Seduction on the CEO's Terms Read Online Free PDF Page B

cares about.”
    â€œI wish,” Ali began, then bit down on her bottom lip.
    â€œWhat do you wish?” Joe asked, touching a finger to his glasses. Ali knew his gestures and that one meant true curiosity. She couldn’t relay her innermost wish, but she could turn the tables on him.
    â€œHave you ever been in love, Joe?”
    He blinked and shot his head back in surprise. “Me?”
    She held her breath and nodded.
    Joe pursed his lips and answered in a clipped tone. “Once. It didn’t work out.”
    Ali was floored by his admission. He was a gorgeous, thirtysomething man who had a lot going for him, but somehow she couldn’t picture Joe being in love.
    Unless of course, it’s with you, Ali.
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œDon’t be,” he said. “It was for the best.” He dismissed the subject by flipping through a batch of menus she’d brought with her. “Now, what about the reception? Any ideas?”
    â€œI have a few thoughts on the subject.”
    He nodded. “Good.”
    Ali stood and walked around the grounds, conjuring up images of how to best use the backyard and surrounding vineyards for the reception. But more so, she had to move away from her sexy boss to come to grips with the fact that Joe had been in love once. And maybe, he was holding on to that love. Maybe that’s why he’d kept his distance. A knot twisted in the pit of her stomach.
    Joe came up behind her. His nearness made her heart pound against her ribs. “What’s your plan, Ali?”
    In the world-according-to-Joe, you always had to have a plan.
    Ali turned to find him close enough to touch. She searched his eyes, dying to know the truth. Ali made a decision right then and there to go for broke. “I’m working on it. But you can be sure when I come up with a good plan that you’ll be the first to know.”
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    Ali stood in the wine-tasting room at Purple Fields, browsing through the items on the shelves. The quaint shop spoke of decades of winemaking, a family legacy that Tony Carlino had a hand in saving.
    Ali looked out of the shop’s window to view the construction crew outside. It appeared every effort was being made to update the house without losing its original rustic style.
    â€œHello, Ali. This is a pleasant surprise.”
    Ali turned to face Rena, who had walked in from the backroom. “Hi,” Ali said. “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”
    â€œNot at all.” Rena walked over to her. “It’s good to see you again. Sorry about the mess outside. Tony needed more space. And with the baby coming, we thought it best to do the construction before he’s born. Tony wanted to add a playroom for the baby, an office for himself and a full remodel of the kitchen for me.”
    â€œWow! All that will be done before your little bambino enters the world?”
    Rena nodded. “Carlinos have a way of making things happen.”
    Ali glanced out the window again and sighed. “If they want something badly enough I suppose.”
    Rena stared at her, furrowing her brows. “Ali, is something wrong?”
    She shook her head. “No.” She plastered on a big smile. “I came to give you an update on the wedding plans.”
    â€œWonderful. I’m getting excited about it. Come, have a seat and let’s talk.”
    Rena guided her to one of the three small round tables set in the corner portion of the room. “I’ll get us something to drink first. Grape juice for me and our best merlot for you.”
    Rena returned shortly, handing her a wineglass. Ali sipped from it. “This is fabulous.” She set the glass down on the cheery cornflower blue-and-white tablecloth and waited for Rena to take her seat. “Thank you.”
    â€œI should be thanking you for all you’re doing. I hope Joe isn’t working you too hard on this.”
    â€œNot at all. I, uh,