Pure Seduction by Frank, Ella (first ebook reader .txt) 📕

it, brushing by him and heading to my closet to hunt down a pair of heels.

“Because I wouldn’t care if it did. I already told you that.”

I located the black strappy heels I’d been hunting for and scooped them up, then took a seat on the chest at the end of my bed to slip them on. “It’s not like that. This is his first day, and I have to show him around. I want him to be impressed with how we run the place.” And yes, maybe a little impressed by me. Okay, a lot impressed.

When Jake said nothing, I looked up from the strap I’d just secured. “What?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. I’ll see you there after school.”

“Yes you will.” With the other shoe on, I got to my feet and smoothed my hands down my skirt. “What do you think? Do I look professional?”

Jake pushed off the door and kissed my cheek. “Yep. I’ll see you later.”

“Later.” I waved, followed him out of my room, and put a Pop-Tart in the toaster as I listened for the front door. The second I heard it shut, I let out a sigh.

I needed to pull it together. I was acting like this was some kind of date, not work. Nothing was going to be different. It was going to be like any other day. Except this time, I’d been in close proximity to the man I’d shared my first kiss, my first dance, and my first time with.

Yeah, sure, it was just going to be like any other normal day. That was why I’d spent all of last night picking out an outfit that screamed professional, in control, and, okay, maybe a little bit I’m a smart, sexy woman.

But I wasn’t going to think about that. I was going to find my keys, get in my car, and blow Noah’s mind—with my knowledge on the winery, of course.

I slung my handbag over my shoulder and headed to the door, but before I rushed out, I skidded to a halt and cursed—my Pop-Tart. I quickly dashed back, tore off a paper towel, and juggled it from hand to hand as I again made my exit.

BY THE TIME I’d parked my car and made a mad dash for the front entrance, I’d somehow managed to shave a couple of minutes off my time. I pushed through the front door and was relieved to note that no one was around to see me sneaking in late.

I sent up a quick note of thanks to the big guy and ran a hand over the wayward curl that had fallen across one of my eyes. The door to my right opened, and in walked…Noah, of course.

So much for my unnoticed tardiness.

Looking as put together as ever in a charcoal suit and white shirt, which he’d casually left unbuttoned at the neck, Noah looked devastating in that relaxed and self-assured way I was coming to associate with him.

His thick hair was swept back from his face and his tempting lips pulled into a smug smile. His eyes zeroed in on me and he walked in my direction.

Breathe, I reminded myself as my thighs clenched under the slow perusal he was giving me. Breathe and remember that he is the new one here today, not you.

“You’re late,” he said, coming to a stop in front of me. “What happened? Did you catch all the red lights on your way over here?”

There were exactly two traffic lights in downtown Chamberlin, so Noah knew very well that that had not been the case.

“Actually, I forgot something on my way out the door this morning and had to run back to get it.”

Noah slipped his hands into his pockets and grinned. “Oh? And what might that be? I only see heels, a skirt, and a shirt. I can’t imagine you’d forget a handbag quite that large, so what could you have possibly forgotten?”

Smart ass. “A Pop-Tart.”

“A Pop-Tart?”

“Mhmm. A—”

“Strawberry frosted with sprinkles?”

“Yes. How did you know that?”

Noah chuckled and reached out to me, and when I immediately reared back, he arched a brow. “Whoa, easy there. I was just going to do this.”

He brushed his thumb over my cheek and then held it up to show a sprinkle, and I felt my face heat with embarrassment.

“They used to be your favorite, and, well, this was a dead giveaway.”

When he sucked the sprinkle off his thumb and laughed at my horrified expression, I gritted my teeth and walked on by him. This was off to a fantastic start.

I headed down the hall to where my office was, and with every step I took, I was aware of Noah behind me. His attention was like a tangible thing. It was as though I could feel his eyes as they lowered over me, and I was suddenly glad I’d spent the extra time picking out what to wear today.

“I assume you’ll be working out of Harry’s old office?”

I placed my bag on the bottom shelf of the bookcase behind my desk, then reached around the computer to switch it on. When I still got no response, I looked up to see Noah watching me with a heat and potency that made my nipples tighten and my entire body ache with need.

“Noah?”

“I know you asked me something about work just now, and in a minute, I’ll pay attention and answer it. But first, I have to say this: you grew into one sexy woman, Laurel. Jesus. It’s hard to concentrate around you.”

At the blunt honesty in his words, I found myself smiling. Up until this moment, I’d felt like a teenager back in high school every time I ran into this man. But as I stood there in front of him now, I felt nothing but confident in the woman I’d become.

“Thank you.”

Noah let out one of those low chuckles, and this time, it made me…want.

“Thank you?”

“Yes. Thank you. And now that you have that off your chest, are you ready to get to