Beguile her: Laws of Seduction Book 2 by Ava Hayworth Page A

god.”
    “Unattainable god, huh?”
    I roll my eyes and throw my pillow at him. “I should have known that would go straight to your head. As if your ego needs any more boosting…”
    “You can boost my… ego anytime.” James says waggling his eyebrows at me.
    “Ha-ha, very funny.”
    James levels a serious look at me. “Lainey, I think we should acknowledge our relationship.”
    “You mean like come out as a couple at the office?”
    “Yes.”
    I must have wrinkled my brow in consternation because James reaches out his hand and smooths my forehead. “I don’t know… I’ll have to think about it… It’s late. I have that presentation tomorrow…” I trail off.
    “Okay, but think about it. Let’s get some sleep.” James moves down so that he is spooning me from behind. I drift off before I can give his suggestion any serious thought.

CHAPTER 9
     
    I awake to James nuzzling me just under my ear. “Hmm, what time is it?” I ask, reaching my hand up and running it through his soft hair.
    “Early, you can go back to sleep. I am going to the gym before work. I’ll see you at the office,” he says before kissing my cheek and leaving. I snuggle back down under the covers for some much needed sleep.
    When my alarm goes off a little while later, I get up feeling refreshed. With the presentation in mind, I choose my outfit with extra care. After trying a few things, I settle on a tan pencil skirt with a black fitted top. The three quarter length sleeves of the top are a sheer black material with darker black polka dots. I consider wearing some peep toe red stilettos, but decide to go a more conservative route. Instead, I step into tan stilettos the same color as my skirt. I fix my hair with loose curls hanging down my back and apply a little makeup. Feeling confident that I look as good as possible, I head out to the kitchen. Sam is already there in shorts pajamas eating a yogurt. I feel her eyes track me around the kitchen, and I try to act as nonchalantly as possible.
    “So,” she begins drawing out the word. “You look particularly good this morning… All that mind blowing sex must agree with you.”
    I have to admit she has me there. I decide there is no point in being coy. “What can I say?” I give a slight shrug. “He brings out my inner tramp.” When my eyes meet Sam’s, we both burst out laughing. 
    “It’s about time.”
    “What? I’ve had sex before.” I say defensively.
    “Oh, yea?“ Sam raises her eyebrow at me, giving me a knowing grin.
    “Okay, maybe not wild, uninhibited monkey sex.”
    “Monkey sex, huh? You’re making my imagination run wild. Care to share a few details?”
    I look pointedly at my watch. “It’s getting late. Don’t you need to get ready?”
    Looking down at the phone in her hand, Sam jumps up. “Oh shit, I’ve got to hurry.”
    Embarrassing discussion diverted, I make a beeline for the door.
    I eat a bagel at my desk for breakfast as I tweak the presentation until I am satisfied that I have done my best. I spend the rest of the morning reviewing what I am going to say. The time rolls by very fast, and before I know it the meeting time has arrived. I give myself a little pep talk before heading off to Washington, where the meeting will take place.
    I am the first one there. I spend the time before the others arrive hooking up my laptop and making sure that I am on the correct PowerPoint slide. The other meeting participants arrive, and James chooses the chair closest to mine at the head of the table. I try not to look at him. Inwardly rolling my eyes, I note that Elizabeth has sat down next to him. Alex is also a part of the team. I smile at him when he comes in, and he gives me a wink before sitting down next to Elizabeth. Next, Raj Sharma and Dennis Belinsky, two senior associates, file in and sit next to Alex. Andrew Mills arrives last. Elizabeth and I are the only women. Thinking back to our conversation the day before, I wonder if Mills