With Love From Las Vegas. Cat Schield

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СКАЧАТЬ course.” Frustration engulfed Sebastian.

      Uncharacteristically, he wanted to offer an explanation for Missy’s presence in his suite and her attire, but his father’s smirk and Lucas’s frown told Sebastian they’d already formed opinions.

      With ruthless determination, he banned Missy from his mind, slamming the door on his personal life so he could concentrate on the business at hand.

      “Too bad you didn’t bring your appetite.” He began uncovering trays. “Looks like Missy ordered everything on the menu.”

      Brandon glanced toward the door she’d departed through. His lips formed a sly grin. “Have we caught you at a bad time?”

      “Not at all.”

      Filling his plate with eggs, bacon, pancakes and toast, Sebastian sipped coffee and fixed his gaze on Lucas. Seeing the speculation in the man’s eyes, Sebastian ground his teeth. He refused to feel guilty about what had happened in this suite last night, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to make excuses for his behavior.

      “I think you’ll be impressed with the division executives you’ll meet this week,” Sebastian said. “We believe our employees are our most important assets.”

      “I’m sure he can tell that you appreciate your employees’ assets,” Brandon said, stirring the pot with a heavy dose of irony.

      Sebastian ignored the dig. His father had no business judging. Brandon had indulged in his own indiscretions in years past.

      He turned to his father and decided to be blunt. “What are you doing here?”

      “I told you. I came by to see if you could tear yourself away long enough for a round of golf.”

      “Not here in the suite,” Sebastian countered, working hard to keep his tone even while nettles drove into his gut. “I mean in Las Vegas.”

      “This is your first time in charge of the leadership summit. With both your brothers putting out fires elsewhere, I thought you could use my help.”

      More likely he’d thought to take over the leadership summit and undermine Sebastian’s authority as the current CEO of Case Consolidated Holdings. Brandon hadn’t wanted to resign after his heart surgery nine months ago. He’d only agreed to step down to appease his wife of forty years.

      “I appreciate the offer,” Sebastian lied, regarding his father over the rim of his coffee cup. “But I have everything under control.”

      Missy closed the door between her room and Sebastian’s suite and leaned back against it, heart pounding. Dismay tightened around her chest like a vise. She’d never seen Sebastian that angry before. Usually when irritated he froze someone in place. For the first six months she worked for him, she had heard one horror story after another of how he’d terrified her predecessors, and she waited for him to turn his icy disapproval on her. But he never had. Maybe because she made sure everything was done to his exacting specifications, giving him no reason to be annoyed with her.

      But was that any way to live?

      She deserved a job where she was appreciated for her talents.

      Sebastian appreciates your talents.

      At least she thought he did. He wasn’t the most effusive boss she’d ever had. But he did give her a big raise every year.

      But it wasn’t enough.

      She’d wanted more from a job than a paycheck.

      She wanted more from Sebastian than employment.

      Her nerves stretched taut as she closed her eyes and skimmed her hands over her body, sliding her fingertips along her naked thighs, cupping her breasts in her palms while she relived the highlights of the previous evening. How could she still ache for him after he’d satisfied her with hours and hours of the most creative lovemaking ever? She should be wrung out and exhausted—not revved up for more.

      Missy pushed off the door and headed for the bathroom. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she regarded her reflection in bemusement. Her lips looked fuller than usual and felt more tender. She gently ran her tongue over her lower lip. Passion-bruised. Not surprising. The man could kiss. She’d been happy to let him demonstrate his prowess over and over.

      Her red hair was a tangled mess. Her cheek color high. The neckline of Sebastian’s shirt gaped, baring more than a little cleavage. She leaned forward to investigate the faint bruise on her neck put there by her boss. Branded. She stepped back and examined the full picture. Bare legs, mussed hair, well-kissed mouth. Son of a gun, she looked like she’d been up having sex all night.

      No wonder Brandon had shot his son a knowing grin.

      No wonder Lucas Smythe had scanned her up and down.

      No wonder Sebastian appeared as if he’d very much like to throttle her.

      He’d been in negotiations with the conservative business owner for four months over the purchase of Smythe Industries. Would Lucas Smythe reconsider selling his family-owned business after finding her almost naked in Sebastian’s suite? Missy prayed that wouldn’t happen. If her actions last night had blown the deal, Sebastian would never forgive her.

      Caught in the undertow of repercussions, she doubled over, unable to breathe. What had she done?

      Nothing any other red-blooded American girl wouldn’t have.

      Slowly, her lungs began to work again.

      And really, what had she done? She’d slept with a man she’d known for four years. Big deal. She’d already quit working for him. No line had been crossed. It had been one night. Casual, maybe not forgettable, but certainly not life-changing. Sebastian wasn’t interested in pursuing a relationship with her. And she didn’t want to set herself up for heartbreak thinking she could fit into his world of money and social status.

      For her, it had been rebound sex, pure and simple. After Tim’s rejection, she’d needed a man to demonstrate that she was an attractive, desirable woman. Sebastian had done an admirable job. Her memories would keep her smiling for a long time to come.

      Straightening, she stepped into the shower, taking her time beneath the spray. The idea of returning to the suite to face Sebastian’s wrath lacked appeal. He needed some time to cool down. About a week might do it.

      She’d go shopping. After her win last night, she had five thousand dollars burning a hole in her purse. The black dress had been her only new purchase yesterday. Sebastian and her father would counsel her to squirrel the money away. The pre-Las Vegas part of her agreed with their logic. Especially now that she’d quit her job. But her new future required a new attitude, and nothing boosted a woman’s confidence like looking fabulous.

      She stepped out of the shower, dried her hair, and then set about taming the natural wave with a straight iron. Humming her mother’s favorite gospel song, Missy sorted through her luggage for something to wear. She’d packed nothing but boring business wear. Pantsuits in black and navy. Dress pants and sweater sets for sightseeing and business dinners.

      Nothing sexy or eye-catching for her.

      Tim wouldn’t СКАЧАТЬ