Seducing Avery Read online

  Frozen, Avery looked to have lost all will to fight against the swell of need that rose and flushed her cheeks. When Ryker was satisfied his point was made, he brought his gaze to hers. A smirk curled the corners of his lips.

  Avery sighed.

  “Be ready in the morning,” he said, “and you will.”

  “Will what?”

  He didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and strode away.

  ****

  Match point.

  Avery was left standing in the hall, feeling like a complete idiot. A shower helped to cool down her racing thoughts. It gave her enough calm to phone Alexandria.

  “I’ve been worried,” Alexandria said, not wasting time saying hello.

  “You have? Why?”

  “You know why. Has he?”

  “What, Alexandria? Touched me? Attacked me? No. Don’t be ridiculous.” Then came the lie, “I’m not even working directly with him.”

  “Then who?”

  “His staff, like I said,” she lied again. Why did she feel the need to deceive her mother? Nothing had actually happened between her and Ryker. Not really. Nothing would happen, either.

  “Be careful. You don’t know what a man like that is capable of.”

  “I will,” she conceded, knowing full well the impact of those words. Her laptop dinged, and she figured it was most likely Ryker’s guest list arriving in her Inbox.

  “Now tell me why he really dragged you halfway across the world.”

  “You can’t imagine how beautiful this place is, Alexandria. It’s beyond words.”

  “And the party?”

  “Is going to be amazing. If I can pull it off. I have little more than a week.”

  “You’ll do it. I have no doubt,” Alexandria said and her tone said she meant it.

  Naturally, she would have no idea the intense amount of work something like this involved. Avery had practically cut her teeth managing caterers by age eleven for her mother’s parties. “I hope so.”

  Alexandria laughed. “You won’t have to do it alone. My passport’s in order.”

  “What? You don’t think? You’re not expecting me to...you can’t come to his party.”

  “Why not?”

  “For starters, you don’t even know him.”

  “I do now. We met the other day in your office, remember? And besides, you do. If you want me to quit worrying, you’ll just have to get me in so I can see for myself that you’re all right.”

  “I don’t even talk to him directly. How am I supposed to ask him if you can come to his party?” she lied for the third time. She didn’t like the lying, yet it felt like necessary evil.

  “Me and your sister. Don’t forget Bits. And tell him I’m worried about you. Besides, you’ll be there.”

  “Not as a guest. I’ll be here as an employee. Big difference.” Avery wanted to say she wouldn’t even stay for the party if she didn’t have to. Oh, but what good would it do to explain real life issues to Alexandria. She lived in a fairy tale world, where she only had to snap her fingers and men made things happen for her. Another one with lucky fingers.

  Besides, Avery was terrible at making sense out of an argument with Alexandria. But on this point, there was no give. “I won’t mix business with personal. Period.”

  Avery closed the call. She strolled into the kitchen and was met with expressions of shock. She figured most of Ryker’s guests didn’t usually go wandering around alone in the evening. She could guess what they were doing instead, but decided to block the image of him with another woman out of her mind completely.

  At first glance, it was easy to see who was in charge, and he was nothing like what she’d expect an executive chef to look like. His tattoos and red headband had her thinking he belonged on a modern-day pirate’s ship instead of in a billionaire’s kitchen. He wasn’t the least bit rigid or starched. In fact, he looked more like one of those weather-worn chefs that could be found on popular cooking shows with hateful hosts.

  “I’m Kyle.”

  “Your accent is—”

  “Australian, mate.” He held out his hand.

  Avery took it and introduced herself.

  “You’re American.” It was more statement than question.

  “Most of my childhood was spent in Houston. We moved to New York when I was in high school,” Avery supplied.

  “Spent some time in New York. Liked it enough. But, Texans…” He smiled. “Now they understand Australians.” He rocked his head.

  “Renegade spirit,” she said.

  His wide smile said he agreed.

  “I can see you’re busy. I just wanted to stop down and introduce myself before I turn in,” she said.

  Satisfied if she needed to ask for help it wouldn’t feel so out of the blue now, she made her way back down the long hallway and settled in with her laptop. Invitations had to be sent out so plans could be finalized.

  She thought about the kind of friends a man like Ryker would have and curiosity had her quickly opening the document he’d sent. She scanned it for recognizable names. The list read like a Who’s Who of the young and fabulous. And she’d never felt more intimidated. Thank God, she was simply planning the party and could disappear into the background once it started.

  Parties like this made her evermore pleased that the fabulous rarely ever wandered into the kitchen where the help hung out. And even with her family background she felt more comfortable there than with the beautiful people in the front room.

  Once the invite had gone out, she closed her laptop but couldn’t stop her mind from wondering how many of the women on the list Ryker had dated. Or slept with.

  Avery, you’re tired. Go to sleep.

  Chapter Seven

  The next morning, a note taped to Avery’s door read: Wear long pants over your swimsuit.

  Long pants? Why on earth would she need long pants at the beach?

  She didn’t have the energy to search Ryker out to put up a proper argument, so she dug around for a pair of jeans and light summer shirt.

  Besides, his plans were irrelevant. She had plans of her own that involved rolling up her sleeves and getting to work. Seven days until the big event. And she was nowhere near ready.

  Quickly, she sought out a swimsuit and dressed.

  Ryker’s timing was near perfect, arriving at her door as she finished zipping her jeans. “Let’s go,” he said, and his masculine voice caused her heart to stutter.

  “Go where?” she asked catching her breath, almost afraid to know the answer. After all, with Ryker she couldn’t be sure what would happen next, except for the guarantee that she’d struggle against her emotions the entire time he was around. He made life as difficult as possible for her in that regard. “You realize I have a ton of work to do, and you haven’t exactly given me much time.”

  He stood at the door, grinning his sexy little crooked grin, his heft blanketing the frame as he folded his arms in determination. “If I have to come in there to get you, we’re not leaving anytime soon. Unleash that, and you’ll never get around to getting your work done.”

  Something Avery couldn’t easily identify flashed across Ryker’s expression. Maybe her imagination ran wild, but she knew one thing for certain…he meant those words.

  Avery stood. The last thing she needed was for her emotions to sprint out of control again, and being with him had a way of doing absolutely that.

  Allow him inside the bedroom and she had no doubt about what would happen. What she wanted too.

  She scooted into the hallway.

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked as she followed him out the door, remembering all those A-list actresses and socialites he spent time with...his intimidating list of so-called friends.

  “And ruin the surprise?”

  “I’m not a fan of the unknown. Besides, the invites have gone out. No going back now,” Avery protested for the second time.

  “So I saw. I like them. Nice work. You’ve earned some time off to celeb
rate a job well done.”

  Avery’s lips pursed, and she shook her head. “No. I haven’t even begun. There’s so much to do.”

  He tugged at her hand. “For instance?”

  “The theme. We still haven’t discussed the theme. And I only have seven days to coordinate theme and nail down the menu. Not to mention order and ship in supplies.”

  Ryker led her into the kitchen, where his staff stopped their work and trained their gazes on them as they entered the room. To be so noticed by everyone by simply walking into a room—she certainly felt like a princess when she was with Ryker. Not that she grew up the kind of girl who pranced around the living room with a tiara on. That little number had been saved for Bits. Avery had been busy taking care of herself. Studying. And making sure she was nothing like her perfect and beautiful baby sister.

  The attention, when directed at her, usually made her want to shrink.

  “I introduced myself last night,” Avery said. “Good morning, Kyle.”

  Ryker looked momentarily impressed. “Well, you might’ve learned a few names, but you’ve no idea what this group is capable of.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Allow me. Kyle can get anything you want from anywhere with a day’s notice. The man is magic.”

  “I believe it. I do. But seriously, for a hundred people—that takes more than a phone call,” she insisted.

  “What he can do for one, he can do for a thousand. Right, Kyle?”

  Kyle inclined his chin. “Right you are, Chief.” Forget that he didn’t wear the clothing of an employee. And Ryker hadn’t treated him like one, either. Kyle ran his own kitchen. His respect for his boss was evident.

  “It’s good to see you again,” Avery said. She truly appreciated that he’d been genuine and kind to her when she’d all but intruded on his kitchen last night and imposed herself on him.

  “Well, then, now that you see what good hands you’re in. You can come away with me today,” Ryker said.

  “Oh, but I can’t.” Avery shook her head.

  Kyle grinned and then winked. “It’s no use arguing with the boss. Better take this with you as well. You’ll get hungry.” He held out what looked to be an overstuffed picnic basket.

  Ryker tucked it under his arm with a smile.

  Avery didn’t know what to make of all this except she felt ganged up on. “No fair.”

  “He’s persistent, this one,” Kyle continued. “He’ll not take no for an answer. But rest assured, whatever you need, I can get it. It’s a phone call away.”

  “Well then. Since I have no choice here. I’ll agree. But—”

  “And there’s always a but, isn’t there?” Ryker said, his tone now surprisingly light.

  “We have to talk a little shop.”

  Kyle laughed out loud. “When you take her to the Point, see if she still wants to talk shop then.”

  The Point. Avery was certain it would be the perfect spot for seduction. The picnic basket, the Point—all of it looked rehearsed, as though this were simple routine to them. Probably because Ryker had seduced hundreds, no thousands, of women there with this same picnic basket tucked under his masculine arm. Not that a man like him would need a special place. She had to admit to being surprised that he needed any sort of seduction routine at all.

  “Where are we going exactly?”

  He smiled one of his sexy trademark smiles, took her hand, and then led her outside to his motor bike.

  On the motorcycle, she held onto him, looping her arms around his waist. She leaned into his broad, strong back. The sun was just coming up; the cover of nightfall that had blanketed the island lifted like a curtain to reveal the true beauty of the place. And it was breathtaking.

  They wound down a long path and stopped at a lighthouse. It was white, looked to have a fresh coat of paint, and had a red stripe that corkscrewed up from the bottom until it circled the top where the light was. He opened the solid wood door and instructed Avery to follow him.

  The heavy door creaked and groaned.

  “This thing’s survived the test of time. Pretty solid. Held off more than a few invaders.”

  He stood at the door, watching as Avery’s mind clicked through all the possibilities. She didn’t want to trust him but decided she had no choice. So she followed.

  No less than a hundred lit candles, scattered around, cast the room in a warm glow. In the center of the room, a blanket was already spread out. Avery eyed the blanket. I don’t think so. She ran her flat palm along the round, concrete wall. The dimples and imperfections made it feel even warmer and more beautiful. “This place is wonderful. How did you find it?” And how many women have you brought here before me?

  “That’s what keeps me coming back to the island. A surprise around every corner.”

  “It is quite unexpected. The beauty.”

  He took her hand and guided her to the center of the blanket where he had opened the basket of food and uncorked a bottle of red wine.

  She eyed him up and down warily. Talk about surprises. What else did Ryker Li have up his sleeve? Never mind that question. She didn’t want to think about his sleeve at all, because that rounded her thoughts back to the powerful arm inside.

  “Let’s see what’s in here,” she said, scanning the contents of the basket instead. Cheese, crackers. Some type of fresh bread. Olives.

  Ryker picked up a slice of cheese and brought it to her lips. Rather than allow him to put it in her mouth, she took it from him. She could feel her cheeks warm as she imagined his fingers doing other things. Focus.

  “We were going to talk work,” she said. His finger grazed her cheek and it lit fires inside her. Uncontrollable fires.

  “I’m afraid you’re creating a problem for me,” he said seriously.

  “I am?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I can’t seem to get you off my mind.” His tanned finger slowly slid down the cleft of her chin. “I think about you when we’re together.” He paused ever so slightly, and his voice was low and gravel-like. “And when we’re apart...”

  His gaze rose to meet hers and her heart nearly stopped in her chest. His look smoldered with passion and promise and more than a hint of tightly gripped emotion.

  And if she didn’t do something to stop it, she wouldn’t be able to.

  Avery rose to her feet. Her knees were weak, and her stomach ached. It would be so easy to melt into his arms. But Alexandria’s suspicions wound their way back into Avery’s thoughts. This scene has been set up, they said. In advance. A seduction. Ryker was seducing her like he’d done so many before her. Right here. In this very spot. Those other women probably melted like hot butter in his arms, too. And then he put them right back on the plane and moved on.

  “I—uh…can’t do this.”

  “We both want it.”

  “That’s not the point.” She folded her arms and hugged her elbows. “I should go home.” But this time home meant back to the villa.

  Before she could argue, he took her in his arms and brought her in to his chest. “It’s okay.”

  Avery felt the earth move under her feet as she momentarily melted into his solid chest where she felt safe. A false sense of security, no doubt, but against his masculinity she felt safer than if she’d been tucked away in Fort Knox.

  “Look. I dated the rich and famous back in prep school, and it didn’t end well for me.”

  “Someone broke your heart?”

  “Humiliated me, more like it. My sister set us up, told him I’d be easy.”

  His expression soured. “Your sister would do that to you?”

  “Did. She did do that to me, I’m afraid.”

  “Assholes,” he said, his disgust like a knife tearing through a carcass.

  A tear escaped at the memory. Ryker leaned forward and brushed a kiss where it tumbled down her cheek. He cupped her face. “What I want to do with you has nothing to do with humiliation.”

  His
lips came down on hers with bruising need.

  Feeling every inch of the moment happening between them, Avery yielded to his powerful touch. He had the unique ability to make everything right, to temporarily quiet Alexandria’s words.

  He pulled back first.

  She brought the back of her hand to her lips. Then she bit her bottom lip. Leaning into him, she rested her cheek on his solid chest. Light from the window cast shadows on his face, accentuating his strong jawline. Avery wanted to believe whatever he said. She needed to think whatever was happening between them was real. But wasn’t that exactly the kind of fairy tale she loathed?

  Because they never really worked out with a happily ever after like in childish books.

  “I won’t see you tomorrow. I’m leaving for a few days,” he said with a stab of regret in his voice.

  She stood there momentarily stunned. Was he just saying that to motivate her to action? It would be just like a man like him to know precisely the right words to make a woman’s knees go weak.

  His strong hand splayed against the small of Avery’s back, positioning her exactly where he wanted her. His kiss, slow and tender at first, barely pressed against her mouth, deepened with passion as she parted her lips for him.

  His tongue flicked inside her mouth for the briefest moment, a mere taste, as though an instant of preparation was needed before surging deeper. The next surge, deep and hungry, was so alarming it robbed Avery’s ability to breathe. Her hands came up to his shoulders for support before sliding down his muscled chest as tingly sensations of awareness coursed through her.

  This infuriatingly beautiful man, even with his hard edge, had sex appeal to spare. It was unfair that one person should end up with so much—the heat of which threatened to melt her bones and leave her body a puddle on the ground—when so many ended up with so little. And she was absolutely sure she was one of the unlucky ones who’d ended up without.

  Her sensible mind told her to run, to get out of there and get this man out of her life, but her body betrayed her as he braided her fingers in his. His eyes were hungry with anticipation. Everything about this man heightened her senses and brought her body to life. His all male and musky scent. His solid-walled chest. His beautiful bronze-colored eyes.