TWENTY-SIX Erin studied the man seated across from her desk and repressed a shudder of distaste as smoke from a particularly offensive cigar curled under her nostrils. Her gaze moved from the top of his gray head, lingering on a weather-beaten face that showed every wrinkle, deceptively shrewd blue eyes studying her even as she watched him, then down to the crisp white shirt and blue tie. She dropped her gaze down to the papers on her desk. “So, I take it we have a deal Mr. Saunders?” Thin lips parted to reveal a full set of surprisingly pristine white teeth. She could almost bet those dentures were fake. “Ah yes of course, Ms. Gosling.” Kellan Saunders’ voice was a wheeze from too much cigars, yet carried an air of a man used to good living. “And I can’t thank you enough for the generous offer. Truth be told, I couldn’t quite believe it when your lawyer contacted me. I thought it a hoax.” Erin managed a small smile, though her insides were a mass of confusing emotions. “Believe m
TWENTY-SEVENThe minute her hand touched his chest, Erin realized she might not be able to carry her plan through. The bolt of white hot heat that seared from the point of contact, washed over her in tidal waves of desire that threatened to drown her.She gasped, her lungs suddenly in dire need of air. She could feel his accelerated heartbeat beneath her fingertips and his sharp indrawn breath simply confirming what she already knew.Ethan wanted her. Bad.The thought lifted Erin’s spirit to soaring point, filling her with renewed determination. She would show him that she was just as capable of cold hard rejection as he was.Buoyed by this, she deliberately allowed her body to brush against his, enjoying the way his eyes narrowed even further at the move. Her breasts, already hard peaks of lust, brushed against his jacket, eliciting a bolt of pure desire.“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Ethan warned, his voice coming out harsh and raspy.She merely grinned in response. “Oh I do
TWENTY-EIGHTOut in the hall, Erin met her secretary’s stunned look with a self-satisfied smile and suantered past, pulling her shirt back on, uncaring of what the woman thought. Nothing could detract from the triumph that engulfed her at the moment, certainly not the fact that she’d walked out of her office half naked or the shock on Heather’s face.She’d done it! She’d actually walked away with her pride intact, had proved to Ethan that she was just as capable of cold, hard revenge as he. Erin couldn’t help the wide grin that spread across her entire face at the image of Ethan standing there in helpless anger.Fastening the buttons on her shirt, Erin turned to her secretary. “Heather, give my guest a couple of minutes alone, then make sure he doesn’t do much damage to the furniture.”Heather could only manage a wide eyed nod as she cast an apprehensive glance at the still closed door, which only made Erin’s smile widen.“Don’t worry, he doesn’t bite.” She assured the worried red hea
TWENTY-NINEEthan opened the door to his flat, raising his eyebrows at his mother.“Hey mum. What brings you here?” He asked, leaning down to kiss her cheeks, then stepped back to let her in.“What? Can’t a mother drop by to say a quick hello to her favorite son?” Martha patted his cheek and breezed into the room, as usual wrinkling her nose at the typical masculine decor. “Honestly darling, how can you live like this? This place is depressing.”Ethan grinned, knowing full well his mother had a hidden agenda. Martha Lachlan only visited when she had something up her sleeve. He only prayed that this time it wasn’t to convince him to go on a blind date with some woman she thought would be perfect for him. With his adopted siblings all happily married, Martha had switched her full attention to her youngest son…often without much success.“Other mothers maybe, but not you. And I like the decor just fine. Would you like some tea?” He moved to the kitchen area, searching for the elusive tea
THIRTYEthan watched his mother’s expression change to astonishment as she took in his announcement.She stood frozen, kettle in hand and stared at her youngest son, the words still slowly sinking into her brain. From Ethan’s expression, she could almost swear her son was just as stunned at the announcement he’d just made if the look on his face was anything to go by.“You’re bringing someone?” Martha finally recovered enough to repeat Ethan’s words. She set the kettle down, tea forgotten and pinned Ethan with a searching look.Ethan looked dazed, as though he couldn’t believe he’d told her that. Then he straightened his shoulders in that way that Martha knew all too well and returned her look with an implacable one of his own.“Yeah, I am.” Ethan replied, a stubborn glint entering his eyes as the idea sank in.Christ Lord Almighty on a stick! What had possessed him to say that? Now he had to show up with a date to the bake sale or his mother would never let him hear the end of it. Bu
THIRTY-ONEErin glanced at the clock and winced. Seven pm. The obnoxious man was clearly taking no chances if he was already at her door.Another knock sounded and she sighed, tempted to bury her head under the pillow. Instead, she dragged herself from bed, fastening the ties of her silk robe and padded barefoot to open the door.As expected, Ethan stood there, looking particularly ravishing in a dark suit and red tie that contrasted nicely with the cream shirt he wore underneath. Erin swallowed, overwhelmed by the powerful aura of cool, handsome and confidence he exuded.He looked at her, noting the state of undress and sighed. “Figures you’ll make it difficult.”Oh dear sweet heaven. The man looked good enough to devour. Preferably served naked on her Egyptian cotton sheets with a bottle of wine and loads of condoms ready for a night of sin.Ethan chuckled, leaning forward to place a hand under her chin to shut her mouth. His eyes glinted in mischief as hot color filled Erin’s cheek
THIRTY-TWOErin shot a questioning look at Jared. “What’s a bake sale?”Momentarily flustered at the realization that he’d inadvertently spilled the beans, Jared cast a surprised look in Ethan’s direction, brows raised in silent query. Ethan glared back, fingers gripping the edge of Erin’s seat in an attempt to stop himself from wrapping those very fingers round his brother’s neck and squeezing real hard.Jared leaned close to whisper to Ethan, his eyes glinting in amusement.“Uh oh! Haven’t asked her yet?”“I was going to if you’d managed to stay away long enough.” Ethan whispered back, sparing Erin a glance as she watched their exchange, a small curious frown on her face.He turned back to Jared in exasperation. “You’re an idiot, you know that?”Jared managed to look contrite for about three seconds then chuckled, clearly enjoying his brother’s discomfiture. “My bad, Bro.”“Umm..could someone please explain what’s going on?” Both men turned to look at Erin, who sat with an expectant
THIRTY-THREEErin studied her reflection in the mirror, worrying her lower lip between her teeth as she contemplated the dress for the umpteenth time. The light pink gown complimented her complexion and showed off curves in all the right places, but still she worried that the dress was not formal enough for the occasion. From what Ethan had described, the bake sale was going to be more than just a family get together.His mother had invited a lot of Chicago’s upper-class for the fundraiser. She also knew she would be facing Ethan’s family, all curious to know how she’d ended up as his date for the day.She signed and rubbed her forehead, feeling the beginnings of a headache. She so was not looking forward to being the center of attention, maybe it was not too late to things off. Sure Ethan would be furious and threaten her as usual, but she could handle that compared to the ordeal she was about to put herself through.Erin turned and strode back to her closet, yanking off the dress as