Talking Dirty with the CEO

chapter Five


The interviews took forever and he hated every minute of them. Hated sitting still. Hated answering the same boring questions over and over again. But considering that the launch of the E-Slate was his personal baby, it was important he showed up personally.

Thinking of Christie, of the kiss he’d given her, did not help.

Perhaps that hadn’t been a good move. But she’d seemed so adamant that he couldn’t possibly want her that he hadn’t been able to think of another way to convince her.

And convincing her had seemed quite vital at the time. He’d wanted her to know he was serious. Seriously attracted. Maybe he’d been too blunt about that, but he liked to be up-front with people. And he liked them to be up-front in return.

He’d told her what he wanted. She didn’t have to turn up if she didn’t want that, too.

The last interview wrapped up, Joseph dealt with a couple of last-minute things with Liz, then went to find Brenda, his second in command, to let her know he was going. Fifteen minutes later, he made his way down to the hotel foyer, telling himself he didn’t feel the odd unsettledness in his gut. Almost as if he were…anxious.

An unsettledness that disappeared the moment he saw Christie sitting on one of the couches in the foyer, chestnut ponytail a riot of curls down her back. And other feelings took its place. Anticipation. Satisfaction. The hot lick of desire.

She was talking to a group of guys, all of them with that nerdy, game-boy look to them.

He stopped for a moment, watching her as she chatted. She didn’t seem as prickly with them as she had been with him. An easy, natural smile lit up her face. Then she laughed, and Christ the sound was sexy. Low. Husky. Almost dirty.

A strange feeling caught in his chest. What if he could make her laugh like that?

As if she’d felt him watching, she broke off her conversation and looked at him. All at once the laughter disappeared from her face, a guarded expression taking its place.

Joseph cursed under his breath, feeling as though he’d just kicked a puppy or something. The rest of the guys around her were gazing at him wide-eyed, and he knew they were going to break into some kind of fan thing if he wasn’t careful.

As he came up to them, he grinned and said, “Hey guys, need a word in private with Christie here.”

Instantly they were all nodding, smiling nervously in return, scattering toward the doors in their haste to do his bidding. One of them waved a hand at Christie. “See ya, Chris. We’ll be at E-Blitz if you change your mind.”

Joseph knew E-Blitz. An Internet café that hosted lots of online gaming tournaments. He used to be a fixture there when he’d been younger and jobless. Before he’d discovered his talent for taking apart technology and putting it back better than before.

“You got another date?” he asked.

She stood as he approached, a wary look in her eyes and a very determined cast to her chin. “No. Like I said. I need this interview.” She crossed her arms over her chest in a defensive gesture. “But I’m not sleeping with you again if that’s what you’re expecting.”

Well, that was certainly clear. He thrust his hands in his pockets. “Sleeping wasn’t what I had in mind.”

And sure enough she flushed. “I’m not having sex with you.”

“Pity. I would have liked a whole night with you. Five minutes on the vanity wasn’t nearly enough.”

Christie’s blush became an interesting shade of crimson. “Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“Teasing me.”

“Because I love the way you blush. It’s adorable. And your eyes get all sparky and green.”

A mutinous expression shifted over her face. “I’m not sleeping with you.”

“No problem, I got it.”

“And no more kisses, either, okay?”

“Then stop biting your lip like that.”

She stopped nibbling. “There. Happy?”

“Not really. Your mouth is still red and I still want to kiss it.”

“There will be no kissing.” She glared at him “Understood?”

She might think that now but he could be persuasive when he chose. Very persuasive. “I think we’ve established that. Shall we go?”

Ten minutes later, back in his apartment, Joseph threw his keys on the console table in the hall, handed Christie her phone, and gestured toward the living room. “You remember where it is, right? With the stereo?”

“The Karlsson Series 6, you mean?” She enunciated the words very clearly. “Yeah, I remember.”

He grinned. “Good. Then why don’t you make yourself at home while I get a drink.”

“I don’t need a drink.”

So she was going to be like that, was she? Fine. “Suit yourself.”

But in the kitchen he pulled out a bottle of very nice chardonnay and two glasses. She was cutting off her nose to spite her pretty face and once her temper had calmed, she might regret it.

Back in the lounge, he found her perched on the end of his expensive designer couch, hunched over her phone, the voice recorder all set on the low, black stone coffee table.

He put the wine down on the coffee table and poured two glasses.

Christie didn’t look up, working on her phone.

“I read your article.” He sat on the couch beside her.

The movement of her finger on the screen paused as she registered his presence. But she didn’t look up. “What article?”

“The one on dating.”

“The one on—” She stopped and her head jerked up, gaze locked with his

“Yes,” he said, keeping it casual. “The one where you went out with a guy called Studman500.”

“How did you know?”

“When I saw you in the crowd, I asked one of my staff to see if they could find out who you were. And they did. They also brought me the latest issue of Total Tech.”

“Oh.” The word was soft. “So I guess you know that our date was research? At least, that’s what it was supposed to be.”

“Research, huh?”

A sigh escaped her. “Yeah.”

After a moment she put her phone on the table. Then turned to him, a grimly determined look on her face. “I owe you an apology. I should have told you right from the start.” Her throat moved as she swallowed. “And I totally didn’t intend to have sex with you when I asked you for the date, okay? That was…kind of unexpected.”

Her honesty took him by surprise. The women he dated tended to be game-players. They pretended they weren’t into his money or his looks, when of course the opposite was true. Not that he cared. He didn’t give a toss about their opinions.

But there was something about Christie’s openness that touched him. “Jumping a woman in my bathroom isn’t something I normally do, either,” he admitted. And, because he wanted to see her smile, “I’m usually way more slick than that.”

His reward was the way her luscious mouth relaxed into a small curve. “I have to say, you don’t look like the type of guy who plays Zombie Force Online.”

“I’m not. And I have another confession for you. I’m not really Studman500.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was in a meeting with one of my employees. Who apparently plays a lot of online games when he should be working. He got up to answer a phone call and while he was on the phone, your chat window popped up on his computer.” Joseph grinned. “I liked the Ugg boot and garter belt combo.”

Christie’s smile deepened. “I did wonder. We were talking about gaming gear and what we wore when we were online. He mentioned something about a Master Chief helmet with built-in microphone. I thought Ugg boots were better.”

“Way better. But I can give him your number if you’d prefer to talk to him.”

“God no. Studman was such a lame handle.”

He laughed. Karl would be gutted. “You’re right. It’s very lame. I would have chosen something much more classy. Like Big Boy. Or Love Machine.”

Christie ducked her head, but not before he caught the brilliance of that smile again. “I like Love Machine. You should keep it.”

“I will.” He waited a moment. “So? Are you going to tell me what made you run out on me?”

“Oh. That.” Christie’s smile faded. “Yeah. I’m sorry about that.”

“I’m sorry, too. I thought I’d hurt you.”

“No. Honestly, you didn’t. I think I just got overwhelmed. I…” She stopped, looking embarrassed. “Well, I don’t normally sleep with guys I’ve only just met and I guess I freaked out.”

Something in him, a small hard knot, abruptly unraveled. He couldn’t stop himself—he reached out, touched the soft skin of her cheek, and cupped her jaw in his palm. “That was some freak-out.”

She didn’t move. “Actually…I…I thought you might regret it.”

“Why on earth would you think that? Did I say something that—”

“No. No, you didn’t. I just…” She faltered, glancing away. “I didn’t want to stick around in case you did regret it.”

The fragile note in her voice made an unfamiliar protectiveness gather inside him. “The only thing I regret,” he said gently, “is your leaving.”

Her gaze came back to his and for a second they just looked at each other.

Then her lashes fell and she pulled away from him. “Sorry, I have to do this interview, remember?”

The wary, guarded look was back in her eyes again, and he decided he didn’t like it.

“You don’t like me touching you?”

“The interview, Joseph.”

He wanted to growl. Why did this woman, this frustrating, surprising woman, have to be so different? Why couldn’t she cling just a bit? Or be all over him like other women seemed to want to do? He wouldn’t mind, not with her.

“Ouch,” he said.

Christie gave him a wary look. “What do you mean, ouch?”

“I’ve never been rejected before. It hurts.”

“But I’m not…not rejecting you.”

“Yeah, you are.”

“No, I’m not. I just don’t want to sleep with you.”

“How is that not rejection?”

She glanced down at her phone again, held loosely in her hands. “I don’t understand. Why should you care? You must have hundreds of women you can call on. You don’t need me.”

“No, you’re right, I don’t need you. But I do want you.”

Stuff the bloody interview. He wanted her smile back. Wanted to bury his face in her neck, inhale the musk and lavender, sensuality and innocence of her scent. She was so sexy in her Gothic T-shirt, her skinny jeans, and her velvet boots. He wanted to push her back on the couch, slowly pull her jeans down, unlace those boots, and peel everything from her.

Or maybe everything but the boots. Yeah, she could keep those on.

Christie stared at her phone for a long moment. Then she raised her head and looked at him. “Why? Why do you want me?”

Challenge lurked in her eyes but behind it, he caught a glimpse of her vulnerability.

Joseph reached out for her again, sliding his palm along her jaw. “I can get sexy anywhere, Christie. But sweet, funny, and smart as hell, too?” He let his thumb trace her lower lip. “That only comes with you.”

…

Christie froze. He’d moved closer to her, the heat coming from his palm on the side of her jaw like a blowtorch applied directly to her skin.

She didn’t know what to say or how to respond. No one had ever called her sexy before, let alone all that other stuff about being sweet and smart. And funny.

Well , actually, Joseph called you gorgeous the night you met him.

Yeah, he had. But then she’d been Naughtygirl and tonight she was Christie, and somehow that made everything different. Somehow that made everything worse.

She didn’t want to look into his eyes but she made herself. Steeled herself. “Okay, so I’ll give you smart. But I’m not that funny. And as for sexy,” She stopped, hating how unsteady her voice sounded. “I’m wearing Docs for God’s sake. How can you be sexy in Docs? And a Death’s Head T-shirt?”

Joseph stared at her, his thumb continuing to move along the line of her jaw, caressing, generating sparks of heat. “I think you could wear a sack and I’d find you sexy. Hell, you would not believe the fantasy I’m having right at this moment. Of you with your legs around my waist, wearing only your Docs.”

“Oh,” she said faintly.

His gaze turned hooded as it dropped to her mouth. “I was kind of hoping for better than ‘oh.’”

“The in-interview,” she murmured, her stammer rising as she tried to find some kind of reference point to hold on to. Because the intensity in his gaze was turning her brain into mush.

She hadn’t let herself think about his intentions when she’d decided to come back here with him. The interview, that’s what mattered. That’s all that mattered.

She thought he’d give up. That perhaps he’d lose interest in her once she’d told him that there was no way she was sleeping with him.

But she hadn’t counted on his persistence. Or her susceptibility to him.

I can get sexy anywhere…

Naughtygirl in her stretchy black dress and heels was sexy. And apparently Christie in her jeans and Docs and T-shirt was sexy, too.

Her mouth was dry, every single objection she had, every reason that sleeping with him was such a bad idea, vanishing out of her head.

“Sorry, but I don’t really give a crap about the interview,” Joseph said. He ran his thumb along her lower lip again, pressing down, opening her mouth. Then he leaned down, brushed his mouth over hers.

The touch was fleeting, leaving her shivering and hungry for more.

“I thought I said no k-kisses,” she whispered.

“I know, but I’m trying to change your mind.” Then he kissed her again, lingering for longer this time, his tongue slipping into her mouth, tasting her. Exploring.

Her phone slid out of her nerveless fingers and hit the carpet with a soft thunk. Christie barely registered the fact that it had gone.

Joseph drew back. “How am I doing?”

She tried to speak. “Uh…I think…I’m still on the fence. You might want to…you know, argue a bit more.”

He didn’t hesitate, covering her mouth again with his.

She couldn’t stop the moan that broke from her, scalding heat washing through her. Helplessly she reached for him, curling her hands in the cotton of his shirt, pulling him closer.

“Christie,” Joseph murmured in a low voice against her mouth. “You’d better decide if you want to do this interview or not and you’d better decide quick. Because honey, I want you and I’m not much good at waiting.” The rough demand in the question raised all the hairs along her arms, along the back of her neck. Made her shiver.

She glanced up at him. Color burned along his cheekbones, eyes glittering. The expression on his face so blatantly hungry she almost couldn’t believe it was real.

Joseph Ashton, gorgeous billionaire, wanted her.

Yet a remaining sliver of doubt slid under her skin. That night in his apartment had been incredible, but she’d been Naughtygirl then. Could she do the same as Christie?

“I…I don’t know,” she murmured, uncertain.

“What don’t you know?” The question had an unexpected softness to it.

“I’m not experienced, okay?” Wanting him to know right up front so there could be no mistake. So he knew what to expect. In case there was any…disappointment. “I haven’t had many relationships.”

“That’s not a bad thing, Christie.”

“I’m not saying it is. It’s just if you expect, uh, something more exciting, then—”

“I’m not expecting anything. Whatever you want to give me will be spectacular.”

“Spectacular?” It wasn’t a word she was accustomed to hearing in relation to herself.

“Oh yeah.” His thumb rubbed along her jaw, a gentle movement. Making her shiver. “Absolutely. Let’s find out, shall we?”

He slid his hand behind her head and then, exerting a gentle, irresistible pressure, drew her forward to meet his mouth once more.

A slow, deliberate kiss. Carried out with skill and with an intensity that left her trembling. Then it became hotter, deeper, an exacting, familiar hunger taking hold inside her. One that left no room for shyness or inhibitions. A hunger that had no patience with nervousness or awkwardness.

She wanted him. Dear God, she wanted him.

His hand pushed her thick ponytail over one shoulder, his mouth dropping to the sensitive skin below her ear. She gasped, shuddering, and heard him make a satisfied sound deep in his throat. His lips moved along her neck, down toward her collarbone.

“Joseph,” she whispered. “What are you doing?”

“What do you think?” His voice was a caress against her skin. “I’m seducing you. I told you I would.”

An arm slid around her waist, pulling her against him. She gave a soft gasp, one hand aiming for his knee to steady herself and brushing something else near his groin. Something hard.

Oh. Wow.

Joseph tensed, biting out a soft curse.

Christie moved her hand again, unable to stop herself, tracing the outline of his arousal beneath the soft wool of his trousers.

“Oh my, God,” she breathed. “Is this for me?” The question popped out before she could stop it and she felt herself flushing.

His muscles had gone rigid beneath her hand. “That one of your interview questions?”

A surprised laugh bubbled out of her. “Uh, no.”

“You have the dirtiest laugh I’ve ever heard, you know that?”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Oh yeah, very good. And in answer to your initial question, yes, that’s all for you. I mean, I love my stereo but not that much.”

Wonder swept through her, along with a sense of feminine power that was new.

No, she didn’t want to do this dumb interview. Didn’t want to stop kissing him. She’d never felt this kind of power before and she wanted to explore it.

Besides, it didn’t have to mean anything. She could have another night and then walk away. And that would be okay because she didn’t want any more. No, she didn’t need the complication of a man in her life. Especially a man like Joseph.

One night of hot sex and that would be it. Yep. Definitely.

Christie sighed, need rising inside her, unfolding like a flower, letting her lose herself in the heat of Joseph’s mouth on hers.

His hand moved from her waist, sliding up over the cotton of her T-shirt to cup one small, round breast in his palm. She groaned, fire flashing along her nerve endings, making her shake.

“Come on, Naughtygirl,” he said, “time to visit my sheepskin rug.”