Takeover (Real Men Crave Curves Book 2) Read online

Chapter Six

  Megan

  I watched Leland Brown scramble out of the inner office like his life depended on it. But even the fear painted so plainly across his face wasn’t going to stop me.

  Taking a deep breath, I stood up and smoothed out my blouse and skirt, wishing I felt more put-together for the confrontation that was about to take place.

  With my head held high, even though I still wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to say, I marched through the door Leland had left wide open during his escape.

  Eric Castle was standing behind his desk with a stormy look on his face. My steps faltered as I took in his clenched fists, heaving chest, and bunched biceps. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if it was worry or wonder that made me pause.

  Giving my head a shake, I tilted my chin up and moved closer to the imposing desk that had belonged to a man I’d loved and respected not too long ago.

  “Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  The new boss didn’t skip a beat. “Right now, I’m wishing that I had kicked that sniveling little bastard’s ass.”

  My mouth dropped open at his response. “Wait, what?”

  “I just found out some disturbing news and I don’t have time to chit chat with you right now,” Eric said with the wave of one hand. “Why don’t you go grab me a coffee?”

  I felt my own fists clench at being treated like a silly girl that wasn’t good for anything other than domestic tasks. It was shit like this that had made me steer clear of men in the first place.

  I’d had to watch my father treat my mother like a glorified maid as I grew up. She went from happy and confident to defeated and cowering before I was even out of high school. That was not going to happen to me. Period.

  My spine stiffened and I pulled my shoulders back. “I’m not your housekeeper or nanny, Mr. Castle. I’m also not a servant that you can order around. If you can’t get that through your head, we’re going to have some problems.”

  “I didn’t realize asking my personal assistant for coffee would be an issue,” the former mechanic replied with a raised eyebrow and the beginnings of a smile. “But I take your meaning, Megan, and will work on it. Okay?”

  My whole body was trembling but I nodded. “Yes, okay, that would be appreciated. What else can I do to help you?”

  At that, Eric’s face did break out into a smile, but it was short-lived. That stormy look of his returned as he responded to my question.

  “Nothing. Unless you have some idea of how to stop a corporate takeover.”

  “Wait, you want to stop it? I thought you started it!”

  I was sure my face was a comical mask of surprise at that point, but I honestly didn’t care – I was too pleased to learn that I wasn’t the only one against the dissolution of the Kettle Auto Group.

  Eric looked me up and down, as if really considering me for the first time. “I loved Don Kettle. I would never let his company go under. Never.”

  Well, how about that? He’s not the devil, after all. Not when it comes to this whole thing, at least…

  I looked him right in the eyes and gave a brisk nod. “It seems as if we’re on the same page, Mr. Castle. Let me go get that cup of coffee for you.”

  Eric

  I’d been wracking my brain and wishing like hell that Don was still alive when Megan stormed into my office. I had forgotten all about her during the chaos.

  Seeing her juicy curves again when I was so pissed off was strange. It was like my mind and my body were in complete disagreement – a new sensation that I didn’t like.

  Before having the operation of the Kettle Auto Group thrust upon me, I would have loved to take Megan for a one-night test drive and find out just what those curves felt like under my hands.

  But now, I had much bigger things on my mind, and I wasn’t happy about it. Which was probably why I was so dismissive with my new assistant.

  And the sass that I got back! God, I loved a feisty woman, but they seemed to be a rarity these days. The women I’d chatted with on those dating apps had all been total airheads. More concerned about their hair than the world around them.

  Megan Barnes was a whole different beast. As she gave me a piece of her mind, I realized I hadn’t been attracted to anyone so much since those bad dealings I’d had with Heidi all those years ago.

  That both thrilled and terrified me. There was no way I was getting sucked back into something like that again. I didn’t care how much Megan revved my motor.

  I didn’t like to admit it, but Heidi had broken my heart, and she was a big part of the reason why I’d left the business world in the first place.

  Loving and losing a woman like that wasn’t something I was interested in going through again. I’d rather stick with the infrequent hookups that had gotten me through the years after that debacle with Heidi.

  My plan was to enjoy the office eye candy and keep my focus on running my new company. Hell, on saving it from the jaws of an international giant, at this point.

  And as big of a temptation as Megan represented, I saw that she was smart and more than capable. She was also my only ally right now, as far as I could tell.

  I knew that I’d need all the help I could get if I was going to keep the Kettle Auto Group afloat. That’s why I called out to Megan as she left to get me some coffee.

  “I think we should have dinner tonight, if you don’t have any other plans.”

  I saw her freeze in place and her shoulders go up in surprise. She’d already written me of as a cocky jerk, from what I could tell, and being asked to dinner like this was probably not where she’d seen things going.

  “We need to figure out how to keep the company safe, and I think we should do that in private, don’t you? No reason to panic anyone else in the office.”

  Megan turned around and I could see her working over my suggestion in her head. Just when I thought she was going to turn me down flat, she tilted her head to the side in an adorably sincere way and accepted with her typical sass.

  “Just dinner. And just to figure out how to fix this.”

  With that, she walked away and I watched her go, transfixed by the way her rounded ass moved underneath her skirt.

  I stood there trying to cool down and reminding myself that there was no way I was going to let her get under my skin, no matter how much I liked what I saw.

  Like she said, it’s just dinner. That’s it and that’s all…

  Chapter Seven

  Megan

  I spent the rest of my work day doing my best to keep Eric Castle off of my mind. Of course, the fact that I worked for him made that more than a little difficult.

  Being able to see him through the glass walls of his office didn’t help either. I found myself staring at his bulging biceps in spite of myself, and for much longer than I should have.

  I also avoided having to go into his office, even though I used to spend a lot of time in there with Mr. Kettle. But when five o’clock finally rolled around, I took a deep breath and poked my head through the partially open door.

  “If it’s alright with you, Mr. Castle, I’m going to head home now.”

  The boss man was staring sternly at his computer screen and just gave me a grunt that I took for consent. I was half-hoping that he’d forgotten all about having dinner together.

  Eric Castle might be the sexiest older man I’d ever laid eyes on, but I also got the distinct impression that he was more complicated than he seemed, and that he could be a big source of trouble, if given half the chance.

  Just as I’d talked myself out of any excitement at the thought of sharing a meal with him and had decided I was better off in the long run, Eric looked up and captured my eyes with his.

  “I’ll pick you up at seven o’clock sharp for dinner,” he said in his deep, appealing voice. “The address we have on file for you is still accurate, I take it?”

  So much for him just being a lucky grease monkey, I thought with slight wonder at how much sharper he was th
en I’d first imagined.

  Trying not to let my surprise show, I nodded my head and began to back out of the doorway. I wanted to get home to think, shower and change, and think some more.

  “Good, that makes things easier,” Eric said before finally returning his eyes to the computer screen. “Oh, and be sure and wear something nice, Megan.”

  “Yes, sir!” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

  Feeling like an idiot and wondering what the hell was wrong with me, I hurried over to my desk and grabbed my things, trying not to wonder or care if Eric was watching.

  As I waited for the elevator to come, I couldn’t stop myself from nervously shifting my weight from foot to foot, and when it finally arrived, I caught a glimpse of myself in the shiny doors as they opened.

  My face was flushed and my eyes were bright with excitement. I tried to blame this on having a role in saving the company. Or even the thought of having a rare night out on the town.

  But there was a small ball of heat in my belly that only seemed to flare up when I was around the cocky new boss. I heaved a sigh and closed my eyes as I rode down to the parking garage.

  As I got into my car and headed home, I turned my focus toward what I would wear, but try as I might, I couldn’t get that heat to go away.

  And I couldn’t seem to convince myself that I was prepping for a dinner that was just about business, no matter how much I still told myself that was all I wanted it to be.

  **********

  At exactly seven o’clock, I heard the beep of a car horn in my driveway, and when I peeked out between the blinds, I saw Eric Castle behind the wheel of a black Escalade.

  Before I could lose my nerve, I grabbed my purse and breezed out the door to the waiting vehicle, as if I did this sort of thing every day.

  I took deep breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth as I made my way to the passenger side door, hoping to calm my racing heart and cool my flushed face.

  “Well, aren’t you as pretty as a picture?” Eric asked as I opened the door and climbed up into the luxury SUV. “Glad to see you wore something nice, as requested.”

  Something stirred inside of me at his words, but I couldn’t tell if I was feeling irritation or excitement – that’s how confused and crazy this man was making me.

  “Thank you, Mr. Castle,” I said softly as I buckled my seatbelt. “I wanted to look professional for our dinner.”

  He looked at me with an arched eyebrow. “Message received. It’s all about business. But please call me Eric, no matter what kind of dinner we’re about to have. I don’t need to feel any older than I already am.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright then. Thank you, Eric.”

  “You’re very welcome, Megan.”

  I waited for him to back out of the driveway, but he just sat there and looked at me. I felt the ball of heat at my core that never really went away grow bigger and hotter.

  My skin was tingling and I could feel his eyes crawling up and down my body, drinking in every detail of me as I sat there in silence.

  I knew it should feel creepy being stared at like that, especially by my boss, but there was an ever increasing part of me that was enjoying it. I was glad I’d spent extra time on choosing my outfit and doing my makeup.

  I’d gone with a flowing summer dress that showcased my curves in all the best ways. My strappy pumps were sexy without being slutty and I’d done my face up in a similar way – just enough to accentuate what nature had given me.

  “You look beautiful,” Eric finally said in a thick voice before clearing his throat and putting the car into gear. “I think you’ll like the restaurant where we’re going.”

  I’d thought for a moment there that he was going to lean over and kiss me, and I was surprised by the disappointment I felt when he didn’t.

  “I’m sure that I will,” I mumbled and turned my eyes to face forward. “I expect it’s just right for a business dinner.”

  I saw Eric turn and look at me, but I kept my gaze on the road in front of us. I’d obviously made a mistake in thinking this was about more than saving the Kettle Auto Group.

  But then he pulled up to a stoplight and I felt the heavy warmth of his hand on my shoulder, and I turned to look into those piercing blue eyes of his.

  “Don told me many times that the Stratford Hotel is an excellent place for business dinners. But they’re also famous for their luxurious accommodations and complete discretion.”

  Pleasure shot through me, starting where Eric’s hand rested, and then joining that ball of heat in my belly.

  I held Eric’s gaze until the traffic light changed and he was forced into action by the horn of the driver behind us.

  All I could do was sit there trembling and wondering where this night might lead. And trying to figure out which way I wanted it to go…

  Chapter Eight

  Eric

  I’d spent my work day riding Leland and his lackeys about what had to be done to get the whole takeover situation under control. Well, that and doing my damnedest to keep my eyes off Megan.

  But the closer things got to a resolution business-wise, the harder denying my desire for her became. Which is probably why I chose the Stratford for our dinner venue.

  Don Kettle had told me he’d had many successful business dinners there. But I also knew the hotel was infamous for being where executives went to have their hottest affairs.

  I couldn’t deny that fact was on my mind when I made the dinner reservation for myself and Megan. Or when I took the added step of booking a room at the same time.

  I was still battling with myself over what I wanted to have happen with Megan that night when I pulled into her driveway and honked the Escalade’s horn.

  I was musing over some of the excellent perks of being the boss, including my choice of any vehicle on any of our dealership lots, when Megan walked out and took my breath away.

  She was wearing a pretty pink sundress that not only hugged all of her lush curves, but also set off her natural coloring to perfection.

  I did my best to keep my jaw from dropping as she walked up to the luxury SUV and climbed up into the passenger seat.

  I watched as she buckled her seatbelt and got a glimpse of her breasts as she twisted in her seat. And here I thought I couldn’t want her any more than I already did.

  Even still, I was determined to keep my eyes off her while I was driving. I didn’t want to put us into a ditch by staring too long and hard.

  After making it safely to the Stratford, I handed the keys to the valet and hurried over to help Megan. I didn’t like the thought of another man’s hands being on her, even if he was just doing his job.

  I soaked up the feeling of her soft warmth under my touch for a few moments as I helped lower her out of her seat and watched as she smoothed down her dress.

  “Shall we?” I asked and held out my arm.

  Megan looked at me as if I was a curled snake that could strike at any moment. But then she gave a sigh and linked her arm through mine.

  We were led to a private booth at the back of the ritzy dining room by the maître d’ and left to examine the menu and soak up the ambience.

  I kept my eyes on Megan and could tell by the way she snuck wide-eyed glances around the room that she was impressed by what she saw.

  “I’ve never been here,” she admitted as she turned slightly in her seat to take in the gleaming wood of the nearby dance floor. “It’s lovely, isn’t it?”

  “Almost as lovely as you are.”

  The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, but I was rewarded with a soft smile and the pretty pink flush of her cheeks, instead of another fearful and suspicious look.

  I might be making some headway here, after all…

  A waiter wearing a tuxedo sidled up to the table and I asked for white wine. He nodded and vanished as quickly as he’d appeared, only to return moments later with two glasses and a pricey-looking bottle.

  H
e began to fill the glasses, but I waved him away. I wanted Megan all to myself this evening. I poured the wine and passed her a glass, being sure to let my finger trail over hers softly as I did.

  As we drank, we chatted about work and I told her that I was working hard with the legal team to make sure that the Kettle Auto Group stayed as it is.

  “That’s wonderful, Eric,” she said and I loved watching her lips form my name. “It would break my heart if things turned out any differently.”

  Megan was on her third glass of wine by then and her eyes shone prettily in her flushed face. I couldn’t wait any longer to get her into my arms.

  “Would you like to dance, Megan?”

  “I thought this was a business dinner?”

  The teasing look she gave me took me by surprise. I couldn’t help but think staking my claim on this curvy cutie would be easier than it had first appeared.

  I stood up and held out my hand. Megan took it and I led her out onto the dance floor, where we joined several other couples that were already swaying to the music.

  Hot desire flooded through me the moment I pulled Megan against me and wrapped her up in my embrace. I’d barely touched her and I could already feel my cock stirring in my pants.

  As our bodies moved together and my need for her grew, I looked into Megan’s eyes, and I could see that she felt how much I wanted her and that she wanted me too.

  I leaned forward and claimed her mouth with mine. I could both feel and hear the soft moan that escaped her lips and I knew that I had to get her alone.

  “I happen to have a room upstairs,” I whispered. “Would you care to join me for some privacy?”

  I could see the wheels spinning in her head and I also saw the exact moment when she decided to let me in. “I think I might like that a lot, actually.”

  That was all I needed to hear. I wrapped an arm around Megan’s waist and led her to the elevators in the hotel lobby, not even bothering to let the wait staff know that we were leaving before dinner had been served.

  Right then, I had much more important things on my mind than food…