Elle's Seduction Read online

  “Are you okay?”

  Elle shook herself mentally and pasted on her best smile. He didn’t need to know about Fred. “Yes. Thank you. I was just thinking. Can I get you something?”

  “Coffee?”

  The doorknob next to them twisted and Elle heard scuffling sounds through the door. With a swift twist of the knob she jerked the handle and heard a satisfying curse. Turning back to Maxwell, she smiled. No reason to let Fred ruin her day. “Let me show you the break room.”

  “What about...” Maxwell was looking at the door, his hand moving toward the handle.

  “Oh, never mind that. He’s having some difficulty. He’ll be out in a minute. Let me show you around and if he’s still stuck we’ll get him on the way back.”

  Maxwell was so intense, those eyes darkening as they watched her. She was a gazelle under the watchful eye of a jaguar. He was strong and sleek and lethal, all animal. She reveled in that look; her body primed by the two males and from her row with Fred, all she needed was the right spark to set off the emotional fireworks seething under her skin.

  She was sure if she wasn’t careful, he might ignite her fuse and burn up everything she had inside of her.

  Better stick with showing him the coffee.

  It was hard to ignore the sweet sensation of her hips swishing and moving down the hall, those eyes watching her every move. Damn if she’d do as Fred suggested. No matter how much she wanted to.

  Chapter Two

  Tension cramped up Darren’s shoulders as he grabbed his laptop and slammed the cord into the wall. Maxwell couldn’t sit still, was out sniffing up the analyst, and whittling away their precious time on a woman that probably would balk at the first startling pinch of any pain.

  Damn Zackary for calling them in to clean up his messes.

  It was obvious this Fred guy was incompetent. Who else would leave a Stranton brother waiting for nearly an hour?

  Of course, Darren could have given the receptionist his real name and gleefully watched her faint, but he’d left behind his parents and the name that made them world-famous. He preferred it that way, easier to ride on the coat tails of his friends, Zackary and Maxwell Stranton. It came with less baggage.

  In a coatroom-sized conference room with a view of a concrete parking lot steaming from the muggy Tennessee heat, he was stuck in the last place on Earth he wanted to be. They should be out in sunny L.A. working on their newest enterprise surrounded by Hollywood royalty and men and woman willing to do just about anything for their next thrill but no, they were here trying to investigate a money trail so thin and inconspicuous that it would have never even registered on his radar.

  That was one reason he’d gone into business with Zackary—the man was meticulous. Zackary kept the three of them from a wrong move several times in the last twelve years.

  For instance, that sexy analyst. If Zackary were there right now, he’d steer Maxwell far from that sunny-ripe peach. Sassy and sweet, she was southern charm and grace all wrapped into one spunky package. The smell of her alone grabbed him by his dick and led him right along. No wonder Maxwell couldn’t leave her alone.

  A knock on the conference room door interrupted his thoughts. A thin, familiar man walked in. Elegant and well dressed, he reminded Darren of a butler in one of the fancy Las Vegas rooms he’d often woken up in after a long night of whoring. All he was missing was a pair of gloves. But the familiarity was real —where did he know this man from?

  Brilliant blue eyes peeked up at him under artfully tousled hair. Upon the first glimpse of them, he was struck. Zackary’s slave. “Damn.”

  Luke bowed slightly, eyes downcast just as he had been trained. “Sir?”

  Inside, a secret little thrill slid down Darren’s spine. Luke was so perfect, so well trained and responsive without Darren even saying a word. Darren could see why Zackary had kept him all to himself over the years, even though Darren owned The Den where Luke had been trained. “Is Fred finally going to show himself, or hide behind his secretary? We waited nearly an hour today for his people to escort us in. Least he could do is come down and talk to us himself.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Miller, but I’m just here to make sure you’re comfortable and to see if you need anything.”

  Darren leaned back in his chair drumming his fingers, slowly taking in the sleek form in front of him. This was no untutored slave. He stood firm and almost defiant under the scrutiny, waiting patiently for a response. He could make him wait all day and he imagined Luke would do that, but the tension rolling through him wouldn’t let him sit still.

  Darren used his height and closeness to intimidate. He stood and walked around the conference table. Luke never looked up, but Darren could tell by the flush in his cheeks that he wasn’t unaffected. “Does Zackary know you’re here? Or are you being naughty and come to spy on me? Zackary won’t like that.”

  A flick of those lashes and Darren caught Luke’s gaze. No, he wasn’t going to get away so easily.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sir.”

  Darren lifted Luke’s chin and forced the eye contact, “No idea at all, huh?”

  Confusion crossed Luke’s face. Darren liked a bit of spunk, but Zackary probably demanded total submission. A direct gaze would have been unwelcome. He could almost see the wheels spinning.

  A second later Luke’s gaze sharpened, his decision made. “I’ve heard the rumors.”

  Darren leaned down to whisper in the man’s ear. The masculine smell of Polo and male musk tickled his nose, making him think of the wicked things he could do with this slave. Things he would never be able to do with Elle. He knew Zackary would be mad, but he had to push, to see what this man was made of. “What do they say, Luke?”

  Luke swallowed and lowered his eyes. Before Darren could correct him, he lifted them again. “They say that you can break even the strongest of men. That they whimper in supplication at your feet. You don’t mind sadists or fetishes.”

  Darren watched with great interest as Luke became more animated, those eyes dilating and glowing. He imagined if he looked down Luke would sport an impressive erection. I wonder if the man’s pierced. Darren was pierced. He couldn’t stop the smile forming on his lips. Wicked ideas of ways he could make this man, beg for more, stirred him, taking the tension he’d fought with for the last two hours and focusing it on a single intention, seducing this elegant quiet man.

  “Most of all, there’s the scars.”

  The mention of scars broke through his wandering thoughts, making him backpedal. “Say that again?”

  Luke shuddered. Sweat broke out on his features as he lowered his voice. “Scars, you know how to deal with them.”

  Darren had to put an end to his thoughts now. He’d missed something vital in the conversation. “I don’t scar my slaves.”

  Luke shook his head, confusion in his eyes. Without hesitation the sleek, well-groomed man before him stepped away and pulled his spotless striped shirt out of his pants. He jerked his undershirt out and dragged both up to expose his hard belly.

  Darren lost his breath at the jagged crisscross of slashes across the man’s sides and chest. Burn marks scarred the man in a strange pattern. Someone had tortured Luke; horribly used his own body to warp him mentally and scar him forever. No wonder Zackary kept Luke out of the fray of the club without a mask.

  Luke, the ever efficient, professional who stood before him, would never want anyone to see him like this.

  Even as Darren lamented the scarring of such beautiful skin, he knew there were worse things and those scars could be used in the most wicked ways. Yes, there were dangers with so much scarring and the person needed to be handled in a safe way so they wouldn’t be hurt again, but patience could be so rewarding. After all, Darren had scars of his own, even if you couldn’t see all of them. Luke would not switch partners on a whim though. He was being very bold coming here.

  “Luke, go back to Zackary. You deserve better.”

  A strang
e expression came over Luke’s face, sharpness in the eyes. Darren wished he could take it back. In that moment, he wanted to hold this man, take the past pain away, and welcome him. He cursed himself for a coward as coldness entered those velvety blue eyes. Before Darren could change his mind, Luke swiftly and expertly tucked in his shirt and pants then straightened to his full five-nine height. “Will that be all for you today, Mister Miller? I have other duties that I’m needed for.”

  Darren cringed and shook his head. “No thank you. I’ll let Elle know if there is anything.”

  Luke nodded and left, but Darren doubted he could forget the disappointment he’d seen in those eyes.

  Scars.

  Damn, something he knew all too well.

  ***

  For the first time all day Elle could breath. Walking into her cube and taking off her heels was a relief after the intense afternoon she’d had. Between the two men, she’d been on tenterhooks, sweating at the heat.

  Maxwell didn’t say much, leaving Darren to do most of the talking with that sexy accent.

  Both of them watched her, an uncanny knowledge in their eyes as if they saw straight through her and knew every thought going through her head. It was disconcerting and titillating at the same time.

  Fred had finally shown up half an hour ago to pop in and out. The men hadn’t even received a chance to ask any questions. They were only given the opportunity to shake hands and introduced themselves. Elle cringed at the rudeness and had done her best to make it up to the two men by showing them around the offices and pulling the boxes of invoices they’d requested.

  Sally’s breathy voice interrupted her thoughts. “Done sizing up the Bobs?”

  Elle crossed her eyes and took a deep breath before letting the air rush out. No reason to get huffy with Sally. “Their names are Maxwell and Darren. And I was not sizing them up.”

  “Touchy, touchy,” Sally said, coming into her cube and resting her hip against the counter. “Just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Unfortunately, you’ve had them to yourself all morning.”

  Elle tapped her keyboard to bring up her screen. “Sally, I have an hour lunch that I need to work through and then I’m back to pulling boxes. Can I help you with anything?”

  “Their phone numbers.”

  God, did everyone she worked with think on a different level? Really, this was ridiculous.

  When Elle failed to answer, Sally stood up and plopped a document on her keyboard, right over her hands.

  “Fred wants you to go over these figures and sign off on them, pronto.”

  “Sure. And you’re going to take care of the daily inspection today too, right?” Elle turned and looked at Sally as she waited for a response.

  Sally smiled an evil smile and waved. “Ta-ta. I’m off for a nice lunch with Mr. Zackary Stranton’s sexy admin, Luke. All work and no play and all that.”

  Elle sighed and shoved the paper to the side. She’d have to work on that tonight. Right now, she needed to get her daily inspection done. One look at the high heels had her groaning. They weren’t meant for standing all day. She suddenly wished she had a pair of sneakers.

  ***

  “Fred Bearden’s a complete buffoon,” Darren said as he slammed his computer bag onto the table.

  Maxwell nodded. They’d wasted a whole day trying to get a meeting with Fred and to begin the first part of their assessment. Time and again they’d been thwarted. He’d finally called Zackary, and though there was an appointment set for first thing in the morning, nearly a whole day was now gone. A gentle knock on the door broke into Darren’s rant about Fred, reminding Maxwell that the day wasn’t a complete waste.

  “Sorry to interrupt. I have a few more folders for you.” That throaty drawl from those sexy lips grabbed him by the balls the minute she started talking and didn’t let him go. His poor body was on a roller coaster of sensation every time she popped in or out of their conference room.

  Elle Norton had definitely been worth the trip into the office today.

  After their brief introduction this morning, Darren had gotten immediately on track, but Maxwell hadn’t been so fortunate. He was oddly distracted by everything she did. Even now Darren was trying to catch his attention but Maxwell was in a trance. All he could do was watch as she moved around the room, bending over to grab coffee cups and pick up sugar packets.

  Darren rolled his eyes and moved to close the door. “Elle, sweetheart, put down the cups.”

  Elle fussed over another sugar packet, her eyes meeting Maxwell’s, as she left Darren unanswered.

  Maxwell allowed himself a second to enjoy the flush of her cheeks and the sight of those breasts pushing at the edge of her blouse. He wasn’t going to have Darren do his work for him. With his voice intentionally low, he leaned forward. “Elle, please leave the cups. We’ll handle them.”

  Elle blinked, slow and sensually, as she held his gaze. Positioned as she was, he could imagine her stripped and pulled tight, face down on the table. A sizzle of awareness shot straight through him as the heavy lids of her eyes lowered for a brief second. She fought a losing battle if she thought she could fight Darren.

  “Mr. Stranton, Sir?”

  Complete supplication, even her body language spoke to him. Maxwell eyed Darren. Yes, there was a hint of something there. He wondered just how much. “Elle, leave the cups.”

  Confusion clouded her face as she looked at what she held in her hands and then at Maxwell. Straightening up, she stood tall, breasts jutting out, those damn Styrofoam cups still in her hands, a stubborn tilt to her chin. “Would you like something else to drink? Coffee, tea...”

  Darren smirked from his end of the table and Maxwell knew what he was thinking. Thank goodness Elle didn’t realize the subtext. God, her innocence was an aphrodisiac. But those damn southern manners were so ingrained he couldn’t tell if she was naturally submissive or just polite. That morning he’d been sure, but over the course of the day, her ingrained southern manners had softened his certainty.

  Maxwell watched her for several seconds, letting her feel his eyes on her. Tension filled the air and he smiled at her change in breathing and darkening of her eyes.

  Darren moved up beside her.

  Elle’s head bowed, just a slight tilt. Her nipples puckered under her silk blouse. Satisfaction raced through him.

  “Sit down, Elle.”

  Elle fidgeted with the cups and sugars. Finally, she put them back down on the table and sat. Maxwell was pleased. The little mouse didn’t hide even as she’d submitted to Darren’s command. She looked him straight in the eye, the war within herself clear. Across the table, Darren moved his satchel and leaned his hip against the table within reach of Elle.

  Maxwell tried to put her at ease. No reason to scare her off so quickly. They’d just begun. Keep it light and on track. “How long have you worked for Fred?”

  Elle cleared her throat. “Three years.”

  “Has he ever made a move on you?”

  Her eyes widened and the color drained from her face. “Me? No. Never!”

  Darren raised an eyebrow at her response. Obviously, this woman had no idea how tempting she was. Maxwell wondered for a moment just how innocent and naïve she really was. Surely, she wasn’t a—

  “Virgin?”

  Damn Darren for his British crassness! Elle certainly reacted to it though. That flush was back and fire flashed in her eyes. Oh, good God, if she looked like that in a stuffy board room, how she would look chained to his bed, that fire and those damn dimples winking at him.

  “Excuse me, but I don’t think that’s an appropriate question. What is this about? Is Fred in trouble?”

  “Settle down.” Maxwell lowered his voice and spoke calmly. Leave it to Darren to uncover the most delicious parts of a woman. He’d have to keep everyone on business or things would go downhill if he wasn’t careful. “We’re here to look over the last six months of work. There are some oddities in the financials. Of course Fred i
s under scrutiny, as is everyone else that works here.”

  Elle thought that over, worrying her lower lip, naked of the gloss and sheen she’d worn earlier. That pink little tongue of hers must have licked it all off. “What do you need from me?”

  Maxwell held back his response and tried to draw his gaze away from the fantasy he was creating around those plump lips and wicked tongue of hers. She’d unwittingly just offered him exactly what he wanted— an opening. Too bad business had to remain business. If he was going to seduce her and break her, he had to get this issue with Fred out of the way as soon as possible.

  Luckily, Darren had no such qualms and picked up the conversation before Maxwell made the first move. “Right now, if you can just help gather the invoices and expenses for the last six months. We’ll also need to schedule appointments. You know, that sort of thing.”

  To Maxwell’s chagrin the passion and fire that had sparked in those green eyes dimmed and her business face came back into play. This was what he needed; Elle, the professional. Calm, cool and efficient. Not the fiery woman tempting him with those glimpses of innocence and heat.

  Elle nodded. “Sure. No problem. Please, just let me know what you need.”

  Darren flashed that wicked glance that Maxwell knew so well. Little did Elle know but she’d just sealed her fate. The question was, which one of them would break her?

  Before Maxwell could pull himself from his thoughts, Elle left, taking the cups and trash with her.

  “Damn, Maxwell. Tell me she didn’t just take the cups and trash?”

  Fuck, maybe she wasn’t as submissive as they thought. This might be the worst idea they’d ever had, but Maxwell wasn’t giving up. “Southern hospitality only goes so far. We’ll know.”