Free Seduction on the CEO's Terms by Charlene Sands Page B

the hook. Yet, suddenly, that’s the last thing Joe wanted. “I do, Ali.”
    â€œBecause you owe me?” she asked softly.
    â€œBecause we made a deal, and I want to show you—”
    â€œShow me?”
    â€œAround. I’d like to show you around wine country. I’ve been checking out some places during the week that I thought you’d like to see.” The fib flowed easily through his lips.
    â€œReally?”
    Joe nodded. “Just tell me what time you can be ready.”
    â€œI just need to make a phone call to cancel a lesson.”
    â€œA lesson?”
    She shook her head. “With Royce. He was going to teach me how to cook a—” Ali stopped in mid-sentence and made a slight gesture with her hand “—it’s not important. He can show me another time.”
    Royce again? Joe was glad he’d foiled her plans withRoyce. He felt no compunction whatsoever, and a sly smile curved his lips. “How strong are your legs?”
    Ali snapped her eyes to him. “My legs? Pretty strong, I guess. Why?”
    She worked out. Joe remembered the night she’d opened the door to him in her workout clothes, her body gleaming with moisture. He’d also seen her going into the on-site gym during her lunch hour. “We’re going on a bike trip. It’ll take the whole day and into the evening. Are you up for it?”
    Ali’s expression brightened, and for a second, he thought she’d jump out of her chair. Then she took a deep breath and sent him a sweet smile. “Yes. I’m up for it.”
    â€œI’ll pick you up at nine.”
    â€œDo I need to bring anything in particular?”
    Joe shook his head. “I’ve got it covered.”
    Joe walked back to his office and sat behind his desk and waited until Ali left her desk. Then he called his friend from high school who ran the Napa Wine and Dine Bike Tour Company. “Hey, Benny. I’m calling in a favor. I need to arrange a private bike tour ASAP. Can I count on you?”
    After his phone call with Benny, Joe leaned back, arms behind his head, and rocked in his leather seat, thinking about Ali and looking forward to spending the entire day with her.
    An unexpected peace washed over him.
    Joe bolted upright in his seat, coming to grips with what he was feeling for her.
    Lust, Carlino, he told himself.
    That’s all it was.
    He could deal with it.
    He refused to admit it was anything more.

Six
    A li spent Friday night floating on air. She’d had a dickens of a time restraining herself when Joe had approached her at the office about the bike tour. She’d wanted to jump for joy, but instead she’d kept a reasonable sense of decorum. She sensed that when Joe gave her the diamond bracelet it was his way of getting out of their deal, yet he’d surprised her with the offer.
    Excited, Ali picked up the phone and dialed Rena’s number. She had to share the news with someone. When Rena picked up, Ali greeted her in a rushed voice. “It’s Ali. Guess what? I’m going out with Joe tomorrow!”
    â€œOh, Ali. That’s wonderful. So is our little plan working?”
    Ali’s joy ebbed a little, reminded of the deception that she’d engaged in with Joe. If there was any other way to get Joe’s attention she would have tried it, but she couldn’tlook this gift horse in the mouth. “Apparently so. I’m so happy now that I could throw a party.”
    â€œYou already did, for me. And it was perfect, Ali. So tell me all about this date.”
    Ali told her about the bike tour and then relayed the events of the past week and remarked that Rena had been right. Joe seemed to notice the more demure, subdued Ali more. At least, they’d been interacting on a personal level now.
    Ali would do anything within her power to have her love returned by Joe, yet as she spoke with Rena, a thought wiggled into her subconscious that she