Seduced by the CEO

“I understand you’ve put in a bid with Askeland Airlines.”

“Where did you get that information?” Riley had no intention of either confirming or denying it.

“From Richard Price, the VP of purchasing.” There was an edge of annoyance in Shane’s tone. “He’s hinting that your price is surprisingly low.”

“You expect me to discuss my price with you? You expect me to discuss anything with you about a bid that may or may not exist? You have heard of collusion, right?”

The annoyance in Shane’s tone ramped up. “I’m not asking you to collude.”

“Good.”

“This is a courtesy call.”

Riley scoffed out a cold laugh. “So far, this seems real courteous, Colborn.”

Shane’s tone was a growl. “There are also laws against predatory pricing.”

“Those laws are there to protect small companies. You’re a billion dollar conglomerate. I’m not even a tenth of that.”

“The law goes both ways.”

“You’d be laughed out of court.” Not that Riley was doing anything remotely illegal.

“You could be laughed into a jail cell.”

“We’re leaner than Colborn. That’s just the way it is.”

“We have a reputation for excellence.”

“That and a tell-all book from your former mistress accusing you of collusion and corporate espionage. Are you spying on Ellis Aviation?”

“Don’t be absurd.”

“Marrying a pretty wife can’t fix everything.”

Shane’s tone went hard. “Leave my wife out of this.”

An image of Kalissa appeared in Riley’s head, and guilt immediately slammed into him. Shane was right. This had nothing to do with Darci.

“You’re right,” he said. “I apologize.”

It took Shane a moment to respond. “Everywhere I look, everywhere I turn, you seem to show up.”

“We’re in the same business,” said Riley, wondering if Shane would finally acknowledge their family relationship. He lobbed him an opening. “It must be in the genes.”

Again, there was a moment of silence. “Is that a crack?”

“Take it however you want.”

“Inheriting something is only the first step. The place doesn’t run itself.”

“Inheriting is a big step,” said Riley. He’d have been happy to inherit a dollar. He’d have been happy if Dalton had even once looked him in the eyes.

“I’ve been on my own for over six years.” Shane sucked in an audible breath. “Forget it. I don’t give a damn what you think.”

“And I don’t give a damn what you think. I bid the contracts I see fit. I’ve been independent since day one, and I’m planning to stay that way.”

“This is strictly business?” asked Shane.

“Strictly business,” said Riley.

“It feels.” There was a searching tone to Shane’s voice, and he paused again.

Riley hated that a mere phone call could unsettle him like this. He hated himself for hoping that Shane would acknowledge him. He’d been waiting for scraps from the Colborn table his entire life. He needed it to stop.

“Is that it?” he asked, anger crackling his tone.

“That’s it,” said Shane.

Riley slammed down the phone.

Three

In the lobby of the Colborn Aerospace building, Kalissa lost her nerve. She felt suddenly vulnerable in the cavernous space, phones ringing, dozens of footfalls echoing against the marble floor, men in expensive suits, women in tailored black and white. Halfway to the long, curved reception counter, she turned back.

“Mrs. Colborn,” a woman approached her in a steel gray skirt and matching jacket. It was brightened by a teal blouse. “Did you get a chance to read the food services report?”

“I’m sorry,” said Kalissa, her voice coming out raspy from her tight throat.

“What was that?” the woman asked. When Kalissa didn’t respond, she kept on talking. “I can ride up with you on the elevator.”

“Mrs. Colborn?” called another voice, a man this time.

The first woman put a hand on Kalissa’s back, turning her. “Don’t look up. Just keep walking and listening to me. Pretend I’m saying something absolutely riveting.”

“Uh, what?” Kalissa glanced toward the voice.

“Don’t look,” the woman warned. She gave a nod to a security guard who moved forward to meet the man.

Another security guard held an elevator for them.

“Thank you, Bernie,” said the woman as they stepped inside.

Kalissa nodded to the guard named Bernie, and he reached around to press the button for the twenty-first floor. Then he stood in front of the door until it closed. Kalissa guessed her sister and her husband didn’t cram into the elevator with a dozen other people.

Her nerves ramped up even further.

“The food services report?” the woman asked.

“I’m sorry,” Kalissa repeated, not knowing where else to go with the question. She didn’t want to tell some stranger she was Darci’s twin before she told Darci herself. She was beginning to realize how poorly she’d thought this through.

“Not to worry,” said the woman. “Give me a call when you get to it. It’s all good news. The international stations are getting rave reviews, and we’ve had inquiries from two national food magazines about interviews. Can I tell them you’ll be available?”

“Can I, uh, get back to you?” Kalissa asked weakly.

The woman peered at her. “Are you okay?”

“Just fine.”

“You’re not getting that flu are you?”

“I do have a bit of a headache,” Kalissa replied honestly.

The elevator came to a halt, pinging at the twenty-first floor. The doors slid smoothly open.

Kalissa stepped out, not sure whether to go left or right. There was a small reception desk in the foyer, but she didn’t want to ask which way it was to her office.

“Mrs. Colborn?” A woman came worriedly to her feet from behind the reception desk. She glanced down a hallway behind her, then she looked at Kalissa again. “I didn’t see you leave.”

Kalissa breathed a sigh of relief. At least she knew which direction to go.

“Your clothes,” said the woman, bustling out from behind the desk. “Did something happen to the Farsen Kalick jacket? Do you need me to call the cleaners?”

“It’s fine,” said Kalissa, picking up her pace, heading for the hallway where the receptionist had looked. “I’m fine. I’ll let you know.”

She cleared the reception area, leaving the women behind her. She passed several closed doors. Two had nameplates on them, both belonging to vice-presidents.

At the end of the hall, she came to a set of double doors with brass handles, Shane Colborn, President. Her legs nearly gave way, and she put out a hand to brace herself against the wall. She did not want to run into Shane before she found Darci.

For a second, she considered turning back. But then she’d have to face the receptionist again, and she couldn’t see how she’d make it out of the building without being approached by other employees.

She straightened from the wall and took the right turn. A few moments later, she breathed a sigh of relief. She’d found it, her sister’s office door: Darci Colborn, Director of Staff Services.

It was open about six inches, and she could hear Darci’s voice inside. “I’ll be down to the cafeteria later on.”

Kalissa’s stomach clenched hard, but she couldn’t help a nervous smile. Darci sounded just like her.

“Okay,” said Darci. “Yes, I can.”

Kalissa gave a tentative knock, and the door swung further open.

Darci looked up from where she was still speaking on the phone. She leaned over for a better view, and her jaw snapped shut.

“I...” said Kalissa, not knowing where to start.

“I’ll call you back,” Darci said into the phone, replacing it on its cradle.

She moved around from behind the desk, taking several swift steps forward.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” said Kalissa.

“What on earth?” Darci stopped about ten feet away.

Voices sounded around the corner of the hallway, coming rapidly closer. Kalissa quickly stepped inside the office so they wouldn’t see her.

“I’m so sorry,” said Kalissa, regretting her decision to show up unannounced. “I thought this was the best way. But I didn’t think...I didn’t know...I realize this must be a bombshell for you.”

“Who are you?” asked Darci.

“My name is Kalissa Smith. I saw your wedding pictures, and well...I guess you can figure out why I’m here.”

“You look just like me.”

“I know.”

“I mean exactly like me.”

“Weird, isn’t it?”

Darci moved closer, peering at Kalissa.

Kalissa knew she was doing the same thing back.

Darci’s eyes might be a slightly paler shade of green. But their mouths were identical, so were their chins, their noses, even their hairline. Kalissa had never come across anyone with that little swoop at their part, never mind the exact shade of auburn in their hair.

“Are we twins?” asked Darci.

“I think we must be. My birthday is October third.”

Darci’s eyes widened. “Holy cow.”

“I didn’t want to bother you,” said Kalissa. “I wasn’t going to say anything. I mean, I know you must be busy, being a newlywed, and with this huge company and all. But I’m going on a date tomorrow night, and there were these girls in Annabelle’s Discount Boutique, and they thought I was you, and they took a photo, and I realized it could happen again, somewhere else, like the Navy Pier, while I was on a date, and people might think it was you.” Kalissa clamped her mouth shut. “I’m rambling.”

“We’re twins,” said Darci in obvious astonishment. “I don’t understand. How did that happen? Were you raised by our mother? Why didn’t she bring you back? And why didn’t dad ever tell me that—” Darci smiled. “Now, who’s rambling?”

“It’s unbelievable,” Kalissa whispered.

She hadn’t expected to feel this way, this ache deep down in her heart. She wanted to grab Darci and pull her into a hug. She had a sister. Tears started to tingle at the backs of her eyes.

The door whooshed open behind her.

“Sweetheart,” came a man’s voice. “Tuck is asking if...Oh, I’m sorry.”

Kalissa turned.

The man, obviously Shane, instantly froze in place.

“Darling,” said Darci, a tremor in her voice. “It appears there’s something more my father neglected to mention.”

“What on earth?” Shane started to circle Kalissa.

“We have the same birthday,” said Darci.

“Is this a con?”

Kalissa couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t blame Shane one bit for his suspicions. She’d have worried about him if he had accepted this at face value.

“Is she asking for money?” asked Shane.

“No,” said Darci.

“I’m not,” said Kalissa. “You couldn’t get me to take money if you tried.”

His eyes narrowed. “That’s how all the best cons start off.”

“Look at her,” said Darci.

“We’ll want DNA,” said Shane.

“Take it, if you want it,” said Kalissa. “But it’s not necessary. I’m not going to hang around. I only wanted to warn you, well, warn Darci. Since your wedding, people have started to mistake me for her. I’m out in public. I shop at discount stores. Sometimes I swear, or get angry with a store clerk or, and this is the big one, go out on dates. I have a date tomorrow night, and I was worried I’d be mistaken for Darci. That might look bad on the two of you, and I didn’t want to cause either of you any trouble.”

Shane stared at her in silence.

“Thank you,” said Darci. “That’s very considerate of you. But seriously.” She broke into a grin. Then, without warning, she rushed forward, opening her arms to pull Kalissa into a hug. “I have a twin sister.”

Kalissa closed her eyes, unexplainable feelings coursing through her.

Darci drew back, cradling Kalissa’s cheeks with her hands. “You are beautiful.” Then she laughed. “Didn’t that sound conceited.”

Kalissa took in every contour of Darci’s face, settling on her left cheekbone. “You have a freckle.”

“You don’t.”

“I don’t,” Kalissa agreed.

Shane cleared his throat. “I’m cancelling everything for the rest of the day.”

Kalissa turned to him. “Oh, no. Don’t do that. I didn’t plan to mess up your day.”

“Of course I’m doing that. You two have a million things to talk about. We’ll go to the penthouse, order some dinner. And wine. We’ll need some really good wine.”

“For a toast,” said Darci.

Shane gave a disbelieving shake of his head. “A toast is the least of why we need the wine.”

* * *

Riley could have happily done nothing but stare at Kalissa all night long. Her hair was full and shiny tonight, bouncing around her bare shoulders. Makeup brightened her beautiful face. While her tight jeans and the breezy little tank top were already giving him fantasies.

They’d snacked their way through the food kiosks and bought matching key chains with colorful, stylized letters on the fob. He’d held her hand while they navigated the crowds, waiting in a long lineup to get on the Ferris wheel. But it was worth the wait. The skies were clear, dotted with faint stars, while the skyline of Chicago was illuminated in the clear night air.

The bustle and noise of the crowds disappeared as they swept upward in the dangling car. The wind buffeted them, cooling the air temperature. Riley wrapped an arm around her, letting his fingertips brush her smooth, bare shoulder.

“I’ve never done this before,” she told him. “Wow. Look at the city.”

“You’ve never been up here at night?”

She shook her head. “I mean it’s my first time on the Ferris wheel. I’ve never been to the Pier before.”

“I thought you said you grew up in Chicago.”

“My mom wasn’t into things like this.” They hit the outer apex of the curve and she grasped his arm. “This is fantastic.”

Gratification swelled his chest. “No wonder you seem like a little kid.”

She tilted her head to give him an unabashed grin. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all.” He liked that about her. In fact, so far, he liked everything about her.

As they swung toward the top, he impulsively leaned in for a kiss. Her lips were warm and moist against his. She tasted like cotton candy, and he couldn’t stop himself from taking the kiss deeper and deeper.

By the time he pulled back, they’d crested the top. Her eyes were shinning in the ride’s bright lights, and her rosy cheeks had a new glow.

“I used to come here with my friends sometimes,” he told her. “When I was a teenager.”

It was a rare occurrence, since his childhood years hadn’t held much in the way of amusement. His mother had been the runaway daughter of Irish immigrants. With only a tenth grade education, she’d worked as a housekeeper for Dalton Colborn for nearly twenty years before succumbing to a bout of pneumonia.

Determined to hold Kalissa even closer, he settled his free hand at her waist, finding a warm strip of skin at her stomach.

“Were you a wild teenager?” she asked.

“Occasionally,” he admitted. “We used to street race, and we partied pretty hard. We once stole ethanol from the high school science lab. Made a killer punch that got about thirty kids blasted.”

“Who’s we?”

“My friend Ashton and I.”

“I can picture that.”

It occurred to Riley that if he wanted to impress her, he should probably change the subject from his teenage transgressions. “What about you? What were you like as a kid?”

She smoothed her hair in the wind and gave him an innocent smile. “I was good as gold.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true. I studied hard trying to get a scholarship, and I had a part time job from the time I was fourteen. I wanted to go to college, and I knew my mother could never afford it.”

“So, you were the consummate good girl?”

“I was.”

He moved in to playfully nuzzle her neck. “That’s sexy. It makes me want to corrupt you.”

She tapped him in the chest. “There’s something wrong with you.” But she was laughing as she said it.

“There’s a whole lot wrong with me.”

“Do tell.”

“I don’t think so.”

The ground rushed up, and the car glided to a stop, giving him an easy way out of the conversation.

He exited first, then took her hand, keeping hold of it as they walked away.

“It’s almost time for the fireworks,” he said.

“I can’t wait.”

“The best view is at the far end of the pier.”

“Let’s go.” She picked up the pace, leaning up against his arm.

He liked the feel of her against him.

The crowds had grown thinner as the evening wore on, with fewer kids darting from side to side on the walkway. They passed under strings of decorative, white lights and along yachts moored in the lake. Her hand felt good in his, but he gave in to the urge to wrap his arm around her shoulders again. She slipped hers across his back, and their thighs brushed together while they walked.

He didn’t want the night to end. He wanted to take her home with him, make love to her, sure, but also hold her sleeping in his arms, talk to her over breakfast, maybe plan their Saturday together.

The vision prompted a wave of guilt. She was open and fresh and genuine, while he was a fraud, hiding the most basic of information from her.

Determined to get them on a better footing, he found a clear spot in the crowd. Then he urged her toward the rail, turning her there so they were face to face.

“What now?” Her smile was in place, but she was searching his expression with obvious confusion.

“It’s Ellis,” he said, ignoring his own hesitation. “My last name is Ellis.”

Her smile faded, and she peered at him intently. “Are you in the witness protection program?”

“No.” Where had that come from?

“I thought maybe you’d testified against a crime boss or something.”

“I’m not a criminal.”

“You said you were a thief.”

“Ethanol. From an institution. Probably about ten bucks worth of the stuff.”

Her smile came back, and her voice went sexy and low. “Riley Ellis.”

Something shifted inside him.

She repeated his name.

He kissed her. It was fleeting at first, but then deeper and longer. He loved kissing her. But they were in public, so he forced himself to stop.

He rested his hands on the rails, arms around her, slowing his breathing down. “I promised you fireworks.”

Her eyes were wide and clear, her lips dark red. “You meant in the sky, right? Not the ones going off inside my brain right now.”

His hands twitched. “You have absolutely no sense of self-preservation.”

“And you have no sense of humor.”

“You are not a good girl.”

“I said I was once a good girl.” She planted a quick kiss on his mouth and then ducked under his arm.

He immediately caught her and wrapped his arm around her as they walked. “Okay, now you’re taking all the fun out of the chase.”

“There they go,” she called out as the first red and yellow starbursts banged through the air and lit up the sky.

They quickened their pace, laughing as they went. Riley found them a table at the beer garden, ordering beers and a savory platter.

He angled his chair toward her. He’d seen the fireworks before, but he’d never watched Kalissa watching them. The bright colors reflected off her skin and flashed in her shinning eyes. She was so much more beautiful than the display in the sky.

She caught his gaze and did a double take.

“Hey,” he said softly.

“Hey.”

“How do you like them so far?”

“They’re stunning.”

“Stunning,” he agreed, his gaze fixed on her.

She glanced back at the sky, but then returned her attention to him.

“Want to know what I did yesterday?” she asked.

“Absolutely.” He wanted to know everything about her.

She traced a line along her plastic beer cup. “I met Darci.”

Everything went still inside Riley.

It took him a minute to respond. “Your sister?”

“Yes, my sister. Who else would I be talking about?”

He sat back in his chair.

He’d known this would happen. At one point, he’d even thought it might be good for him. He’d considered that Kalissa might give him some inside information on Shane.

But that was days ago. Now he didn’t want Kalissa talking to the Colborns at all.

Riley definitely wanted to see her again.

But now that she’d met Darci, well, sisters talked, even estranged sisters were likely to talk eventually. And when they did, it was game over for him. Because the minute Shane knew Riley was in her life, he’d do everything in his power to turn her against him.

“How did it go?” he managed to ask.

“It went well, really well. They seem terrific, very down to earth, way more down to earth than I expected.”

“Great,” he said, covering his expression with a drink of his beer.

The fireworks popped and cracked in the distance, and the crowd oohed and aahed. Riley wanted to put his fist through the table.

* * *

Kalissa could tell something had changed. It was subtle, but Riley was quieter during the drive home, and he wasn’t making any jokes. He drove directly to the Mosaic Landscaping storefront, swinging his sports car to the curb.

He hadn’t suggested stopping at his place. Not that she’d wanted to stop at his place. Not that she would have said yes to stopping at his place. But there was something weird about him not even asking.

He pulled on the emergency brake, leaving the stick shift in neutral and the engine running as he exited the driver’s door. He moved to her side of the car, opening the door and taking her hand while she stepped out.

“Thank you,” she said, wishing this feeling of dread would go away, wishing he’d say or do something to reassure her. “I had a very nice time.”

“I did too.” His expression looked sincere.

What was she missing?

She took another stab. “I’m sorry I can’t invite you upstairs. Megan’s there and, well, it’s a pretty small apartment.”

The opening was a mile wide, but he didn’t suggest an alternative to her place.

“I understand,” he said instead, easing a little closer.

“Is something wrong?” she couldn’t help asking.

“Everything’s great. You’re great.” He tucked her hair behind one ear, sliding his palm to the back of her neck.

Anticipation warmed her skin and increased her pulse.

“Goodnight, Kalissa,” he whispered. His lips came down on hers, soft and hot. But the kiss was slightly different. It didn’t hold the burning passion of the ones on the Ferris wheel.

She slipped her arms around his waist, and he did the same with his free hand. Angling her body against his, she deepened the kiss. He followed suit, and she could feel his muscles hardening against her.

His hand slipped downward, splaying over her rear, pressing her into the vee of his thighs. He kissed her deeper, his tongue plunging into her mouth. She welcomed the passion, answering back, arousal growing in waves inside her.

Her imagination took flight. If not his place, maybe a hotel. His car didn’t have a back seat. And she was too old for that anyway. But it had to be somewhere. He was a powerful, sexy, virile man, and the chemistry between them was all but combustible.

Then he broke the kiss, drawing back no more than an inch.

She waited for his suggestion, his solution. He had to be thinking the same thing as her.

“Goodnight, Kalissa.”

As his words registered, she bit back the yes waiting on the tip of her tongue. She swallowed instead, letting her arms go loose around him.

“I’ll see you next week?” he asked.

It was clear he meant when she came to work on his yard. “You will.”

“Great.” He gave her a nod. Then he stepped further back, and his gaze went meaningfully to the small door across the sidewalk.

It took her a minute to react. She opened her purse, fumbling for her keys, keeping her head down as she crossed the narrow sidewalk.