Blazing Bedtime Stories, Volume VI Read online

  Greta laughed out loud at his ridiculous statement, then covered her lips with her damp mitten. He might as well have said, “She’s my pet raccoon” for all the conviction his words held. “Sorry,” she murmured. “Cold air, dry throat.”

  To further prove his point, Alex pulled her closer. “Greta, this is Thea Michaels, president and CEO of Te Adora Cosmetics.”

  Thea’s expression slowly transformed from warm and welcoming to cool and aloof. “Your girlfriend?”

  Greta swallowed another laugh and put on a calm expression. “I know. I can barely believe it myself. We just went official on Facebook yesterday,” Greta explained. “It’s so nice to meet you. Alex talks about you all the time.”

  “Strange. He’s never mentioned you,” Thea muttered, sending Greta a condescending glare.

  “We always talk about business,” Alex said. “I guess I misunderstood. I had no idea you meant this to be a business weekend.”

  “No, you were right. This weekend was supposed to be all about pleasure,” Thea said. Her gaze was fixed on Alex and for a moment, Greta thought the woman was about to pounce. No wonder they called them cougars.

  “Well, sixteen inches of new powder is about all the pleasure I can handle,” Alex said. He glanced between them both. “Not that we don’t enjoy…” He cleared his throat.

  A long silence spun out between them. What was this woman waiting for? Greta wondered. She’d probably be thrilled if Greta just wandered out into the storm never to be seen again. It would serve Alex right! She knew what Thea Michaels had been up to all along. “Yes, we do enjoy that,” Greta said. “But we wouldn’t want to spoil your weekend. Maybe we should head back to Denver and—”

  Thea sighed dramatically. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’ll spend the weekend, exactly as planned.” She waved them inside. “Come out of the cold and take off your jackets.”

  Alex set Greta’s bag on the floor, then gallantly helped her out of her jacket. He hung it in a nearby closet, before shrugging out of his parka. “This is a beautiful place,” he said.

  “I had it built a few years ago. I can be completely alone up here. I can walk around naked if I choose. Oh, and speaking of getting naked, there’s a hot tub on the back deck and a whirlpool tub for two in the guest suite.”

  “All the comforts,” Alex said.

  “Yes. Well, let me show you to your rooms.”

  “Rooms?” Alex asked.

  “Wouldn’t you be more comfortable with separate rooms?” Thea cooed, reaching out and brushing snow out of Alex’s hair. “We have plenty of bedrooms. No need to be crowded.”

  “That would be fabulous,” Greta said. “He snores and sometimes I can’t get a bit of sleep.”

  “No, one room is fine,” Alex insisted.

  “Top of the stairs,” Thea said, irritation in her tone. “Why don’t you two get settled and then join me for drinks.” She wandered off in the direction of what Greta assumed was the kitchen, her hips swaying provocatively beneath the fabric of her pajamas.

  “I love it when I’m right,” Greta whispered.

  2

  “WE ARE NOT going to sleep in the same room,” Greta insisted. “That point is not negotiable.”

  Alex tossed Greta’s bag on the bed, then sat down, raking his hands through his damp hair. “I am not sleeping alone. If you’re not in here with me, then she will be.”

  Greta paced in front of him, a worried expression on her pretty face. Alex grabbed her hand to stop her, forcing her to stand in front of him. “Just play along, Adler. I promise, I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”

  “This place really is incredible,” Greta said as she took in the luxurious interior of the bedroom. “I bet she brings all the men she wants to seduce up here.”

  Greta was right, Alex mused. This was no cabin, but a palace of seduction disguised as a mountain retreat. The lighting was designed for mood, the bedding made to appeal to the naked body, and the remote location perfect for any type of indoor or outdoor activity that required absolute privacy and discretion.

  “I guess turning rotten pineapples into face cream has its advantages,” Greta muttered, twisting out of his grasp. “It can buy you anything you want, including a man.”

  Alex cursed softly. “I don’t want you making cracks about her business. She’s still a client and I don’t want anything that’s said or done this weekend to mess that up.”

  Greta flopped down on the bed and threw her arms out. “Oh, please, just let me have a little fun with this. It will be the only bright spot of the weekend, I’m afraid.”

  Alex lay back beside her, then turned onto his stomach. “I’ll admit it. You were right. Are you satisfied?” He could always trust Greta to get to the heart of the matter when it came to relationships.

  “Did you see that outfit she was wearing? This was all a setup. Had you and Dave showed up, you would have been frolicking in the hot tub within an hour.”

  “I don’t frolic with clients. Do you really think she planned to seduce both of us?”

  “She probably just wanted Dave as a backup, in case you had a crisis of conscience.”

  “You really think she’d pick me over Dave?”

  “Of course,” Greta said. “You’re much more attractive than Dave.”

  “He’s taller,” Alex said.

  “Yes,” Greta said. “But you have a much hotter body. And you’re much prettier.”

  Alex groaned and buried his face in the down comforter. Then, he turned and looked at her. “She’s attractive. I mean, there’s no denying that Thea Michaels is hot. But she kind of scares me.”

  “You could stay in our room for the rest of the night. We’ll pretend we’re having sex.” Greta got up on her knees and began to rock the bed. “Just groan every now and then. Oh, baby. Yes, baby. Just like that. Oh, more, more.”

  Alex reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back down. “Quiet, she’ll hear you!”

  Greta landed hard on his chest. Her eyes met his and for a moment, his breath froze in his chest as a sudden realization hit. He wanted to kiss her. Not just a platonic kiss, but a full-on meeting of the mouths. His gaze dropped to her lips.

  Slowly, he slipped his fingers through the hair at her nape and drew her closer. His head began to spin and he took a quick breath, desperate for oxygen and the warmth of her mouth on his.

  His senses had suddenly grown acute and he was certain she could hear his heart beating and the blood rushing through his veins. If he kissed her the way he wanted to, his life would change. He’d be forced to admit that he felt more than just friendship for her.

  As he drew her closer, Greta closed her eyes, as if she welcomed what was coming. Would it feel as good as he remembered? All the rules they’d made to keep this from happening suddenly seemed ridiculously useless. It was just a kiss. One kiss. And when it was over, they’d go back to the way things were supposed to be between them.

  “We shouldn’t do this,” he murmured, hoping for her approval rather than her agreement.

  Greta opened her eyes. Alex watched her, seeing the expression on her face slowly change from expectation to resignation. “You’re right,” she said, the words dying in her throat.

  He cursed softly and then shook his head, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. “No, I’m not.”

  Before she could draw another breath, his mouth came down on hers. They fell back onto the bed, the weight of his leg thrown over her thighs, his fingers still tangled in her hair.

  Her mouth was warm, his tongue teasing hers until she surrendered completely. Desire coursed through his bloodstream, making his heart race. There had been a lot of women in his life since the last time they’d surrendered to their desire, but not one of them had been able to electrify his senses the way Greta did.

  The kiss ended as quickly as it began. When Alex drew back, his common sense suddenly took control and he rolled off her, throwing his arm over his eyes. “I can’t believe I did that. I’m sorry,
Greta. I know we decided that—”

  “No,” Greta murmured. “If we’re going to play a couple for your client, then I guess we have to get past any inhibitions we have about physical contact. It was just a kiss. It’s not like we’re going to go any further…right?”

  He sat up and rubbed his face. “Right. I—I’m just going to go downstairs and check on dinner plans. Why don’t you get settled then join me.”

  Greta nodded as he pushed off the bed and headed to the door. “I really appreciate this, Adler. I’m not sure how to handle Thea, but it’s much easier with you here.”

  When he reached the hallway, Alex closed the door behind him and leaned against it. This was the strangest position he’d ever found himself in. In the bedroom was a woman he wanted, one who didn’t want him. And waiting downstairs was a woman who wanted him, one he didn’t want at all.

  He and Greta had settled the rules of their friendship a long time ago and the restrictions they put on any type of romance had served them well. But after that kiss, maybe it was time to renegotiate.

  It had been a long time since he’d felt that kind of thrill kissing a woman. Lately, he’d begun to fear that he’d never find a woman who could make his pulse pound and his head spin. Still, Alex couldn’t help wondering whether it was just the forbidden nature of the kiss that made it so powerful.

  Breaking the rules had always been exciting to him. He’d lived his life jumping into new adventures without a thought to the consequences. On any other day, he might have even considered Thea’s offer, if the conditions had been right and the risks minimal.

  But something had shifted in the instant before that kiss, as if his inner compass had flipped upside down. North was south and south was north. He wanted Greta, not just for the night, but for…what? Forever? He already had that. They’d been friends for seven years, and they would remain that way as long as they followed the rules.

  But he wanted to break the rules, to see what lay beyond friendship, to pick up where they’d left off after that drunken night four years ago.

  Before he even attempted to seduce his best friend, he’d have to make sure everything was settled with Thea. Maybe this was all his fault. He’d been friendly to Thea and occasionally indulged in casual flirtation. But he couldn’t recall ever saying anything she could have misconstrued. She was a mature and intelligent woman and knew the impropriety of getting involved with him. But unlike Greta, Thea Michaels didn’t always play by the rules. If she saw something she wanted, she took it and damn the consequences.

  And right now, Alex was pretty sure she wanted him—or maybe just an attractive male to warm her bed. He glanced back at the bedroom door, wondering what was going through Greta’s mind.

  Maybe he ought to go in and apologize. But he wasn’t sorry about what had happened. How could he be? Kissing Adler, touching her, felt like the absolute right thing to do. He said a silent prayer, hoping that she felt the same way.

  Alex slowly walked down the stairs. He found Thea standing in front of the fireplace, a glass of wine dangling from her perfectly manicured fingers, the silky fabric of her pajamas clinging to her well-toned body. She slowly turned as she heard him approach. “Well, aren’t we a cozy little threesome,” she murmured.

  “Is that what you were expecting when you invited Dave and me?” he asked, smiling weakly. “I have to give you credit, it was a bold move.”

  “I didn’t get to where I am today by playing it safe,” she murmured. “And just because you brought your little friend doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves. I can be discreet—if I have good reason. And you are definitely a good reason.”

  “Thea, as flattered as I am by the offer, I just don’t think—”

  “Oh, please, don’t give me that excuse,” she said, an irritated edge to her voice. “Surely you’re bright enough to separate business from pleasure. I don’t see any reason why we can’t enjoy both sides of our relationship.” She slowly strolled over to him and reached out to brush his hair from his forehead. “So, tell me about this girl. Is it serious or just a passing thing?”

  “It’s serious,” he said, stepping away from her. The ease with which the words came out of his mouth caused him to pause. It wasn’t a lie. He considered his friendship with Greta the most important in his life. “She’s very…sweet.”

  “Bananas are sweet, but I wouldn’t recommend a steady diet of them. Maybe you need hot.”

  “Thea, I appreciate—”

  She pressed her finger over his lips. “We’re both adults. We have needs. If you’re worried about your job, Alex, I guarantee that nothing will change…except, of course, my affections for you. Which could actually work in your favor.”

  “Thea, I just don’t think it would be a good idea. I’m…” He paused and swallowed hard. “I’m in love with Greta. Totally and completely in love. You are a beautiful, sexy and very tempting woman and under different circumstances, I would have jumped at the offer. But there are rules about these things. For good reason.”

  “And I thought you were the kind of man who enjoyed breaking the rules every now and then.”

  “You really don’t know me outside our professional relationship.”

  “That’s what this weekend was for,” Thea replied. She took a slow sip of her wine, then set it down on a nearby table. “So how do they feel about your girlfriend at the office? Interoffice romance is usually not something management condones.” She smiled lazily as she approached him again. “Unless no one knows. Are you keeping it all a secret, Alex? Because that would indicate to me that you are willing to bend the rules.”

  Alex gently took her hand from his shoulder then let it drop. “We haven’t had dinner. And I’m starving. How about I make something for the three of us?”

  “Forget dinner,” she cooed.

  “I’m hungry. And so is Ad—Greta. As long as we’re all stuck here, we might as well enjoy a meal together.”

  “Fine. Let’s start with a drink. You need to relax. What can I get you?”

  “Beer?”

  “Let me make you something guaranteed to relax you,” she said. She wandered over to the wet bar near the kitchen and opened the liquor cabinet. Alex turned and found a safe spot near the fireplace where the wrought-iron tools would be close at hand if he needed a weapon to fend off an attack.

  He shouldn’t really be surprised that she was so persistent. Thea Michaels was a self-made multimillionaire, a woman who clawed her way to the top without the benefit of family money, business connections or higher education. And with that success came the ability to indulge in every little whim that crossed her mind.

  Some of her romantic liaisons had been public relations disasters and her last affair, with an Argentinean polo player, had ended with her paying a hefty settlement to keep him quiet. It was no wonder she’d come looking in his direction. He was a safe bet, someone who’d have something to gain and lose from a dalliance.

  But was his reputation really that bad? Around the office, he was known as a ladies’ man and obviously Thea had decided to take advantage of his reputation. In the past, Adler had teased him about being a man whore, a skirt chaser and a slut puppy. He couldn’t deny that he enjoyed the company of women. And he didn’t feel the need to restrain himself.

  But lately, he’d begun to tire of the game. Long nights trolling the bars, searching for someone who fascinated him, someone who held his interest longer than a drink or two. He and Adler had been spending more time together, painting her apartment, browsing antiques stores for furniture, ending a busy weekend with a Sunday-night movie and take-out Chinese.

  In truth, he liked hanging out with Greta, better than any of his guy friends and certainly more than any woman he’d met in the past year. They had fun together, when they weren’t bickering. And after what had passed upstairs, they shared a lot more than friendship.

  Alex wasn’t sure what the weekend held for him. It could be an unmitigated disaster or the beginning of somethin
g miraculous. As long as he kept his head on straight and avoided all the sexual land mines in the road, he’d survive.

  But before he could make his escape, Thea caught his arm and pulled him to a stop. “I know what I want, darling,” she said, running her fingers down his chest. “And if she doesn’t please you, I’m sure I can.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He forced a smile. “You know, I’m going to go check on Greta. I’m sure she’s getting hungry by now.”

  “Such an attentive boyfriend,” Thea murmured. “I hope she’s worth it.”

  “Oh, she is,” he murmured. And he was only just now beginning to realize just how much she meant to him.

  * * *

  GRETA SANK DOWN into the hot water, the bubbles washing up around her naked body. “Oh, this is bliss,” she murmured, closing her eyes and allowing her mind to wander. French bubble bath, scented candles, plush cotton towels. This was exactly what she needed to wash away the stress and confusion of the day.

  And yet, the moment she closed her eyes, Greta was plagued with memories of the kiss she and Alex had just shared. She ran her hands over her arms, surprised by the goose bumps that prickled her skin.

  A knock sounded on the bathroom door and Greta sat up, crossing her arms over her breasts.

  “Are you decent?” Alex called.

  “I’m taking a bath,” Greta replied.

  He tried the door and found it unlocked, then walked in, his hand over his eyes. “All right, you need to get downstairs right now.”

  “Get out!” Greta cried, throwing a wet sponge at him. “I’m naked.”

  “I’ve seen it all before,” Alex countered, parting his fingers to look at her. “What are you doing taking a bath? I need you downstairs to run interference.”

  “She’s your client, you handle her.”

  He let his hand drop to his side. “That’s exactly what she wants, to be handled.” He crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the tub.