Laid and Leveraged Read Free Page A

control over her company. The way she saw it, she had no other choice. She'd given up everything for Today's Energy. When her friends from college were falling in love, getting married, and starting families, Michelle had been hard at work trying to make her clean energy company a household name. She sighed, leaning back against the plush seat, and unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse.
    ***
    Michelle was led to a secluded, out of way table, just far enough away from the stringed quartet to hear the music but still be able to hold a decent conversation. Grateful that Roger Hollins hadn't arrived yet, Michelle lowered herself into the seat the ma î tre d' held out for her. The table had already been set with a bottle of Bordeaux and two wine glasses which the ma î tre d' took the time to fill. Michelle, still a little tipsy from the champagne on the way over decided to hold off on the wine. Pulling out a compact from her purse, she checked her reflection. The dim lighting in the restaurant did wonders for her already smooth skin. She dabbed on some more lipstick, deciding that was all she needed. Trying to calm her racing nerves, she took a deep breath and prayed her plan would work.
    “ It's a relief to know that you're capable of following at least some orders, ” a deep voice startled her, causing Michelle to drop the compact onto the table. She looked up to see Roger Hollins admiring the cleavage straining against her thin blouse. He grinned at her, his eyes glowing in the soft lighting. Her breath caught in her throat. Once again he reminded her of a cat ready to pounce upon its prey. He looked splendid in his dark, immaculate suit and silk tie. Even though his attire was more formal than anything he'd worn in the office he seemed casual, relaxed even, with his hands in his pockets and his eyes languidly roving her figure.
    A hungry lion , Michelle thought. She immediately knew she'd made a grave error in her calculations. It wasn't her that would seduce him tonight, but rather he who would seduce her.
    “ I trust the ride over was pleasant enough, ” he murmured, pulling out a chair next to her and taking a seat. He placed a bold hand on her knee and she nearly jumped out of her skin at the familiar caress. “ I do like your hair like that, ” he added, taking a sip of wine and running his fingertips lightly along the inside of her thigh beneath the skirt.
    The touch sent shivers up and down her spine and despite her resolve to stay strong she felt herself melting under his tender administrations.
    “ In fact, ” he purred, his voice dropping an octave as he dipped his head down near hers “ You might say, I've thought of little else since you came into that board room, hair wild and eyes so full of hostility. ” He grinned at her again, as though he'd won already and she was his.
    Michelle struggled to shake off the intoxicating spell he seemed to have cast over her. She needed to keep her wits about her. She couldn't let herself forget that this man was also trying to run her company into the ground.
    “ I think you've misunderstood what tonight is about, ” she whispered, her voice coming out not nearly as strong as she'd hoped. She tried to dislodge his hand from her thigh but found his grip to be steadfast.
    “ No? ” He raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced.
    The way he looked at her now, Michelle worried that more would be at stake than just her body and her company. He leaned in closer, his lips just a hair's breadth from hers.
    “ I don't think I've misunderstood anything. ” His hand inched farther up her thigh.
    Michelle squirmed in her seat, holding her breath as those delicious fingers came closer and closer to her lace panties. She closed her eyes, waiting for his lips to find hers. When nothing happened, she reluctantly opened them again. Roger Hollins smiled at her.
    “ No, ” he murmured. “ No misunderstandings. ” This time, she knew he was right. Despite how much she