Suddenly Sexy

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“Why would you? You didn’t know …” Tension flooded his body. She knew the moment he’d figured out her plans. Eric pulled his hands away and raised his head. His eyes were an intense blue and he glared accusingly at her. “You set me up.”

Her first instinct was to apologize, but she bit back the words. She didn’t have anything to feel sorry about. “I didn’t think it would go this far, Eric.” She could tell by the look in his eyes that he didn’t believe her. “But a deal’s a deal,” she said, her voice quavering. “I get to be a decoy.”

4

ERIC TOOK A STEP BACK and Julie used the opportunity to scurry off his desk. “I can’t believe it,” he muttered dazedly.

She wondered what he meant as she quickly fastened her bra, not looking at him. What couldn’t he believe? She thought as she hastily tied her dress with fumbling fingers. That she had seduced him?

Yeah, she couldn’t believe it, either.

Eric sat down in his chair, his legs sprawled out as if they couldn’t support him. His shirt was creased, his short hair mussed and his mouth was reddened by kisses.

He was the sexiest man she’d ever seen. Julie wished she could straddle his legs, rip open the wrinkled shirt and go wild on him.

Eric splayed his arms out. “What the hell?” he asked.

The straddling was obviously going to have to wait. Her skin may still be tingling, but Eric wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole.

Julie glanced away, unwilling for him to see the lust shining in her eyes. She belatedly noticed that the sash of her dress was a mess and hurriedly untied it.

She didn’t mean to flash him. She really didn’t.

Eric hissed air between his clenched teeth. “Julie.”

“Sorry,” she muttered and tied her sash in a tangled knot before smoothing her hair with her hands. She knew she was a wreck. Like she’d just rolled around the desk with a hot, gorgeous guy. A guy who was still staring at her as if she were a threat.

No one had ever looked her at like that before. She usually went unnoticed and hated it, but this was uncomfortable. Unsettling. She wasn’t sure if she liked it.

Eric leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, as he pinned her with an intense glare. “How far did you plan for it to go?”

Her face heated. If she told him she had been aiming for a kiss, he’d think she was far too innocent for him. “It wasn’t really a plan….”

“I should have known.” A muscle bunched in his cheek. “Reckless as always.”

“It was more of a—” she waved her hand in the air, her limbs felt uncoordinated and jittery “—vague idea.”

“Vague idea,” he repeated dully. Eric closed his eyes and shoved his hands in his hair. “I could have sworn you were with me every step of the way.”

“I was,” she answered hoarsely. “Several steps ahead of you, actually.”

But Eric didn’t seem to be listening as he shook his head slowly. “If the phone hadn’t rung, I would be deep inside of you right now.”

Julie’s legs wobbled as she squeezed her eyes shut. She easily imagined Eric’s long, powerful thrusts into her. Filling, stretching and driving deep. Julie shuddered and opened her eyes to find Eric right in front of her.

She jumped back in surprise and her legs hit the couch. She struggled to keep her balance as Eric towered over her. It was difficult to maintain a distance when she inhaled his scent.

“You shouldn’t tease a man like that.” His quiet tone was at odds with the fierce energy pulsing from him. “It’s dangerous.”

Julie didn’t feel as if she had been in any danger. She felt as if a present had been ripped from her hands just when she had unwrapped it. Hopeful but dissatisfied.

Eric didn’t look hopeful. He stood close but was careful not to touch her. As if a brush of skin, a simple touch, would crumble his restraint. One word, one look, and he was hers.

Julie’s breath hitched in her throat when she recognized she held this kind of sexual power over Eric. She nervously licked her lips and Eric’s hot gaze followed the movement.

“You’re lucky I stopped when I did,” he said, sounding raw.

“Funny—” she tried to drawl the word as her heart pumped ferociously “—I was just going to say the same to you.”

Eric’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t like that, she noted with a spurt of pleasure. He didn’t like how she could wield this power over him, and he absolutely didn’t like that she knew it, too.

If only she knew why she had him under her spell and how she could use this power. For good, of course. Okay, maybe for evil, too. She didn’t want to be the good girl of his dreams. She wanted to be the bad girl of his deepest, dirtiest fantasies.

She swayed toward him just as she heard a cursory knock on the door. Julie’s heart leaped and Eric stepped away. She watched like a deer caught in the headlights as the door swung open.

“Eric?” Perry Gunthrie stepped into the office. “Oh, I didn’t know you were here, Julie. Sorry to interrupt, but Eric, do you have a moment?”

The sight of her boss was like a splash of cold water. She was torn with the need to get him out of the room and the need to tell him about her new assignment. As much as she disliked the intrusion, she knew that timing was crucial. If she wanted to become a decoy, she had to work fast before Eric backed out on the deal.

“Perry, guess what?” she asked as she walked over to him. She caught a glimpse of Eric as he returned to his desk. He was on full alert, ready to pounce at any sign of trouble. “You can be the first to congratulate me.”

“What for, Julie?” Perry asked indulgently.

Julie linked her arm with Perry’s and looked directly at Eric. “Eric agreed that I can be the decoy.”

Eric didn’t say anything. He remained still and there was no change in his expression, but Julie felt the darkening of his mood. Julie tensed, wondering if he was going to renege on the deal.

“Really?” Perry’s gravelly voice rose in surprise. “That’s wonderful, honey.” He patted her hand that rested on his arm and focused on his godson. “What changed your mind, Eric?”

Julie’s gaze sharpened on Eric, but he kept his attention on the older man.

“Julie can be very persuasive.”

She didn’t like his tone, but she was thankful Eric wasn’t any more forthcoming. She wasn’t ashamed of their deal. It had been an impetuous bet, but it had worked in her favor.

She would not feel guilty about this. She gave him fair warning. She didn’t pretend or fake her responses.

“Julie’s enthusiasm is contagious,” Perry admitted.

“I don’t know about that,” Eric said with a shrug. “But she’ll do anything to get her man.”

“I am in the room, you guys,” Julie reminded them, casting a warning glare at Eric.

“Are you sure about this?” Perry asked Eric.

Julie’s heart stopped when he hesitated for a brief moment. “Yes,” he replied with great reluctance. “A deal is a deal.”

Her heart beat double time. Julie pressed her lips together to prevent the squeal of delight. She was going to be a decoy!

“But don’t worry, Perry,” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I will watch over her every step of the way. She won’t make a move without my permission.”

“What?” The thrill she felt vanished like a puff of smoke. Julie pulled her hand away from Perry. “What are you talking about?”

“Julie has the job, but she has no training,” Eric continued as if she hadn’t interrupted. “This position has a probation period. If she can’t do the job, we’ll find another decoy.”

Of all the nerve! Julie placed her hands on her hips. “That wasn’t agreed on. I’m perfectly capable of handling this assignment without a babysitter.”

Eric crossed his arms. “I disagree.”

Perry cleared his throat with an uncomfortable cough. “Perhaps I should leave you two to agree on the details,” he said as he inched out of the room. “Eric, come to my office when you’re finished.”