Executive Seduction. Kristi Gold

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СКАЧАТЬ appreciated his support, although she wasn’t sure how she felt about being known as a commodity. Corri the Commodity. That fit. That was exactly what she’d been to Kevin. “If I can’t talk you out of confronting him, then promise me you won’t do anything stupid. I’ve done enough stupid things for both of us today.”

      “I’ll be sure to make certain all sharp objects are out of my reach.” He leaned over and swept a soft kiss across her cheek. “Now go home. I’ll call you later.”

      After Aidan left the room, Corri touched her fingertips to the place where his lips had been only moments before, totally taken aback by the gesture. Aidan had never been a cheek-kissing kind of guy. He wasn’t prone to random bouts of affection. He wasn’t the type of man who openly displayed any emotions unless it involved disapproval. Even then he used a hard, controlled tone and cutting looks as his weapon of choice, although he’d never really practiced those on her. He’d never had any reason to…until today. Yet he’d kissed her cheek instead.

      And then she remembered that day last March. Remembered another kiss. For months now, she hadn’t let herself think about it. But she thought it about it now.

      It had all started with that silly, I’m Not Irish, But You Can Kiss Me Anyway T-shirt she’d worn to Lucine and Dermot O’Brien’s house for their annual St. Patrick’s Day party, right after she and Kevin had started going out. She’d received a few friendly pecks on the cheek from the O’Brien brothers—except for Aidan. She’d ended up with him in the kitchen—his mother’s kitchen, no less—alone.

      And then it had happened. The kiss. Unplanned, unexpected and anything but innocent. Corri had felt so guilty, she’d practically sprinted back into the living room to join Kevin, then she’d feigned a headache so he would take her home. The following weekend, she’d accompanied Kevin to Jamaica and returned engaged, for reasons unbeknownst to everyone. And later, she’d learned that Aidan and his long-time girlfriend had called it quits, for reasons she still didn’t know.

      One thing she did know. Overtly sexy men meant only one thing—trouble. Aidan O’Brien definitely fell into that category. And the last thing she needed was more trouble.

      Fortunately for Aidan, Kevin’s car was still parked in the garage at his condominium. Unfortunately for Kevin, Aidan was in no mood for socializing. He wasn’t exactly sure what he would say to his brother, but he could guarantee it wouldn’t be pleasant.

      He rapped on the door three times before Kevin finally answered, looking disheveled and shirtless, as if he’d just crawled out of bed. Considering the clothes strewn all over the room at his back, he probably had.

      Kevin ran a fast hand through his hair. “Hey, big brother, what are you—”

      Aidan shoved him aside, walked into the living room and pulled out the letter. “What in the hell were you thinking?”

      Kevin eyed the paper then collapsed onto the couch. “Corri sent you.”

      Aidan strode to the sofa and loomed over him. “Corri didn’t want me to come. But I’m here now, and you have some explaining to do, so you damn sure better get to it.”

      After propping his bare feet on the coffee table, Kevin leaned back and stacked his hands behind his head. “I don’t have a lot of time to get into this. My flight leaves in three hours, and I’ve already had to change it once due to another appointment. Besides, this isn’t any of your damn business.”

      Aidan would wager that his brother’s so-called appointment wasn’t at all work-related. “I’m making it my business, Kevin. You could have been man enough at least to end it in person.”

      “I don’t like messy goodbye scenes,” Kevin said. “It’s a lot easier to make a clean break without having to face someone.”

      That only angered Aidan more. “You’re a coward, Kevin. You don’t deserve Corri. You never have.”

      Kevin smiled, a smug one. “I guess you’re going to tell me that you deserve her.”

      “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

      “Sure you do, Aidan. You’ve always wanted her, and for months now, you’ve been royally pissed off because I got there before you did. But now she’s all yours, if you don’t mind having my leftovers.”

      Aidan hung on to what was left of his composure, and tempered his tone when he said, “I’m not even going to justify that with a response.”

      Kevin came to his feet. “And I’m not going to ignore what Corri said about me on her show today. My boss’s wife was watching, and she told him about it. I’ve just received a promotion to senior staff reporter at the magazine. If my position’s in jeopardy because of Corri, I’m going to sue her and the studio for slander and defamation of character, I don’t care if you do own the place.”

      Right when Aidan started to say that you couldn’t defame a man with very little character, something caught his attention. Something that looked a lot like a cheerleading costume draped over the back of one dining-room chair. He crossed the room and picked up the sweater, noting it held the insignia of a professional basketball team. “Unless you’re trying to get in touch with your feminine side, I’d say the owner of this is probably behind your bedroom door.”

      Kevin came at him quickly and grabbed the sweater away. “Get out, Aidan.”

      Aidan fisted his hands at his sides, resisting the urge to plant a left hook in his brother’s jaw. They’d had the normal scuffles growing up, but not once had he slugged any of his brothers. Always a first time for everything. Then he considered something more effective. Something that could hurt Kevin worse, a direct blow to his professional reputation. “If you make any more noise about suing Corri, I’ll have a talk with your boss myself. I’ll let him know that you’re more interested in screwing the pep squad than in doing your job.”

      Aidan didn’t wait for Kevin’s response before he was out the door, opting to nix the elevator and take the four flights of stairs in order to blow off steam. He hoped his threats worked, otherwise Corri could be in for a legal battle with her fiancé. Ex-fiancé, Aidan amended. That was the only good thing that had come out of this day.

      Corri was no longer with Kevin, and that meant she was free to do as she pleased, and he would have no problem helping her get over his brother. He could make the fantasies a reality, even if it meant taking it slowly. Otherwise, she could run away again before he had his chance.

      Two

      For three hours, Corri wandered aimlessly around her apartment, picking up the clutter she’d ignored for several weeks. She’d never been a domestic goddess, although her kitchen was always spotless. Her bedroom was another story altogether. Her clothes tended to stay where they’d landed until she’d gathered them up to do laundry. Several pairs of shoes could be found lying in various places, some beneath her bed. She’d grown up in such a sterile environment, with everything always in its place, that she enjoyed the freedom of making a mess whenever she wanted, until she couldn’t stand it any longer. And right now she couldn’t stand it. She needed some order in her life. She felt as if she’d been strapped into a roller coaster, with no way to get off the chaotic ride.

      Fortunately for her, on the few occasions Kevin had visited her apartment, he’d never left any real reminders. For all intents and purposes, it was as if he’d never been there at all. Or even been in her life to any СКАЧАТЬ