Seduction on the CEO's Terms Read Free

by that betrayal, and he had no intention of bounding up on the ten count to take another knockout punch.
    â€œI think that’s a good idea. Sit down, and we’ll go over some dates. Then I’ll check with Tony to make sure it’ll work for them.”
    â€œI’m already on it. I just spoke with Rena. She’s coming into town today, and we’re having lunch. I’ll cross-check the dates with her once you and I come up with something feasible.”
    Joe smiled and leaned back in his seat. He wasn’t sorry he’d asked Ali to come work for him. Time and again, she’d proven to him that hiring her was the smartest thing he’d ever done. “I’m glad you took me up on my offer to come to Napa, Ali.”
    Ali’s jade-green eyes lit up. “You are?”
    â€œYeah, you’re in line for employee of the year.”
    Ali’s gaze dropped to the calendar in her hands. “How nice.”
    Joe drew his brows together. Ali wasn’t thrilled with his pronouncement. Somehow he’d disappointed her, buthe couldn’t figure out how. If anyone understood an honest work ethic, it was Ali Pendrake.
    He thought she’d be happy that he’d recognized her many capabilities.
    Â 
    Rena Carlino was beautifully pregnant. The minute she walked into the office, Ali noticed the bright beam of happiness on her face and the lightness in her step despite sporting a rounded belly.
    From all she’d gathered from Joe, Rena hadn’t had an easy life and Tony had caused most of her trouble. The former race car champion had left Rena in the dust years ago to pursue his dream of racing stock cars. Jilted and heartbroken, Rena had married David Montgomery, Tony’s best friend. She’d come to blame Tony for David’s untimely death, faulting him for her heartache and the terrible things done to ruin her family’s winery.
    But when Tony returned to Napa twelve years later and honored the vow he made to Rena’s dying husband to marry his pregnant wife, their rocky road had smoothed out. To his credit, Tony had come through in the end. Now, Tony loved both mother-to-be and baby and the evidence of that love beamed in Rena’s eyes.
    â€œHi, Ali.”
    Ali stood and smiled. “Hi.” She walked around the desk to embrace Rena. “You look fabulous.”
    Rena rubbed her belly and grinned. “Thank you. Most days, I’d disagree with you. But I made an extra effort today, since I was meeting you for lunch.”
    â€œI don’t believe that for a minute.”
    â€œOh, believe it. I feel fine, it’s just that I’m moving so much slower these days. I’m used to doing a lot of work. I was always up early, working hard at the winery, but nowthings have slowed down. It’s to be expected. And Tony is so protective that he won’t let me lift anything heavier than my purse.”
    Ali chuckled, and a slight wave of envy coursed through her system. Tony adored Rena, and Ali wondered when her time would come to feel that same sort of love from a man. “I hear the baby’s healthy as a horse.”
    â€œYes, and I plan to keep it that way. Did you hear we’re having a boy?”
    â€œOh Lord, love him. Another male Carlino in the world? I feel sorry for the next generation of baby girls.”
    Rena grinned. “I know what you mean. The Carlino men are a handful. I guess I’ll have my work cut out for me.”
    Ali really admired Rena. She’d been given a lot to deal with lately, and she’d taken it all in stride. She’d finally come to accept the role as Tony’s wife without giving up her own dream of saving her family’s legacy, Purple Fields Winery. But even more amazing was that she’d forgiven Tony for all the hurt he’d caused and accepted him as the father of her child.
    Ali grabbed her knockoff Gucci handbag and her briefcase. “Excuse me a second. I’ll