Seduction on the CEO's Terms Read Online Free PDF

grand tour.”
    Ali watched him leave, her heart in her throat. She couldn’t fight her feelings any longer. All shreds of rationality escaped her. She’d never before met a man like Joe Carlino. Before, she’d welcomed the challenge to get him interested in her. But now, it went deeper than that. She admired Joe, found him unique and intelligent andsexy as sin. Emotions washed over as a question entered her mind.
    Could she be falling in love with her boss?
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    â€œI think your home will work out nicely,” Ali said after a cup of coffee and not-half-bad eggs Benedict. Joe cooked like he did everything else, with honed precision and accuracy.
    She sat at the patio table after he’d given her the grand tour of his home. Stunning was an understatement. Joe’s mother must have had a hand in decorating the house. He’d always spoken so fondly of her sweet, calming ways, and her talent for making a house a home was evident everywhere.
    The entire home, though updated with modern conveniences, oozed warmth and love, giving off a Mediterranean flair from the polished carved wood furniture and colorful sofas to the pale golden walls and inlaid stone flooring.
    Where the first floor was set to bring in the harmony of the family, the upstairs was laid out to accommodate privacy, each wing being a home within a home. The parents and three sons could enjoy their private suites and never bump into one another.
    Silly, but Ali pictured herself here with Joe, living in the east wing of the house. It wasn’t the grandeur that appealed to her but the sense of stability. Seeing Joe’s brothers interact with each other—witnessing their family ties—had touched a sentimental chord within her.
    She’d never had a real place to call home.
    She fought her resentment tooth and nail, yet Ali couldn’t forgive her mother for her lifestyle. She’d dragged her young child from town to town, marrying men who’dlook upon Ali as a burden. At least, she’d always felt like a necessary evil that Justine’s husbands had to endure.
    Ali had inherited her mother’s feisty, bubbly nature. She wasn’t shy by any means. But unlike her mother, Ali had a career that she enjoyed. She’d worked hard for everything she’d achieved in life including her bachelor’s degree in business. She had brains, thank goodness, and liked to use them.
    But now, she was at a complete loss with her strong feelings for Joe. She’d never been in love before and wondered if the impeding sense of dread and earth-shattering excitement she felt was normal. The conflicting mix of emotions put her on unsteady ground.
    And other than that one kiss, he really hadn’t laid a hand on her. She’d never want to resort to her mother’s means for snaring a man, and therein was her problem.
    â€œWhere should we hold the renewal of vows?” Joe asked, his focus and those dark piercing eyes intent on her. He’d changed from his swim trunks to black casual trousers and a white button-down shirt. Joe the Hunk had changed back into Joe the Boss.
    She came out of her stupor to reply to his question. “Poolside. I think that’ll be perfect,” she said, the notion in her mind gaining momentum. “The sound of the rock waterfall and the glistening water below will be a great backdrop. We’ll have a flower archway made for them to say their vows underneath but nothing too elaborate. The grounds are enough.”
    Joe looked out at the pool, giving a nod of agreement. “I think you’re right.”
    â€œI’m always right,” she teased.
    â€œI know.” Joe didn’t blink as he shot back his response.
    Ali stared into his eyes. Did he really have that muchfaith in her abilities? “I think Rena will be pleased with what I have in mind. Do you think Tony will like my ideas?”
    â€œWithout a doubt. He has the woman he loves. That’s all he