Seduction on the CEO's Terms Read Free Page A

just let Joe know we’re leaving for lunch.” Ali turned and bumped smack into Joe, stepping on his toes and bumping heads. “Oh!”
    Joe grabbed her arms to steady her, his touch sending lightning bolts straight through her. She was so close to him that their breaths mingled. The subtle scent of Hugo cologne was heaven to her senses.
    â€œAre you okay?” he asked with concern.
    Ali stared at him and nodded. “I didn’t see you. That’s what you get for sneaking up on me.”
    â€œI wasn’t sneak—” But he stopped when he noticed her smile.
    â€œI’m fine, Joe,” she said. “You?”
    Joe straightened. For a computer whiz, Joe didn’t have an ounce of jelly on his body. He was granite hard, but rather than speculate, Ali would like firsthand knowledge. If only…
    Joe dropped his hands from her arms, blinked and then took a step back. “I’ll let you know if I develop a headache later.”
    â€œI’m really sorr—” Then Ali stopped when she realized Joe was joking, something he rarely did.
    He walked around her to give Rena a hug. “Hi, sister-in-law. How’s my brother treating you?”
    Rena sighed. “Like a queen. I’ve got no complaints, Joe. And I can’t thank both of you enough for taking on the wedding details. I’m afraid with all the construction we’re doing to the house now it’s a bit much for Tony and me.”
    â€œNo problem,” Joe said. “With Ali’s help, it should run like clockwork.” Joe glanced her way, and her heart did a little flip.
    â€œYou’re welcome to join us for lunch, Joe,” Rena said, “but I’ll warn you, we’ll be talking wedding and baby, and there’s no getting around it.”
    Fear entered his eyes for a moment. “I’ll leave you two to hash out the details. Once you have a plan, then I’ll chime in. Thanks, anyway.”
    â€œSure, Joe.” Rena glanced at Ali and they both giggled.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?”
    â€œHaving three root canals without anesthesia sounds better to you than having lunch with us today. Admit it, boss.”
    Joe shrugged his shoulders in feigned innocence, which made him look sexier than all get-out. “Have a nice lunch, ladies.”
    They bid him farewell, and twenty minutes later after a nice walk along the main street of town, they were seated at an outside café that served sandwiches, salads and specialty coffees.
    Ali ordered a double vanilla latte, while Rena opted for a glass of cranberry juice. They sipped their drinks while waiting for the salads they’d ordered.
    â€œSo how do you like Napa?” Rena asked.
    â€œFrom what I can tell, I like it. It’s a far cry from New York.”
    â€œDid you grow up there?”
    She shook her head. “Heavens, no. I’m a southern gal from Oklahoma originally. My mama and daddy divorced when I was just a kid. Seems Mama wanted a better life for us, and Daddy just wasn’t up for the task. She was Miss Oklahoma after all and figured she deserved better than a man who worked for the county as a deputy sheriff. As soon as she could, she moved us to the East Coast. I grew up in a string of big cities from Boston to New York. We never really settled anywhere for long.”
    â€œSounds like you had it tough as a kid.”
    She shrugged. “It is what it is. I still keep in touch with my dad. He’s remarried now and perfectly happy and still working in law enforcement.”
    â€œAnd your mom? Do you see her?”
    â€œWe see each other whenever we can.” Ali wouldn’t tell Rena her mother was on husband number five now. Ali had been bounced around from one household to another, from city to city, her mother never finding satisfaction in the men she married. She’d always wanted to elevate herself and thought money and power would be the ticket. Now, she was married to