A Calculated Seduction

Chapter Ten

“Hello, Jason.”

Jason’s facial muscles relaxed as if he’d been unsure of Dulcy’s reaction. Did the man not know her at all? She would never make a scene at a function that involved her work. Heck, she didn’t make a scene when he had dumped her, she definitely wasn’t going to do it now. It was one of the things that always bothered her about him. Whenever he felt unsure of himself, he picked a public forum.

“It’s great to see you, Dulcy. You look fabulous. ”

“I told you she looked different,” Tori said as she cuddled closer to Jason. He’d been the one boyfriend who didn’t pay attention to her stepsisters when Dulcy was in the room and he looked highly uncomfortable at the moment. There was a little part of her—okay a big part of her—that was really enjoying.

Gerry shifted beside her and draped his arm over her shoulders. “Miss Menendez, why don’t you introduce me to your friends here?”

“Gerry Dillon, this is Jason Fellows and my stepsister, Victoria Sanders. Jay and Tori, this is Gerald Dillon, bull rider extraordinaire. ”

Gerry squeezed her shoulders as he chuckled. “Nice to meet both of you, but Dulcy and I have some things to look into. We’ll catch up with y’all later.”

He pulled Dulcy away and steered them in the direction of the patio when a very angry Ethan MacMillan stepped into their path.

* * * *

“Where do the two of you think you’re going?” Ethan asked, his teeth clenched so tight, his jaw hurt. The bull rider had his hands all over her and was probably trying to sneak her into a darkened corner to find out if she was wearing pantyhose or stockings. Ethan knew, because that’s what he wanted to do.

“Why, I’m escorting Miss Menendez to the patio for some fresh air.” Gerry wore a mocking smile that had Ethan’s hand itching.

Dulcy rolled her eyes and batted Gerry’s arm away. “Gerry, behave. He was just...well...”

“I was saving you from a boring evening with your stepsister and that guy. What was with him anyway, drooling all over you like that?”

She was silent for a moment and then placed a hand on each rounded hip and turned on Gerry. “What do you mean ‘what was with him’? Am I not the type of woman to drool over? Jeez, you really know how to make a girl feel great.”

Thank God she was finally yelling at someone else. Ethan was beginning to think he was the only male she ever yelled at.

Gerry gave her a sheepish grin and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Been hit one too many times in the head during a ride. Sorry, didn’t mean it that way. What I meant is he seemed to know you. ”

Her shoulders slumped slightly. “Yes, I did know him. I didn’t know he made it up from Houston that often. Anyway, I guess I should be thanking you.” She leaned forward and gave Gerry a kiss on the cheek that had Ethan seeing red. “Thanks. Spending time with them would have driven me over the edge. Now, I need to freshen up before the crowd gets too big. I’ll be back in a few minutes. ”

She walked away and Ethan stood mesmerized by the feminine sway of her velvet-encased hips. What he wouldn’t give to slide his hands around those hips and take a cheek in each hand, slide his cock into her... He studied her rear as she headed out the door. No panty line. The woman was walking around in stockings and no underwear. Or a thong. God, he would love to see her in a thong.

“You got it bad.”

He grunted but didn’t make any other comment as he watched her turn the corner.

“If you’re interested in the gal, you need to let her know. Otherwise, someone’ll snap her up.”

He crossed his arms and faced Gerry. Somewhere in his late twenties, his blonde hair overgrown and his face tanned by the Texas sun, Ethan knew a lot of women found him attractive. He was known for being a love them and leave them type. He had been linked to country singers, Cowboy cheerleaders, and more than one starlet from LA.

“I don’ t think she’s interested in you, Gerry. You’re not her type. ”

The jackass laughed. “Yeah, I know, but neither are you. In fact, I would say she was more not your type than the other way around. She’s the ‘get married and have a houseful of kids’ type. You’re not.”

He wasn’t, but it irked him to hear Gerry say it. “You don’t know that. Besides, I never said I was interested.”

Gerry’s green gaze danced with humor. “Oh, so you don’t mind Anderson having his arm wrapped around her?”

Ethan cut a look at the entrance and sure enough, there was Anderson, all snuggled close to his date. He stalked in their direction as Gerry’s laughter grew louder.

“Tell her I said hi.”

* * * *

“Now, why don’t you tell me what has you so flustered,” Pete said, as he wrapped his arm around Dulcy.

Her nerves had been riding on thin ice since Ethan picked her up. She’d been worried about the Gala, about Ethan, about everything. Throw Jason and Tori into the mix, and she was sure she’d have an ulcer before the night was over.

“Let’s head over to the bar and I’ll tell you about it,” she said. “Not only did Tori show up, dressed all in red—”

“How appropriate.”

She chuckled. “Well, I have to agree on that one. Anyway, she brought Jason.”

“Jason? The ex-fiancé Jason?” He whistled. “So, why did she do that?”

“Who knows? I have a feeling it was more his idea because he never really could stand my stepsisters.”

“Don’t try to make me like him.” His eyes twinkled with mischief and she smiled. The muscles clenched in her back relaxed just a bit.

They reached the front of the line and ordered their drinks.

“You could always go home,” Pete said, as they wandered through the crowd.

“First of all, I can’t. I have a job to do. Besides, I wouldn’t give Tori the satisfaction.” She sipped her champagne while Pete ignored his club soda. “She was the one who told me the only reason he was interested in me was my money. She was right, but it didn’t help to hear it from her.”

She’d finished her drink and headed to the bar for another as Pete followed her. Once she had her drink, she took his hand and meandered through the crowd once again. Part of her job was to act as hostess and she would not let MacMillan Boots down. Even if the thought of another ride in the limo had her body tingling and her head swimming with ideas about straddling his lap and screwing him in that back seat.

“Well, maybe she didn’t invite him here to get back at you,” Pete said when they were alone. “I don’t know if she’s smart enough to come up with a plan like that.”

Dulcy giggled. Her second glass, or was it her third, of champagne was starting to affect her. “No. I agree.”

Pete took her glass away from her and she frowned at him.

“You’ve had enough of that. You need to keep a level head tonight. ”

“I couldn’t agree more, Anderson.”

Dulcy peeked over Pete’s shoulder and giggled again. “Uh oh, we’re in trouble, Pete. It’s the boss man.”

* * * *

Ethan’s temper was riding a thin line. It had taken him over forty-five minutes to make it to Dulcy and Anderson. As he weaved his way through the crowd, he kept one eye on them and had to be cordial to their guests. He counted at least two glasses of champagne and nothing to eat. He didn’t want Anderson taking advantage of her.

Anderson turned. The relief Ethan saw on his face puzzled him.

“Mr. MacMillan. Dulcy is not a drinker and she needs some food to sober her up. She won’t listen to me, but she will listen to you. ”

“I’ll take care of her.”

Dulcy was frowning at both of them. “How very male of you two to decide that.”

“Dulcy, go with Mr. Macmillan. They have pigs in a blanket over there.”

Her expression lightened. “Munchies. Still don’t like you telling him I’ve been drinking.”

She’d crossed her arms, accentuating her breasts even more. All her creamy white skin held him mesmerized. His hand itched to touch, to caress. Anderson looked down at her, his hand on his hips. He acted completely disinterested. What was wrong with the man?

“I didn’t have to tell him. Now, go with the boss and stay away from stepsisters and ex-fiancés.”

Before he could interpret that statement, Dulcy had grabbed his hand and was leading him to one of the food tables. She stopped at the one with the pigs in the blanket. Releasing his hand, she grabbed up a plate and filled it with quite a bit of food.

“Aren’t you getting anything?” she asked.

He ignored the question. “What did Anderson mean back there?”

“What...oh. One of my stepsisters brought my ex-fiancé with her tonight.”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. She had picked up a fat chocolate covered strawberry and was wrapping her lips around it, humming with pleasure, her head tilted slightly back and her eyes closed. The sound singed a path to his cock. She finished it off and then opened her eyes.

“You really should try these, they’re wonderful.”

She smacked her lips. “I need something to drink.” Before he could stop her, she was at the bar, ordering another drink.

He hurried to stop her, but he hesitated. If she was a little tipsy, she might tell him things she normally wouldn’t when she was sober.

She was downing another glass by the time he reached her side. “Dulcy, you need to take it easy. Don’t let anyone think you’re doing this because of him.”

Her eyes widened. “I’m not drinking because of him.” She smiled up at him, just a curve of the lips and it shot straight to his groin. “You called me Dulcy.”

“That is your name. Why are you drinking?”

She rose to her tiptoes and had to grab hold of him to keep from falling. “Can you keep a secret?” she whispered in his ear. Her breath tickled his ear and he shivered.

“Yes.” His voice was almost a whisper.

“Well, so can I.” She stepped away from him, laughing as she attempted to steal away from him.

“Dulcy.” He grabbed her arm. “You need to slow down on the drinking and have some more to eat.”

Belatedly, he realized she’d lost her plate somewhere along the way. He turned her to face him. She tilted her face up, a sloppy smile on her face, her skin flushed, her topaz eyes half-closed. Something completely unfamiliar moved through him. It warmed him from the inside, heating his blood, but not with lust. Well, not really. There was a fair amount of lust there, but mingling with it was something he didn’t recognize. He didn’t know why his knees felt weak or his heart pounded. For a moment, he stood there, looking down at Dulcy and thinking he didn’t want to go through another day without her by his side.

“I think you need to call it an evening.” His voice was hoarse.

“What do I need to call an evening?”

He chuckled and it hurt. It hurt so much to laugh when he didn’t know what was going on inside of him. All those feelings, jumbling around, messing with his brain.

Gently, he took her arm as he searched for his uncle. Ethan hadn’t planned on making all the announcements and really, there was no reason he couldn’t leave. Bill was the master of ceremonies and he needed to get Dulcy away from the hotel before she embarrassed herself.

He spotted Bill and Maude talking to another couple and hurried in their direction. Catching Bill’s eye and signaling with his head for him to meet him in the hall, Ethan walked Dulcy to the door. Before they reached the exit, a big blonde, her hair teased to perfection, her perfect face heavily painted, intercepted them. She was leaning against a well-dressed young man, who studied Dulcy as if she owned the world.

“Dulcy, I didn’t think you would be leaving this early,” the blonde said.

Her muscles tensed beneath his hand. “ Well, Tori, my job was more behind the scenes. Everything is running smoothly and Ethan and I had a long week.”

He showed no reaction to the use of his first name, but the other two did.

“Dulcy, honey, we need to get going,” he said.

“But I thought there was to be dancing later,” the man said. Ethan knew he was her ex, but refused to acknowledge the anger that boiled his blood. The man had his chance with Dulcy. He f*cked it up.

“There is, but like Dulcy said, we’ve had a long week. Both of us just want to slip beneath the covers and relax.”

Her stepsister’s eyes widened and the ex’s narrowed. He stepped forward as if to challenge Ethan, but Dulcy stopped him with her next comment. “Oh, pooh. I don’t want to go to sleep. Let’s order some Chinese, just like the other night. I’m starving.”

“Sure thing, Dulcy.”

He tried his damnedest not to smile, but it was hard. The ex’s face had lost all expression and his mouth was hanging open. “If you’ll excuse us.”

They walked around the other couple and out the doors.

“What took you so long?” his uncle asked when they met him in the hall.

“We were waylaid by Jay and Tori,” Dulcy said. “I think she had some work done on her face.” Then she giggled.

“Oh, I understand why you want to leave now. Dulcy can’t hold a drop of liquor and rarely indulges.”

“Yes, I gathered that much,” Ethan said. “I wanted to get her home before she embarrassed herself and blames me.”

Bill chuckled. “Well, I know she’s in good hands.”

Dulcy snorted and Ethan shot her an exasperated look. He grabbed her hand and led her down the hall toward the entrance of the hotel. He had to get her home. If not, he would surely take advantage of the situation. The only problem he had was deciding who was going to take advantage: the investigator or the man.

* * * *

Once they were settled in the limo, Dulcy kicked off her shoes and leaned back in the seat.

“That really was wonderful.” She sighed. Her head was spinning but her whole body was heated. Being alone with Ethan, well, it turned her on. Her blood pulsed through her, arousing her. A delicious ache snaked through her.

Ethan didn’t say anything, just stared at her feet.

“Mr. MacMillan, is there something wrong with my feet?” He looked up. “Back at the hotel, you called me Ethan.” “Okay, Ethan, why are you staring at my feet?”

His face flushed and he cleared his throat. “Well, I’ve never

seen your feet before.” And, that was supposed to explain why he stared at her feet? Like he was doing again.

“Of course you’ ve seen my feet before. You see me everyday. ”

“But you wear shoes.” His eyes remained fixed on her feet and it was making her feel uncomfortable. Not in an icky uncomfortable way, but in a way that made her whole body pulse. She shifted to ease some of the pressure that slid from her belly to between her legs. Her head was no longer spinning from champagne. Ethan’s intense stare was draining all the blood from her brain.

“Ethan, stop it.”

“Stop what?” His voice had deepened, sending a rush of shivers down her spine.

“Okay, I’m putting my shoes back on.”

She bent to retrieve her shoes, but he stayed her hand. She looked up and locked eyes with him. His were darker than night, no longer gray but black. Was it desire? It had to be. Gently, he cupped her foot and brought it to his lap.

“Your feet. They’re so tiny, with this wonderful arch,” he said, his voice rougher than before. The sound of it slid along her skin, leaving a path of tingles in its wake.

He pressed his thumb on the arch. A shock lanced through her, heat curling in her belly, more liquid gushing to her sex. He picked up her other foot and applied the same treatment. His thumb pressed and rubbed little circles against her silk-clad foot. Her skin prickled with arousal and she moaned.

He chuckled. “You like that, do ya?” For an answer, she moaned again as he applied a little extra pressure.

Then she felt his hands on her ankles and he pulled her forward, to the edge of her seat. His eyes were half-lidded, drugged with desire for her. Her, mousy little Dulcy Menendez. His big hands wrapped around her waist and lifted her on his lap.

She sat straddled on his lap and just looked down at him. The scent of him filled her senses, the clean smell of soap mixed with his cologne and the night air. He was just so beautiful, she couldn’t believe she was there. His eyes were thick lashed and brimming with lust? She wasn’t sure and she just didn’t care. Even if all he felt for her was lust, she would take that. She was positive, at that moment, she loved this man. Anything else just didn’t matter.

His hands moved to cup her rear and she moaned his name. She settled atop him, his hardened cock nestled against her. Without any panties, she could feel the heat of him, his long, hot length pulsing against her. Her nipples tightened painfully against the lace of her bra. All she could think about was stripping out of her clothes and rubbing her breasts against his hard chest.

He cupped her face and slowly brought it to his, never breaking eye contact. He nibbled on her bottom lip, then pulled her closer and took possession of her mouth. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, and without hesitation, she opened it, willingly allowing him to venture where he wanted.

Without thinking, she gyrated her hips. He moaned, sending another hot rush of shivers through her. She did it again with the same response, so she slowly built a rhythm as she felt him grow even harder beneath her and she felt herself grow damp. Bolder, with a growing confidence she’d never felt before, she ventured her tongue into his mouth, tangling with his. Heat spiraled out of control. Tension gathered in her belly as he slid one hand slowly down her chest, his knuckles skimmed over her turgid nipple and she moaned. He continued his descent until he could reach inside the slit of her dress. His fingers touched her dewy curls and he broke away from her.

“Dulcy.” His voice was raspy with desire and lust and a hint of something she didn’t understand. “I...you’re not wearing...I thought... ”

Ethan MacMillan, executive, professional, CEO of MacMillan Boots, a man always in control, couldn’t complete a thought because he was out of his mind with desire for her. She grabbed both sides of his face and took his lips in a bruising kiss. All of the love and desire she felt for this man filtered through that kiss, trying to let him know what she felt.

She released his face while she continued kissing him. Quickly, her hands slid down his chest to his groin. She scooted back a bit, and yanked his zipper down. His erection sprang free. She wrapped her fingers around it, stroking him. He leaned his head on the seat and closed his eyes. A drop of moisture already wet the head. She grazed her thumb over it and spread the liquid around. His breath quickened and he grabbed her hand.

“You keep that up and I won’t last long.” She looked into his eyes, darker than a moonless night. “I don’t know how much more I can control myself, Dulcy.”

The sound of his baritone voice washed over her. Her whole being tingled, all the way to her soul. Without a word, she lifted herself off his lap and positioned her body over his penis. She took him in her hand and slowly brushed the head, back and forth between her folds, wet with desire. She never looked away from him, but stared into his eyes, neither saying a word.

Then, she slid down his shaft. Slowly, inch-by-inch, she took in his length. She began to move, slowly at first but the tension within her built, blood rushing to her sex.

“Oh, yessss, Dulcy,” Ethan groaned. She quickened her pace. She gyrated her hips a little and he moaned her name again.

He pulled the front of her dress and her bra down. Her breasts tumbled free, and he took one distended nipple in his mouth. He swirled his tongue around the tip, then grazed it with his teeth.

One hand brushed the nipple of her other breast. He pinched it and a delicious ache spread from her breasts to the rest of her body. His hand stole down between her legs as the painful pressure sharpened. One flick of his thumb on her *oris and she exploded into a million little pieces, her body convulsing. He grabbed her hips and increased the pace. He groaned her name as he followed her a moment later.

* * * *

Ethan stirred as the limo came to a stop. He slowly opened his eyes and took a deep breath. The scent of peaches and musky arousal filled his senses. Dulcy still sat atop him, his cock still encased in her wet heat. She moaned a little and snuggled closer. She placed a tender kiss just beneath his jaw.

In all his days, he’d never had such an erotic experience. He shouldn’t have made love to her, but there had been no way he could have stopped once they got started. It complicated things, but the truth was, he didn’t give a damn. Dulcy was warm and soft against him and just thinking about her little moans had him growing within her again.

He squinted out the tinted window and realized Ted had driven them to his house, instead of Dulcy’s apartment. Ted apparently assumed Dulcy would be spending the night. A heavy sigh escaped him when he thought about the talk he would have with Ted. He didn’t want a word of this getting out in the company. Gossip in a small corporation like MacMillan Boots would spread like a brush fire and it would hurt Dulcy’s reputation, not to mention her feelings.

“Ethan,” she said. She kissed his neck again and then let out a little snore.

He chuckled, thinking about how good it was going to be waking up with her in the morning. But first things first, he had to get her into the house without too much fuss. He lifted her off of him, placed her on the seat beside him and zipped up his pants. As he rearranged her dress, pulling up the bodice, there was a knock on the window.

“What?”

“Are you ready, sir?” Ted said.

“Yes.” Ted opened the door and Ethan got out, then scooped Dulcy up into his arms. “Miss Menendez is a little sleepy.”

A small smiled curved his lips. “Yes, sir. Mr. MacMillan told me she would be going home with you tonight.”

Ah, so that’s how they ended up there.

“Ted, if you want to keep your job, you’ll keep your mouth shut about this.”

His expression sobered. “Of course, sir. I’d never gossip about Miss Menendez.”

Ethan nodded and headed up his front walk. Footsteps sounded behind him. He looked back over his shoulder.

“I thought you might need help unlocking the door.”

“Thanks, Ted.”

Once they were inside and Ted was on his way, Ethan sighed and headed for his bedroom. He placed her on his bed. She rolled away from him, snuggling into his pillows. Chuckling, he watched her wiggle her ass, trying to find just the right spot. She stilled, then sighed and let out another little snore. That dress couldn’t be that comfortable to sleep in, but he just didn’t know how to get it off her without waking her up.

He stripped out of his clothes, all the while watching her sleep. There was something so good about her, so sweet, so tender. The same undefined emotion shifted through him, throwing him off balance. He roamed to the other side of the bed. The moonlight illuminated her face. She’d folded her hands and tucked then beneath her head, just like a child. He shook his head, trying to deny what coursed through him. There was no fighting it, but he decided to ignore it for tonight. He pulled the covers down and slipped in beside her. She immediately snuggled closer to him, burrowing her nose beneath his chin.

Their situation was complicated. No matter what problems came out of it all, they would figure it out. They had to, because the one thing he discovered was living without Dulcy was not an option.