Seduction on the CEO's Terms Page 8

  “Yeah, why aren’t we eating there?” Joe asked. The Carlinos owned half interest in an Italian restaurant that served Tuscany fare.

  “My fault,” Rena said with a quick smile. “After having this yummy lemon sesame chicken pasta dish at our reception, I’ve been craving it all week. The chef is a genius.”

  And just as she spoke of him, Royce walked out of the kitchen, holding a tray of pastries. “For the newlyweds,” he said, placing the delicate tray onto the table. “I’m so happy you came to the Contessa for lunch.”

  “I told you we would,” Rena said. “I’ve been craving this dish all week. Oh, and these pastries. I can’t possibly pass them up.”

  Royce looked pleased. “Enjoy them.”

  “Thank you,” Tony said.

  Royce glanced at each of them. “Would any of you like some coffee?”

  “I’m fine with water,” Rena said.

  “I’m fine, too,” Tony added.

  “No thanks,” Joe said, inexplicably miffed that Royce had made such an impression on Rena and Tony.

  “Royce,” Rena began. “I know I told you this before, but I’m very glad Ali recommended you for our reception. Everyone complimented the food.”

  “That’s very nice of you to say. Ali’s been a good friend.”

  Rena nodded. “She’s a special friend to me, too. I hope she’s doing okay.”

  “She’s fine. I spoke with her this morning.”

  Joe’s head snapped up, and he narrowed his gaze on Royce. “How’s her stepfather?” he asked. But what he really wanted to ask was why the hell did she call you?

  “Out of danger, but looks like he’ll have a long rehab period. Ali said her mom was really upset, but they are both relieved that he’ll make a full recovery in time.”

  “Oh, that’s good to hear,” Rena said, glancing at Joe. She seemed to read his mind. “Did she say when she’d be coming home?”

  “Probably in a few days. I’m picking up her mail and newspapers and watering her plants for her.”

  Joe sat there, keeping a steady noncommittal look on his face, while inside his gut churned. “I told her to take as much time as she needs.”

  “She’s planning on calling you tomorrow.”

  Joe didn’t want Royce’s blow-by-blow accounting as to Ali’s plans. The guy really irked him. Or rather, as Joe mulled it over methodically in his mind, Ali’s relationship with Royce was the true source of his irritation.

  He nodded and looked away.

  “Well, I’d better get back in the kitchen. Enjoy the rest of your meal.”

  Once Royce walked away, Rena and Tony stared at him.

  Joe adjusted his glasses on his nose then spoke when he couldn’t ignore their stares another second. “What?”

  Tony grinned. “You should see the look on your face. The Grinch has nothing on you.”

  “Tony,” Rena said, grabbing his arm. “Let’s drop it.”

  “Your wife is a smart lady,” Joe said.

  Tony aimed a headshake at him before digging into a raspberry tart. “Royce sure knows what he’s doing,” he added after he finished.

  The hidden message in his brother’s comment wasn’t lost on him. “I told you I’m not interested in Ali.”

  “Who said anything about Ali?” Tony feigned innocence.

  “Joe,” Rena began. “I was hoping you could do us a favor. Tony and I were scheduled to go to San Francisco for the Annual Grapegrowers Convention. But I’m really feeling tired lately.”

  “You are?” Tony looked at her with surprise.

  Rena turned to her husband and gave him a small smile. “I am, honey. I didn’t want to worry you. It’s just a combination of the pregnancy and not getting good sleep. I think the trip would exhaust me.” She turned her attention toward him. “Would you mind going in our place?”

  “You haven’t missed that event since you took over Purple Fields,” Tony said.

  “I’ve never been pregnant before, either,” Rena shot back a little too quickly. Joe had a sneaking suspicion this was a setup, but he couldn’t refuse Rena the favor.

  “I’ll go. Don’t worry, Rena.”

  “I know it’s a lot to ask on short notice.” Rena seemed really contrite.

  Joe gestured away her worry. “I’ll have help. I’ll take along a secretary.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Rena said, seemingly satisfied.

  “I think Jody Millwood might be available.”

  Rena’s eyes went wide with shock, and Joe gave himself a mental pat on the back. Rena’s expression spoke volumes. He knew what she was up to.

  “The woman from your sales office?” Rena’s voice elevated slightly. “She’s…well, she’s a bit—I think she spends her weekends with her grandchildren.”

  Grinning, Tony caught on and shook his head. “Sweetheart.”

  Joe frowned. “You two don’t give up, do you?” He didn’t give them time to protest. “You know what, if I take Ali to the convention and come out of it unscathed, then will you both get the message and quit matchmaking?”

  Rena clamped her mouth shut and nodded.

  Tony smiled.

  “Fine, then,” he said. “I’ll hold you to your word.”

  Seven

  On Sunday night, just as Joe was retiring for bed, his cell phone rang. He answered it and heard Ali’s voice on the other end. “Hello, Joe. It’s Ali.” She sounded somber, so unlike herself.

  “Ali? Are you okay?”

  “I’m doing fine, I guess. Just a little tired.” He heard the sigh in her voice and wanted to kick himself for not calling her. He glanced at the clock. It was after one in the morning in Florida. “I wanted you to know that I won’t be coming back until Tuesday night. I’ll take some personal time, if that’s okay.”

  “Don’t worry about that, Ali.” Damn it, she sounded so businesslike, calling her boss to report her absence at work. Joe thought they’d progressed beyond that. “Take all the time you need.”

  “Thank you.”

  “How’s your stepfather?”

  “He’s out of the woods, right now. There was some damage to his heart, but thankfully he’ll recover with rehab and a lifestyle change.”

  “And how’s your mother doing?”

  “She was overwrought when I first got here, but she’s doing much better now. She’s taken hold of the situation, making plans for when Harold comes home and how things will change for the better. I’m really proud of her.”

  There was a lull, and Joe sensed Ali was ready to end the conversation. But he wasn’t. He missed talking to her. During the past four weeks, they’d spent a lot of time together at the office and working on the wedding reception. He didn’t like how he felt at loose ends without her. “What are you doing now? It’s late there, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it’s past one. I’m getting ready for bed.”

  Joe’s mind took a U-turn, envisioning her slipping off her clothes, donning a sheer nightie that would keep her cool in the humid Florida climate, her hair unrestrained and flowing in curls past her shoulders. He stifled a groan.

  “What are you doing?” she asked softly.

  “The same. Getting into bed.” He flashed a vision of Ali joining him under the sheets and couldn’t deny how much the thought pleased him.

  “Sorry if I disturbed you.”

  “Not at all.” He missed her. And it was on the tip of his tongue to say so. He should have called her. He should have at least expressed his concern for her stepfather and checked in on her. But his vow to steer clear of her had stopped him. “I’m glad you called.”

  “You are?” She sounded doubtful.

  “The fact is,” he began, fumbling with the right words to say, “it’s good to hear your voice. I was concerned for you.”

  “Oh, well, I’m fine. I appreciate your concern.”

  Joe winced. They were speaking as if they were total strangers, their conversation stilted and deliberate. And had he heard a note of disappoint
ment in her voice? Should he have said more? “I’d better let you get to sleep.”

  “You, too. Sleep tight, Joe.”

  He didn’t know how much sleep he’d get, but one thing was certain—his entire body was as tight as a hangman’s noose.

  “Good night, Ali.”

  Frustrated, Joe climbed into bed, realizing his hands-off approach with Ali was backfiring. The more he kept to his resolve, the more he wanted her.

  And this wasn’t a problem he could solve with his unique mathematical skills.

  As soon as the plane landed at Sacramento Airport, Ali grabbed her overnight bag and scooted down the narrow aisle, glad to be back in California. She’d had an exhausting four days and felt like the scourge of the earth in her clothes. She’d tossed together only one outfit change in her hurry to get to Florida, and she hadn’t had time to do any laundry while she was there. The clothes on her back were beyond wrinkled.

  Ali walked down the long corridor leading to the airport terminal, her body aching and her eyes burning from the little bit of sleep she’d gotten these past days. But the minute she glanced up and saw Joe, standing there waiting at the gate, a burst of stunned joy entered her heart.

  He tipped his head when he spotted her. She’d never been so glad to see anyone in her life. Joe, with his hair slightly disheveled, wearing jeans and a black T-shirt, looking better than any of God’s creations, was the one and only person who could lift Ali’s spirits. She wanted to run to him with outstretched arms and kiss him silly.

  But the new Ali would never do something like that. Fake Ali, as she called herself, would simply approach him with a smile, which was exactly what she did.

  “Hi, Joe,” she said, her breath nearly catching.

  “It’s good to see you, Ali.”

  She blinked and waited. Joe noted her hesitation. Then he opened his arms, and she walked straight into them. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, digging her head into his chest and holding on. Tears stung her eyes. She kept telling herself he’d never be here if she hadn’t begun this ruse. Somehow that justified her actions. “How did you know what flight I was on?”

  “I didn’t. But this was the only evening flight coming in from Florida. It seemed logical.”

  God, how she loved him. “Thank you for coming. But I have my car here.”

  “Don’t worry about your car. I’ll have someone pick it up for you. I brought a limo. Thought you’d like a quiet drive home.”

  Ali nodded. “Sounds like heaven. This is very kind of you.”

  Joe squeezed her tight and then looked into her eyes. “You’ve had a rough few days, haven’t you?”

  Ali cringed. She must look awful. “Yes.”

  Joe hadn’t called her during those four days, and as ridiculous as it seemed, her feelings had been hurt. She’d thought they were closer than that. She’d thought that Joe would have given her more support. Those few kisses they’d shared had given her hope, but she’d come to realize that maybe Joe would never come around. Not in the way she wanted.

  “I’m sorry.” There was a depth to his tone she hadn’t heard before.

  “Sorry?”

  “That you had to go through that alone.”

  She shrugged. “At least, my mother is handling it better now.”

  “Thanks to you, Ali. I bet you being there meant the world to her. You have a way of making people feel better.”

  When Joe said things like that to her, it made her want to shed tears. He could be so sensitive at times. “I hope so.”

  Joe snatched her bag from her hand and guided her out to the parking lot. True to his word, a black limo was waiting with a chauffeur who had opened the door the minute he’d spotted Joe.

  “After you,” he said to her, then handed over her bag to the driver. Joe slid in beside her, and the door was closed.

  Ali couldn’t keep from asking, “I thought you were the green guy in the family.”

  Joe laughed. “I am,” he said as if he’d just been caught cheating on an exam. “But some things are just worth the carbon footprint.”

  Ali smiled. “Thank you, Joe.”

  “Lean back and relax. You must be exhausted.”

  Ali did just that. She slid down in her seat a little and rested her head back. “Do I look that bad?”

  “No, actually you look amazing.”

  She tilted her head to gaze at him. Those dark eyes behind the glasses appeared sincere. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him how much she’d missed him, but Ali held back.

  Joe slid a little closer and opened his arms to her. “Lean against me, and close your eyes.”

  The invitation was too tempting to refuse. Silently, she did as she was told. The minute she rested her head on his chest and his arm wrapped around her, a sense of peace and fulfillment washed over her. “Mmm.”

  “Try to sleep,” he whispered.

  “You make the best pillow, Joe,” she said, cuddling into him. “I think I will.”

  Ali knew the exact moment the limo rolled to a halt. Her eyes snapped open. Joe held her against him as she slept, and now she wished she hadn’t woken up at all. She wished she could stay in his arms forever.

  “You’re home,” Joe said quietly.

  She felt at home in his arms. At least now, she could say she’d slept with Joe—or rather on him. She slid out of his grasp and straightened in her seat. Oh God, had she snored? “How long was I out?”

  “Just about the entire way, Ali.”

  “Was I, um—”

  “Peaceful. And quiet as a mouse.”

  Thank God. She blinked then nodded, trying to wake up fully.

  “If you need another day to rest, take it.”

  “No,” she said shaking her head. “I’m eager to get back to work. I, uh, missed it.”

  Joe smiled and looked deep into her eyes. “Good, because things don’t run smoothly without you.”

  Ali searched his eyes. Should she read more into his compliment? “That’s nice to hear.”

  The chauffeur opened the door on her side. “Well, this is my stop.”

  “I’ll walk with you.” Joe got out on his side of the limo, grabbed her overnight bag from his driver and then met up with her. They walked to her condo in silence. When she reached her front door, she turned to him. “Thanks for the ride. It meant a lot.”

  Joe searched her eyes and nodded. “You’re welcome.” He hesitated for a moment, then scratched his head and let go a deep sigh. “Ali, maybe now’s not the best time to ask, but are you free this weekend?”

  This weekend? Ali’s sluggish body registered a happy alert. Was he going to reschedule their bike tour? There wasn’t anything she had planned that she wouldn’t cancel for him. “Yes, I think so.”

  “I’m afraid it’s a working weekend in San Francisco. I’m elected to go to the Annual Grapegrowers Convention. Rena and Tony were planning on going, but Rena isn’t up to it.”

  “So, they asked you to go?”

  He nodded. “And I need your help, if you’re willing to work the weekend.”

  Ali held her smile inside. An entire weekend in San Francisco with Joe? Every tired nerve in her body jumped for joy. This was a dream come true. “I can manage it. Sure, I’ll go with you.”

  Joe seemed relieved. “I appreciate it, Ali. You never let me down.”

  Ali reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks again,” she whispered, her breath caressing his throat.

  Joe blinked and leaned closer, his intense gaze focused on her mouth.

  Ali opened her door and slid inside, popping her head out. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She closed the door and held her breath. “Fake Ali,” she muttered, “this better work because you just left the man of your dreams hanging outside your door.”

  Friday night hadn’t come fast enough for Ali. She’d spoken with Rena out of concern for her well-being, only to have been assured that her pregnant friend was doing just fine. Rena confesse
d that begging off from this trip was a perfect way to get Ali together with Joe in a romantic setting. She’d been darn proud of her plan, and Ali had thanked her matchmaking friend.

  Each day since Ali had returned to work she’d found Joe staring at her from his desk, his expression intense. The minute they’d make eye contact, Joe would glance away as if he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. She’d been encouraged and at the same time, felt like a complete con artist, gaining his attention by deceptive means. The subdued hair, the glasses and the conservative clothes were everything she was not.

  But now as Ali put her clothes on hangers, her room just a few steps away from Joe’s in San Francisco’s luxurious Four Seasons Hotel, hope filled her thoughts. She couldn’t keep from smiling. Joe, the rock-solid man who held her heart, would be picking her up soon for the Welcome Dinner in the Grand Ballroom.

  She knew Joe didn’t like these stuffed-shirt affairs. Neither did she, really. Though she’d never have refused this invitation, she wished that they were here for a romantic weekend rather than rounds of business dinners and lectures. “A girl can only dream,” she said softly.

  She had just enough time to freshen up and dress before Joe would be knocking on her door.

  Ali swept her massive hair back into a tight ponytail, allowing a few curly tendrils to fall demurely along her cheeks. She applied a light coat of makeup, just a hint of green shadow to bring out the color of her eyes and a soft peach lip gloss to tint her lips.

  She slipped into a black chiffon dress that Rena helped her pick out for tonight’s formal dinner. With a square neckline that dipped just a little below her throat, no one could accuse her of looking indecent. The bodice accented her narrow waistline then flowed in wispy folds to just above her knees. An antique pearl necklace complimented the dress and of course, Ali wore the diamond bracelet Joe had given her. She put her feet into two-inch black pumps and finished the whole look by putting on her glasses.

  She glanced in the mirror. “You fraud,” she whispered.

  The knock at the door came precisely at seven o’clock.