Free Seduction on the CEO's Terms by Charlene Sands

all week, and tonight was the big event. I just got in a few minutes ago, and I’m really pooped.”
    â€œYour boss? You mean, Joe Carlino?”
    â€œYes, I mean, Joe.”
    â€œHow was the affair?”
    â€œSpectacular, even if I do say so myself.”
    â€œIf you had anything to do with it, I’m sure it was stylish and fun.”
    â€œThanks, Mom.” Justine was loyal and thought Ali couldconquer the world. Another example of how she showed her love.
    Ali wondered what her mother would think of the “new-and-improved” Ali Pendrake, the one with the conservative clothes and reserved demeanor. The one who’d sink to fraudulent behavior to ensnare the man of her dreams.
    Justine never had to resort to such measures. She’d simply flirt and tease a man to garner his interest, but Ali was sure her mother had never come up against anyone like Joe before. A man like Joe wouldn’t interest her enough to make overtures.
    Yet, Joe held Ali’s heart in the palm of his hand.
    â€œOkay, sweetie,” her mother said. “I’ll call you in the morning.” She sniffled. “It was good to hear your voice. I miss you, Ali.”
    Ali closed her eyes and savored the sentiment. “I miss you, too, Mom.”
    She really did.
    â€œGood night. Sleep tight. You’re my beautiful princess.”
    Ali smiled into the phone. “I know. Good night, Mom.”
    Â 
    On Monday morning, Joe walked into the Carlino Wines office, amazed at how this century-old building had survived to modern times. The building on Main Street was well known as one of the “ghost wineries” of the past that had been nearly crippled by age and ruin. The exterior built of mortar and stone, refurbished to its original vintage architecture, spoke of winemaking in its earliest form in the Napa region.
    While the exterior held the ambience of old times, the interior had been transformed into offices that represented the most modern and up-to-date technology and equipmentin the country. For all his old ways, Joe’s father, Santo Carlino, had also been a forward thinker.
    Joe headed past the reception area and aimed his way toward his office, stopping short as he approached Ali’s outer office. He blinked his eyes then drew his brows together.
    Ali sat at her desk, her gaze focused on her computer screen. Her auburn hair was drawn severely back and clasped at the nape of her neck with a band, and her face, free of makeup was adorned with plain, wire-rimmed eyeglasses. He approached with caution. “Ali?”
    â€œHi, Joe,” she said, barely casting him a glance. “Just catching up on work.”
    He swallowed. “I didn’t know you wore glasses.”
    Ali stopped what she was doing to grant him a little smile. “My contacts were bothering me under the fluorescent lights. I think I need to see my eye doctor.” She shrugged. “It’s just easier to wear glasses at work.” She tilted her head to one side. “Do you mind?”
    â€œMind?” Joe stepped back a half step. “No, of course not.” He pushed his own glasses farther up his nose. “I just didn’t realize you wore them.”
    Ali stood up and came around the desk. “I came in early to finish up those reports you’d asked for.” She handed them to him, and Joe noticed the diamond bracelet around her wrist.
    His heart gladdened at the sight.
    She wore no other jewelry but a pair of tiny heart-shaped gold earrings.
    Joe took the files from her. The brush of her hand against his created an immediate spark. They stared at each other, their eyes behind their eyeglasses, locking. Then he scanned her body, taking in her soft pink knit sweater and straight-leg, gray slacks. Something was way off, andit had little to do with the clothes she wore. Joe couldn’t put a finger on it until his eyes ventured farther down her body to her feet.
    She wore flats. Aside