Talking Dirty with the CEO - By Jackie Ashenden Page 0,40
them and the drinks he bought them, but that was it. Then again, it wasn’t as if he gave them a chance to get to know him anyway, since sitting and chatting wasn’t his thing.
At least it hadn’t been till Christie.
No, he should go. It would be easier if he did.
But you don’t want to. You like her too much.
Yeah. He did. Bugger it. He didn’t want to go just yet.
Turning from the computer, he went down the hallway and into the bedroom.
Christie lay on her front, her head buried in the pillows. Her hair, spread over the white linen, had gone a deep red in the morning sunlight coming through the windows, exposing the delicate curve of her neck. Sleep always gave the illusion of vulnerability, but he knew with Christie there was no illusion.
He went over to the bed and sat on the edge, watching her sleeping face. Strange, mysterious female. With her blushes and contrasting toughness, interspersed with flashes of temper that hinted at a passionate nature kept hidden. A puzzle he wanted to solve. A delicate piece of electronics he wanted to figure out.
He’d never experienced such a curiosity about anyone before. Never ever. It made something inside him settle and become quiet. All the restless energy channeled into focus.
Reaching out, he lightly ran a finger over one pale shoulder.
She gave a soft growl in response, then opened one eye.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured.
The eye blinked, then the other one opened. Then she turned on her side, looking at him. “You’re still here,” she said in that husky voice he was coming to like rather more than was good for him.
“Yeah, but not for much longer. I’ve got a few things to do.”
She gave a groan and looked at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s 7:00 a.m. and you’re doing stuff already? Why are you even awake? Actually, more to the point, why am I awake?” She rolled onto her back, pulling the sheet up over her head, cursing.
“Christie.”
The sheet lowered. “What?”
“I have to go.”
“Oh.” She lowered the sheet more, then folded her hands over her chest. “Well, thanks for coming around. I had a really great time and I know that—”
Joseph leaned over her and laid a finger across her lips. “I want to see you again.”
A bright flare of happiness crossed her face, so obvious his chest went tight.
He’d probably go to hell for this. Correction, he would go to hell for this.
Christie grabbed his wrist, pulling his finger from her mouth. Her cheeks were pink, making her eyes seem greener than they were. “Y-you do? Really?”
“Yeah, really. Unless of course you don’t—”
“I do,” she interrupted, going pinker. “I’d love to.”
He smiled. “Well, I’m free tonight.” Except that he didn’t want to wait till tonight. In fact, it occurred to him that he didn’t want to leave her at all.
Unless… A thought came to him. Sunk its claws into him and wouldn’t let go. “Actually, how do you feel about bike riding?”
“Bike riding?”
“Yeah, you know. A thing with two wheels that you pedal to make go round and round.”
She hit him on the arm. “I know what a bike is, Joseph.”
“Then how about you come with me when I go ride one.”
“Me?”
“Of course you. I go up to bike trails in Woodhill Forest every Saturday morning. I could use some company.”
“You do know what time it is, don’t you?”
“Sure I do. Bike-riding time.”
She waved a hand at the clock. “But it’s 7:00 a.m.! Seven. In the morning. “
“I slept in. Normally I’m gone by six.”
Her brow wrinkled. “Are you feeling okay? You’re not sick or anything?”
“I feel fine. I’ll feel even better with twenty-nine inches of carbon fiber between my thighs.”
“You’re insane.” But she was grinning. “I haven’t been on a bike since I was ten.”
“So?”
“And I fell off. A lot.”
He laughed. “So? I’ve been known to fall off once or twice, too.”
“When you were ten, too, right?”
“Okay, so it was a while ago.” He leaned down, brushed his mouth with hers. “Come with me, Christie.” He normally went bike riding alone, the silence of the forest and the mindless physical activity good for calming his racing brain. Yet for some reason, having Christie’s company on a ride now seemed vital.
Dangerous to want her presence outside the bedroom.
But he’d made the offer now. He couldn’t take it back.
Her lashes fluttered as he raised his head. “I’m useless at physical stuff, though.”
“No, you’re not.” He touched her mouth. “At least you seemed very adept last