Beatty watched as Grace climbed in the back of the taxi. Cold fury swept through him. He had thought that when Anthony dropped her off and left, looking less than pleased, that he’d managed to destroy their happy, little affair. It had been an oddly pleasing notion. Now, overhearing Grace give the cabby Anthony’s address, he knew that wasn’t true. It seemed that no matter what, Callahan always came out on top. Richard knew then that destroying their relationship and taking Anthony’s job wouldn’t be enough. He wanted to take everything. When he considered what the Callahan’s had stolen from him, it was only fair, he told himself. They robbed him of everything that should have been his. He would now do the same.
CHAPTER TWO
Anthony lifted the glass to his lips again, draining the last of the bourbon and feeling it settle heavily in his stomach. It had stopped burning after the first two. The intercom buzzed and he walked over to the wall unit. The doorman spoke hesitantly, “Mr. Callahan, sir, there is a woman here claiming to be your secretary.”
“Grace?” he asked. There was a muffled conversation between the doorman and the mystery woman.
“Yes, Mr. Callahan. Grace Marcum, sir. She says she has something urgent to discuss with you.”
“Send her up, William,” he said. His curiosity was getting the better of him. There was still a healthy dose of mad. But then he reminded himself that it was Grace, coming to him openly. That was definitely something new.
He opened the door and waited. When the elevator dinged and she appeared, his cock hardened instantly. She walked toward him on those towering heels, offering a tantalizing glimpse of naked thighs. It only begged the question of exactly what she might be wearing under her prim coat. He saw the pearls lying gracefully against her neck and his mind immediately went to the gutter. It was a common occurrence when he thought of Grace.
“This is a surprise. I was expecting never to set eyes on you again… That I’d have an emailed resignation waiting for me,” he said, not liking how bitter he sounded.
“If it hadn’t been for Celia convincing me that I’m an idiot, you probably wouldn’t have even gotten the resignation. I would have just left. I’m not very good at being brave,” she said. There in the hallway, outside his luxurious, high-rise apartment, Grace reached for the belt of her trench coat and let it fall open. Naked, she stared back at him. “But I’m working on being more daring.”
“I’d say you’re succeeding,” he said, and reached for her hand, tugging her against him. “Did you really come all the way here wearing nothing but a coat?”
“I’ve never climbed into or out of a taxi so carefully in my life,” she admitted ruefully.
He laughed as he tugged her inside, closing and locking the door behind him. “So this is it then, Grace? No more hiding?”
She shook her head, “No more hiding.”
“Take off the coat, Grace.” His voice was low, commanding and undeniably carnal.
Grace shivered as she followed that order. She allowed the garment to drop to the floor and stood before him completely bare. His eyes traveled over her, and everywhere he looked, her skin heated. Her nipples puckered into taut buds beneath his hungry gaze and she could feel the dampness gathering between her thighs.
“Up the stairs,” he ordered. “And, Grace, take your time. I want to enjoy the view.”
Grace shuddered. Once upon a time, even looking at herself naked had been painful at times, but when Anthony looked at her, she felt beautiful, desirable. Turning, she began the long climb up the stairs, knowing that he watched her every step. He followed behind her, occasionally reaching out to stroke the curve of her hip, or slide his fingers up the back the of her thigh. By the time they reached the top, she was
Beth Kery
A.J. Norris
William Alexander
Franklin W. Dixon
Barbara Michaels
Michael Innes
Gillian Flynn
Rex Miller
Carol Marinelli
Piers Anthony