan. At first, the fact she was in bed with him just didn’t register. Then she remembered the Gala, drinking too much champagne, flirting with him in the limo. Oh, no. Maybe it was all just a bad dream. She closed her eyes and then opened them again, but he was still there. Darkness surrounded them, but she could still make out the stubble on his chin and the sexy half-smile curving his lips. She rolled onto her back. It was then she realized she was still wearing her dress. Well thank goodness for small favors. But that meant she’d had sex with him without even taking off her clothes. Good Lord, she’d made love to her boss. How clichéd could she get? Heck, she didn’t even wait to get to his house, she’d jumped him in the limo. She closed her eyes again. The memories piled one on top of another. The foot rubbing, her flirting. Her whole body heated as she remembered how bold she’d been with him and how wonderful the sex had been. She had to get out of there. Slowly, she scooted to the edge of the bed, trying not to disturb him. Just as she thought she’d escaped, his arm slid around her stomach and pulled her back into 96

A Calculated Seduction bed. He kept pulling her until her back was flush with his chest. His muscular thighs rubbed against the back of hers and his hard, thick cock prodded her bottom. A wave of heat swept through her. “And just where do you think you’re going, Miss Menendez?” he asked, his voice rough with arousal and so deep, she could feel the vibrations down to her toes. She swallowed before answering. “I thought I would...umm...I needed to go to the bathroom.” He chuckled knowingly. “Really? For a moment there, I thought maybe you were having second thoughts.” She laughed but it sounded forced even to her own ears. “No...no. I just needed to get more comfortable.” She tried to sound very nonchalant about the whole thing and failed miserably. His arm tightened around her waist. “I can help you with that.” Oh God, she would die to wake up every morning to that voice. Smooth and delicious, just like chocolate. Every hormone in her body surged to the surface. Defiantly, she pushed them down and tried to grasp at some sense of decorum. “Really, Mr. MacMillan, I need to use the bathroom.” She knew her face turned bright pink. Sure, she was more embarrassed about announcing her bladder problems than the fact she jumped her boss’s bones. He chuckled again. “Now, Dulcy, I liked it when you called me Ethan. And truth is, I think it’s a little awkward. Don’t you agree?” “Agree?” She swallowed and tried to concentrate on the conversation, but it was difficult. His hot breath whispered against the sensitive skin just behind her ear. Every time he talked, his chest vibrated against her velvet clad back. “Well, considering what happened in the limo, I assumed you’d use my first name.” She opened her mouth to tell him in no way was this going to change their relationship, when his head moved away from hers. A second later, his upper lip touched just above the neckline of her dress and she tensed, expecting a kiss on her skin. Instead, all the 97

A Calculated Seduction breath in her body escaped in a whoosh as his teeth grabbed hold of her zipper. Slowly, he inched the zipper down her back, releasing her waist now he had no reason to hold her. He captivated her with his lips against her skin as he slid the zipper down, his breath warming her back. She lay frozen, but she was far from cold. Every nerve in her body shimmered when he reached the bottom of the zipper. A moment later, his tongue touched the small of her back. He licked a path back up to her neck and nuzzled her ear again. “You taste good, Dulcinea.” The use of her full name usually irritated her. But the sound of it on his lips transformed her blood from warm to hot molten lava. “From the first time we kissed, I knew you would be my downfall, woman. You tasted so innocent and so wicked, both at the same time.” He nipped at her ear lobe as he slid his hand beneath the fabric of her dress. She’d lost any control over rational thought, but she had to at least try to curb this problem before it blew up in her face. Like if she fell in love with him. Panic clawed at her stomach. She wasn’t in love with Ethan MacMillan. That would be beyond stupid. Men like him ate girls like her for breakfast. She attempted to stop the situation from spiraling out of control. “Really, Mr. MacMillan—” “Ethan,” he demanded. His hand had stilled on her hip. “Ethan.” He relaxed against her back as his hand moved down past her hip. His fingers trailed a path down to cup her bottom. “Ethan.” “Hmmm.” His voice filled with lazy sensuality. “I really want you out of this dress, Dulcinea.” The sound of her name on his lips again sent her senses whirling out of control. He shifted behind her, the bed dipping as he moved. The sound of a match being struck had her rolling onto her back. Ethan lighted several candles he had on his bedside table.

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A Calculated Seduction “So you’re prepared for any situation?” Her voice flattened and a little of her soul died. Truthfully, she wasn’t surprised. It didn’t mean she wasn’t hurt. “Naw. Been a little stressed out and Uncle Bill gave these to me.” She raised an eyebrow and he chuckled. “No, really. Marge insisted they would help me sleep.” Sounded like her. “Did it help?” “No. Kept having the same dream.” “What dream?” “The one where I make love to you all night. You know, where I sink my cock in your pussy.” It was then she realized he stood beside the bed, completely nude. The warm glow of the candlelight cast shadows on his bronze skin. Every muscle on his chest resembled stone. Her eyes traveled down past his sculpted abs and to his erection. She gulped. “Like what you see?” Her eyes flew to his and she saw humor mixed with a little tension. “Well...I can’t help but be impressed.” She couldn’t help taking another peek. He groaned, grabbed her hand and pulled her up off the bed. Within a few seconds, he had her standing beside the bed in nothing but thigh highs. “Now what I’ve been preoccupied with is your taste.” He stood so close. The very heat of him burned through her skin and all the way to her soul. She lifted her eyes to his and saw the dark intent, the arousal. Every thought died as he seated her on the bed, then had her recline. His eyes traveled down her body. Her nipples tightened as his gaze lingered on her breasts. “Dulcy, you were made for me. I’m not sure I’ll be able to control myself.” His voice shook as affection filled her. This man, who always seemed in control, in fact, he seemed to need it as others needed air to breathe, was losing control just by looking at her. Without warning, he came down on top of her. The feel of his hard muscles against her skin comforted her and aroused her at the same time. He took her face into his hands and lowered his lips to 99

A Calculated Seduction hers, never closing his eyes. At first, he placed tender kisses on her lips. Nothing aggressive, but just as passionate as she remembered. Her whole being tingled with anticipation, which was quickly replaced with frustration as he continued his gentle assault. Fed up with his slow pace, she opened her mouth and traced the seam of his. He stilled then opened his mouth, but didn’t allow her to take charge. Immediately, he took possession, his tongue stealing past her lips. A second later, he was gone, easing himself down her body. His hands were on her breasts, his lips on her nipples. Further he slid, until he settled on his knees on the floor. He slipped his hand beneath her bottom and lifted her off the bed. “I told you. I’ve been dreaming about the way you taste.” She raised her head a moment before his breath whispered against the very center of her being. His lips followed a moment later. She moaned, allowing the sensation of being completely possessed by him wash over her. Heat churned her belly and slipped lower to her pulsing center. Before she was ready, he was easing up her body. His lips came down on hers the moment he thrust into her body. She tasted herself on his tongue as it swept inside her mouth. As he thrust in and out of her, he lifted himself. Even in the flickering candlelight, the intent in his eyes was unmistakable. He wanted to possess her, to own her very soul. And, Lord help her, she wanted that too. She wanted to be the woman he conquered. She moved, enjoying the sensation of being one with Ethan, of consuming his attention. Every nerve in her body tightened, then shattered as she screamed his name while he poured himself inside her. **** Ethan held Dulcy as she burrowed her head beneath his chin. Everything he’d ever known about lovemaking had been challenged tonight. This little woman, with her cute little nose and quirky sense of humor, had thrown him for a loop. What was he going to do about a woman who stole from his uncle’s company, but sent his blood racing at the sound of her laugh? 100

A Calculated Seduction His phone rang in his home office and he knew only one person would call on that line, Todd. Trying not to disturb her, he eased out of bed and hurried to the phone. “MacMillan.” “Hey, boss. Sorry to bother you, but someone got into the system tonight.” Every sense went on alert. “When?” “During your big Gala. Accessed a few accounts and shifted money.” At first, jubilation surged within him. If it happened then, he knew Dulcy hadn’t helped. “It was around ten tonight.” He smiled. About the time Miss Menendez seduced him. Then his smile faded. Just after the other suspect convinced him to take her home. Could it be that the drunkenness, the whole seduction had been staged? Did they know he was onto them? His blood turned cold at the thought of being used by another woman like his ex-fiancée. Fiona had wanted his money, not his love. But Dulcy had seemed so sincere in her emotions. No actress could have faked the feelings she emitted during their lovemaking. He shook his head. No. He refused to believe she would compromise herself for money. Even for a man she loved. “What do you want me to do, boss?” “I want you to fax all the information over in the morning. Everything you have and I want all the information you have on Dulcy and her little computer nerd. And I mean everything.” Ethan knew Dulcy wouldn’t be so devious, but he knew she was protecting someone. He had to find a way to protect her and still make sure they caught the culprit. A few minutes later, he settled in bed next to Dulcy. Her soft body cuddled with his. Within moments, he was asleep. **** The next time Dulcy awoke, sunlight poured into the room. She didn’t have to look next to her, she knew Ethan had already left the bed. The sound of the shower reached her and just for a second or two, she thought about joining him. The idea of slipping her hands over his slick body sent a delicious thrill through her. 101

A Calculated Seduction Then sanity returned. Dulcy Menendez did not take showers with men. Even men she loved. She hugged the knowledge to her breast. She loved Ethan more than she had ever loved any other man. Never before had she felt frightened and elated at the same time. Deciding she needed some kind of jolt, other than the love jolt, she got out of bed. She grabbed a chambray shirt draped over an easy chair next to the window. Other than the bed, the chair and his nightstand, there wasn’t much else in the room. No pictures and he still had unpacked boxes in one corner. She shrugged into his shirt and went in search of the kitchen. There was a room to the left of this one with nothing in it. The room on the right was filled to the rafters with office equipment. She turned away but the sound of a humming machine caught her attention. Thinking it to be for MacMillan Boots, she padded in the direction of the sound. It was his fax machine. A report of some sort, something about a few accounts at the company, then something about Pete Anderson. The report puzzled her. It detailed Pete’s fight with his father over his lifestyle. The next page that spun out of the machine turned her blood to ice. Her name was at the top and it detailed her personal and professional relationships. At the bottom of the second page, there was a personal note from someone at MacMillan Securities. Dulcinea Menendez’s computer was the one used last night. Proceed with caution. They used a lot of tricks to throw us off, so she may be on to us. Pain ebbed through her, shattering everything she believed about the man she loved. He had used her for some purpose. She had no idea what, but he’d slept with her to investigate her. “Dulcy,” he called from the bedroom. She didn’t answer, she couldn’t. Footsteps sounded down the hall and stopped at the door. She turned around, and there stood Ethan. His hair was darker than usual because of his shower, a towel wrapped around his waist. His lips quirked into his sexy little half-smile. And it hurt. Even as she 102

A Calculated Seduction felt her pulse race at the sight of him, she could feel the pain of his betrayal. His smile slipped at the sight of her. Something dropped on the paper. It was a tear. It was then she realized she was crying. Concern wrinkled his brow and he frowned. “Dulcy?” “When were you going to tell me about the investigation, Ethan?”

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Chapter 12 For just a half a second, hope surged through her chest because Ethan looked confused. But within that moment, when she thought she might have a chance at happiness, when all her hopes this was the man for her, the look of surprise in his eyes twisted into a mix of suspicion and guilt. She swallowed past the pain. “You want to tell me what this is all about?” she asked, the papers trembling in her hand. Anger surged through her as he stood, unwilling to defend or explain himself. She looked at the report and studied the information he’d had someone gather about her. Someone who probably knew he’d slept with her. Her upcoming inheritance was reported down to the penny. Pain whirled inside her chest. He was just like Jason. “So, now I understand everything. I wondered why a man like you would be interested in me.” “What do you mean, a man like me?” he asked, his voice lethally soft. “Oh, a man with everything. Money, looks. Men like you date women like my sisters, but then again, my sisters don’t have money like I do.” She blinked back the tears. She wouldn’t give the bastard the satisfaction of crying anymore. “What a joke it must have been for you to romance poor mousy little Dulcy. Many men tried, hell, you met one tonight. But I thought you were different.” “I am different, Dulcy.” “Really? So you always check out your lover’s background and friends?” He clenched his jaw tighter, but didn’t argue. She knew 104

A Calculated Seduction she was right. “What I want to know is why you think you would get your hands on my money?” “I’m not interested in your money,” he said from behind clenched teeth. “I have enough of my own.” “Oh, really. So when your uncle finally got you to come back to work with him, it was out of the goodness of your heart.” “You don’t understand.” “I don’t? Why don’t you explain it to me?” He snapped his teeth together and refused to answer her. Pain and anger vibrated through her. She’d been such a fool. “After years of ignoring his requests, he sets up a special fund, just for you. I’ve seen it, you know. If you have so much money and have no interest in accumulating more, why the hell did he have to pay you to come back?” “Special fund?” “Don’t play dumb with me, Ethan. I’ve seen the discrepancies in the accounts. What do you think I am, stupid?” “I thought—” “Really, you could have fooled me.” “Dulcy,” he said, his voice warning her she was stepping on his delicate corporate toes. “I didn’t get paid to come back. I did it as a favor to my uncle.” “Why would he need you? The company was running just fine without you.” “He needed some help with an internal matter.” “One I’m not privy to? Please, sell that bone to another dog.” She pushed past him and returned to the bedroom. She had to get out of there. If she didn’t, she might just hit him. He followed right behind her, practically nipping at her heels. “Dulcy, let me explain.” “Explain?” She didn’t look up as she rummaged around the room searching for her clothes. All she wanted to do was go home, eat chocolate and cry. “It wasn’t like that at all.” His voice sounded desperate, but when she looked at him, he bore the same unemotional expression. No hint of loss or anger. 105

A Calculated Seduction “Truthfully, I’m really amazed by your performance. Did you think I would sign over all my money to you?” “That isn’t why I started to romance you.” “Really.” She threw her dress and hose on the bed in disgust. “Tell me. Tell me why you came to work with your uncle after all these years. Tell me exactly why you did started romancing me.” His jaw tightened and his face flushed red. Embarrassment, anger? She’d bet the latter. “I did not romance you for any other reason than I wanted you.” “Oh, yeah, that’s believable. I’m sure every man in the throes of passion gets a detailed report on his lover and her friends.” She couldn’t keep the sarcasm or the hurt out of her voice. His face softened a little and she weakened before she bolstered herself. “I am not some little airhead idiot. I know why you came back, I know why you slept with me. Money. Greed. You’re a gold digger.” “That’s a ridiculous statement. I have more money than I know what to do with.” “So, if you don’t need money, why else would you prostitute yourself with me?” His eyes narrowed and darkened to almost black. His hands fisted at his sides. A little sliver of worry slid through her. She’d definitely awakened the tiger. “I came back to investigate the embezzling you and your boyfriend, Anderson, are doing.” Shock held her silent. He thought she was embezzling? “And why would I do that? I have no more need for money than you do.” “Because you love Anderson,” he spat out. “You’d do anything to help him maintain his lifestyle. Without his daddy’s money, he must be hurting.” “You think Pete and I are sleeping together?” She laughed, realizing it sounded a bit hysterical. “For your information, I’m not embezzling. And I’m not in love with Pete. I thought I was in love with you, but, as I can see, I was sadly mistaken.” His eyes widened 106

A Calculated Seduction and he stepped forward. She inched back, not wanting him to touch her. If he did, she would surely shatter into a thousand pieces. She grabbed her dress off the bed and stalked to the bathroom. She turned in the doorway and looked at him. He was so beautiful it hurt. “And for your information, I love Pete, but like a brother. My gay brother.” She stepped back and slammed the door in his face. No way would she let another man walk all over her. **** Ethan collapsed on the bed and waited for Dulcy. How did everything go so wrong? Anderson was gay? Good Lord, how had they missed that? Somehow, he had to make her believe him. He never thought of the company when he slept with her. Hell, the only thing he could think of was getting her into bed and keeping her there. The sound of a car in his driveway pulled him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the clock and noticed it was just after eight on a Sunday morning. He threw off his towel and grabbed a pair of jeans, donning them. After throwing on a sweatshirt, he walked to the front door just as it chimed. He opened the door to find Maude and Uncle Bill standing on his doorstep. Both of them were smiling as if they knew some secret joke. “What are you two doing here?” “Not wanting to be disturbed,” Bill said with a knowing chuckle. “It’s cold out here, Ethan.” He hesitated and then stepped back. Of all the worst possible moments for these two to show up! Now Dulcy had a getaway car. He led them into his living room, trying to come up with a reason for them to leave. “Maude called me this morning and told me Dulcy wasn’t home. We figured she was here.” He flushed at the calculated look the older woman was giving him. “She’s here, but we’ve had a bit of a lover’s spat. I’m trying to make up with her.” There. Maybe that would get rid of them. 107

A Calculated Seduction “Calling your lover a thief is more than a little lover’s spat, Ethan,” Dulcy said. He whipped around and realized she must have listened to most of the conversation from the irritated look on her face. She had dressed in her clothes. Even though they were rumpled, she was beautiful. And angry. She was very, very angry. Her hair still held the ‘just out of bed mussed’ look, her lips were still swollen from his kisses. Would she believe him if he told her she was beautiful when she was angry? Her eyes still sparked with anger and hurt. Not a chance. “Ethan,” Bill said, “what’s this about?” “It’s about some missing money at the company and how your nephew thinks I stole it. My lover, Pete Anderson, and I embezzled the money.” Both Bill and Maude’s eyes widened as they looked from Dulcy to him and back to Dulcy. Maude, ever the mothering type, rushed to Dulcy’s side and pulled her into an embrace. Bill, shoved his hands in his pockets, fumbled with his change. Then pulled one hand out and fiddled with his ear lobe. Ethan’s senses jumped. That was a sure sign Bill had something to say, but he didn’t know how to say it. “Spit it out, Bill.” He finally lifted his eyes from the ground. They shone with regret and apology. “I’m so sorry, Ethan. I didn’t mean for this to happen.” “I told you it wouldn’t work,” Maude said. “Yes, you did, but I knew...I just thought—” “Bill, what are you talking about?” “There was no embezzling.” Of all the things Bill could have said, that was one Ethan never would have guessed. No embezzling, but... “I saw the transfers, they were from Dulcy’s computer.” Bill shook his head. “No. I did them.” “But—” 108

A Calculated Seduction “No, Ethan. Don’t you remember that morning when I was in the office fiddling with Dulcy’s computer? I did it.” “You embezzled from yourself? That makes no sense. Why would you do that?” “Because he wanted you to come and take over the company and didn’t know how to get you here,” Dulcy said. Her betrayal chilled his blood. “So you knew about this all along?” She rolled her eyes. “Of course I didn’t.” “Really, then how did you know he wanted me here for that reason?” “Any idiot could figure that out, Ethan. You’re the only family he has left. You wouldn’t come all the other times, so he concocted this whole thing to get you here. Right, Bill?” Her voice softened when she asked his uncle the question. You’d think she’d show him some gentleness. She really had no reason to be mad at him. All he’d done is accuse her of stealing from the company. He glanced at his uncle. His lips twitched. “Yeah. See what I mean, Ethan? Smart as a whip.” “What I don’t understand is why he thought I was embezzling or did you set it up that way?” “Well...part of that was my fault,” Maude said, and everyone’s attention shifted to the woman. “After discussing it with Bill, I thought Ethan would be perfect for you, Dulcy.” Dulcy sighed and Ethan found himself watching her chest. He could remember how her breasts looked, bathed in the moonlight, as he slid his fingers across her soft skin taking a nipple in his mouth... He immediately pulled his thoughts away from the memory as soon as he felt his jeans tighten. “Well, you were wrong in that respect. Could you give me a ride home, Maude?” “We’re not through discussing this, Dulcy.” There was no way she was walking out the door. “Yes, we are. In fact, we’re just plain through.” She turned away from him and walked to the front door. With each step, the 109

A Calculated Seduction pain in his chest increased. If he didn’t know better, he’d think his heart was breaking. “Maude, why don’t you take Dulcy home in my car?” Bill handed the keys to Maude. “I’ll stay here with Ethan.” Maude nodded and followed Dulcy out the door. “I don’t need a babysitter,” Ethan said, thinking he needed a drink. He walked to his bar and then remembered it wasn’t even nine in the morning. “No, but you need advice. Any man who’s thinking about taking a drink this early in the morning needs help.” “So now that you’ve botched up my life, you want to help me fix it?” Ethan collapsed on the sofa. Every bone in his body ached like he was Methuselah. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He was so tired. The couch dipped next to him and he knew Bill sat down. “Now, Ethan, you can blame me for a few things, but your own stupidity is not my fault.” He opened his eyes, anger surging through him. “My stupidity? Why didn’t you just ask me to come here and run the company? I would have.” “Hell, boy, I don’t need you to do that.” Bill chuckled. “Although, you have given me a lot more time on the golf course with Maude. No, I wanted you to come live here, permanently, and I knew the only way I could get you to do that would be to get you to work for the company.” “No problems with your memory?” He had the good grace to blush. “No.” Ethan grunted and crossed his arms. “Why involve Anderson and Dulcy?” “Now, I didn’t push Anderson on you. You did that on your own. Probably because you were jealous.” Ethan looked away and Bill chuckled again. “I can’t believe you thought Pete was after Dulcy.” “You knew he’s gay.”

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A Calculated Seduction “Yeah, know his dad. Idiot. Won’t talk to his own son. But I’m lucky I got him to work for me. He invested a lot of his money and got out while the getting was good.” Silence descended and Ethan wondered what Dulcy was doing at the moment. Probably crying her eyes out. “Sorry about the mix-up. I just thought you would get to know Dulcy and you would never suspect her.” Ethan studied his uncle for a moment and sighed. “You’re not the only one who’s sorry, Bill.” **** After a quick stop by the office, Dulcy begged off any company with Maude. Happy to finally be home, she stripped off her clothes and decided she needed a good hot shower. As the water pounded her muscles, Dulcy sighed. Since leaving Ethan’s house, she’d felt, well, numb. No feeling whatsoever. After the initial anger had faded, her whole body felt as if someone had given her a giant shot of Novocain. When Jason had dumped her all those years ago, she’d been hurt. He’d been her first. Her first boyfriend, first lover. But she didn’t love him. She leaned her head back and wet her hair. No, she had loved Jason. But it had been the first love kind of love. The type that hurt when it ended, but rarely bruised your heart. With Ethan, her whole body felt beaten. The pain she’d avoided welled up and almost choked her. She closed her eyes as if to ward off the inevitable, but tears seeped out. Each breath she took hurt. Never in her life, even when her mother, then her father died, had she hurt so badly. She leaned her back against the tiled wall and then slowly slid down. The water sluiced down on her as she sat and cried. There was no going back to her fantasy now. **** Ethan rushed down the hall to his office early Monday morning. He’d wanted to arrive before Dulcy and he figured he had since her car wasn’t in the parking lot downstairs. 111

A Calculated Seduction He unlocked the door, reminding himself of the speech he’d prepared for Dulcy. He had an explanation. It was solid, it made sense, and she had to take him back, didn’t she? Her desk was neat, as usual. He hurried to his office, unlocked his door and flipped the light switch. He set his briefcase down beside his desk and dropped his keys into his pocket when he noticed the letter sitting on his desk.

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Chapter 13 Ethan grabbed the letter and quickly read the contents. Disbelief held his sense hostage. Then pain so sharp, it twisted his heart. His breath tangled in his throat. Dulcy had resigned. She’d walked out on him. Instead of trying to make amends, work it out, she ran away, frightened. Maybe, just maybe, it was a threat. He practically ran to her office and noticed things he didn’t before. All her personal items had been removed from her area. No pictures, no little knickknacks. Hell, she’d even taken the plants. Slowly, he walked back into his office with a weary sigh. Nothing. He had nothing left for him here. Without her, he might as well head back to Houston. The thought of his cold apartment caused him to think twice. It was barely furnished and he smiled, thinking of the colors Dulcy would add to brighten it up. He couldn’t see going back there by himself. He really couldn’t envision his life without her. “Bad weekend, boss?” He looked up and there stood Pete Anderson. “From the look on your face, you read her resignation.” Without an invitation, he stepped into Ethan’s office and settled into a chair. “You knew and you didn’t think to call and tell me?” Ethan asked. “Hey, you thought I was stealing from Bill. You think I should help you?” 113

A Calculated Seduction Ethan sighed and looked out the window. “I didn’t know what to think. The woman had me running in so many different directions…” Anderson chuckled. “Yeah, and she had no idea what power she held over you. She’s that naïve.” Ethan slanted him a look. “You know it wasn’t just the investigation.” “Yeah. Good Lord, you practically staked your claim by looking at her.” He crossed his arm and studied Ethan. “I talked to her last night when she called to give me the heads up about the investigation. She was crying. And hurt. So, what’cha going to do about it?” “What can I do? The woman wants nothing to do with me.” Pathetic. He sounded absolutely pathetic. “So, you’re just going to let her go. Let her have her own life, meet another man, have babies with him.” Images of Dulcy with another man, in his arms, in his bed, filled his mind. Jealousy and possessiveness almost choked him. “Ahh, so you’re not as cool as you pretend to be about this,” Anderson said, a smile curving his lips. “What the hell do you want from me, Anderson?” “I want Dulcy happy.” “Why? Why is her happiness so important?” “Boy, you are self-centered.” Remembering Dulcy’s accusations the morning before, he frowned. “So, you’ve had a chat with Dulcy?” He nodded. “How’s she doing?” It was Anderson’s turn to sigh. “What do you think? You broke her heart. Now, you have to fix it.” “How?” “You figure it out. You are the shark I’ve seen lurking around the office the last few months, aren’t you?” “Yes. Don’t you have a job to do?” “Listen, the woman adores you. Not at the moment, but she really does love you. She fell so fast for you, I don’t think she had time to contemplate what she was getting into. That was a good 114

A Calculated Seduction thing. Dulcy’s been careful since Jason dumped her. She lost all that reserve she had with other men when you showed up. Clear sign she was in love with you.” He stood and walked to the door. “I have a feeling you’re as much in love with her as she is with you. Don’t let your damn pride get in the way.” “In love?” Ethan’s world tilted. Love Dulcy? Lust, desire, burning passion. All of this he associated with little Dulcinea Menendez. All thoughts slipped away and realigned. Never in his life had he had the burning need to possess, to protect a woman. And never had he ignored his better judgment. Every thought, every fiber of his being had been concentrated on one thing— Dulcy. The force of his thoughts struck him like a thunderbolt. He was in love with her. That’s why the thought of living without her, of trying to get on with his life hurt. He sat in his chair, his mind whirling. He’d failed to make her happy, to keep her by his side. “You look like you just got hit by a ton of bricks, boss.” He glanced at Anderson wondering when the hell had that happened? When had she crept into his heart? When had living without her become something he couldn’t think about without his stomach turning queasy and his hands sweating? Anderson laughed. “You didn’t know? How could you not know you love the woman?” Irritated and uncomfortable, he stood and began to pace behind his desk. “How was I supposed to know?” “Let me ask you this. Is she the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing you think about at night?” The tone of Anderson’s voice made Ethan stop and study the younger man. “You sound like you know what you’re talking about.” He smiled, his brown eyes lit with amusement. “Yeah, I do and it’s pretty special when you find that one person you want more than anything else in the world. You’re very lucky she’s the one for you, boss. She’s the sweetest, most loving woman I’ve ever met. Now all you have to do is convince her you’re the one for her.” 115

A Calculated Seduction He turned to leave. “Anderson.” He glanced back over his shoulder at Ethan. “Thanks. For everything.” “Just make her happy.” And then he left Ethan alone with his thoughts. There had to be something he could do. Determination swelled through him. He picked up the phone and started to make his plans. **** Dulcy spent most of Monday looking through the want ads and avoiding the phone. Bill, her stepmother, even both of her sisters had called, but nothing from Ethan. Of course, she hadn’t expected the worm to call. A man as arrogant as Ethan would never lower himself to apologize to her. In his own warped mind, he’d probably convinced himself he’d been in the right. Making love to one dowdy secretary didn’t really ensure a gate pass to hell. It should, especially since she’d spent a night having the best sex of her life. She sighed. If only she had her trust fund. She could set up her charity and not have to worry about unemployment, or the rent, or the phone bill. The doorbell rang. For a moment, she seriously thought of ignoring it. “Dulcy. Open up this door right this minute,” yelled Clarice. Sparky, the demon Chihuahua, yipped his agreement. Slowly, as if trying to avoid the gallows, she walked to the door. She peeked through the peephole and sure enough, there stood Clarice, dressed to the hilt in a pink silk suit. Sparky wore his matching pink collar. She opened the door. “Really, Dulcy, I’ve been calling all morning. I can’t believe you haven’t answered your phone today.” She brushed past Dulcy, set Sparky down on the floor and turned. Dulcy quietly shut the door and studied Clarice. How could the woman look that perfect at this time in the morning? She removed her sunglasses, concern darkening her blue eyes. 116

A Calculated Seduction Then she did something Dulcy never would have expected. She threw her arms wide. “Come here, honey.” Dulcy hesitated for just a second, then practically ran into her arms. Clarice surrounded her with motherly warmth, and Dulcy hugged with every fiber of strength she had. Unheeded, tears rose to the surface, all the pain seeped out. “Oh, sweetie. You just go right ahead. Let it all out.” She patted Dulcy’s back and cooed. “Men are pigs.” For several minutes, nothing but the sound of her crying filled the tiny apartment. When she finally cried herself out, she pulled back from Clarice’s shoulder, but not out of her embrace. “Feel better?” Clarice asked. Dulcy nodded. “Well, you come sit over here.” She guided her to the couch. Sparky jumped into Dulcy’s lap. “Sparky and I brought you some things needed at a time like this.” She picked up her pink bag and pulled out a massive bag of chocolate, some strawberries, a couple of champagne glasses and a bottle of champagne. After getting the things ready, she settled next to Dulcy. They ate in silence, other than commenting on the food and drink. “You know, I really lucked out with both my husbands. Victor and your father were part of a dying breed. Men of their ilk are hard to find these days. You know your father proposed to me in one of those little horse drawn carriages in Fort Worth.” “Really?” Dulcy couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice. She thought of her father and his business suits, his constant scheduling, his lack of humor. Clarice chuckled. “Oh, yes. Your father was a romantic.” “I never would have guessed it.” Clarice tsked. “You forget so easily. Remember when Jason escorted you to the prom?” “Of course.” The memory of that night washed over her. Jason dressed in black, Dulcy wearing one of the ugliest dresses on record. Her father, too choked up to speak. “Yes, he was stodgy,” she said with a smile. “But he knew how to treat a woman. And I don’t mean with presents, although he was 117

A Calculated Seduction very good with that. Unfortunately, sweet good men are hard to find. All my daughters seem to find it hard to find them.” She stared at Clarice, completely dumfounded by the title of daughter bestowed upon her. “Why are you staring at me that way?” “You called me your daughter.” She couldn’t keep the wonder out of her voice. “Well, of course you’re my daughter.” She slid her arm around Dulcy’s shoulders and pulled her closer. Dulcy placed her head on Clarice’s shoulder. “I know we’re really hard to take, the three of us, but it doesn’t mean we don’t love you. I think the girls are a little intimidated by you, to tell you the truth.” “Intimidated by me?” She raised her head and looked at Clarice. “Me, frumpy Dulcy? Why would they be intimidated by me? They have looks, poise, hell they know how to match clothes.” “But you can stand on your own two feet. Both of my girls are gorgeous, flirty, but show them a checkbook and they get confused. Don’t get me wrong. I love them, but they’re like their Mama in that respect. You pulled yourself up, got a job and survived. Plus,” she said studying her Dulcy’s hair, “this new makeover has made a huge difference. You look pretty cute.” “Cute? Bunnies are cute.” Clarice laughed again. “I don’t know why I worry about you, young lady. You are just like your Daddy. Strong as an oak.” A lump formed in her throat and a curious warmth filled her chest. Clarice sniffled suspiciously, then cleared her throat. “Now, what are we going to do about this Ethan person? You know that Henry DeMarco I dated last year has some connections. He would do anything for me. We could make Ethan cry.” **** Ethan stood in his empty Houston apartment and surveyed the surroundings. He’d had the apartment for over two years, but the place had never been a home. “Don’t tell me you’re not going to miss this view,” Todd said from behind him. 118

A Calculated Seduction Ethan chuckled and walked to the floor to ceiling windows. “No way. Besides, I’ll see if every time I visit you. When are you moving in?” “Tomorrow. They’re packing me up right now. You want to explain why you’re moving to Dallas? And why you’re renting an office space up there?” He turned and studied his employee. No, scratch that. His partner. He’d decided to offer Todd the opportunity to buy into MacMillan Securities and let him run it. “No.” “This has to do with the trust fund baby, doesn’t it?” Ethan shook his head and returned his gaze to the window. It’d been two weeks since he’d had his revelation of love and he was still acclimating himself to the feeling. He definitely wasn’t discussing it with Todd. Ethan turned back around to face Todd. “Well, I guess I’ll get going if you don’t need me for anything more, boss.” “You’re the boss now, Todd.” His brown eyes lightened with his smile. “Hey, that’s right. See ya, partner.” When he was finally alone, Ethan walked through the apartment, looking for anything the movers might have missed. He found nothing but an empty shell of a home. But it had always been that way. He’d always been that way. He strode to the door. Ethan knew he was risking everything on one bet but that’s what he had to do. One last chance to win Dulcy, or live a lifetime as a cold empty shell. **** With less than a year left before her trust fund was available to her, Dulcy decided to work through a temp service. On her third week, she’d headed to the Dallas area for an assistant job with a new security company. They apparently needed extra help setting up. She parked in the building’s garage with five minutes to spare. A few moments later, she was hurrying off the elevator and down the hall to her new office. She opened the door and every bit of her 119

A Calculated Seduction composure fled when she found Ethan leaning against the doorjamb to the main office. “Good morning, Dulcy.” Deep and rich, his voice flowed over her. His hair had just been cut, the same little sexy half-smile lightened his face and he looked good enough to eat. Damn him. He hadn’t called in three weeks. “I think there’s been some mistake.” Her steady voice amazed her. “No, there hasn’t been a mistake. I own a security company. That was one of the reasons...” His voice trailed off. “One of the reasons Bill thought to hire you.” “Yes,” he said with a sigh. “I own a company in Houston.” “Ah.” She turned to leave. “Dulcy.” “Really, I don’t think we have anything to talk about, Mr. MacMillan.” “I thought if I could get you here, see my side of it, maybe you’d understand.” She turned around and noticed the things she’d missed in her anger. His eyes spoke of sadness, bags beneath his eyes testified to his loss of sleep. Her resolve weakened. She’d love to wrap her arms around him, pull him close and cuddle. To feel that human warmth, to feel secure. But, in reality, it wouldn’t last. She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and straightened her spine. She wouldn’t let him wheedle his way back into her heart. “You have to understand, I didn’t know anything about you. Uncle Bill’s suggestion you were embezzling puzzled me, but I was just following up.” “You slept with me.” Her voice was flat. “Yes, yes I did, Miss Menendez.” The wealth of satisfaction in his voice irritated her. “You,” she said pointing at him, “thought I,” she stuck her thumb at her chest, “was embezzling from your uncle.” Anger and pain swirled through her. “And you slept with me.” “I’m trying to apologize.” 120

A Calculated Seduction “You’re doing a shitty job.” “Hey,” his said, his voice rose with his anger. “You’re the one who jumped me in the limo.” Of all the nerve. Without a word, she turned on her heel and headed out the door. She couldn’t stay in the same room with the man without doing him bodily harm. **** Ethan winced when the door slammed shut. That didn’t go well. At least she had talked to him. That was more than he expected. From the anger that lit her eyes when she saw him, he was relieved to have all his body parts intact. In fact, for a second there, he was convinced she was softening toward him. Damn, but she’d looked good. All rosy and round, he’d had to fight the urge to grab her and kiss her. What the hell was he doing standing here thinking about her? He hurried out the door and down the hall to the elevator. The door closed just as he got to it. A second later, he was running down the five flights to the lobby. He burst through the door and caught her before she could get out the front door of the building. “Dulcy.” She turned and looked at him as if he’d grown another head. He grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the doors. “Mr. MacMillan, really.” She tried to twist her hand free, but he refused to give up. “I made a mistake.” She stopped struggling. “I’m an idiot.” She let out a very unladylike snort in agreement and he smiled. “I want to explain why I did what I did.” “There is no explanation. You didn’t trust me and you slept with me.” People had gathered, their attention caught with that topic. Embarrassment burned through him. “It isn’t what it seems. I didn’t use you.” “That doesn’t matter, does it? You didn’t use me, but you didn’t trust me. You took something I gave you, something precious and twisted it and ruined it.” 121

A Calculated Seduction All eyes turned to him and the embarrassment rose. “You weren’t a virgin.” Her eyes widened and her cheeks reddened. Too late, he remembered their audience. She broke free of his grasp and started to back away. “What I was talking about was my love and trust, but you only look at the bottom line.” It was all slipping away because of his damned arrogance. She was inching further away and with each step, a vise squeezed his heart. “Dulcy—” “No, Ethan, you’ll never learn.” She turned away from him. Panic pumped through his blood. She was leaving. His life would be dull and lifeless without her. “Dulcy.” His voice echoed through the lobby. “I’m sorry. I made a huge mistake. Really, woman, what do you want me to do? Cut off my left arm? I don’t think I need to suffer the rest of my life without the woman I love because I acted like a jackass.” **** Dulcy stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. Warmth stole through her. “What did you say?” He sighed and rested his hands on his hips. “I said I acted like a jackass.” She waved that notion away. “I know that.” She stepped forward. “The other part.” A completely unholy light lit his dark eyes. He stepped forward and shoved his hands in the pockets of his pants. “Oh, the part about cutting off my left arm?” “No.” She took another step. “The part about making a mistake?” He inched another step closer. They were about two steps apart and the scent of his spicy aftershave reached her. “No, that one part about love.” “Ah.” He stepped closer and she could feel the very heat of him. “I said I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life without the woman I love. You gotta know the only reason I did such a stupid 122

A Calculated Seduction thing was because I was in love with you. Otherwise, I never would have slept with someone I suspected.” “Hmmm.” “You want me to go down on my knees, I will.” She chewed on her lower lip. “Naw, kinda hard. But you have to promise me something.” “Anything.” “Foot rubs every night.” A smile curved and then he laughed out loud. Before she had a chance to think, he grabbed her and was pressing his lips on hers, hard. Warmth spread through her. From the top of her head, past her weakened knees and all the way to her toes. He pulled back and it was then she heard the applause. She glanced around and noticed their audience was now cheering. “Foot rubs it is, Miss Menendez. As long as you make an honest man out of me. My uncle keeps reminding me he would like to have a few grand nieces and nephews.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “Are you proposing to me?” “Yes, I am. What’cha say, Dulcy? Let’s get married and have a passel of rowdy children.” She raised an eyebrow. “Rowdy.” “Well, with a mother who flashes her boss ten jumps in the limo, what kinda kids do you think we’d have?” She laughed, love wrapping around her heart as he guided her out of the building and toward the rest of their lives.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born to an Air Force family at an Army hospital, Melissa has always been a little screwy. She was further warped by her years of watching Monty Python movies and her strange family. From the time she read To Kill a Mockingbird in the seventh grade, she dreamed of being a writer. After years of struggling, trying to write short stories filled with angst, she finally listened to her college writing instructor, and allowed her natural comedic voice to shine through. She is a military wife and mother to two military brats and an adopted dog daughter, and lives wherever the military sticks them. Which, she is sure, will involve heat and bugs only seen on the Animal Discovery Channel. In her spare time, she reads, cooks, reads, travels, reads some more, and dreams of living somewhere the bugs die in the winter. She LOVES hearing from her readers through her website at www.authormelissaschroeder.com

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