Free Hearts Aflame Collection III: 4-Book Bundle by Melissa F. Hart

blocked from my phone, but I’ll never forget it.  That snake would do anything to shut down this company!” one of the executives said.
    Another spoke up from the other end of the table.  “The letters after the phone number weren’t the initials E.L., though.  What were they?”
    Jocelyn was happy to volunteer.  “They were C. L. E. A. R.”
    Chester was furious with rage and waving frantically for the office security guards to come and haul away the fake delivery girl.  She was ruining everything!
    “I know that code!” the security guard said as he arrived and heard the discussion. “It’s a code we use to override the lock for Mr. Richmond’s office in an emergency!” The guard turned on Chester. “You’re the only other person to have that code.  You gave access to someone at Lewis Inc and they used the marketing materials in his office to set him up!”
    “No, it wasn’t me!” Chester cried out.  His throat became dry as he squeaked, “I’m being set up! Probably by Mr. Richmond!  He wants me to take the fall for his crime!”
    Chester grabbed the drink Jocelyn had placed in front of him and gulped noisily.  He was so nervous he could hardly swallow.  No, it wasn’t nerves making him unable to swallow, his throat was on fire!  What had been in that drink?   What had she done to him?
    Chester clutched at his throat and his eyes grew wide with fear.  He turned to Jocelyn and saw the look of merriment on her face and knew she had poisoned him.  He turned to the board members for help, but they only glared at him unsympathetically.  They knew he was the guilty one and that he had tried to set up Ethan Richmond.
    “Okay, I confess!” Chester wheezed, barely able to get the words out.  “It was me.  I’ll sign a full confession and resign my position!  Now give me the antidote!  Don’t let me die!”
    “You’re not dying; it’s just Habanero pepper.  I’m glad to hear you’re willing to clear Ethan’s name though.  It was his marketing strategy all along. I was with him when he came up with it,” Jocelyn said, beaming with pride for her man.
    Just then Ethan stepped into the room, with a squad of security guards who hauled Chester away. Jocelyn went with them to file a report about all the times Chester had called the house and asked her to send him secret documents.  Ethan took over the board meeting and they came up with a solid plan for handling the scandal that was sure to follow about the Richmond executive who tried to frame the CEO of the company and sold marketing plans to Lewis Inc. 
    “Over time this scandal will pass, but my grandfather’s company will continue to thrive,” Ethan said to applause by the board members. 
     

Chapter Seven
     
    That night, Ethan went home feeling utterly exhausted but elated.  It had been a difficult but successful day.  He walked tiredly up to his bedroom suite and was surprised to find Jocelyn there, draped across his bed wearing nothing but a black lace teddy.
    “What are you doing here?” he asked with a tone of happy surprise.  “I thought you intended to return to your apartment after our vacation.”
    “I did, but I heard you were a particularly good boy today.” Jocelyn smiled.  “Come here and let me reward you.”
    Ethan leapt onto the bed and scooped Jocelyn into his arms, making her giggle.  He kissed her neck, nuzzling her where it tickled, just so he could hear her beautiful laugh.
    “Stop it!” She slapped at him playfully, unable to stop laughing as he kept tickling her. 
    Suddenly, she grabbed him by the wrist and twisted his arm painfully behind his back.  “Now you’re being a naughty boy.  I told you stop and you disobeyed me.  Now you have to be punished.”
    The tone of her voice was tough, but it filled them both with happy anticipation.  Time to play their favorite game once more!
    “Kneel on your hands and knees!” Jocelyn commanded forcefully.  The act of dominating the man she