Laid and Leveraged Read Free

repeat myself. I am allowed to ask once. ”
    “ Ask me what? ” she asked, suspending – for the moment – her animosity. He was just so handsome and the way he looked at her now with an almost boyish innocence made Michelle forget that he was the ruthless tycoon bent on destroying her life's work.
    “ To dinner, ” he answered, his voice rich and seductive.
    Her breath caught in her throat, her heartbeat accelerating. Dear lord, did her boss just ask her out? She hesitated. Could she really accept? Michelle had never once in her life mixed business with pleasure and she new that now above all, with everything she held dear on the line, she couldn't risk changing that habit. And yet, she gazed at his lips – so soft and sensuous, she'd be damned if she said she didn't want to. She waited too long to answer. Roger Hollins laughed, standing up.
    “ I'll send a car to pick you up at eight tomorrow. ” He took her silence for acquiescence, she realized only a little too late as he headed for the door. “ Oh, ” he called over his shoulder. “ Make sure you wear something that shows off those amazing breasts. ” 
    The door slammed shut behind him, rattling the contents of Michelle's office. She let out a sigh of relief. He was gone for the time being. She chewed her thumbnail, but he'd be back. And tomorrow, she almost hyperventilated, she was having dinner with him! Oh dear God! Michelle slammed her forehead against her desk. Whatever was she going to do?

Chapter 3.
    The car arrived promptly at eight, just as he had promised. Michelle hurried out of her apartment, stopping only to pat her cat, Brisket, on the head before leaving. Outside she found the driver standing by the open door of the black limousine.
    “ Ma'am, ” he nodded to her. She bent to get in, but he stopped her. “ I'm sorry, Ma'am, but if you'll permit me... ”
    Michelle didn't know what he meant until she saw the driver reach behind her and remove the clip that held her long tresses up and away from her face. She could only gape, too surprised for words, at the intimate action as her hair tumbled down over her shoulders.
    “ I'm sorry. ” The driver really did appear sheepish. “ I was only following orders. Mr. Hollins specifically insisted that you wear your hair down. ”
    Michelle stiffened. And here she thought he only wanted her to show off a little cleavage.
    “ Do you always follow Mr. Hollins' orders? ” She was unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. The driver didn't seem to notice.
    “ Always! ” he informed her before helping her into the backseat and shutting the door.
    Michelle leaned back into the leather and noticed that a bottle of expensive champagne on ice and a single crystal flute waited for her. The driver must have opened the bottle as soon as he saw her coming out of the apartment because it still steamed. She decided she could use a little liquid courage and poured herself a glass.
    “ So where exactly are you taking me? ” she asked as the car turned the bend out of her neighborhood. She took a sip of the champagne. It was delicious, wonderfully dry with just a hint of sweetness. Her driver glanced up in the rearview mirror, catching her eye through the open partition.
    “ Chartier, ” he answered.
    Michelle nearly spewed the champagne across the seat in front of her. “ Chartier ? ” she choked. “ You must be joking. There's at least a six month wait for reservations! ”
    “ Mr. Hollins keeps a private table at Chartier, ” the driver informed her as easily as if he were referring to Applebees rather than the city's finest French restaurant. Michelle drained her glass. She was going to need more than just a little liquid courage if she planned on getting through this night with her wits still about her.
    Michelle had a plan, but she would need every bit of confidence she could muster up if it had any chance of working. She was going to seduce her boss in exchange for him relinquishing his