She absorbed every page, every written word, and put it all to memory. By the time shed finished the book it was nearly midnight, and there was no doubt in her mind that bad girls had the market cornered on fun. Shed also realized how to use an erotic letter of her own to show Cole she was a grown, sensual woman who could handle the Russell case, as well as him.
A smile curled her lips. Her fun would start tomorrow morning at the office, and she couldnt wait to see the expression on Coles face when he laid eyes on her.
COLE WALKED INTO the office Monday morning and came to an abrupt halt in the reception area when he caught sight of a woman going through the case files in the drawers behind Melodies desk. Startled, he cast a quick glance around the area for his secretary, but she was nowhere in the vicinity.
Frowning, he quietly moved forward, wondering what the woman was up towas she searching for information on a client case? And where was Melodie? Hed seen her car parked outside, so she had to be in the building somewhere.
His mind considered the odd scenario while more masculine instincts took note of the way the womans fitted lavender skirt clung to her trim backside. The hem ended midthigh, drawing his gaze to long, shapely legs covered in pale, shimmery stockings. Hed yet to see the womans face, but there was no denying she was a knockout from the neck down.
Banishing those wayward thoughts, he stopped in front of Mels desk and cleared his throat to get the other womans attention. Excuse me, can I help you with something?
She whirled around and pressed a hand to her chest in surprise. Cole! Melodie exclaimed breathlessly. I didnt hear you come in!
Cole stared at the gorgeous vision before him, unable to believe his prim, proper and very reserved secretary had somehow metamorphosed into this head-turning, stunning creature. His mind reeled and his body felt as though hed been delivered a punch to his midsection.
Gone was the long, tidy braid his secretary always wore, replaced by a tousled, shoulder-length cut that framed her face in soft waves and looked sexy as hell. Cinnamon-hued highlights had been added to her brunette hair, causing the silky strands to shimmer with the simplest movement of her head. The subtle application of makeup on her face brought out threads of bright gold in her brown eyes hed never noticed before, and her lips were slick with a glossy shade of lipstick that reminded him of a succulent peachone he wanted to gently sink his teeth into and tastebadly.
The knot in his stomach tightened, yet he couldnt stop staring. The cream silk blouse she wore clung to her full breasts in a way her other outfits never had and was buttoned just low enough to give him a glimpse of a creamy swell of flesh. Shed tucked the hem into the trim waistband of her lavender skirt, giving her a sleek, sexy, well-put-together kind of look. The woman had the kind of lush curves that warranted a second glance, and all these years shed hidden them beneath loose dresses and conservative outfits.
Still shocked, his mouth opened to say something, anything, but no words emerged.
She laughed, the soft, throaty sound unlike anything hed ever heard in her tone before. Whats the matter, boss? she asked as a slow, sensual smile lifted her lips. Cat got your tongue?
The proverbial cat not only had his voice, but his groin seemed to be just as affected by her transformation. If hed thought hed been fighting his attraction to her before, he currently felt as though shed launched a full-out assault on his libido, and his restraint!
He shook his head, hard, and tried to regain his composure. Whats with Unable to grasp the appropriate word when his mind was muddled with arousal, he gestured from the top of her head to the three-inch heels on her feet with an impatient wave of his hand. Everything.
Its the new me, she replied, and twirled around, giving him a 360-degree view of her very feminine assets. I was in the mood for a change. What do you think?
The problem was, he couldnt think, at least not with any part of his anatomy located above the belt. Mind-blowing was the first word that came to mind, followed by provocative. With that crushable hair, those luscious lips and those endlessly long legs, she was his most carnal fantasy come to life.
Although it seemed crazy, he wondered if their conversation last week about her not accompanying him to the charity auction had instigated this radical transformation in her. Not that he had any intention of changing his mind about her doing the job.
He swallowed to ease his parched throat. You look Amazing, tempting and too damned beddable. Really nice, he forced out blandly.
Some of the confidence glimmering in her gaze dwindled, and he experienced a mixture of relief and regret for bursting her enthusiasm. But the last thing he wanted to do was encourage her brazen behavior in any way. He was already having a difficult enough time with his bodys response to this new and sensual Melodie.
So, instead, he focused on business. Any calls this morning?
She hesitated for a moment, then straightened her shoulders once again, as if attempting to rebolster her fortitude. Reaching across her desk, she gathered a few pink message slips and handed them his way, her movements slow and unhurried instead of quick and efficient, as was her usual manner.
Lance Keesling returned your call from Friday, she said, and even her voice sounded lower, huskier, to his ears. Jonas Goodwin would like an update on the Williams insurance fraud case, and Bobby Malone will be stopping by later this afternoon with the information you needed on the MacGregor custody case.
He nodded succinctly. Bobby Malone was a detective with the Oakland P.D., and also a good friend of Noahs. The two of them traded professional favors on cases when needed, and Cole was waiting for crucial information on a prior felon embroiled in a custody dispute with one of his clients.
Great, he said, glancing back at her after reviewing the messages shed taken for him. Could you pull the Goodwin case file for me and bring it to my office, please?
Its already on your desk, she replied efficiently.
Thank you. At least some things hadnt changed, he thought gratefully. Despite Melodies new attitude and alluring appearance, she was still the same old reliable, conscientious secretary hed come to depend on in the office.
And thats all he cared about, he told himself firmly.
Good morning, everyone, Noahs deep, cheerful voice sounded from behind Cole as he entered the reception area, followed by a quick inhalation as he obviously caught sight of Melodie. Holy sh he cut himself off. Cole turned to see his shocked outburst replaced with a wolfish grin. Who in the heck is this impostor? Certainly not our sweet Mel!
A pink blush swept across her cheeks, but something much more mischievous flickered in her eyes. Maybe Im her naughty twin.
Oh, I like that, Noah said with a too-charming laugh that grated on Coles nerves. Noah circled around the desk, grabbed Melodies hand, spun her in a circle for a full inspection, then made a low, growling sound of approval and appreciation. You look incredible. I think I need to modify sweet stuff to hot stuff.
She beamed up at him. That would definitely go with my new image.
Hot stuff it is, Noah confirmed, winking playfully at her.
Oh, I like that, Noah said with a too-charming laugh that grated on Coles nerves. Noah circled around the desk, grabbed Melodies hand, spun her in a circle for a full inspection, then made a low, growling sound of approval and appreciation. You look incredible. I think I need to modify sweet stuff to hot stuff.
She beamed up at him. That would definitely go with my new image.
Hot stuff it is, Noah confirmed, winking playfully at her.
An odd tension settled down the nape of Coles neck and he was loath to acknowledge its source. Noah had always been a shameless flirt when it came to all women, yet Cole didnt care for the way his brother was eyeing Mels newly revealed attributes he, himself, had ogled earlier.
He clenched his jaw in frustration and issued a stern internal lecture. Hed never been a jealous man when it came to the opposite sex, and he didnt intend to start now with a woman he had no business lusting over.
Im glad you came in early, Noah, he said, drawing his brothers gaze back to him. Can I see you in my office for a few minutes?
Noah let go of Melodies hand and nodded. Sure. He followed Cole down the short hall to his office, then dropped into one of the chairs in front of his desk. Whats up?
Taking his own seat, Cole rolled his shoulders to ease the taught muscles stretching across his back. Do you have time this week to do some surveillance work?
Yeah, I can wing it. What do you need?
Its for the Russell case. Id like you to tail Jerry Thornton and see if hes involved with another woman and uncover whatever you can regarding his credibility. Withdrawing a piece of paper from his blotter, he pushed it across his desk toward Noah. Heres his home and work address and a photo, along with other pertinent info.
Resting an ankle over the opposite knee, Noah gave the notes a cursory glance, then slanted Cole a furtive look. Speaking of the Russell case, your sexy, sophisticated, intelligent candidate for the charity auction is standing in the other room.
Who? Melodie? he asked, his tone infused with a plausible amount of incredulityhe hoped.
Noah smirked. No, her naughty twin.
Forget it, he told his brother firmly. I refuse to cross that professional line with my own secretary.
In order to cross a professional line you need to be attracted to her, Noah drawled, insinuating as much. Come on, Cole, shes perfect for what you need.
Coles needs were making themselves known with a vengeance. Since the moment hed laid eyes on Melodies newly revealed bottom and long legs, his body had been clamoring for a more physical kind of contact. A languid dose of desire had settled beneath his skin, a nagging ache he feared would get much worse if Melodie continued her beguiling performance.
And its not as though you have to sleep with her, Noah added wryly.
Oh, but he wanted to, Cole thought, no longer shocked by his sinful thoughts where Melodie was concerned. Too easily, he could envision her sprawled on his king-sized bed, his own aroused body covering hers as his fingers sank deep into her silky hair and his mouth tasted her lips, her neck, her breasts. Oh, yeah, he wanted, and there was no sense in blatantly tempting himself with what he couldnt have.
Look, I refuse to put Melodie in that kind of position. Or himself for that matter. If, for some reason, something on the case goes wrong, I dont want to risk losing a damn good secretary.
Noah looked as though he was struggling not to burst out laughing at Coles ridiculous excuse, but managed to keep his expression composed. Whatever you say. Standing, he pocketed the information Cole had given him on Jerry Thornton. Ill get right on the surveillance and let you know what I find out.
Cole nodded succinctly, grateful that he was no longer under his brothers scrutiny. Thanks, I appreciate it.
Once Noah was gone, Cole deliberately buried himself in follow-up work on current cases to keep himself occupied and busy. Unfortunately, his secretary had more distracting matters in mind. Every time she walked into his office to deliver paperwork or discuss a case report with him, his gaze strayed unerringly to her swaying hips and shapely legs as she glided toward his desk in a slow, tantalizing stride. More times than he cared to admit, he caught himself staring at the soft roundness of her breasts beneath her blouse and had even witnessed a sensuous glow in her eyes when he dared to meet her gaze. Hell, even his ears perked up when she answered the phone, just so he could listen to her speak in that soft, husky tone of voice that matched her alluring packaging.
He was completely and totally aware of Melodie, in every way imaginable. Just as shed intended, no doubt. And with every inviting smile she cast his way, coupled with a few accidental brushes of their bodies as they passed in the hallway, she added fuel to the fiery flame burning deep inside him.
By the end of the workday, he was tied up in knots, and so mentally and physically aroused he was ready to come out of his skin with a mere whisper of a touch.
The now familiar swishing sound that accompanied Mels approach down the hall to his office put his unruly hormones back on full alert. With effort, he tamped down his eager response, and by the time shed entered the spacious room, hed schooled his features to reflect casual interest.
It had been blessedly quiet for the past hour. At a quarter after six, the front-end phone was silent, and both Noah and Jo were gone for the eveningwhich left him all alone with Melodie. His muscles tensed at the realization. Normally that wouldnt be a cause for concern, considering more often than not she worked late with him, but that was before shed turned herself into an impudent minx.
Can I run something by you, Cole? she asked, her tone as serious as her expression.
Ahh, business he could handle. A piece of paper in her hand legitimized her request and made his shoulders relax again. Sure. What is it?
A letter. Instead of taking one of the chairs in front of his desk, she came around to where he sat and settled herself on a cleared spot of polished mahogany to his left. One Id like to read to you, if thats okay.
She crossed one slender, stocking-clad leg over the otherin the same prim and proper way shed done a hundred times before while taking notes for him on a case. Except shed never sat on his desk in such a brazen manner, and shed never worn a skirt so short it ought to be deemed illegal for all the wicked, decadent thoughts it inspired.
He leaned back in his leather chair to put much-needed distance between them. Is this for a case?
She appeared momentarily nervous, which quickly ebbed into an adorable look of perseverance. Yes, it is.
Curiosity edged out the caution nagging at his conscience. All right. Lets hear it.
Her chest rose and fell as she inhaled a deep breath, then her thick lashes lowered and her gaze dropped to read what shed written on the piece of stationery in her hand. Youve been in my thoughts all day long, and now were finally together, she began, her soft voice at first quivering and unsteady. Ive caught you watching me when you think Im not looking and it excites me to know that Ive captured your attention, and that you might possibly want me as much as Ive wanted you. Your gaze drifts over me, as soft as a caress and as warm as a sultry summer night, making me heady with breathless anticipation.