Seduced by Mr. Right Read online

  Pressing her eyes shut, she inhaled the fresh air. A sense of calm washed over her, instantly relaxed her. She loved feeling the sun on her face and the wind in her hair. But what she enjoyed most about being in Greensboro was hanging out with her favorite client.

  Emilio is more than just a client. You like him more than you’ve ever liked anyone, and if he kissed you, you’d probably die of pleasure!

  Stealing a glance at him, she felt her heart murmur inside her chest. Athletes had always been her weakness, and the tall, wickedly handsome race-car driver was everything she wanted in a man. The realization stunned her, but deep down in her heart she knew it was true. Her gaze slid down his physique. His fitted white T-shirt and black athletic shorts showcased a flat stomach, toned biceps and muscled legs. But it was his smoldering gaze that made her head spin time and time again. He had his nephew’s face tattooed on his left biceps, and the adorable image made her smile. It took supreme effort, but she peeled her eyes away from his chiseled body and asked about his morning meeting. “How did it go? Did you make a decision about the All-Star Race?”

  Emilio told her about his argument with Antwan, his new blockbuster deal with Ferrari and his hour-long conversation with his pit crew. “We’re practicing tomorrow at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, and I want you to be there. You’re my good-luck charm, and my crew is anxious to meet you.”

  “They are? Why? What did you tell them?”

  “Nothing—just that I’d met the girl of my dreams.”

  Sharleen gave a shaky laugh. She couldn’t tell if Emilio was serious or pulling her leg, but convinced herself it was the latter. Normally, she ignored clients who flirted with her, but that strategy wasn’t working with Emilio. If anything, his teasing made her desire him even more.

  “I need you to be at my first practice.”

  His words surprised her, made her realize how much he’d changed in the past three weeks. Instead of moping around the house, he was attending social events, volunteering at outreach programs and making plans for the future. He was even actively looking for ways to honor his nephew’s memory. Sharleen had encouraged him to attend meetings at the clinic, and to her surprise, he was always the first one to arrive. He didn’t talk during group sessions, but he admitted that hearing other people’s stories made him feel less lonely. These days, Emilio was fun to be around, and everyone from his publicist to his physical trainer was thrilled about the positive changes he’d made in his life.

  “Are you listening or fantasizing about me again?” he teased. “Don’t try and deny it, because I can see the truth in your pretty brown eyes.”

  Sharleen parted her lips to speak and tripped over her tongue. She was mortified that she’d lost her composure again and inwardly chastised herself for letting her nerves get the best of her.

  Emilio had a hold on her she just couldn’t explain, and the more she fought their attraction the stronger it was. It was times like this, when he was flirting with her, that she remembered he was one of the most eligible bachelors in the nation. Unlike the guys she’d casually dated in the past, he made her feel special and seemed to get a kick out of spoiling her. He had flowers delivered to her office, treated her to lunch at trendy eateries and lavished her with time and attention. It was hard not to think wanton thoughts when he flashed his trademark grin at her, but Sharleen was determined to keep her cool. Her reputation and the vice-president position were at stake, and she’d worked too damned hard to watch her career go up in smoke. And she had to land the VP position so she could persuade her boss to fire Brad and rehire Jocelyn. Her best friend still hadn’t found a job, and she was growing more discouraged each day.

  “I’ll pick you up at nine o’clock, so we can drive down together.”

  “Emilio, I can’t. I’m going with a client to Raleigh tomorrow and I won’t be back until Thursday.”

  “What’s in North Carolina?”

  “My client is attending a funeral and wanted me there for emotional support.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Is your client male or female?”

  “Female. Why?”

  “Just checking,” he said, with a wink. “Do you routinely travel with clients?”

  “Sometimes. It depends on the situation.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, because I’m going to Miami over Memorial Day weekend, and I want you to come. Antwan wants me to attend the Exotic Car Show—”

  “It’s not about what Antwan wants. It’s about what you want.”

  “I’m psyched about going to Miami, but...” He broke off speaking and expelled a deep breath. “I haven’t been to any public events since Lucca died, and even though I’m excited about reconnecting with my fans, I’m nervous, too.”

  “That’s understandable, but try not to worry. Your fans adore you, especially the female ones, and I’m sure they’ll welcome you back with open arms.”

  “I can’t go without you, Sharleen. I need you by my side...”

  His words sounded poetic, like the lyrics to a love song, and his dreamy accent made her feel light-headed. That was why going out of town with him was out of the question. There was no telling what would happen in Miami, and she didn’t want to lose her job or her heart to him. Not wanting to hurt his feelings, she said, “I’ll check my schedule, and I’ll get back to you in a few days.”

  “Why don’t you save yourself the time and trouble and say yes now?”

  Because I hate hot weather, scantily dressed women flaunting their perfect bodies and pool parties. I never know what to wear, and I don’t want to feel self-conscious about my—

  “Do you want me to call your boss and ask her permission?”

  “That’s not...um...”

  Emilio lifted the bottom of his shirt, exposing his abs, and wiped the sweat from his face. Sharleen’s brain turned to mush. Seeing his bare chest caused her body to tingle and quiver. Her sexual urges were powerful, unlike anything she’d experienced. Staring at him, she envisioned them kissing, could almost taste and feel his mouth against hers.

  “I’ll call Mrs. Fontaine tomorrow and square things with her.”

  Sharleen snapped out of her thoughts. “No, please don’t. That won’t be necessary.”

  “Great, then I’ll have my assistant finalize our travel arrangements.” His smile returned, blazed so bright it made the sun look dull. “You’ll have your own room at my cottage at Fisher Island resort and plenty of time to shop at the malls and boutiques.”

  “Are you spending the entire weekend at the car show?”

  Emilio shook his head. “No. I’ll be busy romancing you.”

  Sharleen swallowed hard, told herself he was just teasing her. She considered her options, thoroughly weighed the pros and cons of going out of town with Emilio. Mrs. Fontaine was going to make a decision about the VP position at the end of the month, and she didn’t want to ruin her chances of landing the job by upsetting her boss. It was better not to rock the boat. “Sometimes you can be so difficult,” she teased, rolling her eyes in an exaggerated fashion. “Do you always have to get your way?”

  “Yes, Ms. Nichols, as a matter of fact, I do.”

  He leaned into her, got so close their arms were touching.

  “Do you know what I want right now?” His gaze dropped to her mouth, and he licked his lips with deliberate slowness, as if his sole purpose in life was to arouse her with his tongue. “She’s tall and curvy and smells like jasmine.”

  Desire surged through her veins, made her heart hammer inside her chest. Afraid she’d fall victim to lust, she turned to admire the lily pond, instead of Emilio’s juicy lips. “This is an amazing view,” she said. “Do you jog down here often?”

  “No, but now that I have you to keep me company I’ll be getting out a lot more.”

  “No way, José! Count me out. This is the last t
ime I let you talk me into going for a jog,” she said. “I’m so tired I could lie down on the grass and fall asleep!”

  Emilio cracked up. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re doing great.” He looked her over, took his time appraising her. “And you look gorgeous, too.”

  “Right,” she drawled, swatting at the pesky flies buzzing around her. “Sweat is real sexy.”

  “Not sweat, per se, but you certainly are.”

  A girlish grin exploded onto her lips, a smile so wide it made her jaw ache. “I thought Stiletto Aerobics was hard, but it’s a piece of cake compared to this.”

  “Stiletto Aerobics? Sounds erotic. How about a demonstration after lunch?”

  To her surprise, his words excited her, turned her on. Her breasts ached for his touch, her nipples hardened under her long-sleeve shirt and a delicious shudder ripped through her body. Sharleen wanted to pounce on him, to kiss him shamelessly, and it took every ounce of her self-control not to devour him. “Emilio, you don’t have to cook for me every time I come over.”

  “Yes, I do. The quickest way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach, and I’m hoping you’ll profess your undying love after you taste my lobster risotto.”

  “My, my, aren’t we ambitious.”

  “Well, I did win three World Series Racing championships.”

  “Relationships aren’t a competitive sport.”

  “Tell that to my ex-girlfriend.” His smile disappeared. “She loved playing mind games, and I never knew where I stood with her...”

  I’d never treat you like that, Sharleen thought, gazing at his handsome profile. If you were my man I’d be open and honest, and I’d tell you I love you every single day.

  “Most of the women I hooked up with in the past were more interested in the glamorous lifestyle than me, but I was too busy blowing through my earnings to care,” he confessed. “But at this point in my life, I’m ready to have a family and kids, and I won’t settle for less.”

  I’d love to have your babies. The thought shocked Sharleen, and for the second time in minutes, goose bumps pricked her skin.

  They jogged through the neighborhood, along the lake and past the park. Jokes flew, laughter abounded and their conversation flowed smoothly from one topic to the next. Sharleen coached other celebrities, but no one made her laugh like Emilio. He had great stories, and his dry wit made her crack up time and time again. She’d probably never go zip-lining in Costa Rica, or paragliding in Tanzania, but she enjoyed hearing about his adventures abroad. Two hours passed, but she was having so much fun with Emilio that she didn’t want to go home. “Where do you go when you want to get away from everything?” she asked. “Venice? Sydney? Maui?”

  “No, Monte Carlo. Have you ever been?”

  Sharleen shook her head. “No, never, but I’d love to visit there one day.”

  “When you’re ready to make the trip, we’ll fly there in the Morretti private jet.”

  “What’s so special about Monte Carlo?”

  “They call it the playground of the rich, but there’s more to the city than just fast cars, fine dining and million-dollar yachts. I love the museums, the striking architecture and the extreme sports, of course.”

  “You won your first World Series Racing championship in Monte Carlo.”

  Emilio wore a sheepish smile. “You read my bio.”

  “A good life coach always does.”

  The estate came into view, and Sharleen sighed in relief.

  “Do you want to take a break, or would you like to keep going?”

  “No way. I’m exhausted, and my legs are killing me. I may pass out right here!”

  He stopped abruptly. His gaze was full of longing, and his mouth was just inches away from her face. “What can I do to help?”

  You mean besides kissing me passionately?

  The air around them was electrified, charged with sexual tension. Sharleen had never had such strong feelings for someone and wondered how much longer she could fight their attraction. These days, Emilio was all she could think of. It didn’t matter if she was job hunting with Jocelyn or puttering around in her garden—thoughts of him overwhelmed her mind. Emilio proved that nice guys still existed, that all men weren’t dogs, and she loved being with him.

  “I’d do anything for you. You know that, right?” Emilio said.

  He reached out and brushed his fingers ever so gently against her cheeks. Pleasure shot straight to her core, tickled and teased her flesh.

  “Do you want me to carry you back to my estate?”

  “Let’s not and say we did,” she said with a laugh. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a curvy woman, not a toothpick, and I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

  His stare was bold, penetrating. Emilio didn’t speak, didn’t utter a word, but if looks could kill she’d be six feet under. Sharleen gulped. What did I do wrong? Why is he mad at me?

  The tense moment lasted for only a few seconds, but it felt as if hours had passed.

  Emilio broke the silence, and his voice was hollow, cold as ice. He didn’t yell at her, but his disappointment was evident. “You’re an incredibly smart woman, but I swear, sometimes you say the craziest things.”

  Sharleen narrowed her eyes and hitched a hand to her hip. “Who are you calling crazy?”

  “You. Now shut up and kiss me.” Emilio seized her waist, wrapped his arms around her and claimed her lips with his mouth.

  Chapter 10

  The moment Emilio’s lips touched Sharleen’s mouth, pleasure exploded inside of her body. He tasted of peppermint—delicious and sweet—and the savory flavor tickled her taste buds. Tingles danced down her spine as he sprayed soft, featherlight kisses over her lips and cheeks. Is this really happening? Are we actually kissing, or is this a figment of my imagination?

  Emilio pulled her closer, urged her into his arms. His hands explored her flesh, caressed and stroked her inflamed body. He played with her hair, massaged her neck, her shoulders and hips. Sharleen was stunned by how aggressive he was, but she secretly loved every minute of it. For the first time in her life, she was living in the moment, gratifying the desires of her flesh, and it was the most liberating thing she’d ever done.

  Delirious with need, she inclined her head toward him and deepened the kiss. He wasn’t a good kisser—he was an outstanding kisser, the best she’d ever had. Sharleen wanted more of him, needed more. She didn’t want the kiss to ever end, could happily spend the rest of the day cradled in his arms. His urgent caress and the warmth of his touch intensified her hunger, and as the seconds slipped into minutes, Sharleen found herself losing control. Her temperature soared, and the voices in her head—the ones urging her to flee—faded to the background.

  Sharleen stroked his face, grabbed fistfuls of his hair, nibbled his bottom lip. The heady sensation of his lips and his hands was overwhelming, pushed her to the brink. Overcome with longing, a hunger she’d never known, she moaned from deep inside. Finally, after weeks of flirting, they’d kissed, and it was even better than she’d imagined.

  Their moans and groans intensified, grew to a fevered pitch. Desperate to be closer to him, she draped her hands around his neck and pressed her body flat against his. It wasn’t enough—she needed more, desired more. A shiver ripped through her body, one so powerful her knees buckled.

  Sharleen couldn’t believe that one kiss—one sensuous, erotic kiss—could wreak such havoc inside of her body, but it did. Her breasts ached for his touch, her hands shook and her legs quivered. She wanted to rip off his clothes and kiss every inch of his body. The thought made her cheeks burn with shame, but the urge still remained.

  Finally, they pulled apart, exhausted.

  “That was some kiss,” Emilio said in a husky growl. “Definitely the best I’ve ever had.”

 
Not trusting herself to speak, Sharleen took a moment to catch her breath. She lifted her head, caught his eye and returned his smile. She couldn’t deny how much she’d enjoyed that kiss, and she tried to keep thoughts of losing her job from ruining the moment.

  “I’m sorry I lost control, but I couldn’t help myself. Your lips are so damn tempting.”

  “I know,” she said, with a shrug, pretending to inspect her French manicure. “I hear that all the time.”

  Emilio chuckled. “I love your humility. It’s endearing.”

  “At least I’m not rude.” Deciding to have some fun with him, she jabbed a finger at his chest and wore a stern face. “Make no mistake, Mr. Morretti. The next time you tell me to ‘shut up,’ you’ll be looking for a new life coach.”

  “That suits me just fine.”

  Her spirits sank. “I thought you liked working with me.”

  “I do, but I don’t want you to be my life coach anymore. I want you to be my girlfriend.”

  Sharleen heard a gasp fall out of her mouth.

  “Why is it so hard for you to believe that I’m attracted to you and that I want us to date?”

  Because you’ve dated models and actresses, and I’m a nobody. Her thoughts spun out of control. She knew it would be foolish to embark on a relationship with him—the risk of being hurt was just too great.

  “I adore everything about you. You’re intelligent, ridiculously beautiful and—”

  “Ridiculously beautiful?” Sharleen scoffed and rolled her eyes. Men would say anything to get laid, and although she’d never pegged Emilio as the type who’d use lies and flattery to lure her into bed, he seemed to be doing just that. “Laying it on kinda thick, aren’t you?”

  “No. I think you’re perfect.” His gaze was a lethal combination of hunger and desire. It held her captive, refused to let her go. “You have great eyes, pretty lips and bootylicious curves!”

  Sharleen cracked up, chuckled until tears filled her eyes. The word bootylicious had no business coming out of Emilio’s Italian mouth, and the expression on his face tugged at her heartstrings. He made her laugh, even at his own expense. He was the most caring man she’d ever met. It’s too bad he’s my client. If he wasn’t I’d definitely want him to be my—