Indecent Encounter: The Silverhaus Affair (12 page)

“What way?” I asked, confused. He wasn't making any sense.

He crunched across the broken glass and grasped me by both arms. His lips seared mine as he claimed my mouth, his bruising kiss burning away everything around us.

“Like this, Chelsea,” Alex whispered as he rested his forehead on mine. “Why can’t it just be like this?”

“Because it can't,” I said, pushing him away. I shook my head. “You’re my boss.”

Alex slipped his hands down to clasp mine before I moved too far away. “Then decide, Chelsea.” His voice was soft and gentle now as his eyes searched mine. “We’ll make it simple. Either keep the job, work until the end of the summer, and it’s nothing but professional…or quit right now and stay as my guest. Stay and get to know the real me.”

He made it sound so easy, and for him, I supposed it was. He didn’t understand the importance of the money or my reasons for needing it. He didn’t even know my brother’s name, much less what I was trying to do for him. Plus, he was married – or divorced – or whatever screwed up complicated situation he had going on. He was right that I didn’t know him, but he didn’t know me either, or he wouldn't have asked me to choose.

“Stay here in the house, not as a maid, but as my guest,” he said. “We can spend the rest of the summer getting to know each other with no complications.” He shrugged his shoulders, light and carefree as if such a massive decision were that easy. “What’s it going to be? The job or me?”

I pulled myself free of him, hurt by how he couldn’t see how unfair that question was. Alex could do what he wanted, and it was pretty clear that he always did. He'd never had to make a difficult choice in his life. Not a real one. Not one that could affect the life of someone he loved.

I, however, had spent my life with the weight of that choice on my shoulders. And it wasn't really a choice at all. Karl always came first. I was all he had, and I wouldn't put what I wanted before him.

“It has to be the job,” I said and walked away before I could see the look on Alex's face.

N
o one turned
down a chance to be with Alex Silverhaus. But I had, despite the fact that the bright flash of his smile made my heart pound and my knees go weak. The memory of his kiss burned into my mind.

He'd given me an ultimatum, but had no idea what it really meant. So whatever could have been, now it looked like there would be nothing between us except professional courtesy. Maybe it would be easier that way.

I straightened my shoulders and sat back on my heels to catch my breath. I was down on my knees and up to my elbows in green slime–again–from where leaves had decomposed in the pool filter. I was cleaning and all I could think about was Alex.

As I threw a handful of leaves into the bucket, the glitter of the sun reflecting off the pool caught my eyes, bringing with it a flash of the first time I'd slipped into the cool water with Alex. His tongue tasting me, his wet, hard body against mine with nothing between us but my thin t-shirt.

I shook my head. That was then, and this was now.

“I know you’d probably rather do that than head up to the guest cottage, but Ms. Temple needs help with her packing.”

It was Jamison. I stopped my cleaning and squinted up at him hoping that my face didn’t reveal what I’d been thinking. I brushed a forearm across my warm cheek and blinked away the steamy memories.

“Please, let me stay with the green slime, it’s much nicer.”

“With a better personality,” Jamison agreed, “but I thought you might like helping her get ready to leave.”

I stood up and sighed. I’d been dodging April ever since she'd caused a scene.

“Is Henry coming to pick her up?” I asked. My life would be so much easier once April was out of clawing distance. I could avoid Alex easily. April hadn't really given me that option.

Jamison nodded. “Of course. He’s on his way.”

I was relieved. “Then I’ll make sure her luggage is waiting on the front steps when he arrives.”

I finished cleaning the pool filter and stowed the cleaning tools in the gardening shed, then set off for the guest cottage.

A narrow gravel road led up behind the beautiful mansion to the small guest cottage. I walked the familiar tree-lined path and tried not to think about everything she'd said. She all but called me a live-in prostitute. At least Alex'd had the balls to fire her and kick her out.

I sighed as my work shoes crunched into the gravel of the path. I tried again to concentrate on what I’d chosen: the job and the tuition money for Karl. My heart couldn't come into play. My brother came first. Always.

The thought fled as I caught sight of a shirtless Alex out for a jog, running along the side of the gravel road. His sculpted chest was glistening with sweat, and a couple of stray locks of hair fell into his eyes as he moved. My stomach flipped at the sight of him.

I stepped into the road and waved to him with a tentative smile. We could be professionally polite, right? Alex stopped, breathing hard. His eyes darted everywhere, looking at everything but at me. Then they glanced to the opposite side of the road and the stone archway hidden amongst the leaves.

A jolt ran through my body as I recognized the trailhead to the grove where we'd had sex. I remembered the cool caress of that grass against my bare skin, the sinful yet delicious explorations of Alex’s fingers, the way I’d opened to him beneath the dappled sunlight.

It had been magical and earth-shattering at the same time, everything I could've ever wanted. The passion had poured out of us like hot molten fire, but however explosive our first time together had been, a crater now existed between us now. I stared down at his worn running shoes as he stood on the gravel road waiting for me to say something.

“You don’t swim anymore,” I said, trying to break the uneasy silence. “Isn’t it too hot to run?”

He shifted from leg to leg as if gearing up to run again, and I half-expected him to leave without answering. “I don’t mind,” he said.

I glanced up as he frowned and shot a look at the cottage door.

“You’re not going up to help April, are you?”

“She needs help packing,” I said.

He stopped his pacing and tilted his head. “You don’t need to do that. Jamison said my father’s on his way. Let him deal with April. He’s the one…”

“I can handle April,” I snapped.

Alex held up his hands and said, “Whatever you say.” A shadow crossed his face as he added, “You’ve got a
job
to do.”

The inflection in his voice made it sound like he was mocking me.

“Yes, I do.” I shot back. “Most of the world has to work for what we want.”

His stare drilled into me. Then he leaned in and took me by the arm, whispering harshly, “What do you want, Chelsea?”

“You wouldn’t understand. It’s not about what I want,” I said, my voice small.

Alex pulled back with a look of confusion and dropped his hand. “You have a boyfriend? I should've known.”

His eyes swept over me, dark with emotion.

“No.” My eyes widened. “How could you think that after what we…after what happened?”

His shoulders relaxed and his gaze returned to rove over my body. “Well, I suppose you think I’m a playboy just looking for a piece of sweet ass, don’t you? So why should my assumption surprise you?”

He was right. Why shouldn't he think I behaved the same way he did?

And it shouldn't hurt. I had no claim on him. Who was I kidding? Despite everything, I still wanted him, and before I knew it, I took a step toward him. For a moment, my desire buzzed too loudly to hear reason and I reached out to graze my hand along his fingertips. I drew his hand up to my hip and raised my eyes to his face.

His jaw clenched and he shifted away. He cleared his throat and stammered, “I’ve…I should go. There’s, um…a conference call or something….” He raked a hand through his hair and turned to leave.

“Alex, wait, I…”

I couldn’t find the words to explain. I needed the job, but I wanted Alex. But I couldn't have both.

C
helsea looked smoking hot
. If I weren’t already out of breath from my run, she’d sure as hell take my breath away. She always did. Her thin white work shirt stuck to her skin in the humid summer air. Those long legs finally had a little tan now that she’d been wearing a shorter skirt. All I could do was stand here like a fool, salivating, wanting her more than ever, with hot throbs of desire pounding in my chest. But it seemed that Chelsea didn’t want any more from me than the generous salary I was paying her, and that burned.

She stood there trying to tell me something, getting all feisty and agitated at me, but I didn’t mind. I kind of liked her when she got that way, fiery and passionate. I was trying to play it off like I didn’t care, but in reality, I only wanted to lock my arms around her and taste her sweet kisses. When she touched me, I couldn't think straight, and I knew I needed to get out of here before I did something stupid.

“I know you hired me as a joke, but I need this job.”

Obviously. She'd chosen it over me. I tried to keep my voice light. “Oh, sure, I know. Not for you, but for someone else.”

She nodded and then my focus all went to shit again when she took my hand. The touch sent a bolt up my arm and through my body, bringing with it the memories of all of our previous touches. The way her body had felt against mine. Underneath me. I tried to shake them off, but then, just as suddenly as she’d taken my hand, she let go.

“Alex?” A lilting voice called. “Alex, up here.”

Fucking April.

I tore my eyes from Chelsea and squeezed them shut. Maybe if I subtly ignored her she’d go away? No,
subtle
wasn’t in April’s vocabulary. I rubbed the tips of my fingers to my temple and took a deep breath. Chelsea and I both looked up to see April leaning over the balcony railing, curving her body into the perfect pose. Her white smile was bright and cheerful. Apparently, she’d forgotten the ugly tantrum scene in the foyer. But then, that was April. She had a way of leaving moments she didn’t like on the cutting room floor and editing together her own version of reality.

She called down to me, “You look all hot and sweaty. Why don’t you come up here and use the shower?”

In your dreams.
I shot a glance to Chelsea, and then turned with a fake smile to April and yelled up to the balcony, “Sorry, April. I need to head back to the main house. Chelsea too, she needs to help Jamison with breakfast.”

Chelsea shook her head, refusing to let me step in. I opened my mouth to protest, but I knew my efforts were in vain. She was too damn stubborn. Before I could say anything to convince Chelsea to leave, April’s voice cut in again.

“I just talked to Jamison,” she smirked. “He’s bringing breakfast up here. Why don’t you join us?”

At that moment my father’s silver Mercedes roared up the gravel road. I hooked Chelsea’s slender waist, and pulled her out the path of the speeding car. We bumped against the stone arch of the trailhead, and I held her tight. If only we were alone I’d take her back up to the secret grove and have a taste of her sweetness again, show her that she'd made the wrong choice.

The car slowed as it passed and the window rolled down. “Better use April’s shower,” my father said. “We need to have a meeting. Hope your girl can make decent coffee because I need a cup.”

I clamped my jaw.
Fuck
. That was just fucking dandy. He never missed a chance to take a jab at me for hiring Chelsea. I kept an even tone and said, “She has a name you know. Chelsea. And Jamison is on his way. He can make the coffee.”

Henry ignored me and drove up to the guest cottage. April was waiting for him at the door and immediately wrapped herself around him, her expression one of distress. My father ate it up as his hands traveled down over the curve of her backside.

I scowled at them and then realized my arm was still wound tightly around Chelsea’s waist. She hadn't tried to pull away, and I hoped that meant something. One delicate hand was pressed to my chest and my heartbeat sped up underneath her gentle touch, sending blood rushing down.

“You’re going to get me all excited right here on the side of the road,” I murmured.

“Alex, I . . .”

I stopped her and breathed against the black silk of her hair, drawing in her scent. “Chelsea…”

I felt a delighted shiver run through her, but the smile she gave me was sad. “You don’t understand.”

“Make me. Please,” I said. “But whatever you do, don’t make me go in there.”

I felt her body shake as she giggled against my chest. Damn, I liked that. “Well, I have to,” she said, “so are you coming or not?”

I groaned as she spun gently out of my hold. No sooner had she started toward the guest cottage than Jamison buzzed by on the golf cart he used on the property, and I had no choice but to follow both of them.

“If it makes you feel better, this will probably be more fun for you than me,” I said as I caught up to Chelsea.

She laughed and I felt better than I had all morning. She didn't hate me. I didn't understand what was going on with her, but she hadn't chosen the job because she didn't want me.

“Last chance to run for the secret grove,” I teased.

I thought I heard her mutter ‘I wish’ under her breath, but that might've been wishful thinking. Our hands accidentally touched as we walked, and I saw the pink blush on Chelsea’s cheeks. My heart was suddenly pounding harder than it had during my run. I hadn't imagined it. She still wanted me. I smiled and dug my heels into the gravel. Whatever her reasons for choosing the job instead of me, I didn’t know. And I didn’t care. Her smile was good enough for now. We'd figure out the rest later.

April’s shrill voice rang out louder than normal. As usual she was constructing a scene, dramatically playing out what she wanted me to notice, obviously hoping I’d see her take Henry through the tall gate to the guest cottage garden and…do what? Get jealous? I shook my head as she pulled him by his tie, purring at him while he happily followed with a stupid grin on his face. I’d say the two were meant for each other, but then I wouldn’t wish that poisonous eye-candy on anyone, not even my self-serving father. And I sure as hell didn't want April vying to be my stepmother. That would be a whole other kind of nightmare.

The gate latched closed behind them just as Jamison parked the golf cart and carried a large basket with our breakfast into the kitchen. As soon as Chelsea reached the shadow of the balcony where I stood, I grabbed her hand. She looked up at me and I pulled her into the ivy that covered the stone foundation of the guest cottage, hiding us among the leaves and shadows.

My body was pulsing and hot. I needed to taste her kisses. I pressed my lips to hers. They parted on her surprised gasp and the soft rush of air made a throbbing fire race through me. I tangled a hand into her silky hair, feeling its richness as I pulled until her head tipped back. I let my tongue slide along her soft lips and slipped it in deeper for the taste I’d been dreaming of. Damn, I needed this.

“Alex…” she whispered. Her hands came up to push me away, but then her tongue touched mine and the world around us disappeared.

She arched up against me, and I rolled back against the ivy, surprised by the force of her response. My hands glided past her short skirt, and I dragged my fingers up the back of her thighs, pulling her tighter against me. She rose on her tiptoes, and the friction between us on my hardening cock drove me wild. I rolled along the wall, lifting her as I pressed her into the ivy. She brought her hands up to tangle them in my hair.

“Chelsea…” I panted.

“Oh, god, Alex,” she said, pulling my head down to her shoulder.

It was always like this with her, both of us needy, breathless and clawing at each other. I breathed in the scent of her, mixed with the fresh smell of the ivy, and it felt like I was in heaven. I had my answer, Chelsea wanted me as much as I wanted her, but a little hot groping in the shadows was only a tease, it wasn’t enough to satisfy me.

“We have to go in,” she whispered, her hands running softly through my hair.