Vengeful in Love Read online

  Ethan went on with her new duties. She tried to concentrate on what he was saying, but her mind wandered to Alex. If he was only going to be around for a short while, she was glad she hadn’t given in to him. He’d undoubtedly been looking for a short fling, and that wasn’t what she wanted right now.

  The waiter returned to the table with a large tray balanced on his hand. His arrival pulled Natalie out of her gloomy thoughts. There was seafood pasta to be had, and it looked positively delectable, filled with the tiny peppers that she loved.

  Ethan’s cell phone rang. “Sorry.” He glanced at the caller ID. “Juliane. Guten tag.” He made a face and excused himself from the table.

  Natalie glanced at Alex. Ethan’s presence had made her feel safer, but now…

  “Ahh…Europeans.” Alex smiled. “You’d think they’d have more respect for our business hours.”

  “Maybe it’s really his girlfriend. She must be very sad to see him go to America.”

  “I’ve seen his girlfriend. She won’t be lonely for long.” Alex took a sip of his wine. “Ever been to Europe?”

  “I went to school there for fourteen years.” Exiled would be a better word. Shrugging, she pasted on a bright smile. “My parents wanted the best education for me.”

  “America has some fine private schools. Especially in this area.”

  She fiddled with her napkin. “True. I actually was accepted at Exeter, but my parents wanted me to have a more cosmopolitan upbringing.”

  “Hobnobbing with the likes of the Rockefellers and the du Ponts wouldn’t have been cosmopolitan enough?”

  A slight hint of sarcasm in his tone made her pause, but she was probably projecting her feelings. She’d thought the same when Louise had made her speech about how Exeter wasn’t good enough. “Well, you know. The cachet of Europe.” Natalie rolled her eyes and took a sip of wine.

  * * *

  Alex didn’t buy Natalie’s act for a second. She was trying hard, but he could detect hints of embarrassment and injured pride in her voice.

  He already knew a lot about her family. Her sister, the real Hall daughter, hadn’t gone to Europe to study.

  “That was very nice of them,” Alex said. Time to switch gears. “Are you planning to resign anytime soon to join your father’s campaign?”

  Her eyes widened, and she let out a short laugh. “I don’t think that’s something I want to tell the CEO of my company.”

  “Why not?”

  “If I tell you I’m going to quit soon, I’m lacking in company loyalty. If I tell you I’m not, I’m lacking in family loyalty. Either way I seem to lose.” She put a bite of pasta in her mouth, chewed, swallowed, and dabbed at her lips with her napkin. “Actually, I don’t plan to quit. Bri…Dad already has Belle—that’s my sister—and a very competent staff. I’m sure I won’t be needed.”

  Interesting. Most politicians’ families tended to work together on campaigns to project a happy, wholesome image to the public. With Virginia’s conservative constituency, he would’ve thought her smiling, loving presence would have been required. Whether it was an election or a corporate takeover, everything had to be ready and lined up correctly in order to win.

  A glimpse of wistfulness passed through her eyes, but she quickly lowered her eyelashes. The tightly coiffed hair made her features stark under the amber glow of the restaurant lights. She was an intelligent woman, highly educated and experienced. Three years at Goldreich Stanley in Hong Kong, Wharton MBA, three years at DDE. Even her outfit said “I’m a pro.”

  Still…there was a lingering vulnerability about her that made him want to reach out and protect her. The thought was disconcerting. Alex liked his women worldly, ambitious, and driven, ones who understood and were comfortable with the kind of relationship he preferred.

  Ethan reappeared. “I have to go. An emergency conference call.” He turned to Natalie. “I’m sorry. Perhaps next time?”

  She gave him a regretful smile. “Sure. Good night.”

  After Ethan left, silence descended on the table. Natalie fidgeted with the bits of pasta left on her plate. Alex finally leaned back. “Dessert? This place is supposed to have the best tiramisu in town.”

  “Why not? I never say no to dessert.”

  He signaled the waiter, who cleared their table and went to get the tiramisu.

  Alex held a bottle over her glass. “More wine?”

  “No, thank you. I have to drive home.”

  “Cab it and expense it, if you want.”

  “I’d rather not.”

  Shrugging, Alex poured rest of the Chianti for himself and placed the empty bottle at the end of the table. Their tiramisu appeared, and he took a bite of the moist, bittersweet treat.

  “You’ve gotta wonder if they knew we’d order this all along,” Alex said.

  “Mmmm. Probably.”

  Alex watched her eat. Her full, red mouth looked startlingly erotic closing around the small silver fork. Her pink tongue darted out to lick it clean of cream and crumbs before she went for more. If it had been anyone else, he’d have found the move calculated, but with Natalie, everything was unconsciously done, which only added to her allure. He imagined all sorts of pleasurable things they could do in private.

  “You owe me something,” he said.

  “What?”

  “Remember the bet we made on Monday?”

  A frown appeared on her face, and he almost laughed. Obviously, she hadn’t been thinking about that at all.

  “I thought it was only for a private dinner and only if you asked me out.”

  “Uh-uh. The only thing we agreed to was another dinner before the week was over.”

  She pursed her lips. “That’s ridiculous.”

  “Hey, all you had to do was say no to Ethan’s invitation.”

  * * *

  Natalie continued to frown at him, but he seemed completely oblivious.

  “Unless you asked Ethan if he invited me and he lied outright,” Alex added magnanimously.

  No, she hadn’t asked. Her mistake.

  Alex laughed. “Don’t look so torn. We’re not getting engaged here. It’s just a weekend.”

  “I guess. Still, a million bucks would’ve been nicer,” she said, her voice even.

  “A bit mercenary, don’t you think?”

  “Don’t pretend you don’t like money. Obviously you do.”

  “And you do too. Fair enough. So, why didn’t you go back to Goldreich? They pay better than DDE.”

  “Because I wanted a career change.” And because an ex—the mistake before Marcus—was still working there. Just thinking about Jack gave her the shivers now. “There’s a point where money can’t compensate enough for personal sacrifices.” She put her fork down and pulled out her slim PDA. “Let’s get this over with. When would you like to claim your prize?”

  “That’s awfully…unromantic of you.”

  “Oh, were you expecting romance? After all, we’re not getting engaged here.”

  A corner of his lips quirked. “If the thrill of being pursued is what you want…”

  She smoothed her hair. A superfluous gesture—not a strand was out of place since she’d applied extra strength gel to it that morning. “When and where?”

  Alex waved at her gadget. “Put that thing away.” He signaled the waiter for the check, handed him several twenties, and rose.

  The parking lot was dark, the late evening breeze unusually crisp but without teeth. Rows of cars gleamed under the pale street lights. Alex pushed his hands into his pants pockets.

  “Where are you parked?”

  “Over there.” She gestured at her Audi several yards away.

  As he walked with her to her vehicle, anticipation hummed in her blood. Whatever he was planning wouldn’t end the way he wanted; she’d make sure of that. But knowing that a pursuit had started and that this overwhelmingly sexual male wanted her made every female instinct of hers jittery with an excited trepidation.

  When they reach
ed the car, she turned to look at him. Something she couldn’t identify glimmered in his eyes. She licked her suddenly dry lips.

  Alex stepped closer, invading her personal space. She didn’t move away. Even through the gap between them, she could feel his body heat. She shivered.

  “Are you cold?” he whispered into her ear. His breath tickled the sensitive skin and melted her inside.

  “No.” She sighed the word in a soft whisper.

  Alex’s head dipped, his mouth taking Natalie’s. He was as aggressive as a warlord bent on subduing a rebellion. She responded with a thrust of her tongue, her eyelids drifting lower. He tasted like fine wine and man, and somehow the combination was more potent than anything she’d ever experienced before. Her head spun, and she clutched his shoulders. His hands roamed over her body, leaving a trail of delicious warmth in their path. She wanted to burrow into him.

  There was a moan.

  Natalie didn’t know who made the noise and didn’t care. Alex pushed her against the side of the car and brought their bodies closer. She felt the thick length of his erection against her belly through the layers of their clothes. It only intensified her desire. She moved against his sex and found herself wet.

  She had a sudden picture of herself perched on the hood of the car, her skirt bunched around her hips and his hard length probing her. She whimpered, but his mouth on hers muffled the sound. Her greedy hands surveyed his body, and she bit back a moan of frustration at the crisp white shirt in the way. She’d kill to rip it off and put her hands on his bare skin. His breath, hot and fast, fanned the side of her neck where her pulse beat rapidly. She reveled in the maelstrom of sensation. This was like a drug—a mindless desire that nothing could stop, not his control or her caution.

  His fingers dug into her hair and undid her chignon. He lifted his head briefly to look down at her.

  “God, you’re beautiful. You should never put your hair up,” he said, his voice guttural.

  Her knees felt unable to support her. Suddenly it seemed entirely possible that she would have sex with her CEO in a very public place.

  A convertible drove by, honking. A couple of teenagers in the car catcalled.

  And just like that, the magic vanished. Alex cursed under his breath. Natalie’s chest rose and fell rapidly. She noticed his hand on her breast and shifted until it fell from her body. It amazed and frightened her how quickly he’d managed to strip her defenses and reach the core of her desire.

  When he started to lower his head again, she said, “Don’t.”

  He paused, his mouth only a hairsbreadth away from hers.

  “I don’t think the bet was for a kiss,” she said, hating her shaky voice. She reached behind and touched her hair. After what Alex had done, it wasn’t even repairable.

  His eyes shuttered, but he didn’t step away as she’d hoped. “You think you can control your reaction just like that?” he said, his breath on her lips. “On and off, depending on the situation and your mood?”

  “I know I can.” Natalie maintained eye contact and saw anger, then that iron control of his overruling it. It felt good to get a reaction from him. She shifted her hands, pushed him gently back. “I’m not a slave to sensation. Let me know what weekend is good for you.” She unlocked her car. “Good night, Alex. Thank you for dinner. By the way, if you want to romance a woman, you should try just asking her out. You might be surprised at the result.”

  Alex rested his hands on her car and leaned forward. With the lights behind him, she couldn’t read his expression. “Allow me to romance you, then. What are you doing on Saturday?”

  “Sorry, but I have plans for the evening.”

  “As it happens, so do I. I meant during the day.”

  “Well, I’m not working,” she said blandly. “Are you asking me out?”

  “Isn’t that what you want?” A quick grin flashed across his face, his teeth white in the darkness. “Come on.”

  An equal mixture of amusement and excitement made her want to laugh. Despite her misgivings, she wanted to see where this would lead. Surely, as long as she was completely aware of her emotions, she could stop it before she was in too deep. “What time?”

  “Ten, if you’re fashionably late for dates. Otherwise, ten thirty. Dress comfortably. I’ll pick you up at your place.”

  This time, she allowed herself a small, throaty chuckle. “See you at ten thirty.”

  Chapter Five

  “DO HIM, QUIT your job when you’ve had your fill, and then come join me here in Hong Kong.”

  Natalie almost spewed Diet Coke on her laptop. She’d forgotten how blunt Kerri could be.

  “Uh, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “For God’s sake, you have a Wharton MBA. Goldreich would love to have you back.”

  It was actually kind of tempting. Natalie wouldn’t have to deal with her family anymore. There were always convenient excuses for missing holidays when you were an investment banker: new deals to close, business trips, canceled vacations—all her boss’s fault, of course.

  “So what are you still doing at the office?” Natalie asked. “Isn’t it almost eight p.m.? On Saturday?”

  “Almost nine, actually. I’ve got this new deal with a Korean client. Freakin’ workaholics don’t take Saturdays off.”

  Natalie laughed. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Kerri Wilson might as well have had a plaque on her wall that said Workaholic Extraordinaire. She was going to make VP this year, and Natalie predicted her best friend would increase her hours even more after the promotion. She felt sorry for the analysts and associates who were going to be working under her.

  “Seriously, what are you doing at a government contractor? You belong with the big boys. I bet if you’d joined Goldreich right after you got your degree, you would’ve made VP last year…maybe sooner.”

  Natalie leaned back in her living room chair. She watched the white ceiling fan stir the air gently. “Stop sounding like a high school guy on a date. You’re not going to flatter me into anything.”

  “Fine. But you know, it’s been six months since that SOB—Marcus, wasn’t it?—dumped you. There’s nothing keeping you there. Think about what I said.” Someone mumbled something in the background. “Gotta go. I’ll call you later.”

  Natalie tossed the headset on the desk. Her cat, Matto, jumped onto the desk and stared at her Diet Coke.

  “No!” Natalie said, grabbing the glass.

  He meowed plaintively, and she placed him on her lap. Despite his long, lean lines, the Pixie-Bob was heavier and more muscular than most house cats—the legacy of his half-lynx heritage. She’d found him at a pet shop when she’d first moved back to Virginia and fallen in love with the incorrigible kitten. He had the additional advantage of keeping her family away, all of whom were allergic to cats.

  Natalie scratched him behind the ears for a while, then rose from her seat, putting him down on the floor. Her hair was already almost dry from the morning shower. Matto followed her into the bedroom. For a male, he seemed awfully interested in her grooming rituals.

  The master bedroom was mostly white and green. Crumpled pale yellow sheets covered her canopy bed, setting off an elaborate olive frame made of wrought-iron.

  Do him.

  Natalie shook her head. She had it bad if the sight of an empty bed made her think of getting hot and naked with Alex. Kerri was right; there was nothing holding her in Virginia. But Natalie didn’t want to give the impression that she was running away because of her breakup with Marcus. What would people think? What would her family say? This year was just too important to cause any stir.

  She walked into her closet and stared at the clothes hanging neatly on wooden hangers.

  Dress comfortably, Alex had said. Did that mean jeans and a T-shirt? Or something comfortable but semi-dressy?

  She put on a tight white baby tee and a pair of faded jeans after a moment of debate. If he’d wanted her to dress up, he would’ve said so.


  The vanity was narrow and fit right against the wall between the doors to the living room and the master bathroom. She sat before the tall mirror and put on her makeup. The doorbell rang as she was pulling her hair back.

  The clock over the mirror read ten thirty.

  She went to the door, securing her ponytail with a pink barrette. Matto trotted in front of her.

  She opened the door to find Alex standing in the hallway, smiling. “Watch out,” she said, letting him in. “Matto sometimes pees on people.”

  Alex frowned and squatted. The dark fabric of his jeans stretched over his muscular thighs, and he looked even better than the last time she’d seen him. Alex scratched behind the cat’s ears, the muscles in his forearm flexing as his fingers moved. Matto started to purr. “Seems friendly enough to me.”

  “Wow. I guess you passed the test.”

  “Ready?” Alex said, standing.

  “Yeah.” She grabbed a small handbag on the couch and waved at Matto. “Bye-bye, baby.” She locked the door. Matto mewled farewell from the other side.

  “I didn’t know you had a cat,” he said. “You don’t seem like a pet person.”

  “Matto’s my first.”

  They walked down the stairs to the first floor, her casual beige wedge sandals making small tok-tok sounds against the steel and concrete steps. “So where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  The parking lot was mostly empty. With weather this nice, most people were out and about. Green leaves shaded the sidewalk as they walked to the car—a gorgeous bright yellow Lamborghini Murciélago.

  Natalie suppressed a smile. She’d seen Alex drive a sedate black Mercedes at work, but for a date, he was going to play his automotive trump card.

  Men and their cars and their egos.

  He opened the passenger-side door, which swung up like an old mailbox flag rather than out. She levered herself inside and surreptitiously ran her hands over the butter-soft leather. The Italians somehow managed to make cars that were fuel inefficient but never failed to capture the male imagination.

  Alex sat in the driver’s seat. The engine came to life and settled into a low, pulsing rumble. He touched the accelerator, and the car shot out from its spot. They dashed along the narrow streets and into the traffic of the Fairfax County Parkway.