Valentine for Hire Read online

  I stood from my chair and turned to look out over the city, sun splitting through the buildings as far as the eye could see. I was on top of the world up here. My reputation for cold, hard business preceded me, but my life felt empty. All this success around me, and yet something had always felt missing. The truth was, I had devoted my life to my business. I spent every waking hour running over market figures and brainstorming new concepts. I’d never even thought twice about getting to know a woman better—until now.

  A light tap, tap sounded on my heavy door.

  “Come in!” I grunted, probably a little too forcefully. Ellis walked in, eyes on my face instantly. “Sit down.” I sounded harsh, much harsher than I intended, but she undid me and it was terrifying. I was an asshole.

  She sat in the chair facing my desk, one long leg crossing over the other and forcing her pencil skirt higher up her thighs. Ellis always dressed appropriately, but the way her clothing hugged her soft curves made my palms itch to touch her.

  “Did you have a good day, sir?”

  Ellis’s words shot a lightning bolt of fire straight into my balls. I pushed a hand through my hair. This shit between us, whatever it was, was about to explode. I couldn't think straight, and I had seen the way her eyes settled on mine when I entered a room, as if we were pulled together by a magnetic charge.

  “Great day, thanks, Ms. Ford.”

  “You can call me Ellis.” A soft smile pulled her lips.

  I nodded. I’d wanted to call her that for a long time. Whatever was between us felt personal, as if we’d known each other for much longer than we actually had. I’d never felt an instant sexual connection before, but with Ellis, I was like a caveman fighting his instincts to take, brand, and devour.

  “Ellis,” I hummed, her name rolling like honey off my lips. I knew what else I wanted on my lips. “I had a look at the Gelman account. Can you confirm that total you had down?”

  I wanted to get business out of the way. Ever since I’d found out that it was the dazzling Ms. Ford’s birthday, an idea had been circulating in my head. She’d said she didn’t like surprises, but she was owed one. I’d checked in often while I was away and knew she’d worked above and beyond what was required of her position, always consistently performing well, so she deserved a night off to celebrate her. I knew I wanted to.

  She slid her laptop onto my desk, and her little painted fingertips went to work. I waited patiently, hovering over her shoulder and inhaling the sweet lemon-and-lavender scent that seemed to waft off her. She was like a delicious dessert I wanted to unwrap and savor bite by bite.

  “Here it is.” She hovered the mouse over the total.

  I compared the number on my sheet then smirked.

  “That’s the problem. We only billed Gelman $275,000. Sorry if I didn’t update you. I gave him a break for the first project. That was a stiff negotiation—I thought I’d lost him for a minute—but we’ll make the money back on the next project.” I wrote the new number on my sheet then tucked it back in the folder.

  “You ready for that birthday celebration?”

  Ellis’s eyes widened a she peered up at me, her lips in the shape of a perfect little O that I wanted to cover with my mouth. “I didn’t think you’d really—”

  “I mean everything I say. I figured you knew that by now.” I pulled my suit jacket off the back of my chair and tossed it over one shoulder. “Should we get out of here?”

  “But… I haven’t even changed or anything…”

  I looked her up and down. The way the tailored shirt tucked into her nipped-in waist, the curve of those hips beneath that snug pencil skirt, made me want to run my hands up her thighs and bury my face between her silky legs.

  “You look perfect.” I placed a hand at the small of her back and felt a shiver run up the base of her spine.

  “T-thank you.” Ellis lifted her purse over her shoulder when we stepped out of my office, the buttons on her shirt pulling taut and playing peekaboo with a white lacy bra.

  Dear God, it was a wonder I hadn’t thrown myself from the forty-fifth-story window yet.

  She was the smartest, sweetest, sexiest woman I’d ever seen, and I felt honored to even treat her to a birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant.

  I didn’t know where this thing between us was heading—alarm bells about office romances were ringing at full volume in my head—but I was sick of ignoring whatever was pulsing between us.

  I’d do anything to get her out of my head so I could focus on business again.

  But then again, I didn’t really want her gone. I was too intrigued by her. Too challenged by her. Too turned on.

  Ellis Ford was a mystery I wanted to get to the bottom of.

  After our entrees were served and only a half of a bottle of wine remained between us, I asked, “So why don’t you celebrate your birthday?”

  Ellis shrugged. “Getting another year older doesn't seem like something to celebrate.” But her eyes lit up when the waiter set a decadent slice of double chocolate cake between us.

  “I disagree. It’s a time to reflect on all the things you’ve done in the past year, and maybe a few of the things you haven’t done that you’d like to.” I pushed my fork into the rich dessert then held the bite out to her.

  Her eyes rose for a minute before she composed herself.

  “I’m always a gentleman, and celebrating another year of your birth makes me happy.”

  Ellis took the bite off of my fork. With her eyes closed and her lips wrapped around that little hunk of metal, my cock throbbed as though it were caught in a vise. I wanted this woman. I wanted to know her, to be with her, to talk to her, to be everything for her.

  “This is amazing,” she finally said.

  “You make it look irresistible.” I shifted in my chair, trying to discreetly shift my cock in my pants. “I make it a rule to avoid office romance, but you’re changing all the rules on me.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

  “What?” Ellis’s eyes flicked to mine.

  “Since the day you started in my office, I’ve been fighting myself. So many things I’ve wanted to say, so many times I’ve wanted to touch…” I traced a fingertip across her wrist.

  “T-touch what?” Ellis asked, the pulse in her neck fluttering like a hummingbird.

  “Well, for instance, right now I want to lick the hollow of your neck where I can see your heartbeat going wild.”

  Ellis covered her throat with a palm before dropping her hand into her lap and licking her lips. Her eyes darted away. “I don’t think this is a good idea…”

  “I can’t think of a better one.” I ran the pad of my thumb across her cheekbone.

  Her eyes fluttered closed as she shifted beneath my touch.

  “I’m not the kind of girl who sleeps her way to the top, Mr. Banger.”

  I was shocked by her words—and her insinuation.

  “And I’m not the kind of man who expects sexual favors as payment. I don’t take advantage of women, Ellis. I have the utmost respect for you and all of the other women in my office.” I needed her to know that I was a man of integrity. Women weren’t toys to me, they were my equals.

  “But…” She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth before looking at me. “Why me then?”

  I shook my head, threading her fingers through my own and giving her hand a squeeze. “Because you beguile me. Your mind is one of the most brilliant I have ever come across. You’re loyal, strong, and compassionate. You can put up with my shit, and I know that’s not easy. I admire all those traits. I have never met another person who is as amazing as you.” I leaned across the table and whispered, “And I can’t stop thinking about what your lips would feel like against mine.”

  The waiter chose just that minute to interrupt. “Is the dessert to your liking, Mr. Banger?”

  “Yes, flawless, just like my dinner companion.” I grinned, enjoying the warm blush that crept up Ellis’s cheeks. I loved making her squirm, pr
obably because every single move she made had me in a constant state of unrest.

  “I should get home.” Ellis pulled her hand from mine then rummaged through her purse distractedly.

  “I like that you’re always so dedicated to serving me.”

  Ellis’s eyes shot up and narrowed. “Listen—”

  “I’m kidding.” I shot my hands in the air in surrender as laughter rolled from my lips. “I just like the way your eyes do that sparkling thing when you’re mad.”

  Ellis’s eyes held mine for a minute before her smile broke.

  “There it is.” I held out a hand as she pushed away from the table.

  “I didn’t get the memo that you were such a funny guy.” She purred so sweetly her insult could have been covered in honey.

  That mouth.

  Those lips.

  She had me wrapped around all her pretty little fingers already.

  After I took care of the check, we stepped out of the restaurant, and the cool breeze whipped around us before we ducked into the back of my car. She slid across the leather seats, and I got in after her. Suddenly, the air between us felt charged with some sort of unseen energy.

  Ellis rattled off her address to my chauffeur, and I was surprised to learn that she lived only a few blocks away—from here and work. Close enough for a quick lunch break at home… or to stop by when I was on my morning jog.

  I imagined her soft and sweet in the morning, hair in a wild mess all over her pillow and silky camisole riding up her thighs.

  Damn, I wanted to get my hands on her.

  But I was supposed to control myself because of our company policy. When relationships ended, it was nearly impossible for lovers to be civil and work together. But I’d put that rule in place for other employees, not myself. I didn’t let go of the things that belonged to me, and if Ellis was mine, I’d make sure she’d stay that way.

  I was a confident and capable man with the gift of achieving whatever I sent my mind to. I’d just been telling myself that Ellis was off-limits. Off-limits until now. She was quiet on the ride. I kept looking at her, and the more I looked, the more I kept wanting more. I could have spent forever and a day analyzing the sweet contours of her face and never get tired. If Da Vinci had seen Ellis first, it would have been her face that was hanging in the Louvre, not the Mona Lisa’s. Every angle was another burst of irresistible radiance. I was already at a point where I would have left the entire world behind just for a taste of her.

  The car pulled up outside of her building and stopped at the curb. I opened the door and slid out, holding it for her. When she slipped her palm into my hand, I almost dropped to my knees and begged her to let me come upstairs with her, but I was a man with plans, and I needed her to know that she was my end game.

  I gestured for the driver to wait a minute before we took the few steps up to her door.

  She pushed her key in the lock then turned to me. “Thank you for an amazing dinner.”

  I nodded, wishing I could pull her into my arms in the soft lamplight and get lost in her body.

  “Happy birthday, Ms. Ford.” I placed a kiss on her forehead, barely containing the urge to push her up against the wall and shove my tongue past those pretty pouty lips.

  With her hand on her doorknob, she looked back at me. “Thank you for a wonderful birthday... Mr. Banger.”

  “Tobias. Call me Tobias.” I caught her hand and weaved my fingers through it before placing a delicate kiss on the underside of her wrist. “See you tomorrow morning, beautiful.”

  Continue Reading…

  Also by Aria Cole

  Black

  White

  Swan

  Scarlet

  Bending Bethany

  Chasing Charlie

  Taking Tessa

  The Long Ball

  Banger

  Cheeky Christmas

  Under Construction

  Under Her Hood

  About the Author

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  Acknowledgments

  I have to thank my ever so loving and patient husband. You truly are my HEA, babe. <3

  Thank you to Aria's Assassins for keeping my fire burning. I am forever grateful for your love and cheerleading!

  I can't thank the ArdentProse team enough. You ladies make my life so much easier and I love you for it!

  To my ladies...the ladies that love to get lost in books about true and last lasting love... THANK YOU!!! Writing books you love is what keeps me going. You are my rock stars!