Chapter 10 #2
Resisting the urge to laugh at her fierce protectiveness over her own person, I walk out, closing the door behind me with exaggerated courtesy. The coffee is ready, filling the air with its rich aroma, and I call the front desk to arrange for a masseuse to be sent up—a female one.
Before Natalie can emerge from her temporary fortress, room service arrives with impeccable timing.
I tip the man generously before bringing in the food, arranging it on the table with more care than I usually show such mundane tasks.
Natalie shuffles out a few minutes later, her gait uneven, and I feel another wave of guilt mixed with an odd sense of masculine satisfaction.
Her voice carries a husky rasp that she seems blissfully unaware of, a souvenir from all the screaming .
I should probably have given her a break, although she seems to forget that she initiated two rounds on her own. Once in bed, she loses all inhibitions and becomes a creature of pure desire. I'm not going to be the one to remind her, though.
Helping her to the dining table, I put a plate before her. “I got us lobster—the best they had. And they had blueberry muffins, so I thought you might like those.”
“Blueberry muffins?” Natalie blinks in surprise, her expression softening with unexpected pleasure. “I thought you would get something more fancy for dessert.”
“If you want something fancy?—”
She shakes her head quickly, almost shyly. “I like blueberry muffins. I just thought you might prefer something more elegant.”
“There’s nothing wrong with blueberry muffins. The masseuse will be here in half an hour. You can eat, then she’ll look after you.”
She takes a delicate bite of the lobster, and her scowl melts into a smile of pure bliss. Her eyes flutter shut in appreciation. “God, I love lobster.”
I make a careful mental note of that fact for future reference.
After a few more bites, she seems to remember the outside world exists. “So what happened with the shareholders? Shouldn’t we return?”
“They want to see me, but I’ll go in the afternoon.
” I pour her some more water before attacking my own meal with less enthusiasm.
“The campaign was completed. It was set to be launched. The fact that the rival company was prepared to launch it the same day as us tells me that they’ve been getting information while the campaign was being formed. ”
“Do you know who leaked it?”
“I’m getting it checked out, but it has to be somebody from the Marketing Department. They were the only ones who had complete information. ”
“Have their computers been checked for any unauthorized data transfers?” Natalie’s brow creases with professional concern.
“An email was sent out from a temporary account on one of the computers during lunchtime. Iris’s assistant’s computer, to be exact.
When it was sent out, she was not in the office, and once again, the cameras had been messed around with.
Be ready to write up termination letters for a few people from Security as well. ”
Natalie nods with grim understanding.
“Caleb will be joining the office next week. I’ll be paying his salary from my own pocket, but I want you to keep a record of a salary in your system. In case somebody ever decides to check.”
“Who would have reason to check?” She frowns before realization dawns across her face. “You think whoever leaked the campaign has access to my computer records?”
“I think they’re tech savvy. And they know everything that happens in the office. They’re also somebody who is able to blend in with ease.”
“So you don’t have anyone specific in mind? What exactly is Caleb going to do in the office? I thought he was a successful freelancer.”
“He likes to call himself a freelancer. But he has a registered company . He handles marketing for several major firms. He’ll be working directly under Iris, gathering intelligence.
I don’t want you telling her about his true purpose, either.
If she protests about you hiring somebody without her input, feel free to tell her it was entirely my executive decision.
Caleb is exceptionally sharp and observant.
I’ll finally have a reliable pair of eyes and ears within the Marketing Department.
I just need you to ensure his real identity isn’t compromised. ”
Natalie nods with professional efficiency. “I’ll write up a letter for him. I assume you don’t want anybody to know he’s related to you. What if his surname gives him away? ”
“He won’t be using his actual surname. He’s going to use our mother’s maiden name instead. He’s done undercover work like this before.”
She doesn’t seem entirely convinced but goes along with the plan. “Well, if you know what you’re doing, I don’t have a problem with it. But why does the board want to meet with me? I have nothing to do with this leak.”
“They probably want to pressure you into digging deep into confidential employee files. Unfortunately, what they have in mind is likely illegal, and it’s definitely not something you need to be involved with.
I’ll handle them personally. You just rest today and recover.
We’ll be stuck here for two more days, then we can finally return to civilization. ”
“What about the event tomorrow? It’s some sort of charity gala, isn’t it?”
When she mentions the gala one of the board members had invited us to, I inwardly scowl.
I really don’t have time to waste on attending charity events when I could be working productively.
I had originally planned to decline the invitation, but as I glance at Natalie, it strikes me that she’ll have to accompany me.
Why not use this opportunity to my distinct advantage?
“We’ll have to attend,” I say, as if I hadn’t been minutes away from declining the invitation entirely. “But you’re going to need an appropriate dress, shoes, and all the accessories.”
She visibly pales. “I did bring a black dress in case we had to socialize, but I don’t think I have anything ultra-fancy. If I had known about it before they sprung it on us yesterday, I would have arranged for something suitable before coming here. What if I simply don’t attend?”
“I don’t think that’s a possibility,” I lie through my teeth. “Don’t worry. I’ll take you shopping after I come back from the meeting.”
“Shopping?” Natalie echoes, setting down her fork and glancing away with obvious discomfort. “I’m sure there’s someplace I can rent a dress that won’t cost me much.”
I assess her carefully, noting the tension in her shoulders. “I’m absolutely not letting you rent a dress, Natalie. If you want to insult me, you can find a more creative way to do so.”
“I’m not trying to insult you,” she argues with spirit returning to her voice. “Getting a dress is going to be expensive. Especially the kind of dress I have to wear for this event. I have a few dresses back home. Maybe I can ask Sarah to courier one to me.”
“There’s no need,” I say calmly. “Don’t worry about the dress. Besides, you’re going to need something that covers you to the neck. I doubt you have anything like that.”
She peers at me blankly for a moment, then I watch understanding dawn in her expressive eyes, followed by a spectacular blush that stains her cheeks crimson. “Great. Good job, Ethan. I hope you’re proud of yourself.”
I can see the bruise of a bite mark on the soft curve of her breast, clearly visible above the neckline of her shirt, and I smile with unrepentant masculine satisfaction. “Very. On the other hand, maybe we should stick with a more revealing dress. No man would dare to approach you.”
“Don’t even think about it,” she warns me with renewed fire. “You’ve caused enough damage as it is. I don’t want everybody else to know I had sex.”
Her husky voice makes my smile broaden with wicked satisfaction. “I’ll have some ginger tea sent to your room. It’ll make your throat feel better.”
Instantly her hand flies to cup her neck protectively. “What’s wrong with my?—”
When she cuts herself off, realizing exactly what she’s revealed, I bite back my amused response. Her reactions are absolutely delightful and endlessly entertaining. “It’s okay. Next time, it won’t be so bad. ”
She stabs the innocent lobster meat with her fork as if it had personally offended her. “You’re dreaming if you think there’s going to be next time.”
“Perhaps.” I take a leisurely sip of my coffee, savoring both the brew and her flustered state. “But I’ve already had a taste of you. And I am nowhere near satisfied.”
Her face turns such a deep shade of red that it rivals a ripe tomato, though I wisely keep that observation to myself.
“I hate you,” she murmurs, taking an angry bite out of the lobster. “I really, really hate you.”
“You’re breaking my heart.” I set down my own fork, and getting up, I press a kiss to the top of her head. “You can hate me all you like, Natalie. But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re mine, and we’re just getting started.”
“It was a one-time thing!” She fixes me with the sternest look she can muster. “If you’re getting any ridiculous ideas?—”
“A one-time thing?” I freeze completely.
“Yes.” She focuses her attention on her plate with determined intensity. “You wanted to sleep with me, and it was clearly getting in the way of our professional relationship, so?—”
“How generous of you,” I say coolly. “Unfortunately, you opened a door that I have no intention of closing now.”
Lifting my hand, I gently graze the bite mark against her neck with my fingertips, and when she shivers involuntarily, I feel a surge of cold, smug satisfaction.
“That’s definitely not the reaction of a woman who’s simply scratched an itch.
Tell me, Natalie,” I lean closer, and she instinctively moves back against the chair, her eyes wide with awareness, “if I were to slide my fingers between your thighs right now, tell me I wouldn’t find you wet and ready for me again? ”
Her skin flushes a deep, revealing red. “You?—”