Deceived (2 page)

“No, thank you.” He nodded to Jerome. “Please, have a seat,” he said when they were alone. Jerome was wore a light gray suit and a red tie. The man impressed him as very ambitious. Aidan wasn’t ashamed to say that he’d exploited that trait for the last three weeks. He’d sent the man to Madrid on a simple errand that could have easily been taken care of by his managers there, but Aidan had wanted him out of the country and away from Janelle. Aidan clicked through the notes he’d saved on his computer. “Jerome, I must say that I appreciate your dedication to the company. Your work in Madrid was exemplary.”

Jerome’s smile spread from ear to ear. “Thank you, sir.”

“I’ve been trying to think of a way to thank you for all you’ve done for us of late.”

“It’s nothing any of your employees—”

“Just accept the gratitude graciously,” he interrupted, in no mood to have his ass kissed. Forming a steeple with his hands beneath his chin, he continued, “I’m having a dinner party Friday night. It’s a sort of housewarming party. I’d like it if you’d come. And please bring your young lady with you. What was her name? Jennifer? Janet?”

“Janelle, sir.”

“Are you still seeing her?” he asked, hoping to keep his tone neutral.

“As often as I can, sir. I’ve been very busy, as you know, sir.”

Aidan nodded. “Is it serious? Your relationship with Janelle?”

“It’s too early to say.”

He checked the Rolex on his wrist and stood. He needed to know more about her and from what he’d observed, Jerome liked to talk. All he had to do was steer the conversation toward Janelle. “It’s lunchtime. Would you care to join me?”

* * * *

Janelle hung up the phone with a sigh.

“Thought you were talking to Jerome,” Dionne commented. She’d just rung up their last customer of the day.

“Huh? Oh, I was.”

“Well, you sure don’t seem happy about it. When I talk to my man, I’m all smiles.”

Janelle gave the shorter woman a shove in the shoulder. “You don’t have a man.”

“Okay, then, when I have a man, I’m all smiles,” she said with a grin that released both dimples in her cinnamon-hued cheeks. Dionne was the most cheerful person she knew. Man or not, usually not, she kept her positive disposition. Dionne was picky when it came to men and no one ever seemed to measure up to her exacting standards.

Janelle laughed. “I’m glad that you can be happy without having a man.”

Dionne shrugged one plump shoulder. “Having a man is nice, as you know, but if he’s not the right one, I’d rather be alone.” She ran a hand over the highly teased white-blond curls at her brow. She’d had her hair cut short on the sides while the top was very punk. Dionne described it as her cockatoo pompadour. “So what has pretty boy gone and done now?”

“Nothing. He’s invited me to dinner at his boss’s house on Friday night. The man probably has a mansion.”

“And the problem is?”

“We never spend time alone anymore. He’s consumed by his work. I understand that his career is important to him and I don’t want to hold him back. But I don’t know. It feels like something is off.”

“Do you think he’s cheating?”

Janelle shook her head. “No. He’s working. The few times I’ve had occasion to call his office, he’s been there. No, this is more like the spark is gone. He’s as handsome as ever, but maybe what we’ve had has run its course. Even when we’re together, he seems distracted. Maybe it is just work and stress, but it feels like he’s disengaged. But if that’s the case, why hasn’t he dumped me?”

“He’d be an idiot to dump you.”

“You are such a good friend.”

“The best. I locked the door and put up the closed sign. I have a date tonight.” She lifted her eyebrows significantly.

Janelle laughed. “Okay, I can take a hint. You can go. I’ll finish up here.”

Chapter Two

Janelle wondered, not for the first time, how it was that of all the guests invited, she’d ended up with the honor of sitting next to Aidan Clark at the head of the table. Jerome sat on the opposite side of the table from her to Aidan’s left. Prior to being seated for dinner, Aidan had greeted them, but he’d been sure to circulate amongst his guests. Once or twice, she’d felt his eyes on them, but whenever she turned in his direction, he looked away. It was enough to make her feel paranoid. Janelle poked at the tomatoes in her salad.

“Janelle, Jerome tells me that you’re a clothing designer. Did you create the beautiful dress you’re wearing now?”

She touched a hand to the cowl neck of the forest-green silk. “Yes, I did. Thank you.”

“Do you have a men’s line as well?”

“Not yet.”

“That’s a pity. You’re obviously talented and I’m always on the market for a new suit.”

She doubted that. This evening he wore another black suit, this one of a shinier fabric, but once again, it was obviously tailor-made. He could have stepped off the cover of a magazine. “You seem to be doing fine. Dior?” she posited.

“You’ve got a good eye.” His smile revealed a row of white teeth. He was very handsome when he smiled. Crinkles formed at the corners of his eyes and his lean cheeks developed, becoming slants almost like dimples.

Janelle’s breath caught. She quickly looked away, not liking the zing of attraction she suddenly felt for him. If she wasn’t mistaken, the feeling was mutual. She glanced at Jerome, but he was engaged in conversation with the man to his left.

Throughout the course of the meal, Aidan kept up a steady conversation with her about innocuous topics. She wouldn’t have found it suspicious if he didn’t seem to be ignoring everyone in favor of her. She tried to draw Jerome and others into their conversation only for Aidan to slowly exclude them. He acted as though she were the only person in the room.

Dessert was ice cream covered in flambéed peaches. It was delicious. Janelle barely contained a moan. But she stopped eating when she met Aidan’s glittering gold gaze focused on the spoon as it slid from between her lips. She put down her spoon and pushed away her bowl.

He cleared his throat. “All finished?” His own dessert sat neglected and melting in front of him. She nodded. “Then we should begin the tour of the house.”

* * * *

Janelle glanced over her shoulder at where Jerome lagged behind her, discussing his trip to Madrid with the blonde woman she recalled from the party a month ago. She was beginning to get annoyed. Aidan held her hand trapped over his strong forearm and led her from room to room as though she were his date. The other guests trailed them.

When they made it to the last room, his downstairs study, many of his friends said their good-byes. And still, he kept her at his side. For a moment, Janelle found herself alone with him. Jerome hadn’t caught up with them yet. “You have a lovely home,” she said.

“Thank you.”

His fingers curved over hers and gave them a squeeze. “Um, so there’s no one to share this large house with you? No Mrs. Clark?”

“Not yet. Since I was nineteen, I’ve poured all my energy into building up the Clark Hotel chain. I’ve only recently learned the art of delegation.” He took a deep breath. “And I suppose I haven’t met the right woman.” His gaze was full of meaning as it flicked over her face.

Janelle wasn’t sure what the proper etiquette was in this situation. Aidan kept giving her signs that he was interested in her, but until he was blatant about it, she couldn’t call him on it. That he was her boyfriend’s boss only complicated matters further. Janelle stepped back, wanting to create some distance between them. Her heel caught in the rug that covered the dark hard wood floors, causing her ankle to twist. She was falling, but Aidan was there. Strong arms wrapped around her.

Her body was drawn flush to his, her hands landing on his chest. The thump of his heartbeat pulsed beneath her palms. She looked up at him, prepared to thank him. The words died on her lips at the expression on his face. His face was tight with desire, his cheeks ruddy, his irises dominated by his pupils. He hardened against her, their bodies angled so that the large bulge lodged at the apex of her thighs.

Janelle made a strangled sound even as her clit pulsed and her belly fluttered. When he would have kissed her, she twisted out of his embrace. “No.” She pressed a hand to her chest to still her thumping heart. “No. I…Jerome—”

The fire in his eyes was so hot it could have singed her. “Janelle, I want you.”

She shook her head fiercely. “You can’t have me.”

“And you want me,” he stated.

“Do you make a habit of this? Making a play for your employees’ girlfriends and wives?”

“I’ve never done this,” he said emphatically, and she believed him.

“It doesn’t matter. The answer is no.” She turned to leave, fleeing Aidan and the unwanted desire he invoked in her. A groan sounded behind her. That was her only warning before his arms wrapped around her from behind. He spread a large hand over her belly. Her nipples tightened into sensitive buds. His harsh breath rattled her ear. She squirmed to be free, but it only caused her to come into contact with his heavily aroused body. She went still.

“You’ve put a spell on me, Janelle. I’ve never felt this way about a woman.”

“I’m a stranger to you.”

“Yet, it’s there. I want to know everything about you. Your wants, your fears, your desires. I want to know what you look like when you wake up in the morning. I hold you in my arms all night.”

“And what makes you think I’m willing to throw away everything I have with Jerome for a fling with you?” She pushed at his hand. “Please, let me go.”

He sighed. His arms tightened, but then they dropped. She whipped around to look at him before backing out of the room. She didn’t want to let him out of her sight again. She bumped into the door frame and then a man about to enter the study. “Sorry,” she muttered before setting off to find her errant boyfriend.

* * * *

Aidan sighed and collapsed into one of the leather wingback chairs the decorator had insisted completed this room.
Shit!
He was a complete idiot. He’d been impatient and he’d blown what could be his last opportunity to get to know her better. But it had broken his control to see the desire in her eyes. It was difficult for him not to go after something that he wanted. And he wanted Janelle.

“She seemed like she was in a hurry,” Timothy Green, his best friend, commented as he dropped into the chair adjacent to his. “Guess you got dissed.”

Aidan glared at Tim. “Does anyone say dissed anymore?”

Tim shrugged. “Who was she?”

“What do you care?”

“Well, as an investor in your company, I’d like to know if you’re going to be sued for sexual harassment.”

“She’s not an employee.”

“Your date then? You’ve been monopolizing her all night.”

“No. She’s—” He stopped when Jerome entered the room with Janelle on his arm. She looked everywhere but at him.

“Sir, I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“No, it’s fine, Jerome. You’re leaving?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve enjoyed the evening. Your home is beautiful. Thank you again for inviting us.”

Aidan waved aside the pleasantries. “Anytime. I’ll see you in the office tomorrow?”

“Uh, tomorrow, sir?”

“Yes. I have a new project I want to discuss with you.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll be there bright and early.”

Aidan nodded. Tim released a low whistle when they were gone. “You’re putting the moves on an employee’s woman? That’s not going to buy you loyalty.”

“Yeah, well…” Aidan stopped. He had no defense.

Tim blinked and sat forward. Blue eyes wide, he asked, “Fuck, this is serious, isn’t it? I’ve never known you to be at a loss for words. What’s so special about this woman?”

“Damn if I know.” Or maybe he did. It was a feeling in his gut. He’d felt this way about business deals in the past and he’d never been wrong. He kept expecting to find something about her to turn him off. What he did know was that she deserved better than Jerome. He’d found out little about her during his lunch with the other man. Jerome Wilson wasn’t interested in anyone but himself. Aidan suspected the man knew less about Janelle than he did.

“So, are you trying to break them up?”

Aidan ground his teeth together. It would be different if theirs was a new relationship. But it wasn’t. Though he had said it wasn’t serious, Jerome admitted that they’d been dating for almost a year. “He doesn’t appreciate her.”

“And what do you want her for? A night? A week? Can’t you wait for them to break up on their own? It’ll happen eventually if, as you say, he’s not treating her right.”

He couldn’t take the thought of her being with Jerome even tonight. “Tim, I want her
now
. I can’t count on them breaking up at some future date.”

* * * *

Janelle held tightly to Jerome’s fingers. They were long and slender like her own. “Come in,” she pleaded. Though she kept reminding herself that she’d done nothing wrong, she couldn’t shake the guilt over her reaction to Aidan tonight. On the ride home, she reasoned that it was simply lust. She and Jerome hadn’t been together physically in months. She would have reacted the same way to any other attractive man’s attentions.

“You heard Aidan. I have to be in early tomorrow.”

“Just come in and have a cup of tea. It’s decaf.” She could see him weakening. “Please,” she added with a smile.

“Oh, all right. One cup.”

She unlocked her door, and he followed her inside. Her kitchen was small with just enough room for a table for two. A countertop separated the kitchen from the den. She often ate her meals sitting on one of the three bar stools there rather than stay in the cramped kitchen area. Jerome slid onto one and watched as she rushed around getting out mugs and tea.

“Aidan seems really fond of you,” he remarked casually.

The mugs clinked together. “I didn’t think you noticed. You were busy talking shop.”

“I’m a fairly observant kind of guy.” He grinned. “I’m happy he likes you. It reflects well on me.”

Janelle’s stomach churned in anxiety. Aidan’s attraction to her could prove to be detrimental to Jerome’s job prospects. She hoped he wasn’t the type of man to abuse his power that way, but she couldn’t be certain. After all, he didn’t have enough principles not to attempt to seduce her in the first place.